Elaine, thank you so much for your lovely message. It’s a delight to have you as part of Jewelry Making Journal for all these years. Hugs to you!

Been with you for many , many years. 💕

Linda, I’m so glad this post resonated with you.

Ma’am, you ate ALWAYS welcome!

Claudia, thank you for sharing your lovely approach.

Chris H, thank you so much for your insightful response – it brought tears to my eyes (the good kind of tears).

Elizabeth, thank you so much for your lovely comment. That means a lot to me.

Rena, I particularly like this quietness which I’ve seen in your little coffee meetings. The world needs peacefulness!

Caroline, Welcome! Like you I really thought I was behind and closely watched other tables. I started to progress my abilities by pushing myself. I decided to add new techniques to my table items. I started small with just one new technique at a time until I mastered or at least was comfortable with it, then added another. I went from beading to casting my own items and full fabrication a lot faster than I would have by comparing my items to others. Just have fun with it and never stop learning.

Beverly, it’s lovely to see your work here again on JMJ! 🙂

Debra, thanks for your lovely comment!

Caroline, I too began with beading and after a few years I was in the same position you are. My husband told me to stop talking about it and DO it so I bought my first torch and some copper and haven’t looked back. Just start and you’ll be rolling in no time. Don’t compare yourself to anyone, especially someone who has been a metalsmith for years…they too had to start someplace. Just have fun! While I do admire the talents of others, I also look at far I have come and am pleased with my progress. I started simple fold-forming which allowed me to get familiar with the torch and how the metal behaves. Copper allowed me to make mistakes, take risks, without worrying about the cost. Silver is much easier to work with, but also more expensive…and going up. Please remember safety! Look around at different studio set ups, soldering stations and the like and be safe, be safe, be safe! Don’t skimp in this part. I look forward to seeing your first piece!

Thank you, Daisy!

Thanks, Dianne!

Thank you, Fay! It’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.

I appreciate that trait about myself now, and long ago stopped wishing hopelessly that I could change it.

Quietness has a certain restfulness and “space” that makes many people feel comfortable and easy in your presence. The people who gravitate to that quality deeply appreciate it in you.

But I think that first you have to see and appreciate those qualities in yourself.

And when you do, you’ll realize that there’s no comparison! 🙂

Daphne, Thank you for your lovely message! I appreciate your thoughts, and I wish you a wonderfully creative jewelry week ahead. 🙂

Welcome, Caroline! And thank you for your kind words! Wishing you all the best as you develop your artistry in the directions that give you joy. 🙂

I’ll look forward to it, Jacqueline! 🙂

Nata, I’m so glad this article is so helpful for you! Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
And yes, you may share it on Facebook with credit to Rena Klingenberg, http://jewelrymakingjournal.com

I also thought that I need to talk more at Jewelry shows . I felt that selling online would help me avoid that pressure…………However conversations and emails from my customers are really enjoyable and very much appreciated. . Very often the personalized jewelry they order has an interesting story and a very special , meaningful reason for the gift that would not be heard at a Jewelry show. .
kaystylejewelry has become a therapeutic experience on a daily basis..Thank you for the opportunity to express these thoughts.