Pink Opal Jewelry

Auntie's Treasures $53.55 Usually ships in 1-2 business days

I think the reason my Grandma, an early Idaho pioneer homesteader, wore the long cotton apron with big pockets and ties around the neck and waist was to protect one of the two dresses she owned. She probably thought she would just put it on to do chores and then her dress and demeanor would be fresh for visitors. Only problem is Grandma's chores were never done. She was first one up and last one down every day. She worked hard and so did her various aprons in small patterned print, brightened by ric rac or primary colored bias tape around the edges.

There were many uses for the apron besides protecting the dress underneath:

Auntie\'s Treasures

• Pot holder to get hot pans of cookies or chicken from the oven
• Tear dryer for children who had hit by a tree branch or brother
• Face wiper, after a bit of spit on the finger had washed the dirt off
• Hiding place for little kids
• Carrying eggs to the house, baby chickens back to the coop
• Carrying kindling, logs and twigs to the house for the wood stove
• Carrying garden seed in the pockets, produce in the upturned material and strips of ancient ones were used to tie tomato plants up to stakes in the garden.
• After the peas had been shelled or the corn shucked for dinner, the remains were gathered in the apron and carried out to the "pile" She didn't know the word compost then. But she did it.
• In the fall, the apron held apples, peaches, apricots and cherries into the house to be "preserved" for the winter enjoyment.
• The apron corner was used to tighten every jar of fruit and jam. It gave just the right leverage to the hand.
• It provided warmth on chilly night by wrapping the edges upward over Grandma's arms or downward over a small child.

Ahh, But The Pockets held the treasures

• Clothes pins to hold the wash on the clothes line.
• A tiny tin of aspirin in case the arthritis acted up.
• Safety pins
• A hankie to wipe the eyes or blow the nose
• Peppermint candies
• Unusual small rocks with lines in them, good for a teaching moment on how the earth was formed.
• Small feathers, buttons, driftwood to be used someday for an art project.
• Anything that her grandchildren had brought to show her and she vowed to keep forever.

Nothing Lasts Forever Not sweet, warm, loving Grandma who died of cancer, while everyone else was instructed not to talk about it. We were to "play like" Grandma would get better soon.

Not Grandma's aprons which were divided among her daughters after her death and ultimately ended up in the rag bag.

Not the little things that she treasured and was going to make art projects with. Not the candies, clothes pins or rocks.

Not the fruit, jam, jellies. They were all consumed that year.

Except For Memories and Stories

Only the memories of Grandma in her pretty apron with her busy hands but open arms remain. Only the stories that we tell of her strength, wisdom and sweet spirit remain to remind us of who we came from. Only the stories and memories remind us of the time in our childhood when all problems could seemingly be solved with a yard of cotton and a beautiful woman. How blessed we were to have a grandma who wore an apron and taught us about life.

Grandma's Apron Pockets Held Treasures For Children

(c) Judy H. Wright http://www.ArtichokePress.com You have permission to reprint this article in your blog, ezine or offline magazine as long as you keep the content and contact information intact. Thank You.

If you would like to learn more about Grandma Sarah Elizabeth Turman please look for the book "The MC's Life Stories of Early Idaho Pioneers Manford Cleveland and Sarah Elizabeth Turman and Their Families." It is available on Amazon and the ISBN is 9781590957806 or ordered directly from Artichoke Press 406-549-9813

Artichoke Press is the home site of Judy H. Wright, family relationship coach and author. If your organization would like to schedule Auntie Artichoke, the storytelling trainer, for a workshop please call 406.549.9813.

You are also invited to visit our blog at http://www.AskAuntieArtichoke.com for answers and suggestions which will enhance your relationships. You will also find a full listing of free tele-classes and radio shows held each Thursday just for you.

Thanks for joining our community of caring parents, family members,coaches, teachers and mentors who want to help raise a generation of responsible adults.

Finejewelers $119.99 Usually ships in 24 hours

When you begin shopping for your wedding jewelry, the choices can be overwhelming. Not only are there numerous options, but you want your engagement ring, wedding band, and bridal jewelry sets to have a cohesive style. To get you started, take a look at this guide which explains the differences between all the different types of wedding jewelry metals, including gold, platinum, and silver.

