Morning Star Craft

Oak Leaf Silver Ring

2012-01-28T19:23:00.003Z

I had originally planned for this silver ring to have a Green Amber stone set in it, but while I was waiting for the ring to pickle after soldering the bezel on, the stone disappeared. Hopefully when/if I get round to tidying up I might find it again in some far flung corner! Luckily I had this Blue Onyx stone that fitted in, its a gorgeous shade of blue and I think works better, reminds me of the sky and trees. Ah trees because I have cut out two Oak leaves and soldered them either side of the setting.

Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp and Hasfest 2012

2012-01-12T14:28:00.000Z

Things to look forward to this summer :0)

Hasfest 2012 18th, 19th and 20th May and of course Chesterfield/Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp (which promises to be even bigger and better) 2nd - 5th August. Tickets on sale for camp at Imbolc from Chesterfield Pagans site or at any of the Derbyshire moots, Hasfest still free:0)

Lots of fun, fire, dancing, drumming, meeting folks, learning/workshops and shopping (must get some things made to sell so I can buy things;0)

For info on last years happenings see here: http://chesterfieldpagans.org/2011/05/25/photos-of-hasfest-2011/, http://chesterfieldpagans.org/events/

Bramble, Tendril, Leaf Silver Ring

2012-01-09T15:25:00.000Z

I really like this ring and might make some more similar I think. It has a central leaf (yeah ok it looks a bit like a heart) with tendrils wrapped around the ring and a thorn sticking up (nice and rounded though, doesn't prick). I aged it to give it more definition.

2012-01-05T18:06:00.000Z

All bare again here! Left it till 12th night as it always seems so dull when all the pretty twinkly shiney things have been put in their boxes again for another year, though usually we leave one or two things out for a bit of sparkle:0) Might be a making pretty things to hang around the house this weekend for me and at least the youngest, hard to motivate the oldest one now!

Moot making, seasonal wreaths and green goodies

2011-12-15T15:21:00.002Z

On Tuesday at the moot lots of seasonal greenery was gathered so we could make wreaths, or anything else that took our fancy to decorate our home with for Yule. It was good fun and was getting us in the mood for the coming winter solstice. All the wreaths, hearts and sprays looked fab. This is my attempt a festive pentacle wreath, made with willow for the pentagram and holly, ivy and other foliage.

It's the Yule do on Friday with film (which we star in), food and fun:0)

Leaping Moon Hare Pendant

2011-11-17T15:43:00.002Z

Latest Moon Hare that I've made. A golden hare leaping under a full moon and circled with silver. The hare has been hand sawn from brass, the circle is lightly hammered sterling silver and the full moon is a mother of pearl cabochon. The jump rings have been soldered so that the pendants should lay well when worn as a necklace.

I did have another similar hare finished which I was going to put on now, but I can't find it! Hope I didn't loose it when I was showing some of my things the other day. That one was sweat soldered onto a silver disk which was hammered on one side to form a crescent moon inside a full moon, with the hare leaping across it.

Allotment Paths

2011-11-11T15:28:00.002Z

Got paths in now, it's really beginning to take on some framework. Have rubbed skin off my finger cutting the carpets to go under the bark chippings to make the paths though, but at least you couldn't see it oozing for the mud. Gwen has got her bike wheel on a post for the peas to grow up and in even more exciting new there are green shoots appearing that aren't weeds - no they are things we've planted and wanted to grow, garlic, leeks and the onions are very nearly ready to send out green shoots:0)

Work in progress

2011-11-07T15:55:00.002Z

Scene from the work bench. Hares and moons to finish off.

Silver and Jade Spiral Isabella Jewellery Set

2011-11-03T11:53:00.002Z

I had blogged about this some time ago, but blogger had moved it into drafts for some reason! So I'm reblogging it.

On my website is a silver plated spiral pendant with a jade bead, I received an enquiry asking if a bracelet could be made to go with it and possibly earrings too, to which I replied yes:0) As it was a special birthday it was decided that they should be made of sterling silver, this is the results:

I got a message back "Thank you so much for the jewellery. Isabella loves it!! You're a star xxx", so much happiness all round:0)

Samhain Celebrations

2011-10-28T12:12:00.001+01:00

Chesterfield Pagans will be facilitating Samhain celebrations this year at the New Inn (229 Mansfield Road, Winsick,Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 0JJ).

This is a bring and share event, so all who come should bring food for themselves and enough to share with others.

Cheril and Simon are hosting the ritual and ask that you all bring at least one tea light to be lit in rememberance of those who have gone before us.

Remember it will be chilly and although we will have a fire warm clothing is a must. Oh and most importantly....its......FANCY DRESS.....So please attend as your alter ego.....And if its dry enough DRUMMING!!!!! Oh and if each person/ couple/family could bring a carved pumpkin that would be ace, not compulsory but for the CARVED PUMPKIN COMPETITION it might be worth while ....you just never know what you might win!

Wordage borrowed from Ginger;0) For more info please see facebook - Samhain Celebrations and Chesterfield Pagans. For those that have been to Hasfest before it is the same place.

Allotment

2011-10-26T16:02:00.001+01:00

Up the allotment doing some Ho Ho Ho ing, sorry is it a tad too early for Christmas jokes...

Copper Oak Leaf

2011-10-19T14:21:00.001+01:00

Well the leaves are beginning to fall in earnest now that the days are definitely getting colder. I picked an Oak leaf up on my way back from the allotment and impressed it into some copper sheet so that the detail of the veins of the leaf were left on it. Then I cut round the shape of the leaf with my piercing saw and smoothed the edges. I left a stem type piece of copper at the top which I have turned under to make a bail to hang the leaf from and then applied patina to give it some subtle colour. It's lightly hammered on the back to give the reverse some texture as well and is a good solid piece of jewellery.

It measures approx 7.5cm x 3cm.

I'm going to make some more things from leaves I think. There are a couple of other photos on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawn-rose/

Allotment make over

2011-09-30T18:04:00.002+01:00

Had an exciting day on the allotment without doing a lot yesterday. Had a man with a big tractor come and dig our plot over, so worth it, saved hours and hours and hours of sweaty digging. It is now a blank canvas for planning out where things are to go, and we can start the good bit, growing stuff:0). The farmer said our soil is really good too and he must know his onions. Will have proper harvest time next year, yeah.

