"At the edge of 17", I was hitch hiking from Skyline to Paly - took my dog - wore heels - three Antique Watch Fob Necklaces - which is still my signature!!! Drove my mechanics teacher to distraction thinking I would get one caught on the fan of the engine I was fixing .... he was great! I still love cars to this day.

Dude wore a necklace too,his tag said
"Thanks for checking I know where I am going"
I walked to this store everyday after school,designed the windows then would
play with Estate Jewelry designing like a mad woman....

Mother gave me Pearls -

thinking every woman should have fine pearls.
How to put who I am into Pearls? Make them mine?
- Put my entire collection of antique watch fobs on them -
ahhh, no one has anything like this!!!
You know me, you know those pearls, the look still rocks...

I began drawing custom designs
so women could see - that I heard them!!!
The amazing smile that appeared when the
finished piece looked exactly how they envisioned
 is why I love to do this :)))
and how this turned into not your typical design studio
where your vision is transformed into reality.

 

"Smokey and the Bandit"- I fell in love with the car.
I beat Road & Track Magazines 0 to 60 mph speed test of it by 1 second!!! Didn't know a single guy who could beat my time. 
Learned a lot about men, or the lack there of...
And started meeting a new kind of woman.

Started designing for that  woman - 
 
Fashion isn't about what someone tells you to wear. 
True fashion, true individualism is about NOT caring what the
fashion magazines say you should wear, whats in vogue, following the herd or letting a man win a car race when you can!  But wearing three pairs of antique earrings - just 'cause one pair isn't big enough.
 
True fashion is an inner reflection of the person wearing it,
an outward physical glimpse of their soul. 
 
Erin Mac Jewelry became not for the faint of heart. 
It became bold, like the women who wear it,
collect it and tell their friends about it :)))

Enough with fear
People still talking about Jaws, about never swimming in the ocean again...
So I am off to skinny dip in the ocean - at midnight - the moon was full,
stars abound, the water crisp, earrings catching the moonlight.
WOW sharks not scary. Dog smarter, not coming in...
Crap, the police seem to scare the piss out of naked me!
Ha ha, they haven't seen me - damn I forgot a towel... 

What a rush - dangle Antique Earrings
always a good choice - clothes or no clothes, ha ha.
I still own them, as do some of you - they have never gone out of style !!!!!

Turquoise Jewelry was all the rage
but we did our own thing by putting the Toggle
from an Antique Watch Chain - in the front - and made it into a statement piece.

It is still a look you can wear in full "Madonna" stacking mode,
or classically interesting - by itself!!!
Transforming a plain outfit into one with your own twist....

Bold Jewelry is in!  Did it go out??? Not for some of us :)))
Got fired, worked as a file clerk in the building above B of A.
People would stop me in the hall and have me design for them.... got rehired.
Started putting diamonds in Amber.
  Started getting Modern, a little asymmetrical - very fun,
truly unique and a whole new set of women emerging
Yea! they blow my mind.
What they put up with, how they did it anyway,
where they are going and those of us they are taking with them!!!

She arrived, like entering a stage. I knew I was in the presence of greatness.
Hair dark and pulled back like a dancers. Hands arthritic, yet with perfect red lacquer. Two great huge Topaz Rings on one finger! She utterly amazed.
"Always dress up - for you - Wear only the
finest of jewels, and thoroughly enjoy them......"
I feel she would approve of the effect she had on my work.
 
Years later I met another woman who also stopped me in my tracks
- Carol Bartz - that is a story for a different day....

Went to Venice, California came back a Valley Girl!
Rushed to catch a plane. Forgot where I parked.
Asked the bus driver " OMG so I like parked near this like huge hole in a fence.
Like it is in the overnight parking. Like it is the Bandit, a black trans am.
Sooo do you like know where I parked?"
  Six men looked at me in disbelief - I can still see their faces, valley girls really exist :(
The driver said in shock "I actually do know where you mean..."

I sat in silence - knowing all the work powerful women had been doing to improve all women's competency in the eyes of men I had just ruined with one sentence. 
 
Worse - I was blonde with big Madonna hair, scarf bow, bag lady coat,
1950's vintage dress, silver ankle socks and
high pointy hot pink heals, bracelets up to my elbows and
earrings that dusted my shoulders. 

The shame...

A "mouse" became something other than what your cat wanted...
Hold on to your phone - it is mobile now.
Whoa there is a woman is Space - Thanks Sally!!!
 
