St Michael One Decade Rosary - Patron Saint of Police - Police Protection Rosary - Sale Through November 2017

 Using vintage Swarovski beads, this police protection Saint Michael One Decade Rosary has just been added to my Etsy Shop:  Let Our Light Shine. 

Most items in my shop are now on sale through November 30th, 2017.  If you are like me, you are shopping online for Christmas.  I hope you find something you would love to give as a gift in my shop.  God Bless,

Jen  

10 % off Sale - Let Our Light Shine - Starting Tomorrow - For the Remainder of November

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LetOurLightShine

Beginning November 18th, 2017, everything in my online store, with the exception of 5 Decade Rosaries, is 10% off.  No minimum orders. Just in time for Christmas orders. 

Please send me a note if you have any questions.

God Bless, Jen  :-)

Stocking up my Etsy store for Christmas!

Several  years ago, when getting ready to do my Christmas shopping, I made up my mind that I wanted to do something different....

It all started somewhere around Thanksgiving of that year, as I started to gather my list together and try to think of ideas for my individual gifts.  Usually, I hunted within the brick and mortar stores  and sometimes I would find things right away, other times, as the days quickly passed and Christmas was only a few days away, I would begin to panic.  I did not have Christmas gifts for everyone on my list.  

This particular year, I ran across Etsy.  I was super excited.  I thought of each person on my list and tried to find a matching gift.  I found something for EVERYONE! It was at that time that I knew how important Etsy was to those of us who appreciate handmade, quality items AND want to try something new this Christmas. 

It wasn't right away, but several years later, as I began making my handmade, wire wrapped rosaries and Christian jewelry, I knew Etsy was where I wanted to set up my online store. 

I do not mass produce things.  I collect beads, vintage and new. Then, I plan a design and pick out the wire I will use.  Some designs take days.  Others I can make in several hours but all are made with love.  My shop will not be the inexpensive priced shop. My beads are quality beads and my items are labor intensive.  I take great care in purchasing my supplies and work carefully to produce a quality product for my customers. 

I will continue to work and add new items to my store;  not only to get ready for Christmas, but also for special occasions: weddings, birthdays, and other occasions that are close to your heart.

I can't believe it is already November 16th.  If you want to find the BEST holiday gifts, give Etsy a try.  There are many excellent sellers on Etsy.  I've had excellent experiences with purchasing on Etsy. I hope you will give us a try.  :-)

Happy shopping!! Jen

https://www.etsy.com/listing/558926256/handmade-heirloom-topaz-five-decade?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/561354151/swarovski-womens-handmade-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_14

https://www.etsy.com/listing/561354151/swarovski-womens-handmade-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_14

https://www.etsy.com/listing/571349679/handmade-saint-jude-chaplet-st-jude?ref=shop_home_active_2

Christian Bracelets with New Swarovski Cross Beads

Today, I added two new bracelets with Swarovski cross beads.  I ordered just a few of these beautiful beads to try them out in my wire wrapped designs.  I am excited to see if you like them. I love Swarovski beads.  I know there are copies out there and maybe some people can't tell the difference and prefer to pay less, but for me, they are exceptional and I love using them in my designs.

Below are the two new bracelets.  One has the cross Swarovski bead woven inside the bracelet and the other has the Swarovski cross bead as a Christian charm.  Which one do you like best?

Have a wonderful day! God Bless!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/558306734/handmade-swarovski-silver-christian?ref=listing-shop-header-1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/572122473/handmade-swarovski-crystal-rondelle?ref=shop_home_active_1

Christian Bracelets - Wire Wrapping - Unbreakable Pattern

What makes these bracelets different?

One of the suggestions that I've read from my Etsy handbook is to explain why a customer should buy my product.  So today, I'm going to give you a few reasons why I personally think you should buy Christian bracelets from: Let Our Light Shine, my Etsy store.  

Here are a list of reasons why I think items from my store, today talking about bracelets, are a great item to buy.  These reasons are in no particular order.

