Wednesday, December 31, 2008

St. Therese Relic Charm Bracelet

Patronage AIDS sufferers; air crews; aircraft pilots; , ; florists; flower growers; foreign missions; illness; missionaries; parish missions; sick people; sickness;
Also known as Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of Jesus

Many miracles attributed to her. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.
"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." - Saint Therese of Lisieux

I just love creating a bracelet in honor of St. Therese, I feel so much peace working on said bracelet. I was able to find a beautiful color medal of St. Therese, I also added her relic medal to the bracelet. I also added a beautiful resin cameo of Victorian angel. Other Catholic Medals included are vintage medals of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Infant of Prague, made in West Germany, color Italian medals of St. Jude and St. Padre Pio and one silvertone medal of St. Philomena. To add to the beauty of the medals, I added gorgeous Millefiori glass lampwork heart beads and polymer roses with Czech. glass leaves.

"Rainforest" Charm Bracelet


I was inspired to create a bracelet in honor to one of God's creations in nature, which are Rain forest animals. I created this bracelet in a whimsical way. I found the most beautiful and well detailed glass lampwork animals to create such bracelet.
I added a toucan, very unique beads with frogs attached to the bead and some with lizards, whimsical fish, turtles, gemstone turtles and I also added some glass lampwork flowers and wedding cake beads as well as wood beads.
I am very pleased with the outcome of this bracelet.


Virgin Mary Cameo Catholic Medals Charm Bracelet


OUR LADY,THE LORD'S VIRGIN AND MOTHER
We turn in all our needs to Christ's blessed Mother, Mary,
because we know that our Lord,
as her obedient and loving Son,
can refuse her nothing.
Hence, we turn with confidence to our blessed Lady
as "comforter of the afflicted,"
"the help of Christians,"
"health of the sick,"
and "Virgin most powerful."
Our Virgin Mother still stands by us
as she stood faithfully by the foot of the Cross,
and as she remained praying with His apostles and disciples.
So, too, will she be close to us
when we turn to her in our necessities.


I was inspired to create a bracelet in these colors to honor Our Most beautiful Blessed Mother depicted in this beautiful vintage cameo. This is a replica of the "Madonna of the Magnificant" by famous painter Botticelli. I added a "Bless Our Family" cross with Virgin Mary, Jesus Child and St. Joseph, a crucifix, Our Lady of Medjugorje, St. Francis Xavier, St. Frances Mother Cabrini, Archangel St. Gabriel and others. On center of medal I added a large acrylic flower charm. I also used beautiful natural green jade flowers and gorgeous lampwork beads to create this combination.

Holy Child of Atocha "Santo Nino de Atocha" Charm Bracelet

Patron Saint of Prisoners
History of El Santo Nino de Atocha (The Holy Child of Atocha)

The devotion to El Santo Nino de Atocha originated in Spain. Its origin may be related to Our Lady of Atocha, in Madrid, Spain, who is mentioned in the "Cantigas" of King Alphonse the Wise in the 13th century. During medieval times, the Moors held large areas and battles between the Christians and Moors were commonplace. The Moors invaded the town of Atocha. Following a certain battle, the victorious Moors held a great many Christians captive, and prevented the adult villagers from visiting as well as bringing the prisoners food or water. Fearing for the lives of the prisoners, their families stormed heaven with prayers for relief. One day, a child appeared, dressed as a pilgrim of that period, carrying a basket of food and a gourd of water. The Moors allowed the child to bring food and water each day. The prisoners were fed, but the basket and gourd remained full. The child was not known to the Christians nor to the Moors, so the people concluded that the child Jesus.
In artwork, the Holy Child often wears a brimmed hat with a plume and a cloak or cape ornate with the St. James shell. (During the Crusades, scallop shells were the symbol of holy pilgrimages and one European variety is still referred to as "the pilgrim" or "St. James' shell." Poets have written about their beauty and artists have admired their symmetry and grace.) In his left hand, He carries a pilgrim's staff to the gourd of water is fastened, a pair of shackles, and a few spears of wheat. In his right hand, He holds a basket which generally contains bread or flowers. He either wears sandals or is barefoot. The Child is said to roam the hills and valleys, particularly at night, bringing aid and comfort to the needy, and thereby wearing out his shoes. He is usually shown seated.
The original statue of the Holy Child of Atocha was imported from Spain and now resides in the little town of Fresnillo, Mexico. El Santo Nino de Atocha is the patron saint of those unjustly imprisoned. He also protects travelers and rescues people in danger.

