A Blessed Easter to Everyone!

Chatoyant dark brown, semi-precious bronzite and bronze Holy Spirit/Confirmation rosary of 6mm Ave's and bronze Holy Spirit Our Fathers, all in a descending position. Complete bronze construction and chain with bronze rosary set and Paters. The bronze center has the crown of thorns and "IHS". IHS are the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek.

Lemonade from Lemons

I had a custom order that didn't work out. A good customer sent me a photo and asked if I could replicate it to make 3 rosaries. It was a beautiful oval tourmaline, sterling silver wirewrapped rosary. It had a remarkable light blue cameo center. I'd never seen anything like it. So, I gathered resources and offered an estimate, which he accepted. But after I had all the parts on hand, most of the tourmaline beads, which are a fairly uniform oval, predictably (for nuggets) wouldn't accept even 24 gauge wire. I'm in some serious pain at this point. I was unhappy about having to use that fine of a wire in the first place because with wirewrapping, it can get brittle and snap too easily to suit me. So I explained to my customer, who understood I think, and refunded his deposit. A long story short is that I have 5 strands of tourmaline on hand I wouldn't ordinarily have. I love, love, love tourmaline, but it's too pricey for my plans. Ouch, in other words. The rosary parts aren't my favorites, but they are nice and will be used eventually. I'm not one to make returns, so I see a lot of tourmaline nuggets in my future. I really prefer to design a rosary myself because I'm so picky about all kinds of little details and also because of surprise problems like this, but custom orders are important,too. I really didn't like having to disappoint a good customer. Anyway, here we go...photos above are of the first two of a boatload. Posting for sale soon. Blessings, everyone. Debbie

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: Give Away Contest for March 2011

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: Give Away Contest for March 2011: "March Give Away PrizeDonated by Laude Arts and GiftsWelcome to our Give Away Contest for March. This month's rosary was donated by Linda of..."

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday...sorrow, humility, repentence, a day of fast, the first day of the 40 days of Lent as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Ashes are associated throughout the Old Testament with repentence, usually while wearing sackcloth. For 40 days, we will remember our humble place in this world, fast for spiritual growth, and sacrifice in remembrance of Jesus' life for our redemption.

On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed, mixed with either holy oil or water, and traditionally imposed on the forehead with the sign of the cross. The ashes are made by burning palm branches blessed during the previous year's Palm Sunday. When the priest imposes the ashes he says either "remember man you are dust, and to dust you will return" (Genesis), or "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark).


Fasting has a long history in the Church. In the Book of Acts, it was while "worshipping the Lord and fasting" that the Holy Spirit led the Apostles to set Paul and Barnabas apart for their work. In Matthew, Jesus assumes that after he leaves the earth his followers will fast. The history of the Church is filled with stories of fasting and its spiritual value. However, Jesus warns us not to be obvious about our fasting, or only fasting to impress others. Thus, Ash Wednesday is based on the biblical concept of repentance, and the ashes and fasting that are associated with repentance.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being hypocritical in their fasting. They would purposely make themselves look pale and sickly, to show they were fasting. All of this was for the appearance of spirituality, even though their hearts were impure, and they were fasting with pride. Jesus tells us to fast in a way that is not obvious. The ashes given during the Ash Wednesday represent repentance, not an advertisement that one is fasting. We must remember Jesus' guidance to fast so that it may not be seen by men, but by our Father; and our Father who sees in secret will reward us.



The Jerusalem Cross

Turquoise & Sterling Silver Wirewrapped Bracelet with Jerusalem Cross

The Jerusalem cross is also known as the Crusaders' Cross, because it was on the papal banner given to the Crusaders by Pope Urban II for the First Crusade, and was a symbol of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. The four smaller crosses symbolize the four books of the Gospel or the four directions the Word of Christ spread from Jerusalem. Alternately, all five crosses symbolize the five wounds of Christ during the Passion.

Featured in an Etsy Treasury

One of my favorite rosaries is being featured in a beautiful Etsy treasury named, "Heaven." Check it out. Angelo's Treasures made great selections. (It's my aqua terra jasper and bronze sun rosary.)

Angelo's Treasures "Heaven" Treasury

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: February Give Away Contest

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: February Give Away Contest: "February Give Away Prizedonated byManifest Rosaries Welcome to our February Give Away Contest. This month's prize was donated by Kristen o..."