Winter Solstice Pendant

wire wrapped honey agate pendant

Initially inspired by the weak wintry sun we've been experiencing here in Dublin, I created this honey agate pendant with the stone age tombs at Newgrange in mind.

photo sourced on wikimedia commons

Now a UNESCO world heritage site, the Neolithic burial chambers are over 5000 years old. The ancient Celts, who built the temple, worshipped the sun and other 'Gods of Nature'. The design of the passage tomb is so clever that during the winter solstice on 21 December, the shortest day of the year, the sunlight streams through an opening above the entrance and illuminates the narrow passageway and a wider chamber beyond. The last time I visited, I was given an idea what it would be like. The effect was simulated for an instant by turning off all the lights, leaving the visitor in total darkness, then shining in a beam of artificial light from above the entrance. Spectacular!

This smooth, slice of agate stone was just perfect for representing the concept. Rounded like the sun, the specimen boasts yellowy tones of gold, mustard and honey. The cool sterling silver makes a stunning contrast to the warm shades.

photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

The entrance to the tombs are decorated with typical Celtic spirals. Their exact meaning to this ancient people is unknown but it is believed they may represent infinity and/or the afterlife or perhaps, simply the circle of life. I use this quintessentially Irish symbol in much of my wire work.

To make the pendant, I started with the spiral,  forming it at the end of a length of solid sterling silver wire. I used different hammering techniques to harden it and make it rigid, then to flatten and spread the wire a little so it would sit flush against the stone. I threaded the rest of the wire onto the stone through pre-drilled holes, tweaked a precise bend into the wire at the back to tighten, then wrapped the bail for hanging. 

It is a very simple design that allows maximum exposure of the beautiful stone, while managing to convey the concept. The essence of my wire work is my aim to highlight the beauty of the materials without overpowering them. Often, the simpler looking a design, the harder it is to achieve this without the use of glues and cements. It is all down to knowing how to treat the wire. Getting the balance right between aesthetics and a securely made piece gives me great artistic satisfaction.

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Click here to see how make a simple wire spiral

Click here to see Irish Connemara marble jewelry

Craft in the Crypt

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

Last Monday, 4 June, I took part in the bank holiday craft market at Christ Church Cathedral in the heart of medieval Dublin. 

ByAmo'r in Christ Church Cathedral crypt

 The market took place inside the atmospheric crypt, which is an amazing place to visit in itself. Built in the late 12th century, the crypt is the oldest surviving structure in the city. It is also the largest crypt in Britain and Ireland (63.4m long).

Heli is wearing one of her fabulous tufted lambs wool scarves

I shared a stall with Heli of HeliMG and Heli Creations. Above her head is one of her beautifully hand crocheted lanterns with led lighting. She tells me there are only two left in this limited addition so get em while you can!

We also shared our nook with King Charles I and King Charles II, who looked over our shoulders. (apologies for these awful photos...I only know how to photo jewellery up close!) These are the oldest known secular statues in Ireland. They took pride of place outside the old Tholsel (medieval town hall) which stood across the road until the early 1800s. According to a friendly tour guide (whom we listened in on) the statues were at that time, stoned and defaced by locals rebelling against the British seat. 

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Many of the tourists passing through commented that it was an unusual place to hold a craft market, but interestingly, there was a market held there in medieval times. So perhaps it's not so strange. What I do find strange though, is that centuries ago there were also 2 taverns in the crypt selling beer and wine! One was called Paradise and the other Hell! We joked with the visitors as to which one we were in! 

Irish seaglass pendant (SOLD)

Though slow to start, as tourists don't tend to shop until the end of their day) the market went well for me.  My Irish seaglass pendants and bookmarks won the day in the end.

OOAK Irish seaglass fairy (SOLD)

My new line of fairy ornaments, charms, pendants, and/or sun catchers also proved a winner. From one market day to another you can never tell what is going to be popular.  I will be introducing my fairies and angels to my Etsy shop very shortly. 

 

crystal angel, Handmade by Amo'r (more coming soon)

 I currently have one seaglass fairy listed in the form of this bookmark. More exciting designs to come. Watch this space....

Christ Church Cathedral Craft Market. See You There!

If you are in Dublin city on the bank holiday Monday, 4th June 2012, please do drop into Christ Church Cathedral Craft Market and say hello. I'll be down in the very atmospheric, medieval crypt. Please come along and find Handmade by Amo'r sharing a stall with Heli of Heli's Creations.

