Dust Storm Designs

In addition to being 110-115 degrees this past week - the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has been graced with not one, but two of these lovely dust storms!  For those of you that have never experienced this weather phenomena - consider yourself lucky.  They usually occur late in the day (rush hour is a favorite time) and kick up winds and DUST like you cannot imagine.

My faithful design assistants - Asher & Olivia

Of course, both my little King Charles Spaniels consider this the absolute best time to ring the bell indicating they need to go outside - ugh!  They get so excited by the wind blowing everything around the yard (makes for a great game of “chase”) and don’t even seem to mind all the dust in their faces.  These dust storms or “Haboobs” usually occur right after I have had the patio furniture dusted and vacuumed.  I guess it is the law of probability - like when you finally have your car washed and it rains the same day!

The best plan of action when a storm approaches is stay inside and pray that the storm does not knock out your electricity and AC!  It is also a good time to work on new jewelry designs.

Sconset Market - filled with little gourmet goodies.

Hydrangeas grow in profusion on Nantucket

Sadly, this magnificent sculpture will be washed out to sea at high tide

Can you tell I have been dreaming of past summers spent on Nantucket?  Walking down to the Sconset Market early in the morning to pick up the newspaper and a pastry for breakfast - running into town to pick up some fresh flowers for guests arriving on the next ferry and strolling along Jetties’ Beach while enjoying some of the amazing sand sculptures.

Judy Dinnick's Sailor's Valentines are some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen.

Seychelles Sailor's Valentine Necklace consists of stick and baroque pearls and champagne citrine.  There is a glass crystal, but it is easier to photograph without!

It was during our 10 year sojourns to Nantucket that I discovered Sailor’s Valentines and I have been smitten ever since.  These little shell mosaic designs encased in old pocket watches allows me to  indulge two of my favorite things - shells and gemstones.

Sucrée Necklace - rough tourmaline nuggets and pink topaz

My last trip to the Tucson Gem Show resulted in finding some beautiful nuggets which I have been saving for a summer design.  Unique pink and green rough and organic tourmaline nuggets - several with crystals embedded in the nugget - are paired with delicate pink topaz rondelles to create a delicious necklace that looks good enough to eat!

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Lavender Love - The Iliana Necklace

Lavender & Honey Ice Cream

via Flickr

When two things happen simultaneously, you know it has some hidden meaning. Several weeks ago, I was reading about lavender ice cream and thought it sounded very interesting. Lavender happens to be one of my favorite fragrances, so it made sense to me that I should at least give it a try even though I am not much of an ice cream connoisseur.

Southern Accents

House Beautiful - Coleman/Green

1teriordesign.com

As an interior designer, I do find lavender rooms to be very restful and based on the popularity of that color used in bedrooms - it must have some universal appeal.

Veranda - Kay O'Toole

Robin Karp

thedecorologist.com

On the other hand, it fairly rare to see public rooms (living rooms, dining rooms, etc.) with more than a mere whisper of lavender.  

Just after the lavender ice cream idea, I came across a totally new stone (for me) that was called (of all things) - lavender opal. It seems to be available in fairly limited amounts, but its slight opalescent beauty and soft coloring made me even more determined to seek it out. I ordered a very small quantity of stones and was instantly smitten!

The Iliana Necklace - A Truly HUGE Baroque Pearl !

A "Frill" of Lavender Opal, Chalcedony, Moonstone, Pink Amethyst & Tanzanite Create A Stunning Detail.  Notice The Minuscule Hand-Linked Seed Pearls in the Chain.

A Little Surprise Garnish is Placed Asymmetrically on the Seed Pearl Chain

The Iliana Necklace pays homage to that lavender ice cream confection with a generous dollop of a creamy and luxe baroque pearl topped with a medley of lavender opal faceted briolettes, rondelles and adorable little hear shaped briolettes; lavender chalcedony onion briolettes; pink amethyst rondelles; minuscule tanzanite rondelles; sweet little faceted moonstone briolettes; pear shaped moonstones and deliciously delicate little center-drilled keshi pearls. Just like a scrumptious dessert served in your favorite restaurant, the necklace is garnished with sprigs of lavender opal, dainty keshi pearl and light amethyst rondelle on the side. The 30” chain is hand-linked with the most minuscule seed pearls ever - so delicate!

Guess it’s time for me to take a trip to Whole Foods and try out the ice cream now that the necklace is completed! Um, Yummy!

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