tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865577559204747632024-02-19T05:28:18.307-08:00Secondary Creationstgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-54529806690370248522013-05-15T09:53:00.000-07:002013-05-15T09:53:01.871-07:00Nice to See Some People Still AroundAccording to the records, it's been just over two years since I last did a blog post. I'm not sure why I'm writing one now, or what I'm going to write about, but thought I'd see how it would go.<br />
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One nice thing is looking at my "dashboard" (which I also haven't looked at for two years) and seeing that some of the blogs I was following two years ago are still active and posting - some within the last few hours, even more within the last few days.<br />
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My "rosary business" has been going on Etsy all this time, and has been relatively busy. You can see some of the items in the "Etsy Mini" that's always at the side of this page. One thing that's been a surprise to me is the popularity of Lutheran prayer beads. I learned to make them for a craft fair at a Lutheran school. They didn't sell at the craft fair, so I started listing them on Etsy where they did sell - and I've been making them ever since. <br />
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For those not familiar with them (which is most people), Lutheran prayer beads are set up so that they can be used as a Lenten devotion, with one bead for each day of Lent. One fun thing about making them is that, in addition to weekday smaller beads and Sunday larger beads, I get to pick out an "Easter bead" which is larger and/or brighter than the other beads. Each set of beads comes with a flyer that has quotes from Martin Luther's <i>Small Catechism</i> for meditation - either during Lent or any other time. I don't find anything in the meditations that goes against my Catholic beliefs, although there are different slants on things (I don't think I've ever "quaked in fear" over my sins - maybe I should).<br />
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I still sell more Franciscan Crown rosaries than I do Lutheran prayer beads (the Franciscan Crowns come with a pamphlet, too). The two of them together probably make up about half of all the rosaries I sell, I think because they're relatively difficult to find.<br />
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Here's my most recent set of Lutheran prayer beads, made of fluorite which seems to be a very popular stone. I'm in the process of making a "regular" rosary from fluorite because the ones I've had have sold. Clicking on the picture caption will take you to my shop page that has information on this item: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Lutheran prayer beads in fluorite" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVcB2gMR0_jhhm2fUoXr4P3Ce8fbJTLMs3F0eIucApOpGlFuWDPXNMc5aqP8MfcyKtGa-nJowF2GhJP4mmTjIPSpQMGLpIOXLinc8Zj_rcOuVXISHr2KwGcAOkMU13bT_S0xsn_Z72RbK/s320/IMG_2249a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lutheran prayer beads in fluorite" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/150989646/fluorite-lutheran-prayer-beads-multi?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Lutheran prayer beads in fluorite</a></td></tr>
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<br />tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-54791111678360052542011-04-22T10:21:00.000-07:002011-04-22T10:28:11.992-07:00Happy Easter - to Everyone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA3vD_1_FzUKyarWxxYEtJ62FpIDVeawXu85G6eNvSh0U-GRHJxPaCqrKsmWPnRHno7K3J4cZtLgsOiZ5TCiX8SER-xcfIXUtGbYEddMdqxVMW9ISumrJqqUn3atWe9DQCh-OXt4ueilV/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>This year, all Christians are celebrating Easter on the same day. If that makes you scratch your head and say, "But we always do that," you don't know any Orthodox Christians. <br />
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Easter, of course, is a "movable feast." For most Christians it can occur anytime from late March to late April. If you want to figure out the date for yourself, it's set on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox. So if the moon is full shortly after March 21, Easter can be very early. If the full moon is almost a month after the equinox, Easter comes later, as it does this year. <br />
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But the Christian Orthodox churches have another stipulation. On their calendar, Easter must come after Passover. On years when most of us are celebrating an early Easter, we're celebrating it before Passover, so the Orthodox Easter is held later - sometimes weeks later. This year our Easter is late and comes after Passover, so we're all celebrating it at the same time.<br />
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I once worked with a Protestant woman who was married to a Greek Orthodox man. Most years she cooked and did baking for two Easters: first for her family and later for her husband's. Luckily, this wasn't a hardship for her because she loved to bake and cook. By the time I met her, she made a killer baklava.<br />
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On the years when there are two separate Easters, I often wish that all Christians used the Orthodox method of figuring the date. It makes sense both historically and theologically to have Easter come after Passover. And it would be nice if we always celebrated the feast together. There's a special feeling of oneness on years such as this one when Easter is Easter for all Christians at the same time.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA3vD_1_FzUKyarWxxYEtJ62FpIDVeawXu85G6eNvSh0U-GRHJxPaCqrKsmWPnRHno7K3J4cZtLgsOiZ5TCiX8SER-xcfIXUtGbYEddMdqxVMW9ISumrJqqUn3atWe9DQCh-OXt4ueilV/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA3vD_1_FzUKyarWxxYEtJ62FpIDVeawXu85G6eNvSh0U-GRHJxPaCqrKsmWPnRHno7K3J4cZtLgsOiZ5TCiX8SER-xcfIXUtGbYEddMdqxVMW9ISumrJqqUn3atWe9DQCh-OXt4ueilV/s400/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A note on my Etsy shop: In the past, I've carried a small selection of Anglican rosaries. But I've become so busy with other lines - not to mention new things I want to try - that I'm phasing them out. I have only one Anglican rosary left in stock, and I've marked it down to a clearance price of $15.00 (regular price was $25.00). It's one of those items that get a lot of "hearts" but for some reason don't sell. It's made of blue sodalite. Here's a picture (you can see more photos as well as a full description if you click on the picture shown here):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44054861/clearance-anglican-rosary-ecumenical" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFG53_mqkastfpjDWaDMNg0GHwiBUriRX5tsKHTubXayD5Zp8dj6gZPxCJdFpGJKImw4upkPpdhaQmkl1YJb0Y54zgCW7bEqSuJwUMUA9ne-ygSX76Zx6FoBlIE-ecCrcciR5mkzvGR6M/s320/IMG_2350a.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
Because a number of people have bought Anglican rosaries from me in the past, I don't like to leave such customers "high and dry" so I'm recommending Etsy's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnglicanPrayerBeads">AnglicanPrayerBeads shop</a>, which specializes in Anglican/Episcopalian rosaries/prayer beads.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-21891016179972668622011-04-09T07:09:00.000-07:002011-04-09T09:44:01.169-07:00Mothers, Fathers, and OthersMother's Day sneaks up on us quickly this year: it's on May 8. With Easter weekend (when I probably won't be making rosaries) April 22-24, there's not much time left to order a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44553880/custom-made-mothers-or-grandmothers">custom mother's or grandmother's rosary</a>. In order for delivery by Mother's Day within the U.S., all custom orders must be made by April 16. For rosaries already in stock, orders must be placed by April 25 for delivery by Mother's Day within the U.S. See the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=7011326">"Hearts and Flowers"</a> shop section for inspiration.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44553880/custom-made-mothers-or-grandmothers">custom mother's or grandmother's rosary</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44553880/custom-made-mothers-or-grandmothers" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJXuRZL6WpqFfAx22lNbnoc-5mUYlP3HjbDb3Z2g5pdgH7u_PvYTeViNHXlTxPUhwbuzDCk7j1iXa6HAYlrdy02VSBEoI0SIa_qw2bbiveYaXCZ67ZPsmQn-1dDJMc2w2qN_lCrTtrmDU/s320/IMG_2578a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41887283/mother-of-pearl-rosary-with-hearts-and-a">mother of pearl rosary with hearts (from the "Hearts and Flowers" section)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/41887283/mother-of-pearl-rosary-with-hearts-and-a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnytkR0b0rSnOUzCVDaxtHPU-E9q01-GwkM6jAy15pjC7Sg2ZXcKREDM0bNQM8NChmzMO6szQ9WF4VYZrfbZdfuVUvz2acZfuYvxd5mQabcWiirnQtr1Hk1pVJ8BHIA-7CtShONo6PAeiG/s400/IMG_1749crop1.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Those outside the U.S. are certainly welcome to order, but I can't promise delivery by a certain date.<br />
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Plan ahead for Father's Day. Check out the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=6921730">"Suggestions for Men"</a> shop section. There will soon be a one-of-a-kind custom father's rosary available. Watch for it to be listed.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56981581/rosary-of-poppy-jasper-with-zuni-bears">from "Suggestions for Men"</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56981581/rosary-of-poppy-jasper-with-zuni-bears" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBe0eAa3sCW76zyrFq_6Nuukeoix4spfaeswjITpWWypgpnN8Ga_E6AT2NkERrnoaikmiXZbz8G_QZ6Mduo5tnzH3GaXqLC8dTwAzMTjZIh_7kuICEq8malZ23aDsSMluWW1DKNBW5NpB/s320/IMG_6563a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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If you're looking for a confirmation gift, see the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=7080432">"Confirmation Rosaries"</a> shop section. (Note that none of the rosaries in this shop are meant for children younger than 13.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67573901/dark-red-holy-spirit-rosary">from "Confirmation Rosaries"</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67573901/dark-red-holy-spirit-rosary" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX__i8Q2H6R7iZHUgZH5ONf5R4Oap9UF_qnJoBg7BDtH6BVBXQtdMvVSShHds5NuYdS4GXz8hKHpuAcnfQRdWZpYsj5Z9P2hriyoraFqyivWf94SKIyNKRq1OuSSMq4csLvrXDj18BuNt/s320/IMG_9665a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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And if you're buying a gift for a Franciscan - First, Second, or Third Order - remember that I always carry a varied selection of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=6844930">Franciscan Crown Rosaries</a>. I especially like this one for a profession or other new beginning:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40669354/white-on-white-franciscan-crown-rosary">white on white Franciscan Crown rosary</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40669354/white-on-white-franciscan-crown-rosary" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIK5YsUHZmdpFN3FSVWjHMlbVgduPpngs7hvmJA31ycS81eUNe88PEFuWt_4zIhlsUwXG-PxClZnydTvrRVaM0pG-PIj3fQYsATaPCuAatg30Fp0tsFLYess1W9m_Lz_hOSpjZjw5u6z2/s320/IMG_1438a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Have a happy spring! (Hey, the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=7011326">"Hearts and Flowers"</a> rosaries are good for celebrating that, too.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39625096/white-rosary-with-cute-clay-flowers">white rosary with clay flowers</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39625096/white-rosary-with-cute-clay-flowers" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhQUBHx-dSERs22jNWmZpjUMn3rtqVocWjoY48_1Xp_SWzieNp_H4EE9H3iQY9VslaptQyfgtZYcrQZa-GPkEHba0Ahyphenhyphenvde5OW64oSWZjZu6jahvgbhNLeiXIFuw-Yh_nCG4WOm_N3Lap/s320/IMG_9753a.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-80231855403764752362011-04-04T15:10:00.000-07:002011-04-04T15:16:08.013-07:00Team Tuesday - April 5, 2011 - littleeyedesigns<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleeyedesigns">littleeyedesigns</a> is a member of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/8076/helping-the-hectic-the-workingstudent">"Helping the Hectic"</a> team, for Etsy sellers who also hold down a job or go to school. This shop holds a real variety of things. As it says in the shop announcement, "You'll find bottle cap pins, magnets and jewelry, original photographs printed and/or framed, simple crochets and vintage goodies! A little bit of this, a little bit of that, just like me!"<br />
