We get a lot of questions about how we got started in the rock and mineral business, where the name came from, and what the logo represents. So I thought I'd devote my first blog to answer those questions The real adventure of our business began when I retired in 2014. We took our first extended vacation, during which, we visited Hot Springs, Arkansas and nearby Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. It was during this visit that we cemented our desire to make a business out of our longtime interest in rock collecting and jewelry making. After returning home, we planned a second trip to seek out as many rock and mineral shops as we could find on our way to taking the grandkids on their first camping trip in California. We wanted to see how other shops were run, meet potential suppliers, and begin purchasing some of the materials and equipment we would need for our new business. We began the trip by returning to the Hot Springs area, this time to Mount Ida, to dig quartz crystals in the surrounding mountains and to stop at the several rock shops we heard were there. We had no plans to look at property, anywhere. But from the minute we stepped through the door of a particular rock shop that was for sale, we knew what we wanted, what we needed to do. We continued on our journey to take the grandkids camping, only when we returned, it was to our new rock and mineral shop in Mount Ida, Arkansas. We opened our new store for business right away on July 5th and since then have been busy making it our own and welcoming in many of you. The name "Real Earth Creations" is an assemblage that came to us fairly easily. My initial interest in rock collecting began during my Boy Scout years. In spite of many years, careers, experiences and events an early dream about owning a rock shop became "real". Together, my wife and I determined that the principal source and ideas for things we collect or make for our shop would be the "earth" and the respective "creations" on and within it. A lot more time was spent arriving at our company logo. We wanted it to embody all of the other influences and principles that are not directly evident in the name. We are grateful to our son Paul for the final result, as it was his hand and creative imagination that helped distill our thousands of words and concepts into a simple picture that includes the Earth, Sun, Moon, and Stars - the entire universe and all that is within it. Here's the really short version of what is in the logo. The green earth represents life, our home, and the centerpoint of our compass. The red and yellow sun represents the cleansing fire that bathes us in warmth and energizes the dynamics of the earth and all that is in, on, and around it. The blue quarter moon represents the night guardian, the reflection of earth's life-giving water, change, and the passage of time. The four, four pointed stars are suns like ours but represent the universe beyond us in all directions. They cast white or colorless light by both night and day, that reaches into all shadows and diffuses into all colors and diversities. The largest star at the top represents the North Star or the Southern Cross (depending on where you live) with which one can navigate land and sea during the dark hours. Together, these things represent the interdependence of everything and everyone in the universe. There is but one source or power and light and truth. It is really no wonder that the rocks of our earth are like a canvas painted on by the universe. So that's how we see it. We are motivated by the joy of finding beauty and power in the creation around us and then making it available for others to share in the same. Thanks for reading and thanks for stopping by. Jerry
2 Comments
Joyce
11/18/2016 11:56:57 am
Can't believe I actually read all you wrote. That's saying something for me. Don't usually get through what everyone writes. You just hit home on many points and it was quite interesting. You should write more! I'm a 64 year young rock nut. Mine started when I was quite young. We, my family, when I was young, always took summer trips to somewhere! But, everywhere we went, I picked up rocks. Us kids had an allowance on the trips and when my brother's money was gone, I always had some left because I just knew there was a better rock or stone (gem to me) further down the road that I would need to buy. I had and I think I still have that collection somewhere in my garage! I grew up always looking down and I'm sure you know what I mean! After school, marriage, kids, businesses, etc., I met a friend that got me back to my rocks by way of Native American artifacts. We lived in Crowder, Oklahoma and close to the foot hills of the Ozarks. She got me out one day and we ended up not coming back til wayyyy after dark. I went so far as to buy a four wheel drive suv so we could get where we needed to go or WANTED to go. She drove a Jaguar, so, you guessed it, we had to take my car. We searched mountains, lakes, streams and just anywhere that looked good! Over the years it's all that kept me really going at times. That is to say.....where am I going or what am I going to find. I have since then, so many years ago, amassed a quite large collection of "rocks" mostly flint, chert, fossils, anything that was awesome including some obsidian when a friend told me his grandmother passed and they just threw out all her rocks in the garden and back yard here in Okc! I was like a mole when he told me I could dig all I wanted and couldn't believe what they had thrown out!!!
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Authors: Jerry & Lisa GriffinRocks and minerals are at the core of what we do here at Real Earth Creations. We collect them, cut them, polish them, make jewelry with them, and wear them. They connect us to the earth and the universe and they connect us to you when you walk through the door of our shop. Archives
August 2018
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