In January 2012, I wrote my first blog. Since then I’ve had quite a life, a few milestones, some of which I shared over the years here, sprinkled in with the jewelry I’d made. 

We all need to reinvent ourselves, whether we’ve been broken, too weighty or weighed down. I’ve been so transient that stuff is getting broken AND weighing me down. I started looking at my jewels, and it’s time to redo stuff, break it down and part ways.

The jewelry is getting simplified and minimal. I love putting rocks together, but they also are just fine on their own. I frame every rock simply – the biggest compliment I’ve ever received was from my friend Joel, who said that my work is “ a simple honesty and celebration of the stone”.

My heart is heavy but my load will lighten. I have had issues with my hands for several years now. The final straw came recently when I was informed that I needed to move my workshop. Again. It’s too much. It’s time to hang it up. 

I began with some old pieces. One was a broken necklace. It came back from an exhibit a long time ago. I never got around to repairing it; I decided to make a pair of earrings and they went to a good home. 

Next up: a beautiful pair of earrings. Too heavy for most, but I loved them (I can wear bowling balls on MY earlobes). I had bought some gorgeous cocaxenite from a super talented Russian cutter years ago. 

I made three similar pairs of earrings with a long amethyst drop but this particular pair got returned more than once; too weighty. I dropped the drop and now, voila! I’m ending with what I started with! 

Cacoxenite Earrings

And then:

Emerald & Variscite Earrings
Variscite Earrings Mismatched
Rosecut Emerald Earrings

And then:

Dendritic Turquoise Earrings
Dendritic Earrings
Rosecut Turquoise Earrings

You get the idea.

There are a number of pieces are being lightened up, mostly double/triple drop earrings. They will turn into simple single drops and go in the shop. I’ll be winding down Leda Jewel Co and for the first time: watch for falling r̶o̶c̶k̶s̶ um, prices! Follow on Instagram or Facebook or message me, especially if you’ve been a client – I’d love to hear from you.

And so begins a new phase. Leda Jewel Co is hanging up her apron. It’s been a wonderful ride. 

Maybe I’ll finally get a manicure…

Thanks to everyone who has supported and loved my stuff. 

I bid you adieu 

Lydia

January 2024