Every maker is unique. Put ten different jewellery makers (or any artists) in a studio and give them the same assignment, supplies and tools. Will their work look the same?
Nope. Each work will be different, because each maker is a different person. We all have our own ways of imagining and creating. Our taste, source of inspiration, skills and favourite techniques are all different. The stories we want to tell depend on who we are and where we come from. Even things like curiosity and patience play out differently. Patience, by the way, can be a great asset to have in jewellery making.
I personally love to work in metal, but for jewellery, there are no limitations. You can make jewellery out of any material, for any purpose, for any reason, for any budget. This is what I love with jewellery. It spans from a textile string around your wrist, to a luxury tiara full of blinding diamonds. Imagine all the things possible in between!
The best thing is that there is no end to it. Jewellery making goes on and on, and will do, forever.
The power of jewellery
Here is what I think: Jewellery has more power over us than we may admit. Some jewellery pieces become very close to us, very personal. I remember the man who once said that “jewellery is not really my thing”. Then he looked at his hand, and said “except for this ring, though, that I got from my mother when I was twelve”. That is exactly what I mean.
And these are the stories that mean something. Jewellery stories. Jewellery memories. Jewellery moments. Jewellery bonds.
I could go on forever, and it's because I absolutely love this subtle power - and then I mean power as in a good force, not an authority - and the fact that we humans learned very early that we can use tiny objects to give beauty and meaning to ourselves and to people around us.
Keep going the way you do
If you are a jewellery maker yourself, continue making.
If you are a lover of handmade jewellery, let the love flow. Remember, there is a lot of care, thought and gut feeling involved in the making.
Joy for the maker, and joy for the wearer. I think we're both in a good place.
Take good care.
If you want to know more about how my jewellery love started, don't miss the previous post about Jewellery as a journey (with some quotes that may inspire you, whatever journey you're on).