08.31.09
Posted in Essential Oils, Healing Oils, Information at 12:50 am by Administrator
The recession is still going strong, people are losing their jobs, and the housing market is still at the bottom. Today’s world has quite a few people battling depression and for good reasons. The good news is that there is an inexpensive way to battle depression and win.
All you need are a few essential oils, an oil diffuser (or empty spray bottle) and a few minutes of your time.
Blend #1
* 2 drop Rose
* 3 drops Sandalwood
* 1 drop Orange
Blend #2
* 3 drops Bergamot
* 2 drops Clary Sage
Blend #3
* 2 drop Lavender
* 1 drop Ylang Ylang
* 3 drops Grapefruit
Blend #4
* 2 drops Frankincense
* 1 drop Lemon
* 3 drops Jasmine or Neroli
To use a diffuser, multiply the total number of drops by 4. Combine in small bottle and mix by rolling gently in your hands. Add the oil to your diffuser by following the manufactures directions.
To make an air freshener, simply multiply the total number of drops by 6, add to an empty spray bottle with equal parts water and vodka (yes, vodka). Do not use isopropyl alcohol for this as it does not work.
Aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for proper medical care. If you are very depressed or have thoughts of suicide, contact a medical professional immediately.
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Posted in Essential Oils, Healing Oils, Information at 12:28 am by Administrator
Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils for the treatment and prevention of disease. Two mechanisms are offered to explain how aromatherapy works. The first is the effect of aroma on the brain, specifically the limbic system through the olfactory system (how we smell). The other is a direct effect on the body by the compounds found in the oil. Aromatherapists have known about the synergy between the oils and our bodies for centuries, but only recently have scientific studies been done. These studies are proving what practitioners have known all along.
The use of aromatic oils dates back to antiquity when plant materials were dried, macerated in fatty oil, heated and filtered. For centuries, man has used plants as medicine. Dioscorides describes the use of oils and their healing properties in his De Materia Medica. Later, the concent of aromatherapy as we know it today was first described in 1907 by European scientists. While working with plant oils, scientists discovered the medical uses of oils and aromas to treat hospital patients.
Today, aromatherapy is regarded differently depending on where you are. In France, where it originated, aromatherapy is widely used in mainstream medicine. In the United States, Germany, Japan and others, aromatherapy is regarded as a complimentary modality at best and a pseudo scientific hoax at worst.
Whatever your stance, know that the use of essential oils works. That being said, aromatherapy is not to be used is lieu of traditional medicine. The use of essential oils and aromatic oils is to be used in conjunction with modern medicine and should be practiced with a skilled practitioners oversight.
Mystical Charm offers a wide variety of Essential Oils and Aromatic Oils.
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08.27.09
Posted in Information, Jewelry, travel at 1:21 am by Administrator
Exploration and the Renaissance made an impact on the design of jewelry. Now jewelers had access to gems and materials from all over the world. They also had access to cultures and arts they had never seen which only stimulated their minds to create beautiful works.
Where gold had once been the dominant material in jewelry, the period saw an increase in the use of gemstones and jewels. When Napoleon became emperor in France in 1804, he revitalized the countries love of jewelry. Under his rule jewelers introduced parures, suites of matching jewelry such as an emerald tiara, emerald rings and an emerald brooch.
Another trend that saw a resurgence thank to Napoleon was the cameo. Once the people of France saw his cameo studded crown, everyone had to have one. This period also saw the introduction of costume jewelry. Fish scales were used instead of pearls and conch shells instead of stone for cameos. To differentiate the arts new terms were coined. Jewelers who worked with cheaper materials were called bijoutiers, while jewelers who worked with more expensive material were called joalliers. Terms that are still in use today.
Mystical Charm and Holy Land Favorites are proud to offer jewelry in their extensive collection.
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08.23.09
Posted in Information, Jewelry at 10:49 pm by Administrator
The world after the fall of the Roman Empire was unforgiving to say the least. There was no central government, no one to keep up the roads and infrastructure and no one to keep the peace. Warlords began to claim land as their own and tried to provide the structure that was so lacking. Unfortunately, the end result was nearly 1000 years of war.
