Tag: Lace

by David Burgess on February 27, 2020 0

Guide to Gemstone Mind, Body and Spirit Properties

When I was preparing to start my jewelry-making business, I did a lot of research on the mind, body and spirt properties of gemstones. My interest in this topic started during some history classes I took in college. Of particular interest to me in my studies were historic, ritual and ethnic jewelry traditions.

I’ve noticed that many jewelry designers still reference mind/body/spirit properties of gemstones in their jewelry descriptions. Here’s a recap of the information on many gemstones I have accumulated during the past fifteen years:

Disclaimer: The following information is based on my research in gemstone myth and legend and is for entertainment purposes only.

Blue Lace Agate

There are numerous types of agate – distinguishable by color – for example Black Agate is protective and Blue Agate promotes peace and happiness.

Blue Lace Agate has a gentle, soft energy and is carried for peace and happiness. Blue Lace Agate can help to ease internal repressed energy. When surrounded with lit light blue candles it calms the atmosphere and reduces quarrels in the home or workplace.

Some extra info: Energy – Receptive: Essential Element – Water; Chakra – Throat and Root.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a vibrant red-violet crystal. It is a stone of love, spirituality and contentment. It has absolutely no negative side effects and it is very useful for focusing in meditation. A piece of Amethyst placed before a white candle with Pine incense burning is very conductive to meditative practices.

Amethyst is the stone that possesses the strongest spiritual energy. Amethyst stimulates the intellectual side of your life – because it increases activity of right-side brain. Amethyst is used for psychic awareness as well as promoting sleep and intuitive dreams.

Some extra info: Energy – Receptive; Essential Element – Water; Zodiacal stone for Aquarius; Amethyst numerically is a 1; Chakra – Third Eye (Brow) and Crown.

Aquamarine

One of my favorite gemstones, aquamarine is a transparent blue to sea-green crystal. In magic this beautiful stone is carried to enhance psychic powers. It is a cleansing and purifying stone.

Aquamarine is used to sooth and to calm emotional problems. It is also excellent for energizing the immune system.. It is a stone of tolerance, clarity of mind and perception – therefore an excellent crystal for meditation. Because of its association with water, aquamarines are good luck for those traveling by or over water.

The most highly desired of all aquamarines is an intense true blue with no green. Most natural aquamarine is a bluish/green color that is then heated to remove the green. In natural stones this blue shading can range from a dark, sapphire blue to a beautiful light sky blue.

Some additional information: Energy – Receptive; Essential Element – Water; Aquamarine is the alternate zodiacal stone for Pisces; Aquamarine is a 1 – the numeral of beginnings; Chakra – Throat.

Aventurine

Aventurine is an all around lucky stone. Therefore, it is a popular gambler’s talisman. Aventurine is also good for creativity and intuition. Wear aventurine with any other stone to attract success in that endeavor. Since it is a green stone is it a stone of balance and peace and is useful in calming troubled emotions. Some additional information: Energy – Projective; Essential Element – Air; Chakra – Heart and Solar Plexus.

Bloodstone

A solid green or green with red flecks stone. It is one of the varieties of quartz labeled chalcedony. It is an electromagnetic stone. Ancient Egyptians wore it in thumb rings to calm, ground and revitalize. Early Christians wore engraved bloodstone amulets, which to the initiated denoted one of Christ’s followers. Women used to wear it to prevent miscarriage and ease childbirth.

Some additional information: Energy – Projective; Essential Element – Fire; Zodiacal for Pisces; Bloodstone is a numeral 4; Chakra – Root (Base).

Citrine

Citrine is a beautiful golden/clear glassy variety of quartz. Citrine is invaluable as a healing crystal. It is also helpful for psychic awareness, self-confidence, security, dispelling fear & anxieties, promotes physical endurance and mental clarity. Therefore, Citrine increases a sense of direction in life. It is also known as a “Merchants Stone” – placing citrine in ones’ cash register has produced more income for the merchant..

Some additional information: Energy – Projective; Essential Element – Fire; It is an alternate Zodiacal stone for Scorpio; Numerological, Citrine is a 6; Chakra – Solar Plexus – the home of personal power.