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

I'm plenty busy with an almost full-time job, my Etsy store,  my wee   Fondelifair shop and a pretty full life so I generally don't do markets or fairs. But this one is a must for me as a lover of heritage and with a background in tourism. The venue is simply amazing.

Originally founded circa 1028, Christ Church Cathedral is a must-see for visitors to Dublin. The medieval crypt below the cathedral is one of the largest in Britain and Ireland. Built in the 12th century, it is the oldest surviving structure in the city. It is well worth a visit in itself, whether you are a tourist or a local. If you love handcrafts and art, browsing the craft stalls on the bank holiday Monday will be the icing on the cake - and you can have your cake in the cathedral cafe too! 

Blue Butterfly Fairy Bookmark

Though I will be bringing some of the jewellery, bookmarks and accessories from my Etsy store, I am busily making new gifts and home decor including Connemara marble hanging ornaments, pretty fairies and angels and 1 or 2 hanging mobiles for my stall.  I hope to share a glimpse before the fair. Please do pop back and check!

Handmade for First Communion

Handmade, First Holy Communion bracelet

 For many Irish children, May is the month for First Holy Communion. I remember my own, at the age of 7. It was possibly one of the most important days of my young life, next to losing my first baby tooth.

Yes, I was heavily schooled in the religious significance and cultural meaning of the ceremony, but for many a young Irish girl, the social implications are not to be ignored either. We all know too well the pressure that kids can be under to have the right look, the right dress, the right accessories.  And of course,  the pressure is on the parents too then.

Though I felt a bit hard done by at the time, thankfully, my pragmatic parents would not enter the race for the most extravagant outfit or lavish gifts and celebrations. My Mum, adept with a sewing machine, made me a simple, knee-length, white dress. I yearned for a maxi so I could be a princess for the day and I wished I had tonnes of relatives living in Dublin so I could visit and collect 'Communion money' like my schoolmates. My dress may have been simple but it was in fact, very pretty and my mother hand-sewed little white flowers on the end of my veil. It was more than enough. In fact it was very special, even if I didn't fully appreciate it then. I did get a special silver charm bracelet though, which I treasured forever.

Simple seaglass pendant from Ireland

 I'm proud that I grew up with handmade. I'm lucky that my mother in particular, nurtured our creative side and sometimes ignored our desire to have 'the latest big thing'. (click here for a blog post about my handmade childhood posted on Etsy Ireland Blog in 2010).

Is May The Start of the Irish Summer or Not?

Teal seaglass pendant with flower detail (sold)

 Here's a real Irish conundrum for you. May is here, and in this corner of the world it is officially the start of Summer...right?? Well, according to Met Eireann, our national meteorological service, in line with the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, the summer months are June, July and August. Yet according to the Irish calendar (and popular, local understanding it would seem,) Summer is indeed May, June and July.

Celtic, Connemara marble keychain

 I don't believe we're just being awkward or trying to confuse the rest of the world. Nor are we exercising our very Irish sense of individuality...hmmm, well, maybe there is a bit of that.... But the Gaelic calendar dates back to the Celtic system of time keeping.

Butterfly button pendant

Click here for: the full story from good ol' Wiki but in  simple terms, in pre-Christian Ireland, the solstices (longest and shortest days of the year,)  fell bang in the middle of Summer and Winter, not at the start. Likewise the two days of the year where we have 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night, the equinoxes, fell in the middle of Spring and Autumn. Hence, from a cultural stance, with the Summer solstice falling on 20th or 21st June each year, the month of May heralds the beginning of Summer.

So be it. Summer is here! In fact the sun even came out today to prove it.

Raindrops

Wooooah, the rainstorm has come! We got away with a pretty mild Winter and Spring so far in Dublin. But it looks like Mother Nature finally let go of all that rain and wind she's been holding onto a bit too long.  It's pretty nasty out there today. Stay dry and warm people! Whatever other woes I may have of late, I am grateful to have a roof over my head.

A Burt Bacharach song my Dad used to sing to us is circling in my head. I won't quote all the lyrics to 'Raindrops keep falling' but will share a few lines from the popular 60's song. It was written by Bacharach and Hal David and sung by BJ. Thomas in 1969 on the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It got to number 1 and was obviously a hit with my Dad. I remember him singing it for yeeears whenever it rained. (Ha, it was frequently on the soundtrack to my childhood so!) You may remember it from the soundtrack to Forrest Gump in 1994.

