From childhood, art in one form or another had always been a part of my life. I was fascinated with my mother's dress design sketches and my Aunt's art books spurred my interest in drawing. In High School I had an exceptional art teacher who really encouraged me. For many years I did Tole and Decorative Painting ,from which I learned my painting techniques, and I derived a great deal of satisfaction from it as I created objects for my home and family. I pursued a career as a registered nurse and it was not until later in life, when I retired, that Foxberries Handcrafted Jewelry began. It was my daughter-in-law (the other Donna Pedini), who introduced me to the world of brass charms and this combination allowed me to blend my love of jewelry with my painting.

Although I create and design a wide range of jewelry themes, my favorites are the ones related to nature, gardening and fantasy. I hand paint the charms with metallic acrylics paints which allows the soft glow of the brass to show through. Crystals and beads and glitter enhance some of my designs because I love the "sparkle". The basic jewelry line is continually undergoing change as I find new things to try and incorporate into my designs. My hope is that you will find a creation that will make you smile and that it will bring a bit of whimsy into your day. I joined MIC in 2003 and have been Director since 2005.