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Spring is
upon us with everything is in bloom. While it came early this year, one would be hard put to disagree that it is simply gorgeous!
We are hopeful at the same time that Mother Nature will give us no reprieve from the much needed rain. Next
Show: Sunday March 28 (see below for details).
Our Trip to Tucson
| Rainbow in Tucson |
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Our trip
to Tucson this year was just as fascinating as previous years, but just a little lower key. As Coralyn
typically buys unique and unusual beads and gems, there was less of that offered at the shows this year. Our
trip focused more then on metals, faceted gems, and some fossils for pendants. Oh, yes, we saw these awesome
rainbows. The impact of the economy affected some of our vendors, limiting their
offerings, while others had stellar sales. The company we get our Czech glass beads from, Raven’s
Journey of Port Angeles Washington, made one sale to a New York buyer that out did total sales at other
shows. They were ecstatic! People at the fine gem and jewelry show reported similar
phenomenon. Buyers were being selective but when they found quality they made major purchases. We came back with a variety of finished sterling silver necklaces and earrings (even
“Om” rings), different chains in copper, brass, and warm gun metal. We picked up some beautiful
faceted amethyst, citrine, and smoky quartz fans for earrings and pendants. We found a jasper that is new
on the market, Red Creek Jasper, which consists of beautiful muted rusts, yellows, greens, and grays of geometric-like patterns.
A collection of new jewelry made from this jasper will be available at the March 28th show.  Dwight picked up a big piece of “coprolite”
to take to “Show and Tell” during his daughter’s 4th grade’s class unit on rocks.
And, yes, as the saying goes -- “coprolite happens” -- and has happened ever since the first living organism
arose out of the primordial soup. Dwight waited until he’d passed the piece around
the class before disclosing that it was in fact a piece of fossilized dinosaur dung. (pictured here).
 We also had a fun, quiet dinner with the curator of the Gem and
Mineral collection of the Smithsonian, making plans for the public unveiling of the Whitney Alexandrite. More
on this in May’s newsletter. Scheduled
Events for Spring
Sunday March 28, Noon – 6pm, Sixth Anniversary Show
Please join us for champagne and hors d'oeuvre to help
us celebrate our 6th anniversary. We will be show casing the fun stuff we picked up in Tucson plus a few other surprises.
Just a whole fun collection of goodies to select from. For those who have never been to one of these shows, the format
is a bit different from my "handcrafted" show for the Kirkland Artist Studio Tour. In addition to Coralyn's
hand-crafted designs, we show case finished fashion and some fine jewelry by other designers, with a few pieces of estate
jewelry scatter around. Family & friends are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you.
Please e-mail or call if you have any questions. Driving Directions: Take I-405
to NE 85th St and take the Kirkland exit. Follow this all the way down, staying in the right hand lane, until it ends at Market
Street. Turn right onto Market Street. Go up one block and turn left (onto Waverly Way). Follow this down
to 4th St West. We are on the corner of 4th St. West and Waverly. Lake Washington is across the street.
Look for the balloons. Address: 521 4th St. W. May 8th & 9th, 10am – 6pm –
Seventh Annual Kirkland Artist Studio Tour
This will be our 4th year participating in the Kirkland
Artist Studio Tour. It is a self-guided tour, open
to the public, with more than 50 artists from Kirkland participating. They will be opening their homes and studios to
show case and sell their creations and to demonstrate their talents for you. The tour is free and open to the public. So, make plans to pack up your family and/or friends
that weekend and head to Kirkland. More information
in April and May, including snail-mail and e-mail invitations.
Coralyn's work is available through The Kirkland Art Center's
shopping gallery, called has, located in Park Place Center down from Noah's bagels.
Her jewelry will continue to be sold on a consignment basis through this venue, with new inventory added on a regular basis.
Coralyn is working there as a volunteer a couple of times a month and providing support behind the scenes. We will be taking a month off from selling at "Studio
Be Yoga", in downtown Kirkland across the street from the Heathman Hotel. Placement will resume
there in April. Trunk shows:
Spring is a great time to host a trunk show. It can either be done at your home or at our home in Kirkland. It
is a great way to have a party and add some new items to your wardrobe.
Gemstone’s Powers
Last month we started our new
series on the purported powers*,++ of some of the more common gems and rocks.
Each month we will review a handful of stones (no pun intended). This month we talk about: Carnelian,
Chalcedony, Chrysocolla, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, and Fluorite As mentioned last month, since time immemorial,
gems and rocks have been looked upon as healing stones, both physically and mentally. The ancients held strong
beliefs in this area. Stones are of the earth and have a direct connection to the sun and the stars and
the moon and all the powers that created them. All these sources working together synergistically to provide health
for all those that seek it (or not working together resulting in illness). Externally, they have been worn as
jewelry, tumbled into smooth stones, and even worn in the rough, to provide the wearer with the relief they are seeking.
The stone is to be worn next to the area requiring its powers. And, the rougher the stone, the stronger the powers of
the stone were perceived as it was closer to its natural self. It was also held that the finer the gemstone, the better
its powers; of course, many failures were attributed to utilization of inferior quality stones. In addition to the adornments
and transmission of energy externally, rocks have been ground up finely, mixed with a liquid (like water or wine) and taken
internally to supposedly rid one of headaches, acne, kidney problems, infertility, etc.... If
you missed last month's series on agate, amethyst, aquamarine, and aventurine, e-mail Coralyn and she will forward it to you.
