It all started with a ring. I already liked jewelry. I have always been drawn to sparkly things and well-made art, but I don’t wear much. This makes it hard to justify an expensive purchase, though I still enjoy browsing. One day, while riding the train and “shopping,” I saw the most amazing ring. Tiny little flourishes and arabesques intertwined in beauty, and cradling a giant pillow of a deep blue sapphire. It was stunning. It was also $18,000. My first thought, strangely enough, was “I could carve that!”.

And so began my new journey. I have a way of throwing myself into new things. Buying a bunch of supplies. Collecting a bunch of tools. Starting several projects. Then seeing something else that is shiny and moving on. So naturally I watched a hundred videos on wax carving. I had some tools and some beeswax to try my hand with it. It went pretty well, so I bought a collection of different waxes and a couple of tools. Made a couple of ring forms and some flowers and animals. Fun! Now, how to cast these in metal?

As I learned more, I realized that before casting, I needed to first learn how to solder. I’ve worked with stained glass and a soldering iron, but this is the kind of soldering that requires a torch. After a little experimenting, and some more videos, here is my first ring! It’s a little sailor’s knot, or square knot. That went well. What next?

Now there was one project after this that I’m not showing yet. It’s a gift and a secret. What that project provided was some basic saw practice and making a jump ring and soldering a small piece onto a larger one. Then I learned how to make a safety pin. Fundamentals! So technically the fourth project, also a secret gift, now gifted, is a model of a lily of the valley flower. The perfect Mothers’ Day gift for my Mom as it is her favorite flower. I hope it is yours too, because the design is now available in my store!

The evolution of the idea began as a small, round brooch, with a border and small details.

After cutting the pieces and seeing how it all worked out together, I decided to do away with the border.

After some engraving and polishing, I’m happy with the final product. Can’t wait to design more!