Thursday, February 28, 2013

Aquamarine...It Is!

March is so special that there are two...count them two birthstones associated (betcha didn't know that!)

Aquamarine and Bloodstone....

The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. The serene color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. Its pale, cool color beautifully complements spring and summer wardrobes. Aquamarine is most often light in tone and ranges from greenish blue to blue-green; the color usually is more intense in larger stones. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique.

 
Bloodstone: 

The second birthstone for March is bloodstone, a dark-green jasper flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide. This ancient stone was used by the Babylonians to make seals and amulets and was believed to have healing powers — especially for blood disorders. It is sometimes called the martyr's stone as legend tells that it was created when drops of Christ's blood stained some jasper at the foot of the cross. Generally found embedded in rocks or in riverbeds as pebbles, primary sources for this stone are India, Brazil, and Australia.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Learning Bead Crochet

I have a full-time job, so beading and jewelry making (my current passions) I have to make time for and let me tell you...I guard my beading time very visciously...Yesterday, a member of the Bead Babes volunteered to teach us how to bead crochet...Lordy almighty, what an experience...most beading stitches etc I can pick up fairly quickly...this one I just about plucked my hair out...oh wait...I cut all my hair off.  I'm also a technical person (to a certain degree) meaning once I figure out the mechanics of the thing, I can pretty much be let loose.  After about 2 hours, I finally got the mechanics of the thing and now, I'm rocking and rolling...slowly.  Sandy says it takes her about an hour to finish a bead crochet bangle hmmm...let's just say I'm no where close to that right now...I'll post a picture of my 1st piece when I finally finish it...happy Beading day.