The Sunday Times: Issue #3

This once-weeky newsletter mailed out on Sunday mornings is our way to slow down and connect together. This issue will be your first glimpse at the inspiration for the upcoming Spring collection, Paradiso, and my first dispatch from my gem sourcing trip to Tucson.

Let's dive in.

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

DREAMSCAPE FOR SPRING '25

In June of last year, Dave and I were snorkeling at our favorite cove at St. Pete Beach, (photographed below) when I wanted to film the spectacular fish we were seeing. I didn't have an underwater camera so I grabbed a clear snack bag and sealed my phone in that. I wasn't able to clearly capture any of the fish, but instead, when I watched the footage back, I saw a dreamy, sparkly depiction of a magical day. One spent entirely in the cool teal water, escaping from the summer heat. The idea for Paradiso was born.

If you're unfamiliar with the cadence of Palm Sunday collection drops, in addition to the always available Foundation Collection, every year I release a Spring and Fall collection of gemstone-heavy, one-of-a-kind rings, earrings, and necklaces. I didn't plan this, but I realized recently that the past two collections focused on Earth and Sky. Tuscany (Fall '23) with its celebration of wheat, olives, and the autumnal hues of Tuscany, and Divino (Spring and Fall '24) with its clouds, angels, and everything divine. Without knowing it, I chose to focus on water for this collection, completing the triad.

We haven't travelled internationally since before Covid, but haven't felt any lack of inspiration since moving to the gulf coast of Florida in 2021. The manmade cove near us in St. Pete Beach usually has shallow, calm, and translucent water. Most days, it's a perfect sea foam green. On the best days, it's also so crystal clear that the sea foam green swirls around the ochre yellow fuzzy stuff growing on the cove rocks creating an enticing color palette. The yellow reminds me of jasper, and the water reminds me of sea foam tourmaline, mint beryl, and the rare green opalescent sapphire.

I'm excited to see what I find in Tucson to add to my existing inventory of green chalcedony, Australian sapphires, and Congo tourmaline. I don't have the right hue of yellow jasper yet so I'm especially excited to source that for the first time.

THE MOODBOARD

We could all use a bit of an escape right now. I'm leaning heavily into that idea, creating a world in my mind that feels transcendent, cool, and refreshing. A place that I can retreat to when this world feels like too much.

I've pulled inspiration photos referencing ancient Roman glass, lounging, concrete or stucco textures, wishing wells, holy fountains, shells, and mother of pearl. The typography or graphic element of this collection feels cryptic, ancient, and playful.

If you want to see the entire collection of inspiration images, you can always find them for current, past, and upcoming collections on my Pinterest page.

BY THE WAY, I'M IN TUCSON!

For those who've never heard of the Tucson Gem Show, it's not just one big show. It's a time when the gemstone dealers, jewelers, and rock enthusiasts of the world descend upon the city and take over every nook and cranny. Picture dealers setting up shop in motel rooms, flashy group shows at convention centers, and artisans selling out of tents. If you've ever been to Art Basel, it's similar. But with a new-age, crystal vibe.

I typically go to source stones for the entire year and for custom projects. I still have a lot of stones leftover from previous trips so this one shouldn't be so much of a business and buying trip as it will be a "catch up" and "hang out" trip. I really need a change of scenery and the company of my fellow gem and jewelry people to lift me out of this January gloom. This trip typically energizes me enough to return to Florida and get down to the hard work of creating a new collection.

Today is my first morning here and I hope you'll follow along as I hunt down the treasure. For now, I'll be posting daily in stories on IG, with a recap to come in next Sunday's issue.