Living in the South for four years was wonderful but there were somethings that I missed. Snow being one of them. So happy to be home in New York for the Blizzard Jonas!
A Chilly Afternoon
I spent a chilly afternoon with my family beading in front of the fire and listening to my brother Matthew practice for Battle of the Bands on the piano. It was just one of those moments where you could not feel more happy, and peaceful.
And how can I miss a chance to share a photo of my favorite little snuggle pup.
Substitute Teacher
Today I am officially a substitute teacher! I got my first call this morning. Unfortunately by the time I was able to figure out the online system for the first time the job was already gone.
I cannot wait to get into the classroom! Updates to follow!
Happy New Year
It's a New Year and with that comes new challenges and new adventures.
My gap year goals were (and still are) to have adventures, not take life so seriously, and spend time with family and friends. So far I have followed that path and traveled to The Dominican Republic, Saratoga, Philadelphia, Boston, and Red Bank. I have been spontaneous and made plans at the last minute like joining the Holiday Art and Craft Show in Mamaroneck. I hope to continue this mindset in 2016.
I already know this year I will start Graduate School, and join the Etsy New York Street Team. I cannot wait to see what else is in-store.
Enjoy the New Year and all its blessings.
Photo by Ashley Comer Photography
I have been asked more than once, "Why don't jewelers wear jewelry?". The simple answer is, it can be hard to make jewelry and work in the studio wearing jewelry. Long necklaces can get caught in tools, or fall into the solder station.
Even as jeweler I still wear my rings and short necklaces every day. Occasionally, I will remove my scroll ring when filing so it does not get scratched, but that is it.
Each ring is important and connects to a memory or a moment in time. Two of my rings I made in my first jewelry class, when I was just learning how to solder. I was so proud, and still am of those little simple bands.
The scroll ring and the ring with the tiny blue stones bezel set all around were from my towns street fair that I used to go to as a kid. There are lots of vendors that line the street and I love the memory associated with them.
My oldest ring is from when I was 13, my mom got it for both of us on my birthday. It is the patterned band above the tiny blue blue bezel ring. Each symbol had a different meaning that I do not remember anymore but it reminds me of my mom so I love it just the same.
The female figure ring was my first piece of Art Jewelry that I have ever bought. It is by Harriet Forman Barrett, her work is beautiful, and probably part of how I ended up as an Art Jeweler. Check out her other work below!
On my middle finger next to my pretty little lady, is my first piece of 3D Printed Jewelry. I modeled it in Rhinoceros, and had it printed at Shapeways! The printed the ring in silver! I have printed jewelry but I always have to cast it after from the wax. They have found the way around that. 3D printing is changing jewelry just as much as it is changing the rest of the world, it is amazing to experience it.
Next to that is my class ring from high school. I that it is not as chunky as the typical class ring. When I graduated I thought I would not want to be back in that building, I was done with it, but now I am applying to be a Substitute Teacher for my old school district. It is funny how life ends up.
Last but certainly not least are the two beautiful Larimar bezel set rings. I got them from the lapidary master, Alejandro, when on my volunteer trip in the Dominican Republic with the Batey Rehab Project. Larimar is a stone found only in the Dominican on the side of a volcano! Photos of my experience at the mine is shown in an earlier blog post.
Do you wear jewelry every day and why? Leave your response in the comments!