Two years after graduating from Towson University with a degree in jewelry design, Annie Chau took a creative leap. "I made a definitive DECISION to become an artist,” she says. “I quit my cubicle job to pursue my jewelry-making dreams and never ever looked back.”

Every ring, pin, pendant and earring at Annie’s online shop imogeneANDannie, begins its life as a plain piece of fine metal – mostly sterling silver and 14kt gold. Using classic techniques like sawpiercing, soldering, etching and riveting, Annie fashions delicate woodland creatures and intricate organic shapes into wearable works of art.

I asked Annie about being an independent crafter and why she defines herself as such. “I am the principle in charge from the design stage of the piece up until the piece is shipped out to a client. Right now, I'm a one woman show, but in the future, when I may need to add an employee or two, I would still consider myself independent because I will always solely be in charge of my vision.”

This week, Annie is busy preparing for Artscape. “I am very excited to be a part of the new DIY Artscape section! It's one of my favorite summer activities, except this year, I will be exhibiting instead of visiting! My only anxiety is the long hours I will have to spend in the potential summer heat. I have never done such a large scale show before. The largest show I have participated in included 200 vendors and ran for only two days. The amount of things to see, hear and do at Artscape is staggering in comparison!”

Prices at imogeneANDannie range from $25 to $220 depending on the materials used and the intricacy of the work. Be sure to visit her at Artscape this weekend or for more information, check out her blog and read about what she’ll be up to next.