LilyKat Studio Meanderings

Amphorae/Amromatherapy Vessels

2011-07-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

Last month, while I was visiting my friend out of state, we visited one of her fave shops in a nearby town. It's a fabulous aromatherapy/alternative/new-age shop, Celestial Body with some great proprietary skincare products. I had packed up to visit my friend straight from my last Gooselake Artfarm show, so had a bunch of my creations with me. How fortuitous! I showed them my items, and now they carry some of LilYkaT Studios masks, spoons, earrings, pendants, & requested that I design some aromatherapy vessels for them out of polymer clay.

I had a ton of fun, designing these amphorae! Some are out of glow in the dark clay, and have inspirational words or symbols.

The bottles are glass-lined polymer clay. They can be for holding aromatherapy blends, herbs, or any small amount of liquid or dry materials. The light colored ones incorporate glow in the dark clay, for some extra energy. And cuz I'm a glow in the dark clay geek! LOL! The amphora below is a glowy one.

The fun thing about these is that they can be used for prayer bottles, spell bottles, to hold a lock of hair from a loved one, memory jewelry, or to hold chips of rocks or sand from special places. I have made a few more elaborate ones that I am stringing with semi-precious stones. Can't wait to take pics of those!

Goose Lake ArtFarm Endeavor

2011-05-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

May 14th, halfway into the month of May, Spring should be in the air, only 5 weeks from the longest day of the year. It should be in the high 60's or 70's in Minnesota, right? It was freakin' c-c-cold! On the first day of the Goose Lake Artfarm.

I haven't done a craft show for years. I was working, had my stuff in a couple shops, teenaged child needs alot of attention, loads of reasons. I enjoy shows, all the interpersonal contact, other creative people around. Well, I'm still unemployed, this show is close, & weekly, thought I'd give it a try. The location is a pleasant surprise! It's at a beautiful farm/winery, nestled in some scenic rolling farmland. You are greeted by dogs & chickens as you drive up. Miniature goats rush the fence & bleat for attention. A peacock struts across the gravel driveway. Wow!

The vendor space is in a very open & roomy greenhouse. Other vendors are friendly & helpful. We were right next to the cookie vendor. Yummy deliciousness! And they give away free bite-sized samples. But it was sooooo cold, that some people wouldn't even take their hands out of their pockets to get a free sample of a cookie! Not much wallet-reaching going on either.

By the time I got home, I couldn't feel my icy, blue toes! OK, that's a slight exaggeration... but I was chilled to the bone. I turned the heat back on in the house (and I'm very frugal, so this is really something!). Thankfully, we'd brought along extra cozy gear, so we didn't get really freezing. As we were unloading at home, Hubby got hit with some sleet/snow pellets. The poor people who went to opening fishing... I've been out on lakes in this kind of weather. Not fun! I'll take a cold craft show any day! LOL!

New Inspiration!

2011-05-02T14:28:00.001-07:00

It all started when we went to a MN Swarm game.... well,... we tried. A vendor of DH's gave him tickets, said they'd be at Will Call. So we pack up the family & make the haul 45 minutes to the Exel Center. Then pay for parking. Get to Will Call, no tickets. Under his name, rep's name, company name... nothing! Call the guy, he doesn't pick up his phone (he later swears that the tickets were there). So... we are in downtown St. Paul, with teenaged child in tow. What to do? The Science Museum is right across the street, I almost had them going... but, look! A motorcycle show! I'm outvoted, and we go to the motorcycle show. Not my first choice, but I decide to make the best of it. Well... OMG! I think all the really talented artists are painting motorcycles and inking tattoos. Who knew? Besides the wonderful people-watching, it really was a feast of colors, textures, and lots of really incredible artwork on those bikes. So, thanks irresponsible rep, for jumpstarting my inspiration.

Then, when I get home, I check on the library website, and they have some books on tattoo art. This stuff can translate to woodburning pretty easily, and they really have some great tribal designs. My new batch of spoons has benefited greatly from this new inspiration.

I brought the top batch of 8 spoons into Sacred Paths Center today, and Teisha agreed that this group shows some artistic growth, without losing the whimsy. I'm sending them "sell" vibes. Feel free to join me!

DIY Mask: Mask Base, Part 1

2011-03-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

I made a custom mask & thought I'd share how I did it.
Materials:
Cardstock
Pencil
Scissors
Heavy iron-on interfacing
~ 1/3 yard fabric for mask base; I used blue polyester crepe-backed satin
Thread
Sewing machine
Embellishments of your choice:
Lace
beads
sequins
polymer clay
paint
charms
shells
stones

I started out with a mask template. Fold cardstock in half, find position of eye holes. Make sure they are large enough, or you'll have tunnel vision. I don't know about you, but that makes me claustrophobic. Then shape the outer lines of the mask. If you are making a fabric base, like the one pictured, less curved lines are easier. The satin I chose for the base frays like crazy, probably not the best choice, but it sure is pretty!

Once your template is drawn, Transfer it to your iron-on interfacing. Cut it out. Now do it again, as you'll need 2 of these.

Iron onto wrong side of your base fabric, leaving 1" around all edges, except eye-holes. Cut out each piece, with at least a 3/8" seam allowance.

Place mask pieces, right sides together & sew outside edges, making sure to sew just inside the lines of the interfacing.

This reduces fraying. Leave a 2" opening at the bottom side, for turning. Do not sew the eye-hole edges! Clip curved edges carefully & turn. Turning the mask is kind of a pain. Alternatively, if you plan to embellish all the outside edges, or if your fabric doesn't fray badly, you can place the pieces wrong sides together, & zig-zag all edges.

Zig-zag stitch around eye holes. You now have a mask base, with all kinds of embellishment opportunuties!

Project in the works

2011-02-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

Trident bead that is part of a project that I've been working on. Full pics to come later!

Prosperity Correspondences

2011-01-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

So, I was going through my files and stumbled across this list. Since many of us are looking for a more prosperous fresh start in 2011, I thought perhaps others can benefit from it, too. I believe it was a team effort of the old Disorderly Witches who originally compiled the beginnings of this list, and it got added to over the years. As always, if you use these herbs, keep your health & safety in mind - ingest only herbs that you are sure are safe, keep candles in a safe place & don't leave fire unattended.

Prosperity, Abundance, Success & Wealth correspondences

Colors: Green, Gold, Silver

Day of the week: Thursday, Sunday

Element: Earth

Goddesses: Aje, Aida-Wedo, Amberella, Anu, Ashiakle, Benton, Bona Dea, Chichinguane, Copia, Fulla, Dzivaguru, Gonzuole, Ganga. Gollveig, Habondia, Hada-Bai, Jacebed, Kamadhenu, Kuan-Yin, Kumu, Lakshmi, Lan Ts'ai-Ho, Liberalitas, Louhi, Maruwa, Mbombe, Mokosh, Mutyalamma, Msomeka, Ops, Sarah, Selekana, Surabhi, Wanne, Thekla, Yaparamma

Stones: Amazonite, Ametrine, Andalusite (Chiastolite), Aventurine, Bloodstone, Calcite, Cat's Eye, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Coal, Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Jet, Lepidolite, Malachite, Marble, Mother-of-Pearl, Olivine, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Salt, Sapphire, Sardonyx, Smoky Quartz, Spinel, Stauroite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Green Tourmaline, Zircon (brown, red, or green).

Foods: Abundance & Fertility: Apples, Bananas, Barbequed Foods, Basil, Beef, Berries, Cabbage, Carrots, Coconut, Corn, Figs, Fish, Grapes, Honey, Kiwi, Lettuce, Milk, Mustard, Oats, Olives, Oranges, Peaches, Pork, Rice, Tropical Fruit, Walnuts.

Prosperity Foods: Alfalfa, Allspice, Almonds, Bananas, Barley, Basil, Beans, Berries, Cabbage, Cashews, Chamomile, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cloves, Dill, Eggs, Figs, Ginger, Grapes, Lettuce, Maple Syrup, Marjoram, Milk, Mint, Oats, Onions, Oranges, Parsley, Peanuts, Pears, Peas, Pecans, Pine-Nuts, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Rice, Sesame Seeds, Spinach, Tea, Tomatoes, Wheat.

Prosperity Herbs

Alfalfa -- prosperity and $

Allspice -- burned as incense to attract $ or luck and added to sim. Mixtures.

Almond -- kernels, wood, or leaves used in prosperity & $ spells. Climbing an almond tree said to ensure success in business ventures.

Almond Oil - in Prosperity rites and $ incense

Aloe -- aloe trimmed garlic wreaths hung in home in Mexico for luck and money.

