​I accepted a job to spear-head a project that would end up on display in the Governor’s Office in Austin; a gift to the State of Texas and all their residents; a set of spurs that were to bring the very essence of gratitude for all governors, past, present, and future.  What an honor to be asked to build such a project!  And where to begin?   

​The great privilege given to allow complete artisan freedom is not a light task when building an art project. I wanted to honor the current governor and leave him a mark to pass along to all succeeding governors, but also to honor the past and future governor’s with a symbol so distinguishable that almost all individuals would recognize it; the symbol of the Texas Ranger combined with the symbol of the governor’s star. 

​.  The horse was a given as it represents the great western lifestyle; and hidden in plain view is a small pecan tree which holds my own stories as a child.  Well, before I go any further, I have attached a few photos of the letter to the State of Texas and the letter I wrote to the Governor, along with the project itself.  Oh how I’m trying hard not to write a novel here!  So many stories within stories are here.  

​I may not be engraving today if it were not for Hoss.  He has been with me in a few projects as we both build our trade into a working profession.  And of course Montana Turtle, from West Yellowstone, MT (http://www.montanaturtle.com/) did all the hand engraving.  Ha ha.  Do you know this guy?  What a nut!  

​Last but not least is my client that continues to believe in my work and pushes me to new levels in my own profession.  I call him the “Big C”.  He has been monumental in my personal journey to become an engraver and jeweler; and without going any further, I will stop here.  If you have any questions, please ask.  Please be respectful as to leave out all political and religious comments.  Thank you!  

Once a year on a very special day, we book a private charter snow coach for Lyrik's birthday.  For the past six years Alpen Guides out of West Yellowstone has been there to ensure Lyrik gets his trip into Yellowstone on his birthday (or near his birthday).  

       So with the family packed and ready to go we set out into Yellowstone on the morning of  January 24th to see plenty of wildlife, geysers, beautiful sites and even more smiles and laughter.  Lyrik is now seven years of age and he can now say he has been going into Yellowstone on his birthday even before he can remember.  

       At the end of the day, tired and sleepy boys smile with the memories they have created for the day here in Wonder Land.  Memories have been built, traditions have been held steadfast.  Memories and traditions more valuable than any plastic toy; and perhaps memories they will use to pass along to their own children one day, through their own family traditions.  Who knows how they will start their traditions when those days come, but I do know how proud of a day that will be.  

       In the summer of 2012, while I was working as a vendor at the local Big Sky Montana Farmers Market, I was approached by a client and friend to head a project that was to push my limits at the time as an engraver and artist.  He had hired me to engrave a set of spurs for the State of Texas featuring Governor Rick Perry. 

  
       Virginia Bennette a cowboy poet, and Pete Bennette making handmade spurs for the working Cowboy.  They are kind and their stories are meaningful.  I found myself on more than one occasion listening to many of the stories Virginia had to tell of their many days on many different ranches.

        During the time I patiently awaited the spurs completion from Pete, I dreamed of what could be with sweet anticipation.  For me as a lowly novice, this job carried weight I have never felt before. 

       Each of us put forth the very best we could offer.   Many times I could feel the self-inflicted pressure pushing down on me to up hold the quality of work that was demanded of me.  After all, I had been given beautiful works by both Pete and Hoss.  "No Pressure!"  In the end, as it seems to be with most things, I found my worries and the pressure to be just enough of the right ingredients to push me to my best.  One step at a time.  

        A tremendous thank you to my friend and client.  Thank you for your continued belief in me and my work.  With out your kindness and willingness to see success, I would not be as far.  Thank you to Hoss and Katie, Virginia and Pete for all of your help with this project.  Who knows,perhaps we will be destined to put together our trades once again somewhere down the dusty trail.  

       At times we all can use a little protection.  I know many that carry something as a reminder that Creator looks over them as they walk through their day.  Myself, I was given a small angel that was embroidered by a close friend.  I believe she is an angel by her own right; but this post is not about me; rather, it is about someone else's angel.   

       I do love a good challenge, and this piece was quickly becoming the most intensive engraving job I will have completed to date!  We talked of her favorite colors and her favorite number as to include these ideas into her charm of protection.  

jewelry piece, but a piece that can be worn to feel the warmth of the love put forth in the creation of such a charm.  It is important to translate the love and intentions that began such a piece.  So I searched and searched for folks in the local area that cut sapphires themselves, and I found the couple I wanted in Missoula, Montana!  They were perfect!  She cut stones and he is an amazing jeweler, each with their own wonderful stories. 

I began my engraving process with almost nightly updates to my friend and client.  And before this becomes a complete novel, I spent over 75 hours with this angel.  To build something beginning from sticks of wire and sheets of metal, to put in my heart and soul, this is my life's passion.  Here she is, the Angel of Protection for one special Angel out there.  Gifted with sentiments of a loving husband to his beautiful Angel.  

Now, ..... at the age of 37 I realize I am young, but the short time I have lived on this Earth, I have come to the understanding that life is made up of many little moments.  Some moments are quickly forgotten and some are made in a way that perhaps they will be 

So important then is the choice of which moments we choose to propagate.  Tonight the moment is to devise a trap to snare the Gingerbread Man on-the-run;  a project from school to encourage creative thinking.  In my reality this is a moment for me as a 

 was done, we stepped back to gaze upon Lyrik's amazing trap. No way this Gingerbread Man is getting away!   And in the end, beyond a project from school, my lesson of patience with my son to develop his own story was but just one part of my little moment with my son as he grows one day older.  Perhaps a little moment that he will never forget, and one I will grow a little wiser from.  I love you Lyrik. 

