Do you want this red velvet cupcake or that ginger lemon cupcake? Do you want that Mayan truffle or would you prefer this extra bittersweet truffle? Do you want to date this man or that man? As with many things in life, it's just not fair that we have to choose one or the other. Well - I say pooh to that way of thinking. While I might think twice about choosing and eating two cupcakes or two truffles at one sitting today, the good news is that when it comes to jewelry I don't have to contain myself. I just exclaim "I'll take this and that, please. Oh, and maybe some of that too! Thank you very, very, very much." as I smile and pile the bracelets up my wrist or layer the necklaces one after the other around my neck. Just a side note - do you think it was intentional that I completely overlooked the dating two men option? Let's just ignore that oversight for the moment...okay? Here's a scary thought -- do you think I have watched too many seasons of The Bachelor and The Backelorette? 

High School Memories

Back to the topic of jewelry. I do know that there was a time in my life when I wore very diminutive pieces of jewelry - a single pearl on a fine gold chain was my choice for my senior photo in high school. First of all, I think it's amazing that I can remember a fact that took place all those years ago! (Okay, I'll admit I cheated...I looked in my year book to boost my fading memory!) And, a single strand of basic pearls and pearl earrings was my choice for bridal jewelry. (A far cry from the bridal jewelry I design now.) My original engagement ring was a single pearl with two tiny, tiny, tiny diamonds on each side. I did layer that ring with a small, small, small diamond engagement ring and unadorned wedding band. There was one exception to the petite jewelry in my collection - a big, heavy sterling charm bracelet that was my pride and joy that told the evolving story of my

The Memories Continue

life through my teens. Luckily, I still have that piece - in fact, here it is, a little tarnished and worn; but in my mind it's still a beautiful thing. And, the one to the right is "life goes on" -- second in the series of charm bracelets. Perhaps it was that bracelet that was the underlying inspiration for the big, bold, handcrafted pieces I started crafting and designing in undergraduate school. It all just seemed to click for me and when fellow students wanted to buy the chunky pieces off my arm, I knew I was on to something.

Here are a few "layering" looks to get you going in a "this and that" direction! Honestly, the possibilities are endless -- so just get out your jewelry and have a ball.