PotW 12/20/12

Christmas Greetings, Everyone!

I hope this finds all of you with things well under control, looking forward to spending Christmas with family and/or friends.  I'm a little behind here.  Architect of my own dilemma, I admit.  In the last 18 hours I have taken 4 more custom orders--once again pushing house cleaning, gift wrapping, grocery shopping etc. to the back burner.  It'll all get done...eventually.

The requests for custom work this year have been numerous, and I thank each and every one of you who has honored me with your orders.  I love the stories that come with each custom piece.  The names of loved ones that I get to stamp.  The locations of meaningful places.  The birthstones, favorite colors or "I need something to match..." design requests.  Creating a custom piece with a particular recipient in mind brings an emotional connection to the work that is gratifying in an entirely different way.  Thank you for entrusting these jobs to me.

Because I have been so busy, I haven't had time to create any new "Piece of the Week" designs, nor to do any new PotW messages.  I resolve to get back to both after the Holidays.  Until then, please allow an encore run of a message from Christmas past....

 
I present to you:  "Nativity Scenes"
 
Scene 1:
Nathaniel was 3, I think  and we were on our way home from his daycare provider one dark December evening.  As we did each morning and evening, we passed a lovely little country church, which had a beautiful nativity scene displayed on its lawn.  
 
Having read Nathaniel a children's version of the Christmas Story, I stopped the car, pointed at the nativity scene, and I said "Look, Nathaniel, it's baby Jesus!"   
 
To which he replied,  "Yup, just laying there in his sweaty clothes."
 
It's something of a Christmas miracle that we didn't end up in a ditch, I was laughing so hard.  I surely must have been under the protection of a Guardian Angel that evening.  One with a priceless sense of humor who just had to point out that 3 year olds don't see any difference between 'swaddling' and 'sweaty'.  I never see an outdoor nativity scene without flashing back to that evening.
 
Scene 2:
When Nathaniel was 5, I learned the Angel's name...   We were at Andrew's Mom's house, (whom we have lost since this was first written).  Nathaniel was playing with what I have come to regard as what may be "The Original Action Figures".  With that grand-motherly look of equal parts amusement and annoyance, My-My and the rest of us were watching Nathaniel re-arrange the nativity scene.  
 
In his version of Bethlehem, the Wise Men had been job-shifted into the role of shepherds (since they were on bended knee they weren't very 'action' like, I suppose, and were perfectly well suited for tending the flock by night when all the sheep were asleep anyway).  The shepherds were peaking out between the balusters of My-My's staircase on some kind of commando mission.   And the Angel was flying laps around the kitchen table (powered by Nate, who was powered by candy canes, no doubt).  Baby Jesus, was, as you guess, still lying around in his sweaty clothes.
 
"Now, Chicky-Bicky", said My-My (I hope he doesn't find out I let this nickname out of the bag) "Who do you have there?" 
 
"Gloria", he said as he did a fly-by of the table.  
 
"Gloria???", we asked.
 
"Yes, that's her name."
 
"Why do you think her name is Gloria?"
 
"It says so on her name tag".  
 
Indeed, the Angel was holding a banner between her outstretched hands that said "Gloria".  He must have asked someone what it said, had the question answered to his satisfaction and decided it must be her name.  So now, the Angel in any nativity I see is, of course, "Gloria".
 
Scene 3:
I was talking to my sister on the phone one day before Christmas, and there was a bit of a ruckus in the background.  When I asked her what it was, she turned to my then 4 year old nephew and said "What do you have there?"  
 
To which he replied, "A helicopter with Baby Jesus in it!  Mary and Joseph are in the airplane!"
 
It was a short conversation because we couldn't stop laughing.  I just wish I was there to see it.
 
Like I said, the "Original Action Figures", once again escaping the confines of the creche, thanks to the pure, uninhibited spirit of a child.
 
As I finish writing this, it occurs to me that 3 of my all-time favorite Christmas memories center around the Nativity.  Not Santa.  Not presents.  Not the hustle and bustle.  Just the gift of a child, bringing joy and light into our lives.  Like that very first Christmas.
 
There is no Piece of the Week this week----Just a wish that all of you may be surrounded by family, friends and your own precious memories of Christmases past.  
 
Until Next Year- God Bless us, Everyone.
Kim

PS--In re-reading this, I can't help but think of those CT families who have been robbed of seeing theirbeloved littles beam with innocent joy during the days, weeks and years ahead.  Please, keep them in your prayers.  And hug your own littles tight every chance you get.

PotW 11/20/12

Good morning, All!
 
