Aquamarine - March Birthstone

Aquamarine has been a popular and meaningful stone for many ages.  It's lovely blue color is reminiscent of crystal clear ocean waters, and that is, in fact, where it gets its name.  Some fun legends of the past say that mermaid's tails were made of aquamarine.

Another popular legend said King Neptune gave aquamarines as gifts to mermaids, which gave them a certain aura as a gift of endearment.  This makes it a lovely anniversary gift.

Aquamarine is a type of beryl, which is a very hard stone.  As we all know, diamond is the hardest of all the stones.  Right beneath that are emerald, Ruby and Sapphire.  They are just a little less hard than diamonds.  Emerald is a type of beryl as well.  So, while aquamarine cannot be considered a "precious" gem, since only diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies fall into that category, it is still a highly prized stone, and can be quite expensive.

Romans and Greeks of ancient times believed aquamarines brought about a sense of peace and tranquility.  For ages now, people have believed that aquamarine attracts positive energy into their lives.  Isn't that a delightful gift to give someone with a March birthday?  And even better if it's a piece handmade and unique, like this one made by Manya Vee herself (aka me!).

This beautiful pieces features two strands of lovely aquamarine stones.  One strand has smooth round stones while the other has tiny faceted stones.  The contrasting smooth and faceted aspects are visually pleasing, and enhance the pendant, which is a very amazing labradorite pendant.  This pendant has the most amazing fire in it, and seems alive when it moves on the wearer's body.

Labradorite is said to repel negativity, so paired with aquamarine and it's ability to attract positive energy, this necklace is a piece to wear every day!

Manya Vee

Manya Vee Selects

What art means to me

Where does an artist get inspiration?  While it takes on the expression of the individual artist, both nature and meaning are most commonly cited.  I read lots of pieces about artists and their inspirations, and nearly always find new insights for myself too.

My inspiration for the choices I make regarding what to offer our customers at Manya Vee Selects is closely related to meaning.  We believe that surrounding yourself with art exerts a powerful influence on a person's life in a very positive way.  We also believe that merely "surrounding yourself" isn't enough.  One should physically engage with and actually USE art.  Wear it.  Dine on it.  Drink out of it.  Put flowers in it.  Put candles in it.  And so on.

By engaging with art in as many ways as possible throughout the day, you are viscerally reminded of the beauty around you, and that an artist took great time, thought and energy to put beauty and meaning into it.

Here's a personal example.  When I'm working at the gallery, I don't get to close for lunch.  Instead, I bring lunch from home in a trusty Tupperware container.  I could simply toss that container into the microwave and eat out of it.  But I prefer to transfer the contents into a hand-painted glass bowl by Nancy Fiala!  That simple step reminds me to slow down and really enjoy my food.  It also honors the food I carefully prepared.  Finally, it honors my own self: I'm worth the special dish.  This daily act, simple though it may appear, affects other areas of my life too.  It takes me out of my own head and reminds me to notice other beautiful things around me for the rest of the day.

TV, newspapers, magazines and movies all spend lots of time surrounding us with doom and despair.  I hear from many people who are inevitably affected by that, who grow more and more cynical and closed off from the world around them.  Their focus on the negative closes their eyes to the beauty around them.  These people feel it's right and fitting to eat lunch out of their Tupperware because it reflects their world view.  Just hurry and get it over with.

Don't let that happen to you.  After all, it is all about choice.  You get to choose what you surround yourself with.  What you surround yourself with affects your perspective.  So for 2011, what will your choices be?

Christmas Tidings

We just had a big party at a dear friends' the other night.  A poem to mark the occasion seemed in order...


The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
With crackling, cheered delight
Heaping plate and brimming cup
And laughter booming bright!

It's Christmas time at Bonbon's
Where tinsel'd hearts abeat
With peace and joy wished to all
And to all tidings sweet.

The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
Much as we dream our best
We ne'er forget to revel
And spice our lives with zest!

--Jeff
jeff@newclassicstheatre.org

Engagement rings - Let It Be Engaging!

Diamonds are fine.  Beautiful and sparkly.  But everywhere!  I've long been a proponent of choosing an engagement ring that has some personal meaning behind it.  Perhaps one that chooses one or two pieces of your shared history together.  Yes, a diamond is traditional.  But what does it say about the two of you and the new life you plan to create together?

We recently worked with a couple to create an engagement/wedding ring that included two elements of their shared history.  It incorporated two metals - sterling silver and 18-karat gold - as well as two stones - a white and a blue sapphire.  For this couple, the two metals and two stones represented each one's individuality, while having them soldered together represented the bond they shared.  The stones were set right next to each other, representing the two of them walking side by side for the rest of their lives.

And just yesterday I read about the ring Prince William gave to his love, Kate.  It had sentimental value as well, and not a diamond!  Instead, a blue sapphire ring that had belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.  He said "It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today."

So break out of the box!  Choose a ring, or even create a ring together, that celebrates the reasons that brought the two of you together!  The sentimental value will far exceed anything a diamond could capture.  And there's still no reason not to include a diamond as well!

