THE BLING BLOG

Jeffrey Obviously Knows God Well And Is Completely At Ease With Commenting On God's Doings

And not only does Jeffrey know God well, but apparently God smiles and frowns according to the things that happen in Jeffrey's life, and God lives and dies according to this same plan.

For example:  Jeffrey wins, therefore God is alive.

Lucky Jeffrey, huh?

Wonder what the good Reverend Falwell might have to say about this?  Oh, shiver.  Can you imagine that apocalyptic showdown?  The lights in my hotel room dimmed just from me pondering it.  Seriously.

More on this tomorrow.

This Here's The Highlight Of My Week Tonight!

I've been remiss in posting about PR the last two weeks due to travel and work issues.  But suffice it to say that what I have to say about the last two episodes can be summed up in one or two sentences.

Had Vincent been sent home two weeks ago for that bizarro, atrocious refrigerator box "dress" with swirly magnets, and he wouldn't have been there last week to win.  And maybe Alison would have.  Fin.

Please, please, if I can't get you the snarky goods on Project Runway (or even if I do) immediately refer to all of the following resources:  The Manolo, Kim at I Am Pretty NYC, Screaming & Punching, FourFour, and the inimitable Blogging Project Runway.

At this very moment, people, BPR has a Message from Cap'n Save-A-Ho' himself on the site!

More tomorrow, I promise!

Ellen Barkin's Totally Amazing Yard Sale Hosted By Christie's

"It's not practical for me to keep it.  I wouldn't wear it.  It's just not who I am."

For years I couldn't quite get why Ellen Barkin married Ron Perelman.  Yeah, obviously the money.  Duh.  But she seemed to love being a carnie, didn't she?  She really seemed to love being an actress for the sake of acting, no?  She was pretty talented, too.  I loved The Big Easy.

And then to give that love of being an employable, acting carnie up so she could have...  what?  An endless string of lunches at Le Cirque followed by chauffered rides to Bergdorf's where she could buy another Chanel suit, size zero, and then presumably get some sort of salon-type maintenance and then...  what?  Home to prepare for yet another evening out with Ronnie Baby?  Yawn.

After a while, all the niceties would probably get tiresome.  Plus, Perelman?  Eww.  Order me an IV of something potent, stat.  Is he loud?  He just looks loud.  And like he uses too much cologne.  And in spite of the cologne, the smell of Scotch and rare ostrich meat and Stilton would overwhelm.  Yuck.

So while I can't imagine what a drag it must've been to have been married to that bombastic Ron Perelman, upon learning that Ellen Barkin had amassed quite a collection (17 pieces!) of super-reclusive Place Vendôme jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal's work (aka JAR) I thought, "Eureka!"  If there was a thing that would've kept a girl around for that long, maybe the prospect of periodic trips to the atelier of JAR was it.  Maybe.

Now Ms. Barkin is getting set, with the help of Christie's, to auction off the (near) entire lot of her jewelry she collected while married to Perelman, 102 pieces in total.

She is keeping one piece, a diamond ring, which is similar to the signature JAR "thread ring" at left.

Platinum and diamonds, set in open-weave micro-pavé thread-like settings.  Don't worry, of the 17 JAR pieces, there are four "thread rings."

The most newsworthy of the pieces set for auction, of course, are the aforementioned 17 Rosenthal pieces.  In the collection are also pieces from the Duchess of Windsor's collection, Doris Duke's estate, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels that Barkin owned during her marriage to Perelman.

The auction, which will take place in October, is expected to fetch upwards of $15 million dollars.  That, combined with whatever settlement one can squeeze out of an already thrice-divorced, über business-savvy, lawyered-to-the-gills billionaire, to whom one has been married for less than ten years in the state of New York (read:  she doesn't get half, there were no kids, fo' shizzle there was a pre-nup, and no wonder she's selling) ought to set Barkin up for the future pretty nicely.  She's already in Las Vegas shooting Ocean's 13, so that tells me what she really wants to be doing.

Here's more on the jewelry.  According to Women's Wear Daily,

"Less than 50 JAR creations have appeared in the auction market and all of them fetched considerably more than their retail price," said François Curiel, chairman of Christie's Europe and the auction house's head of jewelry. "They are considered museum pieces, so rare that there is virtually no limit to what collectors are willing to spend to own one. Our estimates appear to be always ridiculously low and I have even considered no longer publishing them when JAR pieces come up for sale. JAR defies all the rules of appraising jewelry."

