Malakos is known as the mirror of the soul. Malakos is the gorgeous crystal Malachite. From the Greek word soft it was and is always special. Holding great shades of green, malachite is pure magic. A crystal that does great in all its shapes. It has its charm unpolished but polished it reaches another level! Once it’s polished, you can actually see the gorgeous pattern. In ancient Greece, and Egypt Malachite was used as a protection stone and to extract green paint. In Russia, it was used by the czars to decorate the inside of castles to protect them from the evil eye. Malachites come from many places like Russia, Romania, Zambia, and Mexico.
Cleopatra used the green Malachite as her protection makeup.
The Czars in Russia used it for decoration inside the palaces and even had a malachite room in the winter Palace. It’s definitely gorgeous. Imagine the vibes!
But I bet you wonder how to use malachite… For sure as great as it looks, if you love hot baths, a malachite tub is not for you! It might look great, but over time cracks will appear in the malachite… Malachite, does not like water. Malachite is great for absorbing negative energy around you. It also calms your mind and gives a good feeling. The pattern has a hypnotic effect and makes you feel good inside. It also builds confidence and helps on the emotional level, when is also you might feel helpless, worthless, or empty. It is also a great helper when it comes to back pain.
Malachite is a stone of transformation and it can take your energy to another level. It has feminine energy that will transform into masculine energy if needed. Basically, this stone is your to-go stone if you need protection, support on all levels, emotional, mental, physical, guidance and positivity.
Malachite protects in fear situations and is great to have when flying, driving, etc…Malachite has many different names….you know it’s called Stone of transformation, also a soft healer but it’s also a stone used in the past by midwives. It protects women during birthing, pregnancy, and monthly period pain.
Malachite is fantastic when it comes to blood pressure, and deals with the heart chakra. Since it’s a healer stone, it eases the trembles when it comes to Parkinson’s.
Now, you see Malachite is very versatile and great to use in many different areas, but it is really fascinating to use when it comes to abundance and wealth. That is one of the reasons I love to work with Malachite and transform them into a piece of art, wearable art. And so I want to combine my love of threads with this amazing stone. I will use malachite slabs and incorporate them with Romanian Point Lace, and 3D bullion elements and create a unique necklace.
If you ever wondered how I start a necklace that involves crystals…Here we go, first I cleanse and charge the crystal, after that, I start to incorporate it into the design. If it’s a custom design I incorporate the crystal into a grid as a center stone.
So you see, it does not matter, what goal you will wear for your malachite necklace, love, wealth, health, happiness, etc… it will always be a benefit to you!
Now the big question is what color should I combine with malachite? I love both salmon and light beige (has a silver touch to it).
If you visit my Instagram HERE You can find a reel about other great Malachite properties! So, let me know in the comment section what color you would pick salmon or beige!
Like you know I am always working on many projects at the same time like that Mondrian brooch, the Rosebud modern Romanian Point Lace doily, the lace mask, and the Rosa Canina with abstract vein elements, etc….
So let’s just talk lace for a minute….. Is your coffee hot? Mine is…. like you know I am a coffee addict!
Every time I create a piece of point lace, does not matter, if it home decor or a jewellery , an accessory, etc…. I want to tell you the best way to keep it clean, dust free, and long lasting.
Are you ready? Sure you are!
First of all each project needs it;s own place, while you work on it. I keep mine it little containers if I am at desk. If it;s on the go in a zip bag is best.
I don’t buy boxes unless it needs to be organised in the lace closets. Yes, I do have lace closets where everything is organised by colours, or projects or topics, art, books, threads, etc…..
I use for example a fererro rocher square box once the chocolates are done, or an ice cream container once it;s empty. First of all you recycle, so nature check and second you save money!
These boxes are great and if they get damaged you do not feel sorry if you discard them, you did not spend a dine on it.
The other think is just in case you have little kids like me or pets, you can keep your project save and dust free. It’s easy to pick up and move it away or store it.
But now let me show you all the projects started!
Mondrian inspired brooch! Loved to make the brooch and it will be a one of as far as I can think atm. If the interest is there, I might start a line. Let me know what you think about that!
