Advanced Wire Wrapping Tutorial

Yesterday I tried a new technique while wire wrapping. For most of my pieces I start by cutting four one-foot pieces of wire and connecting them at the very end to start my loop. I allow the loop to flow into the piece. The new technique I tried was very different. Luckily I remembered to capture my process for those of you who have been asking how to wire wrap. 

Things to be aware of: 

I learned through practice, through callusing my fingers, through messing up multiple times, through learning what works for me specifically. I do not believe art is something that can be "taught." Wire wrapping to me is about finding your "flow", finding your own technique, and finding your own style. In this tutorial I will be very brief because each stone is different. You must let the energy of the stone carry you throughout the artistic process. Wrapping should be like a puzzle - determining where to put each piece of wire, what weave will best lock the wires in place, etc. Without me being there with you to see the shape and size of the crystal, this is the best I can do. I truly hope this bit of information and these pictures are helpful!

Step One: Cut four long (16-24 inch) pieces of base wire. I use 16 gauge, but many people will use 18 or 20 (thinner sizes) for finer detail. 

Step Two: Cut one very long piece of the thin wire you will be using for weaving. I usually cut a five foot strand, but end up needing more. I use 28 gauge wire for weaving, which is the thinnest I've been able to find. I love working with 26 gauge as well. 24 is normally too strong for attractive, tight weaves. 

Step Three: Wrap the thin wire around the center of all four pieces so they stay together. From here you will begin your weave. This will be the bottom of the pendant. 

The easiest technique in my opinion is to go over and under two pieces of wire with the thin wire. Make sure you are pulling the wire tight each time. With the thin wire start from the outside of the thicker piece, pull down into the middle, and pull out the other side, go over the outside piece of thicker wire, down into the middle, and out the other side. It is very basic weaving and after you learn this step, you will be on your way to playing around with other weaving styles. 

Step Four: After you have began weaving this side of your wire base, hold it up to the stone how it will sit. See what your next move is. You should pay attention to how you are going to hold the stone in place, what wire will move behind the stone to create a cage, and how you will begin your loop. 

The loose ends that come up to the top do not have to continue to circle the stone, you can put those pieces of wire around to the back of the stone, come around the side, whatever feels right. Like I said before, wrapping is like a puzzle and should be done by finding where each piece goes until you have it in the right spot. 

Step Five: Weave the other side of the base where you began your first weave (the bottom of the pendant. You can try a new weaving technique, use all four (or as many as you want) of the thick pieces of wire. 

Do not worry if you mess up your weave. It can always be covered my swirls or more wire! :) 

Step Six: Once you have been weaving for a while, hold the stone up again. Can you begin a loop? To create the loop, you will start from the back and put something between the stone and loop to make a hole. With that piece you will come around the front and find a way to assemble those pieces of wire so the loop will stay in place. 

Step Seven: It helps lock the stone and wire in place if you come back up and wrap the loop with excess wire.  

Step Eight: Continue weaving and wrapping as much as you would like. Once the stone is in place it is up to you to create the amount and type of detail you want. 

To end a piece of wire, I create a swirl or tie it in the back of the loop so the loose end of the wire is not visible. 

To create a swirl, use needle nose pliers at the very tip and do small bends with your wrists until you have reached the desired effect. Use wire cutters to cut any loose ends you don't need. You can use leftover thin wire still attached to weaves to hold the swirls in place. 

Cleansing a New Home

For the past couple of weeks I have been so busy moving into my new apartment. I am very happy to finally be settled somewhere new and beautiful. Along the way I have discovered some tips to help me make this home a sacred, peaceful place. When moving into a new home, it is very important to make sure you are filling the home with positive energy that will last. Moving is a big transition, so tension and stress can be high. These are the kinds of energies you want away from your new space. Below are some steps that are very important to take in creating your new sacred, loving environment. 

1. Detach 

One of the most important steps to moving is letting go of the things you no longer need. This step was so hard for me, but I had excellent help. A lot of things hold memories, but no purpose. Sometimes it is best to let those memories go. This allows you to detach, de-clutter, and move on. There's no better way to start fresh in a new place. Detachment is good for the soul because it reminds us that what we think we need is really all just an illusion. Leaving material items behind also helps ego get left behind. Certain attached, addicted, or dependent parts of us will be thrown away, too. 