Ash -- burn ash wood at Yule for prosperity

Banana -- leaves, flowers and fruits of banana used in prosperity $$$ spells

Bayberry - prosperity in the home “luck to your home and gold to your pocket”.

Benzoin -- cinnamon and basil – burn to attract customers

Bistort -- for $ attracting sachets and added to wealth & $$ incenses

Black Snakeroot – carried to attract money

Blackberry -- leaves and berries used in wealth spells

Bladderwrack (Kelp) – scrub floors and doors of business with infusion to attract customers and bring good vibes into store. Also, in money spells. Fill small jar with whiskey, add kelp, cap tightly and place in kitchen window. Ensures steady flow of money into the household.

Blue Flag -- carry root for financial gain. Also, root in register to increase business

Bluebell -- luck

Briony root-- $ near a root will increase as long as it remains there

Bromeliad -- protection/money

Buckwheat -- ground and in circles while working magic. Add to money incenses and keep some in kitchen to avoid poverty.

Calamus -- root in kitchen corners protects against poverty

Camelia -- riches and luxuries. Blossoms for prosp/$$ rituals

Cascara Sagrade – money spells --- also sprinkle infusion around home before going to any court proceeding. It will help you win your case.

Cashew -- prosperity & money

Cedar -- in wallet draws money ----in incenses

Chamomile – to draw money

Chamomile -- to attract money. Infusion as hand wash by gamblers to insure winning

Chicory -- promotes frugality

Cinnamon and Cinquefoil – for money, love, health, power and wisdom. To increase riches: Cinq, cloves, lemon balm, and whole vanilla bean or tonka bean

Clove -- burned, attracts riches, and to stop others from gossiping about you

Clover -- leads wearer to money or treasures (5-leaved)

Comfrey -- in suitcases on travels prevents theft. Used in $$ spells

Devil’s shoestring – carry when asking for a raise

Dill -- money spells

Elder -- prosperity, grown near home bring it

Fenugreek -- add few fenugreek seed to mop water (or small amount of infusion). Half-fill small jar w/F and leave open in house to attract money. Add few seeds each day till full. Empty jar & return seeds to ground. Begin again.

Fern -- guides to treasures

Fir Wand - Used for prosperity rites

Flex -- Seeds used in $ spells; in shoe protects against poverty; seeds in wallet, pocket, or purse.

Fumitory -- infusion around home or rubbed on shoes weekly draws $$

Galangel -- in leather sachet with silver draws $$

Garlic -- anti-theft

Ginger -- roots planted or powder sprinkled in pockets/money draws $ success spells

Goldenrod-- flower dowses for lost objects or treasures. Grows suddenly near door, good fortune. Money spells

Goldenseal -- money spells

Gorse -- money spells; attracts gold

Grains of Paradise __ in $/luck sachets

Grape -- money spells

High John the Conqueror – anoint root with mint oil and tie in green or purple bag to attract $$$. As oil for anointing.

Honesty (money plant) seedpods resemble silver coins. Place one beneath green candle, burn down to socket or place in purse or pocket to draw $$

Honeysuckle –Ring green candles with H to draw $$, or in vase in house. If grows near house – good fortune

Horse Chestnut – Wrap $1 bill around buckey, place in sachet. Carry to attract $$. Also, for success in all things.

Hyssop - to increase finances

Irish Moss -- beneath rugs to increase luck/ensure steady flow of $ into house and pockets. Stuff luck/money poppets.

Jasmine -- flowers will draw wealth and money if carried, burned or worn.

Juniper -- anti-theft

Kava-kava -- luck

Lucky hand -- sachets and conjure bags for luck/success. Soak in rose oil. Remove and wear in pocket, wallet or purse for $$

Lunaria - otherwise known as money plant. Seed pods look like coins. Through sympathetic magick & the law of attraction, this herb is said to draw money to the person who carries it or grows it.

Mandrake -- whole root on mantel – protect/prosperity. Money (esp. silver) beside Mandrake said to double.

Maple -- money rituals

May Apple -- (Belladona) money

Mint - prosperity spells to increase business. Leaves and scent in money spells. Leaves in wallet or purse where money is kept.

Moonwort-- (money spells.) in box or bag produces silver.

Moss -- carrying graveyard moss in pocket ensures financial luck

Myrtle -- money spells

Nutmeg -- money spells – ground and sprinkled on green candies

Oak -- Plant acorn in dark of moon to ensure receiving $$ in near future

Oats -- prosp/$$ spells

Onion -- burn onion peel or skins to attract riches

Orange -- added to prosperity powders, incenses

Oregon Grape- draw $$ and financial security

Patchouli -- $/prosp. Spells. Sprinkle onto $$, add to purse, wallet and around base of green candles

Pea -- shelling brings fortune and profit in business. Dried peas used in money mixtures

Pecan -- $/prosp. Spells

Peony - for customers, success in bus. Good fortune

Periwinkle -- attract money

Pine -- money spells

Pineapple -- dried peel or flesh added to money mixtures

Pipsissewa -- carry to attract money

Pomegranate –branch dowses for concealed wealth, attracts money to possessor, dried skin added to wealth and money incenses.

Poplar -- buds and leaves carried to attract money, add to $4 incense

Poppy -- carry dried seedpod or seeds as prosperity amulets

Poppy -- eaten or carried to attract luck and money

Prosperity incense = parts clove, nutmeg, lemon balm, cedar, poppy seed. Moisten with few drops of honeysuckle oil, almond oil – on Thurs. in waxing moon.

Rattlesnake root – infusion rubbed onto hands or feet to lead the anointer to money

Rice -- added to money spells

Rowan -- used in power, luck and success sachets

Sarsaparilla-- mixed with cinnamon/sandalwood powder and sprinkled around premises to draw money

Sassafras -- in purse or wallet to draw money. Also in incense

Sesame -- jar of seeds left open in house draws cash to it. Change the seeds every month

Snakeroot -- good luck talisman. Leads bearer to money.

Squill -- (sea onion) in jar or box/add silver coins

Star anise -- luck

Straw -- luck

Strawberry -- luck

Success incense – cinnamon/benzoin in equal parts/ success in business

Sumbul -- worn for luck

Sweet Basil – to attract business and money

Tea -- (black tea, china tea) burn leaves to ensure future riches. Add to $$ mixtures and sachets

Tomato -- on mantle to bring prosperity to home

Tonka -- beans – worn/carried to attract money, bring luck

Trillium -- attracts money and luck

Tulip -- guard against poverty

Vervain - assists in obtaining material objects and stimulate creativity especially success in performing and creative arts. Bury in fields to increase crops.... money & prosp. Spells; wealth buried in garden or placed in the house, wealth will flow and plants will thrive

Vetivert -- money spells and mixtures. In register to increase business. Carry for luck; burn for anti-theft

Violet -- bring change in luck and fortune

Wheat -- Wheat in home or in sachets to attract money

Winter’s bark -- carry/burn for success

Wood rose -- carry for luck and fortune; in home to ensure luck.

Yellow Dock -- $$$ spells/incenses, infusion sprinkled about business attracts customers

Sources:
Cunningham's Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic
about.com, http://www.adamastarfirereiki.com/prosperity_herbs.htm, Goddesses And Heroines by Patrocia Monaghan, Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble, by Patricia Telesco

Glowing in the Dark Teasury

2010-10-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

What a great surprise to find on a Monday Morning! I went to my Etsy shop, to check on the status, and found a convo from ToadstoolsNTreestump, that my Black Hearts on Fire Earrings had been included in their treasury. Whoot!

I love, love, love glow in the dark stuff, so I'm really excited to be included in this treasury!

To see the treasury, go here: Glowing in the Dark

Hope everybody's first Monday of October is going well. I hit the last day of the MN Ren Fest yesterday, after our Kids N Kin class. It wasn't long enough, but I'm glad I went! It was a beautiful day, lots of people were there, and it was prime people watching. My son worked up his courage to pet some snakes! He's always loved looking at them, and learning about them, but he was really hesitant to touch them. There were a bunch of people from the Herpitology Society, showing their snakes, and they were very friendly and informative. One beautiful albino Boa seemed friendly enough for him, and he faced his fears and touched the snake. It was awesome! Thanks to those wonderful people who were friendly and had patience.

July Birthstones

2010-07-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

July Birthstones embody the heat in the height of summer: Ruby, Carnelian, onyx, sardonyx, sapphire. Talismanic stone for July is diamond. July Power Stones are said to be: Sodalite, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Green Turquoise, Moonstone, Opal, Pearl, Rhodochrosite, & Ruby.

The stone of the Summer Season is Ruby.

Stones for the Astrological sign of Cancer are: Emerald, moonstone, pearl, ruby, sapphire.

