Earth Odyssey

A native to New Orleans, I was raised in the jewelry business mostly traveling and working gem shows. My mother is a master jewelery and my father had an interest in minerals and fossils. I learned stone faceting, cabachon, bead stringing, wire sculpting & more throughout my childhood years. My experience and education in the Lapidary field led me to pursue my parents combined interests and I opened "Earth Odyssey A Nature Store". Only months later, my parents' life's work, business and home were completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Not sure which step to take, they decided to try out the French Quarter and we merged our separate businesses into one. They have now reopened their fine jewelry store in St. Bernard Parish and Earth Odyssey has blossomed into a sanctuary of gems, minerals & magic as we have expanded our merchandise to include not only fine sterling silver gemstone jewelry and premium quality minerals/fossils but also an array of metaphysical paraphernalia, essential oils, herbs and books. I take pleasure in assisting individuals on both a spiritual and physical level in working towards a more holistic and natural way of living. The use of gemstones, herbs, oils and prayer are very powerful in manifesting a peaceful and purposeful life. I am always seeking new and interesting items to showcase from around the world. Madeline Collara is a master jeweler, entreprenuer and mother!! A native to New Orleans, Madeline Collara has been a master jeweler for over 30 years. Her experience in the lapidary field ranges from jewelry repair & stone setting to silver & goldsmithing. She began her career as an apprentice, learning from masters such as H. Alvin Sharpe, the father of the Mardi Gras Doubloon. She became a successful entrepreneur by working "behind the scenes" doing most of the custom design & repair work for local jewelry stores in the Greater New Orleans Area. Meanwhile she sharpened her jewelry making & stone setting skills by receiving formal education and training from institutions such as the University of New Orleans, Trenton School for Jewelers and New Approach School for Jewelers. As her passion for creative expression through jewelry design began to grow, she ventured out and presented her work to the public. For 15 years she traveled showcasing & retailing her designs at various Gem & Lapidary Expos around the country. After years of experience as a jeweler, her path led her to become an instructor of jewelry repair for 5 consecutive years at William Holland School for Lapidary Arts and 2 years at Wild Acres Retreat. "My father opened the first jewelry store in St. Bernard Parish, where I learned how to repair watches at age 12. We have carried on the legacy and now I enjoy designing and manufacturing all kinds of jewelry."