Another Little Piece of My Heart

“Silver threads and golden needles can not mend this heart of mine,” Austin, Texas native Janis Joplin sang. There may be truth to the lyric, but most ladies would agree that silver and gold make rather nice pick-me-ups when blue days come calling. In today’s economic era, with shopping malls closing their lights to all but a few elderly mallwalkers and the cleaning crew, lovers of handcrafted accessories tend to fill their “shiny object” needs online, browsing the virtual aisles of independent jewelry artisans like Chris of Carolina Bleu to locate something truly special. An Austin native herself, the craft professional behind this unique business lures the eye with the subtle graces of her work, as in her Full Circle earrings, their shape emblematic of life’s cyclical loves and losses. She inspires the spirit with neckware made to dangle, like promises, close to the heart, exemplified in the Loved Ones locket. And she stirs the soul to imagine its possibilities with captivating crystal the likes of Petite Champagne Billy.

In fact, if it’s true, as Paul Simon wrote, that there are “fifty ways to leave,” there must surely be fifty ways to love as well, and at least that many choices of ways to express it through the Carolina Bleu catalog. Our favorites would have to include those of the Economic Crisis Sale, a line of tiny, delicately charming jewelry priced at a mere ten dollars per item. And speaking of affordable, Carolina Bleu has even agreed to go one better: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive one free pair of beautiful Amy Earrings, courtesy of the artist who conceptualized them. To qualify, visit www.carolinableu.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/22/08.

**We have a winner! Shauna who said, "I love the abundance necklace. Its definitely a piece that needs to be added to my collection!Love the paul simon comment as well...its so true"**