The Frog Lady

Over Three years ago I met a woman at a jewelry show who was interested in purchasing a turquoise frog ring.  She didn’t have the money right then, but gave me about $10 to hold it on layaway.  She said she was drawn to frogs.  She told me a sad tale of being in a rehab program for drug addiction.  She had been clean about 6 months, but it was a hard road she was traveling.  She had been a successful attorney but the drug addiction had ruined her life and career.  After a month I called her about making another payment.  She said she couldn’t afford to purchase the ring after all.  I thought that was the end of that.

Fast forward to 2007.  I’m doing a 2-day jewelry show at a church.  I get a call the first night of my show from the same frog woman telling me that her rehab group met at the church and she saw my banner and recognized it.  We talked for a long time.  She said she was doing great in her recovery and had found a spiritual path to God that was helping her.  I was happy to hear such good news.  She asked if I still had the frog ring.  I said no, but that I did have some frog pendants.  We met in person and she bought a pretty frog pendant.  She said she was still very involved in her recovery program.

Many months passed.  I came across a gorgeous handcrafted pearl necklace and earring set.  There was a frog pin with vintage leaf pins attached to the multi-stand pearl necklace.  It was big and showy and rather pricey.  I thought it was gorgeous and had to have it.  I had it for a few months before I remembered the “frog lady”.  I sent her an email with photos attached.  She said she loved it and wanted to see it.  We arranged a meeting.  She loved it and asked if we could do another layaway plan.  I said yes.  The only stipulation was that it had to be paid off within the year for tax purposes.  It has taken almost a year, but each month she has sent a check, getting closer and closer to her goal.

Today I received another check from her.  She asked me to call her with the balance.  I called and she said that her final check would be mailed in a few weeks.  She said late November would mark her 4 year anniversary of being clean and drug free.  She wants to wear the frog necklace then.  She said she is in the process of trying to get her law license reinstated.  I told her how proud I was of her and what she has accomplished.  As we were about to hang up, she said, “Do you know what FROG stands for?”  I said, “No.”  She said, “Fully Rely on God.”

  
We both agree that things happen for a reason.  I believe the frog lady came into my life for a reason.  Her story has been an inspiration to me.  I asked her if I could share it with my blog readers.  She said of course.  She said I could use her real name in the blog.  I’ve chosen to call her the frog lady for her own privacy.  She speaks at jails and everywhere she thinks she can help people.

To the frog lady:  I value the talks we’ve had and admire you so much.  Happy 4 year Anniversary!  When I mail you the frog necklace, there will be an added gift in there from me to you.  Keep up the great work! 

Warm Fuzzy Amber

What is Amber?

Amber is the fossilized resin from ancient forests. Amber is not produced from tree sap, but rather from plant resin. This aromatic resin can drip from and ooze down trees, as well as fill internal fissures, trapping debris such as seeds, leaves, feathers and insects. The resin becomes buried and fossilized through a natural polymerization of the original organic compounds.

Now you know a little more about the facts of amber .  I think wearing natural gemstones creates a feeling or “vibe” in the wearer.  I like how amber “feels” when I’m wearing it.  I know it sounds crazy to some, but wearing amber gives me a feeling of well being.  It makes me feel warm and grounded.  The rich color of amber with the pockets of air, trapped debris, etc., also makes amber visually interesting and fun to wear.  I always receive lots of compliments when I wear amber.  Wearing beautiful amber jewelry and receiving compliments is bound to make anyone feel good.

Tip of the Day:  Get that warm fuzzy feeling of well being by wearing amber today.

The Dragonfly That Started It All

Last week our family took a vacation to the beach.  One day I was enjoying my morning coffee on the balcony of our condo overlooking the gorgeous Florida gulf coast.  All of a sudden the biggest dragonfly I’ve ever seen flew in the balcony and stayed there for about two minutes.  As I was watching it fly around, it brought back a memory of another dragonfly. 

In 2002 my mom had mentioned that she was looking for a large sterling silver dragonfly pin.  A few weeks later I spotted a HUGE gorgeous sterling silver dragonfly pin that had mother of pearl wings and an amber tail.  It was beautifully made.  I bought it for mom for Mother’s Day.  I started talking to the owner of the shop where I bought it and told him I’ve always wanted to be in the jewelry business.  I was literally just making conversation since I already had a job.  He said that this was his wife’s business and that maybe I would like to talk to her.  A few days later we met and talked about two hours.  Next thing I knew I was in the jewelry business and have loved every second of it. 

I have sold quite a few dragonfly pieces.  Dragonflys are associated with luck and good fortune.  I have a pair of unique dragonfly earrings that are so gorgeous.  They have clear moonstones with abalone on the back shining through the moonstones.  These are beautifully made in fine sterling silver.  The dragonfly that started it all has certainly brought me luck and good fortune.

eBay Store Open

It has been a long-time goal of mine to open an eBay store.  The store is now officially open and ready for business.  Granted, there aren’t many items in the store at the moment, but I am adding pieces daily.  It takes time.  Within a few weeks it should be a nice size store.  I am mainly going to carry jewelry, but I will also carry other various items.  eBay has been a passion of mine for a long time now.  My website will continue.  The eBay store is just another opportunity to reach a wider audience.  I hope you will check out my eBay store and pass it on to your friends. 

Tip of the Day:

Check out:   www.stores.ebay.com/cathyz-jewelry

Holiday Pearls

My Fall/Winter show season is ending next week.  Then I can concentrate on entering new pieces of jewelry into the website on a regular basis.  For those of you who met me at a show and can’t find the piece you are interested in on the website, email or call me and I will make sure that piece is listed on the site.

