A Year Of Design.....In Progress

Cherish Necklace

A couple of years ago, I designed a theatre token necklace as a prototype that was a reproduction of antique opera tokens - with a twist.  During the process of the design, I realized that it would be much more fun to integrate some current customized tokens using the antique opera token format.  As a result, I have encouraged my customers to customize their tokens for this necklace as a celebration of their lives - acknowledging honors, special events, hobbies and interests.  The necklace has always been a big success and each of the necklaces are uniquely one-of-a-kind as they represent the individual owner’s lives.

About a year ago, I had an inquiry about this necklace from a charming gal from Kansas.  As it turned out, she was visiting the Phoenix area and we had a chance to meet during her visit.  It was one of those moments when you immediately have a strong connection with someone you just met and we  happily chatted for hours about so many different subjects.  We discussed the token necklace and she came away realizing the tokens could be customized to be so much more than what she was seeing on the prototype necklace.  That is when the collaborative creative process really took flight.  Rather than simply add text to her tokens, she requested line drawings that symbolized significant events in her life.

As you can see from the photos, this has been a labor of love.  Even though the necklace has not reached 13 tokens or been assembled just yet - her necklace is the most unique and customized necklace I have done thus far.  She and I have been able to collaborate together, sharing the same vision for a year.  When she gets stumped as to how we can execute an idea, she emails and. . . between the two of us. . . a creative solution is just around the corner.

If you ask me why I am posting about an unfinished design, it is to exemplify what can be done when you think outside the box.  To encourage customers to request designs that are as unique as our fingerprints.  To NOT settle for the ordinary and expected.

On my end, there has been another added bonus.  Not only have I been part of a great collaboration to create a very unique necklace design, but I have also gained a lovely friend who has been an absolute delight to work with!  I cannot wait for her next visit to Phoenix for show and tell!

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary."      

Jim Rohn

Doozy Of A Druzy

Devon Necklace

Those enchanting and unique mineral specimen beads known as “druzys” -  sprinkled with glistening colored confectionary sugar-like crystals are still hot on the radar of every fashionista.  If you don’t already have some of these mesmerizing stones in your jewelry armoire - they are a must have for fall and winter.  Their precious nature is upended by their raw and wild geologic cuts and they are perfect for elegant yet casual cashmere sweaters and suede skirts.

Zara Necklace 

I was awestruck when I found a resource that had a vast selection of fossilized druzy shells from a private collection - all found in the dusty and dry sea bed that we now call the Sahara Desert.

Mishell Necklace

Minerals deposited in the remnants of shells have naturally created these one-of-a-kind geologic wonders - which continue to be a curiosity - even today.

Peony Necklace

Jeannie Bracelet

Marching along the fashion route with the ever popularity druzy stones are geodes - one of nature’s true curiosities.  Geodes tell an spell-binding story.  They begin their life as little round geologic formations - just as any ordinary rock.  However, those clever geologists discovered that some of these seemingly ordinary rocks held a very dramatic story.

Lori Earrings 

I don’t know how it happened - by accident or design - but when these seemingly ordinary rocks are gently hand-cleaved - they break apart revealing a dazzling display of crystals safely ensconced within a dimpled nest.  The smallest of these orbs have become beautiful sets in a variety of colors, which I use for earrings.

Panisi Earrings

Chantal II Earrings

Natalie Earrings

Gracie Geode Earrings

Victoria Earrings

Coco Earrings

I hope you are just as enchanted by these little curiosities of nature as I have been.