While I want to be Susie Sunshine most of the time, there are times in my life, as I am sure there are in yours, that are a bit more challenging for me. For the last several years, I have been struggling with shoulder issues -- too many sports-related injuries as a kid, too much computer time, Blackberry and...heavy sigh...jewelry making. Yes, jewelry making. You'd never think that it could be physically difficult but believe me...the way I do it, it can be. I was so lucky to be in the hands of a wise Chinese medicine doctor in New York City who worked his magic with acupuncture and ancient "hot ginger treatments" when I would get into a flare state. Sadly, try as I might, I have not had the good fortune to find someone here who can do the same and believe me I have looked. I thought I may have met his match several weeks ago; only to be told yesterday that he was not able to treat me any longer since we were not making as much progress as he would like to see with acupuncture and physical therapy and that it was probably best to see my "doctor" for tests. Well, clearly, I was not ready to hear those words and, yes, in his office and then out in the car, I had a complete meltdown. It doesn't matter your age -- we are all entitled to meltdowns, to just let it all out no matter the place or time and just give in to ugly-face crying. That is what I did. My little Beatrix sat in her carseat offering compassion and love as only a four-legged furry friend can do -- and I love her for that, more than words can say. Well, I finally drove home and rinsed my face with cool water hoping the puffiness would subside before I ran the rest of my errands. Heck, I could have saved myself some time by just hanging my head out the window on the ride home, letting the cold rain that was falling depuff me. But, clearly, I wasn't thinking straight!
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 
e floor at JCK in Las Vegas), I thought it might be fun to see what I could create that fits the trend; but won't be outdated when winter 2009 rolls around. I am a big believer in having the basics and then playing with them to see what I can concoct that makes it uniquely my own. With my jewelry designs, that is what I want for all of you. I think it is much more fun to have a style that is all you own -- not something that 30,000 other people have. Unless, of course, you are in junior high school -- then you want to look like everyone else, thank goodness we outgrow that.
(although I hate thinking of my pieces as basic), and by adding different types of ribbons (I used organza and grosgrain) you can tie away to your heart's delight. Above, the green aventurine tied with the blue sodalite is soft yet bold. Then the combo of the clear crystal quartz tied to the black crystal quartz takes both of these necklaces to a different place. And, layered up with a bold black chain -- well, forgive me for saying it but "it just rocks in that downtown kind of way!" 
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!
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!
Whenever I see rhodocrosite it just makes me happy. There is something about the peachy-pink color of the stone that gets to me. And, you know me...I am in no way pinky-girly-girl. But I do love this stone. What's even stranger is that I love the gemstones that have some opacity to them -- stones that if you look at closely you can see the more transparent veins running through them; but they are by no means totally clear. You won't find rhodocrosite used much in jewelry -- one because it is hard to find; and two is that, when you do find it, most times it is over-the-top expensive. However, I have seen pieces designed by Jay King (Mine Fines) and Carolyn Pollack (Sincerely Southwest) that incorporated small nuggets and cabs which are beautiful. So when I found these big bold heishe-type stones in Tucson, I went bonkers and bought all they had! Here are the first pieces out of the studio -- they have my definitive look - opaque stones mixed with highly faceted glass beads of varying shapes. There are bracelets too at my Web site so pop on over there and check them out. If you click on the image here you'll get a good close up view of the stones -- sigh.
Yes, that is a big ol' hunk of crystal outside one of the venues at the Tuscon Gem Fair. Quartz, I believe. While I didn't bring this particular specimen home with me, I did bring home some outstanding quartz stones in some unusual shapes. Not to veer too far off the track, but why does the word "specimen" always make me think of urine and medical labs? Anyhow, back to the matter at hand. The necklace here just came off the work table and is really lovely in it's simplicity. A bit of the contemporary "downtown" flair -- and when the light hits the varying fac
ets on the crystal quartz stones it's blinding. 
