My Long Goodbye

I’ve closed my Etsy shop until August. I moved out of my studio in Vinton this month, and set up a small studio in my basement. And then, more life circumstances happened and I’ve closed it until I get back from my trip to the Southwest.

I’ve been making metal jewelry for over 20 years. And in the last year, after many stops and starts, I’ve come to realize that I think I’m about done making jewelry to sell.

It’s been an excruciating decision, but one that I think is right for me.

I’m turning 60 next year. I feel like I’m on the precipice of a new life, with new interests, perhaps in a new location, too.

It’s lovely that there are things to always look forward to, even if saying goodbye to what was…is hard.

Some of you may be reading these words after visiting my shop and seeing that it’s closed again. I’m ok, but my heart is turning towards painting and when I look at my bench, I get a heavy feeling whereas it used to light me up.

When that happens in any relationship, you either work hard to turn that feeling around, or take the space to understand what that feeling is turning you toward.

I am finding that I’m running toward watercolors, and this urge move in a different direction isn’t going away.

So, I guess this is my long goodbye to metal-making and that’s ok.

It’s been a lovely run.