Pinache!

 Quincy, having been voted the coolest small town in the West, has some cute little businesses. One should not miss Pinache owned and run by Andrew Elskin. What's great about this cute store is that Andrew makes all the jewelry he sells. He has been working with metal ever since he was a kid. He has a display of pieces he's made over the years. I bought a ring and a necklace (shown below). I love the charming handmade heart made from a Mercury dime. I also couldn't resist the triangular cut aquamarine ring. I'd like to buy the ring with the green stones for one of my sisters.

this is old

When touring my sister, Marty's, closet she showed me something that I had entirely forgotten about. When I was in high school I used to make these little embroidered pendants for presents. Marty still had hers! And I had forgotten even making them! Apparently this is the only one to have survived. I remember now making several of them. Anyway Marty thinks I should start making them again. Who knows? I just might.

Marty's closet

My sister, Marty, has many lovely things in her jewelry collection. Here are just a few examples. The pin directly above was made by my other sister, Cary. I gave Marty the collection of silver bangles. The Art Nouveau pendant belonged to our beloved Aunt Olive. The silver discs are from that fabulous store of the 80's in Honolulu known as the Rainbow Collection. And finally the colored pearls were made in Greenville.

gold belt

This gorgeous gold belt came from the Greek Isles. My friend Vic bought it 30 years ago for less than $30! It is such a high karat gold that it is woven not metal worked. I've seen this technique used in Indian wedding jewelry. You can truly see gold a being more like thread than metal. I'm wearing this to my cousin, Madeline's, wedding in May, probably with this blue dress.

my hands today

 I still can't bear to wear anything else with my stag ring. Everything I've tried so far is just a distraction. But I am having fun on my left hand today: new citrine ring with gold bands, large snake, and black diamond.

shopping San Mateo

 I spent $43.60 for two gold pieces and a crystal heart. The green jade heart was a gift from my sister. I couldn't believe I lucked into such nice fine jewelry for such cheap prices considering that it was the city where people are very sophisticated and all. The citrine ring and dolphin brooch are both fine gold. My sister also gave me the cute pink corduroy jacket!

 

Amy's closet

When visiting my sister Amy, I took the opportunity to photograph some of her treasures. I love these painted brooches, gold plated bangles, and the awesome skull in the third photo.

Visit to Diamond Cutters in San Mateo

The big blue ring in the far left hand corner of this picture is the ring Amy wants from Diamond Cutters in down town San Mateo. The store features jewelry made by the proprietor but also features some amazingly beautiful estate gems. I told Amy to buy the ring on lay-a-way. That's how I got most of my diamond jewelry!