[Rockhounds] Hi, I'm new here

[Helen Hill]

Hi folks,

I've just found your list today and it sounds like a fun group so I  
thought I'd join.  I live in the UK and I developed a love of rocks  
and fossils as a child (in the seventies), when an aunt gave me a set  
of mineral specimens - nothing outstanding but fascinating to a child  
nonetheless.  My parents bought me a book which has been a favourite  
ever since, although sadly it's gone missing - Hamlynn's Guide to  
Rocks, Minerals and Fossils.  I loved that book.  I later went on to  
get a degree in chemistry, and still had a love of the chemistry of  
the natural world.  I taught science for a couple of years, before ill  
health meant that I had to give up.  Last year, I started making  
sterling silver jewellery, by forging and forming, soldering with a  
torch and setting with semi-precious and precious faceted gems and  
cabochons.  Therefore my love of "rocks" has sort of almost come full  
circle.  I would dearly love to get into cabbing and faceting - that  
would really be the icing on the cake for me.  I look forward to  
chatting with you all.

Regards,
Helen Hill
http://www.hillsgems.co.uk
http://www.helensgems.etsy.com
helenrhill at tiscali.co.uk