Thursday, June 23, 2011

CEAG and 2 New Treasuries


Benerita's from Etsy
Elements of the Earth Sterling Cross Necklace

OK. I had so many "hits" that I made two volumes of one Treasury.


These two treasuries are devoted to all the things that God has made for us in nature: the earth, water, wind, fire, sunshine, rain, etc. The inspiration for this treasury came from Benerita "Elements of the Earth Sterling Cross Necklace". Thank you for the inspiration Benerita. Thank you, Lord.

I did include several entries without teamcatholic b/c they were so cool - plus we might have some people who don't know about us come to find out more about us and/or tell their friends that they are in a treasury. At least I hope so. I couldn't help myself. <goofy grin> CEAG does such beautiful work but these others just fit in perfectly with the theme. :)

CEAG and Treasuries II

Good day,

I have made 2 more treasuries inspired by the artwork of the Catholic Etsy Artist Guild.
This treasury is to thank the dedicated men and women who serve or have served in the US military for our freedoms, including religion. God bless them all. FYI: There are groups seeking rosaries for our military. Please google military rosary kits or military rosaries to find instructions to make your own military rosaries.
C. http://www.dakotarosaryworks.com/drw/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=166



Saint Francis of Assisi ((born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226). was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.

St. Clare of Assisi
Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled Clair, Claire, etc.) (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253), born Chiara Offreduccio, is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life—the first monastic rule known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.

Etsy Rosary Guild Team: Irish Penal Crucifix Symbols and Meanings


Research by Christine Stanton of Prayerbedes
Irish Penal Crucifix Symbols and Meanings:

Article written by Christine Stanton of Prayerbedes and continued on the Etsy Rosary Guild Blog.

As I was working on this new rosary today, I was reminded that I have wanted to...research and write about the symbols and their meanings found on the Irish Penal Crucifix.  For a few years, I have been collecting the information I find on the internet regarding the subject and putting it in a folder for this purpose.

One thing that I have been particularly sensitive to lately is the accuracy of information found on the internet.  With that, I have also become aware of the reality that even historical information written in books could be one individual’s interpretation of the facts–especially if it is written many years later.



Chaplet made by Christine Stanton
of prayerbedes on Etsy
So, as I relay this information, I would like to add the disclaimer that though this information is taken from multiple sources, discovering what is fact versus what is fiction can be difficult.  But, just as historians often need to interpret their findings, I am sure that people who lived during the Penal Era in Ireland could also have had some varying ideas of the meanings of these symbols.

Still, there are some symbols that have been recognized by Christians going back as far as biblical times.  Many of the symbols and their meanings on the Irish Penal Cross fall into that category.  Unlike many historical writings, much of the New Testament writings date back to the to the times of Christ.
The Crucifix itself is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Our Lord, and so too are the symbols that surround the Corpus on the Penal Cross....

Article written by Christine Stanton of Prayerbedes and continued on the Etsy Rosary Guild Blog.














Monday, June 20, 2011

CEAG and Treasuries

Good day,

I have done 4 treasuries inspired by the artists of the Catholic Etsy Artist Guild (CEAG), also known as teamcatholic. Please take a look and make comments if you think they are interesting. I love the work that CEAG does and the people are so kind and charitable. I feel blessed to be a part of them. Please click on the green or gray links to visit each site. Thank you.


Rose Window
National Cathedral
1. Our Lady and the Rose - The rose symbolizes the Virgin Mary. Our Lady is called the Mystical Rose. The rosary is related to the rose. St. Dominic's chaplet was scented with roses. Monks' rosaries were made with hardened rose petals.
2. Light Through a Rose Window - CEAG - The beautiful bright items in this treasury remind me of the light coming though a rose window or a stained glass window. I could watch for hours as the colors shift and blend. God's beauty. Humans' art of love.
3. I have held thee in the palm of mine hand. -- Isaiah 51:16 - A baptism is the joyous beginning of a lifetime of loving and serving the Lord.
4. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 The items in this treasury are dedicated to marriage, weddings, and mostly love, for the greatest of these is love.

I hope you enjoy looking at these treasuries as much as I enjoyed making them. The artists in the CEAG are so diverse and they do phenomenal work. Please take a look.





