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MOST OF HAVE A STORY, THIS ONE IS MINE......
I had only dabbled in jewelry making, but truly appreciated and collected pieces from various artisans. I spent my time finding unique pieces, from unique people, and prided myself as a collector of all things handmade…most of which were lost in Hurricane Katrina. I found myself with nothing... no home, a displaced family, lost jobs for myself and husband, all of my art work and collectables destroyed, no photos, no cars, and list goes on. I had once surrounded myself with things I loved, and in an instant they were gone.
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Being a little crazy at the time and a painter that used found objects, my husband went to our destroyed home in New Orleans and began taking off door hinges, knobs, armoire remnants, broken fragments of jewelry, old beads, glass and anything metal. He rented a truck and drove it to my parent’s home, where we were staying, and unloaded this truck full of junk. I wanted it all gone, but under the advice of my family, we cleaned and stored what we could.
Three years later I was ready to go through those stored boxed and create again. I had been painting but wanted to do something different. In an effort to regain some of what I had lost, including my sanity, I decided to refurbish my jewelry collection. One for therapy, and the other for lack of being able to replace what was lost. I entered my studio in Nashville with a totally new direction…and a new love began. Once again, I was hooked! I made a necklace, then another and another and then earrings and bracelets. I couldn’t stop. I felt like me again, something I had also lost with the storm. I wore my stuff with pride, and suddenly didn’t feel the loss as much. All of a sudden I was getting stopped and asked where I got my jewelry. This time I could say I created it instead of someone else. Pieces I had given to friends and family were also getting the same response. I began receiving calls giving me the names of people to contact that wanted to purchase my work. So here I am, a jewelry maker. It seems as though I am back to where I started…hopeful, happy and doing what I love. I hope those who wear my work will feel, as corny as it sounds, the soul I put into each piece. Each piece has a story. One you might never know, but can imagine and feel good knowing it has a happy ending. We all have a story, this one is mine.
I had only dabbled in jewelry making, but truly appreciated and collected pieces from various artisans. I spent my time finding unique pieces, from unique people, and prided myself as a collector of all things handmade…most of which were lost in Hurricane Katrina. I found myself with nothing... no home, a displaced family, lost jobs for myself and husband, all of my art work and collectables destroyed, no photos, no cars, and list goes on. I had once surrounded myself with things I loved, and in an instant they were gone.
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Being a little crazy at the time and a painter that used found objects, my husband went to our destroyed home in New Orleans and began taking off door hinges, knobs, armoire remnants, broken fragments of jewelry, old beads, glass and anything metal. He rented a truck and drove it to my parent’s home, where we were staying, and unloaded this truck full of junk. I wanted it all gone, but under the advice of my family, we cleaned and stored what we could.
Three years later I was ready to go through those stored boxed and create again. I had been painting but wanted to do something different. In an effort to regain some of what I had lost, including my sanity, I decided to refurbish my jewelry collection. One for therapy, and the other for lack of being able to replace what was lost. I entered my studio in Nashville with a totally new direction…and a new love began. Once again, I was hooked! I made a necklace, then another and another and then earrings and bracelets. I couldn’t stop. I felt like me again, something I had also lost with the storm. I wore my stuff with pride, and suddenly didn’t feel the loss as much. All of a sudden I was getting stopped and asked where I got my jewelry. This time I could say I created it instead of someone else. Pieces I had given to friends and family were also getting the same response. I began receiving calls giving me the names of people to contact that wanted to purchase my work. So here I am, a jewelry maker. It seems as though I am back to where I started…hopeful, happy and doing what I love. I hope those who wear my work will feel, as corny as it sounds, the soul I put into each piece. Each piece has a story. One you might never know, but can imagine and feel good knowing it has a happy ending. We all have a story, this one is mine.
