Bodhi Leaf Necklace

Here's a little necklace I made using one of my bodhi leaves. It's simple, but I think the bodhi leaf calls for a zen, simplistic, natural design. I just listed some new bodhi leaves in my shop. Take a look. This would make great jewelry for yoga lovers or just about anyone who could use some peace and tranquility in their lives! So, say Om, feel the zen and make some jewelry! Does any one have some 'zen' jewelry ideas? I'd love to see them!

I want to thank everyone for responding to my Bodhi Leaf Giveaway! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your comments mean so much. I hope all the winners are enjoying their leaves. To those who did not get a chance to win a leaf, thank you for leaving me a comment about my leaves anyways. Every comment means a lot to me. Namaste.

Iris Leaf Necklace

A simple little necklace idea using one of my ceramic leaf pendants. My leaf pendants work great as back drops for beaded clusters! I worked this one up to enter into the current Art Bead Scene monthly challenge.

I started with one of my glossy silver leaf pendants and attached some black cord to it with a lark's head knot. I used about a half inch of some small link chain and wire-wrapped some gemstones of amethyst and green kyanite (one of my favorites!) onto each link in the chain. Then I attached the chain to the black cord at the top of the pendant with a small jump ring and added three more wire-wrapped beads to the jump ring. For the clasp, I simply knotted on a hand-made hook clasp and a ring with some chain for an extension and added some silver beads to the cord ends for a finishing touch!

The Bodhi Leaf Give-Away

According to ancient eastern traditions, the spiritual teacher, Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under the Bodhi tree or sacred fig tree. Because of this, the bodhi tree is considered a tree of life. The tree and it's heart-shaped leaves have become rich in symbolic meanings. They are symbols for peace, love, truth, wisdom and enlightenment.

I love learning about other cultural ideals and concepts. After some research on this, I learned that the bodhi tree and it's leaf are greatly revered in Buddhism and major symbols in eastern culture. I was inspired to make my own interpretation of the bodhi leaf in clay pictured below. They have the word 'Love' written on the back of each one. (During Buddha's Day celebrations, Buddha's birthday, it is customary to write little messages or wishes and hopes on paper bodhi leaves.)

The leaves represent three main ideas or concepts I wanted to keep close to my heart.

First, the leaf represents a connection with mother earth. It serves as a symbolic reminder of the cycles of life and of nature, of renewal and hope.

Secondly, the heart-shaped profile of the bodhi leaf also has symbolic meanings. It represents universal love and compassion for all life.

Thirdly, the leaf represents inner peace, tranquility, serenity, well-being, self-love and happiness.

All this wrapped up into one little leaf!

I would now like to round out my journey with the bodhi leaf concept by sending some of them out into the world. I'm giving away my little bodhi leaves to anyone who wants one! I have these 6 leaves to give away. Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address, if you would like one. Please feel free to comment even if you don't want a leaf, but if you do leave your e-mail address, so that I can collect your snail mail. The first 6 to respond and leave me their e-mail, will get a leaf! My hope is that the leaf will bring you some peace of mind as it has me.

Blessings Exchange 5 - "Country Home Love" Necklace

This is my fifth jewelry piece from the "Counting Blessings" Bead Exchange. Lisa, Lynn and myself come together in this necklace I'm calling "Country Home Love". The necklace takes me to a cozy cottage home in the country. I picture rich vintage fabrics, comfy hand-knit blankets, warm golden sun coming through the windows, sitting on the porch enjoying the scenic views of nature outside.
















Lisa's "Home is Where the Heart is" charm is the center piece of the necklace. This charm is pretty amazing. Lisa really did such a wonderful job on this charm. It's beautifully detailed with decorative paper, beads and embellishments on BOTH sides. Yes, it's reversible! Each side is different. You could easily wear it either way! And look at that cute little puppy charm dangling from the bottom. He's so cute! I can picture him running around in the yard outside my little cottage!

