New Druid's Egg Pendants

I finally got around to beading some of the Druid's Egg pendants!  In case you haven't stopped by in a while, I am now selling my Good Dirt Jewelry in our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop.  The two Druid's Eggs above are currently for sale in our shop where you'll also find additional photos of each.

Three Graces Ceramic Cameo Adjustable Rings

I have just added the "Three Graces" ceramic cameo rings above to our Etsy shop.  We have been collecting vintage and antique cameos for some time and have made some stunning molds from them to use in our "Good Dirt Jewelry" earthenware clay jewelry collection.

White earthenware clay and various glazes were used to create these beautiful "Three Graces" ceramic cameo rings. The ceramic cameos have been set into gorgeous adjustable gold plated rings.

New Sgraffito Ceramic Pendants

I just listed some of my new sgraffito ceramic pendants in our Etsy shop.  These were made with white earthenware clay in an assortment of colors.  Each clay pendant comes with an 18 inch chain and a gift box.  It's never to early to start your holiday gift shopping! :)

New Ceramic Support Spinning Bowls

New Ceramic Support Spinning Bowls

For those of you that follow my blog, I thought I would give you a little update on what I've been working on lately.  As you can see, it's not jewelry! 

Back in the fall of 2009, Dave designed this support spinning bowl that was wider at the base than the top. Apparently, other support bowl makers thought this was a good idea as they have been incorporating Dave's design into their work.  We have been getting great feedback from our customers that have used this bowl, and they really seem to like the  decrease in friction the ceramic surface provides.


The three ceramic bowls seen in the photo above can be found in our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop in the "Support Spinning Bowl" section.

Ceramic and Myrtlewood Support Spindle Spinning Bowl

Ceramic and Myrtlewood Support Spindle Bowl

This is another joint project between Grizzly Mountain Arts and Good Dirt Jewelry :) Once we had finished this piece, I could hardly wait to photograph it and get it online!

This design turned out even better than we had planned! We have created a support spinning bowl that has combined the efficiency of a ceramic surface with the stability of a wide beautiful wooden base. Our ceramic bowl measures 1 3/4 inches in diameter, and the myrtlewood base is 3 1/4 inches in diameter. The wooden base has been adorned by Dave with pyrography (burn etching). Four felt dots on the back keep the wood from scratching other hard surfaces.

A few more photos of this piece can be found in our Etsy shop where it is listed for $29 with FREE shipping :)

Two New Druid's Egg Pendants

New Druid's Eggs on Zibbet!

I'm giving a new online selling venue a try! Zibbet.com

Dave carved the original egg for me, then made a mold that I use with earthenware clay. These two Druid's Eggs have been glazed with earthy green glazes--one is a paler color and the other a very organic mixture of greens and browns. These pendants will arrive in a gift box and shipping is FREE, and did I mention they are only $19!

*What Are Druid's Eggs?*

The Druid's Egg (also “glain,” “serpent's egg,” or “snake stone”) was a talismanic object sacred to the Druids. Tales about it resemble those of the Philosopher's Stone sought by the alchemists. Its myths may also be related to those of the Omphalos, a meteoritic stone which was kept at Delphi and was thought to be the egg of the serpent-monster Python. In legends, the Druid’s Egg is credited with endowing its possessor with the ability to obtain almost all he might desire. The Druid's Egg was also believed to create a favorable outcome in courts of law, so much that the Romans outlawed carrying one into any courtroom. If you'd like to learn more about the legend behind the Druid's Egg, please visit the listing for these items on Zibbet.

New Ceramic Support Spindle Bowls

Ceramic Support Spinning Bowls

From time to time, my husband who is the artist behind Grizzly Mountain Arts fiber art tools, and I join forces to work on a joint venture. These ceramic support spinning bowls have been just been added to our Grizzly Mountain Arts fiber art tool line!

When researching support spinning bowls for Russian and Tibetan style spindles, we found that there are two important attributes that need to be incorporated into the bowl. One, is the reduction in friction by creating a ceramic glazed surface--don't forget, wood spinning on wood is how boy scouts start fires :) Second, the bowl needs to be stable to keep from constantly tipping while the spindle spins.

Grizzly Mountain Arts and Good Dirt Jewelry, have worked together to create a ceramic support spinning bowl that is cone shaped. Our bowl measures 3 inches in diameter across the bottom with a recessed well to support the spindle on top. We are making our support spinning bowls in a variety of glazes and no two pieces ever come out of the kiln the same. Every ceramic support spinning bowl will be one of a kind.

Grizzly Mountain Arts ceramic support spinning bowls ship for FREE and can be found in our Etsy shop for $19!

Oklahoma or Bust!

