Wall Flower

So just imagine, just for a second, what it would be like to be drifting, alone, in the middle of the ocean. Just floating there. What do you feel? Scared? Peaceful? Now I know my boating friends are all mumbling..'we KNOW what THAT feels like! - Get on with it!' Ok ok...just bare with me here!

Now imagine, entering your middle school cafeteria for the first time. Or the Auditorium, or your first class dance hall. All those people that you didn't know. A 'sea' of people. How did you feel then? Not so 'peaceful' anymore I bet. You might have walked in, looking for the most inconspicuous chair to sit in, away from anyone that might notice you. You sit, by yourself, wishing on everything that you had not come in, in the first place and just wanting it to be over with? All you wanted to do was blend into the wall and fade away.

You would just sit there, watching the popular girls, beautiful and flirting with all of the popular guys and you would just wish you could be like them. Just have enough courage to stand up, walk over and join in with the rest of them. 
Did you ever have a time in your life that you felt that way? Do you still feel that way at times? Perhaps at a party or a company function? Where you suddenly look down and wish you had worn something lighter, brighter and prettier. Or did you spend half the day primping, so excited to wear that new dress only to find that someone at the party was wearing the same thing? In a ready to wear society full of bargain basement prices, that is not so hard to do. These days everyone has access to the finest stores. They are not for just the 'well off' any more. What is it about fashion that drives us crazy? We all... men and women alike, want to look our best...no, better than the one next to them. The need for social connection is just human nature says University of Chicago's social neuroscientist John T. Cacioppo. He goes on to explain that a sense of isolation or social rejection disrupts not only our thinking abilities and will power but also our immune systems, and can be as damaging as obesity or smoking! We innately want to be different, to show off our individuality. But sometimes we don't know how. Well, I say.. 'go and buy that simple black dress' and then dress it up with a beautiful one of a kind jewelry piece from Handmade Jewelry Haven. No two pieces are the same and you can bet that you will never feel like a wall flower again. You will feel like a million bucks, floating in the middle of the ocean. But this time, you are on your very own YACHT! 



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Wordless Wednesday

Not all beaches are created equal.....

Come find a piece of your beach at Handmade Jewelry Haven.

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What Role Jewelry Plays In Our Lives - In A Nutshell

So I was listening to a Podcast the other day (I've all but given up radio for podcasts - wonder if that is an 'old person' thing) and Donald Miller the creator of Story Brand was talking about a study that was done on Human Basic Needs. The reason this study was done was to relay information to businesses on why their products matter to clients. It was based on the Maslow Hierarchy Of Needs Pyramid which you were probably taught if you've ever set a foot in school and I am certainly not going to bore you with here, but, in a nutshell, this is why Jewelry is important in your life.
One of our basic needs, that stems back to when humans were cavemen (and women), was to increase our social standing. To increase our social standing allowed us to attract friends, which frequently would locate themselves close to you. As we all know there is 'safety in numbers' and we would want to increase our 'tribe' in order to fend of marauders. Becoming attractive to others was one way to achieve this and one way to do this was through 'fashion'. Fashion was born out of a necessity to attract others to bond with for safety.

Jewelry was one such item that was made to increase that attractiveness. Frequently it was also used as 'currency' in a bartering system. Hunters and explorers would come across new tribes, who's women might be adorned with different, sometimes exotic, jewelry and trades would be made in exchange for food and supplies. As time passed and tribes grew into towns and eventually cities, these Jewelry makers would settle and people would travel from far and wide to obtain the beautiful and unique wares that each maker would produce.
So...now that we have talked about what role fashion played in the history of man, you are probably wondering how this relates today...and the answer is simple. Psychologically, people buy jewelry to attract friends, or possible mates, to increase their 'tribe' in the possible event of marauders coming over the hill of their cul de sac. Seriously. That is it in a nutshell! 

So come and increase your 'tribe' by getting a stunning, one of a kind, jewelry piece at Handmade Jewelry Haven here!

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Wordless Wednessday

Well, I entered my first contest, and even though I did not win, I did get a 'Special Mention' and that was just good enough for me.

To see more of my creations, please visit Handmade Jewelry Haven HERE.

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October Birthstone - Tourmaline

As we enter October, we celebrate one of the months birthstones (yes, it has TWO!) the Tourmaline. Birthstones are gemstones that accompany a birth month, each having a unique meaning and historical significance. The popularity of birthstones dates back to ancient times when civilizations believed that gemstones had incredible powers such as luck, health and prosperity. Traditionally, each month is associated with a single gemstone, but, there are a few months with multiple  birthstones, such as October. The name tourmaline is derived from the Sinhalese (language spoken in Sri Lanka) “tura mali,” which means “the stone of mixed colors.” 

Ancient legend has it that the tourmaline traveled down the rainbow and it is for this reason that it is found in so many colors. Like many other gemstones, it is believed that the tourmaline strengthens both the body and the spirit, particularly the nervous system, blood, and lymph nodes. Additionally, the tourmaline was viewed as a means of inspiring creativity and was thus used as a talisman by artists and writers.

Brightly colored Sri Lankan gem tourmalines were brought to Europe in great quantities by the Dutch East India Company to satisfy a demand for curiosities and gems. Tourmaline was sometimes called the "Ceylonese Magnet" because it could attract and then repel hot ashes due to its pyroelectric properties. Tourmalines were used by chemists in the 19th century to polarize light by shining rays onto a cut and polished surface of the gem.

Blue Tourmaline evokes the tranquility of deep blue water, gliding well beneath its surface. It invites surrender of all thought to the solitude of a liquid silence, a graceful world of letting go... then rising to the light. It is also known as Indicolite, a variation of the original Indigolite, and refers to its deep blue color. Rarer than other Tourmalines, it forms in shades of light to dark blue, some with a tint of turquoise.

In the metaphysical world, Blue Tourmaline is a crystal of Spirit and peace, providing for deep meditation and bringing past hurts to the surface for healing. It encourages the release of emotional bonds and frees the mind to explore a higher consciousness and spiritual connection.

Blue Tourmaline increases the ability for clear and honest communication, and lends the courage to speak from the heart. It encourages an open mind and tolerance for others’ differences and weaknesses, embracing a love for truth, ethics, and a sense of responsibility and service to humanity. It promotes living in harmony with all aspects of one’s environment.

Gifts of gemstone jewelry with a loved one’s birthstone are very popular because of the desire to wear beautiful color as well as something which has personal significance. 

The tourmaline is sometimes given as an 8th wedding anniversary gift.

Give as a gift or give as a gift to yourself our Tourmaline inspired necklace which you can find on Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Page Here.

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