New Treasures from Bonnaroo - New Stones for My Collection!

Our one vacation every year is Bonnaroo. If you have never heard of it, it is a 4 night music festival in Manchester, TN. I take that back, it is more than a music festival, it is heaven. Yes there is music, all types of music, but there is also experiences, classes, community and more. It is my mecca.

Each year when we go, we also buy a momento of sorts, typically a t shirt or hat, and every year I get a new stone.  I have gotten labradorite, ammolite, garnet, prehnite and this year I bought 7..... I couldn't help myself. 

I typically shop at one tent in particular Twisted Bliss, and I did shop them, but I also found Wormtown Trading. 

I went for an early morning stroll, it was hot, I was on a mission for coffee. Very few of the vendors were open, and I stumbled into Wormtown. So many things, and so many of those things were crystals. Immediately the tourmaline caught my eye. I thought this will be the new pendant for the 2018 Bonnaroo experience. I continued to browse, and I found a box of very dark, tumbled cylinders. It looked like Pakistan Jade, but I thought it was too dark, and I had never seen it in long thin 'spears'. I asked what it was to make sure, and  - surprise - it is Pakistan Jade!

I continued to wander thru the tent, so many awesome stones, and most of them I had, but you never know when one will just pop out at you.  

Then I found the bumble bee jasper..OMG! I love this so much. I have several cabs of this, that I have wrapped into pendants. I did some reading on this jasper, and found that it is volcanic made, and because of this, it is also toxic. The sulfur content in the stone is too high, and it will get into your skin. It is highly recommended that if this stone is made into jewelry, that is has a metal backing on it. They had so much of it displayed and I had to touch each piece. I asked one of the women working there if she had heard of the toxicity of the stone, and she had. We chatted about it for a bit, while I was still looking. 

THEN I found a chevron amethyst point. I have chevron amethyst beads, but I had never seen it in it's natural state. FELL IN LOVE!

I was just about to check out when I spotted a box of carnelian. This beautiful stone, with all it's patterns and deep orange color had to come home with me because I am giving it to my daughter.

I had to stop.

Later that day I made it over to Twisted Bliss. I love that vendor so much. Not only do they have beautiful, and not so run of the mill loose stones, but the wire wrapping they do is incredible!!!

There I found the citrine. 

O

M

G

That beautiful point with a window!!!!!

I got a smaller piece as well, to wrap for this years stone (i know I have the tourmaline for that) but you can't have too many pendants!!

The stones in the picture are as follows:

1 o'clock - carnelian

4 o'clock chevron amethyst

5 o'clock Pakistan jade

6 o'clock citrine point

7 o'clock citrine point

9 o'clock tourmaline

center - bumblebee jasper.

I'll break down each stones properties in the following blogs. 

This is my collection for this year, and I can't wait to get busy at the bench and make some jewelry!!!!

Thanks for stopping by, be blessed and always remember, be peaceful, be kind and find time to create!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

"Charming" Carnelian And Copper Bracelet

Right before Christmas, my daughter informed me she had broken her carnelian bracelet. She is always wearing a single strand, simple, small carnelian bracelet. Carnelian and bloodstone are her favorite.  I didn't have any carnelian, so I went to my trusted Firemountain Gems and started poking around.  They had a great sale of a 'grab bag' bead mix of agate/carnelian strands. So I bit!

 How was I going to make a bracelet for Leigh for Christmas, if I didn't know what I was getting.  Not knowing was part of the fun, and added a challenge to the creative process.  While this is not the actual bracelet I made for her, I had to make another one similar for my shop :)

 When the order arrived, I was so thrilled to see these huge 10mm beads. It didn't take any time for the design to come together.

 The design grew into an awesome boho/hippie style, which fit her perfectly.

 I love a multi strand anything really. It has more flow, some bulk to get it noticed, so it can become a statement piece.  Tip of the day: Putting a seed bead between the beads gives the design flexibility. If the 10mm beads were butted up against each other, the design would be too stiff.

And then there is the carnelian. A beautiful agate full of courage and creativity. Deep color is warm and comfortable.

Do you like a creative challenge? I would love to hear about some of yours!

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind. 

Remember to explore, create, dream, imagine and discover!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Pantones Spring 2015 Colors - Love them!