I always feel so blessed when I find unique Catholic medals, specially when they are vintage and are hard to find, and at times I think they find me. This is one of those cases. I was blessed to have found a vintage medal of Holy Child of Atocha, Made in West Germany, set in Mother of Pearl, such beautiful medal. I also added other Catholic medals as Divine Mercy, Miraculous Medal, St. Anthony, St. Sebastian, Virgin Mary, Sorrowful Mother. I surrounded these Catholic medals with glass lampwork beads, Czech. glass, glass golden pearls to enhance the beauty of these medals.

Virgin Mary "Madonna of the Streets" Charm Bracelet

Mary, I beg you, by that grace through which the Lord is with you and you will to be with him, let your mercy be with me. Let love for you always be with me, and the care for me be always with you. Let the cry of my need, as long as it persists, be with you, and the care of your goodness, as long as I need it, be with me. Let joy in your blessedness be always with me, and compassion for my wretchedness, where I need it, be with you. I was able to create this bracelet in honor to Our Blessed Mother with a beautiful blue 3D cameo surrounded by blue roses and lucite trumpet flowers. I added a unique figural medal of Virgin Mary praying, aa figural image medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother Theresa and other Catholic medals.


Rose: The rose is regarded as the "queen of flowers", and often symbolizes Mary, the Queen of Heaven. Also an almost universal symbol of perfect love, its color, perfection of form, and fragrance, as well as its thorns signifies Mary's role in salvation history as the Mother of God the Savior who was crowned with thorns and shed His blood on the Cross for love of mankind. The rose, arising from a thorny bush, also signifies Mary, the Mystical Rose.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Our Lady of Lourdes Relic Medal Catholic Bracelet


Our Lady of Lourdes: France, 1858
Our Lady appeared to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, 18 times from February through July, 1858. During the apparitions she told Bernadette to dig a hole which later in the day produced a stream of water, bringing about thousands of spiritual and physical cures even to this day. Mary pleaded for "penitence! Penitence! Penitence!" and urged us to "Pray to God for sinners". She called herself the "Immaculate Conception".

HOLY WATER OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
O ever Immaculate Virgin, mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, you know my needs, my troubles, my sufferings, cast me a look of pity. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal, I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence & implore your maternal intercession.


I created this bracelet in honor of Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Lourdes, using one relic medal and a color medal of Our Lady on the Grotto. I was inspired to create it with those colors, representing her image and the roses. I added other Catholic medals of St. Philomena, St. Martin of Tours, St. Jude, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Medjugorje, Holy Child of Atocha, Glass lampwork beads, pearls and Czech. Glass beads.

Angelic Realm Victorian-Style Charm Bracelet


I am always inspired by the angels and with this bracelet I wanted to create a bracelet that brings a nostalgic feel to it and at the same time to honor our angels that God has given us and always are around us.
I added beautiful resin angel cameos, porcelain cameos and handcrafted angels made with polymer clay flowers and Czech. glass beads.
Prayer to One's Guardian Angel
Dear Angel, in his goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect and enlighten me, and to being me back to the right way when I go astray. Encourage me when I am disheartened, and instruct me when I err in my judgment. Help me to become more Christlike, and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven. Amen.

St. Lazarus Catholic Medals Charm Bracelet






Lazarus is the poor man at the gate of the rich man in Christ's parable related in Luke. (Luke 16:19-31)
The Order of Saint Lazarus was founded in the 12th Century to provide nursing for lepers, taking Lazarus as its patron. The knights of the order were lepers, and besides helping their fellow sufferers, they carried out military duties. They founded a hospital for lepers near the northern wall of Jerusalem.
I created this bracelet in honor of St. Lazarus. This brings back a lot of memories of growing up with St. Lazarus image. My mother was devout to St. Lazarus and and therefore he is very close to my heart.
I added a beautiful vintage mother of pearl medal, made in West Germany, of St. Lazarus. I added color italian Catholic medals of Miraculous Medal, St. Padre Pio, Divine Mercy, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary. I surrounded them with beautiful golden, magenta nd rose glass pearls.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Catholic Medal Charm Bracelet

