Ah, Beltane. Typically celebrated on May 1st as the midway point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Evidently, the astronomical midway point for this typically falls somewhere later, between May 5th or 7th. So, I am technically, astronomically, perfectly on time.  Thank you Wikipedia.

May is a great month in NYC. It means there is still time for some lovely, flirty weather that is not too warm and not too cool before the awful, gross, awful hot humidity begins.

Ick. Humidity. I tend to hibernate during the summer. Sure, seems backwards, but think about it. Humidity is like an oppressive, heavily moist blanket that saps one of energy and pummels all initiative into the ground. At least for me it does. Therefore, hibernation.

Here are some new things for Spring and Beltane, astronomical or otherwise.

More from the Buds Collection, perfect for that Spring-Summer transition:

Carnelian and Sterling

Bi-Color Amethyst and Sterling
Pink Quartz and Sterling

(Almost) Teal Quartz, Lemon Quartz and Gold-Fill

Astoria – ites! The Astoria Market is having a Pre-Mother’s Day event this Sunday April 29 12-6pm. They will have handmade, baked and vintage items for sale. I am very excited to be a part of this market. I am also very excited about the baked items that will be there.

Admission is free! Come check it out!

]]> http://www.thelaughingmoonnyc.com/2012/04/astoria-market-sunday-april-29-12-6pm/feed/ 0 http://www.thelaughingmoonnyc.com/2012/04/hello-april-seeing-the-future/ http://www.thelaughingmoonnyc.com/2012/04/hello-april-seeing-the-future/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:44:41 +0000 Joy Masters http://www.thelaughingmoonnyc.com/?p=1147

Gutentag! This year on April 21st, my dude and I and our familes are participating in VisionWalk in Central Park sponsored by Foundation Fighting Blindness. This organization is all about the eyes and trying to cure the many issues that can affect these invaluable orbs. Our team’s name this year is Seeing the Future. Follow this link to donate (any amount helps, even 50 cents- it’s 50 cents we did not have before- or join our team and walk with us.

As some of you may know, my favorite tall dude (the one I live with and am married to), has retinitis pigmentosa. RP is a retinal disease that slowly diminishes the peripheral vision until there is no vision at all and the person affected is completely blind. It’s not fun. So come out and help us make it go away!

Thanks to everyone at the last jewelry show, The Laughing Moon NYC was able to donate a percentage of the proceeds to VisionWalk.

Thanks everyone!

My littlest niece’s birthday was on the Spring Equinox this year. I gave her an owl in a tree. You know, one of those plastic peel and stick ones you can put on your wall? Not a real one, that would be irresponsible.

Unrelatedly, I made some jewelry. Here it is

Happy Equinox! Belatedly…

Here we have larkivite, a.k.a black labradorite, a.k.a. blue pearl puffed rectangles and gunmetal plated rollo chain all from Ring & Things.

Happy New Year! I am not entirely sure how it came to be 2012. (I mean, I understand how numbers work and counting and so forth, but how is it 2012?!? 2012 is the future. How is it already the future??) But here we are. In the future. Weird. I hope this year is awesome, super wonderful and great for everyone. I hope everyone gets a job (that they don’t hate) and is healthy and content. Or better, ecstatically happy.

The number 3 makes me happy. Disregarding that 3 strikes means your out and that 3 legged dogs have a hard time walking, 3 is a great number. So, continuing with my Copland Collection, named after the wonderful American composer Aaron Copland, I would like to introduce Trios: Three distinct voices in lovely harmony. I’m a sucker for chamber music.

Moss Aquamarine, Smoky Quartz, Brown Tourmaline (sorry for the less than ideal photo. It sold before I could take a good one. A great problem to have):

Hematite threesome with a vibrant solo by chrome dioside:

Smoky Quartz Trio with a brilliant solo by Yellow Onyx:

And the original trio, Green Turquoise, Copper and Silver:

Hello and Welcome to December!

It’s been a balmy start to the month, here in NYC. Honestly, there is no sarcasm in that. It completely messes with my internal seasonal clock when things like this happens. The temps are starting to go towards the brrr inducing numbers that they should be now, which is good for me since I love the cold. Truly, again, no sarcasm. It’s usually only towards March that I am ready for some sun and more ahhh inducing temperatures.

So, without further ado, here is some new stuff. I am definitely loving the multiple chain and wire things right now.

Happy Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah and other Winter Holidays! Love and Warmth to you!

Tiger’s Eye, Hessonite Garnet (orange stones in the chain) and Sterling Silver Multi-Chain:

Kyanite with multiple wires in bronze, copper and gold (Given to Nicole for her 35th Birthday Celebration):

Kyanite and Aquamarine dagger necklace:

Black bamboo coral, chrosprase, lava and tektite!:

Red Coral, Dalmatian Jasper and Onyx:

In case I have not posted these beauties before, here they are again. Am I being bold by calling them beauties? I think not. Look at these beauteous pendants! They don’t need any help from me, but I gave them multiple chains to go with their  beautiful awesomeness.

Sterling Silver Multi-Chain with a wonderful Moss Agate Rectangle Pendant with Moss Aquamarine rondelles in the chains:

3 different Gold tones of Nylon Coated Steel wire with a Green Jasper Pendant:

Sterling Silver Multi-Chain with Hematite Teardrop Pendant with Hematite faceted rounds in the chains:

I have been busy working both my jewelry jobs (ok, brother? I’ve been busy. love you!).

So, New stuff!

I am trying something new: dainty. Also: simple. I was thinking about one of my favorite American composers, Aaron Copland and his piece called Appalachian Springs which uses the theme from an old Shaker hymn called Simple Gifts by Joseph Brackett. You’ve heard it. Just listen to it and you will go, “Oooh, right. That tune.”

Ok, so it a was complicated way of getting to the concept of simple. The idea, for me anyway, is that although something may seem and look and feel simple, the history behind it is often pretty complex.

I needed to make a bunch of big, somewhat complicated stuff, in order to get to these, which I am calling my Copland Collection.

Chrome Dioside:

Lemon Quartz and Labradorite:

And my beloved pyrite:

Come to the NY Science Hall for inactive music, art, science, engineering and crafts. This weekend, Saturday September 17 & Sunday September 18. The Laughing Moon will be at table #32 in the BUST Craftacular section.

The great folks at Bust Magazine are hosting Bust Magazine Craftacular at the 2nd Annual Maker Faire New York. I will be there both days. So come visit my table. I will give you a hug.



For directions, go to this link.