LET YOUR JEWELRY REFLECT YOUR MOOD - PART 2

Getting ready for work, school, a date or just a shopping trip?  Let your mood be reflected in your jewelry!   We’ve discussed the more powerful emotions identified by mood rings in a previous blog.   So what about those gentler, more subtle moods – what color jewelry would you chose for those?

It’s no surprise that deep blue reflects a calm, peaceful, happy mood, but did you know your mood ring will turn this gorgeous color when you are approachable, fun loving, warm and loving?  Lapis Lazuli and London Blue Topaz are the perfect deep blue to telegraph this mood.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80438240/handmade-lapis-lazuli-turquoise-and?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80427987/handmade-lapis-lazuli-aragonite-necklace?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80439237/handmade-lapis-lazuli-citrine-and-autumn?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78359723/handmade-lapis-lazuli-sterling-silver?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84893781/dolphin-lapis-lazuli-malachite-handmade?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86551790/handmade-london-blue-topaz-stardust?ga_search_query=topaz&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82961057/handmade-elegant-lapis-blue-lace-agate?ga_search_query=Lapis&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

Dark green on your thermo tropic skin temperature device shows you are feeling serene, easily amused, quietly alert, sensitive, and tender.  Aventurine, Moss Agate and jade jewelry have that deep saturated green. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84880464/chinese-character-handmade-necklace?ga_search_query=aventurine&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77224185/aventurine-fan-onyx-handmade-necklace?ga_search_query=aventurine&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78498384/ching-hai-jade-handmade-nursing-necklace?ga_search_query=jade&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78498384/ching-hai-jade-handmade-nursing-necklace?ga_search_query=jade&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86499101/handmade-natural-emerald-gemstone-silver

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92992305/jade-and-pearl-handmade-necklace?ga_search_query=jade&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

Are you are feeling cooled, pensive, philosophical, and just a bit restrained?  Your ring would be turning white – so go for pearls or white buffalo stone.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83311105/white-buffalo-stone-pendant-with-black?ga_search_query=white&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77794929/handmade-turquoise-carnelian-white?ga_search_query=white&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

No matter what your mood, always buy and wear good quality, original jewelry that reflects your individual style, goals, and personality.

LET YOUR JEWELRY REFLECT YOUR MOOD - PART 1

Mood rings are lots of fun, but why rely on a little thermo tropic material (that’s the stuff that your skin temperature activates) to broadcast your mood.  Take charge, tell the world what you are feeling when you pick your jewelry for the day or evening.

The stronger, more in-your-face emotions are represented by predictable and some unusual colors. 

For example, feeling active, adventurous, alluring, exciting, passionate?  Red is easily associated with these emotions and pops up on the mood ring, too.  Jewelry made with red coral, garnet, carnelian or red jasper will let the world know you are enthusiastic and ready to go.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77119510/fancy-jasper-handmade-necklace-and?ga_search_query=jasper&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

Rhodonite Nursing Necklace

Are you in a mysterious mood, feeling intense, fierce, energetic?  Your mood ring would be turning black.  Slip on a black onyx necklace or earrings. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77915614/pearl-and-onyx-handmade-necklace?ga_search_query=onyx&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86482330/handmade-black-onyx-scarlet-red-coral?ga_search_query=onyx&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77244127/cloisonne-swarovski-crystal-onyx?ga_search_query=onyx&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

Is your mood pensive?  Are you thinking things through, planning a big change, ready to boldly go . . . . ?  Check the mood ring – see that beautiful deep brown?  Now, find that fantastic Tigereye or mahogany obsidian necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92725399/cloisonne-pendant-with-mahogany-obsidian?ga_search_query=mahogany%2Bobsidian&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92718169/red-brown-and-cream-agate-pendant-with?ga_search_query=mahogany%2Bobsidian&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83258911/handmade-tigers-eye-necklace?ga_search_query=tigereye&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

Romance is in the wind, your emotions are simmering, you are hopeful, excited – then a soft yellow green pendant and necklace is exactly right.  Not what you expected – but skin temperature never lies – according to mood rings.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85154206/chrysoprase-pendant-handmade-necklace?ga_search_query=chrysoprase&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_6360112

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85073775/handmade-lemony-green-chrysoprase?ref=v1_other_1

So much for the more intense emotions– our next blog will be on the softer, calmer attitudes .