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Something that's a focus right now is getting ready for the BIG THAW event in Maine. The shop carries <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69651101/the-big-thaw-event-poster-fox-rabbit-and">posters for the event</a> as well as related <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70674278/the-big-thaw-magnet-or-pin-set-of-4">magnets or pins</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69651101/the-big-thaw-event-poster-fox-rabbit-and" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8ACSRdW4m1ZmzYzmnj9TjHhZq0HJFdgt4X6wHBCv0Xm5_Pf2yqz_0j55JfGNVKW18DmsCx5DYg3fZmFG6WOk_L5TVXsjOgkT1g5HKT_wYiOmXv-LR2-xyZNccBmywZLftezcNtllhXTM/s640/il_570xN.225528875.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70674278/the-big-thaw-magnet-or-pin-set-of-4"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL_m5noViTcOPkq1V6gsnpuORWjduCvvDHs2HcmxOjPEzCFmu5KdOVF61tfOAfM8NDM1Zn35AFYvo_JuVPkETDMkfhIggOV_4rDyXwrJlg5iz5Gllu43SshMgoLy2Fl2148RXWRK0-gfU/s400/il_570xN.229792442.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleeyedesigns?section_id=7665605">Photography</a> is an important part of the shop. An unusual emphasis is on fruit and vegetables found at a farmers' market, such as the following <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68963281/radish-mountain-at-the-farmers-market">radishes</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69107225/romaine-hearts-lettuce-at-the-farmers">lettuce</a>: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68963281/radish-mountain-at-the-farmers-market" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoJx4KUxAJiF-rAObWGIlaKlALvImX19AF0po1PMuWB4FPa0PyDHsoPhcNOnWDMt7TOlM3EmIcxbRiCH_Dtbv7CJ8jfuUGBkKSMiUUJLuDFcer2Q3YWyGrLlEA69EB2bm78pFIl3PtCkq/s400/il_570xN.222653428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69107225/romaine-hearts-lettuce-at-the-farmers" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-RiwxGuq4Qrf0sFsH-xGo_xxeTEkXL1pfiNYPA2qletcW0HNMlOuoT0l-tTJGGi8PfDv7lr0dfBhntAO5wiU_rXxBk5IqJGbFj8bsAeCn4x-_a3101M_BgeKHTTwur-akzdIZqA0r6cU/s400/il_570xN.223252606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Those aren't the only photos, though. Here's one of my favorites, titled <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56468829/kate-swings-in-a-vintage-dress-5x5">"Kate Swings in a Vintage Dress"</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56468829/kate-swings-in-a-vintage-dress-5x5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Im1JU7naNBxjDsdLmjLOBtkoNQ3dZr0dNc5mdmQs2p8OLdw61Psl-us3Kp7JQd8bPfDXJw1ScDUVQzw3eV4sjLrdtxxJ6-zKt28EmessWPKffzQFOGFsmUpLNT_LJkV4D92afIptCzwO/s400/il_570xN.174949122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Among the bottle cap art, just for fun, are several sets made from airline emergency instruction pamphlets, like this one titled <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70867436/buckle-up-friends-set-of-5-bottle-cap">"Buckle Up, Friends"</a>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70867436/buckle-up-friends-set-of-5-bottle-cap" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXqhJaI4wCpS7nnTu30cj-87e-s72RDewypdcMT1GhmxL1vAR39WiFgYPzy_WpxkiaVE5CFfvKmDovPOeo05pjBe3E-dieH8M4wFDFDiHmkBiLdVAboOd24FmuyipeXueiu8anlgDBF56/s320/il_570xN.230609071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...and some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69660245/set-of-6-six-bottle-cap-wine-charms">wine charms</a> made from beer bottle caps:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69660245/set-of-6-six-bottle-cap-wine-charms" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjIIcCoV-1WHlbkxlqza-5J3vXWjT9xFiM0tQqMA_tTyNhmgYEj0Ax4YJ8jnIBEQCAAHqNeBY9HlcOZ-HckKNdrdhAn2He5nF9sp_oNltdweI6KGSD9nLFDL_KBIfteAQebVFX805RF4_/s400/il_570xN.225563894.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br />
There are also bottle cap items made with musical notes and lyrics from songs, as well as from original photographs.<br />
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Among the wearable treasures are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65280920/the-bull-keeper-woman-set-of-2-bottle">hair clips</a>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65280920/the-bull-keeper-woman-set-of-2-bottle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfziUMFEliQtoXai9hXJgOlWIHK_07Kg45BYIOWdf9DxD6VzQLYuFdxaW6zyuZcb5eghTe__6o-a_HwGu8Dmorbz-0zwq4xaxvzMK86kGo4PuAcBjnEc2OyNNoAlOWnDJz6Y84-0Sb3g_/s320/il_570xN.205673760.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67379382/the-lone-sledder-winter-landscape-bottle">rings</a>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67379382/the-lone-sledder-winter-landscape-bottle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JCQZ1TA6yBPRMaGrkyhyyoxoUT3ge-pEsE7Ai4O-3T-2SMkVXTRItkndsLCwx8wntwtBbIBkOoV-aswwRN19t2K41PnqNOzzY8oW8pbjn4ZnUY3ndvtGfuz7ZiS3GM0_-YffzblwHjjl/s320/il_570xN.214188370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...and here's a set of a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67579196/lights-and-lines-power-lines-filigree">pendant and earrings</a> (obviously <i>not </i>made of bottle caps):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67579196/lights-and-lines-power-lines-filigree" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXAGiaetMHi77rhEIE2BuNvGlOK-hEz3La2QIZa16fhdiExJ_axg5QgtsjC3Jtlcia8PM7kIcv_teXfsI2ajhM-afIY2h4MzYzgUf7UyxGk3hIVJmtTP4EDDwDuufnZJkokSl23OQVvH2/s320/il_570xN.215024252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It may seem like I'm posting a lot of pictures, but this is just a sampling of what you'll find in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleeyedesigns">littleeyedesigns</a>. In fact, I'm not even including the couple of items that I'm thinking of buying myself.<br />
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To close, here's a shot of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65951266/bleeding-hearts-10x10-photograph-framed">one of the photographs</a> that's available already framed:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65951266/bleeding-hearts-10x10-photograph-framed" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g3-wTITfICwJpJ1dScncAUHkErU16VruzU6iWI3iFVLDA-aBp539cZtKK3eOJDK3qaotrR8nyP2pQIj_JkbJCG9IWEVYXTD4aJ4aCm20B_hH_udwTIKDIvWj9QLUTiGTSgbQ_26sdOFT/s320/il_570xN.208343084.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />
Have fun browsing!tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-41403010007634133152011-03-28T16:02:00.000-07:002011-03-28T16:21:20.936-07:00Team Tuesday - March 29, 2011 - MidnightcreationsWe're highlighting a member of the Etsy Blog Team this week. Just through the luck of the draw, we have another Etsy purse shop to feature. But that doesn't mean it's basically a repeat of last week's post, because each shop has its own flavor.<br />
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The purses and totes in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations">Midnightcreations'</a> shop get a lot of their character from her quilting background. Quilting fabrics are commonly used, and usually the fabric is layered with fleece, making the item more substantial.<br />
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The shop also has its own variety of selections available. One section is filled with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=5365610">matching totes and purses that are sold as sets</a>. This is my favorite:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/28151149/purse-pink-and-green-rhapsody-with" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIkARFjvPKpGs9KeH7_oIZjFnUyIXcjTWJGZoF2QNsBPITKcPAG0lxIw7rrmWTuVfO31ismCViqk6_YczaLbl-bwDf4gkq_7RYi2xIzsKDXsSIfYr0ak0QAwljo8ZK1lXS703e-QklhAo/s320/il_570xN.231137418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Another section offers <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=6810555">carabiner coin purses</a>, with clips to attach the small purses to your belt, backpack, or anything else you might be wearing:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62138406/mini-coin-purse-purple-floral" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePZNhKYu98JxO21S1HoIZMsLWZC9DGKQ_Ip9YmxHQMJLVaEEdx8iasrUvcGhGq3EdmJIXa8nAUZACNJrpB2B2Wj9MtGggjUbiOFq7EpaM-GXOcjHKIz9bQ_cyylbiYrPg_Gxt0n7BgL5E/s320/il_570xN.206047629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The carabiner coin purses are one aspect of something that sets Midnightcreations apart - a nice selection of small sized items that can be easily carried or tucked away. Some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=6367087">coin purses</a> come with a pocket mirror, making them perfect for carrying what you need for a quick touch-up. Here's an example: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70372516/peace-sign-mini-coin-purse-and-pocket" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L8FYjokI3uoyD_HrXK_Ku_BckIAEMyJfSz1N4RVihrSKh7PTUEB-anhrQ8rNmzyR8qpe-Z31Sklz6lRPzxEfQrXrEA_dl0Ksz9H19iO_RAeb9mQd1gKvG4vmzS2A4F7HdgVJJaO7bCKy/s320/il_570xN.228545171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Also available are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=6334524">wristlets</a>, slightly larger <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70518907/snap-clutch-daisy-doodle-with-issues">cosmetic bags</a> with snaps, and a few <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=7087324">different things</a> such as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68329790/tissue-cozy-neon-rick-rack-on-black">"tissue cozies"</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68308044/feeling-groovy-eyeglass-case">eyeglass cases</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68329987/pink-posies-and-trees-hair-scrunchies">hair scrunchies</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55381825/black-and-white-chenille-face-scrubbies">face scrubbies</a>. The picture below shows face scrubbies made from black and white chenille:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55381825/black-and-white-chenille-face-scrubbies" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPgnpoo7mhUidiQnMFyF6s_JVK54xOd3qYz6AbHoGGlg3R_E_46g8KcZdP7SqmECGGuB4mPtDzxHIOb6ZF9aFd8SM44HrFmF2E4ZwRo4u0z8Yede0LfeQGCXfqJcTuQJgJtT6iTsd3kqx/s320/il_570xN.171309833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Another feature of Midnightcreations is the presence of sale sections where you can snap up "slightly imperfect" items for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=7942741">$5</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=7942742">$10</a>, or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations?section_id=7942745">$15</a>. Can you believe this beautiful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68164883/cosmetic-pouch-floral-with-issues">cosmetic pouch</a> costs only $5, because of an asymetrical zipper (that works just fine, by the way):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68164883/cosmetic-pouch-floral-with-issues" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWBrDY86IYc2dw2jXLLT-i9fqEhe2ldSDargJl-s6FNgDIKB3MqLjMBkJSgRv8ry-rLjnT_bc39InuMQ6gWRbzqg_AMkke6dL6yZrskwhlZdTogkRfOq9g4SfkBjgx4fg5sfuZ80y0h9U/s320/il_570xN.217438826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Whether you're looking for a tote with some "substance" to it, a small case to clip to your belt or tuck away, or a bargain from the sale sections, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Midnightcreations">Midnightcreations</a> is a fun place to browse.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-64247666729764693622011-03-24T17:50:00.000-07:002011-03-24T17:59:01.659-07:00It's not "Saint Theresa"At first I was going to title this "There Is no Saint Theresa," but realized that probably wasn't true, as some of the women named Theresa over the years have certainly made it to heaven by now. That spelling of the name is an indication of the confusion some people have between two saints: Teresa of Avila and Thèrése of Lisieux. Avila is in Spain and Lisieux is in France, so even though Thèrése was named after Teresa (and joined the order she founded) the names are spelled differently. They were both Carmelites, but they were two very different people who lived centuries apart. <br />
