Dream in Green

Feeling quiet, a subtle warmth radiates from my cocoon-like abode on this chilly end-of-autumn day.  The cocoon is a semi-permeable barrier from the outside world with just enough space and textured translucency to gently filter the sunshine in.   

A contemplative Etsy Treasury curated by Blushie, titled "Dream in Green," reminds me of the natural world's beauty, a calming retreat to nature that helps to put everything in perspective as we laugh and cry, and still remain hopeful, which is, I think, the ultimate collective strength and beauty of humankind.

12/23/12:
Happy holidays, as I take a brief blogging break.

Perfectionism is Hardly the Key

 The key to what, you might surely wonder...
Perfectionism is hardly the key to success--there, I (sadly) said it.  Today, in my daily Etsy search, I came across a well put-together shop, complete with stunning photographs, listing descriptions, a proliferation of sold items and rock-bottom prices, oh and may I add, a pretty shop banner.  I, with envy--the green-eyed monster of lore--actually considered, Wow, if only I could do that, then my shop would...

Then, the ever-present critic in me urged me to take a closer look--because something seemed slightly off in this veil of perfection--and that was when I saw it: the shop materials, the non-secure wire closures.  Not to mention the rock-bottom(!) pricing.  So, the veil has been lifted.

Truthfully though, the point of this post is not to shake my finger at others who are trying to make an honest dollar.  The point is that in terms of quality, there is a rather large discrepancy between the product materials/pricing and the marketing plan, as shown in this example.  And that genuinely bothers me (and probably only me).  But to each their own; good karma all around.

Back to the green-eyed monster...
After thinking about this subject for some time, and doing an embarrassing mental comparison of my shop to this particular one, I have come to a weighty conclusion: although I tend to err towards the side of perfectionism when it comes to materials, learning about stones and metals, creating designs that will hold up to gentle-to-moderate daily wear, etc., I must take it all in stride.  Because in the end, my shop is my shop...their shops are theirs.  I can't keep on attempting to measure the success of a shop by its perceived subtext; it's just downright critical.  Additionally, success is truly a subjective measuring stick, anyways. 

Perfectionism, then, is hardly the key to success--but it can be utilized as a tool for some long overdue contemplation.

Peridot

Peridot is my favorite stone, so to be included in this peridot-themed Treasury was a lovely surprise, indeed.  There's just something about peridot that catches my eye.  Perhaps, it's the brightest color--green, that is--in my rusty color palette, excluding the creams and the neutrals.  Or maybe it's that the stone itself holds a dear, personal significance for me.  Nostalgia, right?  Enjoy.

'Peridot Jewels' by minnette

Set of Vintage Steampun... StJoshua $75.00	MADE TO ORDER Window to... EmeraldCut $10.00	Oxidized Silver and Raw... fugudesigns $45.00	Green Autumn Earrings S... DaintyChain $24.00
Textures silver stackin... MaryAnneKarren $58.00	Sale: Small Twig Circle... shirleegrund $62.00	hammered sterling silve... micahjonesstud... $65.00	Shadow box post earring... allisonkallawa... $124.00
Peridot Black Silver Go... NangijalaJewel... $135.00	Tiny Sterling Silver Fl... thalassajewelr... $34.00	Modern Silver Seed Pod ... NangijalaJewel... $95.00	Rough Peridot Vial Neck... DDsDiamonds $35.00
Sterling Silver Brooch ... Decadence2Jewe... $72.00	RSVD Vintage Etched Ste... FlossysTreasur... $59.99	Earrings Oxidized Sterl... BarcelonaJewel... $120.00	Springtime - Sterling S... mgypsy $150.00

Last Minute Leap Day Sale

Sorry for the last minute notice, but the idea of having a leap day coupon code...leaped (pun intended) upon me as of late, today.  So, take 29% off most items in my shop from today through March 1st with the aptly-titled coupon code: LEAPDAY29

*As always, coupon codes exclude certain items, as listed on my shop announcement.


Happy almost spring...been craving the color kelly green lately.

Sweet Pea Treasury, HELP JAPAN (Updated Info.)

Here is a sweet Etsy Treasury by vintageclothingstore that features my Green Aventurine Trio Pendant.  I absolutely LOVE this Treasury!

 

SWEET PEA!

• 
  sweet pea ... wonderf...

  timelesssdes...
  $68.00 USD
•  
• Pod of Plants // Natural A...
  tohold
  $19.00 USD
• 
  Green Aventurine Trio Pend...

  EmeraldCut
  $6.50 USD
• 
  FREE SHIPPING - White Bir...

  virtualdesig...
  $20.00 USD
• 
  TWO PEAS IN A POD Necklace...

  jcjewelrydes...
  $43.00 USD
• 
  My Little Sweet Pea Child ...

  SlippinSouth...
  $67.00 USD
• 
  Sweet Pea green adventure ...

  WhisperingWi...
  $28.00 USD
• 
  Seven Birds Perched Atop A...

  cedarpocket
  $58.00 USD
• 
  Peas in a Pod Twins Congra...

  LittleSketch...
  $3.50 USD
• 
  Vintage Sweet Pea Pearl Ca...

  BettyJeanVin...
  $28.00 USD
• 
  Elegant April sweet pea fi...

  bluehollow
  $4.15 USD
• 
  IT'S BACK - Sweet Pea ...

  AsilDesign...
  $38.57 USD
• 
  Vintage D'LORA FRANK S...

  RagRichVinta...
  $15.00 USD
• 
  White 2 quart casserole wi...

  OneClayBead
  $60.00 USD
• 
  Not Your Grandmothers Pear...

  GhostShip
  $20.00 USD
• 
  Sweet Pea Cocoon and Hat S...

  Emerald69
  $42.00 USD

---- - -- - --- --- -- - - -- --- --- -- - - -- -- ---- -- - - - - ---- -- - - - - - - ---- --- -- --- ---- ---- -- - - - 

 

My HELP JAPAN items will stay listed until they all sell.  I will donate the item's price (excluding shipping costs) via PayPal to GlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, and will email the donation's receipt information to the buyer. 

 

I have also recently donated an item to loveforjapan's shop (all items are donated by sellers)--all proceeds from this shop will go to Japan's relief efforts via the American Red Cross.

I truly appreciate your support--we're all connected in this endeavor.

Inspiration

I found this Etsy shop, www.eastwitching.etsy.com , when I was searching for parakeet (budgie) items on Etsy.  So obscure, yet the mere image of a parakeet conjures up fond memories of my beloved childhood pet.  Here are some images from this lovely shop:

 

This shop, www.feltmeupdesigns.etsy.com, also has some sweet parakeet items:

 

Both of these cool budgie shops are based in the UK!

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Lastly, warmest thanks to www.goodietta.etsy.com for featuring my Rough Green Amethyst Nugget Pendant in her pretty Treasury titled, "Ode to the Green Amethyst."  I love green amethyst!  View the Treasury HERE.

New Item--Bracelets

I've recently started branching out from creating pendants.  I've created these pretty bracelets, and plan to make some pendant+necklace chains combinations, too.  To view new pendants, please click on the tab, "NEW Spring Items," at the top of my blog--or click HERE.

Hessonite Garnet Bracelet

Organic Peridot Bracelet