Gem and mineral show to feature young jewelry maker

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. 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.

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.