The Pantone Colors for 2015 are very exciting to me. So cool and light. Very inviting. The official color names are:

14-4313 Aquamarine

16-4725 Scuba Blue

14-5714 Lucite® Green

19-4052 Classic Blue

14-1213 Toasted Almond

16-1720 Strawberry Ice

15-1247 Tangerine

13-0720 Custard

18-1438 Marsala

14-4102 Glacier Gray

What I see is Lapis, Rhodonite, Carnelian, Turquoise, Jade and some fun Jaspers. From these stones come a very common theme - love, self love, self confidence - I can't wait to play around with my stones and make some fun jewelry for this Spring.

It's gonna be a great year!

Finally Found My Calling With Clusters

Several months ago, while captain of the biggest pity ship you have ever seen, like a pity yacht,  I was over taking pictures of my jewelry. I was struggling with different ideas of how to photograph my pieces. This has been an ongoing battle. It really is not anything new. I have friends who are photographers, do I pay them for a couple weekends a month, do I take classes, do I invest in a better camera, or do I take decorating classes (to learn props and magic for shots)

This took me on a search thru the vastness of the interwebs looking at different jewelry sites, and seeing how they laid out their shots, what props did they use, how bright were their shots and anything else I could learn. As I ambled thru, what I began to notice about these shops was they all seemed, themed. Themed as in the jewelry was all very similar. A similar technique, or similar style. There was continuity about the presentation, and it was very appealing to me. It made me want to shop. It wasn't the photography so much as the content.

I flipped back to my store, and I see the eclectic hodge podge of my work. I have to make everything, every style, play with every technique and put it up for sale. My husbands words came back to haunt me in that instance -"Pick one thing and do it well".

I searched between my Etsy store and my Facebook page, and there it was, like a life preserver thrown to me on that sinking ship of pity. I do clusters. I do them well.

All of that mess up top, was to lead into this. I'm back at the workbench for a new year of designs, a new year of shows and a new year of self discovery. I took what I learned from my photography search and put it to good use as I sit working on new pieces for this year.

I did it and I think with much success. I sat back to work, and ideas started to roll! I think I am on my path :)

Carnelian and Rhyolite

I have a selection of jewelry that I call K.I.S.S. - we all know what it stands for :) As much as I love the random, the over the top and the whimsy, there are times where just simple is best. Letting the elements compliment each other simply. That is what I did with this necklace.

I found the carnelian chips at Artbeads.com I love their deep and warm color. It is one of my favorite stones. Who am I kidding, they are all my favorites :)

Looking at the strand, I knew I didn't want to break up the chips and use them as accents. I really wanted them to be the bulk of the design. And when it did come together, it was wonderful!

Small carnelian chips with copper beads and a rhyolite focal.

Carnelian - Creativity, Individuality, Courage
 Rhyolite - Perseverance, Communication

I love how the carnelian accents the ochre colored deposits in the focal stone. Perfect!

It is warm and inviting, making you approachable. It is delicious in every aspect of the word.

  “Whatever you do, you should do it with feeling.” — Yogi Berra

Bracelet Inspiration - Mom's Charm Bracelet

Growin' up one of my fond memories was of my mom's charm bracelet. I remember laying in her lap at church and busying myself looking at each of the charms, remembering where they came from, and making up stories about them. She wore it every time she stepped out the door.


I remember we would go on vacation or for christmas gifts she would get a new charm to mark the occasion. She would have to take the bracelet to a jeweler to have them attach the charm, sometimes it would be gone for a few weeks. There is one sterling charm in there amongst the gold from when we went to Arizona to visit my aunt. One of Oral Roberts University from when we went to visit my brother in Tulsa. An anchor for my dad - being in the Navy. So many more memories. Mom gave this to me a couple of years ago along with her first wedding ring. I cherish them both so much - and never wear them. I am afraid of loosing them.


This bracelet was inspired by my mom's charm bracelet. There is a hodgepodge of dangles, some with rhyme, some with reason only the wearer will know.

Do you have memories that have inspired you to create something? I would love to hear about them!

Workin on a custom piece

Ever seen these? The wire wrapped trees with natural stone? A friend of mine had one and stones had started to fall off - "Wonder if Tish can do anything with this?!?!"



Popped all the stones off, and have this great pile of jasper.


Poor little wire tree - wonder if I can do anything with this.


She also gave me this beautiful piece of carnelian (her grandfather cut and polished it) and a piece of tiger eye. She wants a necklace with the carnelian as the focal with the jasper pieces from the tree.


For the design, I paired up the jasper with tiger eye, lapis, bronzite, kyanite and rose quartz.