Dramatic Jewelry - whether you wear a suite of bold pieces
or one statement piece the choice is yours, always has been yours. 
Live Life Out Loud - has always been my motto

It was so strange thinking how "Big Brother" could happen...
It was a "Thriller" Year as well and"Band Aid" started - very cool :)))
Long Earrings were in, the longer the better.
But I found if you kept to just above your shoulder -
your earrings would be timeless!!! 
There is nothing as sexy as earrings catching the
light of a candle flame or the sunset.

Ladies do yourself a favor and wear your pieces,
enjoy them as you would delight in any glory from nature!!!

Thanks Billy - we had such fun looking Mah va lous!!!
The Titanic is found - the movie yet to come.

And a huge, what we now call Chocolate Diamond,
was found in Africa - the largest ever!!!
It would have to be a necklace as
"Rose's" Heart of the Ocean - even for me :))) It's now in Thailand....
 
Meryl Streep in "Out of Africa" was inspirational!
Romance was back, and our engagement rings took a softer turn.
They need to be worn with jeans.
As women have proved we want adventures....

"I feel the need for speed" 
The "bathtub" Porsche was sexy then - a good investment now! 
And a woman drove it!!!
You may have wanted " a day off" if you were in high school
Turns out playing is good for you -
so my jewelry became playful, wearable
and designed to wear for your individual lifestyle.

People found out we design - around you - for you, what you want, 
how you want it, with the gems of your dreams :)))

Only Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith wore more jewelry than I did.

Cher could hold your attention singing or on screen
- with a dashing young Nicolas...
Snap out of it, get right into it - Glam is in - suchhh fun :)))
Whether you are wearing power Earrings
or Power Bracelets, it was good to be strong!
Strong enough to design your signature look.
Strong enough to get to the boardroom.
Two women made this work for them:
One woman wore a stack of bracelets, one woman wore a stack of Antique Pins.

"The Bard" would be happy - his old theatre was
uncovered by archaeologists in London.

Black became the "new black" and stiletto earrings became
a thing - long, lean and elegant.
Still a statement, still sexy, the kind of sexy that is powerful, enticing... 
and always unique with Erin's creative flare!

And on a light note "don't worry, be happy"
the best accessory ever - your smile :)))

Now, in my thirties, I want to get married.
After all, Harry met Sally....
No wait - what I really want is a swishy dress and a big diamond ring.
Sooo I bought a big Diamond Ring AND this FAB dress.
I still have both :)))
"I will have what she is having"

I married a cowboy - danced all night at our reception at the
Saddle Rack - yee haa! Ahhh, love is grand!!! 

The world, so beautiful I collected gems
in the richest tones - expressing my joy though colors.
Starting with a Hot Pink Tourmaline, Green Peridot,
Turquoise Zircon, an Emerald and a Tanzanite...

Color still fills my heart and
my home - love has always captured the day and the night ;)

Some of us could sooo relate to Thelma and Louise
on one hand some men behave so badly, on the other - Brad who!!!
They can bring out the best in us - thanks Harvey :)))
 
  In that spirit, I brought a young woman into my home for some years...
It was so fun showing her another way to view the world!
We went skiing and horse & ATV riding...
And the fashion!!!
We went to NYC and bought clothes to go "around the jewelry" we loved!!!
 
And we created our first "WISH LIST"
let him know what you want and where it is!!!!!!!!

Whether you are sliding into home base or starting a company,
sometimes life is hard. But you get to find out what you are made of!
And that is the real prize.
Then - and this really is important - you mark that event with an "I did it" gift!!!
-- A vacation, that amazing bag or a fine piece of jewelry --
which by the way can last hundreds of years & be passed down, with your story!!!
Remind yourself - I will, I can, I did !!!
!!! You Rock !!!

You might have enjoyed finding out all about "the truth...with a capitol X"

or being Sleepless in Seattle might be more to your liking, 

but there was no denying Ruth Badger Ginsburg  had made it big time!!! Anna Wintour was as tough as a judge and created
small business Saturday.

High five for women everywhere!!!

So take justice into your hands,
take charge of your life - make the decision.

Whether you want earrings, a necklace or a ring - buy it for yourself, make your own style and
rock it!!! 

The wonder bra - hmmm I never had to tell anyone before -

dude "my eyes are up here" it was kind of fun, then I was over it.

"My momma always said that life was like a box of chocolates, 

you never know what you're gonna get" 

Interesting - but I have found, with chocolate you can hardly go wrong :)))

   I enjoy life being unexpected - don't you?

