A Closer Look: Quantum Rosettes

 Quantum Rosettes just after completion!

Quantum Rosette Earrings are one of my bestselling items, both in my Etsy shop and at shows, so I thought I'd give you a closer look at them. It's rather like an act of meditation, creating these ear studs. Turning a length of wire into a Quantum Rosette requires a level of open-ended creative focus, similar to how you might feel after peering at a mandala for a while. The swirling, coiling motion of wrapping the wire over itself always brings with it thoughts about the universe and how similar each one of us is to the vast empty space in which we all exist together.

"There are worlds within worlds, and you are an example of this." -Quantum Rosettes

Quantum Rosette Studs in Peacock Blue available in the Etsy shop

The atomic structure that creates the molecules that you are composed of are each like micro-universes, coming together to create the person that you are. How ironic that you are also like an atom, a small piece of planet Earth, contributing the structure of the greater universe that we are still exploring. It almost seems that the nature of being is a single pattern, repeated at different levels throughout all existence. You as an individual are both a part of the greater pattern being expressed, but are also an example of the pattern itself.

These earrings are designed to remind you that:
-Although you stand alone as a unique individual, you are also part of something greater than yourself that you can't even fathom.
-You may feel like you're alone, but the thoughts and energies that you put out into the world become a part of that greater system and will affect other components and energies.
-In a very fundamental way, you are the universe, and if you remember this in your daily activities you will find yourself becoming more aware of your presence in the moment.
-Our lives are built of moments, and if you're not present in those moments, then you're really just standing on the sidelines of your own life.

*Maria

One Drop Becomes a Ripple

I'm Canadian. I know that not all of my readers are, so I'm just going to provide a bit of backstory. A few weeks ago, I learned, through various social media outlets that the CRTC (the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission) was putting a plan underway to charge internet users according to a new usage-based billing plan. Currently we operate under a monthly-limit sort of billing plan, very similar to cell phone plans where you purchase minutes. For a certain rate, you can download up to a certain amount of data. Most consumers have been able to find plans that allow them to enjoy the benefits of high speed internet at an affordable price.

You all know how much can be found online if you look hard enough- well our willingness to seek to find free services had led a growing number of us to forgo purchasing cable television services, after all, many of our favourite shows are available online, and in many cases, they are available directly from the companies that broadcast them. My household jumped off the cable bandwagon when we moved to our current apartment- but it wasn't so much because we could find free entertainment online, it was more to keep advertising out of our home and regain control of our mental atmosphere... but that's a different story.

So the CRTC comes along, complaining that people aren't purchasing cable television services like they used to and that they're losing money, and major internet service providers say that they have made so many infrastructure changes that they have to increase their prices structures, and they draft up an idea to get more money out of their customers- hike their internet rates and charge based on the amount of data that gets downloaded. These companies pay less than a penny to transfer 1GB of data, and in some cases they wanted to charge between $1 and $4 for that same amount of data transfer. I know intuitively that seems like a pretty big jump, but mathematically that's a 1000 to 4000% markup! I could write an entire article about how wrong it is for a company to sell a product or service that is marked up so exorbitantly.

Needless to say, there was "virtual" outrage over this matter as consumers rushed to sign the online petition posted by Open Media, or flooded government inboxes with pleas, arguments, or even diatribes regarding this issue.

This morning as my teeth were finally beginning to stop chattering in the sub-zero environment of my Honda Fit, and the frost which had so annoyingly appeared on the inner side of all my windows was beginning to fade away, I heard on the radio that the government had decided to step in to over-rule the CRTC's plans- because they had been overwhelmed by social outcry and calls to the government to help prevent this corporate money-grab from actually taking effect. We all rely on the internet for many reasons, but I signed the petition because I am trying to operate a small home-based business and a significant investment towards its profitability occurs in online marketplaces. In this case it wasn't "I want the internet", it was "I need the internet", and having to pay more would cut into costs possibly to the point of no longer making a profit.

Every day the world is changing more and more, and so are the ways that we as humans are interacting with one another and creating connections. I love running a small business because I have the opportunity to connect with customers on a very real level by providing them with something I hope they will treasure and that helps them to look at the world from a different perspective or in ways they hadn't considered before. I've had opportunities to treat people to an interaction that is practically impossible to find between Consumer and Corporation, because I want to treat my customers in exactly the same way I would want to be treated. Corporations have to learn to adapt and change and stop trying to bully their customers around because they have clout. Consumers are discovering that they have a middle finger, and when we all come together we can make a pretty big "EF YOU!".

Thanks to everyone who contributed to raising a big stink about this ridiculous policy.

You can find (and sign!) the petition here: http://openmedia.ca/meter

An Article from the Toronto Star recapping the issue to date: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/932571--ottawa-threatens-to-reverse-crtc-decision-on-internet-billing

The next time that you see a petition making the rounds for an idea that you are even mildly interested in, in support of, or against, don't hesitate to sign. You have no idea how much your one drop can contribute to a ripple that might become a tidal wave. Don't be afraid to try to make a change.

*Maria

Some Musing...

If your life was a movie, would you want to see it? 
       Imagine that you are the director... 
                the writer... 
                      the star... 
                            You are.

