I was born in Ireland and spent most of my life over there because my parents were missionaries in Ireland for 13 years. I'm an aspiring jewelry artist/designer and have my Associates of Fine Arts. At present, I'm self taught in all the jewelry techniques that I know (primarily wire techniques, but I have recently started learning soldering) and am trying to decide whether to get my BFA in Jewelry Design/Metalsmithing, take some jewelry workshops, or try and find an apprenticeship in order to learn the rest. I am addicted to all things related to jewelry and gems and someday plan to also learn lapidary.