Silver Viking Knit Weave Necklace w Quartz Crystal & Copper Threads Pendant 2011

Quartz Crystal which has Copper Threads running through is quite unique with beautiful clarity.   The ‘rope’ necklace is my Woven Silver Viking Knit Weave using Single Weave method which when drawn through the wooden plate extends longer and thinner than the Double Weave which I use often for Bracelets.  See other posts for Viking Knit Bracelets.

'BACK DROP DETAIL' Detachable (5 inch) ~ a 1920's feminine touch as desired

Back view ~ Detachable 'Back Drop' Detail & Earrings

Necklace Back Closure Detail

Pendant of Quartz Crystal w Rutile Copper Threads ~ Close Up Detail

The formation of Quartz Crystal with different minerals within is a magical piece of Nature’s Art.                                                                                   A link for more information on Rutile Quartz Crystal.

My inspiration for the Detachable ‘Back Bead Drop’ Detail comes from the 1920′s, feminine fashion and Art Deco lines.  Design is more interesting when the whole is considered in balance, a focus in the ‘front’  with the ‘back’  treated with casual functionality only is an opportunity lost.  The textural feeling of having beads dangle, swing and sway down my back reminds me of my femininity and a strong  spine ~ pride in my beauty.

Live Your Beauty! ~  a Lucy-ism.

Star Window ~ Roy Mackey

Roy Mackey's Steel Star Bed Frame

Roy Mackey's~ Steel Star Bed Frame

Roy Mackey's~ Steel Star Bed Frame

As a side note, I happen to be lucky enough to have some of Roy’s original art pieces and love them more each year.  One such piece is a ‘Star Bed Frame’ which is wanting a new home, hard to imagine parting with this but space is a premium now.  I’ll include some shots so you can get a sense of his genius, a 1997 creation of Roy’s.

Here are some links to find Roy Mackey & his Art at:

Roy Mackey’s Web Site:   http://www.flamingsteel.com

Bill at vandam:   http://vandm.com/HammerSeries

Unique Vintage Furniture, Antiques, Jewellery  and more check out:   http://vandm.com

Amidst all our exciting adventures I have been possessed by the intrigue of creating Viking Knit Bracelets in copper and silver and include a set I offered as a contest giveaway in More Living Magazine….. so enter and win!  It’s a great local Nanaimo magazine and fun to be a part of this issue.  My husband Ralph continues to teach Vipasana Meditation and can be found on our website:  www.steppingstonesworkshops.com

While in San Francisco with our family I managed to get some photos of “Stella’s Lapis Lazuli Necklace & Earring Set” and the Blues of the Lapis match Stella’s beautiful blue eyes, Beautiful Blues for a Lovely Friend!

I also had the joy of spending hours with Susan at the Beading Frenzy (see Bead Resources for info) and now have more Murano Glass feature pieces and a lot of Swarovski Crystals, fantastic colors… sparkles …. and simply beautiful…. can’t wait to create!

Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone with intriguing qualities and history, I’ll pop that in below here.  My Lapis Lazuli is from Afghanistan.

Lapis Lazuli is a relatively rare semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue color. Lapis lazuli has been mined from mines in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years and there are sources that are found as far east as in the region around Lake Baikal in Siberia. Trade in the stone is ancient enough for lapis jewelry to have been found at Predynastic Egyptian sites, and as lapis beads at neolithic burials in Mehrgarh, the Caucasus, and even as far from Afghanistan as Mauritania.

Copper & Turqoise Viking Knit Bracelet Set - Contest Giveaway - More Living Magazine

Tibetan Turqoise & Silver - Earrings for a Goddess - March 2011

Lucy's Silver Viking Knit with Ruby Quartz Beads Bracelet

VIKING KNIT ….. finally …. October 16th, 2010  I took a jewellery course from Jill Rockwell in Victoria, B.C. (Metal & Beads Art) An incredible jewellery artist and amazingly an incredible teacher of techniques as well…. an uncommon combination.  She is highly skilled, patient and loads of fun too!  What a great experience for me to find someone on Vancouver Island who I can learn exciting new skills and also who inspires me!  Anyone nearby … or far for that matter … would be very lucky to take some training with Jill.    You can check out Jill and her Metal & Beads Arts at her Blog:   www.jrockwearableart.blogspot.com She also has a spot on the Etsy art focused website:    http://www.etsy.com

I first saw some examples of VIKING KNIT last year in San Francisco and visiting Beading Frenzy in San Mateo and was fascinated by the intricate design and the ancient textural appearance.  My mother’s heritage is Icelandic Viking so this is especially close to my heart.  They were giving a course when I was there but it was cancelled…. I’ve been on the hunt to learn this technique since.  I even went onto the ‘web’ and read the instructions on some sites….. wow, not a way I can learn.  I’m best with a hands on visual learning approach….. so finally I met Jill Rockwell at the Filberg Music Festival & Art show.  Her both display was both impeccably designed and her jewellery art spectacular, I was blown away.  Jill’s spectrum of the type of techniques she uses for her work is very wide and impressive.

