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!!

Several of the pendant ladies stayed late into the evening to learn my Victorian Beaded Earrings, (my design that was on the cover of SBS Wire mag, Summer issue). Sande Hubbard came up from Williamsburg to play with us. (We haven't seen each other since we traveled in Thailand together this past June). It was fun to visit and play, and then enjoy a nice dinner together.

Saturday afternoon our largest group came in to learn the Framed Cabochon Pendant. I always love teaching the same technique to a group, and seeing all of the totally different designs that result. These ladies made some truely beautiful pendants.