Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14. It has its origins in Christian, Roman and Pagan tradition.

The Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, Pagan festival, around February 15. It was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. The Christian church probably decided celebrate St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February taking advantage of this pagan celebration. After declaring it a “Christian” holiday the celebration of Lupercalia was outlawed during the fifth century by the Pope.

It was first associated with love during the Middle Ages as it was believed that that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season which led to the idea that it would be a day of romance.

 

In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia.

 

2018 YEAR OF THE DOG

Year of The Brown Earth Dog Begins Feb 16

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest and most important cultural celebrations in China. The story of the Chinese New Year and the Zodiac that goes with it begins with Buddha. He called all the animals to meet him at the height of the moon’s cycle. Twelve creatures joined him and he named the years in the order of their arrival.

The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig have cycled through as symbols of a new calendar each Chinese New Year ever since. As legend has it, those born in the year of a particular animal will have characteristics of that animal.

The Dog occupies the eleventh position in the Chinese zodiac. You are a “Dog Chinese zodiac animal” if you are born in one of these years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

The Chinese Horoscope 2018 predicts that this year of the Brown Earth Dog is going to be a good year in all respects, but it will also be an exhausting year as there will be ups and downs as well as challenges but will bring prosperity.

Year of the Earth Dog 2018 is a good time for lifestyle changes (time to start a healthier life or a change residence) and for the start of new business ventures. Being prudent and using careful planning will result in a successful outcome of projects especially those undertaken in the previous year. Communication between people and being selfless and generous will result in more positive outcomes. Lifestyle changes will result in better health.

People born in the Year of the Dog are independent and decisive. They respond well to challenges without fear. Loyalty is one of their best traits so they will have life long friends.

Jewelry for Chinese New Year

Aside from dogs, rabbits are good to wear this year. Shades of lavender or violet are the colors this year – from pinkish to those that are bluish. Lavender jade or amethyst will be good for this year as well as blue agate and other blues. Cherry red and golden yellows will be great complementary colors as well.   Brown is the neutral for the year.

This bodes well for February since the birthstone is amethyst. Originally only royalty were allowed to wear this beautiful stone. The Greeks believed that wearing amethyst would prevent intoxication. Amethyst comes from a Greek word meaning sober.   In medieval Europe soldiers wore amethyst amulets to protect them in battle.   It is believed that putting an amethyst under your pillow will bring about pleasant dreams and wearing it strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethysts enhance intelligence and protect against evil thoughts

 

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Mammoth Ivory Netsuke Bring Important Stories Back to Life

Posted by Carol Barrett on Monday, December 7, 2015,

Throughout the ages, artists have carved beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces from ivory. Today, there is a rich history to be told through the stunning netsuke pieces from Asia. Carvings depict wild and historic scenes, mythology and spiritual symbolism.

While the use of Elephant ivory endangers those beautiful creatures that were killed to near extinction for their tusks, another type of ivory has long entranced Asian carvers.

 

Mammoth Ivory

Mammoth Ivory was first unearthe...


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Why Asian Artists Carve Fish Into Jade And Mammoth Ivory

Posted by Carol Barrett on Sunday, April 19, 2015,
Asian artists have been carving amazing and beautiful scenes into timeless pieces for centuries.  These carvings depict so many different scenes and tell so many stories.  Many times they feature a different animal, and every animal has its own symbolic meaning in Asian culture.  One of the most popular is the fish.


I have found hundreds of beautiful jade carvings, mammoth ivory netsuke, wood and silver carvings depicting fish. Some feature fish on their own, but most include figures of people...


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Japanese artists take inspiration from animals

Posted by Carol Barrett on Friday, August 8, 2014,

Animal symbolism is hugely important in Asian culture.

 

With that knowledge, it’s no wonder Japanese artists have been carefully carving animal sculptures for thousands of years. Many of the most prized Japanese animal carvings are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or wear on a necklace. Beginning in the 17th century, Japanese men would hang small pouches for their pipes, coins, seals and other personal belongings from their traditional sashes. To keep the po...


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Why Is One-Of-Kind Jade Jewelry So Valuable

Posted by Carol Barrett on Friday, May 30, 2014,

Jade is a beautiful, diverse and highly valued stone worldwide. But the Chinese have historically prized it even above gold or silver. But that’s just one reason one-of-a-kind jade jewelry is so valuable.

 

When you notice the gloss and allure of a piece of authentic jade, you can understand how a whole culture could be so enraptured by this one-of-a-kind stone for more than 7,000 years.

