Life After Jewelry

This is a follow up to my previous blog post - if you haven't read it yet it is titled Part 1: Life Before Jewelry. Anyhow, where were we? Oh, right, The first class I took on how to make jewelry -- that's when I knew I was hooked!

Lost wax casting was my favorite! My friend Jocelyn helping me cast one of my senior pieces.

Always being silly in the studio.

I love so many aspects of making jewelry. You can wear something that is so personal and has so much meaning behind it. Jewelry holds memories and signifies so many things to different people and different cultures! But the physical making of jewelry was what drew me in the most. It is a pretty dirty job! Lot's of hammering and manipulating metal, not to mention there is fire involved! I think that the making of jewelry took me back to my childhood on the farm which was why I was so attracted to it.

After taking the class in Eureka Springs I ended up moving to Springfield, Missouri to further my jewelry skills. There was a metals program at MSU and I knew I needed to be a part of it! I took several jewelry classes while attending Missouri State which only fueled the fire *pun intended*. I began researching what jobs I could do in the jewelry field, which is when I realized that big name designers don't design everything themselves. Who knew!

SCAD Jewelry Girls

SCAD Graduation with my boos

My Senior Collection

I decided that was what I was going to do, I wanted to design jewelry for a brand! I still had no clue how I was going to accomplish this....and I was a bit overwhelmed by the idea of it...sounds a bit intimidating when you have basically no exposure to the world of fashion. Regardless, I was intrigued and so curious about a world that I knew nothing about.

My "designer" journey began when I found Savannah College of Art and Design. (when I say "I" here I actually mean my mother...let me tell you-- she has been my #1 cheerleader when it comes to chasing after my dreams! Love you, Mom!) So SCAD had some AWESOME connections with bigger designer brands -- not to mention they had a HUGE success rate for job placement in the field of study-- we all go to college to get a job using our degree, right? My favorite part about SCAD was the diversity of the students and teachers- people from literally every part of the world were all here in one place - all SO TALENTED (#terrifying) and so inspiring! (again, it wasn't so diverse in the Midwest so this was a huge change for me) On this other hand, this school was no joke. I thought art school would be a piece of cake - easy peezy, that was not the case what-so-ever. I had so many sleepless nights and cried on the phone to my mother more times than I would like to admit. But with hard work comes great reward --while still in school I was hired for an amazing internship designing Jewelry for FOSSIL and also began working with an incredible organization, Batey Rehab Project. I honestly could talk about this school forever, it was the most incredible experience! I met my closest friends at SCAD, had the best professors, created incredible pieces of art and GOT A JOB. Phew, what a relief!

My Fossil Fam

A workshop with Batey Rehab Project in Barahona, Dominican Republic

My little cutie, Isabel from the villiage of Milton

That's right, I found out I got the job just a few days before graduation! I was hired as a jewelry designer for Michael Kors! (I feel like I'm living in a dream majority of the time--this life moves SO fast--wasn't it just yesterday I was wondering what I would do with my life!) Within a couple months I was moving to the big apple -- a city I never even imagined was in my future. I still look back and think how crazy it all is! Only 5 years ago did I even stumble upon jewelry making and now I have worked for two name brand companies and have lived on opposite sides of the country!?!?!?! Oooo man, what an incredible life we live!

The view from my Brooklyn apartment

The Michael Kors Jewelry Design Room decorated for Christmas

I feel that it is important to me to share how I have gotten into my field of expertise because  I had no clue that it was even an option to be a Jewelry Designer. I hope that me sharing my journey will help others to pursue their dreams, even if they may not know exactly what those dreams are yet! Whatever it is, YOU CAN DO IT!