07.08.19 Another Chapter

We just returned home from a great vacation.  We spent a week in Napa with my mother-in-law, her grandchildren (our adult children) and their partners. It was wonderful to spend time together and appreciate all the good things that have come out of the last 25 years. 

Some years have been better than others.






2003 was a pretty awful year.

That January, we traveled as a family back to Northern Virginia, where I grew up, to unveil my mother's headstone and the end the "official" period of mourning her death.  I put official in quotes, because it took me much, much longer than that to return to some semblance of normal, and not a day goes by that I don't still miss her.

That April, I turned 40 - and despite the big deal people make about it - I wasn't bothered at all.

My husband - with the help of a few of my fabulous girlfriends arranged a wonderful party - I celebrated, I made resolutions about getting more exercise and vowed to come out of my grief induced shell.

One week later I was in a horrible automobile wreck.  Most of the rest of 2003 was spent in pain, and in and out of the offices of doctors, lawyers and physical therapists.


In December of that difficult year, we had our 10th wedding anniversary - and my husband bought me a ring to mark the occasion. A beautiful anniversary band with ten diamonds, ten points each.  He did it with the help of the wonderful staff at Russell Korman. The ring came from Lieberfarb - a family owned jewelry company that specializes in wedding and anniversary bands.

I almost never take these rings off - except to make meatloaf, matzo balls or challah - and I always get compliments on the diamond band.  But, beyond its sparkle, it is a constant reminder of the strength of our marriage, and how fortunate I am to have such a supportive, generous man as my partner in life.

Fast forward 15 years. You might also remember that a couple of years ago, I joined the Women's Jewelry Association. Recently, they set up an online community called WJA Connect, and asked members to introduce themselves.

One of the members is a woman named Ann Arnold, she introduced herself as having grown up in her family's jewelry business - Lieberfarb.  I sent her a note about my ring, and she replied:

Photo credit: Together, Ann Arnold

Thank you so much for sharing! I am sending your message to my dad, it will make his day! Glad you are still enjoying the ring, it warms my heart. 

All my best
Ann

As we continued our email conversation, I learned that her father is a Holocaust survivor and that with him she has written a beautiful and powerful book - TOGETHER - A Journey for Survival.

Photo credit: Together, Ann Arnold

Ann and her father now travel and tell his story.  They are doing important work ensuring that that stories of those who survived - and those who did not - are never forgotten, and that we must all stand up to intolerance and injustice whenever and wherever we see it.

I'm now following Ann and her father on Facebook and Instagram - and you should, too.

I do believe that every piece of jewelry tells a story, and now there is another chapter in the story of my ring - of a family, and a man who endured far more than I did - but still believes in hope, perseverance, and the need for all of us to stand together.

Until next time.

12.10.18 Shop Local 2018

Thank you to the amazing folks at Creative Side who made the holiday market happen last weekend, and everyone who came out and shopped! I loved seeing the work of all my fellow member - makers  and talking to so many wonderful people.

Photo credit: Blue Genie Art

If you didn't make it to the event - fear not - my Etsy shop is still open - with free upgraded shipping through December 18!

Now, it's time  for my annual shout out to two of my favorite long running local holiday art fairs! Both the Blue Genie Art Bazaar and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar are open through December 24.

Blue Genie is now in their second year at at 6100 Airport Boulevard - and conveniently located next to the fabulous Brewtorium brewpub.

What started as some creative people deciding to have a little holiday fun has become one of my favorite must shop Austin holiday traditions



According to the history on their website - "The first Blue Genie Art Bazaar was held in 2001 at the Blue Genie Art Industries (BGA) shop, where we mostly sold items made by Blue Genie employees. Without putting much thought into it, we built a few walls, hung up some clip lights, and swept the floor — and then we opened the doors. It was quickly apparent that we had something exciting on our hands. Now, the bazaar features the handmade, unique work of over 130 artists, whom we select from a talented pool of more than 300 applicants. We have spent over a decade refining the bazaar, and we’re quite proud of what it has grown into."


