Black and White...It's So Colorful!

http://NeldaAZTEX.etsy.comHere it all is in "Black and White" . . .

It is sooo colorful!
Simple but powerful. Artistic but realistic. So enchanting I think.

Do you enjoy the classic movies filmed in black and white?
What about horror movies with black blood instead of red?
Kurasawa's version of McBeth is actually Black and White and more bloody than ever!
"Casablanca" is one of my favorite Bogart movies in Black and White. Sergei Einstein in "Film Sense" argues that by avoiding the superficial attraction of color you achieve what both you and the audience want. . .greater attention to form.

Personally, as I create with black and white it is truly a discipline. I keep wanting to
wander off to color. Even creating jewelry. . .it is more difficult. Exciting it is!
And I love it! . . . more than all color when it is finished!
Working with clay for several years I found that the black and white creations were the most difficult and the most beautiful. Picasso, the artist, used Black and White to paint "explosive" art such as "Guernica".

Ebony and Ivory, Yin and Yang, Night and Day. . .Opposites?  or  Compliments?
The Game of Chess with its intrigue would not be the same without Black and White.
The piano I play would not sound the same without black and white keys.
The Black Tie event...or the White Tie Event.
The decisive Ace of Spades...in a deck of cards.

Many designers, movie directors, artists, songwriters, jewelry makers. . .
   All of us have been inspired and lured in by the unique, mysterious beauty of Black and White
        . . . It's so Colorful...       
                                                             by: Nelda Brown

Garnet ...a warrior's birthstone for January

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Garnet is the birthstone for January. Its name probably came from the Latin word "granatum" meaning pomegranate which is dark red wine color just like the garnet stone. In ancient times, Night Travelers would wear a piece of garnet to protect them from creatures, vampires and other predators of the dark. It was said to light up the pathway and show them where to travel as well as shielding them from accidents. In many ancient cultures, warriors wore garnet to protect them in battle; it was set in helmets, shields and other pieces of armor. When socializing, dignitaries dropped a piece of garnet in their wine glass to protect them from poisoning.

A stone of business success, garnet is believed to attract the right business partners who  like you and are  great to do business with. If your creative energies are "stuck", garnet is supposed to activate the fires and get them going again. It is a fire stone associated with fire signs. Believed to be great for any business person. . . a stone of business success and good luck. . place a stone of garnet on your desk to enjoy the benefits of its lucky energies.  

We are surrounded by many energies in our modern techno world. Microwaves, cell phones, computers, and every imaginable technological amusement..... they all interfere with the energies surrounding our physical bodies. Garnet is said to balance the energies around our physical bodies bringing peace and harmony. It is the third stone in the twelve step program for addictions.

Garnet is found mainly in Africa-- also India, South America, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Turkey, Norway and the United States. Garnet is a word used to describe a diverse group of minerals and it gets its deep red color from iron and chromium. 

If you would like to see some men's jewelry made with garnet...google our jewelry website.....earthoceanfirejewelry.com....or visit our Etsy shop for men..      .http://NeldaAZTEX.etsy.com

Turquoise is for December

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Turquoise is the birthstone for December.  Turquoise is probably the most valuable, non-transparent mineral in the jewelry trade.  Egyptian royalty wore turquoise as early as 6000 B.C.  It was mined by the Egyptians on the Sinai peninsula and was transported to Europe through Turkey. . . accounting for its name which means "Turkish" in French.

Turquoise was believed to promote health, good fortune and protection to the wearer from evil.  It is said to be an absorber of negativity and help ground the "wandering spirit" while keeping their connection to the infinite open. Native American history holds turquoise as sacred and it is said that turquoise "brings a piece of sky to the earth".

Turquoise is formed exclusively in desert and arid environments.  It came from Persia (now Iran) originally, then in the late 1800's and early 1900's was rediscovered in Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Turquoise mines can be found in Nevada and Arizona. It is also mined in China, Peru, Tibet, Mexico, Siberia, Africa and Australia.

Jade. . . "Stone of Heaven"

 

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Jade is has been considered the "stone of heaven" for centuries in China. Archeologists say Chinese and Japanese began trading jade about 7.000 years ago.  The Japanese substituted their once widely-used pottery with flat bottom pieces of jade. These pieces have been found in Northeast China relic sites. In eastern cultures, , ,  jade is considered more valuable than either diamonds or gold because it is believed to "bestow a long and happy life". 

It is a feng shui belief that if you carry a piece of jade with you and touch it or rub it frequently it will transmit to you its sterling qualities of health and strength and more important longevity. Jade may be either "nephrite" or "jadeite", with most "jadeite" coming from Northern China. Nephrite comes primarily from British Columbia. The most valuable is the verdant green. Green jade is believed to promote deep, enduring strength and peace. And it is believed to offer physical and emotional well being by helping us us to feel more grounded.  Jade is said to help us accept and deal with situations we cannot change sanely.      

Jade comes in a variety of colors, including black, the most popular being green or white. 

Amethyst is for February

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Amethyst is the birthstone for February and the zodiac sign of Aquarius. Leonardo Da Vince once wrote that amethyst holds power to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken ones intelligence.  According to Feng Shui lore, the amethyst is always associated with heightened intuition.  It is associated with the brain, wealth, peace, protection and spirituality....the "Stone of Transformation"...the stone of the first step in the 12-step program.  Wear it as a reminder that you are a spiritual being having a human experience.

A stone of the mind...it helps bring calmness and clarity where there is anxiety and confusion.  A symbol of peace and unification; it helps you get in touch your values, your feelings, your intuition and is often used  in meditation to provide an overall sense of spiritual balance.   Some naturopaths will use Amethyst to help treat insomnia and sugar imbalance and to relieve headaches, especially aids in sobriety from alcohol, food, sex, drugs and other addictions.  Eases compulsive/excessive behavior. 

Purple (the color of amethyst) is associated with wealth and prosperity.  Amethyst is considered a prosperous stone. The catholic bishop still wears an amethyst ring on the second finger of his right hand. "Amethyst" comes from a greek word "Amethusos" meaning "not drunk"...It is also a stone of protection because it repels more than it attracts.