Anne

Anne Boleyn was second of the six wives of Henry VII and the mother of “The Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I. She was both revered and despised for her role in the Reformation, when The Church of England first separated from Roman Catholic Authority. Unable to produce a male heir to the English throne (she suffered several miscarriages), the Queen was eventually tried and convicted for high treason (adultery, incest with her brother, and plotting to kill the king). She was then imprisoned in the Tower of London, and beheaded. It is apparent that during the three short years between her coronation and her execution she had a tremendous influence on the fate of England but the true reasons behind her downfall and her own tragic destiny are still debatable; whether she was insane with greed, impelled by love, or persecuted for her genius. It is fun to speculate about Anne and her story makes for good drama like the films “Anne of the Thousand Days” (1969) or “The Other Boleyn Girl” (2008) and one of my favorite television series “The Tudors.” It’s even more fun to be like her, at least for a little while, especially adorned in this regal gold and pearl necklace. Brilliant round pearls hang inside eight golden keys that are opulently linked by larger pearls. The keys are like an abstract portrait and mimic a queenly profile. Anne was granted special clemency from her husband the King and instead of suffering the brutal blow of the axe, a swordsman executioner known for precision was called from France to deliver her sentence because she had, in her own words, “just a little neck.” The adjustable chain allows these pearls to fit close around a "little neck" like a choker or longer for a more bosom-enhancing, provocative style.

Jody

For the life of me, I can’t keep an orchid alive. I’ve agonized over the growing instructions: water, orchid food, imported potting bark, Japanese ceramic orchid pot, indirect filtered light, diligence -- check, check, check, check, check, and check. But it is brutally apparent that I am the grim reaper of exotic flowers. To those who have bestowed an orchid into my care, thank you for the generosity and for the high praise in thinking I have the skills and necessary magical powers to care for such a temperamental plant. However, I confess that the orchid you gave me died. It barely lasted a fortnight before its precious blossoms withered away and its succulent green leaves deflated to a sad leathery brown.
Friendships are much like orchids because they require a lot of maintenance and nurturing to flourish. As in cultivating an orchid flower, if you make the effort you can grow a friendship that will last a lifetime and is as wonderful as it is rare. Yet, sometimes friendships are meant to be two-week orchids and bless your life for only a brief moment; a college roommate, your best friend in 3rd grade, a co-worker from your old job, or even a bridesmaid that you regrettably included in your wedding. You enjoy them while they last but eventually you let go and they become acquaintances, holiday card recipients, or maybe just a fond memory. Luckily, I have been more fortunate in friendships than with orchids. Case in point: Jody, one of my best, best friends. Jody and I have been friends since we were six years-old, which is essentially decades. Like this silver orchid on a double strand of fuchsia glass beads, she is everlasting and will be treasured forever. The orchid jauntily hangs slightly to the left in its most appropriate place, nearest to the heart. Tucked between the dendrobium colored strands is a surprising mix of purples and lavenders... because as Jody and I know all too well, things that are mixed are more special.

Michelle

Michelle's handwriting is unmistakable; she dots I's with little bubble-like circles, adds curly tails to the letters at the end words, and always uses purple ink. Michelle, herself, is an unbelievable beauty; with her soft blond hair and brilliant blue eyes she sparkles like mid-day sunshine. She is also unapologetically perky; she is as sweet as peaches and has an easy sort of kindness about her. Some might dismiss all of these feminine details as a weakness but such a oversight would be unforgivable. You see, Michelle's girly splendor is the way she stays positive even through a life-changing, world-crushing, dream-dashing event. Michelle is unbreakable. This cheery cherry necklace celebrates Michelle and her resilient optimism.

