Ying Yu Jade
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Three very special Daily Specials for the end of the year. Thanks for your support of Ying Yu Jade. Many small businesses closed this year, but we've been able to keep going trusting the economy will improve and selling the kind of jade people love, at a variety of prices. Thank you so much, and best wishes to you for a wonderful final day of 2010. December 31
I'm deciding which jade bangle I'm going to wear New Year's Eve, to a dinner and party. Chinese consider it auspicious to wear "fu lu shou" three color jade during the new year: fu lu and shou the gods of luck, happiness, and health. YYJ has a small collection of fu lu shou jadeite bangle bracelets purchased at least 6 years ago when it was possible to purchase genuine and natural jade this color. Yes, they are pricey but they are special. And you can even get a $100 discount on this collection with coupon code FULUSHOU good through January 1. Since these are older jade bangles, the photos were taken with my older camera and the real thing is MUCH nicer than the photos. December 30
I'm finishing reading Cha Dao, the way of tea and have been enjoying tea more especially since it is SO COLD now. I've added an extra cup in the afternoon instead of eating a snack. Tea gets rid of body fat, so skipping the snack AND drinking the tea makes me feel good, tea is truly "liquid jade". The author has spent much time in China, and is a good story teller, and I've enjoyed reading some of the ancient, and not so ancient, stories about China, tea and Dao. December 29
If you missed "Make an Offer" day yesterday, you can still make an offer on jade bangles $350+ today and tomorrow, use this form. If you are like me, your schedule is really different this week, between Christmas and New Year and time gets away from you. I've done most of my shopping online, but have gone to some of the stores yesterday to WAIT IN LINE to check out with some of those values I found. Online, there is no waiting. How did we shop before online shopping?? December 28
JadeBangleBracelets web site will close for its make-over tomorrow. If you've visited today, you might have found things missing or "not found" as we have started some of the work. Will let you know when it's up and running again. December 27
Before we close the JBB web site for redesign, we'll have our very rare "Make an Offer" day on both web sites, jade bangles $350+. We're not a "discount" jade web site, so Make an Offer day is a chance for you to get a jade bangle you really want at a great price. I've received emails from some readers telling me they have Christmas money to spend on jade, didn't really get what they hoped for Christmas, so a great time to have this special. Make an Offer click here. December 26
After our Christmas break, we're going to close and completely re-do the JadeBangleBracelets web site. Some of the jade bangles will be removed and we're working on a different look and philosphy to this web site. If there is a jade bangle you have been thinking about getting, this would be a good time to purchase it using the coupon as listed below. One of my jade selling goals has been to have professional web sites with jade in a variety of price ranges for every budget. The embargo against jadeite is still in effect, and this makes the fine quality lao pit old mine jadeite bangles already in our inventory more valuable, but there is still a good supply of other quality jade and jadeite in our reserves and we want to make all of our jade available to customers at the best prices we can offer. This past year, Ying Yu Jade website has focused on the Chinese jade health tools, such as jade rollers, gua sha tools and the jade ben wa balls and eggs for women. This deep commitment we have to jade and wellness will continue as we offer more of these kinds of products both for individual sales and for spas and wellness clinics throughout the world on Ying Yu Jade. We listen to feedback from out customers and are working to providing the kind of product at the quality you expect. Jade is part of the Dao, and Dao is change, life is change, this change will be good. December 24
Best wishes to you for a very happy holiday. If you didn't get that jade bangle you really want, get it now with $25 off jade bangles $300+ coupon code BANGLE25, Ying Yu Jade and JadeBangleBracelets web site. A gift to yourself and a nice discount. December 23
A Calm Spirit reader asked what the best energy for not overeating during the holidays would be. According to Chinese medicine, the spleen is the organ related to managing weight and balancing eating. The color that heals the spleen is yellow, or honey color. The emotion that harms the spleen is worry. So if you want to balance your spleen, wear yellow, citrine, honey colors, focus on your spleen and imagine it a brilliant yellow color, and practice acceptance instead of worrying. Today's Special is a honey natural color Chinese river jade bangle that is a good example of the color to wear to balance the spleen. I ordered these prior to the holidays for the purpose of reminding readers about color and energy for the spleen, and this is a good time to mention the health properties of this kind of jade. December 22
I listed some carved jadeite bangles I have had for several years on the web site today. It's so extremely difficult to take a good photo of carved jade, to get all the detail, plus accurate color and show translucency. That's why I have many in inventory and not on the web site. But they are popular this time of year, for New Year and Chinese New Year coming up, women really love to wear them for the symbolism of the carving as well as the jade qi energy. The "real thing" is much much nicer than the photos show. I like the bat, symbol of happiness, for the holidays, seems just right to me. Dec 21
I have to repeat myself: a gift of jade is always welcome. Every time I'm talking with someone about a gift I need for a special occasion, they always look at me like I'm crazy and tell me to give one of my jade items, because everybody loves a gift of jade. Whether it's a fabulous jade bangle bracelet for jewelry, or a jade roller, even jade ben wa balls, these are all unique items you can give not only for Christmas, but anytime. They are unique, natural, one of a kind, and very special. So yes, I will repeat this because if you just don't know what to get, a jade item is always welcome. December 20
December 20 is the final day you can order to get your USPS priority mail shipment delivered by Christmas. Orders placed December 20 get shipped no later than December 21. December 22 orders can be shipped by USPS Express mail but there's a small possibility they might not arrive by Christmas. International order EMS express have a 50/50 chance of arriving if ordered TODAY. If you need your order by Christmas, order ASAP, we don't want you to be disappointed. December 19
Yesterday the nights of freezing temperatures were done, for awhile, and we uncovered the plants we hoped to save. Unfortunately, we lost quite a few plants, including a gorgeous big red poinsettia I have been fussing with all year to get it to bloom at just the right time. I was really upset and depressed about all the loss. But it was a lesson in "attachments and impermanence", both Daoist and Buddhist, that all unhappiness is caused by being attached to material things, thoughts, belief, because they are all impermanent. And conversely, that's what makes certain things, according to Dao, so very precious, because they are impermanent. Our time with people, things, and our time on earth. I need to be reminded of this. Even jade, which is stone and hard, can be returned to dust. But the jade qi of any jade we wear all the time, stays with us and mingles with our qi, life force. December 17
Japanese people
have a special love of jade, and many Japanese jade lovers appreciate
the natural-ness of jade stone and regard all the inclusions, lines, variations
in color and in carving, even natural cracks with a deep love. A Japanese
jade loving friend once referred to it as the "wabi sabi" of
jade, . a Zen concept, which I want to share a Wikipedia explanation.
