My Back Porch Garden

I thought I would post a little update on our back porch garden progress. We're growing beefstake tomatoes in large pots and cherry tomatoes in hanging pots. The zucchini looks a little yellowish, but we've already had a few in jambalaya :) Our little cucumber plants, also being grown in hanging pots, are really taking off and beginning to vine their way along the trellis attached to the top of our ramada. Last but not least, our second planting of spinach is nearly ready to pick, although the heat seems to have slowed it's growth.

Etsy Price Reductions!

Click Here to Visit the Markdown Section!

I have recently reduced the price on a few items in my Etsy Good Dirt Jewelry Shop! If you'd like to view these items, please click here, or on the link below the photo :)

MyShoppingConnection.com Feature!

How cool is this?! My Celtic Love Ogham ceramic pendant has been chosen for the most recent "mashup" on their site! Be sure and check out the myshoppingconnection.com site!

"One Old Bird" Aztec Ceramic Pendant

"One Old Bird" Aztec Ceramic Pendant

An old Tibetan mala bead inlayed with turquoise and coral, adorns this earthenware pendant. The ceramic pendant features an impression of an Aztec quetzal.

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. They were a civilization with a rich mythology and cultural heritage. The quetzal , a brightly colored Mesoamerican bird most commonly found in Aztec art, was thought by the Aztecs to be favored by their Gods because of it's beautiful plumage.

More photos of this pendant can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets.com shop.

Oregon Pictograph Ceramic Pendant

Oregon Pictograph Ceramic Pendant

Ancient cultures and their symbols is a favorite subject of mine to study. Oregon is rich in archeological art and this earthenware pendant shows an example of a pictograph found in Harney County.

I have glazed this pendant to have the appearance of an old weathered rock, with the pictograph created with a glaze close to the color that may have been used to create the original image. More photos of this unique pendant can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry shop on 1000markets.com.

*What is the difference between a pictograph and a petroglyph?*

A pictograph, which is usually found on the surface of a light colored rock, is an image that was created by painting with a variety of pigments made up of soot and/or local minerals that had been made into a powdered form. Red could have been made from hematite or iron oxide, and orange could have been made by adding limonite. Malachite provided the green, azurite the blue, and turquoise probably came from ground up turquoise. Other sources of pigment included white clay, silica, gypsum, chalk, calcium carbonate, and charcoal. Pastels were created from clay mixed with other minerals. Thanks to the arid climate found in central and eastern Oregon, many examples can be found today of this early artwork.

A petroglyph is an image that has been chipped, chiseled or pecked into the surface of a rock. These are typically found on exposed rock surfaces. They depict hunting scenes, religious or magical symbols, ancient astrological symbols and other surreal symbols whose meaning is only known to the ancient cultures that created them.

Sacred Celtic Salmon Ceramic Pendant

Sacred Celtic Salmon Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!  

I created the "Sacred Salmon" from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a dark brown colored glaze. This pendant hangs from an 18" ball and chain necklace which you can easily remove if you have a favorite chain you prefer to use.  A gift box is included with this piece which is now available in my 1000markets.com shop.  

**The Sacred Salmon**  

To the Celts, the fish symbolized knowledge, wisdom, the gift of prophecy and inspiration.  

The Salmon of Wisdom were keepers of all knowledge. Mythology tells us that this knowledge was attained by eating the nuts of the sacred hazel tree.

Pale Blue Ceramic Fleur-de-lis Adjustable Ring

Ceramic Fleur-de-lis Adjustable Ring

An antique button with the fleur-de-lis was used to make the mold that created this delicate looking ceramic ring. The ceramic portion has been glazed a pale blue color and was mounted on an adjustable ring base.  

The fleur-de-lis, translated from French as "lily flower", is a stylized design of either an iris or a lily that is now used purely decoratively as well as symbolically, or it may be at one and the same time political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic and symbolic, especially in heraldry. 

More photos of this ring may be seen in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets.com shop.

