S.K.L.D.E.P. Ink

2010-04-08T03:57:00.000-07:00

{Life and Renewal}

Green is life. Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment.

{Nature of Green}

Green is a restful color with some of the same calming attributes of blue. Like blue, time moves faster in a green room.

These Earring are so stunning... just miniature works of art you can wear!

They were inspired by the stained glass windows of St. John The Divine (one of the most beautiful churches in NYC!)

♥ These Earrings are made from beautifully cast brass and base metal.

♥ They have been hand painted with a lovely pale and minty green enamel.

♥ The are strong by NOT heavy - They are 1 1/2" diameter and the negative space in the design adds lightness to the piece both visually and physically.

A beautiful handmade gift...

I hope they bring you much joy!

Free Birds

2010-01-20T10:28:00.001-08:00

Have you ever noticed a particular bird always being around you? If so, the meaning behind this bird could have a drastic affect on your life.

1. Blackbird

The blackbird is symbolic of omens and mysticism as well as the color of fear and promise. It is a reminder to look outside of ourselves for clues and meanings to see what is in store for us in the future. Black is a color associated with loss and fear but it is also associated with promise. For instance we wear black at a funeral but also to a new job interview. The color black varies drastically in its meaning and so does the blackbird, this symbol holds both good and negative things to come in your future.

2. Bluebird
The bluebird is symbolic of happiness and fulfillment. When you see a bluebird around you it is a reminder that your world is filled with happiness and satisfaction, it shows us to take a closer look and to value and appreciate all of the joy that surrounds our lives.

3. Crow
The crow is symbolic of intelligence, watchfulness, magic, and past life connections. The crow is used to bridge past life connections, get a sense of our past life, and offer support and guidance in our current life. The crow is an intent street gazer they will sit up on the telephone wires and just watch what is going on. They serve as reminds to be aware of our surroundings and to always keep our eyes open for trouble.

4. Hawks
The hawk is symbolic of the primal life force. They remind us of the hunter and the hunted and the circle of life. They are a reminder to not take anything for granted, to savor every moment, and to be thankful that we are alive.

5. Loon
The loon is symbolic of realizing your dreams and imagination. They show us that no dream is to big and that we should always strive to have the life that we want. Anything and everything can be accomplished if we set our minds to it and the loon reminds us that.

6. Owl

The owl is symbolic of silent wisdom. They remind us that not all wisdom needs to be spoken or put on display and in fact the greatest wisdom of all will come from the heart. It will be something that you did not learn in any text book, something that you have never been told, but at the same time you know how to do something completely and correctly. This is the wisdom of our soul.

7. Pelican
The pelican is symbolic of rising above trials. They show us that nothing that could ever happen to us is enough to keep us down. With hard work and determination we can get right back up and rise above anything that comes our way. It serves as a reminder to keep our heads held high no matter what is going on in our lives. No matter what turn our lives take we still should be proud of the accomplishments we have made along the way.

8. Turkey
The turkey is symbolic of shared blessings. They remind us to be thankful for everything that we have and to not take anything for granted.

9. Pigeon
The pigeon represents the love and security of home. It is a remind that no place will ever compare to home or the love you get when you are at home. It shows us how to use our home as a base for success. The home is a secure place for everyone, a place where nothing bad can happen to them. The pigeon reminds us that we always have that sense of security, and that we can always go home.

10. Vulture
The vulture represents being the guardian of mystery. It reminds us to embrace the mysteries in our lives and to work our way through them.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite piece in the collection.

The Free Bird necklace is a beautiful piece you'll never find anywhere else since it sprung from the wiles of my imagination and is completely hand made.

A Beautifully detailed 1" pewter Bird charm with an antique silver finish rests in the center oval pendant with an antiqued brass finish with hand a hand engraved art deco floral pattern on it. The bird sits in the center, but also has the freedom to swing on the pendant.

It hangs on a BEAUTIFUL matching chain with a matte-antique tarnished gold finish. It is adjustable between 16" - 21" long.

{All materials are New & Lead / Nickle FREE}

I hope it brings you joy.

Paris Je T'aime Lariat Necklace

2009-12-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

City of Love and Laughter

City of the Eiffel Tower

City of Escargot

City of Light

City of my First Vacation

City of Song

City of my Dreams, of my Love

And city never to be forgotten

This is a very special piece inspired by the first vacation I have ever taken... To Paris, to France. Since I went to Paris - everything I see that reminds me of that city takes me back to that most beautiful place.

