Volume 33 | JANUARY, 2024

Happy New Year! Welcome 2024!

Glorious Carnations

Hello Chi Cheng,

As 2024 begins and we're slowly getting into the swing of things... it's always nice to take a break to rest and slow down, but the final weeks of 2023 in Vancouver with lots of rain and cloudy days... beside finishing up projects in my Studio and walking Peanut, it was also nice to enjoy some lazy days baking cookies and watching movies.

Over the holidays, we were fortunate to enjoy some fun time with friends and families....share good cheer, hearty drinks, play games and laugh out loud!

Now is a good time for me to plan out the new year and re-prioritize all the things that I didn't have time to complete last year, like cleaning my Studio and setting those stones that have been waiting for me on my bench for months! One day and one step at a time.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

Appreciate everyone's support and inspiration!

Chi's 2023 Holiday Show Lucky Draw Winners

Congratulations on winning my Acorn Pearl Earrings!

Circle Craft Holiday Market - Bev Ludba

Christmas at Hycroft - Kirsty McMahon

2024 Granville Island Public Market Dates

January 12 to 14, 2024

(Friday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm)

February 2 to 4, 2024

(Friday to Sunday., 10am to 6pm)

FREE Parking before 11am & after 6pm

. . . Trending . . .

A New Year for that New Beginning with Inukshuk

As 2024 begins, we feel refreshed and invigorated at the thought of a “new start” or a

“clean slate” to our lives - unblemished by life’s challenges and hardships. We feel

encouraged and inspired ... Inukshuks serve various purposes, including navigation aids, marking routes, and identifying significant locations.

For the Inuit people, the Inukshuk symbolized safety, guidance, and hope,

enabling them to navigate and survive in a challenging environment.

Balance Inukshuk Pearl

Sliders Necklace

Left: Inukshuk Amethyst & pearl slider - 18" chain $150

Middle: Inukshuk Hematite & pearl slider - 18" chain $150

Bottom: Inukshuk Aqua & pearl slider - 18" chain $150

Classic Jade Inukshuk Necklace

Sterling Silver Inukshuk

Chinese Jade Bead & bezel set

CZ stone - 18" chain $200

Balance Semi-Precious Stone & Pearl Inukshuk Slider Necklace

Left: Silver bezel set Blue Topaz with pearl necklac e - 18" silver chain $200

Middle : Silver bezel set Citrine & pearl necklace - 18" chain $200

Right: Silver bezel set Peridot with pearl - 18" chain $200

Shop Chi's Creations Jewelry & Book your Free Consultation

GARNET

JANUARY Birthstone

Garnet, an Ancient Gemstone

People have used garnets for jewelry and decorative objects for millennia. It's one of the oldest known gemstones. Archeologists have recovered garnet necklaces and talismans from ancient Egyptian tombs and mummies. The ancient Greeks and Romans also highly valued this gem. They used garnet signet rings to seal important documents as well as for a variety of jewelry pieces and other items.

In fact, the word "garnet" comes from the Latin word granatus for seed or grain, most likely a reference to the seeds of the pomegranate fruit. Indeed, some garnets do resemble pomegranate seeds in color, size, and shape.

Garnets, Blood, and Life Force

Since ancient times, garnet's traditional red color was associated with the heart and blood. Thus, people believed garnet's mystical purview included the power to counter melancholy, stir the heart to great deeds, prevent hemorrhage and improve circulation.

Large Stacking Ring with Garnet

Large scribbled silver stacking with 14kt gold wire & setting with 6mm Garnet .

Size 8 - $450

Skinny Woven Ring with Color Stones

Bottom: Skinny Woven Ring with Garnet

bezel set with 18kt gold $280

Series of Skinny Woven Rings with different

Colored stones bezel set in 18kt gold $280 each

Antique Garnet Pyrope Hair Comb

While there are many different species and varieties of garnet that come in many colors, perhaps the most well-known is pyrope garnet. Usually deep red, this gem is featured in the antique pyrope hair comb containing garnets from Czech Republic, a stunning and historic example of pyrope’s beauty and GIA’s famous birthstone for January babies.

INFO Antique Garnet pyrope hair comb

Celebrate JANUARY Birthdays & 2nd Anniversaries

GIA Information About Garnet

From Chi's Bench ... Repurposed Delights

Let me help you tell your stories!

I delight in giving new life to tired jewelry with my "re-purposed" designs.

Creating new expressions from family legacy pieces are so heart-warming

when I can be part of their journey ...

An engagement ring, family ring or necklace - they all combine wonderful memories, bringing happiness to both me and everyone involved!

Janette's New Everyday

Square Ring

After working on some repurposed pieces for Janette's daughter-in-law, she also wanted to have one of her own that she can wear everyday for a brand new LOOK!

Anne's Legacy Rings

These are one of the very oldest rings I've repurposed ... Couldn't do much with the pearls - they would disintegrate if I took them apart - I used them as a complete whole and then set the flower and parts of the broken gold ring to form accents on the new silver square ring.

The other 3 red stones were then set onto two skinny square stackers to provide a dynamic frame.

New stacking ring set for keeps!