I didn't know anything about rocks when I first met my
husband John. I had dabbled a little bit with jewelry making
over the years when I needed something but couldn't find
it. In fact, when he told me (over the internet) that he
worked at a Rock Shop, I thought he was referring a music
shop! So I had a lot to learn when I moved to Minnesota.
As we attended different Rock and Gem shows, I asked
questions and John answered them.
Then one day we were at a huge Gem show in the Twin
Cities and there were lots of beads for sale. John was
buying some for a store he worked in and I picked out a
strand of Turquoise Dale Stone for myself. He wanted to know
what I was going to do with them and I told him that I
thought I'd like to try to make myself a necklace. Well,
that excited him, so he got me a book on bead making and
taught me how to work with them. That was about 4 or 5 years
ago. He liked what I did and encouraged me to do more. The
next thing I knew, I was supplying the store where he, and
eventually I worked, with necklaces and bracelets to sell.
John would make earrings, but later taught me how to do
them. The jewelry sold very well for a number of years.
John was diagnosed with cancer, which he fought and beat.
The store eventually decided it no longer was interested in
selling my necklaces and bracelets. John and I married, and
I continued to make jewelry for myself and friends. Recently
I decided that I would like to expand to the internet, with
the hopes of reaching a greater number of people who might
enjoy my art & craft.
I use semi-precious stones, glass, and silver or gold-plated
findings most of the time. I try to make sure the metal is
hypo-allergenic for people who have allergies or
sensitivities to metal.
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Peggy Frey