Hearts a Flutter (or not)

Some of you may have seen the new ArtFire collection I did for Valentines Day called "Hearts a Flutter", that included heart jewelry made by members of the Jewelry Creators Unite in Numbers Guild (JCUIN).  I was specifically looking for hearts that spoke to me and said "flutter"!  However, while looking for the "fluttery" hearts I saw a lot of great heart jewelry that just didn't meet the "flutter" factor.  So I decided to share a few with you here.  

 

Sterling Silver and Hematite Heart Within a Heart Necklace by Bluetina

Art paper hearts earrings, handmade metallic and rice paper jewelry by Daly Craft Works

Chunky Valentine Red Starry Jasper Necklace Pyrite Heart Pendant by Epicetera

Red Retro Glass Heart Pendant by Mz Tracyr

Multicolor Heart Earrings with Red Blue Yellow Polymer Swirl Beads by Pretty Gonzo

White Marble Hearts Pyrite Valentines Earrings Handmade Jewelry OOAK by Shadow Dog Designs

Spiral convertible earrings, crystal heart by Shanghai Tai

Survivor Heart Necklace in Black by Strega Jewellry

Well, that's all for now.  Hope you found some inspiration in the not so fluttery hearts!  I know I did!

Enter the Dragon

January 23rd is Chinese New Year, and this year will be the year of the dragon.  Since the dragon is so much cooler than the rooster, the pig or the sheep, I thought it would be a good idea to celebrate with a blog entry with an Asian theme, especially dragons. 

New Year Celebration in Zhou Zhong

If your child is born between January 23rd and the next lunar new year, he or she is a dragon.  The dragon is a lucky sign.  Proud, intelligent and ambitious, the dragon is outgoing and very assertive. He is very independent and often doesn't like to take other people's advice.  

Men's Dragon Pendant by Shanghai Tai

The female dragon is very practical and will work very hard to reach her objective.  She likes her freedom and also tends to speak her mind.  She also keeps her house very tidy.

Silver Dragon Claw Pendant by Strega Jewellry

Although the Chinese believe that one's personality is affected by which of the 12 zodiac signs they are born under, they are also affected by which the five elements (wu xing) they are born under:  metal, water, wood, fire, or earth.  

One of the dragons on the wall at Yu Yuan gardens in Shanghai

The Five Elements are used in many things, including feng shui.  They have a cycle.  The generating cycle is wood feeds fire, fire creates earth (ash), earth bears metal, metal carries water, water feeds wood.  

Dragon's blood jasper necklace by JEMS Stones

The overcoming cycle is wood parts earth, earth absorbs water, water quenches fire, fire melts metal, and metal chops wood.

Handmade dragon pendant by Keaki Designs

This year is the year of the Water Dragon.  The water dragon year comes every 60 years.  The water dragon is a little more patient than some other types of dragons, and cooperates better with others.  He tends to be a good speaker.  However, he tends to have problems concentrating on the job at hand and tends to jump from one thing to the next.

Copper cuff bracelet by Live Oak

If you don't know your sign and element you can find it here:

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/CFTCal2.htm

If you have to guess at the hour off your birth, don't worry, it won't affect the year.  After entering your date of birth look under the year column:  the top row has your element, and the second your zodiac animal.  If you are turning 12, 24, 36, or any multiple of 12 this year, you are a dragon.  And this is your lucky year!

Sources:

Your Chinese Horoscope 2006 by Neil Somerville

Wu Xing article on Wikipedia