I found New Approach School and studied under Blane Lewis for 3 months. This really helped me to wrap my head around various aspects of jewelry making and pinpoint the direction I wanted to go from there. Studying with Jason Marchiafava at New Approach was really motivating too. We took a step back from the modern day pneumatic engraving system and studied hand push. This really helped with my basic fundamentals of graver control. Once I went back to the pneumatic system I never looked back, but those couple weeks of hand push were crucial in my journey.
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR WORK HISTORY/ METALWORKING EXPERIENCE.
My work history is a pretty easy one to answer. I’ve been self-employed for the last 14 years. In the last 5 years, I have done a bit of contracted work for some larger companies here and there. Starting a successful business and gaining a reputation as an artist required thousands of hours of intensive work and trial and error. “ ” YOU HAVE YOUR OWN JEWELRY BUSINESS, THIRD EYE ASSEMBLY. HOW DID IT GO FROM AN IDEA TO REALITY? The idea of owning a business was a seed that was planted at a young age. My dad was always self-employed and I saw the benefits of that through observing his career. I studied business at UNCW with a concentration in finance. I started my business in my junior and senior year of college on the side while also working a part-time job at the local Co-Op, Tidal Creek. One thing that really helped me navigate the paperwork of starting a business was the Small Business Association in Wilmington. Looking back on it, the paperwork and red tape was the easy part. Actually, starting a successful business and gaining a reputation as an artist required thousands of hours of intensive work and trial and error. I was doing what I loved though, and I truly believe if you follow your heart’s desire and put in the hard work, the universe answers. Some say that doing what you love and hard work may be conflicting ideas. In my experience, there are a lot of times I don’t feel like doing what I love but I show up and do it anyways and it has served me well. There’s nothing satisfying like going home after a long day of work and relaxing with friends and family knowing you seized the day. Carpe Diem.
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