dotes on daughter

#challengeaccepted Thanks & blessings to uber-strong & talented noms @artlifewithjenburke & @shutterbugamy - it is an honor & privilege to be in your company. I salute the legions of incredible women in my sphere who are making this world a more fair, kind, cooperative & better place, every day. To all women doing the good work, BRAVA. It's our time, at long last. #bossbabe #election2020 #vote (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDM3ie1JNUH/?igshid=dfzl1ozwtca2

EUPHORIA. A fly-on-the-wall delve into the literary omnivoracity of @david_mitchell 's mind, in tete-a-tete w local wunderkind (& recent #JoachinPhoenixTwin) #michaelchabon I won't embarrass myself by attempting to recap their far & wide ranging convo, I'll simply say it was the most stimulating hour of COVID captivity yet, secondo me. Hosted by #TomBarbash via ever excellent #BookPassage speaker series, the event was followed by (gasp!) an optional one-on-one Zoom call by yours truly, calling in fr Ireland @ 1:30am his time. What to do when deciding whether or not to meet a real live Tier 1 Hero?? Panic, elation. 'Of course, YES!' - 'What?! NO. Don't be absurd' PANIC. Rinse. Repeat. We're told we get 2 mins each somewhere within a 20 min time block, at which time our name will pop up in random order, and we should have a question ready. This info comes about 2 mins before the start time begins. Mind begins alternately racing & blanking in equal measure. Log on exactly at designated time, screen is completely blank, other then a tiny line of text in the middle of the screen that reads 'The conversation will begin shortly.' No Zoom screen, no visual or audio prompts yet. Waiting, waiting.. (employing mental Muzak..) The cursor pops up stating that the first person is IN; & the next person in line will be... Shite! I'm next. Panic, thrill, PANIC.. Suddenly, David Mitchell's silkily disembodied voice says, 'Hellooo? I can hear you, but I can't see you." Synapses explode. Fumble for Zoom video prompt. Fumble for what to say. Just.. FUMBLE. Total pro Mr. Mitchell genially carries the conversation, noting my clear organizational prowess, having observed the disasterous wreck of a Zoom background my home office is, labelled folders notwithstanding. PANIC. (Elation!) I ask my question: Who's your favorite character fr Greek Mythology? He demurs, claiming he hardly knows anything about the topic (Lie! knower of EVERYTHING) & is quick to credit Madeleine Miller's 'Cerce' as his go-to inspiration. Having jjust finished the book (LOVED) - thrilling to hear. So much to say! So little time.. Ping! Two mins are up. A lovely farewell and the Hero vanishes. (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC7A6tHpFJT/?igshid=y47qb9ijprkk

A client's ring with deep sentimental value arrived sporting a band that was split in 2 spots, bezel damage, a worn center stone, caked solid with ... the sands of time?? Swipe left to see what I mean, but the deepest of cleanings was an absolute must.. Soldering was also required in order to do all of the repair work and, since most gemstones cannot take any heat, a new turquoise would have been the easier less expensive route. But this client was adamant about keeping the original turquoise, so an extremely careful extraction was necessary - slowly and delicately - to keep the gem intact in order to fix the ring and then reset the turquoise. I am honored to be able to do this work for the pieces people cherish in their lives. I like to imagine this as an excellent metaphor for relationships : where you still stick with it even when times get rough; when it would easier to just scrap it and start new, but you choose instead to invest the time & energy into breathing new life back into it; choosing to refuel the tank for the next long stretch of the journey. Hope this lasts you a good long time - Enjoy, D! (& G😉) #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCxHT1Gp9h3/?igshid=wcy9cqkn9570

Adore my client's antique heirloom ring which - after wearing it every day for 75 years - had an opal plus one tiny seed pearl go missing. Opals are a soft gem made up of microscopic multi-layered silica spheres that formed deep in the earth as seasonal rains soaked into underground rock, mingling with the dissolved silica. (Their high water content makes them susceptible to extreme temperatures.) When dry periods came, the water evaporated and left behind the opal formed fr the silica deposits. Their beautiful play of color comes fr light waves diffracting around these silica spheres, creating a spectral array of colors. It is said that Bedouins believed opals contained lightning, having fallen from the skies during thunderstorms, and Romans believed opals ability to incorporate all colors made it precious and omnipotent. Enjoy, S! Wear it in good health. #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCucWcNpypv/?igshid=lydvsywlkped

Thrilling to rework these vintage 18KY + turquoise cabochon earrings by Tiffany. Originally clip-ons when they were passed down to my client, now converted to removable dangles hanging from new 18K hand hammered studs with locking posts. Much more comfortable & lovely with a tiny bit of movement as they hug her earlobe. Enjoy, A! (BTW Tiffany in SF was fabulous about sending these to NYC for a deep cleaning - at no charge, 40 yrs later - before I began the conversion. Wouldn't have dreamed of attempting to clean these beauties myself.) #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCm2EIxJQGk/?igshid=1s12gfxleajk6

ruby red sparkling heart floating through sterling skies  diamond dewdrops suspended, Arachne's early day weaving #ilovemyjob #mulling  (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCg2nD5pqfN/?igshid=ihzt6brlqpdr

Renovation project one complete: the first of several 're-imagining' projects planned for all of their family members. By disassembling and reusing the diamonds fr a very elaborate pair of earrings from the generation before - much beloved but entirely formal - each family member receives their own more wearable piece of history. These diamond trio stud earrings in 14KY with notched edge detailing on bezels were recently shipped out to my client who had wanted an everyday look with some *hand* to it. Enjoy, J! #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCeKYTeJwDp/?igshid=6jvpe5uxumby