Nine Ladies, Stanton Moor

2011-08-14T19:12:00.003+01:00

You'll be pleased no doubt to know that they're still there;0) I needed to do some thinking and pondering on Friday and to get out of the house, so I thought a think and a ponder in a beautiful place would be best. Love it when you get there and it's all peaceful, quiet and empty, though I do enjoy it when we celebrate up there as well of course. Anyway after quite a bit of cogitating and ruminating I headed back down for coffee and chocolate enjoying looking at the flowering heathers and hills on the way.

Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp 2011

2011-08-08T17:50:00.001+01:00

Elderflower Wine

2011-06-05T16:49:00.000+01:00

I've started wine making! Got to wait months though to find out if it's any good, and drink it, it's quite exciting, sad I know. Hoping it might be ok to take to camp though it says several months in the book and Lammas Camp is only two month away.

As the Elderflowers are now out and smelling good I thought I would start with Elderflower wine as I remember my Grandma making it and Elderflower Champagne, and it tasted good and cooling on a summers day and at christmas time it reminded you of summer, mind you the corks exploding occasionally in the cellar gave you a bit of a shock.

James and I picked some of the flowers on the way back from the allotment yesterday. When I got back I left them in the bag as I read that if you leave them 24 hours and then give them a good shake the flowers fall of the stalks, but this didn't happen and I didn't want to leave them any longer in case they started to go brown so ran a fork through them and combed them which does work pretty well. We picked more than enough, only needed a pints worth, so I might make some cordial as well.

So now they are soaking in 8 pints of boiling water with 8oz of chopped raisins and the zest of a lemon, this has to stand for 4 days and be stirred occasionally. I've sort of combined two recipes together as I was getting confused with all the different ideas for Elderflower wine out there, the rasins apparently give it body.

So Thursday it will need straining and then 3lbs of sugar and the juice of the lemon and the yeast need adding.

Hasfest 2011

2011-05-16T19:00:00.001+01:00

Had a brill time at Hasfest, Labyrinth, Burning Man, workshops the lot. Wish I'd made more Chalices and Smoking Incense Bottles though and things with hares on, I love hares as well don't know why I didn't do more! Knees are a bit achey from too much dancing round the fire though.

Now looking forward to Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp.

Wedding Favor Glasses

2011-05-08T18:00:00.002+01:00

I was asked to engrave some glasses as Wedding Gifts for six Bridesmaids and the Best Man recently by the Bride To Be, with name, date and choice of animal on, and thank you for being my bridesmaid/bestman. They were all very happy with the glasses and I got lots of 'thank yous' and brilliants, the Bride sent me a message to say 'I cannot actually say how fantastic everything is' which made me feel great, it's lovely when you get compliments about your work even if it makes you blush a bit.

She also asked me to make an Ivy and Oak Headress, alice band style, similar to the one I did for a Handfasting, she was carrying a bouquet with lots of ivy in it and they both went together really well.

The cake they had was fab, it had lots of flowers, toadstools and Mr & Mrs Owl on the top, Mr Owl had a beard to match the Groom's. The cake was nothing to do with me I just thought it looked great.

Shamanism, Paganism, Rock and Roll or in other words Hasfest 2011

2011-05-07T15:58:00.001+01:00

Well it's very close to that time of year again when we drum, dance, shake our stuff and make merry. Hasfest this year looks to be even better, we've had two years practice now;0) The first year was a bit ad hoc with 'shall we, yes why not?' thrown together quite quickly and was thoroughly enjoyed. This year there has more time to worry, no I'm sure it will be great fun, there will be the burning man, fire, drumming, workshops and of course things to buy. I'll be having a stall there and there promises to be lots of others there too, so if you want things a bit more unusual come down. Entry is free so why not come and see (see a bit of rhyming). If you want some more info please visit http://chesterfieldpagans.org/events/hasfest/ or searching for hasfest on facebook should bring it up too I think. It takes place at the New Inn, Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield S41 0JJ mainly on Saturday 14th May, but there is to be some drumming and such like the evening before.

This is some of us a few weeks ago having a tie dye party, getting fabric ready to hang in the marque to make it look less white and boring! It was a fantastic day and my first time at tie dying anything, who'd have thought it, being as how I am and at my age too :0P

Heart Jewellery

2011-03-25T14:48:00.001Z

As it's nearly Mothering Sunday thought I would do some heart shaped jewellery. The one above is a copper pendant with a sterling silver heart set at an angle and finished with a sterling silver bail.

For more of a spring/summer feel these are glass hearts on pink thong with silver colour beads and finished with a toggle fastener.

More copper and sterling silver hearts -

These aren't loaded on to my web site yet but they are on the MorningStarCraft facebook page.

2011-02-14T09:11:00.000Z

Well the weekends not gone at all as planned. My eldest was worried about the amount of weeing he was doing, but he had been drinking a lot more as well so I thought it was just a normal thing, the more you put in the more comes out! But his friends had been worrying him that he might be diabetic so to stop him worrying we made an appointment for him at the doctors expecting her to say no nothing to worry about go home. Instead she said yes you are more than likely Type 1 Diabetic your results from peeing on a stick are off the scale, look. She continued to say you must go to hospital straight away now, I am ringing to let them know that you are on your way, go straight to EMU and if you didn't have anyone to drive you there you would have to go in an ambulance. So we left the doctors to go to hospital quite shocked, though Ben demonstrated his shock by laughing and texting his mates and saying I told you so, isin't it ironic!!