The Paris Je T'aime Necklace is beautiful Lariat. It's hung of two very delicate silver chains. I thought it would be more interesting to mix two subtly different link chain to make this piece. {24"L} The focal pendant is a beautiful vintage {3/4"} coin that says: "Non" in a beautiful vintage script. The other charm is an antiqued silver {1"} Fleur-de-lis charm.

Nat King Cole

Every time I look down on this timeless town
whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
more and more do I realize:

I love Paris in the springtime.
I love Paris in the fall.
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.

I love Paris every moment,
every moment of the year.
I love Paris, why, oh why do I love Paris?
Because my love is near.

The Saints of Gustav Necklace

This Petite je ne sais quoi Necklace...

This piece features a beautiful tiny vintage Eiffel Tower

{The Eiffel Tower (French: Tour Eiffel, [tuʀ ɛfɛl]) is a 19th century iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower, which is the tallest building in Paris, is the single most visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair.}

The Charm {1" L} it hangs perfectly between two deep blue hand-stained birch wood sainted rosary charms {3/4" L}

There is also a length of {8"} rosary beads on each side, stained a yellow ochre, and then the necklace is finished off with a delicate gold plated rope chain.

{The entire length of the necklace is 18" L}

Twin Flames

2009-12-14T09:08:00.001-08:00

This is one of the most sacred pieces in this collection. I was inspired to create this necklace when I found this unusual metal cast that Iooked to me like two twin souls coming together. I'd heard the term "soul mate" for years and I cannot say I really I believed in it... I thought it was something people said in classified adds. The Necklace is made of a dark deeply shiny metallic chocolate chain {22" L} The chain is then connected to Four {2 1/2" L} pieces of chain, which radiate upward from the pendant a 1" deeply oxidized silver casting, which represents two lives coming together. It was April when I met my soul mate, and once again everything I thought I knew had to change. One night were were playing with a deck of special tarot cards that someone had given us called "The Ascended Masters." We decided to pull a card for our relationship, for the both of us, and the card we pulled was called "The Twin Flame." This was when concept of the "Twin Flame" first entered my life. From that time on I began to get flooded with this things from the universe about "Twin Flames." A whole world opened up that I never knew about. If your reading this maybe it's time for you to learn about the sacred twin flame relationship too... TWIN FLAMES Stories and information regarding the challenges and gifts of the ultimate love union, the phenomena of spiritual twins or twin souls... two hearts that beat as one. What are Soul Mates and Twin Souls? Soul Mates are souls we have met and lived with in many life times. They have been our lovers, spouses, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, teachers, students, friends, and family, or even our enemies, victims, or tormenters. We contract with these souls to return to earth together for greater learning and growth. Twin souls, also called Twin Flames or Twin Rays, are the other half of your soul. This is based on the belief that we are all parts of the Divine Being, God, All That Is, Source, Spirit, Creator. The Divine Being, in order to experience Its Self, divided into many souls, each in turn divided into many others and many others. The final splitting of the many neutrally gendered souls created male and female halves of a whole, the Twin Soul. Soul Mates We have many soul mates, the first larger splitting of souls. These souls resonate with us and there is a comfort in that recognition. We evolve and reincarnate with these souls through many lifetimes, learning lessons in our many unions and partings, you can say on some level we are all soul mates one with another, learning and growing together. Not all these lessons are loving or comforting as lessons in forgiveness and unconditional love are challenging. Sometimes we are the "victim", and sometimes we are the "darkness" that shows another soul their light. This is where freewill and choice comes into the "game", how we react or perceive our relationships. Someone can come into your life and cause you much pain and suffering, this is a soul contract between you to grow and evolve in love and forgiveness. This is one perception of karma, and one that will free you from the karmic cycle of "I kill you, now you kill me" type of karmic dance some souls are involved in for many lifetimes. You break the cycle by acting rather than reacting, by freeing the ego from the soul and learning to love and forgive even in suffering. Our greatest joy and our greatest pain