Rosenthal, 63, a New York native who moved to Paris in 1966, is said to produce 70 to 80 pieces annually. He uses high-quality precious stones like Golconda diamonds, Burma rubies, Kashmir sapphires and Indian emeralds, and puts intense labor into each piece. Socialite Lily Safra and Princess Firyal of Jordan are said to be some of his top clients.

Blah, blah, blah...  socialites, royals, socialites...

Anyhow, in the WWD article, Barkin talks about how she used to sleep in the earrings, and never treated the precious things as if they were, well, precious.  And I am of two minds about that.  First, I am glad she wore them, and wore them a lot.  And second, I am glad she recognizes that she isn't the right owner for them anymore.  She states that she and Rosenthal are personal friends.  By this I assume that she has his blessing to sell the goods.

Good luck, Ellen!  I can call you Ellen, can't I?  Go make some movies I'll see.  Glad you're back in the "working actresses of a certain age" pool.  Didn't even know I missed you.  Can't stand that Susan SaranWrap woman.  I'll go see Oceans 13.  And 14.  And 15...  but that might be for Clooney, I won't lie, but I'll be glad to see you, too.

"Life Without Ed" Jewelry vs. The Dastardly Pro-Ana Red Bracelet

It's on.  And I want "Life Without Ed" jewelry to win.

This morning JCKStyle brings us a very serious topic, that of eating disorders and the role the media and fashion can and do play in either supporting their growth or decline.

Eating disorders entered the jewelry market several years ago with pro-ana bracelets, which signify and even celebrate the wearer's disease with other victims.  Now, jewelry designer Sue Gillerlain and singer/author Jenni Schaefer, who wrote Life Without Ed:  How One Woman Declared Independence From Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too, promote the opposite message with Life Without Ed jewelry, an inspirational collection that celebrates recovery from these diseases.

The phrase "Life Without Ed" ("Ed" stands for "eating disorder") was coined by Schaefer's former therapist, who treats eating disorder patients as if they are in an abusive, destructive relationship.  The corresponding jewelry line was inspired by survivors who said that small, meaningful items helped them to recover.  "(The jewelry is) a symbol of hope and faith," Schaefer says.  "(One survivor) calls it her 'Ed armor.'"  The line features two-sided sterling silver charms, necklaces, and bracelets with the inspiring phrase; a sketched flower to signify growth; and a freshwater pearl, which symbolizes wisdom.  Ten percent of proceeds go to the National Eating Disorders Association.

Life Without Ed jewelry, which can be purchased on sites like Sarah-Kate, has gotten "a phenomenal response," says Schaefer, who appears today on Dr. Phil as an expert on eating disorders.  Now would someone please send the pieces to some of our celebrity friends?

And now is when you'll hear a huge, uproarious "amen" from the Bling Blog choir.  You'll never, ever see me plug trinkety silver jewelry that has been previously featured on (gag) the Dr. Phil show.  Unless there is a seriously compelling reason to do so.

Is this photo compelling reason enough?  Yeah, thought so.  That's Nicole Richie, and that's no Kabbalah bracelet.

So, three cheers for JCKStyle's highly topical article and trinkety silver Life Without Ed baubles!  Who knows?  It might be just the sort of the thing to inspire a recovering person.  And they're pretty and sweet.  Take a look.  The charms have stuff on the front and back.  Free shipping, too.

And with a tagline like "Warming Hearts Everywhere," how can you not like them?  We like them a helluva a lot better here than we like the pro-ana stick figures.

Happy Birthday, Trey!

Happy Birthday to the man behind the Bling Blog!

He is celebrating the 13th anniversary of his 29th birthday.  He's good-looking, no?  I am a lucky lady.

For his birthday he got a nifty watch and we went to see the classic car races.  About the watch:  originally, it was the only timepiece allowed on the moon.  He got it because he's so out of this world!  Any guesses as to which watch it might be?

Happy Birthday, Buffalo, I love you!

UPDATE!  JUST ADDED!  THIS JUST IN!

PHOTOS FROM A BUFFALO BIRTHDAY LONG, LONG AGO!

ROCKETS!  SPACESHIPS!

BIRTHDAY CAKES!  CANDLES!

PARTY HATS!

HOORAY!

LOOKS LIKE 1969 TO ME.

SO CUTE, HUH?

(THANKS, MA!)

The Monterey Historics - A Little Used Car Shopping

We traveled to Monterey, California last week to attend the 33rd Annual Rolex Monterey Historics Automobile Races, aka "Used Car Shopping With Susie and Trey."

