My first attempt for Imbolc

Great challenge, Splinty!

I had to dig for info and dive into my beadbox for beads... as I'd never heard of Imbolc...

The pages that I found are moderately contradicting on at least colors and stones... until conclusive info has been found I put together my beginning of the bracelet...

From left to right: Ohm beads 'Basil' bead, Trollbeads Lamb, Trollbeads LE Amethyst, Trollbeads 'Sun' (Happy Universe), Trollbeads LE Rose Quartz, Celtic Cross silver bead, Trollbeads 'Goddess' Venus bead.

Some background info posted on the 'monthly theme' thread as well:
"Imbolc, (pronounced “IM-bulc” or “EM-bowlk” meaning “in the belly”) is a name derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewe’s milk”. It is the time in the natural calendar of the year in which we banish the winter and rejoice the coming of spring and is celebrated on St Bridgid’s day – the 1st or 2nd of February, also known as Candlemas (the Christianised version of the name) – the first festival of spring. It is also known in America as “Groundhog day” and marks the Sun reaching 15° Aquarius, and as such means that there are only six weeks remaining of winter.

Imbolc’s name is in recognition of the reawakening of the earth – new beginnings, things yet to be born, and the associated events of spring-time; the earth bristling with new life waiting to bud, herd animals’ wonderfully swollen bellies about to bring forth the years offspring, who are to be nurtured with the milk of life, chickens and geese beginning to lay their first eggs. It is not that spring has sprung, it is more the hope that winter is coming to an end, and the promise of spring can be felt in the crisp fresh mornings, and be smelt in the air as the days get notably longer. At this point in the year, agricultural tools and seeds would be blessed for the promise of a fertile harvest. It was a time of great anticipation and celebration of the possibilities for the year to come. The earth was furrowed and prepared to receive the consecrated seed."

what a great mini Imbolc combo Smaug
But now off to google "Imbolc"

A great bracelet for Imbolc I love your Celtic cross bead, which brand is it?

Good bead choices, Smaug!

Imbolc is a head-scratcher, for sure.

The venus bead in particular seem perfecet to rappresent Imbolic...perfect choice

saracat wrote:A great bracelet for Imbolc I love your Celtic cross bead, which brand is it?

I have no idea, I bought it from Joolz a few months ago and she referred to it as 'no brand'. Still love its straightforward design.

Wonderful Smaug, I can definitely feel the winter waning and light returning

It's a time of fire festivals too as Imbolc is symbolic of the light half of the year returning (bonfires and candles are lit as a representation of the sun's light returning to the lands). Here's one I've been to in the UK in case it helps with inspiration ...you can see the Green Man fighting back Jack Frost ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyjs/sets/72157612625270281/

Love your Basil bead, and that chain is amazing.

reltan wrote:The venus bead in particular seem perfecet to rappresent Imbolic...perfect choice

Love the Basil and the Celtic Cross too - great combination for Brighid

I didn't realise there was a Pegan celebration for this time of year.

In Pandabee land, this time of year is known as;
'oh look! there's a snowdrop, not long now'.

I love the bracelet, full of expectation. Right then, I'm off to put some bay leaves in salt!

It is glorious high summer here, we've had our first rain in about seven weeks, but I have a good imagination and love the theme, I will try!

This is a stunning first attempt. Gloriously feminine and for me you caught the spirit of the returning of the light just perfectly

Sorry for being a bit late I thought I had commented yesterday, but the new puppy might have scrambled my head

Thank you so much for the explanation - got a better idea with the referring to the christian meaning.
I love your mini combo - so much symbolic here and your chain is so very high on my wishlist.......

Great bracelet, I love your basil bead

Thanks for explaining . The mini combo is lovely!!

Strangely enough, Smaug, one of my designs for the People's Bead Spiritual Collection was Imbolc. It obviously wasn't the one that was chosen, but I loved the story of St Brigid and the reverence for fire in the Imbolc ceremonies. So my bead design was of flames leaping... here is the design. I must put my mind to trying to create a bracelet for your theme!

LindaKM, That is a stunning design

I wish it would become reality

Oh, thanks Trollperle!

lindakm wrote:Strangely enough, Smaug, one of my designs for the People's Bead Spiritual Collection was Imbolc. It obviously wasn't the one that was chosen, but I loved the story of St Brigid and the reverence for fire in the Imbolc ceremonies. So my bead design was of flames leaping... here is the design. I must put my mind to trying to create a bracelet for your theme!

Absolutely stunning design! It looks more like a Faery bead than a Trollbead ;-)

Smaug wrote:

saracat wrote:A great bracelet for Imbolc I love your Celtic cross bead, which brand is it?

I have no idea, I bought it from Joolz a few months ago and she referred to it as 'no brand'. Still love its straightforward design.

Gorgeous bracelet Smaug and design Linda...The bead came from Jacqui Swain of "A string of beads"...She used to make her own beads and sold some really nice, good quality, reasonably priced silver spacer beads..Have a Google of Karen Hill Tribe silver and you might find something similar

It is a delicious bracelet with enchanting silvers and fresh, delicate, hopeful colours.

Love that design Lindakm! The bracelet is beautiful too Smaug. I haven't seen the Basil bead, it's beautiful.

How strange - I have been wearing my Venus bead all weekend on a silk ribbon wrap, just because it felt right! Hadn't read this post til today - clearly the goddess moves in mysterious ways!

Lindakm would love to see this come to fruition!!!