Handmade Antique Wax Seal jewelry. Custom and Artisan gemstone and gold jewelry. Jewelry for Men.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Not Just a Hallmark-Holiday - Mother's Day is Around the Corner: May 14!
will be here before you know it.
Send her a card
Make your brunch reservations
Don't Forget to Call
Don't Forget to Call
Purchase her Gift
Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans honoring their Goddesses.
Up until the late 1800's, the Christian festival of “Mothering Sunday” was a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. Originally, it was a day for the faithful to return to their “mother church”—the main church in the vicinity of their home—for a special service.
Over time, the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday, and children would honor their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s.
A mother's power has been harnessed to do good for centuries.
In West Virginia during the years before the Civil War (1861-65), Ann Reeves Jarvis helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children.
The clubs became a unifying force when much of the country was still divided over the Civil War. In 1868 Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” on which mothers gathered with former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation.
Another precursor to Mother’s Day came from the abolitionist and suffragette Julia Ward Howe who, in the late 1800's, wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace.
Today, Mother’s Day has also been a date for launching political or feminist causes. In 1968 Coretta Scott King used Mother’s Day to host a march in support of underprivileged women and children.
Today's Mother’s Day
The official Mother’s Day holiday arose in the 1900s. Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring and celebrating the sacrifices mothers made for their children. After promoting her first National Mother's Day successfully, Jarvis—(who never actually became a mother), resolved to see her holiday added to the national calendar with the argument that American holidays were biased toward male achievements.
By 1912 her efforts resulted in many states, towns, and churches adopting Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
By 1920, Jarvis had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized. She denounced the change and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies.
By 1912 her efforts resulted in many states, towns, and churches adopting Mother’s Day as an annual holiday, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association to help promote her cause.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
By 1920, Jarvis had become disgusted with how the holiday had been commercialized. She denounced the change and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies.
By the time of her death in 1948 Jarvis had disowned the holiday altogether, and even actively lobbied the government to see it removed from the American calendar.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Wax Seal Necklaces for the Beach - Summer Jewelry for All Year 'Round
It's me, Norah. Ok, I'm on vacation, my shop is closed for, well at least two more weeks.
I have this huge, Joker from Batman smile on my face. It won't leave my face. I'm so relaxed.
But, this is when my best jewelry designs come! So, I have the dilemma of needing to bring my sketchbook, a small mobile jewelry studio (gigantic suitcase of supplies), and my camera. I love the biking, the farmers markets, yard sales, evening beach walks, and barbecues. But I can't sit in the hot sun all day. Voilà, the perfect daytime activity; the same thing I do all day when I'm not on vacation.
Here is what mode I am in, pairing a few nautical themed pieces of my wax seal jewelry line with luscious gemstones in beachy blues and greens. All worn long and layered,
The "lost at Sea" compass, handmade from recycled sterling, is the most popular item in my #Etsyshop, both for men and women. It is a #celebrityjewelry piece, and lots of eco-conscious actors and actresses including Leonardo DiCaprio, Courteney Cox, Sheryl Crow, Pink, Sting, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cameron Diaz, Hayden Panettiere, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Natalie Portman, Woody Harrelson, Edward Norton, and Daryl Hannah all have one!
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| Lost at Sea - with Chrysoprase and Green Amethyst |
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| Wax Seal Necklace - 'Lost at Sea" Compass with Faceted Quartz and Deep Blue Geode |
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| Sterling Replica Spanish Coin~ Moss Aquamarine + Moss Amethyst |
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| Heraldic Wax Seal Star or 'Estoile" from 1850's with London Blue Topaz + Peacock Pearl |
I will get these all in the shop in August. Fee free to email me if you see one you love and can't wait. They range from $105.00- $160.
If you envision different gemstones, let me know. You can always add gemstones to my pieces. I can make seasonal dangles for you to easily change throughout the year.
Personally, I think rustic stones similar to what you see above, play nicely with the character of wax seal jewelry.
Thank you for visiting and reading!
https://www.instagram.com/yourdailyjewels/
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016
My Wax Seal Jewelry Customer's Reviews I'd Pay Good Money For! From Your Daily Jewels on Etsy.
Recent Reviews and Feedback
So Great - You Will Think I Bribe My Customers!
Read hundreds more here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/YourDailyJewels/reviews
I really do have the greatest customers. They make going to work fantastic fun, everyday.Thank you to all!
on Jun 1, 2016
5 out of 5 stars
I don't
normally buy jewelry online without seeing it in person, but this looked
so nice I had to try it, and I'm thrilled I did. Was exactly as
pictured and described. Norah gave customer service that you just don't
find anymore. Before sending, she even suggest a longer chain, at no
charge, and I was so happy she did. These items are all unique, and
personally made by her, to your specs, and it's quite obvious that she
takes pride in all her work, and what she creates. Three days now
wearing it, and I have received numerous comments how nice, and unique
it is. Will definitely keep this shop in "my book" for future gifts. It
would be a hard task, finding this quality, this uniqueness of a gift,
for this price point. Love this place!
Friday, May 6, 2016
Wax Seal Jewelry Necklaces and Talisman- All proceeds Donated To Lupus.org
MAY is Lupus Awareness Month
If you don't know what Lupus is, now is your chance to learn something new!
This image will take you right to Lupus.org where you can have your questions answered
And HERE, you can go to my personal fundraising page if you would like to make a donation. Or, you can purchase my handmade jewelry and have 100% of the proceeds donated to my fundraising campaign!
