Deborah's Stories

My pewter girl :) Recently, I created a small AI character, one that feels less like a tool and more like a quiet reflection of my creative spirit. This character wasn’t designed to replace human creativity or intuition. Instead, it emerged as an extension of it. A visual and conceptual companion shaped by curiosity, play, and the same exploratory mindset that guides my work in art and jewelry. In many ways, this AI character mirrors the principles of neuroplasticity. It lear

A new year often comes with pressure to do more, go faster, and aim higher. But moving forward doesn’t have to mean pushing harder. For this work, and this creative practice, moving forward means continuing with intention. The goal for the year ahead is simple: to keep creating in ways that honor the brain’s natural ability to adapt and evolve. That means allowing ideas to unfold organically. Giving space for experimentation without demanding perfection. Designing pieces that

As this year comes to a close, I’ve been taking time to look back, not just at what was created, but how it was created. This year wasn’t about rushing toward outcomes or chasing trends. It was about listening closely. To materials. To intuition. To the quiet ways the brain and body adapt, reshape, and heal over time. Every piece of art and jewelry made this year carried that intention. Neuroplasticity teaches us that change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens through rep

The holidays have a way of gently asking us to pause. As the year comes to a close, the days grow shorter, calendars fill up, and routines shift. It’s a season that can feel joyful, overwhelming, nostalgic, or all three at once. More than anything, it’s a reminder to slow down, if only a little, and take stock of what really matters. This time of year isn’t just about gifts or gatherings. It’s about moments. Quiet mornings with coffee before the house wakes up. Laughter that

The holidays are often described as magical, but they’re also busy. Really busy. Between packed calendars, end-of-year deadlines, school events, shopping lists, travel plans, and trying to make everything feel “special,” it can start to feel like the season is happening to us instead of with us. If you’ve caught yourself saying, “I just need to get through the next two weeks,” you’re not alone. This time of year has a unique way of speeding everything up. There’s pressure t

There’s no place quite like New Orleans during the holidays. While many cities lean into traditional winter festivities, New Orleans blends seasonal cheer with its unmistakable culture, music, and flavor, creating a holiday experience that feels both magical and refreshingly unique. From the moment you arrive, the city feels alive with celebration. Historic streets glow with lights, balconies are draped in festive decorations, and holiday music spills out from jazz clubs and

The holiday season is always a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection, and being represented at the recent UofL Health holiday event was a perfect reminder of just how powerful those moments can be. My investor, Armin Krupp, and project manager, Stephany Price, were both in attendance. There was an unmistakable sense of warmth and appreciation in the room. UofL Health brought together healthcare professionals, staff, and community partners to celebrate a year defined

Through the love of helping others i have developed this !!! Some jewelry catches your eye, but some pieces capture your heart . The Changing Heart Pendant is one of those rare designs that does both, blending elegance, symbolism, and a touch of playful magic into a piece you can wear every day. At first glance, it appears to be a beautifully sculpted heart, crafted from either sterling silver or gold. But look closer, this heart has movement , personality, and a story of it

Every artist has a few supplies that develop… let’s call it a robust sense of adventure. In my case, it’s beads. They escape constantly. I like to believe they’re living their best lives instead of simply slipping through my fingers. So today, allow me to tell you the story of one such explorer. His name was Milo. (Yes, I named him. You spend enough hours in a studio, and you start naming your materials.) Milo was a small, round, iridescent bead with the confidence of someone

Embracing the Unexpected in Art I always thought I was the one in charge of my studio. After all, I’m the human with the opposable thumbs, the one paying the electric bill, and the one who opens the paint jars and sharpens the tools. But apparently, none of that matters when the colors decide they’ve had enough of my plans. It all started innocently enough. I laid out a perfectly reasonable palette on my table: soft peach, calming teal, and a touch of gold shimmer. It was a p

If you think you’ve tasted Mexican food in the U.S., Monterrey might make you rethink everything. I had some of the most delicious meals of my life there. Simple dishes bursting with flavor, cooked with love, and seasoned with a kind of regional pride you can’t replicate. None of the Mexican food I’ve had in the States (and I’ve eaten it in GA, TX, AL, SC, IN, CA, AZ, and NY) compares to the depth and freshness I experienced in Monterrey. One unforgettable stop was Buke , a r

Monterrey surprised me with its museums, not only the volume of them, but the care put into preserving history. In the historic center, you’ll find museums that feel like stepping back in time. Out in the countryside, you’ll find places where scientists from around the world gather to study ancient fossils and handwritten texts that have survived for centuries. One museum cost just 20 pesos to enter, less than what you’d pay for a cup of coffee in the U.S. And yet inside, the

One of the things that stuck with me most during my visit was the housing. I’ve seen adobe-style condos built for working-class families that would easily outshine some of the public housing and trailers in the United States. Thoughtful architecture. Practical layouts. A sense of pride in the spaces people call home. Travel gives you a chance to compare not in judgment, but in curiosity: Why don’t we do it this way back home? Could we? I’m not saying we need to adopt every so

Traveling has a way of shattering assumptions, and Monterrey reminded me just how many misconceptions we carry without even realizing it. In the U.S., I’ve heard people speak about Mexico as if it’s a single story, a single identity. But the truth is far more complex, and far more beautiful. Many of the people I’ve met in Mexico are deeply proud of their homeland. Industries have grown, local economies have strengthened, and entire communities have found a sense of stability

What what a Fun Trip and We lived there Awhile ! When I first visited Monterrey, Mexico, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen photos, of course, but nothing compares to standing in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental with that warm desert sun on your shoulders. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you stop, breathe, and wonder why you never thought about this place before. Monterrey’s story stretches back to 1596, founded by Diego de Montemayor and later shaped by its

Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s chosen — a new job, a new home, a new dream. Other times, it’s forced — a loss, an illness, or a version of life that simply falls apart. When that kind of change happens, it can shake your sense of who you are. You might find yourself asking questions like: What now? Who am I if I can’t do what I used to? The truth is, identity isn’t fixed. It evolves — and so does your brain. Through neuroplasticity, the brain has the remarkable ability

Meow As I pace the floors and slide my smooth soft Fur along the wall, I notice humans outside. They always have these furry animals with them. The furry thing makes loud noises or jumps around. Some have long tongues whereas mine Is so small. Some are so small I just wonder, would they play? I wonder why I am always in this big place that David calls house. I play hide and seek and lay in his lap. Does he think I can not visit those big animals? I know one day I will pop o

In a culture that rewards constant motion, stillness can feel uncomfortable — even rebellious. We’re conditioned to measure worth by productivity, to fill silence with noise, to keep moving so we don’t have to feel too much. But stillness isn’t the absence of progress. It’s the birthplace of it.When we slow down, we give our brains and hearts the chance to integrate, heal, and grow. The Neuroscience of Slowing Down Your brain is constantly processing — organizing information,

We often think of mindfulness as something that happens while sitting still — eyes closed, focused on the breath, quiet and calm. But mindfulness doesn’t have to mean stillness. In fact, movement can be one of the most powerful gateways into the present moment. When we move intentionally — walking, stretching, dancing, or breathing deeply — we give our bodies a voice and our minds a place to rest. We’re not escaping ourselves; we’re coming home to them. The Brain-Body Connect

There’s something unmistakably grounding about stepping outside — the smell of fresh air, the sound of birds, the light filtering through trees. It feels instinctively good, but that’s not just emotion; it’s biology. Your brain and body were designed to thrive in nature. Every time you step outdoors, your nervous system relaxes, your mind resets, and your body begins to restore balance. The Brain on Nature Modern life keeps us surrounded by screens, schedules, and noise. Our