2. Smudging

Cedar

Smudging is an ancient Shamanic and Native tradition used to attract or repel the good or bad. You can find smudge sticks at metaphysical shops, farmers markets, natural food stores, etc. Sage is usually what is recommended because it repels any negative energy, including spirits or thoughts. When moving into a new place, you may or may not know what energies are tied into the house already. Moving can also be very stressful so negativity may be absorbed upon your arrival. To perform a smudging ritual, light the end of the smudge stick and hold over an abalone dish (if you don't have one, a regular bowl will work fine.) Make sure there are windows open. Start at the beginning of the house and work your way around. Each room you should be affirming peace, protection, positivity, and whatever else you would like to attract in your new home. When finished, end where you started and put out the smudge stick. If the light goes out on its own, you will need to cleanse that room for a longer period of time. There are many other smudges you can use instead of or in addition to sage. For example, I used a Cedar Smudge the day after the sage. Cedar is used traditionally when moving into a new house because it attracts good energy for new beginnings. You can also use lavendar, sweetgrass, rosemary, etc for relaxation, hope, or whatever you are trying to manifest. 

Sage 

3. Grids

I know I've previously written about gridding a house with Selenite. This is such an important step to protecting a home. Selenite cleanses an area, just as sage does. The idea of the grid is to place Selenite in the four main corners of your home. This will ward off negative energy and keep the home at peace. Selenite calls upon the angels to protect the home. Black Tourmaline is another crystal that can be used in a grid. It works as a shield of any harm or negative energy. Whatever it is you are trying to manifest, you can use the corresponding crystal to grid your home with. If you are trying to bring love into the home, place Rose Quartz in the four main corners. If you are trying to manifest happiness and abundance, Citrine is best to use. By adding a crystal to each corner of the home, you are creating a force field of energy that will help attract the energy you desire. 

4. Life 

Last but not least, adding a bit of life to a home is a great way to create a positive environment. Bringing the earth inside of your home will help promote grounding and peace. Not only are plants beneficial to the spirit, but they can help freshen the air, make it easier to breathe, reduce stress, and induce motivation. Fill your empty spaces up with plants and you will see the affects of bringing life inside. 

How to Relax Using Crystals

After a long day, in the middle of a difficult day, before you go to sleep, or before you start your day, it is an excellent idea to put aside ten-twenty minutes to heal your nerves and ease your mind. Whether it's stress, migraines, a racing heartbeat, or worried thoughts - there are crystals that can help you overcome what you are feeling. When you lose your relaxed state, you lose your control. When you lose your control, you give up your power and strength to ego. Sometimes it's hard not to lose your control and your peace of mind. To reenter the state of relaxation and control, however, is easy. 

For Headaches: 

I was able to heal my migraines with this Lapis Lazuli stone. Amazing!

Amethyst, Sodalite, and Lapis Lazuli are my favorite crystals to use for headaches and migraines. There are two quick ways to relieve headaches using one of these three crystals. If you are able to lie down for ten minutes, simply lay comfortably with your arms flat to your sides. Place the crystal of your choice on your forehead (or on your third eye chakra) or hold it in your hands. Close your eyes and take deep breaths - in through your nose, out through your mouth. Your focus should remain on your breathing and on the warm, vibrating energy of the crystal's contact with your skin. Inhale positive energy, exhale negativity. Inhale peace, exhale stress and worry. Inhale serenity, exhale pain. If you are unable to lie down, simply sit with straight posture and do the same. 

