Nominated by Northern Illinois University As an identified jeweler and metalsmith, I work both traditionally and non-traditionally. Mywork combines metalwork with natural found material. I am a collector by habit of naturalobjects, which I often have the most sentiment for out of my possessions. The objects I collectare integrated into the art pieces I make. I compare this process to the spiritual concept ofTransmigration, which is said to be the migration of a soul into a new body. I work around thenatural objects I collect and hope to transform their presence into a new existence. The jewelry I make is intended to adorn the human body, but is also suitable for display.I’m interested in the history of adornment through an anthropological lens and often ponder thequestion, why do humans adorn themselves? Along with the history of adornment, andanthropology I’m interested in the subject of science related to the process and material ofjewelry and metalmsithing. However, my work is not limited to jewelry, and neither is my media. I also create wearable and non-wearable sculpture, as well as two-dimensional worksuch as prints and drawings. The media I mostly work with is wood, fiber, resin, metal, andfound material to create my pieces. I am highly process driven, and I entertain myself on thethought of my practice as alchemy. Image: Deerest Necklace, silver, felt, cubic zirconia, deer jaw bone, 9”x7”, 2018