Gratefully, I can say I have grown significantly over the last 18 years, so much so that I am busting at the seams in the studio I've been working in Decatur for about 10 years. Consistently, I do well at the Southeastern shows in the US where I show and sell my artwork. Before Hurricane Helene, my artwork was in New Morning Gallery in Asheville, NC, as well as 3 other galleries in W. Virginia and Florida.

Having maxed out my space with no room to grow, no space for students to mentor, for an assistant, or more than a few patrons to shop, I needed to make a choice—to downsize or expand. It's time. Time to stretch. Metalsmithing is my passion; it is the way I thrive. There's no looking back. I not only want to continue on this path, I want to light a fire along it that transforms and inspires!

It will be a new, exciting challenge and growth that will allow me more potential to inspire others with my art, a gallery space, one or more art shows in my studio, and through classes. The purposes will be the same, but I'll have more space, greater freedom to make choices that will fit, and greater potential to expand into other activities, purposes, and with more collaboration with other patrons, artisans, and the community.

I realize 2024 was a difficult time for some people emotionally, financially, and maybe even physically. My heart is with you. Thank you for being a part of my support and my successes over the past 18 years. As I move into this new, inspiring growth, I invite you to be a part of the next exciting era in all the ways you want to be involved: creatively, indulging in the fun, art, and classes, and through financial support.

There are several ways you could contribute to the success of this project:

* Give a monetary gift via GoFundMe or anonymously through Zelle, cash, check, or Venmo. GoFundMe will take a processing fee of approximately 3%, so if you give to GoFundMe via Venmo or bank transfer, 100% will go to finding and creating an art studio.

* Buy an additional piece of jewelry or small sculpture more than you would typically buy in a year from me (at a show, by texting me a request, or on my Etsy site).

* Share my Etsy page, my website, my phone number, my email, my show invitation(s), and this link with friends, family, businesses that purchase gifts for their employees, a museum gift shop where you have connections, a gallery contact where you have connections, and/or share on social media.

* Offer a forward of service(s) payment or deposit or request a commissioned piece of artwork (or class/workshop). For example, pledge and pay $2000, then over the next 4-7 years receive services such as a commissioned piece of artwork, some jewelry pieces at one of my shows, rent the gallery for a business meeting or art show for your artwork, a weekend workshop, and a rental of the house for the duration of the workshop, etc.

* Give a gift in kind to support building and restoration of the metalsmithing studio, gallery, house/dormitories, etc., for example, tree trimming, adding hardwood floors, replacing a window, adding insulation, paving the parking lot, donating jewelry benches.

As always, I appreciate your past support, morally, creatively, and financially—I could not have made it artistically or in business without your support these past 18 years. Thank you for your appreciation and support of my artwork!!