#7583 Masriera cornucopia brooch 
The French are 'extremely civilised'. Come July and August, every Frenchman (mainly women actually) I ever met, closes shop and sets off for their country homes. To hear it from them, they all own a mansion or at least a castle near the sea. How is this financially feasible?
I live in Florida. A very different story. August in Florida? Dead boring? We are certainly not on vacation. We work. Maybe everything is closed in Paris, maybe nobody is buying antique jewelry, but we are very much not at our summer homes.
For good or bad, Florida always seems to be in the news. What really makes people quake is the concept of our summers and August is the height of summer in Florida.
#7381 Faberge brooch with cornucopia 
I got friendly with a lady who began as a snowbird (spends summers elsewhere and winters in Florida), but increasingly, comes down from the distant north to live in her Florida house. She made a madly brave decision recently. To spend August in Florida and see what it is all about. How terrible is it really?
Needless to say, my friend is utterly delighted with August in Florida. Life is less crowded and everything is air-conditioned, so one need never feel the horrible effects of real weather, whether it is heat or humidity. The antique and jewelry world slows down, but work doesn't ever come to a complete standstill.
#7485 gold cornucopia earrings 
This is the time when we catch up. Like squirrels preparing for the winter. We, antique jewelry dealers, are getting ourselves ready for the coming high season. There are jewelry restorers to chase up - a few items need to have their diamonds reset or a gold loop added to a bracelet. There are appraisals to be made. There are loads of listings to prepare, to research, photograph, catalogue and categorise the items. We have to plan trips and schedules for the post summer season. August in Florida can be so busy that we don’t even peep outdoors. Who knows what the weather is actually like? We will hear all about it when the hurricanes threaten. Until then, there is no weather.
Most work of all is trying to catch up with what already exists - my website and other social media connections. Not only my blog posts need to be prepared before my next buying trip, but changes made to listings, 'photos, colors, and all the rest. Dealing with technological professionals ain't for the faint-hearted. If you think it's simple - dream on. It all takes months and that doesn’t get down to the details, all the stuff no-one of us wants to hear about.
#7002 cornucopia bracelet
You research and enquire from all and sundry. You write emails. Sometimes you get a reply. Sometimes it takes a while for you to get a reply. The gentleman/lady is busy. If they are good, they are busy. Some don't reply at all. Some are a little too enthusiastic.
Things start moving slowly. After all, you are not in a rush. You chat and discuss: back and forth, back and forth.
Then, you decide to change all your pictures. Ha ha. A few lessons in photography will soon show you that it's better to pay a professional. At that point, you give up on the extra paraphernalia you bought for the pictures and turn to the Far East, where these things are more efficiently and affordably done. Then, you learn that after all, they aren't so efficient and you are back to square 1 - do it yourself. Back and forth, back and forth. Time rolls past.
#7566 summery enamel pendant 
Only a fool messes with things once they are up and running. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Of course - I'm a fool and never learn.
Just when things sort-of-work, the server collapses. Another week to enjoy August in Florida. Dead boring!!!
#7494 hot Art Deco ring.
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