"The word wabi connotes rustic simplicity, freshness or quietness
and can be applied to both natural and human made objects, or understated
elegance. It can also refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process
of construction which add uniqueness and elegance to the object. Sabi
is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life the object and
its impermanence are evidenced in its patina and wear, or in any visibile
repair". I'm looking at a jade pendant a customer returned because
it was "cracked and damaged" and it has a small natural jade
line that is not a crack, and a little roughness around a turn that the
carver left and adds to the uniqueness of this one-of-a-kind hand crafted
piece, not machine made but artistically made. The carver used the natural
inclusions and lines to give the design life and texture. It's beautiful,
but if you demand "perfection" you will never be happy with
jade. If you understand the Zen wabi sabi thought, you will love
your jade even more. December 15
Yesterday's quote is from a book Cha Dao, the way of tea, tea as a way of life by Solala Towler, who is also the publisher of Empty Vessel magazine, about Dao. I enjoy tea more in colder weather, and take more time with the process of making and drinking tea. The book is a splendid blend of tea and Dao, and I've been savoring the book, reading a little each day. I prefer loose tea, and drink a cup of green tea daily, and it really does feel like "liquid jade", internally. Tea is from nature, jade is from nature, and they both are what you make of them. Both precious. December 14
From Beatrice Hohenegger's book Liquid Jade:" The ancient Chinese healers believe that the spirit and essense of the Great Mother Goddess flowed from the center of the Earth into plants and minerals. They collected and experimented with herbs and stones thought to contain varying degrees of 'soul substance' which was beneficial for health and longevity. The plants and stones that stored up the greatest amount of soul substance were the ones with good color. Jade, for example, was considered very powerful on account of its brilliant shades of green. The good color may be what attracted healers also to the luscious evergreen tea plant and might explain why, in China, tea is a beverage came to be known as the 'froth of liquid jade', in hone of the much revered magical stone." We blog readers always knew jade and tea go together and are the finest things in life. Dec 13
Every day I have to get in my email accounts and delete many "sale" emails. I shop online often and as the holidays approach, every day there is a "super sale" which makes me wonder if I should wait to buy at the next super sale, and wish I didn't have to spend so much time with these emails. If you subscribe to the newsletter option, you will also notice you get one email a month from Ying Yu Jade, and we don't fill your mailbox daily with unwanted advertising. Our prices are not artificially marked up to have super sales all the time. This week we will offer the Daily Deal, so if you want to see what's on sale, don't look in your email box, but save the Daily Special in your favorites. December 12
I've been hearing on the news that many people who used to use their credit cards to make all their purchases now are choosing to not use their credit cards and are paying in cash. YYJ has accepted payments by money order for customers who either don't have a credit card or choose not to use their credit card, and it works out fine. International customers, outside USA, may pay by either Western Union or Money Gram money transfer. The order form now has an option to place your order and pay with a money order, or if outside USA, contact us to arrange your payment by Western Union or Money Gram. Trying to keep up with the trends! December 10
Today armed with
my jade "tiger tooth" pendant I
set out to finish up most of my holiday shopping, and succeeded, until
I got home and found out we had a couple more social obligations that
required gifts.
I picked up my mail and was headed home when a neighbor asked me to stop
by and see a piece of jade he had for a long time and wondered if it was
"worth anything". My jaw dropped when I saw it, and the "bad
Kathleen" wanted to say that no, it was worthless and I'd take it
off his hands. Jade seems to find me wherever I go! The old fei cui jadeite
cabochon pin is gorgeous, I haven't seen a jadeite cabochon of such great
quality in a long time. And that's how it came to be the Daily Special.