I am thrilled and tickled pink (even though pink is my least favorite color) with my own  Silver Viking Knit Bracelet with Ruby Quartz beads.   Heather and I had Jill’s undivided attention & Heather created a gorgeous Copper Viking Knit Bracelet with Turquoise Beads.  The course took three hours from start to finish…… and I left with my very own hand crafted Viking Knit Bracelet, tons of sources that Jill generously shared on sources and  where to buy supplies …. and a big smile and a belly full of fun!  Ralph was so impressed with my creation and I do love to make my honey smile!        Can’t wait to get all my supplies and make a million Viking Knit pieces of Jewellery!

The sources I have contacted are:

IMPERIAL SMELING in Markham Ontario – has many types of supplies, wires etc.   Web Site:  http://www.imperialproducts.com I phoned my order in.  Wire I purchased = Silver 20 and 24 gauge -round- Annealed and spooled.   The 24 gauge used for the Viking Knit weave and the 20 gauge used for running through the center to string the beads onto at the end.    Delivery is the next day, literally, wow!

ROCK  HOUND  SHOP in Victoria, B.C.  has a vast selection of supplies and stones.  I ordered Liver Sulphur Gel from them and are great folks.    http://www.rockhoundshop.com

THE BEADWORLD in Victoria, B.C.  has been referred to me by many people and they are so willing to help and good prices.    http://victoriabeadworld.ca I bought the Craft Wire from them which is used to start the Viking Knit weave so when you finish and pull the completed length through your wood Draw Plate in decreasing sizes, you don’t waste the Silver or Copper wire when you pull with pliers.

Heather's Copper & Tuqoise Beads Viking Knit Bracelet

Lucy ~ Jill Rockwell ~ Heather showing off Viking Knit

Some Viking Metalwork History for cultural interest:

Mail or chain mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.

The word chainmail is of relatively recent coinage, having been in use only since the 18th century; prior to this it was referred to simply as mail.

The word itself refers to the armour material, not the garment made from it. A shirt made from mail is a hauberk if knee-length, haubergeon if mid-thigh length, and byrnie if waist-length. Mail leggings are called chausses, mail hoods coif and mail mittens mitons. A mail collar hanging from a helmet is camail or aventail. A mail collar worn strapped around the neck was called a pixane or standard.

Mail was a highly successful type of armor and was used by nearly every metalworking culture in North Africa, Europe, and Asia. Its use spans from around 300 BC to the dawn of the 20th century and beyond, a period of over 2500 years. Today it remains in limited use in stab vests and a number of other applications. It is also used in reenactments, decorative uses and jewelry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_(armour) = above source for Viking Chain Mail

Tibetan Turquoise Earrings Length: 2-3/4 inches

The natural beauty and wonders which are gifts from Mother Earth, endless …. & offering awe filled inspirations to create!

Songs and romantic poetry dedicated to Eyes as Blue as The Sky….. abound…. and for good reasons.  Beauty!

Stella's Lapis Lazuli 20" Necklace Features Hand Carved Lotus Flower & Earrings

Stella's 20" Lapiz Lazule Necklace Set with 3 Pairs of Earrings

Colors have magical qualities and Blue in varying shades are relaxing, soothing, calming and is abundance in nature…. the sky and the ocean, flowers and tropical birds.   Blue is associated with tranquility & peace and as a natural stone can offer qualities of increasing intuition & heighten psychic power….believed to increase mental clarity, virility & calm. Lapis Lazuli focuses energy for teachers, lecturers and speakers.  Enhances creative self-expression.  It is believed to be useful in relieving depression and promoting spirituality & a support during meditation.
Inspiring  Blues of the summer gardens …..

Stella's 'Garden Blues' Earrings (Length 2-1/2 inches)

Lapis Lazuli with it’s deep azure blue color was treasured by ancient Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations and often worn by royalty.  Egyptians used Lapis Lazuli to represent heaven, protection to ward off evil. Also believed  to be a sacred stone and buried with the dead to protect and guide them in the afterlife….was widely used  for cosmetics and painting.

