Inspiration: Sunshine (Kind of), Clouds & Shades of Gray

I was once asked where I find inspiration for my jewelry designs. My response was quick and rather concise -- “By keeping my eyes open!” It really is that simple. Not quite sure if it is the rockhound in me or just my strange way of thinking; but it seems that when I look at every day things, like the sky, I see gemstone combos. Curious to see how others think, I threw out a little test several months ago on Instagram. I posted a pix of a gorgeous blue sky with big white fluffy clouds with a caption that read “I see chalcedony and pearls. What do you see?” Most responses went something along the lines of “I see a pretty blue sky and white fluffy clouds.” Which, I guess, just goes to show that my brain works in unusual ways – I almost said weird ways; but now that would be not so nice, right?

It's A Glam Thing -- a big THANK YOU!

What a fabulous surprise. Lisa, from itsaglamthing.com, highlighted the All Things Pink! section from my site in her Lisa's Latest Fave Finds section on her web site! So exciting and completely unexpected. Not only did she include a pix of the fabulous pink lampwork heart rope style bracelet shown here, she also mentioned Susan G. 

Komen and Kate's Kids 4 the Cure, the two non-profits who receive donations from every sale of a design from the All Things Pink! section.

Thank You weezies.com!

Happy day for me here -- weezies.com included a review of three of my favorite bracelets on their site today. As I write the word favorite -- I had to laugh at myself as I think every piece I make is "my fav!"

Dundee, Cow Poop and Magnificient Mother-of-Pearl

Friday I had the fun of heading out to Dundee to meet up with my friend and hairdresser, Amy. It's about 20 miles, as the crow flies, and a lovely ride through hills and dales of farm land, hazelnut orchards, hops fields and lots of dairy cow and sheep pastures. I must admit, when they "blow" the cow poop from the dairy barns into the fields, it gets pretty stinky.

R.J. Graziano Cozies Up

Yes, it's true, I do shop at both HSN and QVC (gasp!); mostly for items for the house, oh and okay, an occasional piece of jewelry. (Occasional...interesting word choice...thank goodness there is no lightening today.) While, of late, both venues have been offering a lot of "disposable jewelry;" however, if you're astute and really keep your eyes and ears open you can find some interesting and well-made items interspersed throughout.

Era of Disposable Jewelry?

I was "shopping" with my niece last night and we were both amazed at the quantity of what we call "disposable" jewelry flooding the market these days. From what we saw, it seems that if you can make it and sell it for less than $5.00 wholesale, it'll be on the racks at stores and on shopping channels across the country and around the world for $19.95. Now, you all know that I like fun jewelry -- and I frequently bought from street vendors while I lived in NYC.

Kyanite -- Wowser, Wowser & Wowser

Yes, wowser -- if you've seen kyanite, then you understand my choice of words. I know, not a very dignified word for such a dignified gemstone; but it is what pops to mind when I see kyanite of this quality. High on my list of favs -- there is something rather mystical about this gemstone.

Sea Breezes and Sunshine

Sometimes I long for the beach. Well, more than sometimes, maybe more like all the time. I think that when you grow up with the beach playing a major role in your life, it becomes a part of who you are so it never quite leaves your soul. Today I am longing for all that is the beach -- salty breezes, pelicans and seagulls, the sound of the waves on the cool wet sand, foghorns and channel bells, the clanking of lines against masts of sailboats, cute boys from other places, Catalina Island off in the distance -- and just the ease of it all.

Sparkle and Shine

As you know, I love to shake things up by designing jewelry that combines the unexpected. That thinking carries through when I style my look by layering pieces from my collection that play off each other.

Sunset Beach c. 1967

Some exciting events have taken place over the last few weeks with me and I am longing to share my good fortune with a few very special people who have always been so loving and supportive of me but, sadly, are no longer living on this planet; at least not that I am aware of. It's also coming on May -- the used-to-be month of the annual Sunset Beach Art Festival. The very same Sunset Beach Art Festival at which I sold my very first piece of jewelry...that was 1967.

Miriam Haskell - Her Spirit Lives On

While I was mucking out my garage today. Yes, I said mucking...the term used for cleaning out a horse stall. Okay, okay -- I don't have horses; but the term always seems to be the perfect descriptor of what happens when I clean out the garage. Anyhow, I came upon a yet unopened moving box -- yes, I did move several years ago. Don't ask, please.

Longing for Chocolate

Yes, the deep dark delicious bittersweet variety that comes in those tiny decadent squares. But, sadly, I have none in the studio. Drat.

Sunshine, Vineyards and Weddings

You know it's not easy finding a really good person to cut and color your hair. Well, at least for me it's not easy. I was so spoiled in NYC, having been lucky enough to stumble upon James Post and Mark Garrison, two fabulous hair wizards (and amazing spirits) who also became friends over the years. After hunting and pecking around Portland for a few months, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I finally listened to my spit-fire niece (yes, I said spit-fire) and headed over to Dundee to see Amy.

A Stroll Through Bergdorf

Yes, today I took a "stroll" through the jewelry department of Bergdorf's. Oh what a treat. I do really miss doing that on my walk home from the office during my time living in NYC.

Blue Skies and Gemstones

I can't help but be influenced by the beautiful blue skies we are having up in this part of the country. Blue gemstones are a bit hard to come by these days -- but I had some good luck in Tucson this year.