Eye Candy Opals!

Here we share our treasure trove of our favorite Mexican and Australian Opals. Alisha and I hand pick all our opals and we see stories submerged within windows of opalescence. We fall in love with a stone because it has a story to tell and that it inspires us to design. We do not shop randomly and we sometimes hoard our favorite treasures. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

For further information, go to martymagic.com and search by the opals name.

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Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Treasure Hunt – 2024

Alisha choosing tsavorites at AGTA - Tucson

Alisha Choosing Tsavorites at AGTA – Tucson

Sometimes it takes a sharp eye and other times a coy glance to choose our gemstones.

Alisha Shopping at the Tucson Gemstone Shopping 2024

Alisha Shopping at the Tucson Gemstone 2024

Alisha and I just returned from our treasure hunt at the 2024 Tucson Gem Show. We explore  dozens of venues with a plan of attack and a shopping list. The various shows open on different dates and if we’re not first to arrive when a particular show begins we may miss out on the best fossils and opals not to mention the best prices. We shop for Ammonites and trilobites first because the size and quality we need is in short supply and snatched up quickly by those that know.

Trilobite or Alien Flying Saucer?

Trilobite or Alien Flying Saucer?

Ammonite Fossils - Tucson

Ammonite and Nautili Collection

Ammonite and Nautili Collection

Jade Pattern Ammonites

Jade Pattern Ammonite Fossils

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can be more leisurely when shopping for Mexican and Australian opals since we are shopping a higher end. Nevertheless, we are still anxious and we visit our favorite dealers that are scattered throughout the city and compare what the various booths have dug up in the previous year. Many mines and pockets are depleted but there always seems to be something new. When we find a rare treasure we are afraid that someone else might buy it before we have a chance to. After visiting and revisiting several Mexican Fire opal dealers, tucked within a tray of ‘pretty’ opals was a stunning treasure that I was quite sure had not been there our visit before. I tried to hide my excitement as I casually shoved it towards Alisha for inspection. Her pupils dilated and we added a few other opals to our inconspicuous tray.

Punte Gorda Surge Mexican Matrix Opal - 66 Carats

Punte Gorda Surge Mexican Matrix Opal – 66 Carats

Honey Comb Mexican Matrix Opal - 79 Carats

Honey Comb Mexican Matrix Opal – 79 Carats

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumpy Bumpkin Mexican Matrix Opal - 47.50 cts

Lumpy Bumpkin Mexican Matrix Opal – 47.50 cts

 

 

 

Punta Gorda Mexican Matrix opal is a 66 carat surge of turquoise opalescence.  The meeting of the matrix and the pockets of opal are magical. We are saving this for our collection and to find time to design a one of a kind 18K Gold Wave Surge Ring that will inspire Sinbad to sail the 7 Seas. When we first spotted ‘Honeycomb Lace’ a 79 carat Mexican matrix opal it was love at first sight but beyond our agreed upon budget. Just like bees to honey, we returned to examine this opal three times before succumbing to its orange fire. Selfishly, we are hoarding these and some of our favorite treasures for future designs. Previously we have always offered our opals for purchase but this year we are asking ourselves how we would feel if we sold it without the chance to bring our design vision to fruition?

Alisha and I are both serious and playful. We frolic with dinosaurs and scour the shows for unexpected finds to inspire our new designs. We enjoy dinner together each night after the shows close and if we’re not looking at fossilized  bones we’re chewing on bones.

My What Big Teeth You Have!

My What Big Teeth You Have!

Lamb Chops at Opa's - Tucson

Lamb Chops at Opa’s Greek Restaurant – Tucson

In Love with a Gold Plated Tyrannosaurus

In Love with a Gold Plated Tyrannosaurus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then just like fish stories, there are the opals that got away! One’s we simply cannot afford.

Two Australian Boulder Opals 2024

Two Australian Boulder Opals 2024

White Cliffs Opal Pineapple

White Cliffs Opal Pineapple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are truly a Mother Daughter team and the week we spend together each year at Tucson is priceless!

Mother Daughter Selfie - Tucson 2024

Mother Daughter Selfie – Tucson 2024

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Sea of Cortez and Desert Vistas Inspirations

For the past 13 years, Art and I have traveled to our off the grid Baja Mexico house where Art is inspired to paint the vast vistas of the Sea of Cortez and the desert.

Paintings by Art Bobroskie.

