Carla’s creations are handcrafted works of art: an eclectic mix of copper, sterling silver and 14 kt gold along with glass beads, fresh water pearls, shell, semi-precious and precious beads, cabochons, and faceted stones and dichroic glass.

She utilizes traditional jewelry fabrication and casting techniques to achieve a balance in form and function in her wearable art.

Her style has been influenced by years of living in New Mexico, working with Special Needs children and seeing the positive affect their artwork and the craftwork process has had in their lives.

Carla has studied her craft for over 15 years, beginning with beadwork and moving into sterling silver, enamels and 14k gold and glass fusing. Her venue for learning has been classes at The Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio, Texas; Conner Jeweler’s School in New Albany, Indiana; The Creative Side Jewelry Academy in Austin, Texas; the GIA in Carlsbad, California, private tutors and a multitude of books and experimentation.

She comes to her art/jewelry career after working as an Occupational Therapist, assisting others to relearn basic life skills after suffering illness, disease, or accident.

It was as a therapist that Carla learned to find balance: form balanced with function, humor balanced with perseverance, motivation balanced with relaxation. She utilizes these concepts to help her create wearable art that speaks to her unique clientele.

As well as her regular jewelry lines, and her one of a kind works of art, Carla also does custom fabrication. She says, “Taking a client’s vision and turning it into a beautiful piece of jewelry is one of my favorite challenges and, I’ve been told, one of my strengths!”