On her way home from a trip to the Asheville, NC area, Donna Hogan stopped by for a single project session. She made my 'Orbit' prong pendant using a large, lab-grown orange sapphire and 14k gold-filled wire. I enjoyed meeting and working with Donna - she's quite a character. While we worked, Donna's sister Linda, visiting from Seattle, had a nice afternoon reading and walking around my 'rock yard'. I am really looking forward to working with Donna again, we had such a good time together.

I always say: 'Inspiration comes from everywhere and every thing.' The front wheel my husband crafted for his 300 lb smoker sure looks like a new pendant design to me! I'll see how it works out later this week.

As most of you know, my husband is incredibly talented when it comes to fabricating almost anything. I had to share a picture of his latest ~ a huge smoker! It began as an old dryer, which he started to use as a frame for the smoking box. As you can see, the dryer gradually disappeared, having been replaced with heavy steel, as the rest of his contraption evolved. It reminds me of something you might see in the 1800's. Works really well! We feasted on smoked chicken and beef ribs last night after his trial run. (Guess what we're having for Turkey day?)

My grandmother, Kresenzia (Marge) Repp, truly was a fascinating woman. She was an accomplished seamstress, worked building planes during WWII, raised German Sheppard dogs, enjoyed flower gardening beyond the maximum, at one time had more than 125 varieties of cacti and collected swans. With her husband, Emil Repp, she owned and operated a Gulf gas station for 14 years on Long Island, NY. Grandma was a major influence in my life and to all those who knew her. Always a 'lady', she wore dresses to do everything, (except when rockhounding), and loved my jewelry designs. She passed away this past Sunday, November 16 and will be very greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bordwine Funeral Home in Etowah, TN, on Thursday Nov. 20, 2008 at 2 p.m.

It is a true joy to work with K. She is an amazing young lady who has been working with me for just one year. I have really enjoyed watching her designs evolve and seeing her own style emerge. During our recent session she crafted some of the most perfect and beautiful prongs I have seen in years! I am also so excited that she has decided to attend the January 2009 Fabrication session at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. Go K !! (just remember me when you are 'discovered')
Big Huggs!!!

Caroyn is a favorite customer of mine. She attends Christmas Village regularly and always stops by for a visit. This year she not only treated hereself to one of my specialty designs, ('Triple Treat' pendant), but came back to bring me some really cool items, (odd rings, loose stones and an antique watch), to make into new jewelry designs for her.

Working my booth at Christmas Village in Birmingham, Alabama is my favorite show! Sherrie Lingerfelt has been coming to assist me, adding her designs in with mine, and helping to run the booth. We had an amazing week ~ interest was high as usual, because we explain the creation process to our customers and let our pieces sell themselves.

It's always fun to work with Sonja, she's only been 'into' wire for about a year and it's amazing how fast she caught on. As you can see, the results of her practicing are gorgeous. See you after Christmas, Sonja!!