Hello 2023
Happy New Year! Although it is barely mid January, it feels like the month is racing by. I started the month with a deep clean of the jewelry studio which was long overdue. Reorganizing helped me to review my inventory of gemstones and metals and get ready for new collection designs. I also repaired some of my tools and collected all of my silver scraps so I can reuse them. Thanks to my neighbor’s tree project I was able to add a fabulous tree stump to the studio that will come in handy as a hammering station.
Once the studio was back in order I started learning how to create rings with wax. I’ve always wanted to learn how to use wax carving in my designs and I am excited to add the lost wax casting method to my metalsmith skills. So far I made 3 wax prototypes and they are currently in the process of being cast in silver. Stay tuned for the results of these efforts.
I am also devoting time in January organizing my photos of jewelry and updating my website. I hope you look around and see lots of little changes that makes the website more fun to use. My about page has had a rewrite and I hope you check it out too. Part of the editing process is deciding to retire some of my collections with just a few pieces left. There are some beautiful one of a kind pieces in the January sample sale that I have been promoting this month.
Last but not least, I am choosing the 15 pieces from my collection that are heading to the Metal+Smith Winter show in early February. I love to participate in these NYC shows because there are hours for the jewelry trade members and hours for consumers to shop too. I’ve gotten to know some wonderful independent jewelry makers who also participate in these events. Head to my events page for all the details about the show.
I hope you are enjoying a good start to 2023. January feels like a great time to take stock and recenter on what matters most to you. Thanks for reading!
