Mexican Jewelry

Okay, So I thought I could blog from vacation but it turns out that vacationing is much more work than work, SO, nothing for nearly 3 weeks! However, I am back at it and have lots to say and so much to share.

First off, I want to talk about memories versus reality.  I had such fond memories of my jewelry shopping in Mexico in the late 1980's that I blogged about it.  I had great expectations of digging my hands deep in to boxes of charms and earrings and pulling out little gems,  I was actually worried about my budget.  Shouldn't have worried,  what my 17 year old self thought was amazing, my 40 year old self thought was JUNK.  Funny how tastes change.

That did not stop me from searching and searching however- some of our friends could have possibly found it a little buggy.

In a little folk art shop in Playa Del Carmen I struck Mexican silver!!   Hand cast in sterling by an 80+ year old woman.  I am telling you- they screamed through the glass, "Allison we are here, we are here, we are here!"  Yes just like in Horton Hears a Who, and  I was the only one who could hear.  I am wearing them right now.

Another lucky find was this necklace of antique (probably german) buttons, and plastic beads.  I love the Mexican folk heart symbol, I have many of these around my house, but this tin heart on the necklace was just too good to leave behind.  Each of the girls snapped up one until they were all gone.  It goes perfectly with a tan.

This little lovely was only $11 so I wasnt even bothered that  it was strung on actual sewing thread.  I know a gal who can fix it!

My Job Rocks

So as a new blogger, I had NO idea how demanding the blog would be.  I can hear the blog tapping its little foot saying HELLO,  I've been sitting here all by myself since Friday and you have done NOTHING!!


The trouble is my first job- opps that's the kids and the honey.  The second job is the jewelry designing and talk about demanding...  I am trying to turn the stack of stones I brought home from Tucson that looked a lot like this...

Into something you might think is pretty like these raw garnet slices.

Or this deceivingly soft agate bracelet

or any of my new blue agate and gold chunk collection

Seriously, how awesome is this job?

Stack Of The Week

The fabulous Caitlin Creer at CCInteriors posted these great photos of M&J Trimmings in New York City.  Yes, could I please have 300 brown satin roses, 250 of the rose colored beaded chrysanthemums, 50 yards of deep grey velvet ribbon and a large diet coke with a lime please.

 

Jewelry Storage-Boxes, hangers and ballerinas

Still Storing your jewelry in this?  Its time to find a real place for all of your pretty jewels.

After scouring some catalogs, I found these jewelry storage ideas from Pottery Barn and the Container Store.

My 13 year old daughter could fill 2 of the storage chests- and by the way they are $349 each, Yikes!

As for the trees my house would look like a forest with all the trees we would need.  Instead look around for some nontraditional solutions.  We found this wrought iron rack and spray painted it a fun pink, and now all my necklaces are out where I can see them- Can you hear them screaming "Pick Me, Pick Me".  

Ikea has the greatest little kitchen racks with hooks sold separately that you can add and add and add.  This is  rack is in my studio but imagine it painted turquoise and hanging in your room.

Caitlin Creer at CCInteriors found these fabulous bowls for me at ZGallerie for $19.95 and $7.95 and they easily fit my stacks of bracelets.  Look around your cupboards for an unused salad bowl or deep serving tray.  Or perhaps just an orphaned little saucer for all of your rings.

The important thing is that your jewelry is out where you can see it, and hear it calling to you "Hey pretty lady, I would look amazing with your creamy sweater".

Tucson Gem Fair 2010

I can't think of a better place to kick off a blog about wearing jewelry, buying jewelry and stacking on style than the Tucson Gem Fair. I am in lovely downtown Tucson for my 7th show. Always at the begining of February, The Tucson Gem Fair is the largest gem and mineral buying show in the world. It is so hard to explain how massive the scale of this show is. Have a look at this photo.

This is one vendor's booth, which is crammed next to another vendor's booth and on and on until you have filled a tent the size of a football field. Next to this tent is another tent equally full of jewelry. Imagine close to 30 of these tents spread out around Tucson. It is one of the most overwhelming things you could ever behold. I cant even get through two of these tents in one day. And I am a crazy fast shopper!!!