Idol Ceremony

My friend poisoninjest is awesome: not only is she amusing, engaging, and clever*, but she makes fantastic and affordable jewelry. Even better (if you share my proclivities), they're often inspired by Shakespearean plays or certain well-known vampire melodramas**.

Oh, let me just let her introduce Idol Ceremony in her own (and Shakespeare's) words:

What have kings that privates have not too,
Save ceremony, save general ceremony?
And what art thou, thou idol ceremony?
Shakespeare, Henry V

Idol Ceremony, gewgaws and regalia: My jewelry reflects my passion for all things literary, with many pieces inspired by my favorite written works and the culture of the medieval and Renaissance periods. Gewgaw is an early modern term meaning a bauble, a trifle; something flashy and gaudy, of little value. Regalia, on the other end of the spectrum, is accessorizing fit for a queen. I seek out inexpensive metals and glass in interesting patterns and vibrant colors in order to provide starving philosophers like myself something joyful and shiny at an affordable price.

She really does. Her work is gorgeous and elegant, spanning from the usual adornments to suncatchers and ornaments. Furthermore, she's a consummate sales lady of prompt delivery and thoughtful packaging. (More jewelry vendors should include tiny polishing cloths with their deliveries!)

The striking piece pictured at the above right is "Dracula," all vital blood-red and scintillating silver and murmurs of seduction, death, and Victorian restraint. I'm afraid you can't have it, though - it tripped its way into my jewelry box quite some time ago. I'm not at all sorry to say that the earrings to the left - "the dying year," an arresting moment of the winter come captured in silver and leaves and knotwork - will soon be following suit. But you can have "mo chuisle" - "my pulse" in Irish Gaelic - if you hurry. Or this distillation of the war between the Houses of Lancaster and York or these achingly simple earrings (such perfect evocation of winter) or this fierce pendant, "The Roaring Girl." Or, or, or... sigh.

There's so much more loveliness to be found in her Etsy shop: fly you hence! I wish my purse deeper than it is. (Did I mention she's offering gift wrapping now? Or that she always offers a special bulk offer? Yuletide gifts for everyone!)





* Seriously, friend her as the creator of Idol Ceremony, stay for the hilarious commentary on television and also the Cavendish Cheese Smackdown.

** Yes, that one. With the synthetic blood. No, and the one by the Irish guy. Yep. I know, isn't it cool?