Along with everyone else, I am scrambling to get ready for the big eat on Thursday, so I thought I would re-share this Thanksgiving-related story: 

(If you recall this story from its original 2009 distribution, GOOD FOR YOU!  Pat yourself on the back and scroll to the bottom for a special announcement*)

 
Our tale began over 170 years ago, on the island of Nantucket in a small, family-owned shop.  The young hero of our story, Rowland, though from a comfortably prosperous Quaker family, was determined to strike his own path in life, and at the age of 15, left his father's business and set sail aboard one of the many whaling ships that called Nantucket home.
 
After 4 years at sea, during which time he acquired a tattoo that we have all seen-- (I'll get to that later), he returned to Nantucket and worked in his father's shop for 3 years, until the tired of island life and moved to Boston.  There he opened his own needle and thread store, which soon went bankrupt.  Determined not to return home and to make his own way beyond the confines of Nantucket, he tried selling dry goods, but this store, too, went bankrupt.  Grudgingly, he worked briefly in his brother-in-law's Boston shop, but fled to California when the gold rush began in 1849.
 
Finding no wealth out West, and having lost a substantial amount of money on a land investment scheme in Wisconsin, Rowland returned to Massachusetts in 1851 and in partnership with his brother, opened a dry goods store. The store was a modest success, but Rowland was soon bored with small town living, and moved to New York City, where he opened a small shop in a low-rent neighborhood, a fair distance from the prosperous retail district of town.
 
Rowland's store became known for its then-innovative policy of marking prices on items rather than haggling with customers, and advertised its prices in eye-catching newspaper ads which featured the store's logo--a replica of Rowland's tattoo (more on that in just a bit).  Shrewd with public relations, Rowland made sure that reporters learned that he had promoted a floor saleswoman to the position of Store Manager in 1866, making her the first woman to hold an executive post with a major American retailer.  In another clever marketing move, Rowland employed the first in-store Santa Claus, and is credited with making Christmas a major retail event in the U.S.  By the late 1860's, the store's sales were thousands of dollars per day.
 
By the time of his death in 1877 at the age of 55, Rowland's store had added multiple product lines to its offerings and had bought up 10 neighboring buildings, creating what was dubbed the first "department store". 
 
In 1896, Rowland's business was purchased by the Straus brothers, who moved the store 20 blocks uptown.  There, it continued to grow and prosper, again buying up surrounding properties until it occupied all of a single city block...almost.  You see, there is a little brownstone whose owners refused to sell out as the retail giant gobbled up everything around them, instead negotiating a VERY lucrative annual lease with the retailer that continues to this day.  If you've ever been to Rowland's store, you know exactly where this little brownstone hold-out is, even if you don't realize it.  It's hidden behind a giant banner with Rowland's tattoo (more on that very soon!) and the words "The World's Largest Store". 
 
So Thursday, when you are stuffing your turkey and watching the Under Dog balloon as he rounds the corner into Herald Square--where you see the large banner with the Red Star (Rowland's tattoo)--feel free to go all "Cliff Clavin" and amaze your family with this bit of retail trivia about Macy's department store and what lies behind the banner!
  

 Until next week-- Listen to "Alice's Restaurant", count your blessings and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Kim

www.twowillowsjewelry.com

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Black Friday and Small Business Saturday (11/24)  

10am - 4pm

Bring a friend and stop in to escape the crowds.

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PotW 11/14/12

Hi Everyone, and Happy Wednesday!

Hear that humming in the background?  Not yet?  Listen carefully...its the unmistakeable sound of the holiday treadmill warming up...going just a little faster each day, until it hits warp speed and all of us are running around out of breath.  Next week is Thanksgiving, for Pete's sake!  How did that happen?  Makes me wish that life had an emergency stop button like a treadmill.  

This is the time of year that I start kicking myself for not starting my shopping earlier, planning menus sooner, etc.  Each year I swear that I will take more control and procrastinate less, and breeze through the Holidays with a beautifully decorated house, special appetizers, cute cookies, stylish outfits and aplomb.  Just like all those people on Pinterest do.  You know Pinterest?  That place where all the Martha Stewart wannabees and food bloggers post photos of their latest creations to show us all how we should be living?

Hear the humming yet?

I DO get a kick out of Pinterest.  I especially like reading the short snippet comments below the pictures about how this or that is "literally so good that your head will explode".  As if that would that be an incentive to try something?  Sounds painful to me.  Perhaps I am taking the comment too literally.

