Extremely Busy Crafting Week

In addition to the charm bracelet I created a few days ago, I have finished up two more bracelets as well as a necklace.

For sale at Graceful Leigh

The first bracelet in silver tone, includes some of my all-time favorite vintage, religious finds. I used a silver-tone Rosary connector to attach both halves of the medium-weight chain link. I added a bead drop from this. The red cross is a vintage lucite piece. There are other cross charms, an angel charm, as well as some mini Saint Medals.

This is for sale ass well at Graceful Leigh. 

This second charm bracelet features a blue, enameled Crucifix at its center. One of my favorite vintage finds- the Catholic Baptism shell charm that opens to reveal Jesus and Mary on one side and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other. Two Milagros charms are also present.

Buy this at Graceful Leigh

My final, recent creation is a statement charm necklace. I love the vintage angel that is the focal point of this statement charm necklace. Her bell moves! Vintage, Italian crosses in red and blue enamel appear beside vintage Catholic Saint Medals. I hung everything from a highly unusual, heavy-weight, vintage chain. I also added coordinating bead drops in reds and blues.

My creative frenzy was brought about because I was almost sold out of bracelets and necklaces. In fact, I still need to craft some more!

Also, it is not much longer now before I head off to Art Retreat in the Desert February 7-10!

A Non-Catholic Praying the Rosary

Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Image

Recently, I met a good friend and fellow-Episcopalian for coffee. After, as we headed back to our respective cars, a Rosary fell out of her purse while she searched for her keys. She grabbed it and looked at me, "I like to bring a Rosary to church on Sundays."

I smiled and confessed, "So do I."

Actually, the practice of reciting the Roman Catholic Rosary is practiced by a fair number of Anglicans. There is also an Anglican Rosary, but it does not have the long history of the Catholic Rosary, and is not a Marian devotion.

So, my friend and I are not alone in our attraction to using the Rosary in prayer. I regularly recite the Rosary and love that it allows me to meditate on various events in the lives of both Jesus and Mary.

Dirck de Bray Still-Life with Symbols of the Virgin Mary 
Public Domain Image

Many Little Blessings Reviews Graceful Leigh!

In her post, Angie even discusses the vintage handkerchief I wrap each piece I send to buyers!

I am excited and very honored by the review I received from Angie on Many Little Blessings! Angie has had this bracelet for several weeks in order to try the bracelet out and see how she liked wearing it. 

I enjoyed reading the ways the vintage Catholic Medals made her think about who previously owned these items. That is very true for me when I work with each piece as well. I especially liked Angie's insights about the Lourdes bracelet making a statement, which is very true about that design in particular. 

In addition to following Angie's Blog, you can find her Facebook page here. 

Dia de los Muertos

In Western tradition, All Hallows' Eve, Oct. 31 (Halloween) is followed by the observance of All Saints Day on Nov. 1 in Anglican, Catholic, and some Protestant faiths. Additionally, Catholic and most Anglicans also observe All Soul's Day Nov. 2. Each of these observances is a time to pray for the departed.

Public Domain Image

In Latin-American countries and communities, this same time period is known as the Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebrations go back thousands of years, predating the Aztecs in Latin America. During the time when the Spanish were actively converting the natives to Catholicism, they moved the Day of the Dead celebrations from August to November 1-2, to fit with All Saints and All Souls Days.

Public Domain Image of decorated skulls

Most people are extremely familiar with the sugar skull imagery from Day of the Dead. Skulls and flowers are common symbols. Many observers also build Day of the Dead altars in their homes.


Do any of you observe Day of the Dead? How?


Later this month, I will be unveiling a Day of the Dead special collection! Just in time for the fall holidays! So definitely stay tuned for that!