Stones for the Astrological sign of Leo are: Onyx, Carnelian, Sardonyx, Golden Topaz, Tourmaline, Rock Crystal, & Diamond.

July Element: Water
July Planet: Moon

Ch-Ch-Changes!

2010-07-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

Lots has happened since my last post. Life interrupts my creative processes. Is it that way for everybody? Much going on in the family: My birthday (29...again! LOL), 27th anniversary for my husband & I, relatives from the West Coast visiting, and the Holidays (Memorial day, Mother's & Father's Day, July 4th). My wonderful friend from Missouri came up to visit and go camping, which was a very welcome treat! My son started summer transition to high school. He's on the Autism spectrum, which makes him creative and intense sometimes, but always my special sweetie... even if I'm no longer allowed to kiss him in public. As a teen, we add in those wonderful hormones, and... let's just say we're all learning to pick our battles! He's a talented kid, and had a poem published in the FMMS journal this year. We're very proud! He has been concentrating on trying to get more than 4 hours of sleep at a stretch, trying new foods (different textures make him gag), and working regular exercise in every day. We got a WII balance board & that helps for rainy days when we can't get outside.

Also in the last two months, two relatives have passed on, one young adult, one in his 90's. It's been very hard on my son, and both deaths were on my husband's side, so he's dealing with the grief and stress, also. Ed, you were a true gentleman, and I loved your curiosity about life. Bobby, your upbeat attitude and willingness to try new things was an inspiration. We'll miss both of you, but we take comfort in the hope that you're onto the next great adventure. Look in on us from time to time, until we catch up to you!

I'll be catching up on birthstones in the next few days. Hope everyone's summer is going well!

Hot Roses Carnelian Set

2010-05-09T14:30:00.001-07:00

These red Carnelian roses are some of my all-time favorite stones. They remind me of Double Delight roses. If you're not familiar with Double Delight roses, check out this link with pictures: Double Delight Roses

Each rose is red and white, and colored differently, depending on soil, sunlight, humidity and other environmental conditions. They also smell wonderful!

Double Delight roses have bittersweet associations for me - mainly sweet. This story is about cats & flowers, not jewelry, but these beads remind me of a particular winter a few years back....

I used to have rose bushes, that I carefully mulched in and covered every year. About 8 years ago, we had a mild winter in Minnesota. It was highly unusual, but my heating bills were so low, it was great! And then, at the end of January, we had sub-zero temperatures. We had no snow cover, so the ground froze deeper than it had for something like 15-20 years. Lots of people had septic problems, pipes freezing, etc. We had none of that, but all of my roses had their roots frozen beyond repair, and all of them died. It was probably as expensive to replace as what I'd saved in fuel bills. But... I didn't replace them. I'd planted them before my son was born, and when faced with the choice, the time I'd spent taking care of the roses could be spent on other things. So my roses went away, but I've got pics somewhere.

This is not a sad story, tho! At this same time, there was a beautiful, part Siamese cat living outside, who traipsed through our yard pretty regularly. She had a pure black companion, who was a bit larger and a bit more timid - I assumed it was her brother. I've always loved Siamese cats, and I watched these cats from my windows as they chased squirrels, rabbits, and birds throughout the neighborhood. When the weather got colder, I snuck cat food out to them. We already had two cats, and money was tight, so I didn't really want another cat. I couldn't sit by and watch these two starve, tho. The weather got even colder, and we left the garage door open a crack, and rigged up a box with an old blanket and a 40 watt bulb to keep it warm. The cats found their way in there. Wildlife was getting very sparse in the yard, and I discovered that my husband was also sneaking food out to the cats! The weatherman predicted that it would get to 40 below zero windchill, and we had a serious discussion about trying to get the cats inside. We decided that, yes, we'd bring them inside for the cold, and if they wanted back out afterward, we'd let them go back. Well... we went out to the garage, and the black cat slithered quickly away. No amount of coaxing would get him to come to either one of us. The Siamese-looking cat came to us immediately, cuddled on my husband's shoulder and came into the house with us.

We went back out numerous times to get the black cat, but he was determined to stay away from people, no matter how friendly or what kind of food we had. My son named the Siamese-looking cat "Sasha2" after my Siamese who had died 3 years before. She had the absolute worst gas emissions I have ever smelled before or since! It was a good thing that it was so cold, or I would have booted her back outside! We brought her to the vet, who proclaimed her in OK shape, about 8 months old, and 4-1/2 pounds. He said she probably would have starved in a few days if we hadn't brought her in (or if she froze to death first). She'd been surviving on rodents in the garage - mice & chipmunks, who'd been ingesting insulation & who knows what else, which accounted for the bad gas. After she was on cat food for a while, she was fine.

Sasha2 tried to make friends with our 2 cats, but neither one wanted to be friendly - but they left her alone & didn't attack her, either. At the time, Sheena, our calico, was about 18-1/2 years old. We'd gotten Angel, a blue-eyed pure white with a cranky disposition, from a family who'd gotten her from the pound, so we didn't really know how old she was, but somewhere around 3 or 4 years old. Eventually, they let Sasha2 lay with them...facing away! Sheena died about a year later, and recently, Angel has gotten much more friendly. Perhaps the effects of catnip or senility, I'm not sure which!

Sasha2 has been the sweetest cat I've ever known. Gentle and affectionate, but with personality and playfulness. And she doesn't really like to go outside! Considering her experience out there, who can blame her? She looks Siamese, and the one time she went into heat, she proved she could vocalize like a Siamese! But generally, she doesn't say much. An occasional "Peep!" when she is lonely, or her routine is disrupted. But she purrs very loudly, and is a wonderful companion. Right now, she's tucked up against my leg as I type, with that look of pure satisfaction on her face, that only cats can express.

So that year, I lost my roses, but gained an animal friend who is irreplaceable. I think I got the best part of that deal!

May Birthstones

2010-05-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

The traditional birthstone for the month of May is the Emerald. Necklaces above have rough Emerald faceted chunks, faceted aventurine, fluorite, Moonstone, and Swarovski crystals. Emeralds are associated with the personal traits of loyalty, friendship and faithfulness. Metaphysically, Emeralds are thought to strengthen memory and expand mental capabilities leading to "right" choices for the emerald user. It is also thought to eliminate negative influences affecting the user. Emerald can open, activate and stimulate the heart chakra, and allow for the calmness and centering needed for deep meditation. It can bring harmony and allow for sharply focusing the users energies to a particular project. It is thought to attract beneficial outcomes in legal matters.

Emerald has been called the stone of "successful love." It is thought to instill sensitivity and loyalty in the wearer and others around them. The green color also indicates that Emeralds also promote creativity and growth.

Although Emeralds are beautiful and have some wonderful correspondences, there are other stones that can be used as May birthstones. Sapphire, Agate, Carnelian, Aventurine and Chalcedony are also May birthstones. Flowers for May are Lily of the Valley and Lily. Plant for May is Hawthorne. The Guardian Angel of May is Ambriel, the Angel of Communication. Ambriel can aid in clear communication, and to guide people to their inner truth. As a Guardian Angel, Ambriel is also considered protective. Ametrine is associated with Ambriel, and can be used as an alternate birthstone for someone preferring a not-so-green stone. I love Ametrines and Agates, so May stones are awesome, as far as I'm concerned!

There are also "power stones" for people born in May (I never knew until I started researching!). These are: Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Azurite, Cat's Eye, Chrysocolla, Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Topaz.

May spans the Zodiac signs of Taurus and Gemini.
Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)
Birthstone: Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald
Planetary Stone: Emerald, Aventurine
Lucky Charms: Sapphire, Diamond
Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20)
Birthstone: Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl
Planetary Stone: Tiger Eye
Lucky Charms: Agate, Emerald

All of these give quite a range of colors, textures and price ranges for May birthstones!

Studies in Black

2010-04-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Black is such an interesting color... I love using it in jewelry. The variety of stones in so many different textures really makes for some interesting creations. Black Onyx, Black Agate and Black Tourmaline are some of my favorites. Pictured above are some recent creations.

In color theory, black is all colors, mixed. In lighting, black is the lack of any light, yet black will absorb light. Two opposite concepts, that apply to the same color. In metaphysics, Black is considered to be very protective... think black dirt of the Earth, able to protect a tiny, vulnerable seed while it germinates. I believe alot of the Goth dressers are like that - feeling vulnerable, so they wear aggressive black clothing in order to protect themselves, and tell the world to keep away. Black can also be like coal - with the ability to transmute into something extremely valuable (diamonds) or to provide the heat for other transformations - like grilling a great steak! Black is the night time, which encourages rest, reflection, and intimacy. Black is mysterious, with the ability to hide at will.

