Getting Ready for Chico

Lapis & Abalone Pendant

We are spending a lot of time in our studio getting ready for our Chico showing, the last of the year. I'm caught in the dilemma of wanting to take the time to make special and unique pieces and the pressure to finish as many pieces as I can with only 6 1/2 days left to work before we have to leave. Added to this is a number of orders and ring sizings and bracelet adjustments I have to do in the next few days. It's an all too familiar challenge. Carlie and I were talking tonight about our desire to make truly special & unique pieces a higher percentage of our output next year. We are both happy when we take the time to play and experiment and reach into new jewelry territory. But there is no doubt that we make more money per hour when we repeat familiar designs and they all sell, and people do enjoy them. We'll hopefully find a balance in there somewhere.

The piece at the right was a piece on which we collaborated. I cut out the copper sun, polished the lapis and created the pattern plate that textured the piece of copper, Carlie did the rest.

The almost full moon is bright here on the edge of the pygmy forest, it looks beautiful through the branches of the juniper and pine trees.