It has a pin at the back and is fun to wear on something white or black!
Now the other project if you remember, was the Rosebud modern Romanian Point Lace doily.
I finished the embroidery and once it was all in place, it was time to work on the back side of the doily.
The back part is simple crochet. There is no real pattern that I followed. You need to make sure that it;s neat and covers the back in an organic motion. See image.
You can use the doily as a wall art, which I do mostly. So I framed it in a vintage style frame, like the one below or use it on a furniture piece or a tray, etc…. I am sure you find a fantastic use for it.
It;s very trendy atm to use crochet doilies as a dream catcher so why not with this type of doily?!
Sew around the edges of the rosebud embroidery designs and connect the crochet back part with the embroidery. Now you can steam clean or iron press the ready doily.
If you feel that you worked the doily a lot and the threads feels, or looks dirty, give it a quick hand wash. Make sure that you do not squish it very harsh and dry it flat on a towel. Once it;s air dry ( no dryer) you can start using it. If you feel the need to block it by all means do it. I have notes that with most RPL pieces it;s actually not necessary. BUT, said so, if you like it extra flat and stiff, of course you can block it. Here is how it looks in the frame.
What I wanted to achieve it that the embroidery is at the edge of the doily. Normally in traditional RPL, the embroidery is only in the centre. Recently, it started to become trendy and more embroidery is added, in other places, like ending and between the cords.
The lace mask you have seen in the older blog post, but if you need a reminder, click HERE. It turned out gorgeous the mask and the little one was very pleased with it. I created a listing for it and it’s now available on ETSY as custom order.
The Rosa Canina floral design in traditional ecru and white from the last blog , click HERE, was just the beginning I think … I am very inspired to take this project a bit further and create something different with it. and so I experimented with different threads and styles. I used silk rayon and rayon silk threads- different sizes and colours. All is wip atm. The pink thread is pure silk and is from the UK DeVere Yarns. If you want to check them out, click HERE.
Is there a project you explore more? If yes, let me know!
Working with different types of materials, is sometimes a challenge and very interesting.
When you think about an antique lace making technique like Crochet, Irish Lace, Battenburg, etc…. it is very important to not only keep the craft going and to pass it on. It is crucial to evolve and update it, including different techniques, threads, colours, volume , shape and sizes as well as purpose and function of the lace.
Irish Crochet has deep roots in using fine hooks and ecru, beige, white and cream threads but a lot has change from its humble beginning. Colours popped in, different thread types and hook sizes changed. Beads have been introduce as well as transforming shapes. The traditional Irish lace is still very popular and strong but modern Irish lace is catching up more and more….
If you want to know more about traditional Irish Crochet lace , find out more here from Larisa Chilton an amazing Irish Crochet teacher and maker. She will be able to help you out, guide you and teach you.
When it comes to Romanian Point Lace its a bit different. The traditional Romanian Point Lace is very stubborn, or at least most Romanian Point Lace makers. From personal experience I have seen that they can’t seem to understand that this lace as beautiful as it is needs not only to breath and extend it needs to be seen and it will not be seen if we do not change our minds on the subject. We as lace makers need to be open minded to introducing colours… and it finally happens a bit, – ( Fabulous to see HURRA!) but most Romanian Point Lace makers still produce the same pattern in the shape design and pattern again and again and placing it in the same spot- the furniture! Well this is not enough anymore!
In the image above you can see how traditional Romanian Point Lace is used. This is a traditional design in colour, shape, size, function. Now you can do way more with this…. Smaller pieces like the image below, can be used as funky place mats.
Now the next step how RPL got its transformation, was when dye was introduced. Like in this image below. Natural dye like here – Turmeric
After natural dye, even though it was not proper! Coloured thread was introduced by the early 2000.
I am trying to introduce into this tight world of Romanian Point Lace a new way of lace making that can maybe open the way for a new generation of lace makers. This new generation might be interested in Romanian Point Lace in a traditional and new way. It is important that we keep ancient craft alive but we need to make it attractive to younger people today. They will not look twice if the lace is a doily… sadly this is the truth and not many can face it.
