One part of our business is having a mobile sales stand which we take to events and meet our customers. Each year we try to create a bigger and better show stand.
This year alongside the stand build we have the premises refurbishment. Ever keen to reuse and recycle, last year I acquired some pre owned (posh for second hand) display equipment some were ok but others were but a bit tatty.
Now, i have my workshop its time to sand all my display equipment repaint in a new standard colour. Trying to be as ecologically and environmentally friendly as possible in everything we do, we selected the paint along the same lines. However, to withstand the commercial world it also had to be durable and long lasting. We eventually decided on the Farrow & Ball because of the low or minimal VOC content in its paints. Based in Dorset, F&B dry waste from its manufacturing plant is either recycled or converted into energy. 97 per cent of its liquid waste is recycled. The entire range is rated A+ for interior air emissions from paint after 28 days of drying and curing.
The current choice is going to be Wevet background with a floral stencil on the edges
Just got the 6 stands each 6f tall and 2 ft square to do before I start on the tables, wales and stands …….
A job I have been putting off for months was complete this week – painting the workshop. It is an old stone building and the walls were already lime/whitewashed, so why go against history and use something modern.
So a quick internet search and it was off to our local builders merchant to get some Lime. 20 minutes later the mix is going on the wall. Must admit I was pleasantly surprised how good the finish was after the first coat. Especially after what it had to cover
And of course there are many benefits of using limewash. A natural product with zero waste, Lime’s high pH level means microorganisms can’t survive, which adds a hypoallergenic quality. Proponents also argue that limewash has a chemical makeup that removes odours (and harmful CO2), improving interior air quality.
** Please note the stylish safety googles ! . These are an essential for any lime work in order to prevent splashes into the eyes. Lime has a high pH and is therefore caustic. Avoid damage to the eyes by wearing safety glasses whenever handling and working with lime.
We have have had a long relationship with TimberKits selling their products for many years at our events. We have pleased to announce that this bond has moved a step closer with the moves to begin manufacturing kits at our new Llandeilo workshop.
Over the coming months new CNC and laser cutting equipment will be installed alongside our machinery to begin a new manufacturing journey.
2021 was a rollercoaster year and we ended on a fantastic high after breaking all our trading records. The extra icing on the cake was the acquisition of our new premises in Llandeilo.
We have taken over the retail and warehouse space that used to hold the iconic Gerwyn’s fruit and veg premises on the bridge famed for its bright yellow colour scheme.
The building will at last allow us to progress plans that have been on the drawing board for far too long. Now we have over 2,500 square feet of workshop and creation space as well 1,500 square feet of retail and craft demonstration space. Of course more space allows us to have a wider range of beautiful products .
Keep coming back for new on our exciting opening offers
Preseli Bluestone (Preseli Stone or Preseli Spotted Dolerite) is a unique and rare igneous rock. This crystal is made up of many minerals (Dolerite, Feldspar (Plagioclase), Diopside, Biotite, Quartz). The colour ranges in different green hues (Dolerite) with inclusions of tiny white spots (Quartz) and black specs (usually a mix of Hematite, Biotite, and Ilmenite). The only known source of this stone is within the Preseli Hills and mountain ranges in west Wales.
The most famous use for Bluestone is the centre circle at Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Made up of 43 blocks of Preseli Bluestone weighing up to 4 tons. Stonehenge is estimated to be over 5,000 years old (dating back to 3100 BCE) and is thought to have once contained over 80 Preseli Bluestone “standing stones”.
If you ever get the privilege to get to the centre of Stonehenge and touch the Bluestone like we have, the effect is quite startling. Quite often even on a cold day they can radiate a warmth and even people not attuned to crystals can often feel a vibration or background hum emanating from the stone.
Meaning & Energy
Preseli Bluestone offers up a strong, yet subtle transformative energy to push though obstacles.
The Dolerite allows you to turn your attention inwards towards your own personal wellbeing, this is where these ancient crystals’ power really begins to break through and shine. As your emotional body begins to heal and your mental health begins to rise you will be capable of pushing your physical well-being. Preseli Bluestone has some of the purest healing and transformative energies possible.
