The (Cliff’s Notes) Evolution of Jewelry

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Have you ever wondered how jewelry became a part of our society and culture? The original use of jewelry was clothing, and “jewelry” wasn’t originally made from precious metals or dazzling gemstones. Prehistoric humans combined animal skins and bird feathers with shells, fishbones, fish teeth, animal bones, antlers, tusks, and colored pebbles.

After the discovery of gold and precious stones, jewelry became used as ornamentation for every part of the body, including crowns, tiaras, hairpins, earrings, nose rings, lip rings, earplugs, necklaces, brooches, breastplates, belts, armlets, bracelets, rings, toe rings, and shoe buckles. Archeologists have made jewelry-related discoveries from cultures around the world and are now displaying these amazing designs in several museums.

Jewelry has an important history with many nations and cultures… having humble beginnings as a form of clothing then morphing into ornamentation celebrating the hierarchy, social status, marriages, battles, death, offerings to gods and goddesses, religious symbols, omens, and signs of office.

Jewelry has so many forms and so many means that we could fill an entire encyclopedia with the stories of jewelry’s cultural significance. If you have any stories you’d like to tell, feel free to reach out to Jenny at jenny@jennybutterfield.com. She would love to incorporate some of your jewelry knowledge into her designs.

Setting Ourselves Up For Failure

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Every day we use technology as part of our lives. However, our constant use of technology is setting adults and children up for failure. In the past five years, we’ve seen a shift in the landscape of waiting rooms everywhere. When a mother went to the pediatrician, she was able to compare stories and talk to other mothers, while the children excitedly played together, happy to be meeting a new friend or catching up with a neighbor.

Now when the majority of people, including children, are in the waiting room, they have their faces in their phones, scrolling through social media, playing games, or watching videos, missing out on a great opportunity to meet someone or learn something new.

The best and exciting part of meeting new people is the possibility of new friendships. We never know the positive impact someone can have on our lives, and we will never know unless we are willing to say “Hello.”  Remember, children watch and mimic the actions of the adults in their lives, so take a second and think about what you really want the next time you’re in a waiting room: to bury your head in the “imaginary” world in your phone or engage with the real people around you.

Celebrating an Unshakeable Bond

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What do you do when words can’t express how much you love, appreciate, and adore your soul mate? How would you commemorate the unbreakable and unshakeable bond you’ve shared for 25 years?  A client recently asked me to help him memorialize his 25th wedding anniversary with a unique pendant. We took a previous design with the round pendant and heart cut-out and made some special design changes.

On the back, specially engraved were the words “25 years.” His wife’s birthstone is garnet, so we used a rare and very special type of garnet called the “umbalite” garnet. What makes the umbalite garnet special? This type of garnet (prized for its pink-ish, purple-ish color) was first discovered in 1978 in the Umba River Region of Tanzania, the sole source from which it is mined.

My client and his wife loved the necklace and said the necklace helped make their anniversary very special.

Tell the one you love they are one-of-a kind and the center of your universe with a custom-designed jewelry piece. Visit jennybutterfield.com to learn more about my custom hand-made jewelry pieces.

Millennials and Morganite

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Morganite was first discovered by miners in Madagascar in 1910. Originally, it was called rose beryl until George Kunz proposed the name “Morganite” at a meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences on December 5, 1910. He wanted to honor his friend, customer, and gem enthusiast, J.P. Morgan.

Morganite is the ideal alternative for diamonds. The pretty, peachy-pink variety of color make it a favorite rare-semi-precious stone for millennials. The younger generation can’t resist the attention-getting, universally-flattering, chic colors. Morganite has become the calling card for today’s self-confident woman.

While very stunning, morganite is more vulnerable to chipping and breakage than a diamond. You’ll want to put your Morganite in a setting that provides more protection. The bezel setting offers the best security and protection from scratches.

For Millennials today, who want more meaning in their jewelry, Morganite represents divine love. Bringing energies of promise, healing, compassion, and assurance to anyone who is in love or in a relationship. Today we need more positive energy to heal and cleanse us from our stress and anxieties… and Morganite is a perfect stone for any woman looking for a little more self-assurace.

Can’t Shake the Blues

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In a time when people are expected to be joyful, cheery, and all smiles, a silent majority are suffering from depression. Afraid to seek help because of the social stigma associated with having a mental illness, some may not even realize they have depression. Instead, these people think they’re in a rut and will soon pass.

