Amber

Here is a piece of amber I bought to my daughter last year, at a gems show:

It is a nice piece.  I like the form of this one.  The impurities in it add to the charm.  I have not seen it in a while.  Looking at it again made me realize that amber is gaining favor with me.  I like amber, well a piece like on the picture.  It does not egal lapis or obsidian but comes close enough.

I have not work with amber yet.  Maybe I should have a try with it. I will not touch the amber on the photo.  I find it cute as it is.  I think I have a few raw amber.  I may have a try with them, to do something.  I don't know what I could do with them yet.  For sure, I think that amber will go well with silver.  I  know I want to try that.

What I bought at the gems show

I think it is time I show what I bought at the gems show.  I visited the place at the last day, on April 19, in the afternoon.  There is a lot of photos, so, here we go:
The one on the top left is a rose quartz.  On the top right, it is a silver leaf jasper.  On the bottom left, it is a tiger eye.  On the bottom right, there is various stones:

The next ones are some lapis lazuli (the left wand, the disk on the farthest right and the rectangle just beside the disk), there is a disk turquoise on the top, two snowflakes obsidian (the black ones with the white spots), two kyanite in the middle (a wand and a rectangle) and one quartz on top of the rectangle kyanite.  On the bottom, there is two cabochon: one is a malachite and the other one is a lapis lazuli:

It's not all!  The top two are some small emerals and small turquoises.  Not the top quality but I can say I have now some emerald!  Beside them, there is a malachite and one gold red obsidian:

It been a while since I bought some strands.  So, this time, I have done it.  I just have to remember to be careful with strand.  There is one where some of the beads had gone loose in the bag.  I put the in the middle of the photo:

It is rare that I buy jewelry in a gems show.  The piece must have something that attract me on some level.  Usually, it is the beads used.  This time, it was the design.  It is a ring with a leaf on it.  I could not resist buying it:

The ring was the must expensive item I bought that day.  The rest was well priced.  I almost bought crystal balls.  There was a few that I saw that were beautiful.  What stopped me was that I already have some crytal balls and I had spend enough for the day.  It was a nice event.

There are all kind of museums...

I found the top ten on the weirdest museums of the world:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Eo4x5HFDg

In there, there is some famous weird museums like the Mutter Museum.  Others are a bit unsurprising like the number one on medieval torture instruments.  It doesn't surprise me because torture in medieval time is part of history.  It should be expected that a museum cover that topic.  Be it in a temporary exhibition or a more permanent one.  By looking at the video, it seems easy to set up a museum.  Even with a restricted thematic in a small contry (the Icelandic phallic museum, the one at number 10 of the list).

None of the selected museums really had surprised me.  It was nice to discover that certain museums existed like the one on ventriloquist's dummies.  Strangely, it doesn't inspired me that much in my writing, for now.  I think that items from museums would inspire me more, at this moment.  It feel more nice to learn on the museums that I didn't knew before.  I don't know if it will pop up else where later on...

On the museum theme, I miss visiting some museum.  It been a while since I visited an exposition in a museum.  There is a few museums that I would like to visit again.  I would like also to travel and visit foreign museums.  Now, after seeing the top ten weirdest museums, I would like to visit some of them.  I would like to know if they are up to their "weird" reputation.

Uncontacted tribe and strange geography

 Just read this article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3049022/The-island-dangerous-visit-Mysterious-Sentinelese-tribe-rejected-outsiders-60-000-years-try-kill-sets-foot-land.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

It is on an uncontacted tribe in the Indian ocean, more precisely in the Bay of Bengal.  They are hostile to the outside world and the Indian goverment stopped trying to contact them.  The island is called North Sentinel.  It is part of the Andaman Islands.  They aren't well known.

Beside their mysterious culture, what I found a bit strange is at the geographical place the island is.  Looking at the map, I find the island is closer to Burma than India.  I wonder why it is so. It isn't explaned in the article.  In there, they aren't going deeper in the history of the area.  It could explain why the island's resident are so agressive when it come to the outside.  Maybe there would be clues in the past.  I wonder if the explorer took many notes when they explored this area.  Maybe there could be an explanation by just looking for journals or other written pieces.

I knew about the place before reading this article.  I think it isn't the first article on that subject.  I remember reading something similar in the past but I don't remember where I read it.  I know that tribes are often oncovered elsewhere.  Would be nice to have a place where this kind of news would be assembled.  I would like to know where discovering new tribes are taking place.  I know the Amazon bassin is one of those place.  Don't know if it is happening elsewhere.  For the Sentinel island, they deserve the title of the tribe that reject contact on a constant basis.  There must be something that would explain their attitude.  I just would like to know why.

