It's been a long journey, but I'm finally to the place in my life were I feel that the process of creating brings us closer to God. God's intention has always been creation, so what better way to align ourselves with God than to join in. I grew up here in Bryn Athyn, being exposed to a wide variety of cultural and historical experiences. The Cathedral, the Christmas sing a Glencairn, trips to the art museum and the Academy of Music. Family vacations to Williamsburg and historical New England. Museums in Washington, DC.

I spent a couple of years in the South pacific, and hope to go back some time. Later while attending Tyler School of Art, museums in New York. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Fine Art in Metals and Jewelry in 1993 quite the nontraditional student. After art school I traveled around a bit, sandwiching two years of working for my brother blowing glass with travel and work down south. I finally landed back in Bryn Athyn in mid 1999, and got involved with the Orchard Artworks shortly before it opened in spring of 2001.

More recently a trip to London (not nearly long enough) and a trip to St. John have confirmed my belief that there is more in this world than can be seen and appreciated. My goal is becoming to see and appreciate as much of it as I can. It seems to me the motto of my family growing up was, do something, make something, be of use. Join your good loves with your will and produce something that will bring joy or be of use to others. As a kid there were always projects around the house being worked on, so I grew up loving to work with my hands by my dad or mom's side. Whether it was sewing, cooking, gardening, or putting up shelves, rewiring lamps, developing photos in the darkroom, there was always something doing in the Nelson household.

This year I turned 43. I figure if I'm lucky I have another 43 to go, and boy do I still have a lot to do, learn and see.