Category Archives: General

Debby's Deals, General

Botswana Agate: the Queen of Agates

Posted on by Debby Caldwell
Botswana Agate
19
Nov

Years ago, when we started HomeStrung Jewelry, I thought I would only work with the best semi-precious gemstones and findings.  Early purchases were hand-selected, top-grade, semi-precious gemstones, and sterling or gold-filled components. These Botswana agate gemstones were an early acquisition and I fell completely in love. I really didn’t know how special they were at the time, but they were definitely swoon-worthy, and so, went into my private collection. 

These stones were purchased directly from an international source who was, at the time, trying to figure out the US market and all of the in’s and out’s of online sales. And, at that time, we still hadn’t decided to design and produce kits, or teach, or do anything more than just make jewelry for a few friends and family. As a result, we didn’t buy very many beads. But they were so pretty, we probably bought more than we should have.

Well, today we do teach, and we produce jewelry kits using a lot of very pretty beads and semi-precious stones. That international vendor we sent a few simple orders to is today one of our best sources for top-grade materials, though some of the shapes and sizes of the beads are becoming difficult, if not impossible, to find. Luckily we have this little stash we picked up those many years ago.

Now, I am so excited to be able to bring these special gifts from the earth to you as our very first offering in “Debby’s Deals”! Rarely will you find agate of this type and quality, and never at these prices. Each bead or stone has unique markings that, according to legend, are secret messages, inscribed eons ago for the stone’s future owner. The markings are there to tell you how you can best use your creative gifts and be of service to those within your realm of influence. 

After hundreds of thousands of years imprisoned deep within the earth and encased in a coarse stone crust, they are happy to be free and eager to share their insights with a new human partner!

Your Majesty

Some collectors consider Botswana Agate the royalty of Agates. Its intricate bands and warm colors make it uniquely beautiful. It is a delightful Agate to engage and observe.

The highly varied banding is what set agates apart as a gemstone for the past 5000 years. In modern times geographical sources, and uniquely intricate patterns, as well as the banding determine a stone’s value.   

Collecting and exporting Botswana agate is controlled by the government of Botswana so this material is more difficult to obtain. Rough, unfinished stones cannot be exported so it is often tumble-polished which, unfortunately, leads to breakage and fracture lines which means even more breakage during any additional cutting or finishing.

History & Home

The area of Botswana where these little beauties are found is rich with human and geological history. The earth’s earliest human settlements are believed to be in the Tsodilo Hills (locals call the hills Male, Female and Child) in the Mashatu Reserve in Botswana. This beautiful stone has a local history as old as humanity.

If you came across a Botswana agate in the wild you would probably walk right on by. They appear as small, grayish-white nodules, rarely more than 3 or 4 inches across. You would have to break through the opaque rind to find the beautiful treasure that lies within. These not so beautiful nodules have lain within the earth for at least 140 to 180 thousand years, waiting patiently to be discovered by someone able to see the beauty hidden within the crusty shell.

When the earth was young, active volcanoes in the Botswana region erupted, covering the land in molten lava. The lava flow moved slowly, and it began building up, layer by layer over time. Pressure and weight increased, causing openings in the initial lava layers which had already cooled.

In these openings, additional layers formed to become round, stone shaped nodules. and then, as they further cooled and settled, they separated into actual stones. This long process of layering and cooling is what causes the unique banding of the Botswana agate.

So What Does It Mean?

Like the flames of a campfire, a fiery sunset, or the ripples and eddies of a quiet river or stream, the layered bands within bands, and the blending gray, warm pinks and apricot colors of a Botswana agate stone draw the eye and pull in the mind, stimulating meditation and calming contemplation. Such thought can help you unravel and rethink the complexities of modern life.

Named for the area in Africa where it is mined, Botswana Agate is called the Sunset Stone because it retains sunlight and comforts people through dark, lonely nights. It is considered a stone of comfort and is said to help in overcoming depression and can give strength to a grieving individual.

It was anciently considered a “Stone of Change”, aiding in the creative process and allowing an individual to see possibilities and opportunities that may not be outwardly apparent.

Above all, the Botswana agate is a stone of regal beauty, and is a pleasure to own and to wear. And it is with this thought in mind than we are making a small stash of Botswana agate available to all of you.

