After a successful career as a fine artist, I decided—at 72—that I wanted to start blogging. Since I already had a site devoted to my artwork, I chose to call my blog “Apart from my Art”. Enjoy!

I'm a Jewelry Junkie!

I'm a Jewelry Junkie!

When too much is never enough!
Let me tell you a few things about my family. I think it must be something in the genes. My 2 sisters and I are collectors. Not collectors of just a few things, but I would say we are almost borderline obsessive collectors.

We’re not into old newspapers or cats. It has to be something that is beautiful, unique, and catches the eye, something that tickles our individual fancies.

And if 1 is good, 5 is better and 100 is even better than that. I don’t know where this passion for collecting came from, but over time, all 3 of us have become fixated about something, be it Chinese export porcelain, lipsticks, antique jewelry, drawings and even unusual plants. I know it’s crazy but it’s who we are.

Let me give you an example. I was at the Los Angeles Museum of Art gift shop and I spotted these very colorful bracelets. I immediately bought them.

Sobral_2bangles.jpg

I started with 2. I then dropped one. In fact I dropped the same one a number of times. My husband would glue it together, and then I’d drop it again. But what happens if I shatter it and he can’t glue the bracelet back together again, like Humpty Dumpty? Where would I find a replacement? I didn’t know the name of the artist. I didn’t know where they came from or where they were made.

But a few years later, on a trip to the desert we went to see the latest show at the Palm Springs Museum of Art. We went into the museum store and miracle of miracles, the bracelets I’d been searching for were right in front of me. I quizzed the salesperson. It turns out that the bracelets were made of resin in Brazil by an artist named Sobral. I grabbed them.

Sobral_stripedbangles.jpg

As soon as I got home, I plopped myself down in front of my computer and googled, Sobral. Bingo! I found them on eBay. I immediately I bought more.

Then to make sure I would not miss any others, I turned on an eBay alert so that I would be notified the minute more Sobrals became available. Over time, one of the eBay stores had a sale. So I bought even more.

Yes, I know this sounds a little excessive and maybe I feel just a tiny bit guilty, but they do give me great pleasure and I wear them almost everyday.

People stop me in the street, at the market, in doctors’ offices and comment on how beautiful, unusual , and colorful they are. They’ve become such a personal trademark that when I return to some of my usual spots, people ask where me where my bracelets are.

They also want to know where I get them. I don’t mind telling them what my sources are. I don’t keep it a secret. Here’s the scoop. They can be found on the internet at eBay, etsy or Poshmark. You can also find them in free standing stores internationally. Go for it.

They’re fun, pretty and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Enjoy!

Excess is in the eye of the beholder.

Excess is in the eye of the beholder.

Now, please tell me I’m not alone. You must have at least one obsession. Something you really want more of. Share your secrets in the comments. I can’t wait to hear.

This blog post is one of 9! Yes there are 9 of us woman writing about our collected sense of fashion style. I know you’ll love reading and looking at their dash and panache. It’s more relatable than Vogue magazine. You can find them by clicking on the names below. They are all grown-up woman that I always enjoy reading and perusing their sites.

Here goes:

apart from my art-sandra

classic casual home-mary ann

most lovely things-annie

northern california style-kim

rough luxe lifestyle-cindy

the age of grace-eugenia

the gardeners cottage-janet

the real golden girl-kimberly

the vintage contessa-elizabeth


Oh, and I know they’d love if you decide to follow them on their blogs and follow them on Instagram. These are great fun dames. We’re all over 50.

Let’s hear it for us all! You too.

Collected style by 9 blogger, designers and mature woman

Collected style by 9 blogger, designers and mature woman

I love your comments, but I need to know your name. Type your comment in the Comment Box below. When you click "Post Comment", a page will pop up where you will be asked leave your name. You may comment as a guest or log in to comment. There. You've done it.
Rockin' the Gray: My Tips for Gray Hair Care

Rockin' the Gray: My Tips for Gray Hair Care

You've Got to Have Guts to Go Gray!

You've Got to Have Guts to Go Gray!