And a scrumptious center cut Arizona agate with spectacular pocket of natural druzy.  You don't see stones like this often...just a hint of pink like a white rose with a touch of color.  Absolutely gorgeous.

It's been awhile.  I have been pulled in too many directions and the hot, hot summer weather made firing up the torch unenticing....and of course, laziness set in, too.  But I have been hard at work the last few weeks and will begin putting up new items soon...in time for the holidays.  Here's a preview of several new pieces.

Just returned from a week in Paris...much hotter than usual but I have loads of advice.

Buy the Museum Pass...I repeat...buy the Museum Pass...if you don't, you will wait on long lines and when it is hot, those lines will even seem longer...you will spend your time on line, swearing that you will never forget to plan ahead and buy the Museum Pass.

Use a small light back pack...if you don't, your purse will get heavier and your shoulder will ache and you will spend your time swearing that you shouldn't have abandoned your trusty back pack.

Plan ahead for meals, even for lunch...if that place has been recently reviewed, you will walk in and the matre whatever will waive you off with a stern expression that implies...make a reservation.

If you want to go to a concert at Notre Dame, be aware that the chairs in Notre Dame look as uncomfortable as they feel...the music simply can't be good enough to warrant the torture that you are going to endure...sit in the back...sneak out after a few minutes.  You will not be alone.  There will be others sneaking out with you.

If you go to a concert at Sainte Chapelle...it always seems to be the Four Seasons...be aware that those chairs aren't all that comfortable either. The place is gorgeous, the concert is wonderful, but the place is not well ventilated.  Unless you just have to be up close and personal with the musicians, sit in the rear.  They must have been passing out like crazy in the 18th century.  It's no wonder the French were so cranky.  Music is great but breathing is sometimes good, too.

The Metro is great but if you have to transfer underground, the walk can be laborious and unpleasant.  It is certainly cheaper than a taxi, but treat yourself once in awhile.  You can see Paris comfortably as you drive around it.  And most important of all...save the ticket until you get off.  Every once in a while, the police do a check.  Since France is economically strapped right now, they are probably looking to grab as much cash as possible...and non-French cash is best.  If you don't have the receipt, you will pay a hefty, pay me right now or get arrested, fine.  Save the ticket.  The French police have  no personality, let alone anysense of humor.  You will not talk your way out of it.  They want the cash.

Most bistros are OK, but if you are a spoiled New Yorker, which I am, you want something special. I have done all the major expensive biggies years ago and every once in while, it's a treat, but my digestive system is not what it once was.  Had the best onion soup ever at Terroir Parisienne and Au Bascou is still a fav, because there's a Basque influence that makes it unique.

Paris is wonderful, wonderful and gorgeous, gorgeous, but don't be misled by thinking you have to spend the bucks at Tour D'Argent for a view of Notre Dame.  Had the worst overpriced meal ever there years ago.  You can get the best view of Notre Dame on one of the bridges that cross from the left bank to the Ile St. Louis and it's more romantic.

And last, at least until I think of something else, if you are in young (even in spirit) and in love, bring a padlock with your names on it and however else you want to decorate it with and attach it to one of the bridges.  Thousands have done so before you...and it'll being you good luck.

I am a bit hesitant in publishing personal photos, but since no one's reading this blog...yet, I hope...I couldn't resist.  This is a photo of my grand-daughters, (Maddie and Stella, for whom my shop was named) asleep after a hard day at the beach...by electric candlelight...no real flames.  Nothing is more beautiful than a sleeping child.

I just finished these Ocho Oco and Amethyst Earrings and they will go up in the next bunch of listings...it'll be awhile...am just getting started.   I absolutely love these, gorgeous and light.  That's one of the things I always consider for earrings...weight.  And that's always a consideration when adding elements like dangles...how much will they weigh?  Nobody wants to hang boulders from their ears.  You have to figure costs into pricing.

I like to keep my prices as low as possible and sometimes, it's tougher than I'd like it to be.  I paid more than I should have for these cabs, but the color and translucency were so good, I couldn't resist.  I knew they'd work with other colors well.

I finished a couple more pairs of earrings today.  The first is a citron chrysoprase with garnet cabochons...there's a Scandanavian kind of Georg Jensen influence, I think.

And the second are a very festive...in a lady like kind of way...Chrysocolla with pearls.  I hope they find good homes and lots of happy occasions.  Did I spell that right?

I have been taking care of other things and haven't been working on my metals as much as I'd like.  I hope to post some new things next weekend...earrings and necklaces.  Here's a preview of the earrings.  The first are larimar and white faceted topaz...reflection earrings.

Then there is tourmaline and pink moonstone.  Having a hard time photographing these because the shades in the tourmaline are not really showing.  The moonstones actually capture the undercolor in the tourmaline...also reflection earrings. And last for now.  Montana Agates with gold filled balls, African trade beads and lampwork sprinkled with silver...playful, casual earrings.