Pretty Girlie Things

Highlights from the shops this week! at shop Polka Dots. 

Pink Rose Statement Ring

                                             At Blue Iris Gifts Vintage Fabric Magnets

New and Wonderful

A few of the new things listed

New at Blue Iris Gifts  

beautiful cobalt blue bracelet

New at Be Well Gifts

 two tone meditation wrist male with rose silk tassel

New at shop Polka Dots

 Three strand green leaf bracelet

New at Popular Vintage

 Vintage Sarah Coventry Art Deco Brooch

Photo Props From Jay Bird Designs

You know all those wonderful photos of babies, the ones that make you go awww. They wear those cute little hats, or are wrapped up snuggly in the most cozy little knitted cocoon. Isn't it time you made your beautiful baby a star in one of those awww making photos.  New at Gifts By Katherine you'll find  Jay Bird Designs. Fabulous photo props,  patterns and accessories too.

Custom banner created at Made It For You

Enter To Win Beautiful Fresh Water Pearl Earrings

I'm having a giveaway at my other blog My Story and I invite you to stop by and ENTER the giveaway ends soon and there are less than 100 entries.

Vintage Inspired Sterling Silver Ring

This beautiful silver ring made from sterling silver is designed to look like antiqued marcasite. Marcasite jewelry has been a favorite for generations with its lovely glittering beauty and vintage feel .

Picture it on your finger or the finger of your loved one. Valentines day will be here before you know it. This would make a lovely gift or accent to your outfit.

 You don't have to be a vintage collector to love this beautiful ring. Find it at my Gifts By Katherine website in the Hot Spot section.

Citrine or Topaz A November Birthstone

I don't exactly know when it occurred. But, the November birthstone changed from topaz to citrine. I was born November 1st ( I turned 50 last month) and I have always been drawn to the gold hue of  the  topaz or citrine stone. So it seemed only natural to create this necklace.

Available at my Blue Iris Gifts Shop

Karma The Happiness Bracelet

Karma (kar·ma ) is obvious to me.Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.  Give more than you get. Give kindness,  give love,  project happiness, etc.  The definition of karma is our own. But, for the most part it is the atmosphere radiated by a person, place or thing. I am a child of God therefore I believe we work through him, ever faithful in his grace and love. We project that onto others and into our communities, sending positive energy, prayer and thought. It is with this thought that I created the happiness bracelet, a karma bracelet. An extension of the feelings you wish for yourself and for others.

Available at Be Well Gifts

The History of Pearls Not Your Grandmothers Pearls

Thousands of years ago pearls were most likely discovered while searching the seashore for food. Throughout history, the warm glow and iridescent shine of the pearl soon became one of the most highly prized and sought after gems.  The ancient Egyptians prized pearls so much they were buried with them.  I read somewhere that Cleopatra reportedly dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it. Not exactly what I’d consider a great cocktail.

Pearls with their unrivaled beauty are often associated with love and marriage. In the early 1950’s they were traditionally given to girls at their cotillion and graduation or sweet sixteen parties.

Unfortunately, greed and lust for the sea-grown gems resulted in the depletion of virtually all of the American pearl oyster populations by the 17th century. Until the early 1900's, natural pearls were accessible only to the rich and famous. In 1916, a French jeweler named Jacques Cartier bought his jewelry store on Fifth Avenue in New York by trading two pearl necklaces for the property.  It would be nice to be able to do that now. Today, thanks to cultivation, pearls are available and affordable to all.

I recently was fortunate enough to purchase a bag of cultured pearls. I've always found pearls to be very elegant. But, I love the idea of wearing them with jeans and a tee shirt too. I made this bracelet using some of the pearls.

On sale now for $22.99
Available at  Blue Iris Gifts