More Copper! (Is that Proper??)

Alrighty… I seem to be in a copper mood this summer.  Go figure!    I just put these two casual beauties up on the website.

First up is “Pretty in Paisley”…  I love how this one puts me in mind of bohemian chic but, unlike the true thing, in an understated kind of way.  A simplification of the fun and flair for those times when we can’t go over the top!  I am proud of the clasp on this one too – like the necklace, all hand-crafted, but not the typical hook and eye either!

Small faceted apatites adorn a copper paisley, 2 strand necklace with hand-crafted, apatite-dotted, clasp: necklace

hand-crafted copper clasp dotted with faceted apatite

Pretty in Paisley is about 18 1/2 ” long and the paisley itself drops about 1 3/4″ from the ‘chain’.

On to necklace number 2!  I’ve been wanting to do more with this set of letter stamps I bought (because, after all, what fun are tools if you don’t use them??) and, while noodling around with my saw one day (yes, I noodle with my saw – take that as you may!), this emerged!  Sapphires were the obvious choice to accent the copper as sapphires have long been associated with thought.

Satin-finish copper disc with polished insert stating "think", accented with smooth polished sapphires, on a satin cord.

The necklace adjusts from 17-20″ long and the pendant drops about 2″.  The adjustable bit in the back features a couple more smooth deep blue sapphire droplets to give it a polished look behind you as well.

Hope you enjoyed these!  Check them out in more detail at the website!

Empathy

Yes, I was supposed to read contracts tonight and, yes, this means I have to read contracts Friday night instead.  So totally worth it though.  When Muse calls, I must follow (as long as there isn’t, say, a dirty diaper in the way).

So, what did I wind up with?  Lots of fun with the hammer, the dapping block, and a faceted green topaz briolette that I’ve been saving fo-re-ver.

Why “Empathy”?  Well, my favorite stone book begins the entry on topaz by saying “topaz is a mellow, empathetic stone”.  Other cool metaphysical things on topaz is that it “cuts through doubt and uncertainty” and “allows you to be not do” by promoting trust in the universe.  I’m thinking maybe I should keep this one for myself…

Without any further ado, here it is (on my all time favorite chain, btw, I just love these teeny tiny circles!).  And, for size reference, the teardrop (before I shaped it) was about an inch long.  (That was further ado, wasn’t it?)

Hand-hammered and shaped sterling silver teardrop with a faceted green topaz briolette on a sterling silver chain

The next one shows the “dish” a bit better…

Hand-hammered and shaped sterling silver teardrop with a faceted green topaz briolette on a sterling silver chain

Hope you like it!

P.S.  The book is The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall.  I highly recommend it.

How Can You Love Another Until You Love Yourself?

When I make necklaces for people I know and love, I try to find stones that not only work with the aesthetic I’m after but ones that help the person in their journey through life.

I have a necklace for a friend – I just finished it and I’m not posting pictures because it’s a surprise for her and, while I don’t think she checks this blog, I don’t want to ruin the surprise in case she does.  This friend doesn’t know how to love herself.  Though she is working on the issues in her past that have caused her self-loathing and a great deal of pain, and she is making progress, she still does not see her great worth and wonderful loving spirit.

So, when I sat down, not only did I say “ok, she’s not a real girly girl so I need something pretty simple”, I said “I want stones that will bolster her efforts to love herself.”  And I thought we could all use some help in that regard (ok, well, there are a few people I know that don’t but I’m dead certain they don’t read this!) so I’m posting a little on the stones I used and on some others that might help that battle.

Rose Quartz
Rose quartz has got to be the most well known “love” stone.  Rose quartz draws love in.  It amplifies our own loving feelings.  It surrounds us with love.  I have a friend who had charged a rose quartz crystal to draw love and it got so intense, she had to move the crystal from her bedroom.  Judy Hall, in her The Crystal Bible, has this to say about rose quartz by way of introduction: “Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace…teaching the true essence of love…[It] brings deep inner healing and self-love.”  Later, she describes the use of rose quartz in learning to love oneself, saying it “teaches you how to love yourself, vital if you have thought yourself unlovable…encourages self-forgiveness and acceptance, and invokes self-worth.”  “It…reinstate[s] the loving, gentle forces of self-love,” says Melody in Love Is In The Earth.  You can see why a large rose quartz bead is the centerpiece of the choker.