Chakras Crown, Third Eye, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral Root
Properties
Longevity, Past Life Recall, Passion, Opportunities, Nurturing, Nourishing and Rejuvenation, New Beginnings, Mental Enhancement, Meditation, Mastering Fear, Past Lives, Living in the Present Moment, Life Path, Joy, Intuition, Inspiration, Inner Vision, Inner Peace, Growth, Grounding, Selflessness, Wisdom, Truth, Trust, Transformation, Stress Relief, Spiritual Awakening, Soothing, Sense of Purpose, Gentle Self-Expression, Self-Discovery, Self- Healing, Self-Discipline, Resolution, PTSD, Relaxation, Power, Physical Healing, Personal Will, Peace of Mind, Anxiety Relief, Ancient Knowledge, Alignment of Chakra, Adventures, Action, Abundance, Balance, Consciousness, Generosity, Expansion, Expanded Awareness, Enlightenment, Enhancing, Empathy, Emotional Understanding, Elimination Toxins, Dispelling Negative Energy, Creating Your Own Reality, Compassion, Clarity, Clairvoyance, Claiming Wholeness, Channelling, Chakra Cleansing, Calming and Patience, Breaking Addictions, Balancing Polarities
Planets Earth
Zodiacs Capricorn, Taurus
Elements Earth
Colours Grey, White, Black, Green
Hardness 8 to 9
Chemical Formula n{(Ca, Na)(Mg, Fe, Al, Ti)(Si, Al)2O6} p{NaAlSi3O8} q{CaAl2Si2O8}
Humanity has been observing meteors for thousands of years. Many civilizations looked to the sky to see the “shooting stars” and believed that they were messages of doom from their gods.
When meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere, they can burn so brightly that they are brighter than the planet Venus. Scientists have estimated that around 48.5 tons/44,000 kg of meteoritic debris fall on our Earth every day.
Meteors travel at tens of thousands of miles per hour and those that are smaller than a football field will be broken apart and burn up in our atmosphere as it travels at 130,000 mph/209,215 kmh Those that survive the atmosphere are less than 5% of their original size as it hits the ground. Quite often only the size of a pebble or an orange their exterior or “fusion crust” is usually burned so badly that they have a glassy appearance.
There are three types of meteorites:
Iron Meteorites:
The iron meteorites are the leftovers of the core of a destroyed planet or asteroid. They are thought to originate between Jupiter and Mars in the Asteroid Belt. This the densest type of meteorite and is incredibly heavy and magnet. Most specimens have an iron content of around 90-95% with remainder made up of nickel and trace elements.
Stone Meteorites:
The largest number of meteorites found are stone meteorites which were once a part of the crust of an asteroid or planet. Recently fallen to Earth meteorites have a black crust. Those that have been here a longer period look a lot like Earth rocks. Most stone meteorites do contain enough iron to be magnetic. Some stone meteorites have small colourful granular inclusions which were part of the solar nebula before our solar system was created. They can also contain “chondrule” grains which are called “chondrites” are volcanic rock that melted from being blasted from a parent body.
Stone meteorites are some of the oldest items that we can study to discover our solar system and the universe.
Stony-Iron Meteorites:
Naturally, there are a combination of the previous two types but much rarer, less than 2% of all meteorites found are stony-iron meteorites. They were formed at the mantle or core of their parent body. Being made up of equivalent percentages of stone and nickel-iron they also have two sub types:
Pallasites are the most attractive of all the meteorites because they contain nickel-iron that is surrounded by olivine crystals. The purer crystals are emerald green and known as peridot and when cut and polished the crystals become translucent.
Mesosiderites are smaller than Pallasites and have both silicates and nickel-iron. However, they also contain black and silver tones that give them an incredible beauty when refined.
Jet (Lignite) is not a crystal but more a fossil having been created through decaying wood under extreme pressure. Jet has been used in history as far back as 10,000 BCE. with a carving of a larva discovered near the Venuses of Petersfel in Germany. The finest specimens are found on England’s northeast coast especially around Whitby.
Jet has been used in Britain since the Neolithic and through to the Bronze Age where it was used for necklace beads. During the Iron Age jet went out of fashion until the early 3rd century
Whitby jet was a popular material for jewellery in Roman Britain from the 3rd century. The Romans organised its collection from the beach at Whitby and transferred to Eboracum (York) where it was turned into rings, hair pins, beads, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, and pendants. The Romans believed it to be a magical material because of its protective qualities and ability to deflect the gaze of the evil eye. Pliny the Elder suggests that “the kindling of jet drives off snakes and relieves suffocation of the uterus. Its fumes detect attempts to simulate a disabling illness or a state of virginity
The Vikings created miniature carvings of animals, mainly snakes.