"The Blessed Virgin was standing on a globe, and her face was beautiful beyond words. Her fingers were covered with precious jewels whose light dazzled me. And I heard: 'Behold the symbol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them!' Then an oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin and I read in letters of gold: 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.' The vision reversed and I beheld the letter 'M' surmounted by a cross, at the foot of the cross, a bar, and below all, the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. A voice said to me, 'Have a medal struck after this model. Persons who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.' "Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labour".
THE RAYS BEING DISPERSED BY OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL CAME FROM THE GEMSTONES ON HER FINGERS

I created this bracelet with a beautiful well detailed vintage medal of Our Lady of Miraculous medal made of Mother of Pearl surrounded with all Her majesty, purple being a majestic color.
I added beautiful purple Jade beads, purple glass beads and glass pearls to surround this beautiful medal.

Infant of Prague Catholic Medals Charm Bracelet

INFANT OF PRAGUE
The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus has long been a tradition of the Catholic Church for a very long time. This devotion is a veneration of our Lord's sacred Infancy. Many saints had a very strong devotion to the Divine Child, notably St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Teresa of Avila.
Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbours. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.

History
The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue was not truly known, but historical sources point to a small 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved in around the year 1340. Many other Infant Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period in Spain which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila. A number of sculptures made in Spain eventually found their way to Prague. These sculptures were made of wax, ivory, and bronze and were dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of that period.
It is unknown to this date which of those early sculptures that got to Prague was the exact origin of the Infant Jesus of Prague. It was speculated that it came from a monastery in Bohemia and from there it was obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique who gave it as a wedding gift to her daughter Marie Manrique who married a noble of the Czech kingdom. Later, the Holy Infant statue was again given to Marie's daughter Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587. In 1628, Lady Polyxena presented the statue to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strana saying, "I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off" (*FN1*). This statue then became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. It stands 47 cm high (includes a 2cm base) and has a long gown around the wax body.
Shortly after 1628, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and the Carmelites had to flee and the veneration of the Holy Infant ceased. It was not until 1638 that a young priest named Fr. P. Cyril, a Matre Dei, returned to Prague and found the Holy Infant statue buried in the ruins of the Lady of Victory church. Fr. Cyril cleaned the statue and placed it in the oratory for worship. While he was praying before the Infant Jesus, he heard the Infant Jesus say, "Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you". (*FN2*)
The repairing of the statue's hand was a miracle since Fr. Cyril and his peers did not have the financial resources nor the know-how to repair it. Through prayer, Fr. Cyril asked the Blessed Virgin Mary in several occasions to to provide the necessary funds for fixing the Infant statue. The Divine Infant spoke to him again, "Place Me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive aid" (*FN3*). Fr. Cyril then did what he was told and in a few days time, the statue was fixed by a man who came to the sacristy to offer help.
Since the statue was fixed, a number of miracles had occurred and the word began to spread, resulting in a large increase of veneration to the Holy Child. This includes the Czech nobles as well. These early miracles were recorded in a book by P. Emerich a St Stephano, published in German in 1736 and in Czech in 1749 (*FN4*).
In 1641, an altar was built for the Infant Jesus in the church, and in 1644 a chapel was built, but was not completed until 1654. Many nobles of the time had greatly supported the Infant Jesus, among them were Lady Polyxena, King Ferdinard (Czech), King Charles Gustav(Sweden), and Bernard Ignatius of the Lords of Martinic. It is interesting to note that the crown over the Divine Infant's head came from Bernard Ignatius, who presented the Infant statue with a little gold crown set with precious stones and jewels on January 14, 1651 during a procession that carried the Infant Jesus statue from the Lady of Victory church to other Prague churches. The Infant Jesus was solemnly coronated on April 4, 1655 by the Archbishop Josef Corta acting for Cardinal Harrach III who was sick.
After that period, Prague went through more wars and unrest but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was miraculously protected. In 1776 the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides of the altar. The Holy Infant was kept in a glass case standing on a pedestal engraved with crystals, and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold.



I found this beautiful ornate medal of Infant of Prague in one of my trips to a local mission, San Xavier Mission, where they sell souvenirs and it's very unique and was the only one they had left.
That was my main inspiration on working on this bracelet by adding cinnabar beads, a beautiful vintage charm with red glass, glass pearls and ruby red Czech. glass beads. Other Catholic medals include St. Michael, St. Theresa, St. Padre Pio and Our Lady of Lourdes.

Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, Charm Bracelet


This is a special bracelet dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary- I attached a one decade rosary to this bracelet made with two tone rose color Czech. glass beads. I added a vintage medal of Our Lady of the Rosary on center of this bracelet and adding more Catholic medals including a unique figural medal of Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus, other include Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Medjugorje, Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos, St. Padre Pio and others.
Enhancing the bracelet with beautiful antique rose with cream color Czech. glass beads, magenta glass pearls and a gorgeous rhinestone charm on center.

Holy Face Relic Catholic Bracelet (Cloth touched to the Holy Shroud of Oviedo)



The Holy Shroud of Oviedo
The Sudarium is referred to in John 20:5-8.
The Sudarium of Oviedo, or Shroud of Oviedo, is a bloodstained cloth, 34" x 21", kept in the cathedral of Oviedo, Spain and claimed to be the cloth that was wrapped around the head of Jesus of Nazareth after he died (Head-veil of Christ).

ADORABLE FACE OF JESUS
Adorable Face of Jesus, whom all the angels adore,
may You be known, loved and adored by the whole world.
Sacred Face of Jesus, I desire to love and honor You more and more,
in reparation for the many sins committed before You.
O Sacred Face of Jesus veiled in the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar;
I Adore You and Love You.


I created this bracelet with much love, respect and devotion to Our Lord. I added this special relic medal to one of my bracelets to be a constant reminder to us of His suffering for us.
I added other Catholic medals including Archangel St. Gabriel, St. Barbara, St. Benedict, St. Michael, Our Lady of Guadalupe. I added a one decade rosary as well to this bracelet.
I used deep red lampwork beads and turquoise howlite beads.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Our Lady of Lourdes Water Medal Bracelet


Our Lady of Lourdes: France, 1858
Our Lady appeared to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, 18 times from February through July, 1858. During the apparitions she told Bernadette to dig a hole which later in the day produced a stream of water, bringing about thousands of spiritual and physical cures even to this day. Mary pleaded for "penitence! Penitence! Penitence!" and urged us to "Pray to God for sinners". She called herself the "Immaculate Conception".


HOLY WATER OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
O ever Immaculate Virgin, mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, you know my needs, my troubles, my sufferings, cast me a look of pity. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a priviledged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal, I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence & implore your maternal intercession.


I created this bracelet in honor of Our Most Beloved Lady of Lourdes. I used a water medal of Lourdes Water as well as a beautiful handpainted gold plated medal of Our Lady in the Grotto. (this medal was issued last year in Bangkok, Thailand and the medal depicts Our Lady on front side and the church of Bangkok on reverse side).
I also used vintage and new Catholic medals of Miraculous Medal, St. Louis, St. Michael, Guardian Angel and Our Lady of Victory in a beautiful ornate design. I also used beautiful 24K gold foil glass lampwork beads to accent the bracelet and beautify the gold plated medal even more.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Our Lady of Guadalupe Relic Bracelet


Feast DayDecember 12th
In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City; she identified Herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on the site and left an image of Herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 474 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin.

God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas at Tepeyac with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. May her prayers help all men and women to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Through your justice present in our hearts, may your peace reign in the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I created this bracelet to honor Our Most Humble Lady of Guadalupe by using a beautiful color medal of Her image and a relic medal as well. I used other vintage and new Catholic Medals including Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, St. Therese, 14K gold layered medal of guardian angel and others.
I adorned this bracelet with turqouise beads and enhancing them with sponge coral beads and sponge coral carved flower. I also used a couple of vintage charms.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Bracelet





Our Lady of The Sacred Heart
Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy divine Son hath given thee over His own adorable Heart. Full of trust in thy merits, we come before thee and beg thy protection. O heavenly Treasurer of the Heart of Jesus, that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces, which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that from it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and salvation, that are contained therein; grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favors which we seek. . . . We can never, never be refused by thee, and since thou art our Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously hear our prayers and grant our request. Amen

I think the picture on this porcelain cameo is just stunning. I love Our Lady's compassionate and loving look on Her face. I was inspired to create a bracelet to make Her honor and found a stunning flower charm with rhinestones which I added on the center of the bracelet. I added vintage and new Catholic medals, including St. Gerard, Sacred Heart of Jesus and others.
I also added gorgeous handcrafted glass lampwork beads with 3D flowers, glass hearts and pearls to enhance the cameo's beauty.