At left is an absolutely perfect 1955 Mercedes 300SL, aka the Gullwing.  Damn.  (By the way, that guy had three of them.)

The idea behind the Historics is that car collectors bring their race cars to Laguna Seca once every year and race them in their category on the corkscrew at Laguna Seca.  Also, being car collectors, they bring their other cars and show them off.  Like the Benzo above.

Between the practice rounds or races, you can traipse about the paddock and gawk at the race cars, talk to the collectors, take photos, and generally be overwhelmed by the tremendous love (and money) it takes to keep these beauties in good condition and trot them around the country showing them off.

Uh huh.  Ferrari GTO, people.

Trey was busy taking artistic photos of this gorgeous babe (excuse me, I am speaking of the car, not the disheleved author of the Bling Blog - please) and two older dudes started talking to me.  Here's how the conversation went.

OD will represent one or the other of the older dudes and BB will represent me, the Bling Blogstress.

OD:  "How much you think that baby's worth?"

BB:  "Uh, more than my soccer mom X5, I'll bet!"  (I am always glib.  I won't disappoint you.  Ever.)

OD:  "Ho, ho, ho!  Darn right, little lady!  Go on, take a guess!  Just take a guess!  Not many of them left in the world.  Jack, how many of them left in the world?  Tommy's got two of 'em!  You know, Tommy?  Tommy Hilfiger?"  (He says this as if he and Tommy Hilfiger are, like, thisclose, right?)

BB:  "Tommy Hilfiger?  Eww.  I can't stand him."

OD:  "What's wrong with Tommy?"  (Again with the "Tommy" as if they're thisclose.)

BB:  "Well, for starters, he's a racist.  And he's short.  He's a little, little man.  With big teeth.  Eww."

(silence)

At this point, Trey has looked up from his Bruce Webering, and is snickering with a bemused expression.  And in no way is going to bail me out.  Nor do I need him to.  I want to see where this one goes.  It might get ugly.  Probably not, but I am going to try my best.

OD:  "Well, uh, so how much you think this baby's worth?"  (Apparently they still want to talk.)

BB:  "Here's the thing.  I was an Art History major.  How can you put a value on something of which there are so few remaining in the world?  How many are there left?"

OD:  "About fifteen, maybe twenty."

BB:  "Are some in better condition than others?  This one looks great."

OD:  "Oh, anyone who has one of these would keep it in perfect condition.  Treat it like a precious baby."

BB:  "Do they come up for sale often?"

OD:  "Never.  Well, hardly ever.  Last time was...  I can't remember the last time..."

BB:  "So there's not exactly a market for this car, is there?"

(silence)

BB:  "Well, what would you have to insure it for?"

OD:  "Hard to say."

BB:  "And you're asking me, driver of a soccer mom X5, to place a value on this car?"

OD:  "It's $10 million dollars."

BB:  "Fascinating."  (dripping with sarcasm)

Truly, it was fascinating.  Because I can certainly draw many parallels between $10 million for a rare sports car and $10 million for a rare diamond.

But to try to have that conversation on the paddock with some yahoo older dudes and wax philosophical about putting a price on something that cannot be replaced?

Nah.  Rather just look at the pretty cars.

(click on photos to enlarge - photos courtesy of Trey)

The Perils Of Jewelry Shopping

Once again, the headlines bring us more disturbing news that Americans are as litigious as ever.  This time via The Bling Blog's new friend Etienne Perret.

Damn menacing squirrels.  Doesn't this one look particularly dastardly?

Read the article below and take a moment to think about what has happened to this country.  And then feel free to comment.  Try to limit your use of expletives to one per sentence.  Should we hate what has happened to the legal system?  Loathe the lawyers?  Scourge the litigious scum?

Don't hate the players; hate the game?  I dunno.

I do know one thing, though...

Please, no one ever serve this woman a hot cup of anything.  Ever.  Anywhere.

A woman is suing a Chicago shopping center because a squirrel jumped on her leg in the center's courtyard.  After leaving the Tiffany & Co. jewelry store at the open-air mall on December 3, 2004, Marcy Meckler claims she "had a squirrel jump up and attach itself to her leg."

According to reports in the Chicago Sun-Times, the lawsuit, which was filed earlier this week, contends that Meckler "while frantically attempting to escape from the squirrel and detach it from her leg, fell and suffered severe injuries."

