Magickal Adornments...Circlets

With Weddings and Renaissance fairs around the corner I thought I share a little about Circlets  and Headpieces. If you google it you will find sooo many styles available from wire formed ones to simple chains and chain with gemstones ones and everything in between.  In my research of head jewelry history, I found that they date back to 30BC to the Ancient Egyptians but not only that it's throughout many other cultures such as well, the Chinese, Greeks and Romans; Medieval jewelry of the Middle Ages included headpieces in their culture too.  Though wearing bridal tiaras has been a well practice tradition, simple headpieces inspired by the gorgeous and elaborate Matha-Patti (Indian word for headpiece, also known as Shinghar-Patti) have also become popular in the past few years.

I was inspired to create...

my first headpiece 12 years ago just before I birthed Creations by Moonlight into existence.  Making jewelry with healing crystals was my first inspiration to share with the world one of my very first tools in my Medicine Bag.  This particular headpiece I made was for myself, for my own wedding in May of 2003. The wedding had a Celtic flavor to it, we created our own ceremony from start to finish, chose the things that inspired us and that had meaning to us to share in our wedding.  Like one of my inspiring mentors says...take what speaks to you and bless the rest.  We didn't want a traditional wedding so we took what had meaning to us and created a magickal experience for ourselves as well as friends and family.  We even had our officiant perform a sword blessing upon us.  It was suppose to be a gorgeous outside wedding in the wonderful Colorado Mountains, but the weather chose to turn on us and we had a late snow fall, so thanks to my awesome friends we pulled it all together to make it happen inside the lodge!  Both of my children were part of the wedding and ceremony as well.

My headpiece was a simple creation...

with drappy sterling silver chain, accented with gold and exquisite stones that not only picked up the Lavender color of our wedding theme but also had special meaning to me.

Since then I've created various styles by way of special orders and that's when I decided to offer them in my shop.

When I opened Creations By Moonlight's shop, I was inspired to create many different styles of headpieces from simple wire and chain such as these. To more elaborate ones such as the one above and these below.

They have been popular to wear not only in weddings...

but also as accessories for Renaissance fairs and other festive celebrations; or just to adorn the Goddess in You.  Like photographer Trish McNiell, from Queensland, Australia.  She looks stunning as she honors her inner Goddess and allows her to shine in a gorgeous self portrait, wearing the Mother of Pearl headpiece I created!  She's one of my wonderful Goddess Sisters from the original Goddess Circle with Leonie Dawson. You can see Trish's work on her site or follow her on FB.

The fact that they stimulate the third eye...

inspired me to make these fun and simple headpieces, which are in between a Maang Tika and a bindi, both are Indian jewelry that fall on the forehead and settle just between the eyes. They are said to stimulate the third eye, our sixth Chakra.  Which is our innate psychic abilities, the most common traits associated with this Chakra are the insight, intuition and imagination. This Chakra essentially forms a bridge between the Mind, Body and Spirit.

There have been celebrities as well that have chosen to wear headpieces for their own weddings. From the elaborate and stunning headpiece worn by Elizabeth Hurley when she married Arun Nayarthe in 2007.

To the more simple yet classy one worn by Kim Kardashian at her wedding in August 2011 to Kris Humphries.

As well as the drappy one that I not only loved, but found the dress to be just as stunning as well, worn by Alicia Keys in her wedding on August 2010.  She looked so magickal and Goddessie. She even had Deepak Chopra as officiant for her gorgeous wedding.

So there you have it...

a little history on Circlets and my experience with them.  What are your thoughts about headpieces used as adornments, either in weddings or other occasions?  Would you ever wear one?  Feel free to share and even post photos of you wearing your headpieces in the FB group.

Spring Has Arrived...

At least it has in my little corner of the world.  I have spent the last couple weeks following the call to creating new and fun beach and sea inspired pieces for my Shop.  I'll be listing them soon but for now I wanted to offer my tribe a huge 33% off Spring Sale.  Why 33%, well I'm partial to the number 3...in Numerology it's key words are Joy and Creativity...a perfect way to commemorate Spring on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the year!