Traded in the Porsche for a
black jeep,with huge black bumpers, massive tires, 

Had my best friend, an all black Aussie dog,
who was smart as they come - I was ready for anything. 

One night - took the doors off,
drove to Mendocino - nearly froze to death -

but the stories we could tell....
not for print. 

... the Antique earrings where the perfect touch.....

Hmmm, a very good year, met the father of my son...

Tall, dark and handsome, dressed in a tuxedo, cowboy boots,
with an Antique Griffin Pin for a bow tie
--- the Phantom of the Opera ---
delicious!

It was a Tuesday, not opening night - luv a guy up for adventure!!!

After the theatre, we took in dinner - or didn't.
Turns out the City closes :(((

Yet here I am in an unbelievably smashing red ball gown, 
black velvet "french lieutenants" cape,

a breathtaking diamond bracelet...

Wait - I see large black Griffin statues, the Clift,
of course they'll be open. 

Walking out of the elevator, on the top floor
"the lady in red" playing, seemingly just for us.

They are closed, but wait - the maitra'd sees us
in our finery, opens just for us.

He is delighted we have dressed, insists on making
us dinner as a thank you for doing so - 

he was a delight, the dinner amazed, all in all, it was awesome!!!!!!!

Write your own story, you will never forget it :)))

A real romance came to us,
connected us and stole our hearts
She, a single Mom... "you had me at hello" she completed him...
So hearts, especially with Diamonds,
have always talked to me.
Add one to your wardrobe , it will always enchant
 
Now I have a foster child, 2 step kids and a house full of pets!!
39 and loving life!!!
Time to dance - lets Macarena :)))
 

"There are some things money can't buy,

                           for everything else - there is master card"

1997 is my 40th year on this planet - so many adventures behind me...
AND
My favorite one just beginning, a thing that money can't buy, 
--- I am pregnant ---

No morning sickness, so you can understand
why he has always been a treasure :)))
He arrives just after Mother's Day, now I understand magic!

There are indeed wonderful things you can buy with money!
Wedding Rings, Push presents, Mother's Day gifts
and Anniversary Jewelry, to name a few to mark these events.

40 years - same store, same neighborhood, same exquisite gems
Yet always new designs.

Who thought Shakespeare could make you laugh and love hundreds of years later?
Our antique necklaces, with their many fobs, encompass this romance
Have your Best year ever - too
                        
      My first Mother's Day with my very own little cherub
One gift is he, another from my husband
- marking a moment in time - filled with Joy!!!
     Gifts that become treasures - passed from one generation to another
   remembrances of those who are special to us.
 
      "Think outside the bun" with the most dazzling gifts for the Holidays
WE have the most extraordinary pieces, for the amazing people you are!!!

Being Irish, my mother said
"if I ever meet Queen Elizabeth, I will hit her"
Having grown up with her and surviving all her adventures, 
I absolutely new this to be a truism!

While visiting the Victorian Albert, wearing an impossibly ridiculous
and gorgeous "My fair Lady" hat with a vintage black and white
velvet suit - just because - I was in England!!!

Security guards came to me - took me by the elbow and said
"the Royal Family is this way"
OMG they think I am --- OMG, here for thee party!!!!
Well, not wanting to cause an international incident,
I said in my best American accent - I am not with the Royal Family
at which point she hit me.........
I really needed Austin Powers to save the day!!!

I love cars and I love the rain!
So I took my mothers old mink coat, my ever faithful dog,
put the top down and drove the coast highway to
Carmel on a stormy, rainy, wonderful day.

     It was amazing. Full of peace, rainbows and poetry
 The view took my breath, the cliffs, the ocean, the clouds....
   by the by, while your moving, you can't get wet
     and when you stop, you can only giggle:)))
This was a day for bracelets!! Diamonds with Leather!
Why?  ---- Why not!
Everyone can rock stacked bracelets.

Welcoming in the new Millennium - Y2K - not
Finland stepped up and elected their first woman president! 
Adding to the Worlds list of powerful women - uh rah -
A barely there, long green dress showed Jennifer was in the building
The Millennium Star Diamond almost steals the show....

2001 A Space Odyssey or Harry Potter, a wonderful Fantasy
Written by - wait for it - a single mom, poor to boot.

  Ladies there are adventures to be had!!
You won't always know from whence comes your inspiration
just take it and run... and enjoy the path!!
   Know this - we also offer a journey.

We take jewelry pieces you have and change them
by updating the design, OR designing from scratch OR adding gems
OR putting several pieces together OR by adding leather OR
 by working together we can create your master piece!
 

