About 8 years ago, I attended a small, introductory jewelry making class. There I sat, excited and eager, as I was instructed on how to use hundreds of different types, sizes and colors of beads to make a necklace. I didn’t know where to start! My mind was racing as I wondered how my design would turn out. I didn’t really think I’d come up with anything out of the ordinary, just a nice piece I could give my teenage daughter to wear. I certainly couldn’t have imagined that, 8 years later, I’d be making a business out of making jewelry.

I started to wear the pieces I created, and my friends and family raved about my designs. I started to take orders from them, and through word of mouth I began doing home shows, classes, and fundraising events. The highest expression of excellence for me is when someone else falls in love with a jewelry design I’ve put so much time and care into creating. I feel that, in order to make jewelry, I have to be in touch with my own creative side, and not be afraid to “bring it to the table” and share it with others. My advice to you is, please – make sure you try everything in life once, including jewelry design! You never know what the outcome will be – look at me!