Backdrop Part II

This time of year I spend time getting ready for outdoor shows. Going through my travel tubs, checking supplies and making or ordering things I need. As I talked about in part I, I also work on my displays.

 I made small wooden stands for bracelets and I inspect them for any nicks and digs. Those that are scratched get a new coat of black enamel spray paint.

Then it is on to busts. I inspect them for any stains, places in need of glue or other damage. I also check to be sure I have the number and sizes (small, medium, large) I need as things get disorganized after doing winter indoor shows. Then they get packed into 2 bags.

I carry a tool bag with me to every show. I empty it out and check to be sure everything is in working order and that I have everything I might need at an outdoor show. I package some of the smaller items in baggies so it is easier to find things in the bag. Tools, level (to make sure my tables are level), shims (for really uneven ground), tons of various sized bungees, stakes and metal plates for the tent in windy weather, white duct tape and blue painters tape, zip ties, shop towels (super absorbent), rope, duster and a few other assorted itmes. Many a time my booth neighbor has benefited from this collection!

I also check my lights. I have 2 systems, one for when I have access to free power and then a battery system for when there is no power or it is expensive. After several tweaks last year to my battery system I have a new 12 volt led setup. We tested it in the driveway at dusk. It will get is first real test drive the first weekend in May.

Outdoor shows here I come!

Recent Work - More Pietersite the Tempest Stone

I made a number of these necklaces in February and am happy to report they were a hit and have all SOLD. Luckily I had more stones to create another batch! 

 
Known as the Tempest Stone, pietersite is not only beautiful by very powerful. It is found in Henan Province, China, and Namibia, South Africa. It is a variety of Quartz, composed naturally of Tiger's Eye, Hawk's Eye and Jasper, and is characterized by an incredible chatoyancy (cat's eye effect or optical reflectance effect) and brilliance of life within the stone. The most common pietersite is gold but it is also rarely seen in red and even rarer is blue. 

Its highly charged energy is almost tangible. Just as lightning clears the air and makes all things new, pietersite discharges negative energies and emotional turmoil, and cleanses the aura, restoring it to calm.

Pietersite is a powerful protection stone, especially against the elements. It calms nervous people and animals during storms, protects when driving in bad weather, and guards homes and businesses against storm damage. It also acts as a shield against the adverse effects of technology, particularly if you work long hours with a computer or live near a mobile phone mast.

Healing ability: Stimulates the physical body, providing energy and strength, and is a nervous-system stone, useful for stimulating and strengthening the nerves and brain. It eases headaches, nervous diseases, breathing difficulties, stomach pain and dizziness. It also stimulates the pituitary gland, balancing the endocrine system and the production of hormones governing metabolism, blood pressure, growth, sex, and body temperature. Thought to ease eye infections, pietersite is also reported by some users to improve long-distance focus and night vision.

 Mystical power: Helps us to weather rough and stormy periods of our life and to build new order out of chaos. Aligns energy centers while providing grounding. Dispels illusion and assisting in recognition of the beauty of the soul. Promotes loyalty to self and to the ultimate experience of life. Allows one to see beyond the horizon, helping to support human courage, tenacity, and dauntless effort to both create and maintain beauty. Boosts self-esteem when worn consistently. It is especially empowering for creative people who lack confidence in their abilities.

An important tool in bringing pent-up, internalized feelings and conflicts to the surface, allowing the unsaid and unexamined to erupt in an emotional outpouring that not only clears the air, but begins the process of healing. An excellent ally for those who are stuck or unable to make progress. Helps to clear stagnant energies, habits and life patterns, and reveals new directions for one's life. It also lends the will to take action toward those new goals. It brings one to the source of their own inner guidance, and assists one in recognizing the truth or falsehood of others' words or actions. It promotes speaking out and exploring anything that may hinder access to one's own truth. 

Note: This information is provided for curiosity only and in no way is meant to be taken as medical advice.  

 

Backdrop Part I

Well from the look of my blog you'd think I had not been working much lately! Actually it is just the opposite. I have been working on filling several orders, restocking for the outdoor show season, getting my display and booth set ups all ready for another year of shows. 

One aspect I hardly ever mention is my displays and booth. They are the backdrop for my work and I tend to treat them as such. When I first started doing shows I built some very rickety shelves out of scrap wood. Adequate, but after 6 years of heavy use they were even more rickety! 

My old shelves as I dismantled them and after removal of fabric. Scrap plywood!

So I asked my friend Ed to built me some new ones. They are beautiful, well made and light. Ed is a skilled woodworker. You can see his fabulous work at http://www.shojidesigns.com/.

Look at those corners!

I brought them home, did some light sanding, and then covered them with fabric. Some of my fabric was beyond cleaning. But luckily I had thought ahead and bought a whole bolt of the fabric I use for table coverings etc. I hated to cover them as they were so beautiful naked! 

Measure 4 times and cut once.

 

 

 

 

Ready to staple

In my booth I store a myriad of small supplies behind my shelves. Keeps things accessible and looking neat. The new ones are a smidge bigger so I have plenty of room.  

They look beautiful, such crisp edges and so sturdy!

Recent Work - Quartz

Quartz is a stone of power, clarity and harmony. It is called the "Universal Crystal" because of its many uses. it can be found all over the world.