 

The suit claims that the mall's parent company, Westfield Corp., "by and through its agents, employees, servants and security personnel, was aware of the longtime presence of the said squirrel on the premises and allowed the squirrel to remain on the premises, despite the fact that the squirrel had previously attacked and harassed other customers, a fact known to Westfield," reports the newspaper.

So Much To Talk About, Back From Vacation, But Still On The Road

I am back from vacation, sort of, but still on the road.  Work this time.

So much to discuss!

Project Runway.

The Monterey Classics.

Jewelry shopping in Carmel.

Dangers of squirrels while shopping near Tiffany & Co.  (hat tip to Etienne)

It's late.  We'll catch up tomorrow night, m'kay?

The WE Channel's "Platinum Weddings"

Sunday night television has some really craptacular selections as far as so-called entertainment is concerned.

Generally we go for the good writing and solid acting of Grey's Anatomy or revel in the crazy gorillas training to be SEALs on the Military Channel's Elite Forces/SEAL BUDs Training.  Good stuff.

But a couple of weeks back I came across a refreshing show on the WE Channel (I know, I know, can you believe it?) called Platinum Weddings.  Unlike the horrid, Jerry Springer-esque offerings on the same channel like Bride vs. Bride and the deplorable Bridezillas, Platinum Weddings is all about decent folks with good taste and seemingly unlimited budgets who are trying make wonderful memories with a beautiful wedding.

There is nary an hysterical, insufferable, despicable bitch bride or drunken, panty-chasing groom in the lot.  No histrionics.  No tantrums.  And tears?  Well, yes, but they're sweet, sincere tears of joy.

And I watched six episodes before making this conclusion, so you're safe.  You won't be offended.

There are gorgeous gowns, cute, likeable couples, charming, proud families, amazing catering spreads, towering cakes, generous charitable donations, world-class entertainment, compelling meldings of intriguing cultures, hypnotic floral arrangements, internationally-reknowned hair and makeup artists, genius photographers, and impeccably orchestrated party planning.

And the jewelry?  Ay, caramba!  Engagement rings, wedding rings, wedding gifts of jewelry, tasteful tiaras, diamond necklaces, family heirlooms, oh my!  Beautiful things.

Before you get nuts and say something like, "Well, of course they're pleasant and placid, they've got it made in the shade.  They can afford to be calm.  Money is no object."

Then I will quickly direct you Exhibits A-Z:  Hollyweird carnie-folk, for whom money is also no object.  And for whom every day is another excuse to act like entitled, hysterical, attention-starved children for the cameras.  Really no different than the Bridezillas and their icky grooms, just with better DNA, agents, stylists, managers and a curious ability to cultivate a fan base.

Check it out if you can.  Refreshing, truly.

Interview With Etienne Perret

Etienne Perret's tagline is "nobody treats diamonds better," and there is some real truth to that double meaning.

In his Camden Harbor studio in Maine, multiple award-winning jewelry designer Perret is busy creating some of the more graceful, playful and dynamic pieces of wearable art available to women today.  His use of color treated diamonds is careful and elegant; his attention to detail exquisite.

My mother and I have been very familiar with Mr. Perret's work over the years as both customers and admirers, and it was with much excitement that I learned recently that he was a new reader of The Bling Blog.  We struck up an email conversation and discovered that we are like-minded with regard to issues of quality, style and the high esteem in which a jeweler must hold his or her customer, specifically women.

A quick look at Etienne Perret's work reveals an abundant love for his craft, for women and for the concept of timeless, yet modern design.  Delving a bit more deeply with him in conversation, you will be as delighted as I was by his depth of understanding of what women want, by his love of family and by his unfettered adoration of his art.

Enjoy!

What is your background and training?

I have been making jewelry for 35 years, WOW!  That makes me an old man, funny I don't feel like an old man.  I started making jewelry for my high school sweetheart.  My father had a shop that we worked in making all sorts of arts and crafts projects.  For some reason he had a piece of silver around, that he let me have to make her a ring and bracelet.  I found that it was a great way to win points with the ladies.  Making jewelry was easy for me and women like jewelry.

I was a forestry student at the University of Vermont back in the 1970s and made jewelry on the side which I then sold at the girl's dormitories and later at the local craft fairs.  In 1975 I dropped out of school to start a small jewelry store in Camden, Maine.  It was a great little store, however I felt like I was in a vacuum and needed to learn more quickly so I went to the Rhode Island School of Design where I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry and Sculpture in 1978.

