Thursday, April 8, 2010

Introducing the Breastplate of Aaron Series!

These amazing beads really show the incredible versatility of the jasper stone. Jasper comes in just about every color you can imagine, in various patterns and styles. This variety, known as Picasso jasper, is lined with beautiful veins and is very colorful.

Breastplate of Aaron Series - Picasso Jasper necklace - $85
 



A  breathtaking jasper pendant hangs from this gorgeous necklace of matching square and round jasper beads. All spacer beads and findings are sterling silver and the beads are strung with strong jeweler’s wire using the finest craftsmanship.

Jasper appears several times in the bible, notably in the passage on the Heavenly City in the Book of Revelation. However, it is also listed as one of the nine stones in the priestly Breastplate of Aaron in the book of Exodus.


Breastplate of Aaron Series - Picasso Jasper Bracelet - $37




     "Call all the skilled workers to whom I have given ability, and tell them to make Aaron's clothes, so that he may be dedicated as a priest in my service.
Tell them to make a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered shirt, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these priestly garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they can serve me as priests.
You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. It is to be made of the same materials as the ephod and with similar embroidery.
It is to be square and folded double, 9 inches long and 9 inches wide.
Mount four rows of precious stones on it; in the first row mount a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet; in the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; in the third row, a turquoise, an agate, and an amethyst;
and in the fourth row, a beryl, a carnelian, and a jasper…”

Exodus 28:3 –5, 15-20

Breastplate of Aaron Series - Picasso Jasper Earrings - $22




The Breastplate of Aaron Series will be a series of pieces using the stones in this Bible passage. This set is only the first release in the series.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Current Projects

I have several projects I am currently working on, but none of them are quite ready yet. To pique your interest, I will show you a little of what is coming down the road at Heavenly City Jewelry.

Picasso Jasper:

I found these amazing beads and I just had to have them! This project is almost done and will include a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet.  Here are the beads:





Garnet grape clusters:

I saw some lovely clusters of beads at Michaels; they looked like grapes... but they were made of glass and cheap silver plate. I am making mine of garnets and real sterling silver findings. When they are done they will be exquisite. Here is a drawing to give you an idea what to expect:



I am also working on a project using mirrors and antiqued brass, and another antiqued brass project with an ocean/beach theme, possibly involving pearls.

I have also ordered some supplies which will enable me to start providing custom stamped silver; dog tags, pendants with customized sayings, earrings, and eventually rings and bracelets, too. I am excited about the new avenues opening up for Heavenly City Jewelry! Look for these and other exciting releases coming soon.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Several New Pieces Listed Today!

Jars of Clay - ceramic mini-jar with brown leather cord and sterling silver clasp - $35


After much searching, I found a supplier for these wonderful little handmade ceramic jars.

The jar is functional; it will hold liquid and comes with a cork. I cannot guarantee that the cork won't pop out if you bump it, but my supplier says it will work for anointing oil. You can also write down your prayers and put them in the jar, or you can just wear it as a reminder that you are a vessel of God, the house of the Holy Spirit on earth, and a living stone in the temple of the Living God.

The cord is 22" long and the jar is 2" long.

2Co 4:7 We are like jars of clay in which treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.





Mustard Seed - hand made glass pendant on a leather cord with sterling silver clasp - $22




These marvelous glass drops were designed by Wendy Bridges and are hand made by my supplier. Each one encapsulates a tiny mustard seed, which represents the amount of faith God says is necessary to move mountains in our lives.

I have added a black leather cord with a sterling silver clasp and I offer them here because they fit perfectly with the Heavenly City biblical theme.

Matthew 17:20 "For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."




Wisdom and Strength set:

In ancient times, lapis was known as sapphirus, which is the name that we use today for the blue corundum variety of sapphire. Greeks spoke of an ancient sapphire which was flecked with gold, and this was unmistakenly lapis. Tradition says that the Ten Commandments were carved on tablets of sapphire, and it is believed that this and other references to sapphire in the Bible is actually lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli was also one of the stones in the Breastplate of Aaron in Exodus 28. Ezekiel 1:26 describes God's throne appearing to be lapis.

Psams 19:7 "The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it."
Isaiah 33:6 "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is your treasure."

Wisdom and Strength - lapis and oxidized brass necklace - $37

 

 Wisdom and Strength - lapis and oxidized brass bracelet with hook clasp - $25



Wisdom and Strength - lapis and oxidized brass earrings - $20






Foundations necklace with Sterling Silver Jesus Icthus Fish Charm - $49




An Icthus (fish) with the name of Jesus hangs from this beautiful 20 inch Foundations™ necklace. It is made with genuine sterling silver chain, beads and findings, while the bead section is strung with strong jeweler's wire.




Revised Listing: Tablets of Stone

Since my Tablets of Stone necklace and two pairs of Tablets of Stone earrings have been sold, I have had to make new ones for sale. The new Tablets of Stone necklace is somewhat different than the old one, and it is popular, so I am including it here as a revised listing:

Tablets of Stone - Lapis and oxidized brass necklace - $49

 



Coming soon: Tablets of Stone bracelet.