White Squirrel pendant

White Squirrel pendant

I saw a squirrel in the pines today,

It was white as snow, not brown or gray-

It became air-bound from tree to tree,

And I stood real still, so he couldn't see me...

A twitchy white flash of it's head and tail,

Told me it was about to sail-

To another perch on another limb,

I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

Then he disappeared into the green,

Where he could play and be unseen.

And the pines were swaying in the gentle wind,

Can't wait til' he comes back again.

Characters with Jewellery- Gwendolyn's ring

Gwendolyn's ring

Gwendolyn snuggled under the Eiderdown on her four poster oak bed.  Despite the fire crackling in the hearth, she knew it would be chilly when she threw off the covers, so she decided to stay tucked in a bit longer. The castle always had deathly drafts.

She stretched her well defined arms over her head and sighed as she yawned.  Today was the  day she was to meet Prince Siegfried and their fathers were talking about betrothal.  She rubbed her fiery green eyes awake and pondered her upcoming meeting with Siegfried.  All my suitors think I am intoxicating, Gwendolyn thought to herself, chuckling. She flicked back her jet black hair against the headboard. Her skin was porcelain.

The previous bidder for her hand had turned up dead, mysteriously taken by wolves in the forest, with most of the blood drained from his body. Gwendolyn had feigned heartbreak at the news, and had hidden her mirth as well as her secret.  She once again had a taste for blood and looked forward to meeting another "suitor."  She liked the muscular type and she had heard that Siegfried was a warrior.  Her thoughts wandered to the meeting ahead and a slow smile spread across her perfect face.  Her tongue slid across her pale lips.

Now "hungry" to begin her day, she threw back the comforter and padded over the heavy oriental carpet to get dressed by the fire. Yes, the lace shirt was so fetching for the meeting, she reflected. She slid on her ring and fancied it on her hand.  The stone mirrored her terrifying eyes...

Silver cuff from the Old Muttrah Souk in Muscat

Omani silver cuff

When you enter the Old Muttrah Souk in Muscat, you step back in time.  The scents of frankincense and sandalwood surround you as you wander among buyers and sellers in both traditional and modern dress.  Rows of tiny stores sell spices, dish dashes, and silver.  I bought tiny pots of frankincense and myrrh and an embroidered kumma. (Omani cap)

This cuff features a khanjar dagger, now chiefly symbolic in Omani culture, a camel, and a sailboat.  Muscat has a stunning harbour in the centre of town where I could imagine traders from long ago bringing their wares to the Souk.  I love the ship rope motifs that surround each of the icons.

Oman is about a 4 1/2 hour drive from Dubai and also features mountains, diving, hiking, and some great resorts.  The Omani people are so lovely too, and so proud of their beautiful country.

Copper resist earrings from the market near Fisherman's Wharf- San Francisco

Copper resist earrings

I had a very busy trip to San Francisco to visit my gorgeous son and his sweet girlfriend. We ate out at fancy restaurants and had one meal at Coi that was about 16 courses of tangy vegetables, meats, and breads, paired with tasty wines. 

I wandered, with my friend Sally, through Chinatown where we saw shops stocked with fans, t-shirts that said I Love San Francisco, and funny magnets with vegetables on them.

One of our treks ended at Fisherman's Wharf where there are old wooden boats that have been beautifully restored.  The wind was strong, and you could imagine how tough it must have been for the sailors on those wooden boats battling the wind and rough seas many years ago.
As we wandered up to Ghiradelli Square, we came across a street market where a very nice man explained the processes he used to create these "resist" earrings.  I liked them, but had decided to move on without them when Sally said,

"You should get those for yourself." 

I decided that was good advice; I actually bought 2 pairs in different styles.  They seem to go perfectly with just about everything I wear.  It is fun to do something special for yourself every once in a while.  Also, jewellery has no calories...

Off center door on one of the old boats- Fisherman's Wharf

Older Stuart Nye Double Galax silver brooch

Stuart Dye Double Galax brooch

Stuart Nye jewellery just feels like North Carolina.  Still crafted with love in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, Nye designs show natural forms of leaves and flowers that are native to the state and have a simple artistic lines that never go out of style.  

Stuart Nye was self-taught and began creating his jewellery in 1933.  He expanded into using copper as well when there were metal shortages during WWII.  The Stuart Nye line also includes some jewellery in brass.

Galax leaves are a brilliant shiny green that are low to the ground.  They have a tall stem with small white flowers.  The leaves are the prettiest part.  I always think of the North Carolina mountains when I wear this pin.

Blue Ridge mountains near Asheville

Philippine Community Fund rolled magazine bracelet

Modern rolled recycled magazine bracelet

This gorgeous bracelet was constructed  from recycled magazines by local craftspeople to be sold to aid families in need.  The Philippine Community Fund's mission is: 

"to permanently improve the quality of life for the poorest Filipino communities, through education, nutrition, health, medical and family enhancement programs, regardless of religion race or political boundaries." 

 If you are interested in their creative jewellery and other products, check out their online shop; each piece is an original-

Modern Venetian Glass earrings

Venetian Glass earrings that look like the Google Earth log

I feel that these earrings mirror the colours of an ancient Venice canal perfectly and exhibit cool modern Italian design.

After arriving into the Venice airport, we collected our bags, went outside, walked left two blocks, and arrived at our water taxi launch to our hotel.  This water transfer was such a unique experience for me, but for all the local people sitting around me, this was the excitement level of a bus ride- there really were no cars at all; all transport was by boat or by walking- just so different...

We quickly established our favourite breakfast cafe with little tables perched right alongside a bustling canal framed by tall colourful buildings that had been around for centuries.  My husband always got crusty bread and sausage sandwiches, and I was taken with crispy breakfast salads with soft lumps of fresh mozzarella; I am salivating as I write this.

Snapshots:

• Teenage boys burning around the canals in motorboats with the thump thump music really loud
• The little boy who opened a window at the very top of an ancient house on the canal and casually held his shoe outside to dump out the sand before school
• The afternoon wine at a tiny cafe where little birds joined us at our table
• The Peggy Guggenheim house where you can get up close to a giant Monet Water Lilly painting and nearly touch a Calder mobile
• impossibly tiny alleys and arches
• Getting lost everyday and loving it...

Too gorgeous- peeking around every corner in Venice takes your breath away