H A N D MADE

I can go on and on about what I do for a living. How intricately entwined everything I do in the workshop is with the matters of the heart. I, personally am convinced that nothing is separate, that all things are somehow interlinked. Over the years it has been true in my life.

Back then, when I was merely eighteen fumbling my way across campus to find the art department, little did I know that a life long love affair with creating would be the life-raft that I’ve always needed to carry me through life’s storms.

Having a good day. Create. Having a bad day. Create. Figuring things out. Create. Confused about life. Create. Overwhelmed, uncertain, scared. Step into the studio and make something. For the longest time it has been the only language I could speak or understand and to date the one I know the best. The art of creating, the language of the heart.

Imagine the things you have learnt during twenty years of commitment. To be able to take a few pieces of metal blobs, a found object and someone’s story to forge and form it into a three-dimensional object to adorn the body is nothing short of astonishing. That the hands know how to shape and saw and solder. File and fold and flame. Still, it takes my breath away.

All the elements that need to come together for nothing to become something is the making of the perfect storm. And for the perfect storm to create chaotic perfection all comes down to timing. So just imagine how present one must be for all of this to come alive. A fraction of distraction and attention else where will cause it all to come tumbling down.

Life feels a little bit like this at times.

To be honest it’s a whole lot of hard work and a whole lot of intense surrender. You learn a lot when you spend so much time zoned in and focused, heading in a certain direction. You learn that miss-timed opportunities have consequences. That rushing things only takes longer. That sticking to the basics is a solid foundation to build on. That certain things are resolute and others can be warped to our fancy, but make sure you know which is which, there’s no room for ego antics.

It’s a humbling adventure this jewellery making thing. But it’s been my greatest witness, teacher, hand holder and guide. Through the depths of the self and highs in the sky. Through the valleys below and deserts that grow. It has gifted me with a lifetime of getting to know myself and if that is the only thing I came here to do, then that’ll do.

To finding the things that make life worth committing to.