are both conceived in these soul mate relationships, our feelings intensified by our soul connections, whether for good or bad. You can often spot a soul mate or karmic relationship by "love at first site" or "revulsion at first site", depending upon the lessons you've contracted to learn from this soul. One can live a lifetime in joy and harmony with a resonant soul mate, and this a beautiful, but rare gift. Becoming "Whole" Before "Two" Becomes "One" It is said that one does not meet their Twin Soul or Twin Flame until they have learned many lessons of love, loss and forgiveness through close Soul Mate relationships, that the heart is made resilient and strong through pain and loss, and must be so to face the intensity of being with the other half of their soul. Many people who have met their Twin Soul had experienced a "Dark Night of the Soul", or a major spiritual transformation just prior to meeting, or upon meeting this soul. It's almost as if you need to be "emptied out" emotionally, spiritually and mentally as a test of your spirit. Meeting your "other half" can be a magical, maddening experience that opens your perceptions. Some experience an opening of their psychic awareness as their heart expands in this unbounded and unconditional love. The fact is, your life will not be the same, and whether you perceive this as a gift or a curse is the challenge of your soul's evolution. The Twin Soul connection is always a triad involving the Divine Spirit/All That Is, two people connected by soul, connected to God. Before one can physically unite with their Twin Soul, one must do the conscious work of healing and becoming whole within their self. Twin Soul love cannot exist in a codependent, ego-based relationship, or from a perceived "need" that the other person will make you whole. Both must often face separations while they strengthen their own connection to Spirit and find their strength and purpose on their own. Each half will find balance in their male/female, yin/yang before union. When both halves of the Soul become strong pillars on their own, have healed and resolved karmic ties in the present life, then they can unite to fulfill their Divine purpose, but the challenges do not end. There is an intensity that can be frightening when dealing with your mirror, your weaknesses and strengths magnified, unresolved issues and wounds painfully open to push you to further healing, or cause ego to run from the relationship in fear. It's important for Twin Souls to find their greater purpose, whether it's a task they will accomplish together, or alone, there will be work to be done. Some Twin Souls do not unite physically here on Earth, and the relationship may last a lifetime on the spiritual level alone, while one or both may be living physically with another soul in karmic agreement. Some Twin Souls other halves are not even on the Earth plane at the same time and will offer guidance and comfort from beyond as a "guardian angel". Psychic Connections and Synchronicity Psychic and spiritual connection with your twin soul is intense and profound. Many experience a feeling of connection in a matrix of golden white threads of light, whether consciously or in a dream state. Some have strong psychic connection with their twin, feeling their thoughts embrace them mutually in an ecstatic place of comfort and bliss. You may feel your twin's pain and suffering in heart-wrenching anguish. Often physical symptoms are shared between twins, simultaneous nosebleeds, headaches, body aches are confirmed by both twins. synchronicity: the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality; used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung Synchronicity plays an important part in twin soul meetings... I like to say that synchronicity is God's way of getting your attention. You may find simular experiences in the same timeframes before you even met, marriages, births, divorces, illnesses. You may find that you had lived as neighbors in totally different towns at some point in your lifes or vacationed in the same country at the same time. 11:11 and Twin Souls One of the most intriguing messages of synchronicity has to do with the numbers 11:11, you may find those numbers jumping out at you from digital clocks, restaurant receipts, license plates, phone numbers and such. "The appearance of 11:11 is an always beneficial act of Divine Intervention. It tells you that it is time to take a good look around you and see what is real and what is illusory. It's time to pierce the veils of illusion which keep us bound to an unreal world. You have been chosen, because you are ready, to step into a Greater Reality. To lead the way for others into a new way of living, into a Greater Love. To ascend from duality into Oneness. The 11:11 is the bridge between duality and Oneness. It is our pathway into the Unknown. " from Solara & the 11:11 In