I ALWAYS find something at Blue Genie, and almost always, in addition to gifts for other folks, I usually also end up with something for me...like these great earrings from Metalsgirl (I'd been coveting a pair in this style for a quite some time).

Photo credit: Armadillo Bazaar

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the oldest and longest running of the fairs.  If you REALLY want to make a day of it - get tickets to Ballet Austin's Nutcracker (which runs through December 23, right next door at the Long Center for the Performing Arts), then stroll over to the Palmer Events Center for a different kind of Texas culture.

With artists from all over the country, it's not just a great place to shop for gifts - but a wonderful way to entertaining out of town friends and family wandering from booth to booth while hearing great Texas music.

In case you can't one or more of these events - or aren't fortunate enough to get to Austin at all - here are links to a few of the Austin-based women I've shopped with over the years:




adaptive reUse - Christine Terrell uses vintage tins to make one of a kind earrings, necklaces, belt buckles and cufflinks.

Amanda Deer - dainty, delicate jewelry for everyday including lots of items that can be personalized.

Dish it Out Jewelry - Holli Brown brakes vintage plates - and turns them into wonderful earrings, pendants and bracelets.

Fail Jewelry - Christine Fail works in gold, silver, brass and gemstones to create beautiful contemporary wearable art

Haley LeBeuf Jewelry - contemporary, sophisticated pieces. I especially love her Austin-inspired Violet Crown line.

Lisa Crowder Jewelry - Lisa Crowder creates distinctive floral and geometric jewelry in silver, gold and enamel.

Metalsgirl - Lisa Gibson combines stones and silver in wonderful, colorful, wearable works of art.

Poppy & Fern - Rachel Pruitt creates tiny embroidered works of art to wear on a chain or hang on the wall.

Happy shopping - and stay tuned for at least one more "shop local" post.

Until next time.

02.19.18 Girl Power

 When I took Marlene Richey's jewelry business class last year, one of the things she recommended was becoming a member of the local chapter of the Women's Jewelry Association. Recently I did just that - and attended my first meeting. It was wonderful not only to get to know the women behind so many of the brands and stores I have shopped for years, but to be in a room full of smart, creative, empowered women.

That's what WJA does - it brings together women in the jewelry industry (which, like so many things, has been traditionally male dominated) and provides opportunities for networking, mentoring, business development and training.

The Austin chapter is relatively new - and I'm excited to be a part of it.

It was fun to visit with Sara Dominguez and Elizabeth Gibson of Eliza Page - where I have shopped for years - most recently for this sweet Hamsa ring that was one of my daughter's Hanukkah gifts.

Photo credit:
Jodi Rae Designs

I also met Leigh Navarro, whose line, Leighelena I first purchased years ago at Blue Genie, and Jodi Rae Brownstein' whose bright colored druzies and bold stones have always caught my eye!

I met some new folks, too...

Me, Jodi and Amanda

Amanda Deer, whose East Austin studio is home to both her store front and work space. Not too long ago, I stopped by her charming shop. Her jewelry is fun and delicate - and I see her pieces in my daughter's future!

Haley LeBeuf, whose architectural jewelry has found it's way into my heart and on to my ears - because as I've said so many times before - there are NEVER too many earrings.

Haley was wearing these included crystal drops from her new "Violet Crown" line at the WJA event - and I have since added a pair to my own collection.

Photo credit: Haley LeBeuf

A couple of weekends after the meeting, Jodi held a "Tiny Tucson in Austin" gem sale. I went and had a wonderful time!  I bought some beautiful cabochons, pearls for the birthstone series I am doing with my wind chime earrings, and got to visit with other Austin jewelers.










In addition to all the pretties for sale - Jodi had an amazing cake - which was as delicious as it was beautiful.


So far, 2018 is off to a really good start - and I look forward to sharing more of my jewelry adventures with you!

Until next time.