Happy Mothers' Day!

To all beader Moms, to Moms of beaders and to all Moms-to-be beaders!
Have a wonderful day!

Imperial Jasper Bracelet for the Special Mom 

This bracelet is made from perfectly round smooth beads of Imperial Jasper ranging in shades from forest green to brick red to creamy pink are alternated with  faceted sterling silver beads for a hint of sparkle. The bracelet is completed with a sturdy and easy to handle heart shaped toggle, a very special charm and a single Imperial Jasper bead. Imperial Jasper is a 'Fine' jasper and is found only in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is named a fine jasper due to the presence of definite patterns laid down during the formation process. Imperial Jasper is known for its unusual patterns and contrasting colors of green, red and pink. Truly fit for a queen.

Enjoy!

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 Mother's Day

All you very special ladies, have a very special day!

Happy Cinco De Mayo

Happy Fifth of May everyone!
Enjoy the Fiesta!
Watch the Margeritas!

To set the mood for the celebration, I chose my Fiesta Bracelet from my SOLD collection. Would you believe it? This bracelet was bought by a beautiful Brazilian lady at one of my jewelry shows. She was in Tampa on business and loved the bracelet and the colors. No surprise there. I also made her a pair of matching earrings.

Enjoy the night!

March Monthly Find at Sundancegems

Green jewelry of a different kind for St. Patrick's day.

Every month Ruby Lane lets its shop owners feature one item as a 'Monthly Find', and a randomly selected list of such items is sent out in an email to all its registered shoppers.


This is my monthly find for March ...

The lush rain forest green and earthy brown African Green Opal flat squares and coin, are all connected with corrugated Copper beads to create this bracelet. At the toggle hangs a green Rutilated Quartz bead and a Copper bead charm. The matching earrings are made with the African Opal squares.

This set is currently for sale in Sundancegems, ask me about it. 

Check out the monthly finds from all other Ruby Lane shop owners as well, you never know what you might see, and like and want!

Challenging the Bead Brain (2)

Today I tell you about my next entry to the Stringing Magazine challenge 'Around the World'. Now this bracelet I made especially for the challenge, but even though it won nothing, I still think it takes a bead lover around the world! I put together eleven beads that come from the four corners of the world along with some sterling silver charms of various modes of traveling around the world. Notably absent is the car, why you ask? simply that I was working against a deadline for the challenge and a car charm was not in stock! I will gladly add a car charm to the bracelet for anyone who buy it from Sundancegems www.rubylane.com/shops/sundancegems/item/RMS4591

The eleven beads that will take you around the world are:
Moukaite from Australia - faceted round in cream and red
Owyhee Jasper from USA - smooth round in teal blue and brown
Imperial Jasper from USA - smooth round in tan and green
Nephrite from China - hand carved round in dark green
Opal from Peru - pink rondelle
Red Coral from the Mediterranean Sea, Italy
Orange Carnelian from China - hand carved barrel
Turquoise nugget from USA
Batik Bone bead from Kenya, Africa
Blue Tanzanite from Tanzania, Africa
Blue Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan - rondelles separating each bead.
The charms I included were of a Motorcycle, Cruise ship, Airplane, Train, and why not, the Shuttle after all I live in Florida. And yes, no automobile - what was i thinking!
Bon Voyage!
The other entries to the Around the World challenge can be seen by clicking on the title to this post.