Black and Gold Chunky Bling Necklace by NancysCrystalFantasi

Big chunky bling necklaces are popular items in the southern states among the young women.  The more bling the better.  Ones similar to this can be done in school colors, sports team colors, or whatever you might want.  I take custom orders for these necklaces.  One similar to this was recently shipped to Oklahoma to a young lady in her high school colors.  Just send me a message through my Etsy shop and we will work together to create your special lovely.

Fourth of July sale going on in my Etsy shop now until July 4.  All patriotic jewelry is marked 15% off.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99917883/red-white-and-blue-crystal-long-dangle

Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day?

The last Monday of May is a national holiday in the United States to honor those who have lost their lives in military service to our country.  The first celebration of this holiday was called Decoration Day, and its purpose was to commemorate loss of lives of Union soldiers in the Civil War.  The name was changed to Memorial Day after the first World War, and it now memorializes those who have lost their lives in all military branches in the U.S.

It is believed that Memorial Day began in 1865 in Charleston when Union soldiers and freed slaves gathered at a race track to celebrate the Union's victory and to honor those who had lost their lives in the battles.  Several similar Confederate gatherings had already been taking place during and after the war.  Union General John A. Logan noted how the Confederacy was honoring its fallen soldiers and pointed out that the entire nation needed a way of honoring all soldiers who lost their lives for their country.  He, along with a veterans group that he headed, the Grand Army of the Republic, created Decoration Day and encouraged all citizen to use the day as a reverent observation.  The day was made an official holiday on May 30, 1868, when the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers and ribbons.

Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May in 1971 by Congress to ensure a three-day weekend holiday.  Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend are sometimes thought of as the unofficial summer bookends.  

How Memorial Day is Celebrated

To celebrate Memorial Day families often visit graves of family members or others who have lost their lives in military service.  National Cemeteries decorate each grave with a flag, and flags are usually flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon by government agencies, schools, churches, and businesses.  In 2000 Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Resolution, which asks that Americans "voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”


Most Americans spend Memorial Day as a relaxing day of vacation--barbecuing, boating, fishing, or spending the day with family and friends.  Unfortunately, few participate in solemn practices that should be associated with this day of remembrance.  Many believe that moving Memorial Day to create a three-day weekend has placed the emphasis on having a fun rather than a solemn celebration.  Many feel that it should be moved back to its original date of May 30.  Regardless of when Memorial Day is celebrated, we should all remember to observe this holiday by showing pride in our country and remembrance for those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team: Mother's Day Gift Ideas from JET Artisans!

Check out this blog with gorgeous jewelry ideas for Mother's Day gifts featuring jewelry selections from the Jewelry on Etsy Team (JETs).
JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team: Mother's Day Gift Ideas from JET Artisans!

Beautiful Labradorite

I had never heard of labradorite until a couple of years ago, and it was love at first sight.  Stones that flash rainbow colors, like opals, moonstone, and labradorite, have a special appeal to my senses and seem almost mesmerizing when you gaze into their depths.  And then, when you get that ray of sunlight on the stone—oh, my!

History

The first discovery of labradorite, a feldspar mineral, was in 1770 at Paul’s Island, near the town of Nain on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada.   It has also been found in Norway and the former USSR.  It occurs in large crystal masses, and the play of colors that it displays is called labradorescence, or schiller effect.

Eskimo legend has it that the Northern Lights were once imprisoned within the stones, and a wandering Eskimo warrior freed them with a blow of his spear.  However, some of the lights remained trapped in the stones, which accounts for their lovely glow.

Along with its popularity in jewelry, labradorite is also used as an ornamental stone in clock faces, table and countertops, and even facing for buildings.

Mystical Properties

Labradorite is thought to bring good luck and provide relief from depression, anxiety, and despair.  It brings clarity of thought to the wearer, and replaces negative thoughts and feelings with enthusiasm, self-confidence, inspiration, and harmony.  It also aids one who is experiencing conflict and change by giving perseverance, strength, and enhanced intuition. 

Healing Properties

For those of us who are getting older and suffering from aches and pains in our joints from rheumatism or arthritis—or just the wear and tear of getting older—it’s labradorite to the rescue!  If you want to take advantage of the stone’s healing properties, you should carry it as a touchstone or wear it in a piece of jewelry.

Care of Your Gemstone

Labradorite is a fairly soft stone, with a Mohs hardness of 6.0.  It also has cleavage lines within the stone.  These are not cracks or defects, but it is essential that your stone not receive any hits or knocks.  You should keep your lovely stone away from bright light and heat.  It should be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinsed and patted dry.  If its surface becomes dull and cloudy, it should be put in mineral water and placed in the sun for a few days.  Your labradorite jewelry should be stored  away from other jewelry pieces and hard objects in separate jewelry pouches.

Rustle Up Some Oranges for Me Please! by Rose Anne on Etsy

This is a beautiful treasury on Etsy with some selections in a wonderful orange.

Rustle Up Some Oranges for Me Please! by Rose Anne on Etsy

My New Treasuries

As an Etsy member of the Jetteam (Jewelry on Etsy team) I create weekly treasuries featuring a Jetteam partner.  At the bottom of the page are a couple of the latest treasuries.  You will be able to click on any item and visit the Etsy website for that item.