Ground with motar & pestle Lapis Lazuli creates the color Ultramarine Blue for painting, used by ancient artists such as Rembrandt…. before ‘Art Supply Stores’ existed cultures ground stones and various natural elements to create all colors to paint with.  One of the semipecious stones used in Florentine mosaics ‘ Commesso’  ~ a technique of creating pictures with thin, cut-to-shape pieces of brightly semiprecious stones, developed in Florence in the late 16th century.  Commesso pictures, used mainly for tabletops and small wall panels, images range from emblematic & floral subjects to landscapes…..Symbolically associated with the Throat Chakra in the Hindu tradition ….Lapis Lazuli is found in the Afghanistan, Egypt, Canada, Chile, the US, and South America…..Lapis lazuli is not a mineral but a rock colored by lazurite, in addition to the sodalite minerals in lapis lazuli, small amounts of white calcite and of golden pyrite crystals are usually present.   The Lapis Lazuli used in these jewellery pieces originates in Afghanistan, which I purchased from an Afghanistan family owning an Afghanistan Gem Shop in ChaingMai, Thailand.

Dreams of Constellations and Astrology ~ The infinity of the Sky….Imagine…..

Stella's 'Stellar Sky' Earrings (Length 2-3/4 inches)

As we  surround ourselves with Beauty….. our Spirits and lifted and our Hearts are filled with the goodness of Nature!  …. and on that note,  let’s take time to Breath in our own  ‘True Inner Goodness’!

Marjorey Sparkling in Tibetan Turquoise Earrings - Island Bridges Retreat2010

Marjorey Sparkling in Tibetan Turquoise Earrings - Island Bridges Retreat2010

The Island Bridges 2011 excitement and magic is already percolating in many hearts!

I M S - Insight Meditation Society - Barre, Massachusetts

I know it’s been a while since my last entry…… but whew, researching web site information and it’s just the beginning, sigh…. we have just returned from  Boston to a Meditation Retreat at the I M S (I nsight Meditation Society) in Barre, Massachusetts.  It was just what we needed and the teachings and personal experiences are worth their weight in gold.  Ralph and I both are committed to the practice of meditation, Therevada Insight Meditation, and it has helped us navigate the waves in the ocean of life.  This was a nine day silent Monastic Retreat and our Teachers were skilled and gifted Monks (Aj. Amaro, Aj. Punnadhamo, Tan Caganando along with Taraniya) trained in the Thai Forest approach originating with Aj. Chah from the North East of Thailand.  This retreat out of everyday demands restored our spirits and our practice, with a lot of humor thrown in too! Seeing more clearly with more space in my head for beauty to reside, I look forward to creating soon.  Deep gratitude to the Teachers and the I M S for this amazing opportunity.

Buddha statue in Garden - I M S

Wisteria in bloom at I M S

After the retreat and staying at the I M S (pristine natural beauty, stillness and fabulous food too), we ventured forth into the ‘real’ world….. rented a car and drove from one end of Cape Cod to the other.  We stayed in Hyannis as it was central and we didn’t have a lot of ambition for busyness and enjoyed five days of togetherness and sharings of our meditation experiences (we hadn’t talked for nine days!) over delicious coffee, beaches and just general exploring.  It is the home of the Kennedys and I found two great shops for bead inspiration which are in the Beading Resources.    We even took a cheese making course one afternoon with a lovely woman we met at the retreat, fascinating and fun.  So…. having soaked up the beauty of nature and with a renewed meditative mind, I begin each day with a focus to be happy with what I achieve today and being fully present in the experience of the here and now.  On that note, when the next post happens or the web site progresses, I am simply happy with who I am right now…. knowing there really is no point in future hopping we only miss the true beauty of now.            Slow down and enjoy the beauty around you, and be inspired!

P.S.  If you are interested in reading about Meditation, my husband Ralph writes a blog on his ‘real’ daily experiences at:  www.vancouverislandmeditation.wordpress.com

Buddha in Meditation Hall - Forest Retreat -IMS

Bee in the Cherry Blossoms - IMS May 2010

I found a fabulous feature piece of Murano Glass – Lime (the color of spring budding forth) – and in my mind designed a necklace with this piece and also some square 1/4 inch Swarovski Crystal (The Story link)  beads, as well as some small beads between these.  Wow!  I can hardly wait to create this piece in reality, the colors are so gorgeous I am afraid I may not want to even sell it.

I’m working on my Web Site …. which is no easy or quick feat …. so computer bound I am for the time being.  One step at a time….. I feel like the lime Murano and Swarovski crystal (Swarovski jewellery link)  is a carrot at the end of some serious computer work.

