My interest in rocks began before I got a PhD in Geology. While in graduate school, I started doing some beadwork. When I got out and moved to Houston, I made a bee-line to the Houston Gem and Mineral Society (HGMS). They didn’t have any classes going, but told me to come back on Saturday and they’d show me how to cut cabochons in the workshop. I kept coming back and ended up winning “Best in Show” with my very first stone at the 1991 HGMS show. I took a jewelry fabrication class at HGMS, but before I could do much with it, I got laid off. A new job took me to Austin and a hiatus of several years before I got back into stone cutting and silversmithing.

Now I have a well-equipped workshop of my own where I cut stones and work with metal. I usually start with one of my stones and design the piece around it. I do all the metal fabrication, including making metal beads and links, clasps, and ear wires. I like the way it feels to make it all myself. I like to learn, so I enjoy trying new techniques that take me in different directions.

Delpfine Welch, Delpfine Welch Designs
Austin, TX
July 2008