I really love what I do for a living!

Thunderheads.  Forged and fused sterling with pearl.

I really love what I do for a living.  Last week a client of mine from some two decades ago appeared in my studio with six pair of earrings purchased from me over the years.  She asked me to clean and polish them and remove some wonkyness from the pair with long dangly wires.

Earrings.  Glass crystal and amethyst beads and sterling.

I found myself drawn into a wonderful opportunity to inspect my work that had been in use for more than 20 years!  It was amazing.  I was humbled to discover that the owner of these pieces actually cared enough about her earrings to bring them back to me for a little cleaning.

Japanese Earring.   Copper with polka dot snowflake pattern, sterling and gold-filled wire.

Right off the bat I noticed that all the earrings still had the original ear wires that I had made.  I was told that none had ever come undone.  I still make my own ear wires, and that was satisfying to know that they are holding up well.

  

Faces in the Window.  Copper, titanium and fused sterling.

The Faces in the Window pair still had all their dangles, even though they were a bit bent.  All the elements continued to perform as intended. That discovery alone gave me a great sense of satisfaction as an artist and designer.

Lanterns.  Sterling, glass bead and pearls.

Whirlpools.  Sterling, copper and gold-filled wire.

The effect of seeing samples of my work return to my studio after such a long time validated to me the time and effort and thought processes that went into the fabrication of each of these creations.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to work as an artist, doing what I enjoy doing each day.