If you’re interested in some history of Murano glass:

History of Murano Glassmaking

It is believed that glassmaking in Murano originated from 9th century Rome, with significant Asian and Muslim influences, as Venice was a major trading port. Murano’s reputation as a centre for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and destruction to the city’s mostly wooden buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano glass is still interwoven with Venetian glass.

Murano’s glassmakers were soon the island’s most prominent citizens. By the 14th century, glassmakers were allowed to wear swords, enjoyed immunity from prosecution by the Venetian state and found their daughters married into Venice’s most affluent families. However glassmakers were not allowed to leave the Republic. Many craftsmen took this risk and set up glass furnaces in surrounding cities and as far afield as England and the Netherlands.

By the end of the 16th century, three thousand of Murano island’s seven thousand inhabitants were involved in some way in the glassmaking industry.

Murano’s glassmakers held a monopoly on quality glassmaking for centuries, developing or refining many technologies including crystalline glass, enamelled glass (smalto), glass with threads of gold (aventurine), multicoloured glass (millefiori), milk glass (lattimo), and imitation gemstones made of glass. Today, the artisans of Murano are still employing these century-old techniques, crafting everything from contemporary art glass and glass figurines to Murano glass chandeliers and wine stoppers.

Today, Murano is home to a vast number of factories and a few individual artist studios making all manner of glass objects from mass marketed stemware to original sculpture. The Museo Vetrario or Glass Museum in the Palazzo Giustinian, which holds displays on the history of glassmaking as well as glass samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day.

Murano Glass was produced in great quantities in the 1950s and 1960s for export and for tourists.

The Swarovski Crystal – The Story – has a lovely unfolding history of it’s beginnings and evolution.  The area about the muse describes the design inspirations from nature which are fascinating and intriguing to think about.  Quite a great story about a family and it’s art.

Well, below is the information for The Beading Frenzy in San Mateo California which I have added to my resource page.

It’s Spring!  Be In Joy and Inspired by Nature bursting forth around you!

THE  BEADING  FRENZY

1001  So. El Camino Real at 10th Avenue

San Mateo, California   94401

Phone:  650-347-2323

Email:  inquire@thebeadingfrenzy.com

*** An incredible Shop with tremendous selection of beads, findings, supplies and fabulous classes on a regular basis.  Definitely worth a long visit if you are in the area (San Francisco).  I was fortunate to meet the owner, Susan, and she is an expert and helped me out with some techniques I needed to learn…. besides being able to buy some Murano Lime Glass and Swarovski Crystal square beads.  I went to drop in for a quick look and spent three hours.  I’m going to be a regular fan when we go and visit Dad just around the corner from The Beading Frenzy, lucky me!

Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco  De Young Magazine  2009

TUTANKHAMUN and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs  -  de Young  -  June 27, 2009 – March 28, 2010

http://www.kingtut.org Tour Information

If you are interested in Tutankamun and will be in the San Francisco area, the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, it’s  on until March 28th and well worth the effort.

A very dramatic exhibition with an overview of the lineage of the pharoahs and family connected to Tutankamun, is an interesting historic overview.  The galleries are divided into:  Gallery 1:  Artistic depiction          Gallery 2:  Lineage – Lineage – Genaology     Gallery 5:  Lineage and artistic depiction      Gallery 7:  Poor Health        Gallery 8:  Artistic depiction

It is very different than the previous exhibition I saw in Chicago in the early ’80′s, which was filled with this sense of  stunning energy from the displays…. very different dramatics at deYoung….. the Sarcofogus is not on this exhibit but visuals of the depth of the burial details are presented well.  The Jewellery & Adornments were stunning in of course Gold, Turqoise, Lapiz, Carnelian, and the sculpted tops of sacred jars were carved out of Calcite and painted – they looked like glowing white stone.  The Pectoral piece was especially incredible in detail and elaboratness.

I came away with as renewed feeling of the historic overview of the era of Tutankhamun and his father, mother and grandmother which I had forgotten.  We felt it was a dramatic experience and the displays are breathtaking.  My father-in-law had studied Egyptology when he retired and visited Cairo at that time, seeing the originals, but he was thrilled with our visit to this exhibition.

A beautiful setting in the Park and an remarkable experience to feel close to the Pharoahs and Egypt again.  San Francisco has so many other experiences to enjoy after the museum!

King Tutankhamun

Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco  De Young Magazine  2009

More of this inspiration to come once I land and upload pictures….. from the replicas in the gift store…. no photos are allowed by the exhibition of Tut (but the rest of the deYoung offers photo ops with flash off).

