I started making jewelry about 35 years ago. I made a lot of silver and turquoise jewelry and sold it to make money for college. After I graduated, I ceased the jewelry business and worked with computers. I am just starting with jewelry again so you might call me half beginner and half semi-experenced. I am busy building a lapidary shop and plan on making jewelry that uses unique shaped stones that can't be duplicated by the standard over-seas competition.