Sunday, September 5, 2010

Inspired to create...

...with metal!

Perhaps it was Jess, or maybe Lenita?  

Maybe it was Tess, or Anna-Karin?

Most likely it was all of these exceptionally talented ladies who inspired me with their beautiful silverwork (and equally beautiful personalities!) to get back to where this jewellery journey all began.

See, when I was 16, I had a dream...

...no, seriously!...

...I wanted to become a jeweller...

A jewellery-making class in high school awakened something in me, and I fell head over heels in love with working metal to create something beautiful for adorning the body.

I wanted to become a jeweller.

I was determined to get an apprenticeship somewhere.  Anywhere.  I was happy to sweep metal shavings for years if it meant I could one day create jewellery.


I really wanted to become a jeweller.

I started a jewellery-making course at night school.  I learnt how to drill, saw and file sheet metal. But that was where it ended!  I only went along to three classes because I moved interstate shortly after starting.

And somehow, my dream got pushed aside.

I still wanted to become a jeweller.

But I had to get a job and earn money.

In an office.

Enough said!

So, fast-forward 14 years and here I am, a stay-at-home mum to two crazy toddlers, creating beaded jewellery because being at home with my daughter gave me the time and freedom to pursue my creative side once again.

And one day, through this big ol' blog-o-sphere, I stumble across the blogs of the aforementioned talented ladies...and my dream is suddenly re-awakened.

Metal.

Silver.

Fire.

Beauty.

Adornment.

Seeing their incredible work sent my heart racing and my imagination into overdrive.  I ordered silver, solder, saw-blades, and stalked my postman for a week until they arrived.

I read and read and read everything I could get my hands on about bezel setting a stone.

And then I created...


So small, so humble...


...but it is a dream realised...


...a dream finally caught, after years of chasing...

And the most wonderful part of this necklace...the 10mm amazonite cabochon!  I bought it way back when I was a wide-eyed 16 year old, dreaming of one day being a jeweller.  I have carried it with me for the last 14 years, and now it finally has a home.  

14 years in the making!

And I enjoyed (ok, LOVED!) creating this humble little necklace so much, that I went and created a large, statement ring...



I still dream...


...but now I'm chasing my dreams...

...and I hope that you are chasing your dreams too.

24 comments:

  1. These are really beautiful pieces. I love the stones! Congrats!

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  2. They are really beautiful, Belinda~ just like the spirit who made them. Awesome job!

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  3. Woohooooo!! That is fantastic Belinda. They're so beautifully crafted. Well that certainly is a wonderful start. And I feel honoured that I've been an inspiration to you. Can't wait to see more. Have a super week.

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  4. You made me smile, you made me cry, you made me feel alive. Thanks you so much B for your beautiful story and show us your beautiful work. Get those legs in shape to continue chasing your dreams.
    Hugs
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  5. What a nice story! I'm so happy for you that your dream finally came true :) I find both pieces excellent and gorgeous!!! You are great Belinda! Well done!!!
    Lots of love, Niki

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  6. Oh my gosh, how wonderful you are with metal work!!!!!!!

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  7. Thanks so much, Lois! The colour of the amazonite is really special...and I have a matching one, so I hope to make something lovely with it too ;-)

    Schux Juls, thank you!!! ♥

    Lenita, your work is just out-of-this-world beautiful...how could I not be inspired! ;-) Combining silversmithing with beadwork is where I'd love to take this...I have so many ideas, and not enough hours in the day! And you are absolutely right, it is addictive!! Btw, I have had my eye on some of your gorgeous cabs...I'm just waiting until we move interstate in a few weeks before I order some ;-) -xo-

    Awww Nicole, you're going to make me cry! Thanks for your gorgeous words and support...you know how much it means to me ♥

    Niki, thank you so much! It is an amazing feeling to fulfill a dream, no matter how small :-) I'm so glad that I have been able to share it here, and I hope it inspires you to chase your dreams too! -xo-

    Lori, not all of my first attempts with metal have been a success...you should see my first stampings! Perhaps I should post them here for a laugh LOL :-P

    Thank you Heroilda, you always say the nicest things :-)

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  8. Oh my gosh... Belinda... I honestly don't know what to say. (And that doesn't very happen often!)

    First - I'm so honoured and thrilled to be a source of inspiration! I mean, just listen to it, say it out loud... "to be a source of inspiration". *blushing* Thank you so much sweet B.

    Secondly - just wow, that necklace and ring are so beautiful. And if those are your first attempts, something tells me the sky's the limit.