Friday, June 17, 2011

Original Watercolor of Miraculous Mary

Miraculous Mary Medal Painting
I received my original watercolor painting by Dina Staggs of Risen Phoenix Designs. The painting uses elements of both the front and the back of the Miraculous Mary medal and this painting is beautiful. The colors are much more vivid in person and I am so happy I received today. It's a wonderful painting, Dina. Very original and very lovely. I cannot thank you enough. I hope you enjoy the rosary and prayer beads which I traded as much as I will enjoy her. Thank you and Bless you.

From the artist:
""Miraculous Medal" is an original watercolor painting inspired by the Miraculous Medal (a devotional medal depicting Jesus' mother Mary.) The Miraculous Medal is often worn by Catholics as a devotional prayer.
Title: Miraculous Medal
Type: Original artwork. NOT a print or reproduction.
Paper Type: Lightly textured, acid-free, cold press watercolor paper. The paper weight is 140 lb(300g), chosen for its versatility and durability.
Size: 11x15 inches
Mediums: High quality watercolor pencils were the primary medium for this painting. The colors are layered for rich color-tones. Details were drawn with archival-quality ink.
Signature: The painting is signed in the lower right-hand corner."

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Summer Sale on Etsy

Remember: SUMMER25
Through July 31, I am offering 25% off all Etsy items except PIFs and gift certificates. Even custom items are on sale. Once we establish a price for your custom item, you will receive 25% off that price. Gift certificates can still be used to purchase an item and then receive 25% off that item. Just put in SUMMER25 into the discount code box to receive your discount.

My First Etsy Treasury - Our Lady and the Rose

I did my first Etsy CEAG Treasury entitled Our Lady and the Rose. I hate that I couldn't include my resources and full description so here it is:

Our Lady and the Rose

Resources:


RaesSpirit

During the Middle Ages, the rose, seen as the queen of flowers, the symbol of the Virgin Mary, represented romance, religion, and healing. The rose symbolizes the Virgin Mary (white roses in Paradise are said to have blushed red when she kissed them). The red rose became a symbol of martyrdom, due to its color. When St. Frances of Assisi received the stigmata, his blood was said to have become roses when it fell upon the ground. Roses are found in the unicorn tapestries, in which the unicorn symbolizes the bridegroom. The unicorn, tamed by a virgin, is no longer fierce. So too, God became gentle through the Virgin Mary. The thornless rose was also the symbol of the Virgin Mary. Our Lady is called the Mystical Rose. The golden rose stands for the glory of the Virgin Mary. The Order of the Golden Rose, founded by Pope Leo VIII, was originally founded as a means of honoring virtuous women later including men. The rosary is related to the rose (see the intricately carved German rosary bead at the Cloisters). The rosary chaplet presented to St. Dominic was scented with roses. Monks' rosaries may originally have been made with hardened rose petals.


15Promises




ArtfulPurpose


Axis Mundi Designs



Monday, June 13, 2011

Featured Item - First Time!

My rosary R06, has been featured in a CEAG Treasury "The Song of a Hummingbird".

Prayer Beads

Today I made a new set of prayer beads. As some of you know, my focus is on making rosaries, but I enjoy making prayer beads as well because I love learning about religions in addition to Catholicism. The prayer beads that I chose to make today are Protestant - Anglican Prayer Beads, a form a contemplative prayer. The King of Peace website is a good resource to learn more about this form of prayer. Although in theory, i.e. to keep count of your prayers as you say them, these prayer beads are similar to the Catholic Rosary in the prayers prayed. However, prayer beads typically have a cross, instead of a rosary crucifix, as its focus followed by an Invitatory bead, four cruciform beads, and four groups of seven beads to form the weeks. The prayer beads I made today have a vintage brass cross, a dark wood Invitatory bead, gold glass druk cruciform beads, and vintage brass rondelle week beads. I have included some pictures of these prayer beads, designated simply PB14, for my own information and for when they are listed on Etsy.


Protestant - Anglican Prayer Beads

Cross, Invitatory Bead, and First Cruciform Bead

Three Cruciform beads and Week beads

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Todays New Craft: Chainmaille

Today I spent the day working on a kit given to me by an etsy store, UnkamenSupplies. Although I tried two classes in chainmaille before, I failed miserably. But this kit was great. The instructions were on YouTube and I pulled some directions off the web and off I went. The kit was a parallel weave, also called helm weave, bracelet with sterling and turquoise clasp and enough rings to make earrings. The rings were copper and sterling. I think they came out very well and I'm very happy my new bracelet and earrings, which still need wires. Thank you to Ralph and Karen!