Monday, July 6, 2009

Our Travels to "The Rock"

David and Amy at Woody Point on Bonne Bay inside Gros Morne National Park Newfoundland
The Tablelands mountains in the distance - where the earth's mantle/crust is exposed


These pictures were taken a few days ago inside Gros Morne National Park on the western shore of Newfoundland. The geological makeup of this area is at times other worldly.

'The Rock' is an incredibly beautiful but rugged place. I'm amazed by how unfamiliar the rock formations here actually are. Here's a view of the exposed mantle which is so prevalent in The Tablelands area of Gros Morne park.


The orange rocks contain a black mineral called peridosite that apparently is known to exist only in the earth’s mantle or crust. But we have learned that many minerals can be found in Newfoundland. Virginite is available on the Baie Verte Penninsula.
my unknown green rocks
Yesterday I found an outcropping of this gorgeous green mineral along the sides of the TransCanada Highway. It might be serpentine but at this point I'm really not sure. It could also be Canadian Jade, or perhaps just more unakite.

Along the ocean I've found pretty unakite and red jasper specimens and marble and marble-like deposits are common. But I've been most intrigued by the lava, silica, grabbo, anorthocite, chert, granite etc. that is so unique and plentiful here. If you look closely you'll notice that these striated boulders along Newfoundland's west coast display molten rock patterns:
lava boulders along Newfoundland's west coast
I've yet to find any labradorite in its natural state. I'm told that native labradorite deposits near Nain on the northern Labrador mainland yield high grade specimens, but I'm not going there (well not on this trip anyway!).

But artisans and galleries of handmade art are everywhere. We're seeing tons of labradorite jewelry for sale too but I question how much of these gems were sourced in Canada. A few renowned inuit stone carvers in the Nain area have shipped their work here for retail sales at the gallery level.

Some Newfoundland galleries and jewelers do import small quantities of labradorite from Nain, Labrador for use in jewelry and carving but these instances are rare and the finished artwork is of gallery quality and price (not the commonly priced labradorite so plentiful and on display at all souvenir outlets).

There's a soapstone outcropping/mine up on the northern tip of the Baie Verte penninsula (Fleur de Lys) so hopefully we'll head that way tomorrow. The soapstone mine is now operated by the provincial and federal governments as a heritage site and apparently no hammering is allowed. We'll see :)

Thursday, June 25, 2009

NEW in our eSMArts Team Shop

Leila Necklace - Iolite and 14k gold fill.


Please support our eSMArts Team Shop! This online store is a volunteer effort... Proceeds from your purchase will support a very worthy cause.

eSMArts stands for etsy Social Marketing Artisans. We're a global team of mixed media artisan designers who meet online to pool resources, share & inspire and discuss social networking techniques. Our team shop is located on etsy, a worldwide showcase of fine handmade art, crafts and related items.

This is my latest contribution to our eSMArts team shop. I designed the "Leila Necklace" using wonderful gem quality iolite and 14k gold fill. This dainty neck wrap measures 17 inches in total length.

ALL shop proceeds really are being donated to a very worthy cause. We really need your support too. Please consider making a purchase to help us out.

Like the style of one of our featured artists but don't see exactly what you need? Then please convo for info and we'll get a custom listing or commissioned piece under way per your specs and price range. Oh and again, proceeds from your purchase will still be donated to our cause!

BUY HANDMADE

Support an independant artisan

Handmade really IS better

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Lake Ontario Beach Glass

Lake Ontario beach glass


My friend Diane in Rhode Island was right - there IS great beach glass along the shores of Lake Ontario... The other day Amy and I romped down to the Oshawa shoreline. We only had ten minutes to spend there but we managed to find seven nice beach glass samples in that short period of time!

Lake Ontario beach glass
I took a stab at wrapping this one. Now be nice! :) I'm not a fan of most wire wrapped cabochon styles so this isn't a wire technique that I claim experience with! LOL

But to best showcase the lovely transparency of beach glass a dainty wire setting seems quite appropriate.

And don't even ask why I used silver wire on the back side. Heaven knows what I was thinking. I've just gotta stop working in front of the TV!

soldering a sterling collar

I also had fun creating a soldered sterling collar around another beach glass specimen. That's a time consuming technique and takes more patience than I can muster.

Lake Ontario beach glass

As you can see, I cracked the glass! :( And as soon as that happened I called it a day... The finished product however remains near and dear to me (it was the first piece of Lake Ontario beach glass that I found on my quest) so I just might finish and wear this fugly for that reason alone. It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thank You Lois & Al!


It was great finally meeting Lois of ABeadedAffair last weekend. Lois and I have certainly done our fair share of chatting and exchanging emails, but nothing can replace the joy of connecting with somebody in person.


Lois and Al live in a picturesque burough of north east Philadelphia - the land of hoagies, philly steak sandwiches and hospitality! Time was a bit tight, but we managed to squeeze in some sightseeing, shopping and plenty of warm company. We'll be back to sample Al's meade in the near future.


David and I wish to thank Lois and Al for being such good hosts. Here we are enjoying Lois' famous prime rib dinner and all the fixins! It was nice that Wilma of Wilma's Whimseys and her son Ray from Minnesota were also able to join the party!



It was a perfectly enjoyable weekend. We didn't have as much time to discuss gemstones and jewelry as we would have liked, but then again, put a few beaders together and the banter could rattle on forever!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Support our Team Shop

eSMArts Team Shop Badge (customizable)


Please visit our eSMArts Team Store where all proceeds support worthy causes! There are textiles, fine art, jewelry and even hobby supplies currently available for secure online purchase.

We have many talented artists currently exhibiting their wares in our eSMArts Team Store so you're sure to find something unique, well crafted and handmade!

Note to eSMArts members: if you'd like a banner/badge like the one displayed here for use on your blogs etc., please email me with pics of your items that you've added to the Team Store. I'll customize a badge for you (free)!