Red Dyed Howlite Flower Earrings with Moonstone Accents

I got a strand of these cute little 15mm dyed howlite flower shaped beads from Fire Mountain Gems. The strand I got was multi colored with orange, white, yellow, green, hot pink and blue. 

(The multi color strand is no longer available, but they do have a light blue strand that is only $1.00!!)

These beads are light weight, and make the cutest earrings!

Howlite is the stone that helps to aid in self awareness and and improving ones emotional well being. It just seem perfect to  add a  faceted moonstone heishi cut beads to accent the design and for the metaphysical properties of encouraging hopes and dreams. 

I just love how they turned out!

Can't wait to show you my next creation!

Thanks for stopping by, be blessed and always remember to 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!

Moonstone - A Personal Journey

I am going to deviate from my normal posts for awhile and take you on a personal journey with me.

I have created two new pieces of jewelry made with moonstone for myself. 

 I tout the metaphysical properties of the stones I work with, and create jewelry based on these properties. Time to practice what I preach :)  The purpose of using moonstone is for weight loss (and so much more) and as I post you will see why I chose moonstone and why I am needing to loose weight.

Follow me if you will along my journey.

September birthstone - Sapphire and alternates.

Traditionally sapphire is the September birthstone but did you know jasper and moonstone are alternate birthstones for this month?

With this selection there is sure to be a style or design to please even the pickiest of persons. I did a wander around a few sites and found not so traditional settings for sapphire. Beautiful and unique, just like the person who deserves to wear it. Why buy a mass produced setting, that looks just like everyone else, when you can buy a hand crafted original work of art? Don't forget jasper and moonstone. They are just as beautiful and should not be discounted because the are not in precious category.

When I saw jasper was in the list I did a little squeal. I love jasper. I love the variety jasper has. This stone runs the gambit of all colors. From your classic red jasper to the beautiful warm multi-colors of mookite, and into the mottled greens and browns of ocean jasper. How you can pick one variety of jasper as a favorite, is beyond me. I love them all!

I have included a smattering of great designs, including a couple of my own, being that jasper was on the list. I hope you enjoy them, and that this is an introduction to a new artist you will decide to follow to find out what else they are doing.

Happy birthday September babies!

Sapphire ring - masaoms at etsy.com




sapphire earrings - NicoleLincoln at etsy.com




Sapphire ring - Leahjewelry.com




moonstone pendant - girlseattle at artfire.com



moonstone pendant - shellamie at etsy.com




moonstone earrings - adorned7 at etsy.com



jasper earrings - libragear at artfire.com



jasper bracelet - Just A Tish at justatish.com




Jasper necklace - JustATish at justatish.com

Summer colors

Normally I do this once a month. I like to show the colors of the season to help give an idea of what colors you will see while you are out and about during the season and to also let you co ordinate your next bead purchase to the ensemble you may be wearing.

So what did I find from Fashion Trendsetter for Summer 2009?



Chic













Classic













Casual










We see a lot of pinks, blues and browns. Fun way to mix up some color and textures. Some ruff, earthy toned crinkle satin and the smooth blue hues of lapis, think forest by a lake. Or how about a sandy colored cotton top with a necklace made of yellow poly clay shaped into daisies. How awesome is that.

My biggest problem is I have all the idea, and never enuff time to make it all!!!

Would love to hear your ideas!

Trying to keep it together

I have been up since 3:30 pacing with Newd. He has been restless all nite and has a more pronounced limp than usual. I did take him on his first walk yesterday and he may just be sore. He has been kenneled for nearly two weeks now and I am starting to add more exercise back into his routine.

I microwaved towels and made him a heating pad and he settled in for a while.

Now I am pacing. I have an interview in a few hours for the Associate Producer position. A great move up into the company from where I am, and good solid career move. I am nervous. I am always at a loss for words, have a tendency to make jokes and act a clown when I am nervous, and I can't do that today. I have to be on target and give them what they are looking for.

*think* *think*

I need to channel this energy into something, something positive.

*snap*

I am going to give you an inside look at my creative process. How my pieces go together and how my thought processes work when designing a piece.


I grab my books and begin to do some looking - I have it! I am making a new necklace to wear to the interview. I necklace charged with positive energy, creativity, organization, and communication. Just what I need to get me thru the day. I chose moonstone, labradorite, quartz, blue lace agate, jasper, rutilated quartz, and carnelian for my base stones. The bulk of the design in seed beads,crystals, some chain and a few buttons for focals.

I chose -
moonstone, blue lace agate, labradorite and quartz for communication.
jasper for organization.
rutilated quartz and carnelian for creativity.
The buttons are a representation of me.
The chain is to show how each link is needed for the fluidity of the movement. Just like a team has to depend on each other for the outcome.




I was going to document the process but I chose to go with my 'tantrum' style necklace, and it is difficult to do. I chose the tantrum because order has to come from chaos in the position I am applying for. What I can show you is one of the draw backs to making this style of necklace and how you can fix it with no one the wiser.

During the beading of the 'tantrum' you weave the tail of the beading wire in and out of beads randomly. You have to keep the beading wire taunt during the process or you will have gaps in your beads after you anchor it like this -




What do you do? it is a pain to take the crimps off , pull in the slack, and set a new crimp - most times, I end up snipping the cover of the beading wire and have a fray. Not good.

So for a random tantrum style necklace like this, all you can do is go with it. You can create a coil. For this necklace I created a coil in copper, bout the same size as the 'slack'



Once the coil is made - 'screw' it onto the beading wire




Close up of the coil






And the finished product -


Keeping my Thoughts

The 'Key' to that extra bead

Oh how I love the extra large beads. Creating a piece with all large beads however beautiful it may be, is not always practical. It can be heavy, uncomfortable, bulky, may not lay correctly - these are from my experiences.

Still I buy the strands of the large beads and incorporate them into my designs as focals and accents. After the designs are done, I may have one or two left over - what do I do with them? - put them in my random pile and wait for inspiration.

Here is some fun I have had with my 'stray' beads.