Four Corners Focus
August 2022 Four Corners Focus contribution by Chayse Romero
A love story between the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club and me, Chayse....
My name is Chayse and I am a creative entrepreneur and metalsmith based in Durango, Colorado that runs a small business called Frontera Silver. I became smitten with smithing very unexpectedly in my early 20's while traveling through Mexico. It was like love at first sight! After returning back to Durango and Fort Lewis College, I found the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club which allowed me the opportunity to continue practicing a craft that enamored me. Silversmithing is a trade that involves precious metals, which are expensive, and specialty tools, which are pricey and require space to store. I had neither, but the Gem and Mineral Club had the tools and communal knowledge.
If it weren't for the Gem and Mineral Club I wouldn't be where I am today. Their communal silversmithing and lapidary studio allowed me the space to kickstart my business. Their annual Gem & Mineral Show allowed me to sell "officially" for the first time, which was back in 2016. Six years later, I have my own storefront that is thriving in the historic district of Downtown Durango. Huge thank you to the Gem Club for allowing me the opportunity to follow my passion in the early years! The cherry on top is that my now husband has started a lapidary business after falling in love with it at Gem Club class! So we are able to create wearable works of art together. I am forever grateful!
My name is Chayse and I am a creative entrepreneur and metalsmith based in Durango, Colorado that runs a small business called Frontera Silver. I became smitten with smithing very unexpectedly in my early 20's while traveling through Mexico. It was like love at first sight! After returning back to Durango and Fort Lewis College, I found the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club which allowed me the opportunity to continue practicing a craft that enamored me. Silversmithing is a trade that involves precious metals, which are expensive, and specialty tools, which are pricey and require space to store. I had neither, but the Gem and Mineral Club had the tools and communal knowledge.
If it weren't for the Gem and Mineral Club I wouldn't be where I am today. Their communal silversmithing and lapidary studio allowed me the space to kickstart my business. Their annual Gem & Mineral Show allowed me to sell "officially" for the first time, which was back in 2016. Six years later, I have my own storefront that is thriving in the historic district of Downtown Durango. Huge thank you to the Gem Club for allowing me the opportunity to follow my passion in the early years! The cherry on top is that my now husband has started a lapidary business after falling in love with it at Gem Club class! So we are able to create wearable works of art together. I am forever grateful!
