Bloodstone - Crafting With Gemstones

Do you like the gemstone Bloodstone? How much do you really know about it though? This green and red Jasper stone was said to have received the red spots in a most unusual way. One legend says that this stone actually got its red spots from the blood of Christ as he was left on the cross. The blood dripped down and stained the green Jasper, thus making Bloodstone.

Very interesting wasn't it? Well, there are tons more interesting information in my article. You can read all about it here at HandmadeNews.

Upcoming Articles:
March 25: Bornite - Crafting With Gemstones
April 1: Crafting For Autism

Giveaway at Batty's Bath!

One of my friends is hosting a giveaway on her blog... Jamie, owner of She's Batty Designs as well as her newly opened, Batty's Bath is celebrating the 1 month anniversary of one of her shops.

Batty's Bath is her new bath and body studio on Etsy. This is a new venture for her and a great one at that. So since her shop just opened, she has decided that it would be a great way to give a lucky person 1 bar of their favorite soap! SO what do you have to do?

Well, first thing is to go to her Batty's Bath Etsy studio and click on the Soap Bars and Body Wash section then choose your favorite. After you have chosen, which can be tough since they are all so awesome, go to her blog and make post that fave in her comments. There are also several other ways you can gain entries, if you wanna know you are just gonna have to go and read them on her blog...

You have until May 1st to get your entries in. So get in there and go shopping.

Bismuth - Crafting With Gemstones

How much do you know about Bismuth? Do you know what it is? How about that you probably have ingested this mineral before and you may never have realized. This shiny multicolored mineral (shown below) is actually used in Pepto Bismal. It's true, grab a bottle out of your medicine cabinet and read what's in it.



Now that I may have just freaked you out a bit, how about if I tell you that you can actually grow this crystal in your own home. It is a great experiment for teens that are just not into science. This will get them interested when they can actually make something like this themselves. Sound interesting?

Well then click here and check out my article about Bismuth, where I tell you just how you can grow it yourself.


Photo credits go to IshiGallery from Etsy. You can click on her name to go to her studio. Please show her some love and check out all the lovely things she creates.

Irish Bananas Recipe

This is a great recipe for St. Patrick's Day and if you're Irish then you know how yummy this can be. If you're not, then this is the perfect thing to make you feel Irish for a day...

First, this is what you will need for 4 servings.

* 1/2 cup Butter (stick form not melted)
* 1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar
* 4 large Bananas, peeled and cut in half lengthwise not across the middle
* 1/2 Irish Whiskey
* Vanilla Ice Cream


Now, you are going to want to pull out a skillet and melt your butter over medium heat.
When that is melted, stir in the brown sugar and whiskey. Bring to a boil and cook it until the sugar is dissolved.
Turn the heat down and add the bananas and simmer gently until they are tender and glazed over with the glaze of sugar and whiskey.
Now you can serve over ice cream.

Didn't I tell you it was super easy! Now go and have fun!