Serenity Bracelets

Serenity is defined as a sense of calmness, peace, tranquility, or a similar restful state of mind. Something that we all strive to achieve, inspite of the hectic lives we lead.

I try to find time for yoga sessions once a week and the best part of the session is always the breathing exercises that helps me relax, focus and hopefully strengthen me mentally.

Serenity Bracelet with Coral, Turquoise and Moss Agate

The relaxing breath exercise, called the 4-7-8 method is simple, let me show you how...

• Get the tip of your tongue on the roof of the mouth behind the two front teeth and keep it there.
• Exhale completely through the mouth with a 'whoosh' sound.
• Inhale through the nose, for the count of 4, lower chest first, then upper chest should expand.
• Hold your breath for the count of 7.
• Exhale through mouth with a 'whoosh' sound for a count of 8.
• Repeat, at least three times... feel yourself reaching an inner peace!

These numbers 4-7-8 inspired me create a bracelet with 4 Sponge Coral Nuggets, 7 faceted rondelles of Moss Agate, and 8 Turquoise nuggets. This bracelet has an Om (aum) charm hanging from it. Om comes from Sanskrit, and affirms a Divine presence in the Universe and the union of our mind and body and spirit!

My next Serenity Bracelet is made using two of my favorite gemstones, Tiger Eye and Turquoise. I used 4 Tiger Eye coins, 7 Turquoise rondelles and 8 faceted Tiger Eye rounds. This bracelet has Copper beads and a beautiful sun toggle clasp.

Serenity Bracelet with Tiger Eye and Turquoise

So what do you think, will wearing a Serenity Bracelet help someone slow down, remind to breathe calmly, and lead to inner tranquility? 

Something Blue Anklet

It is traditional that every bride wears something blue on her wedding day but do you know why? The tradition comes to us from long, long ago, brides from ancient Rome (another version says ancient Israel) wore blue ribbons on the border of their wedding robes to signify love, fidelity and modesty. These ideals are as important today and brides enter into marriage wearing 'something blue' on her wedding day. The common 'something blue' worn is on the garter, maybe a blue ribbon on her pretty lacy white garter. But why not an anklet?

When Artbeads.com asked me to choose some beads as part of their Summer Time Design program I decided to make something for brides, and the 'something' I made is blue.

A 'Something Blue' Anklet!

Using faceted round Swarovski Crystallized Elements in Light Sapphire and Swarovski pearls Light Blue the anklet includes three candy heart charms that is keeping with the love and fidelity theme, aren't they cute? One says 'For Keeps', another 'Love You' and the third one 'I'm Yours'. Some sterling silver chain for extension and a trigger clasp, and this anklet would make any ankle sexy! For some additional bling, I have thrown in some crystal rondelles.

My 'something blue' on my wedding day was blue ribbon on my garter, so unimaginative, don't you think? What is/was yours?

Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.

I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.

It is still Summer Time!

As a Summer Time Design Partner of Artbeads.com, I was asked to make a few fun summer designs from their bountiful selection of beads. This summer has gone by so fast and it will soon be all over, I am only now able to blog about the jewelry I made from the beads I chose (what with family, vacations and issues with my photographic equipment!). But it's better late than never...

Well, who could resist the sparkle in these amazingly bright and shiny Yellow Cubic Zirconia Fan Bead? Artbeads.com sells them under their Pendant section, but I used a pair as earrings. They are not too heavy and I added no other beads. Really, no other bead is needed!

The shape and cut of this bead is amazing, no matter from which side you look at it, it is the triangular fan shape that you see. And they sparkle, my do they sparkle? See for yourself.

I have added a short length of gold-plated Pewter leaf chain, that have so much movement with a pair of leaves on each link and a nice drape over the top of the fan bead. All of it is topped with a gold-filled Fleur de Lis lever back earring. I think they look great, what do you think?

What I like best about them is that they are a great pair of earrings for the hot summer season and also the cool fall.


Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.

I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.

Yes, I Know It's Not July! But It Is Calder Inspired!

It's better late than never!