Naturally, we hope you'll stop by to check out the great collection of rings we have, and our several talented designers who can help you achieve your own dream.

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

10 years of accomplishments

10 years ago, when we opened our doors, there were only two places in Edmonds to buy art.  In March of 2002, we founded - and still direct today - the beloved Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk.  And now, so many years later, not only has it become one of the largest art walks in the state, but it has also seen the birth of many new galleries in town.  One can now purchase art in 18 places on any given day, and over 40 on Art Walk night itself.  Wow! What a change is that!

Because we had so few art galleries in town, we had to think of another way to configure our art walk.  Two places does not an art "walk" make.  A "hop" perhaps, but not a "walk."  So, we cajoled a few other businesses to simply host an artist for the evening.  Can't remember exactly, but it seems about 8 places hosted artists for that first year.

There seems to be something about making it past a year.  We had several others join in after that, and for quite a few years hovered at the "12" mark.  Then we saw a leap up to around 18 participants on a regular basis.  Then in 2008, we saw a great leap forward to 40!  And as for patrons, well, on any given night - even in the dead of winter - sees at least a couple hundred folks walking around, enjoying the art, watching the demonstrations, sipping the wine,and having such fun.

We had no idea at the beginning that it would turn out like that, but we are so very proud of having made such a difference in our little town.  We always smile when we look at advertisements about Edmonds, and see the Art Walk listed as one of the top-billed reasons to visit or live here.

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

What it means to inspire others

We just received an amazing email from a customer.  Sue C. has been visiting us for years.  Never in much of a position to purchase much, she would come in for inspiration.  Well, this is what she sent us today to let us know how we've changed her life these years:

"I keep coming back to Manya Vee Selects because,  I feel a special connection with you. I love it that you always remember me when I come in. I love it that you once let me wear a piece of your jewelry on art walk night to the other venues, trusting that I would return it, and not get it 'lost'. 

"I love the variety of art that you carry, with my favorite always being Chris Romine, and I can always count on seeing her newer peices when I come in.  

"I love it that Jeff is a playwright, and I can always get the latest on his projects when I drop in. I love the encouragement I get from you. I love the inspiration I get when I walk into Manya Vee Selects. 

"I love your jewelry, and have become somewhat inspired to make my own jewelry, taking a metalsmithing course to learn new techniques. Manya Vee is it's own little world and when I enter through the doors, I am transformed into someone special, a friend of a couple of very talented and famous artists, and I love you two so much!!!"

Thanks, Sue, for letting us know this!  It is a note we'll cherish!

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

Celebrating 10 Years

It's hard to believe we opened our doors 10 whole years ago.  Where has the time gone?  And I know for sure I personally haven't aged that much.  These rites of passage seem to lend themselves to some strolls down memory lane, so here we go.

Before opening our gallery, I was busy making jewelry and selling it at every opportunity possible - at craft fairs, farmer's markets, trade shows, through sales reps, and online.  It is rather exhausting work, but it definitely had its rewards.  But I was getting weary of lugging a tent around every weekend, only to be at the whim of the weather.  And we all know, we NEVER get rain here in Seattle....

But in the meantime, I had made many new artist friends.  Friends who made all kinds of beautiful things like pottery, glass, silk scarves, candles, and other kinds of jewelry.  I realized it was time to open up my own permanent art show!  Besides, I was fully devoted to helping others surround themselves with beauty and creativity.  What better way to do so?

Arizona artist Scott Johnson

And thus began the journey.  We started out representing only artists from Washington State.  But there are so many lovely things made in other states, that eventually I couldn't resist.  We now have works by over 100 artists.  About half are from Washington, and the other half come from other states, as well as two from Canada.

Manya in clothes from Bellingham

We have also expanded our wearable art selections, especially lately.  If you know me at all, you know I loves clothes.  I suppose it was inevitable that I'd find it irresistable to expand in that way.  We've had scarves, jackets, shawls and wraps for quite a few years now.  But this year, I got to add two new lines of my favorite type of clothing to wear - comfortable, attractive, drapey, and washable.  Just doesn't get any better than that!  One line from Bellingham enjoys eco-friendly fabrics.  Her T-shirts are a blend of organic cotton and a soy protein fiber - also known as the cashmere of the vegetable world.  They are the softest T-shirts in my closet.  And so pretty, too!  Her "posh pants" are organic cotton and hemp, and are very good looking and extremely comfortable.  I have to force myself to wear something else from time to time!

So here's to another 10 years!  Who knows how we'll grow and develop in that time frame.  It certainly is remarkable to think that when we opened in 2000, the economy was so rosy.  Then 9/11 happened, and the market for art shriveled up so much.  It sort of leveled out, but has never been as easy as we've heard other gallery-owners describe in the pre-9/11 years.  Now we're struggling through a recession, and doing our best to offer affordable, colorful, unique items in a very wide price range.  In fact, over the past 18 months we've increased the number of things under $40 quite a bit.  You should see our choices under $20!

Well, I'm sure I'll have more musings along these lines over the next few days, so stay tuned...

Manya

November 2010

ManyaVeeSelects.com