People often ask me what the source of inspiration is for my designs. The inspiration for many of my creations comes from the environment surrounding me. I strive to create a piece of jewellery that has a balance of both function and natural beauty. In designing each piece I like to encompass the feelings and experiences that have affected me personally. The pure stillness of a morning lake, the vigorous rush of river waters, the astounding beauty in the silhouette of a tree amidst a winter’s storm or the sense of awe found in a star lit night. I see the beauty of nature and our surroundings in the smallest of details and try to bring this to life in forms of wearable art. Jewellery has always been a basic art form. As humans the need for individuality is essential and jewellery provides us with a means to express this. I hope that each piece I create will capture a special moment in time for each person who wears my jewellery so they will forever be reminded of that special time or feeling.
Life consists of memories we share together and I hope that my jewellery creations will symbolize those special moments for a lifetime.Ralph E Schroetter GG., FGA.
This is were I tell you about my time and travels with Ralph. I will also give you a few tips on what I think are great deals for you.
So drop by from time to time and check out what I have been up to.
I have now passed my writtings to Charlie who will keep you up todate with all things rocks and minerals Canada.
Phoenix Dailies
July 20, 2010 Summer 2010 - Hot, Dry, Bugs
Hot weather this summer has got the bugs out in full force. Rock collecting is not to friendly this summer because to the combination of nice weather and bugs, but all that aside the Bancroft Rock and Mineral show is coming up very fast. The show starts this July 29th and goes to August 1st. This type of rock collecting is easy and fun. Yes it is not the same but in most cases you find better crystals at cheaper prices. Just think what it costs in time and dollars to go into the bush and find something of interest. Well we hope to see you at the show this year.
Have you ever done something in a hurry? Changed your plans at the last minute? Well planning makes perfect and saves time and money.
The other day we were on a trip the came about at the last minute, to the Fernleigh Kyanite Occurrence. I did not have time to download the maps I have made to go bush where the site should be. We got on the road at 8:00am and travelled north to hwy 7. Two hours later and 180kms, we came into the town (three houses) of Fernleigh and turned left onto North Rd. Looking of the hydro line just north of hwy 506.
The hydro lines were easy to fined but the grass, weeds, poision ivy was at least 2 feet deep in areas. Hot was it ever 30c, sunny, flies ect...... Was it fun no! Did we find the site? No. After a few hours of bush beating we returned home.
Next day at work I happened to look up the site map and found we were in the wrong place. We should have when though Fernleigh and turned left about 1/2 km on the north.
Moral of the story " Measure twice and cut once." Alway plan your trip ahead and don't change them at the last minute.
April 1, 2010 April 1St (fool's day) Weekend Weather
This last winter was great. Not to much snow or bad weather at all. This being April fool's day you have to wonder if Mother Nature is playing a trick on us. Why? I have never been able to get out collecting so early in the year. Yes in the bush no bugs, no heat, no leaves on the trees, wow.
We are off to a suspected gold collecting site this Monday. Yes gold! The story goes like this. In the later 1930's a man when fishing in a small lake south of Coe Hill. He came on shore on the southern end of the lake for lunch. When going for a call of nature he came across an interesting rock which he packed up into his lunch bag. The rock was forgotten for a time and was later shown to a Toronto geologist who apparently offer him $100,000.00 to take him to the location where this rock was found. The man never returned or disclosed this location to anyone not even his son who retold this story to me.
Great story? The questions I have would be is why did he not sell the location information for this was a time of the great depression? Why not pass the information on to your son before you passed away? A lot of interesting questions. But who cares? I know where the lake is and with google maps and satalite info this will make a great outing this monday with the weather being so good.
You need to ask yourself is this story true? as today is april fools day? Why would I tell you this story? Did this man's son actually tell me of his dad? Let me just say Reg and I have checked out the bush entry area last fall and this monday will be the first good day to take my metal detectors into the bush.
Great collecting this year! Go safely and have fun.
If you have an interesting story or tale to tell and want to share it with other rock collectors please drop me a line.
January 12, 2010 Landscape Ontario Show To See Rocks In A Different Way
This was a different adventure. Today the weather was sunny cold and snow on the ground. If your into rocks and minerals this show is of interest in a funny type of way. Why? Well this is where rocks meet the general public in landscaping and building materials. I found a number of different rock suppliers. One of the most interesting was a stone company that made outdoor kitchens, water features and marble furniture. What ever you can imagine they carved out of stone. Yes stone that is being used for everything these days. It is the diamond tools that have made a great in roads into the ease at which marble and granites are being turned into almost anything. If you make it in stone it will be on this earth till the pyramids turn to sand. Why make a bench from wood that will be gone and turned into firewood when you can spend a like more on stone and your great great great ......... grand kids will enjoy. Stone may have a greater up front cost but the true value comes over the lenght of time which stone will last.
As for rock and mineral collectors this show did not have much to offer.. But who knows where a collector will find something of interest.
Yes you read that right. RED TOURMALINE from the North Bay Area.