In Europe of the 15th century, black was the color of death and considered an evil color. Black cats were burned (causing an increase in the plague-carrying rat population), and the plague was called "Black Plague." However, Puritains considered black one of the appropriate colors for clothing, as did certain religious orders. Maybe because it washed out the complexions of the wearers and made them less likely to attract attention? Black is a difficult color to dye evenly and make it last, as anyone who has a favorite black cotton sweater will tell you. Old inks were generally brown, because of the difficulty in achieving a lasting black. Nowdays, with our chemical-based dyes, we have stable black inks, and our black clothes stay blacker longer!

In earlier cultures, black was thought of as a gift, not a curse. Night time was when you got to rest, and it was truly a relief from hard labors. Death was just a part of the life-cycle, and, although it was sad, it was often celebrated in ways that our modern culture finds difficult to fathom. Death was a transformation to the next step of the journey, not a total end. I rather like the protective, restful, and transformative associations with black.

April Birthstones

2010-04-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so I've been avoiding writing about April Birthstones for some reason. Why? Been busy... traveling, working, family stuff, special orders & volunteer work. I should have had a few minutes to write it up, I had the research done long ago. So I'll ponder that a while.

April traditional birthstone is the diamond. A Girl's Best Friend if you ask Marilyn Monroe! Since diamonds are so expensive for the average person to be able to use in birthstone jewelry, somebody decided that any clear stone could be substituted: so, colorless topaz, sapphire, tourmaline, white zircon, Herkimer diamond or quartz are all great stones to use for April birthstones. The Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) birthstones are Bloodstone, Diamond, Topaz and Jasper, and the Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) birthstones are Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Coral, Emerald, and Aventurine, so those stones have also been used as April birthstones.

The Mystical birthstone for April is the white or black opal, with hints of fire.

The Flower for April is the Sweet Pea. The April Guardian Angel is Ashmodei. His Gem Talisman is Topaz.

Aries the God & Aries the ram are associated with the color red, all shades from scarlet to carmine. His Gemstone is Carnelian and red Jasper. Christianity also associated April with the apostle Phillip and Carenlians. I'm not sure what link there might be between Phillip and Aries, but that might be some fun trivia to discover.

Trees and plants associated with Aries include the Poppy, Honeysuckle, Bryony, Thistles and Ferns, Peppermint, Anemone, Alder, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Hawthorn, Pomegranate, Spruce and Weeping Willow.

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, and associated colors are pale blue, all shades of green, pink and yellow. Plants and trees that correspond with Taurus are Daisy, Dandelion, Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus, Poppy, Rose, Apple, Blackthorn, Fig, Hawthorn, Pear, Vine and Willow.

So, April should be a good time to do a bit of gardening, then pull up a chair and sip some dandelion wine (or tea) while enjoying the fresh spring air and the marvelous abundance of growth all around.

Happy April!

Sources:
Love is in the Earth by Melody
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Frederick Kunz
http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/time/apri.htm
http://idashshoptheworlddotcom.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/april-birthstones-diamonds-sapphires/
http://www.birthstones.org.uk
http://www.gemstoneartist.com/4.asp

Treasury East - New!

2010-04-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

So, Etsy now has Treasury East, Along with the Treasury and Treasury West. I knew nothing about it! Until Sacred Suds let me know she put my Labyrinth into a Treasury she made there. That's the best kind of surprise to get!

View her Treasury, Journey to Center, here : Treasury East Journey to Center.

So, After thanking her for including me, I browsed around & it appeared that there was a possibility to make my own treasury. So I did! Yay! Please take a look:
Splendid, Spectacular Spring

And I realized that I haven't posted birthstones for April. Diamonds, mainly, but there's more. I'll post that tomorrow.

Happy Earth Week to everybody! Leave a comment about what you're doing to make the Earth a healthier and better place to live in now and in the future. Our Kids N Kin family Sunday School picked up garbage in a park near the University of Minnesota.

2010-04-01T21:11:00.001-07:00

I delivered my framed necklace to the Goddess Art show today. Exciting! It was a bit nerve-wracking, as I've never had an art piece in a juried show before. After my necklace (that I originally designed for the PaganTeam Harvest Challenge!) was accepted, I was hesitant... I don't have a mannequin, or half-mannequin. The necklace is pretty large, and a little grey neck sitting on a shelf or table wouldn't do it justice! Especially if it was surrounded by sculptures, and framed paintings (is my insecurity showing?).

Sooo... I decided I could have my Nettie Doll (burlap Goddess doll, about 2 feet tall) model the necklace, or I could frame the necklace. Why not? It's art! I've got a few containers of dupioni silk, and I could just picture the necklace against the silk. But the colors I first thought would look great, didn't quite do it. Then I ran across this two-toned embroidered Spring green iridescent dupioni with leaves and a few sequined flowers... perfect! And I can use the leftovers for a little bag I have planned...

Then for a frame... ran to Joann's looking for a rough wood frame - couldn't find what I wanted in my price range. So, went for an antiqued wood with a few flecks of metallic. Looks aged and organic...and it was on sale for 40% off! I dug around and found batting (luckily, I'm a fabriholic) for a little dimensional feel. There were already holes in the back of the frame, so I used those to wire the necklace in. But... the glass was glued. Glued?!? They never glue the glass in... no wonder it was on sale! I loosened it with nail polish remover, then tried to get it out. Ended up breaking it. Thankfully, it broke in large pieces, and I was wearing gloves. Easy clean-up, no cuts.

Took pics, packed me, the framed piece & the child (on Spring Break) into the car & headed down to St. Paul (about 30 miles). Dropped off the framed piece, visited with the people at the shop for a while, shopped for some candles & stones, and headed home in traffic. Was only stopped on the highway a few times, and it was a beautiful day. Good tunes on the radio, and the crazy drivers were 2 lanes away from me - thank the Goddess! Got the child fed & my friend came over for some facebook lessons. We had fun setting her up.

I feel like I accomplished alot today! Just framing the necklace made me view my creations in a way I've never seen them before. I always say it's art, but today, I really feel it. I highly recommend that everybody take one of their creations and treat it like you are putting it on display. Frame it, feature it, gussy it up like it's going to a museum! Then step back and see how you feel about it.

I should have known this. I had my husband frame one of my son's drawings for me for Mother's day one year. That's all I would tell him I wanted! He did it. And my son is so proud. People notice his art when they come in, and ask me if I'm painting again (I used to oil paint when I was younger). It makes him feel worthwhile, and he just beams. Why is it so easy to show approval and pride in our child, and not ourselves? I'm changing that today!

Growth of the GreenChild Necklace

2010-03-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Challenge for April for the HandMadeMN team is Growth. That's pretty wide open, and can be interpreted so many different ways. I finished my Challenge piece and it is listed here:
Growth of the GreenChild Necklace

I was pretty proud, I took the above pic by myself, of myself... camera in one hand, mirror in the other, deep breath, try to make the shoulders look relaxed... don't move!

The face for this pendant was a mold that I resculpted. My former business partner absconded with a bunch of my molds (among other things). I hope they bless her abundantly in the way she deserves to be blessed! Because of the now-scarce molds & that the leaves are a custom clay mixture and hand sculpted, this pendant won't ever be made again! She has so much motion - very much like a child on the playground swings. This is a very fun piece, and at the same time, very meaningful! My description on Etsy is more in-depth. Hope you can get there to check it out!

The Beauty of Magic Treasury

2010-03-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

LilYkaT Studio The Forest in Shadows earrings were included in this treasury that was curated by MetaphysicalShppe on the Etsy PaganTeam. She really picked some lovely items, & I'm honored to be included. I loved the theme, the name, the affordable price points... she did a great job. Jealous that I didn't think of it! ;)

The Treasury will be listed on Etsy West until Tuesday, March 30. The Beauty of Magic

Check it out!

Mermaid pendant ready to list!

2010-03-28T14:28:00.001-07:00

I love the Amazon look of this undersea Goddess Mermaid, with her jewels & trident. She's beautiful, but not cute. I had to remake the necklace, as the first time it looked too dainty! Some people don't like the clothes-free look, but I figure, would a half-fish person bother with clothing? Adornment, yes! Clothes, no!

I've checked, and Etsy allows artistic nudity, it's even been on the front page. OK, good. Time to write a description!

Metal Tiger 2010

2010-03-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Chinese horoscopes have always been a bit more accurate for me than others. So, just for giggles, here is a page to tell you what the Year of the Metal Tiger, 2010, will be like for you. Have fun!

Chinese Fortune Calendar

My year looks smooth, no major highs or lows. How is yours?

Spoons For HandMade MN Gift Baskets

2010-03-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hand Made MN is giving away some fabulous gift baskets at the upcoming Art/Craft Fair.
My donation is two pyrographied wooden spoons. My bestselling design "Add Love," and the strange humor "Visualize Whirled Peas." As always, these spoons are not intended as a discipline tool!

