Featured Etsy Artist

I love to show off the work of the artists on Etsy.  Here is a shop from Portland, Oregon, called Anna Joyce.  I love her creative prints and fabrics.  My favorite is this upcycled hooded jacket.  An early Christmas present?  Hint, hint.

 

From her site:

This is the perfect thing to wear all fall, winter and into spring. These sweatshirts are warm, SOFT, comfortable and most of all flattering. All of my designs are hand cut, hand sewn and made with love just for you in Portland, OR...and we know a good hoodie around these parts. This sweatshirt is a bold and stylish way to be comfortable all season long. Makes a wonderful gift!

 

More about the artist:

Anna Joyce is the owner and designer behind everything in the shop. She is inspired by vintage textiles,playing with pattern, Scandinavian folk art and her two young daughters.

Anna Joyce: Simply Splendid Goods from Portland, OR.

All of our pieces are lovingly handmade from start to finish here in Portland, Oregon.

Designed by Anna Joyce to bring a splash of joy to everyday life, our collections offer fresh pops of color in sweet shapes and exuberant mixes of vintage patterns.

Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces for your home, thoughtful items for the children in your life and appliquéd apparel for you. And because we believe in high-quality craft for every stich and seam, our goods will last through time like a loyal friend.

Because special shouldn’t just be for special occasions.

It’s how life should be all the time: simply splendid.

Gift Wrap with Moondog Treasures

My shop is now offering gift wrap, just in time for the holiday season!  Gift wrap is available for non-beaded necklaces and earrings. Included is a tiny card with a quote from Gandhi, Rumi, or Hafiz. The top lid of the box will have a tulle bow tied around it, so that your jewelry is ready to present as a gift. If you would like a specific quote pictured, please let me know.  Click here for the link to this item in my shop.

Recent feedback for Moondog Treasures:
"As with everything from moondogtreasures, special and beautiful."

 

 

 

I'm the creator behind Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Click here to be added to my monthly newsletter. I send out free stuff and special discounts in my shop to my newsletter subscribers!

Moondog Treasures Now Selling at Yoga Tree Plano

I recently visited with Toni Farris, owner of Yoga Tree in Plano, Texas.  Yoga Tree is the latest yoga studio to be selling my line of yoga jewelry from Moondog Treasures.

 

 

Photo courtesy Virtual Tourist

 Yoga Tree is right in the heart of old town Plano, a sweet area of town with red brick-lined streets and fun locally-owned shops.

Mala Bracelets

Toni welcomed me into her zen-like yoga space.  The yoga room has beautiful aged wood floors and a soft glow from the natural light outside.The boutique has a selection of fun yoga tops, props for your practice and even more unique yoga jewelry.  I'm so glad to be the latest addition to this serene space.

 

 

I'm the creator behind Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

 

Click here to be added to my monthly newsletter. I send out free stuff and special discounts in my shop to my newsletter subscribers!



Malas for Charity in September - Where the Money Goes

Buy a Mala, Help a Cause

Every September since 2008, Moondog Treasures has been donating 54% of the sales of all mala bracelets to charity in honor of The Global Mala, a world-wide yoga event that goes on across the world in late September and raises money for charity
.

 

Where the money has gone

2008 Trees for the Future
2009 Yoga-Recess in Schools 
2010 Gayla's favorite charity to help kids in Peru
2011 American Brain Tumor Association 

The first couple of years, I donated to the charities that www.globalmala.org supported.  The next couple of years, it got personal.

In 2010, my dear friend/co-worker/pregnant-at-the-same-time-as-me sister, Gayla, lost her battle with liposarcoma, a very rare form of cancer.  She spent her last year volunteering in Peru.  My money went there.

Last year my sister's husband was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He lost his battle 8 months later.  My money went to fund research for brain tumors.

Where the money goes this year

This year is full of hope. 54% of the sales of all mala bracelets from my shop will be donated to an effort that I am personally involved in - Yoga Bridge.  Yoga Bridge offers free support for cancer survivors through the practice of yoga, breathwork and meditation. 

A colleague and I co-founded this organization last August and have been working at it ever since.  We co-teach a free Breast Cancer Yoga class weekly at a local hospital, thanks to the support of Foundation 56.  We also run a program of classes and workshops where part of the money collected goes back into a fund to keep the cancer yoga classes free.

54% of all mala bracelets purchased during the week of September 7-14 this year will help pay for free yoga classes for cancer survivors and buy props that we will use in class.

How did this all begin?

I donate in honor of my friends, and in honor of the Global Mala.  My yoga teacher, Shiva Rea, is the original coordinator of this event.   I've gone to California many times to study yoga with her, so this event is very close to my heart.

Click on the pictures below to see more malas (for women and men) from my store or to purchase a mala bracelet.



