My work is so strongly fashion, and it meant I had to downplay my exuberance and sculptural dimension to something that would fit into jewelry cases and sit next to Rolex watches and David Yurman [pieces].

The necklace is the anchor; it's the classification of jewelry that says what the whole idea is about.

I've always wanted my work to be more available. I had this vision when I was younger of wanting to replace all of the bad jewelry in mom and pop jewelry stores with good designs. [I wanted to offer] a range of crazy, experimental one-of-a-kind pieces that would have integrity and be made of great construction as well as interesting engineering.

My work is so strongly fashion, and it meant I had to downplay my exuberance and sculptural dimension to something that would fit into jewelry cases and sit next to Rolex watches and David Yurman [pieces].