She initially began making jewelry by stringing beads into various designs.  Very quickly, she found that was not very artistically rewarding or challenging.  In January of 2003, she began the learning process of wire wrapping/sculpting.  Donna is primarily a self-educated artist but has learned techniques via videotapes from Master Wire Artist Preston Reuther as well as from instructional books written by Jessie Donnan, a wire artist twice featured in Wire Artist Jeweller magazine.  In April 2004, Donna completed an intermediate 'Cougarism - Techniques of Wire Jewelry Design' class taught by Dale Armstrong of Cougars Creations.  Also, in early 2004, she began to incorporate chainmaille patterns in her jewelry designs. The latter part of 2006, Donna further expanded into  Precious Metal Clay, which when fired, becomes .999 fine silver.  In 2007, Donna took a glass fusing class under the instruction of BradWalker, author of Warm Glass. 

The designs in her wire jewelry evolve as she makes each piece.  Donna lets the stone and wire 'do the talking' and does not know how the jewelry will look until each piece is completed.  She is constantly looking for elements in architecture, furniture, and even other types of jewelry that may be incorporated into a design.  (Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.) Most of the time Donna tries to limit her sculpted/wire wrapped jewelry to 'one of a kind' so no two pieces are exactly alike.

Donna uses her hands to wrap and sculpt the wire and uses minimal tools in the process.  She uses .925 sterling silver wire, 14/20k gold filled wire as well as a variety of stones, mineral, glass, and other materials in her jewelry.

In the spring of 2003, she began participating in Arts and Craft shows and festivals. Please visit the Events page for her show listings. 

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The International Guild of Wire Jewelry Artists.

Awards:
SC Festival of Flowers Arts and Craft Show, Greenwood, SC 

2nd Place, Jewelry Division
2008  (wire wrapped du shutes jasper pendant with swarovski pearl necklace)

3rd Place, Jewelry Division
2006  (wire wrapped pendant)