The History Of Coral Jewelry

I read a very facilitating article from my latest issue of Beachcombing Magazine and wanted to share it with you as it really raises awareness of the importance of sustainable practices when using items from the ocean. Here it is in it's entirety.

by Meg Carter

The ocean and beach have never failed to provide an endless stream of inspiration for artists. Since the beginning of history, ocean and beach found objects and shapes have found their way into songs, paintings, architecture, sculpture, and many other artistic works. Jewelry in particular has seen the ocean's influence in design and material. Among these inspirations is coral. With a broad past, an interesting story, and an uncertain future. Red, pink, orange, and black are among the most sought after colors of coral used in jewelry. These colors are typically found in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Hawaii, near the Strait of Gibraltar, at the Cape Verde Islands (located off the coast of West Africa), off the coast of Portugal, and around Japan and Taiwan. Harvested coral is usually cut and polished into cabochons, shaped into beads or carved. The part of coral that is used for jewelry is actually not the living organism, but rather its carbonate secretions, which form the structure that the polyps live on, and although it is not the living part of the animal, it is essential for its survival. 

La infanta Ana Nlauricia de Austria, Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, 1602

In 77 AD, Pliny the Elder wrote in depth about coral in one of the earliest encyclopedias, Naturalis Historia (Natural History). Pliny describes the most valued coral as the reddest and most branchy. Red coral, corallium rubrum, was thought to have amulet powers for warding off dangers. It was also viewed as a thing of beauty and powerfully religious. During this period, Pliny claims that the Gauls used coral as ornamentation on their swords, shields, and helmets. The power of coral also followed into medicinal purposes. Reduced to powder or by burning and ingesting, it was said to help with ailments such as bladder problems, fever, ulcers, and scarring. The value of coral was so high that it was not commonly traded where it was harvested but rather brought to wealthier areas to trade. Coral used as an amulet spread far around the world. In 7000 Years of Jewelry, Hugh Tait describes coral as "a material to which in the ancient world great amuletic powers had been attributed. It was said, according to Greek mythology, to have originated as the spurts of blood gushing forth after Medusa's head had been severed by Perseus." Hundreds of years ago, coral was thought to be a protection against magic spells, especially for children. From Spain to Italy in historical portraits, infants are shown holding coral branches. 

Throughout the centuries, coral has held steady as a medium in jewelry. According to the book Gems and Gemstones by Lance Grande Allison Augustyn, "The use of coral as a gemstone is an extremely ancient practice, going back at least 25,000 years. Coral has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and prehistoric European burial sites: Coral can be found in historic jewelry from Tibet as early as the 17th century. The Italians have always been known for their exquisite jewelry, and their use of coral is no exception. Through the 1800s and 1900s elaborate coral carvings were produced in Naples and throughout Italy. Techniques and styles from Italy spilled over to the U.S. in the late 1800s when jeweler Tiffany & Co. began using coral in their pieces. Today, coral has a different appeal. "Living Coral" has been announced as Pantone's 2019 

color of tile year. "Living Coral" (whether Pantone intended it or not) is an ironic title when it conies to the story of coral. Pantone describes the color as an animating and life affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge:' Although Pantone is describing the color, the actual marine invertebrates are definitely struggling with the "life-affirming" part. 

The world's coral reefs are threatened by pollution, over-harvesting, and climate change Several species of coral have been declared endangered and are now regulated, and more than 180 countries restrict the export of red coral harvested after 1969. 
Today, the use of coral in jewelry is controversial. Coral jewelry is still popular, and vintage pieces fetch astronomical prices at auction. While some jewelers continue to use coral in their designs, many jewelers only use coral re-purposed from vintage pieces and others have stopped creating coral jewelry altogether. In 2002, Tiffany & Co. stopped using natural coral in all of their jewelry designs. Along with this change, they have also played an active role in coral conservation. Over the past 16 years, Tiffany has donated $75 million to organizations dedicated to stewardship of natural resources, including coral and marine conservation. The jewelry industry has done damage to the world's coral reefs over hundreds of years, but changes going forward will make a difference. With fewer jewelers using coral, the reefs will have a better chance of recovering. And, until then, coral lovers can buy beautiful antique coral jewelry pieces, or if they're lucky, see coral living in the wild. 
source: Beachcombing Magazine

See a beautiful Coral Reef inspired necklace at Handmade Jewelry Haven.

Coral Reef Necklace

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Thoughts on Valentine's Day

Love, Cupid, hearts, chocolates, cards and flowers are everywhere--it's Valentine's Day! On February 14, Americans celebrate love and friendship. But where did this holiday of affection come from?

