Rose Quartz in a Shell

Rose Quartz set into a shell with silver solder border and a silver wire stand.

The Rose Quartz crystal has carefully been attached to the shell with silver solder and then the shell has been surrounded with a silver solder border. It is attached to a silver wire stand and could be used to display a small poem on a card on a special dinner table for two. I'm sure you can find many more inspirational uses for it!

ONCE-OFF UNIQUE ITEM

ITEM ID : SHELL-ROSE-QUARTZ
PRICE : R90.00 ZA

Rose Quartz Properties: Brings Love; Peace and calm / A must stone for your house

Rose quartz is pink quartz that is often called the "Love Stone." It is a stone of unconditional love that opens the heart chakra to all forms of love: self-love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love. The high energy of quartz gives rose quartz the property of enhancing love in virtually any situation. In turn, this lowers stress. All in all it is a very soothing and happy stone.

Emotionally rose quartz brings gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and tolerance. It raises one's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It helps balance emotions and heal emotional wounds and traumas, even grief, bringing peace and calm. Rose quartz removes fears, resentments and anger. It can also heal and release childhood traumas, neglect, and lack of love, in part by enhancing inner awareness. It can help with reconciliation with family and others. Overwhelming or unreasonable guilt is eased by rose quartz.

Crystal Wands

Rose Quartz Crystal Wand - Silver wire with Rose Quartz and pink seed beads on a hand-crafted silver wire stand with black and turquoise beads.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : WandRozeQuartz

PRICE : R150.00 ZA

Keywords: Love

Rose quartz is pink quartz that is often called the "Love Stone." It is a stone of unconditional love that opens the heart chakra to all forms of love: self-love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love. The high energy of quartz gives rose quartz the property of enhancing love in virtually any situation. In turn, this lowers stress. All in all it is a very soothing and happy stone.

Emotionally rose quartz brings gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and tolerance. It raises one's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It helps balance emotions and heal emotional wounds and traumas, even grief, bringing peace and calm. Rose quartz removes fears, resentments and anger. It can also heal and release childhood traumas, neglect, and lack of love, in part by enhancing inner awareness. It can help with reconciliation with family and others. Overwhelming or unreasonable guilt is eased by rose quartz.

Earth Range - "Bound Chaos"

'Bound Chaos' pendant and bracelet Set

The pendant from the "Earth Range" is hand-crafted from silver black-coated wire, bound together with silver wire and hung with a pearlescent bead and hangs from a silver chain and represents chaos bound into an organised form.

The bracelet is also meticulously hand-crafted from silver black-coated wire, silver solder and intertwined with silver wire and a bead.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : BOUND-CHAOS
PRICE : R95.00 ZA

Bone Pendant and Earrings

What did one ambitious earring say to the other?

Hey! Do you know how anyone gets a head around here?

'Bone Pendant' and hook earrings with silver wire, bone and silver beads on silver chain.

This pendant forms part of the Earth Range, using all natural materials to form a simple, yet stunning pendant and earrings set.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : BONE-PENDANT+EARRINGS
PRICE : R95.00 ZA

Earth Elements Choker set

'Earth Elements - Steel, Silver, Wood, Air' - Choker and earrings

A Silver wire and silver solder choker, hung with a steel pendant and wood bead. Matching hook earrings made of silver wire and wood bead. The circle of the choker represents the element of Air.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : EARTH STEEL/SILVER/WOOD/AIR CHOKER AND EARRINGS SET
PRICE : R95.00 ZA

Crystals on Stands - Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz Crystal on Silver Wire stand

From the "Earth range" - this exquisite clear Quartz Crystal stands on a unique, hand-crafted Silver wire stand which allows this crystal to be show-cased in its full beauty.

Keywords: Power, Clarity

Quartz is a power stone. It has been called the "Universal Crystal", and is the most recognized type of crystal.

Quartz enhances energy by absorbing, storing, amplifying, balancing, focusing and transmitting. It channels universal energy. Quartz also enhances thoughts, as they are a form of energy. Because it directs and amplifies energy, it is extremely beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection, and channeling. It is also beneficial for storing and retrieving information of all types, as information is a form of energy pattern also. This makes them particularly good for programming. Due to its ability to balance, quartz is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment. Quartz is also good for energizing other crystals.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : CRYSTAL-STAND-QUARTZ-CLEAR
PRICE : R250.00 ZA

Crystals on Stands - Amethyst

Large Amethyst crystal on Silver wire stand with small Amethyst hanging crystal

From the "Earth range" - this exquisite cluster of Amethyst stands on a unique, hand-crafted Silver wire stand and has a small Amethyst crystal hanging from the one side.

Keywords: Psychic, Sobriety

Amethyst is purple quartz, and is a meditative and calming stone. It works in the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes to provide calm, balance, patience, and peace. Amethyst is also beneficial when dealing with legal problems and money issues, which can lead to prosperity and abundance.

Emotionally, amethyst can help heal personal losses and grief. Amethyst has a gently sedative energy that promotes peacefulness, happiness, and contentment. It also brings emotional stability and inner strength, and can enhance flexibility and cooperation. Amethyst can help get rid of addictions (alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc.) and compulsive behaviours of all kinds.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : CRYSTAL-STAND-AMETHYST
PRICE : R250.00 ZA

Earth Range Pendant - Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz Crystal Pendant with Silver wire hanging from a leather thong.

This Rose Quartz Crystal pendant is from the "Earth range" and is encased in silver wire and can also be ordered with a silver chain. No two Rose Quartz pendants can ever be the same as they are individually hand-crafted and due to the various shapes and sizes of the crystals. Wire patterns will also differ.

Keywords: Love

Rose quartz is pink quartz that is often called the "Love Stone." It is a stone of unconditional love that opens the heart chakra to all forms of love: self-love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love. The high energy of quartz gives rose quartz the property of enhancing love in virtually any situation. In turn, this lowers stress. All in all it is a very soothing and happy stone.

Emotionally rose quartz brings gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, kindness and tolerance. It raises one's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It helps balance emotions and heal emotional wounds and traumas, even grief, bringing peace and calm. Rose quartz removes fears, resentments and anger. It can also heal and release childhood traumas, neglect, and lack of love, in part by enhancing inner awareness. It can help with reconciliation with family and others. Overwhelming or unreasonable guilt is eased by rose quartz.

ONCE-OFF ITEM
ITEM ID : 9PEND-QUARTZ-ROSE
PRICE : R75.00 ZA


'Africa Embraced'

Rose Quartz Crystal Pendant encased in Silver wire, hanging from a leather thong.

This Rose Quartz Crystal pendant in the shape of Africa is from the "Earth range" and is 'embraced' in silver wire and can also be ordered with a silver chain.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : 9PEND-QUARTZ-ROSE-AFRICA-EMBR
PRICE : R75.00 ZA


'Eye of Africa'

This Rose Quartz Crystal pendant in the shape of Africa with a blue glass jewel is from the "Earth range" and is surrounded in silver wire with a silver chain.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : 9PEND-QUARTZ-ROSE-EYE-AFRICA
PRICE : R85.00 ZA

Earth Range - Quartz Crystal Pendant

What's the most unpopular question you can ask a jeweller?

"Giving away any free samples today?"

Clear Quartz Crystal Pendant with Silver wire hanging from a leather Thong.

This Clear Quartz Crystal pendant is from the "Earth range" and is encased in silver wire and can also be ordered with a silver chain. Due to variety of shapes and sizes of the crystals, no two items can be exactly the same and, as each one is individually hand-crafter, wire patterns may also differ.

