The Little Pearl: Simple Saturday

The Little Pearl: Simple Saturday: If you have been reading my posts you know my friends and I are always on the lookout for fun, different, and Free things to do together. C...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My So This Is How A Ceramic Bead Is Made oooh S...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My So This Is How A Ceramic Bead Is Made oooh S...: Ceramic Beads Ceramic greenware beads can be piled onto the kiln shelf. But once the beads  have been bisque-fired and then g...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh LaLa Folk ...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh LaLa Folk ...: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh LaLa Folk Traditions and Romance All About Val... : FOLK TRADITIONS While the European folk tradit...

Oh My So This Is How A Ceramic Bead Is Made oooh Say It Isn't So . . .like this . . .

Ceramic Beads

Ceramic greenware beads can be piled onto the kiln shelf. But once the beads 

have been bisque-fired and then glazed, they must be suspended by stilt 

rods (also called bead rods).  Since the beads are glazed, they cannot be 

placed on  tje kiln shelf.

Stilt rods are made from the same type of wire as kiln heating elements 

though the rods are thicker than elements. The higher the temperature, the 

thicker or shorter the rod must be.

The beads must not be glazed inside the hole and around the edge of the 

hole. Otherwise they will stick to the rod. Space the beads so they do not 

touch. Suspend the stilt rods between two posts. You can also center a stilt 

rod over a horizontal post so that the rod extends past the post on each side. 

Then load an equal number of beads on each end of the rod. This is an 

efficient way to fire many beads since one short post can hold several rods.

 Be careful not to jar the kiln, or the rods could fall.

Wendy Peck of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada shares a technique that she

 learned from Grant, who works at The Sounding Stone in Winnipeg. “I was

 making beads and pendants with Southern Ice (cone 10) a few years ago. My 

pottery supplier set me up with soft firebricks and a handful of kiln element

 pins. I stuck the pins all over the soft brick, porcupine-like. I could fire quite

 a few beads and pendants on each brick, and the pins held up to the heat

 without bending.

“I first put the pins in at a steep angle, but some of the pendants slid down

and fused to the brick. So I learned to stick them in at a slight angle. Grant is

my local supplier for all things clay, and a great advisor.”

Here is a bracelet from http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com made of 

ceramic beads.

Thank you Wendy Peck and Advisor Grant!!!

Oh my what will the coming of valentines day make me do tomorrow xoxo

Louise A Cronian, Sole Proprietor

UR Style Jewelry

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh LaLa Folk Traditions and Romance All About Val...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh LaLa Folk Traditions and Romance All About Val...: FOLK TRADITIONS While the European folk traditions connected with St. Valentine and St. Valentine's Day have become marginalized by t...

Ooh LaLa Folk Traditions and Romance All About Valentines Day! Part II

FOLK TRADITIONS

While the European folk traditions connected with St. Valentine and St. Valentine's Day have become marginalized by the modern Anglo-American customs connecting the day with romantic love, there are some remaining associations connecting the saint with the advent of spring.

While the custom of sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts originated in the UK, Valentine's Day still remains connected with various regional customs in England. In Norfolk, a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person.

In Slovenia, St Valentine or Zdravko was one of the saints of spring, the saint of good health and the patron of beekeepers and pilgrims.^[33] A proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots". Plants and flowers start to grow on this day. It has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Another proverb says "Valentin – prvi spomladin" ("Valentine — the first spring saint"), as in some places (especially White Carniola), Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.^[34] Valentine's Day has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love was traditionally March 12, the Saint Gregory's day, or February 22, Saint Vincent's Day. The patron of love was Saint Anthony, whose day has been celebrated on June 13.

LUPERCALIA

There is no evidence of any link between Saint Valentine's Day and the rites of the ancient Roman festival, despite many claims by many authors.^{[15][35][notes 1]} The celebration of Saint Valentine did not have any romantic connotations until Chaucer's poetry about "Valentines" in the 14th century.^[21]

Popular modern sources claim links to unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St. Valentine's Day, but prior to Chaucer in the 14th century, there were no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love.^[21] Earlier links as described above were focused on sacrifice rather than romantic love. In the ancient Athenian calendarthe period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.