I have noticed a trend among my customers this season.  People are buying a lot of coral, but the best seller has been freshwater pearls by far.  I have sold every color of freshwater pearls and people are flocking to the multi-strand necklaces.  Pearls are timeless.  Freshwater pearls are very affordable and more interesting visually than cultured pearls, in my opinion.   I have included a photo of a fabulous sterling silver flower necklace with multi-strands of dark freshwater pearls.  This handcrafted set is stunning.

I would like to say thank you to all my wonderful customers, especially my “regulars”.  You are my best form of advertisement.  I hope you all have a happy holiday season. 

Tip of the day:

If you cannot afford natural black pearls, consider the dyed pearls.  They are still a real pearl,  just more affordable.  The dye will not come off either.

Princess Diana - The People’s Princess

This August 31st marks the ten year anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.  Like most young women at that time, I was completely facinated with the whole fairy tale romance of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles.  On Feb. 24, 1981 they announced their engagement. Lady Diana was given a choice of many rings.  She chose a piece from the catalog of Garrard Jewellers.  It was a piece that could have been ordered by anyone.  We tend to think of diamonds when we think of engagement rings.  Lady Diana’s ring was an 18 carat deep blue oval sapphire surrounded by 14 small diamonds in a cluster setting on a white gold band.  This ring, back in 1981, cost $65,000 American dollars.  I remember at the time the photos of her hand wearing the ring and the captions mentioning her chewed-up fingernails.  She was 19 years old and had to endure the constant pressure of the press and the royal family.  You would chew your fingernails too.   

I got married a month before Princess Diana.  I was just one of one billion people who watched their televised wedding on July 29, 1981.  I went on to have two sons just as she did.  I followed her life in the pages of the newspapers and tabloids.  Ten years ago I woke up to read the Tampa Tribune and the headline read:  Diana Dead!  The saddest part of the whole funeral was seeing her two brave sons walking behind their mother’s casket.  My own sons were six and four at the time.   It broke my heart.   

It’s been ten years and time does have a way of healing.  The beautiful oval sapphire and diamond engagment ring that Princess Diana wore has become one of the most copied and desired rings to this day.  It symbolizes the beauty of a princess who was taken too soon - the People’s Princess, Princess Diana.

A Girly-Girl

I’m a girly-girl living in a household of manly men.  Having two wonderful sons I have come to learn about hockey, baseball, football, skimboarding, skateboarding, videogames, etc.  We watch the military, history and sports channels.  Being around my husband, sons and their male friends is fun, but I also need to venture out in the world of my female friends.

I am part of a group of women who meet once a month to play bunko.  We enjoy this time to escape from our laundry, cooking, husbands, kids and responsibilities.  These are intelligent fun women of varied backgrounds.   We eat, drink, talk, laugh and eventually play bunko.  I love this time because I get to be me - the girly-girl.  I try to spend time with my girlfriends at least once a week to keep me grounded.  This is why my jewelry business has been so good for me.  I not only get to spend time doing something I totally LOVE, but I get to spend time with fabulous interesting women.  For a woman who likes to fix her hair, wear makeup, wear pretty clothes and jewelry, get manicures and pedicures, this is not an option, it’s a necessity.

Tip of the Day:

In a busy life, make the effort to stay connected to your good friends.  Everyone benefits.

Diamonds are Forever, but Gemstone Jewelry is so much FUN!!

Whenever I think of sparkling diamonds, the image of Marilyn Monroe wearing a pink strapless gown and dripping in diamonds singing, Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, comes to mind.   Today the only time you see women dripping in diamonds is during the red carpet walk prior to the Academy Awards.  When I was a young girl I used to think that these actresses owned all of their diamonds.  I later found out that most of these jewels were on loan from Harry Winston.  What a disappointment.  The reality is that most people don’t go to places like the Academy Awards and can’t afford to be dripping in diamonds.

Gemstone jewelry allows all women to look fabulous at an affordable price.  You do not have to break the bank to own great jewelry anymore.  A lady I know who only wears gold and diamonds told me she thought I sold costume jewelry.  I told her that sterling silver gemstone jewelry is not costume jewelry.  It is as genuine as what she wears - just more affordable.  A customer who is a doctor’s wife bought quite a few pieces to wear on a cruise.  She said she wanted to wear nice jewelry, but she did not want the worry of possibly losing her expensive diamonds on the cruise.  She is a smart woman.  Gemstone jewelry is gorgeous and FUN!  Diamonds are for dressy occasions.  Gemstones are for EVERY occasion.

Tip of the Day:

Smiles are free - pass them on. 

Lure of the Bling

Yesterday I was in a beautiful boutique that sold a little of everything.  They carried gorgeous lamps, silk flowers, funny cards, perfumed candles, etc.  One room was  devoted strictly to costume jewelry.  You would assume that since I sell jewelry, I could pass by that room  without temptation.  Oh no - that room was calling my name.  Everything in that room was dripping in sparkling rhinestones.  I needed sunglasses to enter.  A big pair of silver hoop earrings covered in rhinestones that sparkled like diamonds lured me in.  Before I knew it, they were on my ears and begged me to take them home.  What could I do?  They were begging!  

Later that night my husband and I went out for dinner with some friends and I wore those earrings.   I felt sassy and gorgeous and ****SPARKLY****!  What is it about wearing a sparkling diamond, gemstone, or even rhinestones that gives women that sassy attitude?  The lure of the bling cannot be explained; it has to be experienced.  

Tip of the Day: 

Treat yourself.  It can be as simple as a flavored coffee in the middle of a hectic day.  You are worth pampering.