Malas for Women

Malas for Men

Thank you

A sincere thank you to all who have purchased malas throughout the years and have helped all of these wonderful causes.

------------------------------- 

I'm the creator behind this blog and Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire.

 

Click here if you'd like to be added to my monthly newsletter. I send out special discounts in my shop to my newsletter subscribers!

The Meanings of My 4 Favorite Gemstones

What are your favorite colors?  I love anything blue.  Can colors bring about a certain state of mind?  I believe they can. 

Recently, I've been reading a lot about the properties of gemstones. I use lots of beautiful gemstones when creating the malas and mala bracelets for my shop.  Here are some of my favorites: turquoise, lucky jasper, fossil jasper, quartz, lapis lazuli, and sodalite. 

I've found lots of information online about the meanings of various gemstones.  I'll share here some information from www.yogabasics.com.

1. Jasper is said to bring stabilization and balance, to bring about feelings of joy and to provide sound sleep.  Turquoise Jasper is a protecting and nurturing stone that is said to promote gentleness, tranquility, and healing.
2. Quartz is said to be the universal healing stone, promoting hope, happiness and optimism.  Rose quartz in particular can open the heart chakra to all forms of love and remove fear. 
3. Lapis lazuli is believed to bring about harmony in relationships and release old karmic patterns.
4. Sodalite: Sodalite is known to balance emotional and mental states and to promote intuition and harmony.

Do they work? Here's a comment from one of my customers:  "I love this piece Susan. The earthy Jasper and the fact that it's a mala bracelet make it extra special. I see more purchases in the near future. Thank you!"

Wrist malas, or mala bracelets are a best-seller in my shop. To see my mala collections, click on the following links:

Womens malas

Mens malas

 

Every year during the month of September, Moondog donates 54% of all sales of mala bracelets to charity. I do this in honor of the Global Mala, an incredible annual yoga event that was set into motion in 2007 by Shiva Rea to raise awareness and funds for causes that affect our planet. See www.globalmala.org or www.yogamonth.org for more information.

Shop now at Moondog Treasures.  Click here if you'd like to be added to my monthly newsletter. I send out special discounts in my shop to my newsletter subscribers! 

I'm the creator behind this blog and Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire.

Featured Etsy Artist - Captured Moments

I'm featuring an artist from Texas (my home-state) on my blog today. Her shop is called Captured Moments. I love the shades and textures of the clay she uses. I love even more that her clay comes straight from Texas.  I might have to visit her shop for some new supplies!!

2 Curved bead for bracelets in deep turquoise with a leaf design

From the artist:
I have had my hands in mud since I was a little girl. I can remember as a child digging red clay from the pasture of our country home and making mud pots. I feel blessed to be able to have a small studio space and create beautiful beads and pendants for other creative people to add their own special touches. I love it when a customer sends me a photo of what they did with my work. The neat thing about pottery is that I am in control of the whole process from designing, making, and firing the pieces. I strive to make quality pieces at an affordable price. All my pieces start out as clay that is dug from Texas soil

3 Elongated Oval Beads in Warm Copper Brown

You can check out her blog here:  http://blogforbeads.blogspot.com/

I'm the owner/designer of Moondog Treasures, hand-made jewelry with a prayerful purpose.  Visit my shop at www.moondogtreasures.etsy.com, or contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

You are not Alone - Jewelry that Gives you Strength

Sometimes you need a reminder that things are going to be ok. 

We all have those days when we see a challenge coming. For some people, they are able to find strength or solace in wearing a piece of jewelry that has meaning to them.  For me, it's a necklace.  This necklace contains a tiny blue charm of the Virgin Mary.

For her, there was no choice
When my mother was pregnant with me, there were some difficulties.  A tumor was discovered alongside the baby.  The doctor offered to operate, but my mother didn't want to put the baby at risk.  She decided to carry both the baby and the tumor to term. 

This could not have been an easy pregnancy.  I'm sure that there was a lot of fear and physical discomfort.  Fortunately, it all turned out fine.

My mother tells me that during the pregnancy, a nun that she knew was a great support to her.  When my mom was about to deliver, this nun, Sister Walter Marie, gave her a little blue charm.  She told her that God was looking out for her and the baby.

Mom and me, circa 1965

My mother kept the charm all these years.  When I was older, she gave it to me.  Then I held onto it for many years. 

A meaningful reminder
When I began creating my own jewelry, I decided to make something using this little "good luck" charm.  Now, whenever I need a little boost, whenever I need to feel as if I'm being watched over, I'll wear it.  It's not even my best work, but reminds me not to take anything for granted.  It reminds me that I'm blessed.




How about you? 
Do you have a "good luck" charm? Please comment below if you'd like to share.

