A NOTE FROM ANNA
DECEMBER 21, 2024
This is a love letter to life.
To “A Life Well Lived" as we call it in my house, which can refer to anything from an amazing meal we whip up from random things in the kitchen to a chipped vase. I may lament that it's no longer perfect and my husband gleefully reminds me that a chip is now part of its story, and ours, and therefore is wonderful. I am definitely not a half-empty person, but his form of optimism is something akin to kryptonite for any shred of pessimism my perfectionist heart clings to. And this is one of his many charms. (Those who know know that he’s also funny as hell, another charm for the collection!)
Anyway, I digress, this is a love letter to life so it’s only natural to start with Emahn. But there is more!
Did I mention I had a milestone, 5-0 (or half way to 100) year? A year for reflection and continued transformations, which leads me to….Trial and Error.
A life well lived is shaped by “trial and error”– like when my great grandmother taught me to sew my own clothes, I started with pencil skirts. Without an opening in the seam, I had to hobble in them until, later, she taught me the kick-pleat. See what I mean? Try. Err. Try again. It’s kind of my thing.The last 15 years of ASJ has been one little teetering, hilarious, infuriating, trying, rewarding and sometimes so humbling a time I literally cry– sometimes tears of gratitude and other times from the agony of defeat. From both the heartswell of gratitude and the tumult comes a drive to keep going that sometimes is so easily done I forget its work. While other times it’s so hard the effort borders on maniacal. In all that, I have brought you pretty pictures, little events, love stories, funny anecdotes (I promise to bring more of the funny in 2025 btw), and jewels made into jewelry.For trial…well, it takes a village. Thanks to my Gemini ascendant for the wiring that goes hand in hand with this requisite part of being in business.And for failure, my old friend, I thank failure for helping me turn to new ways of thinking, doing, being, and reminding me there is promise in all things that fall apart. It only takes some ingenuity to see there is wisdom in this cycle all around us. We only have to remember to change our perspective from what was to what can be.
To button this up I just want to share a few bite size things — think of it as amuse bouche at the end of the long rant.A lot has happened since a burgeoning 2020 went quiet. I can tell you though, I had a wild idea about a wine bar—and in 2023 that was realized with my partners Sara and Jen with LA MAMA.The Santa Fe adventure has been wild, and being in the restaurant (which it ended up being!) is so joyful. I love food, I love seeing people come together and enjoy a cup of tea, a meal, a ruby colored glass of natty wine! I love spaces that allow for permanence and the ephemeral at the same time. And I love collaborating! There is nothing more collaborative than opening a restaurant. HOLY SMOKES. I am not a part of its everyday success, but I am honored to be part of its creation, iterations and occasionally serving tables and pouring wine!
Small but awesome, I showed some of my objects at Folklore in Santa Fe which afforded me the chance to forge a beautiful connection with Lindsay Calla who’s art and, even more so, mode of being as a creative and spiritual person, are such a balm in these times.
I shot photos for the brand (outside of still life for the first time) with my immensely gorgeous, talented, tender and wildly wise Sidibe in Taos this past winter. No fancy lights and no real plan except hiking in the snow to a cave with a giant waterfall, which at this time of year was a Fantastia-esque icicle about 3 stories high.
As Tucson is just ahead, I want to shout out Gem show’s past. I FINALLY made some things with coral (more to come with this material that I adore for its many talismanic charms and connection to Medusa). And I lightly touched on Lapis, but look out world- I AM GOING BIG ON BLUE REAL SOON along with some other interesting noble stones like jasper.
For the people who make things with stone and metal and a heap of good will, I tip my hat. To my team, I could not do this without you. And my supporters of all stripes, from family to clients to industry contacts who allow me so many honors, I am in your debt and hope with my commitment to light and love I shower back on you the good fortune you have given me.The unwritten of it all has so much more to tell me. And when It does, I will FOR SURE share with you.BIG LOVE FOR 2025, Age of Pluto in Aquarius, and Year of the Dragon!