I added some of Lynn's hand-dyed fabric ribbon and yarn next. I tied the fabric ribbon to the charm and weaved the yarn back and forth through some big link sterling silver chain. The yarn and fabric really add a lot to the cozy, cottage home feel of the necklace. Lynn's yarn has multiple colors of reds, teals, greens and purples running through it. Just beautiful. Look at how well the colors go with Lisa's charm too! I ran the yarn all the way through the chain and tied it off at the end along with a few more pieces of fabric ribbon. Along the chain, I wire-wrapped a few glass beads and attached one of my own ceramic leaf charms from the swap. The necklace is finished off with a few more wire-wrapped beads at the ends and a hand-made hook clasp.
I still have a few items from the swap I haven't used yet. I'm holding on to those until another wave of inspiration hits me! I'm happy that I've used an item from each person in a project, that was my goal. I love everyone's creations from the swap. I've had so much fun playing around with them. Each one took me on a journey and I used some techniques and design ideas that I've never tried before. I really got a lot out of this exchange. Thank you, Cristi, Gaea, Heather, Lisa, Lorelei, Lynn and Mary for participating!

Blessings Exchange 4 - "Field of Flowers"Necklace

I'm on a roll with the jewelry-making lately! I have my fourth jewelry piece made from the "Counting Blessings" bead/charm exchange items. I've had so much fun working with everyone's creations. Check out Lynn's post here to read about the swap we did. Mary Harding and myself come together in this necklace called "Field of Flowers". I was inspired by this month's design challenge over at the Art Bead Scene. The theme inspiration is Van Gogh's famous Iris painting.

I was also inspired by Mary Harding's amazing ceramic botanical connector I received in the swap. Mary's connector charm is so beautifully detailed with grasses and purple and pink flowers! It seemed perfect for this theme, so I decided to work up a piece that I could submit into the current challenge! I strung up some amethyst, turquoise and silver in an asymmetrical design. I used Mary's connector charm and one of my own leaves from the swap as the focal for the necklace.

What's the Best Advice You Ever Got?

To start the new year off right, Cyndi over at Jewelry & Beading is asking "What's the best advice you ever got?" Whether it's about beading, jewelry-making or whatever it might be. Check out what my answer is here! And leave yours too! I'd love to hear!

I've been seen at the Art Bead Scene!

Today, I've been featured in a jewelry project over at the Art Bead Scene blog! Click here to check out the post! The Art Bead Scene is a site that promotes the art of artisan made beads and celebrates designers who use "art beads" in their creations. Owner and editor of the Art Bead Scene, Heather Powers put together this necklace project called "Woodland Pendant". The pendant features one of my porcelain ceramic leaf charms along with one of Heather's own beads. Wonderful charm necklace! Thanks, Heather!

Blessings Exchange 3 - "Be Blessed" Charm Necklace

I just finished up my third jewelry piece from the "Counting Blessings" Bead/Charm/Clasp exchange. I participated in this exchange with 7 other jewelry designers and bead-makers. You can check out Lynn Davis' post here for a full recap of the participants and all of their creations! In this piece, Cristi of 2 if by Sea and myself come together in "Be Blessed" Charm Necklace.

For the centerpiece, we have Cristi's Polymer clay"Be Blessed" Charm, her copper swirl charm and one of my own porcelain clay leaf charms dangling from Cristi's copper wire-wrapped ring!

For the necklace, I wire-wrapped some chrysocolla, blue and green kyanite beads on copper wire to bring it all together. I love the color combination in this necklace! The copper really makes the blues and greens pop! The necklace is finished off with cristi's handmade copper hook and eye clasp. Thank you Cristi! I love your charms and findings. I had a blast working with them!

Turning Over a New Leaf in the New Year

New leaves in my shop!

Happy New Year, everyone! Just over a year ago I made my first ceramic pendants and started a new venture as a ceramic bead artist! I started this blog in July of 2008. My only expectation for the blog then was it would be a place for me to record my jewelry and my progress in clay and maybe meet a few people with similar interests. I never dreamed I would get so much more out of it! A whole new world opened up. I met many great friends. Wonderfully talented people who are so inspiring! I'm inspired by you daily. I could not be happier. I love being surrounded by your beauty and art. I love you all. Thank you for all your support and encouraging comments. I look forward to spending some more fun times with you. Can't wait to see what's in store.

I have lots of plans for the new year. I can't wait to get back in the studio and start creating again. My goal is to make more leaves, more pendants, charms and buttons. New components and more offerings for all of my jewelry and artisan friends here! I look forward to seeing all your creations in the coming year. Happy 2009!