Are You Ready for the Big Day?

 

While I am ecstatic that Big Blue is in the Super Bowl on Sunday and I am already anticipating all the nachos I’m planning on eating, and Hello? Madonna at halftime? Awesome! (I hope) … And I am especially looking forward to the Lingerie Bowl. If you haven’t seen this, WATCH! I kid you not – the women in the Lingerie Football League are serious athletes who just happen to play serious football in their lingerie. Once you get past their minimalist uniforms you will see how strong and talented these women are.

But I have totally digressed!  Super Bowl Sunday and Big Blue are not the Big Day I’m referring to at all. I’m talking about Big Red! The day of hearts and expressions of love! Yes, Valentine’s Day. I know a lot of you out there are thinking “Huh, what a load of crap. That made-up holiday created to sell cards”. But wait – what other day of the year are we asked to simply celebrate not just the people we love, but the entire, general experience of love itself?

This very simple shape has come to represent that powerful, almost impossible to describe something called love. And February 14th has come to be the day we set aside to celebrate it in all its shapes, sizes and varieties. Admit it – you love it and are going to rush out to get doilies, ribbons, red craft paper and do it up big time! OK, maybe not, but how about a little candy heart for someone special, or other little token to show affection? And of course, if you’re really in the mood, a special gift is always fun to give.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

And who doesn't love dragons? They're celebrated in cultures all over the world and range from super cute to vile and evil. What a fabulous creature to provide us with endless fodder for the imagination.

I'm definitely envious of people born in the year of the dragon; it is so much more awesome than a pig, rat, goat, or rooster. In terms of accessories, what could be better than a dragon motif?! If you're lucky enough for this to be your sign, here is your personality description - oh, and the recommended rubies?I think we all benefit by partaking in those!

The charismatic, enthusiastic and self-confident personalities of Dragons help them excel at creating a good first impression. Dragons have good judgment and tend to take a keen interest in the world around them, often stepping in at the right moment to help those in need. Both decisive and dignified, Dragons take a wholehearted approach to life and they see themselves as protectors. Dragons admire jewelry designs with beneficial properties that incorporate gemstones such as amethyst for wisdom, noble rubies, black jet for peace and abundance, turquoise for good communication and chrysoprase to banish greed and carelessness.

Carved Beads, Diamond Balls, and a Deer

Would you like to swing on a star diamond ball
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule deer?

 Ingredients: leather, coral, diamond and sterling balls, 18K gold beads, boy, dog and deer

Color Trending

I’ve been gathering stuff together that is grabbing my attention both in color and form. I brought home bags and bags of shells and stones from Costa Rica, not that I want to use them as jewelry elements, per se, but I became obsessed with their hues, tones and shapes. Now, I’m not a trend forecaster or anything, but the colors I’ve been consumed with are remarkably in line with Pantone’s pallets for 2012. Huh. Is it something in the water, or perhaps the collective unconscious, that causes us as a culture to be drawn to certain themes simultaneously? Zeitgeist, real or imagined? What do you think?

Back to the Future

I’m back in the city. At least my body is. My mind is in the process of catching up. So I’m in the state of what I call half-back. Kind of like in this photo I made:

So long vacation! I hope to visit gain soon!!

And while I miss the total relaxation of the beach, there’s something about dashing around the city in the cold that is really invigorating. Bring on the SNOW!

I wanted to show you all some of the new things that are in work, but unfortunately I wasn’t the only one slacking off… my stone dealer, a jeweler, and my caster all put me on the back burner while I was away and didn’t finish what they said they would. UGH – while the cat’s away… or out of sight, out of mind… it’s annoying (even though I do adore all of them)!

How is your 2012 going so far? Did you take a break? Are you back, going full speed ahead?

Nosara

Ahhhhhhh, another post from paradise. Nosara, Costa Rica is just lovely, amazing, an excellent blend of rustic with the option for luxurious. Great food, happy people, stunning beaches, lots of yoga… yep, I am very chill and muy contenta. Don’t hate me. You can come here too. For us city creatives, sometimes getting far away into total relaxation is the best way to get INSPIRED and charge those brain juices into action. Really, I have so many new ideas that, while I don’t want vacation to end, I’m eager to put them into form.

I love how people greet each other here – Pura Vida _ which translates to pure life.

Pura Vida!

Vacationing

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year! So far 2012 is fantastic. It helps that I’m in Costa Rica visiting a dear friend who is living the dream here and starting her own swim/surf wear company.

More pictures to come!