Keywords: Power, Clarity

Quartz is a power stone. It has been called the "Universal Crystal", and is the most recognized type of crystal.

Quartz enhances energy by absorbing, storing, amplifying, balancing, focusing and transmitting. It channels universal energy. Quartz also enhances thoughts, as they are a form of energy. Because it directs and amplifies energy, it is extremely beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection, and channeling. It is also beneficial for storing and retrieving information of all types, as information is a form of energy pattern also. This makes them particularly good for programming. Due to its ability to balance, quartz is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment. Quartz is also good for energizing other crystals.

ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : 9PEND-QUARTZ-CLEAR
PRICE : R75.00 ZA

"Keepsakes" Salt

Why do teenagers love diamonds?

Because they are considered the best hard rock.

"Vintage salt" - glass mustard holder and lid adorned with glass beads.

This small salt is from the "Keepsakes" range and is a vintage mustard pot with hand-crafted lid, adorned with glass beads. Cut-glass pattern and in good condition (one tiny chip), it is ideal for storing rings or earrings.

UNIQUE, ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : KEEPSAKES-SALT
PRICE : R95.00 ZA

"Keepsakes" Bracelet

What is the difference between a jailer and a jeweller?

One watches cells and the other sells watches.

'Keepsakes' Bracelet

This bracelet from the "Keepsakes" range has four clear amber glass jewels with silver wire links, silver clasp and a vintage wrist-watch face with an Indian pewter bead. Also available in Glass jewel colours of navy, blue, white, green.

If you have an old wrist-watch of sentimental value, you can supply that to be incorporated into the bracelet.

ONCE-OFF ITEM

ITEM ID : KEEPSAKES-WATCH-BRACELET
PRICE : R150.00 ZA

"Goggo" Range - Dragonfly

Dragonfly ornament - Silver wire and silver solder, Red jewel and red bead. Also available in blue.

SIZE : 8cm long, wingspan 11cm
ITEM ID - DRAGONFLY-RED
PRICE : R150.00 ZA ea

This Dragonfly is from the "Goggo" Range of insect jewelry I design and make, which serve as little ornaments or brooches, ideal gifts for the insect lover. Each insect is packed with a descriptive card and is carefully and meticulously hand-crafted from silver wire, silver solder, copper or pewter and glass jewels or beads and it takes about 4 - 5 hours to create each insect.


Emperor Dragonfly

Males have a sky blue abdomen marked with a diagnostic black dorsal stripe and an apple green thorax. Females have a green thorax and abdomen. The male is highly territorial, and difficult to approach. The species lives by larger ponds, gravel pits, and slow rivers.


Watercolour sketch of Dragonfly ornament - Maree


Dragonfly ornament in Blue with descriptive card

Blue Brooch and Earrings

Brooch made out of copper with a clear blue glass jewel in the centre.
A patina was applied to the copper and silver solder to give it an aged look.

ITEM ID : 8BR-COPPER-BLUE
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Clip-on earrings - Copper and blue glass jewel. A patina was applied to the copper and silver
solder to give it an aged look. Also available with Pin or Hooks.

ITEM ID : 8EAR-COPPER-BLUE-ROUND
PRICE R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Hook earrings - Oblong Clear blue glass jewel and silver solder with patina applied to give it an aged look.

ITEM ID : 4EAR-BLUE
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Earth Range Bracelets

Earth Range - Silver Wire bracelets with beads and crystals



These bracelets are made out of various wires, including coated, copper and silver wire, interlaced with beads or plain with no beads. The are available in single colour or multi-colour bead combinations. Just state your preference.

ITEM ID : 7BRACELET-WIRE
PRICE : R80.00 ZA

Abalone Pendant

An Abalone (Mother of Pearl) pendant from the "Earth range", with silver wire and silver solder surround, glass bead and on silver chain.

This pendant was made from a beach find, which I smoothed and polished, exposing the smooth inner-skin. Abalone is not easy to work with, as it is extremely fragile and splinters and flakes if you are not careful. It is decorated with silver wire and a glass bead.


The shell of a red abalone

The shells of abalones have a low and open spiral structure, and are characterized by several open respiratory pores in a row near the shell's outer edge. The thick inner layer of the shell is composed of nacre or mother-of-pearl, which in many species is highly iridescent, giving rise to a range of strong and changeable colours, which make the shells attractive to humans as decorative objects, and as a source of colourful mother-of-pearl.


Two highly endangered White Abalone. Prohibitions on commercial and recreational harvest of this species have been in place since 1996.



1 in Stock - Exclusive Once-off Item

ITEM ID - Abalone Pendant
PRICE : R195.00 ZA

White Brooch and Earrings

Silver wire and silver solder Brooch and Round Clip-on earrings with white glass jewel with patina applied to give it an aged look. Sold separately.

ITEM ID - BROOCH-6BR-WHITE
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

The Round clip-on earrings seen above are made with copper and silver solder with a white glass jewel inset. The finished product has been given a patina finish for an antique look.

ROUND EARRINGS ITEM ID - 6EAR-WHITE-ROUND-CLIPON
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl postage

Silver wire and silver solder Hook earrings with white glass jewel.

ITEM ID - 6EARHOOK-WHITE TRIANGLE
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Antique-style

Brooch made out of copper with a clear glass jewel in the centre.
A patina was applied to the copper and silver solder to give it an antique look.

ITEM ID - 5ANT-BR-CL
PRICE : BROOCH R110.00 ZA incl postage

Pin earrings - Copper and silver solder with clear glass jewel. A patina was applied to the copper and silver solder to give it an antique look.

ITEM ID - 5ANT-EAR-CL-TEARDROP
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Hook earrings - Copper and clear glass jewel. A patina was applied to the copper and silver solder to give it an aged look. Only available with hooks.

ITEM ID - 5ANT-EAR-CL-TRIANGLE
PRICE : R110.00 ZA inclu postage

Red Brooch & Earrings

Last week I managed to find these three stunning red glass jewels and for some reason, red seems to be very scarce and in short supply. I also wanted some round ones, but they weren't available in this colour red, only a very dark, plum colour. So for now, this set is one of a kind.


Silver wire and silver solder Brooch with oblong clear red glass jewel with patina applied to give it an aged look.

1 In Stock

ITEM ID - 4BR-RED
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

Hook earrings with oblong clear red glass jewel - a patina was applied to give the earrings an aged look.

1 Pair In Stock

ITEM ID - 4EAR-RED
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

"Keepsakes" - Trinkets with meaning

From the "Keepsakes" range comes a range of jewelry incorporating favourite family heirlooms like photographs, pieces of lace from a christening robe or a bridal gown, buttons, parts of antique wrist watches or slivers of material from a favourite gown, even porcelain from a broken vintage or antique tea cup, supplied by the client.

Favourite motifs that I often use are rose petals for romance, leaves to symbolise life, cut-outs from favourite post-cards, and stamps, the dates forever immortalised between glass. Old clock faces to mark the passage of time is also one of my all-time favourites for bracelets.

This jewelry range consists of necklaces, pendants, charm bracelets, bracelets and brooches. Each item is carefully and meticulously hand-crafted with meticulous care to detail.

Each item can be used as a single pendant, several combined on a chain or charm bracelet or threaded onto gold ribbon and used as Christmas Tree ornaments.


Each photo frame approx. 2cm x 2.5cm.

ITEM I.D. - KEEPSAKES-FRAME
PRICE per Photo frame each with chain or ribbon: R90.00ea ZA incl. postage

"Keepsakes" necklace - 3 photographs, 1 lace and 1 rose petal - all under
glass on silver chain. Items to be incorporated to be supplied by the client
or the client could suggest items to be used.

