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

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

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

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

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

Oh Girls & Guys Sea Glass? What is it? How Is It Formed? SayItIsntSo xo No Longer Confused

Its What Im Talking About xo No Longer Confused

SEA GLASS - What is it? How is it Formed?

WHAT IS SEA GLASS?

Significance of Sea glass begins as normal shards of broken glass that are then persistently tumbled and ground until the sharp edges are smoothed and rounded. In this process, the glass loses its slick surface but gains a frosted appearance.

TypesThere are two methods of making sea glass. The first type of sea glass production is natural. Pieces of glass from broken bottles, broken tableware or even shipwrecks are rolled and tumbled in the ocean or lakes for years until all of their edges are rounded off and the slickness of the glass has been worn to a frosted appearance.Sea glass also can be produced artificially, when pieces of glass are tossed into a rock tumbler or dipped in acid to produce the desired finish. Artificially-produced sea glass is much less expensive than natural sea glass.

anLocationsColorful green and blue beach glass found in river in eastern PA. Note the less tumbled edges than some pieces found in the sea.Sea glass can be found all over the world, but the beaches of the northeast United States, Bermuda, California, northwest England, Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia, Australia, Italy and southern Spain are famous[1][citation needed] for their bounty of sea glass, bottles, bottle lips and stoppers, art glass, marbles, and pottery shards. The best times to look are during spring tides especially perigean and proxigean tides, and during the first low tide after a storm.

                                                       http://www.urstylejewelry.storenvy.com

Oh Me Oh My !! How gorgeous it looks!!

Glass from inland waterways such as Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes is known as beach glass. It is similar to sea glass, but in the absence of wave rigor and oceanic saline, content is typically less weathered. Beach glass from inland regions often has prominently embossed designs or letters on it, which can make tracing its origin less challenging. The outer surface of beach glass shards may also be texturally varied, with one side frosty and the other shiny. This is most likely because they are pieces broken off from larger glass objects which are themselves still embedded in mud, silt or clay, slowly being exposed by wave action and erosion.

Thank you,

Louise A Cronian
Sole Proprietor of UR Style Jewelry

BAD Hair Styles OR Not! Say It Isn't So xo

Well would you go out wearing your hair like this?  What does it mean?  Is this the new style now?

Well I don't know about you but when you look at this picture ask yourself,  is she a model, an every day girl that wants her own Style or thinks it looks great or mixed with the wrong people

In any event does it really matter!!! because as we look at people we tend to judge.  Remember that Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder!!!!

Until the next victim - or not (Say It Isn't So Girls) xo