Imagine minding your own (jewelry) business, when suddenly style-diva Eva Longoria pops in to your shop.  She peruses your wares and announces, “I think these would be perfect for my character Gabby!”  Next thing you know there’s a stylist from “Desperate Housewives” on the line for you and you’re riding in Longoria’s jet to unveil your latest line.

Think stuff like that doesn’t happen?  Well, talk to jeweler Claudia Lobao.  She’s living proof that it just takes a brush with greatness to launch your career.  Lobao was born in Brazil where she quickly immersed herself in all things artistic.  From pottery to paintings to music, Lobao dabbled in nearly every medium.  But when she decided to branch out in to jewelry, she took a page from her childhood.  Seems Lobao learned the art of crocheting from her grandmother.   And from humble beginnings, she now spins gold (figuratively and literally).  Her crochet-inspired necklaces and bracelets are one of her signature styles.

If you’re a fan of “DH”, then you’ve obviously seen her handiwork sprinkled in dozens of episodes.  According to the show’s stylists, no other brand of jewelry has been represented more than Claudia’s.  When I met her recently in Kansas City, she was on a promotional tour.  Claudia is a stunning beauty whose accent could melt men’s hearts at 50 paces.   The weird thing?  When I met her, she wasn’t wearing any of her jewelry … just a simple, elegant black dress.  Maybe she was getting ready to accessorize.

You could tell Lobao is just starting to get her feet wet in the world of haute couture media relations.  Even though she rubs elbows with the stars of “Desperate Housewives” she’s still skittish in front of the camera.  (Check out my recent interview with her.  Click on the link.)

http://www.kctv5.com/local-video/index.html?grabnetworks_video_id=4347714

Seconds after we wrapped up the on-camera Q&A, Lobao said, “I was SO nervous!  Good thing Eva always told me to just smile.”  And it’s true … if she was freaking out, the viewers probably couldn’t tell because of Lobao’s megawatt smile and sunny disposition.

It’s a wonder I got through the interview without much fuss or muss.  I have such a short attention span to begin with that being around dozens of shiny, sparkly things tends to be wildly distracting.  Claudia’s line is now in over 700 stores nationwide with her main headquarters based in San Antonio, which, conveniently, is where Longoria and husband Tony Parker had a home.

This once again proves my theory that if you want to be discovered … move near a celebrity.  Doesn’t Whoopi Goldberg still have a ranch in the middle of Nowhereville, Montana?  I am SO there.