What's an ACEO?

An ACEO, or Art Card, Editions and Originals, is a miniature work of art that conforms to a standardized size of 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". They are highly collectible and sold at many online sites, such as Ebay and Etsy. The difference between an ACEO and an ATC, or Artist Trading Card, is that ACEOs were created solely for the intent to sell, whereas ATCs are intended for trading purposes.

ACEOs are a great way to collect art at affordable prices. They can be displayed in numerous ways. Mats and frames, ACEO wallets, or baseball trading card sleeves are just a few of the ways in which you can store and display your art collection. Some artists create their own unique holders for display.

Introducing BrokenMuse

I want to introduce my art shop, BrokenMuse. Art is a personal journey. Here I hope to share my art with you... I invite you to share in my own personal art and photography journey. I love to work in ink, watercolor and acrylic paints. My favorite is watercolor. I love the way it flows on the paper, sometimes translucent, sometimes bright and thick with color. Photography is another love of mine. There are times when I wish my eyes were cameras and that I could simply hook a wire up to my brain to download all the brilliant images I see on a daily basis. If I could REALLY show the world to see what I see, that would be truly remarkable indeed. Art and photography speak volumes to me, and I hope that I can portray my passions in a way that will touch and inspire you all. Welcome to my shop.

What's your favorite?

FaerieNotions wants to know.. what's your favorite stone? What stones would you love to learn about? Let me know and I'll do my best to answer them all! :)

Great new bracelet!

Showing off my newest creation! This is a double strand bracelet :) Faceted fluorite gives off just the right amount of sparkle to dress up any outfit. It measures 9" in length and is finished off with a toggle clasp. It is believed by many that stones have metaphysical properties. Fluorite aids in organizing thoughts and smoothing out feelings of anger and depression.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83489154/green-fluorite-silver-double-strand

Having a sale!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.. 10% off through Oct 31st with coupon code PINK10. Free shipping in the US and Canada!

Stop by today!

A few new items

A 1/2" wire wrapped quartz pendant makes up the focal point of this petite necklace. Strung with multicolored moonstone, tiny silver plated beads and blue labradorite, it shines and glows from with in. The necklace measures 15" in length. It is believed by many that stones have metaphysical properties. Moonstone has a gentle protective energy, also well known for attracting love, while labradorite renews your spiritual energy, aiding in a peaceful feeling.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82097212/wire-wrapped-quartz-pendant-necklace

A beautiful sun, setting in the sky, is what this pendant reminds me of. Orange and red bring warmth to the eye, accented by a small pentacle. Hematite, aragonite, moonstone and silver plated spacers make up the rest of this great necklace. The necklace measures at 22" and is finished off with a S clasp. It is believed by many that stones have metaphysic

al properties. Hematite is a healing stone, excellent also for it's grounding abilities. Moonstone has a gentle protective energy, also well known for attracting love. Aragonite brings an urge to find truth in reality, as well as increasing energy in your self-worth as you seek to find the truth in yourself, and red agate is known for its healing ability and for bringing calmness and peace to the wearer. All of these stones work together to bring you to a more complete and fruitful place, a place where you can harvest your best abilities and reap the benefits of good physical and mental health.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82248478/red-agate-pentacle-hematite-aragonite

A stunning landscape jasper pendant is showcased in this great necklace. Surrounding it are creamy morocco agate beads and warm rosy rhodonite beads. The necklace is finished off with an S clasp. It measures at 17" in length. It is believed by many that stones have metaphysical properties. Morocco agate brings calmness and healing while rhodonite promotes peaceful energy and balance. Landscape Jasper, or picture jasper, is known for bringing balance and stimulating the immune system.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82098564/landscape-jasper-pendant-necklace

Turquoise, a treasured stone

Turquoise is a gorgeous stone to work with. It has a mohs hardness of 5-6, and for that reason is very hard to find in it's natural state. It's one of the only stones I get with an altered nature. I get turquoise in a stabilized state, meaning it is usually impregnated with a plastic coating to improve the hardness. I feel that allows it to be used in bead form. One of the most prized forms of Turquoise is the Sleeping Beauty turquoise of the AZ mines. Boy would I LOVE to get my hands on that! It has a color of a light greenish sky-blue and it is extremely expensive and hard to come by. I tend to aim for a deep vivid green-blue when I use turquoise.

Turquoise connects us to the earth. It's sacred to many American Indian tribes as well (which is how I first became drawn to it). The Indians used turquoise and coral in paintings to bring rain. Others buried it to guard loved ones who had passed on. It's a stone of protection, of healing, courage, and love. It's no wonder I have always loved it. It is said to be able to give courage to those who wear it. It has also been worn to attract friends and money. Some say if you press turquoise to a troubled part of the body, it draws the pain or ailment into the stone. So the next time you feel alone, or are in need of courage or protection, turquoise will help, whether it be a piece of jewelry or simply a chunk that you carry in your pocket.

