Ode to a Dragonfly

crystal dragonfly

cast upon the breeze

fragile- like a dream

For The Love Of Larimar

I recently took my second trip to the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic.  It's pristine beaches, amazing all-inclusive resorts, friendly people, and relaxation keep drawing me back to the island shared with Haiti.

On my first trip to Punta Cana, I picked up a beautiful Larimar pendant set in sterling silver.  Larimar is a beautiful blue gemstone that is only found in the Dominican Republic. Its blue color is very similar to that of the tropical beach waters and because of its appearance, it is frequently mistaken for turquoise. Larimar stones are thought to have formed years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. It is theorized that as magma was forced from beneath the earth’s surface, it mixed with a variety of substances such as aluminum compounds, sodium, calcium and iron.


Because larimar is indigenous to the Dominican Republic and because of its unusual beauty, there is naturally a lot of Dominican folklore surrounding it. It is often looked upon as a powerful, spiritual stone. It is said to soothe, heal and enlighten. It is supposed to enable one to view things from a different perspective. The stone itself represents peace, clarity and love and is recommended for people who are stressed. This is all undoubtedly due to its tranquil blue color. 


So I finally created a necklace using the pendant and some matching earrings.  I paired the Larimar pendant with some Czech glass roundelles and some bead capped vintage crystals.  I can't wait to wear (or sell) these pieces.  It will remind the wearer of the beautiful oceans and calming nature of the sea!!!

Two Opportunities To Help Cancer Patients, Survivors, And Families

Many of you don't know this about me, but in a past life I worked in healthcare.  I have a Master's in Public Health with an emphasis in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education.  This blog is primarily about my jewelry musings, but sometimes health and jewelry can mingle.


I have been volunteering my time in getting grants for The Gallery School of Pottstown, a non-profit community art school.  One such grant was recently accepted into the "online voting" phase and I could use your help, even if you don't live in the area.


Let me tell you a little bit about the program:

The Gallery School of Pottstown in partnership with The Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center- a Fox Chase Cancer Partner- has been selected as a candidate for the 2012 LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project. The project brings proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States and finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign. Applicants with the top votes per region will receive a financial award of support to replicate and implement a sustainable program dedicated to supporting families fighting cancer. Finalists will also receive tools and resources from the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

To support the Gallery School of Pottstown, click here and vote by no later than 6:00 pm EDT, Friday, March 23, 2012. 

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I am also involved on the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Organization signature event, Yoga on the Steps.  This will be my third year fundraising and participating with over a thousand other yogis all for the same cause.  The culmination of events is when we all do yoga on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum on May 20, 2012.

Part of my team fundraising is making jewelry to sell where 75% of the profits will go to the  LBBC Organization.

I have created two versions of the "Give a Hoot for Hooters" bracelets and they are for sale for $35.00 in my etsy shoppe.

And the winner is....

Thanks to all who voted for my "Keys to My Heart" necklace in the Beadaholique contest.  With your help, I won the contest with 320 votes.  I will get $100 gift certificate to their store and some publicity in their newsletter.  I am very excited!


And without further ado...the winner of the necklace is kitblu.  I will email her directly...so if you are kitblu....check your email....


And thanks again for all your support!!!

Giveaway: Keys To My Heart Necklace

Hi everyone.

I entered a necklace in a design contest and I could really use your help.  If you are connected to Facebook all you have to do is go here and like this photo.  I am in the running to win $100 gift certificate and some publicity.  I plan on using the money to help defer costs of a breast cancer fundraising bracelet that I'm making to help the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Organization.  PLEASE HELP ME OUT!!!


Leave a comment on my blog that you "liked" the photo and be sure to leave your email address.  I will choose one winner at random to win this necklace!






Thanks for your support.
Carrie

Scrabble Tile Necklaces

It’s only February and I am gearing up for the summer already.  Each year I teach a jewelry making class at a local day camp in West Chester.  I came across an easy project that can be done in allotted time period of 30 minutes.  I will prepare the scrabble tile pendants before the class and the girls (ages 7-13) will do the beading work that goes along with the project.

