Vance's lifelong fascination with fossils began in his youth, exploring South Carolina's beaches, canals, and drainage ditches. While other teenagers were enjoying summer days, Vance was captivated by the ancient history preserved in fossils – remnants of extinct sharks, whales, and other sea creatures that once inhabited vast oceans covering this region. Inspired by the natural beauty of these finds, he began creating jewelry using fossils, shells, and other natural materials. His unique pieces, often enhanced through lapidary techniques or electroforming (sometimes called "gold-plating"), have graced the pages of publications like Lucky magazine and Sports Illustrated. Beyond his artistry, McCollum is a dedicated student of paleontology, sharing his fossil discoveries with institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and various museums throughout South Carolina.