Gemstones Galore

I finally got these photographed tonight. These are the ones I found in downtown Melbourne, FL the other day. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can get a better look. From left to right:

1. First three are Silicon Carbide - Discovered in 1891 by E.G. Acheson. Man-made fro a compound that forms extremely hard irridescent crystals that are insoluble. Information on the metaphysical properties of silicon carbide is unavailable.
2. Next one on top - Ruby in Fuchsite - Encourages one to follow their bliss. Allows one to remain at ease after tense emotional or physical situations. Due to fuchsite's flakey texture, do not prepare elixirs from this stone in the traditional manner of soaking the stone in water.
3. Onyx - green/gold - Excellent for scrying or carving magical amulets. A stone of inner strength, allowing one to focus and follow through. A stone of physical strength, allowing one to gradually build up one's vitality.
4. Tiger Iron - Accelerates and enhances all healing functions. Diminishes one's tendency to procrastinate. Helps to alleviate fears associated with "survival" issues.
5. Bottom left - Amethyst - A physical representative of the Violet Ray of transformation, with strong protective qualities. Enhances psychic abilities and channeling. Stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, and the endocrine system.
6. Aquamarine - Aids creative self-expression. Enhances inspiration, peace, calmness and love. Calms nerves, reduces fluid retention. Strengthens kidneys, liver, thyroid and spleen.
7. Citrine - "The Merchant's Stone" - Allows the bearer to increase and maintain wealth. Enhances the body's healing energy. Never needs clearing or cleansing, and will not accumulate or retain negative energy or vibrations.
8. End piece - A carved whale bead in jasper - Holds an aspect of solar energy and a connection to the solar plexus chakra. An intense stone of protection against negativity. Helps one to be grounded to the stabilizing energies of the Earth.

Jewelry Design Station

So this is where I spend alot of my time each day, working on the computer. I try to spend a few hours each day on answering email, listing jewelry, editing photography, promoting my jewelry designs and my Etsy Shop, writing in my blog and keeping up with current events. Between the computer and designing my jewelry, I keep pretty busy each day. I generally am up pretty late each night as well, due to the fibromyalgia...I don't sleep very well and when I do it's only for a few hours because of the pain.

Designing jewelry has literally given me a reason to get up in the morning. I was always very active in my life before I fell in 1999 and injured my low back, then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and COPD in 2002. My life changed very dramatically then as I became less able to get around or do the things that I loved to do. When I decided to start doing jewelry again, I felt like my mind was coming alive again, I became creative again and I was thrilled to be learning new techniques. Now I try to learn a new technique at least once a week. I really enjoy some of the bead magazine that teach you how to do different techniques.

My workspace is very nice as you can see in the picture up above on the left. My husband built my work table. I decided I didn't want a table that I had to sit at all the time...I wanted something that would be comfortable for me to stand at when I needed to be up and moving...this table stands about 37" high and the table top is 66" x 34". I have several storage boxes with drawers stacked towards the back wall of the table and underneath the table there are two shelves on each side with storages boxes as well. I also have a closet with two sets of rolling drawers stacked about 4 1/2' high full of beads and supplies.

All my cameral equipment, lighting, jewelry displays and props can be stored underneath the table. All my jewelry design books, magazines and my photo portfolio of my designs sit on top of my two filing cabinets where they are easily accessible for reference when needed. As well as keeping a portfolio of all my jewelry that I design, I also keep a catalog of each piece and what exactly went into it and what it cost me to design so I know exactly what I have invested in each piece. It also helps me so I don't duplicate my designs by mistake as each one is one of a kind.

As you can see, I'm very serious about what I'm doing and very conscientious about it. I try to be professional yet enjoy what I'm doing. I really love my little workshop and that's important to me as I spend most of my days in this room.