Learning about the bedroom

Just saw this brief video on the history of the bedroom:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5zEVC478bs

Of course, it doesn't enter into the details.  Notheless, it is fun to learn about that.  Makes me fell lucky to had my own bedroom as a child.  I was happy to learn about the "hitting the haystack" thingy.  I had a more "sexy" thing in mind (think of Young Frankenstein with the woman in the hay and you will understand)

Thinking of it, it is something that I could use in my writing.  It could add a layer to the story.  I think to use it to get out of what I am used fur, in the room accomodement field.  I have kind of started it on an unconscious level with one story.  In that story, there is a palace.  The palace is huge with a lot of storage room, some well hidden unused room.  It is a bit labyrinthine palace.  With a few level to it.

Well, I learned something new today.  I like it especially when I could use that elsewhere.

Another discovery on oil

I have found an article on use for coconut oil:
http://diy.about.com/od/DIY-Cleaning/fl/25-Ways-To-Use-Coconut-Oil-Around-Your-Home.htm
I had a few surprises for some uses.  I have some in the house.  I may try some of them.  I like to try those uses.  I just wonder if the shaving cream can be used on legs.  I may try it the next time I shave my legs.

I had been a olive oil user for a long time now.  I am ready to explore other oils.  I think that unrefined and extra virgin coconut oil could be a good start.  I have other oils too.  I had put some on the batches of homemade soap I had made.

The homemade soap weren't a complete success but I am in the process of gaining experience.  I will probably try my hand again in homemade soap in the next few months.  I don't set myself firm limit to make a new batch of handmade soap from scratch.  I have plenty of soap, so I want to use what I have already have.  Strangely enough, the most successful and luxurious soaps were those with a small amount of beewax. It is another thing that I may want to explore...

The gems, mineral and fossil show is coming!

This weekend, one gems show will be in town.  This gems show is one of two gems show in the area.  It is the first of the year, always happening in April.  The other one is in November.  There are business people who are doing both.

When I learned about those show, I was a bit hesitant to go.  It took me some time before having the courage to go there.  I never regret it after that.  I usually have a budget.  Even when I was under strict budget, I could get out of there with many interesting stones.

There are stones that I am attracted to.  Obsidian and lapis lazuli are two stones that I usually bought.  I don't know why I am attracted to them.  For the obsidian, I think it is it's texture.  There is also the sense of danger that can come from it.  It can cut better than chirurgical instrument.  Of course, now, those I buy aren't sharp.

I haven't made a list of stone I would like to have this time.  The first times, I had done it.  The last time I had gone, I haven't.  I was going with what I found on the spot.  I have a lot of various stones.  I haven't used them all.  So, this time, I don't know if I will find stones that I will want to have.  I am tempted to buy some strand of beads, it been a while that I haven't bought that.

Making necklace

I like making necklace.  I like wearing them too.  I found an inpiration:

http://beadwork.about.com/od/beadednecklaces/ss/Beaded-Link-Pendant-with-Brick-Stitch-Inside-and-Outside-the-Ring.htm?utm_campaign=list_beadwork&utm_content=20150405&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exp_nl

It would fall in what I like.  I would wear that kind of necklace once in a while.  I would probably make them small, not too big.  I am not the kind of person that like big bling.  I may use contrasting colors, just to have some impact.  Sometimes, there are colors that are contrasting and goes so well together.

I also like chokers.  The first necklace that I made was a chokers and I love it.  There was an obsidan arrowhead on it, as a focal point.  Such a nice memory!  It was a simple necklace with one strand.  I also like more ornate chokers with intricate strands, kind of victoriana inspired.  I just haven't tried my hand on it.  I also like those with pieces of fabric (I think velvet is used but not sure).  Would also like to incorporate fabric to a necklace.  I just worry if it would be wearable and durable.

I like necklace, no need for them to be long.  I like to work on them.  It been a while since I had done one.  Maybe it is time to return to that.

Jewelry inspiration

Found those photos of some jewelry found on the Titanic:
http://jewelry.about.com/od/antiquejewelry/ss/Jewelry-Treasures-Uncovered-from-the-Titanic.htm#step-heading?utm_campaign=list_jewelry&utm_content=20150408&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exp_nl

It is interesting to see jewelry could be found on a famous shipwreck.  They are pretty much all in good shape.  Due to where they were found, the price much be high.  There are a few pieces I would like to do, with my own twist, of course.  The first photo would be the harded to work on.  I don't have an exact idea on how it is done.  On the other hand, I would like be able to do something like that.  It is ornate.   There is also a ring with a star on it.  That, I would be able to do it.  I had made a few rings in the past.  There is also the second photo, with the three set stone that would be fun to do.  I also know how to do it.  It is just making and soldering the setting around the stones that would be a bit tricky for me.

