hello, my name is

(stands up hesitatingly)

mary jane dodd... and i have an uncontrollable desire to figure out how to make things myself... 


like many of you, i have been making manifest the things i envision for much of my life... in different media and with different techniques... 


what set off the whole adornment 'thing' was sundance catalog over 10 yrs. ago... i would look through the pages and think 'i can do that'... and so i started trying... 


but it wasn't until my entry into the world of blogging/etsy/flickr that i really started to develop a style and find ways to express myself... it was like falling into a virtual artists commune... people working through different kinds of problems - be they the technical, inspirational, or even business type... being a studio jeweler can be isolating (and add 3 kids into the mix and there is no time for anything!)


i am of the belief that we are continuously subjected to so much external stimuli that we can lose our way easily... i like to think of the pieces i create as bridges to your Self... ways to get back to what is important to you when you are feeling overwhelmed... 

life is bittersweet - for all of us... i find affirmation in words and hope that you find a connection with them as well... gemstones are used for their metaphysical properties... i prefer using mixed media - the bringing together of metal and fiber is a tangible way of expressing fragile strength - a quality i think many women share... resin can take an antique page of text and preserve it for many many years to come... enamel allows me to add my own color (something i have learned from another lmaj member who you will meet)... as does adding patina (also learned from a talented lmaj member)... 


we at lmaj look forward to sharing our journey with you - the accomplishments and the set backs, all the while moving forward... 


i invite you to stop by my blog @  www.mairedodd.blogspot.com ~