Depression is the silent killer and no one knows when or who it will strike.   According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 6.7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older are effected by it. What can we do? How can we help? Here are a few warnings signs for depression:

  • Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies, or sports
  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
  • Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
  • Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures, or self-blame
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

If you are feeling generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why, please talk to your doctor. If you are reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.

A Passion for Geckos

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A client recently asked me to design a special Christmas present for his wife. The gentleman was looking for something that reflected bond he shares with his wife. The amazing couple has a very unique hobby… breeding Leopard Geckos.

People often recognize the gecko from television commercials for auto insurance, but fail to realize how amazing these little reptiles are in real life.  Here are a few fascinating details about geckos. Geckos come in various colors, but are often hard to spot because of their size. They are fast, smart, flexible, and adaptive. Using these amazing traits helps them live on every part of the planet in every living condition possible.

Now I know why this couple loves geckos! To celebrate his wife’s favorite gecko, the “snow morph,” we featured it on the custom, sterling silver, Leopard Gecko cuff bracelet. Delivering this present was the best part of my day!

Finding the perfect gift to express your feelings can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Visit jennybutterfield.com to learn more about my custom hand-made jewelry pieces.

She-conomy

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Artisans are reaching a new wave of women called the “she-conomy.” The she-conomy consists of affluent housewives and business professionals. Women are now the Chief Purchasing Officers of the household, making an estimated 80 percent of daily consumer decisions.  Through a combination of buying power and influence, women drive $28 trillion of the global $35 trillion economy.

And since buying from social media and online shops has never been easier, the demand for hand-crafted jewelry has increased. Instagram and Pinterest are two of the social media platforms being used to showcase pendants, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Including purchasing links in the posts has helped capture the attention of the she-conomy consumers.

For the super-busy, need-a-night-of-pampering-and-shopping she-conomy consumer who prefer an offline experience, Artisans are hosting small, intimate events such as a spa or wine and cheese night where women can browse, relax, and buy.

“She-conomy” women have never had so much fun or ease building trusting and lasting relationships with their favorite Artisans.

Feeling Invisible

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The Holiday Season is here, and the season comes a range of emotions from joy to resentment: joy at reuniting with family and friends, and resentment at juggling schedules to keep everyone else happy. All the overscheduling leads to additional stress, anxiety, and a feeling of invisibility.

Why are we so quick to sacrifice our own happiness? We make the sacrifice to keep the peace with our boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, parents, in-laws, etc. The holidays were meant to be a time of celebration and reflection. Celebrating the bountiful harvests that resulted from many months of hard work and reflecting on the importance of family, friends, and community.

This year remember your happiness matters too. Don’t be afraid to tell people you can’t make it to their events or activities. You are in charge of your sanity, happiness, and holiday schedule.

Showing Gratitude

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As we achieve our goals and dreams in life, there are people who help us along the way. For some that helping person is a teacher, family member, friend, coach, or mentor. Paying their kindness forward by mentoring others is a great way to show your appreciation. However, some may feel the need to do something more.

 A client of mine who helps entrepreneurs write and publish books decided to have a custom-made ring created as a “thank you,” celebratory gift. He wanted the ring to symbolize the trust, hard work, and dedication his clients put into writing and sharing their messages. He gives the Authority Ring to his clients after their books have been published. The ring symbolizes his clients’ accomplishment in putting their messages out into the world and the gratitude my client has for the faith and trust being bestowed on him.

Every Authority Ring is personalized for each client by engraving the client’s initials and publication date of his or her book on the interior of the ring. The triangles also have a special meaning. They represent standing out in a crowd… the red garnet triangle so much more noticeable than the others.

If you are interested in creating a personalized gift, please reach out today!

Misadventures

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In life, there are days when people feel the need to project their negativity or frustration onto you, creating a misadventure. Misadventures can happen anywhere and at any time. The question becomes “How will you handle the misadventures?” From my experience there are two choices: 1. Return the negativity or 2. Turn the misadventure into an adventure with positivity.

We can’t control the attitude of others, but we can control ourselves. A negative attitude will only leave us with regret and misery. However, a positive attitude will help us overcome the obstacles that others choose to place in our path. Sometimes we forget that the victory occurs in how we react to the situation not the situation itself.

Choosing the misadventure is often easier, but then we miss out on the joy of the adventure!