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I learned to make jewelry in college while
studying abroad in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I took the
class on a whim, really, thinking it would be a fun thing
to try on the side while pursuing a more ‘serious’
education as a painter. I knew I was hooked on the jewely
making when I was dreaming about soldering little bits of
metal and hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in months. But
there was no jewelry program at my school when I got back,
so I finished up college with a focus on mixed media work.
In 2000, I moved to Portland with a studio
art degree and no idea what to do with the rest of my life.
After stints as temp, tile shipper, and art teacher, I still
hadn’t found something that felt like it really fit.
And I kept thinking about that damn jewelry… I still
had a little stash of silver left over from my time in Mexico,
so I pulled it out, taught myself to cut glass, and got to
work.
By the fall of 2002 I had kissed my steady
job goodbye and smallthings was born. Now I get to be my own
boss and make jewelry all day, and I love it. Each and every
one of my pieces is laid out, cut, and soldered by hand. And
that’s not gonna change. It’s a lot of work sometimes,
but it’s this process that keeps me engaged, connected
to, and excited about what I do everyday. And I think I really
have found my dream job… |
