It wasn't long before I was completely enamored with beaded purses. When I began to receive e-mails in reference to the repairs on the purses I was selling, I considered pursuing it as a full time business. Things snow-balled in a very short time, and soon I was overwhelmed with work and a 2-year waiting list.
The demand was great for just one person with two hands. By the 4th year, I began to suffer pain in my right hand from the many hours of beading that hindered the range of motion in my thumb and forefinger. Through physical therapy, I was able to regain my range of motion, as well as eliminate the pain. I then had to make the difficult decision to dramatically cut back on my workload for fear of permanent damage to my hand. I continue to restore on a very limited basis, because no amount of pain can keep me entirely separated from such beautiful works of art and the tremendous feeling of accomplishment when I restore them to their original glory.
My artistic abilities have allowed me to branch off into many other areas of restoration that are not so taxing on the hands. The conversion of my garage into a full workshop granted me several hundred square feet with which to "spread my wings" I now restore a wide range of items from antique and vintage jewelry to guilloche enamel on compacts and other objects.
I also enjoy painting in both chalk pastel and watercolor and have posted some of my artwork throughout my site.
