Fall is a transition season, traditionally moving from a time of warmth and plenty to more austere days with chill and darkness. Yet, as we continue to change our world, we change our seasons. Now, the end of summer offers some hope of relief from sweltering heat conditions and a respite from terrible storms, unless of course people find themselves in the path of a terrible storm. Though we are all complicit in the circumstances that alter our weather, some will suffer misfortune more than others. Rota Fortunae, or wheel of fortune, was a popular analogy for fate and people's fortunes subject to the random spin of the goddess's wheel.

Yet, we are thinking beings too, capable of ingenuity and restraint. Perhaps our collective will finds a voice and a path to alter our course and avoid a tragic fate. The new jewelry items this season are a mix of old and new; pieces contain materials sourced recently, like the lightweight and colorful Raku ceramic beads handcrafted in the old ways of Japanese pottery and graceful new metal charms, as well as gemstones and precious metal components collected in small batches over the years.

Each jewelry item is handcrafted with attention to techniques and tools to create the most pleasing and durable designs. Beaded jewelry is a challenge: what materials offer strength yet maintain flexibility and fluidity? What materials will stand up to repeated wear? Much like birds, beads want to fly! Designs like Mineral Deposit contain an intentional mix of bead shape and weight to create a balanced necklace that is easy to wear and wears well with a variety of outfits. It uses a medium weight nylon coated stainless steel cord made of large numbers of thin strands for strength. It also features outstanding materials, like the hollow electro-plated copper nuggets and colorful Raku ceramic beads. The Red Sea earrings feature handcrafted enameled copper pendants with shining copper components.

These kind of statement earrings, some large and dramatic, some smaller but striking and unusual, can change the feeling of an outfit from everyday, nothing special, to something strong and bold. The Bohemia earrings also feature enameled copper drops, paired with stamped patina brass. Earrings like Astrolab use fine metals and geometric shapes for striking effect. Necklaces such as Earthy and Earthier feature beautiful autumn-hued green, gold, and brown gemstones in long, slim single strands that may be doubled or wrapped for versatile wear. Gemstone pendant necklaces with cool, shining silver never go out of style and wear well with casual to elegant attire. The Thalia necklace combines green aventurine and peridot gemstones with a sterling silver twisted coil necklace.

Translucent orange gemstones, like the faceted rondelles in the Lunar Eclipse necklace, are rare. The orange-yellow gemstones with high sparkle are spessartite garnet, a metamorphic rock with a high refractive index found in well-developed crystals and a variety of colors. Peach moonstone is a feldspar with milky, lustrous color, like in the Waning Gibbous necklace and Waxing Crescent necklace. Orange contrasts with green, such as brilliant yellow-green peridot or paler, cooler green quartz. Earthy color can be imparted to shining silver as well; sterling silver can be darkened to a chill steel color through a chemical patina and coated with gold, like in the Astrolab earrings.

The card package Fortune's Wheel includes 16 designs inspired by "luck of the draw" and "roto fortunae." Antique fortune telling and playing cards have lines from Shakespeare's plays on the role and twists of fate. Though nearly a millennium passed between Boethius and Shakespeare, their questions of fate are contemporaneous. Likewise, lines from early American poets lose none of their power or meaning when describing parts of the human experience. Black and white photos of the Western coast have the beauty of the pounding surf and sunlight waves along with poetry in the card package Western Sea.

Alternatively, daily images can brighten someone's day like golden sunlight. The Gift Center offers calendar stacks, collections of daily inspiration, in monthly packages from 1 to 4 months.

Card designs are printed on approximately 5"x6.5" heavy cardstock in cream or ivory with designs printed in archival inks for brilliant, lasting color. Matching envelopes included.

The daily images within a calendar stack are approximately 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square, printed on matte paper with nice weight and silky feel, using archival inks. Gift packages offer combinations of calendar stacks and jewelry items for lovely and unique shipments.

The 20 under 30 page has 20 high quality, precious metal jewelry items for under $30, making it possible to share gifts both stylish and economical. For slightly more, the sub 60 page features jewelry with natural semi-precious gemstone pendants in sterling silver for under $60.

For a list of new items, see the New Products page.

Revisit past featured items:
| Fall 2022 | Winter 2022 | Spring 2023 | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Winter 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Fall / Winter 2024 | Spring 2025 |

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