Elizabeth

Do you remember your senior prom? Did you plan every detail: shop for the perfect dress, dye satin shoes to match, and make a salon appointment so you could wear your hair in hairspray crisp curls pinned to the crown of your head reminiscent to Audrey Hepburn in "A Roman Holiday"? We may all have had illusions of the perfect prom night, but in reality how many of our prom nights played out exactly like our dreams?
This necklace is for one of my very best high school friends, Elizabeth. The day of our senior prom, she was driving us to get our manicures when she was pulled over in her white Volkswagen Rabbit for not making a complete stop at a traffic sign. Parental drama ensued and the kibosh was put on her after prom festivities. I'm so sorry Liz. I wish it would have turned out differently for you and I feel like in some way I was partly to blame, especially because I think you were distracted by my singing along to your mix tape.
Maybe we all have a secret hopes to relive prom. Not to worry though, you can definitely be the prom queen everyday wearing this butter yellow satin and tulle corsage necklace.
Three asymmetrical, beaded rosettes are hand sewn tightly on a felt and lace backing (almost as pretty as the front). The length is adjustable: just hook the lobster claw clasp anywhere along the opposite chain and a glass pearl and a yellow rose pearl counterweight will dangle elegantly down your back. Wears adorably with a crinoline and chiffon party dress but also just as easily with a scoop neck T-shirt or soft cardigan.

Leslie

A mother will drop off your forgotten swim suit at summer day camp on her valuable lunch break because it will crush her heart to think of you sadly sitting poolside all day while your friends splash and play in the deep end. A mother will also stay up all through the night to finish her law school assignment and not regret for a moment that earlier in the day she took the time to help you make valentines for your second grade classmates. Leslie is mother who does this AND looks fantastic in a beautiful gray suit and pointy-toe, suede stilettos. A modern-day super woman; her beauty, intelligence, and success are uncompromised by her motherhood. In fact, her beauty, intelligence, and success are made more remarkable by her motherhood.
This necklace is comprised of three clusters of fresh water pearls on a silver tone which represent Leslie and her two children. The clusters are blushed with gray and pink and accented by nuclei of large glass beads and pearls. All are sewn onto reinforced felt and backed in velvety pink fabric for wearable comfort.

Sr. Joan Marie

My fifth grade world was ruled by the "Iron Habit" a.k.a. Sister Joan Marie. As harmless as I appeared in a green and white plaid uniform pinafore, I seemed to be in constant trouble in Sr. Joan Marie's class. Some of my most serious offenses: 1.) sneaking a library book about chimpanzees into the girls' bathroom and forgetting to return to the classroom and 2.) copying gross words like "hemorrhoid" out of the dictionary. She was a stern disciplinarian but fair. For example: if you were playing kick-ball in front of the convent garage and she came roaring through the parking lot in her behemoth sedan, she would give you the courtesy of exactly one blaring honk before you better get your plaid-a$$ out of dodge.
She was an "old school" nun even back in my day and taught her students to fear Satan. She said that if you ever see him coming around the corner you should say "Jesus, Mary, Joseph!" and pray the "Hail Mary" every day. Well, maybe this necklace will offer a little more protection. It is a wooden tile painted white and bearing a transferred image of the Holy Mother. Iridescent turquoise glass beads, cobalt blue wooden beads, and vintage silver tone rosary beads hang amidst wired layers of white stone chips.

Reyna Sisters

I have four sister-in-laws and perhaps it would be a better story if I told you that gaining acceptance into their close knit family was chaotic and challenging, but it was quite the opposite. They welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning. And as I fell deeply in love with their brother, space in my heart for my new sisters also grew. Caring, compassionate, kind, and generous are just some of the characteristics of these truly queenly women. I count my blessings everyday and among them are Silvia, Mabel, Carmen, and Erica.
This regal necklace was inspired by my sister-in-laws. Three opulent strands of large white faux glass pearls are arranged on shaped wire to perfectly encircle the neck. The traditional images on wood tiles are repurposed from a handcrafted Mexican jewelry and have been framed with acrylic gemstones. A silver tone chain finishes the back of the necklace for comfort.