When I was 5 years old, I made a pair of earrings out of galvanized steel wire, and a pair of clam shells that I found on the beach in Florida. My mother, who remains the biggest fan of my work, has kept them to this day. Perhaps it was not my prodigious fledgling talent that inspired her to keep them, but a vision of what was to come.

In retrospect, I guess that I was always meant to do be a metal smith. I asked for lapidary tools for my 7th Birthday. At 9 years old, I was the youngest member of the Holland Michigan Gem and Mineral society (By 3 decades). There was a geology camp in the 8th grade. Spring Breaks were spent hunting for Lake Superior agates, and Petosky stones. My 13th birthday present was a Dremel tool. The gods were trying to tell me things, but I guess I wasn't paying attention until it was spelled out to me... repeatedly.

It was an amazing art teacher named Karl Rowe who made me realize that gifts are meant to be used and not squandered. He said,� If you don't go to art school, you're an idiot.� Thanks Rau! My first true education in jewelry was at the University of Michigan under the direction of a wild man by the name of David Cruz. Two weeks in to the class he said,� If you don't do this forever, you're an idiot.� I'm not sure if it's masochism, but I listened to him. Thanks David!

I started as a Ceramic and metal sculptor, and then found my calling. It was an epiphany of sorts. I was making jewelry for myself, and the reviews from peers and strangers were positive to say the least. There has not been a day since I started designing and wearing my own oxidized silver necklace that I haven't been asked; � Where did you get that necklace?� It happens to my clients on a daily basis as well, and word continues to spread. This gets me out of bed in the morning.

Timothy Meier
Owner, head designer, Timothy Meier Design