In a setting on the Gulf of Mexico at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, for the 4th year I participated both as an artist and as an attendee at the Odyssey Network Business Retreat for affluent and influential multicultural women. Linda Bradley-Dunn the founder of Odyssey and her 'Dream Team' take the retreat to amazing new heights each year.. This year was the celebration of the 15th year of Odyssey.
Linda Bradley Dunn, the visionary behind Odyssey, and I outside one of the ballrooms.
One of the many enlightening sessions we had inside the doors behind Linda and I was an interview with Dianne Carroll by Susan Fales Hill.
There is nothing like up close and personal! with a woman who is a legend in her own time.
When we were not listening to the wisdom of brilliant speakers there was time for those attending to relax and shop in the lounge. Below is a peep into the lounge, my jewelry on display, and next to me, the chic Saks Fifth Avenue.
By the time I thought to take this picture a good portion of my inventory had attracted new owners.
It is always good to see old friends and to meet new ones. Oh and of course you must see some of the pieces and who I made them for..
Charlotte Yeh, MD Chief Medical Officer, AARP wearing Starlight a piece designed for her. A sophisticated necklace of sparkling spinel sure to compliment her and her wardrobe day or night.
It is so exciting to design jewelry for accomplished, beautiful women. Women who shape our world and elevate the roles of other women by excelling at all they do.
Soladad O'Brien, CEO of Starfish Media Group, who from time to time can be seen wearing an ERM piece as she reports on the status of the world on television. I am wearing Fish and Tornadoes made of polymer clay, Hill Tribe Silver, and rubber.
Beatriz Ramos CEO of Dancing Diablo on the left and Gina Stern CEO of d_parture spas on the right. Contemporary women sure of their role in the future.
At every event there are wonderful opportunities to learn, to grow, to share, to network and to relax. Now this is my idea of heaven!
Linda Bradley, MD Prof. of Surgery and Vice Chair at the Cleveland Clinic OB/GYN & Women's Health Institute ,wearing her necklace "Space" made with basalt stone beads shaped and hand drilled over 200 years ago. The stories these beads could tell! She is in the Odyssey lounge for the evening's activities.
Leslie Lewis, Producer a woman who is intuitively always in the right space, wearing her 'Limeade' resin beads from Brazil and lapis lazuli a perfect accessary for Summer frocks. Oh and notice her sculpted silver earrings.
Janice Frazier, CEO at Jay Gregory Enterprises, wearing geometric patterned earrings that truly support a woman who is light years ahead of her time in all things.
I am happy to report that there is not enough room in this blog to highlight every woman wearing an ERM piece at Odyssey 2014 and that this was not my primary reason for this look at what I believe is a remarkable network retreat.
Sadly nothing last forever. A few days is all we get - just enough to refuel dreams and shore up networks, before stepping back into real time. As always there is a spectacular sunset this time over the Gulf, a sign that all can be well in the world - until we meet again next year.
Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico