July Witch's Rune

Once upon a time...well, a long time ago...I started a beaded piece using Witch's Runes as my subject.  One for each month.  Well, I finally just finished the one for July!  I have August left to go for the 12 months, then I have an All Seeing Eye to make for the middle.  You can see the sketch in the pic below.  Here's a pic of the July off-loom beaded piece:

This rune stands for the Sun.  It's funny 'cuz the quote in the book at the beginning of the chapter says "One goal perfectly imagined is one goal eventually achieved".  That's how I feel about my projects...eventually...one at a time.  From Susan Sheppard's Book, "Witch's Runes", this rune conveys how the healing and abundant light of the sun is essential.  The nourishing rays stand for strength, fertility, creativity, & healing.  Drawing this rune implies a break in darkness, or a breakthrough.  The Sun also represents the ability to draw to you what you need to overcome obstacles.  The Sun rune stands for that one big goal, not the more trivial interests of your life.  It's also a time of fun & levity.  This rune is always a good omen & means something of value is coming your way.  Go for the gold!

June BJP - Moon Rune

I LOVE the moon! So I enjoyed making this moon rune...even tho' if I hadn't predecided colors, I would have chosen different ones than these shown.

The basic meaning of this rune is being aware in the dark. Gypsies called the moon shion which means arms of protection. Early goddesses were associated with the moon. We're talking feminine power here! Expect shifts in focus or mood. It speaks of home, ancestors, female relatives & your personal space. Sometimes you can be taken out of your better senses (being moonstruck) & maybe act a little impractical. The moon has been associated with magick, witchcraft & sorcery...meaning now you have the ability to make positive change. It is also associated with a new cycle, maybe buying a house, having a baby...some form of expansion. In astrology the moon governs imagination & creative expression. It's time to use the moon's intuitive energy. Take your time before taking action. Be calm & take it slow. And pay attention to your dreams!

This was a good one for me to do now as we are moving & intend to buy a home in New Mexico! I'm getting really pumped about it!

The background color I had chosen for this rune is Alexandrite. What a cool stone this is! The most sensational feature about this stone is its surprising ability to change its color. Green or bluish-green in daylight, Alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This unique optical characteristic makes it one of the most valuable gemstones of all, especially in fine qualities. It changes just like the moon! Might just have to get one of those! Someday!

As always the info on this rune is found in "A Witch's Runes" by, Susan Sheppard.

Off Loom Square Stitch Example

Some have mentioned they thought my work was done on a loom, but I am using an off-loom beading stitch called square stitch. One bead at a time is sewn onto a bead in the previous row. Below you will find an example.

Here I am part way into my June rune. I am ready to add a new bead:

I pick up the yellow bead on my needle.

I insert the needle back into the bead in the previous row

that will be directly below the new yellow bead.

Now, I'm sorry this is blurry, but I wanted to show that you pull the thread below the just added yellow bead. I'm sure you can just imagine it! :)

Next I go back up thru' the yellow bead & pull the thread thru'.

Ta Da! One bead added! Now how many hundreds more to go!

Each rune has 625 beads in it stitched on one at a time.

I hope this little example helps just a bit. At least you can see how it's not made on a loom! :)

May BJP - Flight Rune

For this month of May, I wanted to post 2 pics 'cuz one shows the roughness of the dark red clay like beads. Still workin' on that photography!

Anyway, this rune explores the idea of birds as messengers leaving the spirit world for the world of matter, & returning with important news. It's a universal theme. Other meanings for this rune are transition, transforming news, communication from far away, glad tidings, messages of all kinds, (including phones, mail, spiritual, etc), intuitive connections, help for artists, creative energy, lifting of obstacles, etc. Now is the time to take flight & accept challenges, embrace change, face risks, etc. It stands for a time when you will overcome limitations & be free of obstacles. It signifies the kind of communication that changes your course of action, so watch for surprises in what you've already planned. Flight also can mean angelic guidance, counsel, or legal documents to sign. Time to fly!

The birthstone, used as the background for this month, is Emerald. This was the closest color I had to it. Then I used the contrasting dark red clayish beads for the symbol itself.

Again, all information comes from "A Witch's Runes", by Susan Sheppard.

BJP in Progress

This is my MAY BJP in progress. It's the Flight rune, and it's all about communication, messages, etc. Whether physical, virtual or spiritual! So I'm really glad I didn't start this last month when Mercury was Retrograde! :) Hopefully I'll catch up this month!!! But, you've seen my work space, and the packing going on, so who knows!