What Have We Got for You?

Our stash of Botswana agate isn’t very big, but we are ready to share it as our very first listing in “Debby’s Deals”. We have rounds, of course, but also some ovals, drops, and shapes that are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. Normally the prices would range from $5 to $15, but for the next 10 day, November 20th thru the 30th, we will be taking 40% off of these prices.

These are available on a first come, first serve basis, and we hope as many of you as possible are able to experience these beautiful agates.

Here are just a few examples;

  • Botswana agate rounds, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm: $3.75 – $5.70 per strand.
  • Ovals, smooth and faceted, various sizes: $4.50 – $4.80 per strand
  • Large agate nuggets: $3.90 per strand 
  • And lots more.

See them all at: https://www.homestrungjewelry.com/product-category/debbys-deals/

Debby's Deals

A Final Note on the Care and Feeding of Your New Agate Stones

While the agate is a strong and resilient stone, it is not invulnerable. It is best cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush or cotton cloth. Do not clean agates using steam as the stone is sensitive to heat. 

Cosmetics, hair spray, and perspiration can negatively affect the surface polish of agate gemstones, so be sure to put agate jewelry on last, after applying make-up and perfumes, and take it off first at the end of the day or an event. Remove agate jewelry before swimming or engaging in sports. 

Store agate jewelry in a separate pouch or box to prevent it from damaging, or being damaged by, other stones. Do not store in direct sunlight or in a warm location.

Take good care of your agate jewelry and they will serve you as lifetime companions.

General, Jewelry Projects

The Miraculous Story of the Navettes

Posted on by Steve
Navette and Gemstones
14
Apr

The Miracle

To understand the inspiration for this latest jewelry project, we have to take you to a small coastal town, in the south of France. The year is 40 A.D. (We are not talking 1940, or 1740, or even 1040, but 40 A.D., just 40 years after the meridian of time; almost 2000 years ago.)

It was at this time and place, that a small group of double prow boats (boats that come to a point at each end) arrived after a journey that spanned the Mediterranean. The boats moved without oarsmen, or even oars, but were propelled by a powerful, spiritual force. These little boats were called by the French, “navettes”.

The passengers of these tiny boats had left the holy land, shortly after the crucifixion of Christ, and were brought to this French beach just a little southwest of Marseilles. Mary Magdalene, her sister Martha, and brother Lazarus (yes, that “Lazarus”), led this little band, along with Joseph of  Arimathea, and a number of other notable Biblical characters.

Together they changed the religious, social, and economic foundations of France, and left a profound mark on the future of the entire continent. Their arrival at that tiny fishing village is celebrated today with the annual Festival of Lights, or Chandeleur.

As part of the celebrations, people make and consume bread and pastries in the shape of the little boats that brought their saintly passengers to France, known as Navettes.

It’s a Boat; It’s a Bread; It’s Jewelry

Back to the present day, a few years ago, Debby went shopping for something new and exciting to put into one of her jewelry designs. That was when she found these very special, navette connectors. The only problem, they were being discontinued, and there was only limited stock. She bought every one our vendor had left, about a thousand. They arrived, she briefly admired them, then put them into a container, in a drawer, on a shelf where they sat for years.

It was while we were cleaning and reorganizing the studio a while back that the Navettes re-appeared (without oarsmen, or even oars). It was a revelation. We brought them out to the work area, and the design just seemed to make itself.

Now we have it to share with all of you.

The main feature of each piece is the unique, marquise-shaped metal spacer beads and the Navette pendant, the “star” of our collection, is made from a circle of these navette beads. One prow of each bead is joined in the center of the star. The other ends are separated by a couple of sparkly crystals and your choice of gemstone beads. Finished, it looks exactly like an arrangement of navette pastries on a round plate.

The bracelet reminds us of a row of boats safely moored to a long, thin dock running out to sea from some small seaside village. A double row of gemstone beads keeps the navettes in tight formation.

And of course there are earrings.

Make and Wear the Legend

The navette jewelry kits are currently available in the HomeStrung store. The links are shown below. Each piece is available with one of four gemstones of your choosing: snowflake obsidian, rhodonite, lapis lazuli, or howlite. 

