Hi! I'm new to this forum; I've searched the archives but never posted, so I thought I'd take the plunge. I've been playing with metalsmithing for about ten years and just started my own business in September of 2003. My chief inspirations are the natural world, particularly insects, ancient cultures, and formalist design (particularly that of the art jewelry of the late 50's and early 60's). Much of my jewelry also incorporates beadwork of various patterns; I work mostly in 14/o Czech beads, but am lately focusing on loom-weaving with 20/o and 22/o. It's a wonderful medium! In addition to jewelry, I also work as an editor and entomologist, roaming the country in search of tiger beetles and periodical cicadas with my husband, Dr. Gene Kritsky.; http://www.silverspotstudio.com