A NOTE FROM ANNA
DECEMBER 21, 2024
This is a love letter to life.
To “A Life Well Lived" as we call it in my house, which can refer to anything from an amazing meal we whip up from random things in the kitchen to a chipped vase. I may lament that it's no longer perfect and my husband gleefully reminds me that a chip is now part of its story, and ours, and therefore is wonderful. I am definitely not a half-empty person, but his form of optimism is something akin to kryptonite for any shred of pessimism my perfectionist heart clings to. And this is one of his many charms. (Those who know know that he’s also funny as hell, another charm for the collection!)
Anyway, I digress, this is a love letter to life so it’s only natural to start with Emahn. But there is more!
Did I mention I had a milestone, 5-0 (or half way to 100) year? A year for reflection and continued transformations, which leads me to….Trial and Error.
A life well lived is shaped by “trial and error”– like when my great grandmother taught me to sew my own clothes, I started with pencil skirts. Without an opening in the seam, I had to hobble in them until, later, she taught me the kick-pleat. See what I mean? Try. Err. Try again. It’s kind of my thing.The last 15 years of ASJ has been one little teetering, hilarious, infuriating, trying, rewarding and sometimes so humbling a time I literally cry– sometimes tears of gratitude and other times from the agony of defeat. From both the heartswell of gratitude and the tumult comes a drive to keep going that sometimes is so easily done I forget its work. While other times it’s so hard the effort borders on maniacal. In all that, I have brought you pretty pictures, little events, love stories, funny anecdotes (I promise to bring more of the funny in 2025 btw), and jewels made into jewelry.For trial…well, it takes a village. Thanks to my Gemini ascendant for the wiring that goes hand in hand with this requisite part of being in business.And for failure, my old friend, I thank failure for helping me turn to new ways of thinking, doing, being, and reminding me there is promise in all things that fall apart. It only takes some ingenuity to see there is wisdom in this cycle all around us. We only have to remember to change our perspective from what was to what can be.
To button this up I just want to share a few bite size things — think of it as amuse bouche at the end of the long rant.A lot has happened since a burgeoning 2020 went quiet. I can tell you though, I had a wild idea about a wine bar—and in 2023 that was realized with my partners Sara and Jen with LA MAMA.The Santa Fe adventure has been wild, and being in the restaurant (which it ended up being!) is so joyful. I love food, I love seeing people come together and enjoy a cup of tea, a meal, a ruby colored glass of natty wine! I love spaces that allow for permanence and the ephemeral at the same time. And I love collaborating! There is nothing more collaborative than opening a restaurant. HOLY SMOKES. I am not a part of its everyday success, but I am honored to be part of its creation, iterations and occasionally serving tables and pouring wine!
Small but awesome, I showed some of my objects at Folklore in Santa Fe which afforded me the chance to forge a beautiful connection with Lindsay Calla who’s art and, even more so, mode of being as a creative and spiritual person, are such a balm in these times.
I shot photos for the brand (outside of still life for the first time) with my immensely gorgeous, talented, tender and wildly wise Sidibe in Taos this past winter. No fancy lights and no real plan except hiking in the snow to a cave with a giant waterfall, which at this time of year was a Fantastia-esque icicle about 3 stories high.
As Tucson is just ahead, I want to shout out Gem show’s past. I FINALLY made some things with coral (more to come with this material that I adore for its many talismanic charms and connection to Medusa). And I lightly touched on Lapis, but look out world- I AM GOING BIG ON BLUE REAL SOON along with some other interesting noble stones like jasper.
For the people who make things with stone and metal and a heap of good will, I tip my hat. To my team, I could not do this without you. And my supporters of all stripes, from family to clients to industry contacts who allow me so many honors, I am in your debt and hope with my commitment to light and love I shower back on you the good fortune you have given me.The unwritten of it all has so much more to tell me. And when It does, I will FOR SURE share with you.BIG LOVE FOR 2025, Age of Pluto in Aquarius, and Year of the Dragon!