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Grizzly Mountain Arts and Good Dirt Jewelry are on vacation!

While we are away driving across the beautiful USA, we thought we'd post a slideshow of our portfolio so you won't forget us :) See you the first week in October!

It's That Time of Year Again!

Time for the Native American Festival in Sisters, Oregon that is! This is our favorite show to do each year. The Creekside Park setting is beautiful and there is almost always a hint of fall in the air.

Artists will be selling top quality handmade traditional and Native American wares. You will find a variety of pottery, western and Native American jewelry, art work, leather clothing, metal art, log furniture and photography. You will also be able to visit a teepee, watch a demonstration in hide painting, arrowhead making and beading. There will also be a living history display.Western music will be provided on Saturday by the Anvil Blasters, and Native American entertainment will be offered on Sunday.

Picnik.com's New Flickr Slideshow

I've been using Picnik.com for some time now to edit photos for our Grizzly Mountain Arts/Good Dirt Jewelry items, and I've also used Flickr as an online portfolio of our work. Recently, Picnik.com has created a wonderful new utility that makes slideshows from your Flickr sets! It's all integrated--you click on Flickr from within Picnik, then select the set you would like to make a slideshow presentation from, then Picnik generates the html for you.

If you'd like to check out other photos we have in our Flickr portfolio, please click here :)

What I've Been Workin' On Lately!

Since I gave myself "permission" to detach from the computer and the endless online marketing and promotion, I've actually gotten a few things made for our upcoming May show in Yachats :) I'm still working with the gorgeous antique Art Nouveau and Celtic button molds and have many more yet to use!

Ceramic "Round Wood" Faux Bois Pendant

Ceramic "Round Wood" Faux Bois Pendant

I created this "Round Wood" faux bois (fake wood) piece from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a malachite green glaze. Measuring about 1 1/4" in diameter, 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.

You can find this pendant in my Good Dirt Jewelry shop on 1000markets.com.

New Ganesh Cameo Needle Minder

Ganesh Cameo Needle Minder

This is another cross-promotion for Grizzly Mountain Arts, which is my main business :)

We made this Ganesh cameo needle minder from a gorgeous vintage inspired resin cameo. We inlayed a rare earth magnet with clear resin on the back. We then set the cameo in a gold toned setting to give this needle minder a finished look. Dave encased another rare earth magnet into a piece of faux ivory (resin) that he turned on the lathe. Together, these beauties will "mind" your needle conveniently on your project!

~Who is Ganesh?~

Ganesh is one of the best-known and most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Hindu sects worship him regardless of other affiliations. Devotion to Ganesh is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.

Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesh's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesh is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. He is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of Letters during writing sessions.

In this cameo, Ganesh is shown holding a dagger and a lotus blossom. The dagger is believed to represent the Ganesh's ability to cut away obstacles and the Padma, or lotus blossom represents ascent of spirit to attain great heights.

Three Graces Ceramic Cameo Adjustable Ring

Three Graces Ceramic Cameo Ring

The Three Graces of Roman mythology, or Charities as they are known in Greek mythology, were thought to be Goddesses of charm, beauty and creativity. Some also believe they represented nature and fertility.

My "Three Graces" cameo was created from white earthenware clay and accented with a pale purple glaze. I have set it in a beautiful adjustable ring. More photos of this piece can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry Etsy shop.

Don't forget--Shipping is always FREE :)

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!

Eihwaz "Enlightenment" Norse Rune Ceramic Pendant

Eihwaz "Enlightenment" Norse Rune Ceramic Pendant

I created this Eihwaz rune from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a rich blue glaze. No two pieces come out of the kiln the same! If you would like to view more photos of this item, please visit the listing for this item in my Good Dirt Jewelry shop on 1000markets.com.

The Eihwaz rune symbolizes protection, strength, reliability and enlightenment.

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

~What are Runes?~

According to Wikipedia, the runes were introduced to the Germanic peoples in the 1st or 2nd century AD. (The oldest known runic inscription dates to around 150 AD and is found on a comb discovered in the bog of Vimose, Funen,Denmark.[1] The inscription reads harja; a disputed candidate for a 1st century inscription is on the Meldorf fibula in southern Jutland). This period may correspond to the late Proto-Germanic or Common Germanic stage linguistically, with a continuum of dialects not yet clearly separated into the three branches of later centuries; North Germanic, West Germanic, and East Germanic.

~The Runes in Mythology~

In Norse mythology, the runic alphabet is attested to a divine origin (Old Norse: reginkunnr). This is attested as early as on the Noleby Runestone from around 600 CE that reads Runo fahi raginakundo toj[e'k]a...,meaning "I prepare the suitable divine rune..."[2] and in an attestation from the 9th century on the Sparlösa Runestone which reads Ok rað runaR þaR rægi[n]kundu,meaning "And interpret the runes of divine origin".

