A rockhound from birth. In San Jose, California. I know a bit about metalsmithing, bead stringing, chainmaille, and a little bit about rocks and minerals.  Now I am learning about carving and cabbing.  It's all fun.  Most currently,  I am improving my photography of my finished jewelry and stone carvings (for jewelry). 

Amguys article appeared while searching for photo information.  Your website looked appealing, so here I am.

Lots of learn, and loving it all.

Yes, Sparky, Welcome!
Amguy did a great job on that article. I'm glad to hear
Google has picked up on it.
You sound just like one-of-the-guys on here.
No shortage of things rock-related to work on.
Would love to see some of your jewelry and carvings!

And now I've got that dang ole Dionne Warwick song going
thru my head. But, of course, I'm sure you know the way
to San Jose.
JoeM

Scott,  my finished jewelry is here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thespeececollection

Please excuse me for calling you Sparky, Patricia.
I'm still confused as to why I did that.

And thank you for the links.
I have seen a few of Matts' pieces before in articles about
Jade carving, and it is very nice to have a link to his work.
His Jades are unbelievable! A little more than I can aspire to
at this point.
Joe

Hence the agate and quartz.

I would love to try my hand at some of those harder materials
but I'm afraid I'm still struggling with Talc.
Joe

Belated welcome Patricia. I went to your site and your work is really beautiful. I love the wild crystal bracelet ruffle folding over itself.
I have been playing with copper and a plumber's torch and mica. It is soooo fun and I have so many ideas! I would love to learn metalsmithing but can't find a class in the immediate vacinity. The one at the university is umbrella-d  under a ceramics class with 2 prerequisites that aren't related to metal either. So I will keep messing with copper on my own until that time comes around.
Glad to have you here!
Rebecca