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Thèrése is more widely known, probably because a lot of people find her more accessible than Teresa. Teresa wrote books about her mystical experiences (not out of vanity but because she was ordered to) that can be difficult to understand. Thèrése wrote letters and also wrote in her journal, which was published after her death; although she was also a mystic, her primary message was the simple one of the "Little Way" of spiritual childhood. She died at the age of 24, so remains perpetually young in people's imaginations. She also said things such as "I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth," a statement that has been taken to heart by a lot of Catholics who pray novenas to her. Some get superstitious (in my opinion) by, for example, expecting to see the image of a rose somewhere on the third day of the novena. I have a hard time imagining Teresa putting up with such nonsense (although she sang and danced with a tambourine, something I have a hard time imagining Thèrése doing). Thèrése is often called the Little Flower and is commonly shown holding an armful of roses with a cross, as in the picture below. If one of these saints is found on a rosary center, it's almost always going to be Thérèse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61220913/saint-therese-shrine" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JmEYV7dSnPBQHQz8FLyWKK58BfO5BCHOQPA39qRRIzwN91XiD1-wS1OVbU3sBfUtb8kz4i3QogVicRI8njqZIcbMBaWEPCJv9btI0jjEqZMu6Ei09z_N7ByYLc4g86H9X8iKmiJJGiFi/s640/il_570xN.190877145.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Image of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61220913/saint-therese-shrine">a shrine to St. Thèrése</a>, found in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shrinefairy?ref=pr_shop">Shrinefairy's shop</a> on Etsy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkD3ftbcFfWv_cpv7To56Z3gusoY62Qyylr0_dCX6X7QbMBPrq_rgZudF_eQQK2kU3KpEm5EZEtg2jvf_DdUtnwy8OOwxetxRfOaBt5YjyS810xzbGUamdi7mahU8jJLxd2fUPioykLwM/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkD3ftbcFfWv_cpv7To56Z3gusoY62Qyylr0_dCX6X7QbMBPrq_rgZudF_eQQK2kU3KpEm5EZEtg2jvf_DdUtnwy8OOwxetxRfOaBt5YjyS810xzbGUamdi7mahU8jJLxd2fUPioykLwM/s400/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Teresa had the guts to reform a religious order in the face of the Spanish Inquisition, which didn't look kindly on new ideas. She wrote her most famous book, <i>Interior Castle</i>, because her autobiography was being delayed so long by the Inquisition's investigations that her confessor decided to try a new tactic; Teresa wrote <i>Interior Castle</i> in third person when talking about her mystical experiences, which seemed to work, although you'd think the Inquisitors would get suspicious after reading "I know of someone..." so many times. She's commonly pictured with her quill and a book, with the Holy Spirit descending to guide her writing. The picture below is cropped from such an image. Thèrése didn't have to deal with the Inquisition, but faced a debilitating illness that she knew would lead to her early death, as well as a prolonged spiritual darkness. In my opinion, the best thing she did for the Catholic Church was to counter the heresy that says we can earn our way to heaven; she did this with her spirituality of depending on God for everything, as we would a loving father. (I have <a href="http://www.frodolivesin.us/Catholicwork/id90.htm">an essay on that elsewhere</a>, written from a Tolkienian point of view.) <br />
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Both "Theresa's", though, would agree with the wording in the picture below - the text is usually called "St. Teresa's Bookmark," because it was found in her office book after her death. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/36062885/god-alone" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgeTkAkl66LzaAtYtNbPnA6-fzBaUmFxJN9OaSjQ_H0ANhUh5bLBqGHgDKFO-tPfowp1k78ZMfJh45_YFcK8Pd8Q6DUUVv9uhKyfpJqUY1ToK8wgPCb64QTFdfAYa9_9kBlBZqA2sJEzH/s400/il_570xN.107737136.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/36062885/god-alone">"St. Teresa's Bookmark"</a> as offered in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StLuke">StLuke's shop</a> on Etsy </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkD3ftbcFfWv_cpv7To56Z3gusoY62Qyylr0_dCX6X7QbMBPrq_rgZudF_eQQK2kU3KpEm5EZEtg2jvf_DdUtnwy8OOwxetxRfOaBt5YjyS810xzbGUamdi7mahU8jJLxd2fUPioykLwM/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkD3ftbcFfWv_cpv7To56Z3gusoY62Qyylr0_dCX6X7QbMBPrq_rgZudF_eQQK2kU3KpEm5EZEtg2jvf_DdUtnwy8OOwxetxRfOaBt5YjyS810xzbGUamdi7mahU8jJLxd2fUPioykLwM/s400/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shrinefairy">Shrinefairy</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StLuke">StLuke</a> for permission to use images from their Etsy shops.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-16448638587724528122011-03-21T10:47:00.000-07:002011-03-22T05:29:46.575-07:00Team Tuesday - March 22, 2011 - lizannnecessitiesWe're back with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/6991/team-omaha">Team Omaha</a> this week, to take a look at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lizannnecessities">lizannnecessities</a>. This shop carries purses, totes, travel bags, and ipad/Kindle cases.<br />
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One of the features of the bags is their unique fabrics, but if you don't see one you love Liz Ann will be happy to make one just for you out of your choice of fabric. Her bags are handwashable, an especially great feature for travel. <br />
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My favorite of the styles is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63401259/sale-green-plaid-gracie-purse">"Gracie Purse"</a>. It's larger than it looks in the photo shown here. In the shop, each type of bag also has a photo showing it being carried by a model to make it easier to judge its size. You'll also need to go to the shop to get the coupon code for the current spring sale - 25% off of everything. <br />
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Liz Ann offers four styles of bags, so I'm giving a picture of each type here. Clicking on a title or a photo will take you to a full description of the item:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63401259/sale-green-plaid-gracie-purse">Gracie Purse</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63401259/sale-green-plaid-gracie-purse" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPEm7qTHenxaBRaQaEGywld_72eYIRuGi1UXAWlIVYQY06Ywo0ntVn8b2JOrMDvKzUVID2SWkLWTZd2YiQiu9sseFPA6Xb5GIZnd0NpLhAtktDjC3hY69nHmbqwm7I_zEYfT3bBtFzTjl/s400/il_570xN.198409541.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55530114/sale-blue-zig-zag-mimi-tote">Mimi Tote</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55530114/sale-blue-zig-zag-mimi-tote" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0kCIcn2WY6iLy7y_Wc6g0u4Y5xYepYvmb_BCovwg2LVyCn8r7H-4b4qWxKDMCh7fgFSZHhv6vICK53WyxCOvkG0vbvSwFPL-lDjpO36sknKSq39k-d_hczs-f5iMrbdMZd9uUvFnYsRf/s640/il_570xN.171809262.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61113362/sale-pastel-tapestry-sidney-travel">Sidney Travel Bag</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61113362/sale-pastel-tapestry-sidney-travel" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAYnMU6s6FuiTfv2RhQTQcmf9-6Zip2esTY7C7pjuxhhO_VmH4gUCRdeSU0WRDpVMBMXF5Jdmk55t6ZhG8dwQHWE6fJWpUnzsKBvOGFL4Va8AuezN6foG23ZVH_ft1M4x1iT572CGA2n2/s640/il_570xN.190511697.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64273786/sale-blue-flowers-ipadkindle-dx-case">ipad/Kindle DX Case</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64273786/sale-blue-flowers-ipadkindle-dx-case" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ag-63LTiTq20GJOw5nimAil4qMkdGliIjWgY-KJPNBuY1C5mMy_-gNDS0gEYZZd-xBZVcfBABLcGoEPwSGcwI5jtu50pMVxroeTTZP_Dw3nefPjw50w7QcF2eirqdzr2YgGDZbcGxabN/s640/il_570xN.201731653.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Each type of bag is available in a selection of fabrics, so check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lizannnecessities">lizannnecessities </a>to see what's in the shop - and don't forget to take advantage of the 25% off coupon code!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-60943957912600843112011-03-14T16:30:00.000-07:002011-03-14T16:42:17.851-07:00Team Tuesday - March 15 - teener1416 and AllThingsEclecticOne seller with two shops today - from the "Helping the Hectic" team (for Etsy sellers who work a day job or are students).<br />
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I wanted to get the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/teener1416">teener1416</a> shop posted awhile before Easter because it's all about decorated eggs. Eggs etched with intricate and often traditional designs. They aren't just for Easter, of course, but would be gorgeous decor all year round. One thing I especially like is the description in many of the listings of how the etching is done, especially when a traditional European method is used. Here are just a few examples. Clicking on any photo will take you to that egg's description: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42304945/easter-egg-lithuanian-european-chicken" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF3bsZL2cmng-PnQMAg98Zfi7tPkPcIBBLgrvdk6xxQzX3yJ_Ku2HRpr6CR4tCSUsntuZS_tJfXKSnGwMViPv7ZcT5awsgVnTiqSmhfJ-LurCx5NgXHDimvAfOx11VRx_zDET4ZZKJ9nK/s400/il_570xN.128892475.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48959403/easter-sping-egg-hand-etched-duck-egg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wHhcl4-AQIV5QraEbf8-qoZIfFQ_1xKjBT5mdZ9v334S51oFDyG1zburMbXTM7UeMIhaQIBE6-rydk8WgQo8CSDgij0m_IPE52AZrjX9YCbNqquGq1Cv0_XfV8dH_wWGTv49aD-MLlyU/s400/il_570xN.222462511.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69190482/easter-egg-dark-green-geometric-star" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69190482/easter-egg-dark-green-geometric-star" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VwWZAaZxISV6aQrfSGkfpZg4FFkO8jh25G9OK6u4sfRQUnIKOWpipkr4TNLU4Gn6bliKC3fJJhnvHAEtGsfSR7V3tvwOmac7n6ca4N5bu9RDRw4cfkTxo2r8wlLRn8JyLcedl-YeOS5g/s400/il_570xN.223598401.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_983467984"><br />
</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48005867/hand-etched-duck-egg-dark-red-abstact" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlToyTIsvqePwlObdaMKpqjtItZPQVshY6HS1fpSlHbjiXBNm-S3UHpxyLe_dz1QmCTanycWGvm321WrYZVnDgbGY_oEYc62eyLiqh4QRkzzg5Uh8nAbj34FwQVhtbjnKke015YyhvFnre/s400/il_570xN.146653683.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiCLAZs5E1xqnfMOWtMoy5kw9mqNH_kfC4RTzovwdVqgAYKi2hhQm3tse52vdexjbR_2f2kZwIS6jouef7mYXCPw1TMHs1uvnZoZJGjIwCL_XaWDQoecPpVpbr_BNGh34O9WEhlFiz4R0/s1600/il_570xN.143830124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69987920/easter-egg-blue-art-nouveau-blue-bird" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuFyBBvtlSANbGjrDhYqJOuqI_hCwmK3JqolMG1grxPzyItyUEg4ccTH-SP-SzI_mooc006rzCulQGV8SsUSZpDgicuGrhH31pBYwhQOmeq8piMkcGIm3hoPfWovZ6GkGY2UwkrlUzOOa/s400/il_570xN.226943581.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpMLugDkce_BJRZpb9sD4CFe9jLgczugalSgOmu6Y3S_kagqxPvb6JPRSx9b-Bz3aFslYIUsTWjPASVJV1Hv5KNULnp4BLDNZO3l_Cf0PIMfp1fxzWixV9rfjGXk5m5GhSkGo06WkFpz/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpMLugDkce_BJRZpb9sD4CFe9jLgczugalSgOmu6Y3S_kagqxPvb6JPRSx9b-Bz3aFslYIUsTWjPASVJV1Hv5KNULnp4BLDNZO3l_Cf0PIMfp1fxzWixV9rfjGXk5m5GhSkGo06WkFpz/s400/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The other shop (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllThingsEclectic">AllThingsEclectic</a>) is all about cards - but not just any cards. These are handmade and hand embellished "shabby chic" cards. The embellishments - especially the flowers - make them a three-dimensional experience. Here are some to get you thinking spring (the last two are close-up views):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70037029/eclectic-shabby-chic-everday-easter" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGaqkCtHatIQHFT6pdKHhrEgfvkoGinAMvI9HcyUjgvHywbYRFCEcXdIIrIgRYe0Yumd2OwLcwzaiU3p1N-X8nN4TmnPVJobFEl1zVgB9FW1y51VhAOPvPVRzMEZ_2B6OwiilYDBlfwSc/s400/il_570xN.227143683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70029195/eclectic-shabby-chic-everday-easter" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxwU_qJ9ZUmpYa4W9YY6KpHze4JolvJZMbRO2RxPCGCttTtwMsQJH2Q0C5hDQwgecMIBhwtp_uZSTxK0G15QUuUnTncZMW0Y4hIsdUq7XBTu3lPFFuRFBcicmHjmcI3zrGwwd9FewG4Rg/s1600/il_570xN.227112401.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68930492/eclectic-shabby-chic-everday-easter?ref=v1_other_1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s-dnHSCGUpROxGOlefvq4090E73HgADPydGLYiIbEJsWBniHeCwHq2zITfu-gRiPllTIUvLemqlWMRmsQ5RV-HiRoWGI6w13LUPcstJzKtuOk1AV9EgxWb15gcBsa5y2NoKNs6gyVNCE/s640/il_570xN.222515700.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67020268/eclectic-shabby-chic-everyday-quote"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_5devsp8nivUUFE30ZOAmPS2KRHQ1EsSfn9eRdaVtB9g1VbGhFk_59wKTTOWrS-cPDoKWpCqfrexZJgpIJpHyvepDrH44p-KoU9bQLK7ezQbpBzI9AaXEyph9I2cticDTSJ96uRR8Ud8/s400/il_570xN.216918054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hope you enjoy these ready-for-spring shops as we shake off the last of winter.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-23423211443072387242011-03-09T05:57:00.000-08:002011-03-09T06:03:20.243-08:00Ash Wednesday Special - and FastingA number of members of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/6122/prayers-on-a-wire-etsy-team">Etsy Prayersonawire team</a> are offering Ash Wednesday specials today. In <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations">my shop</a>, enter coupon code ASHWED2011 at checkout to receive 20% off your order. And as a special mention to those reading this blog, I won't be canceling the coupon code until I get up on Thursday morning, so the special doesn't stop at midnight. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76D3SicWULy2DvAdafMGIYm01GH-oxwBk1aqk5PNyJBjLMOF7_uAsXmQvmxx25MbD8ZxWOBiwxXTRAH4tNjVKRj96i15XF-upeGcZl3-YI933n6Xswf-HYIxwWa8M7wbK9lhwhQfm3nsC/s1600/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76D3SicWULy2DvAdafMGIYm01GH-oxwBk1aqk5PNyJBjLMOF7_uAsXmQvmxx25MbD8ZxWOBiwxXTRAH4tNjVKRj96i15XF-upeGcZl3-YI933n6Xswf-HYIxwWa8M7wbK9lhwhQfm3nsC/s320/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflFeuGfDs0j2-n9g2r9mZfgBwu0bBsk1fbx8wFhz1SichIxf4UqdfxcfLQaMuGjJhz_sstfOMGFwsl3ApqnDm5ZAddJFK3lrcrr5gz9NOO1AbiyZUafEk4HP2FyyqU6b9S9yeV2ItOzxL/s1600/Christus_Pantocrator_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflFeuGfDs0j2-n9g2r9mZfgBwu0bBsk1fbx8wFhz1SichIxf4UqdfxcfLQaMuGjJhz_sstfOMGFwsl3ApqnDm5ZAddJFK3lrcrr5gz9NOO1AbiyZUafEk4HP2FyyqU6b9S9yeV2ItOzxL/s200/Christus_Pantocrator_sm.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Reading a good book</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Fasting is not my preferred form of penance. It just makes me tired and irritable and not particularly Christian. So I only engage in it on the two days per year that I have to and am looking forward to getting old enough to be able to ignore it entirely.<br />
