I am relatively new to jewelry design and metalsmithing (1 year). I am on my third adulthood - having spent 10 years doing biomedical research in a university setting, about 10 years in business managing biotech related businesses and have found a new passion - jewelry design and metalsmithing. I hope to do this professionally and am first learning some skills (needless to say a small percentage of the wealth of knowledge and experience that awaits me). I am then planning to begin the business side - starting with building some inventory. As a scientist/business person I was confident that I had a good set of hands, and a good business sense. I was more concerned about me artistic and creative abilities. I am happy to say that when someone sees my work the reaction is NOT - "Oh my, that looks like it was made by a SCIENTIST!!". I am beginning to have some confidence in my creative abilities as well now. And finally it is wonderful to turn 50 and find an activity that I feel so passionate about. I look forward to all that I can learn as part of this organization.