It's my new favorite grammatical pet peeve.  Literally.  Every time I read or hear someone say something like "I literally fell out of my chair", I think to myself:  Did it hurt?  Maybe they just felt silly and literally wanted to die of embarrassment.

I am still annoyed by the mis-use of your and you're.  I get riled up about the improper employment of their, there and they're.  Don't get me going about to and too or its and it's.  These little trip-ups literally make me insane.  Well, maybe not literally.  (Or maybe yes, literally...I am not a qualified diagnostician).  But nothing has come close to my new obsession with the epidemic mis-use of "literally".

I literally want to pull my hair out.  I could literally shake these people until their eyes pop out of their heads.  

The point is, literally should be used much less than it is these days.  And then, only when the speaker is trying to paint a graphic mental picture of what REALLY happened or what they REALLY want to happen.  Literally.  Otherwise, what is probably intended is "figuratively".  Not as sexy a word, I'll grant you that.  Literally doesn't roll off the tongue quite as smoothly.  Perhaps "metaphorically" should come back into vogue?  At least that one sounds brainy.  I have promised to re-pin any recipes or pictures that use the word metaphorically in their description.  Whether I like the featured food or not.

Anyhow....I have literally thousands (yes, literally) of pictures and recipes to hurry up and pin so that I know what I should look like, how my house should smell, and what I should be serving my guests as the Holiday treadmill picks up speed.  So I will close this message, with a reminder to get started on your shopping...place your custom orders soon to ensure they will be ready for Christmas.  Shop local whenever possible----you will literally have the thanks of your small business owner neighbors. 

A new Piece of the Week is posted.  No particular tie in to this week's message.  An unusual pairing of pearls with copper---avant garde styling that goes perfectly with cookie baking, garland-twisting, cranberry sauce making, light stringing, card signing, gift wrapping and all those other things on your to-do list.  Or Pinterest boards.  

Hear that humming sound yet?

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com

POTW 11/8/12

Hi All-

I was trying to think of an appropriate post-election offering for this week's feature---but I don't want to make any kind of a "red" or "blue"-aligned statement in the process.  We all have our opinions.  Some of us woke up to happy news yesterday and some of us didn't.  Yesterday morning the negative ads on tv were gone (finally, thank you), but taking their place in the steel cage match of opinion were the negative and gloating comments on FB and the Tweet-o-sphere.  

I opted for a status update quote from the Rolling Stones: "You can't always get what you want."  It may apply to you.  It may apply to me.  It is neither a red comment nor a blue one.  It's just a statement of fact.  You start to learn this lesson as a very young child.  You spend the rest of your life practicing your response to it.  I retreated to the studio for the day until the malay subsided.

A friend reflected on yesterday's lack of civility thusly:  If we can't get along and set aside our differences to find common purpose, how do we expect our elected officials to?  Very insightful.  Begs the question:  Are we setting the example for them or are they setting the example for us?   Think about it.

The only thing I know for sure is this: We are all in this boat together, and if we could stop bickering and start rowing together, we might actually get somewhere.  Or, we can sit stubbornly, refusing to row anywhere because it is "our" direction, and continue adrift.  Complaining all the while, no doubt.  Some that others aren't rowing at all or enough.  Some that we don't want to row 'in that direction'.  Some that we are rowing harder than others.  Who would want to Captain this crew???

If WE, the People, are sincere in our pleas for compromise, for civility, for a change of 'tone', for reduced rhetoric, for productivity, for RESULTS, then, perhaps, WE should set an example for our leaders.  Set aside the labels of red states and blue states.  All that does is help tv producers whip up some snappy graphics.  Personally, I prefer the Rockefeller Plaza ice rink white.

It's time for some new colors.  Something less blue than navy.  Something less red than a fire truck.  It's time for.........

The Piece(s) of the Week.  See them on the website--link below my signature.

Until next week--Promote civility.  Elect to be kind.  Choose softer words.  Set the tone.

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com

PotW 10/31/2012

Hi Everyone, and Happy Halloween!  

(combined list from Chicago Now and Gawker)

Ready to hand out (or collect) some goodies tonight?  Here's what your Halloween Treats say about you:  

Tootsie Roll: You’re a thrifty sort, hardly prone to fits of spontaneity. In fact, such an idea makes you uncomfortable. You find it reckless and unwise, like swimming at night or visiting an unfamiliar barber.

Snickers: Quick with a laugh, steady and predictable. People feel like they’ve known you all their lives upon first meeting you and rarely have anything bad to say about you.

