Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Claddagh Rings

Even when I don't wear all my jewelry I still wear my class ring (until I lost it two weeks ago) and my sterling silver Claddagh ring. I really like the Claddagh, partly because it's Irish and partly because it's a relationship status ring.

I did a lot of research about the Claddagh after I received one about 9 and half years ago. Since then I haven't been able to find all the info online that I found then, but fortunately I still remember it; so besides what the Wikipedia article says about it, here's a little info about the lovely Irish Claddagh ring.

(I wish my camera would let me get closer)

The Claddagh is made of a heart, a pair of hands, and a crown, symbolizing Love, Friendship, and Fidelity (in Irish, "Grá, dílseacht agus cairdeas", pronounced "graw, dealshocked ahgess cordiss").
A poem to illustrate it:

The hands are there for friendship,
The heart is there for love,
For loyalty throughout the year
The crown is raised above.

As Wiki says, the Claddagh is a Fede ring, or "faith ring"; it's also a relationship status ring. This is one of the bits of info that I remember from years ago but haven't seen in entirety since. Relationship status is determined by how and where you wear your ring:

Right hand, with crown pointed towards your wrist: Single/Friendship
Right hand, with crown pointed towards fingernails: Dating/Courting/"love is being considered"
Left hand, crown towards wrist: Engaged
Left hand, crown towards fingernails: Married/"let love and friendship reign forever"

example of second position:


The third position is the one that I haven't seen mentioned in a long time. Sometimes it just says wearing it on the left hand means "love and friendship forever", and sometimes it actually describes the whole fourth position (crown pointed outwards) meaning married, but still skips the third. I don't know why that is, perhaps because "engaged" is supposed to automatically lead to "married" so they're combined into "married", but I like having all four positions and meanings attached. In fact I think it makes more sense that way since the second position doesn't always lead to the third and fourth, and most people get engaged before they get married. Also maybe I'm a traditionalist... ;-) Especially with Irish traditions. Did I mention I like everything that is Irish?

And my brother and future sister-in-law are going to Ireland for their honeymoon next year. *jealousy jealousy* One of these days I'll have a picture of her lovely engagement ring, designed and made by him, if they ever get around to coming over.

Oh I haven't seen Leap Year yet... should put it on the Netflix list.

Well until next post,

May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
-Irish blessing

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Saturday Blog Shoppers

Hello! Happy Saturday. Time for SBS.

I have a new item in my shop.
Pewter Sword Necklace

A pewter sword charm hangs between metal barrel beads and Mood beads on a black suede lace cord in a slip-knot style necklace/choker.

The Sword is a symbol of authority and chivalry, or courage, or defense and protection; or in Christianity represents Truth or the Sword of the Spirit as part of the Armor of God.

Mood Beads change color according to temperature, and traditionally correspond to moods as follows:

Black = strained, anxious, uneasy, stressed
Green = neutral, calm
Blue = tranquil, serene
Blue-Green = pleased, energetic, loving

The goniochromism stone does not actually change color, but appears to change according to the angle of your view.

I think this necklace is pretty much unisex, but I'm never sure about what guys will or won't wear. Do guys like mood jewelry? Well anyway, this necklace is in my Necklaces section, so if guys do like it I hope they find it. I hope to have a couple more necklaces before too long also, of a different kind.

I hope you all like this sword necklace as much as I do! Please visit my shop and the rest of SBS. See you later!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Lost Rings

I have three rings that I wear every day. One is a white gold, diamond and amethyst ring, which was a birthday present on my 18th birthday. It's not my birthstone, but purple and silver are my favorite colors. Another ring is my silver Claddah ring, which originally was a Christmas present from my high school teacher, I think when I was in 11th grade. I especially like it because it's an Irish relationship ring. And the third is my class ring, which was a graduation present from my parents (my choice).