ITEM I.D. - KEEPSAKES-5NECKLACE
PRICE : Necklace with 5 frames and silver chain - R450.00 ZA incl. postage

Watercolour Detail of "Keepsakes" pendant or Christmas tree ornament
photograph between 2 pieces of glass with silver solder - Maree


Watercolour Detail of "Keepsakes" pendant or Christmas tree ornament -
photograph between 2 pieces of glass with silver solder and gold ribbon - Maree.

Using Copper in Jewelry

The very mention of Africa conjures up images of vast, wild and majestic landscapes and stirs an ancient longing deep within the hearts of most. The cradle of civilisation holds in it mystique the beauty of an era that long ago faded but will never be forgotten.

African copper bracelets have become a sought-after fashion accessory not only for the ethnic look but also for the health properties of copper bracelets. The Zulu people of South Africa who wear these copper bracelets say that the bracelet helps ward off illness and keeps the body in balance.


The copper bracelet is open at one end so that it will fit over any size wrist.

Copper has been used as a medicine for thousands of years including the treatment of chest wounds and the purifying of drinking water. More recently, research has indicated that copper helps prevent inflammation in arthritis and similar diseases. Recent scientific investigations have also demonstrated the efficacy of copper to inactivate (kill) harmful microbes.

Copper jewelry is sometimes sold with claims of health benefits such as improving the skin or alleviating the pain of arthritis. Copper has a long history of use in the realm of health, and modern science has confirmed many of its beneficial properties. Many people have experienced relief from medical conditions as a result of wearing copper jewelry, which is sometimes magnetized as well.

However, the effectiveness of copper jewelry has not been scientifically proven, and detractors believe that it is not the best way to reap the health benefits of copper.

WORKING WITH COPPER
Working with copper sheeting is pure pleasure! Craft copper is available in rolls approximately 50cm wide and 10m in length. It's malleable and easy to bend and can be cut with ordinary office scissors, although you'll never be able to use the scissors for anything else again!

As with any sheet metal, the edges can be extremely sharp. Be careful when cutting or working with it. Whenever I create pieces that have sharp corners, I usually use an old pair of scissors (so I don't worry about ruining them) and trim the corners so that they are slightly rounded. You can use your Dremel, sand paper, or sanding block to sand the edges so that it is not sharp or rough to the touch.


Copper sheeting with various pliers and soldering iron.

It is extremely easy to solder copper, but it is a great heat conductor, so extreme care must be taken not to burn your hands. Hold the copper with pliers while soldering and let it cool before handling it again.


An example of a brooch made out of copper with a clear glass jewel in the centre.
A patina was applied to the copper and silver solder to give it an aged look.


Copper and glass used together - brooch on silver chain

It can be a daunting challenge to start to learn a new craft, so the most important thing is to have fun and don't be afraid to experiment. You will certainly be rewarded for your efforts by the countless objects you can create with this beautiful and unique metal.

Why Do We Wear Jewelry?

"Kentucky" - Black Stained Glass brooch adorned with Bantam feathers

Jewellery or Jewelry is a personal ornament, such as a necklace, ring, or bracelet, made from gemstones, precious metals or other materials.

The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" circa the 13th century. Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently found 100,000 year-old beads made from Nassarius shells are thought to be the oldest known jewellery.

Although during earlier times jewellery was created for practical uses such as wealth, storage and pinning clothes together, in recent times it has been used almost exclusively for decoration. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood, amber and carved stone. Jewellery was often made for people of high importance to show their status and, in many cases, they were buried with it.


Jewellery has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from hairpins to toe rings and many more types of jewellery. While high-quality is made with gemstones and precious metals, there is also a growing demand for art jewellery where design and creativity is prized above material value. In addition, there is the less-costly costume jewellery, made from less-valuable materials and mass-produced. New variations include wire sculpture (wrap) jewellery, using anything from base metal wire with rock tumbled stone to precious metals and precious gemstones.

Jewellery has been used for a number of reasons:

• Currency, wealth display and storage,
• Functional use (such as clasps, pins and buckles)
• Symbolism (to show membership or status)
• Protection (in the form of amulets and magical wards),[3]
• Artistic display

Most cultures have at some point had a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewellery. Numerous cultures move wedding dowries in the form of jewellery, or create jewellery as a means to store or display coins. Alternatively, jewellery has been used as a currency or trade good; an example being the use of slave beads.

Many items of jewellery, such as brooches and buckles originated as purely functional items, but evolved into decorative items as their functional requirement diminished.


"Amber Aztek" - pendant with copper silver solder and amber glass jewel

Wearing of amulets and devotional medals to provide protection or ward off evil is common in some cultures; these may take the form of symbols (such as the ankh), stones, plants, and animals.

Whatever the reasons for wearing jewelry, it is a thing of value, a thing of beauty that pleases the soul and many today's creations become tomorrow's antiques and collectibles.

Earth Range - Pebbles and Stones

More inspiration from nature - from the "EARTH" range, these large natural pebbles come in all shapes and sizes and are wonderful to work with as they do not conduct the heat onto your hands as copper does!

Scouring the beach, river banks and streams for unique shapes of pebbles and stones is a favourite past-time of mine. The beach also offers pieces of glass, smoothly rounded by the action of the waves and sand, as well as seed pods from far-off countries. Curio shops also offer some great finds, albeit a bit pricey, and nurseries and garden stores are also great sources.


"Black Stone" with Silver Wire and leather thonging - length 40cm adjustable
Pebble size 20mm wide x 40mm long

1 In stock - actual design might vary slightly

ITEM I.D. - STONE-PENDANT-BLACK
PRICE : R90.00 ZA incl. postage

"Brown Stone" with silver wire and leather thonging - length 40cm adjustable
Pebble size 40mm wide x 55mm long
1 In stock - actual design might vary slightly

ITEM I.D. - STONE-PENDANT-BROWN
PRICE : R90.00 ZA incl. postage


The Pebbles & Stones range consists of various sizes and colours and glass jewels and beads can be added for extra interest. Smaller pebbles are used for earrings and are only available as hook earrings.

Jewelry Designs

Normally when I feel creative and sit down to make some jewelry, I just cut and shape a piece of copper or glass and see what flows forth, and the design develops as I go along. This morning I decided to design some jewelry by drawing and painting some designs first for possible future use. I don't often do this, as, when working on the real thing, the design seems to take on a personality of it's own and resists all attempts to conform!

When I do make these designs, I will post them as soon as I've finished.

The pendant below will be a dark amber jewel, surrounded and held in place by silver wire and solder and could be hung from a silver chain or some leather thonging. There will be no copper foil on the jewel (which is normally used to solder glass to any other items), as I would like to achieve a clean, uncluttered look.



The pendant below will consist of an oblong square of streaky white stained glass, finished off with silver solder, silver wire flowing across the glass and sides, with some white beads. The pendant will have a silver chain.



This brooch will be made of copper and thick copper wire spiraling around the front of it. Some parts will be antiqued with a special patina and some will be left plain copper. The brooch pin is soldered on the back.

Overview - How to Order

Unfortunately, only South Africans can make use of the PayFast easy payment system. If you are an overseas buyer, please contact me by e-mail at HEDGIE, where I can supply you with my bank details, any further information you might require and you can provide me with your postal address. Only EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) payment is accepted from overseas.

