I started making jewelry in college. I was a fine art major and a beginning jewelry course was offered. Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity. Who wouldn’t, I ask. Any self respecting female artist would love to make herself jewelry while completing course credits! Wow! So that’s how it started...
I loved it, and still do! I was making earrings in class to wear that night and some of the girls in my dorm started to ask if I could make something for them to wear or to give as a gift. That’s how the jewelry business started for me.
Over the years, I married and had children and life got in the way. My husband was in graduate school for a number of years and we didn’t have the resources the buy tools and materials, and my time was mostly spent being a mom.
Fast forward many years and I opened a small gallery with some other artists. It did fairly well for about 5 years and then our location became unavailable and there wasn’t another one available in the area. Then...
To make a long story short, the internet came to our neck of the woods. I have finally taken the plunge. I cannot wear all the jewelry I’m compelled to make and I must sell enough to pay for tools and materials, etc. Etsy seemed like the right option for me.
Recently I have added cutting and polishing stones! I have always been a rockhounding at heart so it’s a logical next step in my journey. Its been slow getting prepared and knowledgeable. The equipment is pretty expensive and learning about cutting and polishing various minerals and gemstones is a lifelong journey in itself. I have been actually cutting and polishing for a few months now and am loving every minute of it! Plus I now have a great source for the stones I set......me!