April BJP - Woman Rune

So I'm still trying to catch up...but as you know from the pics about our move, it may take some time! Anyway, above is April's rune...Woman. This rune signifies shining power & gentle action. By offering our compassion for others, we actually gain strength. This ancient rune is also found on the Egyptians' Doorway to Isis, which they believed led us to the infinite...all life called into being, as well as departure. The branching V is a universal idea which corresponds to the Finnish rune for Ilmater, meaning "water mother". It also was symbolic for the Virgin Mother among Germanic people. Other groups associate this symbol with the magic wand.

The branching V reminds us of the branches of our family tree...reaching back to extended families & generations. Also the branching of the creative imagination, centered & flowering outward. This is the female line, friendship, giving birth, home & protection...everything that is female in nature. It's also stands for nurturers & healers, which can also be men, if they can tap into this. This rune tells us there is an energy present in our lives to soothe & make right whatever is wounded or unresolved. Don't expect fast actions, but others will be receptive to your plans. This is a time of healing, rejuvenation & finding a niche where you can be yourself, where things flourish in a natural way. It can also suggest pregnancy, or the beginning of a new project. It also stands for the wisdom of women, & the witch's magic wand, healer, psychic & women of mystery. Look for fertility in some form when you pick this rune...whether a dwelling place, garden, land, or nurturing center of some kind!

The traditional birthstone of the month is Crystal or Diamond, so I used the beads I had that were closest to that for the background. I also used matte black beads for the actual rune symbol. Black contains all colors, & reminds me of the Goddess who watches over us all.

Again, all the information gathered above comes from "A Witch's Runes", by Susan Sheppard.

Note: I'm finding these runes to be interesting in light of the recent accusations of children in Africa being tortured because they are believed to be "witches". I am saddened by the abuse that is happening to them in the name of religion. If we could educate people into the true history of so called "witches", maybe these innocent children would never be abused again!

Trying to Catch Up!

Ack! Trying to get caught up on my BJP project. This is as far as I've gotten for April! Hopefully I can finish April & May this month! Whew!

March BJP Rune - Man

OK...before anyone says anything, I chose my beads & colors WAY before I knew the meaning of each of the runes!!! I NEVER would've picked these colors for this particular rune if I had only known!!! But that said, here is the basic meaning of the Man Rune for March.

The Man Rune is an extremely old symbol found in variations in most cultures. It is the inversion of the woman's V symbol. The Germanic sign is victory, the Anglo-Saxon, Kaen, means to open, & the Nordic sign, called Tac, represents facing down the enemy. The bottom line is defensive action. It's time to defend your own interests. (Perfect timing for me in alot of ways!)

This rune is about action, energy, effort, confrontation, aggression & force. This rune represents a time of rapid changes & situations. Be be prepared to be bold!

The stone for the month is aquamarine, & this was the closest I had to it. Used it for the background, with a complementary shade of peach for the symbol itself.

As always, info on these runes comes from "A Witch's Runes" by Susan Sheppard

February BJP "Waves"

This was a different rune in that it wasn't symmetrical or a mirror image. So I had to COUNT beads, like counted cross stitch. This is my absolute UNFAVORITE thing to do! I have a pal who does the most beautiful counted cross stitch. You can see her work here. Just check out her patterns & you'll see what I mean. But me...fogeddaboudit!!!

Anyway, I had to use the beads I had to try to get an amethyst color. I wear the amethyst above every day, so I matched up beads as close as I could for this month's birthstone color. I like how it turned out 'cuz it's kinda murky, like the waves get when they toss around alot.

As for the meaning of this rune, first, it contains a spiral which has stood for the coils of consciousness that spiral back to a divine source, and represents power & movement. The waves indicate forward motion. They are fluid & unyielding, & your path may be cloudy & unsure. It's a time to find out what is genuine in your life & yourself. On the surface it stands for intuition & artistic imagination, but a cloudy perception. You may feel swept away by emotions, but clarify what you want & then follow through. Remain steadfast in the chaos.

Again, this info was taken from "A Witch's Runes" by, Susan Sheppard.

BJP So Far!