1. Each bracelet (and every other item) is handmade in my home individually and is uniquely different.  When I say handmade, it means that each turn of the wire was made by me.  I have seen where people purchase rosary wire wrapping on large spools.  Someone could claim that they made the item by cutting from the spool and attaching a clasp and a charm, this is not the case with my bracelets.  I purchase wire which has wonderful reviews and carefully make each portion of the bracelet; each little tiny section by hand. I also try to buy wire that is affordable.  At this time, the six different types of wire that I use in my store are:  Silver over Copper, Brass over Copper, Bronze over Copper, Nickel Silver, Raw Copper and Stainless Steel.  I also will be adding 100% Brass in the near future.
   

   
2. The second reason is because I carefully select the beads, making sure they are excellent quality.  Many of my bracelets are made using Swarovski crystals, both vintage and new.  If they are new, I have purchased them from a certified Swarovski dealer so that I know they are not copies. If they are vintage, I use a specific checklist (an example: each facet is cut with extreme precision and never has bubbles or flaws, as well as, listed qualities that only a vintage Swarovski crystal will possess.  If you would like to read about this further, I discuss it in an earlier blog post: Vintage and New Swarovski Crystal Beads . I also use Czech beads, old and new, which I purchase new from an authorized dealer.  I do also have a few vintage Czech beads which are easily recognizable and I have had them in my collection for over 20 years.  
   

   

   https://www.etsy.com/listing/554205844/handmade-swarovski-crystal-womens?ref=shop_home_feat_4

   This would be an example of using Czech Vintage beads (large purple) with new Swarovski beads. 
3. The next reason that I believe my store items are extra special is because I tell you in the description every detail about the item.  For example if I am using Nickel Silver, I explain that along with the gauge of wire.  If I am using Silver over Copper, I also give you those details.  It's very important to know exactly what you are buying.  There are no surprises. 
4. I spend lots of time giving you multiple photos of the bracelet or store item.  I take the photos from all angles.  If you have a question about anything you see in one of my photos, please send me a message.  I'll be happy to get back with you quickly with an answer.
5. I use split rings, rather than jump rings.  It is a personal preference.  I like the fact that the ring has several rows so that they do not pull apart without great strain on the ring. They are a similar design as key rings. If you look closely at all of the photos, you will see split rings on every item.
6. One of the most important reasons is that I do not over price.  Some companies raise the price of their items so that they can do a storewide sale.  This is similar to grocery stores who have a high price on something so they can offer a two for one sale.  I can honestly tell you that I add up all of the costs of my items and add a little for my labor, which changes by item due to how long it takes me to make it, from several hours to several days. For this reason, unless I am clearing out a section of older items in the future, I do not often have sales.  I feel the sale price is how they are currently priced.  It would probably cost me more to replace them than I charge in many instances, particularly the vintage items. 
7. Most important: Every item is made with love and prayer.  It is my prayer that you find something in the store that is beautiful, strong, symbol of faith, and shares your faith.  There are a few items that are not marked with Christian charms, etc. but the majority are made with  a symbol of our faith.  In these times, sharing our love of God is keeping our light shining and not hid under a bushel as the old song states. Each item, because of the quality and workmanship, are made to last a lifetime, a gift that someone will treasure now and also when they get old and eventually will want to pass along to someone special. 

I hope these things have given you a few reasons to take a look at my Christian Etsy store.  The section for the bracelets is: Let Out Light Shine: Bracelets

God Bless!  Jen

St. Benedict Rosary with The Devil Chasing Medal

Background of the St. Benedict Medal; also called the Devil Chasing Medal

There is no special way prescribed for carrying or wearing the Medal of St. Benedict. It can be worn on a chain around the neck, attached to one's rosary, kept in one's pocket or purse, or placed in one's car or home. The medal is often put into the foundations of houses and building, on the walls of barns and sheds, or in one's place of business.

The purpose of using the medal in any of the above ways is to call down God's blessing and protection upon us, wherever we are, and upon our homes and possessions, especially through the intercession of St. Benedict. By the conscious and devout use of the medal, it becomes, a constant silent prayer and reminder to us of our dignity as followers of Christ.