Another Peek into My Studio

I thought today I would give you a peek as to how I create my stampings.  Since my introduction of Stamped Inspirations, my hubby suggested I make some that said "I love Alpacas" on them, with fiber cording, for one of our upcoming Fiber Festivals.  Shortly after he posted our new joint creations on Facebook, our friends and fans who own sheep, rabbits and llamas as fiber animals chimed in and requested some

Pendants with their favorite fiber animal

 ...and so I made some.  Hubby photographed these over top of their appropriate fibers.  Pretty huh?

Okay so I said I would share my process...

Here we go then...as you know I enjoy making all my findings by hand, jumprings, headpins and such.  Well the same approach was used in creating my Stamped Inspirations :)
 

First off the blanks needed to be punched out...for this I use a device called a die cutter.  This to me is the hardest part as it takes some muscles to punch them out.

 
After that it's off to the bartex machine...my blue monster, where I buff off all the sharp edges around each piece.  I use a set of pliers for this cos' the metal does get hot, the pliers makes it easier to  handle ;) 

Then the fun begins...

I start the stamping, where I get to create the phrases that are going to be displayed on the blanks.  I had fun picking out the fonts I wanted to use on my stampings...so much so, that I chose two different styles one for Caps and one for Lowercases.

From there I give each piece a concave backing finish...using a Dapping block.  Then I finish the edges with my Chasing Hammer,

giving it that cool etched edge ;)

Then I punch out a hole in the blanks and give the letters a Patina finish, a chemical process that tarnishes the blanks.  Then the second hardest process begins, I buff off the extra Patina and make each piece shinny again, leaving the Patina only in the grooves of the letters.

I'm not as close to the computer as it looks :)

I then make the jumprings, fuse them and they are ready for their cords...






Once the cords are on they get one last polish and wala...beautiful stampings!

 

Magickal Monday Adornments~Stamped Inspirations

There are times when one hits some rough stops in one's life and all too often forget...forget to breathe, forget our dreams, or forget we are never alone.  These past 6 weeks have been like that for me.  Suffering through so much physical pain and discomfort on top of dealing with financial stress.  But those are also the times when Miracles happen and break throughs occur.

And so...through the darkness a little light shown through...   

Giving birth so some wonderful and fun new pieces for my shop.  During these weeks, I found myself relying on the lessons I've learned so far this year...simple reminders.  Which then lead me to think about how to make those reminders more present, of course putting stickie notes on my mirrors, frig, computer and where ever else is a great idea but so is wearing it or hanging them for our car review mirror and key chains.   Thats where it hit me, I've been thinking about some new and exciting pieces and I saw how popular stampings were up at the Telluride Artist Market.  So, that's when I thought...you're a pretty creative gal, I know you can come up with something fun and pretty...Goddessie like yet hip and modern. 

That's when my Stamped Inspirations came to me.  I've created a Limited Edition of a few sayings in necklace form, that resonate with me as powerful reminders during my time of need.  I have lots more sketches and ideas for key chains and simple leather cord pendants...but for now I'm introducing you to my first creations.

Of course, there are many more sayings out there and I would love to hear what some of your's are!

Remembering I'm not alone is something I was reminded of when Mentoring with Lori-Lyn from Dream Life Studios.  Her loving gentle guidance and wonderful wisdom was exactly what I needed to kick off my year.  Learning to work with my Guides and Angels reminded me that "I am never alone".  I further delved into my communication with Angels and Faeries (Nature's Angels) through Sheri Ann Ponzi's "Angels in my Studio".

Doing Soulodge: A Sanctuary for Women with Pixie Campbell reminded me of my  wild and free spirit and to follow my dreams no matter what...were also great reminders.

But I believe the most powerful one was "Just Breathe"

...much too often in the mists of those rough patches, I find myself holding my breath forgetting to breathe deep, as well as forgetting to slow down and spend time outside barefoot (one of my most favorite things to do) and connect with Mother Earth allowing her to ground me and fill me up with her healing energy. 

As you all know I love going barefoot and I so was hoping to be able to finance the Barefoot Breathing eCourse by Jackie Stewart.  But with all the financial crises going on right now for us it would take a huge miracle for me to be able to pull it off.  But that's okay...she offers many beautiful free meditations and such through her site that it will do for now...but of course I had to make one declaring I'm a "Barefoot Breather"!

