FaerieCon 2016 is coming! Get your FREE tickets!

It seems so long since I last put out a blog! So much has happened that I don't even know where to start. My subscription box launched, shows were done over the summer months and I left one position behind while finding a new path that allows me to help out a friend and gives me a little stability to boot. 

Filigree Moon Pendant and Sterling Chain
was part of the October Box

In the News at DHD

Wow! Seems like FOREVER since I sent out a blog post! I can hardly believe it is already November 16th! What happened to those two weeks? Well, quite a bit, actually!

FaerieCon Baltimore MD Nov 6-8, 2015

Coming up! DHD will be at FaerieCon East in Baltimore, MD for the first time!

Hazel is really excited and is packing her tiny little bags already. She can hardly wait to connect with her friends both old and new. I have a feeling I won't see her much during the event since she will be too busy fluttering about the gorgeous Wyndham® Hunt Valley Inn

I am looking forward to so many things at the event. It is so much fun to see all the fae in their not so natural habitat, there are two balls to attend, a fashion show, many amazing artists to meet (and whose work will be on display) and of course a Mythic Marketplace where all the finest wares are available. I will be attending with my best friend in tow and two of my heart sisters, as well. 

Getting Down and Dirty

I would be getting down and dirty just like Esther The Wonder Pig if the weather in northwest CT would warm up some more. It has been so cold here-especially at night! We are having temps that are more in line with January than late March. So much for that whole "in like a lion and out like a lamb" thing that March's claim to fame.  I will have to keep dreaming  of digging in the dirt while the snow keeps going away slowly but surely.

Click here to see Esther's site and give her a little love while you are there. :)

The good news is my tomato plants that are here in the studio window are coming up and

Dispelling The Myth Of The 10 Minute Blog

The thought of a clone (or even two) has crossed my mind. Recently on an almost daily basis! I am one of those people who really struggles with keeping up. Keeping up with blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, business, creating, photography, photo editing, web design, customer service, order processing, packing, shipping, buying, travel arrangements for shows and uploading new listings on Etsy, Zibbet, eCrater and Artfire takes up multiple hours of every day and leaves little time for much else lately. I am the wearer of all the hats in my business!

January Birthstones

Birthstones-Month of January

By her who in this month (January) is born

No gem save garnets should be worn;

They will ensure her constancy,

True friendship, and fidelity. 

~ Tiffany & Co. published this poem and others for each month for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870. The author or authors are unknown.

 

 

Faceted round and raw garnet gemstones shown with an emerald-cut garnet ring

Sun Signs:  ***Capricorn (Ruby, Garnet, Onyx), Aquarius (Amethyst)

15th- 20th century- Garnet

U.S. (18th-19th century)- Garnet

U.S. (*modern)- Garnet

Britain (modern)- Tanzanite, turquoise

Hindu- Serpent Stone

Ruby, Onyx and Amethyst

 *The American, National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas and officially adopted a list which was and is used as the “modern” version of birthstones with very limited changes.

You may also like some other birthstone posts from this blog:

January  February   March   April   May   June
July   August   September   October   November   December 

***Some sources also list Jet and Lapis Lazuli as birthstones for Capricorn

Happy New Year

New year, new beginnings. Seems this time of year brings people a sense of urgency in some of life's matters and they want to change things for the better in one way or another.  Whether it means losing weight, letting go of a bad habit, reorganizing their homes or work spaces or even doing more of what they love it all stems from the very same place. It seems so many people are dissatisfied with the lives they are living. They seek change and this time of year gives them hope for a new and better way of that life. 

December Birthstones

Birthstones-Month of December 

If cold December gave you birth,

 The month of snow and ice and mirth,

 Place on your hand a turquoise blue;

 Success will bless whate'er you do."


~ Tiffany & Co. published this poem and others for each month for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870. The author or authors are unknown.

