Greed

The second piece in my series of rings is dedicated to charity, the counteracting virtue to the sin of greed.  This cardinal sin is the pursuit for wealth, status and power far beyond what is required for survival or comfort.  A sin considered to be directly against fellow man since a person cannot be over abundant in external riches without another man lacking them.


Living in todays indulgent consumerist society, greed runs frequent and rampant.  

Sterling, Druzy

For this particular virtue, I've chosen a beautiful bronze druzy.  

A crystalline formation that occurs when molten rock cools quickly, trapping gasses within.  When nutrient rich ground water flows overtop, it deposits layer after layer of minerals that eventually crystalize.  After hundreds and possibly even a few thousand years, we are gifted by mother nature what you see here..an over abundant example of mineral deposits, a showy side of the usual gentleness of mother earth.

A parallel between the superficial wealth sought after by the greedy, this druzy is but an ordinary quartz beneath it's brilliant, sparkly exterior...the contrasting virtue is charity.

Wear this ring as protection from greed; may you always choose to be charitable in your wealth.


xo Blue Gnome

Envy

I've been working away on several new pieces lately - there are a ton of new ideas swimming around in my head that I can't seem to focus on just one thing to create!  So my shop is quite an upheaval, a complete and utter mess..but trust me, it's a meticulously organized kind of chaos going on down there and I hope to be able to introduce many of those pieces to you soon.

I've been working on a series of rings based loosely on the seven sins - or rather, the seven contrasting virtues.  I feel, more than ever now, the importance of focusing not on the sins of man but on the positive virtues created to counteract them - god knows we need more good these days - 

good deeds, good thoughts..good energy.  

Surrounding ourselves and our loved ones with thoughts of love and ribbons of beautiful white light to cast those shadows away..watching the news lately, there is a serious lack of goodness in the world.  

Actually on second thought, I take that back.  There is plenty of goodness and many people who are good but good deeds don't make the news nearly as often as the tragic and sad.  Why do we not hear of the happiness of falling in love?  The simple act of helping someone cross a busy intersection, giving money to the person who's short a dollar at the cashier without expecting anything in return?  Helping a stranger look for her beloved pet?  

Why are we so obsessed with the darkness?  

Why do stories of anguish and loss captivate us so?

Each of these seven rings, or talismans have been created with love, laughter and a heavy dousing of early morning sunshine.  With every strike of the hammer, a loving memory; every touch of the torch, well wishes and thoughts.  There is magic in these rings - your magic; as each of these rings find their way to the person they are meant to be with.  The words stamped on each band represents the contrasting virtues of a cardinal sin - this particular one kindness to counteract envy.

Sterling, Agate

  

Ah, envy.  It's a sneaky one.  It creeps up on you slowly and surely that you hardly know it's presence until it's got a firm hold of you and your heart.  A constant and agonizing gnawing at your very soul - to want and resent others for what they've accomplished and what they have.  A justification to hate.  

Like a drop of the blackest ink into the purist of pure waters, it has the ability to grow and spread quickly, to make the clear waters murky.  Rational thinking is muddled with envy..the contrasting virtue is kindness.

Wear this ring as protection from envy; may you always have kindness in your heart.

xo Blue Gnome

And The Winner Is..

Congratulations Lisa!  
As well, a huge thank you to each and every one of you for commenting and submitting your entries!  

What a humbling experience to know that people actually follow my blog..and more importantly that you're a fan of my creations.  Truly..it makes my work even more of a pleasure to create. 

I hope to have more giveaways in the coming months..in the meantime, thank you again for taking the time out of your busy lives to pay me a visit here.  Your support means more than you'll ever know..

xo Blue Gnome

** Lisa - I need your contact info to ship this off to you! :)  I'd love to hear from you at bluegnome@tokyofirecracker.com  **

Small Miracles

The heatwave here has finally ended and this morning brings a cooler, fresher beginning to the week.  I've never been an early morning girl but since the arrival of Leo, the early hours of dawn have become my friend and savior - allowing me a few precious moments to sit and sip my tea in peace and watch the rest of the world slowly awake from its sleepy slumber.  

In an hour or so, I'll hear the creaking of the hardwood floor upstairs as Sachi starts to stir from her dreams of chasing squirrels, the neighbors talking quietly as they prepare for another day in the hustle and bustle of the downtown work scene.  

My day will officially begin when the wee man upstairs starts to stir, I am always so grateful that Leo is such a happy morning baby, waking up quietly, cooing and chatting to himself as he plays with his toes and watches his mobile move gently in the morning breeze coming in from his window.  

His morning smile and the squeal of delight when I peek into his room fills my heart to the brim, tops my soul with the love and energy needed to take me through another hectic day.  He has become my morning addiction, because there's no greater rush than the rush brought on by total, unconditional love.  

Tiny hands reaching out, legs pumping in excitement, eyes that know nothing of the harshness of our world but only the safety, trust and love that has cocooned him for the past 6 months.  I've found that I too have started living in a bubble of make-believe perfection and justice because watching the news lately has become too painful and unbearable.  What was a distant tragedy happening to someone far removed before has suddenly become too close to the heart as I realize that this is now Leo's world out there,

his future.  

News stories involving children in particular I avoid altogether as I try to shut off the thoughts that the child is someone else's Leo.  Falling in love so deeply and completely has been exhilarating but has also made me terrified of the concept of loss.  

Do children ever really know how much they're loved?  

Not until they become parents themselves.

But there is also so much beauty in our world and it's this beauty that gives us the courage to love, live and create.  

Seeing Leo watch the trees swaying in the wind, mesmerized by the dancing leaves and shifting light has allowed me the chance to rediscover experiences though his eyes.  

The sensation of cool water running through your fingers, sitting in front of a bonfire and feeling the warmth of the flames..all these small miracles that go unnoticed, I've been blessed to be able to experience all over again.  

And for this and so much more,  I am grateful.

xo Blue Gnome

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A big thank you for all the wonderful comments and entries for the giveaway!  If your comment has been posted on my blog, your name will be included in the draw!

The winner will be announced here, tomorrow.

Happy Monday Everyone! xo

Giveaway Closing, One More Day!

Sterling, moonstone

The Giveaway will be closing tomorrow evening..have you submitted your entry yet?? 

 I would love to hear from you if you haven't!

xo Blue Gnome

Come Dance With The West Wind

I am the eagle, I live in high country

                                                                                         In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky

I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers

But time is still turning they soon will be dry

And all of those who see me, 

all who believe in me

Share in the freedom I feel when I fly

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops

Sail over the canyons and up to the stars

And reach for the heavens and hope for the future

And all that we can be and not what we are

- John Denver and Mike Taylor