A Biography

 My name is Lucy Cohen-Schwarz. I have always loved crafting things - as a child I enjoyed creating pieces of clothing and beaded jewellery for my dolls, and I had the time of my life bringing my designs to life (simple as they were). 

At first I was more focused on sewing and designing dresses. I first became interested when I learnt that my mother was in the fashion industry before she became a councilor. I remember repeatedly asking her to make me a princess dress but she was always busy (by no fault of her own). However, she did have time to teach me how to sew it was then that I began my quest to make a whole new wardrobe for my dolls. 

When I turned 18 I decided that I would make my own princess dress after thrifting a hoop skirt. And so I did. for my birthday I asked for materials and patterns to make the dress and eventually my efforts came to fruition and I had the dress I had hoped for (some details were off but I believe it turned out well for my first time).

In my matric year I was still struggling to decide what I wanted to study. Initially I wanted to study fashion design, but I was very insecure at the time and knew I would never survive the harsh criticisms of the fashion world, even if they were not directed at me. 

So I took a gap year. During that gap year my mother informed me of a course in jewellery making at Studio Loubser. I was intrigued so I enrolled. It was not at all what I was expecting at all. When I envisioned what we would be doing I saw beads and fishing thread. However, what I found was a workshop of  blowtorches with huge flames used to bring metals to a point of melting and a whole collection of machines used to reshape that metal. I was in awe, and simultaneously, very intimidated. In spite of how scared I was to use such dangerous instruments, I persisted as we had already paid for the first few lessons.

It was difficult. I had never before faced this kind of frustration, it was like the metal had a mind of it's own and it was actively trying to sabotage my attempt to create something worth wearing. My authority as a creative was being challenged, and I was more than happy to take on that challenge as it is, in my opinion, much more rewarding to work hard in order to achieve your goal rather than having it come to you naturally.

I heard about the Jewellery Manufacturing and Design course through a mentor at Studio Loubser. I applied and registered for the course. Once I was studying, I found that it was even more difficult than I first thought, I also wasn't as good at it as I thought, and that was the biggest hit to my pride, as I had been an A student until that point. I began to doubt myself, maybe I should have studied fashion instead? I made it to the end of my first year, stressed and burnt out, ready to transfer. 

But then I remembered why I was studying jewellery design in the first place and how powerful it would make me feel to be able to create inspired and ravishing pieces out of metal, a hard and unforgiving substance. 

I have realised it will take time to master this art and that it will be so rewarding once I have. Now I am in second year ready to take on the the world of hardships that await to the best of my ability.