The medal is a prayer of exorcism against Satan, a prayer for strength in time of temptation, a prayer for peace among ourselves and among the nations of the world, a prayer that the Cross of Christ be our light and guide, a prayer of firm rejection of all that is evil, a prayer of petition that we may with Christian courage "walk in God's ways, with the Gospel as our guide," as St. Benedict urges us.

A profitable spiritual experience can be ours if we but take the time to study the array of inscriptions and representations found on the two sides of the medal. The lessons found there can be pondered over and over to bring true peace of mind and heart into our lives as we struggle to overcome the weaknesses of our human nature and realize that our human condition is not perfect, but that with the help of God and the intercession of the saints our condition can become better.

The Medal of St. Benedict can serve as a constant reminder of the need for us to take up our cross daily and "follow the true King, Christ our Lord," and thus learn "to share in his heavenly kingdom," as St. Benedict urges us in the Prolog of his Rule.

Source: http://www.osb.org/gen/medal.html

St. Benedict One Decade Rosary with Devil Chasing Medal

This St. Benedict Medal is on a beautiful garnet one decade rosary:

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/570835599/handmade-garnet-one-decade-rosary-with?ref=shop_home_active_1

Saint Jude the Apostle

I added two St. Jude Chaplets in my Etsy store, Let Our Light Shine, this week.  If you have someone who is praying with hope for a particular suffering or request, one of these chaplets may be for you.
I make the items God lays on my heart.  God Bless.  Jen

https://www.etsy.com/listing/556658050/saint-jude-chaplet-st-jude-rosary-patron?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/556662654/saint-jude-chaplet-st-jude-rosary-patron?ref=listing-shop-header-0

https://www.etsy.com/listing/571349679/handmade-saint-jude-chaplet-st-jude?ref=shop_home_active_1

Miraculous Medal - The Story and Symbolism

On many of my rosaries I have the Miraculous Medal as my centerpiece. If you ever had questions about what each of the symbols mean, this may be a great explanation for you. I found it on Pinterest and have it saved under Holy Rosaries on my Let Our Light Shine on Pinterest site.

God Bless,
Jen

Chaplet of the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - The Holy Family

https://www.etsy.com/listing/482968359/handmade-holy-family-chaplet-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/470391369/chaplet-of-the-holy-family-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_2

Prayers:

Introductory Prayers on the Crucifix:

Blessed by Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed by the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed by St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.

On the first set of three beads - Our Fathers - In honor of Jesus.
On the second set of three beads - Hail Marys - In honor of Mary.
On the third set of three beads - Glory Bes - In the honor of Joseph.

Concluding Prayer on the Holy Family medal:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you!  Save souls!

Chaplet of Our Lady of Czestochowa

I recently added the chaplet of Our Lady of Czestochowa to my Etsy collection. Below are the  suggested prayers. God Bless.  Jen

https://www.etsy.com/listing/474896358/handmade-our-lady-of-czestochowa-chaplet?ref=shop_home_active_4

Our tradition explains that Mother Mary sat for the portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa as Luke the Evangelist painted her beautiful portrait.  The painting was found by St. Helen who brought it to her son, the Roman emperor Constantine.  In 1382, it was taken to Poland and made it through numerous attacks against the Polish people. Our Lady of Czestochowa is also known as the Black Madonna.

Prayers:

On the nine beads, say:

The Our Father - 3 times
The Hail Mary - 3 times
The Glory Be - 3 times

Concluding prayer:

O Almighty and merciful God! You gave the Polish nation a wondrous help and defense in the most holy Virgin Mary and You honored Her sacred image at Jasna Gora with remarkable veneration of the faithful.
Grant in Your mercy that, under Her protection, we may struggle confidently throughout our lives and at the moment of death be victorious over our enemy.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

Lady of Jasna Gora, our Mother, Queen of the Polish nation! Trusting in your maternal goodness and powerful intercession with your Son, we place before you our humble prayers and petitions.  To you we commend all our needs, in particular... (your intention), and all children of the Polish Nation whether in their native land or elsewhere in the world.
Amen.

(Referenced: 2006 The Rosary Shop)