Biting off more than I can bezel: a true story.

We all need to struggle a little bit more — and I’m saying this as a holier-than-thou girl who refuses to Doordash food on principle. I bring convenience into my life in other ways though (hypocrite again!); I google every question or problem that comes to mind; I check Yelp to see the menu and reviews before going somewhere to eat. My personal issue is with new experiences because I can’t know everything beforehand. How boring! 

In a recent interview, Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu said, “I love struggling, actually. It makes me feel alive.” I am fairly certain a whole generation of kids were genuinely changed by that statement. Sometimes you have to jump and not know if you’ll make it to the other side. That’s how I found myself spending $$$ to try something I’d wanted to do for years, but never could convince myself to go through with it.

When I was younger, my jewelry always came from my mother, in gold hoops and an angel pendant necklace. Too bad gold looks terrible on me! At this point in my mid-twenties, I’ve amassed quite a silver collection, rings to fit every finger except those cursed pinkies. The only rings that have ever fit those are the shit ones from Claire’s, meant for a daring seven year old. 

I’ve entertained thoughts of learning how to make jewelry for years, as I’m sure many an alternative girl has. There’s something so respectable and hardworking and so salt-of-the-earth about making something yourself. When you receive a compliment and you can say, “Oh thanks, I made it!” — now that’s an indescribable rush. I imagine it’s similar to how your local EDM DJ feels when one of his songs is used at a large festival. 

But pulling the trigger on the actual learning is a different story. It’s horribly expensive to have a cool and interesting hobby, yet so amazing to fantasize. 

It’s funny, really, my jewelry teacher started working in silversmithing as a blue collar trade that he initially learned in high school (he is very old). Now every week he’s teaching a gaggle of middle aged women and me, how to hammer a cuff and put together a basic ring. 

Ok so do you guys want to see what I made or what…

We started out making cuffs with copper to learn the basics. Basically hammering 101. My teacher told me I seemed like I “bite off more than I can chew” with projects I was taking on. To be fair to him, that day I spent hours stamping a copper bangle until my wrists were shaking.

I would show you my other cuff, but it got commandeered by a friend. [Omg I found my teacher’s IG so here is a photo. I’m the pretentious one with the Oura ring. Soldering 101.

The creation of a ring unsurprisingly combines all of the little things you learned along the way into a much more difficult task. Plus, now you’re likely using expensive silver. Stressful yet liberating! 

Ring 1: Fire agate and silver

Ring 2: turquoise and silver.

[unfinished bezel eyes]

Unfinished Twin Bezel Eyes: Charoite and silver. My gag down, my purple flower opus. 

My teacher was right, of course. I took on too much with these matching purple rings, but it was so worth it. Am I going to take another multi week class to finish them and start another ridiculous project? Of course. Don’t think silly questions to yourself like that. But in case you’re wondering, here’s more info about my silversmithing class!

FAQs

How much did my class cost? In Phoenix, it was around $250 for 7 classes, and once you hit ring making, you needed to buy the stones and the silver, if you so wished. It is not so awesome that silver chose to skyrocket right around when I chose to take the class. To others in larger cities, I have bad news. It is more expensive near you. 

Why should I do this? I’m telling you, I get there at 6 PM, toil away with the hammers and torches and solder and my life slows down. The hours inch by when working with your hands. I’ve heard that a trick to extending your perceived lifetime is to shake up your routine and do something new. 

Who should I learn from? Do not take those "make a ring in one session" classes. Those are not jewelry experts! That is a college student who took this as a side job and now has a concept of how to make a ring. Find the old guys who used to work in jewelry sweatshops. 

My teacher was definitely one of those. He had stories, like how his ex-wife’s brother was part of the Iranian Shah’s council and somehow escaped in the 70s when the current government (may the Supreme Leader rest in pieces x) had their brutal takeover moment. Not really related to jewelry making besides the fact that his ex brother-in-law used to send him enormous amounts of Persian turquoise and lapis lazuli. #Score! #FreeIran!

Even if you aren’t interested in jewelry making, I can recommend nothing more than trying something out of your typical day-to-day where you create instead of consume. Put those hands to work!