The jewelry design thing seemed to be under control, but I needed to know about the gemstones I was working with.  Closing the store was not a possibility so I got my Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA by correspondence.  It would have been great to have taken the classes in California, but I could not leave my growing business.  Since then I have taken and taught at places like the Revere Academy in San Francisco.

How did you know you wanted to be a jewelry designer?

I became a jewelry designer by default.  It seems that nothing was more enjoyable in my life than sitting down at the bench to make my own jewelry designs.  There is something very special and intimate about making a piece of jewelry that a woman wears right on her body.  It makes me feel good having designed a piece of jewelry that enhances the look and presence of a woman.

Who/what are your design and style influences?

 

I love clean elegant lines.  Bauhaus in architecture.  Calvin Klein, Halston, and Donna Karan for fashion design.  Friedrich Becker, Bulgari, and Niessing for jewelry.  (note:  Perret was born in the US, in NYC, of Italian-Swiss and German-Swiss parents.  He comes by his influence quite honestly!)

Describe Etienne Perret's niche and style. 

 

My niche is one created out of being myself versus what the market is screaming for.  I make the designs I want to using the materials that I love.  Then I go about pricing what I make and finding a way to sell what I make so that I can buy more materials to make more jewelry.  Unfortunately the gold and diamonds are an expensive habit to be dealing with.  I have worked hard to keep my overhead low so that I am not forced to make the compromises many other designers are forced to make.

What makes you unique?

We are all unique if we allow our selves to be so.  Unfortunately most people are afraid to be themselves.  I believe that I am unique in that I will try designs in platinum with diamonds, that most people would only dare to do in stainless steel and rhinestones.  If I believe in my ideas then I will make the pieces using the very best in materials.

What are your favorite materials?

 

My favorite material to work in as a jeweler is 18kt yellow gold.  It is just right in its ability to hold a form, its workability, the ability to take a polish.  It is easy to see while you work on it.  Feels good in your hand and of course it compliments the color of most woman's skin wonderfully.  Platinum is an amazing metal to work with in building pieces for white diamonds.  It gives the pieces a very clean, cold, brilliant look.  There are so many wonderful materials, I can go on forever, and that is without mentioning all the amazing gemstones.

What materials would you like to see come back in style?

 

I would like to see more 18kt rose gold being used.  It has such a history in jewelry.  For some women it is a better color than yellow gold.  I just do not get it why everybody always wants to wear what their friends are wearing.

 

You seem to really embrace the use of color, in particular, the use of colored diamonds.  I know you use irradiated (color treated) diamonds, why is this preferable for your purposes?

 

I use color treated diamonds because I love the playfulness of color without sacrificing the durability and brilliance of diamonds. Many of my designs need multiples of diamonds all the same color.  This would be very difficult with natural color diamonds.  Most of designs use bright intense colored diamonds, these often do not exist in natural color diamonds.  Most of my designs are meant to be worn by real people and not gem collectors.  Natural color diamonds are so rare and expensive most sit in vaults or in museums.  I want to make colored diamond jewelry that is worn by women in the scope of their normal life.

What are some of your favorite pieces in your current collection?

 

I am having fun right now with the colored diamond rainbow pieces.  I have made a collection of channel bands and pendants using the rainbow colors.  There is so much more to explore in that direction.  The most exciting designs are those that still allow me to go on designing within that concept.

(note:  the colored diamond rainbow pieces show are done in 18kt rose or yellow gold, and platinum)

Your all-time favorite piece of jewelry?

 

My Madonna pearl ring is one of my all-time favorites.

Named after the Madonna the ultimate mother with child, and not the actress.

(note:  the Madonna pearl ring is designed with a large Tahitian pearl and set in platinum with pavé diamonds)


If you could design for any celebrity, who would it be?

 

I think the look of Bai Ling is perfect for my jewelry.  I have not seen her movies nor have I actually met her.  However, I think her presence is very interesting and would show off my jewelry wonderfully.

Who else, besides you, is making beautiful jewelry?

 

Jordan Schlanger is such a nice guy and his work is interesting.  Michael Good has made some wonderful sculptural pieces.  I met Michael back in the late 70s.  He was working in his unheated garage making these really neat hollow silver earrings.  At the time I had a large studio, a full service jewelry store and a credit line with my gold refiner.  I suggested to Michael that he come work with me and focus on his designing.  The design concept was hot so I offered to sell everything he could make, and we were off and running.  The business grew very nicely to the point were his wife wanted to manage it.  It was time for me to re-focus on designing my own collection again.