It is started - how will it turn out?

Happy Birthday to me :) New Pendant

Today is my birthday, and I sat down this morning before work and made something for me. I have had this pendant bead for nearly a year and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. I was told it was carnelian, or sardonyx, but I think it is porcelain. Just from the looks of the holes.

It didn't take any time at all. I love the swirls, I was going for an abstract goddess look, if you know what I mean.




Then I made these earrings to go with it.



It is rare I make something with the intention of keeping it. I did something for me for a change, and it feels good!!!!

August's Custom Pendant Revealed!!

Jenny's name was drawn this month as the winner of the custom made pendant. Jenny is into greens and oranges and likes copper. She requested it be shaped like an exclamation point.


I wanted to wait til she received it before posting the piece as not to spoil it for her. She hit me up on facebook today, wearing it!!!

Here it is!!



This little guy is all the way in Sweden!!

Keep an eye out for Septembers giveaway! Who knows what it may be!!!

A little something to hold on to

Sometimes we all need a little something to hold on to to remind us there is a higher power, or to remind us of our good qualities, or even to give us that little bit of luck we need that day.

Gemstones portray that 'little bit of something' to me. They are easy to carry around or wear as jewelry. I can easily reach up and touch a pendant as a reminder, or reach into my pocket and feel their warmth and reassurance. Silly to some I know, but it is the same as throwing salt over your shoulder when you spill it, crossing your fingers for good luck, keeping your St. Christopher metal on the rear view mirror of your car, or not jinxing your team by always wearing the same outfit to the game. All of these are our little traditions or superstitions that make us feel better about us.

With this in mind, I made this pendant for my sister in law. I chose the stones for their meanings and 'powers'. She is gentle and loving soul, her life is her family and friends, a teacher, with genius creativity.

I wrapped garnet, citrine, iolite and carnelian to the crystal, which is is the focal, which amplifies the qualities of the stones.




Garnet: Removes negativity, career success, self confidence.
Citrine: Success, intuition, creativity
Iolite: Intuition, inner knowledge
Carnelian: Creativity, peace, luck

Do you see the pattern here?

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - BooYa!!!!

I will remember last night for quite a while. It all came together. The image I had in my head actually came out of my fingers and I have an exact copy in front of me from what I saw in my minds eye.

Amazing.

I am so pleased - I can't stop smiling.

My blogger package came from Rings & Things, such an amazing selection this month. That wood chain had me at hello - and I had to get my hands on it.

Here is what I used -

From Rings & Things

Wood Chain, Disk and Loop (Ebony)*

Chain, Footage, Oval Curb, 10.5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated)*

Bead, Gemstone, 18x25mm Puffed Oval (Blue-Green Turquoise Magnesite)*

Bead, Filigree, 10mm Round (Antiqued Copper Plated)

Bead, Gemstone, Round, 6mm, AB-B Grade (Amethyst)

Artistic Wire™, 22g, 15yd (Natural Copper)

Jump Ring, Round, 5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated)

From Sedona Stones
One strand solid copper soldered jump rings, 10 mm

I threaded the copper chain through the links of the wooden chain, leaving about 2 1/2 inches or so of the copper chain at either end. I opened one of the links of the copper chain and attached it to the last wooden link so the wooden chain would not 'gather' in the middle of the necklace. That is the beauty of those copper links. They have a seam, and you can adjust the chain without having to cut away a link and waste it.

I secured the ends of the chain with a jump ring and attached a toggle to it. I added embellishments of copper links, amethyst, copper filigree beads, magnesite and carnelian to the copper chain to add some color and to keep your eyes moving. This piece is busy!

And here she is boys and girls -






This has been the BEST blogger challenge selection ever! Stop by Rings & Things blog and check out the links to other blog partners to see what they are doing with their packages. The inspiration is endless!!

Thanks Rings & Things and thank you Dave for your support and fabulous blogging community outreach!



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Carnelian and vintage lucite, with a dash of pearls, Recipie for a fun holiday necklace

It's Thanksgiving, you just bought a new sweater to wear to Aunt Sarahs for dinner and you want a new necklace to go with it.

That is what was running through my head as I was making this piece. I got caught up in the memories of watching my mom when I was little, getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner with family and wearing her new outfit and fussing about her appearance. It was important to her, and to her family to be their best on the holidays. Family would come in from all over the country for a long weekend of catching up, eating, sleeping, eating again and facing the Black Friday crowds at the local department stores to kick off the holiday shopping.