The origins of Valentine's Day are murky. We do know that the ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival, on the 15th of February. With the introduction of Christianity, the holiday moved to the 14th of February--the saint day that celebrated several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. But somewhere along the way, Valentine's Day came to represent romance. You can watch a romantic movie right here, "The Kiss," produced by Thomas Edison back in 1900. The romance we associate with Valentine's Day may spring from the medieval belief that birds select their mates on February 14th. During the Middle Ages, human lovebirds recited verse or prose to one another in honor of the day. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" wrote William Shakespeare. 
Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning expressed love this way:

How do I love thee; let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach. . .

Do you write poetry? We also hear these sentiments in love songs, such as this funny old tune, "Aba Daba Honeymoon." How many love songs can you think of that could send your message on Valentine's Day? 

"Will you be my Valentine?" Nowadays, people often ask this of their loved ones in greeting cards. Probably the first greeting cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800, companies began mass-producing cards. Initially these cards were 
hand-colored by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and 
ribbon-strewn cards were created by machine. Perhaps you will give or receive a card today or celebrate your family or that special someone in another way. Valentine's Day also gives people a chance to reflect on the meaning of love. What do you think makes true love? 

Source: America's Library

Come express YOUR love to your special someone with a unique, one of a kind, jewelry piece from Handmade Jewelry Haven. You will forever have her heart!

Heart Bracelet

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Chinese New Year 2019 - Year Of The Pig

Tuesday February 5th 2019 rings in the Chinese or Lunar New Year, which runs until February 20th.

The Pig is the twelfth of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Pig was late because he overslept. Another story says that a wolf destroyed his house. He had to rebuild his home before he could set off. When he arrived, he was the last one and could only take the twelfth place.

The Pig is also associated with the Earth and the hours 9–11 in the night. In terms of yin and yang, the Pig is yin. In Chinese culture, pigs are the symbol of wealth.

Their chubby faces and big ears are signs of fortune as well.

Pigs might not stand out in a crowd. But they are very realistic. Others may be all talk and no action. Pigs can be opposite.

Not wasteful spenders, they will let themselves enjoy life. They love entertainment and will occasionally treat themselves. They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for them to work hard. Being able to hold solid objects in their hands gives them security.

They are energetic and are always enthusiastic, even with boring jobs. If given the chance, they will take positions of power and status. They believe that only those people have the right to speak.

Men born in the year of the Pig are optimistic and gentle. They are very focused. Once they decide on a goal, they’ll put everything into it.

They are not the best with money. Though cool-headed, they are also gullible. They trust others easily and are often scammed. This can cause them to lose a fortune.

These men are also quiet. They love learning but don’t really know how to put their knowledge into words. They’re not conversationalists, but treat everyone warmly. This results in a large social circle. 

Women born in the year of the Pig are full of excitement. They attend social events whenever possible and treat everyone genuinely. Combined with their easygoing personality, they gain everyone’s trust.

However, they are sometimes over-friendly. In their excitement, they can forget to give others personal space.

They also have good fortune with wealth. As long as they keep at it, the efforts will not go to waste. Though they don’t start with an advantage, their hard work will keep money flowing in.

At home, they are highly organized. If the room is messy, they’d stay up the entire night to clean it up. These women love children too. Playing with children is one of the things that bring them the greatest joy.

Celebrate the year of the Pig with a wonderful Asian inspired Lucky Yen Bracelet!
Until February 20th, we are offering the matching earrings for FREE!!

Lucky Yen Bracelet and Earrings

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Wordless Wednesday - Coffee and Seaglass

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Beachcombing Magazine Review

I thought I would share with you my thoughts on my newest magazine subscription.

I haven't subscribed to magazines for many years as, well, the internet came along, and it had an abundant array of stuff to read, and it was 'free'.
However, as some of you know, I decided to join the Bead Society of Palm Beach (which I am loving - another post :) and all of the lovely ladies there told me that I just haven't LIVED until I subscribed to Bead and Button. Which I did. In fact, I enjoy getting that magazine so much that I also got a subscription to 'Antique Bottle & Glass Collector' magazine - mainly to try and help identify seaglass shards that I find. So when I got a notification about Beachcombing Magazine, I immediately subscribed.

Well, to tell you I love it would be an understatement! It was a little on the pricey side for me at almost $40 for an annual subscription, however after receiving the magazine, I now think they have under-priced themselves! The magazine is easily twice the size of a standard magazine and it is just beautifully put together. The professionally photographed images are big and bright and the articles were intriguing.

One of the things I loved about this inaugural issue was the introduction of the contributors along with how to reach them on social media. I followed a few of them and to my surprise, some followed back and some I conversed with, such as Jason Sandy, who is an American 'Mudlarker' in London. Don't know what a 'Mudlarker' is? I didn't either! But I found out that they are very similar to Seaglassers, as they search through mud at low tide along rivers for artifacts. His article in the magazine was aptly named, 'Pirates Of The River Thames'. He can be found on Instagram @jasonmudlark . 


