Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to questions I get often. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you don’t find an answer you’re looking for.

  1. How did you get into this kind of work?

  2. Do you take custom orders?

  3. Where do you get your silverware and materials?

  4. What forms of payment do you accept?

  5. Can you resize jewelry?

  6. Where can I buy your work?

  7. Is your jewelry made with sterling silver?

  8. What if I have sensitive skin?

  9. Who is involved in the creation of your work?

  10. How long will it take to fill my order?

  11. What kind of shipping do you offer?

  12. What is your return policy?

1. How did you get into this kind of work?

I was indecisive about my major in college, so I started taking classes I thought sounded interesting. I took a jewelry & metalsmithing class that I quickly fell in love with. This led to a blacksmithing class and then a few sculpture classes, in which I focused on using upcycled metal items.

One of our sculpture assignments was to use “found objects” as a medium, things you might find laying around and not normally see used in art because they already have a function, such as silverware. The local resale store had bins of cheap silverware, and as a poor college student, cheap was the goal. I made an owl out of knives, a steamer basket, and other small upcycled items. I loved the entire process of making that little owl, so I continued to work with silverware and found objects. This led to larger sculptures and eventually my senior project, The Peacock, or “New Beginnings” as it is formally titled.

2. Do you take custom orders?

Absolutely! I’ve found some of my favorite designs have come from special requests. Collaboration feeds creativity. I will be in contact with you every step of the way to make sure your design comes to life as you imagine.

What I need to know:

  • What do you have in mind? (Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, something else?)

  • How many pieces do you want?

  • If applicable, what size(s) do you need?

  • Will you be sending me your own silverware? (Solid sterling or silver plated only please! Stainless steel is very difficult to work with.)

  • What is your budget?

  • Do you have a deadline?

  • Example pictures or sketches help immensely.

What you need to know:

  • I am happy to use your heirloom silverware. However, there is no price difference, as I am assuming the responsibility and risk in using your invaluable items.

  • I will be up front with you if I am unable to fulfill your request or unsure if the design will be possible. I will do my best to offer an alternative. Again, collaboration is key!

  • The time it takes to complete an order will depend on many factors. I will give you an estimated completion time and may be able to work with you on rush orders, though I cannot guarantee a certain date.

Contact me to get started!

3. Where do you get your silverware and materials?

I find most of my silverware at resale/antique shops and yard sales, and I can get specific patterns online if a customer is requesting something I don’t have. A lot of it is given to me by friends and family as well, since they know what I do and keep their eyes peeled for deals!

If you have old silverware laying around that you want to get rid of, contact me and I’ll let you know if I’m interested in purchasing it. Your trash is my treasure! I’m also happy to custom make heirloom pieces for you out of your own silverware. See the question above for information on custom orders.

4. What forms of payment do you accept?

You can place an order on my website and pay using a card or Google/Apple Pay, or contact me to pay via:

  • PayPal

  • Venmo

  • CashApp

  • Cash in person (Grand Rapids, MI area)

5. Can you resize jewelry?

Yes! My rings can be resized before I ship, just let me know what your size is when ordering. My bracelets are designed to be adjustable and fit all sizes. If you are unsure about your size or need help deciding, please contact me.

I do not resize other artist’s work.

6. Where can I buy your work?

I do not have a physical shop (yet!) but I do have work in several shops around Michigan, and I occasionally sell at art and music festivals. There is a list of shops currently featuring my work at the bottom of my home page, or you can go to my events page to see a list of my upcoming and past events.

7. Is your jewelry made with sterling silver?

The flatware I use for my jewelry is silver plated. This means it is made of a base metal, such as nickel or brass, and electroplated with sterling silver. It is hard to tell what base metal is used in a piece of silver plated flatware, but can sometimes be determined when the silver plating has been worn off and the base metal shows through - like paint on wood. I try to avoid using pieces of flatware with the silver plating worn off, so sterling silver should be all that touches your skin.

If you would like to request a piece made from solid sterling, please contact me. I do have some solid sterling silverware to choose from, or we can search for something online (at your cost to acquire). I can work with you to make something that you not only love, but you know won’t irritate your skin! Ebay and Etsy are good places to search.

I use exclusively solid sterling silver necklace chains and earring wires. The smaller findings I use (jump rings, eye pins, etc.) are silver plated, and the clasps are usually solid sterling silver, but sometimes plated. As above, please reach out if you need something made only with sterling findings as well.

8. What if I have sensitive skin?

Most people won’t have a problem wearing silver plated jewelry, but if you are worried about the base metals coming in contact with your skin, I can coat the piece in Renaissance Wax - it is a hard crystalline wax that will create a barrier between the metal and your skin, reducing the chance of skin discoloration or irritation. It is invisible and does not have a waxy texture, you won’t even know it’s there. The wax needs to be reapplied periodically, especially if you polish your jewelry, which will remove the wax.

**Disclaimer: If you have a severe allergy to base metals, it might be best to avoid silver plated metals altogether and stick to solid sterling. I cannot guarantee that the Renaissance Wax will eliminate a reaction, though it is a good cautionary step and has worked for my customers.

9. Who is involved in the creation of your work?

Just me! From sourcing, producing, packaging, sales, and marketing, I’m a one-woman show! This means custom orders may take a while, but I promise, it will be worth it.

10. How long will it take to fill my order?

I try to fill and ship orders within 1-3 days of receiving them, depending on my schedule. If it will take any longer than that (which is rare), I will contact you ASAP.

11. What kind of shipping do you offer?

I use first class shipping for all orders, as this is the cheapest option. It can take up to 5 days. If you need a faster shipping option, please contact me and I will do my best to accommodate your request. Additional charges will apply.

12. What is your return policy?

Returns will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you are unhappy with a product, or it was damaged during shipping, please contact me and I will discuss the matter with you directly.

I do not accept returns on custom orders.