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

Winter Berries

The irresistible pairing of a glowing green prehnite and the gorgeous pop of crimson!

Made entirely of sterling, prehnite and some tiny, darling seed beads, available in the shop later this week.

Have a lovely week all you beautiful people!

xo Blue Gnome

Strange Line of Work

I guess I work in a less-than-ordinary line of work.  

When I find myself sitting with people I don't know (like at a friend's wedding) and am forced to make pleasant conversation through the reception dinner, the first question that usually comes up is, "how do you know the bride and groom?"..then that's generally followed by, "what do you do for a living?".  

A seemingly easy question to answer if you work within a defined industry like being a sales manager at so-and-so, or in the financial or medical field.  That seemingly easy question usually makes me a little squirmy because I don't actually know what my job title is..to say, I have a title on my business card but it says very little about what my job description actually includes.

I work with dinosaurs.  In so many different applications.  One of the most interesting things about what I do for a living is that it's always changing..no two projects are ever the same.  I've endured torrential rain storms with soaking wet, feathered puppets to shoot segments for the Discovery Channel, sent crew members to a drug store to buy copious amounts of KY Jelly for on-camera effect, witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly side of each and every person I've worked with after 17 consecutive hours of working side by side, hour after our.  From disasterous mishaps at the 11th hour right before a deadline to triumphant results delivered right on schedule, this life I lead is an interesting one..far from glamourous..but interesting.

This texture ring is a result of one of those odd projects - sterling silver cast from a mold taken from an Emu leg..don't ask me how I had access to an Emu leg, please.  It wasn't one of my favorite experiences!  The results are somewhat experimental but I think I like it..it's organic and hefty, a beautiful BIG ring for those of you (like me) who love to wear pieces that make a statement.  Adjustable and unisex, this ring along with a couple of other items, now available  now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

 Sterling Ring

Prehnite, Smoky Quartz and Sterling Stacking Rings 

Sterling and Natural Amber Earrings

MargaritaVille

prehnite, sterling

The city's emptied out, everyone's heading up to the cottage this weekend and with weather like this, you'd be crazy to stay in this concrete jungle.  The radio was playing 'Margaritaville' earlier this afternoon and I haven't been able to stop thinking about a cold, slushy lime margarita since.  Frosted glass, the rim heavy with clumps of sea salt..the perfect beginning to a perfect weekend!

Seems fitting that my latest creation is this gorgeous, weighty prehnite ring..the colour of juicy lime zest and scattered with a sprinkling of salt-like inclusions.  Made entirely of sterling, perfect served with a bowl of fiery fresh salsa, chips and a few close friends.  Available now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

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Big, Bold And Beautiful

I finally finished this..just in time for the weekend!  The latest Spring Bloom necklace also features a gorgeous tear-drop prehnite..juicy green, translucent and absolutely delicious.  I'm really quite infatuated with prehnites lately, the dewy droplets of beautiful translucency with that delicate touch of green..you really can't go wrong.  Made entirely of sterling..available tomorrow in the shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Celebrating the Chocolate Bunny

The long weekend is almost here and our weekend looks like rain, rain, rain!  I guess I should really just be thankful it's not snow..we had quite the 'sideways' snow storm last weekend, rain..snow..sunshine..then snow again..it was quite the spectacle.  I suspect Mother Nature was having 'one of those days' that we all have once in a while, but when she has a 'bad day' we all get snow blizzards, trees toppling over and angry rain coming down sideways.  And it's in mid April.  Lovely..

My neighbor came by last night to ask me if I could grab his mail for the next few days, he's meeting his wife and baby boy in Paris or a few days..ooooh, la de dah!    Of course I'm green with envy, I think I've figured out why this winter in particular seems so long and endless..it's because I haven't been anywhere this past winter, last year this time I was in sitting on the beaches in Thailand...ahhhh..

 Can't you just feel that sun?

This was me a year ago.. Sigh!

Okay, moving away from the subject of hot and sunny destinations on this cold, damp afternoon, I just wanted to post a picture of this stunning vintage pencil-lined dress on Etsy.  The whole thing is covered in horseshoes..I love it!  Unfortunately, the opportunity to wear this has yet to present itself for me, so it's currently up for grabs for anyone who's into looking fabulous and "Mad Men"-like.  Can't you just see yourself poured into this outfit??  Available currently here.

www.tokyofirecracker.etsy.com

And finally, in celebration of Easter and all things bunny related, I leave you with my latest necklace..my favorite so far.  Made entirely of sterling and a ethereal example of prehnite, it's the second of my Folklore Series necklaces.  

Sterling, Prehnite

In many mythic traditions, the rabbit or hare were archetypal symbols of femininity, associated with the lunar cycle, fertility, longevity, and rebirth. But if we look a little deeper into their stories we find that they are also contradictory, paradoxical creatures: symbols of both cleverness and foolishness, of femininity and androgny, of cowardice and courage, of rampant sexuality and virginal purity. In some cultures, Hare is the messenger of the Great Lunar Goddess, moving by moonlight between the human world and the realm of the gods.  He is the messenger of a female moon deity and the guardian of all wild animals. 

Just some food for thought as you nibble on some chocolate bunnies this weekend - hope your weekend is long, relaxing and full of good things.

xo Blue Gnome