Rare Beauties

Oh, how I love hunting for antique coins. Each trip is a possibility waiting to happen. For something amazing to pop up- quietly... innocently... and unbeknownst to everyone but us... and that is what happened this time!

A day in East Jerusalem to my "coin source"- always seems like he is sleeping in a chair- nothing going on- several Greek orthodox priests in full garb wandering around his dusty shop fondling objects that i cant even imagine what they are. Always happy to see us when he opens his eyes. Always offering thick black coffee that i pretend to drink- always bringing out crinkly plastic bags of coins that he doesnt keep in his display- and the rare ones that are wrapped in a tissue and kept in an Augmentin antibiotic box.

Very secure and official...

I did get the small Roman coins that i use in rings and necklaces- they are bronze nand lovely- but not particularly rare- they are almost 2000 years old- but still- there are plenty out there.

And then I saw one silver very dirty coin without much hope- so he said he would sell it to us for a "reasonable" price- but good luck cleaning it. Also splurged on one amazing greek- 2500 year old coin of Athena- drop dead gorgeous and waiting for some gold and tourmaline to greet it.

Long story... well longer- got home and cleaned the mess and found a BEAUTY!!! A rare coin called "temple tax" coin- from the period of the second temple- King Herod (time of Jesus)- it was a 1/2 shekel that all males had to pay to pass through the temple gates. it is in perfect condition and worth a bundle. Also- very cool historical value and just so freakin lovely!!! Here is a pic:

So stay tuned for this beauty to be set into a PHENOMANAL necklace that is all planned in my head!

This is the lovely and old Athens- with a bird on back- the cut was made into it thousands of years ago to test for silver value. All these coins have the cuts.

Stay tuned for this in a new incarnation also...

So great day in Jerusalem- good hummus and no riots (always a plus_ except the next day there were- so we lucked out in many ways!!!

Inspirational Nonsense!

I need to know!!! What is the deal with everyone lately stamping their jewelry (jewelry designers, that is), with all this inspirational nonsense!? On the back of a necklace the word "strength"- or "balance" - that seems to be a biggie! Or then there are the obvious- like "winter". it's a growing and extremely annoying trend!

I feel like making a line of jewelry and stamping things like "slightly anemic"- or maybe "irritable in the morning"- or things like "pudding" and "mac n cheese"- maybe I can have a whole line from appetizers through dessert!

For Gods sake! This whole new aged thing just cracks me up. People who usually cant even pronounce "spaghetti bolognese" are saying words like "Feng shui" all of a sudden.
And paying $300 for someone to come into their kitchen to discuss where the energy points are.
In my kitchen the energy points are the gas burner- the oven and the toaster. And they use a plug!!! And they cannot channel the spirit of a baker from 1760! And they wont cause me to be fruitful and multiply or anything else!

I even know someone who had one of those ridiculous consultants come into their house and advised them to keep their toilet seats closed so the good energy wont flush down the toilet! Honest to god! I usually keep them closed so the cats wont fall in- who knew I was being so spiritually healthy!!!

I just have no patience for all this crap! I sound a bit like Rosanne Rosadanna from the original Saturday night Live- if anyone remembers her!
Anyway... on another topic- did some majorly lovely rings yesterday. Here are a few pics. I am in a ring phase lately!

white topaz silver and 18 karat gold
gorgeous garnet and silver- with inspiration from Miss tammy!
not quite a ring- but made with rings- silver,gold and sapphire

rough diamond,gold and silver- another "not a ring"

So here is the top frive in the theme of inspirational crap!!

5 things I want to stamp on jewelry:

1.slightly anemic (yes, i repeat meself here)

2. need new bras

3. cranky

4. lamb chop

5. lost 5 pounds!

Off to Jerusalem tomorrow to look for old coins. Hopefully all quiet tomorrow. Last week was a bit hairy due to Hamas calling friday "day of Rage" and there were some small riots- hopefully tomorrow will be just "day of shopping". Wish me luck!!!

xxoo

Does anyone really see this?

Sometimes I wonder- well all the time I wonder- does anyone actually read this? Am I just rambling on and on to myself? Should I just chat with my cat and call it quits? She is always a good audience and never critical or sarcastic- although an occasional fur ball might find its way up in mid chat- so there are pros and cons.

I have been working morning till night forever it seems- not that I dont love it- but still- i could use a few day break.

London might be on the horizon for this weekend or next! Will know more tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are a few new pics of what I did today and have found their way into the Etsy shop:

amazing Picasso jasper and citrine pendant

The biggest citrine ring on the planet

lovely fossil coral and silver

Ruby rubilicoius ring

very cool mystery jasper ring

And now for todays top Five:

Five reasons I love Halloween:

1. candycorn

2.candycorn

3.candycorn

4.candycorn

5.candycorn

Enough said!!!

My favorite ring yet

Each day I make a new ring, I say it is my favorite. Today I mean it- until tomorrow probably. This ring is large- gorgeous stone- cool metalwork- all in all YUMMY for a ring.

And now, for today's list: 5 things you should never say in a doctor's office waiting room:

1. would you mind holding my specimen cup a moment?

2. can you scratch that big oozing sore on my back for me please- its hard for me to get to

3. I've named my tapeworm Robert

4. I'm collecting spleen donations- can you help?

5. Usually when I have an Ebola outbreak, it is for a week. Today seems like a short one

Pink Rules!

YUM YUM- I love pink stones- I could physically eat them -of course that might lead to digestive problems... but a girl can dream. This ring i dod today- well I am actually in love with it. And I might need a few minutes alone with it each day- it is nothing short of sublime (if i do say so myself) i am just tickled... pink!

And now for the list of the week-

5 games never to play with a toddler:

1. ring around the porcupine

2. peek-a-boo with a plastic bag

3. hide n seek in the safari park

4. who can eat the most small nuts the fastest

5. how hot is the pot