numerology, the numbers 11 and 22 are master numbers, numbers that have their own unique meanings before being broken down into 2 and 4 respectively. In numerology the number 11 is often considered the number of the "spiritual messenger", a number of spiritual illumination signifying a channel for the information between the "higher" and "lower", a connection between conscious and unconscious, heaven and earth, yin and yang, male and female. Two "ones" joined, that make the pillars to the heavenly gate. The vibration and message of "two into one" and "ones' into two", the power of "one" twice amplified ... this is a perfect symbol of the twin soul. Many twin flames have experienced this phenomena of 11's in birthdates, numerology, dates of meeting and such, and constantly receive the same 11:11 messages. I believe it can only be a symbol of the greater work that twin souls have been united on this earth to do. How Do You Know if You've Met Your Twin? Meeting the "other half of your soul" is generally so life changing and profound that this question is unnecessary.... you just know. Twin souls will both recognize this extraordinary bond, whether they are evolved and whole enough to acknowledge and act upon it is another thing. Meeting with your twin soul brings about an internal spiritual revolution, a deeper connection and understanding of the Divine and the Universal Oneness, this is the greatest gift of knowing your twin. Twin soul love is not to be confused with an obsessive/compulsive disorder, it's not a desire to "possess" another, but truly a challenge to love unconditionally and without expectation, to be whole and complete within yourself before joining with the other whole and complete side of your soul. The longing and desire to be with your twin soul is intense, but through growth and perception can be seen as the greater longing to join with the Divine, and that is the true lesson, you are two halves of a much greater whole. When you meet your twin, there will be no "game-playing" or manipulation, you will have the need to be transparently honest in your relationship and communication with one another. If there is karma from past lives to work out between you, it will be apparent and consciously worked out. If you or your twin is committed to another relationship, you will respect and honor that bond and realize the tests of unconditional love. Meeting your twin soul challenges you to grow spiritually, heal mentally, emotionally, physically, and to see beyond time, ego, and physical limitations. You will be driven with the desire to be the best manifestation of your soul on earth. This is not a relationship of hearts and flowers, but one that will be tested in fire and will endure beyond time and space. I need to caution that all of these signs are not "proof" of meeting the other half of your soul, very often we are challenged by the meeting of a "near twin" or karmic soul mate that can mirror all these signs. In my own experience, the man I believed with my entire being of being my twinflame, turned out to be a karmic soul mate, and one of the most painful lessons of my life. Thus, this article has been rewritten eliminating some of the original text. After these few years of reflection, I've come to see that there are no guarantees in life, in all our lessons we are called to learn unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness, a meeting with a karmic soul mate can be the ultimate test of your spiritual evolution. Many people have written me, asking me to somehow confirm their belief that they have met their twin soul. There is no confirmation until the ultimate reunion with Divine Source, until then the greatest message I have received is, "Do not fear being "wrong." In other words, if we are so determined to believe that this or that certain person is our twin, we tend to become blinded to the rest of the lessons in life. Life is about love in all forms, how can we truly grow without trusting in the wisdom of the Universe to bring to us those which will teach us best? Love is not about expectation, love is without condition, but relationships on this Earth are all about conditions. I would advise anyone who believes they have met their twin, yet is in such pain from that meeting, that perhaps the time for union is not right, or that they are enmeshed in a karmic soul mate or "near twin" relationship. Only in "letting go" can we be prepared to receive what is truly ours. There are some that believe the "reunion" with our twinflame is truly within, that we carry the essence of our beloved within our soul, and we are challenged to manifest that love in all we do, without attachment, without expectation, we become ONE. I hope you find clarity and comfort in the articles, features and links about Soul Mates, Twin Souls & Twin Flames that I've collected on these pages. Blessings of peace, love & light,

