Wood to Wear allows me to use wood in unique ways. With its infinite variety of color and texture and pattern, wood can be used like a precious metal, stone or jewel. I can form the wood to highlight special grain; woods of different colors and textures can be combined with each other and with silver or other materials.
I use wood in pendants with wooden or silver collars, formed into beads, and shaped into bangles, cuffs and neckpieces of different sizes and shapes. I also use compressed wood, which bends easily, to make twisted, braided or formed bracelets and necklaces.
Wood also presents challenges in the design and construction of the pieces — they need to be strong enough to withstand everyday wear, and the connections of the separate parts must be an integral part of the design.