I have been meaning to write in my blog for a few days now. As I’m sure many of you know, much of Southern California is being ravaged by fires. Marc and I were riding down Main Street and the trees are breathtaking! The reds and yellows are almost too much to look at. The air, however is gray with soot from the fires. It hurts my eyes and we are 400 miles away! My son, Michael is down there. He is a volunteer EMT and left a few days ago to lend some medical support to the exhausted firefighters. He went to Louisiana when the devastating Katrina hit and I was in hysterics. This time, I am dealing with it much better. We have family and friends in and around San Diego. Catherines family has a vineyard nearby and they are there if Michael gets a chance to see them. My brother Mark and our dear Kerri, who live nearby, are  in Italy for his birthday. When I read that these fires were started by arsonists I am just crushed! Why?? What does this do except ruin lives and our environment? I am heartbroken when I see the news.

I can’t help but wonder what I would take from the house, if we had to flee in a moments notice. After knowing my boys are safe, my pets. The stuff? Pictures, my moms paintings. I have a fireproof safe, but I wonder if it could really withstand the heat of a fire that melts alloy wheels on cars? I never want to find out.

As much as I enjoy writing about the lovely jewelry I collect, I can’t wrap my mind around anything except what is happening in Southern California.

I love making sets. I know a lot of people are searching for a particular piece to complete a set. I was searching for a Paloma Picasso necklace to go with a pair of Picasso hammered sterling silver dome earrings. Well…I finally found it and its wonderful!! Marc has taken some really professional looking photographs so I can share it with you. If anyone is interested, please email me and I will give you all the information. Its truly a work of art.

I first saw these pieces offered as a set in Tiffany stores in the late
1990’s. Though absolutely gorgeous, I missed the train and before I
knew it Tiffany had ceased production of this set and the last ones
quickly moved off the shelves and into private hands. I checked with
friends who collect fine jewelry but it had seemed to vanish. I have not seen these pieces since then and certainly never in a condition or at a price that, although consistent
with the Tiffany inflation prices, seemed worth investing in. After
years of searching I am THRILLED to have been able to put these pieces
back together into a set that is store-shelf worthy quality without the
price-tag that would be expected.

We have been busy pruning the messy oak trees behind our house. The view is spectacular! The leaves on our trees are turning bright orange and red. Its gorgeous. I already have our Halloween decorations out. I love this time of year. Its so nice having everyone home from their travels. Marc is photographing some jewelry that I have been saving for the holidays. We’ll be busy getting a lot of wonderful jewelry on our website. I am so happy to have him home.

Michael and I walked through the beautiful public Rose Garden near his house. Even this late in the season its a riot of color. Its a huge garden and wonderfully planned so you can walk on the grass between huge beds of each variety of rose. Its peaceful and smells delicious. Then I helped Michael take pictures of a pretty BMW hes selling. When people walk by and admire his car, I can’t help but mentioning that its for sale. As my son noted, some things seem to come naturally to me, like selling cars…