Do you have a Gypsey Heart?

2009-12-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

GYPSIES have an ancient and mysterious history, and are associated in stories and legends with divination skills and magical practices.

If you have always been fascinated by Gypsies, and are drawn to their symbols and mysteries, read a description of the qualities you may share with them, right here.

You may be a gypsy at heart!

If you are deeply drawn to Gypsy people, you are an exceptionally clever person. You have an intelligence that stems from your shrewd ability to observe and judge character in almost any given situation. There is a strange beauty about you. You love clothes with unusual patterns and stunning designs. You home is our castle, and you like to carry parts of it with you. What might look like a mess to others represents the many special things that you love to be surrounded by. You may even carry photographs or comforting items in a purse or bag to remind you of the things and people you adore.

You have an exquisitely sensual, tactile nature. It’s important that you are caressed or touched often. Without this affection, you may grow depressed or listless. A healthy debate allows you a chance to cleanse your soul of any negative emotions. Even the most heated discussions can make you feel much better. Once an argument is over, you carry no resentment or bad feelings for the other party unless, of course, your partner has resorted to “dirty” tactics. If so, you will never completely forgive it. If you decide to pardon your offender, your trust is lost. You cannot forget; that is just the Gypsy way!

It is difficult to keep secrets from you. If you suspect that someone is withholding knowledge from you, it will drive you crazy until you find out exactly what it is. You are precise, probing, and possessive. You have little respect for a hypocrite, or anyone who is “Holier than thou.” Sweet and endearing words cannot fool you, for you know the true nature of the people you are dealing with.

When it comes to your own life, you reveal very little. You are like a mysterious doorway that no key truly fits. You have any secret feelings and thoughts that you’ve revealed to no one. Some of these are wonderfully creative ideas that could make you a fortune one day. You are industrious, with wonderful potential. You are shrewd and crafty, but you may lack the confidence to develop your creative ideas and “flesh them out.”

You would make a very fine occultist if you developed your inborn psychic powers. You like to study varied forms of esoteric knowledge. It’s important that you concentrate on one special interest. You are versatile and receptive, but you need to be aware that maintaining too many interests can preclude your success on any one. You have special insight, and are something of an enigma. Reveal a few of your special secrets, especially to the people you want to grow closer to.

My Gypsy heart is on of my favorite in this collection ...

It features a 2" L antiqued copper heart pendant that has been beautifully tattooed with engraved floral patterns. The heart has been wrapped in blue crinoline lace and finished with gold wire. This piece rests on a strong 18" chain of the same color, which is adjustable {18" - 24" L}

Be You Live Light ...

2009-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

BE YOU...

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull

God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. ~William Shakespeare

All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself. ~Ralph Ellison, "Battle Royal"

The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another. ~James Matthew Barrie

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. ~Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves. ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem. ~David Carradine

THESE EARRINGS...

These earrings are made of 2 pewter charms with a beautiful Antiqued Gold finish.

One of them says: Be You.
The other says: Live Light.

I love these messages and I think they are connected... if you honor yourself and are honest with yourself you with always live in the light.

They are light weight, and about 3/4 of an 1" high each. The back has been stamped with Sanskrit writing. They hang on antiqued silver hooks which adds a nice element of subtly to them. I tried gold on gold first, but it looked too gaudy to me, and the matte silver hooks really make the charms stand out.

{All materials are NEW & HANDMADE & Lead / Nickle FREE}

I hope these bring you joy...

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. ~Harvey Fierstein

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

I am much better employed from every point of view, when I live solely for my own satisfaction, than when I begin to worry about the world. The world frightens me, and a frightened man is no good for anything. ~George Gissing

No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character. ~John Morley

There is just one life for each of us: our own. ~Euripides

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth. ~Benjamin Disraeli

If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise. ~Johann von Goethe

LIVE LIGHT...

"It's the night that makes the dawning.
It's the depths that make the heights.
It's the roots that make the branches.
It's the darkness that gives birth to Light."
-- Joel Heathcote (The Architect of Light")

"As I lived up to the highest light I had, higher and higher light came to me."
-- Peace Pilgrim {1908-1981), American Peace Activist

"One thing that comes out in myths is that at the bottom of the abyss comes the voice of salvation. The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light."
-— Joseph Campbell

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
-- Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) German theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light."
-- Norman B. Rice

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I've learned that whatever state I may be in, therein to be content."
-- Helen Keller

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied: 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.' That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
-- Minnie Louise Haskins, The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2nd ed. (1953), 239

"I will love the light for it shows me the way. Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars..."
-- Og Mandino

Guadeloupe

2009-11-20T20:05:00.001-08:00

OUR LADY...

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is often read as a coded image. Miguel Sanchez, the author of the 1648 tract Imagen de la Virgen María, described the Virgin's image as the Woman of the Apocalypse. "Arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."

Our Lady spoke to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, and said:

"Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you: let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?"

~To Our Lady Dark Yet Fair~

O hail, thou Virgen de Guadalupe! Unfailing refuge, our solace in days of grief, Radiant Queen so kind, our Mother of sweet relief ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Lovely Maid, fairest star above the sea! Advocate e'er gracious of clemency and love, Deign to listen to our pleas, O mother above ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!

Yea, O Lady of Guadalupe; O meek and gentlest One, take heed to our groaning; For oft we stumble and raise to thee our moaning ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Golden gate of heav'n, thou radiant portal; Unstained by sin, blissful queen of heav'n and earth, Aid me that I may love Him whom you did give birth ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Daughter of God, thou queen of royalty, Ave Maria! With joyful hearts we hail thee! Look on us so kindly, O Blessed Virgin Mary! ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Unfailing refuge and sweetest Mother; Pearl of grace so fair, fail not thine children to care, E'er our sweetest Advocate who did God once bear ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! -- Jeong-Bo Shim

Jeong-Bo is a thirteen year old boy who lives with his family in Corvallis, Oregon.