 

The Chinese first began mining and carving jade stones before 5000 BC. It was tr...


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Why Is One-Of-Kind Jade Jewelry So Valuable

Posted by Carol Barrett on Friday, May 30, 2014,

Jade is a beautiful, diverse and highly valued stone worldwide. But the Chinese have historically prized it even above gold or silver. But that’s just one reason one-of-a-kind jade jewelry is so valuable.

 

When you notice the gloss and allure of a piece of authentic jade, you can understand how a whole culture could be so enraptured by this one-of-a-kind stone for more than 7,000 years.

 

The Chinese first began mining and carving jade stones before 5000 BC. It was tr...


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2014 Spring Jewelry Trends: Statement Pieces

Posted by Carol Barrett on Friday, April 25, 2014,

Spring has arrived at last! The weather is changing. We’re switching out our wardrobes and shedding the layers. Now it’s time to accessorize! If there is one overarching theme in spring jewelry trends this year it’s about making a statement.

 

Jewelry is not fading quietly into the background. It’s standing out and saying something original.

 

Spring jewelry color trends

Color makes a comeback every spring and this one is no exception. Vibrant purples, blues and...


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2014 Spring Jewelry Trends: Statement Pieces

Posted by Carol Barrett on Friday, April 25, 2014,

Spring has arrived at last! The weather is changing. We’re switching out our wardrobes and shedding the layers. Now it’s time to accessorize! If there is one overarching theme in spring jewelry trends this year it’s about making a statement.

 

Jewelry is not fading quietly into the background. It’s standing out and saying something original.

 

Spring jewelry color trends

Color makes a comeback every spring and this one is no exception. Vibrant purples, blues and...


Continue reading ...
 

Rabbits Symbolize Longevity And Love In Spring Jewelry

Posted by Carol Barrett on Thursday, March 27, 2014,

Rabbits Symbolize Longevity And Love In Spring Jewelry

 

Easter is fast approaching. And many of us have bunnies on the brain.

 

The iconic animal of spring has some interesting symbolic meanings, depending on the culture ascribing the meaning. In the West, rabbits are symbols of abundance, comfort, vulnerability and fertility.

 

In Asian culture, the rabbit is symbolic of virtue and longevity. Those born in the years of the rabbit according to the Ch...


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Aquamarine Jewelry Is Perfect For Spring

Posted by Carol Barrett on Monday, March 10, 2014,

Aquamarine is such a perfect birthstone for the month of March. It’s beautiful blue-green and green-blue hues are a great complement to most spring fashion.

 

The soothing color is said to cool hot tempers and create a sense of tranquility for the wearer.

 

Carol Barrett uses quite a bit of Aquamarine in her one-of-a-kind beaded necklaces and bracelets. The right stones will make big statements when included in a piece of Barrett’s jewelry. That’s why she is incred...


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Why Jewelry Gifts On A Day Other Than Valentines Is More Romantic

Posted by Carol Barrett on Wednesday, February 26, 2014,
Many a good man lets Valentine’s Day slip past with little notice.  Nearly 40 percent of Americans don’t celebrate the lover’s holiday at all. If you are among those who didn’t make any grand romantic gestures in mid-February, March could be your month to shine.

You’re supposed to think about your love and affection on February 14. That sense of obligation can rob your gestures of their authenticity. Choosing a day in March, when the date itself is unimportant and irrelevant, to thin...
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FALL AND WINTER FASHION COLORS 2013 - 2014

Posted by Carol Barrett on Wednesday, September 11, 2013,
This fall expect to see a lot of lively colors such as blues and greens in the fashion color palette.  Blues range from cobalt to lapis.  Greens are THE fashion fall color this year and will be hot.  These are the colors found in nature - bright jade and emerald, deep forest pine, and neutral leaf greens.  Burgundies and purples are also popular this fall.   

You can update your wardrobe by pulling these colors in with your jewelry.  Or you can accessorize these colors with golden citrine, la...
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BIG AND BOLD FASHION FOR FALL 2012

Posted by Carol Barrett on Thursday, October 4, 2012,

You will be seeing lots of bright bold colors in the stores and fashion magazines for the fall and winter season.  Most popular are burgundy, cobalt blue, purples and bright jade greens.  These colors will be big in jewelry as well.  As always, black is a staple to any wardrobe and deep orange will continue to be popular this season.   This year one of the neutral colors being seen are those in many shades of grey from dresses, sweaters, and coats to shoes and handbags.

On...


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