Imagination, Experimentation, and Fun
I started on Etsy years ago when my part-time job was being phased out, as a way to keep earning a living while keeping life simple.
I started making jewelry as a creative outlet, first with wire wrapping and wire crochet jewelry, and then learned more traditional metalsmithing techniques for jewelry making from the Internet. I bought a torch for soldering silver and in spite of my fears, I decided to jump right in. I had a few mishaps (burned a hole in my kitchen counter), but after mastering the technical side of things, I had a ton of fun with soldering and the flexibility it allows in jewelry design. Eventually I began creating not just ready-made jewelry, but also jewelry supplies for other businesses and artists.
I have always loved making handmade gifts, since it feels so much more special and personal and for many years I have been making personalized gifts from my brothers and sisters. There truly is more happiness in giving, and I've had so much fun coming up with designs others enjoy that I decided to add some to my shop as well in the JW Custom Prints section. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them!
I try to make everything environmentally friendly, especially since traditional metalsmithing can use some harsh chemicals. So I order my silver and gold from a company that recycles their precious metals, so all my rings are eco-friendly. I've researched natural ways to oxidize, or darken, my silver and also a natural way to clean it after soldering, instead of using harsh chemicals. Doing this I feel comfortable without worrying about what bad effect I might be having on the environment.
Look around and enjoy!
