Botswana Agate

I have been working on some new designs for a darling bride-to-be. She is so excited about the fact that I am able to make a special bracelet for her in orange to wear on the big occasion. Yes, orange. Since orange is not that common of a color in gemstones -- she was thrilled when she saw the Botswana agate design I had on my site.

The Flip Side of the Coin

Yesterday when I went to get a new passport photo (poop, I look like a convict in the pix -- the photog tells me the rules have changed and you can no longer smile for your passport pix) I was again reminded of the rich and diverse history in this little community. This house sits in the middle of a short block of four magnificent old beauties (and I am not talking about the owners of the homes). I stopped to chat with one owner who was taking care of biz on the front huge wraparound porch. While I didn't ask when the house was built, my guess would be early 1890s -- it is a splendid work of art and a beautiful example of a renovation that I am sure took tons of blood, sweat and tears. One day I'll get the nerve to ask her for a tour. I discovered that the photog heads up the historical group here in town. So once I apologize for my grim behavior upon seeing my passport photo, I'll see if he can arrange a tour for me of the houses on the block, including the house that is now his photo studio.

I have long been fascinated by the jewelry worn by women during the Victorian era -- well, women of "means" that is. It was so intricate and most likely the design depicted some hidden message -- specific flowers had specific messages, for example. So romantic. Remember these were the days long before it was okay to shout "I love you" to your

beau standing on the

other side of the street! I wonder if the women who settled out west and lived in houses such as this brought their jewelry with them when they made the long journey out. The historical society here has some info but sadly many things aren't documented so I have no idea. If they did have it, I want to think it would be a scaled-down version of the "Victorian-inspired" necklaces and bracelet in these pix.

A Real Boardroom Statement

I don't know what came over me today -- just thought I would go out on a limb and make a statement about some real boardroom jewelry. With all the hoopla these days about the boardroom (and you know which one I am talking about), I thought it would be fun to post a few real gemstone statement pieces from my TRL Jewelry Trunk Show Collection. The faceted carnelian gemstones on this necklace are big and bold and mixed with the "melting ice" look crystal quartz you are sure to get the attention of everyone in the place. Remember red is the ultimate power color!

Maybe you want to wow them in a more subtle fashion -- nothing says calm like the beautiful green color of natural aventurine. The gemstones are amazing placed with natural crystal quartz and big freshwater baroque pearls. The aventurine rondelles are hefty; but the design and color make the necklace look feminine -- in a powerful way. Let's hear it for women in the boardroom!

Click on the images to get a BIG look!