• Is it an heirloom? 
• A gift? 
• Something expensive?  Or inexpensive, yet worth its weight in gold?
• Does it contain a specific gemstone? Or an image that serves to remind you of something?

One of my goals with Moondog Treasures is to create meaningful jewelry.  In my next post, I'll share some of the stories my customers have shared with me.

Making my own tools for PMC

"Necessity is the mother of invention", right?  I've been wanting to create pmc (precious metal clay) pendants with Sanskrit symbols on them for my jewelry shop.  Tough to find!  So, I'm making my own stamp.

Here's the first one.  The Sanskrit symbol for karma.  I carved it from an eraser.

Check out the tools in this pic.  Looks like I'm getting ready to operate!

For information on PMC, click on this link.

View some items from Moondog Treasures' Sanskrit Collection here.

See something you like? Shop online now at Moondog Treasures. Questions? Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

The Right Place at the Right Time

Success at the Jewelry Trunk Show last Saturday! Moondog Treasures has definitely found its niche - yoga studios. At Move Studio in North Dallas, the customers kept coming. In between classes, they would stop by my table and pick out a little something for a friend, or for themselves! 






These items were the best-sellers:

PMC precious silver necklaces from The Sanskrit Collection:

Yoga Wrap Bracelets:

Womens Mala Bracelets:

See something you like? Shop online now at Moondog Treasures. Questions? Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Preparing for a Trunk Show

Moondog's Yoga Jewelry Trunk Show

Move Studio in North Dallas

Saturday, April 28  1:00-4:00

I've been setting things up in my living room for a trial run. 

Here is a sneak preview...

Yoga Wrap Bracelets/Necklaces

Precious silver pendants from The Sanskrit Collection

Options for custom pendants

Full Malas

Wrist malas for Women and Men

See you there!!

See something you like?  Shop online now at Moondog Treasures. Questions? Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

How to Use a Mala

Full 108 mala with white jasper gemstone and sterling om drop

      Malas are beautiful.  A strand of beads, all the same size, and one larger bead, or tassle, at the end.  The word mala in Sanskrit means "garland".  A mala is a set of beads often used by Hindus and Buddhists during prayer.  Malas are usually made from 108 beads or some smaller number, usually divisible by 9.  Malas are used for keeping count while praying, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra or the name or names of a deity.


     In the Hindu tradition, the mala is held with the right hand, using the thumb to move from one bead to the next, with the mala resting on the third finger. The larger bead on a mala is called the guru bead.  Counting begins with the bead next to it.  If more than one round of japa is practiced, the person stops at the guru bead and goes back in the other direction.  This way the guru bead is not skipped over by the hand.


     Wrist malas, or mala bracelets are a best-seller in my shop.  To see my mala collections, click on the following links:

Full 108 malas

Womens malas

Mens malas

   Every year during the month of September, Moondog donates 54% of all sales of mala bracelets to charity. She does this in honor of the Global Mala, an incredible annual yoga event that was set into motion in 2007 by Shiva Rea to raise awareness and funds for causes that affect our planet. See www.globalmala.org or www.yogamonth.org for more information.

    Shop now at Moondog Treasures.  Questions?  Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

What is a mala?

I sell malas and mala bracelets in my shop and I often get asked the questions, "What is a mala?" and "How do I use a mala?" Full malas remind me of the rosaries that I use as part of my Catholic faith. For each bead, a prayer is said. A mala is a set of 108 beads. Each bead stands for a mantra, a word, or a prayer.  Repeating prayers on a rosary can be very meditative.  The repetition of mantras on the beads of a mala is a form of meditation as well.

Full 108 mala with jasper gemstone and rudraksha bead

 

Mens' mala bracelet with earth jasper and wood

It is traditional of Tibetan Buddhism to recite mantras 108 times. Many malas have 108 beads, or are also made smaller but are divided into 108 to come up with 27 and 54 bead malas. The mens' mala bracelet above contains 27 beads. 

 

Mala gift box with scroll

Each mala from Moondog Treasures comes in a gift box with an explanation of a mala rolled into a tiny scroll.

To see my mala collections, click on the following links:

Full 108 malas

Womens malas

Mens malas

Every year during the month of September, Moondog donates 54% of all sales of mala bracelets to charity. She does this in honor of the Global Mala, an incredible annual yoga event that was set into motion in 2007 by Shiva Rea to raise awareness and funds for causes that affect our planet. See www.globalmala.org or www.yogamonth.org for more information. 

I'm the creator behind this blog and Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Coming soon:  What do the different gemstones represent on a mala?  Why the number 108?

Featured Etsy Artist - Danita Art

Today's featured Etsy Artist is Danita Art.  She is an artist who offers Original Paintings, Collages, Mixed Media Creations, Original Art Dolls, Soft Sculpture Plush Dolls, ACEO Cards, Giclee Prints and Fiber Art.  The piece below is called "Love at Home", perfect for Valentine's Day.  It's a giclee reproduction mounted on wood block .

I first noticed Danita's Etsy site while doing a search for Frida Kahlo, one of my favorite artists. Click here for a sample of Danita's Frida art.

From the artist:
"My name is Danita, I am a self taught Mixed Media Artist and maker of things.  Art is my gateway. When I create, I travel to a word where everything is possible.... It keeps me sane in a crazy world that spins faster than my head can....

This peaceful wonderland is dying to escape into our reality, and it does it through my art.... Every time you look at my paintings, you leave a comment or you take one home, you share a piece of that dreamworld with me.  And I thank you for it, deeply, from the bottom of my heart. Because you let me know that a dreamer can dream, and that my dream is not that crazy after all."

For more Danita, see
Her blog: http://www.danitaart.com
Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/danitaart
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DanitaArt

I'm the creator of this blog and of  Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Featured Etsy Artist

Today's featured Etsy artist is ILaBoom, from Greece.  She specializes in hand-made shadow boxes frames, light boxes, pedestals and vintage inspired paper goods.  Here is an item from her shop that caught my eye:

Le petit bonheur- hand-made light box

"Le petit bonheur" means "small happiness".  I love this sentiment.  It's so important for all of us to find happiness in the small things.

From the artist:  "I am Tatiana and I love making stuff that are inspired by nature, recycling, simple things and vintage childhood. Cute shadow boxes, nostalgic light box displays, pedestals, frames are some of my creations. Paper is my favorite material and I like to find ways to use it in everything I make.

I live in a small cycladic island, Antiparos, seeking ways of raising my biotic level and come closer to nature. I love life here and especially wake up everyday and look at the Aegean sea calms me down and gives me all the inspiration I need. My dream is to open a small shop in Antiparos someday to sell all my pieces and organize events like weddings and baptisms."

Wishing Tatiana the best of luck in her endeavors!  Here are links to her blogs:
http://craftingtheday.blogspot.com/
http://laboomeria.blogspot.com/

For another great Etsy featured artist, click here.

I'm the creator behind this blog and Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Yoga in Deep Ellum

I recently took a field trip to a unique part of Dallas with lots of history: Deep Ellum. My reason for the trip from the suburbs into the big downtown was to visit with Jessica Jordan, owner of Super Yoga Palace.  I brought some pieces from Moondog Treasures' yoga jewelry collection to show her.

Jessica is a person with a vision similar to mine:  to create a community of yogis in her neighborhood and to provide a space for them to practice yoga that doesn't break the bank.  I like Jessica.  Here are a few photos I took around the street near her studio.  I peeked inside, but didn't take pics because a class was in progress.  Trust me, it's warm and inviting inside.

Caring for the environment is also important to Jessica.  From her web-site:  "Super Yoga Palace is kind to the Earth and encourages those who practice here to be so as well. Green products and recycled materials were used to create the studio space, plants throughout filter the air, and recycled, sanitized yoga mats are available if you are in need."

I'm happy to say that she'll be offering some of the eco-friendly pieces (recycled Indian coins and sari fabric, recycled precious silver) from my yoga collection on her site and in her studio.

Loved this mural.  Go Mavs!!  Winners of NBA championship 2011!

And here are some of the items that Jessica chose to showcase at her studio.

Recycled Indian coins on dyed silk ribbons

Recycled PMC (precious silver)
om and lotus pendants on sterling chain.

I'm the creator behind Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.

Building a photography light box

New year...new adventures.  Yesterday I decided it was time to get more professional with the photos for my etsy shop. I found inspiration from this site, WikiHow.

So, here it is in all its glory...

Finished project.  Ready for the camera. 

A display board for science projects.
I bought this because it is already lined white on the inside.

I scavenged the house for products that matched the list online, then I headed to Lowe's for the rest.

I cut the board to make it into a box, then cut
one inch borders around 3 sides and the top lid
for the parchment paper.  See finished product below.

Lamps with clips, from Lowe's.  Thanks to hubby
for help in finding these.  Bright halogen bulbs.

Voila!  The finished product.  The openings in the sides and top are taped with
parchment paper.  More white to brighten up the photos.  The lamps are attached to
the sides and top for white light all around.  I'm still using the maps as background.

Here's how the first photo turned out. I'm liking it, but it still needs some work. 
I'm going to play around with the angles of the lights...

I'm the creator behind Moondog Treasures: yoga jewelry for women and men, mala bracelets, Sanskrit mantra necklaces, and wire-wrapped beaded crosses. I use this blog to share what I do and to feature other talented Etsy artists whose work I admire. Contact me at moondogtreasures@live.com.