Being a Grown-up Is Fun!

One night this past weekend we were up late working on some projects. I was working on this (but that's a blog post for a different day):



We lost track of time, and suddenly it was 1:00 in the morning! How did that happen? As I waited for Derek to finish up one last thing, I decided to do a quick art project. Luckily (?), the teen was hanging around with a camera to capture my masterpiece.



I get silly when I'm tired.



Shimmer of the day: Smoky Quartz
It is said that smoky quartz can help you be more in touch with the universe. This is a stone of comfort and calming and is believed to be very helpful in relieving grief and depression. Smoky quartz can help in making sound finacial decisions and in managing money wisely.

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Differences of Opinion

As with all couples, sometimes Derek (Mr. Magpie) and I have differing opinions on things. One of my favourite recent creations is this lovely peridot necklace:

I was quite proud of this piece as it came to me whilst listening to "Stairway To Heaven" and I knew I needed to make a necklace that went with my favourite line "If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now. It's just a spring clean for the May Queen". When Derek came home from work, I hurried to show him my work. His response? "Oh that is so COOL, you made Trogdor!" "What? Trog-WHAT?" He then showed me this video:

and tried hard to point out the similarities in this photo:

"Noooooo, I don't THINK so. This necklace is called 'Hedgerow'....."

In a last ditch-effort to convince me this was, indeed, a representation of Trogdor, Derek presented me with this image:

Sometimes boys are so strange.

Shimmer of the day: PERIDOT
Peridot is said to assist with healing emotional wounds. This stone can help you see romantic involvement clearly and with greater understanding. A Visionary stone, it brings understanding of destiny and purpose. It is believed to slow aging, lessen anger, fear, and jealousy, and to facilitate the birthing process.

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Day Date

Mr. Magpie took the day off work yesterday so we could have a "day date", and our date took the form of a trip to the international gem show here in Austin.

Our feet are tired from all the walking, our backs are sore from bending over to look at all the lovely gems, and our bank account is severely depleted, but look what we came home with!

Top to bottom (deep breath): BIG Rainbow Moonstone briolettes, Gray Moonstone briolettes, Pyrite focals (left), BIG Labradorite briolettes, smaller Labradorite briolettes, Mystic Blue Topaz, Blue Chalcedony (left), multi-coloured Chalcedony (right), yellow Chalcedony, mossy Prehnite, GIANT Baltic Amber focal (left), HUGE Prasiolite (green Amethyst) briolettes/focals, tiny rondelles of various gems, Tourmaline, Peridot, Hessonite Garnet, Carnelian, Peach Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone rondelles, Sapphire rondelles, HUGE Sapphire briolettes, Ruby rondelles, BIG Ruby briolettes, GINORMOUS Ruby focal, Garnet briolettes

This is the MOST money and largest amount of gems in one shopping trip. We've been looking at all the sparkles and flashes all morning, and the ideas keep flowing! We are incredibly happy magpies today, and are thrilled with our hoard.

Shimmer of the day: RUBY
Ruby is said to be a stone of love and wisdom. It helps with decision making and improves the outcome of controversy and dispute. Rubies aid in bringing about and strengthening romantic love. As ruby is a stone of energy, it is believed to increase energy, vitality, and strength and can assist in relieving exhaustion.

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Anniversary

Today marks the wedding anniversary of the magpies! We awoke to our very first Etsy shop sale...isn't that an auspicious start to another year of togetherness?!

Shimmer of the day: GARNET
Garnet is said to be a stone of romantic love and passion. It is believed that garnet causes one to have positive thoughts and increased energy. It can aid in self esteem and success in business. Lore suggests that garnets assist the blood, heart and lungs, prevent nightmares, and alleviate depression.

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