It is rapidly approaching the last day of 2021, as I write this post. I thought I would take the opportunity to share my reflections of 2021 – my first year back to making jewellery and back to writing this blog. Recognising that it has been a difficult year for most people around the world, given the ongoing global Covid pandemic, I’ll be the first to say that I have been luckier than most – whilst homeschooling the children and spending several months in a lockdown situation was challenging, my family was blessed that we were together and remained relatively unaffected by Covid. But that’s not what you’re here for… so here are my personal celebrations for the Silver Jewellery Girl blog & Youtube channel.
Making Jewellery
Of course, I need to kick off with actually making jewellery! I did a quick tally and worked out that I have made no less than 26 pieces of jewellery this year. Now, I know that doesn’t sound like much, but I’m pretty pleased with that since this is not my full-time job! My pieces have ranged from simple rings, just to re-learn some skills, right through to that crazy Star Wars bib necklace I made as part of the All That Glitters challenges that I set myself. Why did I think that was a good idea?!
All That Glitters Challenges
Whilst I’m only half joking, I am glad that I set myself those challenges. Through the challenges, I learnt a lot of skills that I probably wouldn’t have dared to try, otherwise. For example, cuttlefish casting (which was a disaster, and I will definitely need to give that one another go!) or setting more than one cabochon in a piece. The challenges kept me busy, too – at one point this year, l was making a piece of jewellery per week! I’m planning to set myself the All That Glitters Challenge for the 2022 season of the show – perhaps you’d like to join me?!
Last Piece for 2021
My pace has slowed considerably since the summer. Mainly because life seemed to restart, here in the UK – my children went back to school and I had to start “real” work again. But maybe one day, making jewellery and this blog will be my “real” work! I have lots of ideas and projects in the works that I’m dying to share with you all, so please do stay tuned in to the blog!
In the meantime, this is my last piece of 2021 – it’s an Outlander-inspired ring made for a friend, who loves the show! It uses a range of techniques – silver etching, sweat soldering, texturing, applying a patina and hand sawing tiny embellishments. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments below!
And if you want to take a look at some of my 2021 pieces, head over to my Gallery page.
Learning New Skills
When I launched this blog back in 2011, I mostly wanted a place where I could document and share the things that I had learnt, the mistakes I’d made and track how I improved. That’s still the main aim of my blog and I don’t apologise that my jewellery looks like it was made by a beginner. The truth is, it was! This year, more than anything, I’ve learnt to be kinder to myself – none of my work is going to look like someone who has been in a professional jeweller for decades. But I can keep learning and improving!
So, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on the skills I’ve learnt this year…
Soldering, Soldering, Soldering!
Seriously, this was the most daunting skill that I needed to pick up, again, after my jewellery hiatus! With practice, I slowly got there and learnt along the way the importance of flush, clean surfaces, not trying to fill the gap and where the heat dissipates to! I also throw in here sweat soldering. I think this one has improved the final finish of my pieces drastically!
Wire Wrapping
I’ll admit it. I didn’t want to learn wire wrapping. I just wanted to use silversmithing techniques. But I’m so glad I’ve learnt some basics in wire wrapping – it’s a great technique that can enhance pieces that you’ve made with traditional silversmithing. Before I learnt wire wrapping, I was making a pendant that attached to a piece of cord. Now, I’m thinking about the whole necklace as a piece, adding wire wrapped beads or decorative embellishments.
Stone Setting
Whilst I had set cabochons in my previous venture into jewellery making, I had never set 5 stones on one piece of jewellery before. Lots more to learn there, but it’s taught me the importance of planning the order that you attach things in jewellery!
Silver Clay
This was something that I’d wanted to try out for years and I finally got round to it. The absence of a kiln had always put me off, and whilst my first attempt was far from perfect, I’m so glad I’ve tried it out. And I’m really excited about all the charms and decorative embellishments that silver clay will open up for my work.
Launching a YouTube Channel
I never planned this one! It had never occurred to me to even video my work, even though I was quite used to photographing all of my steps to share on this blog. But with my husband’s encouragement, I ventured into the world of YouTube and launched the Silver Jewellery Girl channel in January. And I’m definitely feeling proud of my small accomplishments in this field.
Looking at my early videos, they were total rubbish! But, I thank you all for bearing with me while I learnt what worked for me and what didn’t! My early YouTube videos are an average of 20-30 minutes long, slow moving and difficult to sit through. Over this year, I’ve learnt the value of editing and that “less is more”, cutting those 20-30 minute videos down to 3-5 minutes!
I never felt comfortable with making YouTube tutorials – I mean, as an almost beginner, who am I to make tutorials?! There are plenty of really skilled jewellers who make fantastic tutorials, such as Andrew Berry and CSL Designs. So I went down the route of short, entertaining videos that show the main steps without daring to tell you that “this is the right way to do it”. I hope you’ve enjoyed my videos as much as I (eventually) enjoyed making them!
But almost a year on, I’ve managed to publish 49 videos, including my “Monthly Artisan Spotlight” series, where I share the work of other jewellers and support them in promoting their work. I’ve reached 360 subscribers in my first year (please do subscribe if you enjoy my videos, so you don’t miss any!). And I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, as well as all of you on this blog. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Final Reflections of 2021 and Looking Ahead to 2022!
In conclusion, it’s been a rollercoaster of a first year back at the bench! I have shed more than a few tears of frustration as a piece didn’t go the way I wanted it to, as well as utter more than a few choice bad words! I have learnt a lot, grown a lot and done so many things that I didn’t think I would.
If you’d asked me this time last year if I thought I would have gotten my jewellery gear back out of the boxes, I would have told you a categoric “no”. I would have had whole heap of excuses ready, too. My children are too young. I don’t have a safe workspace. I can’t remember what to do.
But, with encouragement, I’ve managed to set aside those excuses and negative thoughts in my head. It hasn’t been easy. I have more than one piece of jewellery sitting in a scrap pile. But would I change anything I did this year? No! If you’re thinking about trying jewellery making, in whatever medium, then “do it!”. Don’t put it off. There isn’t ever going to be a better time. If you want to try it, then try it! Take the first step, because it’s the first step that is hardest!
Coming Soon!
Coming in 2022, I’m planning more children-friendly jewellery making projects as I help my daughter’s Brownie group achieve their “Jeweller” badge, another round of All The Glitters challenges and continuing to work on the “Let’s Make Professional Jewelry” series of projects, plus other bits along the way! So, please do join me in 2022… I love having you hear! Have a wonderful new year celebration! See you on the other side!
So, thank you for being here with me, for reading my thoughts and watching my videos. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey with me, so far!
