Greetings, I have read and used Orchid information since it was first started. My father was a rockhound for 30 years starting in the early 60's. Our family lived in Montana in the summer and Tucson in the winter. I have a lot of my father's collection of rocks and gemstones and equipment. I took 3 semesters of jewelry class at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. I enjoy working with metal, and I have the equipment to fabricate and cast metal. In Soda Springs, Idaho where we lived for 24 years I had a jewelry store for about 5 years. The building I was in was torn down to make more space for a used car lot. We have since moved closer to Pocatello and I am just now deciding how to continue with the jewelry business. Right now I am going to focus on lapidary, cutting Montana and Idaho stones. It's great to be connected again and able to ask questions on the Orchid forums. Linda Johnson; -