Loaded with fall colors, warm and inviting, the carnelian rectangles definitely make me hungry. They look sweet, like butterscotch candies, or pumpkin pie.

Your shopping list:
Carnelian rectangles - Sedona Stones
Vintage lucite Dark Rust Moonglow Heishi Rondells 4 x 8mm - Beadin Path
Citrine coins - Sedona Stones
Vintage lucite Cube Beads 10mm Smoky Quartz - Beadin Path
22-gauge Copper wire - Rings & Things
Fresh water pearls - Sedona Stones
Faceted red agate - Sedona Stones



Wrap seven carnelian rectangles with the copper wire.
Add copper links with vintage lucite beads - set aside.



String a pattern of pearls, vintage lucite, citrine and red agate and work into the design.
Add a clasp



Polish off the fingerprints (this step I forgot)
Wear with a smile.



Perfect recipe for a great holiday necklace

More ArtBeads Fun!!

Got home from work last nite, and there was my order from ArtBeads!



What was in this order?
BBA-EAR03 - Antique Brass-Plated Plain Earwire
SS-OJR30-F - STG Open Jump Ring - 0.030 x .210 inc
TOOL-101 - Nipper Tool - not pictured
SSWR12HHF - Sterling Wire Round 12 Gauge HALF HARD - not pictured
48722 - Copper Wire Wrapped Center Toggle Clasp
48712 - Copper Thick Rope Wrapped S Clasp
BCACH12 - Antique Copper-Plated Textured Oval Link
BCCH19 - Copper-Plated Oval Link Chain

I have to tell you, I am thrilled - THRILLED with that copper chain. It makes my heart happy!! it is beautiful.

That copper plated oval chain inspired me as soon as I opened the package. I gathered up the left over beads I had from the 'sand dancer' necklace and got to work. The large purple resin bead was set to be the focal of this necklace. I didn't want to take away from the beauty of the chain but use it to be the showcase for the pendant. I made a wire wrapped loop and attached a copper link to it. I packed the link with beads to add motion to the piece. Next I added a few beads up one side of the chain to help to lead your eyes to the focal.

Here, the purple resin bead as the focal, accented with green spider cubes, topaz glass druk beads, rainbow carnelian squares, Czech glass, amethyst rounds and Swarovski crystals.









While on the phone with my daughter I started this bracelet. I never make bracelets. I love the multi strand bracelets and the bulk of them. I thought the mass of the bracelet would be a nice offset to the simplicity of the necklace. I have made several of this style of bracelet but why I don't continue to do them is a mystery.








Finished off the set with a simple pair of earrings.



And of course, I am wearing them today!

Commissioned pieces

My friend Vanessa went to the bead show in Franklin - it is a G&LW show - a big one.

She came home with several strands of magnesite and lava, several pendants, copper findings, coral and chalcedoy. She wanted me to make necklaces for christmas presents for her to give out.



Well sure I will for her. Vanessa is a dear friend and the person I blame for getting the beading/stringing bug. She is a vendor at the flea market and sells free form stones, pocket stones, strands of stone beads, finished jewelry and several other things. She is a big supporter and a fan of my work, which that in itself is reason enuff not to say no.

Part of the problem with this type of a commission is she sees in her head what she wants, obviously, she bought the stones, but she trusts me to make it for her.

I set out this morning to start on these pieces. She wants a total of six necklaces from this wad of stuffs - which it doable. There is more than enough material to do so. The problem is, I don't see what she sees. I am having a hard time coming up with different designs, or, more so, even wanting to work with these stones. They don't interest me, so I am having a hard time creating with them.

I knocked out the easy first - earrings .






























I added some of my beads and findings to flesh them out more. These would be way too heavy if I hadn't have broke it up some.

This one I am not happy with. I more than likely will de construct it tonite and do it again. Lava, broke up with citrine and carnelian. I think the focal is a fire crab agate. Mebbe. I was very disappointed in the clasp. I am sure it is a fluke but it is such a waste. I had ordered them from Rings & Things. The wire hook broke off of it as I was attaching it to the jump ring.






My cat was so jacked up on cat nip all morning, and was insisting on getting into everyone of my shots.















This one I am more happy with. Combining wire wrapping and stringing. These stones are sooo heavy. I don't know how comfortable it will be to wear for any lenght of time.