I have been fascinated by rocks and minerals since I was a child. My mother called me a “magpie” as I was drawn to anything that sparkled or was colorful in the light. Growing up on the Gulf coast of Florida my surroundings were seemingly a constant mixture of sand and shell, either whole or crushed. Rocks, of pretty much any form (other than limestone) were foreign to me.

Being a child of the 1970’s and having parents who loved the outdoors and nature, vacations usually involved camping, hiking and canoeing, especially in the Smokey Mountains. Here I would find so many varieties of minerals that I would invariably always come home with a rock that caught my eye either while hiking or just exploring a campsite. I pestered my parents too many times to count, pleading with them to stop at any roadside mine to pan for gemstones like garnets, sapphire, rubies, etc. This habit of collecting rocks has stayed with me the last 50+ years, intermittently put on hold as life demanded but always resurfacing with a visit to a new destination or the occasional gem/mineral show.

Of course, with any hobby that takes up space, you must “pick and choose” which specimens to keep on display. This is particularly difficult as no two rocks are the same. Rocks and minerals are about as unique as people and the challenging part becomes “what to keep?”.  It was faced with this dilemma where an idea was formed to create necessary items from the rocks I just didn’t want to part with.

One day I needed to replace a chandelier over the breakfast table when I found a model with glass pendants. Looking at the chandelier more closely and having been to a mineral show the day before, the “Eureka” moment hit me. I bought the chandelier and then started the task of redesigning it. Not as simple as I thought! This led to buying lapidary tools, learning to drill rocks and needing to source 30% lead crystal as I didn’t want to use glass. Eventually I created my own designs and learned woodworking.

Guests to my home would always comment on the various lights I made and asked where they could get one. Being asked this question enough times, followed by encouragement to make more, I decided to retire from my “day job” as a Financial Planner and pursue a passion. What began as a chandelier has expanded to table lamps, floor lamps and eventually other designs such as fountains, both large and small.

As Emerson wrote, “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit”. It is my hope that these designs compliment your home and style while lifting your heart and soul with the beauty of nature. 

– Tony Bauer