Spring Jewelry by LilYkaT Studio in Sacred Paths Center, St. Paul!

2010-03-12T16:27:00.001-08:00

Got Spring Fever? Me, too! This week has been rainy, droopy & dreary in my corner of Minnesota. Ug! But I know Spring is coming. In anticipation, I created some Spring-feeling jewelry that Teisha has put into the shop at Sacred Paths Center in St. Paul.
Just look at the soft green Amazonite Leaves, the aqua tones of dyed moonstone, Opalite butterflies, rose quartz and complimentary glass bead in the Spring Fever set, above. In the middle picture, Spring Flowers set, the beautiful multiple green tones are featured in lampworked glass and crystals, with accents of soft pink quartz. The top photo shows the Lucky Malachite & Turquoise necklace featuring a turquoise mosaic equal-armed cross bead, surrounded by malachite, turquoise, and Austrian crystal. The clasp has the word, "Luck," on it for a finishing touch!

Pictures of the March Aquamarine collection to come. See these wonderful creations along with beautiful and meaningful artwork, herbs, candles, stones, giftware and more at:
Sacred Paths Center
777 Raymond Ave
St. Paul, MN 55114

March Birthstones

2010-03-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

So... back to my quest of finding rocks for every season & every reason. It's March! Winter will soon be melted away. The almost-full moon was casting shadows on the snow last night, and even the darkness was energizing. Beautiful!

Here is what I've found out:

The modern birthstone for March is Aquamarine. Traditionally, Bloodstone has also been used. Spring Equinox is in March, & the Emerald is considered the stone of Spring. Other Spring stones are: Amethyst, Green Diamond, Chrysoberyl, Spinel, Pink Topaz, and Olivine. Jade is the Mystical stone of March. March Zodiac signs are Pisces and Aries.

Pisces: (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
Birthstone: Rock Crystal Quartz (White, Clear),
Sapphire (Blue),
Amethyst (Purple),
Bloodstone (Green with Red Markings)
Sugalite (Purple/Black)

Planetary Stone: Aquamarine (Blue/Green)

Lucky Charms: Amethyst (Purple)

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19)
Birthstone: Bloodstone (Green with Red Markings),
Diamond (White, Clear)
Garnet (Dark Red)
Ruby (Red)

Planetary Stone: Jasper (Brown or Red)

Lucky Charms: Bloodstone (Green with Red Markings),
Jasper (Brown or Red)
Diamond (White, Clear)

Jasper is also mentioned as March Birthstone in many cultures, including Russian, Italian and Jewish, in the book, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by Kunz. He also recommends to use stones found on your birth continent as their birthstone. His suggestion for those in the USA for March is Californite - which I'd never heard of before! A little research revealed Californite is a type of Vesuvianite, also known as California Jade. It's a nice, translucent green and can be seen here: Californite Gallery

I'm surprised that Malachite isn't a March birthstone. It's a nice multi-shaded green that reminds me of spring. The copper in Malachite used to cause stone workers to get sick, if they didn't use water to work with it, so it was considered an unlucky stone. Perhaps that's why.

An interesting bit of Tarot trivia - Mary K. Greer associates Aries with the Emperor Card & the ruby. She associates Pisces with the Moon card and the stones Pearl, Moonstone and Milk Opal. I love her tables of correspondences - I'm a correspondence geek!

More resources on birthstones can be found in these books:
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Frederick Kunz
Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham
Love is in the Earth by Melody
The Essence of Magic by Mary K. Greer

Tarot For Trip Week

2010-02-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

My friend & I were going on a lil trip, and we did a tarot spread to see how the Universe perceived it would go.... Our spread was a simple Past/Present/Future using the Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr:

Past: 0 Beginnings Tara
Present: 4 of Pentacles
Future: III Fertility Estsanatlehi

0 Tara - Innocence which protects. New Beginnings, optimism, trust, innocence.

4 Pents - Wealth & prosperity, stabilizing material forces in life. A family inheritance - this could be talent, money, land, etc.

III Estanatlehi - Feelings of fertility and abundance. A new relationship which celebrates one's growth as a woman. Creativity.

We decided it was a good layout - and pretty accurate.

I purposely brought alternate art materials along, not my beads or clay. We're going to do some drawing, sightseeing, and general relaxing out of our normal environment. We're getting a new perspective, and it helps to expand my vision of what's possible right now.

Her doggie, Romi, is my best friend already, protecting me from everybody & everything, especially the bloodhound, Clyde! Romi's a large black lab, very affectionate and protective. Quite the contrast from my cats! I could have had her when my friend moved, and although I regret not having such a great animal companion, I think Misti needed her more. She's an awesome dog! I was glad to see Misti & get to see Romi & Clyde and the whole family again. It was a total surprise that we took this detour, but I'm really happy to see her new home. It's so cute & comfortable - and her SO cleans! Bonus!

We got re-routed from destination TX to MO. Long story involving her Dad's health. But, we avoid having to drive through a storm in TX & I get to see her place instead. Hopefully, her Dad will heal fast & well and it'll work out for him, too. We hope his upcoming treatments will be as effective as possible.

So, we are relaxing, checking out the MO sights, a lil shopping, and having girlfriend time. I miss my guys, but I hope they'll have some father/son bonding time.

Challenge Won!!!

2010-02-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

Whoot!

LilYkaT Studio won the Turning Wheel Challenge with the entry Wheel of the Sky Colorwheel Necklace . I'm so pleased and honored! It's my first Etsy Challenge win ever, and Wow! It feels great!

A big "Thank You!" goes out to the PaganTeam admins - the team has regrouped and been re-vamped through alot of hard work behind the scenes. They are doing a fabulous job and deserve some recognition! My husband has been a great support, and he was in the trenches, calling everybody he knows to go vote. My own personal lobbyist! He really went to bat for me & I'm humbled by his willingness to go out of his way like that, especially since our belief systems are quite different.

Last, but not least, a big Thanks to my Face-to-Face friends, and www friends who voted! You are what makes life fun, and you know who you are! ;)

Try to take the Handmade Challenge - to buy handmade whenever you can for gifts, supplies, and even everyday items! It helps our economy from the ground up - instead of hoping for bail-out trickle-down. Check out the PaganTeam Shop on Etsy For a collection of kewl Pagan, Goddess, Spellcraft & Witchy items you can't find elsewhere!

Thanks again, everyone! May your efforts come back to you in blessings multiplied!

Circle Game Treasury includes Wheel in the Sky Necklace Set

2010-02-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

A new Etsy Treasury by Blessed Bead called Circle Game has included the Wheel in the Sky Necklace by LilYkaT Studio! I'm so pleased & proud to be included in this awesome Treasury - thanks Blessed Bead!

Link to treasury: Circle Game Treasury on Etsy

Please check it out & leave a comment!

And remember to stop by the PaganTeam's Blog to vote!

New Challenge at the PaganTeam Blog - Please Vote!

2010-02-06T08:48:00.001-08:00

Entries are in and awaiting your votes at the PaganTeam blog. Quite the variety of Magickal items to choose from - I'll take one of each, please! See them all at:

Pagan Team Blog

The Challenge was to envision a piece that honors and celebrates the turning of the Wheel. My entry pictured above, is called Wheel of the Sky Colorwheel Necklace set. For the longest time, I was drawing a blank when I thought about what to do for this challenge. The Wheel of the Year encompasses so much - everything, in fact! How can that be distilled down to one piece?

Soooo... I started looking through my stash of pendant pieces. I thought I'd use up some stuff I already had, so the husband wouldn't tell me how many more pounds o'new stones I've brought into the house! Those of you are addicted to stones know exactly what I mean.

I had two possibilities, one a Tree of Life, one a sun/Zodiac with moon/stars on the reverse. I went through my beads, hoping for inspiration..... nothing for the challenge, but I managed to get sidetracked making the Love Collection and the Amethyst creations.

Finally, I decided that I wouldn't enter the Challenge. They'd do fine without me, right? Loads of creative people on that PaganTeam. Just look through the shop, if you need proof! http://www.etsy.com/shop/paganteam

Entries were due on Friday by midnight EST. I had a flash of creative inspiration while in the shower on Thursday morning(running water does that to me!). I sat down and started digging through my bead stash to find exactly what I needed. Had it all except cone bead caps. Started putting it all together - figured I could bead some cone-shaped caps if I had the need. A day of stringing & beading. The creation process went so smoothly - the worst problem was finding a needle to fit through all of the seed beads! My mind loved it, but my back didn't.