Another great article was 'The Collector Interview' with Leilani Yee. Her GORGEOUS collections of shells and seaglass from her home state of Hawaii were just breathtaking!

The featured item in this issue was Yellow Seaglass. Yellow is one of the rarest colors of seaglass that can be found, maybe 1 in every 6000 pieces found! The article had wonderful full color photos and great facts on its make and origin.

Really I could go on and on about this magazine and would highly recommend you getting this for yourself or perhaps someone you know that is a Beachcomber?
You can subscribe here: Beachcoming Magazine.


Be sure to come check out some Handmade Seaglass Jewelry at Handmade Jewelry Haven!

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Did you know that Lobster, Seal and Swans were on the Pilgrims' menu?

So...we are all anticipating the big Thanksgiving Feast and have heard, time and time again, the stories of those crazy colonists that were selfish enough to NOT want to be a part of the heard and follow everyone else's mainstream religion and so they sailed across to the new world to try and do something a little different. But did you know that throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received a visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them, surprisingly, in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees (for which, Mrs Butterworth is eternally grateful), catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans. Something we could probably reflect on carefully today.

After the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the historic banquet’s exact menu, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow wrote in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event, and that the Wampanoag guests arrived bearing five deer. Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts.
Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast, followed by a feast!! Thank goodness we have lost the 'fast' portion of THAT celebration...eh?
In 1827, the noted magazine editor and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Hale—author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb”—launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians. Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition, and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.
Source: The History Channel

Sea Anemone Nautical Knot Necklace

Why not celebrate this year by treating yourself or that hard working person in your household to a beautiful piece of one of a kind jewelry from Handmade Jewelry Haven! Show that person how special they make you feel with a unique jewelry piece that can not be bought in ever store in the mall.

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August means Back To School

So we give so much of our time and energy to our kids, especially during the summer when you are trying to keep them busy while secretly praying for school to start.

Trust me, I know, I have been there...who am I kidding, I am STILL there! With TWO teens, you would think it would be a little easier, however, in reality, it just brings a different set of challenges.

Then comes August...the BIG BANG at the end of the summer when it is time to pull out the wallet and get all those supplies! If you have more than one child...then you know, by the time you are done with all that shopping, nothing sounds better than dropping on your sofa at the end of the day with a nice glass of wine! 

Well, why not treat YOURSELF this year with a beautiful Back-To-School Jewelry piece from Handmade Jewelry Haven? I mean...you really DO deserve a little something just for yourself right? Self therapy if you will (it is certainly cheaper!).

Dragon Bracelet

If you are one of those loving spouses that work, while your significant other stayed home all summer...well THIS is the way to say, THANK YOU!!!!

You will never look more fashionable dropping off the wee ones in the car pool lane on that first day of school!

I have another treat for you too....
Need a back to school checklist? Download our FREE one here.....

Get your back to school List's here!

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Handmade Jewelry Haven featured in Huffington Post

A while back we were very excited to be featured in the Huffington Post on a feature,'5 Gift Ideas for a Cosplayer'. 
We came in at #2 for one of our Dragon Bracelets!

Now, there may be some of you that do not know what a 'Cosplayer' is.
Wikipedia defines it as:
Cosplay, a contraction of the words costume play, is a hobby in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character.

Here is how our feature looked:

2. A bracelet

HANDMADE JEWELRY HAVEN

Kumihimo Bracelet, $20, available at Handmade Jewelry Haven

The bracelet is a story of empowerment which is told by many characters over many generations. The mother Dragon who has her precious eggs tucked protectively between her scales shows the undying love for a mother towards her babies. The dragon symbolizes strength, loyalty and compassion for all that it holds dear.

So if you have any special Cosplayers in your life, come and see more of our Dragon Bracelets, here at Handmade Jewelry Haven!

To see the other gifts that were featured, click HERE.

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The Rise and (Almost) Fall Of Mothers Day

The origins of Mother’s Day as celebrated in the United States date back to the 19th century. In the years before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children.

These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” at which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.

The official Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900s as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. Following her mother’s 1905 death, Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children.

After gaining financial backing from a Philadelphia department store owner named John Wanamaker, in May 1908 she organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. That same day also saw thousands of people attend a Mother’s Day event at one of Wanamaker’s retail stores in Philadelphia.

Following the success of her first Mother’s Day, Jarvis—who remained unmarried and childless her whole life—resolved to see her holiday added to the national calendar. Arguing that American holidays were biased toward male achievements, she started a massive letter writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians urging the adoption of a special day honoring motherhood.