Twix: There are two sides to you. Sure, you’re pleasant most of the time, but there’s a hard edge underneath. It’s a good thing, but it does add a layer of complexity that can otherwise be absent in your peers.

Circus Peanuts: Sadists. Out to ruin everything for everyone. Unreasonable and perverse. You’re unpleasant to be around and that’s just the way you like it. People will exhaust all other options before coming to you for anything.

Kit Kat: Tolerant and generous. You’re quick to share, but as a consequence, everyone wants a piece of you. Although you frequently spread yourself thin, you never fail to deliver.

Sour Patch Kids: Your first impression is that of a harsh, bitter person, and that causes others to prematurely judge you. But those that take the time to get to know you realize you can really be quite sweet and charming.

Starburst: Everybody likes you, even if they don’t enjoy everything about you. There are just parts of your personality that don’t sit well with some. And when those parts come out, people end up trying to pass you off on others.

100 Grand: You know what you have and you have no problem showing it. You wear flashy jewelry and sunglasses indoors. You’re surrounded by hangers-on whom you call your friends, but deep down you know they’d turn their back on you the second things went bad.

M&M’s: Yes, you like variety, but you never stray too far from what you know best. You got this far doing things your way and see no reason to make drastic changes. No sir, you’ll stick to what you know, thank you very much.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Incredibly likable because everyone finds something in you they enjoy. Friendly and approachable, there’s just something indescribably wonderful about you. Even when you’re a little salty, there’s an underlying sweetness to you.

Butterfinger: Flaky, evasive and unreliable. You’ll say whatever it takes to get you out of a situation, no matter how benign. Just when people think they’ve gotten through to you, you find a new way to fall apart. Often picked last for games involving catching

Tiny Candy Bars:The mainstream allotment is one per child. This is fair and just. It says that you care about Halloween, but not too much. Bonus points if you  give out single Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.Kids love them some peanuty chocolate goodness.

Sweet Tarts: Not just Sweet Tarts really, but anything non-chocolate based like Skittles, Starburst or Lifesavers. Again, like the "Tiny Candy Bars" person, you're into Halloween and doing your duty, but you want everyone to think that you're a little bit wacky and crazy. Chocolate is way too cliché for you.

Candy Corn: Big mistake. Who the hell gives out candy corn to trick or treaters? Sure it's the traditional seasonal treat, but you don't give it out to kids so it gets all clumpy and gross at the bottom of their trick or treat bags. This just means that you don't know what kids like.

Carob:  Boo! You are a stupid vegan hippy who wants to ruin one of the best days of the year for everyone around you. You think that pushing your "doesn't cast a shadow" agenda is more important than children's joy.

Lollipops: Lollipops are always the only thing left at the store on the afternoon before Halloween, because they're kind of an afterthought. You ran out of time and now you're dolling out Dum Dums with the hope that the kids will like the mystery flavor. 

Full Size Candy Bars: You're just a show off. You want to impress all the parents in the hood that you make so much money or you're so cool that you are splurging on giant sized candy bars.

Hersey Kisses: You're really more of a Christmas person, aren't you?

TWO WILLOWS JEWELRY:  Shows impeccable taste and cost-consciousness at the same time.  Also an appreciation for the fact that long after the candy is gone, you'll have something beautiful to show for your expenditure.  Plus, all TWJ styles are ZERO calorie and won't rot your teeth.  See this week's feature on the site.  Link below my signature.

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com

PotW 10/24/12

Hi Everyone!

Sometimes when I write to you, I have something in mind well before I sit down at the computer.  Sometimes the featured item of the week inspires the topic and I can share information about the source or meaning of the materials used.  Sometimes I need to vent about circus life.  Sometimes I am at a complete loss and bail out to an "On this day in History" Google search. 

Usually I write, then update the website.  I don't know why I do it in that order, except that I sometimes "name" the item so that it goes with what I have written.  Not that it matters, but that's my usual M.O.    Today, I knew what I wanted to feature on the site, but had no relevant topic in mind, and yet I proceeded to update the site, then published it for all to see BEFORE I had any idea whatsoever what I would write about---(it's a 'bail out solution' kind of day).  I wonder if it'll all come together somehow...

October 24th....down through the years...

1861:  Western Union completed its first transmission line across the continental U.S., eventually leading to the demise of the Pony Express

1901:  Annie Edson Taylor wins the contest to become the first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.   It was her 63rd birthday.  

1929:  It was a Thursday that year....  

1931:  Alphonse Gabriel Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison.

It surprised me to find a handful of days that have something in common.  Did you spot the theme?  (SCROLL DOWN for answer.....)