These are the two #waxseal jewelry pieces that I donate ALL proceeds from to Lupus.org
Lupus means 'Wolf" in Latin.
In the 1850's Lupus was so-named after a patient developed such a severe facial rash that it resembled the bite of a wolf.
In the 1850's Lupus was so-named after a patient developed such a severe facial rash that it resembled the bite of a wolf.
In Heraldry,
the symbol of the wolf denotes
someone courageous who perseveres despite difficulties and setbacks. The wolf is emblematic of valor and guardianship and the wearer of the Crest thought to be noble with valor.
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| While I Live I'll Crow |
" While I live I'll Crow" is a perfect motto for anyone with a chronic illness. Although you may not feel up to doing the things you did once upon time, this is a little reminder to make the most of the times you feel well!
From my collection, one of (way too many) antique wax seal stamps from the 19C.
I have some relics from the 18C I will be showing you soon!
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| Antique Wax Seal Stamp Wheel - Circa 1840 |
For the month of May, if there is a different piece of jewelry in my shop that you prefer, I am happy to put the proceeds from it to your donation instead. Mention this blog post in 'notes to seller' upon checkout
Thank you for visiting and reading and hopefully making a donation to Lupus.org
Norah
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wax Seal Jewelry: MENs Pendant Necklaces - Finally!
Wax Seal Jewelry: Handmade MEN's Talismen - Finally! I am so excited to share several pieces from my new #mensjewelry line.
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| Use COUPON code: Take15- for 15% off. Expires 10/30. |
FIRST PEEK: My long-awaited MENs Wax Seal Jewelry Line is almost complete. The first pieces are available now at #YourDailyJewels on Etsy.
The pendants are personal, meaningful, masculine and fierce.
I am humbled by two recent sales, both to men who had never wore jewelry before, but were drawn to my pendants!
I use antique wax seals and European livery buttons from the 1800's to craft this line from recycled sterling silver. The original relics are beautifully aged and I carefully preserve all of the well-earned nooks and crannies of the original artefact in my finished pendants.
Each handmade pendant features a strong iconic image and many are adorned with strong Latin proverbs that still resonate today.
You will not find these anywhere else but at Your Daily Jewels. Please come on in and see the others. You may just connect with a perfect talisman for you or your man. Use COUPON code: Take15- for 15% off. Expires 10/30.
Stay tuned for more from my new #MENsJewelry line in the coming weeks.
Happy Autumn - it is good to be back to my bench.
Thank you for reading,
Norah
Friday, May 8, 2015
Alzheimer's Disease: The Long Goodbye, A Mother's Day Tribute.
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| about 1951 |
In memory of my mom
It has been seven years since Alzheimer's took its final ravage on on my mother's brain and body. I had spent eight years, (with lots of help from my three siblings and many caregivers), caring for my mom.
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| My mom on High School Graduation day |
Nancy Reagan said, "When you have met one person with Alzheimer's disease, you have met one person with Alzheimer's disease". This is so true. Every patient has a slightly different presentation and every presentation changes by the day!
My advice for those who are fumbling through the early stages of care, and feeling like they cannot do anything right to protect their loved one is:
"The only plan, is to plan for no plan to work as you planned".
It may sound odd, but the fondest memories of my mother are during the years she had Alzheimer's. She became a kinder, gentler mom; happy to be helped. Happy when I covered her limitations in conversation, or explained how I also forgot the same sort of things. Happy to laugh, and we did! Happy to have her children there, and we were there, almost everyday.
One funny memory is, in the early stage, she developed a new-found, very enthusiastic love for shopping, and urged me to take her clothes shopping everyday, "like girls", she would say. At that point, she viewed herself as a young woman and I, her girlfriend. Of course, she no longer carried a purse or money, so who wouldn't love shopping! I paid for all of her whimsical selections - happily.
She had spent 30 years always providing for her children first, and during her illness a new pride in her appearance developed. She loved her weekly beauty parlor visits along with her "compulsive" (and free) shopping jaunts. She was so beautiful. At 82 her skin was almost flawless. Everywhere we went people would compliment her beauty and she would blush and beam. For the first half of the illness, she loved going out to restaurants and having cocktails - she would go everyday or evening if we were able to take her. And we usually did. She was very persuasive.
She lived in the moment and enjoyed most of them. Yes, she did have her battles, especially in the early stages when she had a good deal of self-awareness. I would crumple when she would ask me, "Why haven't I slipped away yet, why do I know this is happening?".
Because of Alzheimer's Disease
We became close siblings because of Alzheimer's disease, we became more patient because of Alzheimer's disease, we learned how to selflessly give to others because of Alzheimer's disease, and we learned of the healing power of laughter when you just do not know what to do next.
During the long goodbye to our mom, we became better people in the world. We graduated "Alzheimer's University" with honors. I am so proud of my entire family. I thank my mom for living through the long goodbye with graciousness, humor, and trust. I thank my siblings for loving so unconditionally. I thank God that we could all find the positive in a situation that many cannot bear.
My mom had the brightest blue eyes you have ever seen. They shone bright and sparkled all throughout the disease while the light in the eyes of others fell dull. At the moment of her passing, after seeming to be asleep for over a day, she opened her sparkling eyes with her last breath and looked up toward Heaven. With her children around her; I believe her message was: that her light shines on in all of us. This was my mom's final lesson to her children.
My mom and her sisters
Thank you for reading,
Norah
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