ArtFire

What can I say about this beautiful horse inspired piece of handmade jewelry? How about: EPONA is a stunningly unique stoneware pendant and gemstone necklace! Highlighting the beauty of a Celtic horse head with a handmade pendant, the necklace also combines Monaco agate, carved soapstone, Swarovski crystals and copper to create a one of a kind (OOAK) beaded beauty - a perfect addition to your unique jewelry collection! EPONA was carefully created by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.

The stones combined to create EPONA would make a lovely necklace on their own - but adding the rustic horse head ceramic pendant takes the beauty of the necklace up another notch or three. The earthy, Celtic inspired pendant is a one of a kind piece handmade by the artist, beadfreaky. Beadfreaky makes her own molds, transferring the design into clay from them. She then applies rustic glazes and fires the pieces in a kiln at high heat. The high fired ceramic stoneware is very durable but can chip or break if hit on something very hard. I just love the flowing lines of the horse head with the addition of the spiral that is found in so much Celtic art. The pendant was wire wrapped on to the main body of the necklace with several strands of pure copper wire.

To complement the colors of the horse head pendant, I chose gorgeous Monaco agate, filled with swirls and spots of earthy tans, rusts, creams and light rose. The stones are a puffed rectangle cut and hang wonderfully in the necklace. The Monaco agate and all other components in EPONA are separated by 3mm copper beads.

Carved soapstone was then added, another earthy stone. These rounds were chosen because of what reminds me of a "cup and saucer" design that is carved into them. The cup and saucer design can be found world wide, ancient work carved into stones and painted on the sides of caves. The symbol is also used to ward off the evil eye.

To add a bit of sparkle to the necklace, 6mm "chili pepper" Swarovski crystal faceted bicones were added, four on each side of the necklace. The crystals are covered with a custom coating that radiates reddish and golden tones - a beautiful addition to the necklace!

To finish EPONA, the two ends of the necklace were crimped using sterling silver crimp tubes to a solid copper toggle clasp. The sterling crimps were then covered with copper crimp covers to mimic 3mm copper beads. A perfect finish to a wonderful necklace!

The necklace was named EPONA after a Gallo-Roman Goddess of horses. She was worshipped over much of the western Roman Empire, especially in Gaul and what was then German lands, but also in Britain, along the Danube frontier and as far away as Greece and Africa. In Gaulish "epa" means "female horse".

The horse has long been a symbol of power to most cultures and is linked as an emblem of a strong life-force. Monaco Agate helps strengthen the body's connection to the Earth and also helps to relieve negativity. Soapstone (steatite) is said to protect the wearer from harm. Copper is said to allow the wearer to recognize the barriers which are in the path of personal development.

Here is the important information for EPONA:

Horse head pendant: app. 35mm x 35mm x 4mm
Monaco agate: app. 14mm x 10mm x 5mm
Carved soapstone: app. 9mm
Swarovski crystals: 6mm "chili pepper" faceted bicones
Metal: copper
Clasp: toggle clasp; copper
Length: app. 19"/48.3cm
Pendant drop (with bail): app. 1.75"/4.4cm

EPONA will come with two informational drop tags: one with the piece's name; the other lists the materials used in the necklace and the language of the stones and metals.

If you are looking for a totally unique, one of a kind necklace, EPONA is that necklace. It is a perfect piece for a lover of horses and/or a lover of Celtic history. EPONA is sure to draw rave comments whenever you wear it - comments that will definitely state you exquisite good taste in handmade jewelry!

***Please be aware that not all monitors show colors exactly the same. The colors of the items used to create my jewelry are extremely close to the actual color on my monitor. The colors may appear lighter or darker on your monitor.

Shadow Dog Designs
Unique Handmade Jewelry
for the Discriminating Woman

Growing up with horses, I have an intense love for the magnificent animal. When I saw the horse head pendant by beadfreaky, especially with its Celtic design influence, I knew I had to order it. I wanted to keep the colors of the necklace design earthy, so chose the Monaco agate, soapstone, crystals and copper just for that purpose. EPONA just seemed to magically create itself!

ceramic stoneware horse head pendant; Monaco agate; carved soapstone; "chili pepper" Swarovski crystals; copper 3mm beads, wire, crimp covers and toggle clasp; sterling silver crimp tubes; 49-strand jewelers wire

Carefully handmade in a pet friendly, smoke free studio (: