Jewelry Affaire Magazine THANK YOU!

I would like to thank Editor Christine Stephens at Jewelry Affaire Magazine for her kind comments in her "Letter from the Editor" and for including me in the 2013 Summer Issue showing my Custom Photo Pendant Jewelry of my mother and family.  Wow, there was my mother's picture in a magazine...made me all choked up. 

The main reason I made these photo pendants was to remember and introduce to others my wonderful mother and other family members who have since passed away. I feel it is important to remember and preserve their stories and pictures.  When I wear these pendants, I believe that through the thin veil that separates us, they can hear us whisper their names as we remember. 

The first issue I bought of this inspiring magazine was the Spring 2011 Jewelry Affaire issue and I was inspired so by such beautiful jewelry that I wanted to learn how to make jewelry too! I was very interested in learning to make keepsake jewelry and one-of-a-kind (OOAK) jewelry.  I started by taking a jewelry class at the local junior college.  I didn't know the difference between a bezel and a bail! I didn't know how to open a jump ring.  I didn't know how to wire wrap.  I didn't know anything!  I learned a lot (and still do) from the other students in the class and the teacher.

I began visiting bead stores and asking LOTS of questions.  I took a few day classes here and there.  I attended the Pasadena Bead Show and found a wonderful "Fairy Godmother of Jewelry" in Crystal Basica. I had a little notebook for note taking and was asking her LOTS of questions.  She was so very helpful and patient and gave me some wonderful ideas, and the kindest part was that she called me a "Jewelry Designer"...what did she say?  Did I hear her right?  Me?  A Jewelry Designer???  I walked away a little bit taller that day and ready to keep on trying.  I'm so grateful for her kindness and I thought to myself..."I want to do something nice for her someday."  So when I was published I was able to include the name of her Etsy store in my Materials List in the article I wrote.  See it? www.vintagefairyfinds.etsy.com.  You'll want to check out her fantastic array of goodies and sparkles and she always sends a little freebie gift with your order.  Very thoughtful.

Crystal also kindly featured my Jewelry Affaire Magazine article and the experience of our meeting for the first time at the Pasadena Bead Show where she was selling her amazing, sparkling jewelry and jewelry components on her blog at www.crystalbasica.blogspot.com.  And she's going to be at the Pasadena Bead and Button show weekend of January 16-19, 2014.

I'm enjoying the journey of learning about jewelry making and as there are so many different aspects of it, I'm not sure what lies ahead, but I'm happily headed that direction!!

May you find joy in your own journey!  Julie