To Adorn

I got started making jewelry by not being able to find what I wanted to wear in the mornings. I would reach for some needlenose pliers and fashion a necklace or pair of earrings, put on my new jewelry, and dash out the door.

This mode of inventiveness carried on for years. I didn't often think about it, except for when people complimented me on what I had on; my hand would shoot up to touch an earring or finger a necklace so that I would know what piece they had liked. Only after recognition dawned as to what piece I'd chosen to wear did my brain and mouth connect and I could stammer, "thank you."

The idea of making jewelry to sell came to me in a moment of desperation. I created a bunch of necklaces out of metal and hauled it to a shop in downtown Portland, Oregon. The owners bought me out on the spot, apologizing for not being able to pay more for my collection and advising me that if I were to work in precious metals I could charge several hundred dollars a piece for that level of work.

I was surprised but excited that my vision resonated with others in a marketplace context, and this inspired me to make more original work. Around that time, a series of synchronous events led me to apply to an art school. A critique by a professor at the school resulted in the advice that my jewelry work was the strongest of what I'd done up to that point. So I created a portfolio of new jewelry and wrote a proposal. I had only two weeks to meet the application deadline, but I was clear about what I wanted to do.

The school admitted me and awarded my proposal a scolarship for its strength. It's still the most money I've made in the shortest time. LOL

I have saved all of my equipment and supplies, albeit in a pile of boxes outside until I can build a studio and storage space for them. I plan to create jewelry and accessories in silver, taking that advice I received from that buyer.