In 2018, I made a life-changing decision: I went back to college to finally pursue a long-held dream—creating sterling silver and turquoise jewelry. What began as a single-semester course quickly became something much more. Just a few weeks in, I was completely hooked. A few equally inspired classmates and I even started investing in our own tools so we could keep creating from home, even when class wasn't in session.
Once that first course wrapped up, I didn’t slow down. I enrolled in two more in-person classes and later expanded my skills through several online programs. Since then, I’ve committed myself to this path fully—working five hours a day, five days a week—to build a body of work that not only reflects my creative vision but also supports a professional jewelry business. From the beginning, my goal has been to create a cohesive collection I could proudly share at art shows and offer through my website.
Finding that focus took time—both creatively and on the business side. I’ve learned (often through trial and error) how important it is to have a clear, consistent product line, especially when applying to juried shows. The days of “a little bit of this and that” are behind me. Now, I’m proud to offer jewelry with a distinct voice and a recognizable style.
But truly, none of this would be possible without you. Connecting through Etsy messages, hearing your stories and feedback, and learning how much you love your pieces—that’s what keeps me going. This community of kind, creative souls has been a cornerstone of my journey, and I’m deeply grateful to share it with you.
Thank you for being here. 💛
—Vickie Skillman
Once that first course wrapped up, I didn’t slow down. I enrolled in two more in-person classes and later expanded my skills through several online programs. Since then, I’ve committed myself to this path fully—working five hours a day, five days a week—to build a body of work that not only reflects my creative vision but also supports a professional jewelry business. From the beginning, my goal has been to create a cohesive collection I could proudly share at art shows and offer through my website.
Finding that focus took time—both creatively and on the business side. I’ve learned (often through trial and error) how important it is to have a clear, consistent product line, especially when applying to juried shows. The days of “a little bit of this and that” are behind me. Now, I’m proud to offer jewelry with a distinct voice and a recognizable style.
But truly, none of this would be possible without you. Connecting through Etsy messages, hearing your stories and feedback, and learning how much you love your pieces—that’s what keeps me going. This community of kind, creative souls has been a cornerstone of my journey, and I’m deeply grateful to share it with you.
Thank you for being here. 💛
—Vickie Skillman