Captivate necklace with turquoise enclosed in a 14k yellow gold casing. The pendant is 3/4 inches tall and hangs on an 18 inch 14k chain. Engraved on the back: “The outside is only a movement of the symphony within.”
This is my response to everyone who has asked for a captivate necklace at a more approachable price. I’ve used a vivid robin’s egg blue turquoise encased in the gold. The necklace just shines.
I was looking into ways to freshen up my house and my mood a bit the other day and stumbled upon this site that sells and ships beautiful roses! They ship them from the farm in Guatemala so they are fresh, and they stay that way too. The roses picture here are 10 days old and counting! They even have a service to auto ship flowers, so you don’t have to remember to do it. They need a week in advance because they come from South America, but looking at the quality of these they’re more than worth it. Prices aren’t too bad either, flat price of $40 for a dozen, $50 for 2 dozen. Visit www.thebouqs.com order some freshness for you or a friend!
This happy lady has been wanting this Mexican fire opal and diamond ring for 5 years and after a few nudges to her husband he surprised her with it for their 5 year anniversary! I re-designed the ring to have her initials on the inside of the ring and a special note from her husband engraved on the band. I’m so happy to be a part of such a fun story.
If you’re looking for a breath-taking gift, feel free to contact me with ideas and I will make your custom piece come true!
info@cannonlewis.com
The bride and her one-of-a-king ring/man!
I heard of Gioia through my aunt who attended a seminar about her latest book and exclaimed to me, “You have to interview this woman, she’s fascinating!” She was more than right: Gioia is the author of five books, three non-fiction and two historical, inspired by subjects from the 1920s and 30s. The authoress specializes in writing about women’s lives and has been a contributor to many publications, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian, Town & Country, and Vanity Fair. I got a chance to catch up with her and ask about her work and her fabulous life.
Cannon: At what point in your life did you decide you would become a professional writer? Were you always drawn to writing or did your passion develop over time?.
Gioia: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I could read and write. I’ve never wanted to do anything else. My first piece of published writing was a short story–published in my elementary school newspaper.
C: A lot of people dream about being an author but struggle to turn this dream into reality. What’s the biggest challenge in being a writer? What is your advice to people trying to break into your industry?
G: It’s all about perseverance. Talent isn’t rare. I’ve observed that the people who are most successful in writing are the ones who don’t give up under any circumstances, who keep plugging away until they succeed. My chief advice is to write from your heart and your passion; don’t pander to the marketplace. Trying to write a bestseller is the kiss of death.
C: Your writing focuses on incredible women; who are the women in your life that you admire most?
G: As far as women I admire, the choice is as difficult as picking a favorite piece of jewelry. At the moment, Diane von Furstenberg would have to be at the top of the list, since I’m writing her biography, and I’ve been thinking about her a lot. I admire not only her success, but also her strength of character and determination, her integrity and commitment to giving back to the world that has given her so much. She was an ordinary middle class girl who grew up to be an icon — It’s an inspiring story and a lesson that you should never be a victim. No matter what cards you’re dealt, be the heroine of your own life.
C: What is your inspiration? Your most recent book takes place in Paris; where, in your opinion, is the most beautiful place in Paris?
G: Inspiration comes from the most unlikely places, and it strikes when you least suspect it–like falling in love. I’m hard pressed to name the most beautiful place in Paris–there are so, so many. At the top of the list would be the Pont Neuf, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Marais–actually I could just go on and on!
C: What’s next for you?
G: I’m writing a biography of Diane von Furstenberg.
C: What is your favorite Cannon Lewis jewelry piece?
G: If I had to pick one thing, on the high end it would be the boulder opal necklace or the gold Chagall-inspired necklace!
For more on Gioia and her writings, visit her website here!
I have been a longtime reader and lover of fashion blog Piece of Toast, and they are now hosting an exclusive giveaway of my Sand Dollar necklace in 14K gold for their readers! So excited to send out this necklace to the lucky winner; head over to their site to enter for this one of a kind beauty from my Trouve collection!
Click to enter here!
Much love,
Cannon
Megan and I have known each other since kindergarten, and with my daughter starting school this year I realize just how long ago that was! Megan and I have had a special bond because we both started our companies while we were in college. Megan is now a talented studio artist, textile and home decor designer (check out her painted leather clutches–I love them!). Megan started out designing clothing in college, but became frustrated with the lack of interesting fabric. In an art class she made the unusual request to have an etching printed on silk, and her love for fabrics began. She graduated, put her design business on hold and then pursued a 3 year masters in textiles. Upon finishing the 3-year program, she turned from clothing to the stuff it’s made of and began her own textile design business. This has since expanded into home decor, tabletop, handbags, screen-printing silks, and wall art, all laced with her own patterns and design.
Cannon Lewis: What’s the biggest challenge of owning your own business?
Megan Adams Brooks: Doing the creative side of things is always fun and natural for me, but the other aspects of business don’t come easily. Social media, daily operations, etc.–those are probably the biggest challenge, but delegating all of that makes it much easier!
CL: What is your advice to creative people trying to break in?
MAB: I’d say be open to showing your form of art wherever you can and don’t be too picky. You never know what can come of it, and being narrow-minded keeps you from accessing new possibilities.
CL: What’s next for you?
MAB: Right now I’ve got pieces selling at Blue Print (on Fairmont and McKinney), and I always have my paintings and the screen-printed pillows going on the side. I am also finishing up a line of fabrics by the yard and now working on wallpaper. It’s the fine line of finding the best way to sell while still doing what I love.
CL: What is your inspiration?
MAB: Originally it was from my drawings and paintings, but most recently I’ve been inspired by nature and the way textures combine organically. I want to try synthesizing textures and prints–damask, animal, botanical…things like that. I usually start with a sketch and then manipulating it on the computer to create a repeating pattern.
CL: What would you say is your personal style?
MAB: I think in general my style is pretty traditional, but I do try to have an unconventional approach combined with classic.
CL: What is your favorite Cannon jewelry?
MAB: Any of them, all of them! I love the Captivate Collection–the jewelry makes any simple ensemble much more elegant and interesting.
CL: You started your own business in college, what is your biggest takeaway from that?
MAB: How hard I had to work! (laughs) Honestly, it was a blast and I loved designing clothes, but keeping up with the trends and having to change styles constantly was exhausting. I like clothes that transcend trend—classic forms. I could have gone that route, keeping up with the constant change, but it was overwhelming. That’s why I love fabric, overall it stays timeless. The clothes go in and out, but fabrics are always here. However, it was less expensive for me to make my own clothes than to go out and buy them, so that was a nice perk.
See all of Megan’s home and fabric designs here!
Her art and installations can be viewed here!
Falconwright is the brainchild of Toronto natives Sandi Falconer & Danielle Wright, and I cannot get enough of their handmade leather pouches. The punchy patterns they use are loud but paired with the simple design of the pouch, they’re surprisingly easy to pull off and make you look instantly eclectic cool. They only create small batches at a time, so the bags sell out immediately from their site. Keep an eye out for their next onslaught of adorable bags and wallets here!
This necklace makes me think of Christmas as a child and I smile. I remember cracking pecans for hours to make a pecan pie, and sitting by the fire taking on the daunting project of cracking walnuts and Brazil nuts with my seven year old hands and feeling like a champion when I broke them open.
