Something Sublime

Tales Of A Treasure Hunter

I've been on a bit of a treasure hunting tear, lately, so I thought I'd do a little show-and-tell. First, I visited the gem show...

...And I took my friend, Ronnie, to my local bead shop...

...AND we visited another Houston bead shop called Big Stone. Big Stone is a dangerous place, especially if you like pearls.

See those baroques, in the front? They're huge. They were a little costly but you do what you gotta do. I have no idea how I'll use them but they were a must-have.

Then, I found a bunch, big bunch, of these amazing little, tiny pocket knives, on etsy...vintage, made in Japan, sweet color of bluish-green. I'll be bringing some of these with me to Art Unraveled, to share on vendor day.

I just finished teaching at The Prairie, which Ronnie came to attend. On our way up, we felt compelled to stop at a few antique stores.

We had to do it.

One of my favorite finds is that teeny weeny bottle. The tag says it was a smelling salts bottle. Swoon.

Here I am with my girls at The Prairie: Lorraine George, yourstruly, Diane Cook and Ronnie Grundset. Sweet photo.

These are more from our antiquing adventures. I love the anchor crosses. And the rhinestone cross. And the big cross.

And...oh!:

The big one is a reliquary. An amazing reliquary! A reliquary is a small shrine that's used to hold holy or sacred relics. These relics can consist of many different kinds of materials and usually come from a saint, pope or other religious figure...or are from a special place or article such as dirt from the Holy Land, water from the River Jordan, etc. I don't know the history of this particular reliquary but it contains metal filigree with what look to be gemstones, and each relic is labeled. So beautiful.

And, what's more, Sue...at The Prairie...brought an amazing pile of goodies to sell. Bless her heart, she let us dig through her bins. 

Just, bless her.

Look at that giant bird brooch. It's about the size of my palm.

Not to mention this giant bow brooch.

And these amazing, antique-y things.

And these things... The emerald cut bracelet was a fantastic find at about $12. I was thrilled. The trillion cut rhinestone pieces are a matching necklace and bracelet, in perfect condition.

The piece with the metal roses...so sweet! The rhinestone chain is a light yellow...you can just barely tell. The filigree hearts go all the way to the clasp. This piece is just so charming that I can't take it apart...or part with it. Just looking at it makes me feel like a princess. So, there you go.

Last, but absolutely positively not least...I got this lovely bit of goodies, in the mail. Thank you, Andrew Thornton, for making my day a little brighter. Opening this mysterious little package was such a treat.

In other news: I'm working on some really exciting things that I'm not quite ready to reveal but, I think you'll be pleased. One of them is a brand new online class I'm hoping to have ready for y'all in June or July. And so...back to work!

deryn xxoo

Look The Other Way, Mom

Ok...this has nothing, whatsoever, to do with jewelry making, but I came across an interesting article on parenting, here. The title, "Have American Parents Got It All Backward?" was intriguing. Don't get me wrong, I am SO not an America-basher, and I don't agree with everything the author wrote but, it's an interesting article. I think that, somehow, our culture has promoted a helicopter style of parenting that doesn't benefit our kids, one bit.

As the mom of boys, I watched as they constantly did things I considered risky, silly, unwise and downright dangerous. The key being I considered them dangerous. No one else in my household...Wife Whisperer, Number 1 or Number 2...gave it a second thought. 

Boys!

So...I had to look the other way. A lot. Wife Whisperer demanded it. The boys demanded it. I wasn't allowed to hover or fuss. Much. They shot potato guns, wrestled in the house, threw rocks at each other and participated in countless other activities that were not mom-approved. And guess what...it was ok. I'm pleased to say that both boys turned out to be independent, reliable, honest and hard working. No one cut off a finger or lost an eye. In fact I seem to be the only one who suffered any ill consequences from their antics...a few grey hairs and extra worry lines.

But that's part of being a mom...right?

