Help me break (update: Stay) out of prison!
I found my passion a little late in life when I felt a strong need for a creative outlet to deal with the stress and feeling trapped in a thankless job working at a state prison. I never thought of myself as artistic or crafty, but have always had a love for the arts and creating something out of nothing. Making jewelry was something that I always wanted to try, but never had the courage to actually do until recently. In September 2013, I bought my first coil of copper wire, some beads, and a few tools to make my first wire wrapped ring from a tutorial I had found online. After that, I was hooked and couldn't stop making things and learning new techniques. I had opened up a creative side of me that I never knew I had and the ideas for new pieces started flowing. I love everything about my craft-the design process, choosing the materials for a piece, the fabrication process, putting the finishing touches on it, and even the packaging, but nothing tops when something I've loved creating also brings joy to the person wearing it.
When I first begain making jewelry, I never thought I would be able to do some of the things I can do now! It feels incredibly empowering to have an idea for a piece, sketch a design, and actually fabricate that idea out of raw metals and stone into a finished piece of jewelry. Such a stark contrast to my day job at the prison! In 2017, my dream of quitting my day job at the prison and pursuing my craft full time came true with the help and support of my husband, family, and customers. But being a self employed artist is not an easy path, so if you like what you see in my shop, please share it, pin it, tweet it, like it, etc. Every little bit helps to keep me “out of jail":)