![\"the-moon-lab-stainless-steel-jewelry\"](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Moon-Lab-Stainless-Steel-Jewelry-1024x341.jpg\")
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What happens when spirituality, science and pop culture combine forces in the universe? A little magic is made.<\/p>\n
The Moon Lab<\/a> is a unique Etsy shop with a style and flair all its own. \u201cWhen starting with jewelry design, my challenge (and also my desire) was trying to create pieces that I personally had always wanted; things that don’t exist; things you can’t find anywhere,\u201d founder Aeryn explains.<\/p>\n Everything you need to know about jewelry making for beginners<\/a>.<\/p>\n See the ultimate guide here<\/a><\/div>\n And she has succeeded at creating a collection of stainless steel pieces that have become her signature style. What\u2019s interesting: Stainless steel wasn\u2019t her first material of choice.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen considering what type of material to use, I first thought about using colored acrylics,\u201d she says. \u201cI did some searching online, and that’s when I came across Ponoko and saw the laser cut acrylics, wood and also stainless steel. There are a lot of people selling acrylic necklaces, but I hadn’t seen the type of things I had in mind done in stainless steel.\u201d<\/p>\n Aeryn thought it seemed like a great idea, so she chose stainless steel for her designs. \u201cMy first run of stainless steel pieces from Ponoko came out so wonderfully that I kept submitting designs and ordering more,\u201d she says. \u201cThe look and thickness of the stainless steel is absolutely perfect for my products. They came out beautifully and very unique.\u201d<\/p>\n A graphic artist living in Burbank, California, Aeryn says her Etsy shop has an eclectic mix of themes unified by consistent design aesthetic. The inventory rotates because the things she loves varies so much, but right now the collection features a little bit of spirituality, science, old school gaming, movies and anime.<\/p>\n You can see her spiritual side in the Flower Of Life<\/a> (left) and the Hamsa<\/a> (right) necklaces.<\/p>\n The Flower Of Life is a geometrical shape composed of multiple evenly-spaced, overlapping circles arranged in a flower like pattern with six fold symmetry like a hexagon. According to Token Rock<\/a>, the perfect form, proportion and harmony of the FOL has been known to philosophers, architects and artist around the world.<\/p>\n In New Age thought, the Flower Of Life has provided what is considered to be deep spiritual meaning and forms of enlightenment to those who have studied it as sacred geometry. \u201cThe patterns recurring in nature depict space and time,\u201d Aeryn explains. \u201cIt\u2019s a template from which all life flows.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hamsa\u2014a symbol of an eye embedded in the palm of an open hand\u2014has been variously interpreted by scholars as a Jewish, Christian or Islamic amulet, according to My Jewish Learning<\/a>, and its magical form continues to be shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n While scholars debate nearly every aspect of the Hamsa\u2019s emergence, it is recognized today as a kabbalistic amulet and as an important symbol in Jewish art. \u201cThe Hamsa is known to protect against the evil eye,\u201d Aeryn explains. \u201cA powerful amulet indeed!\u201d<\/p>\n Science is another theme Aeryn explores, and there\u2019s no shortage of inspiration. She recently added three new pieces to the collection to pay tribute to the works of Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla and Carl Sagan.<\/p>\n What attracted Aeryn to these scientific greats? \u201cEinstein<\/a> is one of the greatest minds of our time. Tesla<\/a>, the inventor of free energy, is a man ahead of his time. And Sagan<\/a> will take you on a trip through the cosmos,\u201d she says. \u201cI was tired of seeing names like \u2018Jessica\u2019 on these necklaces, so I switched it up with something a hell of a lot cooler!\u201d<\/p>\n She has also tapped into some scientific symbols that serious mathematicians, chemists and fans of The Big Bang Theory will fall in love with.<\/p>\n Pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, seems a simple enough concept. But as Live Science explains<\/a>, it turns out to be an “irrational number,” meaning its exact value is inherently unknowable.<\/p>\n “Computer scientists have calculated billions of digits of pi, starting with 3.14159265358979323\u2026, but because no recognizable pattern emerges in the succession of its digits, we could continue calculating the next digit, and the next, and the next, for millennia, and we\u2019d still have no idea which digit might emerge next. The digits of pi continue their senseless procession all the way to infinity.”<\/em><\/p>\n Wearing 3.14<\/a> around your neck sounds like the ultimate expression of number love. For even more fun, Aeryn says to make sure you wear the necklace on March 14th<\/sup> while eating pie. Or wear it backwards because, coincidentally, it spells PIE!<\/p>\n If that doesn\u2019t make you smile, then perhaps you need more serotonin\u2014the molecule associated with making you feel good\u2014in your life. If you’re feeling a little down, this necklace<\/a> (middle) that details the molecular structure of serotonin will certainly cheer you up.<\/p>\n Alchemy, the precursor to today\u2019s chemistry, is a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy that aims to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life. Perhaps wearing this necklace<\/a> (right) will begin the process of transforming something common into something special.<\/p>\n The worlds of gaming and anime are full of characters that are ideal for being turned into jewelry pieces for fans, and Aeryn has tapped into this appeal to add a whimsical element to her collection.<\/p>\n For the retro game lover, the Lakitu Cloud<\/a> (left) pays tribute to Super Mario Brothers. \u201cThis is the special item you always saved for World 8!\u201d Areyn says. \u201cGotta get past those pesky air ships, and this little cloud made it possible.\u201d<\/p>\n For Final Fantasy fans, the Cait Sith<\/a> (middle)\u2014everyone’s favorite moogle-riding, crown wearing cat\u2014is a must-have accessory.<\/p>\n Kodama<\/a>\u2014spirits in Japanese folklore that inhabit trees\u2014are \u201cthe cutest characters from Princess Mononoke<\/em>,\u201d according to Aeryn. They are signs that a forest is healthy, so wear it in good health.<\/p>\n Aeryn has created a lot of original designs as well as ones inspired by movies or TV shows she loves. But her favorite piece is something she has wanted ever since she was a little girl: A necklace inspired by the film The Secret of NIMH<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s this amazing red medallion with an inscription on the back,\u201d she says. \u201cI had to hunt around for the perfect cabochon to use for the red stone, and when I finally finished the piece it really felt like an accomplishment to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Aeryn says she wanted to create unique items with a touch of magic, so she started her Etsy shop to share that magic with everyone. \u201cI feel a connection to the moon and stars, basically just the heavens at night, and I wanted the shop name to reflect that,\u201d she explains. \u201cI’ve been an artist ever since I can remember. I’ve always loved the ability to just create something I want to own whether it’s a shirt, a plush toy, a drawing or a necklace. To be able to craft and create things brings me joy, and I’m grateful for this gift I was given.\u201d<\/p>\n\nJewelry Making For Beginners<\/h2>\n
An Eclectic, Artistic Mix<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"the-moon-lab-mystical-pendants\"](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Moon-Lab-Mystical-Pendants-1024x512.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInspired By Science<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"the-moon-lab-scientists\"](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Moon-Lab-Scientists-1024x341.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"the-moon-lab-science-symbols\"](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Moon-Lab-Science-Symbols-1024x341.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFantastic Pieces For Entertainment Fans<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nA Childhood Dream Comes To Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"the-moon-lab-secret-of-nimh-necklace\"](\"http:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/The-Moon-Lab-Secret-Of-NIMH-Necklace.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMagic In The Making<\/strong><\/h3>\n