Meditation and my Yoga practices, were also life savers for me during this rough spot.  But, with my mouth pain I couldn't do some of my poses, and when I got frustrated and stopped for a few days, my 5 year old asked me why...then said "You can still do it Mom"!...and said "just don't put your head down, don't do the one's that make your mouth hurt"....out of the mouth's of babes, right?  In case you've not figured it out yet...I'm an all or nothing kind of gal.  I like to give my 100% in all I do, I don't like half assing it if you know what I mean...but sometimes that is self defeating.

And so...I'm learning to let go...just be...and move forward.

I still have more dental work ahead of me, but I believe the most painful part has passed.  Oh, and about those Miracles I mentioned...yes, once again the Universe provided us with a Miracle...I was able to get Medical Financing to cover the thousands I've had to invest in my mouth... and though I don't know how we are gonna mange to pay it back...once again I'm reminded about my word for the year and to Trust...that all will be well and this too shall pass.

 

Just Breathe

"Just Breathe" has been my mantra for the past 4 weeks...sometimes life can get difficult and we can get so caught up in it that we forget to breathe...that's me.  Stress...oh good old stress and anxiety has been part of my life for so many years and now well, it's catching up to me, in more ways then one.

Soon after getting the second call from my NP...

explaining to me why there was a "suspicious" spot in my first Mamo and nothing in the next...I felt relieved and back to my normal crazy life.  As I'm sure you all know about the scare I had with my first Mamo.

But then I was faced with another health issue...

after seeing my dentist, I was told I had gum disease...I was appalled.  Me...the tooth fanatic, anyone close to me knows how important I think oral hygiene is, I never "forget" to brush and I get on everyones case if they do, I floss frequently, in fact I have floss in my purse, car, emergency kit and of course in my overnight bag, I don't leave home without it.  My gums never looked or felt horrible as the pictures they showed me, yet here I was.  At age 15 when I got my braces I was told I had very large fillings, and that I would have problems later in life.  My large fillings were no surprise...I don't recall good oral hygiene being a priority in our home growing up, so by my early teens I already had a mouth full of fillings.    So...I became a tooth fanatic, I recall my fellow Marines making fun of me cos' I would carry a travel toothbrush and floss in the pocket of my camos.  I have to inject here that my daughter 22yrs old has no fillings and my middle son 17 only one...trust me insurance or not I made sure my kiddos went to the dentist twice a year...some how I managed it cos' it was so important to me that they didn't go down the same road. Anyway, when I got home from the dentist, I did some research and found out that gum disease is genetic...I recall seeing photos of my mom when she was young and her gums did look inflamed and red so here's to genes!

Now here I was facing...

deep cleaning, scaling and plaining of my teeth..eeeek.  Of course despite paying for Dental Insurance...it wasn't going to cover all of it.  During that same visit I was told that my large fillings due to age and wear and such...were starting to fall apart and I would be looking at a few crowns as well.  Then the stress of finances kicked in...my TMJ sky rocketed...worse I ever had in years.  Nothing helped despite the various holistic approaches...I did learn some pressure points around my jaw which helped a little.  The pain was more than I could bare...I was a wreck and could hardly focus on life.  Within the week one of my soon to be crown teeth started hurting bad...long story short...I ended up needing a root canal.  Oh my Goddess just the thought of it alone was nerve wrecking enough but to find out the only root canal specialist in town didn't take my insurance topped it all off.  Where in the heck was the money going to come from and I was in so much pain...once again I was made to face my word of the year...TRUST...trust, that I would be taken care of no matter what.

As embarrassing as it sounds, 

my older kids offered to pitch in to help with finances...but then we were able to find a program that assists with medical bills, granted it's a credit card, so it will have to get paid back but in times of dire need it saved us (me from suffering any more pain).  This may sound like no big deal just apply for a credit card and your worries are over...well, since the loss of our Ranch to Foreclosure, we've been denied credit, from car loans to credit cards, so being approved for this one was a blessing and nothing short of a miracle for us.

