Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Winter Warning !


Hold on to your long Johns Upstate NY we are in for a good one ,as predicted by the weather man ! YIKES ,I thought we were in the clear ,see what I get for thinking ..lol!
Thank the Lord for flannel sheets ,we are going to need them for the next week or so.
See and people were worried about Global Warming ,I think we are safe for now.
Keep safe and stay warm ! :0)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

First Communion !


Just a reminder everyone first communion is just around the corner and I have the rosary for our little ones if you need them Please look over the choices ,and I have two new ones on there way . Start our children off on a good path of prayer with there first set of rosaries !Contact me by e-mail for what you need Thank you .

New Blog Giveaway !

Hi everyone don't forget the new blog giveaway I'm having there is still time to sign up for it ! Just scoll down and look for these bunnies on the sidebar and click ,you will find out all you need to know to win ! GOOD LUCK !

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The History of Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day





Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
A picture of Cupid.


Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
Valentine's Day Features

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Movie Guide

Celebrating a quiet Valentine's Day at home? History.com brings you 15 of the best romances of all time.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.

The boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day — should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

We have a new look and a new name !

Hello my friends ! well with the new year I thought it best to start off with a new look and a new name . Even though our lady of grace was very good to me I think it gave many the wrong idea of what I did and what I was selling .So I give thanks to Our Blessed Mother for her inspiration and her guidance the first few years of my jewelry adventure ,but I feel it is now best to make some changes and move forward to bigger and better things . Please take note of the blog address change and the e-mail change for all orders ,thanks for all your following and support and I hop you continued enjoyment of my pieces and this blog !

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

New Blog !

Just a quick note to let you all know I have started a new blog for my wood pieces ,please drop on by and pay me a visit! There are hand made wood pieces and a give away don't forget to try out for it !! www.theoldwoodshed.blogspot.com
I look forward to your comments !
I didn't forget the new jewelry pieces ,they will be posted soon.I've been so busy I just plum run out of time.So it takes me a little long to finish up my projects.I'm hoping to have some new pieces on here by this weekend till then keep warm !

Jasper

Jasper
N#105 - 28" Fancy Jasper with natural wooden beads and silvertone findings with magnetic clasp $25.00 plus shipping

Fancy !

Fancy !
N#100- 26" Fancy Jasper with bold silvertone chain with a magnetic clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Just magic with a needle !

Jade

Jade
N#94- 26" Green Jade with cube wooden beads with yellow Aventurine accents beads claw clasp 18.00 plus shipping

Red and White !

Red and White !
N#92- 24"Braided Red and White seed bead 14.00 plus shipping

Red White and MOO !!

Red White and MOO !!


SHHH ... I hear something .

nature at it's best!

nature at it's best!
I could stay here forever! AHHHH!

Zebra!

Zebra!
B-98. 8" Zebra Green $10.00 + shipping

lovely lavender

lovely lavender
R-60. 24 1/2 " Lavender Swarovski rosary. $30.00 +shipping

BubbleGum

BubbleGum
Pink Bubble Gum set N/E-set 57 $30.00 + S.H.

Vintage Pink !

Vintage Pink !
25" Vintage Pink Lampworks glass with Lavender pearls N-123 $20.00 +Shipping

Swarovski !

Swarovski !
71/2 " Swarovski crystals with silver accent beads B-105 $20.00 +shipping

Swarovski Crystals

Swarovski Crystals
R-62 rosary $30.00 plus shipping

Proud American !

relive the 70's

relive the 70's
40" orange vintage beads N-127 $16.00 + shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
N-79 19" Jet with Black Foil heart $25.00 plus shipping .

New pieces !

New pieces !
This can be found in Inlet N.Y. at Jack Graco's furniture N-45/ 25" Frosted double chain with purple swirl stones magnetic clasp $ 25.00 plus shipping

Vintage beads

Vintage beads
21" Blue Marble with crystals N-88 $14.00 +Shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
1 1/2" Crackle glass on shepard hooks with backs product # E-135 $10.00 + S.H.

New pieces !

New pieces !
N/S- 65 Black and white Hearts Set ! $25.00 plus shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
N-71 25" Pink swirl glass stones with hammered hoops $18.00 plus shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
B-64 Ruby with fresh water pearls 8" $8.00 plus shipping

Blues... to cheer you up !

Blues... to cheer you up !
B-61 7 1/2 " Swarovski Crystals with Blue glass cubes with toggle clasp $14.00 plus shipping

8" Pink glass with claw clasp product #65 $ 10.00 + S.H.

New pieces !

New pieces !
R-9 23" Swarovski Blue cyrstals with silvertone stardust our father beads a color Mary with stars and arrow crucifix $30.00 plus shipping

Bold and Beautiful !

Bold and Beautiful !
N-49 This set adds beauty too any outfit ! 20 1/2 " necklace with matching 2" earring $35.00 plus shipping (will sell seperate)e-mail for price

22 1/2" Green w/yellow swirl $20.00 order # N-50

Fancy Black

Fancy Black
N-28- 19" fancy black glass beads on a silvertone chian with a magnetic clasp $20.00 plus shipping

Watch out for Magic !

Watch out for Magic !
N-25 This 23" long necklace is made up of Dragons Vain beads and silver tone chain with a vintage Key pendant ,it has a claw clasp $20.00 plus shipping

Dainty and dressy

Dainty and dressy
N-29- 36" fancy chain with Italian Opalite with a claw clasp $20.00 + shipping

New !

