Care Package

My youngest brother just started his first year of college and he has a lot on his plate.  In addition to living in and exploring a new city, he is a chemistry major, midshipman, hopeful intramural cross country runner, and aspiring quidditch player.  He has already made the difficult, although grown-up and responsible decision to not run for the varsity cross country team.  In his own words "XC had to go, because I just did it for the fun of it. Being really good helped, but it always came down to the fun."  He always was modest...but I am proud of him for making the mature choice. 


All the new friends, places, and responsibilities are exciting, but I expect pretty overwhelming, and I thought I could send him something as a reminder that his family is thinking about him and praying for him.  But what to make??  After crossing off earrings and a sparkly bracelet from the list of possibilities (although wouldn't Swarovski crystals really compliment his ROTC uniform?) I settled on a one decade pocket rosary.  This mini version fits in any pocket, so it is portable but still functional.  It serves a dual purpose- it is a reminder of the challenge to "pray without ceasing" as well as a source of comfort.  Anytime you stick your hand into your pocket for some change or for your phone, you'll touch this pocket rosary and be reminded of the Lord's proximity.  


I wanted to add some extra medals.  I thought adding his patron saint, St. Sebastian (the patron of athletes) would be a nice touch.  And while I was at it, an angel would be a reminder of his protecting guardian angel.  And why not a St. Francis of Paola, the patron of naval officers?  Or St. Maximilian Kolbe who is a modern day holy example of loving your neighbor as yourself?  Suddenly, this miniature rosary was growing too large for a pocket, not to mention that the multitude of medals clinking together would sound like church bells in my brother's pocket!  


The final product is simple- 10 mater beads, 1 pater, a Marian station, and a crucifix.  Sometimes simple is better.  I am happy with the results!  I hope my brother likes it as well.  

 One for my brother and one for a friend who might also need a reminder of God's guidance, protection, and comfort.

The pocket rosary in the front of this picture is made with two of my favorite gemstones.  The Hail Mary beads are bronzite; this gemstone supposedly helps with purposeful decision making, goal setting, and following ones principles.  (If you click the picture you can view a larger version, this small one doesn't do the bronzite justice.  It is truly beautiful!)  The big orange bead (the Our Father bead) is carnelian.  Carnelian has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and is mentioned in Hebrew scripture.  The second pocket rosary has hematite Hail Mary beads and a wooden Our Father bead.  Hematite is said to aid memory and intellect.  I don't think that touching a stone can really influence how you make decisions or improve your memory, but I do like learning about the properties associated with the stones throughout history.  For me, it adds an extra level of meaning to selecting gemstones for a loved one.  For someone looking for a memory boost or better decision making skills, it can remind him to be aware of their weakness and make a conscious effort to focus on their goals.


With all the stress and constant demands for your attention, where do you find comfort?

Upcycled Soda Can Earrings

Introducing my latest earring line, a fabulous opportunity to update your wardrobe with upcycled jewelry.  Soda Can Earrings!  What do you think??

Hahahahaha just kidding!!!!  I wouldn't actually wear those!!

But here are the ones I would wear.  Each flower is made from an aluminum drink can and embellished with a range of metal components and beads.  Each pair of earrings is one of a kind.

Arizona Ice Tea Can

Grapeade Can

Arizona Ice Tea again

Coca-cola

I will have the entire collection of silver, copper, and brass earrings designed from a variety of soda and juice cans at Market Day at Graeme Park this Wednesday evening (Aug 24th) from 5:00 to dusk.  After this craft show, I will post the collection on my Etsy shop!  Check my shop or Facebook page for updates.

What do you think about this collection?

Chaplet of St. Anthony of Padua

My local church, St. Anthony of Padua, has a wonderfully active congregation and truly blessed, inspiring pastor.  St. Anthony spend his childhood in Portugal and his adult religious life in Italy in the early 1200's.  He was renowned for his preaching and for performing miracles.  Many people know him as the Patron Saint of the Lost because of an incident when one of his students stole his book of prayers.  As books were still handwritten and extremely valuable, St. Anthony was upset by the loss of the book which also included notes from his lectures. He prayed for its return and the student soon repented and returned the book.  A popular short prayer is: St. Anthony, St. Anthony look around- something is lost and can't be found.  From my experience, this is a very effective way of locating misplaced objects!

