Inspiration

My Yiayia’s rose bush has been transplanted five times over the past 100 years. It now flourishes in Athens, GA on my sister, Maria Artemis’, farm. I pricked my hand trying to inhale its [...]

On our journey through the Southwest, gems and rocks are constant companions, and the immersion in mountainous splendor is a balm. Rocks do change, but not much in our lifetime, so I appreciate [...]

David and I are on our annual winter RV journey in pursuit of more light and less moisture. After driving 5000 miles south, then west across the country, we are savoring New Mexico, the [...]

Grand Canyon   Driving through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, David and I exclaimed in wonder at the rock formations. Sarabi and Star were impressed too: towering volcanic hoodoos, red sandstone [...]

   Blue Moon Over Lynn Canal, 1978                                Mt. Harding Under a Full Moon, 1976 I found my artistic voice among these dwarf pines, hundreds of years old yet only a few feet [...]

Rich and Adam had already shared ten years of happily married bliss, having met at CDC in Atlanta where they both work and fell in love. Referred to me by mutual friends, we scheduled a meeting [...]

On the darkest night, the brightest stars shine. The teapot shaped asterism within the Sagittarius constellation inspired Sarah to request a “Teapot” necklace. Sarah has a Sagittarius [...]

Mindi is an ocean gal, an avid bird watcher who lives on a saltwater estuary along the South Georgia coast. At her invitation we met at her home, the Moon Dance Studio, to talk about a custom [...]

Zach had never purchased an important gemstone and wanted to make certain it was a conflict-free stone for his beloved Marlene’s engagement ring. I found this reliably-sourced exquisite oval [...]

I met Kay Betts and John Sibley at a book club 15 years ago and we had lost touch until, two months ago, John emailed me about diamond earrings for Kay. What ensued was a delightful, creative, [...]

If you’re in Ithaca, please visit! Green Door Open Studio Sale  Saturday, December 4 from 11AM-4PM Elaina Designs is part of the Monthly First Saturdays on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail. The [...]

Marika had just finished her new kitchen with the palest of pink cabinets when she fell in love with this luscious lavender pearl ring I had designed Spring 2021. My inspiration was tender apple [...]

The changing light of Autumn is upon us, and with it daylight savings time arrives on Nov 5th. Rising in the darkness to meet the coming day has the added benefit of watching the night sky fill [...]

Founded in 1789, the storybook Village of Aurora, New York, is situated on a picturesque inlet on the north shore of Cayuga Lake.   This spot has always been favored, originally by the peoples of [...]

I’ve been a member of the International Light Association for 20 years due to my interest in color and light as seen through the lens of precious gems. In 2018, I was invited to present [...]

I design a few pieces of jewelry on Earth Day each year to pay homage to our ‘Blue Dot’ spinning on its axis in an infinite vastness.  I can’t sense the turning, but I do feel the changing light, [...]

Allowing elation then deep sighs of relief to sink in, the Muse finally landed on Inauguration Day. The vibrant colors worn by powerful women on the Capitol veranda shook me from my [...]

Still mesmerized by my first love of common rocks glittering brightly in the waters of my childhood play, I use the Mineral Kingdom to adorn beloved friends and clients. They have become my [...]

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light. To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight, and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings… —Wendell Berry I’m pondering this [...]

Blue as the summer sky or a robin’s egg, people the world over have revered this particular shade of blue as a good luck symbol. The color turquoise is inspirational and transformational. A [...]