Friday, June 3, 2011

How to: Barefoot Sandals – Amphitrite’s Regalia Collection

These Sandals are great for occasions when shoes are not required.  They are very popular for beach weddings, going to the lake, or chillin’ by the pool.  You can also wear them with your favorite sandals or flats to give them a bit of flair.   They are also sometimes called Barefoot Thongs, Bottomless Sandals, Slave Sandals, and Soleless Sandals. 

I wear a size 8 shoe.  You may need to adjust the number of beads used based on whether your foot is larger or smaller than mine.

Okay!  Let’s get started with the tutorial.  Forgive the blurry pictures, I need a new camera :\

Basic Design
Difficulty:  Intermediate

Tools and Materials Needed:

1.    Round Nose Pliers
2.    Chain Nose Pliers
3.    Flush Cutters (Wire Cutters)
4.    Fabric Measuring Tape
5.    Two 3” Piece of Chain
6.    Six 1” pieces of Chain
7.    Four 2” Pieces of Chain
8.    20 Gauge Wire
9.    Eight Silver Ring Beads
10. Sixteen Blue Circular Beads (Make sure they Fit in the Center of your Ring Beads)
11. Thirty White Seed Beads (Size 6/0 or “E”)
12. Four Jump Rings—Open (Mine had an inner diameter of 6mm)
13. Two Lobster Clasps
14. Twp pieces of Thread or String

STEP ONE:  MEASURE YOUR FOOT

Using your Fabric Measuring Tape, take the following two measurements.

 Measurement 1:  From the Base of your 2nd toe to where your foot meets your leg. (Mine was 4.5”)

Measurement 2: Around the Ankle (Mine was 9.5”)

STEP TWO:  MAKE THE PIECE FOR YOUR ANKLE
Step 2 Part B

a.    Cut four 3” pieces of your 20 Gauge Wire

b.    Using one piece of the wire, make a wrapped loop through one of the 2” pieces of chain. 

c.    Thread on a Seed Bead, then a Round Bead, Then another Seed Bead. (Hereon referred to as a “Link”)

d.    Make a wrapped loop at the other end through a 1” piece of chain.
Step 2 Part D






e.    Using another piece of wire, make another wrapped loop through the end of Chain.

f.     Make A Link.  Attach a 1“piece of chain through the other end.

g.    Repeat Steps E and F

h.    Make a Link.  This time, attach a 2” piece of chain at the end.
Now, you should have 2” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 1” Chain, Link, 2” Chain.


i.      Do not attach the clasp just yet.

j.      Fold the finished piece in Half and tie a piece of string around it to mark the halfway point.

k.    The ankle piece at this point should be larger than your Measurement #2.

      
Semi-Finished Ankle Piece-- Step 2 Part J
  • SET THE PIECE ASIDE

STEP THREE:  MAKE THE PIECE THAT GOES ON YOUR FOOT

a.    Cut a piece of wire that is Three inches longer than your Measurement #1.

Step 3 Part B
b.    Make a wrapped loop through Both ends of one of the 3” pieces of chain. 
 

So, the chain will make a loop.  Please note that if you are planning to do vigorous activities, such as running, while wearing your sandals, I strongly suggest using some elastic instead of chain for this toe loop.

c.    Straighten the wire with your fingers.

d.    Onto the wire, thread one seed bead.

e.    Now, put one of your Round beads inside of one of your ring beads and thread the wire through both. (A “Combo”)
Combo Bead

 f.     Thread another Seed Bead, then a Combo, a Seed, Combo, Seed, Combo, Seed.
 


 






So, you should have five seed beads and four combo beads on your wire.  With the toe loop, it should be about an inch longer than your Measurement #1.



 STEP FOUR:  COMBINE THE PIECES

Step Four








a.    Now, take your foot piece and your ankle piece and combine the two by making a wrapped loop with the foot piece through the center of your ankle piece (remember you had that marked with thread?).


STEP FIVE:  ADD THE CLASP

a.    Thread a seed bead onto a jump ring, then add the lobster clasp – attach to one end of your ankle piece.

b.    At this point you’ll want to try on your sandal.  Make sure your point your toes while trying it on so that you will be able to walk in them.

c.    Thread a seed bead onto another jump ring and attach it to your ankle piece where it is the most comfortably enclosed.  Trim any excess chain from the end (Unless you want to keep it for decoration).


  The ankle piece will end up measuring about 1" larger than your Measurement #2.


STEP SIX:  MAKE THE OTHER SANDAL
a.     
Repeat Steps 2 – 5


YOU’LL END UP WITH A PAIR OF VERY ELABORATE, BEAUTIFUL, BAREFOOT SANDALS.