We arrived at hospital and Ben was spooked first by the fact that the nurse knew straight away who he was, we were both spooked by the fact that a bed was waiting for him with his name on and everything. I was expecting that we would be shown to a normal sort of waiting room where you sat up in chairs while they ran blood test and things. Blood was drawn, bottles were weed in waiting began... and continued. It was Friday evening so of course specialist staff were enjoying their weekend, and the nurses weren't able to really give us much info about diabetes. The sister told us that all being well we should be out around 10pm when the doctor had been round. We hadn't got anything to keep us occupied and Ben's bed was the only one without a tv, he hadn't got a charger for his ipod either to take his mind off things. Though me bringing him a large baked potato from the cafe and various sandwiches occupied him for a while, hunger is apparently one of the symptoms, I had been threatening to worm him along with the cats. Eventually 10pm came ... and went... later two doctors showed up and said no we want to keep you in overnight, his tests at the hospital had been off the scale as well. He was shown how to inject himself with insulin and elected to use his stomach for the injection sites. I brought him his bag in that he'd still got in the van from sleeping over at a friends the night before, luckily his phone charger was in there as well. Having to walk away and leave him on his own in the hospital was one of the hardest things I have had to do, his euphoria of how ironic it all was had worn off when he saw he had a bed and it was serious and he looked a little scared. He is still of an age where he could have still got in the children's side but as it is a condition that doesn't go away and he will need to go in again it was decided that to save having to transfer date and files etc that he should go in the adult side with all the old men. From what he said the next morning when we went to pick him up he had spent a lot of the night wandering about in his scrubs pj's and sliding up and down the corridors in his socks till bing rounded up by one of the security staff in a wheel chair who wouldn't tell him where they kept the wheel chairs.

When we got there Ben was sat in the front of the hospital with a bag full of testers and insulin and stuff that he hadn't really listened to how to use and didn't really know what was happening, I would have thought someone would have told us about things as well before releasing him, he is a teenager who is a disorganized mess and can't keep his course work straight and handed in on time much less anything else, even if it is as important as his health. It would have been very good to have had a bit of information, but we have to wait till later on Monday when the people who know about this stuff are back at work. Hopefully they will show him how his testers and things should be used again and make him realise that looking after himself well is very important to his long term health as his parents worrying about him is us just being interfering and controlling! Gradually over the weekend I think it is sinking in to him that it is serious and that it is for life.

This has been a very long blog post, I don't really expect that people will read it, it is more to help me.

Hand Engraved Personalised Tall Glasses

2011-02-01T18:44:00.004Z

I thought I would show these as I'm not as often asked to engrave tall glasses as I am wine glasses, pint glasses, whiskey glasses, chalices etc These were for a Christmas present to be sent directly to the customers parents, she requested a greenman with Dad on one and dragonflies personalised with Mam on the other.

Green Wire Hand Crochet 'Mermaid' Bracelet

2011-01-31T18:00:00.003Z

I thought I'd name this Mermaid Bracelet as it reminds of the beach and sea and looks like something a mermaid might wear;0) I did crochet it on a Cornish beach as well so that probably has something to do with my thought process as well, I finished it off here at home though by putting on the copper hook fastenings and making the copper rings for the extender chain and the spiral which finishes off the end. It is made of green wire with a wave sea edge at the top and small gold/copper, green, rusty red beads. It is approx one and a half inches long and six inches long plus chain.

Sun and Moon Smoking Incense Bottle

2011-01-30T18:26:00.004Z

I love the shape of these bottles. I've hand engraved a big swirly sun on this one and a waxing moon and some stars sprinkled about. Will look effective I think with smoke swirling around inside.

If you want to know more about smoking incense bottles please see
http://morningstarcraft.co.uk/smokingincesebottles.aspx

Shaggy Loop Necklace

2011-01-28T17:53:00.003Z

This necklace is made up of rings joined one to the other and give a lovely flowing movement when worn. On some of the rings I have put on beads in sort of peacock colours to give it a bit more colour, and I have finished it with an easy to use toggle clasp with spirals on. I did have a bracelet that made to go with this Shaggy Loop Necklace but it's already been taken. I might do some earrings in a similar style as I think they would swing and move very well.

Greenman Smoking Incense Bottle

2011-01-27T18:43:00.003Z

Smoking Bottle with with Greenman hand engraved on the front, has tendrils which snake around to the sides. I've finished this one with brown string (twine?) so that it can be hung up, the ends are decorated with frosted beads in shades of blue and green. If you want to know more about smoking incense bottles please see http://morningstarcraft.co.uk/smokingincesebottles.aspx

Goddess Flower Vase

2011-01-26T18:30:00.002Z

A while ago I was asked if I had any vases with symbols of the Goddess or Pentacles on which I hadn't, but not wishing to disappoint, I engraved some and gave the person who had asked the choice of which she would like. She only wanted a small vase so that she could put seasonal foliage, flowers or herbs in on her altar, leaving the cauldron free for other use. Thinking that this was a lovely idea I have this one ready to go, a Goddess figure with an arm full of flowers and a spiral on her stomach (the second spiral you can see in the photo is actually on the bottom of the vase, my mark). The vase is approx 5 inches high, maybe ideal for Imbolc do you think?

Pear and silver Bracelet and Earrings

2011-01-16T10:01:00.001Z

We're never quite sure what to give my husbands mother as presents as she says she has no sense of smell (so smellies out), chocolate gives her migraine, she's not overly fond of ornaments, her birthday is in December as well, so if it's a gift for the garden not plants and her garden is now over flowing with statues, bird feeders etc, and they go away for New Years so cut flowers aren't really much good.

Anyway after racking our brains I remembered her saying that she wanted some earrings to go with a necklace that I had made her, but not too dangley. So I made up two different styles for her, I think the cone ones were her favorite, and then also added a bracelet made with the same pearls. We put some other bits and pieces in the gift bag as well, so that it wasn't just all stuff that I had made for her.

Circle Hoop Pendent

2011-01-15T10:01:00.001Z

I was quite pleased with this pendant, it was the first time I had used different types of solder on one silver item and I breathed a sigh of relief when I picked it up of the soldering block and it all stayed intact :0) Again the photography is not great, the circles have a nice hammered finish but on the photos it looks more as though I've just mangled them up a bit! I gave it to the mother-in-law as a birthday present and she looked suitable impressed especially after I told her it was all handmade.

Sterling Silver Reef Knot Ring or Woggle!

2011-01-13T22:41:00.018Z

My first knot ring or I thought it was until I brought it in to show my husband who said 'oh have you made a woggle for dad's present), his dad is a scout elder and loves all things scout related. So yes it became a woggle, which is the thing scouts use round their neck scarf to keep it together in case you're not sure, and the one they use for their scouts is traditionally a reef knot.

Must practise my photography skills, my photos don't do anything for my items!

