Tag Archives: jewelry

Unearth family fun during 49th annual Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Show at Rogers Plaza, April 9-11

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(Photo: Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Show: Used with Permission)


By Deborah Reed
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org


Rockhounds, treasure hunters and families are invited to “come for the rocks, stay for the gold, and leave with memories” at the 49th annual Rock & Mineral Show beginning Thursday, April 9. 


Held at Rogers Plaza (972 28th St. SW, Wyoming, and hosted by the Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club) this family-friendly event contains three days of hands-on activities, a pop-up food court, free door prizes, and nearly 50 dealers and club artisans. Unearth hours of fun for all ages on Thursday and Friday, April 9-10, from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free.


“We are expecting a huge turnout this year in excess of 10,000 people over the 3-day event,” said Chuck Parks, in his first year as the Show’s Chairperson. “I stepped up to take over the show this year with the goal of dramatically expanding the show for our club. This year we are growing from 30 to 50 dealers, adding five hands-on activities, and have a brand new pop-up food court.”


After raising his children, Parks said he began “looking for something to replace sandcastles and the like and discovered a greatly expanded interest in Lake Michigan rocks at first, and then more generally in this whole geological field.”

“My interest in geology has added many rich new dynamics to both my personal and professional life,” explained Parks, who’s co-inventor of a beach rock scoop called the GeoScoop. ” I now travel all over the country on field trips, enjoy a rich community of rock clubs in Michigan and beyond, and have found many additional hobbies and business opportunities within this space. I highly recommend it.”



(Photo: Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Show: Used with Permission)



Leveling up

This year’s Rock & Mineral Show features expanded venues with hands-on activities such as jewelry classes, gold panning and a pop-up food court. Approximately 50 dealers and club artisans will have a variety of minerals, crystals, micromounts, fossils, beads, polished rocks, equipment, carved stone figures, jewelry, lapidary supplies and more available for purchase.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts through rock and mineral identification, demonstrations and displays. Artisans will demonstrate jewelry making, rock polishing and geode cracking. A Children’s Table will feature mini-collections, grab bags and a fossil dig for younger participants.

One of a kind designs

Local lapidary artist Reaiah True of Reaiah True Designs is dedicated to preserving the lapidary arts through the use of authentic and quality materials. Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, with gems encased in 22k gold, sterling silver or copper.


Local artist Reaiah True, of Reaiah True Designs, is dedicated to preserving the lapidary arts through the use of authentic and quality materials. (Photo: Reaiah True Designs: Used with Permission)



True’s expertise and distinctive designs will be available at this year’s Rock & Mineral Show. Interested rockhounds and jewelry-lovers will be able to purchase her unique creations or order a custom design.

“I will have jewelry with solid sterling silver, copper and gold,” said True, adding that she will also have a variety of both cabochons and raw specimens available. “I specialize in turquoise, laramar, opals and a bunch of other gems.”

While True’s expertise and artistry is undeniable, her journey as a lapidary artisan began with an unexpected visit to a rock and mineral shop.

“I actually went into a shop that I thought was for rock climbing gear,” True said. “It happened to be a rock shop with this grandpa who gave me a bunch of information like he knew I was going to be a lapidary artist.”

True began treasure hunting through a three-dollar bin of gems and rocks compiled by the shop owner.

“I found a huge meteorite and big chunks of opal, some [of] really high quality,” True explained.

The artisan is looking forward to the Indian Mounds event for a variety of reasons, but a main reason is the excitement she sees in show attendees.

“Rock shows are so much fun; everyone is in their childlike self,” True said, breaking into a smile of her own. “There are people that are there from all over. There are also a lot of elders that are letting go of a lot of their collections, so it’s a wonderful place to get really high quality for a very affordable price.”

Speaking of affordable…

Treasure hunters won’t want to walk away without purchasing one of True’s $10 mystery boxes. Folded inside intricate origami creations, buyers will find an assortment of rocks and gems often worth more than that $10 price tag.

More importantly, they may find that favorite or coveted rock or gem they have been hunting for.


Dave Lehker demonstrates geode cracking. (Photo: Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Show: Used with Permission)


About Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club

The Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club is a non-profit organization celebrating its 61st anniversary. The club’s 100+ members encourage interest in the study of minerals, gems, fossils, rock, the lapidary arts and earth science through monthly meetings, an active Junior Club, field trip opportunities and speakers and specimens to various schools and groups.

More information about the club and the IMRMC show can be found at www.indianmoundsrockclub.org or www.facebook.com/indianmoundsrockclub.
Questions about the Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club Show can be emailed to Chuck Parks at Chuck.Parks@comcast.net.



With an ‘I can, too’ attitude, Wyoming student starts her own jewelry business

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Entertainment, Local Business, Recreation, , ,

By Isabelle Mosher
WKTV Contributor

During the pandemic, Isabella Diaz-Borrello branched out starting her own jewelry business. (Courtesy, Wyoming Wolf Pack Press)

Over the past couple of years, a Wyoming high school student has worked to develop her own line of alternative jewelry, Dusk Shoppe, that is affordable to all.

