Opal Necklace Giveaway

October's birthstone has always been a favorite of mine. My parents gave me opal jewelry to wear when I was a little girl. I remember feeling then that there is something intriguing and mysterious about opals, and I still feel the same way now.

The stones I use for the Hot Mama Jewelry birthstones are very feminine and dainty. But the opals are so fiery they still manage to jump out at you with their green/orange hues that glow through the iridescent white.

So we're celebrating fall and the move into the new studio space for Hot Mama Designs this month by giving away two one-disc necklaces with attached opals as pictured above. Of course you get to choose from our options what disc size, lettering size and word/name/initial you want us to stamp on the sterling to personalize it just for you or a loved one.

To win, post a comment here telling me how you are celebrating fall, and/or why you would love to win. I'll choose two winners at random by mid-October and notify you via email, so be sure to leave your email in your post so I can get in touch with you.

A New Season

We've got a new Friday night routine and it has been so fun.
Soccer for five year olds is pretty hilarious.
Here is Lino with two of his favorite buddies Quincy and Desmond.


I was born and raised in Oklahoma, with flat farm-like landscapes.
Farms and waving wheat have their own beauty,
but the mountains still wow me in contrast.
This soccer field where we play every week is literally
a five minute walk from our house
and the views never cease to astound me.

Here are all my boys (Elias all wrapped up on Papa's chest)
on the way home.

Yeah, this is a great way to end the week.

I Dwell In Possibility

Sahra and I went to the gem show in Denver this weekend with Elias in my carrier, asleep on my chest. I get so excited at these shows I feel like I might just explode.
It's like an impatient yearning when I first arrive. I see all these sumptuous gems and I want to design a million new pieces. NOW.

Later I calmed down a bit and the poem by Emily Dickinson crossed my mind. Do you know it? It's the one that starts with "I dwell in possibility."

I love this concept: to dwell in possibility. For me it means giving myself permission to have new inspirations. To affirm that there will be new designs, and the time to make them.

Lately time in the studio has felt scarce. And when I am there it has been feeling a little too "nose to the grindstone," (ah what a horrible saying). So I was thankful to think of Ms. Dickinson, buy a bunch of inspiring gems, and know that fall will bring some new revelations.

Happy Grandmothers

I just received this email and photos from customer
Lisa Coyle that made my day:

"My mom's name is Sue Williams and these are her birthday celebration photos attached. We originally got the idea for the necklace because my paternal grandmother had one
when we were growing up with all of her grandchildren's names and birthdates on them (13 in total).

So, when I saw your designs, I immediately thought that we should get one for her. That took a whole year of coordinating with the siblings (to go in on the order together), but we finally ordered it and we are all so happy that we did."

Sue is wearing this necklace in 14 karat gold, and I remember as it left the studio thinking what a fabulous hand made heirloom piece it was. I am so honored for my work to be a centerpiece in celebrations for families. This is what I love about my work the most.
Happy 63rd Sue, and many more!

Today's the Day!

We're finally moving into the studio today. I can't quite believe it.
Somebody pinch me.


I'm elated for a clean slate for fall and the creative space I've always dreamed about. I posted previously here and here about this project, in case you didn't see it before.

What I also can't believe is that Brett has built it completely solo with his own bare hands. Even cooler, he has managed to use almost all salvaged materials. He really is an amazing man, that husband of mine. Charlotte, my friend who works with me in the studio mentioned that we should get a plaque made in his honor & have it installed on the side of the building. Not a bad idea.

I've only managed this one photo so far.
But I'll take more as we continue to get moved in. More to come soon!