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Yeah, I know, Catholic fasting is no big deal. No food between meals and two small meals that don't add up to the size of the main meal. It's a joke compared to Ramadan. But I'm a grazer. My usual eating pattern is one small item every couple of hours. Keeps my blood sugar level and keeps me from getting hungry and eating too much. I probably eat more on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday than I do on most other days. They're two of the rare occasions when I'll actually eat a <i>meal</i>. <br />
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Thank God I don't have to forgo coffee! And the people I work with probably think the same thing.<br />
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So what am I "giving up for Lent"? (Certainly not coffee!) I'm going to try a moratorium on watching DVDs (except ones I need to watch for a project I'm doing). I'm in the process of reading a really good book, and am reminded how much better that can be than watching a movie. Only problem is that I can't do something else while I'm reading as I can while I'm watching a DVD, but I've lately decided to cut back on the rosary making, anyway, so this is pretty good timing. <br />
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I'm not promising to be perfect. And I'm not promising that everything I read will be profound. But I think this will be something positive.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-13075761165277910322011-03-07T16:01:00.000-08:002011-03-08T08:09:41.424-08:00Team Tuesday - March 8 - Gilliauna (Gilliauna's Bits n' Beads)This week's feature is Gilliauna, from the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/6122/prayers-on-a-wire-etsy-team">Prayers on a Wire team</a>, who calls her shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Gilliauna?ref=top_trail">"Gilliauna's Bits n' Beads"</a>. She offers a variety of items made from beads: jewelry, rosaries, eyeglass chains, bookmarks, badge lanyards, and more. She loves color, but this week we're going to concentrate on green because Gilliauna has an entire section full of St. Patrick's Day deals. Here's a sampling - I tried to get a good variety of items. Clicking on either the caption or the photo will take you to the item description:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47273883/discount-deal-handmade-charm-bracelet">a unique charm bracelet</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47273883/discount-deal-handmade-charm-bracelet"> - "Bound in Love"</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47273883/discount-deal-handmade-charm-bracelet" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rBopEawhBKiawKJg35-RjRLIWVV98B9M1jC2ptjSivrNoBdDE0vAlfmff5jXvgIyGfMLERUax8L0xIY0CtKcaQS0br-Nv0DtLB3iBWbhSe2sEhnD4FSw_2AtBClmh27LwVq2eTsXo13O/s320/il_570xN.186079606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60991908/discount-deal-glass-green-leaf-earrings">green leaf earrings - wire-wrapped</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60991908/discount-deal-glass-green-leaf-earrings" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zBvyybNv1wqAriDt4l8A8Iphd8qVrXx4vw5bgvNJwMHi134AgiwTr0I_qlsbsByJVHt6rtyMyif4WlVcddQJ_Gjo55ScSnqG21IS3mcjn1-PpenzFo9ybxmjAQQU1DGOrXW1Gwk5-faY/s320/il_570xN.190098979.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61135890/discount-deal-handmade-beaded-eyeglass">an eyeglass chain that I appreciate the name of: "Losing my Marbles"</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61135890/discount-deal-handmade-beaded-eyeglass" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kJQQszifSw8XhyphenhyphenJt3qtona6UJ4KCpUqKKPjnTTUaqXNXRXGNZ3SGXatd4ptN7wF2alV9WAjc3e2HX2NMbkXXPmj1QR79T6DSMu8gliYbI9O8Vg3ZxM80HdywsXMaNkk2aSzE08sQb3Ow/s320/il_570xN.190585366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/32728385/discount-deal-handmade-beaded-bookmark">a beaded Christian bookmark with a Celtic look</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/32728385/discount-deal-handmade-beaded-bookmark" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNltJMrlxecUC9AcsotxVd2-Su8UA8SJsCwjQCok1po3LScDdoAjmjf6hs1mQB6FaTDUCFnW1bcp0s203q-wibLpLkzOj3YB_5ArhIp2WdcJcqWAMKDIb_8r9Ww6bFCyqlGfB9uxzpLXlY/s320/il_570xN.204770164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65856203/discount-deal-jade-gemstone-and-fresh">and, finally, an exquisite necklace of jade and pearls in silver </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65856203/discount-deal-jade-gemstone-and-fresh" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVmCrKZdrVTmAw_E39mJQmLpDgRNi_IQ3N9FrZCJ1fOXvgcapXlP_QGsnIrfWaA9Rz0E15-AuDOdCREpRN4Y2jpZgYXF_alTY9ykRIVi9O6x5Qvs-NHjBj_yiA2Sia4yaaRDo2pmWqXK6/s320/il_570xN.207959129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X2Zd0B4od1i-_7t4WYxvribZYcyYbOv7vnME5ua3WAMqlNNKXOhS-DOBPlayJino0-_mog7dL6GAGxCJauoEe-Dby60fC2iKoLJ2ARnK3eEWiNg7PPVbCfDNDbWCNFCVnW_JxD0O3RMF/s1600/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X2Zd0B4od1i-_7t4WYxvribZYcyYbOv7vnME5ua3WAMqlNNKXOhS-DOBPlayJino0-_mog7dL6GAGxCJauoEe-Dby60fC2iKoLJ2ARnK3eEWiNg7PPVbCfDNDbWCNFCVnW_JxD0O3RMF/s320/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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To close, since I met Gilliauna through our rosary makers' team, here are a couple of unique and stunning rosaries she has for sale. These are not in the St. Patrick's Day section:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49543497/holy-rosary-handcrafted-in-blue-ceramic">Blue Ceramic and Pearls</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49543497/holy-rosary-handcrafted-in-blue-ceramic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hRPZaXH4EUghe55Tla0lGrRU4JIwRsaCjbSWVJwLF6AN2_wCm9rPVcCPfbkNtxvBcvD0gAc_5fFPwzjOMr2kGJe8ysrVQdP74hPgds15NKoUWEDuR28HYeR9-hnLJVYKTjmbZDN6NfFy/s320/il_570xN.186232919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48561630/handmade-rosary-cherry-blossom-in-pink">Cherry Blossom in Pink</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48561630/handmade-rosary-cherry-blossom-in-pink" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88bJJrdOZcrWlJLA_1EEcMKa3eC2-36REfjE-dquT1OS4CFkCAPGT4RdTpjp1HyyRDjvyBbWeiIOZk_gEbEHYX4-st2rheeQmSqbYFGB_TQORWVJvO-QgGieAB5cE0gIQ7lZRCKp41Zcs/s320/il_570xN.186236052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you can't decide, or if you're buying a gift and don't know what to get, Gilliauna also offers gift certificates in several different amounts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X2Zd0B4od1i-_7t4WYxvribZYcyYbOv7vnME5ua3WAMqlNNKXOhS-DOBPlayJino0-_mog7dL6GAGxCJauoEe-Dby60fC2iKoLJ2ARnK3eEWiNg7PPVbCfDNDbWCNFCVnW_JxD0O3RMF/s1600/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X2Zd0B4od1i-_7t4WYxvribZYcyYbOv7vnME5ua3WAMqlNNKXOhS-DOBPlayJino0-_mog7dL6GAGxCJauoEe-Dby60fC2iKoLJ2ARnK3eEWiNg7PPVbCfDNDbWCNFCVnW_JxD0O3RMF/s320/www_pics_am-maps1013line1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-42583418857257198682011-03-03T07:48:00.000-08:002011-03-03T12:55:35.320-08:00Anglican Rosary Technique - Such as It IsYou know how things sometimes sneak up on you? I just sold another Anglican rosary, which means I'm down to one in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations">Etsy shop</a>. The one that's left is a star performer when it comes to people marking it as a favorite, but no one's bought it.<br />
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I have a number of bead combinations I've set aside for making Anglican rosaries, but when I go to start a new project I always find something else to do. Probably because, the way I make them, they're technically a little more difficult than other rosaries. If you look at the picture below, you can see why: there's a spot where three wires come together but they have to be joined <i>without </i>using a center.The bead that joins them has one hole with two openings, just like most beads.<br />
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When I started doing online research into Anglican rosaries (because I'd been asked to make one for someone) I found a couple of methods for making them. But I didn't like the way either of them looked, because the crimp bead came at a visually bad place. One method placed the crimp bead at the center of the rosary's body, which means the bead that should be centered is pushed off to the side. In the other method, the crimp bead ended up just to the side of the juncture, which also throws off the symmetry. <br />
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So I came up with my own technique, which is to make the rosary body in one piece, thread <i>both </i>ends through the bead that becomes the juncture, and put the crimp bead directly below it, holding the two wires together. The wire hanging below becomes the stem. <br />
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Sounds fairly simple, right? But it can take a lot of effort to get both wires feeding evenly through the juncture bead so that the stem is perfectly centered. Holding the rosary while I attach the crimp bead doesn't work, because I need both hands to hold the wires even. If I try to do it with the rosary lying flat, one end always creeps off when I adjust the other one. I've found it to be easier if I hold or hang the rosary in mid-air so I can adjust both wires as they feed through. But then I have to close the crimp bead when the wires are exactly right, with the crimp bead also hanging in mid-air. It feels a bit like hunting - waiting for the proper moment and then <i>bang</i>. <br />
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There may be an easier way of doing this, but I haven't found it yet.<br />
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Another reason I tend to put off making Anglican rosaries is that although one of them, as a whole, takes less time to make than a five-decade Catholic rosary, because of the way they're assembled I like to make one in one sitting, without a break. So I need to have a period of time when I'm pretty sure I won't be interrupted. A "regular" rosary can much more easily be set down and come back to later. <br />
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Here's my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44054861/anglican-rosary-ecumenical-rosary-blue">one remaining Anglican rosary</a> (I <i>will </i>be making more). It's made from three sizes of sodalite beads, with the large invitatory bead having a carved design: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44054861/anglican-rosary-ecumenical-rosary-blue" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryPUo8QIbdi-YRk_Od20v-3jQKPWGcHglSzhAklMCFzqtZHTCokJzWHduTUhyphenhyphenodHcHmaPLTb-j0bjeUec26dOnSjkg-BRoFJ5hQE6PMByZSV2hm66XI3fbopME_NMLckt2j9Wd0B2Neyf/s320/IMG_2350a.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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Remember that if you enter coupon code BLOG2 at checkout, you receive a 20% discount from the listed price on anything in my Etsy shop.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-60187217222241446352011-02-28T17:01:00.000-08:002011-03-01T05:02:32.227-08:00Team Tuesday - March 1 - CoveyleeCreationsThis week's feature is about a member of the Etsy Blog Team. This is one busy Etsian, with three shops and an active blog. Besides CoveyleeCreations, there's also CoveyleeDecor and CoveyleeLighting. But, in one way or another, they're all about repurposing and upcycling.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-9o-MdK1bzxmw096Ra0lx6XhNUZcfgvvVFUw4yxrF2wuX8uQCTfUMOrEESIozrKuIdQsRNKZOIIrMMgTHT-uE6j9s-igA2yvGT6oXoU4UZOWKa9YUj64nW0D7vNYLX2ETN0lJJgg3LT0/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-9o-MdK1bzxmw096Ra0lx6XhNUZcfgvvVFUw4yxrF2wuX8uQCTfUMOrEESIozrKuIdQsRNKZOIIrMMgTHT-uE6j9s-igA2yvGT6oXoU4UZOWKa9YUj64nW0D7vNYLX2ETN0lJJgg3LT0/s320/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm78-gj5LfehRA7DL1gWBkkCHsUdxq4uNGG34JwdKzEyMA91TQCDUIJ21LmO0Xwky2s5l1TISfQ2cNUMGAIVXr8g1OYBko2vQBwOrerCceR9Ve5iEWH9kEE4mnxFpV8U5QV1MpPYelsoX/s1600/lines_blue_004-crop400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoveyleeCreations">CoveyleeCreations</a> has upcycled leather cuff bracelets, assemblage art, and some other goodies. <br />