Finished the long necklace & decided it needed a companion to layer - or wear separately. So, I created that! Got my bead caps at Micheal's. Photographed & uploaded, cropped, wrote the description and listed on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40127642

I think I had a couple minutes to spare! Had to edit, as I forgot the Paganteam blog link.

I'll try to get a better pic of the necklaces as worn, but I might have to wait for a day with better lighting.

Description from the Esty listing:

"The morninin sun is risin'
It's kissin' the day
Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turning,
Don't know where I'll be tomorrow."

~From the song: "Wheel in the Sky" by Journey

While free-associating for ideas for the Turning of the Wheel challenge, I kept hearing this song in my head. When I think of wheels turning, I think of moving forward in life, the Wheel of Fortune in tarot, a color wheel, the celebrations on the wheel of the year, and the dance of the stars overhead.

This pair of necklaces is my interpretation of those ideas. It's a blending of glass and natural stones, many shapes and textures blended through the spectrum on the color wheel. The colors of glass and natural stones are believed to give a variety of properties including protection, transmuting negativity, balance, the ability to see and prosper from new opportunites, and the ability to navigate changes with grace.

The longer necklace is 31" long with a variety of shapes of glass seed beads. It has a 1/2" woven seed bead bail attaching an antiqued silver Sun and Zodiac charm (charm is 3/4"). The reverse of the charm has a moon and stars. The clasp is a platinum plated lobster claw.

The shorter necklace is 22" long, with glass seed beads and Carnelian, Agate, Citrine, Peridot, Malachite, Fluorite, Turquoise dyed Howlite, dyed Chalcedony, Iolite, amethyst, Rose Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Garnet, Glow-in-the-dark red/white glass heart, red velvet dyed quartz, yellow opal, lapis dyed howlite, dyed shell, red coral, and cherry quartz.The necklace is finished off with a silver-toned clasp in a sun/moon motif.

Check out other Paganteam items at: www.PaganTeam.Etsy.com
Search for other challenge pieces on Etsy with the tag 'turningchallenge'
Please vote for your favorite on our blog beginning February 6: http://paganteam.blogspot.com/

AIB Blog Tips

2010-02-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

Artists in Business Blog has some great tips today - please check them out!

http://artistsinbusiness.blogspot.com/2010/02/10-tips-to-successful-arts-business.html

Thanks, Artists in Business, for the great information!!!

February Birthstones

2010-02-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

February spans Aquarius & Pisces :
There are thirteen different stones listed as birthstones for the calendar month of February, or as Sun/Star, Planetary, or Talismanic stones for the Zodiac sign of Aquarius or Pisces. Because these two Zodiac signs span part of February and March, both are listed in this table.

Birthstones for the calendar month of February are amethyst and bloodstone.

The Zodiac signs of Aquarius and Pisces include thirteen stones: amethyst, garnet, moss agate, opal, sugilite, turquoise, jasper, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock crystal, sapphire and ruby.

Amethyst
Modern Birthstone
Traditional Birthstone
Ayurvedic February Birthstone
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Aquarius
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Pisces
Ancient Arabic, Hebrew, Polish, Italian, Roman, and Russian February Birthstone

Bloodstone
Mystical February Birthstone
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Pisces

Garnet
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Aquarius
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Pisces

Turquoise
Planetary Stone - Aquarius

Agate
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Aquarius

Opal
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Aquarius

jasper

Jasper
Talismanic Stone - Aquarius

Rock Crystal
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Pisces

Sapphire
Sun Sign (Star Sign) - Pisces

Aquamarine
Planetary Stone - Pisces

Ruby
Talismanic Stone - Pisces

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2010-02-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

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Baking Treasury on Etsy

2010-02-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited - a LilYkaT Design spoon is in an Etsy Treasury! Whoo-hoo! This treasury really resonates right now, with the cold weather, and wanting to hibernate with some comfort food. Fresh-baked bread just sounds like the thing! Please take a look: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=109894&show_panel=true

Thanks!

Love Collection in at Sacred Paths Center, St. Paul, MN

2010-01-31T18:02:00.000-08:00

Photo above is: Love Sweet as Candy - Candy Jade carved hearts, Rose Quartz carved hearts and rounds, Cherry Quartz, prehnite, blue opal, green fluorite, gold plated heart clasp on necklace, Sterling ear wires on earrings, Sterling clasp on bracelet. This set is now in the shop at Sacred Paths Center in St. Paul. This design was fun to make - the colors are fun and soothing at the same time. Like smooth, fruity sherbet, or a pastel sunset across a calm lake.

See the other new photos up at LilYkaT Designs photo album on Facebook. Check them out:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=145044&id=126661459027&ref=mf

All of these Love Collection Designs are in the shop at Sacred Paths Center in St Paul.
777 Raymond Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55114-1522
(651) 644-3727

See their website: http://sacredpathscenter.com/

Stop in and visit Sacred Paths and find some jewelry for your love, candles, incense, books, tarot, or find a practitioner for massage and more!

Make sure to buy something for yourself - if you don't appreciate YOU, nobody will!

Love Jewelry

2010-01-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

I love jewelry - that's why I make it! It's the opportunity to embellish yourself, add sparkle and interest to life. And by doing so, you share the sparkle with everyone who comes in contact with you. Everyone can use a little sparkle for fun, and with stones that are meaningful, the power of your sparkle increases. That's my theory for now.

So, with Valentine's day coming up, I made some Love Jewelry, jewelry I love, to express love and spread the love. Rose Quartz is one of my faves, so there's lots of that, for friendly love, protection and understanding. Also Carnelian for passion, Smoky quartz for the heart that needs protecting, and Garnet for commitment: to yourself, to your purpose, to the others in your life. And a person can't forget Tourmaline, lately my favorite stone, for inspiration, balancing, encouraging self-confidence, and transforming negativity to positivity.

Sacred Paths Center will be carrying some of the Love Jewelry by LilYkaT, and some will be available on Etsy. These are one-of-a-kind designs so will never be duplicated. I can make similar designs, but each piece is unique! And my supply of each type of stone is limited - although the husband thinks my two-hundred pounds of beads are closer to unlimited! LOL!

New Jewelry and spoons at Sacred Paths Center!

2010-01-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

Some new jewelry designs and Pyrography Spoon designs are now in at Sacred Paths Center in St. Paul.
http://sacredpathscenter.com/

I recently bought some very nice candles there. I wanted more... but started with two - the blue has a very nice soft scent. I believe it was "hope." In this economy, we all need that! I also bought the "money" one. Usually, I prefer abundance, wealth or propserity... but maybe I'm becoming more honest with myself. I need money! LOL!

They have some awesome stones and new multimedia artwork in festive colors. Love it!!! If you can visit, please do - they have some new staff there, and are working very hard to make Sacred Paths the meeting center for alternative paths that this city really needs. It is an open, loving space with great new and used items - which really appeals to the recycler in me. I'm not gonna tell you about the item that I have my eye on... cuz I don't want anyone to buy it.

Other recent developments... my washer went on the fritz. El hubbo tried to fix it, and it worked for a week. Then blew a fuse. When we replaced the fuse & restarted it, it got that funny burning electronics smell. So.... Shopping on all the appliance sites. I think I found one. Will have to drive up to Rogers to get it... but... should only cost me a little time & some beer with the neighbor - totally not a hardship!

Greenman Wooden Spoon in a Treasury!

2009-09-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

♫ ♪ Treasury ♫ ♪
Greenman... Spirit of the Forest
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=80248

LilYkaT Studio is honored to have the Greenman Wooden Spoon in this Treasury!
Check out this treasury on Etsy. More views of my Greenman Spoon here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29931531

Off to burn wood & take pictures!

New Treasury with Celtic Wooden Spoon!

2009-09-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

♫ ♪ Treasury ♫ ♪
TOOTS & the MAYTALS Sweet & Dandy
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=80294

LilYkaT Studio is honored to have the Celtic Wooden Spoon in this Treasury!

Zoo Zaniness

2009-09-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

DH took the day off yesterday, and we went to the MN Zoo in Apple Valley. Holiday weekends are great for going there, as everyone else heads out of town, so it's not too crowded. The weather was perfect - sunny, but not too hot. My son was in a good mood; he's 13, so good moods are not as common as they once were...

We were going to do a leisurely stroll through the Zoo, but there was excitement at every turn... Full moon effect? The otters were fighting over a branch, the monkeys were playing tag and diving into their pool, the tigers, wolves and leopards were out and active... and then there were the bears...

