Mark and I just returned from an overnight trip to an awesome Wisconsin rock shop called The Gem Shop~ [link] Mark took me there rock & gem shopping as a surprise birthday gift We'll be posting some of the amazing rough gem material we came home with over the next week.

Mark also surprised me with a beautiful drawing of our beloved Tokay gecko Helga sitting on Mark's hand looking happy and peaceful. Mark commissioned the piece from the multi-talented Elly Pieper.




Elly has a series of reptile drawings titled "Enter the Dragon" that I have been in love with since discovering her gallery. I am thrilled to own one of her drawings! Her work is even more impressive in person... the detail she achieved in Helga's drawing is incredible!! Elly captured the peaceful and content expression Helga gets when sitting on Mark's hand perfectly.



Other examples of Elly's "Enter the Dragon" series~


I send a HUGE thank-you to Elly for one of the most beautiful gifts I've ever received and to Mark for one of the best birthdays I've ever had

** More photos of our beautiful Tokay gecko Helga~



I'm happy to announce that Mark and I will now be the new co-administrators to the Rockhounds club! We're looking forward to helping Cynthia and Henry with the club