Some New Bracelets

Jewelry creation has been slow these days.  But I did create several new charm bracelets over the past couple of months.  They're a little different.

'Natural' features a host of neutral colors.  I'm not sure what material the focal is,  but it's a really interesting stone.  There are seed beads,  opaque glass beads,  crystal rondelles,  sweet little millefiore rounds,  and lots of carnelian.  I used copper as the foundation for this bracelet,  with antiqued copper flowers,  discs,  and a simple copper toggle clasp.  The asymmetrical style of this bracelet is different than what I usually do.

'Party' is another copper-based bracelet,  but is entirely different than 'Natural'.  This bracelet starts out with polymer clay beads that I made,  and is finished with a glacier green chalcedony,  spring green seed beads,  interesting glass beads in shades of green and lavender,  and millefiore beads that add a little pop of red to the equation.

                                  'Girlie Girl' is an old school charm bracelet with all the sparkle and the dazzle of my usual style.  It's all about femininity and girlishness.  Pink tourmaline,  pink crackle glass,  rose quartz,  freshwater pearls,  glass beads,  and moonstone are complimented by silver stardust beads and a tiny silver-filled spiral.  This bracelet is wire wrapped with silver-filled wire and finished off with a Tibetan silver toggle clasp. 

Why Do I Love COPPER?

Many people favor the shiny yellow color of gold. My personal favorite used to be white gold or silver. However, since I’ve been dabbling in jewelry making and wire wrapping, I find myself drawn more to the richness of copper. I love its color, aura, and its flow.  It seems to enhance the beauty of the colors, textures,  and materials around it without detracting or calling attention to itself. It’s not ostentatious, nor is it so subtle that it goes unnoticed. 


I thought it would be interesting and perhaps helpful to do a little research into the healing,  mythical, and folkloric traditions surrounding the use of copper in ornaments and jewelry in order to fully understand its draw.


Here are some interesting facts and beliefs about copper:


Copper is an excellent physical conductor of electricity and heat. Spiritualists believe that is it also the conductor of spiritual energy between people, auras, the mind,  and the spiritual realm. Healers believe that copper can facilitate the process of healing by stimulating the flow of energy within the wearer.


Physiologically,  copper helps to ensure the proper functioning of the glands.


It assists in the treatment of arthritis, inflammatory,  and rheumatic diseases, as well in the prevention of wear and tear on the joints. Copper also helps to alleviate cramps.


It contributes positively to cleansing, purification,  and detoxification.


Copper improves blood circulation, helps the body to achieve maximum use of its oxygen, and stabilizes the
metabolism. It relieves lethargy and increases energy.


Copper is also believed to increase the self-esteem of the wearer, and to relieve him of worries, anxiety, and bias.
It promotes self-acceptance,  optimism, self-reliance, and tactfulness.


From a magical standpoint,  copper is considered to bring good luck to its wearer, and is carried with other luck bearing stones, talismans, and amulets to increase their power. It is often used in rituals surrounding healing, love, money,  protection, and luck.


If you have a favorite or feel particularly drawn to a stone or metal, you might enjoy digging a little deeper into its properties!    You might find some fascinating and worthwhile information!  There are many good sources for information regarding the metaphysical powers of copper as well as nearly  every other mineral,  metal, stone, herb,  plant, flower, and stone you can think of. Some of this information was compiled from http://shimmerlings.com and www.powersthatbe.com. Here are some other sites of note:

http://www.beadage.net/gemstones/gemstonesA_F.shtml - A very informative and concise record of the properties of gems and crystals.
http://crystalsandjewelry.com/metaphysicalproperties.html  - Offers a pdf catalog of stones with their uses and properties,  and information to assist in stone identification,  amongst other curiousities.



**Here’s my little disclaimer:  Independent of my beliefs,  the information provided herein has been compiled from numerous sources and is for informational purposes only. No claims or representations are expressed or implied by providing this information.

Little Green Box

I've had this little wooden box forever.  When I got it at the craft store it was unfinished and had some wire mesh across the top,  like an old fashioned pie safe.  I bought a couple of them...I'm a sucker for little wooden and papier mache boxes.
A couple of days ago,  I retrieved it from it's longtime hiding place and took it apart to sand it so that I could paint it and make it pretty.  Accidentally,  I pushed the mesh out of it.
In a fit of creativity,  I got out Tony's dremel tool and drilled some holes.  I found my mom's 20 year old crackle finish (believe it!  It still works!),  and I gave this little treasure a couple coats of paint.  Finally,  I threaded copper wire through the holes,  anchored at each side with wrapped beads and swirls.  I slid some beautiful beads onto the wires covering the top of the box to form a decorated sort of grate.

I was thinking,  perhaps I could put some deliciously fragrant potpourri into it - it would be cat safe.  I don't dare place a bowl of loose potpourri anywhere in this house,  as DC and Pete are notoriously curious!  Any ideas?  I would welcome some creative input!