When I began considering a blog for the Keletica website, I thought about the topics I wanted to share with my visitors. These are many and varied. Among them are:

• where do we get our inspiration for designs?
• what are some favorite rockhounding sites?
• where do we get our starting materials?
• how do you do ___?
• what stones, websites, vendors/stores do we like best?

I'm hoping we can begin dialogs on these and more.

I'll be writing about the background for some of Keletica's designs and where the inspiration came from. Sometimes it's a serendipitous rolling together of beads on my workbench. Or, a vignette from nature or even the patterning within a stone suggests a color or bead combination. A vivid "mind picture" evoked by something I read has suggested concepts for designs. From time to time I may write about the trials and tribulations of transforming an idea into a finished creation.

I'm hoping that stories about my collecting trips will provoke similar ones from my fellow rockhounds. I'm always seeking to learn about new sites where materials can be collected.

From those of you just starting to make your own jewelry, I'd love to hear your questions about techniques. I'll write descriptions of How-To's in response (or perhaps another visitor will respond).

So...keep coming back to read and share your thoughts and questions.