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I ran across this a couple days ago and thought it was one of the most interesting things I’d read when people talk about marriage.
“Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.” – from Fawn Weaver
I also think it’s smart – and true. Yes, stuff happens that we can’t control. Yes, there are a zillion outside influences that can hurt (or help) a marriage, or a life. But still – how we decide to react, how we choose to deal with these things – that part is in our control.
And happily ever after is a pretty good goal.
Just some thoughts mid-way toward my anniversary….
Actually this kanji necklace has the Japanese kanji (katakana) that says Haha, or Mother. I’m being a little bit colloquial when I say “Mom”, just because we’re more likely to call our moms that.
 It’s a pretty cool gift for your Mom. Mother’s Day is coming up in a couple months, why not plan ahead? A gift for your mom, or the mother of your kids, and why not think about the zodiac jewelry to make it more thoughtful and personalized ! Styling zodiac jewelry is easy as long as you don’t cover yourself in star signs. If you are wearing a pair of gold zodiac hoop earrings, accessorize them with a dainty gold necklace and a couple of bangles. Wear high-waist mom jeans and a polka dot shirt for a charming retro look. You can also swap the zodiac earrings for oversized hoops and the bangles for a subtle zodiac charm bracelet.
She’ll love that you thought of her, and it’s a fun necklace anyway, and it isn’t even expensive.
The katakana says Mother. A very important person 🙂
This is not only a new necklace, it’s the first piece of a new group of work. These dogtag necklaces are lacquered paper – backed with stainless steel dogtags, sized to military specs. The way it works, it takes much less time to make the necklace (not so many steps and layers to dry) – so they cost less. This is usually considered a good thing 🙂
The first one up is this deep gray paper-and-stainless-steel dogtag necklace that says Samurai in Japanese kanji, or katakana.
And there’ll be more to come at https://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/november-birthstone-guide/, stay tuned!
Actually this is a Deal of the weekend, but that doesn’t have quite the same ring 🙂 I’m going to be doing a lot of site updates soon, and adding new work, and it’s going to get crazy. So I thought I’d start with a New Year’s Welcome 2018 “Deal of the Day”.
These pink rose (on yellow) lacquered paper earrings are such a pretty Spring color combo that they’re inspiring me, on this cold (I mean COLD) winter’s day. So, from Saturday, January 5, 2018, through Monday January 7, 2018, when you purchase a pair of these earrings, you get to pick a second pair (equal or lesser value) for free.
What would you choose?
I know it sounds obvious, but I’m just going to be self-serving and point out that Paper Jewels make wonderful first anniversary gifts – since the traditional first anniversary gift is made with paper. Well. You don’t have to spend a lot. You don’t have to sweat it. Paper jewelry makes a wonderful present.
For example, the pretty heart earrings shown here can be made in her favorite colors. So – hearts for the one close to your heart. Paper, because first year anniversary gift = paper gift. Customized color choices. You see how easy this can be?
Paper annive4rsary = first year anniversary. May you have decades more 🙂
This is something I take for granted – I use (and wear) a lot of ball chains, the simple chains that are used in the military to hold dog tags – and out in the jewelry world, to also hold dog tag pendants. Plus a lot of other necklaces and pendants.
It’s like a lot of things – it’s not hard to do – once you know how. But if you aren’t used to them, they’re probably maddening! They don’t have a typical clasp. Instead, they have a connector as shown in the sketch below.
Each end of the ball chain has a simple “ball”. That ball slips into the opening on the connector and presto, your chain is closed! To open the chain, simply snap the ball out of either side of the connector. It sounds complicated – it’s not, really. Take hold of any ball chain and play with it. Twist the ball out of the opening, or snap it, or coax it any way you like. Once you try it, you’ll see what I mean. Sometimes they’re a little snug, and harder to open – but it’ll work. Really.
And you’ll always be able to open a ball chain from then on. Once you know how, you really know 🙂
And if you do need help, drop me a note – we’ll figure it out!
Or Kaleb. And I should correct myself right now: I believe this is katakana, rather than kanji. But many of us in the West are so used to thinking of Japanese writing as “kanji”, that we use that as a sort of blanket term. Of course ther is more to learn!
I wasn’t sure if I had shared this necklace – I think it’s a good example showing that a personalized kanji necklace does NOT have to be “girly”. This is a dogtag necklace. This is (in this version) a black dogtag neckklace. Very guy-friendly 🙂
Really I just wanted to point out that you can choose to personalize a dogtag necklace. And it can be guy-friendly. And if not in time for Christmas, well certainly for his next birthday!
Or just because 🙂
Wow it’s been a while! I’m back and loving my Paper Jewels customers who’ve been with me through changes and ups and downs. You are appreciated!
Now just take a quick second to visit corporate gifts ideas if you are looking to expand your gifting.
As a way to jump back into the wonderful world of lacquered paper jewelry, I’m announcing a new BOGO sale. For all this week – Sunday, December 10, 2017 through midnight on Saturday, December 16, 2017, you can buy any Paper Jewels – and get your second item free! You get to choose what your freebie is, too. It has to be equal or lesser value to the item you purchase, and if you need these for Christmas gifts, you probably want to check and see what’s available NOW – my stock is getting low(ish). But I’m always ready for custom work and special orders and really will try to get your Paper Jewels ready in time for Christmas.
You could check these out, I have a pair ready to go:
 Interestingly, I’ve had two customers order these as gifts for their besties! I guess Woman Power is a pretty cool thing to be thinking about right now. (Damn straight!)
Of course they can be customized with your favorite color, and I can use golden earwires rather than silver. It’s up to you!
P.S. If you were even thinking “hmm, maybe I should sign up for the Paper Jewels mailing list”, this would be a good time. Because I am going to be featuring a lot of new work in 2018 and that will def include some great BOGO sales and super special Deals of the Day! Just saying. You can join easy peasy by sending me an email – just say sign me up! (No, I won’t send you a ton of spam. A brief email, once or twice a month. Tops.)
May your Christmas be wonderful, or whatever holiday you celebrate – and let’s make 2018 a wonderful year. Seriously. Let’s do it.
We lost a great American, Astronaut John Glenn, on December 8, 2016. He was a hero of mine – and not just because of the 1962 NASA hype (they kind of had to do that). He was a hero because he did what he said was going to do. He did it well. He cared, he took responsibility, and when they benched him from space (see 1962 hype), he kept on going. He served his country as a Senator. And then he bulled and cajoled and figured out a way, and he got back into space at age 77, the oldest American to go out there – so far.
He was just a cool guy. Rest in peace, Colonel Glenn. You’re the best 🙂
I just finished this dogtag necklace that has the katakana (kanji) that says Alicia. I am loving this vivid red color 🙂
 Yes, I can do more formal necklaces than the dogtag style if that’s what the customer wants (and have several examples onsite to choose from). But you know, the dogtag is really popular right now and you can add your zodiac sign to go with your sagittarius ring or other zodiac piece collection.The first rule of caring for zodiac jewelry is to clean it regularly with a soft jewelry brush. This way it will always look shiny and beautiful. Like any other jewelry, zodiac jewelry doesn’t like water too much, so take it off before you shower or when you go to the pool. Don’t use abrasive substances or harsh chemicals when cleaning it… I think because it’s unpretentious, and kinda goes with everything (well except dressy dressy) – and everybody can relate. And of course it can be for guys or girls – that goes without saying.
Even in red 🙂
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