After I finished my service in the Navy nearly three decades ago, I traveled around the world. First to Europe and then I spent a year traveling in South America. It was there that I found myself collecting gemstones.

At the time, I had no idea why ... but years later, when my children grew up, I took a totally unexpected direction in life after responding to an invitation to sign up at a jewelry design school. Having believed, all those years, that I had two "left hands" (that's what I was told since childhood), I had no real intention to sign up.

Even though I planned on studying law or social work, the thought of creating and working with my hands never really left me. It was always there, at the back of my mind. Then I figured "what's there to lose?"
I went to the opening day of school and learned about determination and perseverance that first day, two qualities I believe I was blessed with. All of the rest is history.