Joanne is a native of New York, having spent most of her life on Long Island. She moved to Albuquerque in August of 1998, having traveled between Long Island and New Mexico for approximately 2 1/2 years before settling in the Southwest. 

During her adult years on Long Island, there were subtle hints that the Southwest would one day be her home. A constellation that she saw every winter made her look back towards her youth and then forward to her future in New Mexico. Gifts of clothing were all signs indicating her move to the Desert Southwest.

Joanne takes her inspiration for jewelry design from the beautiful landscapes and skies of New Mexico.