I never dreamed of becoming a jeweler nor a bladesmith as a kid; either a chef or a paleontologist were my top two choices. Growing up, I helped my father with his carpentry hobby along with a variety of home repairs. He taught me to work with my hands, to appreciate craftsmanship, and to take the extra time or effort to do something right. As a young teenager working towards Eagle Scout, I was introduced to Fred King (King’s Edge in Cartersville, Ga), a journeyman bladesmith, and he taught me the overall basics of knife making and allowed me to forge a few blades in his workshop. From there, I went to the Blade Show and fell in love with the beauty of engraving, scrimshaw, and damascus steel displayed by the many craftsmen attending the annual Blade Show.
Fast forward a few years, and I’d lost sight of pursuing art and craftsmanship as college and life thereafter loomed before me. I graduated with a B.S. in Biology since I do love science and learning. After a few years of trying to make a science career work, including starting a biochemistry Ph.D. program, which I withdrew from, and being unhappy in science, my thoughts returned to working with my hands and knife making. I then made up my mind to find a career where I’d be happy, quit my laboratory job, and chose to go to trade school at the New Approach School for Jewelers (NASJ). There I learned to work with precious metals, diamonds, and colored gemstones, and was introduced to hand engraving.
My childhood experiences, the lessons of craftsmanship from my father, the tutelage of Fred King, and the instructors at NASJ have all melded with my passion for working with my hands to set me on my current path to share my knowledge, share my artistry, and remind everyone it’s never too late to follow your passions.
