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Happy Holidays!

Written December 11, 2013

The jewelry store is packed with jewelry and artwork. Each year this time I like to have a large amount of jewelry for people to choose from. I tend to experiment with colors and shapes and gemstones so I find that there is a good variety of thoughts going on.

I just hung up 18 calligraphy paintings by a local artist Charmian McLellan on Monday. We’ll be having a reception for her on Saturday 5-8, Dec. 14, 2013.

Hope everyone has a wonderful season and good winter and happy new year!

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Gemology

Written September 13, 2013

I have begun to work towards becoming a certified gemologist through the GIA, Gemological Institute of America. It will take a couple of years, especially since I will continue to work full time. So far it is very interesting for me, I just passed the final exam for my first intro course to colored stones. Besides colored stones, I will study diamonds and pearls.

Just the other day I was looking at a little bunch of green stones that I have and beginning to think about designs. Knowing more about stones in general will be a great addition to my 20 years of metalsmithing.

Above I have Prehnite, Malachite, a glass taxidermy eye, Verisite, Jade, Garnet and a Bloodstone (it turned out looking black here but it’s actually a forest green with red specks).