By 1912 many states, towns and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause. Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Anna Jarvis had originally conceived of Mother’s Day as a day of personal celebration between mothers and families. Her version of the day involved wearing a white carnation as a badge and visiting one’s mother or attending church services. But once Mother’s Day became a national holiday, it was not long before florists, card companies and other merchants capitalized on its popularity.

While Jarvis had initially worked with the floral industry to help raise Mother’s Day’s profile,

Handmade Jewelry

by 1920 she had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized. She outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies.

Jarvis eventually resorted to an open campaign against Mother’s Day profiteers, speaking out against confectioners, florists and even charities. She also launched countless lawsuits against groups that had used the name “Mother’s Day,” eventually spending most of her personal wealth in legal fees. By the time of her death in 1948 Jarvis had disowned the holiday altogether, and even actively lobbied the government to see it removed from the American calendar.

Don't forget your mother this year! Get her a gift she'll cherish for a lifetime at Handmade Jewelry Haven!

Source: History.com

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Merry Christmas From Handmade Jewelry Haven

Wishing Everyone A Safe and 

Wonderful Christmas From 

Handmade Jewelry Haven!

Photo Courtesy from Forever Bermuda

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Goin' Glassing

Well, it is that time of year when we close up shop, pack our bags and hop in the car to do a little 'glassing.

Glass Bottle Beach

What is glassing you say? Well it is what a seasoned beach person says when they are going to look for seaglass. Kind of like 'Gone Fishin'. This year we will be making a journey that we have been wanting to make for awhile, only reading about it on various sea glass sites and journals. In addition to visiting our dear Jersey Shore, we will be making a visit to Glass Bottle Beach at Dead Horse Bay. This particular beach is near Brooklyn NY and is so called as it was the site of several factories, many of them having the distinction of being 'glue' factories, around the turn of the century. At that time when horse and buggy reigned supreme, it was not uncommon to see dead horses along the side of the road. The carcases were eventually hauled to one of the many glue plants to...well...make glue. After the automobile became the choice mode of transportation, the surrounding area of the bay evolved into a giant land fill until it closed in the 1950's. Now, the bare land is a somewhat macabre attraction for bottle collectors as the now busted open land fill churns out into the bay and then is brought back in again to settle with the incoming tide. The city's history literally washes out and then back in again, filling the beach with shards of antique pottery, junk and of course, bottles, hence the name, Glass Bottle Beach.
Anyway, I have always wanted to 'pick' this particular spot and now about this time next week, I will be there! 
Anyway, I hope to come back with many tales of wonder from our excursion and in the meantime, if you want to read a little more of this well kept 'secret', you can read about it 
on the Atlas Obscura site here.

Seaglass Pendant

To see examples of how seaglass can be made into beautiful jewelry, visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Site here. We will be putting the shop in 'Vacation Mode' while we are gone but will reopen the following week when we return.

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The Ocean's Emotions - Seafoam Green Seaglass

Sea Glass Necklace

Truly this is one of my favorite colors of seaglass and while the most common source for this lovely shade of light green glass was most likely an old Coco Cola bottle made in various parts of the country. The shades vary depending on the silica that was used. A lot of older white glass however, had a greenish tint and depending on thickness and whether bubbles are present, could be an old piece of rarer glass. New glass of this shade is still used for wine bottles.
50 In a 100 Sea Glass Pieces Found Will be Seafoam

Coke a Cola Seaglass

Green.
The general associations of the color green is the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy. It means growth, harmony, freshness, safety, and environment. Green is also traditionally associated with money, finances, banking, ambition, greed, jealousy, and wall street. We all like to 'make a little green'!

Wire Wrap Seaglass Earrings

To see some more beautiful seaglass jewelry creations, please visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Page here.
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12 Weeks Of Letter Writing Challenge - Week 10

Today's post is participating in the 12 Weeks Of Letter Writing Challenge that I was invited to by Mrs. Dash Say's....blog here.

This weeks letter is to my teenage self.

Dear Lizard (as that is what your nick name was in account of that super ugly two toned green unitard you decided to wear to a gym one day),

Here is some advice from your future self.

1. Don't wear that unitard. It was ugly.
2. Don't fall in love with that douchbag Danny Rodriguez. He will break your heart.
3. Do better in school. Good grades are important.
4. Do get involved with extra curricular activities in school.
5. Wear Suncreen when you are at the beach. You are prone to skin cancers.
6. Help your mom more. She is really not as strong as she seems.
7. Keep having fun, you have that handled.

To see some of the beautiful beach inspired jewelry that I make now while wearing sunscreen, visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy page here.

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Wordless Wednesday

Today's Wordless Wednesday is about Brown Seaglass. Enjoy!

Brown Seaglass Pendant

To see some more of my Sea Glass Jewelry, visit Handmade Jewelry Haven's Etsy Page here!

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