In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13–15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno", was celebrated on February 13–14. Pope Gelasius I (492–496) abolished Lupercalia. Some researchers have theorized that Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with the celebration of the Purification of Mary in February 14 and claim a connection to the 14th century's connotations of romantic love, but the dates don't fit and there is no historical indication that he ever intended such a thing.^{[notes 2][36]}

Alban Butler in his Lifes of the Principal Saints (1756–1759) claimed without proof that men and women in Lupercalia drew names from a jar to make couples, and that modern Valentine's letters originated from this custom. In reality, this practice originated in the Middle Ages, with no link to Lupercalia, with men drawing the names of girls at random to couple with them. This custom was combated by priests, for example by Frances de Sales around 1600, apparently by replacing it with a religious custom of girls drawing the names of apostles from the altar. However, this religious custom is recorded as soon as the 13th century in the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, so it could have a different origin.

Oh my and tomorrow we talk about Love Birds What Will They Have to Say xo xo

Louise A Cronian, Sole Proprietor

UR Style Jewelry

Oh my a hunk of CZ Heart here guys and gals at http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com xoxo

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: How Did Valentines Day Happen? Say It Isn't So? P...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: How Did Valentines Day Happen? Say It Isn't So? P...: VALENTINES DAY This article is about the liturgical celebration and romantic holiday. For Brazil's Dia de São Valentim, see  Dia do...

How Did Valentines Day Happen? Say It Isn't So? PART I

VALENTINES DAY

This article is about the liturgical celebration and romantic holiday. For Brazil's Dia de São Valentim, see Dia dos Namorados. For uses of Valentine, see Valentine. For other uses, seeValentine's Day (disambiguation).

Saint Valentine's Day
Antique Valentine's card
Also called	Valentine's Day Feast of Saint Valentine
Observed by	People in many countries; Anglican Communion (seecalendar), Eastern Orthodox Church (see calendar), Lutheran Church (see calendar)
Type	Cultural, Christian, commercial
Significance	Feast day of Saint Valentine; the celebration of Love and affection
Observances	Sending greeting cards and gifts, dating, church services
Date	February 14 (fixed by the Western Christian Churches); July 7 (fixed by the Eastern Christian Churches)
Frequency	annual

Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland

Saint Valentine of Terni and his disciples

Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine,^[1] is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them.

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Modern romantic connotations were added several centuries later by poets. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies.^[2] One story states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. Another story says that, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Another story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.^[3] Today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion,^[4] as well as in the Lutheran Church.^[5] The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6th and July 30th, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12.

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly loveflourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offeringconfectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Historical facts[edit]

St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla, Jacopo Bassano

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.^[7] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[8] Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 496 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. The relics of Saint Valentine were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which "remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of St. Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV".^[9][10] The flower-crowned skull^[11] of St Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. Other relics are found at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.^[12] Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino). Jack B. Oruch states that "abstracts of the acts of the two saints were in nearly every church and monastery of Europe."^[13] The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.^[14] Saint Valentine's head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester, and venerated.^[15]

February 14 is celebrated as St Valentine's Day in various Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of 'commemoration' in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion.^[4] In addition, the feast day of Saint Valentine is also given in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church.^[5]However, in the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14."^[16] The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Valentine's Day is celebrated on July 6th, in which Saint Valentine, the Roman presbyter, is honoured; furthermore, the Eastern Orthodox Church obsesrves the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on July 30th

Oh my guys and gals what will Valentines Day have to say

tomorrow?   Oh my say it isn't so . . . or is it?  Ooh Wee

Louise A Cronian

Sole Proprietor

http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My Do I Dare Say 5 Step Process to Identify REA...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My Do I Dare Say 5 Step Process to Identify REA...:   DoIDareSay  A 5 Step Process to Identify REAL Pearls are . . . How to Identify Real Pearls Distinguish real pearls from fake pearls. ...

Oh My Do I Dare Say 5 Step Process to Identify REAL Pearls (Go Girls xo) Say It Isn't So? oh oh

 DoIDareSay A 5 Step Process to Identify REAL Pearls are . . .

How to Identify Real Pearls

Distinguish real pearls from fake pearls. Fake pearls have many names such as faux, simulated, plastic, glass, resin and artificial.  You might also want to find real pearls yourself - but don't spoil nature because of that!

A faux pearl is generally understood to mean any sort of pearl that is made of something other than true 

nacre, be it plastic, glass, or resin. A faux pearl is not usually understood to be a cultured pearl, even though 

this is not, strictly speaking, a natural pearl. Real or cultured pearls may also be treated, either with dyes or 

special coatings, and can come from a variety of mollusks in addition to oysters. There are a few different 

ways to distinguish a faux pearl from a real pearl, and even to distinguish a cultured pearl from a real pearl,

some of which are more effective than others.

Run a pearl over the edge of your teeth.

A real pearl will feel sandy and gritty, while fake pearls have a smooth texture. 

Rub two pearls against each other.

