Happily Ever After!!!

Happily Ever After!

The following images show unique pieces from our collection that have recently sold. An interesting note: all these pieces will be enjoyed by clients in Colorado.

John recently completed a ring you may recognize from our newsletter last month. It is set with a one-of-a-kind custom-cut tourmaline by master gem cutter Tom Munsteiner.

This heart-shaped pendant features custom-cut slate with naturally occurring pyrite crystals. Our dear and enduring client, and friend, Pam, will soon be adorning both of these unique pieces. We first met Pam in 2009 at an art show in Peoria, IL, and she has been collecting our work ever since.

Next, this exquisite pendant features a fine black opal from the mines of Lightning Ridge in Australia. This opal is set in a unique, flowing one of a kind design. Purchased by Bob and Susan, whom we met for the first time at a show in Evanston, IL, twenty-two years ago, and have stayed in touch with ever since.

We are so very grateful to the special people who have remained committed clients over time, and to those who have recently discovered us and chosen to make our work part of their lives. Having collectors who believe in us and continue to express interest in our work means the world to us. Welcoming new faces alongside familiar ones is a privilege we never take for granted. It’s always our honor to be part of a special occasion or a “just because” moment.

Finally, these two necklaces were the very first pieces John ever made for me.  I have treasured them for years, and they have always held a special place in my heart. Last weekend, while visiting our nephew and his family, we passed these necklaces on to our grandnieces, Illa (age 4) and Maeve (age 2), for them to receive when they turn 16. Parting with something so precious was difficult, but I know these girls will enjoy them as much as I did and will feel all the sentiment they carry.

The curved sapphire-and-diamond pendant was my first gift from John. If you turn it upside down, you'll notice it closely resembles the logo we use for our business today. John gave it to me for my birthday in 1983.

New From the Bench

This unique 18K yellow gold ring features a tourmaline meticulously cut by Tom Munsteiner. As we’ve shared before, the Munsteiner family is foremost in the gem-cutting world. Tom’s father, Bernd, began the freeform cutting movement in the 1960s. The gem community suffered a huge loss in 2023, and again in 2024, as both Bernd and Tom passed away. Tom’s son Phillip, now a fifth-generation gem cutter, is carrying on the family tradition and developing his own style. Their legacy of artfully cut, quality gems lives on, and we’re honored to include their work in our collection.

We also have a new piece in our one-of-a-kind Connections series. This design brings together abstract shapes to form a balanced look. John spends many hours sculpting and perfecting the design in wax before casting it in gold.

 
 

Sweet Home Wisconsin

It was wonderful to have spent part of the winter in Florida, but it is always good to be home again. We enjoyed warm weather and mostly sunny skies throughout our trip.  Our shows went well, and when we weren’t working, we enjoyed bike riding, water aerobics at a nearby pool, and yoga on the beach, bright and early on Sunday mornings. We stayed in a vibrant neighborhood that highlighted locally owned restaurants, shops, and galleries, as well as a beautiful park.  

- Museum Tours -

The Bonnet House

In addition to staying active, we also enjoyed many wonderful art exhibits in the area. There are a couple of highlights from this trip that we would like to share. The first was a visit to The Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale to see the exhibition Zimsculpt. This fascinating exhibit features stone sculptures by artists from Zimbabwe, placed throughout the grounds of this historical home. The sculptures were beautifully displayed across this stunning 35-acre property. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a special evening exhibit on the night of a full moon.  

Before attending the exhibit, I had visions of a display of traditional African sculpture, which would have been a delight. I was pleasantly surprised to find some very contemporary organic pieces that truly struck a chord with me. These sculptures, carved in various types of indigenous stone, exuded so much warmth and love. The theme of family held an evident significance throughout many of the artworks.

We were delighted to see a sculpture that had a striking resemblance to one of our own one-of-a-kind pendants.

The Wiener Museum

Through the recommendation of an artist friend, we next visited The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts in Hollywood, FL. This museum houses the work of a private collector whose passion for “fired arts” spans centuries and the globe. We came away inspired and in awe of what we saw, especially given that this was just a small selection of the owner’s extensive collection. It was almost impossible to capture the beauty of these pieces, so please excuse the quality of the images.