As many of you know the Art Bead Scene Challenge for July was based on this painting 'Blue Feather' by Alexander Calder. This was to be my entry! But I had problems with my photography system and could not get these pictures done last month. For now, it seems my problems are temporarily solved and I was finally able to get some pictures taken of the jewelry I made in the last many weeks. 

The Calder painting inspired these earrings, and I was going for the three dimensional mobile effect. I used Swarovski 'Mystic Black' pearls, each pair larger than the next, with the single orange Carnelian rondelle. Each bead is wire-wrapped so that it rotates independent of the others. The earrings are lightweight, but long.

I think it captures the spirit of the painting, don't you?

For my Art Bead I chose a pair of blue enameled butterflies from Anne of GardanneBeads.

I would love to hear what you think of my interpretation of the painting.


Have a great week!

Sweet Dreams are made by Charoite?

Charoite Pendant & Peacock Blue Freshwater Pearls

"Sweet dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree?"

(Annie Lennox/Eurythmics, 1983)

Did you know that sleeping with a piece of Charoite under your pillow calms disturbed sleep and dispels fearful dreams? That's what metaphysical gem enthusiasts will have you believe! 

Charoite was discovered in 1947 in the Chary River area of the former Soviet Union and gets its name from the river. This region known for its harsh climate and terrain was the traditional place of exile for political prisoners. I wonder if prisoners were used to mine or dig for the gemstone? This semi-precious gemstone's value is in the fact that it is found only in this desolate region of Russia.

Charoite & Sterling Silver Bracelet

Charoite was introduced to the western world in the late seventies. It is easily identified by its characteristic grape color, ranging from very light to dark purple along with its black and white mottling. Areas of the stone can range from translucent to opaque. The fibrous crystals found in Charoite give it beautiful swirling patterns, making it one glorious gemstone!

I love the purple color of the gemstone, though it can be somewhat pricey. This is one gemstone strand that is I cannot resist at bead shows. Don't you love it?

Dog Days of Summer

In North America, around August 4th is the beginning of what is traditionally known as the 'Dog Days of Summer'. The 40 days that follow are sultry, sweaty, humid, and 'can fry eggs on the sidewalk' hot! The weekly weather forecast in Tampa calls for afternoon highs of 93ºF, with heavy lightening and thundershowers in the afternoon and feels like a 100º hot! Ever wondered how everyone survived before air conditioning became so commonplace and affordable? Then throw a hurricane or two into the mix and you have sunny Florida! I know this is not what the Chamber of Commerce would like me to say... but it is, what it is! Oh, let's not forget the mosquitoes!

A tribute to Dalmatians! 

A bracelet with Dalmatian Jasper. Does Mother Nature love Dalmatians?

Golden Retrievers are the best!

A bracelet with synthetic Goldstone.

Ever wonder why these hot summer days are called the Dog Days of Summer? Well, it has nothing to do with actual dogs. These hot days mark the period when 'Sirius' the brightest star in the Big Dog constellation 'Canis Major' starts to rise with the sun in the daytime sky. Ancient Romans thought the Sirius star added its heat to that of the Sun to produce these very hot days. Hence the ... Dog days of Summer! Now you know!

I thought I would take this opportunity to show some of my personal tributes to our four legged friends. 

Enjoy the Summer!

Happy 4th, Andrew!

The versatile and talented Andrew Thornton celebrates his 4th anniversary in the blogosphere with a giant giveaway of, what else but beads! Check them out... its hard to stop the drooling.

Wow!

Hurry on over, to his blog and leave your comment before Monday August 2nd. 

Happy Anniversary Andrew!

Gorgeous Giveaway

Cyndi from Beading Arts is giving away this gorgeous Kingman Turquoise Cabochon from Cabbing Rough. So hurry on over to beading arts and leave a comment to get your name in the hat. I have not used a cab in my jewelry before, but if I win, this would be a great time to learn a new technique.

Isn't it truly gorgeous? Look at the golden bronze infused into the turquoise, magnificent!

Don't forget to check out the other cabs for sale at Cabbing Rough, Cindy would like to know what your second favorite would be from their selection..