I thought I would share this easy project with all my readers.  

To Make the Pendants:

1)    Pick some mixed media art that you would like to use in your project.  The images I picked were geared towards tween girls, but you can even find pretty images that adult woman could wear.  I found my art in Designs By Linda Nee’s etsy shoppe.  I purchased the art and she emailed me the file.  I then had the images printed on photo paper at Target, although you could print the images at home on an inkjet.

2)   Beadaholique is an online store that sells these epoxy stickers that are specifically designed for scrabble tile pendants and will fit over your art.  So order some of these to make your project easy peasy!  They also sell the small glue on pendant bails that you will need to purchase.  Adhesives you will need are Mod Podge to glue the art onto the scrabble tile and some E6000 to glue your small pendant bail onto the scrabble tile.

3)   Once you have all these purchased materials and a scrabble tile, the process is simple. 

a.     You will take your artwork (which should already be sized to fit the scrabble tile-if you buy scrabble-tile-specific art) and lay it flat. 

b.     Then you will take the epoxy sticker and cut it out keeping on the backing and the protective covering. 

c.     Remove the sticker backing and carefully place it over the top of your art.  Gently push on the sticker to remove any air pockets and then remove the front protective covering.

d.    Take an exacto knife or scissors and cut any excess sticker from around your art.

e.     Take your scrabble tile and apply Mod Podge adhesive to the side without the letter.  Also add some adhesive to the back of your epoxy art.  Apply the sticker with art to your scrabble tile and remove any excess glue.  Let dry for 30 minutes.

f.     Now you are ready to apply the small bail to your pendant.  Take some of the E6000 adhesive and, using a toothpick, apply to the letter side of the scrabble tile.  Add your bail to the glue and let dry for 30 minutes.

g.    Now you can use coordinating beads to finish off your project or use a simple ball chain if you are not an experienced beader.

There is a great video at Beadaholique’s website if you run into problems.  The instructional video is listed under “Mixed Media” and titled “How to Make a Scrabble Tile Pendant Using Epoxy Stickers.”

Love is Patient, Love is Kind

Love is patient and kind; It is not jealous or conceited or proud;
Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable;
Love does not keep a record of wrongs;
Love is not happy with evil, but rejoices in the truth.

Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
Love is eternal.

~1 Corinthians 13

This verse is usually associated with  a  marriage or committed relationship.  I also think of this when it comes to friendships- true, genuine friendships- and how hard it is to find people who fit this definition of love.  When you find someone like this you need to hold on for dear life!

I have a friend I will call Anne*.  She has 5 children.  She's had a pretty crappy past year- youngest child- her 2 year old son- had a stroke and heart surgery, she lost some friendships that she thought were near and dear to her- only to find out that these friendships weren't genuine and only self-centered.  Nonetheless, the loss of these friendships are still difficult  and painful.  You go through a grieving process and wonder what the hell YOU did.  But when someone is a narcissist, YOU didn't do anything wrong...you were just part of the game.  The narcissist doesn't even consciously realize that they are the root of all evil!  That is probably the worst part of it- you will never get an apology; they don't even realize that they cause so much pain and aren't capable of caring.

Well Anne and I have become friends and I am so blessed to have had the chance to know her.  When I meet new people I can usually tell within a small bit of time if I will be friends with the person.  I knew pretty quickly that we could be friends- and not just because of our common ground with being burned by the same person.  We are both genuine people who can share without judgement, we can be happy for each other when milestones and good things happy, we don't expect anything from each other- just genuine compassion for the human spirit.

I saw this pendant at a shop that I frequently purchase beads from and I thought of Anne.  She loves spirals.  I wanted to make her something that would put a smile on her face.  I don't expect anything in return- just her friendship.  I wanted to thank her for being part of my life.

So, thank you, Anne for being in my circle of friends and sharing this life journey with me.  I am blessed beyond measure!

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.  Anne will know who she is!