Item of the Day: Atlantis Revisited

My choice today is a silver and Swarovski crystal necklace in Bermuda Blue shade, one of my favourite shades that seem to encompass all the colours from aqua to greeny turquoise to deep dark blue with sometimes just a hint of yellow in the centre of the pendant.

The pendant is wire wrapped and suspended from a curved sterling silver bar which is connected to more Bermuda blue crystal beads and hammered oval Bali silver connectors in 2 sizes.

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Quote of the day

So long as you sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain - Helen Keller

To all the helpful people in the world!

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Item of the Day

I have chosen a quirky necklace for today's item...I call him "Jolly Rodger".


You know, sometimes I can't help myself. I do love skulls. I don't know what that says about me, and I know my oldest son finds it strange, but there you are. I also totally adore Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, so that may explain the skull and crossbones here.

Anyway, this is a wonderfully detailed brass stamping that has been given a copper finish. I drilled its bones (carefully!) and added a copper plated chain. Jolly Rodger only got a single pearl from the booty of the last galleon taken - perhaps that why he doesn't really look that jolly...

Click on the post title for more information.

Item of the Day-Crochet Bag

http://www.artfire.com/users/loopylou A versatile crochet bag with ribbon closure, measuring approximately 5" high. Can be used as a gift bag, or for someone that enjoys crafts, it will hold a small craft project on the go.

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Things that inspire me: My garden

Where do you find your inspiration for creating?
Of course, it's seldom just one thing that gives you that creative energy, but a lot of pieces put together. But som pieces are definitley larger than others!

For me, the nature and my garden are among the largest pieces. Right now my garden has flowers everywhere, it seems. And I wish I could send some of their wonderful fragrance through internet to your place. But I can't. So you'll just have to settle with some pictures. Hope you can find some inspiration in them!

Peones in different levels of decay
See those lovely pinks? How they go from fuchsia to bubblegum?

Carnations.
These are originally dark pink, almost purple. But some has mutaded or something and now shows off a wonderful palette of pinks and white.

Busy Lizzie.
Hard to believe this one's for real. Like "polkagris"
(a sweet I think is called Pig mint in english).

The honey rose.
Look at those flowers! The buds are butter yellow and as the flowers open up
and send their wonderful rose scent all over the garden,
they slowly turn paler and paler and finally they are white.

The Paeonia x festiva with its wonderful fragrance in front and
the honey rose climbing upp the porch in the back.
Talk about concentrated beauty and perfume!
In a week or two the flowers will be gone, but what lovely weeks!

Europe Trivia - Wedding Traditions

I thought that it would be interesting to look at some of the traditions and myths surrounding weddings - these certainly relate to my country, Scotland, and the U.K. as a whole, and I would be interested to hear if they are the same across Europe.

Flower Girls Greeting Card by The Spotted Sparrow - This would be a lovely Invitation or Thank You card. Just remember to include a coin if the gift was of a knife or knives, so that the friendship is not cut!

Everyone knows the rhyme :-

"Something borrowed;

Something blue;

Something old; and

Something new." - Traditionally, the Bride is meant to wear one of each for good luck.

Blue Briolettes by Leela Bijou - for that touch of glamorous blue every Bride needs.

The bride should not make her own wedding dress, as for every stich that she sews, she'll shed one tear during her marriage. It is also unlucky for the Groom to see the dress before the wedding ceremony itself . As to the colour of the dress :-

Married in White - You have chosen right.
Married in Blue - your lover is true.
Married in Pink - your fortunes will sink.
Married in Green - you will not long be seen.
Married in Red - you'll wish you were dead.
Married in Yellow - ashamed of the fellow.
Married in Brown -you'll live out of town.
Married in Gray -you'll live far away.
Married in Black - you'll wish you were back.

I married in ivory which does not appear on the list, so I'm counting that as "white" - it'll be twenty years this December...yes, I was a child bride!

White Coptic Bound Journal by Ignis Fatuus - for writing down thoughts and memories - or why not have all your guests sign it as a memento of your day?

To some, pearls represent future tears and are a bad sign for the couple, but to others, the wearing of pearls take the place of the Bride's tears, leaving her with a happy, tear-free wedded life.

Precious Pearls by Silver Soul Design - I think this would be beautiful on a Bride for a tear-free marriage!

The wedding ring is considered sacred and should not be lent to others to try on, as this is certain to bring bad luck - even the possibility of unfaithfulness. It is a symbol of the never-ending circle of love between the couple. If ever the wedding ring is removed by a Bride it must be her Groom who returns it to her finger to continue the good luck.

Beer Soap by Saffron Barr - The Groom will want to smell his manly best for the love of his life!

The Bride should not sign her new married name before the Wedding as this tempts fate.

Where there is love...a bonny bag by Jenny Karlsson Design. I think this would be pefect for taking to a Wedding.

Traditionally, it is lucky for a Bride to meet a lamb, a dove, a spider or a black cat on her way to the church, but a pig or a funeral are bad omens. It is also said to be lucky for the Bride to see a policeman, doctor, clergyman or a blind man. The Groom should give a coin to the first person he sees on his journey to the church for good luck.

Swirling Water Silver Cufflinks by Ali Bali Jewellery - A perfect present for the Groom or Best Man.

Evening Shawl by Loopy Loo - for a fabulous cover-up when things get a little cooler in the evening.

This is just a brief round-up of some of the many traditions and superstitions surrounding Weddings here - together with some ideas for fabulous gifts and ideas for Weddings. You will find the Studios of our members bursting at the seams with many more...do come and have a look!

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