Joie de Vivre jewelry is an eclectic collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings made from natural materials, including precious and semi-precious gemstones, precious metals, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystal and other lovely components. The translation, "joy of life", fits the design philosophy: the pieces are created with true love for the components and zesty living. Pieces are categorized by color, material and type to help the process of finding just the right piece. There are creative categories relating to humanities and science, and homage to artists creating cool component. There's also an option to subscribe to the latest works and receive cheer throughout the year - what can be better than that?

New jewelry items (see the new products page) tend to follow a seasonal pattern with bright, vibrant colors in spring and summer and jewel-bright, more formal designs in fall and winter. I'm always experimenting with new gemstones and techniques, and certain themes show themselves in a season.

E t s y   s t o r e :   ofgoodcheer

My Etsy shop generally contains a sampling of items listed here. There are several pieces that can only be found on the Etsy shop and many items that can only be found here. Generally, smaller scale gemstone items are offered in my Etsy store ofgoodcheer.

My approach to Joie de Vivre jewelry is to highlight the beauty of the components themselves. I look for color and texture combinations that are unusual but complementary, and above all, I have fun with the designs. My preference is to use natural stones, precious metals and Swarovski crystal. These components cost more, but my experience has been that the luster and good feel they bring to a piece of jewelry is well worth the price. I handcraft each piece and most are unique. My kids are older now but I remember life when they were younger so I understand the need for durability when it comes to contact with inquisitive hands. Look for the "Triple T" symbol (Toddler Tug Test) in the product description: a check means the design is robust to their loving care and an X means the design is more likely to tweak or break.

I've been making jewelry in various forms since high school and experiencing the growth of the handcrafted community has been a delight. I don't always get to make as much or as often as I would like, but the pieces are made with love and care when I do sit down to create.