In many ways, the San Francisco Bay Area native’s career choice seemed fated. Melissa made her first piece in pre-school, a ceramic bead necklace that her mother still treasures. Today, she designs multiple product lines including a custom collection of bridal jewelry. Always moving forward and broadening her creative strokes, Melissa focuses on speaking to the individual rather than the masses. Melissa believes, “My jewelry is not an accessory, but an expression. My pieces aren’t about buying into what mass media tells you you should be, but about finding a piece that speaks to the individuals and echoes their personality. I believe that jewelry can influence the way you feel; it can say and mean something different to every wearer.”