Just Keep...Learning

We all go to school from kindergarten to high school. Some of us go on to college.  I went to the University of Nebraska at Kearney.  I loved school and I loved college.  I loved to learn about new and interesting things.  My interests are wide.  I love history, science, reading.  I love to learn about bizarre things and trivial things.

I graduated in 2000 and entered the workforce.  I felt a hole in my life and soon I figured out what it was.  I was no longer learning.  I thought about this and figured out that I did not need to go to school formally to continue my education.  I've always been a "crafty" person.  I think this is due in part to spending a lot of time with Grandma Mizell when I was young.  She was always doing some type of craft; most of the time it involved sparkles.

I first set out to learn crochet from Grandma Creamer.  She was a very skilled crocheter.  I was so glad I learned from Granny C (as she calls herself).  Not only was it a great bonding experience, but I discovered Granny C had learned from Great Grandma Creamer.  Now when I crochet I feel like Great Grandma is looking down on me, very pleased to be carrying on an old craft.

Next I learned knitting from my mother.  Then Grandma Mizell passed away.  In my mourning of her, I found I wanted to wear big bold sparkly jewelry like she had.  However, I couldn't find jewelry at retail that fit the ticket.  How do I obtain the jewelry I desire?  Well, I'd just have to learn!  So began my journey into learning how to make silver jewelry.

I loved it so much and enjoyed it so much my husband built me a studio.  That is how my small business of Chrysalis Jewelry began (http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com).  I knew I must continue to learn jewelry techniques to keep Chrysalis Jewelry new and fresh.  I took a lost wax casting class, which I enjoyed very much.  I would love to add it to Chrysalis, but the start up costs for lost wax are quite great.

I have now begun to learn a technique called chain maille.  All it takes is some jump rings, a couple pair of pliers, and a pattern.  Much like crochet or knitting, chain maille has many exciting patterns.  You must start out easy and work your way up to more complex patterns.  I cannot wait to extend my skills.  I get all of my jump rings at www.bluebuddhaboutique.com.

I hope I have inspired you, my reader, to just keep learning!  Pick up a book on a subject you are interested in, watch a documentary, talk to an expert.  What ever you do....Just Keep Learning!