I'm currently hovering in the grey area between hobbyist and artist. Jewelry has fascinated me since childhood, and I've been making "jewelry" in one form or another ever since I've had enough motor skills to put holes in buckeyes and string them. I've been doing "real jewelry" (soldering, setting, etc.) for about three years, and enameling and beadwork for twelve years or so. I like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, fixing up old houses, role playing games, video games, and hoarding gemstones. My pet peeves are mean people and sapphires that look a deep gemmy blue in the pictures online, but are actually near black when you buy them.