 The layers of nacre from real pearls will leave a powdery residue.

Put the pearls under a 30x jeweler's loupe.

The surface of real pearls look scaly, while the surface of fake pearls will appear grainy.

If you have an extra pearl, cut it in half or even smash it open with a hammer.

(This is not recommended for a strung necklace, only an extra loose pearl).

The inside of real pearls consists of thin layers of nacre, that looks like the layers of an onion

Have the pearls examined or x-rayed by a certified gemologist.

The inside of real pearls consists of thin layers of nacre, that looks like the layers of an onion as shown in the graphic above.

by wikihow more info visit http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Real-Pearls

A few pearl items to glance at (glass pearls) hand made by http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com

The first picture shows 4mm glass white pearls with charms and crystals between every 10 pearls

This bottom one is a FREE GIFT of Faux / plastic pearls as I tied it in a knot you can wear long strung with string/knotted.  Make it yours!

Thank you,

Louise A Cronian, Sole Proprietor
UR Style Jewelry
                                              Oh my what will I talk about next xo Do I Dare Say?

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh Lala Agate Stone One Of My Favs xo Do I Dare S...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Ooh Lala Agate Stone One Of My Favs xo Do I Dare S...: AGATE and How I Love AGATE one of my FAVORITE Do You Have a Favorite Agate?             This beautiful Painted Agate caboc...

Ooh Lala Agate Stone One Of My Favs xo Do I Dare Say That . . .

Oooh lala

AGATE and How I Love AGATE one of my FAVORITE

Do You Have a Favorite Agate?

            This beautiful Painted Agate cabochon from Gary Wilson came home with me from Bead Fest Philadelphia.
For me, no trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia is complete unless I stop and make a purchase at Gary Wilson's booth. This year, the piece that caught my eye was a big, beautiful gemstone cabochon made from Painted Agate, and I knew that if I didn't bring it home with me, I would regret it for years.

It got me thinking about my favorite gemstones, of which agate happens to be one. There are many beautiful variations of agate, from the pale, delicate colors of Botswana Agate to the deep, dark, and dramatic red and black agates that I love to use in my beaded jewelry projects.


How an Agate Gemstone is Formed
    The earthy tones of Bamboo Agate mix well with onyx.
 Agates are characterized by their distinctive banding patterns, and this is what attracts me to these particular gemstone beads. Agate is formed in small spaces of volcanic rock where water containing high amounts of silica is pushed through, and these waters create each layer of the banded agate pattern that you see when the rock is cut apart. When there isn't enough silica left behind to fill up the entire space in the volcanic rock, druzy (crystal) formations occur, leaving behind thousands of tiny, shimmering crystal points similar to what you see in an amethyst quartz geode.

Because of its volcanic nature, agate is an extremely durable gemstone and can be intricately carved into gemstone cabochons, beads, and decorative items like statues, plates, and even cups.

Metaphysical Properties of Agate
If you want to use your agate gemstones for healing, it is believed that they are best used as powerful emotional healers. Agates are believed to help discern truth, encourage honesty, and improve memory and concentration. Energy healers sometimes use agates placed under the pillow to help relieve insomnia or to banish bad dreams.

Idar-Oberstein Agates  
     My prized strand of Idar-Oberstein Agate beads.

One of the gems (no pun intended) of my antique trade bead collection is this strand of Idar-Oberstein Agate beads. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, this little town in the corner of southwestern Germany was known as the gemstone capital of Europe, rich in natural resources that provided both the raw material and the power of the rivers to cut and polish the finished products.

Many of the Idar-Oberstein Agates were actually mined in Brazil, and then shipped back to Germany as ballast on the now-empty ships. These gemstones were then sent to Idar-Oberstein where skilled craftsmen would turn them into sought-after gemstone beads, cabochons, and cameos.

While the gemstone cutting trade declined in the early 19th century, the Idar-Oberstein region still produced some of the world's most beautiful gemstone beads, including many made from agates. However, production has dropped off significantly in the last fifteen years due to increased competition in the gemstone market from places like Thailand and India where labor costs are much lower.

Oh Do I Dare Say what will Agate be doing in 2014????  Oh Say It May Not or May Be So xo
 until my next . . .and would you love wearing this Indian Agate and charmed 5 layered bracelet? find it on http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com :) <3

Thank you

By Beading Daily

Jen VanBenschoten
Editor of Beading Daily

Louise Ann Cronian, Sole Proprietor
UR Style Jewelry

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh Say It Isn't So?? Fake Jewelry at Flea Market? ...

