Personalized Christmas Ornaments

This rabbit on a pine cone is the latest addition to my little Christmas tree this year.

Personalized Christmas Ornaments

Giving, or receiving, Christmas ornaments with a personal subject or theme, is a wonderful way to give someone a very nice personal gift, especially if its someone starting their household graduating from college, or getting married.

A friend of mine started her son on a collection of ornaments when he was born, giving him an ornament every year and dating them. As he got older, he could refer to the ornament and ask about why he received the various ornaments by referring to the respective years. 

Although I don't have anyone I give an ornament to every year, I do add a date to the ones I give, as well as adding a location so the recipient has a memory jog when they see it. 

This is a good gift idea for last-minute shoppers because Christmas ornaments are usually still available if they can think of an appropriate theme for the particular ornament.

So it was with a smile that I unpacked this rabbit ornament sitting on a pinecone gift from a friend this week. The ornament has been added to my other outdoor-themed Christmas decorations and is a wonderful reminder that personalized gifts can be as simple as this little gift and will be appreciate for years to come.

Charlotte

Handmade Snowman Holiday Card

Doesn't the card snowman look happy to be hanging out with other snowmen on my mantle?

Handmade Snowman Holiday Card

Someone has been very busy, I thought as I slid the card out of the envelope. The smiling snowman dressed in blue was charming, the glitter snow covering the whole front of the card.

I checked the envelope and sure enough, it was a handmade card from a friend who has moved north but always liked getting Christmas cards. What a better prompt to get a card than to send one?

I can remember the days when the mailbox was packed full of cards. Over the years, I have saved some of my favorites to hang on one of my fireplace mantels. Now I am extra glad I did because cards are few and far between now.

One of the factors is cost. I was standing in the checkout line at the post office and almost gasped out loud at a $4 price tag on one card. The lady behind me chuckled. "Been awhile since you've bought a card," she said, more as a statement than a question.

At those prices, a card becomes a little personalized gift all by itself, I thought, passing up one of a dog holding a big stick with Christmas lights all over it. I know a dog that would bring me such a stick if he had not moved out west.

So thank you, Deb, for this charming handmade snowman card, it's going on my mantle with my other little snowman-related scene. It will be a part of my little mantle village for Christmases to come.

Let it snow!

Charlotte

December Birth Stone: Turquoise

My physical therapist Kellys' beautiful Persian turquoise gold ring.

December Birth Stone Turquoise

My Outpatient Therapist Kelly wears the most beautiful Persian turquoise gold ring. Persian turquoise, she tells me, doesn't have the striation lines that we normally associate with this stone.

Turquoise has been mined in Iran, formerly known as Persia, for more than 5,000 years.  Although Iranian production accounts for just a small proportion of the world's total output, Iranian turquoise still sets the standard for quality.

In Iran, turquoise is called “Ferozah," which translated means "victory."  It is Iran's national gemstone. 

It is believed that the first specimens of turquoise to which the Europeans were exposed probably came from Iran via trading posts in Turkey.  

The best of Iranian turquoise is rich blue, with less matrix than most turquoise mined elsewhere.  It is also distinguished by white patches.  Turquoise is never a hard mineral, but Iranian turquoise is usually harder than turquoise mined in other locations. 

Today, only the turquoise coming from the Southwest U.S. comes close to Iranian turquoise in color richness and beauty.

Not sure what to wrap it in? Add a little jewelry box with a surprise inside.

Charlotte

December Gift Flower: Poinsettia

Poinsettia or narcissus are December's gift flower. Where I live, only poinsettia are easily found.

December Gift Flower: Poinsettia

At least in mid-Missouri, the only Narcissus anyone is going to find is either at a florist or forced to grow inside. It's winter, and most daffodils, and narcissus, bloom outside here in spring. So although some gift guides list narcissus as the December gift flower, the alternate is poinsettia, a much easier plant to find in the middle of a midwest winter.

The red colors on these popular Christmas plants for holiday decor are actually leaves that have been deprived of light and turned from green to red. These days you can also get poinsettias in white, pink and marble colors, products of a hybridizer playing with the teeny tiny center flowers.

Pink leaves tinged with white circle the tiny poinsettia flowers in the center.

Originally from Mexico

The poinsettia is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who lived from 1779 to 1851. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico 1825-1829 by President James Madison. Poinsett had attended medical school himself, but his real love was botany.

