Heartsmith Muse

Is it a heart?  Is it a locket?  NO it is a nut!  Yup – you heard me!

A London based company specializing in organic nuts and seeds (Nutsandseeds.co.uk) has introduced the very first “Heartnut”.  It is shaped like a heart, opens like a locket and contains a flavorful raw nut inside!   Go Figure!

Dot Whittle was 10 years old when she began her ordeal in a Japanese concentration camp during WWII in the Phillipine Islands.  She and her parents and younger brother were held captive for 1135 days, along with 500 other American, Canadian and Australian civilians.  Just before she was captured, Whittle’s aunt gave her a locket which she wore, under her clothing, the entire time she was held captive.

Then on  Feb 4, 1945 the U.S. Army 37th Infantry happened to stumble upon their camp, while looking for American military POWs.  Whittle remembers how the soldiers thought they heard childrens’ voices behind a cement wall.  Luckily they did not dismiss the idea, knocked down the wall and found her, her family and the other civilian prisoners.

To this day, Whittle recalls the painful memories of her ordeal.  During her adult life, she has worked tirelessly at giving back to her community, and the world by getting involved and helping others.  She travels around the globe teaching youngsters and adults the value of freedom.  She is involved with honoring veterans as well as those who are still being held as prisoners, as well as those listed as missing in action.

“How do you pay back brave men and women who saved us?”,  she asked.  “You don’t pay them back.  It is simply not possible”.

“I knew, as a child, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life for surviving because so many died or were wounded. We knew it would be dangerous to rescue us. But we never gave up hope that we would be set free.”

So today and everyday Whittle works on thanking veterans for everything they did for her, for her family and for all the other prisoners of war rescued.  In addition to honoring veterans, Whittle is also helping our planet. She is also involved in Earthwatch Institute, which works on environmental challenges around the globe.  

FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 23RD, ENTER CODE “SNOWMANML” IN THE SHOPPING CART, WHEN CHECKING OUT.

TAKE $5.00 OFF YOUR SHIPPING COST

SPEND $50 OR MORE, FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH, AND SHIP FIRST CLASS MAIL FOR ONLY $1.99.

ENTER “HOLIDAYML” IN SHOPPING CART WHEN CHECKING OUT.

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Visit us on Monday, November 28, 2011 and get FREE SHIPPING on all orders $50 and over. 

Use code CYBERML in shopping cart, when checking out

Expires 12:00 pm PST

Did you happen to catch the episode “Enemy on the Hill” that aired last month?

The team tries to learn why a decorated naval officer is being targeted by a contract killer. But the bigger news is when Abby volunteers for a kidney donation and learns something new about her family during the tests.  She tests her mother’s DNA from the lock of hair she keeps inside her locket and discovers that she has a long-lost brother.  But the bigger news is that she discovers that she is adopted!

Did someone say locket?  Yes, the locket Abby wears is a Heartsmith locket – Our Leona Engraved Locket (Sterling Silver oval shaped with floral engraving on the front and with a delicate decorative frame on top).

Check it out

In Europe, during the 14th and 15 centuries, many artists chose to paint on copper sheets or wooden panels (especially oak).  Unlike canvas which had the risk of tearing, copper and wood were more durable surfaces. Copper was especially favored since it was not sensitive to climate changes (i.e. temperature and humidity) like wood which could warp or corrode. Copper also stands the test of time. Even after hundreds of years, paintings done on copper retain their brilliant colors, unlike canvas which tends to fade.

In those early times, miniature portraits were popular.  They were small enough to put inside a locket.  They were either portraits of loved ones or portraits of the royal family, like the picture shown, which depicts King Charles I of England (painted on a wooden panel).  Most times the lockets, holding these treasured portraits were adorned with gems, adding to its beauty and increasing the value of the locket.

Personalizing a piece of jewelry, with an engraving, adds meaning to the gift.  It shows the person that you went the extra mile, that you had them in mind, when purchasing the gift.

There are many ways to engrave a pendant or locket.  You can engrave a simple single initial on the front or back.  Generally the initial is from their first name (“S” for Sara).  Or you can also use the initial of their last name (“J” for Jones).  Most times the initial is engraved on the front of the piece.

If you know the person’s middle name, you can engrave a monogram, on either the front or back of the pendant.  A monogram is three initials.  The initial of their first name is on the left, the initial of their last name is in the center (larger in size) and the initial of their middle name is on the right.

Lastly, you can engrave a sentiment, or saying.  Most times a sentiment is engraved on the back of the locket or pendant.  A sentiment can vary from the most simple (“Forever Yours”) to something that has meaning to only you, the giver and the person you are buying the gift for.  In all the years we have been engraving, we have seen it all!!!

At Heartsmith, we offer a variety of fonts to choose from, so in addition to creating a unique personal message, you can also decide the way you would like it presented, from a classic Victorian font to a more contemporary look.  We also offer engraving in different languages and different symbols.

An engraved pendant has the power to transform a piece of jewelry into a keepsake or family heirloom.  A personalized pendant speaks volumes when you are expressing your love and affection.

From now until October 31,  Spend $100 and take $10 off your order.  Use code “SCHOOLML” when checking out.

Jerry Tator, a 70 year old Michigan resident stands in front of his great-great grandfather’s grave, James Waters.  Jerry’s ancestor was a Civil War soldier. In the picture, Jerry is  holding a diary that James kept, during the war, along with the locket he gave to his wife (with a picture of himself inside).

In 1864 James Waters was one of 200 Livingston County soldiers of the 26th Michigan Infantry, under the direction of General Ulysses S. Grant, who charged into enemy fire. James as well as his fellow soldiers displayed unbelievable bravery as well as crippling 23% of General Robert Lee’s army.  This battle became known as one of the five bloodiest battles in the Civil War, resulting in thousands of casualties, including the death of James Waters.

“Men like my great-great-grandfather did a lot for our country, and I don’t think we should forget about them or the history they made,” said Tator, who researched information about Waters after hearing about his family lineage. “I’m proud of what he did. I don’t think we should forget.”

What remains of these heroes and their service to our country is either found in history books and family heirlooms, or contained on the headstones of  gravesites scattered throughout Livingston County’s cemeteries.  Each soldier had a story, a family, a legacy that we, as Americans, should continue to pass along from generation to generation.