...with metal!
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 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...
...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.