I find it nice to see fine jewelry like that where I could do.  Not replicate them, would be too much boring.  Just put my spin and see where I could go with it.

Should take more photos...

Last week, I have made two pendant for someone.  I should have taken a photo of them, even if it was quickly done.  Not a perfect project and made in a hurry.  I kind of regret not having taken the photos.  It is more to show what I have done.  To chronicle the projects I am doing.  Of course, it won't be a professional portfolio.  I am not an expert in taking photos either, not yet.

I have a lot of documentations on how to take more professional-like photos.  The problem is to sit down and look at it.  Not easy when I also want to read other texts, as research for various projects.  I have diverses plans.  So I have to schedule my time the right way and to be the most effective.

I know I disperse myself thins on various projects and various media.  I am a jack of all trades and a master of none.  I find it hard to limit myself to just one technique.  My creativity is a bit like a web with threads doing in all directions.  It is hard to choose when the mind goes in all direction and new ideas pop up suddenly.  It makes me feel that I need to let the spring of creation flow, to let keep it coming.  I just don't want feel empty creatively speaking.  It is a terrible thing to happen to a person with a mind set like me.  I don't have anything to take it's place so, I don't try to put limits.  I follow the streams and hope for the best.

Exotic inspiration

I am watching a show with exotic destinations.  Not always the case for that show but it is tonight.  Seeing this makes me think.  It is nice to see things that are not usually seen.  Good to draw inspiration from.  In my case, it inspire me to spin my take on it.

I never really thought about exotic places as sources of inspration.  Now that I think of that, it is something I should have thought before.  Inspirations can comes from every where.  No control on where it will come from next.   It is the beauty of inspiration.

It is attractive because it is not in our usual surrounding.  I know I can be blasé by what surround me.  I think that those in foreign lands, they may find my side to be exotic.   Strange how it can be.  I think I will start to look a bit more on colors too.  I think that my fiction writing lack a bit of colors.  I want to convey a sense of being different and be in an different surrounding.

Thinking a bit more to expand my view on creativity...

Fantasy and experimentation

I have to admit: I have some fantasies.  Not to worry, nothing erotical.  I have more down to earth fantasies. One of them: having a massage.  A simple massage, not one with an happy ending.  The effects of a massage is akin of a shower plus a maximum of relaxation.  While on the table, the mind is still working.  It is not like in the shower.  In the shower, the relaxation is not as deep than with the massage.   Both have their uses. It is just that there are time where I imagine myself on the table.

I don't have much massage under my belt.  I had a small hand full of them.  They where more conventional ones: on the table and the massage therapist using her hands to do the massage.  Nothing fancy.  It is relaxing and fine by me.  There are a few times where I feel a bit adventurous, especially after seeing this video:

http://video.about.com/spas/Hot-Stone-Massage.htm

It is a video on hot stone massage.  Stones are heated.  After that, the stones are applied on the oiled skin.  I would be game to try.  I am interested in this kind of massage because I like stones.  Even if it is ordinary stones.  I wonder how it feel on the skin.  It would be warm and hard, I guess.   I just haven't found a place where I could go.  If the occasion comes, I will try, for sure!

Getting back on track

I think I am getting back on track.  It is amazing what a small trigger can do!  I found a few videos that get my mind working.  It the little push I needed to start my creative engine.

Here they are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUOmV9sVlCU (the person is very interesting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lD8CEz9Kw (I haven't thought of that one but should have.  I may do something else with this)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0I4ieSCCA (similar to another project he had done but again, I may use that with my own twist)

On another side, there is a compagny that is called Baba Studio.  They have released short videos on their products.  I put the two items I liked the most.  I liked the tarot decks they had done.  I also had purchased a few bags from them too.  I like their aesthetic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzCiJNI-C6I and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM9-fs-5z4c (the same scarf with different material.  I prefer the satin one.  I find the design more visible)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THvO_rbbVQI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcSY-UOK_NE (the same scarf with different material.  I don't find it show much.)

Now, I had my little creating push.  I may be able to go on for a while, I think.  Now, my morale is up.  So, I will be more motivated to go on with the crafting and the creativity.  It is nice to find unexpected boost!