Silver prices outrageous! First time in 50 years of making jewelry I have wondered should I make this in silver? A real buzz kill for spontaneity,and experimentation. In the past I have felt comfortable looking at something I’ve made and knowing what the price should be. Now, I’m compelled to seriously calculate the cost of the materials. Since they are literally 4 times what they were a year ago. I’m speaking of silver, as it has started to feel like working in gold. I’ll figure it out, and my first show will tell me what direction to take. Should I be selective and make exclusive one of a kind pieces, or try to figure out a way to use less silver, more wire, open backs and cords instead of chains and let gemstone or enamel piece be the focus? Really what happens here, if you strive to keep things “affordable”, is your sale pays mostly for supplies, and you get less for your labor and design. At least that’s the way I see it. Having to reinvent the balance. My jewelry challenge for 2026.
Our January visit with both sons. Nice hike, It is so nostalgic and sentimental to have your family together. Due to working schedules, we always miss our foursome at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe next year. Weather and flight delays changed our travel plans this time, but we enjoyed being together and did a lot of decluttering and sorting thru attic treasures. I’m on a mission to finally let go of things I/we don’t use.
all the memories , sorted thru stuffed animals, sports gear, books and even found our family photo from Christ Church.Hope to be done with this cleanup project by spring. All those random coins from the attic( took all day to sort and roll) will go to our travel fund for 2026, hopefully a trip out west and a trip to Europe.
Lots of testing and experimenting , every January I enamel, my transition back to the bench. Color and working with transparencies are challenging. Pretty pleased with the result, all of these are on copper, my last piece will be on fine silver. Sandra and Lillian are my enameling mentors. Enamel Ar Jam, “Strawberries and Cream”, rocks on. Finished set pieces to be complete by the end of January, piece 4 (final piece) will be done in February.