Jet became fashionable during the Victorian era in the 1850s after the queen wore a jet necklace as part of mourning dress for her mother Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and again while mourning the death of her husband Prince Albert
In Whitby, the Victorian tradition continued up until World War II. Jet Jewellery (both vintage and new) fell out of fashion until the 80s. Then Jet beads and antique jet jewellery started to rise in value.
Jet can be found in both soft and hard versions. Soft Jet occurs when carbon is compressed with freshwater, while hard Jet is with saltwater.
Metaphysical
Jet has been used by people mourning for centuries. It works very well in drawing out the negative energies that surround your aura. Jet acts as a purifier, attempting to draw and dispel any unwanted energy while at the same time ushering in positivity.
For centuries it was said to bring luck to anyone who would carry it.
Jet is full of Mother Earth’s energy and ideal for someone in need of assistance with grounding because it roots you down to earth while assisting in balancing and protecting.
Ajoite pairs very well with Jet and is a strengthened of the emotional spirit.
Jet also works very well with Moldavite.
It becomes an enhancer of the transformation process as Jet acts as a transmuter in your transformation process.
Chakras Third Eye, Root
Properties
Balance, Clarity, Transformation, Protection, Luck and Good Fortune, Clearing, Channelling, Grounding, Purification, Insight, Transmutation of Negative Energies, Channelling and Grounding Higher Vibrations, Connection with Nature, Astral Travel, Dispelling Negative Energy
You will immediately be drawn to Titanium Aura Quartz because of its rainbow colours. However, it has many metaphysical benefits.
Titanium Quartz is an enhanced version of natural quartz. Natural quartz is placed in a chamber with vaporised titanium and other metal oxides. Once these are bonded to the Quartz it transforms into Titanium Quartz and the most powerful of all the coated Quartz.
Quartz enhances the qualities and will energize the entire chakra system. Titanium projects strength, elevated mental activity, and fortitude. Carrying or wearing a piece of Titanium Quartz will make you feel grounded, cantered and full of energy
If you feel that you miss the daily energy to keep up with life, Titanium Quartz is ideal for you. The stone can transfer its energy to the wearer and improve their mood around but also increase your focus and confidence.
This stone transfers energy and provides a relaxed state of mind developing light humour and the general enjoyment of life. When you are relaxed is the ideal time to manifest your goals and desires. Titanium Quartz will help you reveal your life path and obtain your dreams.
Titanium Quartz works extremely well with Moldavite which will bring everything in your life together. Things you may have overlooked may now start catching your eye for long enough to understand that there is a deeper meaning behind that episode.
Chakras Crown, Third Eye, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral Root
Properties
High Vibration, Strength, Creativity, Intuition, Meditation, Confidence, Physical Healing, Grounding, Consciousness, Relaxation, Focus, Expansion, Alignment of Chakra, Enlightenment, Expanded Awareness, Interdimensional Communication, Dispelling Negative Energy, Chakra Cleansing, Nourishing and Rejuvenation
Before burning, always trim the wick to ¼ inch. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or scissors. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.
Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. It should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
Burn candles in a well-ventilated room:
Avoid drafts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot and excessive dripping.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use. In general, it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting.
When lighting a candle, use long matches or a long-reach lighter. Keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
Always put candles on a heat resistant surface. Be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic. TVs are not fire-resistant objects.
Put them in a proper holder. Candles need to be held firmly upright by the holder so they won’t fall over. The holder needs to be stable too, so it won’t fall over.
Position them away from curtains. Don’t put candles near curtains or other fabrics – or furniture. And keep them out of draughts.
Don’t put them under shelves. It’s easy to forget that there’s a lot of heat above a burning candle. If you put it under a shelf or other surface then it can burn the surface. Make sure there’s at least three feet (one metre) between a candle and any surface above it.
Take care with votive or scented candles. These kinds of candles turn to liquid to release their fragrance, so put them in a glass or metal holder
While Burning:
Never leave a candle unattended.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
Never touch or move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquefied.
Do not burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 1/2 inch remains in the container or 2 inches if using a pillar candle.
Place burning candles at least four inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they do not melt one another or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
Never use a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Torches and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fuelling equipment, such as a lantern or petrol heater or generator.
When Extinguishing a Candle:
Use a candle snuffer or a spoon to extinguish a candle. It is the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering. Use a snuffer to put them out. It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying
Never use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might break a glass container.
Make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
Do not touch or move the candle until it has completely cooled.
Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.