Oh My Do I Dare Say Police Raid Flea Market for Counterfeit Tiffany, Chanel and more . . . . Say It Isn't So . . Or Is It?  What Did Police Do and What will Tiffany, Chanel and others do now to protect themselves?  hmmm Dare You Say Tiffany, Chanel . . . . oh my!!

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh Say It Isn't So?? Fake Jewelry at Flea Market? ...: $1M in fake jewelry seized at gem show Posted: Feb 09, 2012 8:02 PM EST Updated: Feb 21, 2013 8:02 PM EST By Phil Benson -  email ...

Oh Say It Isn't So?? Fake Jewelry at Flea Market? Oh My Lets see What Police Found?

$1M in fake jewelry seized at gem show

Posted: Feb 09, 2012 8:02 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 21, 2013 8:02 PM EST

By Phil Benson - email

 

Fake Hermes bracelets

 

Fake Tiffany necklace

 

$35K cash seized

TUCSON, AZ (CBS5) -

Fake luxury brand jewelry worth an estimated $1 million was seized by federal agents from a pair of vendors at a Tucson gem show. 

Two men at the Gem and Lapidary Wholesalers Show were arrested by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

HSI special agents seized more than 2,500 pieces of jewelry and nearly $35,000 in cash from booths in the Gem Mall pavilions on Country Club Road and in the Holidome on Palo Verde Road.

The seized items feature fraudulent trademarks of companies such as Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Hermes, Coach, Gucci and more.

The two suspects were arrested and released on their own recognizance pending indictment in Arizona state court. Both face potential state charges of fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering and illegal enterprise.

"People sometimes think they're getting a 'gem' of a deal when they buy knock-off luxury items," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI in Arizona. "In reality, they are supporting crime."

Both vendors came under suspicion after HSI special agents received a tip that suspected counterfeit jewelry items were being sold at the three booths. Workers at the booths told undercover HSI agents the items were fake and then sold the items to the investigators.

Oh Well what will Arizonans do now?  I use to live in Az for 25 years and I never! 

I guess now we know!  Oh my Do I Dare Say we have Knock-Off Luxury Items in our mist at Flea Markets?? Watch out Tiffany, Chanel  Hermes, Coach, Gucci and more oh my!!!  Say It Isn't So?  What will these high-end brands do to protect themselves from this!  

Until the next bungle Do I Dare Say . . . Anything ? ? ?

Louise A Cronian

Sole Proprietor

http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My Do I Dare Say Is Your Silver Fake or Real? ...

Say it Isn't So Guys and Gals oh my silver real or fake?  See what By Angela M. Wheeland, says?

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Oh My Do I Dare Say Is Your Silver Fake or Real? ...: How to Spot Fake Silver By Angela M. Wheeland , eHow Contributor Purchasing silver is a valuable  investment  for many individuals a...

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Well would you...

Say it Isn't So Guys and Gals oh my silver real or fake?  See what By Angela M. Wheeland, says?

Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Well would you...: Its what Im Talking About Girls xo: Well would you go out wearing your hair like this?... : Well would you go out wearing your hair like thi...

Oh My Do I Dare Say Is Your Silver Fake or Real? See What Angela M Wheeland Says???

How to Spot Fake Silver

By Angela M. Wheeland, eHow Contributor

Purchasing silver is a valuable investment for many individuals and families. Silver is used in jewelry, coins and family heirlooms such as tea sets, flatware and serving trays. If you are considering purchasing a silver item, it is very important to ensure that your piece is authentic. Avoid paying a jeweler or commercial service a substantial amount and test the authenticity of your silver items at home.

Instructions

1. Spotting Fake Silver Jewelry

   • 1
     Look at the jewelry with a magnifying glass and locate the "925" mark. If your piece is authentic, it will contain this mark. The mark is usually located in a hidden area of the piece. A ring will contain the mark on the inside and a necklace may contain the mark on the clasp. If your jewelry does not contain the mark, it is most likely fake silver.
   • 2
     Use a silver acid test kit to verify your jewelry is authentic. You perform the test by scratching a hidden part of your jewelry and placing a drop of silver acid (or nitric acid) on the scratch. The acid will change colors if it is not authentic. Normally, the kit will include a color chart to aid in your analysis. You can purchase a silver acid test kit at stores such as Target or Wal-Mart and through the Internet

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_7479631_spot-fake-silver.html#ixzz2qKeWF700

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_7479631_spot-fake-silver.html#ixzz2qKeDYPZE

xo guys and gals until I find more counterfeit jewelry dirt secrets 

Louise A Cronian, Sole Proprietor
http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com