Federico Earrings Week

by Brigid McAlpin June 8, 2025

Well, we are still in Scottsdale! It has been the busiest time for estate sales so far this year so once again it was not possible to take three days to drive back to Mount Prospect. We only had two sales this past weekend but one of them was in Lake Forest. We do not have the opportunity to work there very often as the market is very competitive but are always greatly appreciative when we do. It was a great sale, the customers loved it and keep five helpers hopping each day! It is starting to heat up with highs in the mid 100s but we are hanging in there. The girls get their main walks earlier in the morning and later in the evening.

The box I shipped with Mother's gold jewelry collection arrived a day early on Thursday but in spite of a snafu I was able to get it there in time for the sale. However the jewelry cases were difficult to get to and none of the pieces sold. I will try again at a future sale. Most of the gold was purchased on my parents' trips to Italy and they are classics that will never go out of style. I have not worn gold since the '90s when I worked corporate jobs and we had to wear dresses, suits and pantyhose but I did keep one white gold necklace with a round slide with diamonds on it. My parents had purchased a bracelet and earrings for me and this necklace complements them perfectly. I am sure I will never go back to yellow gold but I can definitely see wearing white gold in the future. When I get back to Mount Prospect and have the set together I will take some photos, as well as photos of the pieces which are for sale.

I was able to post eight pairs of Federico earrings online this week, four of which are in this week's highlighted photo. I had written them up back in January while I was in Tucson and shot the photos last month. Finally, I was able to put the pieces together. I should be able to post the remaining eight or so earrings from this group next week.

Amazing pieces continue to come in at a fast and furious rate - I worked backwards and shot photos of some of this week's acquisitions. Most of the pieces are Navajo with a few vintage Federico mixed in. Two of the vintage Federico finds are this "Rainbow Man" cuff bracelet and this butterfly pin. Both pieces have onyx, orange spiny oyster shell, turquoise and what looks like howlite. Although the turquoise hues are not the same, these pieces would look great together.

I sold this little kokopelli pendant through my website to a gentleman from Hawaii. He said he lost one he had like it and Arizona means a lot to him so he was so glad to have found mine. It is rewarding to be able to help in a small way.

The other item I sold this week was this pair of Federico orange spiny oyster shell chandelier earrings I had just posted. I am not surprised that they went quickly even though they are orange because the style is so wearable, especially for Federico earrings. I will be looking out for this style on my next buying trip. If Federico had these in turquoise it would be amazing!

Our membership for the fitness room at the senior center has run out so this was our second week without a workout. I am trying to get steps in whenever I can but it is not the same. It is too hot to set up the walking pad in the garage so I will look forward to getting back on track again. I have probably mentioned this before but I just love Schellea (pronounced Shelley) of Fabulous 50s. She is from Australia and is absolutely adorable. We are the same age so I can really relate to her and she has great workout videos. I should take some time out for some workouts while Kuochun and I are in this transition period. I highly recommend her!

I have also skipped three weeks so far of Metabolic Meals, which I have been eating 6 days per week for dinner. I highly recommend these meals as well. I am not a fan of cooked vegetables and this is the only meal program I have seen which is not loaded with them. They are available for people who like them though. They are gluten-free (although I am not trying to be, I think it is beneficial not to overdo it on gluten) and have no seed oils which I avoid when eating at home. The first week of skipping these meals I felt sick to my stomach most of the time so I can really see their benefit. I end up eating the same thing 3-4 days in a row because I do not have time to cook. At any rate, I am looking forward to getting back on a normal schedule again.

That is all the news for now, see you next time!