Stone Cold Love

I recently had one of my friends solicit advice for warding off anxiety and stress.  Luckily I had my handy Gem and Stone book by Jen Altman.  Labradorite seemed like a perfect stone to aid her in calming her nerves and keeping her safe from negativity. 

One of a kind pendant with one of the prettiest labs I've worked with. 

And it had me thinking how could I help you and my other friends with their own ailments or everyday worries.  So I recreated a chart from Jen's book on stones for every zodiac sign. This can be a good reference for you when thinking about your own personal attachment to certain stones or researching them. 

I'm a Pisces and it makes total sense that I've always been attracted to amethyst, I love that purple color!!

I hope you enjoy and use this reference guide, and research more about your stones and how they can aid you.  I think right now, many of us can use that self care and inner reflection. 

Surrounding Yourself With Beautiful Objects

I'm in TOTAL NESTING mode - as ya'll know I'm pregnant (7 months to be specific) and my husband and I moved into our newly purchased home last year in August.  Since that time I've slowly decorated and painted several rooms in our house. 

I'd never been able to paint any of the rooms I lived in because I rented but now, I'm crazy about using colors (hence my previous post).  And not just colors but artwork that inspires me and makes me happy or serene.  I love looking at my walls and seeing artwork by other makers and people that are talented and create beauty in the world.  I consider it an investment in my happiness and gallery of objects.  I grew up this way, my parents traveled often due to my Dad being in the army and they purchased beautiful pieces of furniture, jewelry and objects from Japan, Taiwan, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Panama...the list goes on and on. 

Thus, I have a brief list of new artists I've discovered that I've either acquired pieces or plan to.

1.  Christina Mrozik - Absolutely stunning hand drawn artwork that reflects beauty in death and animal still life.  Her use of opposing colors (bright versus dark) and shading is exquisite.  I'm very excited that I'll be acquiring one of her pieces in the not too distant future!

EEEk! I'm getting this one soon!

2.  Yoann Lossel - Yoann's pieces reflect an ancient quality, one that seems as though the scenes he captured actually happened.  I find that I could create an entire story just looking at his prints.  I just receieved La Morrigan in the mail!!! I can't wait to frame it and hang it up.

I plan on purchasing this one soon!

3.  Silver Linings Ceramics by Katie Marks - This artist creates intricate crystal and gold leafed ceramics and when they are listed on her Etsy site, they are snapped in SECONDS, meaning you have to watch her like a hawk when her pieces are listed.  I doubt I'll ever get one but it's a dream to have her crystal mug - to not even drink out of it but just to behold it and own it!

4.  Tanel Veenre - I've long admired Tanel's dreamy pieces.  He's a poet too.  He writes as if speaking of other dimensions, which his jewelry pieces also reflect.  Tanel composes jewelry that are disparate but seemingly well paired and appropriate.  Being from Estonia, there is an ethereal quality to all his adornment.  I don't think I'll ever own one of his pieces, for now I am happy with one of his books. 

Globus Gruciger - My Kingdom 2011/12

I hope you enjoyed my post of beautiful things - we all need that in our life!

thanks for reading.

The Effect Color Has On Us

I've been thinking alot about colors, mainly because I'm shopping for new stones for the Ursula Collection (release mid March) and also picking out paint for our bedroom.

A hand selected azurite stone.  I had to purchase for the gorgeous colors!

I definitely tend to go for the same colors over the years - mainly purple, green and blues but honestly I love all the colors of the rainbow in varying intensities and shades.  And I've actively been trying to use new stones and colors in my jewelry because it's fun and I know often times you want a deep blood red or a vibrant blue.  Even tho my hand will automatically reach for the brilliant purple!

I also think often of color when I want to convey a message or exude an attitude.  One time I was feeling insecure at one of my old jobs, and I decided that day I'd wear my red cinnabar carved dragon pendant.  The red for power and confidence and also because it's a super cool pendant.  Or my favorite badass outfit is all black - black leather jacket, boots and black jeans. 

One of my favorite images from the Valkyrie Collection, SS14.  Isn't the moss green agate beautiful? And her red hair?!

Maybe you don't consciously think about color but on a deeper level color chooses us - we are subconsciously affected by deep greens and blues when we're out in nature and the woods.  It's no wonder green has a calming affect on our psyche.  I just recently watched a video on how woods and nature is necessary for humans to declutter our minds.  

As you probably noticed, I love shooting outside with gorgeous pops of green!

So if you don't think about color often, try using it when you need a certain type of energy in your day.  Orange for happiness and vitality, yellow for friendliness or brown to ground you.  Especially think of color on a permanent level, such as your house! I chose a beautiful lavender/plum color for my future daughters room because I wanted both her and I to feel calm and serenity - especially for the days when she is screaming or crying!

As always - thank you for reading!