All Our Progress Is An Unfolding

This hand was inspired by a drawing I did of my son's hand I did when he was sleeping. Here it is as a one of a kind 18k with a teardrop rainbow moonstone. This piece was sold in our store last week and I was so happy to know it went to a woman who had an extensive collection of pieces...I was sort of sad to see it go...



When I work on limited edition and one of a kinds it is very freeing. This is an moss quartz I got in Tuscon at the gem show a few years ago. It makes a wonderful book cover.


All our progress is an unfolding....You have first an instinct, then an opinion,
then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud, and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason...it shall ripen into truth, and you shall know why you believe.

--Emerson




Years ago I bought several pieces of these Italian red coral cabochons when I was not so conscious about the environment. I won't be buying any coral ever again that isn't antique but the material I still have in my studio is so beautiful and I feel it is a shame to not use it. This little book is such a ripe little gem.

We need, in love, to practice only this:
letting each other go. For holding on
comes easily; we do not need to learn it.

--Rainer Maria Rilke
translated by Stephen Mitchell

Jeanine Payer at the Movies - "The Kids Are All Right" - by Anton Stuebner

A scene from "The Kids Are All Right," with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo

I was thrilled to see Mark Ruffalo wearing the Sycamore necklace in Lisa Cholodenko's stellar new film, "The Kids Are All Right." Centered on a couple (Annette Benning and Julianne Moore) who reconnect with their children's birth father (Mark Ruffalo), the movie is receiving critical attention in California, particulary in the aftermath of Proposition 8, the state-wide initiative banning gay marriage. This issue is close to many of us here - when the initiative first appeared, we released a special edition of our Dale necklace benefitting Equality California, the advocacy group fighting the campaign.

Watching the film, it's hard not to think of Proposition 8, and Lisa Cholodenko doesn't gloss over this. But instead of politicizing the issue, she presents an endearingly normal portrait of a dysfunctional but loving family - one that happens to have two gay parents. It's a wry and poignant look at a very modern couple, and, for me, it's a huge pleasure to see our work featured in the film.

The Sycamore necklace

But your solitude will be a support and a home for you, even in the midst of very unfamiliar circumstances, and from it you will find all your paths.

--Rainer Maria Rilke translated by Stephen Mitchell

New Wedding Rings Are Coming...

Adagio and Stella are often used as wedding rings.


I am doing a small group of wedding rings for the holidays and it has been a fun process, especially working on some interesting takes on the paired engagement/wedding combo. There are an infinite amount of choices out there and while knowing that is a bit daunting, I am also excited to add my voice to this intensely meaningful, and highly endowed category.

My New Nick Name

Maira Kalman asked me if my nick name was Lu Lu Margoni at her book signing last night at the Jewish Museum. I had her autograph it to J.P.

I went with my dear pal, Rae Dunn, to the book signing and opening of Maira's show. One of my favorite books is The Principles of Uncertainty. It isn't just her quirky paintings, drawings, heartstoppingly beautiful needlework and collections of ephemera, but is also the power of her non-linear narrative that leads you down the road of her thoughts on life. I was laughing and crying at certain points as it is that moving. I also was thrilled to see an original M. Kalman last weekend in Paul and Lauren's home--the folks who own Twist.

Anyway, Maira now owns a small Yabba cuff because a little bird left it on her book signing table--Rae left her some of her magical rocks, too. Maira said to Rae, 'The line stops here when gifts arrive!'

I love my new nick name.

Wish you were here,

Lu Lu Margoni