So this is what I am rooting for… make lace , keep an ancient craft like Romanian Point Lace alive BUT wearable, make it fashionable. And yes, I am aware that might not be every bodies cup of tea, but c’est la vie!
I am introducing colours, 3D , volume, and make it wearable. Put it to a good use and take your lace for a walk.
Not only that the pieces are wearable, they are large, bold and make a statement, so is the idea behind Romanian Point Lace making a statement.
Please let me know how you feel about!
Where do you see the trends going when it comes to Romanian Point Lace?
If you never heard of Romanian Point Lace, then Modern Romanian Point Lace must be a mystery to you…..
Modern Romanian Point Lace is pretty much not well known and I am trying to change it …. Long Road to go I guess.. <LOL> But you have to start somewhere!
Romanian Point Lace is an ancient lace making technique invented in Romania, Transylvania. It has been past on from mother to daughter for generations. This is the way I learned it not by books, files, laptops or written word. You watch as a child and observe how the needle weaves and dances on calico, around the threads and creates a web of designs and 3D elements that takes your breath away.. Traditionally in ecru, or beige, not these days with the boarders wide open and Romania being free access to all type of threads and freedom even Romanian Point Lace evolved. Yes it;s done in colour as well but this movement is just a toddler in compare to the power of the traditional point lace. The image below is a traditional RPL in ecru , traditional design and shape, with a centre embroidery element. Done on Aida cloth, with a traditional rose design.
If you are interested to learn this technique contact me or check out the workshops options here or the booklethere . We are based in Brisbane.
To create this collar , I used black cotton thread for the base, creating simple cord and the base for the embroidery. The embroidery pansy design is made with silk threads by DeVereYarnThe company is based in the UK but they ship worldwide. I have been ordering a few threads from them, different strengths and they are gorgeous to work with. They are amazing to embroider of course but also great to do fine lace or fine crochet.
One of my favourite thread form the selection I purchased was the Lily, after that I had fun sewing with Forget me Not. Rose was a fine delight The others I did not use so far, but I am sure in a future project it will come up.
This piece is perfect for white shirts, or the LBD ( Little Black Dress ) or a funky casual look . You can dress it up or down! Shop here. This piece is an original and not available in the same design. Similar pieces ca be created with different design and colours. Simply ask! 🙂
You can wear it high or low on the neckline. All is up to you and your style. This Silk Enchant Pansy Collar, is easy to care and to wear. It is large with a bold statement but light.
Sign Up Now and you will receive 15% OFF your first order PLUS grab 4 FREEBIE including My morning routine Reiki principles, Palm Chakras Activation, Thread_Yarn Cheat Sheet and a print and art journal mood trackers.
Thank you for subscribing. Please use the discount code SIGNUP15 on checkout. An email is also on the way with your FREEBIES.
Malakos is known as the mirror of the soul. Malakos is the gorgeous crystal Malachite. From the Greek word soft it was and is always special. Holding great shades of green, malachite is pure magic. A crystal that does great in all its shapes. It has its charm unpolished but polished it reaches another level! Once it’s polished, you can actually see the gorgeous pattern. In ancient Greece, and Egypt Malachite was used as a protection stone and to extract green paint. In Russia, it was used by the czars to decorate the inside of castles to protect them from the evil eye. Malachites come from many places like Russia, Romania, Zambia, and Mexico.
The Czars in Russia used it for decoration inside the palaces and even had a malachite room in the winter Palace. It’s definitely gorgeous. Imagine the vibes!
Malachite is great for absorbing negative energy around you. It also calms your mind and gives a good feeling. The pattern has a hypnotic effect and makes you feel good inside. It also builds confidence and helps on the emotional level, when is also you might feel helpless, worthless, or empty. It is also a great helper when it comes to back pain.
What I wanted to achieve it that the embroidery is at the edge of the doily. Normally in traditional RPL, the embroidery is only in the centre. Recently, it started to become trendy and more embroidery is added, in other places, like ending and between the cords.
