Spicing up My Life
There are two opportunities for gift giving in February: February birthdays and Valentine’s Day. The traditional birthstone for February is amethyst and also bloodstone as you get closer to March. If you want more choices, the Zodiac signs of Aquarius and Pisces include thirteen stones: amethyst, garnet, moss agate, opal, sugilite, turquoise, jasper, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock crystal, sapphire and ruby.
I have some gift suggestions for February – a turquoise bracelet, carved amethyst earrings, faceted amethyst heart earrings, 14kt gold amethyst studs, a jasper necklace, and a pink opal necklace. There are matching earrings pink opal earrings. Check the website for more.
turquoise nugget bracelet 
carved amethyst flowers 
Faceted amethyst hearts 
14kt gold earrings with amethyst 
abstract silver pendant with amethyst 
patinated jasper slice necklace and pendant 
Peruvian opal and rock crystal
I have several new designs that are “in progress”: I’m finishing a necklace to go with a new turquoise pendant while I’m working on other pieces. A friend cut some turquoise stones for me recently and I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to use them. Amethyst and turquoise make a terrific combo in jewelry, so I’m going to combine turquoise with faceted amethyst for a couple of new designs.
I am reading Joyful and I am enjoying it a lot. I am discovering some “forgotten” things in myself that I want to bring out again. (I’ll do a book review separately). The author’s central thesis is “everyday things that bring us joy”. For one thing, I’m reminded that color brings me great joy and I’m adding more color in my life and in my closet! I really love color, but I tend to neutrals and black in my everyday clothes. Our house is adobe on the outside with a cream color interior throughout (nice for artwork). Santa Fe mandates the adobe style and exterior colors. However, as I read I realize that I should at least add more bright accents to both my wardrobe and my home. Inside I’ve been adding a few house plants to perk things up and I’m getting fresh flowers now and then, too. (I’m ready for Spring – can you tell?)
Another “thing” that brings me joy are animals. After agonizing over adding new pets as we age, we are adding two cats to replace our beloved Gatito. Pandora (shown here) and Willowe are sisters and they are 1 year old. They are providing us with a lot of excitement – we are discovering that they are just large kittens, at least part of the time.
