GOOD COP, SOME DONUTS

I love the way this natural carnelian "donut" pendant picks up the variations of color in the natural carnelian beads. Carnelian is a form of chalcedony, a lovely family of stones that vary from gorgeous blues to the hefty rusts of carnelian. These stones have not been dyed or treated in any way, so what you see is what you get. . . pale rust and cream. Like a butterscotch sundae for your neck. Price: $110.00

THE PINK LADY NECKLACE

Oh, how I love these beads! They are sizeable faceted nuggets but in the most delicate shade of pink! What a visual contradiction -- tough and tender. I paired them with black accents, some nice black onyx. . .and was immediately reminded of the Pink Ladies in "Grease." Pink and black was a fabu combination when I was growing up. . . only us "nice" girls never wore it. It was a biker chick combo -- a fuzzy pink angora sweater with your biker boyfriend's black leather jacket. So, my Pretty in Pink/ Pink Lady, a throw-back to the '50s, may be a little nostalgic, but it's totally appropriate for the modern woman who can be macho and female. Price: $115.

FINDING THE RIGHT CLASP

I don't know why I didn't go on eBay years ago to find wonderful old clasps. This particular one is vintage rhinestone from the 40s. Actually, I think it's paste. and I thought it would be the perfect anchor for the Confetti Necklace.

THE CONFETTI NECKLACE

There are always leftovers. Turkey, pound cake. . . and beads. I have a baggie full of extra beads, "widows" as it were, that didn't get used. I never knew what to do with them because, usually, they would be hard to match and there weren't enough of them to use in an entire piece. Or so I thought. I've strung three strands of "widows," or poor ophans into a colorful piece I call a "confetti" necklace for obvious reasons. There are all sorts of colors, sizes and textures of beads in this piece. It's just a buncha fun, that's all.

Price: $350.

SLEEPING BEAUTY TURQUOISE VISITS TIBET

I've had this Tibetan silver pendant for a long time. It's very delicate and girlish, quite intricate, and calls for something special to show it off. To my mind, there's nothing more special than American turquoise, Sleeping Beauty specifically. It is probably the most beautiful turquoise mined in the American Southwest -- a gorgeous shade of sky blue turquoise. It tends to be very expensive which is why I am particular about how I use it. These are faceted miniature briolettes or "tears" which bunch up together when strung with no separation element. I like the elegant porqupine-ness of it. A very tactile piece, perfect for my elegant Tibetan pendant. Price; $425. SOLD

LUCKY COPPER ELEPHANTS GRAZIN' IN THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS

Recently, I've fallen in love with copper beads again. I found these wonderful elephants at my favorite bead shop. Over on another table was a huge box full of "pillows" in different shades of iridescent glass. I loved the intensity of the green ones and loved how they complimented the bright coppery rust of the elephants. They were desitined to be together!
Price: $175.00

LADY BUG, LADY BUG

These adorable ladybugs will definitely not fly away from your neck. They're pressed glass and very, very red. I can see them on a crisp white shirt or a lavender or powder blue turtleneck, defintely with a work shirt and jeans. These little suckers go with just about everything. I had bought a fabulous garnet and vermeil clasp a few years ago but never found any natural garnet beads that were enhanced by it. . . so I went to faux garnet ladybugs for a perfect color match. Lightweight and comfortable, this piece will have everybody wonderful just what it's about.
Price: $175.00