- Born in Wooster Ohio in 1957
- Attended:
- Beall Ave Elementry School
- Edgewood Junior High School
- Ohio Wesleyan University with a BFA in Metalsmithing and painting, class of '79
- Worked as a goldsmith/silversmith in Columbus and Cincinnati for 3 years before starting business in Wooster in 1982
- Opened Mackenzie's Silver Lining in 1983 in Downtown Wooster and never looked back!
"I have 3 wonderful children, and you have probably met them as they helped me at my shop during the holidays!"
"It was a leap of faith, starting my jewelry retail shop in November of 1982. My mother, Ruth Mackenzie encouraged me to rent a small space in an existing embroidery shop. The following year I found a rental on North Street just behind Freelanders. Thirteen wonderful years (and three children) later I was able to purchase my current building on East Liberty Street, I found my permanent niche in downtown Wooster!
Advertising my business has always been a quandary for me. Print ads did not seem like an affordable option so I did what comes naturally to me- support my communities non-profits. I am known for my charity "auction" donations. It is essential to give back to the community that supports my store.
Word of mouth and my participation in local non-profits boost my business and make folks aware of my services. I enjoy participating in Salvation Army Women's Auxilary (coats for kids), Quota International of Wooster (helping the deaf), Mainstreet Wooster, Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Wayne County Republican Women, and Wayne Presbyterian Church. These fine local groups get my time but my treasure is shared with almost all the non-profits in Wayne County."
"As I studied for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in metalsmithing my style evolved from sculptural to functional. I made projects that were a delight to the eye yet served a purpose. Discovering a world of natural stone, my style mostly caters around color now. I still appreciate an all-metal design, especially with mixed metals. As long as I can understand my customer's vision I can make it."