A Metalsmith's Journey: About

Hi there!

I love to read 'about me' pages. I enjoy hearing about other's lives. Where they live, what they do, how they think. What they look like!! (I change my photo here frequently - you can see now that I am growing out my grey hair...)

About Me:

I'm.......

.....40-something (as of 2010), single, a Mom, a daughter, a metalsmith, an employee.....

.....a lover not a fighter. (though I can get uppity in the right situation.)

.....a believer - in life, love, God, Jesus, sharing, caring, and the human spirit

.....a bit of a loner.

.....an avid reader - mostly Metalsmithing/Jewelry books or Christian fiction, though as noted, I also read my son's books.

.....a raw foody (as of August 2009)

I like........

.....to make things. (I have a tendency to make things that are either edible or wearable. Not too often both.)

.....music, lots of different kinds - and I adore my puny purple i pod.

.....the sound of laughter (well, most people's laughter, my son's in particular)

.....naps

I wish........

.....I could travel all around the world

.....people were kinder to each other

.....for Shalom (peace as God knows it)

.....I didn't have to work the dayjob (though I am so incredibly blessed by it and thankful for it!)

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My life - the short story:
I grew up in Maryland - I'm born and bred there as the saying goes. I was a VERY rebellious teen and suffered my family through many turbulent years. I left home right upon graduating from high school - I worked with racehorses at the time and traveled the east coast from Florida to Michigan working on the racetracks/racing farms.

I eventually migrated back to MD, went to trade school and entered the workforce. I now work full time in Clinical Research and currently reside right back in the family home. Funny (strange and wonderful) how life comes full circle sometimes.

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About My Metalsmithing:

I got started in late 2004 - maybe 2005 - somewhere in there. I found an old wire jewelry kit with base metal and glass and plastic beads under the sofa in my basement. It had been given to my daughter and never used. I almost threw it away but something caused me to open it and I fiddled with the wire. That is really how it all began. I didn't like the idea of spending my time making something in base metal so I quickly bought some sterling wire and went online to find information.

The first two places that I found which were extremely helpful were:

Creative Wire Jewelry

Connie Fox

At both places I found loads of inspiration and instruction and friendship.

After working with wire for a while I began adding in some sheet metal and bought a $25.00 plumbers torch to make headpins. I learned cold connections and then, in 2006, I learned to solder. That changed EVERYthing for me. I've been learning and practicing and perfecting ever since.

In 2010 I began cutting my own stones and those are now working their way into my work. I enjoy using a variety of techniques and working in various styles. My work ends up being very eclectic and for now I'm ok with that. I am enjoying simply following the creative spirit as it flows. I do plan on working on a production line in late 2011, so we'll just have to see how that goes.

I enjoy working in sterling and gold but also use copper on occasion.

I am greatly inspired by the works of:

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About This Blog:

This blog began in July 2005 as a way to document my journey and share my progress with my fellow jewelry artists. It has since evolved into so much more than I could have imagined at that time! I don't have a true agenda with this blog - I just blog to share about my life and my work. I do hope to inspire others and be an encouragement - so maybe that is an agenda. I hope people who take time to read will find a bit of encouragement or laughter or inspiration.

Through the blog I have made many online friends and a fair number of friends whom I now meet with offline! Its remarkable to me how many people read and either comment or email me. I'm truly thankful and blessed by the entire experience.

DISCLOSURE

From time to time there will be paid ads on the blog and 'affiliate' links to products. NEVER will the ads or links dictate topics or my opinions. If you would like to consider ad space in the sidebar of the blog here is what you need to know:

Ads run for 3 month periods and images must be sized 150x150 or smaller

Graphic button in sidebar:

$25/month

Graphic button in footer:

$10/month

Payments are made through paypal. Please contact me using the link in the upper right sidebar for further information !