Spring is blooming all around but I've been deeply buried in a big project, as well as preparing for a week of blissful creative communing. I'll be teaching at The Prairie, in just about a week...April 25th. We're set for a lovely retreat weekend, there. If you've never been, believe me, it's a gorgeous place to take classes. 

The Ranger Lounge

The Pearl Barn

The Pearl Barn

Classes are held in The Ranger Lounge and The Pearl Barn...both are absolutely charming...

...but the accomodations are sweet, as well. This is the little cottage I stayed in, last visit.

This is another view that includes the big house. The shabby chic loveliness is to die for!

You see what I mean...right? So, it's not too late to register for classes. I'll be teaching two brand new ones, as well as a class I've not offered in a long time. My friend, Diane Cook, will be teaching, as well. You can check out the offerings, here. It's going to be a fabulous weekend of jewelry making.

Come with us, ya'll!

deryn xxoo

Raffle Winners!

I have raffle winners! Before I name them, I'd like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for participating in this. Thanks to you, I have a nice check to send off to Care Net. It means a lot to me...and it means a lot to the women who receive care from Care Net. Thank you!

Without further delay...the winner of my "Steampunk in Color" necklace is:

J Kussman

Winner of my "Musical Notes" earrings is:

Barb Solem

I have 5 winners of spots in my Build Zone class:

M. Butcher

Karin Slaton

Yvonne Ammerman

Trinka Seals

Christine Ruggiero

If you are already a student of this class and would like credit towards my next class (a brand new online resin class) please let me know!

There are 3 winners of my nest charm tutorial:

Lori Ackerman

Sharon Lyall

Jryen Designs

The 3 winners of my wrapped link tutorial are:

Sal McClelland

Micah Holden

Dawn Gold

And last, but not least, the winners of my new Double Loop Link tutorial. I had so much fun drawing names that I threw a few more of these tutorials in the pot:

Deborah Gemmell

RooRoo Designs

Lana Kinney

Norm and Nilene, Inc.

Sue Chesley

and

Deborah Foord

For you jewelry winners: I'll won't be able to send the jewelry prizes out for another week.

For you class winners: Please email me, asap, if you're already a member of The Build Zone or if you've already taken it. If not, I'll be sending out the class info, today.

For you tutorial winners: I know some of you may already have some of these tutorials; if that's the case, please email me asap.

Thank you, again, for participating. You guys are the best!

deryn <3<3<3

Ready To Raffle

"Steampunk in Color"

Raffle day...she comes! April 8th was my original day to draw for my Big Raffle but a little kink in my plans has me moving the big day up to April 5...this Friday...in a couple of days.

I hope y'all will join me in supporting a fabulous cause, for women. Care Net Pregnancy Center of NW Houston  is holding their annual fundraiser Walk for Life. As a privately funded organization, this is a really important event for Care Net. The services that they provide for women and babies is top notch: referrals for housing, food, baby supplies, adoption services, doctors, etc.; ultrasounds; cribs, clothing, counseling, classes and so much more. They're a fantastic group of people who care about women, babies, dads and families.

I'm going to raffle off some fab prizes and you can join in for only $10 per ticket.

Buy as many tickets as you like. All payments will be through Paypal.

ALL of the proceeds will go directly to Care Net NW. I'm doing this through my blog so I can keep track of the ticket holders, draw winners, and then I'll deliver a nice, fat (hopefully!) check to Care Net NW.

Here are the prizes you'll have a chance to win:

• "Steampunk in Color" steampunk style necklace
• "Musical Notes" earrings
• 5---yes! 5!---spots in my Build Zone online jewelry making class
• 3 Wire Wrapped Nest tutorials
• 3 Fabric Wrapped Link tutorials
• 3 Double Loop Link tutorials (this is a brand new tutorial, from me!)

All you have to do to purchase is click the "Buy Now" button. It will take you to Paypal where you can complete the transaction. Raffle is closed...thank you!

"Musical Notes" earrings

"Double Loop Link" tutorial

"Fabric Wrapped Link" tutorial

"Nest Charm" tutorial

I wanted to offer lots of prizes so you'd have lots of chances to win. There's some pretty good stuff here, including 5 spots in my current online class, The Build Zone.

