The Luck Of The Irish

True confession - I forgot that I had a blog post due today, but I had a touch of the luck of the Irish at the last possible moment.  A bout of insomnia roused me out of bed and into the living room.  I picked up my laptop, looked at the date on the screen and OMG, it was the 17th!  Sooo, I made these earrings, photographed them and here I am at 5:00 a.m. writing this post!  Although I'll undoubtedly feel sleepy all day, I have to believe that my lucky leprechaun must have been looking out for me.  And lucky for you, I now have these earring to share today.

 The ceramic hoops were made by Marsha Neal Studio.  I really liked the combination of creamy off-white with the green, so I added cream colored flower beads, some African glass and brass wire accents.

I plan to wear these later today, after I catch up on my sleep a bit.  Are you wearing green jewelry today?  Wishing you luck and happiness all day.  Happy St. Pat's!

Linda Landig Jewelry

Emerald Isle Rustic

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!! Lively greens with rustic copper drops are a color combination that can't miss, and what could be more appropriate for St. Paddy's Day? I'm sure you all recognize the gorgeous copper components made by our own Kristi Bowman. In this design, I use faceted ovals of chalk turquoise that have been dyed a luscious shamrock green, along with tiny dangles of green onyx in a deeper shade of green that blends well and adds more dimension to the design.

You can almost smell the lush green fields and the musty earth after a rain shower. Ireland looks so alive!!! This country is on my list of places I would love to visit. If I were there now, I would put on my mud boots and take a long walk in the country soaking up all the freshness of spring. After the long walk, I might be thirsty and stop off for a pint in honor of the day?

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Luminous Éire

Éire

Lately I have found myself awash in all manner of green stones and green artisan-made treasures--it must be the approach of St. Patrick's Day, already working its magic! In particular, I must have been in a green trance when I made my most recent purchases from Jana Bližňáková of Happy Fish With Heart, because there was a trio of glorious green charms waiting for me when I opened my package! And then I thought to myself, well, there is some good timing, because soon we will be celebrating all things green and Irish.

I can't help but think of Ireland when I look at these earrings--the varied green hues and the rustic shapes, and Jana's charms like old Celtic arrowheads. I had the pleasure of visiting Ireland on a bicycle trip in 2004, and the pictures don't lie--it is a velvety green paradise!

Photo near Ballyieragh, County Cork, by Pam Brophy, via Wikipedia 

I loved the wild feel of the countryside, especially the miles and miles of painstakingly stacked stone fences--for someone who loves rocks and rustic stuff, it was heaven!

Photo by Eckhard Pecher of Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, via Wikipedia

My day on the island of Inishmor during that trip, among the ancient rocks and emerald grass, must have been floating in my subconscious when I put these together, and Jana's charms were a wonderful inspiration!

Ceramic charms, prehnite nuggets, freshwater pearls, and both fine and sterling silver

You can see more of my work at my Etsy shop.