Born in California and raised in Oregon, Gerri Allen attended Meckelberg School of Design in Portland, Oregon. She was a fiber artist in design stitchery in her earlier years. Gerri has exhibited her work in the San Francisco Bay Area, La Cienega's gallery Row in Los Angeles and has exhibited Caterpillar Jewelry at the renowned Topanga Faire for hte past six years.

A resident of Westwood for 25 years, Gerri became a member of the California Arts Council and Lassen County Arts Council in 1981.

Caterpillar Jewelry is an invention she calls her own, canceptually created in 1989 and perfected in 1995. It's method of construction is described as steel hooked on linen thread, using imported glass beads and gemstones. Gerri markets her work throughout California.

In 1999, Allen invented what is described as "Lace and G;ass Lampshade Covers". The Caterpillar Luminaires are an original conception and creation of glass and gemstone beadwork created out of hand-worked steel-hooked lace thread. Each one is a one of a kind, unique design that safely covers the entire lampshade.

Hand crafted, soft as silk, shiny, sparkly and in as many colors as the spring flowers they feed on, Caterpillar Jewelry is the creation of local artist Gerri Allen.