Sunday, October 20, 2013

Rosy summer offerings to the Lord of all creation.

I went to gather roses and twine them in a ring,
For I would make a posy, a posy for the King.
I got an hundred roses, the loveliest there be,
From the white rose vine and the pink rose bush and from the red
rose tree.
But when I took my posy and laid it at His feet
I found He had His roses a million times more sweet.
There was a scarlet blossom upon each foot and hand,
And a great pink rose bloomed from His side for the healing of the
land. (From "Roses" by Joyce Kilmer (for Katherine Bregy).)


Bracelets with red polymer clay roses, red resin roses, black Czech glass beads and brass rose toggle fasteners.

Bracelets with pink & aqua resin roses, plastic beads and silver-plated toggle fasteners.

Elasticised bracelets with assorted plastic rose beads.

Yellow rose cameo, ornate silver bracelet setting. Dark green on white rose cabochon, ornate pewter bracelet setting.

Cabbage rose cameos on wide-band silver ring settings.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

From the soft pastels of a cottage garden in spring, to the soothing blue-green waters of a rock-pool, to the warm rich tones of high summer, what better way to describe the seasonal changes than with these gorgeous silk strings and ribbons, each strand hand-made by artisans who value true craftsmanship. (Special thanks to Heidi of Jamnglass on Etsy.)

 Talking With God In His Garden. (Large ornate filigree cross with rhinestone centre, faux pearls, miracle beads, resin beads, simple hook & figure-of-eight fastener.)

Talking With God In the Ocean Deep. (Large floral cross with Swarovski pearl centre, faux pearls, resin beads, simple hook & figure-of-eight fastener.)

The Heart Of Arcadia. (Ornate fleur-de-lis heart pendant, faux pearls, resin beads, pony beads, butterfly connectors, simple hook & figure-of-eight fastener.)

Summer In Marseilles. (Large resin pendant with sweetwater pearls and diamonds, faux pearls, miracle beads, pony beads, simple hook & figure-of-eight fastener.)

By The Shores Of Avalon. (Rose cameo on lace-edged patina ring setting. Large floral filigree pendant setting with Swarovski crystals, silver toggle & hoop fastener.)

Monday, October 7, 2013

Every once in a thousand years, when the planets align in conjunction with the Sun and the Moon, in a hidden Carpathian vale the Abbey of St. Istafan reveals itself to those who are pure of heart. (Special thanks to Heidi of Jamnglass on Etsy, and to Angela Clark of Boutique Beads in Melbourne.)

First the braiding with hand-rolled & dyed silk string to attach the bronze crucifix-shape stamping onto the Chinese silk collar. Additional elements: brass hooks, European Panda style beads.

Next, the serious business of adornment, using only Swarovski elements.

The Crucifix of St. Istafan.