Butterfly Rings and Other Things

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Dear Friends -

Taking a break from my designing work, I look out the window at a beautiful Gardenia plant on the balcony. It's just covered with fragrant, white blossoms. The bees know where to come and they're buzzing everywhere! At the other end of this little slice of paradise is a large Passion Flower plant that is breathtaking with it's exotic purple flowers with their bright yellow stamens. The Hostas are bursting out of their large pots and have multiple stalks of surprisingly delicate purple flowers. Hydrangeas, Japanese Red Maple, and many volunteers that no one knows the name of. They're all well cared for!

There are also many varieties of birds and other creatures that make use of the large, lush plants. I saw a really large dragonfly this morning, with his glorious iridescent wings, flying around on an important assignment. The birds gather twigs for their nests in the Spring and peck for bugs in the soil. Who would expect that in such a big city, with all of it's buildings and cement, that wildlife would have such a presence. I just love it!

Nora, who has worked with me for 15 years, has a green thumb the size of the Empire State Building! I have to hold her back sometimes or else she'd have the plants completely taking over. What a wonderful problem to have!

Speaking of lovely plants... I'll be debuting a beautiful new collection on Sunday called Acanthus, which is an addition to our popular chain of the same name. This elegant design has been used throughout history on Grecian and Roman columns and in many exquisite, ancient manuscripts, including the Bible.

There's a lovely acanthus leaf detail in the silver, a gorgeous square turquoise doublet with a faceted rock crystal top that gives the turquoise a clear, bright glow. It's accented with warm citrines which enliven the whole group. I'll be showing a ring, a pendant, and a beautiful pair of hoops in addition to the popular chain.

I'm also bringing a new butterfly ring for all of you who've been asking. Our previous, and very popular, butterfly rings have all been in profile, but this one shows the whole butterfly and is a slightly smaller version with an abalone body and delicate blue topaz stones on the wings. The body and antennae are a bright bronze that add a nice contrast.

Butterflies are such special creatures, we are so lucky that they float through our world. Every time I see one, it makes me stop for a moment and appreciate what's truly important.

I'll be on air to present these new designs on Sunday, August 12th at 7am EST. I hope to see you then!

Margaret