Since I am in the midst of moving from Franklin, TN to Georgetown, TX I thought I would post just some photos today of the last few steps and the finished photos of the hand-fabricated platinum and 14k yellow gold mounting.  Next post will be more detailed after I am able to make a better path through all of the boxes, but until then hope you enjoy the photos!!  Thank you!

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” - William Arthur Ward


This week has been a roller coaster.  My husband has "accused" me of being too much of a realist at times.  I know and hope for the optimistic turnout, but just in case I have a plan B.  With this change in career has come independence, but also no fallout plan (a.k.a. my plan B).  I went into this with a very different approach.  Instead of a backup, I began with thinking (or trying to make myself believe) this will work and I will be great because there was no other option.  There are not many jobs where a person can use their artistic skills while helping others and making enough to live.  This was what I had wanted and I finally had taken the risk so there was no turning back or plan B.

In class we began working with platinum, fabricating an entire trellis from just wire, when platinum is $70+ per mm. Makes each file stroke not just a little more nerve-racking, but expensive as well.  I also was able to fuse and solder platinum which means wearing special glasses to protect from the high temps my torch had to get up to (like 3000+ degrees).

                                    The platinum wire I started with to make the trellis head

                  The platinum jump rings I made from wire in photo above-1st step to making trellis head

On the non-school side I have begun packing and will be loading up my car with most of my things tomorrow in preparation for the long 20 hour drive to Texas on Friday.  Plans have changed (as they often do in life, especially military life) and I will be making the journey to my new home with my mom and my two cats. 

I am looking forward to my new home, being back in Texas, seeing my husband, being closer to family and friends (many I have not seen in years-including family), and, hopefully, being stationary for awhile.  I am also excited for the fresh job prospects and my different career.  Although I am sad to be leaving Tennessee, the friends I have made here, and to be leaving the protected realm of the classroom, I know I am ready to head out into the jewelry industry in Texas and begin to make my own mark.   

Some pictures of some pieces I took my own spin on (forgive my photography skills-still working on white/dark light concept)

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." Alfred D’Souza

"The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner’s humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step." Julia Cameron

After I spoke with a friend I realized why I had been stalling on updating and posting more on my blog. With this blog I will be posting my thoughts, feelings, and updates with my work. This leaves me vulnerable and open to criticism on not just my awful grammer and me, but my jewelry pieces.

Taking classes at Corcoran I had never truly invested my whole self. Until I moved to Tennessee I had a job, friends, husband, and a semi-stable home (at least until the military moved us again). By attending New Approach I dropped my former life completely and invested all of my time, money, and energy into the 3 months I had to cram as much knowledge and skills into making me a good jeweler to find a job in a new field afterwards. I also now will be committed 100% to my own jewelry.

I have had family and friend support, but I think some have been concerned for me of what will happen if I am not "good enough" or "talented enough" to pull off this transformation. I know there are other options and I did decide to take one of the harder options. Creating pieces and working at the bench has allowed me to combine my artistic abilities with a job. I love beginning with just scrap sterling silver metal and finishing with a 3 stone, hand fabricated ring (speaking of-see below the 3 stone hand fabricated ring, start to finish). It is basically therapeutic and, honestly, pretty neat.




I began with the two quotes because they were applicable to my life (past, current, and I am sure future) and to get the ball rolling for conversation.  My life has been so far a great, 'hilly' journey and I am looking forward to the continual drive with the next steps.  In two weeks exact I will be finished with school, in my new home, and setting up my studio. 

Thank you for joining my blog and for joining me in the ride!