Glass Jewels

I have long been obsessed with ancient Roman glass and finally have put my own hand and eye to the creation of some special designs. Sterling silver and precious metal clay accents are a gorgeous touch.


 These ancient fragments are found all over the ancient Roman world, and today the most plentiful sources seem to be Israel and Afghanistan. The glass has been buried for many centuries- some of it even more than 2,000 years. They've been drilled and shaped recently, but retain the gorgeous iridescence that has developed through centuries of chemical reaction to the environment. The climate in the Middle East combines hot temperatures and flash flooding; the centuries of this exposure caused chemical changes in the glass in conjunction with the minerals present in the soil. The iridescence produced is simply stunning, and these shards absolutely become jewels the way they refract the light and change colors.

Ancient Roman Glass and Silver Spirals

Ancient Roman Glass and Gemstones

Ancient Roman Glass and Silver Discs

A New Look

Oh I can't help but be punny sometimes.

Eye of the Dragon Necklace

Cat Eye Crystals

Medieval Hair Stick

The Victorian Seer

Out of the Cauldron

Simmering and stewing, boiling and brewing, some things wicked and wonderful have come.

Mermaid and Swan Fairytale Witch Hat

Midnight Blue Butterflies Witch Hat

Red Roses Silk Witch Hat

All these hats, and more, available at Mermaiden Creations on Etsy!

Of Plumes and Blooms

Gentle and lovely white feather encased in glass.

Iridescent ivory peacock plumes paired with airy champagne-tinged hen feathers, trailing from a sheer taupe rose.

taupe chiffon feathered rose

Graceful curving swan spirals, copper beset with labradorite feathers.

copper swan earrings

Sunlight on the Forest Floor

Goddess of the Hunt, the Forest, the Moon. Virgin of the woods and protectress of the Womb. King-maker, Queen of Witches. Diana, Artemis, tribal maiden...

dark roses in the woods

bright maidens and wreathed,catching beams of sunlight.

The Play of Light

Water Though Frozen by Mermaiden Creations

Our nature does not change by will

In the winter, 'round the ruined mill

The creek is lying, flat and still

It is water though it's frozen

~Joanna Newsom

I was drawn to the energy created by the play of light within stillness and created some earrings which capture what it was that intrigued me. 

You Remain Ageless by Mermaiden Creations

Maiden. Mother. Crone.

I am she who has no name

and a thousand names.

I am the Virgin,and the unicorn

sleeps in my lap; the crescent moon

bends to my bowstring.

This is my sacred grove,

my maiden bower.

Here I hunt the deathless quarry,

Here I run the restless race,

Here you may glimpse my foot

and dance with my shadow.

Here you may dream.

I am she who has no face
and a thousand faces.
I am the Mother, and my belly
is big with the moon, live
with the fishes of the sea.
This is my grove, my sacred grove,
my birthing bed.
Here I ride the stag into dawn,
Here I blossom to the bee,
Here  you may drench yourself in my dew
and bathe in a fountain of milk.
Here you may drink.

I am she who has no secret
and a thousand secrets.
I am the Crone, and the snake
coils round my arm; the sickle moon
lies ready to hand.
This is my grove,my sacred grove,
my burial chamber.
Here I gather my harvest,
Here I draw down the darkness,
here you may seek me or seek to escape
and still find my gates.
Here you may die.

Invocation by Elizabeth Cunningham

Adornments by Mermaiden Creations

It Has Sprung!

A Slight Blue Feather by Mermaiden Creations




i have found what you are like

the rain

             (Who feathers frightened fields

with the superior dust-of-sleep. wields

easily the pale club of the wind

and swirled justly souls of flower strike

the air in utterable coolness

deeds of gren thrilling light

                                        with thinned

newfragile yellows

                           lurch and.press

--in the woods

                        which

                                  stutter

                                           and

                                                 sing

And the coolness of your smile is

stirringofbirds between my arms;but

i should rather than anything

have(almost when hugeness will shut

quietly)almost,

                      your kiss

e.e. cummings



Perfectly Periwinkle Feather Pendant by Mermaiden Creations

Let There Be Snakes

Snakes on Paddy's Day?
Oh, indeed.
And a wee something green or two...

