dancing horses

dancing horses

Friday, March 31, 2017

Practical Magic

Once again March has turned nasty. We've had 2 days of ice storms encasing everything in a sheet of ice.
I left my crop up at the ring and this is what happened.
How weird is that? 

Seriously March. We get it. You're big and bad and have us under you thumb. Let it go already. Now you're trying too hard. 

But it gave me time to engage in some craft activities. When I was in Cuba there was a market across the road from the resort. I was there with Cynthia looking at jewelry - most particularly the turquoise. I love turquoise and it is supposed to have healing qualities. Turkish soldiers used to attach it to bridles to protect them and their horse from falls. If worn it's supposed to decrease stress and mood swings while imparting calm and serenity.

I mused that I wished I had a browband with turquoise stones. Cynthia overheard me and she asked if it was possible for the person to make one. There was a lot of translating, back and forth and some drawing and before I knew it I was promised a browband to be ready on Monday.  I was very excited so imagine my disappointment when I came over on Monday and the vendor was not there.

I wasn't sure exactly what I would have been getting but I wanted to see it. I was also worried that someone had made this thing for me and there was a mix up so they wouldn't be paid.  But there was nothing I could do about that. I'm sure you can understand that I was not ready to give up; so I bought a bracelet with the thought that I could use the beads to make my own browband.

I googled and looked at designs. This week I was working in the city and staying over at Cynthia's. She had picked up some beads to go with the turquoise. After eating and with a glass of wine we sat down to play with designs.


We tried multiple patterns before settling on one where with three large beads in the center and then using the smaller ones 


I am quite happy with the design. I think it will look beautiful on her. 

I'm not 100% convinced that it won't fly apart when I'm riding but that would really test the whole 'serenity' and 'protection from falls' thing. 

Keep your fingers crossed. 

32 comments:

  1. It looks great! And I also love turquoise, my mom is from the southwest so it just always makes me smile when I see turquoise and silver on anything.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's beautiful. I had no idea turquoise has such attributes; its very common out here in the west and I have quite a bit. Regardless of its calming reputation, I think the color will be beautiful against Carmen's grey hair. I know all about turquoise and grey going together. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I think it will look good on her (as long as it stays together). it's not common here at all.

      Delete
  3. That crop ice sculpture is pretty cool actually. Turning a bracelet into a browband is very creative. It looks great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was cool too but I'm ready for the winter to be done. I thought of you when I bought the bracelet- I figured you wouldn't hesitate to do it so what could go wrong.

      Delete
  4. Very nice! I like the design you decided. I may need some turquoise for my future rides. Everyone is full of fresh weather.
    Also, the ice on your whip is CRAZY.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We should all have it on our bridles - at least in the spring.

      Delete
  5. I'm impressed! I think it looks really pretty, and I bet you'll love it even more since you made it yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very beautiful! The one I made is still holding up so I'm sure yours will as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. ooooh i love it - nice job!! can't wait to see it on the pretty mare! also, in case you're ever interested, Amelia from Dark Jewel Designs (on Etsy) hand crafts custom beaded browbands from a wide variety of beads, stones and crystals. she also does a fair amount of research into the relative medicinal properties of different gems and actually made me and isabel a special browband designed to heal what ailed us last year (that was also in our colors, natch!). could be worth looking into as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will check her out. The problem that usually arises is that many places don't ship to Canada or, if the do, the price of shipping is too high.

      Delete
  8. I love it! That whip ice sculpture is really neat too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love turquoise too and have lots of it. The design is beautiful and will look gorgeous on Carmen. Can't wait to see her model it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful work! And I love the ice crop, too funny!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pretty. Interesting about the Turkish soldiers and the benefits of turquoise. I was just looking at your older posts, because I thought you were the one who did the review of a halter. I got an offer to do a bridle review. That ice crop could do some damage. Ouch for both your hand and the horse. I hope you get some permanent sunshine soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes- I did the halter review. I would definitely try one of their bridles if I were you!

      Delete
  12. How creative to make your own. I too can't wait to see how it looks on her

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I will take photos when I put it on!

      Delete
  13. I only wear turquoise. I love it! I would love to make Leah and Cowboy a browband in similar fashion. I think it's more special when made by your own hands. I had never heard of anyone doing it before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I would love to see you do one for them.

      Delete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I love the feedback.