Poinsett maintained his own hothouses on his Greenville, South Carolina plantations, and while visiting the Taxco area of Mexico in 1828, became enchanted by the brilliant red blooms he saw there. He immediately sent some of the plants back to South Carolina, where he began propagating the plants and sending them to friends and botanical gardens.

Among the recipients of Poinsett's work was John Bartram of Philadelphia, who in turn gave the plant over to another friend, Robert Buist, a Pennsylvania nurseryman. Mr. Buist is thought to be the first person to have sold the plant under its botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima. It is thought to have become known by its more popular name of poinsettia around 1836, the origin of the name recognizing the man who first brought the plant to the United States.

Poinsettias today are available in several colors including white as well as red and pink tones.

Take Extra Care When Buying and Taking Home

In Mexico City, where I lived early in life, I remember poinsettia trees in our backyard so they can grow quite large in the right tropical conditions. In other words, when you pick one up at the grocery store to take home, make sure to wrap it up in brown paper...no wait, better yet, take a blanket in with you and wrap the plant in the blanket to prevent it from getting exposed to the elements. I'm quite serious. Too many people have passed on half-dying poinsettias to me just because they were exposed to cold for a few minutes.

With a little care, diffused sunlight, and not too much water, these lovely plants can give you their red, pink and white leaves for many more holidays, and birthdays, to come.

Charlotte

Personalized Noah's Ark Baby Quilt

Personalized Noah's Ark baby quilt is based on a German quilt design in Williamsburg Collection.

Personalized Noah's Ark Baby Quilt

It's so much fun to hear from our repeat customers and this personalized baby quilt was for one of our early ones.

The customer selected Noah's Ark baby quilt because it was from the Williamsburg, Va. collection. The re-enactment village Williamsburg simulates what life was like when European settlers arrived in North America. The new baby was born in nearby Chesapeake, so the quilt design being from nearby Williamsburg held special meaning.

The baby's name is "Edmund," which we custom embroidered at the top of Noah's Ark baby quilt in 2 inch letters in navy blue thread. 

The bear is ready to deliver best wishes to a new arrival when the baby quilt arrives.

Our personalized baby quilts are shipped with a toy, in this case a little beige bear that complimented the Noah's Ark baby quilt colors. I added a quilt care guide to the ribbon around the quilt, and the free gift tag to the bear so it would be prominently-seen when the box was unwrapped. 

Gift bear is tucked in for a nap during his trip to meet his new baby boy.

To make sure all of our toys make a comfortable trip, I tuck them inside the quilt. It's a perfect place to nap as they make their safe journey to their new home with best wishes that this baby quilt becomes a favorite napping quilt.

Welcome to the world, Edmund!

Charlotte

100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names Book

One of my favorite reads before going to bed, hard to beat drifting off thinking about flowers!

100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names

I collect gardening books and this is one of my favorites. 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names is part history, part horticulture, part interesting tidbits. It's the perfect book to read before going to sleep, short chapters one can read individually or move through several in one sitting.

Each flower is illustrated so if you don't know what the flower is called, you can easily identify it.

Written by Diana Wells and illustrated by Ippy Patterson, this is a charming flower gift book any gardener, and flower lover, will enjoy.

Here's a tiny bit of the introduction:

"We do not read of flowers in the Garden of Eden, but of trees-trees that (except for one) were given to us as food. Nevertheless, those of us who plant flowers have, perhaps, a sneaking longing for Eden, made for our delight, a garden in which Adam was allowed to give names to everything. To name is to possess, as conquerors know. Or so we might wish."

Each flower description includes a lovely illustration.

The book was published in 1997 and includes some interesting tidbits. The back cover has some examples.

A sneak peek at some of the flowers featured in this small book.

You can pair this book with one of our quilts or throws for a nice gift set.This also makes a sweet gift book for a variety of occasions including birthdays, holidays and house warming.

How do I know?

Someone gave me my copy for my birthday!

Charlotte

Handmade Painted Quilt Blocks

Handmade Painted Quilt Blocks

One of the questions customers ask about custom quilts and throws is what can kids do to be included. The kids blocks are my favorites and I have two featured here for your inspiration.

The top block are flowers made out of hand prints. I love the little hearts that were added in the palms, the family member getting this custom throw will be reminded of the love that has been included.