“Life’s journey is not to arrive safely at the grave
in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting “holy cow…..what a ride!” 
 
   What happens in Erin's, stays.....
Things that speak to the Soul and that can party all night
      rarely go unnoticed, be prepared to be seen!
Darlings, your jewelry will be such a topic of conversation!
  Just as we have enjoyed all of you - you rock!!!
 

Nothing - I mean nothing -  looks as great with a
FAB Evening Gown as Big Wonderful Sexy Earrings!!!

Going to a big bash at the Mayor's place in San Francisco
wearing a vintage gold lame' dress I found in a Russian River Antique Store
re-design time - chopped off the top, added a bustier - we're good to go!


Wore Diamond and Morganite Chandelier Earrings - swoon :)))
My girlfriend got us in the back door with a fake panic attack
we went from one security guard to another,
they thought we were celebrities and
sat us at the Mayor's table!!!


Carrie's (Erin) answering machine message:
"Hi. I'm not here but my shoes are, so leave them a message"
 
Miranda: Do you have a rolling pin?
Carrie (Erin): On me?
Miranda: In your kitchen.
Carrie (Erin): Are you kidding me? I use my oven for storage.

When I first learned to ride I met Charlotte.
She was a no nonsense cowgirl.
She handed me the reins - said there is no power steering!
Women's Lib!!! How you ride is how you live!
 What a woman, what a lesson.

Once I went to Mexico just to ride on the beach, just me and the dog
they gave me a scrawny, one eyed horse and a look -
no girl in her right mind would do this alone and yet there I was.

There, I wore a dress, swam in the Ocean on the horse - Epic!
Of course there were earrings, rings and an antique fob necklace,
this ring was designed after that adventure!
 

My Love - Rico, all of 7 years old, wanted a business lunch with me.
He took all his crayons, some paper and off we went.
He asked me to start designing.

Hmmm, "well Rico, I design around women. 
I love to capture what is in their hearts and make it real.
With colored gems, diamonds, adding designs that touch them deep inside.
And there is no one here."
"Choose you" he said
and designs started bursting in my head, I haven't stopped since.

Tom Cruise isn't the only one jumping up & down with love and excitement!
As always, Oprah brings out the best!
 

Whether Gryphons or diamonds cascading
                                                                        from a pink Spinel speaks to your soul,
                                                                                    wear what talk to you!

With my drawings finished, we were off to Thailand
Rico was of course barefoot the whole way
up until I had one of my infamous blonde moments
asking him to wear shoes for the Elephant ride
- as if - tennis shoes would protect...

Off to the mines together, he sat on my lap - as my eyes,
checking each stone, surrounded by miners,
all pushing gems into our hands, wanting us to pick theirs,
  Rico eliminating the stones with flaws - instinctively knowing the best!
Having found a goldsmith that made Dragons, Gryphons & the like...
we were set to start hand carving
the gold rings, adding details and setting gems. 

I worked with them by day, they showed us Thailand by night,
rickety trucks as cabs, such fresh cuisine
finding out that boys of any culture spoke video game
They taught him to swim, 
he taught them to catch lizards...
Yet still soaking up the gentleness of their lovely culture.

We stayed for weeks while they built My Fantasy Collection
The Great Pyramids, Atlantis, The Lost City....
We ate, we prayed and we loved!

"live life out loud"

(((: Wow, what a ride Life has been, literally :)))

Bought my dream car - looks like Cruella De Vil's 

with a black & white wig, a Dalmatian ear & tail hanging out the trunk.

The boys on the running boards, we go from house to house.
Halloween becomes us, giggles, ohhh's and ahhh's 

The neighbors adore us bringing a
story to life... I, asking the little kiddies for their
puppies - ooops - all but one says yes! 

Free, happy - my new love - what I am doing.

As a new chapter begins, it seems the best one ever! 

Designing with reckless abandon, dancing as if no one watches, life amazes!

I think of you -

thank you, from the bottom of my heart

the support you give, the kindnesses, how you
share about what we do here! 

Everyone should be as fortunate to cross paths
with the likes of you!

 
thank youthank youthank you

When first I met her, I noticed how easily she made decisions.

I'll take that, that and that... the strength in the pieces she picked - wow!

Then she put a hand to her chin and said "we need to market you!"

At that time, not understanding a power like her, or the difference between she

and the man in England marketing me - I turned her down.

--- worst mistake ever ---

Still I learned, researched what was the difference between her and I...

Took some business courses, talked to a lot of you
- thank you !!!! I heard!

