Tuesday's Treasures - Newest Necklace Inspired by Boudica

Lamp Work Glass Boudica Celtic Sea Necklace, From my NeoAmour Collection

I am so thrilled to show you my latest necklace today, as today is Tuesday's Treasures, where I will aim to show you one completed jewelry piece per week. This necklace has been in the works for quite some time; almost a year, as that was when I bought this beautiful focal bead from my friend, incredible lamp work glass artist Louise, from Fireseed . It is a special bead, being one of a kind, and I knew it needed special treatment to do it justice. It took a while, but this is the fantastic result (if I do say so myself!).

Inspired by Boudica and the Ancient British Seas

I've long been inspired by the ancient Celts, as I've spoken about many times here on this blog, and beyond. When I recently took this bead out again and started turning it over in my hand, I was immediately reminded of the sea. I love the colors in this bead, as they are so vibrant yet still manage to be natural. I love how Louise managed to get so many different shades of brown, topaz, silver, black and blue into one bead, yet the whole bead does not look too busy. In fact, as I looked at it, I thought of the ancient English sea.

Simple, Yet Bold

Thinking of the ancient English sea, with its white foam, sandy stones and beaches, and vibrant blue of water and sky, I was suddenly, clearly inspired to create this necklace. I thought of, long ago, a young Celtic warrior Queen, Boudicca, as she prepared to take on the Roman Empire. She knew how important reserve forces would be for the Romans as they came over the channel from the Roman empire to Britain. I could see her planning her strategic attacks on British soil, against the usurping Romans, and thinking of how quickly reinforcements would come over the sea if the battles lasted too long.

This necklace was created for her. I used the stunning bead Louise had made, and then created a hand-blended mix of glass seed beads in shades to complement the focal bead. This necklace was made in a lariat-style so that you can wear it either choker style, with the bead hanging farther down your chest, or looser, with the pendant closer to your neck, depending on what you're wearing and how you like to wear your necklaces.

Please visit my Etsy shop to see the necklace here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90201685/lamp-work-glass-boudica-celtic-sea and please let me know what you think!

For more stunning glass beads by Louise, please visit her Etsy store here: http://www.fireseed.etsy.com
or her website here: http://www.fireseed.ca

Have a great day,

New Celtic Knotwork Drawings

A long, long time ago I posted photos of a drawing I did, with the phrase "Siochan Leat" (meaning "Peace Be With You) on it and a myriad of Celtic knotwork. Today, I wanted to show you that one again as well as a new drawing that I have finished, and one that is in progress! The one above is about 8-1/2" x 10-1/2", done in pen, pencil and waterolor pencil. I didn't use water over the watercolor pencil as I had already done the gold pen on it and I am afraid it will smudge...For now I am not making jewelry as I have boxes of already made jewelry that I have decided must sell before I go and make any more. The sale is still going well in my Etsy store, check out the new items here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels
Lest I drown in jewelry (I am sure there are worse deaths), I am taking some time to go back to my drawing roots:

Here is another one I just finished, a Green Celtic Knotwork Circle. I used pencil, pen, ink and watercolor pencils. I painted the watercolor pencils to give depth to the knotwork and border. It is about 8-1/2"8-1/2".

Here is a closeup of the knotwork. I used gold pen in the center to give light to the middle, like sunlight shining through the center.

Here is my newest work in progress, a Celtic Cross done in knotwork. Here you can see the pencil drawing, and I have started to go over it with pen and when that is done (I have already done about 3/4 of it now at this posting), I will start to go in and color each part of knotwork and background of the cross. I am contemplating what to do the background of the whole piece...do I do grass and sky, or just leave it white? What do you think?

Another question arises...what do you think I should do with these drawings? Should I make blank greeting cards with them? Would you like to purchase or receive a card with something like this on it? I am interested in opinions, so please join in the discussion :)

On the exercise front, I am (sort of) plugging away at it. I'm trying to do yoga everyday, but with the weather changing, I am finding my fibromyalgia pain is coming back. The good news is that when I do yoga, the pain almost instantly lessens or goes away so that is absolutely fantastic. I just need more cardio...I went for a walk with Arwen yesterday (she says hi!) and that was wonderful. I need to get out there more with her and also ride my stationary bike more. Anyone know a really good company for doggy rainsuits and boots? Arwen needs to get some as the roads are wet and I now have half the dirt road on my hardwood floor...hmm...maybe I should go and clean that up...

See you soon, and please, let me know what you think of the drawings and what I should do with them!

Sweet Saturday: New Rings and Things!

Boudicca's Celtic Spiral Ring in Sapphire

Here are some new items in my shop this week! The sapphire ring (above) will be listed later today, and comes in different color combinations, see below for another example.

