NO Bids on Teodora

Teodora remains unsold!

There were NO bids on the Massive Million Dollar “Emerald”.  I put Emerald in italics because there is question as to it’s authenticity.
Is it an Emerald that has been dyed?
Is it a common White Beryl dyed green?

The only way to know is to conduct what the Gemological Institute of America calls “destructive testing” where a piece of the stone is chipped off to test the innards of the stone.  If there were any indication of dye the GIA would issue a grading comment...
“The presence of dye prevents determining whether or not the stone would have sufficient depth of color to be considered an emerald.” 

To make matters worse, the co-owner of Teodora was arrested on outstanding warrants.

BUT if you are still mesmerized by HUGE Gems, and believe that this one is worth having in your collection it is rumored to have been listed on Ebay.
   

It Is Coming Along

I LOVE my hometown of Pittsburgh, and I am so glad that I have chosen to return from Seattle to open DeAndreaDesigns here.  That does not mean that I don’t miss certain things about Seattle-just like when I was there, I missed things about living here.

Future/New Home of DeAndreaDesigns

If there is one thing that I miss more than anything about living in Seattle-other than the weather-is living above a store front.  I know that sounds strange, but there was something Old-World, and Comforting about it.
I had not realized just how much I missed the idea until the opportunity for a live/work space presented itself.  Not only will my Studio Space be in my Home again, but I will be living above my Storefront...MY Storefront
Everyday it gets a little closer to being complete.I have been waiting since August, due to tie ups with permits and approvals. Changes in the design have not been easy to accept-somedays I was ready to just say “UGH” and throw my hands in the air and run away-maybe my old apt would still be available in Seattle?
But now that the space is in the process of being framed in, drywalled and painted, I can finally allow myself to accept that it WILL happen. AND SOON.
Dare I hope that it will all be complete and moved into within the month???
I would LOVE to celebrate my One Year Anniversary with a Party in the new space.
That is just me dreaming, but it would be nice.
Regardless, there will be a Celebration next month...AND one in the New Location.

Another benefit to living above the Store is that my commute to and from work-both the restaurant and the store will be cut by about 15 min each way.  That translates to about an extra hour a day to get stuff done...Gym. Cleaning. Sleeping.

Teodora-God'sGift

Are you as intrigued by large stones as I am?
What about HUGE? I actually wish I could make the font on that Bigger.
Well, if you are in Canada later this month, 28-Jan to be exact, you will have the opportunity to bid on something that NOBODY else in the World has.  On that day the World’s LARGEST Cut Emerald goes up for auction.

Weighing 57,500 ct, this watermelon sized Emerald is stunning.
57,500ct? Just how big is that?
11.5Kg.
25+pounds for those of us in the States.
AND you will only need about $1.15M-that is what it is estimated to sell for, it could easily go higher depending on who is there.

Most likely too large for a Ring or Pendant, but I am sure that Someone Special is going to be excited for Valentine’s Day.

Hard Work and Passion for the New Year-AGAIN

This upcoming year is going to bring a lot of the same from DeAndreaDesigns...Hard Work, Passion for what I do, and Admiration for you guys sticking with me.

Garnet wrapped in FineSilver by DeAndreaDesigns

As I was reading up on the History of this Month’s Birthstone, I discovered that Noah-yes of the Ark-used a Lantern of Garnet to guide him through the long Dark nights while adrift, Faithfully awaiting the Promise of Land and a New Beginning.

I may not have a Lantern carved of Garnet, but I do have Faith that I am on the Right Path, and am surrounded by Beautiful Garnet Jewelry.

I was going to make a list of my Resolutions and Goals for the Upcoming Year, but we are all tired of hearing how someone wants to be Financially Stable, or Lose 10 lbs...etc

I want to Thank Each and Everyone of you, my readers, from ALL over the World for following my ramblings.  I have over 2000 readers in Countries from the Far East to the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australia. 

It amazes me how You have found me.  Please continue to read what I have written, and continue to Enjoy the Jewelry that I have made. 

More Ramblings of an Overly Tired Mind...

In the past, I have run businesses for other people.  Worked in commission-based environments where it imperative to manage/develop a clientele. Maintain relationships with people.

BUT...

As I approach the end of my First full year of running DeAndreaDesigns as an actual brick and mortar store, I wonder why it has been so difficult for me to call myself a “Business Owner”?

I have finally gotten used to referring to myself as an “Artist”-that one took a very long time.  “Jewelry Designer” came along a little more easily. It was easy-very easy- to say I made Jewelry in my spare time, as a hobby.  It was said with Pride, almost boastful, I am ashamed to say.

