Hello everyone and welcome to Aquarian Design, hand made chain maille and renaissance inspired jewelry and crafts by Rebecca Carroll. I started making jewelry in 2001. I've learned lots of new things and made lots of new friends along the way. I just uploaded a ton of new photos for your viewing pleasure. Some of my new photos were taken by my friend Brandon. He is a wonderful photographer. His page is here: [link] I hope you like my stuff and enjoy looking at all the great pictures we have.

Blessed be everyone,

Rebecca


P. S. - Here are some random jewelry facts I found facinating:

Around 1300 (B.C.) twelve stones had been chosen to be representative of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Exodus 28: 17-21) Also, twelve stones adorned the breastplate of the high priest Aaron, the brother of Moses. (Exodus 39). These two Biblical references became part of the first association of a particular semi-precious gem with a particular month as with birth stones. Birthstones are gems associated with each month and are believed to bring luck to people born in that month. The following is an outline of the modern birthstones that jewelers use.

January belongs to the garnet, a stone ranging in colorless to black. Its most common color is a deep red. Garnet is typically found in Africa, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and in some parts of the United States. Some believe that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for light. It reportedly also gives its wearer guidance in the night, protection from nightmares, and according to the Egyptians, is an antidote for snakebites and food poisoning.

February’s birthstone is the amethyst, which comes in hues of purple. The Greeks believed that it prevented intoxication when worn. Amethyst was said to have a sobering effect on the wearer when it comes to love's passion as well. It has symbolized peace, protection and tranquility. Because royalty has always adored the color purple, amethysts are widely used in the ornaments of ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and in the British Crown Jewel.

March babies are born under the aquamarine, a clear stone ranging in color from light blue to blue-green and dark blue. It is a member of the important beryl family, which also includes emerald. In ancient times, the stone was said to aid those at sea. Dreams about the gem signify the making of new friends and wearing aquamarine earrings brings love and affection. It also symbolizes youth, hope and health.

April belongs to the diamond—the most sought after and precious gemstone. The name "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable-suggesting the eternity of love. Because of this diamonds are traditionally used in engagement rings. Diamonds were discovered more than 2,000 years ago in India. Most diamonds are colorless, but they can be found with a strong, bright color-green, red, pink, blue, canary yellow and amber. These "fancy" colored diamonds are very rare.

May’s birthstone is the emerald. The name comes from the Greek "smaragdos” meaning green stone. The most prized is pure grass green. A flawless, clear emerald is very rare and is usually found in only small sizes. Small to medium sized stones are often faceted in the "step" or emerald cut. According to legend, wearing an emerald cured illnesses such as low I.Q., poor eyesight and infertility. It also enabled the wearer to predict the future.

June's birthstone is the pearl, a gem produced inside the living tissue of the oyster. Natural pearls are very rare. Most are cultivated in large oyster farms where a small “seed” is placed in the oyster and allowed to become coated with nacre. Pearls come in a wide range of colors. They should be relatively free from skin blemishes. The more perfectly round the shape the better. The higher the luster, or "orient", the more valuable the specimen. The larger the pearl, the greater the value. Pearls represent modesty, chastity and purity. They have also come to symbolize a happy marriage.

July is the month of the ruby. Sister to the sapphire, the ruby is red corundum. Ruby is known as the "Lord of the Gems" because of its rarity and beauty. Its name comes from the Latin word "ruber” meaning red. The finest color is a vivid, almost pure spectral red with a very faint undertone of blue, as seen in Burmese rubies, which are considered the finest. Rubies are believed to protect their owners. Some thought its protective powers were intensified when set in jewelry, and worn on the left side.

August's birthstone is peridot, a transparent lime or olive green stone. Peridot is found in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Myanmar, Norway, and the United States. According to lore, the peridot intensified the effects of the drug if the medicine was taken from a cup made of peridot. . Pirates considered peridot powerful amulets against all evil, and when set in gold, were said to protect the wearer from the terrors of the night.

September has the sapphire-- all gem quality corundum that is not red. Although sapphires come in a rainbow of shades the most recognized color is blue. Sapphire is found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India. Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's engagement ring. Ancients believed the Ten Commandments were written on a sapphire tablet. Marriage partners put great faith in the stone believing that if its luster dimmed, a spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to shine when worn by the impure of heart. According to lore, ancient priests and sorcerers honored sapphire above all gems. The stone allowed them to tell the future.

October belongs to the opal, a noncrystalline form of the mineral silica. The stone has the ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light. It has been described as "made up of the glories of the most precious gems... the gentler fire of the ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald, glittering together...” Some believe the opal represents hope, innocence and purity through the ages.

November babies wear topaz, which comes in a variety of colors including blue, white and yellow, or the glamorous citrine. The orange-red "Imperial" topaz is rare. The lore, magic and romance of topaz goes back many thousands of years. It gave the Greeks strength and relieved ailments, even death. Topaz, meaning fire, is said to make its wearer invisible in time of emergency. It proved the loyalty of associates by changing color in the presence of poison. A yellow to golden colored quartz, citrine is sometimes called the "success" stone.

Citrin is associated with the solar plexus (third) chakra and the astrological sign Gemini. It is sometimes called the "success" stone because it promotes success and abundance. It also enhances mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. Citrine can also alleviate depression and self-doubt, and diminish irrational mood swings because of the mental clarity effect it has.On a physical level, it can aid the digestion, and eliminate nightmares that disturb sleep.