Supplies are limited, but for a short time we are are offering a free matching navette earring kit if you purchase both a pendant/necklace and bracelet as a set. Order the two pieces and we will include the earrings when we send the kits to you.

General

The Poinsettia Miracle

Posted on by Steve
06
Dec

The Miracle of the Poinsettias

Many years ago, in a humble village in Mexico, the people in and around the tiny town were preparing for what they hoped would be the best Christmas celebration ever seen in their part of the world. The Christmas festival would last an entire week and would center around a new nativity scene the villagers would build outside the local church. Each day there would be celebrations as the nativity was assembled, and people could come to pray each morning and evening at the little church. On the final night, Christmas eve, people would come to the nativity, where they could kneel before the manger and present gifts to the Christ child. 

Just outside the village lived a little girl named Pepita. She lived with her parents, her grandmother, and two older brothers. Pepita wanted so much to be a part of all of the Christmas events, but especially, she wanted to be able to kneel before the Christ child, on Christmas eve, with a gift showing her love for the baby Jesus.

But Pepita had no money to buy a gift, and she had no way to work to earn the money as she spent each day, struggling with her family, to scratch out a meager living from their little farm. She could make a gift, but she had neither time nor materials

All week she worried she had no gift and finally confided in her grandmother. 

“Pepita,” her grandmother told her, “The baby Jesus will be pleased with whatever you give because he knows your gift comes from your heart.”

“But I have nothing,” she said.

“Just pray and use your heart to find the perfect gift.”

Christmas eve arrived and Pepita came into town praying she would find a suitable gift. Everywhere she looked she saw people, beautifully dressed, carrying flickering candles, and walking toward the nativity. All carried gifts to place before the manger. Panicking now, Pepita looked around her, hoping to see anything that would serve as a gift. All she could see were some leafy plants, little more than weeds, growing along the path to the church. They were fresh, green, and full of life. Pepita quickly gathered an arm load of the plants. Holding them close, and hoping no one would notice, she hurried toward the church.

At the nativity, all the people were gathered, the flames of a hundred candles lighting the night. People, one by one, came forward to arrange their presents around the manger.

When it was her turn, little Pepita came before the figure of the Christ child and looked around at all of the marvelous gifts. She felt ashamed of her humble offering and tried to run away. But the crowd pushed her forward. She quickly dumped her armload of weeds over the manger, and with tears welling up in her eyes, scrambled, unsuccessfully, to get away.

At first, there were a few chuckles. Then a gasp and the crowd became silent. 

“It’s a miracle,” someone exclaimed, and others echoed the remark in whispers of awe and excitement.

Pepita, unable to hide or run away, looked back to see her “weeds”, strewn in and around the manger, and as she watched, bright red flowers were appearing at the top of each plant until the manger was filled with the crimson blossoms. 

It was the best gift of all; a gift from the heart, given in love.

General, Jewelry Projects, Projects

Announcing New Christmas Jewelry and Our 2019 Annual Tree Ornament

Posted on by Steve
Christmas 2019 Projects
03
Dec

Whether You Have Been Naughty or Nice – You Don’t Need to Check Twice – To Make Some New Jewelry This Holiday Season

Coming up with neat, new Christmas stuff is an annual tradition here at HomeStrung. We always try to give you a new tree decoration design and at least one new holiday earring project you can make to wear or give away. 

We’ve got a new ornament that will look perfect on your tree, and we have a new earring, using a spectacular new bead we found that was just crying out to be used in a Christmas design. All things considered, we had our new designs. But Debby just couldn’t let well enough alone. She started working on a second earring.

The Christmas Flower that Grew into a Wearable Garden

The extra, new earring is a cute little beaded poinsettia, perfect for Christmas (especially if you read the legend of the poinsettia flower that goes with it). She finished it up, way too quickly, and then just kept on going, adding little poinsettias to the original flower, until she had turned that earring into a bracelet.

Poinsettia Bracelet

Well, the project was supposed to be an earring, so she made a couple more earrings to replace the one earring that turned into a bracelet, They looked pretty good with the new bracelet. But, looking at the two earrings, side by side, she started to think.

Now when Debby starts to think it is always a little scary but it is when amazing things can happen. (Steve, on the other hand, is forbidden to think without adult supervision, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit, all close at hand.) She moved the earrings around a little, stared at them for a moment, and then got out some more beads, a needle, and thread.

