Virtual Reflections' "Elements of Stone"

07/23/2019

Look for me at The Village Of Yesteryear at the state fair this year!

12/22/2018

Now that my workshop is functional again, I can start getting things made. Here are a couple simple cabs (open photos to read the captions)

12/23/2016

Oh! Christmas trees! Amethyst, red jasper, aventurine, citrine, carnelian, clear quartz, and more! All for $25 and under!

Plus, all proceeds go towards feeding the injured animals at The American Wildlife Refuge.

Open Friday and Saturday, 1-4 pm (closed christmas day)

12/16/2016

Now Available at the AWR store. Just in time for holiday gifts

Malachite is a beautiful green crystal with many color variations and patterns within each cluster. It is a very soft stone, easy to cut, but is known to flake or crack if stressed.
Uses:
Physically, Malachite is often ground or powdered to create unique paint pigments.
Spiritually, Malachite is used to help balance chakras; dispel grief, fear and anger; protect during air travel; and enhance communication.
Aesthetically, Malachite is used as a highlight stone in rings, pendants, and brooches. The bright green enhances earth colored pieces.

12/09/2016

Fluorite is soft green and purple stone that is interesting in its raw form, but when polished is an breathtaking low cost crystal.
Physically, Fluorite is used in jewelry, for making carved and shaped stone tools, and has been used to treat tear duct and eye problems.
Spiritually, Fluorite is "The stone of discernment and aptitude". It is said to help focus and control to bring order to chaos.

12/09/2016

Aquamarine, otherwise called Beryl, is a beautiful pale blue gem often used for jewelry when cut well.
Physically, Aquamarine is most used for jewelry, but it has been used as a medical aid to reduce swollen glands, help maintain teeth and bone, and aid in vision.
Spiritually, Aquamarine is "The Stone of Courage," and is said to help link body and spirit to help balance and prepare.

12/09/2016

Malachite is a beautiful green crystal with many color variations and patterns within each cluster. It is a very soft stone, easy to cut, but is known to flake or crack if stressed.
Uses:
Physically, Malachite is often ground or powdered to create unique paint pigments.
Spiritually, Malachite is used to help balance chakras; dispel grief, fear and anger; protect during air travel; and enhance communication.
Aesthetically, Malachite is used as a highlight stone in rings, pendants, and brooches. The bright green enhances earth colored pieces.

12/09/2016

Bismuth is a very unique crystal. It forms in Escher-like stairs and pyramids of gold green and blue rainbow colors. It has many uses.

Physically it is usable for digestive problems, and is the 'bismol' in the popular "Pepto-bismol" style digestive sids.

Spiritually it is used to help bridge the gap from the physical plane to the spiritual realms.

Aesthetically, it is eye catching and unique, usable for distinctive delicate jewelry.

05/10/2016

Here are some pictures of the new workshop at 315 Hubert Street, inside the American Wildlife Refuge office. The stone cutting saw hides under the worktable until I pull it out, then the area becomes L shaped. Total space used - 8 square feet, or 10.25 square feet with the saw in use.

04/26/2016

i have just finished building the workshop in the AWR store. Now I can cut custom stones and gems on location!

03/02/2016

Here is the display at the awrefuge store

10/12/2012

I am at the village of yesteryear this year only on Thursday, the 11th, Friday the 12th, and Tuesday the 16th with the rock cutting. I have some really great new cuts on display this year.

08/06/2012

I am now doing presentations for schools and groups. In the shows I am showing the kids rocks, giving them a small rock collection, and giving the teachers a choice of activities, including wither sluice mining, a rock cutting demo, or s few other activities.

11/16/2011

So far only 2 people have registered for the rock cutting class. We need at least 4 to have the class. It is interesting, I had over 30 people ready to sign up for the class right then and there at my display at the fair...

11/02/2011

the rock cutting class at Wake tech is coming up. It will be offered on November 19th at North Campus. there are still slots open, but then I just emailed the 35 people who signed up for information at the fair, so you never know what will happen.
To register goto http://conted.waketech.edu , click register online, and in the search box type "rock cutting

10/22/2011

the next class has been announced as november 19th. I'll post a link on here very soon..

10/08/2011

just a reminder... the fair starts on the 14th. I will be at the village of yesteryear all 10 days + feel free to come by and visit!

10/03/2011

I did a 'rock cutting and geology ' teaching show this week at a local private school. And the Wake Tech Rock Cutting class is scheduled for November 19th.

08/12/2011

I have had to move my workshop from the covered porch to inside. It is just too bloody hot to work outside.

08/04/2011

I have the opportunity to put a piece on display at the Raleigh Civic Center for a year. If I do it, the display along with other VOY items will be seeable by anyone there.

07/10/2011

I went to a rock show and got some nice pieces of "scrap" rock. they are looking good so far. some labradorite, and some regular impure quartz rocks.

07/02/2011

I have made a few piec of home items, and found some Slag glass, or waste glass from a glass furnaces. the glass has a greenish tint has really cool designs in it. I also have a piece of Lava that I am trying to get some small pieces from. I like the unique stuff like this

06/15/2011

I got in some supplies for silvering around the pendants. hopefully things will be nice and ready for the Village this year.

06/04/2011

I just got some antique items that I am hoping to attach to some carved pendants. They will hopefully be ready for the Village in October

04/23/2011

I am going to start putting silver edges on rocks so they are instantly wearable That way, cut tone are ready to wear ...well some of them

04/11/2011

I found some interesting prices of rock to work on. Some malachite, some tigereye and some chaotite. They are all spanned and ready. I also Gordimer volcanic glass

04/06/2011

Just got that new credit card app for the Iphone through Intuit, so now I can even take credit cards.

03/31/2011

The next class at WTCC has not yet been scheduled, but it will likely be in november, like last year. As usual, it will be limited to just a few people.

03/31/2011

I have just joined the BBE barter network. That means I will be able to trade rock cutting for services and items retail to retail barter. Maybe I will even get a real web page for the rock cutting sometime...

11/12/2010

Machu Pichu Peru

11/12/2010

Tourmaline

11/12/2010

Flourite

11/12/2010

Citrine

11/12/2010

Peridot oval

11/12/2010

Labradorite