Angelic Realm Victorian-Style Charm Bracelet

I love the romantic look and feel of this bracelet. I used a large porcelain cameo of a victorian angel and added more porcelain angels surrounded by beautiful handpainted shabby pink cottage roses beads and glass pearls to give it that nostalgic romantic look.


Prayer to One's Guardian Angel
Dear Angel, in his goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect and enlighten me, and to being me back to the right way when I go astray. Encourage me when I am disheartened, and instruct me when I err in my judgment. Help me to become more Christlike, and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven. Amen.


"Religious Treasures" Infant of Prague Catholic Altered Art Necklace




INFANT OF PRAGUE
The devotion to the Holy Child Jesus has long been a tradition of the Catholic Church for a very long time. This devotion is a veneration of our Lord's sacred Infancy. Many saints had a very strong devotion to the Divine Child, notably St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Teresa of Avila.
Prague is the capitol city of the Czech Republic, which is at the very central of Europe with Germany, Poland, Russia and Austria as its neighbours. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus.
History
The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue was not truly known, but historical sources point to a small 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved in around the year 1340. Many other Infant Jesus sculptures were also carved by famous masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in the Baroque period in Spain which may have been caused by the visions of St. Teresa of Avila. A number of sculptures made in Spain eventually found their way to Prague. These sculptures were made of wax, ivory, and bronze and were dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of that period.
It is unknown to this date which of those early sculptures that got to Prague was the exact origin of the Infant Jesus of Prague. It was speculated that it came from a monastery in Bohemia and from there it was obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique who gave it as a wedding gift to her daughter Marie Manrique who married a noble of the Czech kingdom. Later, the Holy Infant statue was again given to Marie's daughter Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587. In 1628, Lady Polyxena presented the statue to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious in Mala Strana saying, "I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off" (*FN1*). This statue then became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. It stands 47 cm high (includes a 2cm base) and has a long gown around the wax body.
Shortly after 1628, the Saxons and the Swedes took turns to invade Prague and the Carmelites had to flee and the veneration of the Holy Infant ceased. It was not until 1638 that a young priest named Fr. P. Cyril, a Matre Dei, returned to Prague and found the Holy Infant statue buried in the ruins of the Lady of Victory church. Fr. Cyril cleaned the statue and placed it in the oratory for worship. While he was praying before the Infant Jesus, he heard the Infant Jesus say, "Have pity on Me and I will have pity on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you". (*FN2*)
The repairing of the statue's hand was a miracle since Fr. Cyril and his peers did not have the financial resources nor the know-how to repair it. Through prayer, Fr. Cyril asked the Blessed Virgin Mary in several occassions to to provide the necessary funds for fixing the Infant statue. The Divine Infant spoke to him again, "Place Me near the entrance of the sacristy and you will receive aid" (*FN3*). Fr. Cyril then did what he was told and in a few days time, the statue was fixed by a man who came to the sacristy to offer help.
Since the statue was fixed, a number of miracles had occurred and the word began to spread, resulting in a large increase of veneration to the Holy Child. This includes the Czech nobles as well. These early miracles were recorded in a book by P. Emerich a St Stephano, published in German in 1736 and in Czech in 1749 (*FN4*).
In 1641, an altar was built for the Infant Jesus in the church, and in 1644 a chapel was built, but was not completed until 1654. Many nobles of the time had greatly supported the Infant Jesus, among them were Lady Polyxena, King Ferdinard (Czech), King Charles Gustav(Sweden), and Bernard Ignatius of the Lords of Martinic. It is interesting to note that the crown over the Divine Infant's head came from Bernard Ignatius, who presented the Infant statue with a little gold crown set with precious stones and jewels on January 14, 1651 during a procession that carried the Infant Jesus statue from the Lady of Victory church to other Prague churches. The Infant Jesus was solemnly coronated on April 4, 1655 by the Archbishop Josef Corta acting for Cardinal Harrach III who was sick.
After that period, Prague went through more wars and unrest but the church and the Infant Jesus chapel was miraculously protected. In 1776 the altar was rebuilt using marble and two huge sculptures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were placed to the left and right sides of the altar. The Holy Infant was kept in a glass case standing on a pedestal engraved with crystals, and surrounding the Infant were twenty angels in gold

I was inspired once again to create another altered art necklace with the inspiration of a shrine to Infant of Prague and Religious treasures
I used a pocket watch case to create a portable shrine using a vintage statue of Infant of Prague, a tiny medal of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, praying hands an vintage pearls.
On the charm necklace I used other medals, gemstones and misc. charms.

