I've always been what you might call a "creative type." I spent my youth immersed in make-believe, drawing, writing, making pottery, knitting, sewing, dreaming, talking to faeries…the list went on and on.

And then I grew up and found it was time to face reality. At least, that's what everyone else told me. So,  the first 17 years of my adult life was spent in the most creative, yet responsible career I could get away with: as an advertising writer and creative director. Evenings and hours after midnight were spent pursuing those creative activities of my youth.

After my precious daughter was born, I pledged to be a stay-at-home mommy who would teach her to eat her vegetables, be kind to the cats, and encourage her to tap into her imagination.

Even though she was a willing pupil and a delightful baby, I soon realized that being a stay-at-home mom was way more difficult than it looked. It wasn't long before I found I needed to find a way to recharge myself. I found I had to have a creative outlet and personal time to be a really good mom. Not to mention, to help me be a happy, loving wife to my wonderful, sweet, and supportive husband.

Which brings me to where I am now…

I pray you take pleasure in what I have to offer you. It has been created with imagination and love.

A little about the name, Talisman Rocks™

I could wax poetic about how the word “talisman” has a connection with things magickal. I could go on about how wearing my jewelry will make you feel empowered and mystically centered.

And indeed, you will find that there's a subtle underlying glow of positive energy contained in every piece that will help make you feel happy. I believe this is because I have vowed only to create in the presence of good vibrations and laughter. Your hands are like a conduit for what is in your heart, and because stones and precious metals pick up vibrations of what is around them, those environmental things must ultimately contain happiness for the jewelry to help you feel good. That's why I consider the word "talisman" the essential description of what I ultimately create.

The main thing—to me, anyway—is that whatever you choose to wear, let it express the uniqueness of you! And just like you are one-of-a-kind, your jewelry should be too! Let it showcase your energy, your wit, your joy, your wisdom. Connect with the power that you know reverberates in the stones and antique beads. Express yourself through them! Rock on!

A little more about the jewelry
I am often asked where I get my ideas. I am inspired by many things, but mainly, music trips some deep-down creative switch in me. I imagine the setting, what a woman/muse in a song is wearing, the swing of her hair, the rips in her jeans, the kind of drink she orders, and I go from there…

All my jewelry designs are handcrafted using:
•Highest available quality (AA to AAA Gem quality)Semi-precious and Precious Stone
•Rare, Vintage and Antique Beads
•Genuine Swarovski® Crystals, both vintage and new
•Precious Metals : 14k and 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Fine Silver, 24k Gold vermeil, and 14k Gold-filled wire, clasps, and earwires (14k gold and Fine Silver earwires available upon request)
•Vintage Brass is used in some designs featuring vintage beads
•Lead-free Artisian Pewter Beads

I stand behind my craftsmanship, using only the highest quality materials available. Still, handmade jewelry is more delicate than machine-made pieces, and must be treated gently (see "Taking Care of Your New Treasures" below).

Please note, all my designs are copyrighted

Taking Care of Your New Treasures
Properly maintained, jewelry improves with age and develops a lush patina. Many of my designs are treated to look aged and show off the texture of the metal and because of this, you should not try to completely remove the antiqued areas, or it will change the look of the piece.

Some Basics…

• Never wear your treasures while gardening, or doing other heavy chores
• Never wear sterling in chlorinated water or if working with household chemicals
• Jumbling jewelry together can tangle them, and hard stones such as rubies and quartz, can scratch and chip soft stones like turquoise, chrysocolla, apatite, coral, opal, and pearl

How to Clean  There are a variety of ways to take care of your new jewelry, however, silver dips are not recommended. Many leave microscopic pits in the silver causing it to darken faster. Preventive care by storing your piece in a closed box or plastic bag is best, as silver tarnishes when left exposed to air.

Soft Jewelry Polishing Cloth  For gold, silver and gold-filled (also called rolled gold) jewelry, I recommend using a jewelry polishing cloth. Jewelry polishing cloths contain chemical cleaners that will give a lasting luster to your jewelry. Use one when you notice that your jewelry starts to appear dull, or slightly tarnished.

Soap and Water  You may also clean your silver and gold-filled jewelry by simply washing the piece in warm soapy water. Use lukewarm water (not hot, as it can crack some stones) and a couple drops of mild soap such as ivory (not antibacterial). Use a soft toothbrush to get into tight places. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth immediately to avoid mineral residue from the water. Paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products. For more stubborn dirt, use jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.

Although soap and lukewarm water is the best choice for most gems and jewelry, please do not use soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, or turquoise.  Water only is best on these soft stones.

Cleaning Pearls  Pearls are alkaline in nature so fragrance, hairspray, chlorine and bleach are not friendly to pearls. Use hairspray or fragrance before you put on your jewelry. Clean pearls with a soft damp cloth when body oils dull the surface. Don’t wear pearls while swimming or showering. Water does not harm pearls, but chemicals will. If there is sterling silver on the piece, use a dry polishing cloth only on the silver. Store pearls in a box or cloth pouch.

©2007 Talisman Rocks™