Jewelry, however, saw a boon in development. The Celts and the Merovingian’s were noted for their jewelry making skills. Pieces of jewelry were created with a quality that matched the best pieces from Byzantium. The Torc (a fastener or adornment to clothing made of a twisted piece of metal) was common throughout Europe as a symbol of power and prosperity.
The Celts specialized is pieces made from continuous patterns and designs. The Merovingian’s were best known for their stylized animal designs. Far from being the only makers worth mentioning, the Anglo-Saxons, the Scandinavians and the Visigoths were all known throughout Europe for their work with jewelry.
The Eastern successors to the Romans, the Byzantines, continued the work of the Romans but in the end, religious themes came to dominate. They preferred to use light weight gold leaf rather than solid gold and put more emphasis on jewels and gems.
Men as well as women were known to wear jewelery, most notably royalty and nobles. Over time it became increasingly the domain of women to were jewelry and is still practiced to this day.
Mystical Charm and Holy Land Favorites offers many pieces of jewelry. We are proud to offer a wide variety of Celtic pieces among many others.
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08.19.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:27 pm by Administrator
The Romans had a great impact on the history of jewelry. Designs were diverse throughout the world as different cultures created jewelry based on their beliefs and values. When the Romans conquered the known world, jewelry was changed to reflect the style Romans preferred.
The most common artifact from the early Roman period is the brooch. These were used to secure clothing together, such as togas, capes and sometimes leather armor. The Romans had a diverse range of materials to use for their jewelry as they had access to a wide range of natural resources. Although they did use gold from time to time, they would import Sri Lankan sapphires, Indian pearls, diamonds, amber and emeralds.
Like the Greeks, the Romans often fashioned jewelry to ward off the “Evil Eye”. Although women wore jewelry most often, men were also seen wearing finger rings. It was customary for men to wear at least one ring. Some men chose to wear one on every finger. The most common ring for men had a carved stone on it used to seal documents with melted wax. An act that continued into medieval times. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the mid 400’s, jewelry designs were absorbed into the local tribes.
Mystical Charm and Holy Land Favorites offer a wide variety of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets and more.
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08.18.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:10 am by Administrator
The Greeks began producing jewelry around 2000 B.C.E. At around 1400 B.C.E. they began to use gold and jewels. By 300 B.C.E., they had mastered making colored jewelry by using amethysts, pearls and emeralds. Greek designs for jewelry were often more simple than other cultures, but as time progressed the designs became more complex and different materials were used.
Jewelry was worn very infrequently in Greece. It was often given as a gift and was worn by women to show their wealth and position in society. Jewelry was often worn to give protection from the “evil eye”. It was also believed that wearing jewelry could endow the wearer with supernatural powers.
The largest production came from northern Greece in the Macedon area. Although most of the jewelry was made from gold and silver with ivory and gemstones, clay and bronze copies could also be found.
Jewelry was made in two primary ways. Hammered out of sheet metal or casting with molten metal. Very few pieces of cast jewelry have ever been recovered. The techniques used to cast the metal have been in use since the Bronze Age and would have been very familiar to the people of Ancient Greece. More common forms of jewelry involved hammering sheets of metal to the desired thickness and then would be soldered together. The inside would be filled with wax or another liquid to preserve the metal work. Jewels could then be added to make the piece more appealing.
The Greeks took much of their designs from other cultures. In many pieces, there can be seen a heavy European influence. When the Romans took over Greece there was no discernible change in jewelry design. However, by 27 B.C.E. jewelry design was heavily influenced by Roman culture.
Mystical Charm and Holy Land Favorites offer unique jewelry designs. Some pieces directly influenced by ancient cultures.
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08.15.09
Posted in Egyptian, Fantasy, Information, travel at 9:55 pm by Administrator
Around 3000 B.C.E. jewelry making had become a big business in the cities of Akkad and Sumer. Most of the archaeological evidence comes from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. While many burials were unearthed, tombs for the Kings contained a multitude of artifacts in gold, silver and precious stones. Items such as crowns made of lapis lazuli embellished with gold figurines, jewel headed pins and close fitting collars.
