I’m Optimistic. Really, I Am

I was reported missing in action after my Christmas season rush and the rush was just as I expected it… all last minute. I hoped I was a missing person that nobody missed until after the New Year. A Happy New Year, by the way. For those two or three of you that did miss me, sorry I wasn’t there to personally change their watch battery or adjust their watch bracelet on the watch they bought on Amazon. My humble apologies for the short hiatus; I was off to my special place of peace and quiet, where I am able to reflect about my life and reminisce with people I have never met. 

For one of my New Year’s resolutions, I promised my wife and daughter, who also happen to be my column’s worst critics, that my writing will be more up-tempo, informative and less critical. The year is young, and I have yet to have a single person push any wrong buttons, but then again, I just returned to the island, having been away since Christmas Eve. Judging from what I’m experiencing, my first day in the shop, this being the year of our lord 2024, this new resolution of mine could pan out to be a short-lived one.                              

I’m optimistic I can change for the better. The only problem is people, in general, seem to not be following that trend. It will be interesting to see how “The Peoples” register on my recently calibrated in-store Wackadoodle/Karen Meter; I will print the results when I tabulate after Mother’s Day. Only heaven knows if 2024 will be for the better or the worse? So far, no one has moved the needle into the code red zone. Oh boy! You see, I’m doing it already! 

Once again, it’s been overheard that I retired and even worse, passed away! It’s time to quell any rumors about me, I did not expire, die or pass on, at least the last time I checked, I found a pulse and remember only the good die young. I’m not dead yet! Mom says I’ll live forever; yes, it’s true that I’m nearing the age of seventy, and by old-school Marco Island standards, I’m still considered a teenager. Nevertheless, I don’t deny I’m currently in a publicly/self-induced semi-retirement mode. I’m no longer doing the 70-hour work week thing and may wander off to some exotic location every now and then when I feel the itch but I am in no way totally retired! No, not just yet! Just a heads up, a phone call may be required to see if we are in the same hemisphere if you wish to deal with me personally, especially in the off-season. 

So that being said…First and foremost, I wish to thank those of you who have patronized my island goldsmith/jewelry shop and still remain loyal friends and customers for nearly 30 years and hopefully beyond, but most importantly, this past holiday season, how can I retire totally when each year continues to get better and better? I also wish to thank those of you who purchased our sterling silver and solid gold Marco Angel Pendants, a portion of the total sales proceeds will be donated to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. It’s late in the month, and folks are still purchasing them. 

My staff and I were so grateful for the gifts of chocolates, cookies and cakes, most of all I can’t forget the Swedish meatballs? I most appreciated the spirits that were dropped off last month. 

To start the year, I was invited this month to the 2024 Marco Island Police Foundation Pickleball Slammer at the Marco YMCA January 21st-22 and was asked to display and offer for sale my exclusive line of pickleball jewelry, “Pure Dink,” offered in solid 14kt. gold and sterling silver. Pickleball enthusiasts will love the quality and style and the compliments they will receive wearing these exquisite pieces that are available in pendants, chains and bracelets too.   

For those Naples readers who have been asking me for years to create a Naples-themed bracelet, you told me you felt left out. So because of the success of my world-famous “Marco Bracelet,” I HAVE GOOD NEWS! For those of you who did not know, this past December, I launched the one and only Naples Bracelet with the help of my good friend and brother, goldsmith Mo Anderson of Anderson Goldsmiths located in North Naples off 41. Mo and I (aka The Harbor Goldsmith of Marco Island) created this Naples-themed bracelet hand-crafted in solid, gleaming sterling silver and a two-tone crafted in solid 14kt. yellow gold and silver combinations. For sophisticated tastes, the new Naples bracelet is also available by special order in solid two-tone 14kt. Gold. The bracelets are available only in these two locations and their design is exclusive and copywritten. 

I’m optimistic 2024 will be another great year for those who love beautiful jewelry especially if the price of gold bounces back down to reality prices - where it is now, believe me, is not where I want it to be because the current spot price makes it hard for most people to purchase fine jewelry and will most likely end up settling for lackluster quality jewelry that won’t last a month let alone a generation.