Full Moon Loon Ceramic Magnet

Full Moon Loon Ceramic Magnet

This earthy sage green refrigerator magnet features a loon under a full moon. The rare earth magnet on the back is strong enough to hold up your photos and other treasures. This ceramic magnet measures about 1 1/4" in diameter.  Please visit my 1000markets.com shop to view more photos of this item.

I am also excited to be a member of two new markets at 1000markets.com!  The EarthBorn market features jewelry that reflects an organic, ancient and essential connection to the earth, and the newest, Old Town market, who's images hope to evoke those you may find familiar ... an imaginary rural western-like location anywhere, a down-to-earth small town general store atmosphere, possibly an affluent small-town popular ski-resort town, or the quaintness found in the Old Town heart of any large city.

Ceramic Antique Button Pendant

Ceramic Antique Button Pendant

I found the most amazing antique brass button, and from that button I made the mold used to create this unique earthenware pendant. This was one of the most challenging pieces I've made yet! This 1 inch diameter ceramic pendant has been glazed with a fun kiwi green glaze and it hangs on an 18 inch ball chain which can be easily removed should you have a favorite chain you prefer to use.

If you would like to view more photos of this pendant, please visit the listing in my Etsy shop.

A Regal Ring

Celtic Ceramic Adjustable Ring

An antique button was used to make the mold for this piece. Earthenware clay glazed with a rich baroque gold gives this adjustable ring a regal feel. You can view more photos of this unique piece at my 1000markets.com shop.

Sweet, Sweet Spring....in Blue!

Sweet, Sweet Spring....in Blue!

The cheery blue glaze of this earthenware ceramic pendant and earrings set makes me think of the spring sky in Oregon!

Like the kiwi "Sweet, Sweet Spring" set currently for sale in my Etsy shop, the pendant and earrings of this set were also created from molds made from some beautiful antique buttons. While I used two different buttons, I thought they made a perfect set :)

The 3/4 inch pendant hangs from an 18 inch ball chain. The sweet little sterling silver post earrings measure nearly a half an inch in diameter and come with two sets of backs. More photos of this set can be found here in my 1000markets.com shop.

Ceramic Spiral Post Earrings

Ceramic Spiral Post Earrings

The unique spiral pattern found on these earrings comes from an antique button that I used to create my mold. The delicate spiral reminds me of plant tendrils. The 1/2 inch diameter sterling silver post earrings have been glazed in a rich, earthy blue glaze. If you'd like to view more photos of these earrings, please click here to visit my 1000markets.com shop.

Three Muses Ceramic Cameo Adjustable Ring

The Three Muses Ceramic Cameo Adjustable Ring

The "Three Muses" ceramic cameo in this ring was made from a mold I created using a vintage cameo. I have glazed this piece with an earthy green glaze that has rust highlights.

I set this ceramic cameo in a vintage brass adjustable ring base, which in itself is very unique. Together, they create a very beautiful, ancient looking piece.

This piece is currently available in my Etsy shop!

Celtic Ceramic Coat of Arms Ring

Celtic Ceramic Coat of Arms Ring

I've been on a bit of an antique* button buying kick lately, and this unique ceramic ring is a result!

I made the mold for this ring using an antique coat of arms button that features a Victoria's crown, rampant horse on the dexter (right) side, and an uncrowned rampant lion on the sinister (left) side. I believe this antique button must have been fashioned after a Victorian military button which has basically the same elements, with the exception being a rampant unicorn instead of a rampant horse, and the rampant lion wears a crown.

The glaze on this piece is an earthy golden color and the ring itself is adjustable.

There are only two of these rings available--one is in my Etsy shop and the other is in my 1000marktets.com shop. Both have FREE shipping and are priced at $15!

*No antique buttons were harmed in the mold making process* :)

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

This unique 1 1/2" diameter pendant has been made to look like the Buckquoy spindle whorl, which was excavated in Buckquoy, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland in 1970. The old Irish Ogham inscription is believed to date back to the 8th century. My pendant was created with earthenware clay and has been glazed with an earthy iron ore colored glaze. No two pieces ever come out of the kiln the same!