Photos by Patric Godderis and Marty Bobroskie

Punte Gorda Rocky Point

Photo of Punta Gorda Rocky Point -Patric Godderis

The End of the Road _Punta Gorda, Zacatitos, Baja

Photo of the End of the Road – Punta Gorda, Zacatitos, Baja -Marty Bobroskie

Just last week, with a body of work at his “Cactus Corner” painting studio, he hosted a painting exhibit. The impromptu event was attended by many of our Zacatitos friends and neighbors and transformed into an after-party bon fire.

Punte Gorda inspirations

Punta Gorda inspired paintings

Below are a few photos of Art’s work and our gallery space prior to the event.

Punta Gorda Sunset

Punta Gorda Sunset – 40″ x 60″

Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

Arroyo Sunset -Oil on Canvas 16″ x 20″

Before The Event

Before the Event

After Party Bonfire

After Party Bonfire

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EYE CANDY

In this New Year we reflect and share on a dozen of our most beautiful designs. Some are sold and some are still available. With the 2023 Tucson Gem Mineral and Fossil show soon to begin, Alisha and I anticipate unearthing even more design inspirational treasures.

With the 2023 Tucson Gem Mineral and Fossil show soon to begin, Alisha and I anticipate unearthing even more design inspirational treasures. Stay Tuned!

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Behind the Scenes at the Texas Renaissance Festival

The Texas Renaissance Festival has been great fun! There were a lot of mischief makers over Halloween Weekend. Alishas mask is designed and made by Mischief Masks. Alisha flaunts our large bat neckpiece and Stacy is decorated in spiders!

Alisha_Mask_Bat_Stacy

Masquerade

Sterling Horns

Sterling our horned mischief maker

Kids fun

Stacys and Chads  mischief makers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The festival is great fun for kids of all ages.

Molly puts on her dad's make up

Molly puts on her dad’s make up

Stacy puts on her makeup

Makeup Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling suffers silently as Molly puts on his makeup and after the jewelry is set up Stacy adds the finishing touches to her makeup.

Mushroom Princess

Mushroom Princess

Inndian Princess

Inndian Princess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most everyone gets into the playful themes of the weekends. The costumes are elaborate and creative and it’s great fun to watch the parade!

Wings and Corsets

Wings and Corsets

Customer Cat Ear Cuff

A young  customer

Molly Fan

Our flirtatious Molly

 

 

 

 

 

 

A young and beautiful customer models our crawling cat ear cuff and Molly poses flirtatiously behind a fan.

Stacy Chad

Stacy and Chad

One Eye Pirate Alisha Sterling

One Eye Pirate Sterling and Queen Alisha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad, Stacys husband is the newest member to the Marty Magic team and looks quite striking wearing the rattlesnake pendant.

Sterling Arch Owl Neckpiece

Sterling our youngest team member

A tired pirate

A tired pirate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marty came to work and play for the first two weekends of the festival.

Having fun with customers

Having fun with customers

 

Molly

Molly

Fire and Sword Swallowing

Fire and Sword Swallowing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many wonderful shows and performers.  We wonder if Molly may have a future in knife throwing. She sure pitches a mean softball!

Black Cat Customers

Black Cat Customers

Babarian Customers

The barbarians invade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our family is blessed to get to work and play together!

Marty, Alisha and John

Marty, Alisha and John

 

Below are behind the scene photos of what it takes to make MAGIC happen and to get a Renaissance shop open. We were fortunate that this shop came up for sale but the family had less than two months to repair, paint, dig and electrify the shop. SHOW TIME!

Hanging the MM Red Dragon

Hanging the MM Red Dragon

 

Leveling the walkway

Molly literally pitching in to install new pavers for the pathway

Another Trip to Lowes

Another Trip to Lowes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Family Work Day at the Faire

A Family workday prepping to open the new Marty Magic shop

Alisha’s husband Sterling is a certified electrician. You may think that when you are entering a Renaissance Festival you are stepping into the 15th century but all must be to code with handicapped access and liability insurance.

Alisha Sterling Work Day TRF

Alisha and Sterling after a long and very hot workday at the festival

Let there be Light

Let there be  Light!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stacy Polishing jewelry

Stacy our Polishing Fairy getting inventory ready for the festival.

Chad building a storage bench for our ship

Chad building two  storage benches for our shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Details

It’s in the details!

Almost ready for the festival!

