Tucson Gem Show Time

  This year, I get to cross off one of my bucket list items and am going to the Tucson Gem Show!

The plan is descend upon the desert that is waaay warmer than it is here in Portland and just stand in the sun-only for a few minutes though, with my freckly skin...I probably have about 5 minutes before I burn.  

Then, I have a few days of shopping the motherlode. I am primarily looking for a solid source for turquoise. If you have a hankering for a certain gem for a custom piece, please let me know before February 11th. I'm happy to oblige. After that date, I am working on several wholesale orders for Mother's Day so it may be a while before I am able to work on custom pieces.

In the meantime, I am working on some rings! Lots and lots of rings. I am loving the bench, sore fingertips and all. I feel incredibly lucky that this is my job. Thank you for your support!

It's Official.

                                                                                    Photo credit: XCVI.com

Kenton Beadworks is now available at XCVI in Pioneer Place, Second Level- next to White House Black Market in Downtown Portland. You really must check out their gorgeous new summer line. You can do that here.

Their space in the mall is fantastic and they have the cutest fitting rooms-they're little canvas tents! I already own one of their skirts- it's few years old now and it's still soooo comfy!

I personally want one of their beautiful dresses.

Which piece from their collection is your favorite?

Tasty Tuesday...Thursday Edition

                                                                   Sauteed Spinach

1 tsp evoo
3 cups spinach
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Dash or two of garlic salt

Warm up the olive oil in a large skillet or a pan with higher sides to hold all of the spinach.
Add the spinach and stir until it is all wilted. You don't have to stir continuously or cook until it is 100% wilted.  I usually remove from the heat and stop stirring until the spinach is 90% wilted.

Optional: 2-3 garlic stuffed green olives-coarsely chopped, or sliced if you'd like. 
I get all OCD and quarter my olives. Sometimes I only add some Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Depends.That is just how crazy I can be. Who in the heck knows what I might put on my sauteed spinach next!

When it's not hot outside, I like my salad warm. Sauteed spinach is a great way to get a bunch of good fuel and be satisfied afterwards.  Do you have a food that you only eat when it is cold/rainy?

Speaking of, it's sunny outside. See ya!

New Line in the Works!

photo courtesy of The Gem Bee

I am so giddy about the new line that is in the works. I can not wait to show it to you all.
Finally, I found a way to use all of the silk thread remnants and these super fancy luxe gems that I recently purchased. It's a simple style that is sure to turn heads and I haven't seen anything like it before.

I'll be sure to post photos here first so you can check them out before they are in the store.
In the meantime, what are your favorite stones? My favorite at the moment is Moss Aquamarine (above).