California 1983 - Ear Wraps worn only on one side was my most
successful creation and best seller for several years. I couldn’t believe
how many women ‘needed’ one at the Renaissance Fairs in California.

California 1991 - I love to show Isabel my collections. Half the fun in collecting is showing off your treasures. We have often searched together for new pieces in counties from India and Nepal to Argentina, Brazil and Guatemala and even at Gem Shows in San Mateo California.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia - This is my first stay in Bali, some 30 years ago, I
had found the place where I knew I wanted to live – but how to do it? It
took me a while, but now I am here. I figured it out!

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Africa - Bargaining for good prices at the
yearly crafts fair in Ouagadougou is expected and necessary, and of course, highly entertaining.

Aswan, Egypt 1991 - I’m learning to sew (kind of) from a Muslim woman
in the small village of Aswan in southern Egypt.

Lhasa, Tibet - The journey overland through the high passes in the Himalayans to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, was difficult. But the women were beautiful, inspirational, and definitely worth the trip – color combinations and patterns were unique, and I took away many new directions and designs for my jewelry.

Gujarat, India - Ok, here is where I plan to live when I come back in my next life – among the nomadic Gypsy women on the plains of Gujarat, India.

Rajasthan, India - 13 is marriageable age in the deserts of Rajasthan. We
talked of husbands, children, and jewelry. We had lots to talk about.

Irian Jaya, Indonesia 1995 – It’s hot and difficult but Irian Jaya is by far the most amazing place I have ever been to. The religious animistic customs of the people are unbelievably creative. And the way they dress! Well, it’s hot, so they get comfortable!

Irian Jaya, Indonesia 1995 - I just kept thinking “Wow, I can’t believe this!” It was a truly unique experience - difficult, hot, and sweaty, with beyond dangerous infrastructure - 100 % of the local people suffering from regular bouts of malaria - but still “wow!”

Irian Jaya, Indonesia 1995 - I really, really wanted to get to the other side
where an important (to me) jungle village was waiting – it took an
immense amount of courage. I’m very frightened of heights and I don’t
swim well…. I heard later that two men fell through this bridge just a few
days after we crossed it – and were never seen again.

Tokyo, Japan - At a conference in Japan years ago, I was asked why Japanese people should buy my jewelry. I explained, “It is difficult to know why Japanese women would buy my jewelry, but they do and I love it.”

Katmandu, Nepal - A Nepalese woman taught me how she strung beads. She used lots of turquoise, coral and bone – exactly the combinations I like to use.

On the road to Jaipur, India - I don’t like snakes, especially cobras. I’m
more than a little concerned here that they won’t like me either. However, interestingly enough, their owner wasn’t worried at all. Perhaps he knows something I don’t.

India & Nepal – Isabel and I are traveling around India and Nepal. Her husband Willie is taking the pictures. He says, “Just think ‘I love you’ for the camera and you’ll look great.” Obviously, it worked for Isabel.

Chichicastenango, Guatemala – This mountain village market is in the Guatemalan highlands - the best market I’ve ever been to. Mayan Indian women sell their hand-woven and locally grown flowers - it doesn’t get more colorful than this.

Chichicastenango, Guatemala – Guatemalan children are my favorite in the world. Their Mayan features remind me of the sculptures, paintings,
and pyramids I studied at the University of Mexico City. For me, Guatemalan Indians are the most beautiful people in the world.

Inner Mongolia, China - This old woman in Mongolia is probably one of the last of the women with “bound feet”. It was an amazing experience to see first hand such small feet and realize how much suffering women have
endured over the centuries in order to be fashionable.