About

Future Heirlooms, Ventura, CA

When I studied Ancient Civilizations at Stanford, I had no clue at all that I was interested in design. Actually, it all seems to have begun when I saw a glass ashtray in a store window, and soon after was augmented by the delighted chirp of my friend when she saw what she called "That beautiful dahlia-colored corduroy!" in another store window. I began to look, and see, and become excited by design, color (OH, COLOR!), shells on the beach, shapes of driftwood...
Several years later I took classes in jewelry fabrication, casting, and welding; I was to discover that I preferred to design using various things to their best advantage rather than to file and solder, but the ability to use these tools has made it possible for me to more than string beads.
In '79 I backpacked around Europe and became a museum-junkie; here were many of the art pieces of which I'd become acquainted in classes - how fascinating, what sapiens will take the time to make in a survival society.
 When I returned to California, I found that President Nixon's having opened trade with China in '72 had prompted the importation of wonderful, tiny, Ch'ing Dynasty artifacts; other travelers came to large shows bringing their objects from far-places, and that's how I became involved. The world was calmer then; these kinds of things are not available any more, so I treasure those I still have to use.
I make everything myself except those earrings which can be repeated (about 10% of my collection); those repeatables and all the earwires are made by my assistant, Michele, who also sends the postcards and emails to customers when shows are scheduled.
The website I've listed above is ending; the new website, earringaddict.com, is being created now on Sizzle.net and should be up and visible in a month.