Ram's Head

My sister Amy and I have been into Ram's head jewelry recently. A Ram's head is an ancient jewelry motif, and it is getting popular once more. These are just two modest pieces. Gem Gossip shows a beautiful high karat gold double rams' head ring. Here are some other fantastic rams:

Image thanks to Gem Gossip

Cary's gift

We were in Cary Town, Richmond, VA at the fabulous vintage jewelry store, Ant Hill, when we came across this amazing hand painted brooch. Our sister, Cary, had always drawn princesses and queens ever since she was three years old. And she loves the sea motif. So this seemed like the perfect gift. It wasn't cheap, but we (sister Amy and I) thought it was unique and a real demonstration of Cary's lifelong passions that we had to buy it.

another forgotten item

When I went to Richmond last week my Aunt Beverly showed me this little sachet I had made for her when I was 16. She has kept it all these years, and I had totally forgotten making it. I know I embroidered a lot as a kid but my gosh what else have I forgotten?

cleaning

I have been looking for this horse pin for months! Then I did a little house cleaning and look what turned up! I love this little pin. It was one of the few pieces of jewelry I took with me to the Iowa to the Writers' Workshop. I really think I should send it to Marshall Blevins, but kids don't wear brooches anymore. Marshall has a job photographing horses for a race track, and she does a beautiful job.

square rings

I now have a nice collection of square rings thanks to the Nifty Thrifty half-off everything sale
last week Saturday. I got the malachite and plain silver ones there in Portola. The lapis ring is from Traci's Thrift Store (pre-fire). The blue topaz I got in Reno and the piece de la resistance is the large coral and other inlaid stone ring made by an American Indian artist. Strangely enough I go it in Hawaii at the place we used to call, "the cowboy store."

Trifari

I found this really awesome set of Trifari "parachute" style rings at the Sutro St. Salvation Army. I love the box even as much as I love the rings. It's in perfect condition. The insect pin is also Trifari and is a piece that I have loved almost 20 years now.

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.