I use PostNet as my postal provider and parcels are handled with great care and secure and speedy delivery is ensured. For example, a watercolour painting I despatched to Jackson, Mississippi, USA, was delivered within 10 days, safe and sound.

The PayFast payment system supports the following banks :

ABSA
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
NEDBANK
SANDARD BANK
INVESTIC (doesn't support EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)

All work is guaranteed as original, presented aesthetically and is packaged with extreme care. Should you be totally dissatisfied with your purchase, please do not hesitate to contact me so that we can address the problem.

There might be a slight colour variance between actual work and the pictures on your screen caused by screen settings, but I do take particular care with correct dpi and colour settings when pictures are scanned for publication.

For items in stock, allow an approximate delivery time of 5 days. For special requests, allow approximate 5-10 days, depending on the availability of materials and intricacy of the design.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE PACKAGING AND POSTING.

CONDITIONS OF SALE
Although the designs are fragile and should be handled with care, they are amazingly robust at the same time and ideal for every day use. The care and cleaning of the items is easy and simple and each unit is packaged with cleaning instructions.

The finished product may vary slightly in shape, size, colour or design, as each item is uniquely hand-crafted and no two designs or items can be exactly the same.

We take every precaution to ensure that each item is in perfect condition before leaving our store and we are not responsible for any damage due to careless or rough handling of the product.

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return the product within 7 days from date of purchase for a full refund minus 10% handling fee.

Delivery of the item includes packaging and postage. Delivery will be effected immediately upon confirmation of order and full payment received.

Earth Range - Leaves

Finding inspiration in nature is like finding treasure at the end of the rainbow! Leaves, flowers, weeds (like my favourite, the Dandelion), bark and seed pods all offer inspirational designs. These two leaf sets, from the "Earth range", are created from copper, silver wire and silver solder, with the seed pods being metal beads.

I applied an antique patina to the Blue Gum Leaf and then buffed off most of it with fine steel wool, allowing the copper to shine through.


"Blue Gum Leaf and Seed pod" (Eucalyptus) - hook earrings

ITEM I.D. - BLUEGUM-LEAF
PRICE : R140.00 ZA
(This item is SOLD)


"White Karee Leaf and Seed pod" (Rhus Viminalis) - hook earrings

Unique, Once-off item
ITEM I.D. - KAREE-LEAF
PRICE : R140.00 ZA incl postage

These Leaf earrings are light-weight and robust, but should be treated as fragile and handled with care. Each leaf is approximately 140mm long from hook to bottom tip. On the White Karee Leaf, I applied the patina a bit thicker and then only buffed it with a cloth, giving it a more antique look.

Each set of earrings is packed with a descriptive card and cleaning and care instructions.

Cosmic Orbit

With the warmer weather continuing, I've been a busy bee in the jewelry department. And when the urge to be creative strikes, one has to make use of it or regret it forever! And what seems to be a simple idea of twisting and turning turns into a calculation of size and symmetry - not as simple as I originally thought...

From the "EARTH" range, this pendant and earrings is fashioned from Silver wire and the pendant is strung from a neutral-coloured leather thong to offer contrast and enhance the natural earthy theme, but will look equally as good hanging from a silver chain.

Light-weight and sturdy, these items can be rinsed in a mild soapy solution for cleaning.


"Cosmic Orbit" pendant on leather thonging and hook earrings


Detail "Cosmic Orbit" silver wire hook earrings


Detail "Cosmic Orbit" silver wire pendant on brown leather thonging

Only available as a set, Pendant with leather thonging and hook Earrings

PRICE : R110.00 ZA

ITEM I.D. - COSMIC-ORBIT

Autumn Necklace

"Autumn" Necklace and earrings - Copper wire and silver solder with green beads

This set is completely and meticulously hand-crafted and although it should be handled with care and treated as fragile, every care has been taken to ensure strength and durability. The set is packed with care and cleaning instructions.

Unique, Once-off item
ITEM I.D. - 4COPPER-AUTUMN

PRICE : R140.00 ZA/set

"Goggo" Range - Dung Beetle

Dung Beetle brooch - silver wire and silver solder, Black glass jewel, glass bead and black marble
SIZE : 5cm long

1 In Stock - Unique Once-off item
ITEM I.D. - DUNG BEETLE - BLACK

This Dung Beetle Brooch is a perfect little replica of it's live cousin in the wild, carefully hand-crafted with meticulous care to detail and strength. The brooch clip is on the tummy. Each Insect is packed with a descriptive card and cleaning instructions.

Although each item is extremely sturdy and great care has been taken in testing strength for every-day use, please note that these items are to be treated as fragile and therefore handled with care.

PRICE : R195.00 ZA incl postage

A dung beetle, with a shovel-like head, rolling a dung ball with its hind legs


Two dung beetles fighting for a dung ball

Green Pendant and Earrings

Pendant with Green glass jewel and silver chain

1 in Stock
ITEM I.D. - 2PEND-GR
PRICE : R110.00 ZA incl. postage

This pendant is made of copper, solder coated and antiqued with a special patina to age it. The pendant hangs from a 60cm silver chain.

Clip-on Earrings with Green glass jewels. Earrings also available with hooks or pins. The green glass jewel in these earrings are a darker green than the pendant as in the photograph below - not a set.

1 In stock
ITEM I.D. - 3EAR-GR
Earrings - R110.00 ZA incl. postage

ABOUT Afrika Street Jewelry

Hi,I'm Maree Clarkson and I've been making jewelry for about 15 years. I've had no formal training in the jewelry industry, but I am a fully trained stained glass artist and the jewelry started as a side product from all the off-cuts of glass left over from my stained glass commissions and projects.

I work primarily with glass and silver wire, but incorporate a wide range of materials into my designs, like copper, copper wire, crystals, glass beads, feathers, pieces of wood and stone, pebbles, leather, pewter, brass and much of anything else I can lay my hands on.

Black stained glass brooch with Bantam feathers

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Brooches and earrings

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I design and manufacture a range of earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and "Keepsakes", being jewelry incorporating favourite family heirlooms like photographs, pieces of lace from a christening robe, buttons, parts of antique wrist watches or slivers of material from a favourite gown supplied by the client.

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Necklace from 'Keepsakes' range with lace, photographs and rose petal

under glass, silver chain.

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Each unique little keepsake can also be utilised as Christmas tree decorations, setting a festive and personal theme for the holidays.

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Keepsakes to hang on Christmas tree as ornaments using photographs

"Keepsakes" Christmas tree ornament utilising old photograph

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' Keepsakes' Necklace

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'Keepsakes' Charm Bracelet

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"Keepsakes" Pin Brooches

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I also design brooches and ornaments in the form of insects, (Goggo Range) each of which has a descriptive card with a little bit of information regarding the insect together with cleaning instructions.

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Dragonfly - Silver wire and red glass jewels

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Each piece is individually designed and painstakingly made by hand with great attention to detail. Although the pieces are fragile and should be handled with care, great care is taken make sure that each piece is strong and sturdy and that it will withstand daily handling.

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'Scorpion' Brooch - silver wire, pewter and clear glass jewel

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'Wasp' ornament

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My design inspiration often comes from nature - a subtle shadow, an interesting form or line, the way a leaf glitters in the sunlight or a pebble half hidden in the beach sand... Mother Nature is full of inspiration and colour unable to be matched by anything man-made. Our planet is blessed with the great beauty of natural resources and is just waiting for us to make use of them.

When taking orders, I reserve the right to adjust designs as necessary, but every care will be taken to stick to a requested design as near as possible.

Please come back from time to time, as new designs are added on a regular basis. You can also contact me by e-mail if you have any queries or just want to chat. I'd love to hear from you.

