Monday, December 1, 2014

Kinship

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."

Helen Keller





A commissioned piece for a very special soul.

xo Blue Gnome Emporium




Friday, November 21, 2014

A Small Offering: Totems







 Perfectly simple.  
Handcrafted from start to finish.

Made with love.
xo Blue Gnome

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Happy blessings






So we've recently received news that my sister-in-law and her husband are expecting early next year!  How amazing to hear..and what a delightful surprise to look forward to as I believe they're waiting to meet the wee bean to see if all the wrong gender specific baby gifts will have to be returned.

I received an adorable message from her just the other day, she had gone to see her midwife and heard the heartbeat for the very first time.  "..so it's definitely in there.." she wrote. 
 I had to laugh when I read that because I remember the first time we heard Leo's tiny little heart beating..and one of my first thoughts were, "..so I'm not getting chubby for no reason after all."  

It's amazing and wonderful and oh-so-foreign all at once.  
It's overwhelming and unbelievable and not just a wee bit frightening all at once too.
  
What the both of them probably don't realize right now is how amazing they will be as parents.  
How much they both have to offer this very special and fortunate little person they will call their own.  
How this tiny creation will be exactly one half of her and one half of him..and when they hold this little being in their arms for the first time, their hearts will break in half and each of their halves will come together to make a whole one for this brand new family member.  

Because this is what happens.
  
You're never quite whole again without your child, no matter how much of an independent spirit you are.  When they leave your reach and sight, you are constantly aware of the missing half of your heart..and when they're old enough to rebel and break their curfew, you'll wait up on the couch pretending to read a book until they come back home into the safety of your nest, and your heart is once again whole.  
Just as my parents did and theirs as well.

There will be so many milestones to look forward to and to cherish even before the big arrival but hearing his/her heart beating within you for the very first time is an experience like no other.  When you can hear the steady beat of your own heart in the background..faintly but strong..and although their wee heart is beating so much quicker than yours, there is a moment when the two hearts beat in unison..when there is but only for a moment, one strong beat within you.  

This carnelian pendant is inspired by that one moment.  

When the two hearts beat as one.  
The small heart shaped opening in the back allows this crimson stone to glow as if lit from within, like the tiny heartbeat inside of you that will light your own heart afire with so much love and awe that it's almost too much to bear.

Happiest of blessings to you U&C!  
So excited to be a part of this journey with you..so looking forward to meeting this little bean!

xo Blue Gnome



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Dance to the music in your heart.

The one hour time change this past Sunday has really thrown us all for a loop here - it makes me realize how tightly committed we are to every hour of every day, a rhythm of busy whirl wind lives where we're expected to be somewhere, doing something specific every precious hour of the day.  Thankfully Leo, like his mama, is a lover of sleeping in and there have been no rude 5:30am wake up calls..but the little man likes his food (also like his mama!) and meal times have been a little insane as his little bodily clock insists that meals have been an hour behind schedule these past few days.  Canines too don't function around the wall clock in the kitchen..and the kitchen's been packed with hungry family members, two legged and four, all milling about waiting impatiently for their lunches and dinners.  
As 5pm brings about almost total darkness outside, my internal clock seems to have slowed right down..winter nesting instincts have kicked in and I find myself using warmer spices in my cooking and baking such as cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander and cumin, making this house possibly one of the most fragrant on our street.  
Wonderfully fragrant. 
 It warms the heart and soul.

Perhaps it's the changing climate and the awareness that in just a couple of months we will once again be bidding farewell to yet another year, I've been feeling retrospective lately.  The last 10 months have not been without their drama..the amazing people I've met, the friendships that have proven time and time again why I hold them so dear to my heart..then the friends who have stayed just long enough to leave their footprints on my soul.  
Two incredible unions I was fortunate to have been a part of and witness, a dream trip to Ireland with loved ones and an opportunity to dance my heart out with my best friend at her wedding reception.  

2014 has also been a year of learning - learning patience, tolerance..forgiveness.  Realizing that family, like branches on a tree all grow in different directions but our roots always remain as one.  Although we lost my Grandpa Jones this spring, we've recently received news from my sister-in-law that there will be a new member of the family making his/her grand debut in April 2015.  
And just like that, the circle of life continues.  
It strengthens the idea and need to live each and every day with no regrets.  

Dance everyday to the music of your soul and heed not to those who can't hear it. 

xo Blue Gnome 


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The simple things in life.








Amazing season..my favorite time of the year!  
As always, mother nature never disappoints..gorgeously hued rings inspired by everything that surrounds us, the simplest things in life are truly the most precious.

Hope you're all having a great week!
xo Blue Gnome  

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Harvest Fox Totem

As the days get shorter and there's a chill in the air, I offer you this gorgeous cognac hued montana agate set in a fox totem.





Available later today in the shop.

xo  Blue Gnome

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Kinship Amulet


“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 






Friday, August 22, 2014

Celestial celebration



These lovelies will be trickling into the shop throughout the day!




And a sneak peak at what's coming soon..large, gloriously chunky, pillbox style rings.  Perfect for showcasing this high domed rutilated quartz..it's another constellation ring.  A lightly embossed crescent moon and cobalt blue iolite have been added to this celestial celebration.

Available next week in the shop.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Early morning magic

It's early yet. 

