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