After taking Silversmithing classes for almost four years, I was excited to set up my own shop space this summer. I am set up in my Mother-in Law's garage, it is a great arrangement! The wall is set up for hammers, pliers, saws, scissors, and drawing templates. I have a special area for soldering. A box made of a cement particle board, it's fire proof. I use an Oxygen-Propane set up for soldering. I have a movable cart where my drill press and buffer/grinder are bolted down.

I have lots of little tool kits full of drill bits, files, polishing wheels...you name it, I probably have it! I use a fan to blow particles away from my face when I use the Foredom to polish, and a radio set to Oldies!

Custom Designs with stones

My customer chose a tear drop shaped, green jade stone. She was attracted to the shape, color and feel of it. She works in the wine business and thought that a hammered cuff bracelet would be perfect. We decided on the length and width, and which direction to set the stone. She wears it to work often and gets great comments on it!

Last year I tried to put my feelings about my craft to words. This is what I came up with...

ODE TO THE JEWELRY STUDIO

I am from grinding metal and blazing fire,
From rocks, and stones, and gems, and silver.
I am from wild imaginations, sketches, attempts, failures, successes.
I am from sharp metal saws, hungrily splitting the shapes in my mind,
I am from friends, artists, mentors, beginners, inventors...
Sharing dreams, borrowing techniques.
I am from another time of molten metal,
Ancient hammers, rough callused dirty hands.
I am from precious visions, fluid memories,
Gifts from the earth,
Treasures, as old as time