08/25/2013
Over a dozen years ago, I had a client, Inge Marcial, whose family own an amazing jewelry boutique in Key West. I mentioned to her that I always had wanted to learn how to make jewelry and that "some day" I wanted go to school to learn jewelry making. She suggested that I get my hands on some simple materials and try making a few things.
I could just try some things? What a revolutionary idea!
I bought a "bead kit" with lots of blue, teal and green beads, some silk thread and some silver wire. My first idea was to make eye-glass keepers, so I bought the little loops for those, and made a dozen or so, which sold for $20 each. That was all I needed! Running all those gorgeous colors through my fingers dazzled me! I was hooked!
Since then bracelets, earrings, necklaces...some custom pieces for clients--I remember a particular client that requested a reverse necklace! We designed a necklace that would hang perfectly framed by the cowl draping of the BACK of her Beaux Arts Ball gown.
I'm self-taught, but reading forums and watching tutorials have moved me from rudimentary fastenings with base metals and glass beads to semi-precious stones and beads with fine metals.
I've had three different jewelry stores offer my work on consignment, and I've sold enough pieces over the years to fund my work chest. I think of new designs I want to try all the time--I can hardly wait to get my house in order so I can set up a workbench once again. (this last week...dry wall replaced, next week the tiling starts, along with gutting the bathroom. The week after that...gutting the kitchen!)
This note is to say a public "thank you" to Inge for giving me permission to try my hand at a few things. I will always be grateful!
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At Emeralds International, LLC by Marcial De Gomar, you will find emeralds from the remote Andes, the