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I had a hard time deciding on a cuff bracelet to feature, but finally decided on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60610052/free-shipping-upcycled-leather-belt-cuff">this one</a>, because it's handpainted which I think is great, and is sized personally for the buyer so can fit any size. I'd love to have the pattern as wallpaper in my kitchen:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60610052/free-shipping-upcycled-leather-belt-cuff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tfKQarUlLo9hWBxpXq_FxNI49fzEsd1USu93ehNLQI_i3_2rcT3qHUUYls6PMK3O3KsJgdvr_btwDF1rL2msoRVRHwQYmNZ5Bk3Lga7mC8oFMMfXy-UIMOcLH7cJ8s1eFBRMWlI3mGI/s320/il_570xN.188814444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57708673/free-shipping-upcycled-repurposed">This cuff</a> is a little more representative of those in the shop - although that's hard to say because each one is unique. It can also be made in any size:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57708673/free-shipping-upcycled-repurposed" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQa0mCanLNuCR4Kk220JIkQqVctG3gwWy99amAgT2CP4LO5cu0vQygvQ45KpVxv-grL446ATHGSDzpQmneEtg-pINH0We8PXHU17tgtI1cdDxVksxQNVFizOm4hIVZ8u92s98vNORnKUd/s320/il_570xN.179089408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here's an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57753159/original-art-assemblage-mixed-media-best">assemblage shadow box titled "Best Friends"</a>. I love the watch on the wall:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57753159/original-art-assemblage-mixed-media-best" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7Ph_tdWtsesBk8bsNCD0QSqawK3uQ1OGO-PMX_4xMERRf3aOzUL9wmbZCRbJVFSP9Zuv4QaxQwO7RVhW-nuPwNiEgkGXfeDo21y9eNRrza15zPc5mP-k5ldvkiQ-1MFWM-LHcrUs4193/s320/il_570xN.179251533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4yIpByfqrU_FliFo2GVyYtRCIfji0EPkTTHvuuwE6_1Y616BTJOamnBIz4qajYExhEtix6978RiG_bz-dI53KZmubpdqUE-ZWz5kxCkwC81JtiHi4j__LRJzvlXpS5W02-pSw7Tnhd6w/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4yIpByfqrU_FliFo2GVyYtRCIfji0EPkTTHvuuwE6_1Y616BTJOamnBIz4qajYExhEtix6978RiG_bz-dI53KZmubpdqUE-ZWz5kxCkwC81JtiHi4j__LRJzvlXpS5W02-pSw7Tnhd6w/s320/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm78-gj5LfehRA7DL1gWBkkCHsUdxq4uNGG34JwdKzEyMA91TQCDUIJ21LmO0Xwky2s5l1TISfQ2cNUMGAIVXr8g1OYBko2vQBwOrerCceR9Ve5iEWH9kEE4mnxFpV8U5QV1MpPYelsoX/s1600/lines_blue_004-crop400.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoveyleeDecor">CoveyleeDecor</a> is full of repurposed and upcycled decor for those who like Shabby Chic and Cottage Chic. <br />
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Since we're still hoping for spring, here's a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68259530/spring-fling-collection-set-of-7">"Spring Fling" collection of frames</a> in great colors:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68259530/spring-fling-collection-set-of-7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThuJgSl4TshRyN2SlqJ9Rvt4IGNxfcOIkw42jnzEYMVk9IlOX3JeaJDX0fzxvvW4sEGadbSD7kSXBFhxVImXGSBYKbYLgKeIGSq6sU57dF-jReiBo1s_FwPhfq24ruZ86BDFS3heCk5vG/s320/il_570xN.217832175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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And <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68757258/custom-order-pick-your-colors-set-of-7">a collection of candlesticks</a> for which you can choose your own colors:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68757258/custom-order-pick-your-colors-set-of-7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexkW1scbXYssR-NtoM6oP2WD07RHAEwMXaG4nmBwU1HLIn9jUxBMvw3UjQ9LwfCJ7yk0e5j6igIRB1CMt2E9SCpyVOrF3c0lSoVMcRHb8l8_D8Ofxv5zp4d5sipjp0HUZggjPHpRPMDAY/s320/il_570xN.221791118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I had to add this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68778615/upcycled-cake-stand-dessert-display">cake stand/dessert display</a> because it's so creative. Can you guess what two items it's made from? There's also a bonus the buyer will receive:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68778615/upcycled-cake-stand-dessert-display" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnYa2r5LKrp7wdoE2M7hOdMKKoD45OmD3Uc5aVW3gdXmfKoywPlqVRPuNBpC1ZdO0lDXxVGTREmwV-79QYGWf1lD_C69Pd_Zx9TTsTyfzYwft6AIdYkdQJ64o5M5WWjqKAa4rb1ZJrdBJ/s320/il_570xN.221883952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWnmf0owrtbD5X6gQ6jgM8wXE-3PQZEUJ2lBmga6LTkQPwtohPJT61zAM4bAHtC2ep8Fi0dlFm16rpTRvOZUQUUIjmB2inIdKhgwqrGB1QcDjLgrx-gK5dCbMmNZnpDoXF-NKKXjI5Bn/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWnmf0owrtbD5X6gQ6jgM8wXE-3PQZEUJ2lBmga6LTkQPwtohPJT61zAM4bAHtC2ep8Fi0dlFm16rpTRvOZUQUUIjmB2inIdKhgwqrGB1QcDjLgrx-gK5dCbMmNZnpDoXF-NKKXjI5Bn/s320/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Our last shop this week is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CoveyleeLighting">CoveyleeLighting</a>. Not surprisingly, a lot of what's available here is also made from upcycled/repurposed found objects. Here's an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69029388/industrial-minimalist-found-object-cage">"industrial look" cage light</a> as an example:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69029388/industrial-minimalist-found-object-cage" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6NoBxdQ5TJ4dZibDsoTH-nRrE12y35r8Q3bG_ELrlv6Omy5VG2u0SvKWDehlW6_gnzJa_nwaIv81aGkQT1DDPlTWGyJrE4XYvYX1LfTW4UUy_P17qdUaurSiy0JU2eCEhtyRJHpPedVD/s320/il_570xN.222927802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68317539/amazing-vintage-scalloped-spinning-dress">scalloped light</a> is all new except for the shade, so you can have vintage without worrying about aging electrical wiring:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68317539/amazing-vintage-scalloped-spinning-dress" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohcXosK2zbFqvV62FxDJKLzdqTfO0V_KdnruzRSFwwfbWfXdzjZZqHgap-zuxROGDOMJQw-W7lkitxjdSVczIv8_BiqctgCU5S3Xb-PT-jcH0Yl2MubgzPdCkA0_0SwtHxfUfwkA9YdZw/s320/il_570xN.218066958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There's also a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68188399/repurposed-book-lamp-light-shakespeare">reading lamp</a> made from a repurposed book. Pretty amazing lamp, but since the book was written by a literary critic who <i>doesn't like Tolkien</i>, you won't see a picture of it in this blog (which just happens to be named in honor of Tolkien)... We do have our priorities, y'know. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWnmf0owrtbD5X6gQ6jgM8wXE-3PQZEUJ2lBmga6LTkQPwtohPJT61zAM4bAHtC2ep8Fi0dlFm16rpTRvOZUQUUIjmB2inIdKhgwqrGB1QcDjLgrx-gK5dCbMmNZnpDoXF-NKKXjI5Bn/s1600/clipart_nature_026.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWnmf0owrtbD5X6gQ6jgM8wXE-3PQZEUJ2lBmga6LTkQPwtohPJT61zAM4bAHtC2ep8Fi0dlFm16rpTRvOZUQUUIjmB2inIdKhgwqrGB1QcDjLgrx-gK5dCbMmNZnpDoXF-NKKXjI5Bn/s320/clipart_nature_026.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Last but definitely not least, here's a link to the <a href="http://coveyleecreations8.blogspot.com/">Coveylee Creations blog</a>. There are projects here that you won't see in any of the shops - at least, not yet. <br />
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Whew! This post was a lot of work - but a lot of fun, too, looking at some fantastic items.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-15627649312937906572011-02-28T06:31:00.000-08:002011-02-28T06:49:59.713-08:00The next three days......are the last days for the pre-Lent special for Lutheran prayer beads in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations">Etsy shop</a>. The offer of 20% off any set of Lutheran prayer beads ends at midnight on Wednesday, March 2. I'll be going by U.S. Central Time, but if you're a little late because of a time difference, I'll still give you the 20% off. (In fact, don't tell anyone, but I probably won't change the prices back until I get up Thursday morning.) I chose March 2 as the end of the special because it still gives a week before Ash Wednesday for shipping. <br />
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To show how the prayer beads work as a Lenten practice, here's a picture of a set that's spread out. (The blogging program, of course, picked this time to insert a picture sideways. The stem should be hanging down.) In order to see a "zoomable" version of the photo, click on this one: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68878604/pre-lent-special-lutheran-prayer-beads" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9I1e1V0Ix46RfQml7KskVQsglhDh7qF5H30ftsVhFTK6LOmw5WrByMMBAMDvvlBSN633pm9G_zzBv5mORsg9DTUxO4XXl9Nou1bteRvT3aANn5PbjIz83ZTXiZO9lfMB3lSUy_-EVcGw/s320/jasper1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>The stem is used for the first partial week of Lent. The four small beads represent Ash Wednesday and the following Thursday through Saturday. The larger green bead is for the first Sunday of Lent.<br />
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After that, you continue down from the juncture (center) with six sets of six beads each, for the six full weeks of Lent. The larger green bead that follows each set is for the Sunday at the end of that week.<br />
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Between the four small beads on the stem and the six sets of six small beads on the body, there's a total of 40 small beads (traditionally, the Sundays aren't counted as part of the 40 days of Lent).<br />
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At the very end, just before you get back to the juncture, is the Easter bead. It's larger and/or lighter in color than the other beads used. In this case, it's larger; it's also transparent while the other beads are opaque. One of the things I enjoy about making sets of Lutheran prayer beads is choosing the Easter bead - it's one more way to be creative. Incidentally, the presence of the Easter bead makes the set asymmetrical; you can't hold a set of Lutheran prayer beads by the middle and have it hang down evenly on both sides as you can with a Catholic or Anglican rosary. <br />
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The meditations in the brochure that comes with the prayer beads are taken from Luther's Small Catechism.<br />
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In order to see a full description of the set of prayer beads shown here, click on the picture. To see all of the Lutheran prayer beads that I have listed in my Etsy shop, go to the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=6874401">Ecumenical Rosaries section</a> of the shop. If you don't see the color or style you want there, let me know using the "Contact" link. I won't have time to make any new sets before the special's over, but I do have some in stock that aren't listed in my Etsy shop.<br />
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Tomorrow's "Team Tuesday" entry is a three-for-one special: a member of the Etsy Blog Team who has three Etsy shops (as well as a great blog, for which I'll also give the link). Hope to see you then.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-51358878200225239572011-02-24T08:43:00.000-08:002011-02-24T11:55:22.920-08:00"Here Comes Everybody"It's a bit ironic that the title of this post is a phrase James Joyce used to refer to Catholics - and I'm using it to refer to Lutherans. I've been selling more Lutheran prayer beads than rosaries lately. In fact, I just had my first contact from a Lutheran who actually <i>knew about</i> Lutheran prayer beads before she saw them in my shop. Maybe the word is getting out. They might be selling especially now because some people use them specifically for Lent - my 20%-off pre-Lent special is still running through March 2, leaving a week for shipping before Ash Wednesday.<br />
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The person who'd heard of them wanted to see all those I didn't have listed yet, so I took photos of two views of each of them: an overall shot and a close-up showing the stem and Easter bead. I wouldn't normally list an item with only two photos, but I may do so with these rather than wait until I have five photos of each. Thing is, if I list all of them I'll have more Lutheran prayer beads listed than anything except "other rosaries". They'll definitely overpower the Anglican rosaries in the ecumenical rosary section! <br />
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BTW, James Joyce didn't mean "Here comes everybody" to be a <i>compliment</i>. But I rather like it. It gives me the same sense of pride as Hitler's designation of Americans as "the great mongrel race" - positive pride, I think, that even people that others look down on are welcome (at least when things are working the way they should). I'm happy to be catholic with a small "c" - which, if you look at their creed, includes Lutherans.<br />
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Here are a few sets of Lutheran prayer beads that I already have listed:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61090674/pre-lent-special-lutheran-prayer-beads"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvx4x5ozN3DSX0XvdwveL2FAfkpI5vFC2SB7CtcFKXERH8F4jN0iJK9ZUGjS1EQ9Uu4i_41AxQNJ1_GUASJ47dCiyXfP4UvgK5dL_YX6JdSteZRW39lOPCdHtkfRozExgzpGfJ-6TWNPq/s320/IMG_7299a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67272195/pre-lent-special-lutheran-prayer-beads"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv9WVhaO7x6gxEarJUpkJCKvLmRaAjgbgOu0G43ALvIBf9D9fb5SAER2zat7ViuHAWEjpvv6YncAI6oOI0spK6rgpmqDz4XV96D1C31UW8-3SiRXAjI8q1GxvzMsNXONHrdEn5HtwAWjs/s320/IMG_9551a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65428728/pre-lent-special-lutheran-prayer-beads" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuRFLwR_l6G_gwllldKJ2o9APjDOpgPuz4ZM9bM9fJv64RvJEgiwtl1Gtmt1Bt5sZjTOlNXIZYpvVRBb-tP5tABmqz-iiLV73zvyCuQ5qaSKrSNAnmOtNGEl11CU-cC0p0x1urVq4HNaw/s320/IMG_9039a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW6DEYrvJH0OcUjekZKp1G4jQN9Qf_vR9HI9m-w891BzYqiirv22GIR58-yk3NplpJAoBZrRUdXysz_7gCqXNzgyrBDoPohBnZuv_aqBXbor5BTB8E0eucAYB4x5yFHMOEt_q1VAN3x_z/s1600/IMG_0010a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>You can see more in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?section_id=6874401">ecumenical rosaries section</a> of my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations">Etsy shop</a>.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-40520978965709592912011-02-21T19:05:00.000-08:002011-02-21T19:05:14.402-08:00Team Tuesday - February 22 - HandmadeBlayneWith the new migration on Etsy from forums to teams, I've joined several teams. For a little extra fun, each Tuesday I'm going to feature a shop from one of those teams. This first entry is from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/6991/team-omaha">Team Omaha</a>, made up of (duh) Etsians who live in the Omaha, Nebraska area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeBlayne">HandmadeBlayne</a> carries a variety of items, including cards, tags and badges made of paper and fabric-covered pins, earrings and hair accessories. But my favorite part of the shop is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeBlayne?section_id=7721931">hand-carved rubber stamps</a>. Unique and beautifully detailed, you'll want to check these out if you use stamping in your personal crafts.<br />
