Sugilite and Bronze Confirmation Rosary

Here's a sugilite gemstone and bronze Confirmation rosary I made this week for a friend in Jacksonville to give to a young man.

Aquamarine, Coral, & Mother of Pearl Rosary

Exquisite sterling silver Catholic rosary of the amazing combination of aquamarine, mother of pearl, and unusual faceted coral, an heirloom in the making. The large rosary set has a solid 55mm (~2.25") crucifix and 30mm (~1.25") Ave Maria Center and the rosary is completely constructed of sterling silver and chain. The total length of the top of the five decades loop to the bottom of the center is about 42 cm (~16.5"). The drop is 20cm (~7.75"), a total length (not circumference) is about 62cm or 24", a little larger than most of my rosaries. The beautiful faceted aquamarine rondelles are each 9 x 5mm. Chain links are individually enclosed in wirewrapped links with the exception of the attachments to the center and crucifix.

Aquamarine is the traditional beloved birthstone of March. Aquamarine and emeralds are varieties of beryl, and the stone of the Apostle St. Thomas, whose feast day is July 3rd. Never expose aquamarine to the temperature extremes and bright light experienced by leaving it in a car. Aquamarine is also intolerant of soap, so cleaning should be with water only and a soft cloth.

Peridot and Sterling Silver Handmade Gemstone Rosary

Solid Sterling Silver and Peridot Catholic Rosary

$160.00

www.15promises.net
www.15promises.etsy.com

Pearl, Ruby, Swarovski, & Sterling Silver St. Maria Goretti Chaplet

Wirewrapped sterling silver St. Maria Goretti 15-bead chaplet of white freshwater pearls, genuine ruby rondelles, accented with Swarovski amethyst crystals, sterling silver bead caps and daisy spacers. It has a small iridescent verde and purple Czech glass tulip dangle.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We have had guests for the holiday and they are very special to our family. I have to say this is the best and happiest Christmas I've had since I was a child and Santa brought the wished-for bride doll! I have to laugh when I say that, but it's true! Special people, special season, special memories. I hope yours have been great as well.

Gorgeous lepidolite and peacock pearls

My plans are to post some gemstone information and how-to posts in the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to pressing on into 2012. Happy New Year, everyone.

JPII's Momentos Untouched by Devastating Fire

Blessed John Paul II's bible and walking stick he gave to St. Malo's catholic retreat have been miraculously untouched in building destroyed by fire: http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/7177

Missing Your Calling

I think I've always known on some level I missed my calling to teach. I find the most pleasure when I truly have knowledge of some subject (longevity helps that!) that makes it possible to mentor someone new to my space. I don't mean this in any way to be self-promoting, so I apologize right away if there's any impression of that. I'm not one to invade personal space with self-appointed authority. I simply find teaching to be the most uplifting part of my day...if I'm able to do so.

It happened three times this week and it pulled me right out of the doldrums. Twice I had the opportunity in my workplace and once with someone who'd like to learn to make rosaries. I get so excited I have to make myself slow down to keep from all-talk and no-listen! It is heartening to know things, often gained from painful mistakes, which other people need to know to carry on excellently. I relish the hope of preventing missteps and slugging it out the hard way. I think that's why history is so fascinating to me. I'm capable of learning from it. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Conversely, I positively cannot relate to those who are stingy with knowledge, and indeed, it makes me angry. No, I don't make a good doormat either in case you're wondering about the occasional egocentric.

                                                                                                   

Don't miss your own calling. My workplace career is on the back end, so youthful exuberance for journeys has passed me by. I am one of those people who never had dreams, no, I'll rephrase that. I never identified dreams for whatever reason. I do think I'm odd that way, as many people seem to innately know what they want to do with their life. But, we all have this path we follow, and I don't look happenstance in the eye very often. That's part of my faithful core.

Although I'm looking back on my own years, by no means am I isolating my thoughts to the young. I'm not finished with the good race either. Identify your strengths, but most of all, identify with certainty that which gives you an unmistakable sense of dignity and...what makes you whistle a happy tune.