The Soundtrack To My Day

Is it normal to break out into spontaneous dance sessions throughout the day at work?!?

Maybe The Soundtrack To My Day had a little to do with it! 

FLOAT

I've been experiencing some intense dreams lately-

many with the theme of floating...

It prompted a search in which I stumbled across these

 mezmerizing photos I would like to share!

In my search for the meaning of these dreams,

I found words such as 'acceptance' and 'liberation'.

 Floating alludes to letting go and

experiencing a new found freedom.

source

Funny how nothing makes sense until you question it!

...Don't forget to ask 'why'?

Life is but a dream...

I had a dream about a month ago...

I was running through the trees...

The wind was cool, the earth stood still.

In my soul a shifting breeze...

Dream Inspired Green Tigers Eye Circlet 

Create Your Reality

source 
All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

The mind is everything.

What we think we become.

-Siddhartha Gautama Buddha 

2011 IS UPON US!  And so is a new consciousness!

We have all heard of 'The Secret' and The Power of Intention, or the Law of Attraction... but it's not as easy (or cheezy) as closing your eyes, imagining a shiny new car, and then getting one!  As with everything in life, you get what you give-why should your destiny be any different?

Consciousness is the foundation of the most powerful resource we have at our disposal-OUR MINDS!

So here's to a new year and a new consciousness!

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Bedroom Demos

MUSIC!  Yet another one of my many inspirations! I've been involved with music one way or another for the last 20 years, but when I started playing the guitar a few years ago, I knew it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship!  Since then, I have grabbed for my guitar in every thinkable situation, from wallowing in complete confusion to basking in the epiphany of a lifetime!  Playing never fails to fill me with solace, inspiration, and intrigue. For me, it's the perfect medicine!

This is just one of many Bedroom Demos, I hope you enjoy!

Original Chords & Lyrics By Selena Martino 

And you can bet your BUTT I'm wearing Three Corners!  

Today I'm rocking my one of a kind Brass Cage with a hand tumbled river rock I gathered from the American this summer.

As well as my staple lately-The Spiral Chain Bracelet I made as a class project last year at California Institute of Jewelry Training.  What an amazing opportunity THAT was!!

I made the wire and the sheet metal completely from scratch! 

The sister clasp is actually a super simple design using two pieces of sheet metal riveted together.

I have to say, it was tedious making and filing all those little links, but the finished product is well worth the better part of a day it took to make it!

AMETHYST TANGENT

Forgive me while a tangent about Amethyst for a bit! There seems to be a common thread in my life and I believe it deserves some illumination!

It all started this Christmas when I was asked to cage this beautiful chunk of amethyst as a surprise for my friend for his wife. It came off of a larger Geode and was a key element in his marriage proposal!

I think this was a super great gift idea, and I was so psyched to be able to do it for them!

Here is the beginning of the cage. For this one, I am using 3 lengths of hammered round wire.

Now the 13 base solder joints have been finished and its time to close it up!

Just after the first and second solder joint on the top of the pendant. I coat the stone in a mixture of denatured alcohol and boric acid to protect it from the intense heat of the torch.

Custom caged Amethyst Chunk

Here's the finished product! =)

A stone of the mind, amethyst is said to bring calmness and clarity where there is confusion and anxiety. Amethyst crystals are said to bring serenity and calm, to enhance one's ability to assimilate new ideas, and to assist during meditation. This stone is also said to give strength and mental stability, and to provide balance between one's physical, emotional, intellectual states.

OTHER SWEET AMETHYST STUFF!

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Laccaria amethystina is a small brightly colored mushroom commonly known as the Amethyst Deceiver. And yes, as a mushroom fanatic, I had to find out... It's EDIBLE!

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South Lake Tahoe Jewelry Designer Mark Garbarini does some interesting things with Amethyst.

This amethyst pendant is illuminated by a small LED insert!

Illuminated Jewelry by Mark Garbarini

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Kick-ass Amethyst Cuff links by ElseeTee on Etsy

The Humbling River

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny....

—Lao-Tze

We are surrounded by SO MUCH BEAUTY!

Just wanted to share a bit of what is inspiring me at the moment!

This tree was captured here in Auburn, CA by

my friend and bad-ass photographer Anthony Peterson

of AJPN Photography