This summer was crap for weather each weekend had rain so the rock collecting was next to imposible. I had two trips up to the Cobalt area, three to the Bancroft area. We did the Bancroft Rock and Mineral Show. Results were less than expected money is tight all over still. But information on future collecting trips came with many great conversations with older collectors.
I am just back from a trip to the North Bay area. We produced some very nice red mica stone. The area was 35 kms back into the bush on old roads. An interesting drive to hell and back.
Collecting was hard but I did find a few nice Red Tourmaline mirco mount samples. The samples show signs of blast shock. Numerous crystal upto 2 cms were found. This crystal I cut and set into a pendant for the property own's wife. I am sure she will love it.
I think that this may be one of the first siteings of possible gem red tourmaline in the Ontario area. With future development of the site who knows what is possible? Gemstone mine I am sure not but collecting and other uses I am sure....
The Newcastle Art show was interesting weather wise to say the least. The morning around 7:30 the weather was over cast. We had the booth all set up and ready to go as you see from the photo. Around 10:00 to 10:30 rain started to come down in sheets. We had to rush to put everything away. At that moment the a lady come running by to tell everyone to hold on to their tents for in minutes a storm wind will hit. And sure enough we had to hang on to the tent to stop it from blowing away. Three tents next to us where blown down. We at happy to say no one hurt and no merchandise was lost. We were all a little wet but who cares that's just part of the fun of doing out door shows.
The weather became sunny and all was fine. The attendance was down from the year before but it was still a great show. Poeple where great and most of all we made a number of interesting connnections that will lead to more fun and adventures in the future. We have planned a metal detecting trip with one vendor. You should hear about all the gold and diamonds he has found over the years. He was wearing a diamond ring he had found. Wow it should be funn...
This day brings us to a great day with over 50,000 people at the Cobourg Festival. What an interesting time to be had. The show was were well attended and people where enjoying the great weather.
Met an interesting man who makes birdbaths and benches from different rocks. Well done Scott. A number of great designers who use PMClay to make some interesting silver jewellery.
Had fun. Great day. Interesting conscepts. I will be working on some new ideas in the near future in PMC.
Bear here. I must say, I called on MacGiever "Dr G" when I need help.
I was out late last night guarding the perimeter when I ran across a nasty but fierce intruder. To say that this small beast was well equipped was an understatement...more to come.
We went to a interesting auction sale this Monday in the middle of nowhere. The GSP's even found this place interesting. The weather was bad it rained most of the day, the shop being auctioned was damp and smelt of cat pee. But let me tell you it was one of the most interesting auctions I have been to in years. When you think of an auction sale most people think that things are sold 5% to 20% or less than their retail values. Well did we learn that "auction fever" can drive prices to an unrealistict value. When the internet has lowered the price of things to, in some cases, less than cost (wholesale or lower) this auction broke records on basic junk rocks and minerals. Yes you read that right, junk stone sold for far more than if you were to have paid high retail at a rock shop! In one case a piece of glass (made in china) sold for twice what you would pay for it in a dollar store. Most dealers left this auction shaking their heads and now planning to do their own auction sales. Why sell it at retail when I get twice as much at auction?
What is going on these days? Why, when the TV is telling the retail consumer to ask for discounts from small retailers ( not W-ll M-arts or others) are they going out and paying twice what something is worth and four times what they expect the small retailer to sell it to them for, taxes in? Have consumers lost their sense of reality? Do they really know what something is worth? Do people not know what things are worth without the help of the internet? Why not ask an expert for price help? With over 20 million sites that sell jewellery, consumers are losing that sense of human relationship and interaction. When I need a doctor, I go to see a hopefully university educated person to do the surgery. I don't think I trust myself enough to do my own surgery yet, but who knows I am sure that on the internet I can find directions on how to do it myself. Root canal anyone? I have a internet degree.
Oh well auction sales are a hit and a miss. It did make for an interesting outing. This should give retailers more confidence to hold steady and say "Want it cheap, buy it from the Internet. Want to pay more, buy it at auction. Want to buy with confidence, here's my card give me a call and drop by my office we will talk."
The month of May is great! The best time to go collecting. Nice weather and not too many bugs out and no leaves. We travelled to a two great quarries and Cobalt this month. One in Bowmanville to search for fossils (sorry no photos) and one north of Fenlon Falls.
1. The Bowmanville site was active. Not to much time to look around we were looking for truck loads of goods. The site had lots to offer but required lots of time to explore. I will say no more...
2. The Fenlon Falls site was by invitation to look for a new rock contact zone. I was greatly interested in finding a contact zone between the limestone and granite.. We did find a number of interesting rocks and crystals, a glacial river bed that is being now mined for its gravel content. In the gravel I found smoky quartz, quartz, gem sunstone, moonstone and a number of other interesting things. Say tuned, the site owners will be doing a number exploration pits to find the contact zone. I will have photos hopefully when this is found.
The CoeHillGold site is now open for collectors. This year John is offering a great new selection of items. You need to check him out...
Talk to you all soon.
Oh yes, FYI the Town of Cobalt now has a half finished 18 hole mini putt golf course. Just what tourists are looking for in an old mining town? Also a splash pool for the kids with no water pump?