What is the Purpose of Earrings?

1) Helix/Cartilage, 2) Industrial, 3) Rook, 4) Daith, 5) Tragus, 6) Snug, 7) Conch, 8) Anti-Tragus, 9) Lobe

Earrings are jewelry attached to the ear through a piercing in the earlobe or some other external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Earrings are worn by both sexes. In western cultures, earrings have traditionally been worn primarily by women, although in recent decades, ear piercing has also become popular among men in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

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The purpose of earrings probably stems from the days when pierced ears were particularly among sailors, for whom a pierced earlobe often meant that the wearer had sailed around the world or had crossed the equator. In addition, if a non-service member sailor was involved in and survived a sinking ship, they were often seen wearing an earring in the left ear. There was also a long-held belief that puncturing the earlobe was beneficial to increasing the acuity of eyesight (see acupuncture) or of hearing. Also, it was a common belief amongst sailors that if their ship wrecked and their bodes washed up on a shoreline, the person to find them would take the earring as payment for a Christian burial. It is because of this belief that many sailors invested quite a bit of money on gold earrings, as they were very superstitious.

Hook earrings - silver wire and solder with blue glass beads

The Use of Insect Forms in Jewelry

The use of insect forms as jewelry and ornaments dates from very early times.

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The presence of insects in amber was noticed by the Pliny the Elder (AD 23) in his Naturalis Historia and led him to the (correct) theory that at some point, amber had to be in a liquid state to cover the bodies of insects. Hence he gave it the expressive name of succinum or gum-stone, a name that is still in use today to describe succini acid as well as succinite, a term given to a particular type of amber by James Dwight Dana.

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Amber necklace and earrings

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Amber is fossil tree resin, which is appreciated for its color and beauty. Good quality amber is used for the manufacture of ornamental objects and jewelry. Although not mineralised, it is often classified as a gemstone.

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A common misconception is that amber is made of tree sap; it is not. Sap is the fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, while resin is the semi-solid amorphous organic substance secreted in pockets and canals through epithelial cells of the plant.

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"Aztec" pendant with amber-coloured glass jewel

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Amber was much valued as an ornamental material in very early times. It has been found in Mycenaean tombs; it is known from lake-dwellings in Switzerland, and it occurs with Neolithic remains Denmark, whilst in England it is found with interments of the bronze age.

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Do What You Love

This might sound somewhat corny, but I believe with all my heart and soul that each one of us is born with a talent, and a destiny that will unfold in the most miraculous way when we honour and use that talent. Some might call it "finding their calling" or "discovering their purpose in life." I call it, "doing what you love to do and following your passion." Actually, they are all the same thing. Your calling and destiny are hidden within the precious desires of your heart. What an ingenious place to put it! All that is required is for you to look within and discover what gives you the greatest joy.

A valuable question to assist you in this process is, "What would I do with my life if money were not an issue?" I’m not asking what would you buy for yourself, or what luxury trips you would take, but rather what would you "do" with your life. The key word is "do." What practices or activities bring you the most pleasure? Do you know why they bring you such pleasure? This might surprise you, but they bring you pleasure because God/the Universe/the Source wants you to do them. They bring us pleasure because nature wants us to use them. When we use them we gift many. How simple and yet revolutionary: your purpose in life, your destiny, your reason for living, your ultimate happiness, all come from following and trusting what you love to do. Quite ingenious.

A couple of years ago I started setting up websites for myself - 2 for business and 7just for the love of it. I had no other motive than simply indulging myself in what had become my passion. There certainly was going to be no financial benefit in it, or so I thought. Little did I realize at the time that by following this path I would become a very successful web designer and writer of articles on many subjects. It was my destiny to do this, and I only discovered it by chance because I followed and trusted what gave me the greatest pleasure.


Not only is "Doing What You Love" a key to personal fulfillment, it is more often than not the key to financial success as well. While I was writing articles and posting them to my various blogs and websites, I decided to send each of my financially successful friends (those with assets over a million) a notification of my doings so I could get their feedback. As I finished my list and was reading over the names, I suddenly realized that every single one of them had achieved their success in areas they enjoyed working in – one was in the security business, another was in air conditioning, one in law, still another in home renovating – and so it went. They had found their passion, devoted themselves to it, and had prospered. Every single one of them was doing what they loved doing.

It got me thinking. Has anybody ever been tremendously successful doing what he or she dislikes? Sure you can make a living doing what you don’t enjoy, and many people do, but can you be tremendously successful? I thought about it for a while and you know what? I couldn’t think of anyone that I either knew or had read about in newspapers who was tremendously successful at doing something they did not enjoy doing. Not one. Something to ponder as we make our life choices.

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Dagboek vir Vroue

Ek wil almal vertel van VROUE-DAGBOEKE - Hierdie is 'n platform waar Afrikaanse dames hul idees kan noteer, idees en raad kan kry of gee oor hul kinders, tegnologie, resepte, boererate, skoonheid, ons aarde, self-sorg, kuns en kreatiwiteit en nog veel meer.

.Toe ek op die internet gesoek het na 'n dagboek vir vroue waar ek kan kommunikeer en konnekteer met ander Afrikaanse dames omtrent huidige sake van belang of interessantheid, 'n plekkie waar ek sommer net my gedagtes kan pen en my hart uitpraat, was ek teleurgesteld met die uitslag. Niks of min is beskikbaar nie, maar by Afrikaanse Vroue-Dagboeke kan jy beslis jou hart uitpraat en terugvoer ontvang en konnekteer met ander lede.
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Kom vertel jou stories en wees deel van 'n wonderlike samesyn van gedagtes.
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Leef jou verbeelding en nie jou geskiedenis nie - gister is verby, gedaan, kaput - môre is nog nie hier nie - al wat ons het is VANDAG - NOU - DIE HEDE - en wat jy daarmee gaan doen.
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Sluit asseblief aan en nooi ook asseblief al jou vriendinne om in te loer en deel te neem en 'n wonderlike ondervinding vir almal te skep. Ek WEET julle het almal baie om te sê - LAAT VAN JOU HOOR!

Encourage Others to be Brilliant

Why You Should Think About Encouraging Others to Be Brilliant

It is a beautiful thing to create, to produce, to go out there in the world and make a contribution.

But it is just as important, if not more so, that we help others to do the same — that we teach others to create and produce, that we encourage them, that we support them and help them to succeed.

Why? Why not just worry about our own creations and productions? What’s so important about helping others to succeed?

If you think of your work as a contribution to the world — great or small — then you can say you’ve made X amount of difference in making this world a better place.

But if you help 5 or 10 people make their contributions, you can say you’ve made perhaps 5x or 10x amount of difference in making this world a better place. You multiply your contribution.

And if, in doing so, you teach others to help still other people create and produce and make contributions, you’ve just added an exponent to your contribution … X squared, X to the power of 3 or 10 or whatever the number might be. OK, I’m not great at math, but you can see the point: the amount of difference made in this world not only multiplies, but keeps on multiplying beyond you.

Unfortunately, many people seem to have a problem with this concept. They tear people down, block them, hoard the goods for themselves, and are jealous of the success of others. We need to break free of this jealousy and meanness. We need to learn to be happy for others, and what’s more, to count their success as our success and feel proud of the contribution we’ve made in helping others make a difference.

So go out in this world and create — make something brilliant, whether it be a piece of art or a book or music or a wonderful new invention or a world-changing business or whatever it is you do in the world.