Copper Snake Skin Earrings at Mermaiden Creations

Key to the Emerald City at Mermaiden Creations

Dragon Clan Amulet at Mermaiden Creations

Glowing Absinthe Rose Clip at Mermaiden Creations

Fairy Tale Forest

Something's make me wander. Soft woods. Delicate blossoms against rough bark. Filtered light, just so...

Forest Rose Fairy Tale Earrings

Forest Rose Fairy Tale Ring, from my private collection

Dusky Blue Rose Hair Clip

A Silver Bee

Bee Spiral  Fine Silver Necklace

Like trains of cars on tracks of plush

I hear the level bee:
A jar across the flowers goes,
Their velvet masonry

Withstands until the sweet assault
Their chivalry consumes,
While he, victorious, tilts away
To vanquish other blooms.

His feet are shod with gauze,
His helmet is of gold;
His breast, a single onyx
With chrysoprase, inlaid.

His labor is a chant,
His idleness a tune;
Oh, for a bee's experience
Of clovers and of noon!

The Bee, by Emily Dickinson

Douce, N'est-ce pas?

Caught up in the sweet romance February brings...

Rose Essence. I kept this for myself! I couldn't resist; precious metal clay bouquet with pink mystic quartz like drops of rosewater, strung on antique mauve seed beads and closes with a ruby and rhodochrosite clasp.

Rosebud Earrings with pink andalusite

Beloved Amethyst Earrings

Questions and Answers

Keys are one of those symbols that speak softly but have much to say. For some, they whisper of mysteries waiting to be unlocked, searching for the right keyhole. For others, they are where one's secrets are coveted and the keeper is the guardian of a great treasure.
What does it mean when you give some a key? Are you bestowing answers, or sending them on a quest?

For me, keys are all the more meaningful the older they are. The wonderment is more amazing and the curiosity deeper.
I have a collection of antique Victorian skeleton keys that date from the late 1800's to the early 1900's, and I am absolutely intrigued by them. Recently it struck me as golden, to pair them with a hoard of seed beads from the same period and I have beaded simple chains for a striking effect.

For your enjoyment and intrigue, may I present Victorian Skeleton Keys, by Mermaiden Creations...

The Magic Three

Antique Allure

Often Offbeat

Well, today I have more sharing to do. Of stuffs and baubs, a divulgence of a thing or two.

Girls Prefer Skulls by MermaidenCreations

I'm not-so-good at the blog award thing, and never play by rules as they've been written or requested. But in appreciation of my FAE friend Aquariann and the kind way she has turned her thoughts toward me, I thought I would show you my favorite work of art by her.

And to partially play along, I will let you all in on my most favoritest fragrance in all the world. This is a smell that when I first breathed it in, I was transported. To another somewhen or where, I do not know, but I am inexorably commanded by this scent. Labdanum is this most magical and ancient resin, and my favorite form to date is made by none other than Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which is a spectacular must-visit. Event Horizon makes my eyes roll back in my head every time I put it on. If you read the description on this page, you'll see why!
Another perfumer whom I am in awe of without even trying any of her concoctions, is Illuminated Perfume. Roxana loves labdanum...and bees.

And now without further ado, meet Peridot dragon.

Love and Roses

That day is fast approaching. The one where those in new love lavish specialness upon one another, where those lonely for love eat a gallon of ice cream, those bitter from love drink a fifth and crush the blooms on the bush, and those old married lovers buy a blender for the house.

Shall I share some love and roses with you?

My Wooden Heart

Blood Red Rose

Heart's Blood

Valentine's beauties and more at Mermaiden Creations.

Bon Anniversaire Jehanne D'Arc

Perhaps today, January sixth, marks the day of Joan of Arc's birth.

Though scholars are uncertain, I couldn't let the possibility go unremarked upon.

In the past I have paid her tribute here, but for today I will leave you with images rather than words.

JW Waterhouse Saint Joan

Medieval Jehanne D'Arc

Millais Joan of Arc

New Territory

I have finally delved into the abundant stash of PMC and sterling silver supplies I have. Yes, I have been hoarding them. For an embarrassingly long time.  I suppose I have been anxious about my skills and ability to do justice to these precious materials, but something in me snapped and I knew it was time to just try.

I am rather well pleased with my first simple attempts. I hope you don't mind me sharing:

Moon and Star Labradorite Moonstone

Ancient Leaves Prehnite

Calla Lilies

Bee Goddess Relics





All these earrings are listed in my shop, Mermaiden Creations.