A problem I have is that in certain weather my fingers shrink and my rings slip around. I think a lot of people have that problem actually. So about a year and a half ago, I was weeding a garden in January early on a Saturday morning; you'd think that would be a stupid idea in itself, and actually yes it was, but since I'm in Texas we don't want to do gardening in the summer, and sometimes it's actually not too cold even in January. But that day it was cold, so cold in fact that I couldn't feel my hands and didn't feel my Claddagh ring slipping off, and didn't see it disappear. After I realized it was gone I tried to use a borrowed metal detector to find it, but no luck. So I started considering replacing it (although I'd much rather have my original back), and I actually found the exact same ring for really cheap on one website, so I ordered it. I figured if it came fast enough I could pretend it was actually the same ring and I'd never lost it. It never came, and I got no replies to my emails, so I had to use a Paypal dispute to get my money back. Then my brother and sister got me a new Claddagh ring for my birthday.

Last Thursday I was running errands, and it was really hot; I don't have air conditioning in my car so I drive with my windows down; and somewhere among those errands I lost my class ring. Hopefully not out the window. Fortunately I have my name engraved on the inside, and thanks to a custom jewelry order I attempted/worked on a few months ago, I actually have a photo of it, although not a very good one; so I've put my ring up on this site
(my ring here)
And I'm trying out ways to prevent my rings from slipping off in the future, since twice is more than enough. I've tried Ring Snuggies, but I don't like them because they're difficult to put on and take off, and they're uncomfortable. Also they come in a package with different sizes (one of each size), and I need two of one small size and one a little bigger. I googled "how not to lose your ring", but other than Ring Snuggies I didn't find anything except this plastic or silicone ring that goes on in front of your real ring. There wasn't much detail on the webpage about that one, and I don't think it's the type of page people should buy from, but I don't think that type of thing would work anyway, because if my fingers can't hold my rings, how is this plastic thing going to stay on? Maybe it would be smaller than my rings and stretchy, but I can't tell from the webpage. So for now I'm trying clasps attaching my handflower finger-chains to my rings.

Of course this won't work the same way for my class ring on my pointer finger, or any rings on the ring finger if anyone wants that, so I'll have to figure out a slightly different way of doing this for those. Perhaps a small length of chain going from the finger chain to the clasp to the ring. Also I'd like to replace the lobster clasps with some kind of hook clasp, if I can find something. But then also if I have to not wear my handflowers but still can and want to wear my rings I'll need something else. I'll have to work on that.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Saturday Blog Shoppers

I'm writing this a little early because I have several things to take care of today.

This week for Saturday Blog Shoppers I'm featuring my newest listing, the item I've been meaning to list for awhile:

Green and Gunmetal Forest Key Earrings

Single units of byzantine chainmaille in green and gunmetal enameled copper with dangling small metal skeleton key charms.
Both maille colors are metallic; gunmetal is a brownish-gray color similar to bronze. Keys are dark silvertone; earhooks are silvertone.

I actually have three slightly-different pairs of these earrings, you can see them all in the Etsy listing. To save space and time I'll just put the one photo up here right now.

Thanks for checking out my blog, and please visit the other SBS participants!

~*~

In other news, I'll be at A-Kon this weekend, starting late tonight, but not as a vendor; and yesterday while running errands I lost my class ring. I'd appreciate any help if possible. Here's info.
I think I'll try to develop some way to attach my rings to the finger-chains of my handflowers. This is the second time I've lost a ring because the weather made my fingers slippery. There doesn't need to be a third time.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Magnanimitas Vesci

I love this! Not only is chivalry being kept alive, but so is Lingua Latina!
awesomeness.

Chivalry Lives! Arizona Teacher Requires Boys to Have Old-Fashioned Manners in Class

In Cord Ivanyi's Class, Girls Get Doors Held Open for Them, Chairs Pulled Out

By SARAH NETTER

Feb. 25, 2010—

When Elise Rierson walks into Latin class, the door is held open for her. When she arrives at her desk, her chair is pulled out for her.

It's not the kind of treatment most 14-year-old freshman expect. But Elise and the rest of her female classmates have gotten used to the chivalrous gestures -- and rather enjoy it.

Continued:

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=9932707

Cheers.