But go beyond that. Teach others to be brilliant and make a difference. Encourage them to create, support them, give them a boost, help them succeed. And teach them to do the same with still other people.

The world will thank you for it. And even if you never receive thanks, know in your heart that you’ve done some good, that you’ve lit your light in this world that will last beyond your mortal years, that will continue to grow and burn brightly long after your dust has returned to dust and blown away in the wind.

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

-Buddha

Koperwerk

HOE OM MET KOPER TE WERK



Koperplaat, Soldeeryster, Soldeeryster houer (stand), Staaf soldeersel, Flux met borseltjies, tanjetjies

Om met koperplaat te werk is pure plesier - dit kom in rolle van ongeveer 50cm wyd en ongeveer 10 meters op 'n rol. Koperplaat is beskikbaar by meeste arts en crafts winkels. Dit is uiters buigsaam en werkbaar en ook maklik om te sny met 'n gewone skêr, alhoewel jy nooit weer die skêr vir gewone huishoudelike gebruik sal kan gebruik nie!

En deur koper bedoel ek COPPER, nie BRASS nie. Koper is rooierig en brass (geelkoper) is geel. Ek werk partymaal met geelkoper, maar baie min.

Ek gebruik koper nie alleen en op sy eie nie, met ander woorde, ek soldeer artikels aan die koper vas. Koper is 'n wonderlike hitte-geleider en baie maklik vatbaar vir soldeersel. Ek omlyn die koper ook met die soldeersel om 'n afgewerkte voorkoms te gee en om die skerp kante te bedek.

'n Mens kan omtrent enige iets uit hierdie koper ontwerp - vierkantige, ronde of enige vorm plat collages, waaraan jy dan items soos kristalle, stukke glas of krale kan vas soldeer as 'n muurbehangsel teen die muur of in die tuin.

Ek gebruik dit baie vir my juweliersware, asook om items soos sigaretaansteker-houers, asbakkies, borde en pierings, omranding vir 'n spieël, besigheidskaartjie-houers, 'desk tidies', sneesdoekie bokse (tissue holders) en nog vele ander te maak - gebruik jou verbeelding.



Koper en Glas saam gebruik

Om artikels uit koper te maak, sny 'n stuk koper van die rol af ongeveer so groot soos jy dink jou projek gaan wees. (As jy te klein sny, kan jy altyd 'n stuk aanlas met soldeersel.)Maak dit plat met 'n roller (Dit is ook beskikbaar vanaf kunswinkels) en wees versigtig vir die skerp punte aan die kante. Gebruik handskoene as jy kan. Jy kan met 'n spesiale koper "scribe" (dit is 'n tipe pen met 'n metaal punt) jou vorm op die koper teken en dan uitsny. (Ek gebruik baie maal sommer 'n ou BIC pen om mee te teken.)



Stuk gesnyde koper

Jy kan ook vry-vorm stukke koperplaat neem en dit met die hand buig en verwerk in 'n abstrakte vorm. Ek gebruik ook 'n klein platneus- of ronde-neus-tanjetjie om te help met die buigwerk.



'n Voorbeeld van Koper gebruik in vry-vorm
Die koper en soldeersel is gepatineer om 'n antieke voorkoms te gee.

Om items aan die koper te soldeer, sal jy 'n soldeeryster nodig hê - ek gebruik 'n Weller temperatuur-gekontroleerde soldeerbout met verwyderbare punte, wat in allerhande diktes beskikbaar is. Maar enige soldeeryster is goed genoeg, en maak seker jou koop ook 'n houer waarin die soldeeryster rus wanneer dit nie in gebruik is nie. Werk versigtig met die soldeeryster, dit kan verskriklike brandmerke veroorsaak.




Weller Soldeeryster op houer

Soldeersel kom in stawe of rolle en dan sal jy ook "Flux" (dis 'n vloeistof) nodig hê wat die katalis is tussen die soldeersel en die koperplaat. Neem 'n klein borseltjie (daar is spesiale flux borseltjies beskikbaar), dip dit in die flux en smeer dit aan die rand van die koper. Vat dan die soldeerbout en die soldeerstafie en soldeer klein stukkies soldeersel aan jou kopervorm. Dit gee die eerste lagie en enige items wat jy nou gaan aan soldeer, sal maklik verbind.

Soldeerstaaf (solder stick)

Om te soldeer, hou die soldeerstafie of rolletjie in jou linkerhand, hou dit so na moontlik aan die koper en, met die soldeerbout in jou regter hand, verhit die soldeersel en laat dit op die koperplaat drup - maak dit dan gelyk deur dit met die soldeerbout liggies oor die plaat te "trek". Wees versigtig vir soldeersel-spatsels en gebruik 'n beskermende bril.

Alhoewel die koper sigbaar is in baie van my projekte, bedek ek meesal al die koper met die soldeersel om 'n silwer voorkoms te gee. Die rede hiervoor is dat die koper koperkleurig is en die soldeersel is silwer. Derhalwe kry jy twee kleure. Ek patineer ook baie van my ontwerpe om dit 'n antieke voorkoms te gee en wat die silwer in amper swart verander.

'Bloekomblaar' - 'n Stel oorbelle gemaak uit koper en liggies gepatineer

Jy kan enige plek werk met jou koper, maar 'n ideale plek is 'n spesiale kamer of studio wat jy inrig spesiaal net vir al jou kunswerk-aktiwiteite. Ek het 'n 3m x 2m kamertjie ingerig met 'n L-vormige sementblad met rakke onder en bo dit waarop ek al my benodigdhede pak. Ek het ook hakkies aan die houtrakke aangebring om draad en soorgelyke goeters te hang. 'n Vereiste is 'n elektrisiteits-prop vir jou soldeeryster en dalk ook 'n lamp as die beligting nie te goed is nie.

My 3m x 2m Studio waar ek al my kunswerk doen

LYS VAN BENODIGDHEDE :

- Koperplaat
- Roller
- Soldeeryster met houer
- Soldeersel - rol of stawe
- Bottel Flux
- Flux borseltjie
- "Scribe" of pennetjie om mee te teken
- Handskoene
- Beskermende bril
- Skêr
- Platneus- of rolneus-tanjetjie
- Groot tafel of werk area
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WHAT DO I CREATE?

I create a range of jewelry consisting of Earrings, Brooches, Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets and "Keepsakes" - items consisting of brooches, bracelets and necklaces, using little family heirlooms in the process, like photographs, buttons, pieces of lace from a baptism gown, etc., as well a range of "Goggos" (Insects), that are used as brooches or ornaments made out of a colourful variety of glass jewels, shells, stones, crystals and glass (in fact, anything that captures my imagination!) and pewter and silver wire.

• Jewelry (Earrings, necklaces, pendants, brooches and bracelets)
• Keepsakes (Necklaces, bracelets, brooches)
• "Goggos" (Insects) as brooches/ornaments
• Crystals on unique, hand-crafted silver wire stands

Below : Amethyst Crystal on hand-crafted silver wire stand

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Jewelry Crafted out of Copper, Silver, Pewter, Stained Glass, Glass Jewels, Crystals, Shells, Stones - Exceptional colours - Hand-crafted, excellent craftsmanship

BELOW : "Red Dragonfly"


"GOGGO" RANGE (Insects)
This range consists of brooches or ornaments, or to be kept as Keepsakes. Carefully crafted (each Goggo kan take up to three hours to make!) with special attention to detail and, although these items are delicate and fragile, they are surprisingly strong and sturdy, but should be handled with care. Only materials of the highest quality is used in the preparation and cleaning of each item and care and maintenance is as easy as cleaning gently with a toothbrush and Sunlight Liquid. Natural patination takes place over time, but this only adds to the charm of each piece. Each Goggo is supplied with a descriptive, informational card.

