Sunday 14 October 2012

Bejeweled

Wikipedia defines occupational therapy as a holistic health care approach that enables individuals to perform meaningful and purposeful activities across the lifespan in order to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients.


Making a silver necklace.

Even if I haven't been diagnosed with any mental condition (self-diagnosis after too many hours of googling diseases obviously doesn't count) I truly and deeply believe in the power of creating things in order to keep your mind sharp and your moods high.



Almost two years ago I started having trouble coping with Autumn-Winter season in Sweden, with all it's darkness, coldness and gloominess. At the same time I started to realize that I was getting more and more interested in jewelley-making and I decided to give it a go. The beginning was rather modest,

few tools and some beads,
then a weekend course and a trip to Mexico
and a jewellery-town Taxco....
and tutorial books and...




...I couldn't stop, I got in a whirlpool of ideas, inspirations and techniques and oh boy, I've enjoyed this ride ever since!


Setting a stone on a silversmith course.
I've taken several courses in silver-smithing and I'm continuously making jewellery, for my friends and family, for sale, for myself. And even if I'm miles from earning the living this way, I get a penny (or rather a Swedish krona) for it every now and then, so I get purchase new tools and take new courses and I process of creating things with my bare hands, playing with fire (literally!) gives my such a thrill and satisfaction. Call it hobby, therapy, investment, it does the job!


My cat Livia proudly guarding my workshop corner.