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.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

As well as being Etsy sellers, we're also Etsy buyers. I often use "black bird" for search terms and I want to share a few of MY favourite things I've recently seen on Etsy!












And a white bird for good measure:


Shimmer of the day: BLACK SPINEL
-Black spinel is a protective stone; bolstering one's own inherent strength, hope, and will. Influencing both mind and body, black spinel aids in refreshing both the physical and mental states; improving physical mobility, as well as helping to stay grounded when dealing with difficult inter-personal situations.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

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.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

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.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

Inspiration

Inspiration comes from unexpected places. One morning, I was lying in bed looking about our room. I love our bedroom so very much. It is a sanctuary, a haven. It reminds me of this poem:

The Dream Keeper

"Bring me all of your dreams,
you dreamers,
Bring me all your heart melodies,
that I may wrap them in a blue cloud cloth,
Away from the too rough fingers of the world"

-Langston Hughes

Except our room is red and shades of gray instead of blue. But I digress.....

As I was looking about, I paid closer attention to a night-light hanging in front of our window. I repurposed an antique birdcage and filled it with things we've found along the way.

My eye was drawn to this: (There is no dust there. You do not see dust. This is not the dust you are looking for).

From that tiny bit of scrolled iron which caught my eye on a Saturday morning, came this:

Inspiration. You never know...

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.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

Cold Winds.

The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
He'll sit in a barn and keep himself warm
and hide his head under his wing, poor thing."

It is a VERY cold week in Austin, and we're expecting ice and snow. We've been under a severe winds advisory...ideal weather for staying indoors and making pretty things! Icy, clear quartz crystal is perfect for weather such as this.

Shimmer of the day: QUARTZ
Quartz helps to clear away negativity. It is believed that quartz is one of the most protective gemstones and it will guard the spirit as it enhances spiritual growth and wisdom. It is beneficial for cleansing the emotions and heightening creativity and inspiration. Quartz aids in concentration and retaining information. A master healing stone, quartz elevates energy and can be used for any condition.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick

Autumn is here!

Time for bursts of orange, yellow, red, rust. Time for harvest, time to celebrate the shortening days and the cooling air. Light the fire, give thanks to the Earth, honour the dwindling year.

Gorgeous carnelian focal from Magpie Gemstones. This amethyst whispered stories of elixirs and potions...

Shimmer of the day: CARNELIAN
Carnelian is helpful in making choices and decisions, particularly those geared toward success in a career. A stone for focus, carnelian can assist in self-motivation and self worth, and reminds one to live in the present. It is said that carnelians can protect from rage, resentment, and anger in self and from others.

Visit us at Magpie's Trick