So I spent the last weeks...

in much pain, stress and anxiety.  Did lots of meditations and relaxation to deal with it all and every time I got the words "Just Breathe"....so I did as much as I could.  My root canal was last Friday...the experience for what is was went really well, the wonders of Halcion...I'm not much of a drug person...prefer holistic care...but my anxiety was so bad that nothing I tried from the health food store helped. While there, the Endodontist explained how grinding and clenching our teeth could lead to root canals when you have large fillings due to them stressing the teeth...thus I need to get a guard that will prevent future issues. That's on my to do list, but due to how expensive they are a Walmart special one will have to do.  My major cleaning ordeal was yesterday... surprisingly enough I'm not in as much pain as I thought I'd be.  Now I'm in healing mode and on to the crowns.

BUT back to the "JUST BREATHE" that inspired this post.

After that visit and realizing how much "Just Breathe" meant to me...I began thinking about creating new  production for my shop.  We all need little reminders especially when we get all caught up in the what if's and the various scenario in life and forget...forget to breath, forget that we are enough, forget that we are LOVED.  And so out of pain and anxiety I birthed some awesome ideas for a new line.  I've been trying to come up with something new and exciting to get business to pick up...and now with the huge debt we are getting into due to my mouth (you'd be surprised how little insurance pays), now more than ever I need to get business to pickup and help us out of this debt.

You remember me mentioning I'd be doing the Telluride Mountain Village Markets this Summer...well I attended 3 and all three were major flops...not one sale.  What sold were stamped products by other vendors.  Stamped key chains, pendants, discs, etc.  That seems to ge the going thing now, and that got me thinking...I'm a creative at heart...so why not combined stamping with my own style...AND...why not take it a step further and combined what I've been learning about Angels and my stone knowledge and empower them even more.

YES...that was it!

So I came up with my first piece, 

the one I'm wearing in the first picture on top..."Just Breathe" with Angel wings, cos' I know deep in my heart that my Angels were the ones that sent me that message.  Then I came up with adding some stones that symbolized the color therapy that an Angel would provide for the healing I was looking for...and so with a little more research, I came up with...

Physical Healing~ Archangel Raphael~Green~ Peridot
Emotional Healing~Archangel Chamuel~Rose~Rose Quartz/Pink Tourmaline
Spiritual Healing~Archangel Zadkiel~Purple~ Amethyst
Strength/Protection Healing~Archangel Michael~Blue~Iolite

And so...

I created my necklace infused with the Angels' colors and a bracelet to reminded me I am a Goddess and of course with my healing symbol the Lotus flower.  My next one is going to be my word for the year.  I thinking about making a charm holder and add my words from now on to it :)

I have many more ideas in my sketchbook, like using a combination of leather, chain and ribbon or even fiber from our Alpacas...oh the ideas just keep rolling in.  Soon I will be bringing them to life and posting them in my shop...so, if you have any suggestions or ideas of wonderful and magickal inspirational sayings you'd like to see, feel free to share them with me in the comments.  Til next time Creative Blessings to you ♥

Magickal Monday Adornments ~ Boho Bracelets

Yep, I'm introducing two new Boho Bracelets to my collection, that I've recently created and just listed.  Been busy creating more work for the Telluride Artisan Market coming up next week.   But one of my artist friends Michelle, you can check out her shop Greenwoman Healing Arts on Etsy too, (while there check out her knitted Goddesses...Lovely!) suggested I make some natural colored ones. So here they are...the one above is Amber and Gold Pearls and this one is in Pearls and Agates.

I'm a little nervous and excited all at once about the up coming market.  Shows, markets and fairs are always overwhelming for me, for various reason.  First of all, it's hit or miss whether or not my creations will do well in them.

The other reason is that I'm an introvert/extrovert, if that makes any sense.  I don't do well in crowds of strangers, I feel like I get bombarded from all the energy, so I tend to "zip up" around crowds.  That of course comes off as me not being very friendly, which is quite the opposite, cos' I am really friendly, lol  After the birth of my second child, when I would be around large crowds I would feel weird, mostly headaches, felt drained, kind of off, that's when it all started for me.  At first, I wasn't sure what was happening, then after learning about our energy bodies and how we can take on others energy, well, I learned to "zip up" creating a barrier so that I don't take on others or give away my own energy.