Gold has been a traditional material for wedding jewelry for thousands of years. Malleable enough to fashion into decorative designs, durable enough to last for generations, gold has been one of the most revered precious metals since ancient times. Gleaming yellow gold will add a rich luster to your wedding jewelry. 24kt (pure gold) is considered to be too soft for jewelry like rings, so it is usually alloyed for strength and sometimes for color. 18kt gold (75% gold with 25% alloys) is the standard in Europe and is preferred by American fine jewelers for its higher gold content and richer color. 14kt gold is 14 out of 24 parts pure gold, and is popular for couples who like the beautiful color of gold but are looking to save a little bit on price.

Finejewelers

White gold and rose gold are created when an alloy is added to yellow gold to change the color. Many people confuse white gold with platinum, but there are some differences. Platinum will have the purest and brightest white color, since unlike white gold, that it its natural color. White gold is also a bit softer than platinum, although it can still be quite durable. Most people choose white gold over platinum because it is considerably less expensive. Look for white gold wedding bands which have been rhodium finished to give them a brighter white appearance. The process may need to be repeated from time to time, but will definitely improve the look of the metal. Brides and grooms with sensitive skin should take care to select white gold wedding jewelry which is not alloyed with nickel, which can be very allergenic. Look for palladium alloys instead.

Brides who want the strongest and most valuable precious metal for their bridal jewelry turn to platinum. Very dense and strong, the brilliant white metal is ideal for securing diamonds. Due to its strength, it is common for even yellow gold engagement rings to have platinum prongs holding the diamond. It is also naturally hypo-allergenic, making it a good choice for wedding bands for men and women with sensitive skin. Platinum is popular for both modern and vintage inspired jewelry designs. The major drawback of platinum is its high price.

Silver is a very popular metal for bridal jewelry sets as well as bridesmaid jewelry. The white metal makes an excellent coordinate to a white gold or platinum engagement ring, but is also highly affordable. The malleability of silver makes it wonderful for jewelers to use when creating handcrafted sets of bridal jewelry. Silver is often used as the metal of choice for wedding jewelry sets featuring freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.

Newer to the fine jewelry scene are metals such as titanium and palladium. The chief appeal of titanium is that it combines strength with lightness. It does not however, offer the same radiance of platinum, silver, or white gold, and titanium rings can be problematic to cut off in case of emergency. Palladium is a member of the platinum family, and until recently was primarily used as an alloy. It shares the same whiteness as platinum, but can be prone to discoloration when soldered, making it more difficult to use for jewelry. With so many beautiful options, the bride and groom can be sure that they will be able to find the perfect jewelry for their wedding.

Gold, Silver, and Platinum - All About Wedding Jewelry Precious Metals

Read Guy's other articles on weddings,society and fashions and let us know what you think. Call us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ for help with your bridal jewelry sets or bridesmaid gift needs. We are pleased to offer free shipping on all jewelry orders over .

Toltec Trading Company $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours

Traditionally, the difference between precious gemstones and semi-precious gemstones depended on the gems characteristics and its classification. Gems that were rare and not easily accessible to the masses were considered, 'precious', in part because they were scarcely known outside of the connoisseurs who sought them out. The value, plus exclusivity of these jewels is what made them highly desired. The privileged people who adorned themselves in precious gems in previous times were the aristocrats who were able to afford such luxuries. In contrast, semi-precious gemstones were known more for being organic or possessing healing properties rather than for their value.

Precious Gemstones

Necklaces - Semi-Precious Gemstones

Originally, the first five precious gems were diamonds (of course), emeralds, rubies, sapphires and amethysts (which were later reclassified because they were too common to be considered precious after becoming more widely available). Nowadays, if one refers to a precious gem, it is assumed to be one of the four previously mentioned. Quality diamonds still command top prices, but some would argue that the price of diamonds is more related to the supply rather than their aesthetic beauty. Although diamonds are still quite revered, emeralds and rubies can also be extremely expensive, especially if they are flawless and of fine color. Both are considered very exotic stones. Sapphires, though most commonly thought of as a deep blue stone, actually come in a variety of colors that are very valuable, with prices set at a premium. The amethyst, with its rich, seductive purple color is a member of the quartz family and is said to have healing properties.

