FINDING INSPIRATION

MY MOST FAVORITE THING TO DO IS TO DISCOVER NEW MATERIALS AND PIECE THEM TOGETHER. I RECENTLY FOUND SOME DELICATE CITRUS-COLORED DIAMOND BEADS. THEY ARE JUST LOVELY. I PLAN ON PAIRING THEM WITH A ROSE CUT 2 CARAT DIAMOND OF THE SAME HUE. I'M SO EXCITED! I THINK THEY WILL BE THE PERFECT PICK-ME-UP FOR THE UPCOMING COLD JANUARY CHICAGO WEATHER.

WHAT HAS BEEN HILARIOUS, HOWEVER, IS THE LESSON IN PATIENCE I'VE RECEIVED  WHILE STRINGING THEM. MICROSCOPIC HOLES IN THE CENTER OF EACH STONE HAS PROVED VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND. PERHAPS PART OF MY CHALLENGE IS ATTEMPTING TO WORK ON THEM AT NIGHT? I'VE HAD TO CRAWL AROUND MY ORIENTAL ORNATE RUG SEVERAL TIMES TO TRACK DOWN A ROUGUE DIAMOND. I AM SURE IT WILL BE WELL WORTH THE LABOR AND STRAINED EYESIGHT! 

Ruby Bracelets

The Ruby bracelets that are featured on my website, I created for a dear friend. She is not only stunningly beautiful and smart, she is the CEO of her family's company. I met her 7 years ago in postpartum yoga. We had an instant connection. 

Several years ago we were on vacation together with our daughters and she bought several interesting stones, 3 rubies and a sapphire.  They've sat in her jewelry box until this summer, when she asked me to create something unusual for her, giving me full artistic freedom.  

Yesterday she received her three ruby bracelets.  She loves them!

I thoroughly enjoyed making them. The two smaller stones looked stunning side by side on a simple, elegant cuff. When flipped upside down, the larger stone reflected the light in an unexpected way. I created a third simple cuff to compliment the other two when worn together.  Very versatile, they can be worn together or individually. 

I hope she gets as much pleasure wearing them, as I did creating them. 

Next up, her sapphire! Stay tuned! 

Devon...

Today I visited Devon Avenue in Chicago. I went with two lovely friends who share my enthusiasm for the exotic. We started at an international grocery store that specialized in Indian produce and groceries. I used to live in that neighborhood 20 years ago, and it was vastly different. When I was there it was very Eastern European and Jewish. How interesting to wander through the aisles and discover some exotic fruits, vegetables and spices. The spices were a steal- if you did not mind buying them in bulk. Do I really need 200 grams of Star Anise? Yes!  Afterwards, we enjoyed some inspiration at the Indian jewelry stores. Fabulous. Just fabulous.