Dove & Rose Basket Tile

The Dove is the embodiment of maternal instinct. She is connected to Mother Earth and her creative energies.

Her mournful call speaks to our deepest self and stirs our emotions.

The voice of the dove is a rain song and brings us hope of a new beginning.

The Dove is the totem of "Between Times" and shows us the time of the thinning of the veils between the physical and the spiritual world.

Listen for her call with your soul.


Graceful Creature

The skies will never see a more peaceful and graceful creature than the Dove. This animal has been respected and revered throughout the ages by ancient and modern Indian tribes and their Shaman. These tribes who are so connected to the elements and the Earth understand the true influence these creatures’ posses. They are diplomatic, legendary animals that own many admirable virtues.

The Dove represents the feminine power of giving, prophecy, and the hope a new beginning. The Dove reveals the veils between the spiritual and physical worlds. They were the totem of Aphrodite the Goddess of Love, and they bore the ambrosia from the Goddesses which kept Zeus immortal, they are the symbol of sexual passion in India

It was the Dove which returned to Noah’s Ark to tell all aboard that land was found, in the Dove’s beak was an olive branch, which was the symbol of peace.

Doves, like many species of birds, breed and nest in pairs, they mate for life and build their nests, protect their territory and raise their young with their partners. The males as well as the females produce a milk like substance, called “crop milk” to feed their newborns. Both parents take responsibility for the hatching and care of their offspring. The males will sit on the eggs during the day while the females take over the task at night. Both take responsibility for the guarding of their nest

The Magnificent Dove Totem possesses the following virtues:

Love, gentleness, new ideas, purity, sexual energy, intimate relationships, creativity, peace, family values, centered calmness, tranquility, support, assistance, new relationships, peaceful transition from difficulty, powers of the feminine, friendship, .

The Dove animal totem is a strong spirit indeed and its magical properties are one of the most influential of all animal totems.

The above art piece has been painted on tile and measures 11 ½ x 11 ½. It weighs 5 ¼ lbs. This would be stunning in your garden to accent roses, flowers, or an area that needs a bright cheerful color. If you enjoy this piece please email me your request.

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

Indian Maiden Wall Art

Hi Everyone,

I’ve decided to expand my art work incorporating wood and rock. This particular piece of art of the Indian Maiden was painted on wood, measuring 10 ½ x 8 ½ and weighs approximately 13.2 ounces. This will be the newest of my wall hangings that will beautify any area of your home. I am also working on wall hangings that will be painted on wood incorporating a rock painting which will give the art form a 3 D effect. I love choices when shopping and I thought this would give you a variation when decorating your surroundings.

I found this poem that captivatingly fit the above picture I just painted. It reflects the beauty and innocence of a beautiful Indian maiden and embraces her nature and spirit. I hope you feel as I do that I have captured her true beauty and innocence and that you enjoy a wonderful piece of art that reflects the Native American Heritage.

Peaceful is the valley
where the Indian maiden walks.
In morning skies above her
a Raven soars and squawks.

The village of her people
lies quiet and serene
as her moccasins trudge narrow paths
through meadows lush and green.

She knows ancestral spirits
will protect her and will guide
as the trail leads her much higher
along the mountainside.

Gathering roots and berries
to preserve through winter’s cold,
the maiden sings of ancient wars,
of young men brave and bold.

She rests by flowing waters
as sunlight streaks her hair,
with fingers dipping in the brook,
wild creatures gather there.

The fox, the deer, the Antelope
join her without sound,
fearing not the Indian girl
sitting soft upon the ground.

The mighty oak she leans against
is losing leaves but strong,
and she feels at one with nature
while summer is now gone.

Fall colors fast surround her,
and she marvels at their hue,
as Mother Earth makes changes
for wintertime now due.

A butterfly lights gently
on her shoulder, quiet there,
and she wonders at it’s glory,
breathing softly, not to scare.

The geese on high are honking
as they pass in perfect Vs,
and she hears on withering flowers
the last hum of bumble-bees.

Soon the sweet young maiden
slumbers by the stream,
and rides her painted pony
in a soft and pleasant dream.

She crosses open prairie,
bareback upon her steed,
with a Brave she soon will marry
to keep the tribal creed.

A Blue Jay lands on oaken branch
and screeches overhead,
awakening the maiden
with visions in her head.

With heavy heart she rises,
returning to the band,
baskets of fresh berries
held tightly in her hand.

Plans for her tomorrows,
on other autumn days,
will be dreamed of in the future
as she sits on banks of clay.