       When I think of the Montana Moon it conjures up many memories for me.  Time spent growing up in many ways, under the Moon over Montana.  Some good memories and some I am happy to leave behind; but none that I would do without.  For it is my past that makes me who I am today, and I love who I have become.  

       Images strike clear inside my head of the many moons I have seen over Montana, along with the memories attaching themselves   

some great crucible in the sky a liquid silver and gold stream ripples across our lakes, bathing the water in dancing light; catching the corner of your eye.      

memories including those made with the Montana Sunshine.  In the end, when my life comes to its close, I will have left behind little reflections through my work; little whispers of a moments past and dreams of a moments future. 

         With mindfulness woven into each piece created, is the intent of traditions being passed down through the ages.  With a richness of  intertwined silver and gold there is a moment attached to each story told.  Let the moment begin here, and before your story is passed on, sit for a spell, & let this moment last for generations…  -Turtle

       Always faithful.  A motto you hear from our US marines.  A motto that will strike a cord in one's very being, no matter what your origin or your past.

        As many of you know, I am not in the business to make it rich in monetary gain.  The starving artist path seems to be my way.  I have chosen my line of profession based upon the souls that I can touch.  Beyond the jobs I may maintain to pay my bills, my true purpose in this life is to help provide a door to a spiritual connection for the right individual.  This idea puts me into many interesting and amazing views of life and connections; and I am extremely blessed to be a part of.   
       
       Building and creating jewelry is not merely different metals placed strategically, soldered, polished, and sold as a shiny and pretty thing.  Jewelry is more than that.  It is a symbol or mark of a memory.  A chosen place in time that holds dear moments to us.

He served his country proudly as a marine.  He was creative; his hands found ways to build beautiful log furniture.  He loved the rodeo.   Always faithful and true to his heart he would give his last if that meant he could help.  In 2003 a fatal motorcycle accident 

Montana; in which the day found me cold and not making much of a monetary gain for the day; but, regardless of the sales, I am enjoying my day and visit.  I am set up along side my Father and Mother-in-law's booth; their's filled with plenty of yummy homemade breads and fresh produce found from their garden; mine filled with the usual.  As the day drew to a near end, a woman stopped to look at my few things that laid upon my table.  She seemed most interested

explained to me that her husband had suggested to stop at the market on their way through; something that was unlike them to do, but something that seemed a good idea.  After mentioning the interesting cuts of ivories and settings she found on my table, Terrie asked if I might be able to set her son's ivories he harvested some time ago.  She told me a bit about her son, and her dream to share with his sisters the ivories set as pendants; one for each of them; ivories which held memories that were obviously so dear to this family.  She asked if I could possibly shape one into a heart and set it in gold for her.  I now know why I was there.  To help build a connection. 

       I am honored to be where I am and who I am; to be able to help others build a symbol of a dream; something that will be cherished for many years to come; an item created to hold as a locket all the moments so preciously attached to a time past.  Thank you Terrie for sharing your story; and thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.  Always faithful and Always remembered.  Roger Lee.  

       I wanted to teach him gun safety from the very beginning; but how to teach him gun safety was my question.  I did not grow up with guns around the house.  I thought and prayed hard about it.  Finally it made since to me if I were to get Lyrik a nice cap gun, one that would be kept separate from all the toys, hung on a wall in his room, then it would be possible to teach him gun safety at the tender age of two and three; without worries he will accidentally fire his weapon at the wrong time.      

       Although I am rarely successful at my grouse hunting, my perception weighs mostly on the time spent with my boys. What kind of memories I can provide the opportunities for.  What will they grow up to remember.  This year marked Moss jumping on board for our walk in the woods for big fat birds; and this year also marked Lyrik growing up just a bit more.  

K is for Kym.  And so goes the idea of building a special pendant for a special someone.  Kym emailed me with a precious idea to build a birthday present for her husband.  She asked if it would be possible to build a pendant with her first

what I imagine for Montana Turtle as it slowly develops over the years.  Within time is the key to beauty and happiness.  Kym provided this blessing of time for the sake of beauty.  Her husband's pendant took a near total of over 5 hours to draw and 13 hours to engrave.  What a beautiful letter K for a wonderful thought and warm moment to be shared when her husband opens a gift he may wear for years to come. 

       Thank you Kym for this special opportunity to build something beautiful; and, thank you for the push in the right direction.  Since the making of this pendant, I have gone on to begin developing my own font.  I have the "K" done! 

       I have said since the beginning of my chosen career path that I am in the family business, whether by winter when I have the privilege to guide families and their friends into Yellowstone for a once in a life time memory that     

part of the creation of an heirloom that will be passed along to family with its own folk-lore attached.  Ann asked me to build this ring for her, using the ivory of her very first elk harvested when she was a young lady, and using a bear claw from a bear with a story of troublesome ways.  I suggested there would be enough room to add some scroll engraving to the side, she agreed that would look beautiful, but wondered if I would be able to engraver her brand, which was her father's brand.  I of course said yes and expressed a proud smile with the thought of being able to engrave such an honorable symbol attached with many years of memory.   I asked Ann to tell a little about her story.

       Thank you Ann!  Thank you for letting me be a part of an heirloom piece that will continue through-out the ages.  I am honored.