Kiamyka- Then and Now

Productivity

noreply@blogger.com (CHRIS LINACRE) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:23:00 +0000

Well, I have had a very productive week all in all, which is great after weeks, months even of stagnation. I need to prepare for the South Yorkshire Open Arts Festival as my work is being exhibited as part of it. Officially it is 3rd to 5th of May but my work is already within the gallery at Swinton Lock and it's time to totally change the display there.
When I first started making jewellery I was a bit of a purist and only made items with one gemstone or crystal. Of course, this was because it was the healing properties of the stones which was my key interest. However, since then I have become more adventurous combining the stones in more creative ways. I particularly like this combination of small Amethyst nuggets teamed with tiny chips of Peridot - it reminds me of the crocus.

I stripped down the Black Banded Agate which I showed you here a few days ago and came up with this combination, teamed up with Mother of Pearl and some rounds of the Black Banded Agate

The next image shows some examples which are a total shift for me- talk about funky!
These are a range of dyed shell and jade. The 2 on the right look much nicer on as the shells fan out and strut their stuff more. The green stones on the 2 on the right remind me of Tutti Fruttis.

I think my favorite of this week's production is this next one which is Calcite, Peridot and Orange Moonstone. The Calcite had originally been teamed with Bali Silver spacers but I prefer it as it is now.

I thought I would close with another quote - I collect quotes..... and dust lol. I have a good dust story but will save that for another time

"Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind, or permit others to set up for you."

-- Og Mandino

The Last Rolo

noreply@blogger.com (CHRIS LINACRE) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:03:00 +0000

I was reminded of one of my favourite quotes last night during an online teaching session which I do each week on a Thursday evening at 9.30 on my friend Jo's site Like Mindz.
I teach Reiki and this naturally leads to discussions of other forms of alternative or complimentary healing. A student asked me "Can anyone become a healer?" and I began by saying "Yes of course, they can I am nothing special" quickly followed by " Sorry I am special - - - we all are" which of course raised a laugh.
But reflecting today I realised how far I have come in recognising that I am special - I should add it was a long time coming haha. Over the last 5 years or so I have really focused on making me a happier, healthier person and this has included counselling, self healing through Reiki, talking to many like minded people and also a lot of study and extensive reading.
One of the most profoundly moving books I read was given to me as a gift by my friend Sue when we met at a seminar last September. When I Loved Myself Enough is a beautiful book and was initially a hand made and self-published book by Alison McMillen who wanted as many people as possible to read the wise words of her mother, Kim who had written the words as she was terminally ill.
Here are a few examples from it

When I loved myself enough, I could tell the truth about my gifts and limitations.
When I loved myself enough I quit having to be right, which makes being wrong meaningless.
When I loved myself enough, I came to know I am worthy of knowing God directly.

The evening after I had read the book several of us were in the hotel dining room and there was one chocolate left. I remember looking at it longingly but being the polite person I am I resisted taking it. Then some of the words of the book echoed within me and as I reached to take it I said proudly " I love myself enough to take this last chocolate". Everyone laughed of course but Sue cheered, knowing that her gift had had the impact she intended.

I also got to thinking about how so many people limit themselves and cannot see the beautiful, special person which they are . How we all can get hung up on old ways of thinking and feeling, often based on life's experiences which have in many cases been extreme challenges. So here I offer you the beautiful words of Marianne Williamson, in the hope that it resonates within you and allows you to glimpse how very special you are.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Marianne Williamson

A First Attempt at Wire Work

noreply@blogger.com (CHRIS LINACRE) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:25:00 +0000

