backtobow

Hello fellow rock hounds! I am an amateur cutter, I took some classes a few years back and later took the plunge to buy a facetron. I now have a small but growing collection of cut stones that I'm increasingly proud of. My question is, what was the turning point that took your hobby to the next level?

I'm not trying to make a full time career out of this (although sometimes I dream of being the next Lisa Elser!), but it's expensive and I'd like to start breaking even and getting a bit more serious.

(I don't live in the US.)

I've tried taking pics so many times and they're just awful. I might recruit a photographer friend, it would be a fun project.

She's amazing! I also work in IT, so I feel she's paving the way for us aspiring cutters who are currently chained to desks ;)

That's great advice, thanks. Do you think it's best to sell directly, or team up with a goldsmith? I feel like it's a hobby that can lead to so many skills - not just cutting and appraising, but web design, sales, photography etc...and of course the deepening rock obsession!

Oh cool, so do you mean you were able to charge a premium for your custom cuts based on your own design?

That's awesome, it seems like such a great community. Please tell Lisa she has a huge fan across the pond! There is no community in my city, but you know what I bet I could get one going if I put my mind to it...

Great advice, thank you! Do you have any behind the scenes shots of how you set up your stone shoots?