WITH   JEWELRY !

I had been making 100k selling advertising in Los Angeles, Ca, and one day got injured on my job.  I fell down 12 steps, herniated 3 discs, and had to have 3 back surgeries.  I have never been the same since.

I had time off from work to heal (haven't yet, but working on it !), and decided to go to downtown LA to the jewelry district.  That day, I walked into a showroom that had piles of faceted rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds and I literally got goosebumps all over, and decided that THIS WAS FOR ME !!

Since that day, I have been on the hunt for good jewelry ever since.

I would advise anyone who would like to learn the industry to get as many books on the subject as you can.  People do not realize there is just as much money to be made on costume jewelry, as on fine jewelry !  I think the fun is in the research, then the search.

After staying up reading  a book on Margot de Taxco, the finest (in my opinion) silversmith and enamelist to study in Taxco, I decided I was on a mission to find a piece by her.  I could not believe it when the very next day I found a beautiful pendant, 5 color enamel featuring Mother Mary and Jesus for $3.00, and sold it within 24 hours on Ebay for $385.00 to the first buyer !  At the time I bought it, I did not even know it was by Margot, because the price sticker covered it up.  I just knew it was beautiful, special, and worth some money.

I know this sounds wierd, but I have been blessed with a gift where I can put something I know nothing about in my left hand, and tell you if it is worth a lot of money.  I have gambled many times using this method, and I am always surprised once I do the research to see what amazing treasure I have found.  I make good money doing that, especially at thrift stores and swap meets.

Do not get me wrong, sometimes I pay a lot for pieces, but other times I do get lucky.

Some people say "Things like that never happen to me !"  I believe the secret is in the believing.  I wake up every day, expecting to find something amazing for very little, or nothing.   

When you go from making one hundred thousand a year to 900. per month, you have to find creative ways to make life more interesting.  For me, it is taking a drive with my last 5.00, knowing I will find something worth a lot !!