But why the problem with identifying as “Business Owner” or “Artist”?  Even though I know that is what I am.

No lack of Confidence here...
Ruby Pendant and RubyQuartz Earrings

“Artist” sounded pretentious to my ear.  But, honestly, it was a lack of confidence in My Art...Was.


“Business Owner” sounds like I am putting on airs when I know that I have to continue to wait tables to make sure all the bills are paid on time.  I guess I get tired of answering the question of “why I am waiting tables if I own a store?”

In the past I was a waiter full-time who played with making jewelry. Mostly just as a hobby.  TODAY, I am a Business Owner trying to get established in a hostile economy while waiting tables on the side.

Sparkle Between a Rock and a Hard Place

In everyone’s Life there are days that make us look back to see how far we have come. To look inside to see how much we have Grown. To look around and see where we are going.

Today is one of those days. It is my Birthday. I am 44 today.  How it happened that I am suddenly in my mid 40’s, I have no idea. Honestly, I would not trade it for anything-well, I might trade away waking up without all the creaks and cracks.

A lot has happened in the last 2 years that have brought to this point in my Life.  Some of them devastating at the time, but each and every event exactly what I needed to be sitting right here where I am.   In my own Store, surrounded by my Creations and New Inspiration Daily

I will start with the best.  I have to go back a little over 3 years for this one. I met my Partner-a Wonderfully Supportive person that allows me to be more than a little controlling, more than a little neurotic.  I would not have survived this well without Him.

New Home of DeAndreaDesigns and Me

Now for the two Biggies that could have destroyed me if I had not fought and looked for the Silver Lining...
In order...
First, a year and a half ago, our Home was broken into, ransacked, burglarized. Not just once, but 3 times in the space of a Month...This got us to move to Mt Washington and see potential of such a Vibrant Neighborhood. Creating a Home in an area of the City that I would never have looked at before
Secondly, I lost my job unexpectedly-it happens to everyone. I always put off opening my Store because I did not want to give up the Security of a steady paycheck.  Guess what?  I did not have one anymore.  With the help of a Friend in the Community Development Corporation of Mt Washington, I found this Perfect abandoned space and made it all my own.

I could have sat and wallowed “Woe is me” and just moved into another apartment, in a neighborhood that I was comfortable in...Nope, we made a Home again.

I could have gone and found another well paying Retail Management Job and put off my Dream until I had what I thought was enough money to open the Store...Nope, I listened to the Universe and CREATED my Dream.

Now, with a new year dawning, I have the opportunity to bring together my HomeLife and My Art. The Construction has begun on the New Home of DeAndreaDesigns and myself. A gorgeous Live/Work space perfect for the Store and Entertaining. Perfect for me to Chill, Relax, and be surrounded by all that makes me Happy.

Although I still have to wait tables at night to make ends meet, and I still cannot travel to all those Exotic Locales that you, my readers, live.  I would not change the Struggles, the Catastrophes, and ultimately the Triumphs...

I am truly able to “Sparkle Between a Rock and a Hard Place”.

Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays?

I am going to start with saying, I was brought up-and still consider myself Catholic. I have no problems with saying “Merry Christmas”.
I was brought up saying “Merry Christmas” to most and “Happy Hanukah” to those I knew to be Jewish. Only one person that I remember had an issue with “Merry Christmas”.

Happy Holidays from DeAndreaDesigns

That being said, I now say, “Happy Holidays” to most people.
BUT I will take my cue from you...If you say, “Merry Christmas” so will I.
If you say, “Happy Holidays” that is what I will respond with.
NOT because I am worried about offending someone, but because I want to encompass the ENTIRE Holiday Season.

From Halloween, to Valentine’s Day-or pushing it through to St. Patrick’s Day, and everything in between no matter what religious affiliation you are-or are not.

I Love this time of year. Not only because of the Birth of Jesus-and yes I know that with the Study of the Stars, Jesus was born in Summer-but the essence of Good Will and Celebration that permeates this time of year.
Also because the weather is changing so that I can break out my favorite sweaters, boots, and coats...
Everything is so Sparkly-the lights, the frost, the snowflakes...
People seem to remember to be pleasant to one another-whether it is genuine or not? I don’t care. It is still nice.

The Holiday Season seems to bring out the Best in most people.

So if I see you on the Street and tell you “Have a Happy Holiday” please do not be offended-or think I am too PC...I just want you to enjoy the Season completely.

From the start of this Season until the end of it.