Turquoise ring, raw Turquoise, uncut Blue Zircon, Blue Zircon and diamond pendant

Sun Signs: Sagittarius (Yellow Topaz, Turquoise) and ***Capricorn (Ruby, Garnet, Onyx)

15th- 20th century- Heliotrope, Ruby

U.S. (18^th-19^th century)- Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli

U.S. (*modern)- Blue Topaz, Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Tanzanite

Britain (modern)- Tanzanite, turquoise

Hindu-Topaz

Polished **Heliotrope, Faceted Black Onyx, Tanzanite Point, Unprocessed Garnet

***Some sources also list Jet and Lapis Lazuli as birthstones for Capricorn
**Helipotrope is also known as bloodstone

*The American, National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas and officially adopted a list which was and is used as the “modern” version of birthstones with very limited changes.

You may also like some other birthstone posts from this blog:

January  February   March   April   May   June
July   August   September   October   November   December

November Birthstones

Birthstones-Month of November

Who first comes to this world below

 In dreary November's fog and snow,

 Should prize the topaz's amber hue,

 Emblem of friends and lovers true.

 

Citrine

~ Tiffany & Co. published this poem and others for each month for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870. The author or authors are unknown.

Sun Signs of Scorpio (Beryl-also known as Aquamarine) and Sagittarius (Yellow Topaz, Turquoise)

15th- 20th century-Golden Topaz, Pearl     

U.S. (18^th-19^th century)-Golden Topaz  

U.S. (*modern)-Golden Topaz, Citrine

Britain (modern)-Golden Topaz, Citrine

Hindu-Cat’s Eye

Golden Topaz

 

*The American, National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas and officially adopted a list which was and is used as the “modern” version of birthstones with very limited changes.

You may also like some other birthstone posts from this blog:

January  February   March   April   May   June
July   August   September   October   November   December

October Birthstones

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Birthstones-Month of October

October's child is born for woe,
 And life's vicissitudes must know,
 But lay an opal
  on her breast,
 And hope will lull those woes to rest.

~ Tiffany & Co. published this poem and others for each month for the first time in a pamphlet in 1870. The author or authors are unknown.

From left to right: Opal, Aquamarine and rainbow moonstone

Sun Signs of Libra (Chrysolite, Peridot) and Scorpio (Topaz, Aquamarine,**Tourmaline)

15th- 20th century-opal, aquamarine     

U.S. (18^th-19^th century)-opal, tourmaline (yellow/golden)

U.S. (*modern)-opal, tourmaline, rainbow moonstone

Britain (modern)-opal          

Hindu-coral

The many colors of **tourmaline

**Tourmaline comes in many colors and there are differing opinions about which specific tourmaline is or should be used for both Scorpio and the modern birthstone for the month of October. Some sources list red, others black, green or yellow.

*The American, National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas and officially adopted a list which was and is used as the “modern” version of birthstones with very limited changes.

You may also like some other birthstone posts from this blog:

January  February   March   April   May   June
July   August   September   October   November   December

Why I do what I do

Recently I was asked what it was that drives me to create jewelry. I had a really simple answer which was, "I just want to make pretty things that make people happy!"

                                    

Hazel flutters around the new necklaces displayed at Artzfest

Inspiration

Hazel cajoles, "Wake up! Wake up!"

A prince awaits his princess.

Inspiration has been on my mind of late. "What inspires you?", is a question that is often asked of artists and artisans. Answers are all over the map: books, music, poetry, nature, life and more. When it comes to the mundane, however, we also need to find inspiration or risk living life in a mediocre way, going through our days as robots and finding little joy. Finding inspiration for all we do often times brings not only creativity but happiness in the every day.

Welcoming Spring!

Hazel walks among the seedlings in the greenhouse

This week Hazel and I welcomed Spring. Too bad Spring is still hiding out beneath the snow here! Hazel is NOT amused! Believe me when I say she is more than annoyed by Old Man Winter, who is steadfastly hanging on. I did sooth her with a trip out to the greenhouse where things are sprouting and growing currently. Even if the “Old Man” refuses to budge for the moment these little sprouts will continue to grow and strengthen until Spring has truly sprung.