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by David Burgess on May 7, 2018 0

Gaston Costume

Make, Buy or Build a Gaston Costume for Beauty and the Beast

Are you playing Gaston in an upcoming production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast? If you’re looking for a stage costume for Gaston or even a Halloween costume or party costume, this article will tell you all you need to know about making, buying or renting a Gaston Costume for Beauty and the Beast. Headwear, vests, boot toppers and more will all be explained and highlighted.

How to Take Measurements

Great costumes start with accurate measurements!
Before you get started, check out this lens on taking proper body measurements. (Right click to open in a new window and easily keep your place here at your costuming article!)

Gaston Hat

In the show, it’s rare to see Gaston costumed with headwear or hats. If your director insists that Gaston wear a hat in the show, he could most likely wear a tricorn hat, perhaps in the mob scenes. You could go with a fancier hat or you could do a leather look tricorn hat (like a pirate style hat) to show his rugged outdoorsiness.

Other Beauty and the Beast Costumes

Check out the rest of the show here!
This lens is a lens branched off of a larger article I wrote called “Costumes for Beauty and the Beast on a Budget”. There’s info there on how to decide whether to buy rent or build your costumes and links to all the other Beauty and the Beast costuming lenses I have.

Gaston’s Costume Pieces

Pants, Shirt and Vest
Gaston is really one of the easiest characters to costume in Beauty and the Beast. My favorite costume supplier for his pieces is Alexanders costumes, and they are available through Amazon. The long renaissance lace up vest for men that they have is a great quality and will definately last through all your performances, I’d say the same of their renaissance shirts. When I worked at a rental shop, we’d purchase these items and they held up for a rental business just great. The look is also spot on.

The pants should be a black stretchy pant (stirrups stay on the best) with boot toppers over the top.

Movies Set in this Time Period

From Amazon
Sometimes a great way to get some additional research in on a time period or a character is to watch some movies. You can get some great visuals on what period costumes look like. Plus, it’s fun!

Gaston on Broadway

Hugh Jackman in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as Gaston

Gaston’s Boots

Again, a simple solution for this costume is available. I really recommend boot toppers for Gaston. You can choose how tall the boots are, but I’d recommend a wide cuff on the top of the boot toppers. Not sure what a “boot topper” is? It’s the boot without the sole, worn over a shoe of the same color. This is a great option because you can reuse the costume piece again with another actor even if their shoe size is different. It also keeps the price way down because you’re only paying for the “topper” and not the sole etc. Love these. Again, I prefer Alexanders brands.

Gaston Accessories

The only accessory I think is really great to add a little flair to a Gaston costume is some arm gauntlets. These can be made with some imitation leather, or you can purchase some lace up versions online. The gauntlets are worn over the base of the sleeve like a leather cuff. They look sort of tough and balance out the look.

Thinking of Renting?

Here’s some advice before you sign the papers
If you’ve read through this lens and you’re thinking maybe you’d rather rent a costume instead of making one or buying one online. That’s cool. Here’s some information I wrote on questions to ask before renting theatrical costumes. I worked for nine years as a costume rental shop manager for a shop that specialized in theatrical show costumes.

I’m also including a link to a lens I wrote with links to theatrical costume rental shops across the country. You can vote them up or down if you’ve used one or more of them, and also leave comments about the service, quality and selection.

Gaston Hair

Gaston traditionally is seen with dark hair in a pony tail. Because the movie is so popular, usually many directors don’t deviate from the look in the movie, even down to the hair. A dark brown or black deluxe men’s colonial wig (usually from Lacey wigs) does the job quite well. Here are a couple of options. The use of a wig is always more complicated than wearing your own hair, but it’s a good option to complete the look folks are expecting if they’re familiar with the cartoon.

Washing and Caring for Costume Wigs

If you choose to use a wig, check out this article!
Here’s a detailed lens about washing and caring for costume quality wigs. If you’re using costume wigs in your theatrical production, you’ll want to check it out!

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