05/31/2026
Story Time...
Growing up, I was that kid who loved making things. I became that adult too!
If I saw something and thought I could make it myself, I would immediately declare: "I can do that!" ... and then I'd set out to prove it.
Painting, decoupage, macramé, knitting, sewing, beading, rug hooking, crocheting, photography, drawing and sketching, tie-dyeing, batiking, silk painting, stained glass, wood burning... hopefully you get the gist.
I like making stuff.
I like creating.
I like doing things with my hands.
This photo was taken when I was 14 years old and, believe it or not, it may very well be the unofficial beginning of my future jewelry design career.
Take a close look and you'll see the two beaded rings I'm wearing.
Here's the backstory...
My girlfriend Dalyce (pronounced Dallas) and I used to hitchhike from Yonge & Eglinton to Yonge & Dundas most weekends to visit "The Market" in downtown Toronto. It was an indoor maze of stalls filled with treasures and possibilities.
Armed with our babysitting money (and surprisingly strong negotiating skills for two teenagers on a budget), we'd buy beads and wire, then head back to Dalyce's house and spend hours making beaded rings.
That same summer, we became completely obsessed with gimping (boondoggle) at camp too. If it involved creating something with our hands, we were all in.
I remember those two rings as if it were yesterday.
The one on my forefinger was pink with black trim, and the other was a rusty orange.
Sadly, I no longer have them.
I really wish I did.
But looking at this photo, I realize that those little beaded rings were more than just teenage creations—they were the first tiny clues pointing toward a lifelong love of jewelry design, collecting, and creativity.
And, of course, there's Charly, my beloved Yorkie, making the photo even better. ❤️
