Birthstones – Gemstones that tell about you January, February, March

Text: Susan Fred; photos: Sandra Rugina, Pasi Torkkeli

Are sapphires lucky for you and when will you benefit from using them the most? Do you know your birthstone?

For every month, there is a gemstone that is set to describe the person thatis born in during the month. Birthstones include precious gemstones, like diamonds, and semiprecious gems, for example turquoise. Birthstones describe the twelve months and people that are born in certain month the same way than horoscopes do.

All the birthstones are believed to have healing powers for different illnesses and health problems. All the birthstones also have different good features in them, like creativity or happiness. Birthstones are believed to bring extra luck on its own chosen month, so if you feel like you need some extra help with your lottery numbers, read on what gemstone will benefit you the most.

The twelve Birthstones:

1. January - garnet

2. February - amethyst

3. March - aquamarine

4. April - diamond

5. May - emerald

6. June - pearl

7. July - ruby

8. August - peridot

9. September - sapphire

10. October - opal

11. November - orange topaz

12. December - turquoise.

January: Garnet

Garnet is a gemstone comes almost in every color from red to yellow. It is

believed to bring Truth, Faithfulness, friendship and purity to the person who carries it. Some say, that Garnet brings commitment and awareness and also helps to remove negativity. This beautiful stone will help with blood, infection, lung and heart related health problems.

February: Amethyst

Amethyst is a beautiful Lilac Quartz. This gemstone is believed to bring inner strength, courage, peace, balance and sincerity to who uses it. In the ancient times the Greeks and the Romans thought that Amethyst helped to prevent drunkenness. Amethyst will help with health problems related with different addictions, insomnia, pain relief, issues concerning circulatory system and general healing.

March: Aquamarine

Beautiful blue aquamarines are the birth stone for March.

The properties that are linked to Aquamarines are friendship, courage and faithfulness. Aquamarines are believed to help with communication problems, awareness and responding time. This gemstone will help with health issues that include stress and throat related problems.

We will write about the other birthstones in each upcoming issue of Design Jewelry and Accessories Magazine.

Accessories Featured Designer: Maren from Sai Sai Arts

Text: Sandra Kemppainen; photos: Josh Austin, Amber Beckham; Styling/Clothing: Vicious Threads

photo: Josh Austin; Styling/Clothing: Vicious Threads; model: Emily Michele Sapp

For the special accessories feature of the first issue, I decided to choose SaiSaiArts, a beautiful shop on Etsy featuring hair fascinators, hats, brooches, all in amazing soft and vivid colors. The designer Maren has agreed to answer the questions of my interview.

“Tell me about who you are and where you live, where your shop is, your workshop, who creates the accessories.”

“My name is Maren Linn and I currently live in Nashville, TN. I make all of my products and I have a little work area in my bedroom. I sell some things at a little shop here in Nashville called Local Honey, otherwise I focus my efforts on Etsy.”

“Do you have a favorite material you work with? If yes, which one is it and why?”

"I would have to say feathers. I love feathers. They’re naturally gorgeous and I love the texture. I do also get inspired by pretty ribbons, vintage costume jewelry, and luscious silk flowers.”

“What do you feel influences your designs?”

“I think I am mostly influenced by the materials I find. I find some pretty things and then I play around with them until I put something cool together. I am also inspired by art, clothing and accessories, historical fashions, architectural motifs, interior design, gardens, and really anything pretty.”

photos: Josh Austin; Styling/Clothing: Vicious Threads; model: Emily Michele Sapp

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“Which is your favorite ever item you created?” 

“Hmm, favorite pieces. It might be tied. Piece one is a one of a kind cocktail hat that I hand stitched iridescent mallard feathers onto in a fan shape. The colors change from purple to blue to green depending on the light. I accented it with a sad little vintage clip on earring that lost its mate and now has new life. I’m also a fan of a feathered headdress that I made with painstaikingly curled pheasant feathers called “Phoenix.” “

"What is your dream for your brand for the future?”

“My brand is undergoing a lot of changes at the moment. I’ve started angling towards fancier, more highly crafted pieces. In March I’m going to London for some more formal millinery training at the London College of Fashion, and I’m very excited to see where my new skill set is going to take me.”

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaiSaiArts