Gemstones

In any book that you pick up about Earth Magick, in any form, you will see that one reoccurring theme is going to be gemstones.

Gemstones are an important part, especially in ritual. The natural energy and power that is held inside a simple stone is so mystical. Each stone holds its own properties and can be used for different reasons.

Personally, I love using natural gemstones in my designs just because of that natural energy. You can feel it while you work with it. When you finally finish a piece, you set it up and look at it, knowing that whomever buys it will then receive the positive vibes. It's very fulfilling.

So here are some great uses of gemstones and the studios that made them. Click on the studio name under the slideshow to check out the people who created these amazing designs.

***Featured Studios*** Just click on a studio name to visit them.
AfterSix
Angelas_Adornments
GGS_Exclusives
GoddessJoy
JewelryByAndrea
JupiterMoon
MamaCarrieMakes
MoonlitHerbals
Nightmaiden
SleepingCatBeads
Thyme2Dream
WhisperingWoods
WiccanMagickShack

AdornmentsByMarilynn

Today, I bring you an great jewelry artist, AdornmentsByMarilynn.

She was introduced to crafting at a young age and growing up won awards for painting and sculpture in school. She has even had pieces displayed in museums.

She uses natural gemstones in her designs which range from jewelry designs to gemstone bonsai trees.

So if you want to see where yo can get these designs, just scroll down under the photos.

**You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

JenniferLynnProductions

Today I bring you an amazing artist, JenniferLynnProductions.

As an award winning artist and photographer, she has a love of trying new and different things. She has many interests which she shares in her work. Her photos and designs are meant to honor the Earth and to share Her beauty,

So if you are interested in seeing more, just scroll down below the photos to see where you can see her.

**You can find this artsit in these places:
Artfire Studio
Blog
RedBubble

Morgaine-du-Mer

Today, I bring you a studio full of wonder and art that will make you drool, Morgaine-du-Mer.

As a self taught artist, she paints the realms that used to draw her in as a child. Her art is full of magick and fantasy. All of her work is hand drawn, inked and painted individually. She goes to great pains to make sure that when you receive a print that it will be as close to the original art as possible. So you can rest assured that you are getting the very best from this artist.

So if you are already drooling all you have to do is scroll down below the photos to see where you can buy these great works of art.

**You can find this artist in these locations:
Artfire Studio
Facebook
Website

IntoTheDawn

Today you meet an amazing artist, IntoTheDawn.

Being a mixed media artist and dabbling in many different mediums, she considers herself a creative spirit. Her work is inspired by nature, fantasy, mythology and different cultures.

The main area pf work for her right now is Polymer Clay. Bringing color and texture to her work, her designs really stand out and will leave you wanting more.

If you would like to see more of her designs, just scroll down below the photos.

**You can find this artist in these places:
Artfire Studio
Blog
Facebook
DeviantArt

August Challenge

For the new Challenge theme, I would like to do a non-judging theme. In other words, there will be no judging for any of the items submitted this time around.

What I would like to do is work on a promotional theme. So what you will be looking at making, is a piece that reflects what it is that is most influential to you. What inspires you in your work and in your chosen path. If you would like to include with your submissions a short reason why you chose this piece and what it means to you, this is so I can include it when I make up the posts at the end of the run.

I would like to use this as a way for people to look beyond the stereotype that they see all the time portrayed in movies and tv. A chance to see through our eyes at what is so beautiful and special.

Symbols

For today's Free Reign Friday, I have opted to have "Symbols" as our theme.

Everyone knows about these but how much do we really know versus how much have we learned from the television. Granted, there are some things that are very informative on TV but we as Pagans kinda get shafted a little.

Most shows out there, not including the ones on Discovery Channel, take the idea of being Pagan as a bad thing. The use of a Pentacle as an evil mark is one of the largest misconceptions I have seen. Sure it makes for great fiction, but that's just what it is, fiction.

The Pentacle is one of the most used Pagan symbols. It is a protection symbol. The 5 points each represent the 5 elements, each working together, thus the circle. Of course here is the main thing to know, a pentacle is with the circle and a pentagram is without. Betcha didn't know that, did ya?

We use lots of symbols and what we use can be greatly determined by what path we follow. While I am personally Wiccan, I also use the Triple Moon. This is a symbol of Trinity. While Christians have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have the Maiden, Mother and Crone. This symbolizes the Triple Goddess.

While I could go on and on about all the different symbols that are used, believe me it would never end. You can see just a sampling of some of the symbols as they are used in gorgeous handmade creations. Each item has the name of the studio listed with it and below the photos you can click on a studio to visit it. As I'm sure that these items will make you drool and you will just HAVE to check them out...

***Featured Studios***
AfterSix
GaelicKnotStudio
GGS_Exclusives
JewelryByAndrea
LiminalThreads
Nightmaiden
SanikiCreations
StudioNocturna
Thyme2Dream
WhisperingWoods
WiccanMagickShack

Post thumbnail courtesy of MirthReverence

Crescent-Moon-Creations

Today I bring you an amazing jewelry artist, Crescent-Moon-Creations.

Using the energy of Reiki, her gemstone jewelry is charged with love. The natural power of gemstones are allowed to come through and infuse you with their positive energies.

