Calm
Spirit Ying Yu Jade |
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September
2008 Blog
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You can always see what's new, click here The end of September, the greens of summer are changing to browns, reds of autumn. If you wear jade every day, the end of the month is a good time to clean it, clean off the old, get it ready for another month. Use shampoo and a soft brush if you need to, and you can polish it with Pledge and a soft cloth. Think about wearing jade with a little more "yang" energy for October, a deeper green, or some "hong", the fu lu shou three color jade is perfect for autumn. The Sept 30 "Daily Special" is a good example of "end of summer" jade, green but with some deeper green pattern. Still soft and peaceful, but with a little extra yabg qi. If you think you might change your jade now, take out what you think you might wear so it can get some daylight, give it some moisture, and it will look beautiful. September 30 I went to a trade show today with a friend who also owns an internet store to buy new products and see what's new. There were about one third fewer exhibitors, who said their were less than half the shoppers as the last time they were at the show. It is a perfect example of the stagnation in the economy. My friend and our did our patriotic duty to try to get the cash flow moving and filled our bags up with purchases. While our internet businesses have been slower the past few weeks, we both sell unique products, and believe in our businesses and our customers enough to keep adding new products. Small businesses are important to keep our economy moving, and we wanted to support the small business who were represented at the trade show, which we certainly did. We advertise and sell things, pay taxes generated from our sales that help keep the economy moving, and we felt like we are part of the solution, not part of the problem. Most of my purchases are for the Calm Spirit business, and most of the purchase for YYJ and JBB were for display material for some of the shows I do locally. But I did get some things for Ying Yu Jade that I will get on the web site later this week. There were two exhibitors who had some jade, carvings and pendants, and the prices were quite high for wholesale, but fairly priced for retail. I saw some fu lu shou jadeite pendants like the kind I sell, the wholesale price was over $100, so the ones I sell are a real deal. It was interesting, we bought a lot, but left feeling very disturbed about the economic situation, seeing the low numbers of buyers, and low number of sellers. September 28 I received several feedbacks about my jade bangle, the common theme being that writers have seen their jade get prettier as they wear it. Two readers commented that they remember writing to me when they received their jade purchase, disappointed, and I told them to wear it for a couple of days and then decide, and they did, and it did look nicer. That's an indicator of genuine jade (not just a figment of the imagination!) September 26 I changed my jade
bangle a few days ago, but it was so ugly I didn't take a photo to show
on my "what jade bangle
am I wearing" page. However, now it looks so much nicer, I took
the photo and wrote about why I changed it. I also included information
about jadeite and "A" grade quality, and about wearing your
jade bangle for body qi. For
more information, click here. September 25 I received a
photo from Val J who makes jewelry, and purchased some jade pendants to
wire wrap. This is "Rat" pendant Wednesday is "Open
House" on Jade Bangle Bracelets
website. I wanted JBB to be different from YYJ and when I set up the website,
I used a different background for the photos, but the photos just didn't
look as good on it as they do on YYJ. So I have spent days and days re-taking
the photos to do justice to these pretty jade bangle bracelets. Take a
look, and make your own special with $25 off any jade bangle bracelet
$250+ with coupon code JBB25. When I spruced up the web pages, I didn't
change the prices, so there are some good deals especially in the under
$250 category. And some of the $250-500 jade bangles are similar to those
$500+ on YYJ, but priced less. I want to have all qualities of jade at
prices for everyone's budget. The photos look a lot better, and more accurate
to the "real thing" now, so check us out and save $25. AND there
will be a free shipping lottery, one lucky buyer Wednesday will get their
shipping charges refunded, any order either web site,, so be sure to write
"free shipping" in the comments box to get in the lottery. September
23 There was a report on the ABC national news that acupuncture has become a most effective treatment for people who are using chemotherapy for cancer. Unfortunately, the "western mind" needs to figure out how and why acupuncture works in terms of western medicine. But there is really no relationship between acupuncture and Chinese medicine and traditional western medicine. To think that it works because acupuncture stimulates the endorphin chemicals, or affects nerves where the needles go in is laughably simplistic, but to get acupuncture covered by insurance companies these explanations will probably have to be "scientifically validated". Chinese medicine, acupuncture, balances the body qi by manipulating the qi at specific acupuncture points so it flows smoothly. An acupuncture doctor reads the pulses and other body signs and applies acupuncture needles accordingly. Anyone can "do" acupuncture, but a Chinese medicine acupuncture doctor knows what they