Learning How to Pivot When Life Happens

You know that moment when your corporate world crumbles and you're forced to decide: update the resume or finally chase that wild dream you've been whispering about for years? Well, spoiler alert—I chose the shiny, sparkly path. And let me tell you, getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to my creative soul (though my bank account had some strong opinions at first).

The Glamour Girls Who Started It All

My obsession with jewelry didn't start with a metaphysical fair or a YouTube tutorial. It started with two women who wouldn't dare step outside without looking absolutely fabulous: my grandmother and my mother. These ladies treated getting dressed like it was an art form, and jewelry wasn't just an accessory—it was the exclamation point on their entire look.

I'd watch people stop them in the grocery store, at church, anywhere really, just to compliment their jewelry. And that smile? The way their faces would light up when someone noticed their statement necklace or those gorgeous earrings? That joy was contagious. Even as a little girl, I understood that jewelry wasn't just about looking pretty—it was about feeling powerful, confident, and utterly yourself.

The Girl Who Could Untangle Anything

Here's a weird flex: I was that kid who got genuine satisfaction from untangling the most impossibly knotted necklaces. You know the ones—chains that looked like they'd been through a washing machine, dryer, and a tornado. Hand them to me, and I'd sit there like a tiny detective, patiently working through every loop and twist until that chain was free. It was like meditation, in sparkly form.

We didn't have money for new jewelry every time something broke, so I became the family repair person. Broken clasp? I'd figure it out. Missing stone? I'd improvise. Looking back, I was building a skill set without even knowing it. I just loved jewelry too much to let it sit in a drawer, defeated.

The Metaphysical Fair That Changed Everything

Fast forward to 2006. There I was, working at a tech company, doing the corporate thing, when I wandered into a metaphysical fair (as one does). Among the crystals and tarot readers, I spotted a woman selling the most beautiful handmade jewelry. Something in me just... ignited. Maybe it was the way she connected each piece with such intention, or maybe it was seeing someone actually making the things I'd admired my whole life.

Plot twist: this lady read energies (because of course she did), and she must have seen my jewelry-loving aura blazing like a neon sign. She asked if I wanted to learn how to make jewelry. Did I want to learn? Are you kidding me? I practically leaped at the opportunity.

That's when I discovered the whole world of "cold-connection" jewelry—connecting pieces with jump rings and wire-wrapping instead of soldering. I helped her for a few years, absorbing everything like a sponge. Eventually, life took me in other directions, and jewelry-making became something I did occasionally for gifts. But that passion? It never dimmed. It smoldered quietly in the background while I climbed the corporate ladder, and I'd catch myself saying to anyone who'd listen: "If anything ever happened with this job, I'd want to do something creative."

Famous last words, right?

When the Universe Says "Your Move"

Jump to 2023. Sixteen years at a software company, and then boom—"reduction of force." Corporate speak for "you're out." After the initial shock wore off (and after I may or may not have eaten an entire pint of ice cream), I realized something: the universe had just called my bluff. All those years of saying "if anything happened," and now something had happened. Time to put my money where my mouth was.

I knew jewelry had to be part of this new chapter. But not just any jewelry—I needed to create pieces that made my soul sing. For me, that meant silver jewelry with stones, that perfect southwestern meets rock and roll meets boho aesthetic. Edgy but earthy and always timeless. Statement-making but soulful. That was my vibe.

There was just one problem: I needed to learn metalsmithing. Not cold-connection, but "hot-connection"—soldering with actual flames, working with silver, copper, and brass. This was the real deal, and I knew basically nothing except that I was obsessed with the style.

The Quest for the Perfect Place

Research led me to Lafayette, Colorado—this adorable artsy town that's practically in my backyard. How had I not explored this place sooner? My partner and I made a day of it, armed with our list of shops and studios to visit.

First stop: T H A L K E N. Cute minimalist jewelry, candles they pour fresh every morning—total vibe. But we didn't notice they offered classes (I knew this, but I just wanted to see the cute shop), so off we went.

Next stop: a place that shall remain nameless. They had nice jewelry, tons of classes for all skill levels, but... the energy was off. You know that feeling when something looks right on paper but just doesn't click? Yeah. We trusted our guts and moved on.

Final stop: pARTiculars in the heART of Lafayette. This small, quaint art gallery offers a variety of classes and was exactly what we'd been searching for. The moment I saw Barb Armador's jewelry in pARTiculars and in her online shop Silver Cloud Designs, I knew. This was it. The instructor, the aesthetic, the energy—everything aligned like the universe was winking at me.

The Class That Felt Like Coming Home

My partner and I signed up for Barb's class, and I made a cuff bracelet where I learned negative space cutting, riveting, texturing, and polishing metal. Meanwhile, my boyfriend made a ring, learning to texture and solder. His ring came out ridiculously well—no visible seams, which honestly impressed the heck out of me. Maybe I've created a monster (a very talented, supportive monster). Check out our SHOP page to see where we have put these skills to good use, like in our Pawsitive Vibes Necklace where I showed off my riveting skills.

That night, lying in bed with sore fingers and a heart full of gratitude, I thought: "It finally feels like I am exactly where I am meant to be."

Your Turn: When to Leap (and How to Land)

So here's my advice if you're sitting there, feeling stuck, whispering your own "if anything happened" dreams: don't wait for a reduction of force to force your hand. Life's too short to put your passion on layaway.

Start small. You don't need to quit your job tomorrow. Take a class. Watch tutorials. Make gifts for friends. Let yourself be a beginner again—it's terrifying and exhilarating in the best way.

Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, even when it looks perfect on paper, keep searching. Your vibe attracts your tribe, and you'll know when you've found your people.

Embrace the mess. You're going to make ugly things at first. Your first piece might look like a kindergarten art project. That's not failure—that's data. Every tangled chain I ever unraveled taught me patience. Every broken jewelry piece I fixed taught me problem-solving. It all counts.

Remember why you started. For me, it was watching my grandmother and mother light up when someone complimented their jewelry. It was that feeling of pure joy and confidence that radiated from them. What's your "why"? Hold onto it when things get hard.

Just. Start. The perfect time doesn't exist. I thought I needed job security before I could pursue my passion. Turns out, losing that security was the permission I needed to finally go all in.

Ready to pivot toward your own passion? What's that thing you keep saying you'd do "if anything happened"? Drop a comment below and tell me your dream—let's hold each other accountable. And if you're in the Colorado area and want to learn metalsmithing, seriously, check out pArticulars in Lafayette. Tell Barb the girl with the cuff bracelet obsession sent you.

Your sparkly, creative, authentic life is waiting. Go untangle it.

XoXo,

M.E.

What's your "if anything happened" dream? Share in the comments—I'd love to cheer you on!