Opal, the Stone of Beauty

Opal is truely a beautiful stone. It's one of my all time favorites! It comes in many different forms and cuts. A solid opal is just that, one piece of mineral stone that is cut into shape. A Doublet is thin slices of opal (usually light opal) that are glued together onto a black or dark material called potch (or glass). A Triplet is made using a thin slice of precious opal glued to a slice of common opal (or darkened glass or porcelain). Then a quartz dome is added to the top with clear resin.

Precious Opals come in three forms:

Black opal is the most rare and expensive. Some black opals have a full range of color, while others show green and blue hues. These colors are portrayed on a black, or dark colored, body. Next comes Semi Black and Black Crystal. Semi black shows colors on a grey background, the colors are also some what mottled. Black crystal opals show no black potch on the underside of the opal.

Boulder opal is the second form of precious opal. It can be found in many colors and forms. It forms in the cracks and fissures of ironstone boulders and can be cut to standard shapes, but is usually seen cut in free form shapes, as that shows off its enhanced beauty.

Light opal, the 3rd form of precious opal, is much more commonly seen. Many specimens hail from Australia. Light opals display a full range of colors on a white or light blue background. Light opal is translucent and shows the colors well below the surface.

Common opal is less likely to show the flash of color that precious opal displays. Common opal can be found in pink, honey, wax, and green.

Opal's metaphysical properties are vast. Many call it the stone of beauty. It can be worn to bring out inner beauty. It is also looked at as a stone for developing psychic abilities. Some use fire opals, carried in a pouch, to draw money to them. Black opals are considered especially helpful in that they are said to increase the amount of energy used and released from a person during a ritual. It is said that opals contain the colors and qualities of other stones, and as such, may be charged with just about every type of energy possible, making it a very popular stone indeed.

Pink Opal:

Sale!

I apologize for the lack of posting. I am dealing with some health issues. Postings will resume shortly. In the meantime...

Having a sale! Cleaning out the old to make room for the new! Hoping to rekindle some creative spirit. So.. your coupon code is SALE25 for 25% off everything in the shop! Free shipping as always to the US and Canada!

I hope to see you at the shop soon and stick around for upcoming posts!

Mel

Faerienotions' Gems

Natural Gemstones vs. the other stuff

Why use natural gemstones? Honestly, the feel of a natural gemstone is like none other. There's a comfort in the weight and texture of gemstones that you just don't get with synthetic or man-made materials. Natural gemstones seem to have a look about them that man has tried and failed to harness. Many times just the inward glow of a stone is enough to draw me in, that perfect hint of sparkle with out being "loud". I love to run my fingers over a stone, feel the imperfections, the smooth cold surface that warms up to my touch. I haven't met that equal in synthetic materials.

There are also beliefs that natural gemstones have metaphysical properties, energy, that can aid us in many different aspects of our lives. These energies can range from simply uplifting our spirits to helping our health. Am I saying rocks can cure cancer? Of course not, that would be silly of me. What I'm saying is, it is believed that the energy that gemstones put forth can aid us. Now, some believe that the gemstones themselves put out energy that you direct towards a purpose. Some believe that gemstones and crystals have energy that aids us in guiding our own energies toward a healthier life, or a happier life, a life with love, a successful life with a job, you get the idea. They help us to help ourselves. I subscribe to the second statement myself. I feel that if you are depressed, by wearing or keeping certain stones with you, you are encouraged by that stone's energy to better yourself, to use your own energies to pull through. The same could be said for stones used for health. By carrying or wearing a crystal meant to aid in health matters, you may alleviate the stress factor that could be creating more havoc with your health than you knew. I certainly don't mean you shirk off your meds and buy every crystal and gemstone on the market. I feel that things in the metaphysical realm (healing, reiki, crystals) are many times needed to work in tandem with treatments needed in the medical realm. Personally, I take several medicines for health and mental health difficulties. I also have several bracelets and necklaces I use on a daily basis. My favorite stones are always on my person, helping me through my physical and mental aspects, and believe me, they do help. I can always tell when I've forgotten to put on my jewelry, always. Even my husband will ask if I'm wearing a certain item or if I've forgotten to put it on (again).

Whether you look to jewelry as simply the girly thrill of completing an outfit, or for the metaphysical qualities that go with, I hope you will choose to go with natural gemstones.

Mel

FaerieNotions' Gems

Intro and Welcome to my space!

I have been making jewelry for about six years. Beading and working with gemstones brings me a joy I can't describe. I have a huge need to create and share those creations with others. I am a mom of three, two of which are on the autism spectrum. Beading gives me that sense of escape, that break I need, just for me, to help me to get on with my day. There's something peaceful and comforting about stones. They speak to me in a way I cannot convey. I hope that I pass on that sense of peace in everything I create. I aim to make jewelry that is not only pleasing to look at, but also full of positive energy.

This blog will serve as a way to update my followers on new pieces I create, as well as great informational posts on the metaphysical properties of gemstones. I welcome you to my space and hope you stay a while! I will try to update regularly. :)