Let’s Celebrate the December Birthstone!

December 04, 2025

It’s been one heck of a busy fall in my studio. Thanks to amazing show promoters and attendees each event had it’s own dynamic energy and so many laughs and wonderful hugs! Since this is the time of year when we celebrate how thankful we are for so much of our lives, I’m just dropping in to say thanks for you all!!

I’d like to share with you a story of really how I got interested in jewelry and some of my early inspiration. I had always coveted turquoise when I was in high school, my dad being the ultimate gift giver he started me on a collection and journey that really was inspiring. When I was 18 after graduating high school I took a trip to Colorado to do a little skiing in Vail and a visit with a friend at a dude ranch outside of Boulder that she was working at. While out there I purchased my first native stamped hammered neck cuff. It was meaningful since I knew of its origin and it was a one of a kind per se when it comes to how jewelry is really made. It truly was unusual and simple in design, all silver but a unique piece nonetheless.

Fast forward to my past as a beach stone maker then adding gems to my creations, somehow turquoise was always a draw for me. The natural aspect of the stones are just full of life with their interesting matrix, or even their lack of, these stones were just part of my soul. We do have to touch on the deep ties that the native community has to this stone and how they have over so many years elevated it in their amazing artistic creations. My admiration of their craft inspires me to honor these stones with my own style in its elemental focus on each stone.

Almost all of my stones are sourced from a father and now a son as well, who have been cutting material since the 70’s. The Kingman mine cabochons I have chosen over the years are sourced through them and their source is direct from the mine. I witnessed a purchase of a brick size of turquoise while in Tucson last year and I was taken by the size and truly stunning beauty of the raw material. Such a great experience!

Let’s just take a moment to honor these stones and the elemental structures with just the right hint of power and texture that I have created. Worn alone or paired with other pieces that can be layered together turquoise is a perfect pop of color and nature that will connect you to the earth. Turquoise is known to connect sky and earth, along with promoting wisdom and strength. Who doesn’t need a dose of this energy every day? Maybe you are lucky to be collecting this natural gemstone in jewelry pieces and have that December birthday? Whatever the draw, it has never gone “out of style” and has always been a very grounding gem both energetically and visually.

I hope that you might stop by one of my last two shows of the year. I’ll be at the SEA Show and the Designing Womenshows in Portland in December. I’ll have some new turquoise earrings to go along with these pendants by then and loads of great mixed metal pieces that can be worn in tandem with anything in your current collection.

Hope to see you there or at a stuido visit, online ordering is always available and if you read this entire email as a gift there’s a code on my website I’ll ship your order USPS for free. Things with the shipping powers to be have been a bit dicey so order early if you can, items purchased after the 15th might not reach their destination in time.

Remember jewelry is a true expression of self, a way to adorn and absorb energy that stands the test of time. Treat yourself and your loved ones to something hand made, it will be an inspiration for many ears to come as it was for me on my journey.

peace,
anita