I moved to Chicago in 1991, upon earning a bachelor's degree in Fine Art's at Indiana                                             University, with final semester spent abroad in Siena and Florence, Italy. 

                                             I began as an apprentice to Lido Lippi, director of Florence Art Restoration at the                                                     end of 1991 and have been working in the field of painting and mural restoration ever                                                     since. 

                                             I spent nearly 10 years with Florence Art on projects such as: Hilton Towers,  University                                             Club, Intercontinental Hotel, Blackstone Hotel, Palmer House Hilton, Willoughby Tower,                                                    Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Sante Fe railroad art collection.  It is always a joy to walk                                                         through these Chicago landmarks and know that I played a part with their enduring history and beauty.                                                         

   Currently, my role with art restoration is more business and private collection based than 50 feet up on a scaffold.

Both equally rewarding and important to experience all facets of this complex profession.

    I began sewing in the mid 1990's, mainly fabricating drapery for myself, friends and family.  Eventually this progressed into a small business making window treatments and textile installations for nightclubs, lounges, and martini bars, of which there was no shortage of in Chicago.  I called this venture Hung Designs and this was the  beginning of a long journey with textiles and thread.  

     Hung Designs has made many a trasformation from commercial to residential treatments and back again, but none as important as important shifting from cloth to leather. 

     When Chicago nightlife began to transition from velvety cigar bars and fabric drenched lounges to bare windows and stark modernity, Hung Designs also evolved from bolts of fabric to leather and suede hides.  

     In 2011, I  opened up a shop on Etsy selling one-of-a-kind leather messenger bags, clutches, specialty bags and cuffs.  The joy of working with leather and its infinite possibilities is an artisans dream.  I began doing trunk shows in Chicago, worked with local designers and sold in several boutiques.   I hope you enjoy my designs as much as I enjoy creating them. Please feel free to contact me about any color or style listed on this website, the majority of my work is made to order.   Every design, razored edge and stitch is proudly made in Chicago, Illinois.