The Tree of Life necklace is a Camp Alleghany tradition going back over 30 years. I started making them after the original artist's passing to keep this tradition going. I hand cut each tree so there will never be another one like yours.

The sterling silver and 14k gold necklaces have a quality stamp as well as my initials logo on the back.

I married into a big Camp Alleghany family: my wife is one of 5 girls who grew up spending their summers at camp, and now both of our daughters and several nieces and cousins are Alleghany Girls. As long as I have known Maggie, she had a silver Tree of Life necklace.

We were sad to hear about the passing of the original artist who created these necklaces a few years ago. Knowing that I am a serial hobbyist and willing to take on a new challenge, my wife planted a tiny seed about learning how to make the Tree of Life. That seed grew into a plan: I signed up for a silversmithing class and hand cut my first Tree of Life necklace a few months later.

In addition to silversmithing I keep my creative mind working by playing trumpet, guitar, and concertina. I build and repair instruments, do woodworking and leatherworking, and facet gemstones (goes well with the silver work!) I also practice visual arts with graphite and colored pencil drawing, and painting with acrylic, oil, watercolor, and pastels. I don't do all of these all the time, but rather I go through "seasons" where one comes to the front and I try to grow and develop my skills in that area. I love being creative and making things for people!