This installation was one of many by Dale Chihuly. The quote in the background reads, “I’m obsessed with color.  I never met a color I didn’t like.”  We couldn’t agree more!

An eclectic cross-section of the work that we saw.

 
 

The exhibit also included a specially curated section featuring work by an African artist who traveled to villages to teach residents various art techniques. The collection is a culmination of themed art representing their rich culture.

Serendipity in St. Louis

Our client/friend from St. Louis had received a couple of round brilliant diamonds from her mom, that she wished to have reset. She commissioned us for a third diamond, as well a colored gem to complement the set. While we were at the Tucson Gem Show earlier this year, we selected a group of tourmalines that we thought would be the perfect options for Cindy. We felt more strongly about one over the other, but ultimately, it was her choice. Without knowing which one was our favorite, Cindy also chose it! We found the color and brilliance of this gem to be simply exquisite.

We also have to share our clients kind reaction to the finished piece.

A look back at our November Events

The gallery was bustling with activity last month with two back-to-back events. On November 7, we hosted Gallery Night with painter Lori McLaughlin. This city-wide event showcases the incredible art venues throughout Madison, Middleton, and beyond. Our guests were eager to speak with Lori about her inspiration and creative process. Having Lori's work in the gallery gave us time to study these paintings and truly appreciate their complexity. We were particularly pleased with how beautifully Lori's work complemented other artwork on display in the gallery.

Lori graciously allowed us to keep her work on display for our gallery event the following week.

On November 14, we hosted our annual charity event "Paws for Love."  It was an honor to host Beth Viney, founder of Czar's Promise. This fantastic organization provides funding for companion animals undergoing cancer treatment and emotional support for their people. The organization also donates funds for cancer research being done right here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Taking a step back to see all these people gathered in the name of a good cause was truly awe-inspiring.  We felt so very grateful to be a small part of such an incredible endeavor. For those of you unable to attend the event, we still have some fun animal-themed lapel pins, ornaments, and keychains for sale. All the proceeds from the sale of these items are donated to Czar's Promise. A perfect gift for the animal lover on your list!

“Serendipity at its Divine Finest”

A fellow dog lover that had recently moved to Madison from New York attended our event.  Her dog “Skippy” was quite popular that evening with our other guests, and his mom made a wonderful connection with Beth Viney, the founder of Czar’s Promise.

Unbeknownst that evening, Skippy had cancer.  The following week he was diagnosed; devastating news in any form.  Skippy will undergo cancer treatment with help from Czar’s Promise.  We are so very grateful for the meaningful relationship that was struck up at our event. 

Krystal’s Story

This “yummy” Rubellite tourmaline ring will soon be going to its forever home.  Our client discovered the ring on Instagram, and as it turns out, she lives near our gallery. She fell in love with the ring online, and even more so when she saw it in person. We had created some rings for Krystal in the past, but our paths hadn't crossed in a while. She had traveled to Mexico with the intent of retiring there. After being there only a short time, Krystal was med-flighted back to the States after experiencing a serious cardiac incident. While she was recovering in the States, her dear father fell ill. That was when Krystal realized there was a reason she was meant to be back in the Midwest.

In addition to her own health, she needed to be close to family. She decided to gift herself something special, and after wearing the ring for part of that day, she named it her Heart Ring. I can't imagine this piece going to a better home.

Our Hearts Linger in Colorado

We’ve been home from our annual summer trip to Colorado for just a few weeks now.  To keep the memories of the time there fresh in my mind, I relive a part of our trip each day.  This was our eleventh year traveling to this majestic state, and even after all this time, our enthusiasm and joy for the area never wanes. This year was no exception.  


Our journey starts and ends by traveling through the wide expanse of the Midwest. In years past, we have travelled I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska, but recently we have opted to forgo this busy interstate road and explore backroads instead. Going the long way may extend our time on the road, but the adventure of the scenic route is so much more enjoyable!


Once we arrived in Colorado, our first stop was just outside Denver. John had been working on one of the most exquisite rings of his career. The gem was a very distinct tourmaline sourced in Afghanistan. This natural stone boasts a most unusual electric teal color. John has been working closely with our client to ensure that it would be the ring of her dreams. Nonetheless, we were on pins and needles until we saw the joy on our client’s face when trying on the completed piece for the first time!