December is the month of the turquoise, which ranges in color from sky blue to green. During the 16th century Southwest Indians used the stone as a form of currency. They believed the gemstone could bring spoils to the warrior, animals to the hunter, and happiness and good fortune to all. Modern-day turquoise is treated to improve its color and durability.


Here is a Brief History of Chain Maille

The derivation of the word is from the French 'maille' and the Latin 'macula' meaning mesh. History records that Chain Maille was used by Romans, who may have encountered it while fighting Celts in France and England. Rusty masses have been discovered in Celtic graves dating from about 400 BC which appears to be maille.

It was thought to be invented in the northern France/England area. It has also been mentioned that Pakistani tribesmen were using it as fighting armor circa 1910. This gives it an active lifetime of roughly 2000 years. It was also developed in the Asian domains, often as a way of connecting small plates into a flexible shirt.

It is not know for sure when artisans first started creating jewelry out of chain maille patterns but it is a widely practiced art in today's society. One thing is for sure, it takes lots of patience.


P. P. S. - If you are interested in my non business art my other site is here [link] Enjoy! ^_^

Hi everyone,

The Earth Day festival was fun. It was sunny and beautiful. We did fairly well so I am happy. The photo shoot went fairly well too. I can't hardly wait to see how the pictures turned out. Once I get them I'll update the pictures what I have so far. If you have a particular something you are looking for let me know. I love custom orders! For now back to work for me!

Blessed be,

Becca aka craftymama ^_^

Edit: I wanted to let everyone know that from now on this account is strictly for my jewelry and other crafts. All of my other artsy stuff will go on my craftymama2 account here > [link]

My email address: Bluvjason@aol.com

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note... I'm still working my fingers to blisters to prepare for the upcoming Earth Day festival in Columbia, MO. On the 19th I am scheduled for a special jewelry photo shoot. Once I get those pictures I'll update the pictures what I have so far and add the gazillion I haven't added yet. More on this later! If you have a particular something you are looking for let me know. I love custom orders! For now back to work for me!

Blessed be,

Becca aka craftymama ^_^

Edit: I wanted to let everyone know that from now on this account is strictly for my jewelry and other crafts. All of my other artsy stuff will go on my craftymama2 account here > [link]

Edit: I had my friend Chelle take some pictures last night so you can see what I've been up to. She and I aren't professionals though and the lighting on them could be so much better. The ones Brandon will take will be better I'm sure. I'll upload them as soon as I get them!


My email address: Bluvjason@aol.com

So my scanner decided to randomly quit working a few days ago. Grr... I want to replace it but I am not sure it is in the budget at the moment. My camera isn't the best, especially for up close pictures of my jewelry but my best friend's camera is. So hopefully she will remember to bring it with her next time she comes over.

I've been busy lately trying new things. A few were epic fails but that happens sometimes. A few turned out good so I am satisfied. I've been burning the candle at both ends here lately doing so much. Between trying to keep up with my art, daily life, random people asking me to repair random jewelry I didn't make (I don't mind of course and I do charge a little but most of the time it can be an involved pain in the butt), major bouts of insomnia (caused by not being able to breath due to allergies and nightmares) without access to my computer till 1 am or worse because I stupidly got my guy a computer game he loves for his birthday (lol), and trying to find a full time job that pays enough for me to afford to work and pay day care in my tiny little town... I haven't had much time for anything else. /rant.

Aside from all that craziness a bit of pleasant craziness has come. Thanks to Lamb's necklace order sort of kicking me in the ass to get back to work on my jewelry I have been getting more orders lately. Not many yet but the ball is slowly starting to roll again. With every new piece I make and show off it gets people talking. My best friend has been helpful also. With her taking pictures of my last few posts here they have been on her camera. She has shown off the shirt we made and been talking about it and how we made it. That eventually leads to talking about me and my craftiness and the few pictures she has already taken of my jewelry. Now some of the people she has shown that to want to see pictures of my other stuff. One guy even wants to order a necklace chain for sure but doesn't know which one yet. I have a sneaky suspicion that the pattern I used for Lamb's will get very popular with the guys here very soon. (I hope!) Wish me luck on that, k?

For now I'm going to go get back to work on something crafty. Hopefully I'll get to post something new soon! ^_^

I saw this [link] and decided to make a similar one for my best friend for Christmas. Here is the finished product: [link] & here is a close up of the cross stitch because lots of people seem to it: [link] . Mine ended up quite a bit larger than the one that inspired it though. Chella is a huge fan of Sailor Jupiter from Sailor Moon so I found the only existing Sailor Jupiter cross stitch pattern out there from here: [link] and got to work. It measures 200 x 300 stitches and 18 x 24 inches at that point. I worked my fingers to blisters trying to get it done in time but once I went to construct the actual pillow I hit a snag, no pun intended. I was 90% done and ran out of trim because I has measured wrong! Hobby Lobby didn't get more in until a few days ago. Grr...!!! So yeah... she'll be getting her Christmas present at the beginning of March, lol. Whatever works I suppose. Now it is done and measures 24 x 32 inches! Pictures don't really do it justice as it turned out really nifty! I am pleased! ^_^