I've been making jewelry (mostly for Sara who lost much of hers to a thief) since last October. The silver lining is that I've really been enjoying the new avocation. I just sent her this (took my mom's old pearl strand and updated it):
and this (the pearls actually are white, not silver):
I've been playing with other forms of jewelry. I've knitted earrings (leaves and chandeliers), made wire/bead loop jewelry, etc.
The most wonderful thing is I just successfully signed up for a beginning jewelry making class that includes silversmithing. Oooooohhhh!