So a new design was born

----- American Rebel -----

You dare to be free, to wear your heart where all can see,
to live true - to you!

So I start, with a fearlessness I have not known until Carol and you...

because I found the difference was the women she knew and kept close.

You don't have to be bold in your choice of jewelry

Just be bold with what moves you....... 

We have a second meeting with Wilkes Bashford in January

The first leg of a journey attached to a big dream!

Traveled to London - visiting the infamous Portabella Road
Hunting for Antiques... enjoying the many characters and afternoon tea.
 
Ohhh, sir excuse me - how much is that chair?
"Why?  Who are you?  Why do you want it? Where are you from?"
Well - when my stomach does a little dance, I now know a piece is special
What I didn't know was how special.
Turns out it was smuggled in - a truly Ancient Egyptian Chair.
He, realizing I was not the government,  said only $60,000!!!
Needless to say - I don't own the chair ;)))
 
But I do have some extraordinary Antique Watch Chains
which we have turned into Necklaces of bit & bobs with wonderful Fobs
all dancing & dangling for your delight !!!
 

My mother had just given me my first car, at the ancient age of 16.
It cost all of $90
When I asked what the 3rd pedal was for - she said "you'll figure it out"
Which I thought I had  :))) until my first trip to the City :(((.
Picking up jewelry from our goldsmith was going to be sooo fun!!!
Thank god I brought a girlfriend, as I got lost,
ended up on the Mount Olympus of hills
you must realize on these hills, when stopped at the top,
you can't see the down the other side
- how did they even make this road - I was terrified
On top of that it was the worst rain I had ever experienced, we couldn't see
1st, 2nd, third - stall
1st, 2nd, third - stall
Somehow we managed to get up the hill, then the light turned red - aarrgghhhh!
We cried and screamed, she put her foot on the third pedal, 
we yelled at the guy behind us to back the hell up - he did, he was great.
We went back and back and back -
finally the gears took held and we went forward
I really didn't think we were going to live...

Trips to the goldsmith are much less dramatic now-a-days
They became my fav' discussing the engineering of a design with the guys
finding just the right stone, seeing the wax, explaining how
this woman wants her stone set low, that woman wants hers set high and
this one wants Etruscan lions on each side made of pure gold......
Then the smile on her face when she sees we heard - awesome!!!

"Jewelry doesn't define you - it is an expression of you"

Like the charities you choose to support -
they are not you, yet they become a part of your heart.
Through the giving in your hearts, we know we feel love
and as we become lovers of humanity, 
the world becomes blessed for you having been.
 
I for one, am glad to know you, and am richer in doing so.
- Thank You
For an amazing year filled with wondrous events
- Thank You
for your many kindnesses and friendships
- Thank You
 
"diamonds of the greatest beauty are merely mirrors of your presence"
 

Darlings, when I first met Rico's father I was honest and said
"Please, I am a jewelry designer - don't buy me jewelry"
So he bought me clothes, turned out he had a good eye!
What he did do was get me gem stones - then I could design around them...
 
--- So be sure to communicate what you want to your guy ---
One lovely!! man got a $5,000 gift certificate for his wife to design with.
Another got his gal - gems! Some come & pick off her Wishlist!!!
And then there are some who thought you meant it when you said " no gifts"
Life is too short for that, and you can totally buy happiness - hello dopamine!!!

With antiques in tow and our latest Collection under our belt - off we went.
My gawd you ladies know some interesting women!
We all had such fun finding out about each other,
dressing in our finery, having some wine,
getting your friends opinion on which piece of jewelry
complements the real you - priceless!!!
 
Some didn't know you could change jewelry around - they where thrilled to find we specialize in re-designing, re-purposing, re-activating that feeling you get with a lovely new piece,  yet half the cost... sooo cool.
 
I love, love, love to make pieces unique, a piece that speaks only of you!

Grew up in England as a kid,
hence the love of afternoon tea, hats and Sherlock Holmes!
My mother got my sis and I matching Sherlock Style Raincoats
--- We even had matching antique lockets set with Emeralds ---
We were sooo trendy - never being one to stop there...
I added an alligator briefcase, a red velvet peter pan hat -
with a seventeen inch pheasant feather on one side, luv it!
Drove my sis to school on the back of my "police style" tricycle :)))
 
Going through London to school - we often got lost (he he)
A Bobby (police officer) would then take us to the station and give us popsicles!!!
Mum would come get us eventually - I think she liked the free sitter!
 
After all this time, I still wear hats and funny coats, see you soon