Per usual, its been crazy busy here at the Acid Queen Jewelry HQ. We've been gearing up for not one, but two pop-up shops in addition to our regularly scheduled Shop Updates. For our first pop-up we'll be traveling to the Sideshow Gallery in Chicago with our bud Kimi from Theeth Jewelry. The two of us will be gracing the windy city with our presence both June 28th, for a private shopping event and on the 29th for Black Moon Market (3-9pm). Just a couple weeks later on July 12th and 13th we have a two day trunk show at Virago Gallery in West Seattle for Summerfest. Needless to say, we've got a lot to look forward to, but first we plan to take a moment to breathe, relax and enjoy the magic of the longest day of the year.

Summer Solstice, also called Litha, falls on Friday June 21st 2019. The beginning of this season has always filled me with a buzzing feeling of happiness.. but that's probably lingering feelings of excitement over summer break when I was younger. This is a time where I love to take advantage of the extra hours of daylight, spending as much time as taking walks, working in the garden, or just taking a moment to bask in a ray of sunshine in my jewelry studio. It's the time of year when the sun is most powerful, and new life grows within the earth. After tomorrow, the nights will begin to grow longer, and the sun will move further away in the sky.

While there are many ways celebrate the Summer Solstice, the focus is usually on the power of the sun which can be celebrated through honoring fire. The inspiration of fire can certainly be seen in the one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces i've been creating lately, which include a lot of Mexican Fire Opal, sunstone and other flashy stones like labradorite and rainbow moonstone. I love working with these stones in particular, because each has their own magical essence and extraordinary metaphysical healing capabilities.

Mexican Fire Opal is a stone of luck, abundance, and creativity. It increases mystic abilities and is an ideal stone for communication with fire spirits and meditating on the four elements.

Sunstone is known for its powerful connection to the light and power of the sun. It brings light to all situations, and carrying a piece around with you can help your personal power to “shine”.  Once known as a stone of good luck, Sunstone has a bright, joyful energy that increases vitality and lightens dark moods.

Highly mystical, Labradorite heightens intuition and enhances psychic abilities, making it great for working with the Third Eye Chakra. Intuition and intellect are balanced by Labradorite, illusions are dispelled and true intentions are seen more easily with its use. Labradorite is also very protective against negative energies.

Sometimes known as White Labradorite, Rainbow Moonstone connects us to Divine Inspiration, and channels it into our own intuition. Working with Rainbow Moonstone encourages introspection and judgment, yielding easier decision making. It also enhances one's emotional vision, bringing greater creative abilities and freedom of expression.

Summer Solstice is a good time to rejuvenate, so sit out in the sunshine and immerse yourself in a good book, feast on lots of summery foods, and if you're in Chicago or Seattle.... get ready to shop!

June 21, 2019 — Alex Camacho