are doing and is truly therapeutic and healing. I have learned some acupuncture, but I can't practice acupuncture without a license in the USA, so I developed a product, jade "needles", for acupuncture without needles. A Chinese doctor helped develop the jade needles so I could use them when I practicing qi healing. If you go to an acupuncture doctor, she can show you how to use acupressure on your acupoints between appointments. The body is remarkable, and with a little help, people can usually help to heal themselves. September 22 A reader sent me an email with the subject line "jade induced serenity". I helped her choose a special jade bangle bracelet with energy that she needed, and it worked out very good for her. It is a "winter white" jadeite bangle, with yin energy for peace and serenity. She put it on after the cyclone in Myanmar and has wearing it since to keep balanced to deal with all the disasters and problems in the world. She described the "glow" that comes from body qi when you wear your jade, and how it looks subtly different all the time so she knows the jade is happy, too. And with the coolness of autumn, she wrote that she may need to change to a jade with a little more yang to keep balanced. The soft, pale jade energy is so calming, and if it makes you feel good, you know it's a good choice to continue to wear during tumultuous times. September 21 The economic situation has many of us uneasy. I have always considered jade to be an investment. A few years ago when I saw the price of jade rising, I bought all I could buy whenever I had the opportunity, which gave me a substantial inventory of jade bangle bracelets that I would be paying double for now if I had to purchase them. I keep them in storage and when I need "new" jade, I get out another box, and have a "new" inventory. To give Ying Ying Jade customers a chance to invest in "new" jade, I have selected jade bangles I can offer at deeply discounted prices so you, too, can get a great deal this weekend. My other motivation for this special sale is to continue to raise funds for a donation to the American Red Cross, and 10% of "Bangle Blowout" sales will be donated. The Jade Bangle Bracelet Blowout Sale begins Friday, but if you see this Thursday, you are welcome to shop early. September 18 Sometimes we wish things would stay the same, but every day, every hour and minute brings change to our lives. Our economy is changing for the worse, relationships with loved ones change, our lives are all about change. The I Ching Book of Changes, a part of Daoism, has been around a long time, as the Chinese people know that change goes hand in hand with life. If anxieity, fear is creeping into your life, wear you most calm and peaceful jade, soft and light colors with translucence, and energy for peace. We're remodeling a bathroom, very stressful and chaotic, and I changed to a pale, light green jade bangle bracelet to help calm my spirit to deal with it. September 17 In addition to selling jade, I have a great interest in Chinese medicine culture. I'm a certified Qi Healer and Reiki Master, and I offer to infuse jade with qi upon request. I hold it during my evening meditation and using energy practices, infuse the jade. I feel it get very warm and full of qi, then let it cool. I started doing this with jade that had been setting in my inventory in a box for awhile before I sold it. It looked dull from being in a dark box, and I thought if I held the jade during meditation, it might move the energy in it, make it brighter, and it does look better. I often soak jade in cool water in a bowl, in indirect daylight, then dry it and infuse it during meditation, then polish it, and pack it for mailing. So if your jade looks dull because you haven't worn it, it will look better after you play with it for awhile, or simply wear it and let it fill up with your qi again. September 15 This is an afterthought about the previous blog. In Chinese culture, often jade that a person has worn for a long time is given as a very special gift. It is believed that when a person wears jade, the body qi becomes a part of the jade, and the jade becomes part of the person, so giving a gift of jade you wear is like giving a part of yourself. This is a reason why jade is traditionally passed on from mothers to daughters. And some of my readers have told me that they sometimes get a strong feeling that they should give a special piece of jade that belongs to them personally, to someone else. It is a very sincere, special and personal gift to give a personal jade piece. I have written about how I get very attached to certain jade bangles, even if the bangle is not my size, and I take them for myself and keep them in my jade bangle drawer. Sometimes a customer will be looking for something special, or a special gift to themself, and I think I have the perfect bangle for them in my drawer, and if I decide to sell it to them, I feel like it's a part of myself, and (because I have so many jade bangles) I'm happy to have my "special" jade go to a good home! September 14 Two customers wrote to me today about how their new jade bangles are getting prettier as they wear them. They seem to take on a "glow", which comes from body qi (energy). The Chinese have known about this for centuries, and is one of the reasons they so revere jade stone. The jade and body qi interchange, and people who wear jade for health can tell when they are getting ill because their jade starts to look dull. You will notice most of the jade bangle bracelets have an energetic description in additional to all the details