As a jewelry lover, jewelry designer, and bead shop fanatic, I fell instantly ga-ga over this very cool idea from Sonya Ooten, a gem bar (pictured):

Sonya opened the Gem Bar in the heart of Larchmont Village in the center of Hancock Park. Just East of Vine and several blocks from Paramount Studios, Larchmont is the best kept secret in Hollywood.

Sonya Ooten Gem Bar fits that vibe just fine. Sonya believes in the beauty and power of jewels and founded her brand 9 years ago with the goal of making well priced, fashion forward, fine jewelry accessible to everyone. And, that's what she's done in Sonya Ooten Gem Bar, purveyor of health food for the soul. No artificial ingredients allowed. No base metals. No artificially stimulated gemstones. No faux pearls. Just well priced, fashion fine jewelry with a deliciously luxuriant attitude.

Love that - "health food for the soul." Of course, if you are like me and live a few thousand miles away from her jewelry shop, you can also purchase her jewelry from her web site. I've blogged before about Sonya Ooten's jewelry. She tends to have a mixture of texture, bead work, and mixed-media take on jewelry.

Like this fishnet Turquoise Pendant




And these Crochet Hoops Earrings