Inspiration and Musings

Since last month’s Birthstone Talk took a darker turn (opals, superstition, and all) let’s bask in the light-filled energy of November’s birthstones—citrine and topaz These gems bring a sense of warmth, prosperity, and strength, which feels so good as the days get shorter. Even in California, there’s a chill in the air. And I’m writing you now from Santa Fe, NM, where we just had...

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It’s mid-October, and I’ve been spending time in the studio, surrounded by gemstones as I settle back into work after a whirlwind summer at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and a big September move (more on that to come!). With Halloween just around the corner, my eye has been drawn to opals — mysterious, multi-colored gems that seem to hold a world of magic...

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When the Festival of Arts wrapped its 90th season in September, I closed up my studio and headed to Italy for a much-dreamed of creative retreat.  With an ancient town called Recanati - fittingly referred to as The City of Poetry - as my home base, I studied Italian language and culture at the wonderful Scuola Dante Alighieri, and along with students of all ages...

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