My name is Marissa and I'm the love and soul of Marissa T Designs. I'm from California, lived half my life there and the other in New England (Massachusetts)! But, Now I live on an island, in the Pacific North West, (In Washington) with my dear husband & fur baby, our chocolate labrador, Morgan (15 now)! I'm a self-taught jewelry artisan who is always trying to discover new designs & gemstones to bring to you. I have a lifelong background in art and painting. I took many art classes and have also been painting and drawing for many years. My educational degree is a B.A. in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I immersed myself also into writing, art and photography (other creative passions. Now, I'm bringing all that back to life and tying it into my jewelry work , with my lifestyle blog. ( www.MarissaTDesigns.blogspot.com). My past career was in teaching language to adults and children. I ran my own successful business teaching Spanish to Children (ages, 2.5-15) and adults (I also taught English as a Second Language for many years in the great Boston area).

I have always had a passion for jewelry, art, nature, and the ocean (for as long as I can remember. I remember as a little girl always rummaging through my mother's jewelry box and playing dress up with her jewelry). My mother is very fashion forward and so is my sister. They are both very creative and I think as a child I looked up to them, and their fashion savvy selves. I think creativity runs in our bones.

I think my curiosity and love of all forms of art (from a young age) was always with me. I adored my painting classes in school and started my own jewelry collection when I was a teenager. I also LOVE and am truly inspired by nature, the ocean, and animal life.

**I've had my shop on Etsy for a llittle while now, but, it is only late winter, 2015, that I had the opportunity to become an artist full time and start promoting my online business. I thank etsy for being my platform! I am so excited to be living a new life in the Pacific North West and re-launching my Jewelry shop and creations! Feel free to send me an etsy convo as I would love to hear from you! As well as selling my pieces on etsy; I started selling a great deal of my inventory in local artisan markets (first time last spring/summer) , special orders and through special requests via social media. Don't hesitate to contact me on my website if you would like a special custom order (www.MarissaTDesigns.com)

I hope you love my jewelry. I carefully pick out amazing (& quality) jewels and pay very careful attention to details when I design and make my jewelry with love, island air, and a bit of soul.
Thank you for being here and reading a little bit about me. I truly appreciate it. ~Marissa