The Measure of A Woman

OK, not so long ago, someone posted about this bracelet:

I just can't remember who - sorry. And, so intrigued was I, that I went to Modcloth.com to check it out.

I don't wear bracelets. I can barely manage rings and necklaces. And I'm not into brass. Like, at all. But this thing just spoke to me. I mean, curlicue measuring tapes are a big part of my life.

Deal is, I tried to buy it. I can count on one finger how many times I've seen something on a blog, clicked on the link and decided: I want to buy this right now. I went to purchase, only to discover it was sold out.

I cannot count on any fingers the number of times I've been even remotely interested in buying something online that, on trying to buy, I learned was Sold Out. Unless you include candy from Britain.

I searched other sites. It was sold out everywhere, inasmuch as everywhere routed me back to Modcloth (the original vendor). Uncharacteristically, I clicked on Modcloth's option to be notified if the item became available again. What the hell, I thought, it's not like that's ever going to happen. The thing about big sites, though (which I think Modcloth qualifies as, though, in truth, I've only visited once), is that they get restock. I don't know that I appreciate this feature...

Two hours ago I was notified that the bracelet is back in stock. The shipping is $18.00. High on drugs pricing, IMO. And yet, somehow, I just bought a vaguely mass produced, brass, expensive-to-deliver item of jewelry the likes of which I (heretofore) have never worn.

Talk about the power of symbolism.

Some Things Defy Description

You have got to check out this post for more details about WendyB's new masterpiece:

Virginia Woolf Whistle, closed

Inner Workings of the Whistle with tiny wolf (or is that woolf?)

Look at the diamonds which line even the piece that hooks the whistle to the chain.

This piece actually works. Wow.

Fit for a Queen

A while ago I blogged about a new store I found on Queen Street - Atomic - which houses a truly cheeful and elegant mid-century modern collection of housewares. Seriously, if you want to find that perfect canary melamine carafe or alpine-worthy fondue set, this is the place for you.

Lawrence, the owner and curator, is actually trained in gemmology. So it isn't surprising that he's collected a small and sexy cache of modernist Scandi silver jewelry:

Photo courtesy of a really great TO design blog Kitka

I purchased a ring that just called to me with the song of the siren (it's the one circled above). Foolishly, I didn't find out anything about the designer, though I did learn that the piece was Norwegian, from the late 50's and that it was typical of its generation.

Yesterday I was chatting with Trish at Ewanika and, when I showed her my ring (I wear it constantly) she told me she'd seen it online. Five minutes later I learned that Anna Greta Eker was the designer and that she had produced a number of similar rings, to wit:

This ring has more tynes than mine, courtesy of rubylane.com

Ms. Eker was apparently Finnish by birth but she designed in Norway in the 50's and 60's. I didn't realize, till I did some digging around, that the initials AGE stamped on the inside of my ring along with the Norwegian flag and 925 sterling signature is the brand - Anna Greta Eker's initials! I LOVE knowing this. I imagine that, one day, the peeps'll be looking up timeless WendyB jewels in just this way.

What a joyful piece of wearable art.

Stay Sharp

I love this Whistles bling (designed by Mulberry alumni, Sally Turner):


Info courtesy of Love...

Fighting the Good Fight

Hey Everyone: You have to check out WendyB today for an inspiring example of how bloggers are using the network to help people in need.

Short story: Stephanie Nielson, who writes a blog called NieNie (about modern motherhood and family life) has been very seriously injured with her husband in a plane crash. There's a story about in in the New York Times Saturday edition. They have 4 children under the age of 7. Stephanie has been given a 60 - 70% chance of survival and a fund has been started to assist the family with the daunting expenses they will no doubt incur in the rehabilitation process.

WendyB - whom, I'm sure you know, designs gorgeous fine jewelry in New York City - has started an auction of one of her beautiful pieces, all proceeds of which will go to the NieNie fund:

The WendyB Diana necklace

Here's an opportunity to help a family while, potentially, winning a beautiful piece of handmade jewelry. At very least, you'll hike up the bidding. And, even if you don't win, now you know how to buy yourself a gorgeous bauble or two online. (I'm partial to the owl pendant...)

Special Update: Generous bidders have exceeded the retail value of the piece ($250.00) so Wendy is throwing in some gorgeous earrings and - get this - when the bids get to $500, that lucky person gets all the perks plus a fab engraving on the sterling silver pendant.

It gets better. If the bids go higher than $1000 - you get a piece of jewelry named after you (or someone of your choice) that will live on always! And that's in addition to all the other perks. Richie Riches who may be reading this, vote with your heart by bidding on this thing of beauty.

Another Special Update: Enc is racking up the good karma, having bid $550.00 as of this evening. C'mon generous peeps, make her work for that engraved, one-of-a-kind necklace with matching topaz earrings. At very least, let's get her to the stage where she gets a piece named after her for all eternity. Cuz that means the Nielson family will have $1000-odd extra dollars in the rehabilitation fund. Technically, you have more 4 days to get there. But I can't take the suspense. So please bid now.