Semi-Precious Gemstones

The list of semi-precious gemstones could actually extend beyond 130, but ones that are commonly used and come to mind in today's jewelry making process are: turquoise, peridot, topaz, agate, aquamarine, jade, coral, tanzanite, alexandrite and all of the members of the birthstone family. Although some gems are classified as semi-precious, their rarity makes them command prices as high as rubies and sapphires. In today's market, you can find gems like topaz or apatite beautifully combined with diamonds to create very exquisite semi-precious gemstone jewelry pieces.

Though many people still seek out high quality jewelry at affordable prices, the distinction between precious and semi-precious is no longer clearly made. This is due to the previous difference between the two having more of a historical context and not necessarily reflective of a gems true value. There are many pieces of fine jewelry that are now made with semi-precious gemstones such as topaz, jade, or peridot that can be quite expensive.

The beauty of semi-precious gems lies in their rich history and their ability to be combined with other precious or semi-precious pieces to create unique, multi-colored gemstone pieces.

Precious Gemstones Vs Semi-Precious Gemstones - What is the Difference?

As someone with discriminating taste and a keen eye for all things beautiful, Nichole Brynn brings you the latest styles and trends in gemstone jewelry. From product reviews on large gemstone rings to stud gemstone earrings and anything else related to semi precious and precious gemstone jewelry, you'll find it all at: http://www.buygemstonejewelryonline.com.

Jewelry Locker LLC $175.00 Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Space saving organizational systems such as a wall magazine rack or a recessed toilet paper holder for the bathroom makes everything look neater and easier to keep clean. That isn't the only room in the house that can benefit from these systems.

A cabinet spice rack can free up an incredible amount of space in the kitchen. For the bedroom, a jewelry cabinet may be just what you need to tame your favorite items. Many times, it is simply a matter of coming up with the right idea for the room.

Jewelry Locker

Bathrooms

For being one of the smallest rooms in the house, this area has to hold a lot of stuff. Recessed medicine cabinets are a great start. If you would like something unique, consider a recessed toilet paper holder with a wall magazine rack built in. You've even seen some of these multipurpose type units in commercial grade stainless steel in public bathrooms. But they are also available in wood for the home!

These multifunctional units come in a variety of configurations to suit your needs. A recessed toilet paper holder might have a trash bin and paper holder with a separate wall magazine rack, or they can have tissue dispensers, paper, garbage, magazines, and a medicine cabinet all in one unit.

Even better, many of these types of units are "modular" in that you could customize them to choose the different "modules" you want your unit to have and the order they appear in the unit!

These come in almost any finish or you can order them unfinished and complete the system yourself. To make them really stand out, add a glass or mirrored door to the system or simply frame it in with intricate molding. A recessed toilet paper holder or wall magazine rack can have an arched top to give the lines in your bathroom some variety.

Bedrooms

Small bedrooms pose a particular challenge. In many instances, there isn't enough room to include dressers or stand alone jewelry cabinet for small items. An in-the-wall system may be just what you are looking for. On the outside, these are very similar to a recessed medicine cabinet often with a mirror face and artistic wood frames.

Instead of wide shelves, the inside of a jewelry cabinet is full of bars, hooks, and small shelves designed specifically for holding these delicate items without tangling together. They can even have a hidden hinge and locking mechanism to make them safe and secure without harming the visual appeal of the piece.

For pierced earrings, stretch a pretty piece of cloth across an inexpensive embroidery hoop. Then, push the earrings through the material, put the backing on the other side, and hang it up next to the jewelry cabinet.

Kitchens

The spices and small bottles are the first thing to become horribly unorganized. It is rare to have enough space for everything causing them to start spreading to other cupboards or the countertop. A cabinet spice rack can help you deal with this problem. A cabinet spice rack comes in almost any size and is available in either a single or dual version.

They can hang on the wall or you can purchase a recessed cabinet spice rack to save space. Add a door and even a mirror on the front, or you can leave them open to show off your culinary prowess.

A wall magazine rack, cabinet spice rack, jewelry cabinet, and a recessed toilet paper holder are just a few of the space saving storage ideas you can incorporate into your home. They are easy to install. The lower stress level and beauty they add to each room will make you wonder how you ever lived without them.

Creative Space Saving Cabinets and Storage Ideas

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on wall magazine racks, cabinet spice racks or jewelry cabinets, visit http://www.WGWoodProducts.com/