I've always been interested in precious metals and  all the creative ways they've been used in our history.  Over the last 15 years I've read a lot and made a few small pieces. It's only the last 2 years or so that I've gotten serious about it and started investing in the proper tools to do the job.  Right now it's mainly silversmithing type work but I'll see where that takes me.  I'm new at this but I've done a lot of metal work in my lifetime. My background is in custom machinery building and design.  I never realized the skill level and time investment required to make a serious go at this, it's been a humbling experience.