King Tut - Pectoral Jewellery with Solar/Lunar Emblem and Scarab (3rd from right)

http://www.famsf.org

For more information and details from these photos refer to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco – DE Young Summer 2009

Great magazine with a tremendous amount of informative beautifully presented information, images and current events!

While in the Gift Store at deYoung Museum I was able to take the following photos of jewellery which are replicas of the Egyptian Era from this Exhibition.

Egyptian Necklace - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Egyptian Necklace & Earrings - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Egyptian Eye of Horus Necklace - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Egyptian Necklace - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Egyptian Bracelet – deYoung Museum San Francisco – Gift Store

Egyptian Bracelet – deYoung Museum San Francisco – Gift Store

Egyptian Necklace - deYoung Museum San Francisco - gift Store

Egyptian Necklace & Earrings - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Egyptian Necklace - deYoung Museum San Francisco - Gift Store

Lucy's Scarab Ring - Custom made from scarab mold

This Pinky Ring – my favorite Scarab – was made for me by a jewellery in Winnipeg in the early 80′s from a mold he had from an original scarab ring from Egypt.  I have worn it for years and enjoy the symbolism of the Scarab -Rebirth and the Sun (also for me it is like the lotus flower which arises from the mud into all it’s glory, the scarab beetles are birthed from the dung where their eggs are laid in).

Egypt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewellery#Egypt

The first signs of established jewellery making in Ancient Egypt was around 3,000-5,000 years ago.   The Egyptians preferred the luxury, rarity, and workability of gold over other metals. Predynastic Egypt had Jewellery in Egypt soon began to symbolize power and religious power in the community. Although it was worn by wealthy Egyptians in life, it was also worn by them in death, with jewellery commonly placed among grave goods.

In conjunction with gold jewellery, Egyptians used coloured glass in place of precious gems. Although the Egyptians had access to gemstones, they preferred the colours they could create in glass over the natural colours of stones. For nearly each gemstone, there was a glass formulation used by the Egyptians to mimic it. The colour of the jewellery was very important, as different colours meant different things; the Book of the Dead dictated that the necklace of Isis around a mummy’s neck must be red to satisfy Isis’s need for blood, while green jewellery meant new growth for crops and fertility. Although lapis lazuli and silver had to be imported from beyond the country’s borders, most other materials for jewellery were found in or near Egypt, for example in the Red Sea, where the Egyptians mined Cleopatra‘s favourite gem, the emerald. Egyptian jewellery was predominantly made in large workshops attached to temples or palaces.

Egyptian designs were most common in Phoenician jewellery. Also, ancient Turkish designs found in Persian jewellery suggest that trade between the Middle East and Europe was not uncommon. Women wore elaborate gold and silver pieces that were used in ceremonies.

Some interesting tidbits about the Egyptian Jewellery for some history.  Symbology used for adornments and jewellery are fascinating and inspirational!

Our Special Gem .... Khyah

Welcoming the New Year 2010 has been so packed with family, friends and life in general I haven’t had a chance to enjoy my blog time.  When I realized the winter Olympics had arrived in Vancouver that meant it’s February already!  I have been designing my business card, and another for Ralph for his mindful meditation and next will be designing my web site.  Everything takes longer than anticipated but it’s an interesting journey and lessons of patience are needed and enjoyed.  Ralph said if I wait much longer I’ll be in time for Thai new year, Songkron in April.  So here is my first blog for 2010.  May this year be filled with dreams come true, joy, inspiration & beauty!

One of our most ‘Precious Gems’ is our Grandaughter Khyah, and we had the joy of spending some time together when she and her vibrant Dalton, came over to Vancouver Island to visit and see the concert with Jamyang Yeshi.  Jamyang is a special Tibetan friend who has a beautiful spirit and voice to match!  The time we all spent together was very delightful.  With Khyah living on the Sunshine Coast, which means a ferry ride to Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay and then another 1-1/2 hr ferry ride to Vancouver Island and our spot, Nanaimo ….. it’s a jaunt.  Khyah’s spirit is just so amazing and her exotic beauty is matched by her voice, she has grown into one incredible young woman! How did our Bunny become 19??  She is bursting with her unique gifts and life possibilities!

Jamyang Yeshi with Khyah & Dalton

It seemed so appropriate to gift her a Red Coral Necklace for Chanukah, the power of her presence and the natural power of the red coral are a perfect match!   May this Red Coral be a special companion on your journey Khyah!  We offer Gratitude for You being You!  Go Girl!!

Khyah & Dalton.... ringing in the New Year with Love!

Khyah's Red Coral Necklace - with hand tied knots