Time to try it out!!!

This is my first attempt at this. I am certainly not computer illiterate but blogging seems to be an entirely new world. In any event, some of you may recognize my “handle – coralnut”. I am also known as Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL or just Don in SOFL (thats South Florida to those not familiar with the US). I have been a stone cutter and metalsmith for going on 38 years now, having learned the trade in Taiwan while working there for the Dept of Defense. One day soon, when I figure it all out, I’ll post some of my pieces. I am now retired from Government service and I have been teaching at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Boca Raton, FL for the past eight years. About 10+ years ago, I became interested in black coral…which which I became familiar whilst living in Hawaii. I brought some home with me and later found black coral is readily available on the beaches of South Florida. I won’t go into the differences now but if anyone is interested they can check out my Lapidary Journal article in the Aug 2000 edition and follow-on items in the Sept and Dec editions.

For those who might react negatively to my suggestion to use black coral….please don’t. The coral I use and clearly warn others to use, is harvested only by Mother Nature and collected off the beaches. Again, I will post some of my creations soon.

Otherwise, it is nice to be on the Orchid blog and I hope to see many of you here. Already, I have seen some outstanding articles and information. Cheers to all, Don in SOFL