Donation, Donation

I think of myself as a charitable and giving person but I have one problem, no funds.

If I can't donate my time and energy then...

A family member hosted a silent auction and fundraiser for an African charity.

Unfortunately I can't donate the 1,000s of dollars that my heart wants to give.

Instead I created a necklace specifically for this event.

In the end, the necklace brought twice the amount that I would have normally charged.

I feel so happy that my talents could help raise money for such a worthy cause.

I couldn't donate my own money but at least my talents helped.

God bless.

I decided to use the same style as a previous donation: Rose Quartz: The Love Stone. 

When raising money for a charity, your heart must be full of love and devotion 

so a rose quartz stone fits the bill.

In addition, the charity was Christian based so I assumed those attending would be faithful as well.  

I added many religious elements.

24 inch mixed metal chain comprised of: 8 inches of gold plated curb chain, 4 inches of vintage 1970s Japanese glass pearl chain and 12 inches of large silver plated curb chain.  Traditional lobster clasp that fastens in front on the center ring.  Suspended from an antique silver plated textured ring are:

1. Antiqued Catholic medal of Vincent De Paul, patron Saint of charity and volunteers.  "Almighty God, who called your servant Vincent de Paul to serve you in the person of those in need: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfill your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen." http://www.marypages.com/VincentdePaul.htm
2. Vintage 1950s pink Japanese glass pearl.
3. Gold and rhinestone flower charm.
4. Large rose quartz stone.  Rose Quartz, also known as the “love stone” is believed to be good for expressing and soothing emotions. Rose quartz enhances all forms of love: self-love, mother love, caring, kindness, platonic and romantic live. Gently energizes and creates warmth. It is also said to stimulate the imagination and intelligence.  It is also a healing stone for internal wounds, bitterness and sorrows. It makes one more receptive to beauty, hastens recovery and gladdens the heart. Known to lift depression, create confidence and peace. Rose quartz, the stone of unconditional love, is great for emotional healing.
   
5. 2 inches of vintage white "pearl" bead cluster chain.
6. Antique gold plated cross with floral and filigree design.

Strength for My Bestie

My Bestie needs a little strength in her life right now.

Don't we all?

I made these two special necklaces for her so she can quite literally wear my love.

Corny but that's OK because we've known each other since the 8th grade.

My Love for Jen

Jen isn't a "girly girl" so I thought she might find a lariat necklace fun.  Remember from a previous post that lariat necklaces do not have a clasp.  Lariats are draped around the neck and then you flip one side of the chain over the other.  It creates a knot of sort that keeps the necklace together in the front.  It also allows you to have the charms on each end equal in length or one longer than the other. 

I will add this to the left side of the blog

I created a 24" chain by piecing together silver rolo chain with a textured antique silver chain.  The difference in chain texture also helps to keep the knot from slipping.  On one end of the chain I wire wrapped green fluorite stone.  Fluorite is said to absorb and neutralize negative vibrations.  It is also nicknamed the "Genius Stone" for increasing concentration and assists in decision making.  I also included a vintage metal hammered heart charm so she would visually be reminded of my eternal love for her.  I used a vintage 1970s silver oval charm on the opposing end of the chain.  The vintage oval included a white glass bead hanging in the center.

The overall necklace creates a professional looking necklace to wear everyday but will also look stylish with jeans and a t-shirt.

Jen's Oldie but Goldie

I have disliked gold for my entire life up until a few months ago.  I have always thought of it as an "old lady metal."  For "testing" and "quality control," I wore "Sassy By The Sea" for a few days in October 2013.  During those days, I discovered that I liked wearing gold.  Not only did I like it, I LOVED IT!  Oh my goodness!  I grew into an "old lady!"  Whatever, I like gold now.  Whenever i create a necklace using gold, it is always (thus far) created with vintage gold plated chains.  There is something unique and special about older chains.  

To ease Jen into wearing gold, I combined 16" of vintage gold plated accented with gold bead flat chain with 9" of antique bronze cable chain.  The overall length is 25".  Hanging from the pendant is a vintage gold plated filigree earring.  I originally used this piece for the "Vintage Gold" necklace.  This time, I hammered the earring into a concave shape to make it more elegant.  Next I wire wrapped a gold rutilated quartz stone.  Quartz crystals are said to be the most versatile and multipurpose healing stone.  Specifically, the rutilated quartz on this necklace is reputed to be an energizing stone that helps get energy moving on all levels. Intuitive sources say that it assists with mental focus. It is also said to attract love and stabilize relationships. Rutilated quartz said to be particularly effective for getting things moving energetically. It can help slowed chakras return to normal spin and balance.  I "snuggled" the quartz stone into the concaved shape of the earring.  My finishing touch was to add random clusters of beads and glass stones on the left side of the chain - my usual asymmetrical touch.  Dangling off of two random lengths of antique bronze chain are a crystal bead, cream colored beads, frosted glass teardrop, vintage gold plated disk and vintage 1970s Japanese glass pearl.

Welcome to the "Oldie but Goldie" club Jen!  I think you'll love it here too!

I created this necklace in early-December and didn't send it until mid-January because I loved it too much.  Nice friend, huh?  I tried to keep the necklace I specifically made for her.