Hello there! Jimi Jaxon here, and I am just beaming with excitement. This rock, gem, mineral and crystal shop has been a major influence in my life lately, and as you’ll read I highly recommend anyone in the nearby Washington state area (Kirkland specifically) to come check it out. I doubt you’ll be disappointed..
DD Welcome Kim and Earthlight to Disco Droppings! I’ve been looking forward to this for the last few months..
KV It has been great meeting you and talking with you over the summer, whenever you come into our rock shop.
DD This place really feels like the hidden gem of the Eastside. Could you talk a bit about its origins?
KV My dad opened the shop back in 1988 (27 years ago), we are known for our unique variety of so many different types of stones, along with our great selection and fair pricing. My husband and I travel all over the USA rock hounding, and my dad traveled all over the USA and overseas. We have stones from all over the world. We hand select ever piece personally as my dad has done from the start.
DD I was talking with you the other day about your approach with patrons of various backgrounds and interests that come through the door. I appreciate your multi-faceted technique, as there are many ways to be be intrigued by these rocks, gems and minerals. Could you expand on that?
KV Our store has such a unique family feel to it, friendly and loving energy, that everyone feels at home here. We have every walk of life, every class of people and at many times, all in the store at the same time. It is a sanctuary, where many different people get along and talk rocks in the shop, that maybe never would have spoke to each other outside of the store. It is a beautiful thing to see and share with others.
DD I’ve had some memorable experiences at your shop. At the start of summer I went in and found this very special Moldavite. Once I had it in my hands the connection was made, and thanks to your layaway program I was able to start making payments on it. Every few weeks I would come in, hold the Moldavite and look around the spot. I don’t think I’ve ever walked into your place and not taken something home, and every time I’d pick a few out with the Moldavite in hand, I’d look up their properties/descriptions. Each time one of them would specifically say something like, “goes well with Moldavite”. It seems to have a mind and influence of its own, and was setting me up energetically to one day acquire it. Any experiences you can share that seemed magical in some way?
KV On a regular basis I have people coming in drawn to a certain stone or another, regardless if they have any knowledge of the stone. When we look up to see why they are picking that one up constantly, or why they are so strongly drawn to that stone, it many times turns out that it deals specifically with something they are working on in their personal lives or with health issues. I say the stones pick you – you don’t pick the stones.
DD There’s a book there called “Crystalline Communion 2000”. This is a favorite of mine, very well written with many distinct descriptions. I remember one example being the information on Tanzanite, and its connection with dolphins. Anything you’d like to say about this book?
KV My dad Jack Frasl and his second wife Collen Marquist wrote three paperback books before this, and then this fourth book compiled everything together into one book. It is a wonderful book, with a lot of insight into the stones as well as a very nice index of properties that lists the stones for each one instead of just page numbers to look up, making it extremely useful. Currently this is out of stock, and we are hoping to either update it or reprint the current edition in the future.
DD I’m itching to hear about your recent diggings. Where did you go, what did you find and how was the journey?
KV Our last rock hounding trip was over labor day weekend, we got the privilege to go digging at the Polka Dot mine in Oregon, (usually this is not open to the public), but the mine owner let a large group of us in for the weekend and we had so much fun. Of course we paid for what we kept, but it was well worth it. The mine has a new find of lovely Polka Dot blue ice – so much fun, we came out with 661 lbs of a variety of this material. We have been bringing in raw pieces, cut and polished pieces and more will be coming in as we have time to work it.
DD You’ve got two upcoming shows, one on 10/24-10/25 (Bellevue Rock Club’s Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show) and on 11/7 (9th annual, Healing Hearts Psychic Fair, Bremerton). What goes into these presentations for you, and what do you look forward to the most at these gatherings?
KV We do – I am so excited to share with everyone some of the new things that we have specifically saved aside for these shows, I love to see the reaction and excitement that people get when you bring out new material, or new pieces that no one has seen before. All the stones at these shows will be things we have not had in the shop yet, granted we might have similar items, but it is all fresh, new and if you want the first and best picks come early. These both will be wonderful shows to attend. The first one the Bellevue rock show is just that , a wonderful rock show. The second one the Healing Hearts Psychic Fair – will be a new show for us, but I hear it is a fabulous show, it is a metaphysical show and a percentage of the proceeds go to charity, they will have more info about there charity at the show.
DD Any last words? It’s such a pleasure to have you here!
KV It is a pleasure and I will see you soon in the shop, to seek out new treasures as we bring in new things almost daily. Have fun and remember, keep a smile in your heart and rocks in your pocket. Thanks again
Earthlight – Facebook
– Jimi Jaxon
dd 