Owner of Aussie Metal Clay USA

We all have a story, right?Here is mine! 

This journey started about 8 years ago. I lost my job and  started making jewelry for my kids for Christmas gifts because I just didn’t have a lot of money (mostly wire wrap stuff which I still love to do). Shortly after I lost my job, some personal things came up. I realized then, that was the reason I lost my job. The universe said I needed to be here for my family.  I ended up getting a great job a couple of years later and making jewelry went by the wayside.

Fast forward to 3 1/2 years ago. We had some heartbreaking situations going on with my family (addiction).  I once again started making jewelry.  Making jewelry took me to a place, in my thought process, where all that I thought about was the piece I had in my hand that I was making. That’s an important factor when you don’t know if and when you will get the call or the knock on the door that your family member is dead or in the hospital.

In 2017, I asked a friend if she would like to go in to business with me, selling jewelry on Facebook. I would make jewelry and she could do the other parts of the show.  All the jewelry I made had some sort of pearl element to it. I grew to love pearls and the many different kinds of pearls.  I am a “Certified Pearl Specialist,” given by the Cultured Pearl Association.

In 2018 I wanted to go in to a different direction and make jewelry with precious metals.  I wanted to get in to metal smithing and make higher end jewelry, which I knew absolutely nothing about.  Because of where I live, location and price were really difficult to find anyone close to me to teach me metal smithing. Quite by accident I came across metal clay. I was absolutely fascinated by what it was and what could be done with it.  The thought of a “clay,” that when fired became a solid metal?  How could that be possible?  Even better yet, I didn’t have to buy all of the tools and equipment needed for metal smithing!  Win, win!

In researching metal clay, again, I “accidentally” found the Aussie Metal Clay Hint, Tips and Artistic Design Group.  I quickly found out the group was a very giving group and Kim Booklass took quite a bit of time with me to “show me the ropes” with metal clay.  I was talking to Kim Booklass (Master Teacher and Metal Clay Innovator), who, by the way, is an amazingly talented artist,  and Roslyn Bailey (Metal Clay Alchemist for Aussie Metal Clay) quite often and I have to say, we all “hit it off” quite well.  I helped them and they helped me.

Fast forward to now!  After a year and a half, many thoughts, ideas and working with this amazing clay, I wanted to not only work with this clay but wanted to help bring a bigger presence in to the United States as Aussie Metal Clay is an Australian made product.  

This isn’t a franchise of Aussie Metal Clay, although Roslyn still makes every packet of clay I buy 🙂  This is my company that I chose to do to get the word out about this amazing product.  I believe in the product and I believe in the people behind the product.

I am currently working on my Aussie Metal Clay Teacher Certification.  I am also expanding my knowledge and experience with mixed media by working with metal clay and metal smithing.

My journey shall continue and I hope you take the ride with me!  There are many things on the horizon for Aussie Metal Clay USA!