Originally from Los Angeles, I’m a metalsmith with over ten years experience making small batch jewelry inspired by the colors and landscape of the American Southwest. Currently living in Rochester, New York (go Bills!), I’ve also practiced smithing in Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, DC and Cusco, Peru.

The origins of my brand name, ‘La Colochina Silver,’ are from my nickname while living in El Salvador from 2010 to 2012. ‘Colochina’ means curly haired in local slang.

Living in a rural area in Central America’s smallest country impacted me in many positive ways by showing the resilience of communities to rebuild in creative and healthy ways after a devastating civil war. In El Salvador, I learned local artisan skills and crafts like wire wrapping, hammock weaving and embossing from community artists.

Fast-forward to more present day, I received my MA in International Development from Josef Korbel School of International Studies in Colorado where I climbed as many 14er mountains as I could. The more formal training in the international space helped me find work at the intersection of the environment and Latin America, which I’ve done alongside developing my smithing skills. I’m currently working in Rochester in the international education space.