Friday, November 28, 2008

St. Anthony Charm Bracelet



ST. ANTHONY
He is known as Miracle Worker; Doctor of the Church; He is especially invoked for the recovery of things lost; as well as against starvation,; patron of amputees, animals, domestic animals, the elderly, expectant mothers, faith in the Blessed Sacrament, fishermen, harvests, horses, lower animals, mail, mariners, oppressed persons sailors, scholars, sterility, travelers
Prayer to Saint Anthony the Wonder-Worker

PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY
Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find {mention your petition} which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God.Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.


I made honor to St. Anthony on this bracelet using a beautiful color image of St. Anthony and Baby Jesus. I surrounded it with other Catholic medals including Divine Mercy, St. Jude, St. Michael, Infant of Prague, Miraculous Medal and others. I also added a howlite stone cross and amber color Czech. glass beads, lavender Czech. glass, hunter green glass pearls all capped with ornate bead caps.

St. Therese Relic Catholic Charm Bracelet



Patronage AIDS sufferers; air crews; aircraft pilots; , ; florists; flower growers; foreign missions; illness; missionaries; parish missions; sick people; sickness;
Also known as Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of Jesus

Many miracles attributed to her. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.
PRAYER
"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." - Saint Therese of Lisieux
Since roses are associated with St. Therese, I created this bracelet in her honor using polymer clay roses throughout the bracelet, enhancing them with Czech. glass leaves. I added a special relic medal of St. Therese, Our Lady of Lourdes Medal, St. Odilia medal, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Hear of Mary. I also used yellow glass pearls to make the bracelet more colorful.

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Charm Bracelet





"The Blessed Virgin was standing on a globe, and her face was beautiful beyond words. Her fingers were covered with precious jewels whose light dazzled me. And I heard: 'Behold the symbol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them!' Then an oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin and I read in letters of gold: 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.' The vision reversed and I beheld the letter 'M' surmounted by a cross, at the foot of the cross, a bar, and below all, the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. A voice said to me, 'Have a medal struck after this model. Persons who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.' "Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labour".
THE RAYS BEING DISPERSED BY OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL CAME FROM THE GEMSTONES ON HER FINGERS

I created this bracelet in honor to Our Blessed Mother Our Lady of Miraculous Medal with a stunning heavy medal. Her image set in a bubble surrounded by ornate design. I also included some vintage and new Catholic medals including St. Therese, St. Rita, Annunciation and others. I surrounded these medals with white glass pearls, lampwork heart beads and angels made of white and blue glass beads, finishing it with a gorgeous flower center with aurora borealis rhinestones.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Virgin Mary Our Lady of Victory Charm Necklace









I created this necklace with the inspiration of a Shrine to Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Victory and St. Raymond including some vintage treasures and be able to carry all the time.


I included inside the pocket watch, a vintage pocket statue of Our Lady of Victory, a St. Raymond image on the background, vintage pearls and rhinestones. I used vintage chain to hold this Shrine and all other treasures, including a figural medal of Virgin Mary as a child, a vintage medal of Guardian angel and Holy Family.


I included Jasper, turquoise and ruby quartz gemstones besides a lot of other charms.



I want to share the pictures below- here is my work area where I take my pictures and use different displays. This table is by a window and sometimes I do get some sun rays coming in to thru the window but today was different. I couldn't find the right angle to take the picture because the sun rays seem brighter than usual.
Sometimes I use a black board to use as background but today I moved it out of the background because I wanted lighter background and took the picture and to my surprise when I uploaded my pictures. As you can see, the sun was coming in thru the window, you can also see it on the left side, but no image.

As you can see there is an image glowing on the black board that to me looks like the shape of Our Blessed Mother. Second picture shows only the image after cropping.
I interpret this image that Our Blessed Mother is happy about how I create my art to make honor to Her and Our Lord. Which I feel so blessed to be able to create.