Since graduating from Dartmouth I have been helping out at the jewelry studio as a teacher. I have a little more responsibility now than what I did when I was an undergrad. It’s a privilege to get to work with so many different students from all backgrounds and ages. My favorite part are the relationships I have been able to develop here.

I am used to answering hundreds of questions by now but recently one of my students asked me “When did you find out you are an artist?”

It all started when I was first working with jewelry and different ideas. I never considered myself an artist or thought about taking art classes. There was never a moment for me when I said or thought “Oh, yeah I am AN ARTIST”. It was more like a oh cool I am making things and I am thinking a lot about creating and about what I want to say with my work.

I grew into the role of an “artist” when I realized how I would lose myself in my work and it felt like the right route for me in spite of its risks. Senior year, I decided there was no other job for me than doing what I had already been doing – jewelry. I can work on jewelry for hours on end, with no end. I like the challenges and the constraints of working with precious materials and my hands. This has allowed me to connect with others who similarly have found what inspires them to take risks and that thing that inspires them to follow their heart.