Blog

Cancer reminds us to remember where we came from and hold tight to the people, places and experiences that matter. That idea inspired the Cancerian Keepsake Ring, a substantial sterling silver design that can carry an initial, meaningful number, tiny mantra or word that's completely your own. [...]

Some symbols carry far more meaning than their size would suggest. For me, the infinity symbol is a reminder of love, memory and the things that stay with us as life continues to change. That meaning eventually found its way into the Petite Symbols Collection, where a tiny, delicate design can [...]

I wear rings on at least six of my ten fingers most days, so I’ve had plenty of practice figuring out what makes a stack work. Whether you want two simple bands or enough rings to #stackuntilyoucantbend, I’m sharing three of my favorite ways to build a stack using different widths, metals, finishes and shapes. If you’re [...]

Gemini has always been one of my favorite signs. Curious, playful, changeable and full of contradictions, its energy reminds me of something else I love: mixing metals, shapes and unexpected details in jewelry. From the dual nature of The Twins to the story behind our Gemini Ring, [...]

When I moved back to New Jersey after nearly 20 years in San Francisco, I wondered how I would ever build a new community from scratch. I didn't realize one of my greatest connectors would be walking beside me on four legs. From chance meetings on dog beach to new friendships and even finding my Asbury Park [...]

Spring has a way of waking up more than the world around us. A beach walk, the smell of my Gram’s brownies and a plate of fresh oysters got me thinking about the strange and beautiful ways our senses bring memories rushing back. And sometimes, the jewelry we wear becomes another way to [...]

A finished piece of CMD jewelry rarely begins as anything more than an idea and a rough sketch. From there, we make it, wear it, adjust it and often make it all over again. Here's a look inside the collaborative process that turns one of my scribbled ideas into jewelry you can actually wear. There's something incredibly satisfying [...]

I’ve spent more than two decades building CMD, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I was never meant to build it alone. I’m sharing what running a very small team has taught me about hiring for values, recognizing people’s strengths, letting go of control and becoming a better leader myself. Because when [...]

Perfectionism has followed me for as long as I can remember. It made me the kid who rewrote her notes until they looked just right, and later, the designer who could obsess over every tiny detail. Some of that has served me well. Some of it nearly kept me from taking the risks that helped CMD grow. After 21 years [...]

I used to think people plunging in the freezing Atlantic were completely nuts. Then, during one of the hardest periods of my life, I decided to become one of them. Sometimes the hardest part of doing something is beginning. If it feels impossible, just make the first step smaller. And every once in a while, run straight in. [...]

One of the questions I get asked most is how I clean my jewelry at home, and my answer is surprisingly simple: good old dish soap. Jewelry naturally collects oils, lotion, sunscreen and everyday grime, and sometimes a gentle wash is all it needs to look bright again. Here's the method I've used for years, plus a few [...]

Looking back, 2022 was the year I really began to understand what putting down roots in Asbury Park could mean. We launched The Hand Project with friends and community members, brought some of my earliest designs back to life through Full Circle, welcomed Aryana back to the CMD team and built [...]

Aryana first joined CMD fresh out of art school in 2012. More than a decade, two coasts and a few unexpected chapters later, she’s still an essential part of how every CMD piece gets made. For those of you who don't remember, "Ary" started in San Francisco as my production assistant after graduating [...]

I grew up riding bikes with my brother and sister near Wanamassa School, less than a mile from where I eventually made my home in Asbury Park. Decades later, those same Jersey Shore streets became part of the inspiration behind my Full Circle Collection and the names of some of its designs. There’s something [...]

At 18, I left New Jersey determined to see the world and eventually built my life and jewelry business in San Francisco. Nearly two decades later, I found myself back on the Jersey Shore in Asbury Park, unpacking boxes filled with some of my earliest designs and wondering what they could become now. [...]