The beep-beep-beep was heard over the loudspeaker. The principal was about to make an announcement. It was high school advanced literature class. About 20 of us were paying half-attention to the teacher. The interruption was welcome. …

Money. Power. Prestige. Position. Reputation. Legitimacy. I had all these when I was in health care. And as much as I hated to work in the health care field, I could not give these up. But I had to transition out of health care. I hated it. My first attempt…

Shawn and Jessica brought their two adopted Korean boys to the Korean restaurant. It was important that they immerse their sons in Korean culture wherever they could. When they finished the meal, they told their two boys to say “Good-bye” to the hostess in Korean. “Annyonghi kaysayo” Good-bye, the hostess…

To exist is to be. But what does that mean? To be what? How? Why? And you learn this isn’t so much as a Why. Just an Is. You make a life choice. You take responsibility for it. It shapes you, your values, your decision making, your directional compass, and…

It has been three weeks since my life partner and business partner, Jayden, passed away, when I am composing this musing. She had been sick a long time. Her passing was an all-too-soon shock, but not a shock. Maggie, our maltipoo, was very close to Jayden. She has walked into…

From CONQUERING THE CREATIVE MARKETPLACE: Between the Fickleness of Business and the Pursuit of Design, Kindle, Print, Epub REACHING OUT TO STORES AND GALLERIES Although some jewelry designers may feel uneasy mixing art with business, for most it is a necessity. Yet, you do not have to sacrifice wonder for reality. …

From my book: SO YOU WANT TO BE A JEWELRY DESIGNER Merging Your Voice With Form, Ebook , Kindle or Print formats

Design and Assemble Your Own Jewelry, The Complete Insider’s Guide Learning Bead Stringing Is More Than Putting Beads On A String, And Tying On A Clasp There is an art and skill to stringing beads. First, of course, is the selection of beads for a design, and the selection of the appropriate stringing material. Then is the selection of a clasp or closure, appropriate to the design and use of the piece.

It is very difficult to differentiate among sex, sensuality and sexuality. Are they the same? Does one precede the other? Do you have to have one in order to have another? Can you have one without either of the others? Are these experienced universally? Subjectively? …