Festive Branch

2011-01-05T13:20:00.003Z

Cor it seems as though the kids have been off school for months, they've gone back today, with the snow and the school boiler braking down it must have been a month! It's been good though, apart from illnesses and running around like a mad thing.

This is the festive branch dec'd out in it's winter attire, we have the christmas tree in the other room with it's baubles and such like one. Most of our house has foliage garlands and shiny pretty things placed around it for Yule, it always seems so bare when they all have to go away again.

Must go and scare the spiders out of the shed again and get creating now :0)

11th Birthday!

2010-12-20T11:41:00.001Z

It's been a bit hectic here but have now handed out last of commissions, postal one were sent out a while ago and hopefully will make it in time despite royal mail being so behind. Still have things to work on though as I have commissions for jewellery needed in January :0)

It's my son's 11th birthday today, time has really flown can't believe he has got to an age where he is old enough to go senior school, my other son was born in July so he started seniors a month after turning 11. I took him and some of his friends to watch Harry Potter at the cinema yesterday (school today) before coming home for party and cake. I think they did very well sitting still for 2 and half hours, it's a long film, and quite sad had a tear in my eye. Need to watch part two now, must find out when it's due to be released. The grandparents are coming round later for a second cake and family party, must get on with cleaning the house before Granny arrives!

Winter garden and cats

2010-12-01T14:09:00.000Z

As I'd shown you our tree with it's Autumn colours on I thought I would take a photo of it in it's winter coat. Pretty but cold.

And some other photos from in our garden, I couldn't believe how much it had snowed in the night, no one our road has moved their cars yet, but then again you you can't tell any difference from the pavement the road and the front gardens.

The boys thought I had gone out before they woke up and built this pyramid lol, that's just the way the snow fell though.

This is how most of our cat deal with the snowy cold weather, apart from Bramble our oldest who still sleeps all night outside and only occasionally comes in for a cuddle and a stroke, and to be fed of course.

Can you tell which way up she is?

Snowy Shed

2010-11-27T08:20:00.003Z

Thats my shed down there where I should be crafting brrr, maybe after a big bowl of porridge and a hot coffee.

Silver and copper spiral Celtic Cross Earrings

2010-11-12T16:26:00.003Z

I was asked to make some Celtic Cross Earrings, and this is what I did. The cross is silver with triple spirals, triskele, on the arms and a larger central spiral in the middle. The spirals have been coloured to give an extra dimension to the piece, and a copper ring placed behind to represent the eternal circle. I hand forged the earwires as well from silver.

(Hey look the blogger photo thing works, we can put photos other places than just at the top :0), you may already know this but it's new to me)

Anyway relived to find that the lady who asked for them likes them and thinks that the person who they are for will really like them.

Trick and treat

2010-11-02T12:22:00.005Z

Ment to post this a little while ago.

The maggot heaving decomposing body of Dead Fred and his ghost hovering by it, or that's what I told the kids when they went out searching for the skeletor parts of Billy Bones that had been hidden in the garden to bring back in exchange for a reward of Halloween chocolate (the body and ghost looked better in the dark), oh I also had my oldest son dressed up and hidden ready to jump out at the kids when they got close hehehe...

Boo

2010-10-25T15:02:00.006+01:00

Still messing with sending to blogger via my phone. This is Boo our girl cat, she does look a lot more little and dainty than the boys, she's still more like kitten sized. We got her just before Halloween a few years ago hence the name, only thing is she is a bit on the timid side so maybe a name that people tend to shout out wasn't such a good idea.

Even though I turned the picture round on the phone first it still sends it the way it was originally taken, so have had to mess around copying the image from blogger and saving and turning around it in pictures on the computer. If anyone knows of a way to turn picutures in blogger please tell me or I will have to remember to take photos that I want to send here landscape instead of portrait or remember to alter them on the computer later.

Our Birch Tree

2010-10-25T10:09:00.005+01:00

Thought I'd try blogging from my phone (very tech for me), it seems to have worked as the photo has appeared! Need to remember to send the photos the right way round though as I can't find a way to change them once they are on blogger. I haven't been blogging very regularly as I get put off by having to find the cable to link my phone with the computer and then waiting for photos to upload, so maybe if this works I will do it more often. There may be some strange things posted here until I get used to it.

Why the Birch Tree? I woke up this morning looked out of the window and the Birch leaves were glowing a rich golden colour and set against the really blue sky I thought wow got to try get those colours, my use of photography is not really up to it though, the colours were really vivid, I think the frost this morning helped to bring out the colours. Got to enjoy the Birch whilst the leaves are still on as once they fall and you're having to get the rake out not so enjoyable. I usually throw the fallen leaves on the flower beds telling my self that it feeding the worms and mulching the plants and keeping any stray Hedgehogs warm.

Handfasting and Saining Rituals at the Nine Ladies

2010-08-04T20:34:00.003+01:00

These are some of the photos I took of the Handfasting and Saining Ceremonyup at the Nine Ladies during the Derbyshire Pagans Camp at the weekend.

Both rituals were lovely and with lots meaning, the setting of the stone circle made them even more special, and its only 10 minutes walk from where we were all camped. It was great to all gather there and share these special events with friends.

Derbyshire Pagans Camp 2010

2010-08-03T13:46:00.008+01:00

Had a wonderful time at Derbyshire Pagans Camp, over with far to quickly. It was at Birchover again very close to the Nine Ladies, we had a Saining and a Handfasting Ceremony there this year. I went up to the Nine Ladies again the next day when it had returned to being quiet and peaceful, love it up there. The Lammas Ritual was held in our main camping field, next year we are to have a change of venue though. The Birchover peacocks seem to have multiplied so they must be happy there too.

Handfasting

2010-07-27T09:13:00.012+01:00

Had a lovely day Sunday at Cherill and Simons Handfasting. The ceremony went very well, all there Pagans and none Pagans alike seemed to enjoy it. There was drumming around the fire, story telling and food to share. The vows and words were beautiful.

I was delighted to have be asked by them to make the floral circlet, the Chalice and the Handfasting rings. Cherill had chosen the colours yellow, green and ivory for the day, which I worked into the circlet with flowers, ivy and a few beads to match her gown and Simon's shirt. The silver rings had their bind rune engraved on to them, Simon had worked out the bind runes, I engraved them on after making the rings. I also hand engraved their bind rune onto the chalice which they used for the ritual, the runes were engraved inside an ivy and oak pentacle.