The next painted quilt blocks is another personal favorite:

Butterfly feet, so cute and easy. Well, except for the holding still and the cleaning up after part, but quite clever.

These original quilt blocks will be printed onto fabric and included in a custom birthday throw for a special family member.

I can see these as handmade cards, pillows, even framed artwork signed by the artist.

Hope this gives you some inspiration for your youngsters, too!

Charlotte

November Gift Stone: Citrine

My favorite citrine earrings in silver with moonstones.

November Gift Stone: Citrine

Citrines remind me of the beauty of fall tree colors in North America. A member of the quartz family, citrines are hardy for every day wear and add a hint of elegance to any outfit.

Citrine is a transparent, yellow variety of Quartz, ranging in color from pale to golden yellow, honey or almost brown, and may contain rainbow or sparkle inclusions.

The name "Citrine" comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon. It was used as a gem in Greece as far back as 300 B.C., and because of its color, is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Gold Topaz, Madeira or Spanish Topaz, or Safranite.

According to Gemstones of the World, most of the commercial  Citrine on the market is heat-treated Amethyst or Smoky Quartz that produces an enhanced Citrine color, usually a deeper amber or orange-reddish shade. Although beautiful, I prefer the citrines that are closer to the gold tone colors. 

Most Natural Citrine is a pale yellow color. 

Charlotte

Making Noah's Ark Baby Quilt "Girlie"

We added custom embroidery in a matching burgundy color for a girl.urO

Making Noah's Ark Baby Quilt "Girlie"

This brand new, imported Noah's Ark Baby Quilt has been a favorite baby shower gift for several years. From the Williamsburg, Va. historic collection, the design is based on a German applique quilt in their museum collection.

Now our customers have selected this baby quilt as a gift for boys until now. The customer wanted me to make the quilt "girlie" by adding a baby girl's name and birth date. After looking at several options, I chose a complimentary burgundy thread and Diane Script in the space between the birds on top and the top of the ark.

I also added a bear I thought a little girl would like, a huggable honey-colored bear all set for winter with a dark red scarf. The free gift toy delivers the free quilt care guide and gift tag.

To make sure the bear was all set for her trip, the toy was carefully tucked into the baby quilt before I tucked it into a temporary plastic bag for the trip to their new home.

I also matched a gift bear with the quilt, this honey bear is ready for cold weather.

I love tucking the gift toys into the baby quilts before they are shipped. Sleep tight!

Welcome to the world, Peyton Lee!

Charlotte

PS Customer emailed me she was very happy with the personalized baby quilt, it was bigger than she expected. The shipping box, however, was opened and re-taped by the post office.That's why we ship our quilts in temporary plastic bags to keep them dry and clean during shipping.

Live Laugh Bark Photo Personalized Gift Idea

Live Laugh Bark Photo Personalized Gift Idea

When I saw this little photo frame in my local bank, I thought of all of my friends with dogs and how they would enjoy having one of these personalized frames with their favorite canine photo. How many of your friends have photos of their pets on their desks and homes? Mine, too!

The most challenging part would be getting the photo of the dog looking up. Having dog treats handy would help, and many enlist someone to hold the treat out of the photo shot while you take it should make this process easier.

If the mustache idea is too complicated, just get a good photo of the dog and add the Live * Laugh * Bark" on the bottom of the photo frame paper border. If you use paper, you can easily slip it over the photo mat, which is much thicker.

These would also make a nice throw pillow. So sweet and simple, and a wonderful personalized gift idea for any occasion!

Charlotte

November Gift Flower: Mums

These yellow mums were on sale at a local grocery store and have been blooming for a month.

November Gift Flower: Mums

The traditional gift flower gift for November is Chrysanthemum, also known as Mums.

In fall, mums are available in a wide range of colors and styles including white, red, burgundy, brown, orange and my favorite, yellow. I tend to buy plants on sale and mums are no exception. Once they stop blooming, stores tend to mark them down for a quick sale. Those mums can be planted, spent blooms removed and they will continue to bloom through the first frost. Water through winter to help them establish and you will have mums for years to come.

To keep them in bushy form, mums should be pinched through July 4 to encourage them to bush out for fall bloom. Mark a favorite calendar to remind yourself to keep them pinched until mid-summer.

