Saturday, June 4, 2022

Scotland: Iona

It has been awhile, a long while, since I wrote anything on my blog. I can't say exactly why since I have loved meeting and getting to know all the many people in the blogosphere. I kept telling myself that I'll feel like blogging again ... someday. But the mood just never did strike.

Occasionally I'll pop over to some of my favorite blogs to see what people are up to and to, hopefully, find a little inspiration to pull out my beads and create. Then it hit me. I was over on Sj Designs blog and saw this dreamy picture of Iona an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Earlier that day I had been laying out a plan for a trip to Scotland that combined castles, islands and the highlands. Now I had to join in on her challenge to create something with these blues.

I actually ended up making six pairs of earrings, but thought I'd post the blue ones today. My daughter seems to have claimed the lace blue agate pair (right), and they are fun with a lot of swing to them. 

She's been talking about piercing her ears, so maybe she has a bit of incentive now. I've been enjoying the labradorite teardrops (left). They are light, easy to wear and just a bit of fun for all the zoom calls that take up my day now.

I made one other pair that are long, elegant aqua crystals. I did try those out as well, but they might be a bit more 'evening' and too much bling for my zoom calls.

So, back to Iona. The island's history goes back to the Iron Age with the word Iona meaning island in Gaelic, but it has had many names over the centuries. The island is said to be the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland and is considered a holy place. St Columba and 12 companions went to Iona from Ireland in 563 AD where they built a Celtic church and established a monastery. The monastic community is one of the most important and influential in the British Isles. Today, this tiny island, which is 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long, has a a population of 170 people. While there may not be a lot of 'things' to do around Iona, just look at that view. Do you need more?

7 comments:

  1. Iona does indeed have a spectacular natural setting, although I bet it's cold in the winter! Your earrings are lovely! I always admire long, dangly earring but alas, cannot wear them because I have a short little neck so they either get tangled in my collar or hit my shoulders and hang weird.

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  2. The labradorite teardrops are just darling! I was happy to see a post from you pop up. And, of course, a trip to Scotland sounds delightful.

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  3. Thank you for sharing information about Iona. The place looks so tempting and so do your earrings.

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  4. Oh wow! I really love all three pairs but the flash and color in that labradorite is swoon-worthy. I'm so glad that our little challenge inspired you to create and blog again. Thanks for sharing your lovely creations with us! I hope you'll check out the June challenge and get inspired again.

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  5. The labradorite earrings are definitely my favorite! And the sea breeze loves dangly earrings :)

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  6. Thanks for taking part in the challenge! These earrings look great, and really fit with the blues from the photo. I took so many pictures of this tiny island and really like the information you dredged up for your post.

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  7. Fantastisk og interessant artikel. Fantastiske ting du altid har delt med os. Tak. Bare fortsæt med at skrive denne type indlæg.
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