When A Child Makes A Commitment

A girl's 1st Communion

It's the beginning of a love affair …. Here’s a tip: Keep a child’s faith jewelry like the little cross pendants, crucifixes, rosaries and other mementoes of that 1^st big day displayed in a shadow box.

Don’t lock it away in a chest.  



A child is Baptized

Help your child to remember that

they are always loved!

Go Irish With Celtic Jewelry on St. Pat’s Day

Showing Irish pride with a Tatoo



Show your Irish pride on St. Patrick’s Day and wear Celtic style jewelry.  Don't just wear your usual Kelly green sweater.  You can sport a ring or faith jewelry with typical Celtic ethnic jewelry symbols like the following:

• 4 Leaf Clover
• Celtic Cross
• Celtic Knots
• Claddagh




Claddagh and Diamond Wedding Ring Set

 


4 Leaf Clover Jewelry Design

 


Ring With Celtic Star and Celtic Knot Design

 

Here are the best places to learn more about the symbols in Celtic jewelry:

1. Religion stores that sell faith jewelry
2. Irish import stores
3. Merchandise counter at a Catholic Church with a large Irish congregation

Celtic jewelry styles are now mainstream and widely available for sale online and in stores.



Celtic jewelry is not just for those with an Irish background. Everybody can wear this ethnic jewelry style  to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

CROSSES AT ETHIOPIA'S TIMKAT FESTIVAL



MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WEARING ETHIOPIAN CROSSES AT TIMKAT

The Timkat Festival of  the Coptic Orthodox Church will be held on January 19, 2013 in the city of Gondar, Ethiopia in the African Rift Valley. The religious festival is distinguised by priests and other believers parading large, ornate, finely wrought gold Coptic crosses which have become highly collectible worldwide. In the photo above, the mother and daughter wear their Coptic faith jewelry: silver personal crosses which are equally collectible.

ETHIOPIAN CROSSES - SMALL JEWELRY COLLECTIBLES

Museums and individuals worldwide collect large Ethiopian handheld Coptic crosses and bold cross necklace pendants.  They feature incredibly beautiful silver and bronze metalwork with compelling designs.

I have been especially intrigued by the small 1 inch or so collectible pendants. This faith jewelry is often ancient-looking and artisan crafted with a rustic edge.

 From left to right:  Stone, Metal and Wood African Faith Jewelry

ETHIOPIAN COPTIC CROSSES - SMALL

These petite crosses are harder to find. But you can find them with diligent searching at arts and crafts fairs, import stores or on internet shopping websites.

Regrettably, my all-time favorite, a half inch long leatherwork Ethiopian cross was stolen from my car.  I had stupidly used it to adorn the rearview mirror.  I hope that jewelry thief got a blessing.

Pat Thomas for Jewelrystash until next time...