2010 escapades.. what will 2011 bring?

2011 what will it bring? Hmm, it's impossible to know. Here's a little re-cap of 2010!


2010 started off in India, celebrating New Year's Eve in the ancient and amazing city of Varanasi on the Ganges River. The photo is of us getting a ride down the sacred river.


2010 was also the year of the elis. The beautiful pendant/amulet to help reduce fear in our lives. I made several of them with my jewelry teachers in India and they continue to be the popular piece of jewelry for 2010. So, in honor of my upcoming trip to India, they are on sale until Jan. 10 in my etsy shop here


April and May took us to Turkey, where we traveled from south to north. And I met and learned from two incredible goldsmiths in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul. From my experience with them, came the Byzantine Collection some of which is available in my online store here as well as atticus' online store here, KOBO in Seattle and soon (in the spring) on the Windstar Cruise from Athens to Istanbul!



The summer I journeyed back to my homeland.. Wisconsin.. for a beautiful and fun visit with my family and a trunk show at Ancient Healing in Sauk City!



Later that summer we flew to Spain and took the train to S. France where we spent the month helping to shoot a movie. A new endeavor for both of us, but super fun and exciting none-the-less.



October I flew to the Middle east to spend 3 weeks with my Dad in Israel and Palestine. Here we had many wonderful experiences, but it also became the place that inspired me for the new collection of jewelry I hope to make in India this year. In jerusalem, I found ancient coins.. soon to made into jewels...



Then, in November, we flew to Puerto Rico to shoot more of the movie.. A great place to be over Thanksgiving.



We ended the year in the beautiful Methow Valley, Washington, cross country skiing our hearts out with our friends. the photo is of our icy hair after a long and beautiful ski.

I think it's going to be hard to top 2010, but we will try!

energy tug!!

Whew!! I feel like a whirlwind... So many things have happened in the last two weeks. It's hard to get motivated today.... I've been wondering how to get it all done. How will all the projects, ideas and inspiration culminate into solid objects? How will I write my blog, write my newsletter, update my etsy store? How will I remodel my kitchen? How did I take care of 7 house guests in two weeks? Why did I start a new workout program? How will I make and deliver new jewelry? How will I get it all done? How will I have enough product to sell at my upcoming shows? How will I grieve the death of my aunty? Oh, I am feeling overwhelmed today. I know this is impermanent, this feeling of exhaustion, this feeling of it's too much. I know it will pass, but now I am feeling it and am struggling. to. move. forward.....

I did manage to post a few new items to my etsy store... very cool and wildly popular from the new Byzantine Collection.. Now you can buy some of the pieces on line. Check it out here

new jewels... new locations

Another week slipped by... This week has been all about studio time for me, making and delivering new jewels. It's been nice sitting and creating. I feel like I haven't had nearly enough time lately to make new jewelry or I haven't been inspired to make new designs, but a little travel can always spark a new idea or creative streak.

So, here is another peek at more of what is to come from the Byzantine collection. You can find a nice selection of this jewelry at two new locations in Seattle. Les Amis, in Fremont and Colaizzo Opticals on the top of Queen Anne.. As well as by appointment in my studio. just email me or give me a call (info in the right side bar).

prices range from $70-$100

Byzantine Collection. Sneak a peek!

Somehow, this week is already to hump-day... How did that happen? I feel blessed to have a day free of meetings, appointments and schedules. Today is a make jewelry day. Yay! So many new and wonderful ideas brewing in my head. It will be fun to sit down and see if they work in the jewelry form.

The Byzantine Collection is coming along. Tell me what you think...Les Amis in Seattle will be the first store carrying this collection and I am really really excited about it. Available early next week.


necklaces with the handmade, gold plated pendants. Each necklace is handmade by myself and the (symbolic) pendants handmade by my friends the goldsmiths in The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul..


oxidized silver chain with beautiful and rare Byzantine symbol pendants.


and, of course, the cute earrings to match. gold plate, with oxidized silver.


As I sit and create today, I will be thinking about the inspiration Turkey gave me. I still can't get over how unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised I was by pretty much everything we saw. The beauty of that nation will stay with me for a long time. And I'm already trying to figure out how to get back as soon as possible!