BELOW : Copper/Silver/Pewter Brooch with Blue Glass Jewel


JEWELRY
The jewelry range is treated with the same care and attention to detail, and consists of Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants, Brooches and Bracelets. Each item is individually designed and crafted and no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Any small variance in a pair of earrings once again only adds to the charm. Colour choices will depond upon availability.

'KEEPSAKES'
This range consists of Necklaces, Brooches, Bracelets and Earrings, as well as a range of heirloom trinkets embellished by adding some silver, glass, crystals, jewels, photographs, lace, etc. Special commissions are accepted.
(Keepsakes Bracelet with Amber Jewels and Antique Warch )

THE EARTH RANGE

BELOW : Copper/Silver Blue Gum Leaf with Seedpod Earrings and Karee (Rhus Viminalis) Leaf with Seedpod Earrings


The new 2008 EARTH RANGE consists of 'images of nature' crafted out of copper, pewter, crystals, glass, shells, glass jewels, stones/pebbles and silver wire. I also use materials with earthy elements like steel, wood, air, fire and water as the theme.

CRYSTALS

This is a range of Crystals on hand-crafted, silver wire stands, each stand specially designed for a particular Crystal's shape, as well as a variety of WANDS containing a crystal of your choice. Each item is supplied with an informational, descriptive card, e.g. Rose Quartz is placed in the lounge as it promotes, love, peace and harmony throughout the home. The healing properties of crystals are known world-wide and are also beautiful pieces to display around the house.

GENERAL ITEMS

A range of unique items such as cigarette lighter holders, ashtrays, business card holders and bowls. Each item is hand-crafted from copper, silver, pewter, glass and a wide variety of materials. Special requests are considered.
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HOW DO I CREATE?

I've been designing an making jewelry for the past 17 years. I started off doing Stained Glass commissions for Game Lodges as well as the private sector. I have not had any formal training in the arts, and I believe that deep within each and every one of us is a 'creative artist' just waiting to escape. I'm sure everybody knows that itchy, restless feeling just to DO something, CREATE something and, of course, practice makes perfect!




My design inspiration often comes from nature - a subtle shadow, an interesting form or line, the way a leaf glitters in the sunlight or a pebble half hidden in the beach sand... Mother Nature is full of inspiration and colour unable to be matched by anything man-made. Our planet is blessed with the great beauty of natural resources like crystals, diamonds, wood, stone, foliage, feathers and even charcoal and the inspiration is there for all of us.




I mainly make use of copper, silver wire, pewter, crystals, glas, pieces of leather, glass beads and jewels, shells, pearls and anything out of nature that can be soldered or pieced together somehow. My equipment consists out of pliers, side-cutters, hammers, grind stones, clamps and then some home-made inventions to make life easier!




When I discover an object of beauty, the design is set in motion - I'll start by cutting and forming the copper or silver wire into a shape that satisfies me, the crystal or pebble or shell will then be incorporated by joining it with solder or wire and making any adjustments by adding an extra curl or bead here or there. The piece is then thoroughly cleaned, tested for strength and durability and voila!, there you have it!

Depending on the intricacy of the design, some items like the 'Goggo' (insects) range can take up to 3 hours to complete.




Although the designs are fragile and should be handled with care, they are amazingly robust at the same time and ideal for every day use. The care and cleaning of the items is easy and simple and each unit comes with cleaning instructions and the 'Goggos' are packed with a descriptive card, e.g.





"PAPER WASP

Sometimes mistaken for a hornet, the larger Paper Wasp is a social wasp, building tube-like nests of a paper material under any convenient shelter. The smaller Paper Wasp builds much larger colonies that are aggressively protected. Larvae feed on paralyzed insects."




At the moment, the 'Goggo' range consists of a Wasp, Praying Mantis, Scorpion, Button Spider (Black Widow), Baboon Spider, Tarantula, Dragonfly and Dung Beetle, Tortoise and Hermit Crab. The range will be expanded to include some more insects and special requests are welcome, if possible!

Crystal Properties

Quartz Crystal

Crystals

Crystal Meaning

*Aegerine	Broken Relationships / Personal strengthen / Psychic attacks
*Agate	Helps Stress / Brings out latent Talents / Promotes marital fidelity
*Amazonite	Aggravation / soothes nerves/ Enhances communication concerning love
*Amber	Helps Choice making / Stimulates intellect /Brings good luck to warriors
*Amethyst	Psychic / Meditation / Protects against anger, hate, envy and fear
*Ammonite	Foundation / Structure in life / Depression / Relaxation
*Apatite	Past life access/ Communication /Teaching /kundalini
*Aquamarine	Courage / Mystic / Shields the aura
*Aventurine	Anxiety / Fear / Leadership qualities
*Azurite	Understanding the Spoken word / Enhances psychic ability
*Bloodstone	Strong Healing Stone /Courage / stress / Friendship
*Calcite	Channeling / Astral traveling / Arts / Sciences
*Carnelian	Family Relationships / Increase physical energy /Protects against envy & fear
*Celestite/Celestine	Dream Recall and understanding them / Mind/Intellect / Contains wisdom
*Chlorite	Aura Cleanser
*Citrine	Brings money / Brings happiness& laughter
*Dioptase	Helps Oppressed feeling / Heals the earth / Calming energy
*Feldspar	Self Awareness / Helps to find missing items
*Fluroite	Brings order to chaos /Strong heal stones /Concentration
*Garnet	Kundalini /Stone of health
*Gold	Honor and wealth / Helps frustration
*Gysum/Desert rose	Luck /Used by native American Indians / For people living in the fast lane

*Hematite	The Mind /Endurance / Memory enhancement
*Herkimer *Diamond	Attuning with oneself or another / Inner wisdom
*Jade	Dream work / Self Confidence /Inspiration /work in spiritual world
*Jasper	Astral work / Protection /Accept responsibility
*Kunzite	Removes Obstacles / Makes good pendulum
*Kyanite	Brings powerful energy / No cleansing need / Aligns chakras with no effort
*Labradorite	Brings Intuition into mental thought for understanding
*Lapi lazuli	Awareness / Helps Stargate work
*Lepidolite	Helps Adapt to Change / aids business
*Magnesite	Promotes dynamic ideas / Eliminates self deceit
*Malachite	Helps physical pain / Attains Goals
*Moonstone	Working with Universe and universal laws
*Obsidian	Grounding / protection / scrying /Mirror magic
*Ocean Jasper	Brings out very deep routed emotions
*Opal	Brings Beauty, Power and Luck/ promotes happy dreams
*Peridot	Regulates life cycles / Provides a shield around the body
*Petrified Wood	Worries / Grounding / copping in a crisis/ Understanding Suffering
*Pyrite *Quartz	Protects Against Danger / Enhance memory Amplifies Energy / Gives Clarity / Mother of all stones /energizer
*Quartz Aperture	Seer stone past, present, Future
*Quartz Barnacle	Meditation/ Family/ Teacher
*Quartz Black phantom	Grounding
*Quartz Bridge	Metaphysical / Public Speaking
*Quartz Carved Natural	Extraterrestrial / Information
*Quartz Channeling	Mystic / wisdom
*Quartz Chlorite Phantom	One of the most powerful stones in the universe
*Quartz Cluster	Purifying Cleansing
*Quartz Colored phantom	See index Meaning
*Quartz Convoluted	Gaining Universal Energy
*Quartz Double Terminated	Protects mental and physical
*Quartz Key	Open doors to Knowledge and Wisdom
*Quartz Manifestation	Manifesting ones life/ Meditation
*Quartz Phantom	See Index Meaning
*Quartz Rainbow	Brings Gifts
*Quartz Record Keeper *Quartz Right Handed	Contains Knowledge and wisdom Right Brain
*Quartz Sceptre	Power / Emotions
*Quartz Self Healed	Self Healing
*Quartz Tabby	Activate other crystals
*Quartz Transmitter	Transmits energy, Clarity and Knowledge
*Quartz Twin	Relationships / soul mate
*Quartz Window	Self image
*Rhodonite	Activates unconditional Love / Assist achieving potential /Dispel chaos
*Rose quartz	Brings Love; Peace and calm / A must stone for everyone
*Ruby	Protects Against Nightmares /Stone of nobility /discourages violence
*Rutile	Repels Negative energy's / marriages / relationships
*Sapphire	Prosperity / Brings peace of mind
*Septerye	Business success / Telepathy / New ideas
*Serpentine	Working with Kundalini / chakras
*Silver	Improves Speech / Mirrors the soul /Increase perception
*Smokey Quartz	Business success /Dissolves negativity / Balances sexual energy
*Sodalite	Logical thought / Good for computers / CellPhone
*Sugilite	Forgiveness / love stone of new age
*Tiger eye *Topaz	Wealth/Depression/Grounding/All round stone Joy / Creativity / Visualization during mediation
*Tourmaline	Strengthen / Projection / Fear /Laughter
*Turquoise *Unakite	Communication / Develops natural powers / grounding stones Helps locate connection between thought and physical illnesses
*Verdite	Access information from ancient ones