Met some new folk and of course joined again with old friends. Looking forward now to the Derbyshire Pagan's Camp this weekend.

Triple Moon & Hare Mirror

2010-07-11T17:45:00.005+01:00

I'd got a circular mirror, it's about 20 cm diameter, and decided to give engraving a on a mirror a go, which is ok apart from the problem of either looking at yourself while your doing the engraving or trying to look at it from the side and getting a sort of double image going on. Had the same problem with photographing it (and I thought taking photos of glasses was bad enough), unless your right over the top to take the photo, (and then of course you get the camera and everything in there as well) you get a double image showing so the photo looks blurred, have to try to work something out to solve this. Other than that was quite pleased with my first attempt. As you can see it is Pentacle Triple Moon with a spiral hare running beneath jumping over a grassy mound. On one side ivy is trailing down and on the other tall grass reaching up.

Bakewell Day of Dance 2010

2010-06-28T13:40:00.007+01:00

Had a lovely but nerve wracking time Saturday. It was Bakewell's Day of Dance, dance groups from all over gather together to experience different dance styles and show what they have learnt, and I had agreed to go too, not really good at performing in public I normally go on the back row in class! I was with Akhawaat Al Maryam, which Mary our teacher says means Mary's sisters as she had brought three of her groups together for the day. It was a gloriously sunny day and fun to watch the other dancers and do a bit of shopping around Bakewell. The Black Pigs, a sort of morris dance group but louder and more colourful were fun to watch and I already know some of the people involved in it but had never seen them perform before. There was another group of belly dancers there The 400 Roses (their costumes looked fab) but there form of belly dance was entirely different to ours, it was sort of mixed with morris dance, unique. I also went along to the Bollywood workshop and learnt an entire dance in an hour! Good teacher.

Hasfest 2010

2010-05-23T13:45:00.004+01:00

Well the much anticipated Hasfest 2010 has come and gone (the Chesterfield Pagans summer event). The weather was lovely the people more so and the drumming went on well into the night. We even had belly dancers this year, I chickened out on the excuse that I had to mind the stall. The Burning Man went up really well and kept us warm all night, his counter part the Green Lady looked very voluptuous all kited out in fresh foliage and the labyrinth was decorated with yellow dandelion heads, it all made for a very pretty setting.

Valentine's Day origins

2010-02-09T14:53:00.002Z

Well I''ve not blogged for a while, erm well, since before Yule really. We had a lovely time, all together, and the snow was very festive but went on a bit long though! Imbolc has been celebrated, and although it is still very very cold there are signs of new life peeking through the soil and my Hazel tree has catkins on.

Anyway after missing blogging about all that I'd thought I would find out a bit more on the origins of Valentines Day as it's always seemed a bit of an odd celebration to me and I've wondered in past years why is a saint in charge of love and stuff, this is what I found:

There are a few different variations on how Valentine's Day began, but the most common one seems to be that the term St Valentine's Day originated in 5th Century Rome as a tribute to St. Valentine, a Catholic bishop who was beaten and beheaded around AD 270 by Emperor Claudius for secretly marrying couples and refusing to give up his Christian faith.

The date of his death (February 14th), funnily enough coincided with a holiday to honor Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses, she was also known as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia the Roman Spring festival, held in honor of the gods Pan and Juno. This was one of the most important festivals in the Roman calendar, a festival to the gods of fertility and a celebration of sensual pleasure, a time to meet and court a prospective mate and had been going on for around eight hundred years prior to the the establishment of St Valentines Day.

As Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors of the early Christian church in Rome appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feast.

The young Roman boys and girls at that time lived separate lives however, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of the girls were written on slips of paper and placed into a box. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the box and they would then be partners for the duration of the festival, sometimes the pairing of the couple lasted for the year.

Pope Gelasius tried to change this lottery to something deemed more morally suitable, instead of the names of young women being placed in the box, it would contain the names of saints. Men and women were allowed to draw from the box and then try to emulate the saint chosen for the rest of the year. Many of the young men were not keen on the change!

The pagan festival died out, but instead of the people trying to live the lives of saints they instead latched onto the more romantic aspect of Saint Valentine's life to replace the pagan deity Lupercus. While not immediately as popular as the more passionate pagan festival, eventually the concept of celebrating true love became known as Valentine's Day and eventually Valentine became the Patron Saint of Lovers.

Although the lottery for women had been banned by the church, the mid-February holiday in commemoration of St. Valentine was still used by Roman men to seek the affection of women. It became a tradition for the men to give the ones they admired handwritten messages of affection, containing Valentine's name.

As to why Valentine was executed: Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius believed that married men tended to be poor soldiers as they were reluctant to leave their loves and families. As a result, Claudius canceled all marriages and engagements in Rome in the hope of building up his army again, but Valentine would secretly marry young couples that came to him. Claudius had him put to death for defying him. During the days that Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before he was taken to his death, he signed a farewell message to her, "From your Valentine" a phrase that has lasted through the centuries.

Cupid, another symbol of the holiday, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty.

Chesterfield Pagans website

2009-12-17T14:02:00.003Z

Chesterfield Pagans now have our very own shiny new website for events around our area and people are welcome to leave comments and ideas etc of anything they think may interest other pagans. www.chesterfieldpagans.org, check it out.

Derbyshire Pagans Yule Ball

2009-12-17T13:53:00.002Z

It's the Derbyshire Pagans Yule Ball tonight in Derby, people get to see our production of the 300! Ooer, hope it goes well, it's slightly different from the film (well ok a lot different hehe), but then our play last year Beowulf the musical was a lot different too ;0) I've got a new drum to bash as well, a remo djembee, don't think it will make my drumming much better though. Still don't know what I'm going to wear, my plans for this week have gone a bit bottoms up as my youngest has been off school with a tummy bug, and I'm not that organised at the best of times, slight panic setting in as it gets closer to christmas day and his birthday on Sunday.