Alisha is tired, excited and just about ready for opening day at the T.R.F. festival

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for Opening Weekend!

The New Marty Magic Shop at the Texas Renaissance Festival

Tighten your corset and polish your armor and  visit our shop at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Eight weekends between October 8-9through Thanksgiving weekend.

SHOW TIME!

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Guo Pei – Couture Fantasy

Guo Pei - Fantasy Couture

Guo Pei – Fantasy Couture

Almost by accident, I stumbled upon the Guo Pei exhibit at the Legion of Honor. Intent on meeting out of town friends in S.F. I choose the De Young Museum as our meeting point and renewed our membership which is in association with the Legion of Honor. The De Young never disappoints and after viewing the Alice Neel exhibit, we had time to drive to the Legion of Honor and see the Guo Pei exhibit.

Guo Pei - Fantasy Couture

Guo Pei – Fantasy Couture

I had not heard of this Chinese Couture Fantasy designer and I joyfully disappeared down the rabbit hole of her mind altering, heart stopping fashion and jewelry designs. The twenty year retrospective of her jeweled and embroidered dreams, East meeting West on Paris and Beijing runways was inspirational. Pictures can describe more than words. 

 

Posted in Fantasy, Jewelry, Museums and Shows | 2 Comments

Magical Mother’s Day Memories

All of our families have milestone mother’s day memories. Here is a visual album of a few of ours.  Not necessarily in chronological order.

Alisha's first Mother's Day. Grandma's last Mother's Day

Alisha’s first Mother’s Day and
Grandma Crowell’s  last.

Alisha's First Mother's Day

Alisha’s First Mother’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma Wako Bobroskie meets John Bobroskie -Seattle 1993

Grandma Wako Bobroskie meets John Bobroskie -Seattle 1993

In honor and celebration of working mother’s around the world.  There is much to be respected of mother’s who juggle both children and work. Our children are richer for  having being raised behind and under our various craft festival booths.

Surrender the Booby! Alisha and Molly at the Maryland Renaissance Festival

Surrender the Booby!
Alisha and Molly at the Maryland Renaissance Festival

In honor of raising children at craft festivals

Alisha and Molly at the Vallejo Pirate Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wearing village in Myanmar

A mother and her two children at a weaving village in Myanmar

In 2014, during a brief window of calm, John and I had the privilege of traveling to Myanmar. Kind and beautiful people. It is a trip we will always remember.

10 years later. Sterling and Alisha wearing an Easter Chicken Hat.

10 years later. Sterling and Alisha wearing an Easter Chicken Hat.

September 2nd. Alisha and Sterling. The night of Sterling's birth.

September 2nd. Alisha and Sterling. The night of Sterling’s birth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Santa Cruz Open Studios. Marty, Alisha and Molly

2015 Santa Cruz Open Studios. Marty, Alisha and Molly

 

Love and the gift of flowers is universal.

Sterling Jr offering a flower bouquet.

Sterling Jr offering Alisha a  flower bouquet as an apology for a long forgotten transgression

A mother and daughter - Mandalay, Myanmar

2014 -A mother and daughter – Mandalay, Myanmar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrate nurturing mother’s of all species.

2017 Mother and baby chicks -Bajawa City, Flores, Indonesia

2017 Mother and baby chicks -Bajawa City, Flores, Indonesia

Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys - Ubud Bali

Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys – Ubud Bali

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling with an adult son is priceless!

2013 - Marty and John - Notre Dame Cathedral. Gargoyles, Notre Dame, Paris, France

2013 – Marty and John – Notre Dame Cathedral. Gargoyles, Notre Dame, Paris, France

2014 - John and Marty afloat in Mandalay Miramar - U-Bein Bridge

2014 – John and Marty afloat in Mandalay Miramar – U-Bein Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling with an adult daughter is priceless!

2017 Riung Village Flores, Indonesia

2017 Riung Village Flores, Indonesia

Marty and Alisha meet Komodo Island Dragon

Marty and Alisha meet Komodo Island Dragon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alisha is a magnet for mothers and children wherever we travel. Connecting to families off the beaten tourist track is memorable.

2017 Riung Village, Flores, Indonesia-

2017 Riung Village, Flores, Indonesia-

 

2017, Bajawa City, Flores, Indonesia

2017 – Bajawa City, Flores, Indonesia

2017 Mother and daughter Riuing Fishing Village, Flores Indonesia

2017 Mother and daughter Riuing Fishing Village, Flores Indonesia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John is also a magnet for children wherever we travel. One day he will be a fine father.

