I grew up in Cedarburg, a charming community 30 miles north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cedarburg has many quaint shops and antique buildings that house art studios, which may be why I've been drawn to the arts from an early age.
Making jewelry in my spare time soon became a passion as well as a necessity. An allergy to most store-bought earrings prompted me to make sterling silver and gold-filled ear wires. These metals are more wearable for people who are sensitive to nickel and 'mystery metals'.
As my love for jewelry making expands, so do my designs and techniques. Some of my hobbies, including crocheting and knitting, play a part in my crocheted wire jewelry, which incorporate glass beads and semi-precious gemstones. My most recent work mixes natural stones and metals with added textures and patinas, joined by soldering or hand-cut tube rivets.
Now a full-time jewelry artist and trained Metalsmith, my driving force is a desire to make unique jewelry that really "makes an outfit". I prefer not to make duplicate pieces so every piece can be its own distinctive "work of art".
“Making jewelry is like therapy for me. I am happiest when I can be creative.” —Julie Ruhnke, 2007