USING YOUR SKIN TONE TO PICK PERFECT JEWELRY

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

You are a fashionista, shopping for jewelry (for real or just for fun).  You are surrounded by beautiful pieces in so many colors – gemstones, semi-precious stones, natural stones; already a heady mix.  Then there is the metal – gold, silver, copper, brass.  So many choices.  How do you pick the right pieces?  It’s easy – you pick your jewelry the same way you pick your clothes and it’s not by just picking the trendiest pieces.  You choose the jewelry that enhances your own natural beauty (and maybe helps distract from that little flaw) and is unique, personal, and of course, gorgeous!

First, look at your skin tone – is it warm or cool?  Don’t know – here is an easy way to tell.

Look at the veins in your wrist – are they bluish colored?  Do you have pinkish or rosy-red undertones in your face?  Are your eyes blue, green or grey?  Is your hair color (the natural shade, please) blond, black or brown?  Then you have cool skin tones.  Some examples of famous people with your skin tones include Sarah Jessca Parker, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, and Hilary Clinton.

You look best in silver jewelry, white pearls, amethyst, lapis lazuli, malachite, rose quartz.  In other words, deep rich colors that are accented by silver.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84879825/amethyst-chalcedony-pearl-original

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80427987/lapis-lazuli-aragonite-necklace-with

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77046985/red-jasper-amazonite-onyx-necklace

Now – are your veins tending more to a greenish color?  Do you have yellow or golden undertones to your skin?  Are your eyes brown, black or hazel?  Is your natural hair color red, orange, strawberry brown or red-brown?  Then you have warm skin tones.  Good examples include

Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Amy Adams, and Nicole Richie.

Your best jewelry choices would include gold jewelry, gold toned pearls, turquoise, coral, amber and carnelian.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85569741/traditional-tibetan-pendant-with

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92666022/valentine-red-glass-heart-pendant-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86503209/gold-tree-of-life-amber-turquoise

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92949843/ming-dynasty-porcelain-pendant-with

Second,  jewelry is very personal, so be sure that anything you wear is unique, and whenever possible, one of a kind.  Good jewelry is an investment, even good costume or bridge jewelry can be expensive.  So, pick pieces that suite you, enhance your beauty, make a statement, and add versatility to your wardrobe. 

Third, remember nothing looks worse than cheap, trashy jewelry – even if it is the “current” style.  Stay away from plastic, flashy rhinestones, pot metal

 

'TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING BACK

Charles Dickens had it right – this is the time for helping out those in need – but as Americans, we already know that.  A few years ago, a Canadian wrote an article enumerating some of the international crises to which Americans had been more than generous.  We give – for the catastrophic disasters and the smaller, more personal ones.  This blog will be short of pictures, but there will be a number of links to local merchants who are sponsoring collections and reviewing a couple of larger ones that are so consistent and personal.

Let’s start with a young man who spent his summer making earrings to earn a little money.  He approached Couture Angel Consignments in Auburn, California to find a sales venue.  They agreed and he was all set to earn a little extra money.  Then his cousin was diagnosed with bone cancer.  Now all profits are dedicated to a special fund to help his cousin.  If you would like to help these two young people, contact Couture Angel  www.coutureangelconsignments.com.

Kovar’s Satori Academy has been known throughout the Northern California community for their generosity to a number of causes.  This year, as last, they are collecting toys for the Sacramento Sheriffs’ Toy Project.  The Granite Bay location collected the most toys last year and is working on beating that record this year.  You can find more information about Kovar’s Santori Academy at:  www.selectmartialarts.com/KovarsLH/selectmovie.aspx.  For more information on the Sacramento Sheriff’s Toy Project, check it out at:  www.toyproject.org.

Exotic Treasures Jewelry is a very small on-line company run by a mother and son team.  They will donate 10% of any sale made from December 6, 2011 through December 31, 2011 to either The Wounded Warrior Project [ www.woundedwarriorproject.org ], or Make A Wish [ www. sacnortheast.wish.org ] .  Anyone purchasing from either of their web stores, www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel and www.etsy.com/shop/Seedbeadwonderland  can decide which one will receive the donation.  They have a side bet going between them – the one who gains the most donations gets out of doing dishes for a week.

Western Feed and Pet Supply [ http://westernfeedonline.com ], will give anyone who brings in a toy a 10% discount.  The toys will be given to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, www.toysfortots.org .  And while we are on the subject of the annual Marine Corps program, let’s take an extra minute and think of these men and women who have been on the front lines for 10 years.  They go from combat to collecting toys for children who will not have a Christmas without the generosity of those who donate toys and Marines who donate their time and talent.   Semper Fi.

