Dream On...

My Grandpa (88 years and counting) has shared this journey with me from the beginning...

He watches me walk past his room every night as I carry my freshly soldered creations from my studio to the kitchen for pickling...


He lies in his bed listening to me hammering and sawing and sanding...


He asks questions, shows a quiet interest in my processes...


And the other day, he reminded me just how long I have been dreaming this dream...





He recalled taking me along to the local technical college as a wide-eyed 16 year old, hoping to sign up for a jewellery course...

He recalled the woman behind the desk wanting to sign me up for a very expensive five year course...


He recalled that I signed up for the very cheap four week course instead.


He recalled taking me along to the local hardware store, and helping me buy the tools for my short course...


needle files, wet & dry paper, saw blades, drill bits...
(would you believe I use those same needle files today...!)

Then Grandpa said to me,


'There's a lot of years between then and now.  Since then you've worked, gotten married, had two children...and now you're doing it, what you wanted to do all those years ago.


So, were you thinking about doing this all that time?'


Well, yes Grandpa, I was...

14 years of dreaming and hoping and wanting...


wishing and craving and imagining...





Do dreams come true?


Why, yes...


yes,


I believe indeed they do :-)

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.

Sneak Preview: The *Ryad* Necklace in Cinnamon

I am dreaming of Morocco...

...the warmth of the desert, the technicolour architecture, the bustling souks...did I mention the warmth of the desert...?  I would do anything to escape the Winter chill right now!

Photo courtesy of Martin Allen

So, dreaming of Morocco, I present to you another sneak preview from my Moroccan-inspired collection...

The *Ryad* Necklace is a cascade of beadwoven 'windows' in shades of cinnamon and deepest chocolate, with a splash of tangerine...

The centrepiece hangs from a delicate pure copper oval rolo chain which I have patinated, hand-finished, and sealed.  The individual components are connected with patinated copper rings, making the necklace swing delightfully as you walk.

A 'Ryad' (or 'Riad') is a traditional Moroccan house or palace, typically with an enclosed garden.  Many have been converted into hotels, particularly in the popular tourist town of Marrakech.  What an inspiring location to spend a holiday!  

Photo courtesy of  Vince Millett

The rooms of the Ryad are often focused inward and around the central garden, as the outer walls of the building often lack windows to shield the occupants from the harsh elements.  

The 'windows' of my *Ryad* necklace were inspired by these beautiful homes...

Photo courtesy of bgblogging

The Cinnamon colourway is the first in this collection, but I will be making variations of the *Ryad* necklace in different colourways...stay tuned!

What exotic locations are you dreaming of, or inspired by...?

Thanks for looking, and be well!