Holiday Joys

For me, there is so much more to the holidays than shopping for gifts and cards and food and even decorating the house (which we all know I love). There is joy, anticipation, connecting with others. There is reflection on another year past and burgeoning goals for the year ahead.

There are still nights and cold wind and the promise of snow. The stillness of the world in winter gives us the opportunity to assess our being; the way we want to be in the world. There is the chance to turn inward, look deep within yourself, and come to that place where you truly want to be—within your skull, within your heart, within the physical space you occupy.

I don’t know how to go about it yet, but it is something I desperately hope to instill in my children before adulthood.

That’s why-- when I heard that Ellie was planning giveaways this holiday season-- I knew I had to jump on the chance to host one of her jewelry giveaways on my blog. I won’t even begin to attempt to retell her story here—I cannot compete with her poignancy. For that, you have to visit her blog. What I can tell you is that 1) she speaks of addiction and recovery in a way that makes me understand the disease like I never thought I could, 2) she motivates me to change my life for the better, and 3) I think, in jewelry making, she has found part of her Zen.

All of this, from a woman I have never met face to face. That is the power of blogging.

In keeping with my favorite part of the holiday season—I am hosting a giveaway of one of her handcrafted pieces, the Tahitian Moon necklace. As Ellie describes the necklace in her Etsy store:

This pretty pendant necklace is made with Tahitian and baby blue Swarovski pearls wrapped with sterling silver and hung on an 18" sterling silver box chain. The perfect accessory for day or evening! Pendant is about 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" - slightly larger than a quarter.

I had a difficult time in choosing an item with Ellie to host on this blog—namely because I love many of her creations. I suggest that you check out the Teaberry earrings and bracelet (another personal favorite). I’ve purchased the Starfish necklace for Ant’s pretty teacher for the holidays, and I purchased the Mother’s bracelet for J’s mother and the Nana as well—which you can customize!

I know that when I think of anything with the word Tahitian in the name, I trend towards beaches and palm trees. In planning how to describe this giveaway, however, I was reminded of cold, navy blue nights in winter, with the smell of impending snow and ghostly, moon- illuminated clouds skidding across the sky. I was reminded of the serenity found in personal reflection. I felt the same quiet anticipation that many parents feel in those remaining predawn hours of Christmas Eve/Christmas morning. Thank you, Ellie, for allowing me to reflect this way, and to share this feeling with others!

To enter to win this giveaway, just comment on this post before Thursday. I will randomly select the winner on Thursday, and announce it here. The winner will then have a wonderful gift to give to a loved one or themselves!