~Copper-Dyed (permanent) Freshwater Pearls~

I also have some great new beads to destash. I make room for more beads, and you get top-quality beads at great prices, everybody wins!

~Boudicca's Celtic Spiral Ring in Peridot~

I also have quite a few other jewelry pieces that are new to the Etsy store this week, so please do check out my store!

~Dyed Blue (Permanent) Agate Beads~

...Are you getting the inside scoop on deals, specials and more? Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get exclusive information on sales and more in my shop! You'll get subscriber-only discounts on entire orders, as well as weekly specials on selected items to make gift giving (and self-splurging!) easier than ever. So what are you waiting for? Sign up and get in on the savings!

Have a great weekend!

New Celtic Watch!

I just added this watch to my Etsy store, What do you think?

New Celtic Necklace!

Boudica's Sheild 3Spiral Celtic Necklace

Just added this Celtic necklace to my Etsy store, what do you think? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21764753

NeoAmour - Boudicca's Heart Necklace

~NeoAmour Boudicca's Heart Celtic Heart Copper Necklace Closeup~

~NeoAmour Boudicca's Heart Celtic Heart Copper Necklace~

I created this necklace after being inspired by a movie. What the movie was I can't for the life of me remember, but this necklace was the wonderful product. I am always inspired by the Celts, and Boudicca the Celtic Warrior Queen is one of those people that, despite the totally oral nature of her culture (she had to be recorded by the Romans, certainly no mean feat), has been remembered for the last 1700 years due to her sheer will and determination, and yes, great love of her people.
Made a Regent Queen after her husband died, she was thrust into power in a time when (though the Celts allowed women rulers) women were NOT to be in power according to the Romans, the largest threat to the Celts at that time. They actually believed that the fact that Celts allowed women to rule made the Celtic people more barbarous than ever! The Romans came, publicly beat Boudicca, raped her daughters in front of her, took her husband's belongings, tried to take her tribe's lands, and attempted to force the Celts to become slaves for the Romans.
Boudicca had other ideas.
Outraged at these atrocities, she fought back, winning a few major (and very bloody) victories before the Romans finally conquered her tribe, and left her to fade into obscurity. No one knows what happened to her, but I can imagine that after all of this heartache, she would have welcomed a life in the background.
I thought of her courage and decided to make a necklace made of hand formed hearts. I took copper wire and cut it into 21- 4 inch sections, then hand formed each section into a Celtic styled heart. I then hammered them flat to give them a slight luster finish and durability. To connect them I used silver rings and made a custom hook and eye clasp from sterling silver wire to connect it. For a final finish I attached Czech glass beads in a black dagger shape to dangle from a few of the hearts - as a tribute to her final 'heartache' at not being able to save her culture from the invading Romans.
This piece is currently for sale on my Etsy store, under the NeoAmour Boudicca Celtic section. I am able to lengthen or shorten the necklace if you desire, and I can also remove the dangles if you would prefer. I can even make it out of sterling silver wire, or 14karat gold filled wire, all you have to do is ask :)
Thanks for joining my time-travel adventures today!

Fabulous Friday: A Bracelet Full of Sunshine!

The Celts believed that spirals represented the sun - the more open the coil, the brighter the sun. This is one bright bracelet! Click HERE to see the bracelet (with more photos) in my Etsy store. It is made from 14karat gold filled wire, sterling silver wire and amber. It is all hand formed into spirals and links.

$10 from the purchase of this piece will be donated directly to the Arthritis Society of Canada, which helps people with fibromyalgia as well as with arthritis http://www.arthritis.ca to donate directly - thank you!

Click HERE to see more items in my Etsy Shop, 10% of the sales always goes to charity.

Thanks for visiting!

Wordless Wednesday

Fabulous Friday - A Custom Order And Sale Announcement!

Not my usual photographic prowess, I'll admit, but I wanted to show you the custom order I received yesterday before I shipped it out. She ordered: a Celtic spiral bracelet, but wanted it in just sterling silver, instead of the silver and gold; a FibroAware Celtic spiral ring, but needed it a little smaller; the Airy Scroll Celtic Spiral necklace (it is packed in the white stuff at the top right of the photo so it doesn't tangle en route); and a Lapis Lazuli and sterling silver simple ring. Too awesome! These were gifts to herself for her birthday, and I have to say I admire that - we all need a little "To: Me, From: Me, Love: Me!" every now and then!

Also, this is the LAST CHANCE to purchase items from my 50% off sale! Get these deals while you can! I have a new collection waiting to be listed and I have to sell these sale items first to make room! Once these sale prices are gone, that is it!

I hope you all have a fabulous Friday of your own :)

Wordless Wednesday: More Silver Rings!