For Grounding: 

Source: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/mountain-pose/

When the feeling that you are losing all control strikes, you are in dire need of grounding. Some other symptoms include feeling tired or drained, overstimulated and jittery, feeling floaty, misplacing things or being clumsy, feeling like you are stuck in an out of body experience, or not being able to keep track of important things or conversations. Some excellent crystals to use to solve this problem are Smokey Quartz, Black Tourmaline, or Kyanite. Feeling like you are not grounded comes from your root and earth star chakras. Your root chakra is located at the base of your spine and your earth star chakras are located at your feet. The best way to ground yourself and gain back your control is to stand barefoot - especially outside in the grass if you are able to - and hold the smokey quartz in your hand. The way you should be standing is known as "Tadasana" for yogi's. This pose is powerful to practice because it is a helpful way to regain power within itself. You stand tall with your feet apart and arms next to you with your palms facing outward. Wear or hold the crystal you are using. This will center you spiritually and ground you with the Earth. If you are unable to go outside or stand, you can sit upright with your feet touching the floor and take deep breaths holding the crystal you are using. Imagine what is below you - the floor, the grass, the dirt, the earth, all the way deep down to Earth's oldest layers. Now picture the energy from those oldest layers all the way up sending life and vitality all the way up from your toes, through your body, and beaming out of your crown chakra into the sky and then to the galaxy. You are one with the Earth. You are safe. Everything you need is provided for you. 

For Frustration: 

Labradorite (left) and Lepidolite (right) are great crystals for restoring inner peace. The colorful sheen Labradorite offers is enough to distract your mind from all frustration. 

Frustration can be painful - when everything around you is not going as you wish it would. This type of feeling can be caused by people, work, life at home, etc. Some great crystals to use for this are labradorite, moonstone, and lepidolite. Labradorite and Moonstone are especially good for when people bring you down. These are two crystals that protect against energy vampires and will raise you to your higher consciousness - allowing only light and wisdom in and out. Lepidolite is better for stressful situations you may be faced with because it eases transitions. All three of these crystals are excellent stress relievers. The best way to use them is to sit or lie down holding them in your hand. Breathe deeply. Think of what is stressing you out. Channel this into the crystal you are holding and allow the crystal to channel it's energies into you. Remind yourself that other people and events are beyond your control and you should not allow those types of things to frustrate you. Affirm that everything has a way of working itself out. Allow the light of the piece of Earth you are holding to wash away your worries and restore you with the positive, calm energy you need. 

For Worry and Panic: 

Here I hold two Uruguayan Amethysts. The deep purple crystals put me in such a trance. 

Blue Calcite, Carnelian, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Blue Lace Agate, and Aquamarine are the best crystals to use to relax during this kind of trouble. Worry and panic originate in the mind, and can easily be fixed by a change in thought. However, it is very difficult to retrieve thoughts once they slip into the egoic realm of negativity. After the mind is dominated by negativity, other parts of the body can very easily be altered and brought into a terrible state. Blue Calcite can specifically be used to relax the mind and the heart rate. Carnelian is best used to calm scattered thoughts or brain chatter that is not benefiting you and to keep your mind focused on proper action that needs to be taken. Amethyst and Rose Quartz can be used to relieve the mind of negative, worried thoughts and bring your heart and spirit back to a peaceful state. Blue Lace Agate and Aquamarine can be used to relax the mind and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. When you realize you are beginning to worry and panic, and it is too late to create a positive reality for yourself - try this technique. 

No matter where you are or what you are doing, hold one of the crystals listed above in your hand and focus on it. For this kind of problem, it is not necessary to be seated, lying down, or standing - though it may help to physically be relaxed. Close your eyes and bring your attention to the crystal in your hands. Breathe in and out deeply as you feel the crystal vibrate in your hands. Feel the warmth of the crystal spread through your hands. Let the energy of the crystal wipe away any worry in you heart or in your mind. Remind yourself that you are safe, happy, and healthy. 

Four Crystals Every Empowered Woman Needs

Empowered women are strong, tough, and dedicated. They support and help each other. They are not jealous or greedy. They are smart and wise. They are politicians, teachers, entrepreneurs, mothers. They are caring, loving, passionate, and gentle. They know what is best for themselves and those around them. They nurture the things they care most about. They are fearless and that makes them flawless. These are the kind of people that are beaming with light, and therefore many negative energies are drawn to that light. In order to nurture oneself, protect oneself, and remain empowered - these crystals may be vital! 

