Monday, April 30, 2012

Pretty in Pink Heart Earrings


This pair of feminine earrings were created using a lovely shade of pink copper silver plated wire sculpted into a heart shape. A pastel pink flat round glass bead adorned by two pink glass seed beads on pink wire allows the heart to dangle. Simple, elegant and oh so girlie!

Pink is the color of love, romance and the most feminine on the spectrum. It is the symbol for hope for breast cancer awareness. 

Made with love and magic in the Planet Calamari Studio.See more art to wear and other crocheted wire jewelry at the Planet Calamari Etsy shop at
planetcalamari.com


Friday, April 27, 2012

Buddha Jungle Cruise Inspired Wrist Cuff



I found a few silver face charms that immediately brought images of giant Buddha statue heads found in the deep jungles of Thailand. Of course the closest i have come to being in a Thai jungle was riding the Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland.... or was it the Indiana Jones ride? Well whichever it was, those Buddha heads left an impression on me. One day i hope to see the real ones.







This one of a kind bracelet was created by hand stringing onto wire glass beads in hues of pale pink, turquoise, teal green, aurora borealis clear and purple blacks. Then i crocheted sea green non-tarnish copper wire and silver into strands. After the which were plaited and sewn together with more wire to make it stable and to add a more sculptured effect. Three silver ancient face charms are intertwined onto the cuff. Close your eyes. You can almost smell the orchids of the jungle.

For more info on this one of a kind bracelet please visit the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop click here!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Everyday is Earth Day!


Take a moment this weekend to do something in honor of Earth Day. Pick up some trash, remember to recycle everyday. Hug a tree. Turn off the lights. Blow up your TV. Be nice!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I'd like to be in an Octopus' Garden ....




I have always been intrigued with undersea creatures, especially cephalopods. It is no surprise that my favorites are the squid and octopus. They are able to change color faster than a chameleon and can also change texture and body shape. If those camouflage techniques don't work, they can still "disappear" in a cloud of ink, Magic in the deep blue sea.

This one of a kind bracelet was created by crocheting non-tarnish copper wire in hues of vibrant purple, sea green, and midnight black. After the wire was crocheted, the cuff was sewn together with more wire to make it stable and to add a more sculptured effect.
I used an assortment of recycled, and vintage glass beads in hues of amethyst, violet, purple, pastel pink, aurora borealis, turquoise and deep blue. These were weaved into the wire with teal glass beads, blue seashell beads and sea foam green freshwater pearls creating brilliant reflections and hues seen under the deep sea.

A brass octopus charm is securely wired onto the cuff and is adorned by tiny faceted glass beads. He seems to be sitting in a coral reef waiting for Ringo Starr to serenade him. Or perhaps Captain Nemo will stop by for tea.


To see more pictures or learn more about this art to wear cuff Click Here!




Octopus' Garden
Sing along with Ringo Starr and the Beatles!




From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus
"Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms. Octopuses have no internal or external skeleton (although some species have a vestigial remnant of a shell inside their mantle), allowing them to squeeze through tight places. Octopuses are among the most intelligent and behaviorally flexible of all invertebrates.

The octopus inhabits many diverse regions of the ocean, including coral reefs, pelagic waters, and the ocean floor. They have numerous strategies for defending themselves against predators, including the expulsion of ink, the use of camouflage and deimatic displays, their ability to jet quickly through the water, and their ability to hide. An octopus trails its eight arms behind it as it swims. All octopuses are venomous, but only one group, the blue-ringed octopuses, is known to be deadly to humans




Squid
Learn more about these fascinating creatures at Wiki.org

You are invited to visit www.PlanetCalamari.com for more art, jewelry, acupuncture t-shirts and whimsical greeting cards.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wish Upon a Pink Star for a Cure
Birds Nest Pendant


Wish Upon a Star Pink Bird Nest with Rose Quartz Eggs and Star


Inspired by my friends and family members who have survived breast cancer and proudly wear the Pink Ribbon while walking or running in the events. And for all those loved ones who have fought until the bitter end. Praying that the day will come when the cure for cancer is available to all. Spring is in the air. With it brings the hope of health, happiness and a peaceful life.

This feminine nest pendant was created with non-tarnish pink copper wire. The three eggs are semi-precious rose quartz beads and sit nestled waiting for their time to be born. A new life. A new start. Miracles do happen. A rose quartz star bead sits on top the nest. Make a wish!

Rose Quartz has been known as a symbol for love and beauty. Today it is known as the "Stone of Gentle Love" or the "Stone of Unconditional Love". This pink stone is also said to help mend broken hearts and aid in easing emotional trauma.

This delicate nest is about an inch diameter. A silver plated 16 inch chain or a lovely pink organza ribbon chain will be provided if you request one. Other color ribbons are also available.

