Frida y Estrellas (Frida & Stars) - TREASURY ITEM

I designed these earrings a good two weeks before I made the first pair.  I put them on temporary wires and fell in love right away.  But something kept me from finishing them.  I think my hesitation was due to the fact that I've had the wooden beads for a long time and I know that they are irreplaceable.  The yellow mango beads are also one-of-a-kind. 

I love Frida Kahlo.  I love turquoise.  I absolutely love these earrings.

I bought the wooden beads a few years ago and planned to use them in a necklace that never came to be.  I loved the beads too much to put them all in one piece!  These beads are handcrafted, which means that each one is slightly different, but they all have a starry night-like patten.  And, if I remember correctly, they were made in Indonesia.  I paired them with mango yellow glass beads from Java (on top) and Turquoise beads (on the bottom).  A tiny copper tube bead finishes each earring. 

Something about the turquoise beads (with beautiful black matrices) bring in a Frida Kahlo feeling, which is why I decided to name these "Frida y Estrellas" or "Frida and Stars."  The way the colors combine also make me think of Ms. Kahlo, which also makes them versatile and very wearable.  I sold a pair of these at my line launch, and I had to make a pair for myself, so these earrings are limited edition, as I only have a limited amount of the wooden and Javan beads available. 

Metaphysically speaking:
Turquoise is a powerful healing stone that can help wearers with meditation, balance, and communication.  It is also a protective stone that enhances love, friendship, and loyalty.  Find out more about Turquoise here: http://gemstone-dictionary.com/turquoise.php.

Copper lends energy when one is tired and aids in grounding when one is restless.  Copper also helps enhance non-verbal communication.  Find out more about Copper here: http://gemstone-dictionary.com/copper.php.

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Update: 7/25/2011 - These have been featured in a Treasury! 

Princess of the Skies Necklace: Turquoise, Magnesite, and TierraCast

 
I wanted this necklace to reflect the endless blue skies of the southwest USA while maintaining a bohemian feel.  I restrung this necklace more than once in order to get the length and aesthetic unity just right. I hope the wearer of this necklace feels like a princess who is connected with the natural minerals of the earth and the expansive and varied blues of the skies.

Description:
While designing this necklace, I wanted to imbue the finished piece with a classic, yet bohemian, one-of-a-kind quality, and I believe that the "Princess of the Skies'" mixture of materials, shapes, and textures have fulfilled my intention.

The centerpiece of this necklace is a 1 ¼" wide by ¾" long sky blue turquoise pendant with a beautiful matrix on each side, which makes this necklace reversible.  TierraCast silver plated pewter Turkish and  smooth rondelles are interspersed between blue turquoise beads, handcrafted reconstituted blue turquoise beads, and sky blue faceted magnesite nuggets with distinctive matrices.

This one-of-a-kind necklace is light to moderate weight and 16 ¾" long.

Check out this entry on Turquoise: http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones/turquoise.htm.  Turquoise is truly a powerful stone!


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Kathmandu Dreams I Necklace

Elegant, yet dramatic, "Kathmandu Dreams I" is the first necklace in my Kathmandu Dreams series.  The focal point of this necklace is the solid brass pendant with intricate lotus flower detail and turquoise and coral inlay, which was designed and handmade by a Nepalese artisan.  Free-form green turquoise beads, handcrafted reconstituted blue turquoise beads, faceted and square cut brick red jasper beads, and Tierracast gold plated pewter Turkish and  smooth rondelles complete this one-of-a-kind necklace. 

The free-form green turquoise beads, which are a lovely blend of viridian and blue inflections, have a beautiful, rich matrix.  The handcrafted blue reconstituted turquoise beads are unique and echo the texture of the pendant.  Both varieties of turquoise coupled with the rich, red jasper, and Tierracast beads create harmony with the Nepalese pendant, which rests on a piece of starry, midnight blue goldstone. 

Slightly over 1 ¾" by 2 ½" (including the bail), the pendant weighs about a 1/2 lb.  This necklace is of light to moderate weight with 19 1/2" of stones and is 21" with the antiqued gold flower toggle clasp.

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