She is a Reiki Master, animal intuitive and is proficient in reading Tarot, Oracles, Runesand even Pendulum work. So you know that when you get an item from her that she takes the time to make sure the energies are compatible.

If you want to see more of her works, scroll down below the photos to see where you can get them.

If that is not enough to get you going, she donates 10% of her sales to a local animal rescue. As an animal rescuer myself, this is a huge plus in my book.

**You can find this artist in these locations:
Artfire Studio
Blog
Website

DenizeDesigns

Today I present you with DenizeDesigns.

Here is a studio that has some amazing glass works. She has always been creative and has taken the step to create this business. She loves to use recycled and reclaimed items to make her art. She wants to pass on her love of beauty to you.

Like what you see, scroll below the photos to see where you can get them.

**You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

PaperStreet

Today, I'd like you to meet PaperStreet.

Having a love of the digital and traditional art, this like minded duo love to try different mediums. They want to make finding images for digital art and mixed media easy and convenient for other artists.

The other side of this duo is Kenneth Rougeau. He has illustrated the original Alice In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass books. He does amazing surreal fantasy artwork.

So if you are interested in finding more, just scroll below the photos where you can find them.

**You can find these artists in the following locations:
Artfire Studio
Facebook
Website

Angelas_Adornments

Today you will get to meet an amazing bead artist, Angelas_Adornments.

Creating beautiful beadwork and just to die for wire wrapped pieces, you can find something for yourself or a great gift. She uses gemstones to bring the beauty of natures creations to light. You can see the inspiration that comes from each piece and the love that goes into it.

Wanna see more amazing work, just scroll down below the photos to see her links.

**You can find this amazing artist in these places:
Artfire Studio
Facebook

BeadworkByMelissa

Today you will get a studio that gives you some wonderful things to look at. Meet BeadworkByMelissa.

Here you can find some beaded mobiles and jewelry. She designs what pops into her head and this keeps her items fresh and different. She tries not to remain within the same mediums all the time and mostly creates one of a kind pieces. If you like what you see and want to check out more, just scroll down under the photos for links.

**You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

EarthsTone

Today's studio comes to you from EarthsTone. This studio was set up to celebrate the Earth and the Nature of Earth.

Inside this studio you will find jewelry designs that incorporate natural gemstones and also miniature paintings. If you would like to see more just scroll down under the photos to see where you can pick up these items.

**You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

GGS_Exclusives

Today's studio comes to you from GGS_Exclusives. This artisan has been a jewelry designer for over 30 years.

Having a love of spiritual jewelry, she crafts in a Pagan, Celtic and fantasy themes. Her work has evolved from the jewelry designs to creating polymer clay beads.

Her designs vary from those that are simple and inexpensive to some very intricate and elaborate pieces. So if you would like to see some more of her designs, just scroll down below the photos.

***You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

SanikiCreations

If you love jewelry just as unique as you are, then you will love this next studio. Meet SanikiCreations.

She began her business inspired by her daughters, she creates one of a kind jewelry designs. Her love of the unique and handmade experience is what keeps her creations perfect for you. You will know that none of her designs are mass produced and never will be. So if you wanna see more of her designs, just sroll below the photos for where to find her.

***You can find this artist at these locations:
Artfire Studio
Blog
Facebook

SleepingCatBeads

Meet SleepingCatBeads. Loving the texture of beaded jewelry is what keeps this artist going.

She works with copper and gemstones, meticulously piecing them together to get the proper flow.

She has some wide ranging items from the classy and elegant to the fun and lighthearted. Whatever your mood, you can find something you love here. Just scroll down below the photos to find where you can pick up these great items.

***You can find this artist here:
Artfire Studio

Earth Element

For the very first "Free Reign Friday", I decided to kick off the feature with the element Earth.

Earth is represented within the zodiac signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. People who are associated with the element of Earth can portray attributes such as practicality and restraint. These people are usually very grounded mentally and spiritually.

Gemstones come from the Earth and thus are very powerful. They help to gain confidence, balance the mind and strengthen the physical body. Some of these gemstones include Agate, Onyx, malachite, Obsidian, Aventurine, Quartz and Turquoise.

When using the element Earth in magick, this element is most powerful when used for employment, stablility and fertility.

Earth is a feminine element and rules the North.

Featured are some items from various studios. All of these items are a representation of the element Earth. Scroll down under the pictures for a listing of studios.

***Featured Studios*** Yes, you may click on the names of the studios to go inside and buy something. They won't mind...
Angelas_Adornments
StudioNocturna
AfterSix
DragonMoonCreations
LiminalThreads
WhisperingWoods
Thyme2Dream
MirthReverence
GGS_Exclusives

Thyme2Dream

If you love the elegant and beautiful visions of Fantasy and Renaissance, then you will love today's studio.

Meet Thyme2Dream! She loves to design special pieces for Fae and Fairy folk. Now you can join them by wearing some of their favorite things. She designs circlets, tiara, ear cuff and wraps.

She creates her pieces guided by the natural energies of the stones that she uses. She is intrigued by the natural magick that gemstones exude. She takes that into account with her designs and places the stones in a design with a specific meaning and blessing for those who will wear them. Scroll under the pictures to see where you can find these items.

***You can find this artist in these locations:
Artfire Studio
Blog
Facebook