I'll randomly draw winners Friday, April 5!

Best of luck to you and thank you for your support. You guys are the best!

deryn xxoo

The Empty Cross

The cross is empty.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

I've been noticing lots of commentary on my internet social sites, regarding Easter. Bunnies and eggs...goddesses and idols...pagan religions...sex and fertility. Lot's of hub bub. Lot's of negativity.

For Christians, Easter is the holiest of days. It seems to bring out the worst in some observers and all of the jabber can be quite confusing. It deflects attention away from what Easter really is...the day that Christians celebrate Jesus defeating death and rising from the grave.

A miracle.

A miracle with many eye witnesses.

A miracle meant to be remembered.

Ancient Babylonians don't matter. Gods and goddesses, pagan idols, spring festivals...don't matter. Eggs and chicks, bunnies, baskets and hats...don't matter. What does matter is what Easter means today. The focus remains on the sacrifice that Christ made to show us how to live, how much God cares for us...and that we too, will rise.

Blessed Easter to you, friends! We have cause to celebrate!

deryn xxoo

Black Saturday

Good Friday is over and the day between, is here. Holy Saturday or, Black Saturday, is the Saturday just before Easter Sunday. It is the last day of Lent (the time leading up to Easter) and is also known as the Vigil of Easter. Good Friday is the time when Christ was crucified; Holy Saturday is the time when He lay in the tomb. It's a time of prayer, reflection and preparation for Easter.

Wishing you a peaceful Saturday,

deryn xxoo

It's Good Friday-Easter Eggs, Anyone?

It's Good Friday, friends, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, God's Friday and Quiet Friday. Good Friday marks the day that Christ was crucified, on the cross. There's a terrific, short description of this day, found here. It's a day of solemnity, mourning and prayer.

So, why Easter eggs? Why, oh why do we celebrate with Easter egg hunts, Easter egg rolls and chocolate Easter eggs? If you search online, you'll find lots of different symbolisms and explanations for various Easter traditions, including the egg. Colored eggs have long been a part of Easter observances and, to tell you the truth, I'm not nearly as concerned with where the tradition came from, as I am with what they represent. Hard boiled eggs are a part of the Jewish Passover Seder meal. There are two reasons for this; one is that eggs represent fertility...which they surely do...the other is that eggs are a symbol of mourning, and the food of mourners; being the first food offered after a funeral. In the Seder meal, Jews mourn the destruction, by Babylonians, of their two temples.

I'd never heard of eggs as a symbol of mourning and I love this idea. Of course, on Good Friday, we Christians mourn the violent death of Jesus. But, eggs also represent new life. For us, the new life to come, through our faith in the resurrection of Jesus.

Have a blessed day!

deryn <3<3<3

ps: #wontyouconsiderhelpingwomenandtheirbabiesduringthiseasterseason

What The Heck Does Maundy Mean?

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci

It's Holy Week, ya'll and today is Maundy Thursday...also known as Holy Thursday.

If you're like me, you grew up celebrating Easter by going to church on Sunday, hunting for Easter eggs and kicking back with a big plate of ham and mashed potatoes. Who knew there was a Holy Week? It's confusing...bunnies and chicks, baskets, colored eggs, frilly dresses, hats and peeps (the marshmallow kind.) What in the world does all this have to do with the real reason that we celebrate Easter...Christ's death on the cross? 

I don't pretend to know it all...in fact, I'm pretty confused by the falderal, as well. Every year, I have to do a little research to re-set my brain to the real meaning of all things Easter.

"Maundy"...what a weird word. But, not so strange, as it turns out.

Maundy=the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor, especially commemorating Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet on Maundy Thursday.

Where was Jesus on Maundy Thursday? He was celebrating The Passover by dining with His disciples, on the night before He was crucified. Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorates this Last Supper. (click here for the passover story) So, the foot washing word, "maundy," makes sense...He washed the feet of His disciples, at this meal.