~Silver Celtic Spiral Ring with Garnets and Czech Glass From Front~

~Silver Celtic Spiral Ring with Garnets and Czech Glass On Finger~

~Custom Silver and 3 Crystal Ring From Front~

~Custom Silver and 3 Crystal Ring on Fingers~

These will soon be in my Etsy Store (at some point today) so please check them out!

Tuesday's Treasures: A New Ring!

I want to be clear that I have not reneged on my promise to paint my nails at least once per week - the last polish (Borgese Palazzo Lilac, if you'll recall) was fantastic and lasted a whole three days without chipping (a miracle on my hands, even the salon stuff doesn't last that long), but after gardening, tree removal, sump pump excursions and a host of other jobs, my nails needed some therapy. Enter the 3 steps of Witchcraft brand nail rescue! Though I don't like the name, it works, period. It is all clear, which is why I didn't want to bore you with it.
Instead you get to see a new ring!
I used Sterling silver wire and wrapped it in a Celtic spiral ring, but then I attached vintage reclaimed freshwater pearls and Czech glass firepolish beads to the center loop for extra sparkle and flair. For extra strength I then carefully hammered the ring, giving it a light mottled look that is so pretty. I can also use different colored stones or beads to change the look. I hope to list this on my online stores soon, so please do check them out regularly.
Hope you like it :-)
Have a great day,

And the Winner Is....

Congratulations to Annette from Dragon House of Yuen for correctly guessing yesterday's contest! I will be mailing you a surprise piece of handmade jewelry in a Celtic style!

The answer was "Torc". The Celts used these beautiful "U" shaped pieces of jewelry to denote status, wealth, and may have been used in religious ceremonies also. Mostly made of gold, they have also been found in silver and other metals. Here is an example, from the UK's NEN Gallery: Click on the image above to go to the site!

Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway, don't be discouraged, I'll have more to come!

Soulful Sunday - 200 Posts!!

~200 Posts, Where Has the Time Gone??~

Ever since I missed celebrating my 100th post, I have been waiting for this one to come along so that I could treat you, my wonderful readers, with a thank-you contest!
I can't tell you how much it means to me that I now have 35 followers reading my blog, I can't help but smile every time someone is thoughtful enough to leave a comment, so THANK YOU!
I'm going to ask a question, and the first person to give me the correct answer to the question (with correct spelling, yes it does matter!), will win a surprise treat, hand crafted by me! Don't worry, it is an easy question :-)
Here we go: What was the main adornment (read: jewelry) worn by the Celts around their necks to denote status?
Clue 1: they were sometimes used for religious reasons!
Clue 2: They have been worn from at least the iron age!
The first person to spell it correctly (the old spelling please, not the lazy new one, lol) will win a surprise!
Have fun Googling,

Wordless Wednesday - Custom Pieces

Tuesday's Treasures

~The Boudica Necklace, In All It's Glory~

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes and prayers regarding my migraine, it seems to have worked! I took a bunch of Tylenol with codeine, slept, drank a ton of water and it seems to have gone quiet. Thank you very much! You are all so very kind, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and read my blog. I may not always respond to comments, but please know that I read each and every one and can't help but smile when I do. You make my day!
Now, on to the necklace, pictured above....

I LOVE this necklace! I made it with 14 karat gold filled wire, Swarovski Crystals and freshwater pearls. I took three pieces of short wire and spiralled the ends, then connected the three pieces into a Celtic (almost) Triskele shape. So beautiful, I think Boudica would have loved it (she was an ancient Celtic warrior queen - you go girl!). I suspended the pendant from 14karat gold filed chain (adding more Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls) with a handcrafted 14karat gold filled spiral hook and eye clasp. Dainty, feminine, yet not too girly - for the strong warrior woman in all of us :)
This item is now for sale and also matches the spiral earrings on my Etsy store, sold separately.

Happy hunting!

Broach the Subject of....Brooches!

~These Earrings Will Shortly Be Available on Fireseed's Etsy Store~

~Brooch Number 1~

~Brooch Number 2~

I haven't made brooches in a while and a few people who shall remain nameless (MOM!!) have been giving me grief over it. So, armed with a few of Fireseed's beautiful beads, some gold wire and Swarovski crystals, I went to work. These are the beautiful results! I love doing freestyle brooches, though I do have some more ideas for Celtic-styled and less freestyle pieces. Now that I've made these - one will be going on My Etsy Store, and one will be going on Fireseed's Etsy Store as these are collaborative pieces - I think I really should make some more. Now I just need more beautiful beads...*ahem*.... calling Louise!! ;)
That is all for now, I may be less active over the Thanksgiving weekend, so stay safe, have fun, and be thankful! We are all so blessed!
Meghann