About 20 years ago, I started beading and then wire wrapping. I have always had a love for jewelry and would spend hours going through my mother’s jewelry box and trying on her jewelry from the 40’s and 50’s. It’s funny how that look has now come back in style. One year, when our "school pictures” became available, my mother was surprised to find a school photo of her favorite daisy necklace around the neck of her fourth-grade daughter. I’ll never forget how proud I was to wear it. She wasn’t mad, but I think the photo made her laugh, since it really didn’t go with what I was wearing, and was a little “mature” for a 10-year old.
I have always loved ALL art forms, and after years of painting, stained glass, macramé, you-name-it, I broadened my art knowledge by learning how to solder. My first set-up was a Christmas gift from my husband, who had done welding in the past. So, he bought a set of tanks and a welding tip. However, there is a huge different between soldering pipe and soldering a post on a tiny silver stud earring. So, after finding that the equipment just wasn’t suitable, I figured I’d better get some expert advice. I took one class of beginner soldering at a jewelers school, and I was on my way.
I have always been good at figuring out how something is put together, so with my new knowledge of just how to attach a piece of metal to another, I was on my way. Years later, I am still learning new techniques and I continue to develop this art form. I have to say that this hobby has stayed with me far beyond any other that I’ve done.
