16 Comments
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

Thank you for the story of the early suffragette. I've noticed it has become a popular modern pastime to criticize the earlier waves' politics, rather than focusing on the main event, which is that they literally paved the way with their bodies so that we can have the freedom and luxury to refine on what they started, and keep doing better. That story was unsettling in a very useful way + attached to cool adornments, so well done.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, relying on auctions to provide me with subjects means these things are always kind of serendipitous, but this one really was a must. Those women literally put their lives on the line for us and we can’t let their stories be forgotten.

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

There's a sapphire mine in Montana where you can buy bags of gravel from the mine and they'll cut the sapphires you find. (And heat treat to enhance the color if you want.) My mom has a cousin who lived nearby and they used to have cousin reunions there and bring back bags of possible sapphire. It's pretty soothing to dump it out on a cookie sheet and sort through it. But one of my aunts found a good sized padparadscha, high enough quality that the mine store wanted to buy it back from her. She kept it and had it set into a ring instead, it's mostly orange with a flare of pink in the middle, marquis cut and beautiful.

(I have a set of stacking rings with "found" sapphires, pink blue and yellow set in rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold respectively. Pretty, but only special because of the experience.)

Expand full comment
author

That’s fantastic! I’m SO glad she didn’t sell it back to them.

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

The overall politics of many of the suffragettes leave a LOT to be desired, but ooof those women were badass in their own way. I was in tears reading about what happened Ada Wright, both in prison and on the picket line. What a boss! That piece truly does belong in a museum or research collection.

And then you healed my heart with your sweet little friend! I love him/her instantly! Please tell me their name and life story ASAP.

Expand full comment
author

She was SUCH a badass. She actually volunteered as an air raid patrol warden just prior to the start of WWII, when she was 78 or 79 years old.

No id yet for the endearing little lion. Letting him settle in for a bit! I don't know how he made his way to me, but I'm glad he did.

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

I'm glad too! He deserves a pampered retirement.

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

I was not emotionally prepared for that crab

Expand full comment
author

He is truly an experience. I love him, but I don't want him in my house.

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

HOW can you show us that busted little face and not tell us WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT.

Expand full comment
author

Ha! Sorry. Found him at Kimberton, a small antiques show that runs twice a year outside of Philly. Couldn't leave him behind!

Expand full comment
Mar 21, 2023Liked by Monica McLaughlin

Today’s newsletter was exceptional! I learned and laughed a lot. Thank you!

Expand full comment
author

Thank YOU! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

Expand full comment

I would totally have bought that lion! He is fantastic.

Expand full comment
author

There was no way I could have left him there! What a face.

Expand full comment
founding

Awesome. This was a Daliesque issue crowned with a Mikkelsen plea and suspect critters. Do NOT take the collar off that doglion.

Expand full comment