Rock Candy!

Hello there! This blog post is a long time coming. It's actually a topic my Aspiring Metalsmith's team came up with last year. At the time, I wasn't able to participate in the blogroll, but now I thought, better late than never, right!?

So what's the team blogroll topic I'm talking about? Rocks. "Show us your rock collection!"

As with most folks, I had a rock collection as a kid. I'd line them up, in a certain order, on my little white bookcase and admire them. I'd dig in the backyard to find more to add to my collection. And I was convinced one of my rocks contained gold.  

Fast forward several decades and I've started collecting rocks again. After taking back up my love of metalsmithing, I have rediscovered my love of rocks and rock collecting! I'm amazed by all of the beauty in natural stones and gemstones. And I just love all of the endless possibilities that I have when incorporating stones and gemstones into my jewelry designs.

So, without further adieu, let's see the rock candy.....I mean rock collection!

Top, left to right: Landscape Jasper, Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Rosetta Stone
Bottom, left to right: Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Globe Hills Chrysocolla, Tree Malachite & Chalcedony,
Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Globe Hills Chrysocolla

Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Dalmatian Jasper, Green Aventurine, Rhodonite, Tree Moss Agate

Lepidolite In Quartz, Zebra Agate, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Turquoise

Clockwise from top: Dryhead Agate, Turquoise, Arroyo Picture Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla 

Clockwise from top: Polka Dot Agate, Brazilian Agate, Rocky Butte

Clockwise from top: Landscape Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla, Kingman Turquoise and Bronze

Some of the stash.

Well, that about covers my rock collection to date. I'm always on the look-out for new beauties to add to my stash. And I've enjoyed becoming friends with several wonderfully talented Lapidary artists. Their work amazes me! And what's better than having a beautiful, handcut stone blended with my handmade jewelry designs?!

If you have a few minutes, take some time and check out my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies' rock collections. Enjoy! (tip: look in their archives for "Feb 2011," to find their rock posts.)

Autumn Bradley - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/
Clarity @ Scrollwork Designs - http://thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/
Stacy Low - http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com
Chrissi Lynn Designs - http://www.chrissilynn.blogspot.com
Sylvia Anderson - http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/
Jessica @ Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes - http://cjbf.blogspot.com/
Esmeralda - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/
Steph Stargell - http://www.stephstargell.com
Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks - http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/show-us-your-stones/#more-4
Claire - brightstar109.blogspot.com/
AristiKat- http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/