But, It Is A Cop-out

I have been having trouble sleeping again.
I KNOW there is a design gestating.
I can ALMOST see it. Although, it does keep changing-a bit.
I actually think that this “Design” will be more than just one-It can be a NEW “Line”.
I have a feeling that it is going to be something that can catapult DeAndreaDesigns into the Mainstream.
Why am I not down in the Studio trying to get this one done???

Well, part of it is that supplies are running low. There is not enough Silver to really be experimenting with something NEW. If I think on this one a little more, I will be able to just jump into it. Finish it. No waste.
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

I have been tired lately. I have picked up a few more shifts at the restaurant since the foot traffic in the Studio has dropped off-it has been really too cold for people to be walking around. With the colder weather, the restaurant is slower too. So a couple more shifts will help to cover the difference.
I tell myself, “You do what You gotta”
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

Tomorrow is a Bead Show that I have been looking forward to for weeks. I am really looking forward to seeing Raw Materials. Possibilities. I am excited to see what Design variations will be inspired.
That sounds good, but it is a cop out.

Truth be told, I can feel that something BIG is coming. Success is right around the corner. AND, there is something about that that scares Me.

BUT, it will not defeat me.
I WILL persevere.
I WILL Succeed.

MID-FEBRUARY

Amethyst Earrings, 7.5 ct total by
DeAndreaDesigns

The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an Amethyst will wear.



February is almost half over. 
Did you remember what happens in the middle of this month?
Valentine’s Day.
Yep. The one day of the year when Husbands and Boyfriends STRESS over buying THE Perfect Gift. THE Perfect Expression of their Love. 
If it were not so sad to watch their agitation, it would be fun to watch.
BUT, we have all been there at one time or another. So there is no humor.

It was so much easier thousands of years ago when people celebrated Lupercalia-not Valentine’s Day
Lupercalia,very simply the Festival of Sexual License. Young Girls would place their names into a container where the boys of the village would draw those names. The “Couples” would then engage in erotic games at Festivals and Parties throughout the year. 

This continued in one form another until around 500 A.D. As the Catholic Church slowly adapted the existing traditions to their own. St Valentine’s Day is born.
Young couples were still the focus, with young men starting to send exclamations of their Love adorned with Hearts and Cupids.

And Now the STRESS to find THE Perfect Gift for You Loved One

ROUGH

While perusing Facebook today, I came across a  story about a Large Diamond found in Angola.

95.45 ct Rough Diamond...I was intrigued

95.45 ct Rough Diamond

What does it look like?
Just how big is it?
What does it look like? LOL

After looking at this Diamond from the Lucapa Diamond Company, that looks just like a rock. I started looking at other Rough Gems.
Many look just like any other stone that you-well, I-would walk right past.

Now I wanna know who was the first person to think to Polish a Stone? Let alone Facet one?
I have actually been wondering this for quite awhile.

I guess that I will be going to my old Friend.

Google, here I come...BUT, I think that will have to wait until this head cold passes.

Love/Hate Relationship

Garnet Earrings by DeAndreaDesigns

"By her who in this month (January) is born

No gem save Garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity."

I just realized how long it has been since I last wrote.

You would think that with the Holidays being over-Well, except for Valentine’s Day-that I would have been able to find more time to keep up with all of these things that I Love.
BUT, between trying to replenish the Pieces that were sold in December and working my restaurant shifts. January is almost over.

I have a Love/Hate relationship with that place-the restaurant.  

I Love that fact that it allows me to spend so much time in the Studio doing what I Love.

I Hate the fact that it takes so much time away from doing what I Love...

By spending as much time as I do at the restaurant DeAndreaDesigns continues to grow, and attract more Fans.

I gave myself One singular goal for 2013. One that would allow me to spend more time in the Studio, and in turn grow DeAndreaDesigns even more. Paying off a portion of CC debt will allow me to spend more time doing just that. Sadly, the way that I paid off that debt was by working in the restaurant. 

