Jewelry and Gem Artist

My life as a jewelry artist began in early childhood growing up in Minnesota. All of my life I have had a fascination with color and all things natural. This has taken me on a circuitous and unpredictable journey into the world of rocks.

When I was young, I had no idea of the incredible color and pattern to be found in rocks or that anything interesting could be done with them. I became convinced that nothing really could be done with rocks after trying to grind one on a grinder designed for sharpening chisels or lawn mower blades at about 10 years old. I didn't know that special grinding wheels were required to polish them. At this point my interest cooled to a casual level relegated to filling the trunk of the family car with sparkly chunks of stone found during vacations in Montana.

The next time my interest in rocks was sparked was 20 years later after college and a move to Boulder, Colorado in 1981. I became acquainted with a number of people who happened to be avid rockhounds and encouraged me to join the local rock club. At the club's workshop I began to learn what actually could be done with rocks. I bought a rock saw and grinder, and began to experiment and refine my skills in this newfound hobby. After my collection of polished stones began to accumulate, I started to wonder what could be done with them as well. After all, what good is a pocket full of polished stones good for except to look at occasionally? I signed up for an adult education evening class in silver smithing at the local high school. After a year of jewelry making classes my entrepreneurial spirit began to kick in and I rented a selling space at my rock club's annual show. I actually was able to sell a small number of my creations. It was fun, and I was hooked.

In 2000, I moved to Boise and immediately juried into and joined Art Source gallery, a local artist owned cooperative art gallery. This forced me to produce jewelry on a consistent, regular basis and is responsible for refining my skills to a higher level. Practice makes perfect. In 2005 I approached a local jeweler and began assisting him in making jewelry on a contractual basis during rush times of the year. Shortly thereafter I was hired full time as a gold smith where I remain today. What began as a discarded interest and then hobby has now become my entire living.

Rick's email [email protected]

Boise Idaho jewelry artist.

Opal earrings and Necklaces a specialty.