I prefer working with silver, and gold and gems as they find their way into those works or fine weapons, but there were many years when those weren't options and a living could only be found in more simple works.

[And just to deflect certain assumptions...] There lies no honor in letting one's hands rest idle, and no nobility does it signify to hold oneself to words and mere exercise of one's fighting ability. [Which is a reason why she thinks little of human nobility.]