From the Etsy shop Soulful Sayings

It doesn't matter whether or not other people want to see the movie of your life, but if you're not even interested in it, well you've got work to do my friend. We are not powerless in deciding the direction and value of our lives. If the movie of your life isn't something that you're interested in watching, re-write it! You're the one with the pen, you're the one directing the drama- if there's too much of it, cut some scenes, if there isn't enough of it, maybe it's time that you added to the storyline. Need some new characters? Try joining a different kind of social circle, be adventurous, expand your interests or pursue them with more zeal. Everyone should have a life story that they are interested in, because if you're not interested in yourself and what you're doing with your life, why are you doing it?

*Maria

Introducing... The Lollipoppin!

I love candy, sweets, delicious things... but I think that part of what I love about them is the way that they look! When I was a little person, I remember walking past candies in the checkout, loving to look at all the different things, but I also remember that seeing a rainbow swirl lollipop was an especially rare thing. You had to be in a real candy store to see yummies like that. Even though I almost never got to have one, I would be delighted just to look at the colourful tempered sugar swirls, winding and twisting together. So I created lollipops that I wouldn't try to actually eat, and instead treat my eyes to a yummy rainbow delight.

I've designed four tempting flavors for your peepers to devour:

Strawberry Parfait

White Cherry Vanilla

Thanks bestowed upon my amazing lifemate Jim for helping me get the packaging together :)

Lemondrop

Blue Raspberry

Each one of these mouthwatering morsels of sweet inedible eye candy are available in the February Jones etsy shop. Click here. Or click in the widget in the sidebar. Or Enter The Merchverse at the top of the page. Many roads can lead to the same destination ;)

Remember there's still a giveaway going on right now! It will be running until February 1, so get those entries in. You can see a pic of the giveaway item and read the details in the blog by clicking here, or you can go directly to the Facebook Fanpage and read all of your entry options in the Discussion. If you enter (and I hope you do!) I wish you the best of luck!

*Maria

January Giveaway!

My February Jones Facebook Fanpage finally broke 100 fans, so I'm having a giveaway! Wouldn't you love to own this fabulous Quantum Set? Featuring a Quantum Squiggle Pendant Necklace and matching Quantum Rosette Ear Studs. Classy, fun, original, and unusual all wrapped up in one!

You can see more photos of the giveaway item on the fanpage.

This is a Facebook giveaway, so the main focus is to get fans to the fanpage. Here are the entry rules:

-Mandatory entry: Let me know you’re a facebook fan! Post on the fanpage if you just joined, or let me know you’re already following.

You can get 17 or more additional entries in this giveaway! Here’s how:

-Visit the February Jones etsy shop, then post a link on the facebook fanpage of your favourite item from the store (1 entry)

-Heart February Jones, post your etsy username on the fanpage so that I can confirm (1 entry).

- Share this post on your facebook, then leave a comment saying you’ve done so (2 entries)

-Follow my February Jones blog, or let me know that you are already following by posting the blog name that I should check for on the followers list to confirm (1 entry).

-If you’ve got a blog, blog about this giveaway and you’ll earn 2 entries if you leave a link to your post (2 entries).

-Purchase an item from February Jones and you’ll 10 entries per item purchased. Remember to post on the fanpage that you’ve made a purchase! (10+ entries)

The giveaway will run for 2 weeks, from January 18 to February 1. I will contact the winner by sending a facebook message. After the winner has been contacted, it will be announced on the fanpage.

Good Luck!

*Maria

New Adversity Blossoms

When I first found myself in a position to work all day on making lovely things for people to wear and accessorize with, the first thing that I made were Adversity Blossom Brooches.

I've been playing with different yarns, and have found myself making Adversity Blossoms again. They are called Adversity Blossoms because I wanted to create something to represent overcoming obstacles and finding your own way through life. Obstacles don't fall into our paths so that we can be defeated by them, they show up to force us to new heights, to ask us to think differently, to make us push ourselves to creative limits, and to help us appreciate what we have. When you are faced with adversity, you can whither and back away and get stuck, or you can rise to the challenge and see what will grow.

I love the cotton candy colours of the yarn that is used for the inside blossom- it is a specialty Italian yarn that's a nylon/tactel blend, and each blossom has an accent in the middle (buttons and beads on the 4 pictured). Each blossom that I make will have a general reference to an adverse situation or encourage the wearer to remember something that will help them overcome a challenge that they face. I'm also toying with the idea of "customizing your challenge" so that customers can let me know what they want their Adversity Blossom to represent and I'll include a card that will help remind them.

The mixed fibers also make me really love these new Blossoms. They are so textural that you can't help but want to touch them. And what a great splash of colour to add to your jacket or purse or sweater in this mostly grey and white season!

I think I found myself working on these again because it's January- a time for new resolutions and goal setting and focusing on overcoming something that may have held you back in the last year. I've been reviewing the adversity that I've been dealing with and am getting a clearer picture of how I have made that adversity blossom into something that I can be proud of and something that I love to do.

I know these look finished, but they still have a step left so they aren't for sale in my shop yet, but if you have any questions about them or would like to order one please give me a shout! februaryjonesetsy@gmail.com . I hope that this month has brought about lots inspiration for new beginnings so far in your lives, and if you want a reminder that's also a bloomin' gorgeous accessory... *laughs* well then you know where to find me :)

*Maria

A Treasury for the New Year!

This treasury is inspired by the new years resolutions that we all try to hold to- I know we don't all make it to the end, but maybe this year, instead of making a resolution that feels like a huge challenge, instead remember that you can never prevent change. Everything is always changing- ironically, that's the only thing that stays the same. So realize that you are always changing, and simply try to direct that change to where some of your resolutions might lie. Here we go 2011!

Wishing you all the best changes this year!

*Maria