The cord is a wonderful faux suede material that doesn't shed all over your clothes like real suede can. It can be tied to accommodate any neckline.

More photos of this piece and other Celtic and Norse ceramic pendants can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop and in my Etsy shop.

According to Wikipedia, the inscription was once used as positive proof that the Pictish language was not Indo-European, being variously read as

E(s/n)DDACTA(n/lv)IM(v/lb)

(e/)(s/n/)DDACTANIMV

(e/)TMIQAVSALL(e/q)

however, in 1995 historian Katherine Forsyth reading

ENDDACTANIM(f/lb)

claimed that it was a standard Old Irish ogham benedictory message, Benddact anim L. meaning "a blessing on the soul of L.". The stone from which the whorl was made, and on which the inscription was written, is native to Orkney.

A Favorite Mistake!

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

This piece is one of my favorite mistakes! I used a combination of underglazes and overglazes that came out of the kiln looking like a piece of raku pottery. I wish I had written down the combination so I could recreate this effect! The earthy green color reflects the rosemary from my garden that I used to impress the design into the clay.

This piece can be found in my 1000markets.com shop!

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

This unique 1 1/2" diameter pendant has been made to look like the Buckquoy spindle whorl, which was excavated in Buckquoy, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland in 1970. The old Irish Ogham inscription is believed to date back to the 8th century. My pendant, which is now available in my 1000markets.com shop, was created with earthenware clay and has been glazed with an earthy blue tinted glaze. No two pieces ever come out of the kiln the same!

The cord is a wonderful faux suede material that doesn't shed all over your clothes like real suede can. It can be tied to accommodate any neckline.

According to Wikipedia, the inscription was once used as positive proof that the Pictish language was not Indo-European, being variously read as

E(s/n)DDACTA(n/lv)IM(v/lb)

(e/)(s/n/)DDACTANIMV

(e/)TMIQAVSALL(e/q)

however, in 1995 historian Katherine Forsyth reading

ENDDACTANIM(f/lb)

claimed that it was a standard Old Irish ogham benedictory message, Benddact anim L. meaning "a blessing on the soul of L.". The stone from which the whorl was made, and on which the inscription was written, is native to Orkney.

Ansuz Norse Rune Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

I created this ANSUZ rune pendant from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a rich blue glaze. No two pieces come out of the kiln the same! This pendant hangs from an 18 inch ball chain, which can be easily removed if you have a favorite chain you prefer to use. A gift box is included with your purchase.

The ANSUZ rune, symbolizes wisdom, truth and communication. It is often thought of as the rune of poets.

Whether you are a practicing Druid, or just love the art of ancient traditions, this pendant would be a unique addition to your collection.

This runic pendant and others can be found in my new shop on 1000Markets.com.

Good Dirt Jewelry Now on 1000Markets.com!

Have you heard of 1000 Markets? Well, now you have! 1000 Markets is an amazing new online art gallery that combines sleek styling with hassle free Amazon payment services!

I've been selling online for a little over six years now, and I know there are many buyers that just don't feel comfortable sharing all of the personal information required by PayPal to sign up to use their payment services. 1000 Markets has partnered with Amazon.com to allow it's customers to pay using their pre-established Amazon account! How cool is that?! You can shop on 1000 Markets with confidence knowing each seller there is backed by the power of Amazon.com.

I have begun adding ceramic pendants to my 1000 Markets shop, so please stop by for a visit!

It Snowed a Little

A winter scene from my window on Grizzly Mountain.

Central Oregon had been waiting for it's first good snow of the season and it arrived just in time for the holidays. After three days of snow, we have had about a foot here on Grizzly Mountain and more is on the way beginning tomorrow.

My wonderful son will be arriving tomorrow, so I won't be listing any more items in my Etsy shop until after Christmas.

To my regular readers, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a very prosperous and healthy New Year!