‘Sifting Party’ Turns Up Treasures : Salvage: Charlie Franciscus and her neighbors recover jewelry and other items from ashes of her home.

LAGUNA BEACH â€”  At 1020 Skyline Drive on Saturday, it was time for a “sifting party.â€�

Paper masks over their mouths, gloves on their hands and sieves, shovels and strainers tucked under their arms, about a dozen friends gathered to help Charlie Franciscus, one of about 350 Laguna Beach residents who lost their homes in the fire, find whatever she could.

“I found my diamond earrings that my husband gave me and my diamond necklace!� Franciscus reported to new arrivals.

“You can just barely see them.� she said, pulling the plastic bag with the precious stones from her jeans pocket. “It doesn’t look like much, but it’s everything.�

Meanwhile, someone sifting through the sand had unearthed African spears Franciscus brought home from vacation last spring. Someone else salvaged some silverware. Ceramic pots survived, though the plants and flowers inside them did not. A couple of coffee mugs even made it.

“I can’t wipe the slate any cleaner than this,� said Franciscus, who moved into the 2,700-square-foot house only 7 1/2 weeks before the fire destroyed it. Looking skyward, she added: “You’re really testing me.�

When a new guest arrived around noon, Franciscus invited him “in,� climbing the brick front steps to survey the nothingness.

Over where the kitchen had been, Franciscus had set up table and chairs, and laid out Oreo cookies and baby wipes for her guests. On the brick fireplace--the only remaining sign that a house had been there--she’d propped a portable tape player.

Earlier, she and her friends danced to the Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House� on the ashes that had replaced the Oriental rug in the living room.

“Your emotions go through a roller coaster.� she said. “One minute you’re laughing, joking around and the next . . . “ her voice trailed off.