About 2 years ago my friend Marca gave me a book on wirework and to date the only thing I ever used from it was how to make a perfect loop.
Today however I was determined to spend all my time working with wire, so this morning after 2 mugs of coffee I set about to make a necklace.
I used copper wire bought from Maplin's at just over £5 for 250g - it seems very reasonable to me.
It took me about 5 hours to make so if I plan to sell designs like this then I need to get up to speed. This is what I created. It is Black Banded Agate and each bead is absolutely awesome.
The clasp can't be seen easily on the picture but it is an S Hook with a round Black Banded Agate bead at its centre.
I am now wearing it to test out the integrity of the construction - well I am also wearing it as I absolutely love it and this one is for me. I feel that I need lots of practice before I use Sterling Silver wire but one thing I learned from today was that it would be better to wrap all the beads and then do all the connecting pieces.
I was making them alternatively and because this is all new to me I had to really think which way I was supposed to be wrapping my figures of 8.
In order to reduce waste I was working off the reel and this seemed to work well . I have a real thing about wastage, especially when we are working with the world's natural resources.
I really enjoyed making this and then remembered I had some stone donuts upstairs .
I have had them ages and to be honest was beginning to think I would sell them as I had not had the inspiration of what to do with them.
Here are the results of my little play about.

I think they are cool and funky.

Tripods and Tumblers

noreply@blogger.com (CHRIS LINACRE) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:42:00 +0000

My tripod arrived today and I have had a play with it. A thank you to friends on the UK Beaders Forum for help and advice as to be honest I had no idea what techncial terms I needed to look for. I am quite impressed with the improvements in my pictures so far but I know I have a long way to go. I really need to order a Kodak battery for my camera as currently I am using other rechargeables and they only last for about 20 shots and then it's a long wait until they are recharged. I found the other 2 though so with 4 on the go I should get enough shots to play with before I get bored.
The picture with the seagrass background was taken with the tripod, the other without. I know the backgrounds can make a difference but I'm sure the tripod one is better in terms of depth and definition

I have also loaded the tumbler with more beads today. I bought it just before Christmas and initially I was disappointed with the results I was getting, but yesterday decided to try some of the duller tumbled stones alongside highly polished ones. Here are the results of that using Tree Agate.

Tomorrow I plan to tackle an idea I have had in my head for some time - I have a string of Black Banded Agate . ... whoppers they are, and I have just sat gloating over them for a few weeks now. They are absolutely beautiful and I just hope I do them justice.

Introductions

noreply@blogger.com (CHRIS LINACRE) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:23:00 +0000

Hi and welcome to my Blogg.
It is fair to say I have 2 key strings to my bow. First and foremost I am a Usui Reiki Master Teacher and practice in Barnsley South Yorkshire. Reiki is a form of healing based on the ancient Japanese form of healing called Teate. Literally, Reiki means Universal Life Force and its foundation is accredited to Mikao Usui (1865-1926), a Tendai Buddhist. It is a way of working with and channelling universal energy in order to bring about increased energy levels and healing. In other systems, this energy is also referred to as Chi or prana.
From an Eastern viewpoint energy does not just flow through us but is also all around us and is generated from all living forms. Interestingly traditional science is also arriving at this view through string theory which proposes that all matter is comprised of energy which vibrates at different frequencies.
A Reiki practitioner connects with and channels this universal energy and transfers it through their hands to the person, animal or object which they are working on. And the beauty of it all is that anyone can learn how to tap into this wonderful,loving and healing energy.

The picture is of my Healing Room which is always tidy (more on this later)Further details of Reiki can be found here on my website dedicated to Reiki.

Secondly I design and hand craft jewellery using natural gemstones, crystals and vintage beads. I got into the jewellery quite by accident and I am now hooked. It took me ages to think of a name for my designs, but with the help of some online friends I arrived at the name of Kiamyka. Kia is an ancient African word which means spirit within and myka is a play on the word mica which is stone. So there we have it, stones for your inner spirit.
My workspace for my jewellery is chaos! I have always been a messy worker and it appears I can't work unless I have a mess around me. I remember years ago I tidied my desk at work before I went on holiday and someone came into my office and asked if I were leaving. So if you are of a nervous disposition close your eyes now!

Well I did warn you !