A Simple Theme On Which A Life Is Strung

I have been meaning to re-read The Art Spirit by the painter Robert Henri and today I brought it along to lunch. I was lucky to emmediately find the part that spoke to me as a young woman and today still:

Is it not fine to see the development of oneself? The finding of one's own tastes. The final selection of a most favorite theme; the concentration of all one's forces on that theme; its development; the constant effort to find its clearest expression in the chosen medium; an effort of expression which commenced with the beginning of the idea, and follows its progress step by step, becoming a technique born of the theme itself and special to it. The continuation through years, new elements entering as life goes on, each step differing, yet all the same. A simple theme on which a life is strung.

I'm Not Going To Say Who Here Reads Perez Hilton...

...but someone here does thank goodness...and yesterday this picture was posted of Orlando Bloom wearing our 18k Emmie. Normally I don't kiss and tell but since Perez already posted this picture I thought I might share it, too.

JP Holiday Field Trip

on our way to the aquarium on the historic trolly

Yesterday's JP holiday field trip proved to be one of our most fun events so far--I think we may have gained a customer or two on the trolly based on our charismatic and ephervescent personalities. A little time was carved out in the middle of our busiest season, and just the idea of travelling away together to someplace otherworldly---a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium---was a psychic vacation. I love my team, they are gifted, extroardinarily lovely people. Hats off to the kids! and especially to Megan, the organizer for making our fun field trip happen so seemlessly.

I Am Too Alone In The World, And Not Alone Enough

I am too alone in the world, and not alone enough
to make every minute holy.
I am too tiny in this world, and not tiny enough
just to lie before you like a thing,
shrewd and secretive.
I want my own will, and I want simply to be with my will,
as it goes toward action,
and in the silent, sometimes hardly moving times
when something is coming near,
I want to be with those who know secret things
or else alone.
I want to be a mirror for your whole body,
and I never want to be blind, or to be too old
to hold up your heavy and swaying picture.
I want to unfold.
I don't want to stay folded anywhere,
because where I am folded, there I am a lie.
And I want my grasp of things
true before you. I want to describe myself
like a painting that I looked at
closely for a long time,
like a saying that I finally understood,
like the pitcher I use every day,
like the face of my mother,
like a ship
that took me safely
through the wildest storm of all.

Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Robert Bly

Flotsam

Working From Home

not glamorous...



...makes me feel like Miss Havisham. It is a bit nutty in my dining room/playroom/workroom but it works.

Bravo!

I am always taken aback by the creativity of Federico De Vera, especially at the holidays. This years 'card' came in an unassuming manila envelope. It is a rubber tree leaf with an image pressed into it of a Christmas tree, roman numerals and a tiny 'De Vera'---an example of Federico's unique ability to give us a surprising lens to view his idea of beauty.

We Are Here

The landmark Phelan Building was built before the 1906 earthquake and then rebuilt twice its original size after burning to the ground. Each suite has gas and water and lends itself to the business of making jewelry, dentistry, hair salons, etc. It was the jewelry hub in its day. Although Union Square is an unlikely place to be manufacturing jewelry, we have been doing exactly that for 17 years. It can be challenging at times, the studios are connected like a rabbit warren and we have them scattered over the 5th floor, but it works somehow and I kind of love it. Being here we are connected to a long history. Many stone cutters, setters, and all sorts of jewelry craftspeople are our neighbors-- something we almost take for granted. I go next door to Hong, the gemcutter. He has been in the building for 27 years. Having our store within the same building also creates a synergy between studio and customer. It may sound corny but I always loved how Hermes has workshops above their store in Paris. A romanitic idea, but also good business to keep everything close where quality is assured and communication flows easily. For us, making small, intimate pieces that say so much in such a tiny scale, it all makes perfect sense.