In Preparation for St Patrick’s Day

Are you ready for St Patrick’s Day that is coming up on March 17th? If you don't know yet, it is a worldwide celebration of Irish culture that includes prominent displays of the color green, feasting, copious consumption of alcohol, religious observances, and numerous parades.

We want to make sure that you are prepared for St Patrick’s Day even if you are not Irish. Here is what you need. First of all, you want to wear something green on St Patrick’s Day.

There is a tradition started by school children that involved pinching classmates who didn't wear green on St. Patrick's Day. This tradition has grown with the times, and even if you aren't a school child, beware on St. Patrick's Day if you aren't wearing green!

You also want to catch a leprechaun, another St. Patrick's Day symbol. The legend says that if you catch one, you can force them to tell you where they hid their pot of gold.

Another symbol of St Patrick’s Day is a three leaved clover or shamrock.

And of course, you’ll also need the traditional “Kiss me, I’m Irish” statement to display around those you want to be kissed by.

How are you planning to celebrate St Patrick’s Day?

By Yana (WineCountryLife)

Free cross stitch pattern, Eat More Veggies

Good health is one of the most important things when we are talking of a healthy life style. It's not a secret that a healthy diet will help you shed some pounds, makes you feel good and live happier.

 

I created this little cross stitch ornament as a reminder to myself to eat more vegetables. So if you'd like to stitch one for yourself here is the pattern!

The ornament is easy to make. It will take you just one free evening to stitch it and you can finish it any way you want. Hang it on your wall to make it your New Year resolution!

All materials are available for purchase by request at agardencottage shop on Etsy, subject to availability.

My best wishes in 2012 and good health,

Tanya at AGardenCottage.

May Birthstone - Emerald

The word "emerald" comes from the Latin word "smaragdus". There were quite a few iterations, such as "esmeraude", "emeraude" and "esmeralde" which have become the English word "emerald" in the 16th century.

Emerald is a colored gemstone and is bright green, and it's hues can vary from yellow-green to blue-green. Clarity plays an important role in pricing emeralds and stones that have less inclusions are more expensive. Emeralds tend to have a lot of inclusions and surface-breaking fissures. Stones that have no visible inclusions to the eye are considered flawless. The rest are treated to increase the clarity using a process called "oiling". To be able to distinguish a good-quality emerald from a treated one, it is advisable to request a treatment report from a reputable gemological laboratory.



According to occult studies, emerald's mission is to fight bad qualities of its owner, such as untruthfulness, bad business practices and being unfaithful. Emerald is a very sensitive stone, it does not approve of aggression and rudeness and helps its owner to fight these bad qualities as well. If the emerald belongs to a good person, it brings health and luck to its owner. This precious stone is able to disperse any negative energy, cleanse aura, and help to protect his owner from any negative influences. Emerald also is a protector of family life, it brings peace and harmony to spouses.



Story by Irina (Beautyland)
Translated by Alla (FleetingStillness)

Spring necklace giveaway results

Guess who won the Spring organza necklace?

Salleefur/Jesslyn/Jesster did!
Her comment #131 was chosen by random. org:

Congratulations for winner! Thank you for participation, everyone!

Have Fun on St. Patrick’s Day

On March 17^th everyone’s Irish. Who can resist a day devoted to leprechauns, legends, and green galore?

One traditional symbol of the day is the shamrock.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The Irish have considered four-leaf clover as good-luck symbols since earliest times. According to the legends, one leaf is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love and the fourth one God added for luck!

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Another symbol of St. Patrick's Day is a leprechaun. He is a very busy type of fairy! According to Irish folklore leprechaun looks like a short old man with red beard wearing either red or green coat and a hat. He enjoys creating mischief! The Leprechaun spends all his time busily making shoes, and stores away all his coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The legends says, if you will ever captured him he will grant you three wishes in exchange for his freedom and if you follow the rainbow to it's end you will find his pot of gold.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3

Believe it or not, the color of St. Patrick was not actually green, but blue! In the 19th century, however, green became used as a symbol for Ireland. Wearing the color green is considered an act of paying tribute to Ireland.