New !
R-29 Tanzanian Granet mini $12.00 plus shipping

new piece !

new piece !
E-134-these 2 1/2" Craved Adventurine with aussie jade on silvertone shepard hooks with back. This piece is located in Inlet N.Y. at Jack Graco's furniture ,$14.00 plus shipping

Black is beautiful !

Black is beautiful !
8" Diamond cut black glass with silver tone stardust beads and clear glass seed beads with a toggle clasp B-57 $16.00 +shipping

Green Carved Adventurine

Green Carved Adventurine
N-167- 24"Silver seedbeads with carved pendant $25.00 plus shipping

Seed Beads!

Seed Beads!
N#3-34" Blue and pink crackle beads with clear seed beads with a magnetic clasp 10.00 plus shipping

Think Spring !!

Think Spring !!
N#145-33" Spring Green $16.00 plus shipping

Opals

Opals
N#91-25" Yellow opals with green teardrops on silvertone fancy chain with claw clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Peaches !

Peaches !
N#142-32" Peach ceramic with gold filgree caps and white and gold seed beads $28.00 plus shipping

E#122-21/2" Green glass with green adventurine seeds 8.00 includes S.H.

Tiger Eye

Tiger Eye
B# 40-7" Tigereye with rose quartz $8.00 plus shipping

Amber and Metal

Amber and Metal
N#117 22" Black metal beads with Amber and fancy two tone metal ,with claw clasp $18.00 plus shipping

Adventurine

Adventurine
N-97 ,22 1/2" Silvertone Hoops with Peach Adventurine $18.00 plus shipping

Bold and Gold !

Bold and Gold !
N# 120-30" Black wood beads capped with bronze on gold tone chain with claw clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Girl Scouts !

Girl Scouts !
Help support our girls! Please buy some cookies !

E#121-21/2" Rose mix 8.00 includes S.H.


Come on ,give us a KISS!!

Lampworks

Lampworks
E#96- 1 1/2 "Rose lampwork beads with Hematite 8.00 + shipping

E#95- 1 1/2" Rose lampwork on shepard hooks with backs 8.00 includes S.H.

Little Sweetie !

E#86- 2" White glass with Zebra ! on shepard hook with backs 10.00 includes S.H.

B#34- 7 1/2" Dark with natural wooden beads 8.00 includes S.H.

B#33- 8" Dark wooden beads 8.00 includes S.H.

E#92- 3" Green glass beads with silverplated beads shepard hooks with backs 10.00 includes S.H.

Light and dark

Light and dark
E#87- 2 1/2" Black -n- White shepard hooks with backs 8.00 + shipping

what more is there to say

Deep Blue !

Deep Blue !
N132 -20" Blue Braided seed bead with magnitic clasp 14.00 + shipping

Jasper

Jasper
E#73- 2 1/4" Jasper with Handpainted wooden beads 10.00 + shipping

Look who missed the picnic !

E#70- 1 1/2"Clear crackle and blue glass 5.00 SOLD !!

Purple lamps

Purple lamps
E#69- 2" Fancy Purple flower lampworks 10.00 + shipping


E#56- 2 1/2" Green Jade with wood shepard hooks with backs10.00 includes S.H.

Fun Green

Fun Green
N#108- 28" Twotone green crackle beads with heart toggle $14.00 + shipping

E#67- 1 1/2" Utah Snowflake 8.00 includes S.H.

B#26- Childs stretch pink and white shell 8.00 includes S.H.


E#66- 2 1/2" Peach Shell 8.00 includes S.H.

E#71-1 1/2" Silvertone hoops with black and white marbled jasper 8.00 includes S.H.

Marvelous Marble

Marvelous Marble
N#114- 22" Black and white marbled jasper with garnet $25.00 + shipping

Sunny Yellow !

Sunny Yellow !
N#112- 28" Mexican Citrine $25.00 + shipping

Fresh water pearls

Fresh water pearls
N#85- 20" Black and Gold fresh water beads $16.00 + shipping

Hand Painted

Hand Painted
B#19- 9" hand painted wooden beads with Tigereye glass beads 12.00+sh

E#20- 2 1/2" Green swril glass stones with gold soild filigree 10.00+sh

E#4- 2 1/2" Filigrees with silvertone chain 5.00+sh

N#53- What a lovely! 24" Australian Jade with silver filigree beads 18.00+sh

Painted Wood

Painted Wood
E#21- 2" Hand Painted wooden Beads $8.00 + shipping

N#68- 26" Australian Yellow Jade 12.00+sh

B#20- 8" Australian Honey Jade Ovals 10.00+sh

Russian Jasper

Russian Jasper
E#25- 4" Silvertone links with Russian Picasso Jasper $10.00 + shipping

N#15- 22" Blue shell with bluemarbled glass beads $15.00+sh

Salmon River Falls


N#37- 24"Tigereye Nugget with Tigereye glass beads $20.00+sh

Home Made in the USA !!

E#34- 2 1/2 " blue crackle with opalite 8.00 includes S.H.

N#73- 36 1/2"Afghanistan Lapis 15.00+sh

Wooden wheel mix

Wooden wheel mix
N#83- 28"wooden beads 14.00 + shipping