Jewelry was made of gold leaf set with a high number of highly colored stones (such as agate, lapis and jasper). Jewelry was fashioned into leaves, spirals, cones, bunches of grapes and more. It was common for jewelers to create pieces for both human use as well as adorning statues.
Jewelry was such a big business in Mesopotamia that very detailed records were kept of what was made, for whom (or what), what it was made of and how much raw material was needed.
Mystical Charm offers a wide variety of hand crafted jewelry. Made in the USA by artists who wish to carry on the tradition of fine metalwork.
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Posted in Egyptian, Information, Jewelry at 12:25 am by Administrator
Nearly everyone is familiar with Ancient Egyptian jewelry. From the necklaces and other pieces found in King Tut’s tomb to what we see on display at local museums, most people stand in awe of what an ancient culture was able to do with gold, silver and jewels.
Established jewelry making in Egypt began between 3000 - 5ooo years ago. Egyptian preferred gold over other materials because it was rare and easy to work with. Jewelry in Egypt soon became a symbol of power, both political and religious, in the community. Jewelry was worn in both life and death as a persons favorite pieces were often included in grave goods.
Although Egyptians had access to jewels, they preferred to work with glass. They liked the colors they could get working with glass as well as having the control over the final product. For every gem that could be mined, the Egyptians had a glass “gem” to mimic it. The color of the jewelry was also very important. The Egyptian Book of the Dead stated that the necklace of Isis around a mummy’s neck had to be red to satisfy Isis’ need for blood. Green jewelry meant fertility for the crops.
Although some of the materials had to be imported, such as Lapis lazuli and silver, emerald (a favorite of Cleopatra) was mined in the Red Sea. Egyptian designs were most common in Phoenician jewelry. Ancient Turkish designs found in Persian jewelry suggest that trade between the Middle East and Europe was not uncommon.
Mystical Charm is pleased to offer Egyptian jewelry. From Egyptian Birth Signs to The Jewels of Atum Ra.
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08.13.09
Posted in Information, Jewelry at 9:09 pm by Administrator
The history of jewelry is a very long one. It has lasted for thousands of years and often gives insight into how a culture worked.
The first jewelry came from Africa with the early Homo sapiens. Perforated “beads” made from snail shells dating to more that 75,000 years ago were found in Kenya. In other areas of Africa, necklaces made from perforated ostrich eggs have been dated to more than 40,000 years ago.
Outside of Africa, early Neanderthals made crude necklaces out of animal bones and teeth. These were hung on pieces of string made from animal sinew. In southern Russia, bracelets made of mammoth tusk have been unearthed. Around 7000 years ago we see the first signs of copper jewelry being made.
Mystical Charm offers an extensive array or jewelry from artists all over the world. We are proud to support artists and their craft. Please join us.
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08.11.09
Posted in Information, Jewelry at 11:32 pm by Administrator
Jewelry is simply an item of personal adornment worn about the person, such as a ring, brooch or necklace. It may be made of precious stones, metals, beads, anything that may be appreciated for its geometric patterns or meaningful symbols.
The word jewelry itself is derived from the word jewel which is an Anglicized version of the French jouel. Further tracing back of the word leads to the Latin “jocale” which means “plaything”. Jewelry has been around almost as long as humans. Beads made from small sea shells have been found on remains dating back almost 100,000 years.
The first pieces of jewelry were made of natural materials such as bone, animal teeth, shells, wood and carved stone. More exotic jewelry was made for only the wealthiest people as indications of social status. In many cases, people have been found buried with their jewelry.
Jewelry has been made for almost every part of the human body. From toe rings, to ear rings and everything in between. While most modern jewelry is made of gemstones, gold and silver, there is a growing trend towards “artistic jewelry” where design and creativity is praised over material value.
Mystical Charm has a vast collection of artistic jewelry as well as modern jewelry made from gold and silver. Our collection is growing and we know you will find exactly what you are looking for.
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