Mums are a favorite plant to recommend for beginning gardeners because they are so easy to grow and bloom for a long time.

Daisy mums are getting rooted in my mum nursery at Bluebird Gardens.

Mums can also be started from cuttings, just make sure to use rooting hormone to give them a good boost. Plant in good soil and keep watered until plants root in approximately 2-4 weeks.

In the Language of Flowers, mums represent hope. Red mums represent love; yellow slighted love and white truth.

Mums are not considered gift flowers in the Orient, there it is considered a funeral flower.

Charlotte

October Gift Flower: Calendula

Dried calendula at a Turin, Italy market September 2016.

October Gift Flower: Calendula or Pot Marigolds

I had to go to Italy, it seems, to find actual Calendulas. They were dried ones but Calendulas nevertheless. What struck me was how bright the colors were even in dried form.

Commonly called pot marigolds, Calendula officinalis has long been a staple in British cottage gardens. Like traditional marigolds, petals of the calendula flower are used in cooking and were used as yellow coloring in cheeses and butters in centuries past.

When used in stews, broths and salads, petals of the calendula flower add a spicy taste similar to saffron to many dishes.

Flowers and leaves of the calendula may be dried and stored for later use.

In the vegetable garden, calendula draws aphids away from valuable plants.

While uses of calendula plants are diverse, growing calendula in the flower or herb garden is an optimum use of this attractive plant. Calendula plants are frost tolerant and somewhat cold hardy and add long-lasting color and beauty in a flower bed or container. 

Charlotte

Happy National Cat Day, October 29, 2016!

Bob cat, a very shy ragamuffin cat who keeps me company at Bluebird Gardens.

Happy National Cat Day!

"We" like to celebrate this special day at my house, although come to think about it, we do every day, too. Cats, as do most pets, add so much to our lives, from companionship to, in my case, a lot of laughs. No one who lives with a cat is surprised to hear cats are among the top searchable internet topics, the advantage we have is we don't have to search, they find us!

So in honor of this special event, National Dat Day, meet Bob. Bob was a feral I found at a nearby cemetery, all legs and ears and ribs. According to the vet, Bob was days away from death. I settled Bob in a closed off bathroom and tried to feed him for several days but his body rejected any nourishment and he started to loose his will to live.

On the third day, he was able to keep a little baby food down and the long road to recovery started. Today he is a happy, 12 year-old mess of a big cat, around 22 lbs. The vet said he looks like a Rag Doll, a breed developed in 1972 in Kansas City. Turns out Bob is a ragamuffin, a derivative of the breed. He has the large body, paws and sweet personality of the breed although my brother still calls him the badger. By comparison to his 18-year old buddy Margaret, Bob looks twice her size.

And no, I don't call Bob "bobcat." As the vet said, that would be very misleading since there is nothing wild and adventurous about this fur bundle, his favorite pastime is snuggling.

Unfortunately not too many people get to meet, or even see Bob, Bob hides when someone else comes in the house so enjoy this rare sighting and kiss your cat to celebrate their special day. Meow!

Charlotte

A Gift of a Sewing Room You Can Close Off

Bluebird Gardens fabric stash and sewing room is in a deep closet with folding doors.

A Gift of a Sewing Room You Can Close Off

One of the vivid memories I have growing up is of my mother having to tear down her sewing machine every night. She sometimes used the kitchen table to sew, which meant her time in the space was limited to a few hours, not counting the time it took to set up and take down.

If you ask any quilter, or crafter, one of their dreams is having a place where they can set up their machines, and associated sundries, and not have to take them down. So if you are wanting to give a quilter a wonderful thoughtful gift, think about the gift of a sewing room that doesn't have to be constantly torn down and set up. 

Closet Area

The space doesn't have to be generous. Mine is set up in a closet where I added shelving so I can have my fabric stashes close by. I also added a light under the shelving closest to the butcher block table, a hand-me-down from my mother's sewing room, where my sewing machines sit. A needlepointed piano stool provides seating, and plastic containers on nearby shelves keep my bobbins, scissors and other accessories handy.

When I am through, all I have to do is turn off the lights and close the door. There is no need to take everything down, no loss of time setting things back up and loosing one's place in a project. I can do that a lot if I don't have a place to keep track of everything.

