The jewelry of Robbie Moriarty is fun. Entering her shop at the Mellwood Arts Center is like walking into Oz. She incorporates colorful beads and other found objects she’s collected over the years into most of her work. Her themed jewelry is always a hit, featuring little snowmen, patriotic characters like Uncle Sam and other holiday favorites. She also features objects that only exist in her world, like the “art taco” (you should see it). Many pieces of her jewelry have inspirational messages written on their backs, such as “It’s your day!” When exploring Moriarty’s art, it’s virtually impossible not to smile. Do not be alarmed. This is a normal reaction.

“I realized early on that it’s such a gift to do what you love for a living,” says Moriarty. “It doesn’t feel like work.”