What do you think of so-called "celebrity" jewelers and celebrities who put their names on jewelry collections?

 

I think celebrities have to make their money selling their souls. That is their business.  Unfortunately the general public knows so little that the media, PR firms and advertising world can lead them to some rather miserable jewelry endorsed by celebrities.

What is your impression of this latest bit of ground-breaking research conducted by the Oxygen Network?

 

If you ask a woman if she would rather have a television where the family can all get together, I think she will choose that over another piece of diamond jewelry.  If, however, you ask a woman if she would ever give up the wonderful diamond ring that was given to her by her husband while they were on vacation in Paris for their 10th wedding anniversary, she would fight you tooth and nail.

 

Do you have any advice for fledgling young jewelers?

 

My advice is do not do it in the United States.  Move to China, Bali or India where the labor costs are much lower.  Jewelry is such a labor intensive endeavor that it has become too difficult to do here today.  I am fortunate I started when things were different and I am now working with a multi-million dollar inventory that is out in stores around the United States and Europe.

 

Many of my readers are eco-conscious and very informed and interested in the topics of sustainable resources.  There is one reader/friend in particular who just completed her benchwork courses at the Revere Academy, and I know she'll appreciate your perspective.

To that end, what is your opinion of the "No Dirty Gold" campaign?

That is a tough one.  I believe it takes careful thought.  To me it is much the same as whether one choose to be a vegetarian or eat the meat of animals.

First of all, I consider the world we live in to be very special.  I believe it is best to leave the place we occupy a better place after we have passed through it.  It is our world and we better take care of it.  The act of extracting the raw materials from the ground to create jewelry is very detrimental to the environment.  There are tons of earth mined for each ounce of gold or carat of diamond rough.  The mining is not something we should take lightly.

On a positive note we in the jewelry industry have been leaders in recycling for centuries.  Very little of the gold that has been mine through history is not still in use today.  The ring that I made yesterday may well have been made from gold worn by several women throughout history.

I met a very nice man at the JCK show who only use eco-friendly recycled gold.  A nice thought, however there was a day when that gold was actually dug from the ground.  It just seems to me to be hard to know how and where the gold I use was mined.  To me the important part is to make beautiful jewelry that will have special meaning to someone. Something that they will be able to wear for the rest of their lives.

I am most concerned with the preponderance of disposable jewelry being made today.  People go to the mall buying stuff to satisfy a need to consume. Just imagine the average piece of gold jewelry sold last year in the USA was less that $70.00.

And what about the push for consumers to avoid the "conflict diamonds" and for that matter, even all diamonds no matter what?

Diamonds are a slightly different issue.  Here are a few points I would like to make:

 

1.  The color treatment of off-white diamonds allows the jewelry industry to use diamonds that in the past have been used for industrial purposes.  In this way the we are better using the diamonds that have been mined from the huge holes in the ground.

2.  Synthetic diamonds are beginning to come on the market.  Gemesis and other high tech companies are making beautiful colored diamonds in laboratories.  For every diamond that is man made a mined diamond will not need to be extracted from the ground.

3.  Thousands of African men make a good living working in the diamond mines, hundreds of thousands of Indians make a dependable living cutting diamonds.  Millions of people around the world are involved in the sale of diamonds.  If we were to eliminate diamonds from the economy it would certainly change the lives of many many people.

4.  In regards to conflict diamonds it seems to me there are always two sides to any argument.  The guys that want to control the mines say rebels are stealing diamonds are hurting the country and the government.  The rebels who do not have the power say that the corrupt government officials are using the money from the diamonds to support the illegal oppressive government.  Both have good and bad points. Unfortunately many people are being killed in the fight for the wealth that diamonds could have brought them.  The same problem exists for other commodities such as oil, copper, forestry products, etc.

Is Pamela Anderson "like a modern-day Brigitte Bardot?"

 

Pamela Anderson may be the modern-day Brigitte Bardot, however I am much more interested in finding the modern-day Sophia Loren.

Touché!

If you were to give Mrs. Perret a gift today, what would she want?

 

My nearly perfect wife Connie has two rings that she wears every day.  The ring I made when I first met her and her wedding ring.  She wants no more.

The perfect gift for her is a weekend in our home on the coast of Maine with her children and grandchildren.

It is funny how when you spend your life making things they lose their meaning and it is other values that become important.



(all photos property of Etienne Perret, and used with his permission)