Your Handmade Home Magazine November 2017

I returned to my work and before long I was just staring at it. It occurred to
me that the design could not work as I was trying to make it work. More to
the point I did not have the skills or tools needed to accomplish it.
Holiday Gift Guide
As I stared at the center of the design that night, God gave me insight. The
center of the design formed a rounded concave diamond shape. That important
observation let me to create a different design.
Thus the “Star of Bethlehem” design was born. The design was simple and
clean, and I sketched it out at 2 AM. I even begin to shape the pieces for it.
The process took several months, and along the way, I improved my wire
shaping and soldering skills. After losing all of my equipment, I had gone
back to the basics, and in doing so I had become a much better jeweler.
God was growing my skills but I had gotten away from the design he ihad
nspired me to create. I still had to see my creation with the professional eye
instead of seeing it with my heart. I then adjusted the design for practicality
but I could also see that it was becoming more the design he had given
me.
Nince months after that prayerful night I made the piece that would become
the perfected model. It took three more months to realize it. One
year after the initial inspiration, I realized this one was it.
I began to work on a plan to cast pieces from that model. It was the first
casting I had done since my wife’s wedding ring set. God had the plan to
provide for us and in the process he had made me a better jeweler. And as
that realization grew, forgiveness has grown too, even some gratitude for
the person whose theft helped me improve in my craft. Thanks be to God.
Scott Smith is a jeweler and owner of Hadley York Designs Company.
Handmade gifts are the best gifts! And to give our featured
artisans the time to create your special surprises for the
holidays, we have included our gift guide in this issue!