~History of Runes~

The runes developed centuries after the Mediterranean alphabets from which they are potentially descended. There are some similarities to alphabets of Phoenician origin (Latin, Greek, Italic) that cannot possibly all be due to chance; an Old Italic alphabet, more particularly the Raetic alphabet of Bolzano, is often advanced as a candidate for the origin of the runes, with only five Elder Futhark runes ( e, ï, j, ?, p) having no counterpart in the Bolzano alphabet(Mees 2000). This hypothesis is often denied by Scandinavian scholars, who usually favour a Latin origin for most or all of the runic letters (Odenstedt 1990; Williams 1996).[7] An Old Italic or "North Etruscan" thesis is supported by the inscription on the Negau helmet dating to the 2nd century BC (Markey 2001). This is in a northern Etruscan alphabet, but features a Germanic name, Harigast. New archaeological evidence came from Monte Calvario (Auronzo di Cadore).

~Runic Divination~

The earliest runic inscriptions found on artifacts give the name of either the craftsman or the proprietor, or, sometimes, remain a linguistic mystery. Due to this, it is possible that the early runes were not so much used as a simple writing system, but rather as magical signs to be used for charms.

Although some say the runes were used for divination, there is no direct evidence to suggest they were ever used in this way. The name rune itself, taken to mean "secret, something hidden", seems to indicate that knowledge of the runes was originally considered esoteric, or restricted to an elite.

Fossil Ivory and Fine Silver Pendant

Fossil Ivory and Fine Silver Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

A handmade cabochon of fossil walrus ivory created for me by my husband, 1000markets artist "Grizzly Mountain Arts", has been set into a fine silver pendant to create this one of a kind piece. I used Precious Metal Clay (PMC), which is .999 fine silver, to create the pendant. I have given the silver pendant a rich patina to give it the appearance of an ancient relic. The 1" diameter pendant hangs from a Hill Tribe silver jump ring and a leather cord. A gift box is included with your purchase. More photos of this unique piece can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop.

**What is fossil ivory?**

Fossil ivory is ancient ivory whose composition has changed from ivory to mineral. Care should be taken to distinguish fossil ivory from recent ivory which has yellowed or discolored. Fossil ivory (including walrus, mammoth and mastodon) and other archaeological and paleontological materials are regulated by an array of Federal and State laws. These items may not be collected on any Federal or State lands. Fossil ivory may be collected on private lands with the permission of the land owner, and is not regulated under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Fossil ivory does not have to be tagged or registered. Anyone may sell fossil ivory without first handcrafting it.

**Where do we get our fossil ivory?**

Ancient walrus and mammoth tusks are dug out of the permafrost or bone mounds by Alaskan and Siberian natives annually during the summer thaw and sold to subsidize their family or village income. We buy our ancient walrus ivory shards from ivory buyers that travel to the St. Lawrence Island area to buy from the ivory co-ops.

"Fresh" ivory and elephant ivory will never be used in any of the artwork created by Good Dirt Jewelry or Grizzly Mountain Arts.

"Long Time Round" Ceramic Pendant

Long Time Round Ceramic Pendant

I created this 1 1/4" diameter pendant from earthenware clay. This piece has been glazed with an earthy moss green. A carved horn bead and an upcycled watch stem were used in the design. This pendant hangs from an 18" ball chain which you can easily remove if 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 Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop.

Handcrafted Walnut Tatting Shuttle with Inlayed Ceramic Cameo

Handcrafted Walnut Tatting Shuttle with Inlayed Ceramic Cameo

Dave, Grizzly Mountain Arts, handcrafted this 2 ¾ inch shuttle out of Walnut. I made this kiln fired ceramic cameo of the Three Muses (or Three Graces) with a pink glaze for him to inset into the shuttle. The burn etched motif is one of Dave's favorites because it looks so classical and also makes the shuttle look like a little musical instrument. This shuttle has a hand rubbed bees wax satin finish. This shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave.  An additional photo may be viewed at the Ebay auction for this piece.

Druid's Egg Ceramic Pendant

Druid's Egg Ceramic Pendant

This "Druid's Egg" earthenware pendant is a collaborative effort between my husband, Grizzly Mountain Arts, and myself. I am so lucky to have a master carver with a studio right next to mine! Dave carved the original Druid's Egg, then made me a wonderful mold from that piece. This pendant, which has turquoise glazed spirals, hangs from a faux suede cord that can be tied to accommodate many necklines. You can easily remove the cord if you have a favorite chain you prefer to use.  This Druid's Egg is currently for sale in my Good Dirt Jewelry Etsy shop!