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"Is anybody still out there?"

Stone Conversations : Archive 8 : Message 00717

From: "John Klassen" <jaklassen2001@zzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:20:11 -0600
Subject: "Is anybody still out there?"

Ted wrote,

Quoted text begins.I'm still out there - waaaaaaay out there! Now that I am on my own
and trying something new it has become a bit rough. Dang, it could
take a couple of years before I am any good at this and can make some
profit - in spite of the fact that I have a steady hand, a good eye
and a wild imagination. Anyway, I am not about to give up. I am
struggling and frustrated, I have what I think are some great ideas
and I just have to do them!
End of quote.


Hi Ted,

In a lot of ways I think that you should want to be waaaaayyyyyyyyy out
there. I find that it's better for the individual developing artist.

Yup, it is rough on your own. In the long run you'll be thankful for the
experience.

Profit? Huh? Whats that?

After a while, with experience, you won't need to know exactly what species
of stone you have. You will develop a feel for it. Don't be afraid to ask
questions. I have lots of them.

About 8 years ago I bought Simon and Schusters's Guide to Gems and Precious
Stones and Simon and Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals. Very
informative and because I'm all over the road in stone working I have a need
to refer to them all the time. It's a 2 book set.

Whatever you do, don't give up. Think of the most crazy, wild, intricate
thing that you can, and, try to make it. Forget about money. The time
invested in the experience will carry you for years.

My first marble carving was a sort flower plate with flowing petals and
leaves. The petals were pierced and rolling onto themselves. I still have
it, I hope it lasted the last move. While carving, it developed a crack, so
I patched it. So much time and effort for something that is monetarily
worthless.

I wouldn't be doing the work that I do today if I didn't try that one out.

Jump right in and give each piece it's due attention. Finish your ideas to
the best of your ability. The frustration is the good part. If you are not
frustrated you don't need to learn anything.

Good Luck

John A. Klassen
jaklassen2001@------------

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