of the jade. I have been practicing qi healing, Reiki for a long time, and am very sensitive to energy. When I'm shopping in the jade market, I "feel" each jade piece before purchasing it. An acupuncture doctor showed me how to test jade for good energy using my body's acupuncture points. I'm sure it provides amusement to some of those jade sellers, but others know exactly what I'm doing, and bring out the "good stuff" for me. September 10 The jade bangle samples are sold out except for one carved red jadeite bangle, so if you want it, get it now. We're always looking for something "new" and the samples seem to be a method to offer something new without committing to purchase a wholesale lot order. It's more expensive for me to order samples, but the benefit is that I can find out what customers want, and like. In fact, you notice the blog hasn't been kept up because I've been been trying to locate new jades. Thinking ahead for the holiday season. But there is an "ancient Chinese saying", get it or regret it, so if you see something you like, get it so you won't have regrets. September 9 An e-friend and I have been sharing information about books we've read about jade. One of my favorites is Jade Island by Elizabeth Lowell. Someone did a lot of research about jade to include in the novel. The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang is a mystery and the main character is a modern Chinese woman detective. Nicole Mones Cup of Light is not about jade, but it's a fascinating novel about modern China and old porcelain. If you read these, I'll enjoy hearing your comments. Sept 8 I updated and added to the "jade glossary", definition of terms used to describe jade. Sometimes people who are new to jade examine their purchase when it arrives and are concerned there's something wrong with it because it's not "perfect". Jade is a natural mineral, and you're supposed to see inclusions, cui, flowering, lines. These characteristics define jade, and are cherished because they are what makes jade beautiful. If you regard them as flaws, you will never be happy with genuine, natural jade. So take a look and then see what you can find in your jade. September 4 I often receive samples from jade sellers who would like to be Ying Yu Jade suppliers. Most of the time I like the quality, and would like to order from them, but if they only accept bank wire transfer for payment, I won't do business with them as it's too risky to send money without any recourse if I don't get what I order. I often order samples in my size, 50-54mm, and usually keep samples for myself. But I decided to "share", and listed a page of these jade samples. I tested to make sure they are genuine jadeite, The supplier stated they are natural color, I didn't test, but priced them lower than regular Ying Yu Jade. They're unique, different, and now available to you instead of my hoarding them for myself. September 3 Over the long weekend several customers took advante of the Jade Bangle of the Month and Second Chance offers, and we sold quite a few jade bangles. So I've received emails from other customers unhappy that a jade bangle they had been looking at for awhile is sold, and wondering if "new" bangles would be listed. Yes! There's always something new. I purchased enough jade bangles to keep us in jade until next year, so when I got home I divided up everything I bought by size and quality, and filled boxes with assortments. I kept a box to sell, then put the others in storage until I finished listing what was in the first box. When I need more jade bangles, I get a box out of storage, and have "new" ones to list. They're all different, so they're all new to me, too. If you see a jade bangle you like, my advice is "get it, or regret it", but if it's gone, there will be more! Always something new. Sept 2 September: Back to school, back to work, summer is ending. Time to move on with life, see what each day will bring us. Ying Yu Jade has some new features for September. I often purchase samples of jade from sellers who would like to be YYJ suppliers, but for a variety of reasons I don't make further purchases from them. The items are usually different, unique jade I consider adding to the web site and I often keep the samples and "test wear" them myself, but in September I'm going to list some of the samples on the web site and "share". AND I'll "pay" you for feedback if you let me know what you think of the sample you purchase by giving you a credit for a future purchase. The other feature will be a program for jade bangle bracelet lovers. Customers new to Ying Yu Jade and Jade Bangle Bracelets are often so pleased with their first purchase that they want to buy additional jade bangles and regret they didn't participate in Jade Bangle of the Month Club to get a discount. Now we will offer a "second chance" to get the discount AND include your first jade bangle purchase if you join Bangle of the Month within 30 days of your first purchase. When jade prices got higher and the US dollar got lower in value so that the price of jade increased, I eliminated the Bangle of the Month Club, and recently brought it back because of customer requests. YYJ and JBB are not discount web sites, the prices are true prices, so a sale and discounts are real, not manufactured from false marked-up prices. The
Calm Spirit / Ying Yu Jade complete September
newsletter is available online now, click here. This month features Chinese
medicine wellness information for September 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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