Beaded Sari Anyone?

For 2011 New Year's Eve, my sister and I were invited to attend the "Eastern Fairytales" costume party.

We decided to go for the Indian Saris. We purchased some lovely fabrics, one in pink and white, another in turquoise color, of 5.5 meters each, but I had to narrow the width of each piece down to 1 yard only.

It took me some time to embroider the edges of each sari and our blouses with some lovely ribbons, beads and sequins.

My lovely colleague Geetha gave me a few free lessons on how to wear a sari - thanks to her!

Learning Bollywood dance routine for two was not that easy - but we did it, thank G-d for YouTube! 

Some instant tan application a couple of hours prior to the party, black wigs, power eye makeup and lots of costume jewelery completed our look. 

At the party, everyone complemented on our matching outfits and (almost) synchronous dancing - not to mention our matching nail polish!

Wear Desert Landscape on Your Shoulder

Picture or Landscape Jasper creates scenes which resemble desert landscapes.

Esoteric meaning of the stone:
Picture Jasper is useful in retrieving hidden messages or a “picture” from the past. It is also a stone of harmony and proportion. Creativity and understanding of other cultures is encouraged through Picture Jasper. Business pursuits and activities leading to increase are affected.
Picture Jasper is also helpful in bringing hidden thoughts, grievances, fears, and hopes to the surface. It stimulates proper functioning of the immune system and treats disorders of the kidneys and skin.

Landscape Jasper brooch:

Pink Ice Brooch

This lovely Rose Quartz cabochon with the flat back and its contrastingly uneven surface has  inspired me to imagine pink ice - so the source of my design idea for this brooch:

Money, Money, Money...

It must be funny - making a one dollar coin into a pendant.

But it was so pretty and shiny, I just could not resist.

And it only cost me... one dollar !

Precious Stones - Or Vase Fillers?

This triple cabochon necklace I have made for the big birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Worn with the small black dress and complimented with the black onyx earrings, they drew a number of compliments, both from men and women.

Though it did make my smile mysteriously while accepting compliments.

It does look good, and makes you think that those three yellow, black and clear stone cabochones,  graduated in size and surrounded with bronze and black Delica beads, are really Citrine, Onyx and Quartz.

 What do YOU think they are?

What Stone Was That Again?

One of the latest pendants that I have made got me confused.
When it arrived from my supplier along with the other new cabochons, I was quite disappointed. I usually buy oval-shaped 30 X 40 cabochons, and this one came as a replacement for a Malachite one, which they have run out of.
I even did not plan to work with it. It was square, too thick, and that sandy colour was not my favourite at all. Besides, I even did not know its name.

But one day it came to me that I can embellish it heavily and see what will happen.

Well, after the piece was finished, I looked it up on my supplier's catalogue.

It is called Picture Jasper:

Cameos - My New Lovely Darlings

Cameos are carvings traditionally done on shell or stone. Modern technologies allow for a perfect plastic molding which gives almost the same effect ( and yes, few dollars cheaper, too).

My first couple of cameos came out quite nicely. I will continue trying for better results.