Hounds abound!
"I have a clear memory from when I was 8," recalls Lola. "My father took me into a crystal store and bought me a rose quartz marble that I'd become fixated upon." Thus began a lifelong fascination with crystals of all kinds.
It wasn't until 2010, when Lola and Daniel purchased a large slab of Hematite from a local gem dealer, that the casual appreciation turned into a full-time hobby.
"There was a sticker on the back of the slab that told the name and location of the mine, where it had originated from. It dawned on me that crystals and gems aren't just pretty - they're an ancient geologic record of the area that they come from. After talking with some rockhounding friends, we were told of a defunct quarry where we could explore the tailings of an old quartz vein. That was where it all started."
Since discovering their passion for the hunt, Daniel and Lola have risked life and limb to bring home these specimens. In addition to crystals, they like to collect beach glass and shells from Golden Gardens in Ballard, as well as skulls, bones, beetles, and feathers.
"I love using nature's creations to inspire my own art," says Daniel. "Plus, it's a great excuse for a hike!"
