I love beach combing. I find it serene and peaceful. When I moved to Salem, Massachusetts in 2003 I was delighted to live in a residence within walking distance of the water. I began spending countless hours on the shores of Salem harbor, uncovering bits of glass and interesting rocks. On a warm Spring day while playing on the rocky shores with my bulldog, I spotted a piece of porcelain with a swirled blue and white pattern. Intrigued, I thought it must be a fluke. Why would a piece of porcelain be on the beach of all places? But my trips to the shore became more frequent as the weather warmed and I began finding more shards. Most were a weathered cream color, but some held brilliantly colored patterns of flowers, vines and birds. My little pile of fragments soon turned into a bowl of found treasures that I proudly displayed on my coffee table. My thrill of the search became addictive, finding new and unusual pieces all the time. I scoured the ocean, the harbor and even waded deep into the mud to uncover whatever treasures of Salem’s past I could find.

It was on a rainy afternoon one weekend that I decided I’d like to wear one of the shards I had unearthed. Being schooled in jewelry technique, I played around with a stained-glass style and soldered my first piece. It was a thin cream shard with the remnants of a maker’s mark: Homer Laughlin in faded green text. I accented the pendant with a wire silver swirl and placed it on a chain. It was beautiful. A vestige of the past resurrected into a new life as a jewelry statement.

I believe pieces like this hold energy, the energy of their previous owners. Someone who may have shared a special dinner on what was once a plate. Delicate conversation struck up whilst drinking tea from a porcelain cup. China given as a wedding gift. It became my passion to take these life fragments, infuse them with my creative energy and give life and new joy to someone who would wear the treasure with warmth.


It was while buying tickets to a local event in Salem’s Pamplemousse kitchen shop that a conversation arose about my unusual necklace. Diane Manahan, the owner of Pamplemousse, asked to buy my necklace after hearing the story of how it was made. She then thought that others would enjoy my jewelry and asked me to create a collection for her shop. I graciously obliged and she has been carrying my found wares ever since.

I continue to enjoy crafting this unique line of jewelry as my findings are always different and keep me inspired. When the waters around Salem are done spilling the secrets of the past, I will look to new inspirations, but I’m ever hopeful that day does not come any time soon.