About David S. Alderson
I started learning about silversmithing at the age of 16 or 17 while living in Deadwood South Dakota. In my youthful wanderings I became interested in rockhounding and gold panning so naturally I became interested in jewelry as well.
In 1976 my family moved to California. In 1978 I was in my uncle's saddle shop and he showed me an old engraving ball. Since I wasn't working a steady job at the time I spent several weeks learning a little about engraving from him and a visit or two from Bill Wimmer. After getting comfortable enough to show someone what I could do, My uncle introduced me to Gordon Hayes and I tried out for a job. He hired me on the spot and I worked for him for one year, got laid off, went to work for Fritch Bros. Silversmiths. After a year I left and went back to Bits of Silver where I learned more about silversmithing and welding as well as continuing to further my engraving skills.
In 1989 I went out on my own and started engraving for myself as well as other makers. I then became interested in firearms engraving and attended the NRA gun engraving school at Lassen College in Susanville where I completed two courses and earned college credits for the courses.
I also took employment in a couple of jewelry stores where I learned to do repair as well as casting and stone setting. At the present, I am working out of my home and traveling around to shows in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Wyoming.