Robin, our fearless leader in the BJP group, asked if I'd show where I'm at so far with my beading for this year's project. I haven't finished February yet, but this is how it looks so far. You can compare where I'm at with my original sketch. I think it's gonna be very colorful in the end. The center "All Seeing Eye" will have some of all the colors of each of the runes. You can see more about the BJP project here. There are actually 3 blogs of beautiful beadwork you can check out if you'd like.

January BJP

While working on the January BJP rune called Star, I made a big mistake! I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture, but I started the off-loom beading with my size D bead thread! I just couldn't figure out why the thread wouldn't go thru' a gazillion times like it normally does! I was pulling it thru' with my pliers! Then it hit me...I use size 0 bead thread for my off-loom square stitch!!! ACK! And the weird thing is that I had just made the same error in a crochet project I'm working on! Wrong size hook!!! Must've been Mercury Retrograde! :) See if you can tell the difference in the size of thread! And remember to always check your supplies before you start a project!

So, I switched over to size 0 to finish the project below.

The Star Rune

I don't have time to go into such depth on this one as I'm behind on projects, so I'll just give a quick summary of the meaning behind this one. The Star Rune represents the realization of a dream or wish. It speaks of hope, a prize, a huge achievement as well as the presence of higher guides, spirituality, angels & the immediate future. It's a promise of fortunate developments in your life. It also speaks of financial and material gains, assets, prosperous ventures, wishes granted, etc. So I guess we all should be wishing on those stars out there! :)

OH, and the birthstone for January was garnet, so the background was done with the beads that I had that were closest in color! I chose a complementary color for the symbol. I'm really trying to use just the beads I have set aside for this project!

Again, all info adapted from "A Witch's Runes" by, Susan Sheppard.

December BJP

The Crossroads Rune

The Crossroads, also called Crossed Spears, was generally considered an evil omen by some. But when it appears, it's not all bad. Especially for those who embrace change. Universally, this symbol seems to have brought out feelings of anxiety and unease. It's a time to expect opposition. A new course of action, once decided, will help you move forward. It may seem like a lonely time. You may experience frustrations and delays before manifesting your goals. The Crossroads represent how we fall victim to desires which really have little to do with our happiness and spiritual growth. It's time to look at the big picture and allow dreams to generate energy on their own. It's time for hard work to achieve the success that you can enjoy later. You may need to abandon a plan that seems plagued by misfortune or bad timing...but maybe only your approach, not your goal. You may feel lack of sympathy from others. You may have to defend what is yours. It's also a time when everything slows down to a crawl...yet any effort you put forth at present will be lasting & enduring. You will see that during this time you have gained courage and wisdom to meet such challenges in the future. Your will is being tested. But remember that you are putting down foundations for your future. If you feel held back, it's important to realize that this is probably for a good reason. Standing at the crossroads is the Grandmother - or Grandfather- spirit, the wizened one who holds the silvery cup of knowledge and discernment that you need. This wisdom is gained through trial and error, insight learned only through hardship and mistakes. Which path should you take? The one that leads ahead - not back- and into the future. In summary, this rune indicates a more difficult path where things are not so easy. It stands for slow, but substantial gains. This rune stresses basic concerns, the bottom line, solitude, and reassessing your losses. However, you will soon discover innate strengths and resources. What you achieve by hard work will have a deeper meaning than wins you gain from lucky breaks.

The traditional monthly birthstone for December is Blue Zircon. I used the closest color I had to it for the background, & added a complementary gold for the symbol itself. It's pretty synchronistic how these runes are showing up in my life at just the exact moment that the meaning becomes obvious in my plans & goals! I am at a crossroads in so many ways right now. So I'm gonna take it nice & slow! And keep defending what is rightfully mine!

Again, all info adapted from "The Witch's Runes" by, Susan Sheppard

More Endings & Beginnings

OK...so the 07-08 Beaded Journal Project is over! Ended! And you can see my page on the official website here! It has all the focal pieces I worked on this last year. Check out some of the other bead artists' pages. They're incredible!
Well, it was so much work that I had decided that I was not going to do it again this year. Over. Done. BUT then there was that notice in my inbox...the deadline was that day! Ack! Suddenly I didn't know if I wanted to do it again or not! There's so much more I wanted to learn about beading! I've always wanted to make a piece to hang in a window to see how it would look with light shining thru' it! Could this be my chance to do that? Well, knowing me, I couldn't resist temptation!!! I quick sent off an email that it was still the deadline day in Hawaii & to please include me! Ack! What had I done?
But amazingly enough, I had the whole theme & all of the designs/patterns done by the next day! For the whole year of 08-09!!! Whoa Nelly!
I guess it is our prerogative to change our minds! I'll talk all about it in my next post!

