Bah Hum Bug! It's Here

I must confess, it really isn't my favorite time of the year. It's too cold and too expensive. Traffic is hard to maneuver. But when you add the seasonal snow and ice, it's a nightmare. The stores are packed with people and you get the idea. We all suffer. Most of us anyway.

I have really tried through the years to embrace the spirit and feel the love. Fake it til you make it, I would tell myself. That was the worse advice ever. The harder I did fall. I finally realized the "fake" of it all is what disgusted me the most. It's probably my family's fault but we will save that for a therapist. 

I decided not to be so hard on myself. Making candy, sharing and eating candy is fun. I will do that and that's it. Okay, probably should send out cards, don't want to hurt any one's feelings. And there are a few little ones on my nice list that probably are expecting a gesture of love via a present. Wouldn't want to disappoint. Bah hum bug!

There seems to be hope for me yet. What keeps drawing me in more and more, year after year is the vintage costume jewelry with a Christmas theme. There seems to be more tree brooches than anything else. But you could probably find a fine example of anything Christmas, for example: wreaths, bells, reindeer, Santa, sleigh, fireplaces, poinsettias, candles, toys, stockings, tree lights, snowflakes, snowmen, presents, bows, candy canes, ice skates, pine cones, etc. And they all are done with the dazzle and fine craftsmanship we have come to expect from the vintage designers. Some are signed and some are not. The usual rules still apply.

I think I remember receiving this type of jewelry during gift exchanges either at church or school when I was much younger and not liking them very much. "If I only knew then..." I loved looking at all the different jewelry pieces. Entertained me for hours. These pics are just a sampling of what's available on the Internet.

Beads Made From...Bread Beads?

Just three ingredients is all that is needed to make these beads. And you probably already have them on hand. Well, plus a toothpick. And maybe a little bit of paint. Five. Five ingredients is all that is needed to make these beads.


Remove crust from three slices of bread. I guess any type of bread will work but I used the regular white sandwich bread.

Crumble the bread into a bowl and add 3 teaspoons of glue. It would probably be best to stick to the regular white school glue.

Knead until the dough is no longer sticky. Roll the dough into balls. Not too small but not too big. You can try to keep them all the same size or assorted works too.

Pierce each ball with a toothpick. Make sure you stay in the middle of your ball when piercing with the toothpick. Otherwise your beads will be lopsided. But hey, they are your beads, you decide.

Let your beads dry for a least 12 hours. Then string them up with dental floss. Dental floss is a good idea because it's sturdy. The price is right too.

Options for decorating your beads are endless. Dip in paint. Colored pencils or markers could work. Glitter would work really well for Christmas garland. These beads are a lot of fun too make with the kiddos. Have fun, and let me know your ideas by leaving a comment. Thanks for stopping by. B

Which Finger Will You Choose?

Thumb

• self-assertion and will-power. 
• carnelian, garnet and ruby 
• fashion statement on either hand in modern times.
• men will often wear a ring from a loved one on their left or right hand thumb if it isn't an engagement or wedding ring.

Index Finger

• self-confidence, leadership, ambition and spirituality.
• lapis lazuli, amethyst and blue topaz.
• history tells us a ring worn on the left or right index finger aannounced a man's wealth and status. Often a ring with the family crest was worn here. In certain cities men below a certain rank were banned from wearing anything on either index finger.
• A ring worn on the either hand's index finger is sure to get noticed. Wear a high impact piece.
• Traditionally in Jewish culture the right index finger is the proper place for a wedding ring. Some Jewish women will choose to place the wedding ring on the left ring finger after the ceremony and others will leave it on the right index finger.
• class rings or fraternal rings quite often are worn on the index finger of either hand by men.

Middle Finger

• balance, justice, the law, responsibility and soul-searching.
• rose quartz, coral and aquamarine
• most cultures do not place a significant meaning to the middle finger on either hand.
• prominent in it's placement it communicates leadership, strength or power.
• wearing a statement piece is viewed stylish when worn on either hand's middle finger.

Ring Finger

• relationships, creativity, the love of beauty
• moonstone, jade, amethyst, sapphire and turquoise.
• people believe the custom designating the left ring finger to be the proper place to wear a wedding ring dates back to ancient Romans. Long held belief that a vein travels directly from the left ring finger to the heart.
• also believed to be an ancient Roman custom is wearing a ring on the left ring finger will announce the wearers engagement or commitment to soon be wed. At the time of the wedding ceremony, the bride can choose to continue wearing the engagement ring along with the wedding band or put it on any other finger.
• many young people will wear a promise ring, meant for the seriously romantic promises or a chastity (purity) ring, representing their personal commitment to abstinence from intimate relationships until marriage.
• some countries like Germany, Russia, India and others place the same significance on the ring finger but on the right hand.

Pinkie

• intelligence, communication, persuasion and intuition.
• moonstone, amber and citrine.
• a pinkie ring worn on the right hand represents professional status, a symbol of graduating with a degree in that field.
• a pinkie ring worn on the left hand in Great Britain as well as some Western countries symbolizes family and status. This type of ring,featuring the family coat of arms is passed down through generations. 
• most professional rings are simple bands made of iron, silver, stainless steel or other metal.
• members of the mafia were known to designate themselves by wearing pinkie rings.

Left Hand

• indicator for character and beliefs.
• wedding band
• yin (feminine)
• "rocks the cradle" De Beers 2003 campaign
• says I'm married.
• receiving in
• we

Right Hand

• greater visibility, fashion statement.
• engagement ring.
• yang (masculine)
• "rules the world" De Beers 2003 campaign
• says I've made it.
• sending out
• me