Thursday, June 2, 2011

Stones and Their Powers

Ever feeling in a certain mood?  Or perhaps like you need a little boost in some aspect of your life?  Some people believe that the type of stone they wear in their jewelry will enhance an emotion, situation, power, or aspect of their lives.  Each stone has unique properties that will help with different things like luck, romance, happiness, memory, leadership and many others.   

The following is a list of some stones and their properties.  

Agate

Agate – Strength, Love, Courage, Longevity, Love, Healing, Protection, Insomnia (White Agate), Warding off the “Evil Eye”
 




Amazonite


Amazonite – Truth, Honor, Love, Confidence, Sincerity, Stress, Exhaustion, Happy Marriages

 
Amber




 Amber – Luck, Healing, Strength, Protection, Love, Creativity, Acceptance, Self Confidence, Fertility, Mental Clarity








Amethyst



Amethyst – Spirituality, Causes the Wearer to be Gentle and Amiable, Sobriety, Calmness, Clarity, Intuitive, Eases Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, Detoxifier, Stress, Protection, Repels Evil, Cleanses, Psychic Ability


Angelite





 Angelite – Promotes Weight Loss, Telepathic Communication, Anger, Inner Peace and Tranquility






Apatite


Apatite – Promotes Weight Loss, Suppresses Appetite, Self-Acceptance, Balance, Healing, Seeing Truth, Acceptance of Others, Communicating, Teaching, Humanitarian Service, Creativity



Aquamarine


  
Aquamarine – Courage, Serenity, Learning Ability and Intellect, Depression, Communication Skills, Humanitarian Service, Strength, Success, Tranquility, Harmony, Friendship, Trust, Self-Awareness




Aventurine



Aventurine – Abundance, Wealth, Opportunity, Healing, Luck, Stress, Tension, Leadership, Decision Making, Emotional Pain, Energy, Balance, Business, Decisiveness


Azurite


 Azurite – Meditation, Communication, Transformation, Accepting Change, Insight, Intuition, Psychic Ability, Mental Control, Anxiety, Self-Discipline, Healing, Depression, Anger, Detoxifies


Beryl





Beryl – Persistence, Charity, Thoughtfulness, Wisdom, Clarity
 



Bloodstone

Bloodstone – Heroism, Courage, Protection, Intense Healing, Love, Relationships, Friendship, Faith






Carnelian



Carnelian – Peace, Harmony, Depression, Healing, Ambition, Drive, Sensuality, Decision-Making, Focus, Realization, Self-Actualization, Acceptance, Success, Confidence, Positivity, Energy, Sexuality, Health




Chalcedony
  



Chalcedony -- relieve depression, fear, hysteria, touchiness

Charoite








Charoite – Spirituality, Power, Wisdom, Transformation, Acceptance, Love, Understanding, Serenity, Forgiveness, Tolerance, Insomnia
Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla – Affirmation, Love, Understanding, Stability, Peace, Prosperity, Luck, Thought, Patience, Helps with Asthma



Chrysoprase






Chrysoprase – Strength, Enthusiasm, Communication






Citrine
Citrine – Prevents Nightmares, Protection, Psychic Ability, Protection from Snake Venom and Evil Thoughts, Success, Communication, Joy, Optimism, Transforms Negative Energy
Coral








Coral – Wards off Evil Spirits, Fears, Tensions, Breathing






Crystal Quartz


Crystal Quartz – Healing, Wisdom, Harmony, Clarity, Positivity, Detoxifying



Diamond







Diamond – Divinity, Luck, Wealth, Power, Eternity, Love


 

Dumortierite



 Dumortierite – Patience, Positivity, Courage, Trust, Harmony, Panic, Fear, Precision, Organization, Evaluation, Strength, Vocalization, Psychic Ability, Communication, Stamina, Tolerance
Emerald
 
 


 Emerald – Soothing, Eyesight, Drives Away Evil Spirits, Foresight




Flourite


Flourite – Calming, Wisdom, Balance, Clears the Mind, Concentration, Strengthens Bones, Teeth, and Cells, Intuition, Analytical Ability, Learning, Meditation, Teamwork, Wealth, Purification, Harmony, Anxiety
Garnet




 


Garnet – Healing, Love, Friendship, Protection, Strength, Faith, Courage, Grace, Honesty, Compassion, Fidelity, Depression, Laziness, Nightmares, Attractiveness, Beauty, Balance, Passion, Friendship, Stubbornness, Spirituality, Romance, Libido, Drive
 




Hematite



Hematite – Alertness, Concentration, Self-Control, Courage, Self-Confidence, Peace, Clarity, Balance, Memory, Calming, Encouragement, Balance, Energy, Optimism, Will, Insomnia






