Sunday’s Gem — Jade

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein

Since prehistoric times, man has used Jade for tools, weapons, jewelry, religious ornaments, and other purposes.

Wealthy ancient Chinese people used jade burial suits (https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-significance-of-jade-in-Chinese-culture)

Wealthy ancient Chinese people used jade burial suits (https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-significance-of-jade-in-Chinese-culture)

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More Healing Bracelets

I just realized it’s been awfully long since I posted pictures of the jewelry I’ve been beading, so let’s remedy that, shall we?

If you’re not into beads or jewelry or creativity, that’s okay. We don’t all have the same interests. You can skip reading right now.

Sure, you’ll hurt my feelings, but I’ll get over it. As Henry Rollins said, “Being an artist is dragging your innermost feelings out, giving a piece of yourself, no matter in which art form, in which medium.”

Just don’t leave forever, ‘k? Come back and join us next time, when I’m not writing about beads!

Still here? Great — thanks, and let’s get right to it.

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How to pass a rainy day

It rained and stormed much of yesterday.

Yuck — boring.

So, I decided to pass some time doing one of my favorite hobbies — beading jewelry.

There’s something wonderfully relaxing about rolling different shaped beads between your fingers. About matching (or contrasting) different textures and colors. About fashioning glass and stones and metals into earrings, bracelets, or necklaces.

And it’s fabulous having unique pieces to wear! When I get tired of something, I just break it apart and re-create it into something else. Or make something new to go with a new outfit. Or “copy” a cool design I saw in a magazine, giving it my own special touch.

I’m surprised at how many compliments I’ve gotten on my handmade creations, too. People tell me I should open up a little business, maybe on the Interwebs, and sell my stuff.

I don’t know. That sounds like a lot of work.

I’d have to line everything up, take individual pictures (of hundreds of items!), edit those pictures, design a Website (complete with shopping cart for orders), monitor the incoming orders, package the orders, ship the orders, handle any customer complaints — gosh, I get bleary-eyed just thinking about it!

I think I’ll stick with Web design and writing.

But for those interested in what I came up with, here’s a photo:

This is a Y necklace with a silver lobster-claw fastener. It measures 22 inches around the neck, with a four-inch “tail.” I used a combination of green Russian jade, tiger’s eye, pink zebra jasper, and fire-polished crystals, interspersed with mostly silver spacer beads.