Spare Bedroom

Another option is to make a spare bedroom into a sewing and craft room. You can still keep the bedroom available for guests by changing the bed into a sofa bed. Adding a good working table along one wall, and another table with good lighting for sewing machines, and you have a good start.

Leave the details to the recipient so they can set it up to their preferences.

If you want to add something special, hang a throw or quilt on a wall for decoration, such as a  sewing spools quilt as a quilted wall hanging. Using dowel rods to hang the quilt, they will be handy when the quilter finishes making their first quilt and wants to display it. The first quilt is always very special.

What do you think, know someone who would love to have this kind of room as a gift?

Charlotte

September Gift Flower: Asters

Purple asters add color when there is not much blooming at Bluebird Gardens.

September Gift Flower: Asters

I can't get enough asters in my fall garden. The bluish-purple, daisy-like flowers add a pop of color when little else is in bloom and are very easy to grow. They also look like tiny daisies, one of my favorite all-time flowers.

This easy perennial grows in sun or partial shade.

I have both a domestic and wild variety. Aster plants height ranges from 8 inches to 8 feet, depending on the type. I trim some of mine mid-summer so they don't get too tall. They are better bushy, that encourages more flowers.

Asters work well in borders, rock gardens, and wildflower gardens. They are good pollen sources for butterflies and bees.

Close-up of a purple aster in bloom at Bluebird Gardens.

Asters are also the gift flower for September. In the Language of Flowers, asters represent variety and spontaneous impulse. Of all of the monthly gift flowers, this one has the most interesting folklore. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, asters are good for chasing off serpents!

Another benefit, finding asters on sale!

This year, I found several aster plants on sale and added them to a new flower bed. I cut off the flowers to encourage more growth and made sure they were mulched. What's better than a September gift flower? It's one on sale!

Asters are wonderful cut flowers, too!

Charlotte

Sur-PRISE Lily Gifts

Sur-PRISELily Gifts

If you need a less than ordinary gift from the garden, try surprise lilies. These North American cousins to the traditional holiday flowering gift Amaryllis bloom mid-July through August and have a colorful arsenal of names - glory lilies, resurrection lilies and the more provocative naked ladies.

Bulbs are planted in fall so they can get established through winter. Once spring starts to unfold, the long, rounded leaves sprout out of the ground to collect energy in the bulbs.

Surprise lily leaves appear in spring, then die back until the flowers bloom mid-July.

About mid-July, the flower buds pop out of the ground without any greenery around them.

Surprise lily buds pop out of the ground mid-July without any greenery around them.

Within days, the flower stalks are 2-3 feet tall with unfolding buds at the top. Some stalks have only a couple of flowers, others may have several.

My surprise lily bulbs blooming into stalks with several buds per stalk.

My surprise lilies bloom in waves, starting mid-July through early September. The ones southwest bloom first. The bulbs on the north side of the house bloom last, giving me almost a one month blooming season.

Cut surprise lilies make lovely scented gifts. Select tall bases to better display their long stalks.

To give as gifts, place a small bouquet with long stems in a flower vase with water. Add a card explaining what they are. "Enjoy these naked ladies" always gets a response.

I dried surprise lilies from a neighbor's yard and share bags with gardening friends.

You can also dry surprise lily bulbs once they have finished blooming and stalks turn yellow. Once dry, store in a cool place until you can either gift them or plant them in the ground.

 Most garden centers offer the bulbs for sale in the fall along with other spring-flowering bulbs.

Charlotte

White Cat Plant Stand Gift

The white cat plant stand gift next to the inspiration for the color, Margaret my 18-year old cat.

White Cat Plant Stand Gift

It was delightful to be on the recipient end of a charming and thoughtful birthday gift that came from spending time with a good friend. It's the kind of strategy I recommend to potential customers who call for gift ideas but aren't sure what to select. 

My Navy friend, Margaret, and I had visited the Missouri Botanical Garden a few months ago. During the visit, we stopped by a nearby garden store and I passed up buying a wire cat-shaped plant stand that had caught my eye. At the time I thought I would have to move and I didn't want yet another thing to pack.

Margaret, however, remembered the lingering stop. Months later, the metal cat stand showed up at my house, painted white in honor of her namesake, an 18-year old white Siamese-mix cat who keeps me company when she's not lounging on my deck supervising lizards.