It is said that it also brings good luck, especially when worn on St. Patrick's Day.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

May the luck of the Irish be yours today!

Story & photocollages by Albina (Aroundbeads)

St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world on March 17th. It is a religious holiday that evolved into a secular celebration of Ireland's culture. The holiday is named after Saint Patrick who is the most widely known patron saint of Ireland.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

The person who has later canonized as St Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He remained captive for about 6 years until he had a dream in which he was told by God to flee and return to Britain. The dream came true and he returned to Britain and studied to be a priest.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

In 432 St Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop and proceeded to convert Irish to Christianity. He used the shamrock, a three- leaf clover, to explain the concept of Trinity to the Irish.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Saint Patrick's Day became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903. And in the mid-1990s the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick's Day to showcase Ireland and its culture. Wearing green and displaying images of shamrock have become a tradition for Saint Patrick's Day all over the world.

Photo sources from top, then left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4

Story by Alla (FleetingStillness)

Russian Artists team treasury was featured on Etsy Front Page

Yet another of Russian Artists team treasury was featured on Etsy Front Page. Winter Song treasury was created by StudioElenus in pastel green, white, beige and cream colors. The following Russian Artists team members were featuring in this gorgeous treasury: OksaPhoto, TonyaUtkina , beautyspot, daimblond, KarisaGraphic, BlueberryCream, allmadewithlove, katrinshine

Stylish things - KatrinShine

I would like to share with you a wonderful collection of leather jewelry and accessories by a very talented designer Katia (boutique Кatrinshine).


Accessories in autumnal red, burgundy and golden brown colors attract attention to themselves and touch everyone's hearts. Her creations are stunning, full of lightness, elegance and
inspiration! Immaculate execution of decorative features highlights stylish compositional solutions. The idea of these accessories is very simple - it is a stylized poppy made of pieces of leather. However, the number of possibilities in this design is simply inexhaustible!!!


Flaming red poppy is passionate and glowing, it is a perfect match for an evening dress as well as a strict business style dress. Sultry hot red can be easily combined with a summer outfit, attracting attention to the bronze glow of tanned skin.


Dark cherry color can serve as an alternative to a red poppy. Burgundy color adds a touch of mystery, magically turning a beautiful woman into a mysterious stranger.


Golden brown raises completely different emotions. Its tanned color, as if touched by the sun, suits warm and cozy autumnal jersey, mixing well with the colors of ripe fruit and berries.


A smoky blue flower has yet another purpose. Dove-colored blue brings thoughts of the frosty breath of winter, crystal mist on the tries and sparkling snowflakes slowly moving in a dance.

Wonderful things Wednesday - Stone of the Month: Peridot!

Peridot (also called olivine, chrysolite) is a yellow-green, olive green, brownish in color stone which was always popular in jewelry making.

Some facts about peridot:
It has been found in ruins of ancient Egypt and some of historical legends say that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.
Most ancient peridot came from the volcanic island of St.John in the Red Sea and it has been mined for 3500 years.
Peridot was brought to Europe by crusaders in the Middle Ages and became really popular during baroque period.
In Russia some cut peridots came out of a meteorite which fell in east Siberia in 1749.

Peridot is a beautiful gemstone and it is becoming more and more popular with every year.

Here is our peridot green collection today – enjoy!


1. Earrings green summer jade peridot gold leverback by MyWayToSay
2. Peridot and Mother of Pearls 14K Gold Filled Cascade Earrings by Expressyourself
3. Green and Pearls Memory Wire Bracelet by SFBeads
4. Art Nouveau sterling silver necklace with green Quartz Agate Citrine Prasiolite Peridot – Harmonia by Arctida


1. Handmade Green Valley long faceted jade earrings by Lightkeeping
2. Minty Forest Body Butter by Herbolution
3. Avocado - big adjustable handmade ring by Sexyhandmade
4. Green Jungle bead set by Visart


1. Summer Trees ring by Beautyspot
2. Green grapes antique glass earrings by TonyaUtkina
3. Abstract Green - fine art photograph by YuliaKazansky
4. Emerald gold - Crocheted necklace/bracelet - glass pearls by TomBjornDesigns

Please, support RosemaryManufacture and Herbolution by Voting on Etsy!