The other reason...which is irrational but I suppose we all have some sort of irrational fears, it's sort of ridiculous really, but I get all frazzled when I have to deal with money...well, making change that is.  As a child I was drilled constantly about math, especially making change.  Even now, after I've learned how and having numerous cashier jobs (though I never really enjoyed them) it still triggers something inside me, which makes me feel stressed and nervous.   But it's all good.  I'll sharing a booth with my neighbor another fellow artisan she's so awesome, she's a big reason I'm doing the market, she feels my work will do well up there and has encouraged me to go.  We're quickly becoming good friends and she knows my secret, lol, and said she'd support me through it :)  So, though I'm a little nervous, I am grateful to be able to be doing this Market.  Marketing/selling isn't my strong suit when it comes to owning my own business but practice makes perfect right?

Magickal Adornments and 29 Faces

SNEAK
     PEEK!

So what do you think??

You are all the first to see my new creations...I'll be listing them tomorrow and more are on the way!  Any color combo suggestions?

I've been loving all the Bohemian stuff out there and someone in the Goddess Circle mentioned they thought my barefoot sandals were very Boho...so...I've been thinking about how I could make my own style of Boho bracelets...so here they are...Creations by Moonlight's Boho Bracelets...do you like them?  I love them!

It's been another busy day...so my #14 Face is another simple sketch only...I was inspired by a beautiful drawing by La, one of my fellow Life Bookers.

Awesome Custom Orders and 29 Faces

Incredibly busy week but I'm complete, two awesome custom orders for some lovely brides to be were created this week.

You all know how much I love PURPLE...and the Goddess necklace and earrings in the Amethyst and purple Pearls I posted earlier turned out just stunning!

The barefoot sandals in Sapphires was just as stunning...let me tell you photos don't do these two pieces justice.








...and here's my 10th face...only had time to do a sketch today.

Adornments, Faces and Some News

Crazy busy day today...but I completed my 7th face and actually posted on time.  But before I share my face, I want to share about the adornments...

You all know how much I enjoy doing custom orders...well, this past week has been all about just that.  I've been working with two lovely ladies to create the perfect pieces for their weddings.  I got two exciting orders to complete, one is making a pair of my Barefoot Sandals like these beauties only in Sapphires and white Pearls!  Yes, talk about gorrrrgeouss!




Likewise, my second custom order is also going to be a stunning and gorgeous piece!  I'll be making one of my Goddess Necklaces like this one ...

...only in gorgeous deep purple/eggplant colors....like these....

Yummmm

Now for the news...as you know I didn't win a free spot on the Angels in my Studio eCourse, but it spoke to me soooo much that I knew I would be taking it.  Once again the Universe provided and I got these custom orders just in time, well, I am a week late in signing up but it's all good ♥

I'm thrilled that I signed up today, I'm already loving it!  Not only the art...but the Attunements with Micheal, as well as the journal prompts...I love the whole package! In the first video, Sheri shared about having an Angelic Studio alter...and those of you who read my "Summer Solstice Challenge 2011", know that I already have an alter on my desk (and yes there's a little Angel in it), and as I mentioned in my "Art ~ Part of my Spiritual Practice" post I have a little ritual I do when ever I create my art, it becomes sacred space so I can receive from my higher-self.  As Sheri says in her video, this alter may shift and change with time and mine has, I've added a Rose Quartz and Amethyst heart and currently I have a bowl with some wonderfully scented lilac blossoms floating in it.

I also added my Trust stone I made a few weeks ago...

This is something I've practiced for years, I love bring in flowers from the garden or in the winters taking a flower from the flower bouquets I keep in the home and floating some in water on my alters.  That's why I love my Yoga Bella Sculpture which sits on my Meditation/Yoga alter, it has a wonder basin where I can float my flowers.

Recently, in Pixie's Soulodge Session I learned you can create Flower Essence Infusions with this process and either infuse them with Solar or Lunar energy.  I created my first out of apple blossoms as part of my project in the West...




And now for my face...So, this evening I worked on my first week's lesson in Angels in my Studio and drew my first little whimsy Angel and my 7th face ♥