There's a Russian Grizzly exhibit at the Zoo http://www.mnzoo.com/grizzly/bear.html. The last time I was there, you couldn't even see a whole bear... just the butt as it was napping. It was twitching it's claws as it slept, just like my cats... only about a million times bigger! When we walked into the "lava tube" cave with the bear observation portal, there were 2 bears swimming in the pool, and one up on a hill. Soon, the hill bear charged down the hill straight into a tree, where it leapt up, climbed about 20 feet up, and sat. Note to self: climbing a tree won't get you away from a bear. He can climb faster, and his 7-inch claws make it easy.

The two swimming bears were very aware of the people watching them. I could almost hear them cataloging us by taste, as they watched us, watching them. "Hmmm... that one would be easy to catch... look! That one looks young & delicious! Which one would you eat first?"

Then... one found a stick. And the other wanted to play with the stick, too. No sharing was going on, and the snubbed bear started shoving. Stick forgotten, the first bear got into his face, and mututal intimidation moves started. Then some playful ducking sand biting... until one bit the other's face a little too hard and two tons of fur, teeth and claws started to really go at it! They fought for about 45 minutes... mainly 8 feet away, but at one point they were just on the other side of the plexiglass. My heart was hammering, seeing full-length and close-up, this kind of action! And I was hoping the plexiglass held! What an amazing experience!

More of my Zoo pics here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=101772&id=843614168&l=811f336037

Spookapalozza Treasury with LilYkaT's CandyCorn Necklace!

2009-09-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

This Treasury sure made me smile! Check it out for yourself and leave a comment at:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=66921

I'm pleased and honored that my Candy Corn Glow in the Dark Necklace was included! To see more views of the necklace, go here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29404528

Thanks for looking!

Harvest Selections feature Swingy Autumn Earrings

2009-09-02T20:35:00.001-07:00

A fellow blogger, Studio Haus, has made a beautiful, bountiful Harvest collection, and included the Swingy Autumn Leaves Earrings from my shop in the collection. I'm honored and excited to be featured in this way. Please swing by her blog and vote for your favorite item!

http://studiohaus.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-harvest.html?showComment=1251948891390#c8059759218132701278

For more views of my earrings, see here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29372161

Etsy shop addy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7639697

Challenge Entries - Vote for Me!

2009-09-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Since I got laid off in May, I have been working on jewelry in my spare time while looking for a job. I've opened up an Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7639697

I'm in two challenges for two different groups this month:

HandmadeMN
http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-challenge-purple-rain.html
5th down, Purple Rain Drop Earrings by LilYkaT studio

EtsyPagans:
http://paganteam.blogspot.com/2009/08/harvest-challenge-entries.html
#10 Harvest Goddess of Women's Wisdom

The entries in both of these contests are really fun & creative. If you have a second, pop on over to take a look. Of course, I'd love it if you vote for my stuff! Send your friends to vote, too!

Everybody Sing! "Purple Rain, Purple Rain..."

2009-08-31T18:14:00.001-07:00

LilYkaT StudiO listed the August Challenge entry for HandMadeMN - Purple Rain - Rock on Prince! LOL!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30195284

These earrings are elegant simplicity at its finest. The drops are of natural amythest/quartz geode, hand carved into a drop shape, accented by gunmetal stardust beads and aurora borealis swarovski rounds. They swing from oval gunmetal rings and drop 1-5/8" from the gunmetal-toned fish hook ear wires.

Created for the August HandMadeMN challenge. All items used in these earrings were also bought from local MN shops, making it truly a Minnesota creation - in honor of the 25th anniversary of Minnesota native Prince's Purple Rain.

Metaphysical properties of the stones are thought to be:

Amythest - Stone of spirituality and contentment. It is warm and cuddly as well as regal and ruling. It has been used to encourage and support sobriety & freedom from addictions. Calming, strong, protective qualities, healing, divine love, peace and inspiration. Enhances one's psychic and creative abilities.

Quartz - said to bring the energy of the stars into the soul. Harmonizing, purification, transmitting energy.

Glass - glass represents and carries the energies of transformation, merging of elements, rebirth, focus and communication. The colors of the glass bring the vibrations of those specific color energies.

*Metaphysical properties are listed for our own personal curiosity & for the interest of Etsy readers. Sources include: "Love is in the Earth" by Melody; "Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic" by Scott Cunningham; Avalon Crystals and various unattributed internet sources. Stones can enhance your enjoyment of life, but should not be used as a substitute for good physical and mental health care.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

2009-08-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

We went to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival yesterday. The weather was perfect - a little on the cold side, so it was comfortable with all those clothes on!

We rode the elephant, petted the animals, and ate our way from one side of the Faire to the other! It was prime people-watching, with Scottish Festival in full schwing. Men in Kilts everywhere! Our little group all went in costume, and had a fabulous time! My son was a bit cranky to start out the day, but he pulled himself out of the doldrums, and ended up having alot of fun. He was navigator the whole time, reading the map, figuring out where we were from the landmarks and shops.

August Challenge Entry finished & posted

2009-08-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

Women's Wisdom Goddess of the Harvest, can be viewed here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29950483

This necklace started with the beautiful, carved Picasso-like wood jasper dryad bead. It had to be mine! I pictured it like the trunk of a great tree, dripping with beautiful leaves, suspended on swaying branches, with an abundance of apples within reach.

I wanted it to look classic, but modern, so I wove the seed bead base through a brushed silver-toned chain. As I was putting the necklace together, I decided the dryad needed a string skirt. I'm facinated with women's history - the stories that aren't told! String skirts were probably the first non-animal clothing humans ever devised, and were made more for adornment and ritual than for protection. To the dryad's beaded string skirt, I attached an amethyst snake bead. I like the renewal aspects represented by the snake, who was a traditional ally of pre-Christian Goddesses. The dryad bead is attached to a smaller brushed silver-toned chain with sterling silver plated wire.

While making this necklace, I was reminded of one of my favorite children's stories by Caitlin Matthews, "The Blessing Seed," an inclusive revisioning of the creation myth. This beautiful story has a Tree of Wisdom giving a gift to the people, and the people gladly accepting the responsibility and challenges that come with wisdom. These challenges have been met by women throughout history (Herstory), and are still being met by women today! That is the message of this necklace, to reach for and tap into your wisdom, and don't fear if some authority figure tries to shame you out of your wisdom, for it is yours!

The necklace is 19-3/4 inches long, with a silver-toned clasp that has the word, "WISDOM" on the bar of the bar-toggle. The dryad/Goddess bead is 2-1/8 inches long and hangs 3-3/4" from the main chain. It is created with a custom mix of many colors and sizes of seed and bugle beads,pressed glass leaves some with aurora borealis and some with gold accents, amethyst snake bead, and wood jasper dryad bead.

Metaphysical properties are thought to be:

Amethyst - bestows stability, strength, invigoration, and peace, the peace being the perfect peace which was present prior to birth. It is warm and cuddly as well as regal and ruling. It has been used to encourage and support sobriety. It is an excellent stone for one who is attempting to find freedom from addictive personalities (oneself or another). Calming, strong, protective qualities, healing, divine love and inspiration. Enhances one's psychic and creative abilities.

Jasper - is said to give protection, stability and balance. Can help coordinate buiness activites leading to increase. Known as the stone of Global Awareness - It promotes brotherhood to work together to save the planet. It emits an energy which promotes the spiritual affinity to achieve perfect accord between humanity and nature; It is one of the earth Stones for the age of redemption & cleansing of the earth.

Silver - Mirror to the soul. Eloquence. Connects physical and astral bodies. In jewelry, it provides a balanced setting that retains the qualities of the stone it holds. Lunar energy. Cleansing, balancing.

Glass - glass represents and carries the energies of transformation, merging of elements, rebirth, focus and communication. The colors of the glass bring the vibrations of those specific color energies.

*Metaphysical properties are listed for our own personal curiosity & for the interest of Etsy readers. Sources include: "Love is in the Earth" by Melody; "Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic" by Scott Cunningham; Avalon Crystals and various unattributed internet sources. Stones can enhance your enjoyment of life, but should not be used as a substitute for good physical and mental health care.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Magickal Wooden Spoons on Etsy

2009-08-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

Find more photos like this on Pagans of Etsy Street Team

Magickal Wooden Spoons on Etsy

2009-08-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've started posting some of my wooden spoons to Etsy. I've been making magickal wooden spoons for 7 years now, and I've started listing some in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7639697

I've belonged to a co-ed group and a women's magickal group, and I find that (for me) a spoon used for casting a circle and directing energy gives a stronger, more feminine energy than a typical wand, athame or sword. Maybe I have a really strong affinity to wood, or maybe I just like the associations that a wooden spoon brings to mind... warm kitchens, families talking and eating together, wonderful homemade deliciousness, and the organic feel all combine for me. I had very strong, creative grandmothers, who used all of their tools at hand to the best advantage, so my strong role models were women - and my dad, who will bake bread using one of my spoons now & then! So... these spoons are close to my heart. I've had them in some local shops, and now am going on a broader market.