In 2020, during the first quarantine, Isabella Diaz-Borrello decided to start up a business as a way to make money and express herself through jewelry. It all started when her father gave her money and told her to “make something out of this, try to double what I gave you and make more.”

While brainstorming ideas, she came across videos on TikTok of other people making handmade jewelry.

She felt inspired.

“I thought, I can do that too,” she said. Dusk Shoppe came to life at this moment. Originally, Dusk Shoppe started off as just an earring business: charms, toys, and other accessories. Eventually, Isabella expanded to wire-wrapped earrings, more intricate designs, polymer clay earrings, and resin earrings as well.

As her business evolved, Isabella started to experiment with other types of accessories. She now makes beaded necklaces with chain details and charms, bracelets, keychains, and stickers (which are her very own design). There may be more additions as well.

“I hope to make and sell ceramic at my shop sometime soon,” she said.

For handmade jewelry, her products are fairly priced. Resin earrings are $10, polymer clay earrings are $15, wire-wrapped earrings are $8, necklaces are $25, bracelets and keychains are $6, and her stickers are $3.

The challenges of having your own business

Although her business has grown, there have been struggles. Advertising has been one. She advertises on Instagram and TikTok through her business accounts.

Earrings created by Isabella Diaz-Borrello (Courtesy, Dusk Shoppe)

“I tried making a TikTok once, but it didn’t work out,” she stated.

Isabella hopes to advertise Dusk Shoppe more in the new year through Instagram and TikTok posts. She is also planning more advertisements about her Depop shop and looking at other art markets.

Advertising has not been a huge hit, but her art markets have. At art markets, her business can run itself.

“I’ve only been doing art markets for a year, I did about six last year,” she said.

She hopes to do way more art markets this year, but her real goal is to partake in a market at the yearly Pride Festival.

“There was a booth that was selling jewelry, but it looked like mass-produced jewelry,” she said. “It had a huge line.”

She believes her business needs to grow in size and get better at advertising, that’s the milestone.
“It can be expensive and you need a lot of products,” she said.

Dusk Shoppe has had its ups and downs, but Isabella has succeeded in her past goals. Stay updated on new additions to her shop, and remember, if you’re wanting to start a business, think of the wise words of Isabella: “I can do that too.”

Isabelle Mosher is a senior journalism student at Wyoming High School. She plans to study biochemistry at Michigan State University. 

Lots of goodies to be found at the LowellArts

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

The LowellArts Artist Market returns starting Friday, Nov. 4, and running through Dec. 24 at the gallery, 223 W. Main St., Lowell.

The event features giftable fine art and fine craft works by 40+ Michigan artists. The gallery space is transformed into a retail setting with unique, one-of-a-kind items available for sale at a range of price points. The annual market is a great place for people to purchase handmade items during the gift giving season. Gift items include: pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, textiles, glasswork, handbags, woodwork, metalwork, ornaments, soaps, and more.

The Artist Market is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event will have extended houses during Christmas Through Lowell. Those hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Nov. 20.

For more information, visit www.lowellartsmi.org.

Only a gas tank away, two West Michigan institutions explore relationships

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Veterans, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Two separate exhibits one in Saugatuck and the other in Muskegon, explore relationships in two different forms, human connection and materialistic.

Saugatuck [Has Heart]

“No Man Left Behind” is one of the logos created through the [Has Heart] program.

The Grand Rapids-based [Has Heart] was born over a cup of coffee between U.S. Veteran Michael Yacinthe and artist and designer Tyler Way in 2010. The two realized the disconnect between their two worlds and in the process created [Has Heart], a non-profit organization that brings veterans and civilian designers together for coffee and to create art. Through the process the duo design a logo that helps shares the veteran’s story. 

[Has Heart] has since traveled around the United States with the goal of visit every state in the country and working with veterans to create a badge which visually showcases his or her story. Twelve of these personal and inspiring stories will be on display at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts until Dec. 22. There also will be a free all ages exhibition celebration on Friday, Nov. 12,  in honor or Veterans Day (which is the day before). That event starts at 6 p.m. and features Michigan bluegrass performance Mark Lavengood.

Also at the SCA is the mixed media works of Mariah Meawasige in “How 2 cCean Fish.”Measwasige is an Anishinaabe/settler creative, dedicated to sharing the traditions that have built, morphed, and supported her community.

The SCA is located at 400 Culver St., Saugtuck. For more information visit sc4a.org.

Muskegon gets adorned

The work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey will be featured at the Muskegon Museum of Art.

This Thursday the Muskegon Museum of Art opens the 1980s hip-hop fashion-inspired exhibiting “Jewelry Box,” which will run through Feb. 20. The exhibit features the work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey, who will use large-scale jewelry pieces, gold, and mirrors to transform the MMA’s Olthoff Gallery into a flashy display of dynamic exploration, self-identity, and fashion. Massey uses the concept of adornment as an examination of African diaspora and issues of race, class, and popular culture.

 

Massey was the first black woman to earn a master’s degree in metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art and maintains her studio space practice in Detroit. 

The opening reception will be Thursday form 5 – 6 p.m. followed by an Artist Talk at 7 p.m.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon For more information, visit muskegonartmuseum.org.