NEW GEAR!!

Moonstone Earrings

 JEWELRY SERIES 8: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing. 

 Moonstone is a transparent to translucent gemstone with anywhere from a yellow-brown to a blue-white sheen. It is found in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Australia, Brazil and the U.S.A. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is in a full moon. It is a good luck stone, and lightens anxiety and stress.

Moonstone Earrings

 

New container arrival

     Over the course of the year we travel to Bali, Indonesia and India to source our merchandise. Once we have selected the awsome products, they are packed up in a large metal container to await transport to Madison WI. From Bali the container makes its way across the Pacific Ocean to L.A. Once through customs, the container is loaded onto a semi truck and driven to Madison. The whole process takes about a month and a half. By the time it arrives, we are excited to unload and unpack the many new products that will be on our shelves. This 1/2 container arrived from Bali last year. We will be expecting a full container shipment in early June 2011!

Marcel and company are ready to
 unload the new shipment.

Marcel starting to unpack the new merchandise.
What could possibly be under the wrapping???

Bali, Indonesia

We travel across the globe to source unique and quality products for our shops. These are just a few photos of the beautiful province of Bali.  92.29% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism while most of the remainder follow Islam. We hope everyone has a chance to visit sometime soon.

Dragon with Serpent

Dragons have captured the imagination of man for centuries. In this sculpture made of suar wood a dragon has captured a serpent

.   

Suar wood is an average hardwood with a straight grain making it easy to carve and finish with a high gloss.   The color of the wood varies greatly between the center and outer edges of the tree.  Therefore very interesting multi-colored sculptures are crafted with this wood.  Because the trunk is huge in mature trees suar wood is very suitable for creating very large sculptures.

Dragon with Serpent

Moldavite

JEWELRY SERIES 8: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing.

Moldavite is an olive green substance that is formed by a meteorite impact!  There are only four moldavite mines that are in full operation in the Czech Republic, and it is predicted that in less than ten years from now commercial moldavite mining will come to an end.  It is a very rare stone.  The healing powers of moldavite include an emotional release, and a flushing of the face.

Moldavite

Haybajra Bronze Statue

Heruka is the principal deity. There is a slight difference between Heruka and HAYBAJRA. When Heruka is accompanied with his Prajna, he begets the name of Haybajra. Haybajra will have two arms to sixteen arms.

Heruka (Sanskrit; Tib.khrag 'thung), is the name of a category of wrathful deities, enlightened beings in Vajrayana Buddhism that adopt a fierce countenance to benefit sentient beings. In China and Japan, it was named as Wisdom King. Herukas represent the embodiment of indivisible bliss and emptiness. They appear as yidam or meditational deities in tantric sadhana, usually placed in a mandala and often accompanied by a yab-yum consort.

Haybaja Brass Statue

Short Description of Gods, Goddesses and ritual objects of Buddhism and Hindusim in Nepal

Peridot

JEWELRY SERIES 7: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing. 

Peridot

The color of the peridot stone is directly related to parts of the body that it can be of aid to.  The yellowish green color of peridot has been believed to cure diseases of the liver and difficulties with digestion. Peridot has been used as a Power Stone for centuries.  Peridot fosters emotional balance, and helps us heal from past emotional wounds.  It clears the path way to the heart and heals damaged egos. Peridot is also a Money Stone.  Wear it to draw money and opportunity your way.
Come check out our website or our facebook!

Peridot

Tourmaline ring

JEWELRY SERIES 6: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing.   

Tourmaline

The most common color of tourmaline is a dark green, but it also comes in bright green, blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, colorless, brown, violet and black. A strong color pink tourmaline is sometimes called rubelite. Tourmaline also comes in mixed colors within one stone, which can consist of many different varieties of color.Scientifically, tourmaline is not a single mineral, but a group of minerals related in physical and chemical properties. Tourmaline helps increase flexibility, objectivity, compassion, happiness and serenity. It is a stone that is very helpful for channeling and enhances tolerance and understanding.

Tourmaline

 

Charoite

JEWELRY SERIES 5: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing.   

Charoite only became known in the world, just recently, and it of course was named for the location where it was discovered. Discovered in Russia in 1978 in the Murun Mountains in Yakutia, to date, this the only known location for this rare mineral. The name Charoite is derived from the Chary River which is near where it was found. The Colors range from Violet and lilac to dark purple with swirling patterns of black Augite and crystals of orange.   Physically, Charoite is known to be helpful for the speeding up of healing of all kinds, headaches, liver problems, alcohol detoxification, cramps, heart problems, eye problems, nerves and more. Any people working with X-rays should wear charoite to protect themselves from the radiation that may be present during their work hours.

Charoite Pendant

Larimar

JEWELRY SERIES 4: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing.  

Larimar Also called "Stefilia's Stone", is a rare blue variety of pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Its coloration varies from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue.History- Larimar, a gentle, kind, soft aqua blue of the Caribbean Sea, found in a stone in but just one location worldwide.  Discovered by Mr. Mendez, a Peace Corp worker, in 1974, he gave it the name Larimar....Lari (after his daughter Larisa) and Mar (from the Spanish name for Sea) as the colors so resembled the sea which was so close in proximity.Healing Properties-Larimar is said to cool and draw out inflammation from the body, to reduce fevers and the heat of a sunburn.  It is especially helpful in generating creativity, pleasantly uplifting the heart and easing stress.  Larimar represents peace and clarity; it radiates healing and love energy, and is recommended for those who are stressed.

Larimar Jewelry

Green Garnet Ring

JEWELRY SERIES 3: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing. 

