Something Sublime

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

Adorn Me In Review

I have to tell you a little secret...this title, "instructor," means a lot to me. Not because it makes me important or special but because it means I get to share with you. If you come to class, I get to share everything I can squeeze into our time together. I get to share a little bit of what I love to do and, hopefully, pass on my enthusiasm for making jewelry. It's not just slap-a-few-things-together and you have jewelry...oh, no. It's learning the craft of making fine art jewelry.

I didn't take many pictures, at Adorn Me...I wish I had! I always get caught up in the moment and forget to take photos.

I did get a few pics of student work  from my Hoop-La class. This is the first time I've taught this one and we crammed tons of stuff into the day.

They made some gorgeous things...those students of mine. It makes me excited to be teaching this class again, at Art Unraveled, this August. I've been very blessed to be an instructor at both of Linda Young's events; Adorn Me and Art Unraveled. They're two of my favorite venues and I look forward to traveling to Phoenix, every year...in August...in the summer...in Phoenix...did I say it's in the summer? I love it!

At the AM vendor night, I finally, finally got to meet Mary Hettmansperger and snag this fab brooch from her. Isn't it wonderful? It reminds me of and animal skeleton or a turtle shell...something organic and mysterious.

Here I am goofing off with my pal, Diane Cook on vendor night. Diane always takes the very best pictures...always. She looks like she's just heard something very clever. If she did, believe me, it didn't come out of my mouth. We do look a bit devilish, though...don't we?

Ok, my friends...so, next up in my schedule is teaching at The Prairie; end of April. See that cool spoke link? I'm going to show you how to make that, as well as a version that can be used as a focal, as well as how to make one really-big-whopper-of-a-statement-piece. I'm wearing this one in the photo with Diane. The cross is about 4 inches long...really a great, honkin' thing.

(photo by Diane Cook)

If you haven't moseyed on over to The Prairie, you're missing out. Trust me when I say, this is a gorgeous place in which to take classes. It's a true retreat atmosphere and you'll feel like a spoiled rotten princess, by the end of the weekend.

I'm also teaching this Sacred Heart Pendant. We're going to be doing a little bit of foldforming, amongst many other exciting things.

Also, my JouJou Charm Keeper necklace. This one is chock-a-block FULL of techniques. I'll be sharing with you, all my secrets of working with steel wire. Fun...yes? This is probably the last time I'll be teaching this one so I hope you can come.

And speaking of...I also won't be offering my online Build Zone class again, for a while. Registration is still happening...until April 8th. Last day of class is May 8th. So, you have plenty of time to join in the fun. In fact, the students are busy, busy, watching videos and practicing techniques. If you have an interest, it's not too late and I'd love to have you.

I've been working like a fiend on a big project but I broke away for a while today and took a photo safari with Number One son, today. It was a bit boring, though, as he hogged the lenses. Of course, as his mother, I felt it my duty to allow it. Unfortunately, he took way, way too many shots of his old mom. This was the best of the lot...how sad is that. That look on my face is a reflection of my brain madly thinking "There are about a million things I should be doing right now and photo-safari-dog-walking-sitting-in-the-lovely-sun are not any of them andpleasedon'ttakeanotherhorridphotoofme!" 

Sweet boy.

Crazy, runaway brain.

deryn xxoo

Winner, Winner! The Build Zone

Before I announce the two winners of places in my Build Zone online class, I just have to say "thank you" to you all for participating and for being so very kind in your comments. Ya'll have just floored me with your sweet and generous praise and desire to be in class. I'm so grateful.

And now the winners...

Donna Gunn

and

Elisabeth (beads for busy gals)

Congratulations, ladies!

Today is the very first day of class but registration will continue until April 8th. So...if you really wanted in, you can still join us. I won't offer this class again any time soon and I'd love to have you!

deryn xxoo

Giveaway! The Build Zone Online Jewelry Making Class

I can't believe time has gone by so quickly but my Build Zone online class begins in just two days, on March 8th. Sooo...I think it's time to give away a couple of spots in class. If you've wanted to take this class but just couldn't swing it, now is your chance! Here's the deal:

Leave a comment on this post to enter into the drawing. (Please, one comment and only one comment.) 

That's it...that's all. Of course if you had an irresistible urge to go to my facebook pages and friend me or like me, that would be great too. Just sayin...

One more important thing...if you're already registered for this class, and you enter the drawing, I'll put your name in for TWO chances to win. Sweet, no?

Ok, so folks, make sure you include, in your entry, some way for me to contact you. I'll randomly draw two names on Friday.

Good luck and I hope to see you in class!

deryn xxoo