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I’ve had two careers in my life, and now I’m ready for
some just plain ol’ fun. From age 22 to 35 I owned and operated a fine
jewelry design and manufacturing company. From 36 to 45 I co-founded (with
my husband) a catalog and later Internet marketing company called Birthday
Express that sells kid’s birthday party supplies. I made a living with the
first company; and was pretty successful with the second; it went public a
year ago. I am also the proud mom of four kids and one grandson.
Last year while scoping out guitar lessons for my 12 year old daughter, I
bought a cheapo starter Fender mandolin on a whim. I’ve always loved the
sound of the mandolin, and figured if I can do what I’ve done
professionally, surely I’m smart enough to figure out how to play this a
little bit. I found a great teacher here in Seattle named Pete Martin who
has been a steady source of encouragement and inspiration. I love playing
–
it is relaxing, yet challenging at the same time. I started taking glass
blowing lessons last year too, but quit after I’d filled my house with a
bunch of dorky looking glass vases. It was fun, intense even, but nothing
compared to the satisfaction I get when I play a song well.
After Pete declared me firmly out of the beginner stage and into the
intermediate stage, I decided to treat myself to a custom instrument. The
color is bright, I’ll admit, but oh so beautiful! And the inlay is
sentimental to me. When I was studying to be a goldsmith in Copenhagen,
Denmark, I lived in a small town called Roskilde. It has a Viking ship
museum. The design of my inlay is taken from looking at a Viking ship head
on, with a little embellishment (like a well played tune). I also added a
diamond in honor of my goldsmithing days.
Will I ever be a professional musician? I sincerely doubt it; my knees
shake
playing in front of a group of friends! That isn’t my aspiration. The
pleasure I’ve received from being able to make music with friends, coupled
with the sheer joy of playing such a uniquely beautiful and melodious
instrument is better than I ever dreamed. I wish I had started this 30
years
ago!
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