In Manitoba, we are fortunate to have many lake retreats. My parents bought a ramshackle cottage on a beautiful lot at Twin Lakes Beaches in 2002. The same year I gave birth to my first of two children. We spent a few years rebuilding it into a place for the family to gather. To be able to enjoy the beauty in nature, the colours of the lake and the beautiful sunsets is a dream; all of which inspire me to create.

While beach-combing, I have come across some ‘almost ‘ beautiful stones. When wet, is when you really see the colours pop. “I wonder what would happen if I tumbled them” I asked myself one sunny day. Since I seemed to be a pro at it when I was 10 years old, I figured I would buy a tumbler and give it a go again! To my surprise, many turned out amazing. It was like Christmas every time I opened my tumbler. I became obsessed! Everyone who came to the Lake didn’t have to ask where I was. They knew I was out looking for the ‘rare diamonds!’ Well, actually they are mostly jasper type stones, but diamonds to me!

We have long, cold winters in Winnipeg, so the summer and fall months can’t come soon enough. The one, okay maybe more than one benefit to -35 degrees Celsius ( -31 Fahrenheit) is that I can get a lot of work done in my jewelry room. Lots of noise comes out of that room, almost daily, just ask my family! And, by the way, who needs beautiful nails anyway!

What started as an experiment has blossomed into what I call my full time job. Being a mom, wife and CT technologist are my others. Of course, just as fun!

As someone who has always loved ‘making’ and ‘creating’, from wood working to watercolour, this has been quite an adventure that I hope to continue. I have many more things to learn. Thanks google and you tube for all of my lessons so far!

Probably the most rewarding thing for me is to take throw away items; rocks, recycled wire, scrap copper, etc., and turn it into something beautiful and wearable. That makes me happy!

As Buckminster Fuller said, “there is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly” How perfectly said Mr. Fuller! Wished I thought of that myself!

Come follow my Instagram account as well. You’ll see many more designs that you can inquire about.
www.instagram.com/twinlakesstoneworks
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