Gem and mineral show to
feature young jewelry maker
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com
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BILL
SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers ATHLETIC ARTIST-Chieko
Hoki, 12, of Newbury Park not only twists wires
into jewelry, she's somewhat of a contortionist
herself. Chieko began making wire-sculpted
jewelry about a year ago. Her work will be on
display this weekend in Newbury Park.
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(TO ACORN - May 18, 2006) Twelve-year-old Newbury Park
resident Chieko Hoki said she creates jewelry out of
stones and minerals because she enjoys the process-from
discovering a dusty scuffed rock on the side of a road
to turning it into the centerpiece of one of her
handcrafted pieces.
"I just really like the rocks and how different they
are," Chieko said. "When I find one, I like to think
about how they would look in a necklace or how I could
use them."
Chieko started creating the wire-wrapped fashion
accessories a little over a year ago as a way to make
use of the various stones she and her mother had
collected on one of their many "rock hunts" around
Southern California.
As one of the youngest members of the Conejo Gem &
Mineral Club, Chieko is a self-proclaimed rock lover
who's found a profitable way to use her passion.
"I'd love doing this anyway," Chieko said, "but if
people want to buy the jewelry that I make, then I guess
that's fine."
Chieko's work will be on display this weekend, May 20
and a Thousand Gems, sponsored by the Conejo Gem &
Mineral Club. The show will take place at the Borchard
Park Community Center in Newbury Park, running from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday.
Offerings include exhibits, demonstrations, vendors,
youth activities, silent auctions, door prizes and a
snack bar.
Chieko's mother, M'Li (pronounced Ma-LEE), said the
gem and mineral club took an interest in her daughter
after discovering her passion for the craft.
"They loved her jewelry so much and her love for
rocks that they wanted her to have a spot in the show,"
she said.
Though Chieko's jewelry will not be for sale at the
show, it can purchased online at her website at
www.hokihandcrafts.com. You can also email her
at:
support@hokihandicrafts.com
This weekend's show offers free admission and
parking. If you want to know more about the show or the
gem and mineral club, please call (818) 707-9972.
http://www.toacorn.com/news/2006/0518/Community/022.html
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