Mary Lu has always been something of a recycling artist. She remembers in high school, banging the metal top of her worn out blues harp harmonica, into a bracelet. Although she fell in love with bits and bytes and spent several years computer programming, she eventually found herself with an arts and antiques business in New York City. The uptown art dealers told her she had a good eye for art and the downtown New York artists pounced on her finds for their found object art creations. But Mary Lu was starting to have visions herself of just how to turn her finds into wearable art. So, in 2004, she ditched the antiques and began to make jewelry.

 Although, you may find grandmother's teaspoon or bakelite button as an element in one of the creations, this is not your grandmother's jewelry. You may even find parts of  the motherboard from your father's first VIC-20 computer. Don't be surprised if yesterday's discarded soda can is today adding some color to one of her collage pendants. Anything and everything is a candidate for Mary Lu's wearable art jewelry.

"My jewelry usually falls into one of three overall approaches, she says. There's the surprise of  rethought objects, the mystery of a half told story and finally, there is the eternal love of the Sea.. Again and again I see at least one of these concepts as the start of my creations. "

The jewelry is divided into collections, each piece following a cohesive concept or theme. The new Bones of the Sea collection is popular for those who share Mary Lu's love of the ocean. Mysteries and clues to a back story inspire the Reclaimed collection. The main components in Reclaimed are 100 year old silverplate spoons and delightful vintage buttons.  ESC to Art collection holds surprises for everyone, especially those who use computers everyday.

Although the themes of the collections vary, the women who purchase them all share certain traits.

"The woman who loves my jewelry isn't looking for something pretty, says Mary Lu,  she's looking for something interesting.  She's a very confident person, who knows her own style. I am continually inspired by her. She blazes her own trails, which is what I've always tried to do myself."

Certificate in Comprehensive Jewelry Training
Studio Jewelers, Ltd, New York, NY

Associate in Applied Science
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ

Member of Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG).
Member of American Craft Council.
Member of Atlantic Highlands Arts Council.
Member of Monmouth County Arts Council.
Member of Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce.