Introducing Garden Gals!

After many weeks of preparation, I am excited to introduce to you a new line of jewelry called "Garden Gals"!!

Perfect for the gardening enthusiast or anyone who loves flowers, gardening or nature, these earrings are made of lead-free pewter (made in the USA) and are on sterlng silver ear wires. With 16 designs to choose from (including butterflies, frogs, flowers, watering cans, garden hats and tools and more) there's something for everyone! They're not yet available in garden stores and gift shops, but they are available on my website: www.gardengalsjewelry.com. The retail price is $14.00 per pair. I'd love to know what you think, so please leave a comment!

Here are the designs (click on the photo to enlarge to see detail):

Jasper Brings Peace

Jasper is an opaque and fine grained variety of Chalcedony. It is found in all colors including: red, brown, pink, yellow, green, grey/white and shades of blue and purple.

Jasper is protective, it brings peace and well being and gives insight. It can align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies, it is stabilizing and healing. Medicinal values were long attributed to jasper, including a belief that wearing it strengthened the stomach. Jasper was also believed to cure gynecological problems.

Legend says that Jasper would drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. In the fourth century, it was thought to bring about the rain.

Whether this is true today, I can't guarantee. However, if you wear a lovely piece of jewelry made from jasper I can promise you will enjoy the compliments! To see this necklace (this jasper was mined in nearby Auburn, California) and other quality jewelry, please visit www.madisondjewelry.com.

And have a Happy Easter!

Ruby - for the Royal at Heart

Known as a gemstone of nobles, July's birthstone Ruby brings freedom, passion and vitality. Possessing the Camelot-inspired properies of devotion, love, strength, honor, wealth, determination and leadership makes this stone a good choice for the royal at heart. The Ruby protects against negativity and helps relieve physical ailments. The brilliant cut Ruby (right) can be very expensive. The rough Ruby (as pictured in the pendant on the pearls) is much less expensive, yet very beautiful. To see this necklace, go to www.madisondjewelry.com.

Wear Pearls to Enhance Your Integrity (and look beautiful doing it!)

Pearls -- whether they are cultured, Tahitian or fresh water variety, are said to enhance personal integrity. Pearls promote sincerity, truth and loyalty. They also bring wisdom, safety and love to the wearer. Pearls and soothing, calming, yet focuses attention on the wearer. Pearls come in many shapes, sizes and colors. To see more examples of pearls in jewelry, visit www.madisondjewelry.com.

Get your creative juices flowing with Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli, often called simply "Lapis", is a popular deep blue gem stone. Lapis is versatile -- you can wear it with blue jeans or an evening gown. Folklore says Lapis brings peace and clarity of the mind. It's the stone of wisdom, knowledge, perfection, protection and creative expression. To see this lapis necklace (and other designs), go to www.madisondjewelry.com.

Turquoise, the Friendship Stone

Feeling guilty for something you did to a friend? You might consider gifting them with something made with turquoise. Turquoise is known as the friendship stone. Ranging in color from bright aqua blue, to green, to yellow and even white, turquoise relieves guilt, and brings peace of mind. Also credited with creating spirital attunement, strength and a sense of "grounding", turquoise is also thought to be protective. Whether you believe the folklore or not, you probably agree that turquoise is beautiful. (Be careful when shopping for turquoise, as sometimes what looks like turquoise is really Howlite.) Buy turquoise from people you know and trust (like Madison Designs Jewelry). To order this turquoise and cinnabar necklace, visit www. madisondjewelry.com.

The Gemstone Garnet

Want to bring more peace and sexual desire into your life? Wear (or give) something made with the deep red colored Garnet. Also called the "truth stone", garnet inspires love, commitment, devotion, stability and order. It's said to also create an even flow of energy. Who couldn't use more of that? Perfect for Valentine's Day!

You can find beautiful jewelry handmade with garnets (like these garnet and heart earrings) at http://www.madisondjewelry.com/.

Happy Valentine's Day!!