    Hugs dear. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  9. Beautiful blog entry Belinda! And you already know I love your creations. These ones are so special 'cos of what they signify to you. xox

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  10. Hi,
    mann die Kette sieht ja total super aus. Die würde ich sofort nehmen.
    Liebe Grüße
    Karin

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  11. Oh, Belinda!
    I love your story, and your dream too, because my dream is the same:))))
    and my story is very close... I hope i can show you soon, that how can be born my dream:))

    Now i"m sitting in my office becouse i need to earn money,my two fantastic
    sons are in the kindergarten, and ask me every morning why do you leave us here???? and i'm every morning crying in my car until i arrive to my office...
    But in the last time, i know, i have to do my dream...

    becouse i wanted to be a jeweller too:)))) and i will do it:)

    and your story give me more energy for my dreams:))))

    thank you:))

    Eszter

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  12. Oh Belinda, I love your new works, they are so beautiful.
    Congratulations!
    Belinda, follow your dream!!

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  13. Wow - you have to tell me how to do that - seriously that is just so gorgeous! I love simple pieces like that hey! And that ring is to die for..... Teach meeeeee!! Swap for lampies????!!
    kath :)

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  14. A-K, there is a perfection in your work which is unparalleled...you have an incredible eye for detail, and the way you engineer your pieces is remarkable. I fell in love with your work the moment I saw it! Thanks for being such an inspiration, you are awesome! :-D -xo-

    Thanks Chantel, I wanted to share just how much these pieces mean to me. I think you can relate to a lot of what I've said. You spent many years doing a job which left you unfulfilled. But you are chasing your dreams now, and that is inspiring! -xo-

    Thank you so much for your lovely words, Karin!

    Eszter, I am so very touched by your story...thank you for sharing it here :-) I know that you will catch those dreams you are chasing. You will live the dream one day, I'm sure of it! ♥

    Thank you Anna! I'm so glad you like these pieces :-)

    Kath, I love pieces with simple lines too! I have no doubt that you can create pieces like these...imagine how gorgeous your lampies would be combined with silver! I'm hardly one to teach as I'm only learning how to do this myself LOL But I can point you in the direction of a few tutorials which will give you a starting point. I'm heading out of the house soon, but I'll send you a message on the Beading Forum later today or tonight, ok! ;-)

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  15. Hi Belinda! I enjoyed reading your post ... so emotional ... I am a dreamer myself like many of us - you have touched many hearts!
    I have never tried working with metal in this way, but you first pieces look excellent! All the best, Geanina.

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  16. Oh, thank you so much for your lovely words, Geanina! I am thrilled if I have even touched one heart with my story ♥ I think it is so important to have dreams to chase, something to strive for. Seeing what you can create with beads and wire, I'm sure you would create amazing things with metal! ;-)

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  17. Holy Whoa!!!!

    This was the LAST thing I expected, in terms of being mentioned over here. I gotta say, Belinda, that your first "attempts" are a roaring success.

    I took one formal class in metal-smithing while at college. The first piece I ever made, my professor said . . . "Well that's VERY uninspiring, don't you think?"

    Best comment I ever got. :) The ultimate motivation.

    But seriously, if these are your beginnings . . . look out world! So very happy that you are planting your feet and growing tall. And SO very glad I could be a small part of your journey . . .

    Press on.

    XO

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  18. Jess, oh yes, your professor's comment was the ultimate motivation...well you showed him, didn't you! ;-) heh Your work and your spirit have touched my heart and inspired me to chase my dreams. Can I ever thank you enough?! B. -xo-

    Alice, I wish I had been doing this for years! I'm making up for lost time now ;-)

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  19. Hi Belinda..nice to meet you! Your work is gorgeous! Thank you too for your kind words..and I wanted you to know that I am chasing my dreams too!

    You have a friend in me.

    Take care!
    Helene

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  20. Helene, I'm so glad you're chasing your dreams too :-) Thanks for stopping by, you're welcome anytime!

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  21. Belinda I don't know how I missed this post! I was crying tears of joy when I saw the necklace and ring! You have found your way back to your dream and it is AMAZING! Thanks for this inspiration (yet again) I treasure it always!

    Hugs

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  22. Kristen if I can encourage just one person to chase their dreams, then I'm happy! I'm so glad you found some inspiration in my story :-) B. -xo-

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  23. This is just the most beautiful story of dreams being realized. Sometimes they have to take the back burner to other things that are more timely, more concrete, more pressing.... but they are always there in the back of our mind just waiting to be brought out of hiding again. :)

    That beautiful cab you bought as a wide-eyed 16 year old girl was the tangle piece of that dream. It has found a home and your dream has found a place in the present... in the forefront of your mind. You can finally do this for yourself and make it a priority because it puts you in your happy place!

    Thank you for sharing your inspiring words. I should come back and read this any time I feel like the beads are getting pushed back into the distance. ;)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment!

B.
-xo-