Margaret, the friend, loves cats but is allergic to them so she gets to live vicariously through my feline adventures with her namesake. To think of all of these years laughing at Margaret the cat, I now have a reminder for my deck as well. 

In these days of rapid fire living, being a good listener can offer a number of gift suggestions.

Margaret friend sprayed the metal cat plant stand white to match the white cat named after her.

If you find something you like except for the color, spray paint it. This cat stand was the original grey metal. The white paint turned it into a custom gift with very little cost and effort.

Margaret the cat decides the photo shoot is over, she has lizards to watch.

Whether it's a gift you make, or one that you buy, making it personal doesn't have to be difficult. I can personally attest to how special this kind of gift can be!

Thank you, Margaret!

Charlotte

August Gift Flower: Gladiolus

Pink gladiolus in a vase at my local favorite Japanese restaurant.

August Gift Flower: Gladiolus

Yet another reason why I love this Japanese restaurant where I live. In addition to wonderful food, they keep gladiolus in vases by the check out. It seems people either love or hate these beautiful annual flowers from sub-Sahara Africa. 

I used to associate these flowers with funeral arrangements until one of my brothers confessed he loved these flowers, too. He has planted several dozen in his flower bed, daylilies fronting the bed and hiding the bottom of the flower stems.

In the Victorian Era language of flowers, Gladiolus is considered the Flower of the Gladiators. It symbolizes character strength, sincerity, and generosity. It also symbolizes “love at first sight" so if a bouquet shows up on your desk full of gladiolus, a romance may be starting.

How to Care for Gladiolus

Gladiolus are sold as corms in bags mid-spring. They are planted after all danger of frost has passed, usually Mother's Day.

Once planted, their leaves reminiscent of Iris will grow, followed by flower stalks. Gladiolus don't always sit up on their own so they sometimes need to be tied to support, especially after a good rain storm. 

After blooming has finished for the season, leave the foliage in place. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulb for the future. Water as needed. Leaves and stalks may be removed when they yellow.

f you live in an area where your glads aren't winter hardy and you want to save them for next spring, dig the corms after the first frost, cut the stems to 2", wash the soil off, dry for a few days and then store in a cool place in paper bags or cardboard boxes filled with peat moss.

Your gladiolus will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle in the spring.

There is now a more hardy gladiolus on the market, one that doesn't have to be dug up if winter temperatures don't get below -10F. Haven't tried those yet, have you?

Charlotte

Personalized Wedding Flower Gifts

One of the lovely centerpieces at the July 23, 2016 wedding of a dear friend's son in Kansas City.

Personalized Wedding Flower Gifts

There is nothing quite like a wedding, bringing two families and their related friends together for a celebration of the joining of two hearts. I am a bit of a romantic at these events, and one of the things I enjoy, besides meeting people, is the flowers.

At this wedding, the flowers were white and pink, the bride's favorite color. Pink tea and floribunda roses and carnations honored the bride's spirit, interspersed with white mums and hydrangeas among a sea of greenery. Reminded me of the green double wedding ring quilt I like to give as a wedding gift.

I had a hard time not leaning over at every reception table to try to catch a whiff of the flower scents.

Other guests also seemed to enjoy the arrangements. Towards the end of the evening, the flower arrangement at my table started to show bald spots.

The centerpiece at my table started to develop bald spots towards the end of the evening.

 I watched as one of the guests left with one of the pink roses tucked in her purse.

Next thing I knew, mother of the groom is asking me to help collect the flowers so she could give them away as thank you gifts. Such a lovely gesture as family and friends left with a lovely floral memento of the beautiful evening.

Tuck in a seating card. I took my table seating card, too to use as a book mark. Such wonderful memories!

Charlotte

July Birth Stone: Ruby

Red butterfly gift earrings sitting on a chocolate soldier plant.

July Birth Stone: Ruby

If you are a July baby, then red rubies are your birth stone, inspiration for personalized gifts for your birthday.

Rubies in good quality are hard, and expensive, to find. Ruby is the red variety of the mineral corundum, one of the hardest minerals on Earth. Rubies are cousins to sapphires. Pure corundum is colorless. Slight traces of elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the color. Only red corundum is entitled to be called ruby, all other colors being classified as sapphires.

Since they are so hard to find, a piece of jewelry in red like our vintage strawberry pin meets the spirit of the red birth stone without making a dent in your budget.

Charlotte