They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My Dad, James Arthur Schwabe, started in the jewelry business at age 16. He became well known for the carefully detailed whimsical and realistic designs that he created.

As a child I spent endless hours watching my Dad work. When I was old enough, I began to learn the trade at his side. Starting early, I was well schooled in metal craft before going off to college. I earned two advanced degrees in sculpture; from the State University of New York at Albany (MA), and from the State University of New York at New Paltz (MFA).

After years exploring fine art ideas with big steel and bronze sculptures, I returned to my jewelry and miniature making roots. For a while I worked for other companies as a: designer/goldsmith, a jewelry factory supervisor and a freelance model maker. As a model maker, I sculpted designs for jewelry companies and pewter companies. These sculptings were then mass produced by the companies that I made them for and sold to such diverse places as museum gift shops, inexpensive department stores and high end jewelry stores. I also made many miniature Star Wars and Star Trek space ships for companies licensed to produce these products by Lucas Film Ltd and Viacom. This work brought me to George Lucas' famous Skywalker Ranch. Most of these miniatures are still available today.

All the time that I worked for others two great forces tugged on me. One was the desire to make my own ideas come to life. The others was the allure of the mountains and the forests. Ultimately, these forces won out. I created my own product line which you have found on MarkieMoose.com, and moved to the mountains and forests of Vermont.

Here in Vermont I am surrounded by wildlife. Moose, Bear, Deer and a myriad of smaller critters surround my log home in the woods. When not working, I spend my days hiking, skiing and snow shoeing up and down the mountains and through the forests. The wildlife that I see and the mountains themselves are a constant source of inspiration and renewal. I believe that the spirit of the North Woods is in each and every piece that I create.

I hope that you find my designs fun and decide to buy some for yourself or as gifts for others. Feel the spirit of the North Woods!