Later ‘neath the quiet moon,
the family gathers ‘round
preparing beds on pine bows
strewn upon the ground.

Nestled in warm buffalo robes
beneath the starry skies,
with teepee for a shelter,
she again will close her eyes.

Poetry by Tamara Hillman Copyright 2003

Indian Maiden Wall Art
Size: 10 1/2 x 8 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

A Tale of the Dream Catcher

One native legend tells of Grandmother Thought Woman, a Spirit Being. To help guide the people, she asked the willow tree for a branch, which she bent and bound until it formed a perfect circle, representing the unending cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

From the mighty eagle, Grandmother Thought Woman took a single feather and suspended it from the circle.

Then she transformed herself into Grandmother Spider Woman and wove a beautiful and protective web of fate in the circle.

She placed a single stone in the middle of the web. The stone was a symbolic connection to the Creative Force, clarity, peace, and communication.

Grandmother Thought Woman then gave the Dream Catcher to the people and explained, "Hang the Dream Catcher above where you sleep, and it will sort all your dreams.

The good dreams will pass through and bring joy. The bad dreams will be caught in the web, turn to dew, and drip down the feather, which will cleanse the dream.

It will then return it to Mother Earth, where it will never disturb you again."

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Taking Care of Mother Nature

Getting Up Close & Personal With Mother Nature

What do gardening, birding, hiking and fishing all have in common? They provide wonderful opportunities to get up close and personal with nature -- to experience it on such an intimate level that we quickly realize the absolute wonder of it all -- and the need to protect it.

Gardens allow us to co-create. In a garden, we work hand in hand with nature, co-creating a masterpiece of form and fragrance, color and design. We may carefully choose each plant and flower and painstakingly plan our garden layout, but it is Mother Nature who adds the finishing touches and has the final say.

Observing the Miracles of Life
Backyard birding and wildlife gardening allow us to observe the miracles of life and to share them with our families. A few carefully placed bird feeders, plants chosen specifically for butterflies or the addition of a backyard pond all provide us with the opportunity to bring the wonders of nature right into our own backyards. 

Decorating with chimes, stepping stone, or RiverRock is all part of the beauty of your personal touch. Which birds mate for life? How long does it take for the complete life cycle of a butterfly or for a tadpole to turn into a frog? Inviting wildlife to our garden allows us to experience these miracles on a daily basis and from the comfort of our home or garden.

Experience Nature with All Your Senses
Hiking, camping and outdoor photography allow us to experience nature with all of our senses. The sights of mountains and oceans and fields of wild flowers call out to be captured on camera or canvas. Hiking an unknown trail with the sounds and scents of nature provides the opportunity for experiencing new wonders around every bend in the path. And nothing can quite compare to the feeling of sleeping outside under the stars and waking to another day as it unfolds before us.

And fishing, whether it is standing thigh high in a cool mountain stream with a fly rod in hand or strapped in to an angler's chair far out at sea, allows us to test our skills against nature. Spending time in nature restores our spirit and all of these activities soon show us the importance of protecting the environment.

Getting Outside to Experience Mother Nature
Taking care of Mother Nature hopefully encourages you to get outside and experience nature. We want you to run your fingers through the soil and dig your toes deep into the sand.; to listen to the surf and the songbirds and smell the scent of whatever happens to be blooming at the moment; And we want you to keep doing it until you see the wonder in it all - until you realize how important it is to protect it.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2007 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Ruby Jewelry & Gemstones

Ancient Belief of Ruby Gemstones

Ancient Orientals believed that the ruby contained a spark of life -- "a deep drop of the heart's blood of Mother Earth" Eastern legends called ruby a “lamp stone” as it was self-luminous. It is said that once an emperor of China lighted his chamber with a large ruby & it glowed as bright as day.

Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, ranks 9 on Mohs scale, sharing status with sapphire as the hardest gem after diamond. It is considered as one of the most valuable gemstone on our earth. With a wonderful color, excellent hardness & an overwhelming brilliance, ruby has been a much desired precious stone.

Meaning of Ruby Gemstones
The gemstone ruby represents the sun, ruler of all planets. Sun represents authority, power, self, body & health. The wearer of ruby enjoys wealth & property, name & fame in the political sphere & overall prosperity. He becomes virile and his will power and spirit is strengthened. He occupies a respected position in the society & is blessed with a son.

Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and also for zodiac sign of Leo. It increases energy levels and will stimulate love if worn close to the heart. It protects sensitive natures, health and wealth, controls passion, stimulates blood circulation, gives calm sleep and takes away nightmares.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2007 CraftyCritters Newsletter