Howlite


 Howlite – Creativity, Self-Expression, Unity, Memory, Knowledge, Progress, Pain, Stress, Anger







Iolite



Iolite – Psychic Ability, Detoxifies, Wealth, Luck, Financial Responsibility, Health, Executive Ability, Power, Sobriety










Jade
  

Jade –luck, prosperity, beauty, wisdom, compassion, peace, balance, energy, courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony, longevity, fertility, serenity, wisdom, practicality, tranquility, balance, peace, harmony, moderation, perspective, equilibrium and stability, knowledge, compassion,  wealth




Jasper
  


Jasper – Healing, Protection, Health, Relaxation, Solace, Beauty, Nightmares, Patience, Depression, Detoxifies, Stability, Luck, Justice, Courage 





Kyanite






Kyanite – Learning, foresight, tranquility, tolerance, psychic ability, meditation, communication, dreams, visualization, loyalty, honesty, serenity





Labradorite



Labradorite – Mental Confusion, Concentration, Cleansing, Aging, self esteem, diet, weight loss, Focus, Perseverance, Wisdom
Lapis





 Lapis – Strength, Purity of Heart, Courage, Self esteem, truthfulness, openness, inner power, love, purification, intuition, self confidence, virility, manifestation, appreciation, psychic ability, tranquility





Larimar




Larimar – Healing, Communication







Limestone




Limestone – Protection, Logevity, Culture, Purity





Magnesite



Magnesite – Visualization, Passion, Creativity, Peace, Meditation




Malachite



Malachite – Protection, Love, Peace, Wisdom, Leadership, Wards off Evil Spirits, Athletic ability, guilt, resentment, spiritual evolution, emotional healing, relationships, friendships

Moonstone





Moonstone – Joy, Fortune, Peacefulness, Dreams, Love, Tenderness, Femininity, Hope, Truth, Justice, Intuition, Receptivity


Moukaite





Moukaite – Healing, Strength, Divinity 








Obsidian


Obsidian – Protection, Peace, Success, Inner Contemplation, Logic, Clarity, Sensuality, vigor, strength, stamina, constancy, steadfastness, permanence , tenacity, firmness, durability, courage, self-control, Entrepreneurship, Creativity


Onyx




Onyx – Protection, Strength, Energy, vigor, strength, stamina, constancy, steadfastness, permanence , tenacity, firmness, durability, courage, and self-control, Determination 






Opal



Opal – Depression, True Love, Soothes Nerves



Pearl




Pearl – Love, Money, Protection, Luck, Purity, Honesty, Imagination, Decision Making, Faith, Innocence, integrity, concentration, focus, meditation, serenity, tranquility, wisdom








Peridot




Peridot – Protection, Health, Wealth, Sleep, Speech, Aging, Jealousy, Obesity, Relaxation, Purification, Comfort, Prosperity, Anger, Fear, Nervousness



Rhodonite





Rhodonite – Calming, Doubtfulness, Peace, Confusion, Fertility, Hearing




Rhyolite

Rhyolite – Creativity, Self-worth, Emotional Balance


Rose Quartz






Rose Quartz – Love, Peace, Depression, Happiness, Fidelity, Forgiveness, Compassion, Tolerance



Ruby





Ruby – Wisdom, Protection, Luck, Decision Making, Transition, Spirituality

Sapphire






Sapphire – Loyalty, Love, Longing, Truth, Sincerity, Faithfulness, Joy, Peace, Beauty, Intuition



Sodalite



 Sodalite – Healing, Peace, Meditation, Wisdom, Boosts the Immune System, Cleansing, Insight, Intuition, Communication, Creativity, Self Esteem, Trust, Logic, Truthfulness




Sugilite




 Sugilite – Strength, Safety, Healing, Wisdom




Tiger's Eye





 Tiger’s Eye – Courage, Energy, Luck, Stubbornness, Self-Discipline, Meditation, Stress, Wealth, Greediness, Humility, Clear Thinking, Protection, Integrity, Willpower





Topaz




 Topaz – Protection, Healing, Peace, Money, Love, Individuality, Self-Confidence, Depression, Spirituality






Tourmaline
 

 Tourmaline – Fear, Grief, Sleep, Happiness, Compassion, Serenity, Balance, Healing, Strength, Tolerance, Understanding, Confidence, Energy





Turquoise




 Turquoise – Protection, Courage, Peace, Healing, Luck, Truth, Detoxification, Wisdom, Energy, Communication, Love, Loyalty, Positivity




Unakite




Unakite – Emotional Balance, Love, Healing, Mental Clarity



Zoizite








Zoizite – Thought, Dreams, Peace, Meditation




 If you’re interested in learning the history of some of the stones, as well as their uses, the site below is an excellent resource.