Hi, my name is Karleen, nickname Vibrant Jewels. I've been crazy about rocks all of my life. Everywhere I've ever traveled, I'll pick up interesting rocks and bring them home. When my brothers and I were children, we'd go to our ramshackle cabin on Craig's Creek, and spend hours looking for pretty rocks in the shallow rills.
When I first started college "way back when", I was an Art Major, and although that didn't "pan out", I’ve taken many art courses over the years, in addition to being a writer and having a lot of poetry and things posted at my other web site, http://www.theopenheart.net, I have always painted or done crafts of some type all of my life.
I find almost every gemstone fascinating, especially the ones that are sometimes overshadowed by diamonds, emeralds, etc., such as the Jaspers, Chalcedonies, Aventurine, Fresh Water Pearls, Amethysts, Turquoise, Rainbow moonstone... I also treasure lampworked and dichroic beads, and vintage glass, and love putting together unusual combinations.
I also like multi-media art and water media painting. I've made a few ATCS and altered books, hope to do more in the near future.