Process shots. Once the design is decided, it begins w a block of wax, hand carved into shape, molded in silicone, then *shot* into two new identical waxes, which get cast into gold. Same basic steps ea time, but every project has a different configuration, varying challenges, and is its own unique conversation as I work on it. The work always brings a surprise which, for me, means it never gets boring. I love the work of it every time. #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCeCFLgpnq6/?igshid=19h8jc6za5san

What to do when a gem goes missing fr your client's cool vintage diamond + blue sapphire + Mother of Pearl ring, but your gem cutter isn't back to work yet? Hand carve a new one yourself. Complex curves front to back, side to side, top to bottom + adding in bevelled edges all around made for a lengthy carving & buffing session but I learned so much in the process. Can you guess which one is *new*? #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCZWnYEJUcW/?igshid=1fd0xwyuxdn88

Having so much fun converting my client's polki diamond antiqued pendant into a two toned gold bracelet. An inspired idea. Lots of upcycling in the studio during COVIDtimes. Am really enjoying all of my clients' repurposing ideas & spirit of reinvention. A pleasure working w you - ENJOY, J! #ilovemyjob (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6qR9uJAQG/?igshid=1xbs1yem53cn

Evil Eye 2020. Amulets of protection to ward off bad impulses to hug or go maskless. Worn at 6' distance. (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqxSaqpFmq/?igshid=x4e9e7k26cb1

During times of chaos, moments also of celebration. A small something for other daughter - eternally wise soul and all around fabulous human - I love you always, L! SO proud of you and all you have accomplished. Happy Pandemic Graduation. 😷😘 You. Are. AMAZING. I feel so lucky & thankful to have you & your family in our lives. Teensy tiny pavé set blue diamonds, antiqued, w white gold lever backs. (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBpJCS6JOEF/?igshid=rpsrwmghnmyt

Beautiful national treasures - official Presidential portrait by #kehindewiley plus the man himself #barackobama - memories of a happier time. #obamadayjune14th #obamaappreciationday https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbjpc0Jeut/?igshid=u07n91y0ctqo

CONGRATS to all the BHS grads - a tough final year w so many sacrifices - hoping you're all headed to greater things. Yes, ALL of you. So proud of the youth activism and stepping up happening in Berkeley - you guys are our FUTURE. Srsly, you will lead us where we need to go. We await you. Until then - CONGRATS on your accomplishments and have a .. summer? Good, bad, it'll be one for the books. So proud of you guys.. A sm something for a fave grad - known you since you were knee high - what an incredible young woman you are. Can't wait to see all the things you'll do. Onward, upward! XOs, B 😘😘 #ilovemywork (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZxHWEJRIV/?igshid=h3gnxl6zwpdi

Just watched "13th" last night (FREE on Netflix) - a powerful, incisive, infuriating & heartbreaking film that will open your eyes to America's sad history of systematic violence against Black people. By the amazingly talented & brilliant writer, producer, director, #AvaDuVernay - A MUST WATCH for anyone wanting a deeper understanding + a road map for the way forward. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBWMP5yJdMk/?igshid=1ukg964v0am8a

“BIASES ARE THE STORIES WE MAKE UP ABOUT PEOPLE BEFORE WE KNOW WHO THEY ACTUALLY ARE.” Powerful and brilliant diversity advocate and inclusion strategist #VernaMyers in her TED Talk discussing ‘the inherent racial bias present in all of us’ - sent to me by my 17 yo who’s been struggling to find answers in response to the recent unnecessary & brutal killing of #GeorgeFloyd , an unarmed Black man, by police. PLEASE WATCH her call to action on ways to counteract bias and help reset & re-form preconceived negative images of young black men (& women). GET OUT OF DENIAL. Try less to be good, more to be real. Embrace your biases. The ‘Implicit Association Test’ measures unconscious bias. Studies have shown that, typically, it’s easier to associate white faces with good behavior and black faces with bad behavior. Much of this stems from unfair media representation. (take it here for free www. ) SPEND TIME FOCUSING ON BLACK ROLE MODELS. Memorize them. Build new pathways of automatic positive association to better reflect reality. “STARE. AT. AWESOME. BLACK. PEOPLE.” MOVE TOWARD YOUNG BLACK MEN. Rethink any (conscious/unconscious) fear assumptions. Walk towards your discomfort. Expand your social and professional circles. Look around. Who’s missing? 'Build the kind of friendships & relationships that cause you to see the holistic person.' 'It’s not about perfection, it’s about connection.' 'You’re not going to get comfortable before you get uncomfortable.' 'When you see something, have the courage to SAY SOMETHING. Even to the people you love.' 'Be the example that breaks these bad patterns, make/build new & better patterns.' https://www.instagram.com/p/CBRFxPKhWTe/?igshid=1uarrd7aa3dap

And then there was one... Whatcha gonna do when one of your fave diamond cluster earrings goes perma-missing? This lovely new pendant is one way to make lemonade.. Original white gold & diamond cluster newly nestled into a 14KY gold filigree bezel pendant setting with coodinated classic cable chain. #ilovemyjob #before&after #after&before (at Berkeley, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBO80c5BYMr/?igshid=1obp0i3v0ix1r