January 20, 2026....

Hi Everyone...

The piece of jewelry shown above right is a pin I designed a number of years ago. The description is long but it's worth reading as it has a great outcome!

Living in the northern latitudes for decades gives one a lot of time to consider the changing of the seasons. When I moved to California and then to Denver, the seasons weren’t as defined. It could be winter, and it just meant wearing a sweater or, yes, it snowed but then it was gone in a day or two and then the daffodils would bloom.  In 1972 I decided to move to Alaska. I really didn’t know what I was getting into except that it was a land of extremes. But, I grew up in Buffalo N.Y, I knew what snow was, I knew what fall was and I also felt I knew about spring and summer. If you had winter, then you had to have the rest… Right?

When I was little my parents put me to bed in the summer while it was still light out. I could hear kids laughing in the summer stillness and I wanted to be out there. I told my daughter, Darcie (she was about 5), “I will never make you go to bed if the sun is still shining”. As we traveled north in the early summer of 1972 we planned to drive until sunset and then stop for the night. At one stop we were told the shop was closing for the night. We were amazed to find out it was 11pm. It was then I said that we had to go to bed and true to form my sweet daughter said…”but it’s still light out, I don’t have to”!

The inspiration for ‘Here Comes the Sun’ took a number of years to reach fruition. I started thinking about it in 1997 and finally in 2006 it arrived fully matured. The mask came first, I loved the calm and benign look on its face but realized quickly it needed a setting. It was probably early February and the light was just starting to have an effect, and I then realized the name of the piece….. Here Comes the Sun… here comes the sun, again and, right on time.

About three years ago, I received a letter from an organization called My House which is located in Wasilla, Alaska. Its purpose is to help youth who have aged out of foster system by offering them job training, counseling, safety and support (just to mention a few). They have a youth council which plays an important role in the organization. My House had just been awarded a $25million grant to build a new facility in Wasilla, one that would not only help but house young people in need. The youth counsel was  given the job of selecting a logo for their new building and they chose my piece - Here Comes the Sun. I am now on the board and have been included in the process of building this wonderful facility. It has been an honor to be included in this process and sometimes I even make a suggestion! The building is now under construction and we will soon start the process of identifying the areas which will house its art. I am excited to have been asked to participate in this process as well. I'm not sure when the grand opening will be but I will be there with bells on! I'll keep you posted. If you want to check out their site, there's a link at the bottom of this page. 

My website store JudieG's Trove is now open and it includes a Store which can be opened in the above banner. I have some great deals on beautiful, beads, gemstones and collectable/vintage jewelry. It's all set up to accept PayPal (no worries if you don't have an account, we can work it out!) Shipping is FREE on items over $45. Have a ? please click on Contacts in the above banner (or at the bottom of this page) and drop me a note!

Many thanks to everyone who shared, visited and purchased a piece(s) from my store this past month.  I'm grateful for people who took time to write me notes. Notes that reconnect us but also tell me where we met and how much you have enjoyed your JG jewelry. It just warms m'heart. Thank You!      Best, Judie