We Got a Good Thing Going On, by Caprilicious Jewellery

Hello folks, nice to see you here again. Summer is comprehensively done and dusted with and it is decisively chilly out there. I haven't got my jumpers out yet, though that day is just around the corner. I've spent the rainy evenings indoors and have been quite productive in the last week and a half. Let me show you what I've been up to.

Kiku

The Chrysanthemum, or Kiku in Japanese, is a symbol that represents longevity and rejuvenation. When first introduced to Japan, the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Eventually, it became the Imperial Family Emblem. It is considered the flower of autumn, as it starts to bloom in September. I used the last of my chrysanthemums made from polymer clay for a tutorial in Bead Magazine, with a string of beautifully cut and polished fossil coral stones. Citrine nuggets, irregular and raw make a fabulous contrast to the smooth fossil coral. The proper name for fossil coral is 'agatized coral' or 'agatized fossil coral', as the coral remains are gradually replaced with agate. The entire process can take over 20 million years and occurs only under very unique geological conditions. Corals are marine animals and it is their skeletons that are fossilized and preserved, often leaving flower-like patterns in the stone. Many metaphysical properties have been ascribed to this stone.   

Coral Fossil is helpful for promoting inner peace and quieting disruptive thoughts. It can used for opening the gateway for communications with dead relatives and for receiving insights into some of the infinite Universal knowledge.
Fossil coral is said to assist in business endeavours, whilst keeping you grounded and motivated; it is also said to be an excellent protection stone for travel on or near water.
In physical healing fossil stone is used to assist with ailments of the bones, skeletal system, hands and feet.

Hmm, as an allopath, I'll have to plead ignorance of this! But, as always, I believe in diff'rent strokes......, and the beauty of the stone is quite enough for me to want to use it.

The Doppelganger Necklace

This necklace is a double ended torque that is woven is tarnish resistant silver plated wire that sits comfortably around the neck without a clasp. The two free ends of the torque have identical elements dangling from them, hence the name. I found a clutch of embroidery silks and worked them through the little perforations in a set of earring findings, and then connected them together with amethyst glass cabochons surrounded by beadwork. Different, I think, fun and interesting - would you agree? 

Glacial Glamour

The beautiful, shiny teardrops arrived in the post - perfect for a Winter Wonderland. As we are only 89 days to Christmas, such a necklace seemed entirely appropriate. A pale, almost translucent agate slab nugget was surrounded by beadwork, Swarovski crystals and pearls and hung on a multi strand necklace of the teardrops. I kept going until I had used up all the beads in the hank, making some strings shorter than the other and attaching them to the toggle clasp in a jumbled up manner in one of my favourite looks - the one I call carefully careless. 

I do so love my little gadgets, if there's a new gadget advertised, I almost have to physically restrain myself from buying it. Unfortunately once used, they then languish in my craft room until I can find another project for them. One such is the rather grandly named 'Chain Sta Stabilization Solution' by Beadsmith. Originally purchased about six years ago to make bracelets, it fell out of favour after I made precisely two, as I got bored with the process. I think I like my necklaces better. Eventually I used the Chain Sta Stabilization System to make beetle wing necklaces. I found some more wings, so dug out the CSSS and used it - you will understand that this necklace was made only because I wanted to use the damn thing. I have enough wings for one more necklace, and after that, I wonder if the CSSS will ever see the light of day.

The Chain Sta

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