Samhain/Halloween

2009-11-06T13:06:00.008Z

You know I thought to myself 'I haven't updated my blog in a while, must have a look at it' to find that the one I thought I posted just after Halloween was still there waiting for photos to be included, so it's a bit late but here is my Halloween rambling, still waiting for photo's (blush).

We've had a lovely Samhain/Halloween time. The festive branch has been dec'ed out with bats, witches, spooks and hell bunnies etc. My youngest son decided we should bake Halloween cookies and a cake; decorating them kept him busy for ages, I think this is the first time he's spent longer doing the baking than licking out the bowl (it's these sort of things that make you realise they are growing:0) The hole in the middle of the cake is because the things from the dungeon dimension are trying to escape from the centre of it;0)

One of our cats is called Boo, she arrived just before Halloween 3 years ago; I should have thought more about her name really as at this time of year she gets a little confused with people shouting her name.

Ritual night went well, drumming, fire, food; a very short sharp burst of rain made us dash inside but it soon stopped again. A friend sent off one of those Chinese Lanterns in memory of her dad, they are very pretty and look like little stars when they go up high.

The next night we spent at an American style Halloween Party, with loads and loads of decorations inside and out. Some of my husbands American relatives have come over for a visit, which is the first time we've seen them for about 5 years, and you could say we all looked different as we were all in full Halloween costume with bits of skin dropping off, wigs and the like.
Last night we went to a fireworks display, it was absolutely packed with people, I think the whole town must have been there. Tonight the school next to us (well about 7 houses down) is having its fireworks display so I'm going to send the kids out into the garden with bonfire night food to watch them, it was an impressive display last year.

Cute Purple Lampwork Frog

2009-10-22T14:07:00.004+01:00

A lovely purple lampwork frog, dangling behind him things a frog might need, toadstool, flower, leaf, friendly dragonfly, and a love letter ;0).

I have two of these frogs so will have to think of something different to do with the other one.

Fortune Telling Bracelet

2009-10-14T22:44:00.007+01:00

As it's getting close to that time of year when the worlds are said to draw closer together (Halloween/Samhain) I thought a fortune bracelet would be good, so on this one are charms for foretelling what the future may be, and as most people want to know about love and relationships there are also heart beads and it is finished with a heart and arrow toggle to finish. The other items on this bracelet are tarot cards, seeing hand, ouija board, a fortune teller with a crystal ball, skulls, stars and a love a witch charm. There are also beads in various colours, mainly purples.

Fairy, Flower & Unicorn Bracelets

2009-10-14T22:42:00.008+01:00

Both these bracelets feature Unicorns and Fairies, but they are both quite different.

The first one has a mass of colourful flowers and beads on it and is made of shaggy loop chainmail chain which gives it movement. There are two different fairies on it and a unicorn inbetween them.

The second bracelet looks more delicate with its various shades of purple dangles and small butterflies. As well as the unicorn and fairy there is also a toadstool, flower and leaf.

Bellydancing Coin & Bumpy Bead Bracelet

2009-10-14T22:40:00.003+01:00

This bracelet is made with a larger link chain through which is a finer chain to give more visual interest. The belly dancing coins give a lovely tinkling jingle to the bracelet. It has bumpy glass beads beads on it as well as other glass beads and seed beads in various colours of green, orange and yellow.

Witchy Things Bracelet or What a Witch might Wear

2009-10-14T19:48:00.009+01:00

I've been busy making some bracelets and now all ready to be sold (hint, hint ;0)) This one would be good for Halloween/Samhain as it has items on it that the well dressed witch might wear or use. There is a pointy hat (of course), a boot, a besom, a leaf and a cauldron. The bracelet has different shades of green glass beads on it and is finished with a leafy pentacle toggle to fasten.

Yule Play

2009-09-24T12:37:00.005+01:00

Well we're only just past the Autumn Equinox (happy Mabon everyone) and already the read throughs for the Yule Play are underway! It took place in a quite pub last week I think we drove some of the more sobre customers away; when it comes to dress rehearsals I think we shall have to find another venue;0) It's to be 300 this year, a story about a clash between Persians and Spartans. Last year it was Beowulf the musical, Beowulf was a cross dressing bisexual with a tendency to make cakes. We all thoroughly enjoyed it (by we I mean those of us taking part), I don't know so much about some of the people watching but it seamed to go down well, hope we have as much fun this year.

Mercian Gathering

2009-09-09T15:07:00.006+01:00

A group of us went to the Mercian Gathering for the first time this weekend, it was packed with lots of things to do, learn and watch. I was fully booked for Reiki on Sunday (lots of hangovers ;0)) and also sold some of my jewellery, smoking incense bottles and chalices. I brought lots of shiny pretty things as well :0)

The Wicker Man was huge (in more ways than one ;0)), he went up very well and kept us quite warm. We also walked the flaming labyrinth and the fire spinners were amazing. A great weekend, we are already talking about going back next year.

Cornwall

2009-09-01T15:01:00.003+01:00

We've just come back from a lovely holiday in Cornwall, we camped near the Lizard, which like most of Cornwall is very beautiful. We saw lots of other Bongo's down there, thanks for all the waves.

The boys enjoyed lots of surfing, but on Fri the sea was quite rough and they all wiped out with bumps and bruises.

We walked over to Saint Michael's Mount, I've only seen it in the distance before. St Ives is still as lovely as ever, but it seems a lot more busy than it did last time we were there, though that was some years ago.

The camp we were on was very sheltered and apart from the last day it only rained in the night, I hate having to pack up in the rain as you know you've got to get it all out again to dry it off; mind you I'm off camping again at the end of this week (Mercia Gathering) so will prob leave it till then!

Greenman Tankard and Whiskey Glass

2009-08-09T11:22:00.005+01:00

These are some more glass engravings I've just finished. This time featuring the Greenman, the tankard is engraved but I have given him a green finish with heat set paint so it will not wash off.

Hand Engraved Chalices

2009-08-09T11:00:00.013+01:00

These are some hand engraved chalices I've just finished. They are all individually hand done and as they are engraved the design doesn't wear off.

There is a willow and ivy pentacle one at the top, people seem to like this design, and then a holly and oak pentacle one at the bottom. Oak and Holly for the turning of the season winter to summer and back again.

