Psychic: You are a very talented individual, you are sensitive in nature and an extremely empathetic soul. You have a gift that was bestowed upon you, to not use it is an insult to the divine energy we are all created from.

Artist: Creating art is a passion of mine. I love bringing beauty into the world for others to enjoy. It is the easiest way for me to express myself and my feelings. If I only had more time to do what I love, maybe I would have more happiness in my life.

Psychic: Time is not the issue. You have a choice. You're decisions on how you spend your time are completely in your control. You understand your life purpose, yet you ignore your true life path. Why?

Artist: It's complicated... My livelihood cannot be dependent upon my art because I struggle to create it when I know I'm being paid to do so. Not to say that I haven't accepted commissions in the past, I have. However, what I've come to realize through the years is, when I'm being paid to create a piece of art for a specific individual, I struggle to complete it because I'm never satisfied with the final product... I have ripped canvases from wear and tear on commissioned portraits before.. broken beautiful sea-glass pieces into shards with my dremel.. all out of pure frustration. Simply put, if I'm being paid to create art, I am tremendously stressed to make it perfect. And it inevitability backfires on me every time - and yet I love making art. I know it's my calling. I know because my most prized pieces of work, they have all been gifts that I decided to create for others that have inspired me to do so. A portrait of the dog my co-worker owned and was devastated after losing him, her best friend of 10 years... A necklace with a beautiful piece of blue sea-glass to my friend who was getting married and was in need of "something old, something new..." I never struggled making these gifts, I never had to stop, trash and start over.. These pieces of art came easy to me. Maybe because the recipients weren't aware that they'd be receiving them? Maybe it's a matter of pressure I put on myself? I'm not sure, but those two examples I just gave you, my co-worker, she ended up tattooing the sketched portrait I gave her of her dog onto her leg (which I believe to be the most flattering compliment of my work I have received to date) and my friend, she wore that necklace on her wedding day.

So you see, art is a passion I enjoy only when I'm not being paid to make it - or when it is to be given to person that isn't aware that they are going to receive it. Art is something I do when I'm inspired. Work is something I must do to pay the rent. Can you see my problem? If only I could pay my rent in art...

Psychic: Why can't you?

Artist: That was supposed to be a joke.

Psychic: Listen, you have a gift, take making jewelry for instance. Who are you to say what is beautiful and significant to a person whom you may or may not have met? Jewelry speaks personally to the nature of those who wear it. Do you have to know everyone's personal taste to create beautiful necklaces you can sell? Why do you assume that you have to be inspired by an individual first to create a necklace for them to wear? 

You are very empathetic. You understand people better than you think you do. Allow yourself to be inspired by people in general, then create the jewelry as your energy directs you. You may be surprised at how well this will work.

I went home that evening and gave the psychic's advice a try. I allowed my instincts to guide my hands and my intuitive nature to influence the style and design. This is how the Predestined Collection came to be.