Not so confusing, after all!

A blessed Holy Thursday to you, my friends...

deryn xxoo

ps: #imholdingabigraffleforaterrificcause

I'm Holding A Big Raffle!

I'm holding a ginormous raffle! (scroll down to see prizes and purchase tickets.)

Hello, friends! Some of you may know that I've been spending some time on the BOD for Care Net Pregnancy Center of NW Houston. Care Net is a truly fabulous organization and I'm so blessed to be able to serve them. My heart is touched, every time I'm there, by the amazing way Care Net saves lives (physical and spiritual) and touches hearts and souls. They are genuinely concerned for the clients, and their babies, and offer care for women who might not receive it, otherwise.

So many inspiring stories come from this place. The ultrasound image, above, is from a client who was considering abortion. The ultrasound, provided by Care Net NW, showed her what her baby looks like, in the womb and, it just so happened that this baby was giving a "thumbs up" sign to mama, as if to say "I'm here. Look at me!" It's amazing that you can see that tiny fist, with the thumb sticking straight up.

Care Net NW is a non-profit, funded through donations of people who believe in the compassionate, practical care and support they provide. One of their two major fundraisers is coming up in April and, I'm sad to say, I'm not able to attend. Care Net NW is holding their Walk for Life, Sat. April 13, 2013.

"Steampunk in Color"

So, here's what I'm proposing...a raffle!

I'm going to raffle off some fab prizes and you can join in for $10 per ticket.

Buy as many tickets as you like. All payments will be through Paypal.

ALL of the proceeds will go directly to Care Net NW. Because I need to keep track of participants for the raffle, I'll be doing it, right here, from my blog and will deliver a check to Care Net NW.

Here are the prizes you'll have a chance to win:

• "Steampunk in Color" steampunk style necklace
• "Musical Notes" earrings
• 5---yes! 5!---spots in my Build Zone online jewelry making class
• 3 Wire Wrapped Nest tutorials
• 3 Fabric Wrapped Link tutorials
• 3 Double Loop Link tutorials (this is a brand new tutorial, from me!)

Take a look at the photos below to see...

"Steampunk in Color" Necklace

Prize 1: my "Steampunk in Color" necklace, featured in the book "1000 Steampunk Creations." The focal features an antique clock key with antique enameled keys and other elements, along with chunky turqoise.

 

 

"Musical Notes" earrings

Prize 2: my Musical Notes earrings are handmade from steel with pages from an antique Bible, and resin, with sterling silver ear wires. This style was featured in "Step by Step Wire Jewelry" magazine.

You want 'em, right?

The Build Zone: Solid Foundations in Mixed Media Jewelry

Prizes 3, 4 and 5: 5...count 'em...5!...spots in my online jewelry making class, The Build Zone. Class is in session, right now, and runs to May 8. The class sells for $130 so this is a nice chance for you to get in for $10. You will love this workshop...I promise!

Double Loop Link tutorial

Prizes 6, 7 and 8: Finally! I've created a brand new tutorial for you. In this one, I'll show you how to make these versatile links, perfectly.

Wire Wrapped Link tutorial

Prizes 9, 10 and 11: I'm offering 3 of my super-popular Wire Wrapped Link tutorials. You'll find a dozen ways (or more) to use this link in your work.

Wire Bird's Nest Charm tutorial

Prizes 12, 13 and 14: The final three prizes are my Bird's Nest tutorials. These adorable little things are addicting to make!

I'm really hoping that you guys will turn out like you did for my Build Zone class giveaway. I know this isn't free but, for $10, you have a chance to win some pretty great stuff, and support an incredibly great organization.

All you have to do to purchase is click the "Buy Now" button. It will take you to Paypal where you can complete the transaction. Raffle is closed...thank you!

I'll randomly draw names of winners on April 8th and let you know the winners. Jewelry winners will be drawn first, followed by Build Zone class winners, then tutorial winners. Good luck and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support!

deryn xxoo