About

Me

The story of Yazmin, my story, is not unlike many others. I’ve always been an artsy-crafty person, but it seems like I just moved into my love of gemstones and jewelry unintentionally. What started as a simple quest for the right pair of beaded hairsticks turned into an attraction and huge love for all things shiny and sparkly.

In 2004, I went to the Yellow Daisy Festival, a local arts and crafts fair, for the umpteenth time and found a pair of beautiful hair chopsticks with beaded ends. I must have worn them for about a month straight before I realized I really needed another pair to match my outfits better.

Spending a lot of time thinking about these chopsticks and how to make my own, I decided it was high time I paid a visit to the local craft stores and bead boutiques. In search of just the right stones for all the ideas running through my head, I realized I couldn’t get enough of pearls and gemstones, leather and wire, beading and wrapping.

With a background in web development (my first business), I found it was in my nature to make lovely color combinations and interesting components. When my friends finally saw my finished pieces, I hardly had the chance to keep anything I made as they continually offered to purchase them from me. It was then that I realized I might actually have found another self-supporting occupation that I truly enjoy. Many stones and wire later and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

The Jewelry

I won’t lie, I like the good stuff. My mom has always said that you can count on whatever I pick out in a store to be the most expensive piece there. (One of the many reasons I remain happy with just a few select pieces of jewelry.) My goal is for others to have more than one piece of really nice jewelry and not break their bank.

Therefore, most of the jewelry I make is made with gemstones, pearls and sterling silver or gold-filled components. Some pieces are made with glass beads that caught my eye and a few even use craft wire (which I disclose), but all pieces are made to last.

Since the silver components are the real thing, they may tarnish with time. Silver polish can be used to remove the tarnish. You can use a clear liquid dip with any pieces except those with jade or coral, as the dip will damage your stones.

The Blog

A Pretty Rock is a shop/blog with an inside look at the process of designing and creating handcrafted wire-wrapped jewelry. It features piece profiles and inspiration, with information on what it takes to bring a creation alive from start to finish. A Pretty Rock desires to grow your appreciation of the skill and technique behind creating heirloom quality jewelry.