There is also a daintier one with flowers, leaves and vine circle surrounding the pentacle with a butterfly fluttering by.

In the middle photos is a goddess, with a spiral stomach, stood in front of a star with a crescent moon below surrounded by a circle of swirls.

The main engraved shape on the remaining chalice is the Vesica piscis, the interlocking circles, which can be found on the cover of the Chalice Well in Glastonbury. It is an ancient yonic symbol that represents the female genitals; as the energy of water is feminine and the chalice also represents the feminine this is quite apt. Also engraved is a spiral in the centre for spirit, trailing ivy above and ferns below.

Pagan Camp & Nine Ladies Stone Circle

2009-08-06T09:36:00.006+01:00

I thoroughly enjoyed Derbyshire Pagan Camp last weekend, though it was a bit wet with the rain. We had the use of the barn which helped for the workshops and drumming, good acoustics :0), the peacocks that roost in the barn didn't seem that impressed though. Found some lovely feather, going to make some smudging fans I think and see if I can use some of the smaller ones in jewellery. For other things that were happening everyone just used the biggest tents and awnings, one of the tipees was set aside to be the chill out tent for meditations etc. It was good to meet people again that I hadn't seen for some time.

Sunday, packing up day, was the best day weather wise; I walked up to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, the walk up there is beautiful, great scenery, special places where people have left workings, and the setting for the stones is perfect.

Ben & Bob's Birthday and Bongo bash

2009-07-24T12:15:00.005+01:00

Last Wednesday it was Ben & Bob's birthday. Ben is my oldest boy, now 15, I can't believe it to coin a famous phrase. At 6'1" he is about a foot taller than me and hairy! Bob is Ben's cat, born on his birthday at around the same time of the morning that he was. I hadn't even realised his mother (our first female cat, who in our defence, was only about 5 months old at the time) was even pregnant, I thought she had just put a bit of weight on! We knew nothing about it until we heard squeaking sounds coming from underneath our bed at 6.30 in the morning, my first thought was oh no she's brought a mouse in, but no it was a tiny little black kitten, followed about an hour later by two more kittens.

As Ben had totally failed to invited friends paint balling, I took him and two of his mates to see Harry Potter, he has been a fan ever since the first book came out, and the first showing at the cinema was on his birthday. Whilst we were inside watching the film someone managed to dent the bumper of my car and just drove away, it needs a new one as it is cracked underneath, so the repair man tells me, ouch! The car park was very full, but how can you not see a great big Mazda Bongo van covered in bright flowers and butterflies? As for the film The Half Blood Prince in my opinion the book is far superior (they normally are though), chunks the plot were missing and instead filled with stuff to appeal more to teenagers, though the teenagers I took moaned about the missing parts as well and it not following the book.

Smoking Incense Bottles

2009-07-01T14:30:00.006+01:00

Just incase you're wondering these are smoking bottles. A lit incense stick is placed in the holder (most of the holders I've added beads to with a charm at the end, to make them easier to find and they can also be wrapped around the bottles to have them ready for use), the incense stick is then upturned into the bottle which then fills with smoke and swirls round to come out of the neck in a wizard potion bottle type way ;0)

As well as looking good they have a practical use, the hot lit end is kept safe, away from kids, pets, long dangley clothing etc, and incense seems to keep bugs away so very good for outside use too, some of my smoking bottles I've put chains on so that they can be hung up in tents, awnings and the like or around the garden. I've put a hole near the bottom of the bottles to allow to flow or it just puts the incense out.

The bottle with the lizard on you can probably work out has a lit incense stick in it, the others have their holders wrapped round them by the beads. The little green bottle I've engraved with a snake and the words - eye of newt, wing of bat ... with a witch charm on the end of the beaded holder, I thought it was quite fun ;0)

Hasfest Pagan Event

2009-07-01T13:08:00.006+01:00

Well Hasfest in Chesterfield went so well for a first time event there, that we're planning a bigger one in September. Everyone seemed very happy, the weather was good and the atmosphere great. There was a variety of stalls including mine (smoking incense bottles, pagan tools and jewellery - plug, plug ;0)), henna, tarot, drums, reflexology ...

The burning man went down very well, and the green lady and labyrinth next to the blessing tree were lovely.

The evening was very good also with drumming around a proper camp fire, food and company, all in all very enjoyable.

A Free Day of Celebration

2009-06-23T18:25:00.005+01:00

A DAY OF CELEBRATION WITH HASLANDS FREE PAGAN FESTIVAL

CELEBRATE WITH

THE BURNING MAN,

GREEN LADY,

BLESSING TREE,

FIRESIDE DRUMMING,

STALLS & MORE

ADMISSION - FREE, BUT BRING FOOD TO SHARE

PLACE - THE NEW INN, MANSFIELD RD, HASLAND, CHESTERFIELD, DERBYSHIRE

DATE - SATURDAY 27th JUNE

TIME - 2pm till whenever

Lets make music whilst summer lasts -

Bring Drums, Percussion instruments, Didgeridoos, Guitars, Musical instruments

Stall holders free pitch, just bring own Tables Gazebos ect

Very basic Free camping available - ring the New Inn 01246 273727

For more info contact Gwen or Jay on 01246 206246 , 07878961646

E-Mail phoenixjay26@aol.com

Bongoing

2009-06-18T13:15:00.002+01:00

Not posted for ages, this is what I was doing the last weekend in May, camping with a load of other Bongo people in Derbyshire, so I didn't have far to go - still managed to get lost though! The flowery Bongo is mine, goes well with the buttercups :0). Mazda Bongo's make great camper vans, need an awning as well though if your taking the kids I think, our new Kyahms great I can put it up myself without having to try and tell the kids how to get an awning up. It was a good weekend with lots of friendly people, some of us quite red by the end with the suprise apperance of the sun. I didn't take this photo of my van I borrowed it from www.Bongofury.co.uk, which is a very useful site if you've got a Bongo.

Stratford-upon-Avon

2009-05-29T11:25:00.002+01:00

As well as Shakespeare's old house there are lots of other timber framed Tudor houses, it is a lovely place to have a stroll around, interesting shops, river, great buildings, boats. We rowed down the river, trying to avoid swans, and narrowly missed the ferry that goes across the river, it took me by surprise I was supposed to be steering, oh dear.

