Fanfare Please: Fluorite, Crystal Quartz & Pearls

I have fluorite on the brain! Maybe because I.m longing for the sea – oh, that sounds so dramatic doesn’t it? Well, I am always longing for the ocean even after all the years of not living by it…since I can’t be there right now, I take solace in designing with fluorite. If you haven’t seen this gemstone in person, boy, are you in for a treat. When I work with fluorite, I always think of the waters in the Caribbean – not the shallow parts you see from the shore and wiggle your toes in; but the aqua-green-blue colors you see when you are out sailing, diving or snorkeling and stare into the depths. One of the reasons I love working with beads is that they allow light to pass through the stone and in fluorite the result mimics the sunlight dancing off the sea.

“Sunshine, oh sunshine, wherefore art thou?”

I know, I know, I live in the Pacific Northwest so why am I always complaining about the lack of sunshine? I should be use to it by now, shouldn’t I? Well, let the record show I am not use to it; and, honestly, I don’t think I will ever get use to it. I’m a SoCal beach girl at heart – so sunshine and ocean breezes are my happy place!

Flourite & Aquamarine...Dive Right In

Okay, I was so inspired by the kyanite necklace (see my July 26th post) that I just had to work up a design with the fabulous flourite beads I got in Tucson. Since they are so big, I thought that they would be stunning in my signature five-strand necklace.

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.

Willamette Woman -- Peek in a Purse

Well, yes it's true, looking inside a woman's bag can be a scary thing. And, so it goes with mine. When I was asked to do the "Peek in a Purse" feature for the September-October issue of Willamette Woman (part of the Statesman Journal in Salem) I thought it would be fun. Well, it certainly was -- but, now the world knows I am somewhat of a kook!