I've "made them my own" now, partly through use and partly through alteration (there was a Perth missing and two Horses in my set so i binned a horse (the one which didn't feel warm in my hand) and drew a Perth onto the blank stone (which i read up on and decided i didn't want since it was invented by Ralph Blum and there is already an Odin's stone, just a personal tweak to something i prefer).

I would probably like to make my own from pebbles but it would take a trip especially to a pebble beach to find enough and i don't have time right now.

I guess i would never use a seperate set for "serious" things as i'm a big believer in the unified Self (i.e. that it's the same me that the higher forces feel, and those around me encounter, whether i am laughing or praying).

So far i have had good success doing readings for people, and even greater doing them with people (like when they are there to draw themselves). My next thing will be to make my own bag as the one my gran used is a little small for proper swirling, and find a sky to lay them on as at the moment i just use whatever is to hand or something relevant to the person i'm reading for.

Thanks for all the posts, it's good to know i have company. As far as the "help" i was looking for goes i guess whatever wisdom i need i already had, i just needed to realise it.

Bx