Jennifer Johnson of Thorne Brook Designs from Wardsboro, VT, joins more than 150 artisans from across North America offering their unique contemporary and traditional crafts for sale at the Westport Craft Show May 26 and 27 in Westport, CT.

All Thorne Brook Designs jewelry is designed and created by hand in Ms. Johnson's home studio in Wardsboro, Vermont. Each piece may include gemstones, freshwater pearls, crystal accents, and sterling silver beads and components. All the beads and components are hand-selected for quality, and combined into one-of-a-kind designs as an alternative to mass-produced fashion. According to Ms. Johnson, "Thorne Brook Designs' customers find the jewelry, distinctive, uniquely attractive, comfortable, and easy-to-wear in the office or after-hours."

Ms. Johnson began creating jewelry in 2003. Over the past four years, she honed her jewelry design skills as well as her business skills until she was able to transition from her career of nearly two decades in technical communication into a new career as a full-time jewelry designer and business owner. Ms. Johnson markets her work through craft shows, retail outlets, and her website, www.ThorneBrookDesigns.com. "Many of the customers I've met at craft shows in Vermont live in Connecticut," says Ms. Johnson. "Being accepted to the Westport Craft Show presents me with an exciting opportunity to bring my jewelry to my customers in Fairfield County, and to show my work to new customers."

In addition to the Westport Craft Show, Thorne Brook Designs will be exhibiting at the 43rd Annual Arts and Crafts Fair on the Huntington Green, Shelton, CT on June 3, and in September at the Meet the Artists and Artisans Fall Show in Milford, CT, September 22 - 23. Thorne Brook Designs is also available for private home and office showings, and will consign or wholesale jewelry to stores and galleries.

Thorne Brook Designs was named after Thorne Brook, a small stream that meanders through a hemlock woodland on its way to the Green River in Northern Massachusetts where Ms. Johnson lived for four years. Thorne Brook Designs jewelry, made from stones and silver, is a tribute to the environment that inspired it. Though Ms. Johnson has since moved to Southern Vermont, she kept the name of Thorne Brook to remember that special place where her jewelry was born.

For show information, please see www.westportcraft.com, and www.meettheartistsandartisans.com.