Again that Love/Hate.

I still cannot believe that January is almost over. 

TURQUOISE

December.
Already.

Turquoise is one of the Birthstones for this month. One that always conjures images of warmth-Probably since most of the places that I know that Turquoise is mined is HOT. Arizona, Persia, Egypt.

Turquoise is a Powerful Protection Stone. It is said that if you look down at your piece of Turquoise and it is cracked that “The Stone took it”. As if the Stone absorbed the energy of a blow that was meant for you.

Now that is Protection.

Native Americans believe that when the Rains would come, bringing Rejoicing and tears of Joy. When those tears of Joy mixing with the Earth, Mother Earth created Turquoise. 

Follow along on Facebook
DeAndreaDesigns

“If cold December gave you Birth,

 The month of snow and ice and mirth, 

 Place on your hand a Turquoise Blue, 

 Success will Bless whate’er you do.”

I am sitting here watching the December rain, and waiting for it to change over to a December snow. It should not get too bad here. Nothing at all like what the MidWest has been dealing with-Thankfully for us, but Hoping that everyone there is safe.

Something Special for Someone Special

As I sit here waiting for Project Runway AllStars to start, I am ticking off everything that I need to do for tomorrow. As well as prepare my mind.
It is that time again. Time to start thinking about who is getting what for Christmas.

7.5ct total Amethyst Earrings by DeAndreaDesigns

10+ct Amethyst Necklace by DeAndreaDesigns

Holiday Shopping!

One of the most stressful things that I can think of-that is not Important, but can mean Everything.

Ruby Ring and Pendant by DeAndreaDesigns

So here are a couple of things that I have learned over the years...
1. Listen to your Partner. He/She WILL tell you what they truly want.
2. Pay Attention to your Partner.  What does he/she use daily?
                                                     Are they running low?
                                                     What is their favorite color?
                                                     What is their style? Classic?
                                                     Trendy?
3. What Jewelry have you bought for Him/Her?  Buy something to Match.
Just a couple quick ideas to HELP.

Now I have to be able to help you answer those questions for you.
Be ready for Me to ask them to You.  I Want you to get Your Someone Special That Something PERFECT

Prasiolite-Green Amethyst(?)

My Prasiolite

I think I told you that a few months ago that one of my customers, from out of state, sent me a couple of Gems to use “FOR ME”.
Well, one stood out above and beyond the others. A Large Marquis pale minty green-almost clear-Gem.
I immediately knew that this one was truly meant for me. I also knew exactly what I was going to do with it.
A Necklace with the Gem-which I later learned was a Prasiolite-worked in as a link instead of as an expected pendant.
I have not taken this piece off-except to show it to others up close. I have also sold quite a few of this same Design, but with VERY different Gems-Faceted and Rough.

Smokey Quartz Link Necklace
Available on DeAndreaDesigns.squarespace.com

Well, lately I have been experiencing a burst of creative energy-as well as just energy in general. I wondered if the Prasiolite could have anything to do with that?
Off to one of my Favorite things-GOOGLE
Here is what I found out...

Kyanite Rough-SOLD

Prasiolite is a naturally occurring form of Quartz, mostly out of Brazil, but also Canada and Poland. Although fairly rare, Mother Nature has given Mankind that ability to “enhance” on Her Creations. By heating Amethyst, we can get Prasiolite-sometimes-and Citrine. This may be why Prasiolite is sometimes mistakenly called “Green Amethyst”-something that I have been guilty of.



Prasiolite Inspires Creativity(Hmmm), Success, Prosperity, and Abundance.
Prasiolite Helps to link ones Spiritual being with your Physical Being.
Prasiolite Fosters a deeper appreciation of self.
Prasiolite, when used in conjunction with other Stones strengthens them.
Prasiolite Transmutes negative energies into positive.

Even if what I had found out was not as good as this, I would not be taking off my Necklace. It just means WAY TOO MUCH to me that they thought to Gift this Gem to me.