I think it all began because I love earrings, frankly!

Seriously, though, I started making earrings — fairly simple ones — as a hobby probably in 2009, before I retired.  Watching JTV and reading more, I bought calibrated faceted stones and sterling post settings, put the stones in the settings, and I was hooked.

From those simple post earrings, I expanded to wire-wrapping, using sterling wire and beads — genuine stones and gems — with sterling fishhook earwires that I purchased.  Now I was actually designing, not just assembling purchased components.

I also began purchasing faceted gemstones and small cabochons— fascinated by the colors and shapes, I began reading more about gems and stones, learning as I “played” with my hobby.

Wire-wrapping small beads for earrings was fun — and I loved the possibility of seeing a design in my imagination and bringing it to reality.  Soon, I moved to larger cabochons and wire-wrapping pendants.

By this time, after probably two years, I’d retired (2011) and was caring full-time for my father, whose health was failing.  The hobby was something I could do wherever I happened to be, assuming I had everything I needed.  It was at this time that I set up my business, WareWorks, as an LLC in Louisiana.

Fast-forward to January 2019.  I’m still wire-wrapping stones.  I’m still buying beautiful stones and learning more every day about their chemistry (who knew an English major would get to think about chemistry?),  origins and qualities.

I’ve also expanded into metal clay and now more traditional metal-smithing.  My ceramics classes from decades ago find ways to influence me as I manipulate the precious metal clay or base clay (some techniques DO transfer).

I’d read about PMC (precious metal clay) for several years and had even bought a kit for beginners, long before I had the opportunity to take a couple of workshops.  With a handheld kitchen torch, I could do this at home!  I also bought a small kiln, one that had no digital temperature control, and was successful in using it for small batches of PMC earrings or pendants.  As of several months ago, though, I purchased a larger tabletop kiln, one with preset digital controls — I want to try new clays and new design techniques that require different temperatures.

With traditional metalsmithing, I get to play with fire, albeit in a controlled, safe way.  Currently, I work with sterling silver, fine silver, and copper.

Needless to say, as my hobby has become a part-time small business, the materials and tools required have expanded too.  I now use an entire room in my home.

In fact, tonight I”ll be working on re-organizing the room’s setup areas.