Anne ForbesMy mother's teacher was Greta Pack, an influential artist and art historian from Carmel, California. She was an authority and author of books on Mexican Taxco jewelry of the 20s through the 50s. From her, my mother gained an appreciation of substantial, handmade, smoothly worked silver and gold jewelry. She passed her appreciation on to me while I was young.When I was a student, I studied painting and Batik. I attended Cranbrook Art Academy, Birmingham, Michigan; Haystack School of Crafts, Dee Island, Maine; and received a B.A. in Art Education from Michigan State University.Upon moving to Taos in 1971, I was struck again by the silver and began making jewelry.I was fortunate to work with Rowena Martinez at the original Trading Post of Taos, created by her husband Ralph Meyers in 1918. The jewelry that passed through her trading post in the 1970s and 80s on a daily basis was truly remarkable. There was quite a bit of variety, I saw old pawn, new work, and a lot of Taxco jewelry. She was a great inspiration to me and a direct and treasured link to old Taos.All of my jewelry is handmade, by myself, in my studio. It is done by fabrication, in which I construct and solder many pieces of sterling and/or gold to form the design. I use many ancient beads and coins, some up to 4,000 years old or older. I choose the stones that I use, precious or semi-precious, for their color and uniqueness.My jewelry is made to form fit the body and enhance the presence of the human form.