News10 is collecting coats for kids again this year.   This writer worked for quite a few years in neighborhoods where those coats were distributed.  Seeing children coming to school coatless on the coldest days of the year is sufficient proof of the need for this program.  But you will have to hurry – the drive ends December 9, 2011.  For more information, call (916) 441-2345 or look at their web site - http://www.news10.net

Finally there are two year round organizations that consistently help.  Divine Savior Church’s St. Vincent de Paul provides food, clothing and monetary assistance all year.  http://www.divinesavior.com/ohana/website/index.cfm?p=33032245  The Salvation Army is more than their annual Kettle drives.  They provide food, counseling, missing persons assistance, housing - - - well, you get the idea.  You can find them outside many stores this time of year and always at this web address:  http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf 

So this was a little long for a blog – and probably filled with what you already know – but it doesn’t hurt to hear all this repeated, just as a reminder.  But no matter what, we can take pride in being a giving people – a people who give not just from our surplus, but also from our substance.

Jewelry with Religious Symbols – Special Gifts for the Holidays and After

Jewelry with religious symbols is as old as time.  The first humans wore religious signs and symbols for protection and identity.   Today, we continue that tradition.  The Star of David, the Cross, and the Buddhist word “Om” are frequently seen.   When represented in beautiful, unique, one of a kind   jewelry made by artists and craftsmen, they can take on additional very personal meanings.

Cross Earrings in Navy Blue by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HippieChicJewelz

The Cross is represented in many ways.  When it has a rose on it, it adds a symbol for Mary, Jesus’ Mother.   Crosses made of natural stone bring to mind the solid foundation of Christianity resting on the word of God.

Dalmation Jasper Cross by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

The Star of David has several meanings – all centered on God as the center of all.  One symbol is God’s rule over all six directions – North, South, East, West, Up and Down – with the solid inner core representing the spiritual core.   It is a 12 sided figure, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.  And of course, it is in the center of the Israeli flag and appears on synagogues all over the world.

Silver Star of David Earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GirlBurkeStudios

Om is a religious symbol and mantra chant for Hinduism and Buddhism.   It is a sound that is used for centering oneself for meditation.    According to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, all material objects, all living beings came from the Primordial Vibration which is represented by Om. 

Tibetan Pendant, Turquoise, Coral and White Buffalo Stone Necklace by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

Jewelry Based on Movies and Movie Characters - Ideas for Gift Giving

Daytime in Fork, Washington - Labradorite and Crystal Necklace by http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

We all know the obvious pieces of movie based jewelry – the “One Ring” from Lord of the Rings, jewelry with pictures of characters from the Twilight series, and of course all the jewelry based on Disney classics and Harry Potter come immediately to mind.   There is another type of jewelry that is movie based, and that is the more subtle, almost subliminal reference that can be found in some uniquely designed, original pieces of jewelry available in craft shops on the web.

Cinderella's Coach by http://www.etsy.com/shop/Seedbeadwonderland

For example, a pirate’s treasure map can bring to mind Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean  movie series.  A wizard can be from either Dumbledore from Harry Potter or Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings [and soon to be released Hobbit movie].

Goth Black Lace and Crystal Choker by

  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

Twilight movies and books can be represented by the most obvious Goth/Vampire styles or by something a little more understated, like a necklace that is evocative of the weather in Folk, Washington, or a deep moonlit night sky.  Just be sure there is no silver in those pieces of jewelry – we don’t want  Edward to burn his fingers as he slips the necklace around Bella’s neck.

Daytime in Fork, Washington Earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ExoticTreasuresJewel

Whichever you choose, be sure the jewelry is well made, original, unique, and special to you. 

Amazing Amber

Amber is amazing. It’s not a true gemstone because it isn’t an inorganic mineral like diamonds or lapis lazuli. It’s million year old tree sap. Just think, something as common, sticky and sometimes annoying as tree sap is converted over time into a warm, translucent, softly gleaming precious jewel.
It comes in several natural colors, from a clear, sun filled light lemon to a mandarin orange to a deep rich red brown cognac color to an olive green. Some pieces even encapsulate tiny insects and plant life from prehistoric times. Remember Jurassic Park?
Another wonderful quality of amber is its versatility. It can be worn with casual, business and formal clothes. The lighter colors, particularly the very bright, lemon yellow is perfect for casual wear. Slip it on with a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and go out to lunch or to a ball game. Tuck a mandarin orange colored amber necklace in the neck of a business blouse or over a turtleneck sweater and you are ready for work. Slip a warm, silky, cognac colored amber necklace around your neck for a luscious look as you go out for an evening on the town. And as for the green amber - well it is so fantastic and gorgeous that it can go anywere.
Whenever you wear amber, you can be confident that your natural beauty is sure to radiate.