On Saturday, I woke up to a surprise.

An amazing surprise. An offer of travel, to a place I've never been, and don't know when I'll be able to visit again.

On Monday, I zipped up to Seattle (photo on the left) to renew my passport...as soon as I stepped out of the car, I got a whiff of that beautiful salty port air. Oh, how I LOVE the smell of Seattle. Every time I visit Seattle, I fall more and more in love with it.

With the guarantee that my passport would be expressed to me a few days later, I zipped back home to the Portland sun, and received confirmation along the way that....

I am going to LONDON on Monday!

I'll be spending a week with my lovely stepmom, who is just incredible, and will be doing research at the Victoria & Albert Museum, as well as the Tate.

I am so excited to explore and see what this will yield for my Thesis!

I have dreamt of seeing the jewelry collection at the V&A for years, and am still in a state of thinking, "Is this really happening??"

The husband is very jealous (but also happy for me).

I am just grateful. Humbled. Excited.

Here's to another adventure.

 Here's to life turning around, for the better.

Here's to generosity and love.

 Oregonians are a proud bunch. We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with climates ranging from temperate rainforest to desert. In every direction you look, there are trees, water, and mountains in various formations. Oregon has taught me to appreciate nature, to respect its highest peaks and deepest lakes. Oregon has taught me to gaze down its gorges with awe, and delight when a rainbow dances across them.

The people are kind, welcoming strangers into their world with open arms. No matter where I have traveled, anyone I meet who as been to Oregon has remarked on this. The people of Oregon vary widely, ranging from ranchers in dust-blown rambling towns to wealthy steel magnates living in luxury in the city. 

Oregonians stand tall, just like the trees and mountains that surround us. Inspired by the Oregon landscape, as well as the Pendleton brand, I have created a set of necklace and earrings that speaks to these qualities. Utilizing abstract shapes, these pieces reference the landscape that surrounds us, nudging at the history surrounding the symbols.

The links of the necklace represent the rivers, streams, and ocean, although it has been commented that they could reference the mountain ranges that surround us, as well. There are mountains and trees pierced on the back of the pieces--little surprises, reminders, of the landscape. The stones--Sonora Sunrise Jasper--emulate the colors of the landscape. Earthen reds and striking blue sky. The colors are a tip of the hat to Pendleton's historic colors, as is the use of geometric design for the symbols of the landscape.

Signed, sealed, and delivered, I now wait for these pieces to be properly photographed before I see them again. Then it will be a tour of an exhibition or two, a preview, and finally...OCAC's Art on the Vine Auction.