Don't Leave Home Without One...

The island paradise of Bali – Island of the Gods -- is all it’s cracked up to be and so much more. The country is literally a big piece of art, made up of thousands of little pieces of art. A flower tucked here or there, a tranquil pond of lotuses, elaborated caved and painted double doors into private compounds, a patterned pavement of beautifully composed stones... Even the people move in a way so graceful it makes Westerners look like Clydesdales.

One of the more charming traditions my husband and I discovered as we stepped into our first Balinese car -- this includes airport taxis or the hotel shuttles -- is the custom of placing a fresh ‘offering’ on the dashboard of the vehicle as a prelude to any trip, thereby ensuring the Gods will provide a safe journey.

Bali’s transportation motto could be, “don’t leave home without one.”

The easiest way to get around Bali is to hire a driver – so inexpensive it’s cheaper than hiring a car and more convenient then trying to figure out the dizzying array of narrow unmarked roads. So before any trip, each driver would catch the attention of one of the many women walking the sidewalks and roads with a tray of offerings – small woven bamboo trays with some flowers, greenery, a few grains of rice and a stick or two of incense – and call her over. Chanting softly, she would gracefully sprinkle holy water on the offering after which the driver would carefully place it on the dashboard. Only then could we go.

We got so used to this custom in the month we spent there, that to this day neither of us gets into a vehicle without saying “offering on the dashboard.” Neither of us has been in an accident...

The Unexamined Life

Never one to do something the ‘normal’ way – and because, like most kids, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do for a living -- I attended a number of colleges as I moved from one work opportunity to another. But it wasn’t until I was nearly 40 that I had the most rewarding college experience of my life and finally graduated.

What was different? One, I was older and working in high-tech marketing so nearly everything I studied was applicable. Two, my classmates were in the same situation – they were there to learn, not to just get another requirement out of the way. Third and most importantly, we attended the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit school that required a tremendous amount of introspection in its coursework, it’s motto being “the unexamined life is not worth living.”*

When you set aside time to examine your life, you

• choose your destination
• set your goals
• determine your path
• decide how long it will take
• determine whether you’re on the right path or the wrong path.

In other words, you begin to know your self and to take control of your life. You decide who you want to be and begin to become the person you want to be.

*Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves.

'Behind the Scenes': The C2 Collection

(To the left: Impulse - a faceted, semi-transparent whisky quartz drop (59 cts) on 18K chain) In early 2008, focusing on the more casual laid-back California lifestyle, I introduced the C² Collection – “C squared” standing for ‘California casual’ or ‘cool’ or ‘chic’ or ‘contemporary’ – take your pick. Although one of the hallmarks of my jewelry is that it can be ‘dressed up’ or ‘dressed down,” C² is a more slimmed down version of my ‘conversation-starting’ jewelry, emphasizing a single stunning gem pendant or a sprinkling of smaller beads. My favorite look with C²?

“That’s easy. I love wearing a great pair of jeans, a favorite pair of stilettos and a tailored open-throated white shirt. I add a C2 piece, grab a hot handbag and I'm ready to go, California-style.”

'Behind the Scenes': The Silk Road Collection

(To the left: Moonlit Sky - roughly-faceted deep navy-hued afghani lapis lazuli briolettes with subtle splashes of golden pyrite in 18K gold) An admiration for some of the oldest jewelry related materials known on earth prompted my Silk Road Collection. More elemental than the Diva Collection, it showcases gems like carnelian, lapis, coral and turquoise.

“Still hugely popular today, these gems have been found among artifacts of the world‘s oldest cultures -- from the Indus River Valley to Mesopotamian Sumer to Egypt to the New World. The beauty of these highly regarded gems (usually the exclusive prerogative of royalty), represented great spiritual protection; thus the earliest jewelry was amuletic in nature. But of course, I‘m sure it didn‘t take long, historically-speaking, for ‘protection‘ to become the transparent excuse for wearing something that made the wearer feel beautiful and privileged -- just the way I want my customers to feel.”

'Behind the Scenes': The Diva Collection

(To the left: Glow - faceted cognac quartz pendant with 18K gold & diamond accents, on twisted strands of faceted salmonite drops)

My exposure to exceptional one-of-a-kind bead strands inspired the Diva Collection. Diva pieces are designed for the assertive, self-confident woman for whom jewelry is a passion, a fundamental expression of self and style. As I like to say,

“The Diva Collection is not for the timid. A Diva piece is a reward we’ve earned for getting to that place in life where we finally know who we are.

It takes a certain age and presence -- attributes often associated with an individual‘s level of self knowledge -- to be able to pull off a natural comfort with these bold pieces,” Elle asserts. “Diva women have grown into their authentic selves. They know every day is a gift, a reason to celebrate. And what better way to express the beauty of who we are within than to wear something outside that is unique, exceptional and gorgeous?”

'Behind the Scenes': The Ancient Splendor Collection

(To the left: Joie de Vivre - antique 20K-22K jeweled mughul pendant in the shape of a 'dancing' peacock with feathers of carved ruby or spinel, a head of uncut diamonds and the body a large faceted emerald)

I describe my work as the light-hearted result of superb gems, striking color combinations and the warmth of high carat gold. However, my primary design inspiration comes from the gold-enriched splendor of ancient civilizations as well as more recent ones like Mughal India.

It’s this love of history that inspired my Ancient Splendor Collection. Working with antique 20K-22K Indian plaque amulets and jeweled Mughal pieces, I pairs each exceptional 'link to the past' with a variety of high quality gems. The result? An eclectic blend of opposites described by some as ethno contemporary, traditional Indian motifs presented with a unique, modern twist.

“Most obviously, Indian adornment is a form of beautification. But it also functions symbolically as a vital repository of shared meaning, a metaphorical language communicated from the wearer to the viewer that speaks of spiritual protection, prosperity, respect and social definition. Therefore each piece arouses my curiosity about the person for whom it was originally made and the history they lived. By the time I work with the pendants they’ve become so separated from their original context that the stories about what they meant to their wearers or said about them are long lost. So I like to think that each of my finished pieces begins to create a new story of meaning.”

'Behind the Scenes': The Dreamtime Collection

(To the left: Neptune's Garden - Australian boulder opal on AAA amethysts and 18K gold)

I love color. The first thing visitors to my 85-year old red-tiled “Hollywood” bungalow notice are the bold jewel colors throughout the house and in the yard. And what could be more colorful than Australian boulder opal? A double Libra whose birthstone is opal, the moment I saw my first boulder opals in 2003 I began visualizing the result: the Elle Schroeder Dreamtime Collection, named in honor of opal’s origin as well as the infinite spiritual cycle Australia’s original inhabitants call “the dreaming.”

“Bolder opal is talismanic to me, more deeply ‘earth-connected’ than any other gem I work with, each is a piece of the oldest continent on earth. Opals speak to me of diversity and strength. Like opals we are each on the surface unique, but under a thin façade of difference we are more alike than not, sharing the same basic fears, hopes and concerns. And, just as boulder opal’s natural ironstone backing makes it much more durable than its solid opal counterpart, so do we individually and collectively possess a powerful strength and durability.

Opals are so spectacular in their own right that my job is simply to enhance the natural beauty already present. Choosing the perfect gem colors and shapes to pair with each opal is a challenge that never tires me. Completing the mix is 18K gold whose rich earthy yellow complements boulder opal‘s organic look and feel, giving each piece a casual, yet luxurious air.”