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About the Artist

My name is Michelle, and I am 40-something and married with a 10 year old daughter and 6 year old son. After working many years in a large city, 500+ employee lawfirm, the birth of my daughter prompted me to leave the hectic, stressful lifestyle and spend some quiet, easy-going time with my children. A couple of years ago, some other mommas on a parenting list I'm on, were talking about ideas on working from home. A number of them mentioned making jewelry. After thinking about it on and off for a year or so, my daughter (then almost 6) decided she wanted a jewelry-making party for her 6th birthday. I bought some brightly colored wooden and fimo beads from Oriental Trading Post. Those little girls drove me crazy! It was all I could do to keep from grabbing all their beads and redesigning them for color, style and symmetry. I had to go in the other room!

After that little birthday party (and the previous years 5 year old birthday party with a rock-hunting party) I decided to give jewelry making a try. I started off with my Nursing Necklaces for mommas with nursing babes. I became hooked! I joined some jewelry-making support lists, and the rest is history. Now I see that my daughter is partially responsible for all this, and can always be found rooting through my "stash" and wanting to hoard my stock.

I've always been a stone hound since I was a little girl. My mother has (not-so) fond memories of rocks going through the washing machine, in the vacuum, on the floor in her car, and I'm sure many other places, as well. I remember reading books about rocks when I was a child. This is obviously why my work has gravitated toward semi-precious jewelry and sterling silver. Now I have my daughters rocks rattling around in the ash-trays on the floor of my truck, vacuum beads and rocks up from the corners of the house, and get serenaded by rocks rattling around the washing machine and dryer.

In addition to my family, I also share my life with my animal friends. We have five horses. Lakota (*Lakota Gem) is a 10 year old American Curly Horse.  Curly horses have curly coats and are hypoallergenic. They are also very friendly, inquisitive, and people-oriented. They make wonderful family horses. I volunteer as bookkeeper and run the fundraising committee for Curly Horse Rescue . Jen (*Morningstar Jen) is Lakota's sister, a 10 year old American Curly Horse. She is our most recent rescue, and you can read more about her on her page. Her filly, Ana, was born here on May 18, 2007, and is just the sweetest, most adorable, friendly little foal. We also have two "wee ones." April is a miniature, and is my daughters pet.  Whinney is a Shetland Pony, who my daughter is learning to ride on. Most recently, in November of 2007, we have been joined by Leroy, a former Amish workhorse, who was in a feedlot in Pa, scheduled to head out for slaughter. Unfortunately, we have lost our fair share of pets over the years. Their tributes are on the Rainbow Bridge page. You can see where the profits from this jewelry venture are going, into the feed, vet care, and rehabbing of these horses.

We also have two pygmy goats who just sort of ended up here a couple of years ago. :-) I also raise poultry for organic eggs. We have quite a variety of breeds, who lay brown, white and green eggs. There are also a few ducks, and Bunner, the African Goose. Bunner is self-appointed guardian of the flock, and especially loves his white Pekin duck.
All jewelry designs, photos, and descriptions Copyright © 2004 -2007 Chestnut Hill Designs - ChestnutHillDesigns.@gmail.com