THIS PIECE...

This pendant is REALLY exceptional. It's a beautiful rendering of

Our Lady of Guadeloupe in a petit silver metal frame. It's a really colorful and detailed image, and whether you like it for it's kitsch value or it's Catholicism it's hard to not like the beautiful aesthetic qualities of this charm. it can be made into a necklace if preferred... Just let me know when you order it. I love Guadeloupe on many levels, a penchant for saints angels and their renderings aside I truly believe she has been with me for a long time - coming in and out of my life at different times and pointing the way... helping me along the path if you will. Her glorious image is something I've always connected with. When I met the love of my life he told me how at his place of work there was a beautiful painting of her and a plaque that quoted the words Our Lady spoke to Saint Juan Diego in 1531.

I thought this was a beautiful statement and as it turned out our paths had crossed before at an earlier time before we met under this same painting. I am not a religious person, but this saint has definitely been watching over me and my love. I hope this piece brings you joy.

Rock Out With Your Lock Out

2009-11-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

~ NeVeR MiNd ThE BoLLocKs... HeRe'S ThE LoCKET~

ThIs PiEcE...

Was inspired by the glorious Sid Vicious. As a High School Student growing up on the L.E.S. of NYC I was completely dedicated to the 1970's punk movement. We spent class periods in the girls room smoking cigarettes and singing "God Save the Queen," drawing anarchy symbols on your locker, and curling our lips to look like Sid & Johnny.

People like Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Joe Strummer, and Joey Ramone were all my heroes. When I met Patti Smith years later I said "Thank you... you made High School better."

I still very much love the Punk Rock movement and keep it in my heart... even though I'd probably hesitate to let some guy with a Mohawk pierce my lip with a safety pin at C Squat. Perhaps I'm getting soft.

I made this piece in fond remembrance of that time and sometimes I just want to 'rock out with my lock out.' It a metal lock, which hangs on a delicate metal chain. the lock has petit stones in it, "diamond-like" Kind of Punk Princess style I guess. It can be worn as a bracelet or a necklace -- Just tell me which you would prefer and I'll make it any way you like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bmBYRrHpJc

A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH SID VICIOUS

Interview by ROBERTA BAYLEY

{The Sex Pistols American tour ended at Winterland in San Francisco, January14, 1978. Two days later the band had officially broken up. On January 20, Sid Vicious boarded a plane for London via New York. He passed out en route, an apparent drug overdose, and was taken unconscious to Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York. The biggest blizzard of the year had immobilized New York, so we spoke to Sid that night over the phone. He sounded very weak, but anxious to talk. He was lonely and bored.}

Sid: Hello.

Roberta: Hello, Sid?

Sid: Hello.

Roberta: Sid?

Sid: Yeah?

Roberta: This is Roberta.

Sid: Oh yeah, I remember…will you come visit me in Hospital?

Roberta: I would but it’s snowing.

Sid: Oh.

Roberta: I don’t have a car and you can’t go on the trains.

Sid: I’m lonely.

Roberta: We’re gonna come tomorrow. Do you think you’ll still be in tomorrow?

Sid: I’m supposed to be going back to London tomorrow.

Roberta: How are you feeling?

Sid: Weak.

Roberta: Nobody’s been up to see you or anything?

Sid: No.

Roberta: It’s so miserable outside. I guess you can see it on television.

Sid: Yeah, I’m just sitting here on my own.

Roberta: How long you been in there - just last night?

Sid: Umm, yeah.

Roberta: What happened to everybody else? Who was on the plane with you?

Sid: Boogie. (Soundman for the Sex Pistols) What happened was, I done 80 milligrams of methadone, right? And when you get - and about 6 or 7 valiums -- and when you get high in the air it has a much greater effect on you than it does when you’re on the ground. You know you get pissed a lot quicker in the air.

Roberta: Yeah, you get drunk faster.

Sid: So, that’s what happened...I wouldn’t expect anyone to go on a train all this way just to see me anyway.

Roberta: Do you have a TV at least?

Sid: Yeah. What I could do with would be something to read.

Roberta: Yeah, magazines or something, huh?

Sid: What I really want is like a very very large pile of Marvel comics.

