Since an early age I was always doing something with my hands...I needed to be creative...and I loved to learn new things. I began by altering a broken rosary from my grandmother....It was coming apart, so I bought a simple jewelry pliers and fixed it. Then I began to look at other beads that I had and started to string those together and giving them away as gifts to my friends.
I stumbled upon Etsy by accident and opened a shop but it remained empty for a full year before I had the courage to put something in it. Since I was an antique dealer by profession, I started out putting in vintage jewelry and findings. I saw the lovely things people where making with my things, and thought, I can do that. So I began to assemble simple earrings. Soon I began to sell my own work and the desire to create and make more and learn more took over.
I have been published several times in Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine, a beautiful publication that I would have never gotten into if it hadn't been for Etsy.
I am currently studying metalsmithing at Long Beach City College, a challenging and demanding course. I want my work to evolve into handmade sterling silver jewelry and custom one of a kind pieces. I have a keen interest in making my own beads and currently am working with polymer clay...who knows where that may lead...I love to learn new techniques and trying out different things and keeping my work interesting and fun both for me and my customer.
The rest of my time is spent writing , playing and studying music. I play the ukelele, guitar and just now started taking drum lessons.
I have a regular yoga practice and love going to the bluff in Long Beach where there is a daily outdoor yoga class with a view of the ocean and the Queen Mary.
I live with my artist husband Giuseppe de Piero is a 1928 Spanish revival home that we renovated, in Long Beach, California.
Creating is my joy and passion. I love my beautiful customers who have kept me going with their words of encouragement...Thank you from the bottom of my (beatn) heart..xxCynthia