I made jewelry in high school as a hobby and stopped for many years while in college and grad school. I picked it back up again about 10 years ago, and a year after that I discovered polymer. It made sense at the time to combine the two, especially since I am not a fan of knick knacks, aka dust collectors.
It has been a good run, but the stuff I make tends to run on the sculptural side, which more often than not become big, bold statement pieces when you are talking jewelry. As it turns out this is a very limited audience. But, year after year, come craft fair season, I tend to make multiples of items ... and don't sell them. I have drawers filled with previous series of things that just don't go out the door.
With the exception of my octopi which I will keep available in necklace form, I feel pretty confident - and really good - about the decision that I am done.
Done with jewelry that is.
I have done a few commissions on non-jewelry items and I am so pleased with how they came out. Behold my latest:
I just love it. And yes, it is a dust collector, but at least it is also a working box, so it is useful art (not that art needs to be useful! I just prefer my art to have a purpose.)
I have been collecting bottles and tins for years. The time has come to make use of them :)