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The shop is eco-friendly. The following list is taken from the profile:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpMLugDkce_BJRZpb9sD4CFe9jLgczugalSgOmu6Y3S_kagqxPvb6JPRSx9b-Bz3aFslYIUsTWjPASVJV1Hv5KNULnp4BLDNZO3l_Cf0PIMfp1fxzWixV9rfjGXk5m5GhSkGo06WkFpz/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYpMLugDkce_BJRZpb9sD4CFe9jLgczugalSgOmu6Y3S_kagqxPvb6JPRSx9b-Bz3aFslYIUsTWjPASVJV1Hv5KNULnp4BLDNZO3l_Cf0PIMfp1fxzWixV9rfjGXk5m5GhSkGo06WkFpz/s320/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
FEEL GREAT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE PURCHASING!!!<br />
✿All cards & envelopes made from 100% post consumer recycled paper!<br />
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✿Earrings & fabric badges made from upcycled vintage fabric/scraps of found fabric that make your item one of a kind!<br />
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✿No rubber goes to waste in the carving process! All snippets and scraps go towards making other stamps!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s320/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Clicking on any of the pictures below will take you to the description of the item in the shop. </b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp">My favorite stamp from HandmadeBlayne: </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCH5mi5MGT443er5DM-wV6YMzvE8lI_czfuRiQ0pM2PDE3PTh4pf4XgpY6k-XPGADvd7BlgupCeD2KymkusoB6kFspPakmojNfA_hQAF24SU_uNXVWTpbcmhuYWIm-q2tA2_JdM9Jt1cc3/s320/il_570xN.210777285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp"><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67102940/henley-the-hedgie-rubber-stamp">And here's a second: </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67102940/henley-the-hedgie-rubber-stamp"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMLzGH4d76e2SxpArmNa1hsp1AwlKbp9_zua560hca58pXtN5RkXzxnEFmxlFg5OHwxtZWI1qYwrmL0gPHmON-1UnarD7I5gvRNfgGIu3C2EMzwt4DpB7KVnr5gVC0RTsyLZKq8OSflUn/s320/il_570xN.210719051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp"><br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67138845/emiline-egg-hand-carved-stamp">One for Easter (which is coming soon!)</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66546027/tiny-gnome-home-hand-carved-rubber-stamp"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67138845/emiline-egg-hand-carved-stamp"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViFnnvYg2D_tTo-atVzJjFOpwLxGq4g17OPgSSv6SyQ0VsleCqXpgX9oCUBY-nWTTAPbsAxjeLO9kg0EVZIJAPy0ChwW2UcYgIoGVjFpD1Okp1IaYzLAjwC-qizz6c7-9jyOIdjGbNsOj/s320/il_570xN.213208353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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There are also stamps of feathers, leaves, forest foxes, elephants, and a bevy of other designs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s320/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few other items, picked especially for spring:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67215274/upcycled-fabric-springtime-bobbies">hair accessories</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67215274/upcycled-fabric-springtime-bobbies"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gG3f_3jOmR4YFMA_Tqm0V7qPzDvoP_tMJbioE8BTmwDdPmK5BnbMU2mXLoJNnd589N5nVHdQWjrorhiXWc22kPaFAzw05LRpobn0AEKqD9hi5wALrsbRimmJZcTmYzfZDJdNm6kL_0l0/s320/il_570xN.213519229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68363785/2-springtime-paper-badges">paper badges</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68363785/2-springtime-paper-badges"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1m2Ud_t-F6m1t-hmH_hEQWCR-cr53OoHAYiWMtLMUkkVPvfed1xBeXZgvQWshznbVsdp7VSJJfS51F9tEn8pFecdZGSE3KLoHrGUWdrkQv9wgqs4gDl-x-obuRmbHksHOCtYlJDuWjyy/s320/il_570xN.220158243.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66702266/8-mm-upcycled-vintage-fabric-covered">button earrings</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66702266/8-mm-upcycled-vintage-fabric-covered"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcuBfcwcAu-rPgDHQcKVAibH-BipNys7Lz1-yXG7CBLXyyXZQ9ZwcJjzYNzbTZuF6iU-ImYY-4_2824y6kh10gM-YXc6Bcxkzh2SgJXfVbgtQ1UZuumhS1B8wIm5iPvHrkSzE8ErI6oIe/s320/il_570xN.211416653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65016992/6-blue-sleepy-bunny-tags">"sleepy bunny" tags</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65016992/6-blue-sleepy-bunny-tags"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAulWKF4qfaqYoMjU9mGcLRCsjidSq1FvtCoDm6xgrajoFGRMmLtHE9FNw2aieahrOoIF-2T3v7xv7xtn9vTc_2wchHGazK-9rlso0PET5eM-GP1szT3529UGg39W_-hDzJuu3fGjtJyk-/s320/il_570xN.217737465.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s1600/clipart_nature_108.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0eHAE-PEoFEgc6lwv3F_vcQb2tAeg9ceJVHZezapPwG1x3ps0PQFikzSRpR5PNTrgOmgndnjxQvsKl6He8nO410uInxSVmsCDyFplrw_ofCLvnsrYqo0LCwFmJFrDHNTQ3aWCArekDC/s320/clipart_nature_108.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are just some examples of the items you can find at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadeBlayne">HandmadeBlayne on Etsy</a>. </div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-85032960062015596202011-02-15T10:45:00.000-08:002011-02-22T05:19:24.970-08:00Pre-Lent Special<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCvUerzEn6Wq3gsOrBs1ljnFdJpjeXbzc1rQdJJrKdbcNZ4MKEzK1FVhLlOefulXJZfcpRh3W9Wsham4o3-8OhWoi-VS8hahJPwugTQCgsucqo5AIZr0LLKbplS7ssalzsjxTEcoJVUrm/s1600/04f2a300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Easter is late this year, with Ash Wednesday not coming until March 9. It's so late, in fact, that the rest of us get to celebrate with the Orthodox this year.<br />
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From now through March 2, I'm having a pre-Lent special in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?ref=top_trail">Etsy shop</a>, with 20% off all Lutheran prayer beads. Since one way to use them is specifically as a Lenten practice, it seemed like a good time to offer them at a discount.<br />
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Those who've been reading for awhile might remember that I made a bunch of these for a craft fair and didn't sell any (I <i>have </i>sold several through Etsy, though). I'm adding them gradually to my Etsy store, but still have a number that aren't listed yet. If anyone's looking for a certain color or style and you don't see it in my shop, let me know and I'll tell you what I have available. <br />
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Since even most Lutherans don't realize there's such a thing as Lutheran prayer beads, I'm offering a pamphlet to anyone, even if they don't buy a set of beads. I just need a mailing address - send that to me through my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations?ref=top_trail">Etsy shop</a>, so you don't have your address sitting on the open internet.<br />
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You'll see one set of Lutheran prayer beads in my "Etsy-mini" on the right side of this page. Here are a couple more:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2X696REsFtNIIUrn6DT6AndpDtzRLSiUr3EQQT_WbmLXNuG7MZzg49J1A_v36Lsp1QQnFv7ESyIn9pd8AdVpdJyvfjAYav1rryaQPTEO6B8UVAlD41r6kbufpLKRa4xoiH0RsmeffOuz/s1600/il_570xN.213701004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2X696REsFtNIIUrn6DT6AndpDtzRLSiUr3EQQT_WbmLXNuG7MZzg49J1A_v36Lsp1QQnFv7ESyIn9pd8AdVpdJyvfjAYav1rryaQPTEO6B8UVAlD41r6kbufpLKRa4xoiH0RsmeffOuz/s320/il_570xN.213701004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCvUerzEn6Wq3gsOrBs1ljnFdJpjeXbzc1rQdJJrKdbcNZ4MKEzK1FVhLlOefulXJZfcpRh3W9Wsham4o3-8OhWoi-VS8hahJPwugTQCgsucqo5AIZr0LLKbplS7ssalzsjxTEcoJVUrm/s1600/04f2a300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCvUerzEn6Wq3gsOrBs1ljnFdJpjeXbzc1rQdJJrKdbcNZ4MKEzK1FVhLlOefulXJZfcpRh3W9Wsham4o3-8OhWoi-VS8hahJPwugTQCgsucqo5AIZr0LLKbplS7ssalzsjxTEcoJVUrm/s1600/04f2a300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Well, my different kind of challenge went over like a lead balloon. Not a single taker. I'll still try to keep up with it myself, although there's not much incentive with no one else involved. For now, I'm concentrating on getting ready for taxes.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-22822147214564427032010-12-31T12:35:00.000-08:002010-12-31T12:35:16.149-08:00A Different Kind of ChallengeThis is the time of year when some Etsians post challenges for others to get involved in. For those who sell handmade, these usually involve making items to sell: "One a day for January" or "One a week for 52 weeks" etc. Here's a challenge for people like me who are so obsessed with making whatever it is they make that a challenge like that is no challenge at all; in fact, it can add to the problem. Another advantage of this challenge is that anyone who sells on Etsy (or has a small home-run business) can get involved with this challenge - not just those who sell handmade.<br />
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What I need to do - and what I want to challenge others to do - is keep up with financial record-keeping once a month. You know, get those receipts entered, expenses recorded, income tracked. I'm writing this during a break in taking inventory. I'm now going to have to hunt all over the apartment for receipts from purchases of materials I bought during the year, so I can figure out my cost of goods sold. I never throw away necessary receipts, but I don't have any kind of a system for keeping track of them. It'd be a lot easier to take care of this as I go along, while the receipts are still at hand.<br />
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You can use any system you want and keep track however you want, as long as you get yourself caught up at least once a month. If you want to enter things every week or every day, that's great.<br />
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I'll put a post on this blog at the end of every month, so people in the challenge can leave comments, tips, frustrations, questions, or a link to their own blog and/or shop (only one shop link a month, please). This doesn't mean you have to do your record keeping at the end of the month; it's just a way to make commenting more convenient. Hope to see some of you join in.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-90213179291894794662010-12-10T07:35:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:35:10.364-08:00What's Hot and What's NotYou wouldn't think that rosary makers would be affected by swings in fashion. But if we buy our beads from many different sources - most of them secular - it does make a difference. I've run into it three times now.<br />
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Earlier this year, when I wanted to make a "real stuff" November birthstone rosary, I wasn't able to find topaz-colored topaz. I could find tons of blue topaz, lots of pink topaz, and a fair amount of "imperial" (golden yellow) topaz. But topaz of that dark golden-brown color we call "topaz"? Not a stone. I found some reconstructed topaz-colored topaz on a site selling rosary parts, so ended up using that; reconstructed = reformed from the scraps left over after stone cutting. <br />
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I asked about this in the Etsy "materials and techniques" forum, where some knowledgeable stone/gem people hang out, and was told that, these days, most of the topaz that's mined is heated to become one of the more popular colors, so there's not much sold in the original color and what is sold is very expensive. That's probably one reason citrine has become a widely-accepted alternative to topaz as the November birthstone; I already had a couple of citrine rosaries for sale, but really wanted some topaz.<br />