Not only is St. Anthony the patron saint of lost things, but also of lost people.  As I have been feeling somewhat lost recently, I feel a connection to the namesake of my church.  Also, his feast day is June 13th- the day after my wedding anniversary.  Over the past few months I have spent a lot of time praying for guidance and asking St. Anthony to pray with me to God for counsel.  I felt inspired to create a chaplet of St. Anthony.  Like a rosary, a chaplet is a set of beads organized in a specific pattern; each bead represents a certain prayer.

In this chaplet, there are 13 sets of 3 beads followed by a large bead.  Of the group of three, the first bead is for the Our Father, the middle for a Hail Mary, and the last for a Glory Be.  The large bead is for the Miraculous Responsory, which has flowery language but references many events in the saint's life.

If you seek for miracles,
Death, error, all calamities,
The demons fly, and leprosy,
And health succeeds infirmities.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore. 

All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
The direst need doth quickly flee.
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
Let Paduans say these are of thee.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
 And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore. 

To Father, Son may glory be 

And Holy Ghost eternally.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
 And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore. 

Pray for us, blessed Anthony, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray
O God, let the votive commemoration of
Blessed Anthony, Thy confessor,
be a source of joy in Thy Church,
that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance,
and may deserve to possess eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 (http://www.viarosa.com/VR/StAnthony/Chaplets.html#MiraculousResponsory)

For this chaplet, I chose to use coral colored Mother of Pearl beads.  The crucifix is one of my favorites.  I also added a St. Anthony medal; he is traditionally pictured holding the infant Jesus Christ because it is believed that during deep prayer one night, he had a vision of the infant child.

Polymer Clay Party

Friday was my last day of school (YAY!) and I'm going to take this next or two to finally relax.  Working 7 days (about 70 hours) a week for 10 week straight is exhausting and I've made plans to relax by doing what I love- keeping my shop up to date, working on new projects, and writing blog posts. 

I did a few polymer clay projects during a clay party with friends.  They are so creative and made some great things!  Here is a sampling of their handiwork:

 The wires sticking out of the treats are going to attach the beads to earrings or charm bracelets.  In these pictures though they are cooling off from being baked or the glaze is drying.

I haven't worked with polymer in a while, and I forgot how much fun I have molding the clay into something new.  I also forgot how much work it is to clean up and how difficult it is to be patient while they bake!

Too much

I have been slacking on the beading frontier recently. I have too much on my plate at the moment between school, work, and the necessities required to live (such as sleeping and eating...). I've been required to hold off on the multitude of projects I have lined up.

But, very shortly (as in exactly 14 days shortly), I will be officially finished with my school responsibilities and I can commence to have a beading extravaganza! I am looking forward to photographing the new projects I've been working on and sharing some new ideas I have.

I promise that I haven't forgotten to do these things and I will be back on track shortly!

Summer Stars

I've been at home for the last few hours studying and preparing for an in-service I have to give on my clinical in a few weeks.  I've been pretty absorbed in the research I was doing and was surprised to look around me and realize that I'm sitting in a dark apartment!  I just took a few minutes to stare out the window and reflect on the twinkling stars in the night sky.  Despite the lights behind the apartment building I can see quite a few stars and the moon is centered directly outside the bedroom window.  This treasury was inspired by the same night sky and was created by a fellow teammate (and founder) of the Make My Etsy Techy  team ValValVoom.



Beautiful, isn't it?

Chandelier Earrings

I saw an eye catching, rainbow hued pair of large chandelier earrings the other day, and I was inspired to pull out some extra Czech glass beads and some gold wire to create my own pair of large chandeliers.  Instead of bold primary colors, I chose subtle shades of lilac, grey, and topaz and paired the beads with gold chain and 5-strand connector bars.

 The beads might look familiar from a recent wire working project.  I put the extras to good use in these earrings.

 

Despite how large these are, they aren't heavy and I've worn them for several long days without irritating my ears.  I just have to wear my hair back so my crazy curls don't get caught in the chain!  

Over the weekend, I used the greys and lilacs to create a mini pair.  I think these are a bit more realistic for every day wear, but the big gold ones are great for dressing up.  I like the decorate daisy post which makes the chandelier shorter than using a dangle-y ear wire.  And better yet, the post and the decorative silver spacer bar are pewter so it won't tarnish and shouldn't aggravate sensitive ears.