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Scholarship  given to Larry Tolva

The moonlight Beach Gallery ga a scholarship to jewelry designer artist Lawrence Tolva, age
34 of San Diego,  He is taking instruction at the San Diego Gem and Mineral Society school
located in Balboa Park.  He will start in January working in the lapidary classroom. This is a
prerequisite for all other classes. He will continue with any number of the other classes offered
which are :  silversmith class, rock carving, faceting, casting, and enamel classes.

Lawrence was born and raised in Alaska and came to the lower 48 in 1977. He has traveled around
homeless and hitchicking, with no set goals in mind.  Landing in San Diego three years ago, homeless
and having a hard time finding a job.  He became clean and sober and evaluated his aptitude and skill.

He made Jewelry with his mom at age 14, and people told him he should sell what he made. With this
in mind he decided to go back to making jewelry.  He played music on the street to get investment money.
for tools and beads.  He got a sellers permit, and he continued to play music, this time to attract people
to his display of  beads. He sold and played at the same time.  He found a spot
to sell his beads,  infront of store, with the owners permission,  on 5th & G. The next logical step was to
look for jewelry instruction and he found the San Diego Gem and Mineral Society where he could
learn more about wire wrapping cabachons.  A much less expensive way to get products for his designs.
In a very short time one can learn to make nice peices, were the incouraging words Bonnie Z. a member
of the SDMG, told Tolva.
Bonnie inspired him with her jewelry shop and talent.  She encouraged  him to take the class. He
did not have enough money to take the classes.  Bonnie submitted to us his name and story, and a scholarship was
applied for and given.