These two necklaces feature an antiqued brass man in the moon crescent with a small, dangling quartz crystal. The first has quartz with amber and pink streaks. The back of the necklace is gold glass seed beads. The clasp and metal accents are antiqued brass. 

Healing ability: This stone is said to draw out pain and is used to strengthen all body systems. Effective for chronic fatigue, arthritis, bone injuries, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, intestinal troubles. It is known to improve mental and physical energy, stamina, and physical strength

This second necklace also has antiqued brass accents. It features rock quarts which is a pure, clear form of quartz. The back of the necklace is clear glass seed beads. 

 Mystical power: Quartz enhances energy and thoughts by absorbing, storing, amplifying, balancing, focusing and transmitting. It is beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection, and channeling. Excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment.

A stone of clarity which dispels negativity and clears away negative energy. Used to purify and clarify on the spiritual, mental, and physical planes. Powerfully protective. Enhances spiritual growth, spirituality and wisdom. Increases inspiration and creativity. Helps with concentration, studying, and retaining what one learns. A stone of harmony because it balances energies, and is even helpful in romantic relationships.

If you see things featured on my blog that you like send em an email, as not all of my work gets posted in my online store. 

** This information is provided for curiosity only and is in no way meant to be medical advice.

 

Recent Work - Pietersite the Tempest Stone

I made several necklaces with this gorgeous stone for my show last weekend and most of them sold. But do not worry, I have more!

sold

Known as the Tempest Stone, pietersite is not only beautiful by very powerful. It is found in Henan Province, China, and Namibia, South Africa. It is a variety of Quartz, composed naturally of Tiger's Eye, Hawk's Eye and Jasper, and is characterized by an incredible chatoyancy (cat's eye effect or optical reflectance effect) and brilliance of life within the stone. The most common pietersite is gold but it is also rarely seen in red and even rarer is blue. 
 

sold

Its highly charged energy is almost tangible. Just as lightning clears the air and makes all things new, pietersite discharges negative energies and emotional turmoil, and cleanses the aura, restoring it to calm.

sold

Pietersite is a powerful protection stone, especially against the elements. It calms nervous people and animals during storms, protects when driving in bad weather, and guards homes and businesses against storm damage. It also acts as a shield against the adverse effects of technology, particularly if you work long hours with a computer or live near a mobile phone mast

sold

Healing ability: Stimulates the physical body, providing energy and strength, and is a nervous-system stone, useful for stimulating and strengthening the nerves and brain. It eases headaches, nervous diseases, breathing difficulties, stomach pain and dizziness. It also stimulates the pituitary gland, balancing the endocrine system and the production of hormones governing metabolism, blood pressure, growth, sex, and body temperature. Thought to ease eye infections, pietersite is also reported by some users to improve long-distance focus and night vision

 

sold

 Mystical power: Helps us to weather rough and stormy periods of our life and to build new order out of chaos. Aligns energy centers while providing grounding. Dispels illusion and assisting in recognition of the beauty of the soul. Promotes loyalty to self and to the ultimate experience of life. Allows one to see beyond the horizon, helping to support human courage, tenacity, and dauntless effort to both create and maintain beauty. Boosts self-esteem when worn consistently. It is especially empowering for creative people who lack confidence in their abilities.

 

An important tool in bringing pent-up, internalized feelings and conflicts to the surface, allowing the unsaid and unexamined to erupt in an emotional outpouring that not only clears the air, but begins the process of healing. An excellent ally for those who are stuck or unable to make progress. Helps to clear stagnant energies, habits and life patterns, and reveals new directions for one's life. It also lends the will to take action toward those new goals. It brings one to the source of their own inner guidance, and assists one in recognizing the truth or falsehood of others' words or actions. It promotes speaking out and exploring anything that may hinder access to one's own truth.

one on left has sold

Note: This information is provided for curiosity only and in no way is meant to be taken as medical advice. 

Recent Work - Labradorite

Labradorite is a stone of magic, power and good luck.We can all use one or two of those in our lives!

This beautiful stone is found in Canada (Labrador, Newfoundland), Australia, Madagascar, Mexico, Norway, Russia and the USA.

Healing Ability: Helps develop the hands' sensitivity, making it useful for physiotherapists and all who use the power of touch to heal. Helpful in treating eye and brain disorders, and to helps regulate metabolism and the digestive process. effective in alleviating bone issues, disorders of the spinal column and the wear and tear of the joints. Rheumatism and arthritis may also benefit from this stone's healing powers.

Mystical Ability: Excellent for awakening one's own awareness of inner spirit, intuition and psychic abilities. Tempers the negative side of our personality, the traits and actions that rob our energy and may produce depression or shame. Allows you to see through illusions and determine the actual form of your dreams and goals. Stimulates enthusiasm and imagination.

According to an Eskimo legend, the Northern Lights were once imprisoned in the rocks along the coast of Labrador. It is told that a wandering Eskimo warrior found them and was able to free most of the lights with a mighty blow of his spear. Some of the lights were still trapped within the stone, labradorite.

Note: As always stone trivia is provided for curiosity only and is in no way meant to be medical advice.