Ravishing, Radiant Rhubarb {Earrings of the Month}

My kitchen and my jewelry are colliding this month. I have a slight obsession with rhubarb. Whenever I see it, I swoop in and buy it by the armful during the two months I can find it; I pine for it the other ten months out of the year! It’s so fresh, so tart, and so pretty. I love the bright crimson stalks and emerald green foliage.

Needless to say, when I saw this...

it's candied rhubarb on top of an ice cream sundae at the Penny Ice Creamery in Santa Cruz, I was inspired to create this month’s Eco-Chic Designs earrings-of-the-month…

RAVISHING, RADIANT RHUBARB

This month’s earrings are made with pink and green quartz, pink and green tourmaline, watermelon tourmaline, pink agate, green aventurine, and green onyx - all handwired with sterling silver, hanging from handmade sterling silver earwires. I hope my subscribers enjoy these!

And I'll share a few of my favorite rhubarb recipes as well. These, and more, are all posted at my kitchen blog: Culinary Adventures with Camilla.

Rhubarb-Oregano Quinoa Tabbouleh

Rhubarb Crostata

Roasted Lobster with Rhubarb Sauce

'C' is for Charley Liana {Nursing Bracelet}

I can hardly believe that one of my 'baby' cousins is about to become a mother. For goodness sake...I used to change her diapers. But, it's true. M and her husband Justin are preparing to embark on one of the most amazing adventures ever: parenthood. They know they are having a girl; they have named her Charley Liana.

For their baby shower this weekend, I wanted to create something for her that was both meaningful and useful.

In my blissful sleeplessness of new motherhood, I often forgot which side I was supposed to nurse the baby on next.  So, I swapped a ring from one hand to the other.  I figured M could use this bracelet as a nursing reminder, just switching it from one arm to the other, if she wished. Useful.

Here are the meaningful parts...

A sterling silver disc with a 'C' because, well, 'C' is for Charley Liana. That's pretty self-explanatory.

A sterling silver sloth to remind her to take it slow and enjoy the ride. With your first baby, it's always a race to the next milestone. Oh, she can hold her head up...when will she sit up? Oh, she can sit...when will she crawl? Oh, she can crawl...when will she stand? Oh, she can stand...when will she walk? 

Enjoy each phase. they pass quickly. And then you blink and you have a middle schooler. Yes, I say this from experience. As Eric Carle wrote: slowly, slowly goes the sloth. 

A sterling heart with tulips because motherhood makes your heart blossom in ways that you never imagined possible. I know that sounds cliché, but I really didn't understand how much love I would feel for the little person I just created until I held him in my arms. I know you'll feel the same way about Charley.

And a sterling heart with footprints because Charley is a dream come true.

Some people come into our lives

and leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives

and quickly go... Some stay for awhile

and embrace our silent dreams.

I also used a sterling hand charm with a heart cut-out of it from the book The Kissing Hand. If you haven't read it, do! I neglected to take a photo of that charm before I wrapped it up. Whoops.

This bracelet was made especially for M and her soon-to-be-born baby girl, Charley Liana. 

The beads are faceted pink chalcedony. 

All of the elements are sterling silver and hand-wired with love. 

EcoChic Designs Earrings-of-the-Month Club

It's my kick-off month. And for only have hatched this idea this week, I'm pleased to be packaging up several subscriptions to my earrings-of-the-month club. 

Despite my usual feelings about Valentines' Day, I found inspiration in the roses I have begun to see everywhere in preparation of that mid-February holiday. Piles of petals and all shades of red and pink spawned one-of-a-kind pieces featuring recyled pink and red glass, Burmese rubies, cherry and rose quartz, pink sapphires, and glazed ceramic beads.

I hope the gals who receive these are pleased...I know I had fun creating them.

In case you're wondering, I'm offering a monthly delivery of a handmade, one-of-a-kind pair of earrings. You tell me your preference of style and length; I create and surprise you, letting you know what inspired me.  For more information about the club, feel free to email me at constantmotioncamilla at gmail dot com.

Mouth-Watering Watermelon Tourmaline

Every now and then I come across a gem that just makes me swoon.  For awhile I was enamoured with deep-sea hued kyanite, then it was bright pumpkin-y carnelian. 

But I recently came across watermelon tourmaline and was instantly smitten. 

What's not to love?!  Watermelon + Tourmaline. Food and jewelry colliding. My mind immediately began thinking about what I would pair with this succulent gem.  I could go with pink, or green, or a combination of both.  So, naturally, I purchased a couple of pieces and will be making something soon.  Keep your eyes peeled.

About watermelon tourmaline...
The watermelon tourmaline is a rare variety that displays three different colors in the same crystal - green (the skin of the watermelon), pink (the sweet fruit) and white (the rind). 

Whimsical Pink Posies

The floral lampwork beads contain lots of depth and multiple shades of pink - like an entire posy on your ears.

Pale pink recycled glass rounds, pink crystals, fuschia jade (dyed) and chalcedony (dyed) are handwired with a pink floral lampwork bead to form these one-of-a-kind earrings. They swing from sterling silver earwires.

Click here to purchase these earrings on etsy.

To Heal a Broken Heart...

I'm not sure how much credence I give to the healing powers of crystals, but, I figure, it's worth a shot.  And, perhaps, if you believe strongly enough, it will work.

Rose quartz, a pale pink crystal, is an excellent heart-healing gemstone. It purports to be a natural remedy that can be used for treating any issue that needs emotional healing, carrying a gentle, soothing energy and giving comfort to anyone whose heart has been wounded.

Last September one of my husband's cousins committed suicide.  Twenty-nine years old.  And as hard as it's been on the entire family, two hearts are particularly broken - those of Sam's mom and his sister.  I wanted to create pieces for them that fosters peace and lets them know that they have our thoughts and prayers...always.

For Jessica...a sterling silver prayer box is at the center of this piece.  Rose quartz, grey moonstone, and recycled glass are all handwired to form this one-of-a-kind necklace.