Poinsettia Necklace

She joined the two earring poinsettias together using a third flower and added a chain and clasp. Those two earrings were now a three poinsettia necklace.

She had a new necklace AND a bracelet, but, again, no earrings.

Out came the beads and thread, and in a few more moments she had a complete Christmas jewelry set made from the adorable little poinsettia flowers. The original earring was now a garden of flowers you can make and wear this Holiday season.

Poinsettia Earrings

Kits are available now, on sale, in our web store at www.homestrungjewelry.com. You can also click on any of the pictures to open the individual product pages.

Each kit contains detailed instructions, and all of the beads and materials you need, except thread and needles, to make your own bouquet of beautiful poinsettias. 

Give the gift of poinsettias this Christmas.

The 2019 “Hope” Snowflake Ornament Kit

The idea for this new ornament has been percolating through our minds for the last few years. We were looking for something a little fancier than our beaded star ornaments, but even easier to make.

This year we finally got it done and here is the result. It features some of our best quality glass pearls and enough sparkly crystals and Miyuki beads to send rainbows of light dancing around your room (which is why we like to hang them in a sunny window, as well as on the tree).

The snowflake kit is also on sale and you can see it in our store (Just click on the picture). 

These snowflake ornaments look good on your tree, but they will also look great on the Christmas trees of your family, friends, and neighbors, so make sure you make a few for gifting. And even your most Christmas adverse friends won’t mind a snowflake “sun catcher”, or two, flooding the house with shimmering rainbows of light.

A Special New Bead for Our New Christmas Earring

When we saw pictures of these new beads we knew we had to have them. When they showed up we had the same idea: a new Christmas earring. We each came up with new designs and this is the one that won.

The earrings come in 5 fun colors, you can choose between silver and gold-colored findings, and you get to decide whether you want white shell pearl or crystal accents.

Check out all of the shiny bead colors on the product page in our store.

These are really easy and fast to make. We personally are making a lot of these to give away to family and friends this Christmas.

There is More in the Store

We have both a Christmas Jewelry category and one for Ornaments in our store with many more holiday designs to choose from. You can see all of the Christmas stuff there.

General

We’re Ba-a-ack!!!!

Posted on by Steve
25
Jun

And we have all sorts of new stuff to tell you about

We have a new website. We have a new store. We have lots of new jewelry designs and kits coming to you in the upcoming weeks. And there is a new book we are just finishing up that will soon be available as both an ebook and a print book, our first printed book. 

And we have a new blog.

“What’s New”: The Homestrung Blog

One of the newest and neatest new things we have is the new HomeStrung blog which you can find under the “What’s New” heading.

The blog is where we will be introducing new jewelry projects, new tutorials, and telling you about any new books we are publishing. It will be where we tell you about special events and deals. It you have explored the website you may have noticed a category called “Debby’s Deals”. We will talk about that in a minute.

The blog will also allow us to shorten our emails, giving you all the highlights and then allowing you to link to those things you are most interested in. The emails tended to get lost in time, but the blog info will be around for ever.

Anyway, the blog is where we tell you about everything upcoming, ongoing, and exciting at HomeStrung.

Debby says we have too much stuff. Too much stuff is good news for all of you.

It means, on a somewhat irregular basis, Debby is going to be clearing out all sorts of things. Beads and gemstones that either never found a home in a jewelry project or are from a kit we no longer support. Kits and jewelry projects we no longer can get materials for. And there will also be things she finds that are deals just too good to pass up that she will happily share will all of you.

Watch the “Debby’s Deals” section of the shop where she will put all of the stuff she is selling at ridiculous prices. She will also tell you about what’s available and upcoming in the “What’s New” section.

Lots of New Jewelry Projects

Did we mention we have new jewelry kits coming? This particular project will be available in the next couple of week. Watch for the announcement.

Beadazzled Bangle Bracelet

 

Steve Met the Surgical Robot…

…and is still here. It’s been 8 weeks since the surgery and the only real problem has been a little disagreement between him and the doctors as to what qualifies as “returning to normal day to day activities.” 

If you want to know any more, just ask him and we are sure he will talk you ears off.