My artist self found inspiration in the glaciers and colors of S.E. Alaska 46 years ago. Today my oldest daughter, Alex Van Nostrand works as an Assistant Expedition Leader on Linblad/National Geographic ships that travel to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle. Her vistas though different, are familiar to me. Her somber observations of the rapidly melting polar ice caps tear at my heart: the starving polar bears, the sea bird, seal and walrus colonies losing their homes, the delicate ecosystem of 12 different whale species losing their food supply. Meanwhile Atlanta, Venice, Ithaca and Skagway all experienced record breaking temperatures making everyone miserable, painfully aware of the looming crisis upon us and all creatures.

I tried to make what was overwhelming more palpable and manageable through the act of designing this new jewelry series: “Who Will Remember the Ice?”  As the glaciers crack into crystalline forms, a color of ethereal blue becomes visible, rising water froths, and brown earth is exposed where ice used to be. I chose stones for their symbolic hues to express these changing patterns. I am only one person, yet I have faith that beauty can be transformative.

I’m excited to premier this collection at the Green Door Studio this Friday and Saturday, October 4 & 5, 12PM-5PM. 152 Inlet Valley Way, Ithaca NY 14850. My friend, the prolific “quilt lady” Nancy Briggs, joins me in showing her striking array of quilts and wall hangings. We hope to see you there.