Roberta: I’ve got some great comic books.

Sid: Yeah, so do I, but Boogie’s got them, the asshole.

Roberta: You don’t have any way to get in touch with him?

Sid: No. He said he’d call me later today, but he hasn’t bothered. And he won’t be bothering either. He’s a cunt.

Roberta: Well, what happened with this group of yours anyway?

Sid: I left them.

Roberta: Yeah, it seems like everybody left them.

Sid: Well. I don’t think anybody really wanted to continue, but no one had the guts to actually say it. So I just phoned John up and told him what I thought of him and where I thought he was at and ummm...I mean I still think I’m pretty good. I think I was better than any of the others.

Roberta: But what do Steve and Paul want to do?

Sid: I don’t know. They’ll probably try and get another band together and fail. John’s completely finished.

Roberta: That seems to be the general consensus.

Sid: (Cheerfully) Does it?

Roberta: Well, everybody’s just saying well what can he do now and nobody can figure out anything that he can do.

Sid: Yeah, right and he’s finished as a person as well. He’s just not what he used to be.

Roberta: Well, maybe this will shake him up a little bit?

Sid: Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping. That it’ll shake him up and then he’ll be able to do something, that’d be goad if he could do that, but otherwise if it doesn’t shake him up and get him out of it, then as a person, not only will he not do anything, but also nobody will even want to know him. They’ll say, oh didn’t you used to be ‘Johnny Rotten”?

Roberta: Yeah, I guess in England everybody’s gonna be really upset about this. How do you feel about it?

Sid: I’m glad that it’s over now because it was like...I feel like I was the only one still putting any real energy into it. Did you see our show at Frisco? I mean John wasn’t doing very much was he?

Roberta: The shows got worse instead of better.

Sid: Yeah. I think the one we did in Dallas or something was….

Roberta: San Antonio. I thought that was best.

Sid: (Excited) What, was that the one when I got butted in the face?

Roberta: No, that was Dallas. But I liked the one when you hit the guy with the guitar. (Randy’s Rodeo)

Sid: Was that the one when I was going really nuts?

Roberta: Yeah, and John was jumping around a lot and the people were throwing lots of beer cans (at the band). That was a really exciting one.

If the planes go out in the morning will you go back to London tomorrow?

Sid: Well, I said I would go. Sophie’ll have booked the ticket.

Roberta: But they may not be letting the planes go…

Sid: I hope they don’t in a way ‘cause I wanna like stay in New York for at least one day.

Roberta: Yeah, you should. All kinds of people want to see you and everything. You’ve never been here before. You could have a good time. I mean you’re healthy enough to do it.

Sid: I don’t know whether I am. I can’t drink. I can’t like…The doctor said that if I drank anything like vaguely remotely like the way I’ve been drinking for the past…however long, that I’ve got about six months at the absolute outside to live, and like the drugs as well, so I more or less can’t do anything so if I went out anywhere I’d just like…sit there. If I went out anywhere I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation – that’d be the trouble. Like I’d end up just boozing myself out.

Roberta: Well, what’re you going to do? If you go back to London, it’s just the same thing.

Sid: Yeah. I probably will die in six months, actually.

Roberta: You have to straighten out for a while.

Sid: I can’t straighten up. I just can’t be straight.

Roberta: You could. Just as an experiment.

Sid: I suppose I just have to. I haven’t figured out yet quite how I’m gonna do it ’cause I haven’t been straight in like four years. I had hepatitis and when I got out of hospital I just really fucked myself up as badly as I could. I don’t know why, but everybody said you can’t do it, so I just went ahead and done it. It’s my basic nature.

Roberta: Well, your basic nature’s gonna get you in a lot of trouble.

Sid: My basic nature’s gonna kill me in six months.

(From DOA Film Book. 1981)

Achelois Pendant

2009-11-13T12:54:00.001-08:00

Achelois means "she who drives away pain". She was a Moon Goddess, which wasn't really that uncommon. The Dodonian Oracle ordered sacrifice to her. But according to Tzetzes (this old Roman dude), Achelois was one of the seven Muses said to be the daughters of Pierus.

THIS NECKLACE...

This necklace is a special healing / energy piece. It is made from a very special old button with a Goddess image Achelois, she washes away the pain of the one who wears this pendant, and help them release their anger. I paired this piece with two Art Deco inspired green glass leaves in green and pale green, and hung it on a sturdy 20" silver chain. A very interesting and funky piece.