Carnelian:
 Carnelian is an orange agate, occurring
in various hues of orange, sometimes with color zoning (stripes). It is a stone of creativity, individuality and courage. Like all agates, it has protective energies. It is
a stone of general protection, as well as from specific emotions, such as anger, jealousy and fear. It can aid memory,
which includes recalling past lives, help with manifestation of one's desires, and brings good luck (it can even assist one
in finding the right mate). Carnelian is also helpful in easing or removing ones sorrows. Carnelian is an important gemstone for three of the Zodiac signs. It helps Aries,
typically caught up in ambitious goals and schemes, to not forget the present. While Aries enjoys life, carnelian allows
the individual time needed for rest and recuperation. For Gemini, carnelian is a potent stone, supporting spiritual
vitality, and helps keep volatile Gemini on course. Virgo's aspirations to help others, as well as taking pleasure in
life itself, are supported by carnelian. Chalcedony:
 Chalcedony is a type of quartz.
It occurs in a variety of colors. The pendant in the photo consists of a few different colors: minty
green, blue, pale pink, and pale brown. It is said
to gently relieve depression and improve one's frame of mind, lessen hostility, and bring emotional stability. It is considered
a sacred "ceremonial" stone by many Native American tribes. Chalcedony has been called a "stone of brotherhood"
bringing energies of loving kindness and goodwill to all. Chalcedony is important for the signs of Cancer and Sagittarius. For Cancer, this stone helps them fight off
negative influences, preventing their world from closing in on them, regaining their creativity. Chalcedony makes Sagittarius
look inside, helping to protect the individual from restlessness and making them become more reliable. Chrysocolla:  Chrysocolla is a slightly lesser
known stone. It occurs (naturally) in a very bright and attractive greenish-blue, sometimes confused with turquoise.
It is a special type of chalcedony. It is a stone
of harmony. It can be used to purify a place or remove negativity from a person. It can help ease fear, anxiety, and guilt.
It is a very gentle stone and its energy works in a gentle, harmonious way. Chrysocolla is related to the stars of Taurus, Cancer, and Libra. Chrysocolla allows Taurus
to see the beauty of nature, free him/her from doubt, making life richer and happier. For Cancer, this stone gives serenity
and tolerance, stimulating both intuition and imagination. Libras need chrysocolla to calm themselves when they have
become stressed out, helping them find their way back to their natural inner composure. Citrine:  Citrine is an orangish-yellow type
of quartz. It rarely occurs naturally in this color. It is produced by heating the purple quartz variety, amethyst. Through folklore citrine has become known as a "success"
stone, promoting success and abundance, especially in business and commerce. Citrine is purported to bring good fortune, sometimes
in unexpected ways. Its lore also says that it enhances mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. It also is a
good general protection stone, providing clarity, alleviating depression and self-doubt, and diminishing irrational mood swings.
Citrine is associated with the signs of Gemini and
Virgo. Citrine lights Gemini's path, providing the clarity needed to find ones way through difficult times. For
Virgo, this is the stone of self-confidence and individuality. In times of confusion it can provide good cheer. Diamond:  Of course, we all know diamond, in a class
by itself. Of the gemstones, it has the clearest light. It is a stone that bonds relationships and enhances love. It brings longevity, particularly to relationships, balance,
clarity and abundance. It can amplify one's thoughts, strengths, and weaknesses. It gives one who wears or carries it courage
and hope. Diamond is associated with Leo. It's
piercing rays remind her/him that true leadership involves service. Emerald:  Emerald is no stranger either, a much beloved
stone for centuries, and whose color was made famous by Dorothy and Toto. The emerald is a stone of love and romance. It brings and enhances joy, cleansing, clairvoyance, memory,
and faith. It also benefits intuition and communication, and promotes truthfulness. Emerald is associated with Cancer. This gem provides Cancer with stability and alleviates
moodiness. It protects against negative vibrations. Fluorite:  Fluorite (scientifically known as "calcium
fluoride") is a fun stone, occurring in a wide spectrum of colors, often with color-zoning. The gem promotes spiritual and psychic wholeness and development, truth, protection,
and brings peace. It helps one meditate and learn to go past the "chatter" that our minds tend to generate when
first learning to meditate. It can help get rid of mental blocks and similar issues. Physically, it promotes overall health
throughout the body's main skeletal and muscular systems. Clear fluorite guards against psychic attack and strengthens consciousness.
Blue fluorite has the quality of protecting the emotions and restoring emotional balance. Purple fluorite strengthens mystical
insight, psychic awareness, and can open the third eye. Green fluorite is an excellent all purpose healing stone that promotes
healing on all levels. Mixed colors bring enhanced protection in the areas enhanced by all combined types. Fluorite is associated with Scorpio, Aquarius, and Pisces. For both Aquarius and
Pisces, fluorite increases understanding and helps one grasp complex truths. Fluorite harmonizes the positive and the
negative aspects of the mind for Scorpio. ______________ *CAVEAT: This information is purely for entertainment purposes
and should not be construed in any way, shape, or form as formal advice on the use of gems and rocks as healing stones. ++ References: "Healing
Crystals and Gemstones" by Dr. Flora Pscshek-Bohmer and Gisela Schreiber (2002); "The Curious Lore of Precious Stones"
by George Frederick Kunz (1913); and "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann (2001). Thank you to
Robyn at Crystals and Jewelry (http://www.crystalsandjewelry.com/) for allowing us to use the information from her website. There is a large contingent of followers of the metaphysical properties
of gemstones. You can find books and online websites aplenty on the topic, as well as specific talismans. And,
we have even been approached on the topic ourselves.
Coralyn & Dwight - Jewelry Designer
- GIA Graduate Gemologist
- Accredited Jewelry Professional
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