I'm noticing even just in the last few days that the days have been slower to start, the birds a little quieter as the sun sleeps in a little more each day.  The back-to-school ads have been more and more visible in the stores, the local parks and splash pads a little more frantic with children, determined to make the very best of their last remaining days of freedom and summer holidays.

My mornings here have started with the click-click-click of the gas burner as steaming hot cups of tea have slowly started to replace the iced coffees as my morning pick-me-up, the sound of ice cubes against the glass have been replaced by the soft clinking of my spoon as I lazily stir my milk into my tea.  
The bunch of overripe bananas that have been sitting on the counter top for the last few days, staring and silently asking when they're going to be transformed into some wonderful banana bread have finally gotten their wish this morning.  I have the most amazing, simple recipe for this - ripe bananas, raw sugar, an egg, flour, a pinch of salt, a generous dollop of vanilla seeds..all topped with a drizzle of golden melted butter.  
Ah..a few strokes with my grandma's very vintage wooden spoon and into a loaf pan it all goes.  Creamy, buttery banana goodness speckled with vanilla..45 minutes in the oven where all the magic happens and you have the most decadent and moist bread you've ever put into your mouth.  
Interested in this recipe?  
Send me a message and I'd love to share it with you!


As the delicious aroma wafts out of the oven and up the stairs, I can hear the first stirrings of life..soft rustling and creaking floorboards as the wee monster goes to wake up Sachi - the "big snoring bear" before starting his descent down the long staircase, one halting step at a time. 

It won't be long now before this quiet, somewhat magical time for me comes to an end and the hustle and bustle of the day will kick into high gear.

 The day has started..and with my cup of steaming tea in hand, I face this wonderfully rainy day.  

Do you have a favorite time of day?

xo Blue Gnome












Friday, August 15, 2014

Water and Fire

A little while ago I was introduced to an interesting book called Soul Signs by Rosemary Altea.  Some of you might be groaning or rolling your eyes at this point..(smiling..)..I promise this post won't be about finding your ultimate soulmate or a rant about some metaphysical path we should all follow.  

Putting aside any religious views or beliefs, spirituality is something that I've always had a tremendous interest in, something my mother has always had a great deal of respect for and has taught me and my brother to do the same.  And if none of this appeals to you in the least..well, it's a good read anyway and should you find yourself sitting in an airport with a delayed flight, you should definitely pick it up and take a glance.  
I think you'll find yourself quite engrossed.

I've mentioned in the past that my mother is perhaps the most spiritual personal I know..and to this day this still holds very true.  Keep in mind that when I say spiritual, I'm not talking specifically about religion.  Because those two things are completely different in my eyes.  
Now, before I walk straight into a (often) very heated and touchy subject, I'm going to put on the brakes and take a detour.  
Spirituality to me is about the belief in the human spirit and how we connect to the energies around us. Everything living in this world gives off energy - science has proven as much - and it's rather naive and arrogant to think even for a moment that we're not affected by this energy, isn't it?  
So when I make reference to certain qualities a stone possesses in some of my silver creations, I'm essentially talking about the energy that surrounds and flows from the specific rock..sort of like aromatherapy for the soul. Some scents like lavender are well known therapies for promoting relaxation while citrus based aromas are used to invigorate.  Similarly, certain gemstones / minerals have well known qualities that have been utilized for generations to aid in ailments of the soul.  In this book, we are introduced to the organic make up of our spirit and how it relates to the 4 main elements of nature: earth, air, water and fire.  

Whether you take the ideas presented in this book to heart or see it as nothing but an amusing read..the choice is yours to make.  




I've created a ring that aesthetically represents two of the four elements - two powerful and complimentary elements..water and fire.  
Metaphysically, the prehnite represents unconditional love and is said to enhance spiritual growth.  The garnet is a stone of devotion and courage.  

Whether you're drawn to the aesthetic or metaphysical qualities of this ring, you certainly can't go wrong.

May this ring bring you courage in your spiritual growth.

xo Blue Gnome

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Surround yourself in the company of those you love


I've received some amazing emails during my hiatus from the studio..and I can't thank all of you enough for the great feedback and comments about my work.  It's often a difficult choice to make between the more economical mass produced items on the market and the higher cost of something hand created by artisans like me..it is impossible for independent artists to compete with the prices mass producing companies can offer. 

I cannot thank you enough for choosing to pay the slightly higher cost for something handmade..

Your support encourages others to follow their dreams in creating something from their heart and soul. 

Your support allows people like me to continue doing what we love to do, create one-of-a-kind pieces that I hope you will treasure for years to come.

I'm back in the studio and I've hit the ground running!  New items will be filtering into the shop in the next few days and I can't wait to share them with you!

Hope you're all having a fantastic summer..enjoying these lazy, hazy days of warm sunshine in the great company of friends and family.  

Surround yourself in the company of those you love, life's too short to be in the company of anyone less worthy :)  


xo Blue Gnome




Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Summer Birthday Love

Happy birthday Canada!  

Two gorgeous stones celebrating the official arrival of summer a few days ago..a prehnite and an opalite, so amazing with its scattering of dendrites.  And upon its tip, a tiny sterling butterfly embossed using the offering from one of our majestic maples trees up at Five Maples.  








Available in the shop tomorrow..

xo Blue Gnome