Petit Fleur Locket

2009-11-12T17:54:00.000-08:00

From the earliest beginnings of civilization, people have sought out ways to keep their loved ones close. For some, it is not enough to harbor their dear ones in memory alone, they crave symbols to represent their love. Jewelery has always had a place in our culture as both an ornament, and an expression of personal feeling. The locket, is no exception...

This locket, is a pendant, on a chain long enough to suspend it over the heart. Inside pictures of loved ones are contained on each side of the locket. Other small items, such as a lock of hair could also be kept inside. To further emphasize the precious nature of the locket, they are made from precious metals, like gold and silver.

Lockets are found in many different shapes and sizes, the most common, being the circle, oval and the heart.

The locket was popularized during the Victorian era. Now, lockets are designed to hold anywhere from 2 to 8 pictures inside, and come in all shapes and sizes. Hair is no longer the only personal item kept inside, some opting to keep a bit of a loved ones blood inside.

Lockets are commonly given for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines Day, etc. They make a wonderful gift, for so many occasions, and will likely be treasured and passed onto generations to come.

THE MEANING OF LOCKETS IN DREAMS...

* If a young woman dreams that her lover places a locket around her neck, she will be the recipient of many beautiful
offerings, and will soon be wedded, and lovely children will crown her life. If she should lose a locket, death will throw sadness into her life.
* If a lover dreams that his sweetheart returns his locket, he will confront disappointing issues. The woman he loves will worry him and conduct herself in a displeasing way toward him.
* If a woman dreams that she breaks a locket, she will have a changeable and unstable husband, who will dislike constancy in any form, be it business
or affection,

ABOUT THIS LOCKET...

* This Locket is a vintage locket I found which has a circle with tiny delicate pressed flowers inside of it on a pale pink background. The circular locket measures 1 and 3/4th inches and has plenty of room for two nice sized pictures on the inside. The chain has a beautiful matte gold finish and is extra long, hanging 15" on at 30" Chain. there is also a gold dragonfly charm hanging from the chain to remind you that you loved ones are never far, and to help guide you on you're path.

For more info on Dragonflies:
http://www.dragonfly-site.com/meaning-symbolize.html

The Meaning of Dragonflies

2009-11-12T11:49:00.001-08:00

Double Dragonfly Soul Mate Self Necklace

Double Dragonfly Soul Mate Self Necklace Double Dragonfly Soul Mate Self Necklace
Description
The meaning of a dragonfly changes with each culture. The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has – which is a lesson for all of us.

There are many different representations of the dragonfly; it all comes down to which culture you happen to be in. For instance, if you are in Japan, the dragonfly symbolizes a new light and joy. Some animal symbolism has the dragonfly representing good luck, prosperity, swiftness, purity, harmony and strength. Some Native Americans believe dragonflies are the souls of the dead. There are also many cultures that believe that the meaning of a dragonfly is happiness, courage and subconscious thoughts. It is also believed that IF YOU SEE TWO DRAGON FLIES PAIRED TOGETHER THEY REPRESENT LOVE & MATURITY

The dragonfly has been a symbol of happiness, new beginnings and change for many centuries and even though the representation of the dragonfly seems to change throughout the cultures, there are still a few things that are similar; the dragonfly means hope, change and love. Since cultures vary, others may see the dragonfly as a symbol of financial wealth like savings. With the constant changing of the world, it is no wonder that more and more people are adopting the dragonfly as their totem and admiring this beautiful insect.

* When Dragonflies came into my life they brought my Soul Mate Andrew to me. I believe they carry the souls of our loved ones who had passed and they act as little spirit guides. In this necklace there are two Dragonflies facing East and West to look out for you and guide you. The shiny brass circle in the center is polished to a mirror finish so you can have greater clarity into your true self, and other can see themselves reflected through your eyes. The pendant is set on a delicate gold plated chain.

* All items are lead & nickle free

2008-12-03T09:54:00.001-08:00

"Life can be just like a roller coaster...
and just when you think you've had enough,
and you're ready to get off the ride and take the calm, easy Merry-Go-Round...
You change your mind, throw your hands in the air
and ride the roller coaster all over again.
That's exhilaration... that's living a bit on the edge... that's being ALIVE."

- Stacey Charter