A Little About Spirit Locks

A Little About Spirit Locks

While we try to record all the information we find, some things do get lost. I found some old notes on spirit locks (at least four years old), which may be of better use if shared, this is unedited, and I think I’ve written a better version else where, but I will get to recording that later.

The spirit locks are strung with the loops on the top, not with an external loop or bar. They are in a traditional padlock shape to help keep the soul within the body. So, they are used to basically to “lock” the soul (which resides in a person’s head) in the body.

They are traditionally worn to the back of a person, similar to a clasp.

It is good luck to give new born babies spirit locks to protect them from evil spirits that might try to steal the child’s spirit away.

In ancient Thai culture, if a spirit becomes unhappy it will leave the body to go back to live in the forests. A person can loose their spirit when they are frightened or in times of great stress. Loosing your spirit does not actually mean dying, a person without his or her spirit will loose their Charisma, and they will be unable to focus.

Featured Villager: Noi-tu

Noi-tu is a village elder specializing in pendants which represented peacock feathers. Noi-tu's charms are carefully made from silver wire that are cut and hammered into shape. His new feather charms are perfect companions for anklets and organic pieces.

See some of Noi-tu's work:

Peacock Feathers

Spear Charms (shorter)

Spear Charms (longer)

June Coupon Code: Clasps

Hi Everyone!
I’m sorry that this month’s coupon code is a little late. We have some new clasps available.

Use the coupon code: june01 and get 10% off each of the following clasps.

• Please use this coupon code during checkout.
• Place it into the 'coupon code' form field located under the order subtotal.
• Valid until July 5th, 2006.
• The coupon code is to be used with purchases off http://www.shiana.com only. eBay and eBay store wins are not included.

104040113

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Bling Ring Bases

Bling Ring Bases Now Available!

As requested, bling ring bases that match the simple summer print rings are here. These can be opened up to enlarge the ring size.

[Bling Ring Bases]

Featuring: Bollywood Cha Cha Fringe Bracelet from Fairy Flash Designs

Featuring the Bollywood Cha Cha Fringe Bracelet from Fairy Flash Designs!

Bright lampwork, Swarovski crystals and vintage Lucite create a splash of color for this very summery bracelet. Shiana Silver (Thai Karen Silver) bells add sound while the purity toggle secures this piece.

See this bracelet and other unique items at Fariy Flash Designs Etsy store!

Purchase components at Shiana:
Bells

Purity Toggles

A small note: The Shiana Purity Toggles are made from pure unrefined silver and stamped 'Shiana .999" for quality assurance. These pieces are all hand crafted by our Thai Karen Hill Tribe village artisans under fair trade regulations.

April Coupon Code

Hi there!

We have a brand new code for you, today!

Coupon code: april01

• You will recieve 10% off the following items.
• Please use this coupon code during checkout.
• Place it into the 'coupon code' form field located under the order subtotal.
• Valid until May 5th, 2006.
• The coupon code is to be used with purchases off http://www.shiana.com/ only. eBay and eBay store wins are not included.

[104040103] [W104040103]

[W102070037]

[104040102]

[103070049]

[102070037]

Please send a message to angie@shiana.com if you need any assistance!

Warmest wishes,

-Angie T.-

Shiana.com

"Happiness needs not be perfect..."

Last week I picked up a silver charm from one of the Karen artisans. I was one I must have seen years ago but passed on ordering then. It was a simple flat coin charm with the word happiness on it, but upon closer inspection you could see a slight misspelling.

[Happiness / Happinss]

The letters were not uniform, so there was a good chance that this charm was decorated with nothing more than chisels and a good old hammer. I thought it was wonderful, and it reminded me instantly of everything great about the village. After all, isn't happiness what you make of it?

Featuring Nija

Shiana's featured artist is Nija, a silversmith behind some of our most popular pendants, like the rising sun, new day song, and ying-yang coils.

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When you live and work with so many other artisans, it is difficult to not fall into the same path of making similiar items. Nija and his wife however, seem to have found inspiration in their partnership.

"Like many other [Karen] artisans, I like to draw most of my inspiration from nature. I made flower antlers, and leaf printed bead caps. But it was when my wife began making necklaces for our children that things took off.

I learned alot from her... the importance of balancing the pendants and finding different ways to conect them. We then started creating pieces that would challenge people by using open spaces and jumprings. I knew we had a good design when my wife could use the items in at least four completely different ways."

Nija's charms are easily incorporated into chains or other fiber stringing materials. His best selling item is the New Day Song Charms.

New Clasps

We just came back with a few new toggles and a clasp to help you finish up your pieces. These are already up on the http://www.shiana.com/ website and should be on eBay soon. You can find them by searching for their product numbers on our store searches. For a discount, type in the cupon code: 'march01' during checkout to recieve 10% off these featured clasps. The code works with store purchases only--offer ends 4/5/2006.

[104040098]

[104040097]

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If you're not into making, but into wearing; Try Deevaa Jewellery f0r handmade beaded necklaces and bracelets.