I couldn't wait to show you and offer it. I have to say, it's tempting
me and it won't be on the Ying Yu Jade web site for long. A great price,
too. December 9
Yesterday I wrote about the hassles of holiday shopping. I decided to offer a jade "tiger tooth" as the Daily Special today to give us power as we go out in the holiday traffic and shopping centers. I attached one to my handbag to rub when I start to get frustrated, to remind me of the calming energy of jade, but also for the strength of Tiger to get me through the hassles with grace. Free shipping, too, what a deal! December 8
I think the holiday
craziness is falling on us fast. Trying to get my holiday and personal
shopping for the holiday done, I'm getting terrible customer service.
Sunday I went to the Lancome counter in a Belk store to try a new make
up, the saleswoman didn't have some of the samples and wasn't willing
to get them, and was out of the gift, so I left empty handed. Today I
went to Lancome at Macy's, tried the samples but they were sold out of
the shade I needed. I was quite surprised as Lancome is a "big business",
to have rude sales people AND product problems was unexpected. The good
thing that came out of this experience is reminding me to be extra nice
to customers during this hectic time. I ordered a belt from Belk on "Black
Friday" and I just got it today! It wasn't shipped until last Friday.
I promise I will ship your order by the next business day AND send you
a pleasant thank you note! But I highly recommend you order early, because
the US Postal service is already getting really, really slow and careless.
BUT we do offer Express Mail if you wait til the last minute and need
that gift fast.
December 7
I received a lot of emails about white jade/jadeite last week after writing about white jadeite bangle bracelets. I neglected to write about the energy of white jade. In Chinese medicine, the color white is related to the lungs and lung qi, and is the healing color for grief and sadness. A blog reader told me that when she has her white with green veins jade bangle on her right wrist, she often finds herself drawing her wrist to her chest, the lung area, when she thinks about her mother who recently died and this will be her first Christmas without her. She says it gives her peace and eases her grief. When you are meditating and want to deal with grief issues, imagine your lungs glowing white to help healing grief. We seem to have a lot of gried around these "happy holidays", missing friends and family who are gone, and white jade is a natural healing energy to help. December 6
If you are thinking about getting a high-end jade bangle soon, today is a good day to make the purchase because the Daily Special is a pretty beaded purse with the purchase of any jade bangle $550+. I found these beaded purses at a trade show and bought three for myself, although it was difficult to choose because each was different as they are hand made and I wanted them all. They are just the right size for an evening out, and even kind of fun for lunch with girls when you're wearing casual jeans. I kept looking at them when I was at the show, then got the great idea to buy all of them that were available (see what you get to do when you can't decide which ones you want AND you have a business where you can sell them?) and offer them as gifts to customers who make a special purchase. I'm using one Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, a couple for a cruise next year...so get a bangle and purse before I decide to keep them all. They are REALLY nice. December 5
I don't know about you, but my life started getting hectic early November and hasn't let up. I really want to enjoy the holidays without feeling frantic, so I started doing a meditation with jade. Find a quiet and darkened place to sit comfortably, it should be slightly cool, but if you get too cold, wrap a blanket around you. Close your eyes and hold your jade in your hands. Feel the coldness and and try to put your being into the coolness of the jade. Imagine where the jade came from: a cold dark deep jade mine, a cool clean river, and concentrate on what it feels like to "be" the jade. It's cool, quiet, dark and silent. Stay with the jade for awhile, and if other thoughts come in your mind, bless them and let them go. Your jade will become warm in your hands, and then you can open your eyes, rub your palms together several times, tap your head all over with your fingers, hold your jade to your heart and feel the good energy. When you get back to your life and start feeling hectic, put your mind back in your jade, breathe, and remember the cool, dark, quiet place. December 4
It would seem that white jade would be common and easy to get, but white jade is more rare than green jade. Most white jadeite is not true white, that kind of pure white jadeite is really rare. In fact, most white jade you see is actually bleached with acid to remove the subtle colors, small veins of color. When jade is washed with acid this way, it makes the jade brittle and it barely even resembles jade. We women are tough on our jade especially jade bangles, and we can't wear brittle jade, so I will never buy or sell it. When I ask a Chinese jade seller for white jade, they rarely show me true white jade, it usually has some color to it, when they present it, they do it with "thumbs up" to show it is natural and good quality. Today's Special is white jadeite, old mine "lao pit" with a nice chime, nice translucence, all natural, and subtle hues of green/gray that give it a good "flowery" pattern and shows off the jade stone. And it's at a fabulous price. One only. December 3
I've been putting together some popular jade items to have on display when friends and neighbors drop by asking to "see what I've got for gifts". A gift of jade is really special because each piece is different and unique and one of a kind. I donate a jade pendant necklace each year to a raffle to raise funds for a charitable organization, and the winner is always so surprised and thrilled to get it. As I make my small "display" I'll also offer these as Daily Specials to help you get your holiday shopping done with a great little gift for someone special. December 2
The Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete December newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features Chinese medicine wellness information for December regarding balance of body, mind and spirit. There is information about what kind of jade to wear this month if you wear jade for your health, and more.
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