About The Frog

FROGWORKS designs first blossomed in 2003 as the outlet for a frustrated creative spirit. I've always found pleasure and satisfaction in manipulating color, texture and form in a variety of media. As an only child, with blessedly indulgent parents, I was encouraged in all my artistic endeavors. At an early age I recall exclaiming dramatically to my mother, "I just have to go create something!", and so my creative journey began.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in Related Arts, specializing in Interior Design, I worked as a commercial and residential designer in Minnesota and South Florida, eventually starting my own business. Somewhere along the line I was seriously bitten by the gardening bug and I set out to learn all I could about designing and growing perennial flower gardens. A move to a large, wooded lot in the country (zone 4) was all I needed to open a Pandora's Box of gardening possibilities. Now, some twenty-seven years after turning the first shovel on this plot of land, my garden has grown, evolved and matured, giving me countless hours of pleasure throughout all seasons of the year.

It's time to move on. My back has tired, my knees have arthritis and the local deer, moles and woodchucks are drawing lots to see who will be the first to reclaim the land they have so long fancied as their own. What all this is leading to is that jewelry design came along at precisely the perfect time. It's almost as if all the input that came before was preparing me for this next step, and I LOVE it! I hope you will enjoy the creations that are the product of my inspiration. I hope you see nature, the seasons, and perhaps a little whimsy, but most of all, I hope you experience the "Celebration of You" when you wear my designs.

Oh, about the name I've chosen, when our children were small and I would seek a brief respite from the duties of motherhood, perhaps to garden or do something indulgently creative without the help of eager little hands, I'd leave my husband in charge. Our son or daughter would ask daddy, "Where's mommy?" He'd always reply, "I turned her into a small green frog." The Frog is at work again!

FROGWORKS designs is a very personal incorporation of many influences. I am grateful for them all.

• Parents who encouraged and nurtured my inexhaustible pursuit for self-expression.
• Dear friends who have fueled my interest in design (both jewelry and gardening!) with their kindness and constant support.
• Kindred spirits at THE GARDEN OF BEADS in Anoka, MN, who indulge my obsession with their friendship, knowledge and advice and offer a deliciously inspiring selection of beading treasures and temptations.
• Skilled instructors who have generously shared their passion for beading and their talents for design and technique.
• Talented artisans whose imaginative creations inspire and embellish my work.
• Most of all, my family. My children, who grew up knowing why meals were sometimes late. My husband, who by the way bought me my first beads, and who has for 38 years lovingly accepted me as I am obsessions and all while encouraging me to be all that I can be.

Thank you,
Linda