Not Only For A Day

Through the years, I've had the honor and pleasure of designing many a bridal jewelry ensemble. I truly enjoy custom work. The look on a client's face when she sees the finished piece is priceless. There's no way to describe being a part of a woman's happiness on the day she's looked forward to and anticipated for much of her life - the day when she'll be queen, if only for that day. Thinking back on my own bridal jewelry reminds me of the old adage "the cobbler's children have no shoes". It refers to the fact that a cobbler is so busy making shoes for other people that she has no time to focus on the footwear needs of her own children! This was me in 1998. But not now. I've learned in my thirty-something years to live in the moment. Don't get me wrong - I'm still working on it. Everyday. The difference now is that I'm able to step back and enjoy the process of life. My life. And although I welcome the occasional commissioned piece, I'll continue to build the foundation and focus of this business on being a part of a woman's happiness not only for a day, but everyday.

We stand among friends, my groom and me.

Purse-onality

I'm all for giving credit where credit's due, so I'll be the first to say that the idea for this week's blog came from Marie Claire's September issue. Christiane Amanpour I am not, but regardless - there's something intriguing (to me anyway) about the contents of a woman's bag. Purse-onality perhaps? In Handbags, Anna Johnson writes "marked with life, stuffed to the gills, saved for, bruised, and cherished like a child, a good bag becomes an intimate extension of the body."

I made this bag for our trip to Scotland in 2007 with comfort and a spirit of adventure in mind. It served the purpose well, and I recently dug it out as a reminder. When I carry it, it truly does become an "extension" as it fits perfectly and comfortably.

Where would I be without my Marble memo? I use it to job down jewelry ideas as they come, words I like, picture arrangements, web addresses and anything else I want to remember. While we're on the subject of writing, these are my two favorite pens, ever. One is from our W Hotel room (you're supposed to take those along with the little shampoos, right?) and the other is Le Pen and I paid a lot more for it than what you can get them for here! Alright, on to my glasses...an appendage I recently had to succomb to, but only to see far away. My husband especially likes them for some reason. And at least now I have something to put in my mesh glasses case that I couldn't pass up at TJ Maxx a few years ago. Which leads me to another TJ Maxx find, my Tignanello wallet. I love the blush color, and I keep it clean and lovely with Franklin Covey leather conditioner. TJ Maxx is right down the way from Cosmetics Market, where the gal told me this Therapy Systems gloss is very complementary on me. Hhmmm...I don't know, the verdict is still out on this one. It may or may not be staying in my "extension".

I'll leave you with this piece by David Roby:

I Have a Handle on the Situation

I have a handle on the situation.

I have a handle on my space and contents.

My vacant hollow.

Or the items of which I house a dozen odds and ends.

I always know what I possess or what may be un-there or missing.

To study my physiognomy, one might think not much or lacking.

But closer on inspection, I am near divine and worthy of great travels.

A true companion of love and comfort, recognition, the familiar.

I have been held in such a clutch and such a love storm

by my mistress and her values.

She takes me aboard a thousand footsteps, always holding on and never once ignoring.

Mostly I am there to steady, to balance her or witness.

She sometimes shuffles through my soul in search of needy things,

like painted sticks and looking glasses of which I keep most dear.

She searches inward and there she looks inside my sacred space.

Full of painted stick and looking glasses,

I am my lady's handbag.

Re: inventing, interpreting, inspiring

It's a busy time in the studio. Aside from our calendar growing everyday with new opportunities to share our jewelry pieces with you, Fall 2010 production is underway. Many sources play a part in the design process, but I thought it'd be fun to share this one in particular with you. For the designer, Pantone offers a wealth of information and inspiration. The world-renowned authority on color, they provide seasonal direction and trend forecasting tools well in advance of the season at hand. You can see Pantone's complete Fall 2010 color palette here. And as for a few of our favorite interpretations...

Although Spring is traditionally thought of as the season of rebirth and renewal, in Fashion, the season of refreshment is Fall. Here's to re-inventing your signature look for Fall 2010.

Lovely Things

Some of my fondest childhood memories are those of my Mom's accessories. Her gold stretch cuff bracelet was a way of bribing and, at the same time, mesmerizing me into being still on her lap during many a Sunday Service. Her simple but lovely gold wedding band also stole my attention, and she never took it off. I later learned why it wasn't accompanied by an engagement ring: the diamond went missing during her stay in the hospital while having me. Scarves were my next item of intrigue, mostly because the little drawer that contained them was the perfect height for me to get my hands into, but also because I couldn't take my eyes off the rich colors and metallic threads. My older brother apparently felt the same way. Rumor has it that he wore one of these the first time he met his then to be wife of now more than 30 years. As I grew, I discovered a jewelry box high on top of her bureau. My Dad bought this for her while stationed in Okinawa during the Korean war. It is black lacquer with intricate designs inlaid with mother of pearl. Lined in red luxury, the little tasseled drawer inside was the perfect size to imagine storing something wonderful. I don't recall that she ever kept anything in it, but It was prominently displayed to be enjoyed. The leopard print fur collar that I "borrowed" for a high school dance and wore under a black Norma Kamali Edwardian blouse circa 1985 still hangs in my closet. As does this 1960s vintage handbag, reminding me of my style heritage and whispering, "Inspire, Be Inspired, Create".

My mother was and still is a Daddy's girl at heart. She is just as comfortable rewiring the house and going fishing as she is combing tables of hidden treasures with me at bead shows. This is one thing I love about her, and another is that she gave me an affinity toward all things lovely... and many things eclectic.

Isn't she lovely? My mother, Maxine Eller.

Had this picture been in color,

you would see that the jacket is pink.