With a degree in Fine Art from the University of Oregon, a decade of on the job business training with Nordstrom, and 3 years living in Santa Fe working for a jewelry wholesaler, I finally felt ready to take a giant leap of faith and start my own company in 2001. Ten years later there are still so many challenges to learn from as technology changes at lighting fast speed and fashion and consumer taste continues to evolve. One thing hasn’t changed though as we continue to handcraft each piece of jewelry by hand in our studio with my wonderful miniature schnauzer Rudy at my side.

In 2010, I re-named my business as Wallin & Buerkle, a tribute to my grandmothers, honoring my father’s mother, Ruth Wallin and my mother’s mother, Margaret Buerkle.

Many days I receive phone calls from our accounts telling me stories of how the jewelry helped a customer in their store put something special together, a young girl with cancer, her favorite color is purple with a hope tag and an amethyst gemstone. A precious gift from a mother to her daughter,  a boyfriend to a girlfriend, all marking a special moment in time with their gift.

I feel honored and grateful that Wallin & Buerkle could be a part of so many special moments and feel blessed to have owned by own company for a decade now.

I give charitable donations to the American Cancer Society and a local non-profit, Abby’s Closet.