It’s been the sweetest week as I finished cleaning and organizing my jewelry studio and started making things again. My biggest fears were quieted (would I remember how to do any of it? Would my tank explode when I turned on the gas? 😉) as my hands and heart remembered my old, familiar way of working.
The rapid click-click-click of the automatic torch-lighter. The flash of solder when it flows. The weight of the hammer in my hand and what it’s like to break a saw blade. I didn’t realize how much I had missed these experiences.
Creativity is wildly wonderful in that you can’t predict where it’s going to lead. Years passed where I didn’t know if I’d ever make jewelry again. Burn out is real. But now that I’ve cracked open the door, it’s made me happier than I could’ve imagined. There’s a season for everything.
Here’s a peek at the first piece of jewelry I’ve made in 3 years (and even then I only made a few simple one-offs as gifts, it had been another 2 years since offering a substantial collection). Back in the day, I had a small obsession with ladybugs and they were always working their way into my art and jewelry. I made quite a few ladybug necklaces.
Well, I wanted to pay homage to the ladybug and created an updated design. I drew it on my iPad, printed it on paper, and glued it to flat sheet metal for sawing.
Here’s what it looked like after all fabrication was done (and the paper removed!), before final finishing.
And here’s the final necklace, with a matte, patina finish.
If you’re wondering if I’ll start adding jewelry to my website, the answer is yes! But I don’t have the timing just yet. I’m going slow and simply enjoying this new beginning. I’ll probably make a few more pieces and release a mini-collection when they’re all ready.
Thanks for sharing these days with me…and for your enthusiasm over my return to metalsmithing! If you have any questions, feel free to send them my way.
Love,
Christina