Rhodonite
Rhodonite is less well known – both metaphysically and in the wider world – it’s an opaque medium pink stone with black inclusions.   Rhodonite is useful for the underlying causes of self-loathing.  Judy Hall, again: “[Rhodonite] is extremely beneficial in cases of emotional self-destruction… and abuse. [It] clears away emotional wounds and scars from the past.”  Melody condenses this to “[It] conveys the resonance of unconditional love to the physical plane.”  The rose quartz centerpiece is flanked by small rhodonite wheels and then 4mm rounds.

One of the other stones I considered (but didn’t including because I didn’t have any at hand) is danburite (aids in “facilitating deep change and leaving the past behind” (Hall)) in the pink variation (“…opens the heart and encourages loving oneself.” (Hall)).  The sample looks very, very pretty but I have not seen it in bead form and I am not (yet) a stone faceter!

All of these stones have other metaphysical properties as well.  If you’re really interested in this, I can highly recommend Judy Hall’s book (I got mine at Amazon.com) or, of course, just keep stopping back here or at Silvery Ever After occasionally!

Don’t forget that I do custom work.  It’s some of the most challenging but most rewarding work I do.

Mother’s Day Jewelry

A two-fold post today, folks. Why? Well, first, having just freshly re-become a mother, I want to make sure that all we children take care of our moms this mother’s day. Yes, some people say “It’s a hallmark holiday” but, for the most part, those people aren’t the ones changing the diapers or lying awake at night until they hear their teenager come in safely. It’s a hard and, usually, thankless job. Then I’m going to talk about some semiprecious stones that relate to motherhood. But, first, here are some ideas that might be good for your mom this mother’s day:

Circle Me with Color

A new take on the “eternity” pendant… why settle for plain white? Mom’s life is full of color; shouldn’t her eternity be?  (This is about 1 1/8″ in diameter.)

And it’s the time for flowers, so why not permanent flowers?

Blooming Riot

Beautiful millefiori-style glass beads dangle from a sterling silver chain bracelet. A cha-cha to remember!

Ok, one more, then I’ll move on to the stone properties… Maybe your mom is more of a mod type of gal…

Sherbet Bracelet

Fun, sherbet-y colors fill these resin beads in fun shapes – perfect for brightening any day! (There are earrings to match as well!)

Ok, now on to some stones… I’m fascinated by the metaphysical properties of stones. I know, I know – there are plenty of people that say “Hogwash!” – I’m not one of them.  Science has shown us that everything has an electromagnetic field; it seems logical to me that EM fields can impact other EM fields.  So there.

Mothering Instinct – Chalcedony – Chalcedony is also said to increase lactation.  (Hmmm… I’m thinking I need to start wearing my chalcedony necklace again, given my current position as Chief Moo…)

Patience – Amber, Howlite (particularly good because it also aids in controlling the temper – and I haven’t met a mother yet that couldn’t use some help in that regard), Green Tourmaline (also helpful because it enhances compassion and tenderness).

Headaches – Caused your mom another headache?  Amethyst may help.

And let’s not forget the women who are not yet mothers yet long to be.  I was in that camp for many years as we struggled with fertility issues.  Some stones that are good for fertility are carnelian, rhodonite, zoisite, and rose quartz.

If you’re already expecting, helpful stones include unakite (healthy pregnancy) and azurite (fetal development).  My own pregnancy support necklace included azurite, moonstone, and chalcedony (as I’m prone to edema).  I also carried a pocket talisman of unakite for much of my pregnancy.

Only a small part of my jewelry is on my website.  If you’re looking for a piece that incorporates any of these stones, please email me!  Remember that I do custom work and would be happy to put together a piece from various stones to support you or yours.

Ok, one last note, not to be a downer but if you know someone who has suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth or loss of a child, please do not forget them on mother’s day.  This can be one of the very hardest days of the year.  Reach out to them.  Let them know you’ve not forgotten their child existed (and, yes, even miscarried children existed) and that you want to be there for them during this annual reminder of their loss.

My best wishes to all the mothers out there!

~ Kelley

A word on my resources:

The Crystal Bible: A Definitive Guide to Crystals, by Judy Hall, Godsfield Press, 2004

Crystal Therapy, by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D. and Judith Lukomski, Hay House, Inc., 2005