May BJP Completed!

Boy, I never thought I'd make it with all that's been going on! But I finally finished my May BJP!!! Now all I have to do is mount all my focal pieces on painted boards & add danglies & words! Gee...sounds simple, huh? Ha! Anyway, here's some pics of the process. I based the form on an ancient statuette of The Venus of Willendorf. In reality she is only 4 3/8 " high. Mine is 6". Some believe she is a mother goddess figure, which is one of the reasons I chose her for May. I also challenged myself by only using 3 colors of seed beads. I wanted to see if I could show shape & form with a limited palette. I found out that lined beads show up bright, which wasn't exactly what I wanted. I also wish I'd started with her belly as I like the way she looks from there. But it was an excellent learning experience in more ways than one!

Now on to getting them all on boards!!! Whew!

April's BJP is done, but what's wrong w/this picture?

OK...I know we all run into problems w/beading, but how many of you run into this? Can you see what's wrong?

Can't tell huh? Let's look a little closer...

That's right...up in the right hand corner...gecko poop!!! Ack!!! Those little buggers go everywhere! :) But we love 'em anyway! How they eat those mosquitos!

But in spite of a little bit of poo, I did get my April Blue Marble BJP piece done. Here's some pics:

I'm still a little behind 'cuz I've been gone awhile helping a pal after surgery. AND my computer blew while I was gone. But I'm back now & will get May started before the end of the day tomorrow. I already have the shape decided on, & the colors chosen, but I'm thinkin' that may change. Ya never know!

Blue Marble Update

So, if you read my earlier post, I decided to do my BJP for April on Mother Earth. I am doing this one improvisationally, but before each time I start work on it, I read a prayer from "Earth Prayers" (From around the World, 365 Prayers, Poems, & Invocations for Honoring the Earth). I started with the section on "Healing the Whole". Then I look at my picture of Nasa's Blue Marble & pray & meditate as I work. One thing I noticed is that at first it started out looking very regal. I thought maybe if we thought about the Earth as being a Queen, we wouldn't treat her as we do. From there I started to have different words pop into my head, so I wrote them down to use with this piece when it's mounted. I am trying to get this done by the end of the month as we only have one more month left to go on this BJP! A whole year is almost gone! So here's a couple pics:

Still having to work at getting true colors with my digital camera & lighting set up. It's hard to tell that's a heart charm in the center. Ah, well! But I've got the 4 directions & the 4 elements in there. I have no clue where I'm going from here!

March BJP and The Blue Marble!

Well, no one guessed what April's form was gonna be, so I'll tell you! It's The Blue Marble pic that NASA took that you can see here. I decided for April, there's really no special holiday, but there is EARTH DAY!!! So what I'm going to do is start beading on my already painted "blue marble", but not be realistic about it. I'm going to meditate as I bead, & pray for our planet as I work. It will be interesting to see what comes out of it! And me!

But for March...I'm DONE! Woo hoo! There were a HECK of alot of beads on this one! I wanted to give it the feel of looking into one of those fancy eggs that have scenes inside them. And I wanted to honor the changing of the season from the snowy winter with it's bare branches, into the colorful freshness of spring flowers. Here's a couple views:

And for those of you who think all I do is bead...read below! :)

April Question

OK...so I've decided on my form for April's BJP. And I've cut it out and painted it. I didn't have the color fabric paint I wanted, but this will work. Can you guess what it's gonna be?

Coming to the Finish Line

Well, I'm almost finished with my March BJP piece! Yes! Here's a few pics of my progress so far:

Wanted to include a close up & a side view. I'm hoping when I edge this piece, it will give the appearance of looking into one of those fancy eggs with scenes inside of them! And yes, I know it's April already!

BJP Catch Up!

Well, I'm hoping I can catch up this month on my BJP piece. I got the image transferred finally! My transfer paper wasn't working on the Timtex. I found I REALLY had to press hard on it. You can see some dark marks where I actually came thru' the paper & transfer sheet!

Now I'm learning another lesson. I had been doing improvisational beading. This is my first planned design. What I'm finding is that I need ALOT of different size beads to pull this off really well! And colors! More shades! But it's still fun & a good learning process! I have no idea where I'm going for April...will just be glad to be caught up!!!