 All of these days have something to do with money! 

>Western Union can be used to wire money.  

>Annie Taylor went over the Falls for the sake of the cash award--which her manager later embezzled from her.

>"Black Thursday" was the first day of the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression.

>Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion, the only one of his crimes they were able to pin on him.

As it turns out, the money theme happens to work just fine with the Piece of the Week.  Not because it costs a lot of money, either.  You'll just have to go to the website and check it out (link below my signature).  

And yes,  I did go back to the website and change the name of the feature to go with what I have written.  This will be the last week I put cart before horse where the message and the site update are concerned.  Doing it the other way seems to have a purpose after all!

Until next week--Get your Halloween costume (and candy) ready!

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com

PotW 10/3/12

Hi Everyone-

Sorry to have missed getting a message out to you last week.  I had high hopes of getting my new Foredom drill all set up so that I could start drilling some of the beautiful beach pebbles I've gathered and been given.  Alas, the new drill is much heavier than the little, old Dremel I have been using, and when I hung it on the same aluminum pole stand I had been using on my workbench, it bent rather precariously.  Not good for my peace of mind while sitting at the bench.  Not good for the new (and not cheap) drill if it crashed into my skull and onto the floor.  So anyway---I have a nice beefy stand on order and as soon as it gets here, gets bolted to the bench and the Foredom gets plugged in, I'll have some beach stone items to show you.   In the meantime---

On this day in history, October 3, 1941, Ernest Evans was born in Spring Gulley, South Carolina.  Ernest was the son of a tobacco picker whose family later moved to Philadelphia.  As a young boy in Philly he held various jobs--shining shoes, selling ice and working in a butcher shop.  While working to move crates of vegetables at Anastazi's Produce stand, his thick and burly frame earned him the nickname most people know him by to this day. 

Ernest grew up singing in the church his family attended, but he was also influenced by other musicians of his day such as Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, and eventually formed a group of his own called "The Quantrells".  His group caught the attention of Philadelphia record executives, and was signed to a contract in 1959.  They had a couple of early hits: "The Class" and "Dancing Dinosaur" (every heard of either of these?), but it wasn't until Ernest did a re-make of a song originally performed by Hank Ballard that he became popular enough to be invited to appear on American Bandstand.

The song he performed on Bandstand spent 18 weeks at #1, and a total of 49 weeks in the top 10.  The dance associated with the song was a pop culture revolution in that it gave couples the freedom to break away from each other on the dance floor.  So popular was this 1961 hit that it spawned 2 movies starring Ernest, one in 1961 and one in 1962 and  3 'sequel' tunes, the last one as recently as 1999.

So, since it is Ernest's birthday today, I thought I'd create a new design in homage.  Go to the website for a photo of the "Let's Twist" earrings, hot off the bench this very afternoon. And until next week--

HAPPY 71st BIRTHDAY, CHUBBY CHECKER!!  

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com   (PotW is on the "Odds-n-Ends"page)

PotW 9/19/12

Hi Everyone-

Fall officially arrives a bit late this year---a few days from now on the 22nd.  But already, the sun has become a bit more golden, a few leaves have started to turn, and there is a decided chill to the air in the morning.  It's hard not to like Fall.  From fresh, crisp apples, to the smell of wood smoke in the air, to the glory of changing foliage, it is a feast for the senses.

I took my parents on a walk in the woods the other day.  It's a walk I've done before with a good friend.  There are a couple of trail choices/loops.  Neither one overly long.  Both encompassing a steady rise in elevation that rewards you with a beautiful view of the water, a solitary island, and treetops for as far as the eye can see.  We stood where the trails split, bathed in dappled sunlight, breathing in the smell of decomposing leaves (I like that smell...do you?).  We talked about the features of one trail as compared to the other.  I looked about and noticed the yellow leaves of a few beech trees---which always seem to be among the first to change--harbingers of the beauty to come.  And into my mind, unbidden, came floating the words of my very, very favorite poem.  I'm sure you know it, but I thought I'd share it with you.  

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-----Robert Frost

A perfect poem for Fall, I think.  About the passage of time and our place in time.  About pausing to make careful, meaningful choices.  About following your heart and being true to yourself. And although there is some sense of regret in the poem--a sense of time lost and a bit of 'what if?', I always get the feeling that the last line is the expression of a positive, satisfied person.  I think Fall is like that.  A bit sad,  yet pleasing.

Anyhow---The Piece of the Week is Fall appropriate, also.  Check it out on the website, link below my signature.

Kim

Two Willows Jewelry

http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com