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As the flip side to that, I also have a blue topaz rosary for sale as a December birthstone rosary. Although, actually, the traditional December birthstone is blue zircon, both blue topaz and turquoise have become accepted alternatives. With all that blue topaz out there, some of it is relatively inexpensive. I wasn't surprised that it was difficult to find nice, not over-the-moon expensive blue zircon, as it is rare - especially in stones large enough to make a rosary from. I was able to make a miniature rosary from the "real stuff". What surprised me was how difficult it was to find blue zircon <i>glass </i>beads. One Etsy seller had some for sale, but not enough for an entire rosary. I even asked at a couple of the big online Czech glass sellers. They didn't have blue zircon listed but tried to sell me some teal instead (one actually told me they had blue zircon but sent me teal). What's up with that? It's a birthstone, after all, and really quite a pretty color. I finally found some on Ebay - and it was my first and still only Ebay purchase. The people I bought it from are now going out of business and I plan to buy a lot of blue zircon glass beads from them before they shut their virtual doors. My requests - and possibly requests from others - do seem to have made a difference, as I can now find blue zircon Czech glass at a few places I wasn't able to find it eight months ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuJkFbwifdGqoK7VfvI_alEHCaiDf5qWIBmrDn_6xGj6FOaNJogIp34MN2SDGRDftofYjWO7A6lfhrydPpbUSvnJzm716uPGM0UHnJGrK_YfOdbTEUz1sjG1fERlcI1lRqmeo9pGAf8kd/s1600/www_pics_am-cliparts234resizeborder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuJkFbwifdGqoK7VfvI_alEHCaiDf5qWIBmrDn_6xGj6FOaNJogIp34MN2SDGRDftofYjWO7A6lfhrydPpbUSvnJzm716uPGM0UHnJGrK_YfOdbTEUz1sjG1fERlcI1lRqmeo9pGAf8kd/s320/www_pics_am-cliparts234resizeborder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So much for birthstones. My latest obstacle, and the one prompting this post, is black obsidian. Somewhat like the search for topaz-colored topaz, this one seems counterintuitive, I mean, what color <i>is </i>obsidian? Black, right? But what's mostly for sale is snowflake obsidian and mahogany obsidian. Now, I like snowflake obsidian well enough and I <i>love </i>mahogany obsidian, but I have a customer who's requested two rosaries made specifically of black obsidian. I've ordered the stones for one of the rosaries: 6mm rounds, which weren't too difficult to find on Etsy. But the second rosary needs to be larger, and finding 8-10mm beads (preferably in oval or rice shape) has turned out to be a problem. I haven't given up yet. I still need to look in a couple of local bead shops that carry stones. I also have some sitting in my "shopping cart" at an online site - but it's a site where I haven't found the stones to be of very good quality. If I can't find something locally, I'll probably order from that site and keep my fingers crossed. (There are also some things out there called rainbow obsidian and gold-sheen obsidian. I don't know anything about these, but suspect they're not naturally-occurring. They're not what I'm looking for, anyway.)<br />
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I don't know what the point of all this has been, except to vent - and maybe find out if other people have had similarly frustrating experiences or discovered sources I've missed. But that's the way it is. <br />
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tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-12819092714094390712010-11-24T04:09:00.000-08:002010-11-24T05:53:49.840-08:00To Wear or Not to WearJust posting a link today to a blog post and related comments that rosary makers and users might find interesting. The post was written by a Franciscan priest and is called <a href="http://friarminor.blogspot.com/2010/11/faculties-for-blessing-fashion.html">"Faculties for Blessing Fashion Accessories"</a>.<br />
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A new thing for Etsy shoppers - coupon codes! Any reader of this blog can receive a 20% discount on their order from my Etsy shop (not counting tax and shipping) by entering the coupon code: BLOG2. If you haven't been to my Etsy shop, you can find it <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondarycreations">here</a>. This offer is subject to change. <br />
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And since it will soon be December, here's a link to a December birthstone rosary I made recently using genuine blue zircon (as usual, clicking on the picture will take you to more photos and information). When I have a chance to take photos of it, I'll be listing one made of blue topaz (sometimes used as a substitute for the pricier blue zircon); when my supplies arrive, I'll be making one of blue zircon colored Czech glass (which is almost as hard to find as the real thing).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62592293/december-birthstone-genuine-blue-zircon" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0-w0jctSK3Ks-jqEbYvqfX4vDed2LB6UnwCgDBFOhgCEp7Bafbtgkf1UTjR9qYI7syLRncJ-XIcqeA_0ZmC4ug3LAlafvpSbRFu3OYCM9TKnv4IZk3QGEqm5syXTx-FVX106aOKNhsZl/s320/IMG_7962a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-4987383069928346082010-11-14T14:54:00.000-08:002010-11-14T14:54:30.235-08:00A Tale of Two RosariesAt least some of my vast following (ha!) have said they like to read stories about how particular rosaries came to be. The last two rosaries I've listed have a tale to tell. They were originally going to be one rosary. In fact, I'd been planning it for months. The gold twisted beads looked very Christmasy to me, and what better to go with them than my most recently discovered angels? This set was lampwork, and cute, and I especially liked them because, with their dark hair and eyes and duskier-than-usual faces, they could be seen as almost any ethnic group. <br />
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So both sets of beads had been sitting in the drawer where I keep those that have been paired up and are ready to be made into rosaries. Every once in awhile when I opened the drawer I'd catch a glimpse of them and get excited about how that rosary would look. Then I started making Christmas rosaries and, a couple of days ago, it was time to actually put the beads together. As soon as I had them on the table in front of me, I knew it wasn't going to work.<br />
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Not only were the angels "cute" while the twisted beads were "beautiful," but I evidently hadn't noticed the pastel trim on the angels' robes, or how <i>very </i>yellow their wings were. The disconnect of tone between the two was jarring. And when I set up a decade to see how it would really look, the angels were overwhelmed by the gold beads. No good at all.<br />
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So I headed where I often do - to my "stash". I think everyone who does any kind of crafting must have a stash. It's the place where you keep things that you don't know how you're going to use but, somehow, know they're going to be useful some day. My stash is mostly a result of three things: 1) beads being on sale; 2) buying a set of beads I specifically need for something, and ordering more stuff from that Etsy shop (or other online source) in order to save on shipping cost; 3) buying a set of beads simply because I <i>love </i>them, even though I don't know what I'm going to do with them. <br />
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The twisted gold beads found a partner through a combination of numbers 2 and 3. I'd fallen in love with the black and gold rectangles and had bought them when I was ordering something else from an Etsy shop. I knew they were gorgeous - stunning, even in the photos - but I also knew it was going to take a special kind of bead to hold its own with them without the whole effect being too much. I'd been holding onto them for ages.<br />
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As a writer, I'm familiar with the process of trying to find the right word, possibly for hours or days, then having the moment of excitement when the perfect word comes to mind: "Yes! <i>That's</i> the word I want!" It's a triumphant feeling. And I've had it a few times when I've been putting beads (or sometimes a center or cross) together for a rosary. I definitely had it when I put the twisted gold beads together with the black and gold swirled, glass rectangles. Here's the result (more pictures and a description if you click on the photo):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61709638/handcrafted-rosary-in-black-and-gold" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUwTkkWa8yVsIgkQFzcthENjf2XNZo-dpxUqKNfXgcJ_LT6ukdfNAWBxxvTkCdlHjj3bSi2qfiVsPXGfTHc_LhpW3JlUNO8lX5mFiSduX3gdsD3woaxLAp6aqNGG1YPDMeBwKB1-FCfl_/s320/IMG_7446a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The little angels were more difficult because, at first, I couldn't let go of wanting them to be "Christmasy". I had a Christmas Rosaries section in my shop, after all, and had to have a few things there. And every rosary I'd ever made using angels for the "Our Father" beads had been Christmas themed. But that pastel trim on the angels' robes said something different. I'm putting the rosary in my Christmas section, but if it's still around when I next have a Springtime Rosaries section, it'll go there, too. Half of the angels have pink trim on their robes and half have light green. In my stash, I had some light green cats-eye beads that were a perfect match for the green trim. It wasn't as exciting a moment as the black-and-gold one, but I'm very happy with the result. <br />
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The cats-eye beads were in my stash because of reason number 1 (see above). I'm on Fusion Bead's email list, and whenever they have a sale I get a notice about it. Occasionally they have something on sale that I'm interested in. This time it was for a number of types of beads that they were discontinuing. I bought a few, including these light green beads. I wasn't thinking at the time, "I really need some light green cats-eye beads," but they were certainly something that might be useful in the future. And they were. (I still have some beads from that order that I haven't yet found a use for, but I'm sure I will.)<br />
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Oh, we should look at that rosary, too, shouldn 't we:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61817766/light-green-rosary-with-cute-angels?ref=v1_other_1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2joZ5EoEMpRjxmysVg8K7Q83-yuKlE_-NGxq2Ctga9-7KaRr3wMXvSgDTJiMf2I2J_TRBw6rPH81E3ANDeCuc3UgFFh-0HPpmQqf-TgL4zprBS0gpyLIUWisMR8ZYZKxORhHjEQNcP1Ov/s320/IMG_7490a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
By the way, the center of that rosary is one I had left over from my Lutheran prayer beads experiment. You just never know.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-4157209219777935612010-11-13T07:02:00.000-08:002010-11-13T07:07:49.743-08:00Another Vote for Tornado CrimpsEver since the Christmas in July/August sale, all rosaries in my Etsy shop have been ones made with tornado crimps. Or so I thought. When I was pulling the older ones out of commission, I ran across one that surprised me. I'd thought it was one of my earliest rosaries, but it was clearly made with tornado crimps (it's easy to tell which kind of crimp has been used just by looking at it). I shrugged and put it down to my poor sense of time. I'd evidently made the rosary more recently than I'd thought, so it stayed in the shop.<br />
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Then last week, when I was packing up rosaries for a craft show, that rosary fell apart. I was shocked - out of the couple of hundred rosaries I'd made with tornado crimps, none had ever come apart (that I know of)! I looked more closely at the rosary and realized that its crimps had been half-and-half. It had originally been made with old-style crimps, but then must have had the stem reattached with tornado crimps. It was those on the stem I'd seen when deciding to keep the rosary in the shop. It was, of course, one of the old-style crimps that had come loose. I feel better now, although it still means I'll have to completely restring the rosary - using <i>all </i>tornado crimps this time.<br />
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Here's what the rosary looked like before its demise - and pretty much what it will look like again after I restring it:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1774981150"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38346181/handmade-rosary-spring-breeze-blue"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5iiSqIMbVQolNJ2-JxpOqqn1Fmn2jWM-7k8u37bJA589sjRwJ10Bay9edd3qwSzF9-zRye-8hYov8ccHLJ26Mtjzlg2EQOsAFD8hOg7aKH_WiDf18qtzXjMY0AhJ3cd7VX6X40dh4zfk/s320/IMG_2327a.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-25267399129225445712010-11-08T06:31:00.000-08:002010-11-08T06:31:51.612-08:00Because of How He LivedBecause I've been really busy lately, and because busyness doesn't lead to profound thoughts, I'm copying something straight from my website. It regards a saint's day coming up this week, on November 11:<br />
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November 11 is Veterans Day. It also happens to be the feast day of one of the patron saints of soldiers, Martin of Tours. Somewhat ironically, this patron saint is someone who left the army when he became Christian - but that was the Roman army. There's a legend that says Martin met a beggar on the road who had nothing to wear against the cold. Martin used his Roman army sword to cut in half his luxurious Roman army cloak, and gave half of the cloak to the beggar. Then he had a dream (vision?) in which he saw Jesus wearing the cloak he had given to the beggar. An experience like that could certainly make someone think about changing careers. <br />