For more info about this nest CLICK HERE

Makes a lovely gift for Mothers Day, Beltane, or a BC survivor or woman who needs to be reminded there is hope and love surrounding her. There is hope for a cure. Meanwhile seek out alternative medicine and acupuncture for relief of chemotherapy symptoms and to build your immune system. To learn more about how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can reduce the symptoms of chemotherapy please visit this informative site. www.acufinder.com

To see more one of a kind bird nests in several colors and themes click here!

Made with love and magic in my Planet Calamari Studio.See more art to wear at the Planet Calamari Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlanetCalamari

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Purple Poe Inspired Baltimore Ravens Nest
with Gold Speckled Eggs





Inspired by my friends and family who are die hard Baltimore Raven football fans. And though i have never needed an excuse to dye my hair purple, this is a tribute to those who have (finally) declared every Friday as Purple Friday. Honestly i could care less about football. However i am intrigued by the notion that the Baltimore Ravens were named after Edgar Allen Poe's poem, The Raven. Poe is buried in Baltimore,MD.

To learn more about Poe and the Baltimore Raven connection visit this special website http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/library/news/ravens.asp

This one of a kind pendant was created with non-tarnish vibrant purple wire weaved into a Raven's nest. Eggs of stunning gold leafed glass beads black flecks are nestled inside. This delicate nest is about an inch diameter. It comes with your choice of a gorgeous midnight black or dark purple organza ribbon chain 16-18 inches long which can be adjusted to the length you desire. Or put on your favorite chain or silk cord. Please note that every nest is unique and handmade.

Makes a lovely gift for any Baltimore Raven football enthusiast, an Edgar Allen Poe fan or someone whose totem is the magical Raven. Enjoy with a Natty Boh, Hon!

Made with love and magic in my Planet Calamari Studio.

The Raven

[First published in 1845]

horizontal space Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,'

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Friday, April 13, 2012

Celebrating Zevo hussein Calamari's
19th Birthday!

Planet Calamari's CEO and Queen of Snark, Zevo hussein Calamari turns 19 on Saturday April 14! We are celebrating with a sale at the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop. Save 19% off everything... even the already marked down items.

Use the code ZEVO19 when checking out. http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlanetCalamari

Happy Birthday Zevo! Thank you for 19 years of love and snarkyness. We love you!

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Hoppy Easter from Planet Calamari


"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."- Elwood P Dowd


Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Romancing the SteamPunk ...



Imagine being in the Victorian era with advanced machines still based on 19th century technology and a tad of the super natural. Gorgeous old world clothing with a touch of whimsy. For more information on steampunk please visit www.steampunk.com




I created this steampunk inspired necklace by hand stringing vintage buttons, assorted glass beads and recycled baubles on non-tarnish bronze copper wire. The wire was then crocheted into strands and weaved them together. Antique Mother of Pearl buttons, vintage flowered bronze and copper buttons, carved flower buttons, amber beads and glass jewel toned beads are intertwined into a beautiful free form necklace. The combination of these hues combined with the bronze wire has a victorian feel.



To see more about this piece visit CLICK HERE!

Monday, April 02, 2012

The Magic of Dragonflies




Of all the animal totems the dragonfly is one of the most magical. Shimmering wings in iridescent colors The dragonfly symbolizes change and self realization. It is the understanding of a deeper meaning of life. Living it too its fullest, flying above the mundane. Many cultures believe the dragonfly symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.



This dramatic neck sculpture was created by crocheting midnight black non-tarnish copper wire with teal sea green and aurora borealis glass seed beads intertwined. Faceted glass beads and delicate green and pink beads were also added giving this neck sculpture an ethereal effect.

I painted two silver dragonfly charms with enamel paint. The 2 inch wings are an iridescent purple and their bodies a blue green. The dragonflies are wired on to the piece securely. In between sits a semi-precious amethyst flat round bead with a purple with peacock eyes lamp-work bead hanging. These dragonflies appear to have landed on a pond as the teal green glass beads reflect light with movement.

Amethyst is considered to be a stone of spirituality and contentment. It can help raise a lower vibration energy to a higher one. Amethyst can be used to attract love, happiness and peace of mind. It is said to have the highest vibration of all stones.

Click here to see more of this crocheted wire neck sculpture.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Embrace Your Inner Fool ... Happy April 1

From Wiki:

The Fool is the spirit in search of experience. He represents the mystical cleverness bereft of reason within us, the childlike ability to tune into the inner workings of the world. The sun shining behind him represents the divine nature of the Fool's wisdom and exuberance, holy madness or 'crazy wisdom'. On his back are all the possessions he might need. In his hand there is a flower, showing his appreciation of beauty. He is frequently accompanied by a dog, sometimes seen as his animal desires, sometimes as the call of the "real world", nipping at his heels and distracting him. He is seemingly unconcerned that he is standing on a precipice, apparently about to step off.

The Fool is both the beginning and the end, neither and otherwise, betwixt and between."