Great news! Two of our members have made to Etsy Voter this week! Please, choose one and vote for it!

From Herbolution: Organic Computer Peppermint wrist support set

From RosemaryManufacture: Swarovski Pearl CLASSY Earrings Sterling Silver

 
To vote you should be a member on Etsy - if not, it takes just 3 minutes to register! :)
Thank you so much! :)

Please VOTE HERE

Eco-giveaway from Herbolution - Organic body butters gift set. Earth Day special.

Thank you all for participation and spreading the word about Herbolution and Etsy Russian Team.

Happy Earth day to all caring and those beginning to care about our Home - our Planet...

Here's the result (we've received 159-4=155 comments that's excluding 4 deleted posts):

And the winner is:

Sarah

hair[AT]ikickshins[DOT]net

Her post is #134 on Apr 18

Sarah said...
I bought Healing Herbal Exfoliant 2 in 1 mask natural facial polish scrub; Organic Cleansing Grains Peppermint Sage Facial scrub polish natural in a recycled glass jar VEGAN; and Green for Clean Facial Toner with Pine, Fir, Seaweed and Aloe Organic Eco-friendly Vegan and Natural for Acne and problem skin on Etsy (username Leperqueen).

hair@ikickshins.net

Comment 5/6

April 18, 2010 5:04 PM

The Natural and Organic eco-giveaway

Here's a chance to get Sample Pack of Herbolution's organic body butters – a lovely earthy-looking gift set.
3 samples from our Solid Love series and 3 from Body Butter Series – total of 6 BUTTERS to try for FREE.
Made from Natural and Organic/Wildcrafted/Cultivated without chemicals ingredients, packed in 100% recycled gift box and nested in recycled crinkle cut paper. No plastic in this product whatsoever. 100% PCW recycled labels, recycled metal tin containers. Includes cute, eco-card printed on handmade paper (see pics).

Perfect treat for you on upcoming Earth Day

Participation:
To enter the giveaway post one comment letting us know any or all of the following things (don't forget to include an email (use this pattern - my_email[at]gmail[dot]com) where we can reach you if you win!: If it says (3 entries ) or (2 entries ) you must leave 3 or 2 separate comments.

• Visit Herbolution Etsy shop or website and let us know what your favorite item is with link to it - 1 entry
• Become a fan on Herbolution facebook fanpage - 1 entry
• Follow Herbolution on Twitter - 1 entry
• Follow Herbolution Blog on blogspot – 1 entry
• Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (include @herbolution in your tweet) - 2 entry
• Blog about this Herbolution giveaway (include a link to your post) - 3 entries
• Tweet about three most appealing to you products from Herbolution (include @herbolution in your tweet and link to them)- 2 entries
• Purchase anything from Herbolution Etsy store or webstore and come back letting us know what you purchased - 6 entries

If you can not wait till the results are published, you can take advantage of our EcoSale – 15% off any purchase (if you buy on Etsy – mention EcoSale on checkout and we will refund the discount, if you shop on www.herbolution.com – use coupon code “ecosale” to get instant discount).

Good luck everyone in this Herbolution Giveaway. Results will be posted in the morning of the Earth Day, April 22. (We will ship to US or Canada address only)

Hello everybody!

Hi there!

Well.. Let me start. It's always difficult to start. There are so many things to write about. And I don't know what should be first. Anyway...

I would like to share our treasuries in this first post. Yeh... our team members make a lot of treasuries. :) We love it... So let me share a couple of them which are most cute in my opinion...

Look at the gorgeous Sunny country treasury by HealthyJewelry ! It gives energy and a piece of sun in this gloomy day. Well at least it's gloomy where I live :)


One more treasury that I really like is The Color Teal by BlueberryCream. Look at this! It's very tender and fresh... like tender spring breeze. :)


I hope you'll enjoy the treasuries as I do. :)