How I got
Wrapped Up in Gem Stones
When I was growing up, I would visit my grandparent's large farm outside of Baltimore. On weekends, my Aunt Janice would pick me up after she got off from work and we would spend the quiet days roaming the farm. One of my favorite pastimes was walking the winding stream by the swimming hole. I became completely enthralled with all the pretty colors and the shapes of the different stones we would find. Aunt Janice and I would always put our collection of stones in our pockets to show my Grandparents when we got back to the house where I would play with them for hours.
As I grew older, Aunt Janice expanded my horizons on stones through books and by taking me to local stone shows and rock shops in the area. Soon I began to identify the stones we would find on our farm excursions.
When I was nine, Aunt Janice took me on my first airplane trip and bus tour. We visited Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Red Creek Canyon, Zion Canyon, and Yellow Stone National Park. When everyone else would go to the different stores shopping, Aunt Janice and I would take off our shoes and socks and walk the rivers, filling our socks with all the precious gems of the area. Back on the bus, our finds were surely the hot topic of the day.
| | After High School, I attended college in Elkins, W.V. While there, as often happens, other things would catch my attention, but I still carried the love and appreciation for gemstones. I would always have some kind of stone around me, either in my pocket or on my desk. When I was not feeling well or out of balance in some way, I was always drawn to my beautiful stones. Somehow, those gems would always make me feel better.
I pursued my goal of helping children after college, armed with a BS degree in Elementary Education, Child Psychology and Social Work. I enjoyed this work, but I had a feeling something was missing. After many years, I met a gentleman, Friday Nelson, of "Go Ahead, Make my Ring" who creates beautiful necklaces and rings by wrapping stones in gold filled or sterling silver wire. Watching and talking to him for hours as he created his jewelry, I finally asked him to teach me how to make the beautiful pendants and rings. Although he only taught one or two students every couple of years--both not wanting to saturate the market with the art or for it to become a dying craft--he agreed to teach me. His teachings have changed my life forever and MJB's Gem Wrap was born.
I now attend around 30 craft shows a year in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. My cases are filled with natural cut gemstones that I wrap while my customers enjoy the craft show. I always say "Mother Nature did the artwork, I just put a frame around it."
For a list of craft shows where Michele is exibiting, click on "Future Shows"
If you'd like to be on the mailing list simply send an e-mail with the request to Michele@gemwrap.com.
Michele's work can also be found at the Stable Shoppes in Dover Delaware. |
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