Online Craft Show May 21 - June 4

LinorStore Jewelry is participating in an Online Craft Show from May 21 - June 4. You can purchase artisan crafted jewelry from me. 

• The show is open 24/7 so shop at your convenience. 
• Win prizes, play games and chat

Visit my booth

Join the Facebook group to find out more about the games and prizes. 

Show special: Get free shipping if you purchase $30 or more. I'll refund your PayPal account. 

Want to shop for more? Check out my Etsy shop for more handcrafted jewelry designs.  

I love my clients

Here's the text of a few emails I received from J, a bride getting married at the end of May. 

"Hi Linda, 

The kippah arrived and it is fabulous. Thanks so much."

She even took the time to take a picture. 

 

5" Gold Wire, White Pearl wire kippah

The first email subject line was: "Bride is in love with your Kippa" - and that's  how we started to work on the colors and size. 

Mazal tov, J 

I'm so thrilled that she's happy and that her new kippah will be a part of her wedding and other Jewish happy occasions. 

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday we honor Mothers (and remember them fondly, z"l). Happy Mother's Day to moms of children, and furry children.

My cat children

Buddy

Tommy (left) and Fritz (right) 

 Sammy

Tommy

And Happy Caturday!

Shavuot - What is this Jewish holiday?

Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.

  Shavuot begins at sunset May 14, 2013 and lasts until nightfall May 16, 2013

"You shall count for yourselves -- from the day after the Shabbat, from the day when you bring the Omer of the waving -- seven Shabbats, they shall be complete. Until the day after the seventh sabbath you shall count, fifty days... You shall convoke on this very day -- there shall be a holy convocation for yourselves -- you shall do no laborious work; it is an eternal decree in your dwelling places for your generations." -Leviticus 21:15-16, 21

Jews can no longer bring the first fruits of their harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem, so there are no particular mitzvot, or commandments, associated with Shavuot. There are, however, several rituals that are traditional components of celebrating the holiday.

Beaded Wire Kippah - Gold with White Pearls - 5"

Many people stay up all night studying Torah. This custom evolved from the story that says that when the Israelites were at Sinai, they overslept and had to be awakened by Moses. As a result, many modern Jews stay up all night to study and celebrate receiving the Torah. 

These events, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which literally means “Rectification for Shavuot Night,” are understood as the custom of studying with a community in order to re-experience standing at Mount Sinai, where the Jewish people received the Torah. The Tikkun Leil Shavuot was developed by 16th century mystics in Safed, who believed that by studying on Shavuot, they were symbolically preparing Israel to enter into a sacred relationship with God. Modern interpretations and versions of this practice include study on a wide range of topics.

In recent years, Tikkunim have become extremely popular for all Israeli Jews. In Jerusalem, one can spend the whole night wandering from tikkun to tikkun, which are held in homes, synagogues, community centers, and educational institutions of every religious and ideological flavor. Most of these gatherings use the name, but ignore the traditional format. They simply are evenings of study for the sake of study and fellowship, and the various themes and topics they address are endless. (Sounds fun to me, doesn't it?)

Hamsa Necklace

It also is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot because Jewish tradition compares the words of Torah to the sweetness of milk and honey. Blintzes and cheesecake are among the popular foods to make and enjoy for the holiday.

At one small synagogue I belonged to, one woman always made cheesecake before the holiday, chocolate or pumpkin, and it was delicious. I'll always associate her cheesecake with the holiday. (She now lives in another state).

Turquoise, Red and Pink Wire wrapped necklace

In the Congregation
Traditionally the Book of Ruth, part of the Bible section known as Writings, is read during services on Shavuot. Ruth is a young Moabite woman who married an Israelite man. When her husband died, she followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Israel and adopted the Jewish faith and people as her own. To feed herself and Naomi, she gleaned in the field of Boaz, a rich man. Boaz is taken with her, and eventually they marry. Among their descendents is the famed King David who built the first Temple.

The theme of Ruth’s conversion to Judaism is central to this story. In Ruth 1:16–17, she states: “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. Thus and more may God do to me if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth is often considered to be the archetype of all who “choose” or convert to Judaism—accepting the Torah, just as Jews accepted the Torah at Mt. Sinai—and this passage traditionally has been understood as her conversion statement.

The ceremony of Confirmation—for high school students who have continued their studies and Jewish involvement beyond b’nei mitzvah—often is held on or near Shavuot. Just as the Jewish people accepted the Torah on Shavuot, so do confirmands reaffirm their commitment to the covenant and adult Jewish life.

Jewish Star of David necklace

At Home
It is customary to decorate ones home with greens and fresh flowers on Shavuot as a reminder of the spring harvest and the ancient ritual of bringing the first fruits to the Temple. Many Jews prepare and eat dairy foods—often cheesecake or blintzes—on Shavuot as a reminder of the sweetness of Torah. Often families gather together on the holiday to enjoy a meal that features such dishes.

Meet BijiBijoux

One of my goals this year is to meet people in person that I’ve met online on Etsy and on Facebook. I had a chance recently to meet Mimi of BijiBijoux.  She sells gorgeous jewelry and supplies. Mimi always has a good word for members on the Etsy Promotional Frenzy team.

I saw these sideways crosses, and ordered them  for a show I was doing. I asked if I could pick them up so I could meet Mimi who lives about 25 minutes from my work.

Sideways Cross 

After being welcomed into her lovely home, I was offered something to eat and drink.  She handmade some spinach puffs that were delicious. Mimi originally came from Palestine but was born in Jordan. We are of different faiths, but we were brought up the same way, to thank G-d, to respect other people, and pray for them.

Mimi is a wonderful hostess, very kind and welcoming in person, just like she is online.
Here is one of her designs: I love this color combination, don't you?

Layered Yellow and Purple Gemstone Necklace

 
Here's how she started making jewelry: 

I was an Arabic teacher for so many years before we immigrated to the US. After we came here I was busy with the family and the new life. So I wanted to do something in my free time just for me to relax. Since I love jewelry — I always wear it when I go out — I start teaching myself how to make necklace sets. I made one and went to church wearing my new necklace, and I got so many compliments that day.

I got a lot of support and encouragement from my husband and family to create more jewelery pieces.

BijiBijoux started January, 2011. I've been creating jewelry pieces for 4 years. I started out showing my work at local art shows and was so encouraged by the response that I decided to branch out online. I had my own website, but it didn't get too much traffic so I decided to close it. I found out about Etsy from a cashier at an art supply store called JoAnn's, and she encouraged me to visit this site. I opened a shop there, and that’s where I’ve been since.


A few words about the name "Bijibijoux":
Everybody asks me what my shop name means. It took me a lot of time to think of something unique, and what I really loved was taking the first two letters of my maiden name "bi" and combining it with the first two letters of my husband's last name"ji" to get "Biji." Fortunately for me, there was a nice alliterative effect with "bijoux," which is the French word for jewelry. So that's how BijiBijoux began. :)

Layered Assymmetrical Orange Jade Necklace

"I specialize in designing necklaces, matching earrings, bracelets, and anklets. Buying the supplies I needed to make these pieces, I began to develop an interest in different kinds of beads, crystals, stones, and metals. So, I decided to branch out and sell jewelry supplies, as well."

I hope you’ll visit Biji’s shop and pick out something for Mother’s Day.

Mimi is having a special offer for my blog readers: Use Code Sat10 for 10% off any order $50 and up