Abundance

Aventurine Citrine Tigers Eye - Golden

Angelic Connection	Aquamarine Calcite - Pink
Balance	Calcite Prehnite
Calming / Relaxing	Agate - Blue Lace Amazonite
Clarity Of Mind	Quartz - Clear
Communication / Expression	Aquamarine Sodalite
Courage	Sunstone Unakite
Creativity	Carnelian Magnesite - Howlite
Depression	Lepidolite Quartz - Smokey
Energizing/Vitality	Bloodstone Jasper - Red
Grounding	Hematite Onyx
Harmony/Peace	Chrysoprase Kunzite
Health/Healing	Fluorite Garnet
Journey/Travels	Malachite Quartz - Rutile
Joy/Happiness	Aragonite Citrine
Life Changes/Transitions	Moonstone Rhodonite
Love	Rose Quartz Sugilite

Manifesting	Quartz - Clear Chrysocolla Quartz - Phantom
Mental Functions	Sodalite Turquoise
Negative Energy Dissipating	Quartz - Smokey Tourmaline
Protection	Obsidian Serpentine
Psychic Development	Amethyst Lapis Lazuli
Relationships	Quartz - Twin Rhodochrosite
Self-Esteem	Chalcedony Pyrite
Stress	Agate - Botswana Lepidolite
Visioning/Dreams/Wisdom	Kyanite Labradorite

Why You're Not More Creative

How to Overcome Your "Story" About Why You're Not More Creative


There's only one reason why any of us aren't more creative. That is because of our story about why we're not more creative.

Let me explain what this means. When you say things like: "I don't have enough good ideas", time and time again in your mind, then you create for yourself a personality and a story about yourself. The personality in this example is someone who can't have good ideas. And the story about why you're not more creative - the story that you tell yourself over and over again - is "I'm a person who doesn't have any good ideas, and this is why I don't create more."

It seems on the surface to give you justification, or an excuse, as to why you're not more creative, and yes it seems likes you're just recounting the truth, the indisputable cold bare facts about how things are in your creative life. But your reality is what you make it. If you tell yourself enough that you can't create BECAUSE of various reasons, then guess what? Yep, you won't create, and you'll take some comfort in the fact that you have these perfectly valid reasons why you don't.

The most dangerous part of forming these stories is that they become your reality. They become fixed, unquestioned, set in stone.

You completely believe them, and lose sight of the fact that you can change your story, you can CHOOSE to believe something different.

So, let's follow through with the ideas example. Just think for a moment, what if you WERE someone who could come up with great ideas readily and easily? What would your creative life be like then? How much more creative would you be? In just a couple of moments pondering this question, you can see that once you shift this belief about how you create and what you're capable of, all sorts of wonderful possibilities open up.

Once you make the choice to rewrite your story - the choice that you have always had and always will have - you realise that you can create whatever you want, however often you want.

So, let's take this back to back to your creative life again. What's YOUR story about why you're not more creative? Write down the first 5 or 10 reasons that come to mind. Then pick the one which you feel holds you back most. Now turn it around in your mind.

How would your creative life be different if you believed the opposite? How amazingly creative would you be if you believed that you could come up with endless creative ideas, or you had as much creative time as you chose to prioritise, and could be as focused as you needed to be to see through your creative projects from start to finish?

Now, isn't that a person you'd like to be? Isn't that a story you'd like to write for yourself?

Remember, the only reason why you're not more creative is your "story" about why you're not more creative.

SOURCE : http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-Your-Story-About-Why-Youre-Not-More-Creative&id=1351350

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Creativity with Crystals

Crystals on hand-crafted silver wire stands

I am an enthusiastic collector of crystals and it's impossible for me to pass a crystal shop by without popping in to see what's on display. To me they have a mystic sort of beauty and the healing powers attributed to them adds to the attraction. I prefer rough crystals from the ground to the polished ones - polishing seems to distract from their natural beauty, but in some cases does enhance the beautiful colours.


Clear Quarts Crystals are my absolute favourite, maybe because the properties attributed to them signify the healing of your emotions and inner power.

With all the many crystals I accumulated over the years, display started becoming a problem and it dawned on me that I could display the largest ones in a more unique manner than purely displaying them on the mantle piece or a shelf. I designed and created stands for them out of silver wire, sometimes incorporating smaller crystals or beads into the design. Now, apart from the ones I use on a regular basis during Reiki or meditation, they take pride of place as centre pieces all over the house, also infusing the whole house with their essence of energy.


Amethyst Crystal on hand-made silver wire stand. This piece is quite large
and has a sliver of Amethyst hanging from the one side.
Amethyst properties: Psychic / Meditation / Protects against anger, hate, envy and fear

Rose Quarts set into a shell with silver stand and border.
Rose Quartz Properties: Brings Love; Peace and calm / A must stone for everyone

Clear Quartz Crystal on Silver wire stand. Clear Quartz properties : Power / Emotions

Rose Rose Quartz Crystal wand - with Silver wire on silver wire stand


Sardonyx Crystal on three-legged Silver wire stand.
Sardonyx properties: Strength and good fortune

In April 2000, a cave with the largest known crystals on earth was discovered in southern Chihuahua Mexico, by two brothers, Juan and Pedro Sanchez, who were drilling a new tunnel. While Naica miners are accustomed to finding crystals, Juan and Pedro were absolutely amazed by the cavern that they found.

Although The Naica mine was first discovered by early prospectors in 1794 south of Chihuahua City, it was sealed up because of the unbearable heat which the crystals radiated and it wasn't until April 2000 that interest in these caves was revived. (Read the full article HERE.)

The pictures below show the enormous size of the crystals.

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CONTACT DETAILS :
Contact Maree Clarkson at P.O. Box 352, Tarlton. 1749 Gauteng, South Africa

E-Mail : hedgie@worldonline.co.za

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