Green Garnet is associated with peace, serenity and patience.  It promotes imagination, creativity.  It’s a general healing crystal that is good for cleansing and purification.  It has been used since the Bronze Age as a gemstone.  The name garnet comes from the Middle English term gernet, which means dark red.  Garnet can come in many different colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless.

Green Garnet

Fire Agate Ring

JEWELRY SERIES 2: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing. 

Fire Agate has a deep calming energy that brings security and safety. It is a protection stone with strong grounding powers.  Fire agate links to the fire element and is used as an aid to improve sexual activity.  It also helps in overcoming addictions, and other destructive desires.  The healing properties include healing of the stomach, nervous and endocrine systems.  Strengthens night vision and can reduce hot flashes.

Fire Agate

Amber Turquoise Pendant

JEWELRY SERIES 1: At Art Gecko we want to let our customers know some details about the jewelry we carry. This is one of many pieces we will be showcasing. 

The bottom stone on this piece of jewelry is amber.  Amber isn’t a true gemstone, but actually fossilized tree resin that can be 30 to 90 million years old.  It is usually brownish yellow that is translucent.  Some cultures believed that amber could attract love because it was soft, warm to the touch and electromagnetic.  Turquoise the blue stone on top is also a very old respected gem.  For thousands of years it has been known as a holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman.  Both of these stones can be traced all the way back to the Egyptians.

Amber Turquoise Pendant

Decor lighting from Art Gecko - Light up your life!

At Art Gecko Shop we carry many different types of decor lighting to give a unique warm feeling to your room. We will be getting a whole new shipment in from Bali in the next several weeks. 

 We carry many "cricket cage" lights such as this blue style above. 

This is a small tempered glass 4 sided table light

A ball tempered glass table light.

Another version of a cricket floor light.
More lighting at http://www.artgeckoshop.com/home/ags/listitems_13_0?

Shopping in Bali, Indonesia

Co-owner Marcel travels to Bali Indonesia once a year to find fun, interesting, and collectable items for the stores.


Street corner shop somewhere south of Ubud



At a wood carving store negotiating a good price. 

Wood Carved buddhas

In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened! We have several wood carved buddha statues. 

Wood carved seated buddha from Swar wood
http://www.artgeckoshop.com/home/ags/page_39_18/wood_carved_buddha_1.html

We have 2 stores in Madison WI. Come and visit us!

You can find us at 507 State St. near the UW campus and at 1725 Monroe St. on the near west side.

Questions/comments: thomas@artgeckoshop.com

Nypie Celebration in Bali, Indonesia

March 5th, 2011
     Bali prepares each year for a total shutdown on the official day of silence known as Nyepi. Nyepi literally means quiet in the Balinese language and is the name given to the day each year when it is a religious obligation of every Balinese Hindu to dedicate an entire day to quiet introspection and spiritual cleansing as he or she embarks on a New Year in the Balinese lunar calendar. Starting from approximately 5 a.m. sometime in March and continuing until 6 a.m. the following day. 
     Nyepi is observed by the devout through the abstinence from food and drink, human speech, and even the lighting of fires or lamps. As a result, Bali resembles a ghost town throughout this period with all businesses and thoroughfares closed. Traditional village security - Pecalang patrol the island permitting the passage of only emergency vehicles and sternly rebuking neighbors who allow noise or light to be transmitted from their living quarters Nyepi is the day marking the first day of the Balinese Saka calendar and is strictly observed island-wide with a day of absolute silence and meditation, including the shut down for a 24 hour period of the island's airport.  

Ogah Ogah's are made out of paper mache and represent evil spirits.

Much music is played loudly to awaken the evil spirits to drive them away

Later in the evening all Ogah Ogah's are burned to release and destroy the evil spirits 

VINTAGE NATIVE TURQUOISE COLLECTION

Jewelry in this category is from the large collection of Mary Kwasigroch of WI. We have obtained a tiny fraction of her jewelry and more items are housed in our stores. Mary's family had a long-time connection to natives and their crafts, owning a store before the turn of the century in the trading hub now known as Wisconsin Dells. Her extensive personal collection started on her honeymoon in 1942 and included hand-woven baskets, jewelry, carvings, tools, fetishes and more. Mary has passed on to another world now and we have been working with the Kwasigroch family to obtain as much information on the jewelry as we can. Anyone seeking information on any other native items from the family can obtain their information from our stores. (Goodness Mary, you sure knew how to pick 'em!)  It has been a challenge for the staff not to buy every piece we see. We understand treats like these don't come around twice!

Navajo sand cast cuff with 5 natural turquoise cabs 

http://www.artgeckoshop.com/home/ags/page_283_25/sand_cast_turquoise_cuff_5_ovals.html

21 uncut turquoise stones. One of a kind!

We have many styles of unique jewelry.

Here is an example of a blue topaz ring: Four square faceted blue topaz top off 4 square tapered tubes of silver connected at their points to form a shank. A light oxidized line of square spirals accent the sides. 


Blue topaz is Texas' states gemstone. Naturally occurring blue topaz is quite rare. Typically, colorless, gray or pale yellow and blue material is heat treated and irradiated to produce a more desired darker blue. 

http://www.artgeckoshop.com/home/ags/page_292_8/blue_topaz_4_stone_ring.html

Blue Topaz is the birthstone of December it is a talisman for the sign of Sagittarius. The name Topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire.


During the Middle Ages, Topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.

Art Gecko Shop Blog is now online!

Hello all you Art Gecko followers. Thank you for shopping with us at our two Madison locations. We are moving into Web 2.0 with new social media applications. You can check details on our products, see videos, learn how we travel and buy products, hear about arrival of new containers, and much more.

SEE US AT  http://artgeckoshop.com/ 

     We also have a facebook page, so check us out there too.
https://www.facebook.com/ArtGeckoShop

Much more to come!