May 1, 2009 Bancroft `The PAST Rock and Mineral Capital of Canada``
The 2009 Rock Hunting Season has started.
Radio News has it the Ontario Government is in the process of updating the Mining and Prospector Act. It was a 100 year old act that needed some changing but will soon put the small prospectors who opened the North out of business. Cottagers who complained that mining companies staked the land they owned the surface rights to will soon have mineral rights as well. Should be interesting. For the rock collector the Bancroft area is closing down to collectors with another 5 sites being closed and covered with grass. Soon Bancroft will have to change it`s name from the Rock and Mineral Capital of Canada to Canada`s Past Rock and Mineral Capital. As sites close down and property values go up, cottagers want you to go away. York River area and Parks Canada enforce no collecting, the only place left is the Prince Sodalite Mine and CoeHillGold. These two places will soon be the only places left to do any legal collecting. Thank you to the Ontario Government for this. USA collector`s and their tourist dollars will soon stay home. Why waste time and money to come to Canada`s soon to be closed and off limits historic collecting sites. To say ``I told you so`` just read my intro from my Bancroft Collecting Guide, which will soon be also renamed Places Where To Stay AWAY From In Bancroft if you want to have fun collecting rocks and minerals. On a number of sites the local government has allowed homes to be build. If you bought one of these homes,how happy would you be waking up in the morning to find someone collecting rocks in your back yard. Who cares if he came from the USA and plans on spending a few weeks here and thousands of dollars for the pleasure of doing so.
Well, I am planning a trip up north of North Bay where cottagers are few and far between . Just me, my dog, black flies and rocks for the hunting.
Good Bye Bancroft see you in the history books very soon! (Kiss those tourist dollars goodbye!)
Oh, did I tell you rumour has it ,another rock and mineral shop in Bancroft will be closing it`s door's this summer.
Boy is it cold outside tonight! Yes 30 C below. Yes that's cold. But we are just back from CoeHillGold seeing what John is up to. It should prove to be an interesting year this year. Plans are big and cabin fever is setting in as everyone is making plans ready for the new years exploration season. Janice received a new metal detector for Christmas. Boy she was excited! (not). Ralph told her to just wait and see what she thinks when she finds her first treasure.
Ralph is working hard on some interesting new designs that are slowly coming online. New sections have been added to the site to show the new jewellery line. Check back from time to time to see what's new.
November 4, 2008 I will always be watching over you Ralph
Thank you Ralph for the many years of love and travel. I could not have had a better friend. You will always be with me as I will always be beside you ,watching over you and guiding you through the good times and bad. Do not cry tears of pain but only tears of joy and love. As you have always said "Life is but a blink of the eye.", so enjoy the journey for we will be together shortly to pick up where we left off.
But Ralph when the wind blows through the leaves I will be there,
when you're out for a walk with the boys, I will be there
when you look over to my favorite couch, I will be there
when you suddenly turn to look around, I will be there
when you sad, happy and travelling, I will be there
I will always be there for you, just think of me and I will come to you.
My sincere condolences with your loss of Phoenix.<br />
October 17, 2008 Fall Colours are here!
Hi everyone
The fall colours are now here. So how am I doing you ask? Well Ralph is spoiling me more than usual. I can get away with almost anything at this time, but I don't. Things are going as well as can be expected. I now have to hold my paw in the air as I run because the pain is bad. I don't complain too much if at all. Inspector lets me sleep on the the bed at night as long as it is early in the morning when I get on.... I guess that Ralph needs a bit of the bed to sleep on..
Sorry to kept it short. Ralph and Charlie are going for a walk so I had better get ready to go and do my best..
The Newcastle Art show was interesting weather wise to say the least. The morning around 7:30 the weather was over cast. We had the booth all set up and ready to go as you see from the photo. Around 10:00 to 10:30 rain started to come down in sheets. We had to rush to put everything away. At that moment the a lady come running by to tell everyone to hold on to their tents for in minutes a storm wind will hit. And sure enough we had to hang on to the tent to stop it from blowing away. Three tents next to us where blown down. We at happy to say no one hurt and no merchandise was lost. We were all a little wet but who cares that's just part of the fun of doing out door shows.
found this place interesting. The weather was bad it rained most of the day, the shop being auctioned was damp and smelt of cat pee. But let me tell you it was one of the most interesting auctions I have been to in years. When you think of an auction sale most people think that things are sold 5% to 20% or less than their retail values. Well did we learn that "auction fever" can drive prices to an unrealistict value. When the internet has lowered the price of things to, in some cases, less than cost (wholesale or lower) this auction broke records on basic junk rocks and minerals. Yes you read that right, junk stone sold for far more than if you were to have paid high retail at a rock shop! In one case a piece of glass (made in china) sold for twice what you would pay for it in a dollar store. Most dealers left this auction shaking their heads and now planning to do their own auction sales. Why sell it at retail when I get twice as much at auction?
plans ready for the new years exploration season. Janice received a new metal detector for Christmas. Boy she was excited! (not). Ralph told her to just wait and see what she thinks when she finds her first treasure.