Labradorite Raindrop pendant

'Raindrops keep falling on my head

And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed

Nothin' seems to fit

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling...'

 

Larkivite and Swarovski Crystal Earrings

'...So I did me some talking to the sun

told him I didn't like the way he'd got things done...'

Blue Chalcedony drop earrings

'...Sleepin on the job

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling..'

Golden sunshine agate pendant

'...But there's one thing I know

The blues he sends me wont defeat me

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.......'

Inspirations II. Ticknock Forest & Hill walk

 

 View of Dublin Bay from Ticknock, April 2012

I took a few days off over the Easter break to spend time with my sister, who is home from abroad for a couple of weeks. I feel like I've just been far away myself. It's always good for the soul to catch up with loved ones and have a laugh. It's also great to take a couple of days off, away from work routine and even, dare I say it, from crafting. Like everything, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And a break certainly refreshes creativity.

courtesy of Google Maps

We didn't have the glorious sunshine of previous weeks, but at least it was fairly dry so we managed to get in a hike in the Dublin mountains - which, I've humorously been reminded by my dear Spanish friends, are not mountains at all! Well, yes, there's a reason we call it hill walking I guess. But as I am not long back in my hiking boots after several years absence, the Dublin Mountains feel plenty high to me! In fact, when I first hit the steep forest path, my lungs wanted to kill me then and there.

Rest stop, Ticknock

When we were kids, Ticknock was one of my Dad's favourite places to bring us for a Sunday walk. It's still one of my most loved places in and around Dublin. It's handy to South Dublin, with a choice of easy to moderate trails and offers diverse terrain through shady forest paths, up rough and rocky hillsides (my fave) and over wild and open moorland.

'Fairycastle' Cairn, Two Rock Mountain

Moorland trail leading in the direction of Three Rock Summit

Rolling hills

There are several trails branching off the main forest path. last Wednesday we chose the rocky path up to Fairy castle, atop Two Rock Mountain and did part of the loop, descending before we hit Three Rock mountain, as we thought we felt rain and it was already a bit marshy after recent showers.

Turns out it didn't rain, though we did see some spectacular rain pockets over the city below. Sorry about my photography - I'm so used to using macro for shooting my jewellery up close, that I haven't a clue how to capture distant scenery yet. But I've had fun editing my worst photos to try get something out of them:

Close Encounters on the Moorland?

Even the traditional, post-hike pint by the fireside in nearby The Blue Light pub, inspired me to get arty.  Now, it's time I logged off and used all this inspiration to do some actual crafting......I'll be back with the results before long.

click here to see photos of previous walks and the jewellery they inspired

 

A Snippet About Connemara Marble

The region of Connemara is an area of natural beauty in West Connaught, Ireland, namely in West County Galway. It is only here, in this unspoilt land that Connemara marble, described as our national gemstone, is found.

Connemara marble is an extremely rare and beautiful stone. It has been  mined and carved for centuries. This stunning green stone is over 600 million years old. (Here comes the science bit...) It is a metamorphic rock made up of recrystallised particles. (Ok, that is about as much science as you are going to get out of me but I did find this more technical info online.)

Love Spirals pendant, Connemara marble with Swarovski crystal

It is a hard and durable stone that can take a high polish. Considered to be the world's rarest and most exquisite, true green marble, it comes in a wide range of tones from pale, grey-sage to darkest forest green, with every shade of lime and leaf in between.  On occasion a yellow ochre specimen can be found. It is highly variegated so it is not unusual to find several contrasting hues  in a small piece of the gemstone.

OOAK Connemara marble pendant, Legends

Traditionally it has been used for making worry stones, rosary beads, jewellery, household items, ornaments, and so on.

It is also used as a durable, aesthetic building material not only in Ireland but around the globe. Famously it can be seen in the Chapel of St Patrick and the Saints of Ireland at Westminster Cathedral, London, for example. Here, in Dublin, the reception desk at Leinster House's new pavilion is topped with a fine example of sleek, Connemara marble.

Irish pub ornament or Christmas decoration, Connemara marble

When I started out beading and wire-wrapping, I never expected to be using Connemara marble among all the other exotic stones I found. I am so glad I discovered its unique beauty and am proud to use this and other, unusual, indigenous Irish materials in my work.

 Kilkenny Marble Earrings             Cork Red Marble Earrings

(these earrings sold, but you can watch Handmade by Amo'r on Etsy for other designs)