I have had a lifelong love affair with jewelry. As a child I was fascinated with rocks. I mean, what’s not to love? Think diamonds! All gemstones, polished or rough cut, have a unique beauty. From my rock obsession, I started designing gemstone jewelry as a hobby. I’ve made many pieces for friends who want something a bit unique for a special occasion, or I may design a piece as a surprise gift.
Making jewelry can be an inexpensive hobby to explore, and as you improve you can’t go crazy with more expensive creations. The more interesting pieces have combinations of different materials. Combining rough cut gemstones with crystals produces bold, yet feminine pieces. Mixing shapes, colors and sizes of various gemstones offers another unique design. I enjoy giving friends pieces that no one else will have.
There are many books on making jewelry, so I won’t go into the minute details, but from my perspective, making jewelry is a great way to explore your creativity. And we all need to keep that part of our brain working. You can find gemstones at many places; craft stores, flea markets, estate and yard sales, or shop online. If you ever find yourself in Tucson during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, you will be in rock heaven! Selecting the gemstones and planning the design is part of the fun, exactly what a hobby should provide. After you’ve chosen the gemstones, you will find your creativity soar designing the piece. Not only that, as you are putting the piece together your mind relaxes and you have time to think. I may contemplate characters in my novels, or think through a storyline. At the end of the project, not only do I have a lovely, personalized gift for someone, I may have solved some dilemma in a novel.
A trail of danger and dreams…
She may be an heiress, but Parker Promise Sinclair cares more about living an adventurous life than snaring a suitable husband. So it’s no surprise when she joins a Wyoming wagon trail—only to survive a massacre that leaves her with no memory, a target on her back—and her abiding faith tested by the only man who can possibly protect her.
His gunfighting skills and trail savvy have saved U.S. Marshal Jake McBride more times than he can count. And his instincts tell him the only way to keep Promise alive is to take her along on his high-stakes cattle drive. But she soon proves she can ride and shoot with the best of them—and Jake finds it increasingly difficult to keep himself from falling for her. Soon, with danger closing in, they’ll have only one chance to face their doubts, their fears—and their growing love…
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