Pat Sharkey, former Floyd County Tourism Director, is refocusing on her love of rocks and gems! After retiring from Floyd tourism in Fall of 2021, she didn’t imagine a return to her past would be her next step forward. However, right before holidays, a small retail space became available in The Station downtown Floyd. When she stepped into the space, she just knew it was right. She signed the lease immediately and Earth Dance was reborn.
Pat had originally created Earth Dance in the mid 1980’s and managed the business full or part-time for decades prior to formal tourism work. “After retiring from tourism, I was looking for just a temporary pop-up holiday market space – thinking I could do such for the holidays and then figure out my next employment step. I had not thought I could get back full-time into gems and jewelry because prior with Earth Dance I had done shows – and lots of them. At this stage of my life, shows with continual travel and constant booth set up and tear down is not a great fit.”
A small and simple retail location right in her hometown, however, was perfect!
Pat began making jewelry and selling/trading rocks and gems in the mid-1980s. Her formal education was more in political and community work not art and craft, but when she moved to rural Floyd in the ‘80s, she wanted, and somewhat needed, her own independent cottage industry.
She started in jewelry with gem wire wrapping and bead work and then later incorporated silversmithing. For decades, she traveled to craft shows and gem and mineral shows sharing her jewelry and trading in gem and mineral specimens. Trading in the gem industry for so long, gave her knowledge of rocks and minerals which she brings to her new retail shop.
She has been employed by, and studied under, other jewelers. She was also a member of the Roanoke Valley Mineral and Gem Society and has since rejoined that group. She served as Standards Chair for the Virginia Mountain Crafts Guild and helped start and manage Winterfest holiday craft show almost twenty-seven years ago at The Floyd Art Center. Pat serves on the board of the Floyd Art Center and on the board of ‘Round the Mountain (RTM) SWVA Artisan Trail Network. Finally, Pat worked as Artisan Trail Development Coordinator for RTM in twelve counties across Southwest Virginia.
Her shop features her own hand-crafted gem jewelry, gem and mineral specimens for both kids and serious collectors, and select gem jewelry and art that she acquires from around the world.
Pat is also gathering local and regional rocks and information to display, “So we can all see and learn about what is right under our own feet.” Local folks are welcome to bring in their finds to share.
Earth Dance is set up to be accessible to all rock lovers, featuring fun and educational experiences for both kids and serious collectors.
“It’s all about the rocks!”, smiles Pat. “I was just always a rock lover even as a kid. I love the earth and I’m still continually amazed by the diversity and beauty of the earth crust we walk upon. It’s wonderful that both jewelry lovers and geologists enjoy the shop.”
Earth Dance includes a variety of minerals and gem jewelry, as well as meteorites, fossils, faceted gem jewelry, and raw natural rocks and gems, also set in jewelry. In addition to jewelry and specimens, Pat carries rock and gem carvings, candles, chimes, brandy glasses, and gem plates; continually adding new rock items all the time!
She admits that she has never been one to gravitate toward the formal end of jewelry, featuring gold and diamonds. “While I do love the sparkle of faceted colored gems, as opposed to clear diamonds, and have them available at the shop, I love rocks in the raw form and sharing both raw and colored faceted gems is a theme at the shop.”
For Pat, jewelry, especially hand-crafted, is more than a commodity. It often reflects personal stories and relationships, becoming part of family history and culture. Humans have made body adornment and art of earthly objects since the beginning of time.
Located at 203 South Locust Street, Suite L, Earth Dance can be found in The Station, across from the Floyd Country Store in downtown Floyd, right behind Monkey Business. Check the Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on store hours, usually Thursday through Sunday. Additional hours are sometimes possible, especially during holidays.

Earth Dance Jewelry and Gems • Pat Sharkey
540-230-7955 • EarthDanceJewelryGems@gmail.com
www.EarthDanceJewelryAndGems.com