Compassion Fatigue by Caprilicious Jewellery

Hello folks, how are you? I'm here today to tell you that a husband's man flu works wonders - for the wife! Last week I told you about my poor hubby, sniffling and sneezing away into a huge box of tissues - I gave him loads of TLC while he was awake, but my way of getting myself a load of spare time was to put him to bed, ably assisted by antihistamines, hot toddies and those stalwarts of the medicine cabinet, Day Nurse and Night Nurse! I received some fabulous components from one of my regular suppliers and made some jewellery immediately with them - in fact, the components are so beautiful, the necklaces designed themselves! 
I also finished a couple of pieces I have been working on for a while, two of which are to go to the USA, to my friend who commissioned them.

Phoenix

I've been embroidering this piece for ages and only managed to put it together this week. I had intended it to be a three piece pendant, and made it up and took photographs of it, only to decide the next day that it would be better off with only two pieces. It just seemed too unwieldy and the bottom piece kept twisting on itself. So before I could change my mind, out came the scissors and Snip Snip - that was that!!

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The beads used in between the turquoise are of Chrysanthemum stone, which I have wanted to buy for simply ages. Chrysanthemum stone or Flower stone is an ancient Chinese stone, approximately 270 million years old. It is a dark gray to black limestone matrix with andalusite crystals, taking on the appearance of a chrysanthemum. The black rock itself is a piece of limestone which is dark because of the presence of substantial amounts of organic carbon. This rock is from a time when many areas that today make up China were offshore or underwater plateaus. 

The white pattern on the rock is formed of elongated crystals of celestine (or celestite), and when seen in larger stones is very pretty, although sometimes accentuated by hand carving and dyeing of the black matrix so it is darker. 
The Chrysanthemum Stone is known for integrating change and harmony, and lending the knowledge of how the two work together to help one “bloom” and progress on the path to the perfect Self. It ameliorates negative mindsets and strengthens one’s character, while enhancing compatibility with others and the renewal of relationships. If you believe this, this is the necklace for you. If not, it is so pretty that it doesn't matter, it will still be loved by it's new owner.

Commissioned Pieces

My friend from California met me after many, many years and handed me some beads to 'do something with'. The first package was a necklace of tiny faceted pigeon blood rubies that she wanted restrung with a bit of zing put into the necklace, and the second was a broken necklace of what appear to be Czech glass beads and she wanted a pendant with a face for it. Here's what I came up with.

The rubies are only 2-3mm, with tiny holes, and they wouldn't take a beading wire. I had to thread them onto doubled up Fireline using a No 12 beading needle - anyone who beads will know how fine that is! Tying knots at the end was also tricky, but I finally managed it and covered the knots with a dab of glue for added security. I'd never live it down if anything untoward happened to that necklace. 
And then I turned my attention to the other string of beads - I had a yak bone face somewhere in my stash, some Shibori ribbon in gentle colours to match her gentle personality, added a few shiny seed beads, made a pendant from it and strung it on the beaded necklace.

We've established that she likes both the pieces and we are now organising the best way for her jewellery to get to her in the USA.

Last week, I talked about the beautiful micro pave connectors I was keen to use, and use them I did. While Mike snored gently, under the influence of Day Nurse, I took the opportunity to finish these pieces.  

Wild Indigo

Pearly Queen

Blue Beauty

I think I've done well this week - however the pieces have been made over a couple of weeks, between my work commitments ministering to the sick, and at home, doing exactly the same thing - no wonder I'm suffering from compassion fatigue!

That's me for this week, folks. Have a fabulous Easter break and a great week after, and I'll catch you next Friday, same time, same place.
Until then
​xx