Children - Phnom Da, Cambodia

Children – Phnom Da, Cambodia

We are a family that both works hard and plays well together. Not all of the times together have been easy but we learn and grow from each one.

A Marty Magic family design inspiration trip to Big Sur

A Marty Magic family design inspiration trip to Big Sur

2016 Magic Family Maryland Renaissance Festival

2016 Magic Family Maryland Renaissance Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s getting harder as I grow older but we explore wherever we travel.

2022 - Rattlesnake Bridge, Tucson Arizona

2022 – Rattlesnake Bridge, Tucson Arizona

2022, Marty and John - hiking back from the Santiago Waterfall - Baja Sur

2022, Marty and John – hiking back from the Santiago Waterfall – Baja Sur

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making these photo blogs is my way of scrapbooking and cementing memories for my family to look back on in the future.  Thank you for reading.

 

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Marston Marble Ammonites, Nautili and Belemnites

At the 2022 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil show we came across Marston Marble Ammonites, a new Ammonite source that we hadn’t seen before. These ammonite limestone beds are near the village of Marston Magna in Somerset, southwest England. The most prevalent specimens were collected during the 18th and 19th centuries and limestone slabs were quarried and prized as decorative marble. The dark limestone is crowded with small ammonite concretions and make beautiful patterns.

Ammonite and Nautili Collection

Large Jade Pattern Ammonites, Pyritized Ammonite negatives, Marston Marble Ammonites and Nautili

 

Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

British Lower Jurassic Ammonite

British Lower Jurassic Ammonite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammonites are an extinct marine mollusk in the class of Cephalopoda. Ammonites thrived from the beginning of the Jurassic period, 201 million years ago through the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago. Their distribution was worldwide in shallow warm seas  Along with the dinosaurs, they died out during the mass meteor extinction when photosynthesis was interrupted. Their fossil skeletons are found in sedimentary rocks worldwide and are a good stratigraphy indicator for scientists.   

Polished Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

Polished Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

Polished Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

Polished Marston Marble Ammonite Cluster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammonites and Belemnites are the extinct relative of today’s Nautilus. Nautili survived the mass extinction because they lived at deeper ocean depths. We added fossilized nautili and belemnites to our collection and Alisha will incorporate these into new designs this coming season

Fossilized Nautili

Fossilized Nautili

Fossilized Belemnites

Fossilized Belemnites

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Ogling Opals, Amazing Ammonites and Trilobite Treasures – Tucson 2022

This gallery contains 9 photos.

Shopping at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show is always an adventure. After missing the 2021 show, Alisha and I were ready to recharge our creativity and replenish our inventory.               Although we discovered … Continue reading

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The Family that Paints Together

One Ear Burro

‘One Ear’ Zacatitos Burro Guardian

2017, Zacatitos Rocky Beach

Zacatitos Rocky Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mexican desert meets the Sea of Cortez in Zacatitos, Baja California. This is a place our family gathers  to recharge and for inspiration and when we are short on canvas, we paint plywood tables.

Alisha painting her Jack Rabbit table

McCormack and John B trip to Baja_Zacatitos (5)

John painting his Dragon Table. Marty’s Octopus table is in the foreground

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art, Painting, Gecko Lounge

Art, Painting, Gecko Lounge

The family that paints together

The family that paints toget

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am here now for a change of scenery and to clear my head after a busy holiday shipping season. Our simple bungalow and Art’s painting dojo are both solar powered so recharging batteries, both literally and metaphorically  is much of what we do here. Art paints, plays pickle ball and putters. On this visit, he is encouraging me to paint and getting into the painting groove is both fun and meditative.

Psychedelic Sunset

Psychedelic Sunset -Marty

Learning to paint

Marty learning to paint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art begins a new painting, Moonrise Zacatitos. His Arroyo Sunset painting is sold.

Moonrise Zacatitos

Moonrise Zacatitos – Artbobo

Art's painting dojo

Art’s painting dojo

Arroyo Sunset Zacatitos - Artbobo

Arroyo Sunset Zacatitos – Artbobo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punta Gorda Sunset

Punta Gorda Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view Art Bobroskie’s painting gallery.

No worries about me giving up jewelry design and switching media any time soon. Next week, I will return  to my Santa Cruz, California studio recharged and ready to design jewelry.

 

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