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Being a liturgy geek, I find Saint Martin's feast day to be particularly fascinating. It's officially labeled a Memorial, which is the normal run-of-the-mill remembrance for most saints. But everything about its liturgy - the prayers and Scripture readings at Mass, the psalms used in the Liturgy of the Hours, etc. - is set up as if it were a Feast (one step up from a Memorial, to commemorate Very Important Saints). As far as I know, there's no other day like it on the calendar. By all accounts, the explanation is that Saint Martin was once considered to be a Very Important Saint, important enough to rate a Feast. Over the centuries what had made him special became pretty hum-drum, so he was demoted to a Memorial. But evidently no one's had the heart to take away his Feast-like celebration. <br />
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What made Martin special was that he wasn't a martyr. If that sounds hum-drum to us, well, that's the point. But Martin was the first person to be officially declared a Saint who wasn't a martyr. So at the time it was important news. <br />
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The whole Saint (as opposed to saint) thing started in the Roman catacombs, where Christians met during the Roman persecution for "the breaking of the bread" (a.k.a. the Mass). Now that Mass is in English, the priest has a number of options for the Eucharistic Prayer, the central prayer of the Mass which in "the old days" was called the Canon. But for most of its life, the Latin Mass had only one Canon, and our current Eucharistic Prayer I is simply a translation of that Latin prayer into English. And embedded in that prayer is something that remains from the days of the catacombs: a list of Saints. The priest today has the option of shortening the list if he wants to, but the long form names quite a few Saints, all of whom were martyred during the Roman persecution. The origin of the list is the practice during the persecution of announcing the names of members of the community who had been put to death. The names were also inscribed on walls in the catacombs. Adding a person's name to the list that was read during the Canon was canonizing the person, which is still the word used for declaring someone officially a Saint. <br />
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But a strange thing happened when Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire: since members of the community were no longer being martyred, no one was being added to the list. As is true today, the early Church considered the people who were canonized to be examples of holiness and dedication for other members of the community. With the end of the persecutions, the Christians in Rome had a couple of choices: they could either stop where they were and not offer the community any new examples of holiness, or they could begin recognizing the holiness of people who hadn't been martyred. Of course, they chose the latter. But as with most new ideas, some people needed convincing. They could hopefully be won over if the first non-martyred person added to the list was someone whose holiness was so widely recognized that no one could question it. We don't know much about Martin's life, but we know that the community was so sure of his holiness that they picked him to be the first canonized person who wasn't a martyr. <br />
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The mentions of Martin in his feast-day liturgy speak over and over about how he glorified God not by how he died but by how he lived. If someone doesn't know the history behind his canonization, it sounds pretty hum-drum. But if someone does know the history, it can be interesting and even somewhat exciting to know that this bit of the past is still recognized in the present. After all, most of us will also be called to glorify God by how we live - which the early Church understood when deciding to give us Martin as an example. tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-63380618219891769902010-10-24T09:35:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:35:12.318-07:00Adding to the InventoryWell, the craft show was a total bust. It's some consolation, I suppose, that it wasn't a total success for anyone; the organizer said she'll do better on publicity the next time - when, hopefully, they'll give her more than three weeks to pull the whole thing together. My main problem, I think, was that I didn't have anything for sale below $20 (there was too much to do, so I didn't sell greeting/note cards as I'd been planning to). People just weren't spending that much money. The person next to me was selling jewelry in the $20+ range and had one sale all day. <br />
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So, anyway, this means I'll be adding a lot of Lutheran prayer beads to my inventory. I did give out a number of brochures and business cards to interested people, so maybe we'll start a trend. The more I read the brochure on "Praying the Small Catechism with Beads" the more confused I am by it. I'd love to discuss it with a traditional Lutheran; I was actually hoping I'd be able to do that yesterday, but the chance didn't come up. The meditations seem more fearful of God, and more centered on living correctly, than I'd expect from a denomination with the mantra of salvation by faith alone.<br />
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I did learn some things I'd do differently at my next craft show - whether or not it's at a Lutheran church. Some of these involve my display, although I was basically happy with it. An acquaintance of mine whom I hadn't seen for a decade or so was also selling, and she took photos of my display on her Blackberry; when she emails them to me I can share them. Until then, here's the first set of Lutheran prayer beads that I've added to my Etsy shop. I started with it because I wanted to send an appreciation picture to the Etsian I bought the cross from. I used this set of beads as my central display and both it and the cross got a lot of positive comments - although, of course, it didn't sell:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59809791/lutheran-prayer-beads-in-gorgeous-blues" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRWtOV1R21rz43qzoB8AZ7pzjXI9pkZlFs__CeERatgbO08EPYMRGdmV7Qf_wmzMEE2HCS9ZeDbwpkvDNXCRgKgntzslTb5_IhAnbpUp32WMXTCWoVkszwaLoUtfBeo92fxikNj38jDnf/s320/IMG_7137a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-43273786175803476242010-10-18T05:23:00.000-07:002010-10-18T05:23:05.650-07:00Time's Getting ShortIt's now only five days until the craft show, and I've still completed only five Lutheran rosaries because I'm still waiting for more crosses and centers. The crosses I could buy locally but they'd be more expensive. Finding non-Catholic centers is more difficult - I've been ordering two-to-one connectors that are meant to be seen and that are in a triangular shape (that is, not just a bar with two loops on one side and one loop on the other). But I have the bodies strung for 17 more rosaries and have beads set aside for three others. I'm getting a little tired of stringing beads and I imagine that later on I'll be tired of attaching stems and crosses. <br />
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If all of those get completed, I'll have 25 rosaries for the sale. I have no idea how/if they're going to sell, so I might stop with that number. Besides, there's so much else that has to be done - I can't spend all my time making rosaries. If I'm going to sell greeting and note cards like I'm planning, I need a good number of hours to work on them (<i>after </i>I make a trip to Staples for a couple of colors of ink I'm running low on). I think I have about everything I need for my display, but still have to make signs and price tags. I even have to find something to wear. One list of tips on the Etsy forum says to be "casual but chic." I'm pretty good at casual, but not so hot at chic. <br />
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A lot of the things I'm worried about are issues because it's my first show (oh, and I can't forget to pick up change). I'm glad it's a small show. I'm not so sure I'm glad it's one I'm needing to make an entirely new inventory for.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-586557755920474763.post-52684615479721019512010-10-16T09:09:00.000-07:002010-10-18T04:33:40.365-07:00So It's Our Fault. Is that Bad - or Good?Some time ago, an acquaintance of mine who's Catholic - a Secular Franciscan, in fact - twice sent me a petition to return prayer to the public schools (with the idea, of course, that I would <i>sign </i>it). The first time, I sent back an explanation of why I wouldn't sign it. The second time I just said, "Didn't we talk about this already?" and I never received it again. <br />
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I was reminded of this episode while watching <i>God in America</i> this past week on PBS. For anyone who didn't see it, it was a 6-hour history of religion in the United States, beginning with colonial times and continuing to the present. Besides some brief overviews of historical periods, the series basically picked out certain stories to tell at greater length. The one chosen for the period of Irish immigration to the United States was that of Bishop Hughes (not sure of his first name - John?), who worked for the right of Catholic kids in New York to get an education while still remaining Catholic.<br />
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Up until that time, public schools in New York, like most of the country, were openly Protestant and much of the material used was virulently (the program's term) anti-Catholic. Not surprisingly, Catholic parents weren't sending their kids to school. Bishop Hughes argued that, under the Constitution, each child should have an equal right to an education and, because of this, religion shouldn't be taught in the public schools. He lost a public debate on this, then turned to the ballot box by endorsing local candidates who agreed with him (something that wouldn't be done today). A number of "his" candidates won, and the measure to remove religious education from New York City public schools passed by one vote. Following this, there were violent (literally) reactions against Catholic locations - by good Christians, I'm sure.<br />
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A couple of things to note about this: There was no court case involved, so no other school district was in any way obliged to follow New York's example. Since the PBS program concentrated on specific stories, it didn't say much about how/if the idea spread. (There was a story told of the son of an atheist - decades later - sitting in the hallway while other students received religious education from their own pastors during the school day.) And taking religious education out of the public schools wasn't the same thing as removing prayer from public schools; that didn't come until much later, and the effort wasn't led by Catholics but by a group of Jewish parents (whose homes were violently attacked - by good Christians, I'm sure). It should also be mentioned that, during the time he was pressing his case, Bishop Hughes raised enough money to open a dozen Catholic schools, so the Catholics of New York weren't depending on the public schools to do everything. <br />
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Bishop Hughes and his family, like many Irish, had immigrated to the United States to escape religious persecution. He was especially insistent on his work regarding the public schools because he felt he was making the nation live up to what it said in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He considered his a very <i>American </i>stand. The Bill of Rights is specifically meant to protect the rights of minorities. Without that protection, a democracy could be a dangerous place for anyone who's different from the majority. During the section of the program on the Supreme Court declaration that prayer in the public schools was unconstitutional, Billy Graham was shown saying that, if a vote were taken, 80% of Americans would vote to keep prayer in the public schools.* It was that other 20% that the Court ruling - and the First Amendment - protected. When my acquaintance made the point that most parents were Christians and the majority should rule, I asked him how he'd feel about that argument if he were sending his child to a public school in a predominantly Islamic or Hindu community.<br />
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I also reminded him that Catholic schools came into being for a real reason - to allow Catholic children to escape the rule of the majority that made public schools into Protestant institutions. My aunt was denied a job teaching in a public school system during the 1930's because (as she was told to her face) "We don't hire any damn Catholics." If any group should be standing up for the separation of religion and state, it's Catholics.<br />
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*Later on, there was a very interesting part of the program on how hard Billy Graham worked (behind the scenes) to keep JFK from being elected President, solely because he was Catholic.tgshaw (aka secondarycreations)http://www.blogger.com/profile/09650633753500767225noreply@blogger.com0