The wax shown here is in the final stages of the design process.

Deep sigh! Finished to perfection.

 Colorado Art Shows

We were thrilled to exhibit at the Crested Butte Arts Festival during the first weekend of August and at the Golden Fine Arts Festival on the second weekend. The scenery and weather were equally beautiful at each. You could hardly call it working to present our artwork at these stunning locations. When patrons asked how I was, my response was simple, “In a place like this, how can you be anything but amazing!”  We met new patrons at both shows and caught up with many past acquaintances. 

Images from Crested Butte Art Festival - Left: the banner at the entrance to the show
Right: Our “office” at the show, how can you not love this view!



Images from the Golden Fine Art Festival - Top: Mural in Golden CO.  Left and Right: Images from our booth at the fair. 

Rest and Relaxation in Colorado

We, of course, had to take some time to enjoy ourselves while we were in the mountains. We visited the Garden of the Gods, had some RV adventures in Crestone, and watch the stunning sunsets with friends. 

From the Bench

 We are excited to share a behind the scene look at how our designs are made. Featured below are two rings (top and bottom right) and a pendant (left) which were recently cast in gold. John then polishes the castings in multiple layers to prepare them for setting with their respective colored gems, diamonds, or pearls.

Here are the completed designs, polished to perfection and set with beautiful gems.

Finished Amethyst Ring set with a vibrant purple amethyst and accented with diamonds.

Natural Mauve Color Freshwater Pearl Ring.

Blue Tourmaline and Diamond Necklace

She Said Yes...

She Said Yes!

If you are a frequent reader of this newsletter, you know we love to share stories of those magical moments when our jewelry is part of a momentous occasion. It is truly an honor to create a work of art that, when worn, evokes memories of a special moment.  It is our privilege to share with you this story that spans generations. 

Thirteen years ago, over Memorial Day weekend, we met a lovely couple while we were showing at an Art Fair in Barrington, IL. We quickly struck a chord with them and have been friends ever since. They have followed and supported our work for many years. They understand the quality we promote in our business, and we have always seen "eye to eye" on color. Over the years, we have kept in touch and have watched as their children have grown up. 

Last year, while at that same Art Fair in Barrington, we met at their home for a consultation on a very special commission. This consultation was with their son to discuss an engagement ring. Fast forward to this year, the surprise proposal took place on April 26th and was perfectly staged for a special time of day (the lighting had to be perfect!) and location on Chicago's shoreline. As you may have guessed - she said yes!

Being a part of these special times and places in our friends and client's lives has always been very meaningful to us. Once again, it is a privilege and an honor to be part of these magic moments.

Downtown Middleton’s Annual Sip and Stroll,

Middleton Wine Walk
We had an awesome time participating in Downtown Middleton’s Annual Sip and Stroll, our version of a wine walk. Mills Botham was on hand to speak about the wine, and his family’s history in the industry.  It was a wonderful experience to hear him speak, as he has an eloquent and most enjoyable delivery.  In addition, he brought both of our favorite Botham wines, 8180 and Vin 10!  

For those who were unable to attend, mark your calendars for next year.  For those who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Botham Vineyards in Barneveld, add it to your must-do list for enjoyable WI destinations.  See bothamvineyards.com for more information. Visit them on Instagram @botham_vineyards, #wisconsinsbestwine

Serendipity at its finest!

As we have mentioned many times, the connections that we make with our clients are so very meaningful to us. One recent connection centered around a fine art fair that we had exhibited at for several years in Peoria, IL. This show had been a favorite for years and during that time, we formed a close friendship with a couple who have since relocated to Florida. They visited us during a recent show in Estero, FL and we had a wonderful time catching up.

Immediately after leaving our booth, a new client arrived, and we struck up an easy conversation. As we talked about our jewelry and our history, we naturally mentioned our home back in Wisconsin and the many shows we attend in the Midwest. It turned out, that this client not only grew up in Peoria, IL, but her father had been involved in planning the Riverwalk in Peoria where the art fair had taken place. Moreover, her mother had been involved with the Art Guild there.