1. Chrysocolla - 

Chrysocolla is my first recommendation to every empowered woman for several reasons. This stone is the essence of empowerment, expression, and teaching. It gives us the ability to to dig deep into our painful experiences and teach others through sharing what we learned. It allows us to be open and expressive. It also allows us to heal the heart by letting those painful experiences serve as lessons not only to others, but to ourselves; this allows us to reopen our hearts and allow for new experiences. Chrysocolla is also great for relieving premenstrual symptoms and cramps for those days when Mother Nature is totally not cooperating with us! It is great for women expecting a child, women who just gave birth to a child, and women who's grandchildren or great-grandchildren just entered the world because it helps relieve anxieties in order to fulfill their new caregiver role. It builds confidence, insight, and the ability to encourage others. You can find the pendant in the picture here! 

2. Rainbow Moonstone

These are specimens from one of my favorite shops on etsy, TheMagickWizard. Rainbow Moonstone resonates with the Goddess energy, the deep feminine energy that stirs deep within us all. This stone helps women resonate with the spiritual wonders of the moon that help us recognize how powerful we really are. This crystal helps us realize what we are capable of as fearless, empowered women. It teaches women confidence and serenity, to soothe the anger and aggression they may have within. By helping women resonate with the moon, it helps them become less sensitive to the full or new moon. This means they will sleep better, feel better, and express themselves better during these times. 

3. Red Coral 

Red Coral is an obvious pick. It is known as the "Women's Crystal" or "The Blood of Mother Earth" because it helps women become harmonious with the elements. For anyone who feels fatigued, tired all the time, out of their body or out of control, Red Coral would be great to wear or carry because it helps us become grounded to the Earth. It revives passion and drive within us all - some of the key elements that make us empowered women! Red Coral can also be used for menstruation and fertility. It can also help restore tissues in the reproductive organs. You can find this gorgeous bracelet here. 

4. Rose Quartz

This pendant is from my new Summer Solstice Line on my etsy shop. Rose Quartz is perhaps my favorite stone for the heart & higher heart chakras. It brings such a loving energy - perfect to help heal any woman. This crystal is excellent for helping women see the beauty in everything, especially themselves. One thing that makes an empowered woman empowered is the fact that they do not put other women or themselves down, in fact they nurture themselves and each other to help find beauty. This is a stone of confidence, high self-esteem, and forgiveness. This stone is also a powerful aphrodisiac, allowing women to give and receive love in each and every sense. It helps us get in tune with our sexuality and our sensual side. This allows us to connect with ourselves, our hearts, and the highest feelings of love and passion. Among all these things, it can help women who are have not found their fiery, passionate, strong sides. It helps awaken our love of self and forgiveness of self. It relieves guilt, trauma, worry, jealousy, and all other negative emotions that hold us back. 

Summer Solstice Collection

Ahh Summer Solstice – the first day of summer; a time to celebrate the sun as it rises in the Northeast, hits directly over the Tropic of Cancer, and sets in the Northwest. On this day the sun stays out longer, supercharging our fiery, passionate aspects. During the week before and following the Solstice, our bodies undergo a cleansing period. Our physical bodies undergo detoxification, our minds will be clear and receptive to information from Spirit, and our emotional pain releases to help us heal. During this time we are aligned with what is best for us. It is a time of healing, clarity, manifestation, forgiveness, and opportunity. It is a time to look at what causes us pain and let go of those toxic emotions, grudges, relationships, or patterns.

My rising sign is Cancer so I am very sensitive to the Summer Solstice. This day fills me with vitality and passion. I transformed this energy toward the one thing I always manifest, my healing crystals. I have used this time of clarity and creation to visualize a few pendants that remind me of summer. There is a pendant for each chakra and each one has its own story. However, they all have in common the clarifying, passionate, healing, and aligning properties of Summer Solstice and the energy I have from this day.

These pendants are for the ones who are held back by judgment. These pendants are for the ones trying to find their spirit and work out of ego. They are for ones who have been harmed by others and are looking to recover. They are for the ones who feel powerless or disconnected. These pendants will help those who get discouraged manifest and have trust in the universe. These pendants will help those who feel stuck receive information from universe on what their next move should be. These pendants are for those who often repress their emotions or hold on to emotions. These pendants will help you release. They will help you love. They will help you surrender to all that is and all that will be. They resemble trust, freeing of the mind and of the heart, and forgiveness. They resemble vitality, life, and creation.