I've also done logos, including sports teams, family crests, and totem animals on spoons. They are so useful and different! And fun for me to make!

If anybody out in cyber space has magickal experiences with wooden spoons, let me know!

Earring Showcase on Etsy!

2009-08-23T00:11:00.000-07:00

LilyKat Studio is in the Etsy Earring showcase today (Sunday). I tried to feature the Swingy Autumn Leaves earrings, but the showcase cropped them off, so the Greenman earrings were better. I love the Greenman earrings, too, so I'm happy either way. It's good to know how the different spots in Etsy crop things differently - it makes a difference in how I take the pictures. So much to learn!

It's all very exciting! I tried to take a break on Saturday, but projects called to me, and I learned a new wire-wrapping technique that's kinda fun! Pics to be posted later.

On a good note, the dude who sold me Guitar Hero Drums on e-bay sent a new receiver, and this one seems to work! We haven't had time to put it through the paces yet - hopefully we'll do that Sunday evening. It's after 2:00 AM, so I'm off to bed!

Fabulous Friday!!!!

2009-08-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

It's a whirlwind, and I'm not complaining! Loving every minute of it, and then some!!!

Starting yesterday, I was notified that one of my necklaces - a very whimsical Candycorn with glow-in-the-dark sculpted beads and jasper - would be featured in an Etsy Treasury. Treasuries are picked by fellow artisans, so I feel very honored to be in one. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=65331

Then, late last night, a Pagan friend notified me that so many items had sold off her treasury, that another necklace of mine, Swingy Autumn Leaves, moved into an open spot. So, I'm in two treasuries! Yay!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=77239

So... I was having a conversation with one of the makers of the treasuries about how to snag one... and her instructions were so good, I ended up making one of my own!

Check it out:
Feeling Like Fall
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=77566

I engaged in a little shameless self-promotion, so I put one of my items in there, as well. I'm now in 3 treasuries! Woot!

And... almost a month ago, I'd booked a spot on a necklace showcase on Etsy for today, 8-21-09:
Jewelry-necklace showcase:
http://www.etsy.com/showcase.php
go to Jewelry- necklace in the dropdown list on the right.

And... Lest anyone think all I do is think about jewelry - I've learned to play Vampire Wars on Facebook! LOL! Too fun... I need a bigger clan, tho. Lily Gardener in Minneapolis on Facebook. When I figure out my direct link, I'll post it - friend me! Thanks!

LilyKat is in an Etsy Treasury!!! 8-20-09

2009-08-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

LilyKat Studio's Glow in the Dark beadwoven glass, jasper & OOAK clay beads necklace made it into an Etsy Treasury, called Halloween, Samhain, All Hallows Eve:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=65331

We are so honored & excited! The selections in this treasury run from whimsical, fun & unexpected to some beautiful items & Celtic knotwork. Love it!

Check it out - it'll be up until Saturday!

LilyKat is in an Etsy Treasury!!!

2009-08-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

LilyKat Studio's Swingy Autumn Leaves necklace is in an Etsy Treasury called "Longing for Autumn" http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=76731. I'm so excited!!!! Somebody picked our stuff for a Treasury!

A Treasury is picked by the artisans in the Etsy community around a particular theme. The fact that another artist picked our stuff is really an honor. It's our first time ever in a treasury! How fun, and kewl. I was dancing around the kitchen... silently, as my child was still sleeping. He was up until 3:00 AM.

HandmadeMN featured us on Facebook!

2009-08-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Woot! We are soooo proud! HandmadeMN featured the Lively Labradorite Earrings on their facebook announcement today! Whoo-hoo! I had to take a screen-shot of it. As you can see beneath, I listed the Candycorn necklace today, also. It's getting to be that time of year! OK - now back to work!
~l~

2009-08-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

Autumn Earring creations - posting to Etsy this week!

My burning bush is turning red already. Fall makes me both happy and sad. I like the colors, but I miss the long days!

2009-08-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

I’m very pleased to announce the first HandmadeMN giveaway! We will be holding a new giveaway every couple weeks, so check back often.

This week’s giveaway comes to you from Jodee of Palettepassion. Check out her shop for beautiful hand painted silk scarves and accessories!

More info on how to enter at http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/07/handmademn-giveaway-palettepassion.html

Goddess necklace begun...

2009-08-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

While I was caffinated up last weekend and couldn't sleep, I was laying in bed, thinking of what to make with a recently acquired Goddess bead... and I had a marvelous idea (I think!). So... after the anklet showcase was in the past, I began the necklace. I think it's gonna be good! Combines my love of history, folklore, trees & alternative religions. I'm excited, can you tell?

Off to create! Pix soon!

~l~

Autumn Jewelry designs

2009-08-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

We've started posting our Autum jewelry designs to Etsy, and we've got some great new Goddess beads that are going into new creations. I can't wait to finish!

Etsy Anklet Showcase!!!

2009-08-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

LilyKat Studio is in the Etsy anklet showcase today! Check us out! We'z all proud!
http://www.etsy.com/showcase.php
in the menu on the right, scroll to "Jewelry" > "anklet"

Got 10 anklets in the Etsy anklet showcase!!!

2009-08-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

Whew! Got all 10 slots available for LilyKat Studios filled for the Etsy showcase. Yay! Finished the last two this evening, after another session of fused glass fun!

Now... to work on something besides anklets! LOL!

2009-08-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Finished up 4 anklets for the showcase last night. Yay! Got them photographed and am uploading them today. I might have 10 pcs by the time I'm finished. We can showcase up to 10. Soooooo.... I can always sleep later, right?

5:00 PM - got 'em all listed w/metaphysical properties. Yay! Slots for 2 more, if I get that far. Midnight is still hours away....

Anklet Showcase in less than 24 hours!

2009-08-10T00:23:00.001-07:00

Our first Showcase on Etsy is Tuesday & I'm pretty excited. My brain is whizzing and I don't know how I'll sleep! I've listed 4 anklets so far & Have 4 more to list, one that needs to be finished and a few in my head, that I probably won't get to... but you never know!

Off to try to sleep!

~l~

We are members of Handmade MN!!!

2009-08-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

LilyKat Studio is now a member of 2 Etsy street teams - Handmade MN and Etsy Pagans! Whoo-hoo! This is very, very exiting.

I was up until 3:45 AM putting together anklets for our showcase on Tuesday. Had my 3rd fused glass session on Saturday, and I'm hoping to have a fused glass anklet ready for the showcase!

Kat and Tanya are busy traveling this weekend. I'm hoping to meet 2 new fur babies that will be coming home with Kat sometime soon! Tanya & Kat have been crafting some awesome Goddess beads that might make it to Etsy, if they don't get snatched up before we can list 'em!

Off to create more stuff.
~l~

Anklet showcase coming up!

2009-08-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

LilyKat has an anklet showcase coming up August 11th! We are busy putting together some fun, funky & fabuloso designs that we hope will appeal to alot of people! Or just raise our visibility on Etsy. Sales would be good, too! LOL!

Gotta go create...

~L~

2009-08-07T18:06:00.001-07:00

2009-08-07T10:31:00.001-07:00

Find more photos like this on Pagans of Etsy Street Team

2009-08-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to photograph a bowlful of jewelry... so I did!

The start of it all

2009-08-06T08:18:00.001-07:00

Wow! This summer has been quite a rush, and now we're into August!

LilyKat Studio has been a registered business in MN since 2006, and we went dormant for two years, as jobs, children, and life interrupted. But... creativity will not be denied.... so we are back after our hiatus and glad to be working at LilyKat Studio again!

LilyKat started as Kat - the outgoing one, and Lily, the introvert. We learn alot from each other, compliment each other's strengths and keep the other on their toes. Then, we met Tanya! She's younger, but a kindred creative soul. She pushes us to think in different ways, which makes everything better. For all of us, creating is a passion, and obsession, and a necessity! And we love it that way! (I inititally typo-ed "live it that way" Hmmmm... that, too!)

We have always done alot of mixed media... before that was a common phrase! Kat was always putting beads and feathers into polymer sculptures, Lily was putting wire and beads onto everything, and making computer parts and fishing lures into jewelry, and Tanya was putting extras onto paintings. Our main focus is jewelry and woodcrafts, but we've been known to go off on a tangent. Pleasant surprises are always welcome, aren't they?

Now we're on Etsy, we've previously been on e-Bay and in 3 local shops. Crazy-busy, but we are never bored! Check out our shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7639697

Also, Kat has alot of photos of past and present designs on her facebook page. I'll post a link shortly!

Make it a great day! ~Lily~