“Last winter me and my family were looking for an art course that I could take. I play golf a lot, so I wanted to try and do something more artsy in the free time that I have. And we were looking at the Armory Arts Center in West Palm and I was going to take a drawing course. And when we were looking through all the courses, there was this lapidary course, and I said I wanted to take it. [Lapidary] is basically shaping, cutting and shaving stones. But anyway, it was an adult’s only course. But then the drawing course that I was going to take got cancelled and a teen lapidary course opened up, so that was a crazy coincidence.

I really fell in love with lapidary, so after that course ended, I started taking a metalsmithing course at the Armory. We learned about soldering and sawing with a hand saw. And then, this summer, when I was in California, me and my parents found this instructor with a whole metasmithing workshop in her backyard. I took lessons three times a week from her, and I could direct my own projects with what I wanted to do. That was really exciting for me because usually my classes were guided. I also got to use real sterling silver.

Right now, I’m taking classes at the Armory again for cold connections. I’ve been learning wire wrapping right now. It’s definitely way different from soldering, since that’s hot connections, but I still enjoy it. I get to make bracelets and rings, which I wear sometimes. We also make earrings, but I don’t have my ears pierced yet, so maybe it’s a sign. My favorite piece I’ve made is a sterling silver pendant with a set stone inside. We use brass wires, and there’s a lot of different colors to choose from.

When I’m making things, it’s just peaceful. When you’re doing something that you love, you just feel like you’re in the zone. I just feel really at peace when I’m making things and I think everyone should try doing something artsy if they’re looking to reconnect with nature or make something.”