Stratford-upon-Avon boats

2009-05-29T11:17:00.003+01:00

We spent some time in Stratford-upon-Avon, of course I knew of it because of Shakespeare, but I was surprised at how many long/narrow boats (which ever you call them, not sure of the difference) there are, trouble is you can't stop yourself from wanting to have a quick neb through the windows as you walk past! Trouble is it's now set him off wanting to live on a boat again, all very well in the summer I suppose, apart from the lack of garden, but in the winter!!

Rolright Stones

2009-05-29T11:12:00.003+01:00

These are part of the circle, not as big as Avebury or Stonehenge of course, but still very impresive.

Whispering Knights, Rollright Stones

2009-05-29T11:04:00.002+01:00

We went to see the Rollright Stones whilst we were down there, I'd like to go and visit again. These are called the Whispering Knights, they are a little way away from the circle opposite the King Stone and in my opinion they best part of the site. It feels very peaceful up there.

Camping in the Cotswolds

2009-05-29T10:51:00.002+01:00

We've just had a relaxing few days in the Cotswolds, thatched roofs and golden stone abound. Doing my anorak bit now showing off our new Khyam Awning, I put it up by myself! None of that faffing about with magic wand poles they're already built in. Fits lovely on our Bongo. The wildlife kept getting in the way of the photo though ;0)

Handfasting Ceremony

2009-05-12T17:52:00.002+01:00

Hi, I took part in a fantastic Handfasting ceremony at the weekend (I was the South quarter), I will try and post some photos later, hopefully there will be some shown around tonight (I didn't take any, shame on me). There was fire, drumming, dancing, food & drink, the weather was sunny (ok one slight shower, but a beautiful rainbow afterwards), lovely words spoken and meeting of friends that hadn't seen each other in a while, all in all a great time was had by all.

I was asked to make the love tokens that were to be exchanged and also the headdress / circlet, I've put the photo's of the silver rings below, they both seem more than happy with them and they fit, yeah.

Bindrune Silver Handfasting Ring

2009-05-12T17:38:00.005+01:00

I was asked to make the love tokens to be exchanged at a Handfasting this weekend, the funny thing about it was they both asked me seperately and asked me to keep it from the other as it was to be a supprise on the day. Anyway they both decideded that thay wanted to exchange silver rings, the one above is Gwen's Handfasting Ring.

The bindrune on the front was created by Jay and I then engraved it into the silver, around the band itself I put crescent moons and infinity symbols. I was a bit worried about the size but luckly 'it fits like a glove'.

Handfasting Silver Spiral Ring

2009-05-12T17:31:00.004+01:00

This is Jay's ring which needed to be adjustable as he has thin fingers, but large knuckles and it was also to have a spiral on it, I gave it a lightly hammered finished as well. This is the first time I have worked with proper silver sheet, so not too bad I think.

Bill's Birthday

2009-04-27T20:11:00.003+01:00

Its Bills 7th birthday today, he invited the rest of the cats to his birthday tea of special cat food while we sang happy birthday to him, he wasn't too impressed with the singing and needed a nap afterwards.

Metaphysical properties of glass

2009-04-25T16:18:00.011+01:00

I've been searching around for how long we've been using glass and thinking about how it goes through different states to arrive at the beautiful thing that it is, about how it is shaped by fire and air. I love it when light shines through a prism and all the colours of the rainbow shine around the room. Any way below is the write up of the metaphysical properties of glass that I am putting on my web site to try to explain why I choose to engrave glass chalices instead of the more usual silver and wood ones, what do you think?

Metaphysically glass represents and carries the energies of transformation, merging of elements, rebirth, focus and communication.
Light shining through a glass prism brings in the vibrations of those specific colour energies.
Glass has its own metaphysical properties and has energy like everything else in the Universe. Glass brings together the traditional four elements; through fire and air the silica earth element is made molten and transformed into a liquid to then return to its earth state as a solid when cool.
Manmade glass has been found as early as 4,500 BC in Mesopotamia and 3,00 BC in ancient Egypt, before that the first glass to be used was natural obsidian and volcanic glass which was used to make arrowheads, knives, jewellery etc.

Silver Geranium Leaf

2009-04-23T14:32:00.003+01:00

This is a pendant I made from a real geranium leaf from out of the garden, it is made with a special paste painted on to the leaf and then fired leaving behind real silver, good eh! The silver is more pure once it's been fired than normal 925 silver. It was a bit more tricky than I thought it might be as little air bubbles kept appearing, apparently this is due to the leaf 'breathing' and as the clay dried (you have to put it on in layers) it kept shrinking back. I added a little sparkly crystal to give it a bit more shine, I'm not the best with photos though so unfortunately it doesn't show as being shiny as it is really. I finished of by aging the silver so that the veins show up more.

Festive Branch

2009-04-19T14:07:00.003+01:00

This is our festive branch in its Spring Equinox/Ostara/Easter mood. Thought I'd take a picture before we change it. Most of the eggs are ones me and the kids have blown and decorated and the paper chain bunnies are by the kids too.

Wriggly Bracelet

2009-04-15T18:12:00.009+01:00

Hey I think I'm getting into this now. This is another of my handmade bracelets. It has wriggly wire work bettwen the blue beads and a handmade clasp. The last bead and spiral dangles down after being fastened.

Wire Work Bracelet and Necklace

2009-04-15T17:55:00.010+01:00

This is one of my handmade bracelets, I took it to show at belly dance class. It was brought by one of the other dancers and she commissioned me to do a necklace to go with it, happily she was delighted with the necklace as well :0)

Pagan Moot/Meeting

2009-04-15T13:30:00.000+01:00

Once a month I help to run a pagan moot in Chesterfield, last night though I was in charge aargh. It seemed to go OK though, we had a talk about alternative realities and how we perceive things, lots of stuff to think about.

Figuring it out!

2009-04-15T12:58:00.000+01:00

Well I think the main idea is to talk about what interests you and what you are doing in the hope other people for some reason may find your burbling interesting also, along with photos to make it more colourful.

First blog!!

2009-04-15T10:43:00.000+01:00

Hi, this if my first attempt at blogging. I shall do more rambleings later about stuff, want to see if it works first!