My Story
I am a multidisciplinary artist based in Austin, Texas, and my work is shaped by my Mexican, Kickapoo, and Irish heritage. Rooted in old-world techniques, my practice honors ancestral voices while bringing traditional craft into a contemporary context. Through handweaving and goldsmithing, I preserve historical methods while reimagining them through a modern lens. The result is work that blurs the boundaries between art, culture, and fashion.
I was born in Austin and spent my childhood in the countryside, riding horses and living on a farm about two hours outside the city. From an early age, I was drawn to Native crafts such as braiding and beading, often practicing on my horses’ manes and tails. I began bead weaving when I was young, making handmade gifts for friends and family, and later taught myself to weave textiles and work with precious metals.
My work is a deeply personal exploration of ancestry and inherited knowledge, a continuing dialogue with the traditions of those who came before me. I am largely self-taught, with my formal training coming through apprenticeships and mentorships with experienced jewelers in the trade. I also earned my diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, where I developed a strong foundation in jewelry, gemstone and diamond grading.
When I’m not weaving or working at the forge, I spend my time with my two teenage sons, reading historical or fantasy novels (Tolkien is my favorite), and tending to my garden.
Artisanal Lineage
Growing up watching my father craft custom woodworking, I quickly recognized the immense value of mastering a hand skill. My great-grandfather Joe, a talented watchsmith, passed down many tools that I continue to use in my metalwork today. With each piece I create, I pay tribute to my family’s legacy, history, and the craftsmanship that has shaped my journey.
Gem Legacy
My passion for jewelry and gemstones was instilled in me at a young age by my great-grandfather, “Paw Paw Murphy.” Along with his brother, Uncle Joe, he was among the “old timers” who traded gems, minerals, and fossils in the early days of the Tucson Gem Show. I remember being a child in his home, surrounded by crystals and the wonder of his collection.
He taught me about gemstones, dinosaur coprolite, and even let me borrow his mineralogy poster for my first-grade show-and-tell. That same poster now hangs in my metalsmithing workshop, alongside many of the gems and minerals he passed down to me.
I am proud to carry forward my family’s gem legacy by incorporating select heirloom stones into my jewelry designs and collaborating with lapidary artists to bring new life to the extensive collection of rough gemstones he left behind.
