December 21st, 2022

Precious Things

December 2022

The year 2022 was full of surprises, including some unusual jewelry projects that came my way. 
One day in November, I received a call from a woman who asked me if I could use shards from a broken wineglass to create two pendants, set in sterling silver, as a special Christmas gift for her partner and herself. This kind of thing is definitely in my wheelhouse, but I’m not a glass-worker, so I told her that if she could find someone to melt the glass into cabochon shapes, I could make the necklaces. 
I thought nothing more of it, until a week later, when this lovely person showed up at the gallery with two glass “gems” (complete with bubbles inside), ready to talk about the project. Her enthusiasm was so infectious that we easily agreed on a  simple design and pricing, and I got to work at my bench.
Often, I will apprise customers of my progress via photos and text messages, and such was the case here. I named the project, appropriately, “Love Bubbles.” The whole process went smoothly and the two necklaces were delivered well in time for the holiday.
There are two lessons that came to mind while doing this work. First, what is broken can be transformed into something beautiful. And second, what is precious to someone need not have intrinsic value to be meaningful.
I’m so very grateful to be able to help others to manifest their creative ideas with my skills, and sincerely wish a very happy, healthy and fulfilling 2023 to all!