Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green??

Partaking in "drowning the shamrock" ???

St. Patrick's Day is a fun day of celebration.

Today is a celebration of St. Patrick, an Ireland patron saint, who ministered Christianity in Ireland.  We celebrate today because the day he died was March 17, 461.

He was born in Roman Britain, but kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.  It was during this time he found God and, while he escaped, he returned to Ireland to convert many Irish pagans to Christianity.

Irish celebrations of St. Patrick became bigger when they came to the United States as a way for the Irish to connect to their roots after coming to America.

The shamrock is associated with St. Patrick's Day because it is said that he used the 3 leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity.

Green is associated also with the day although blue was the original color.  Green became the color because of Ireland's nickname "the Emerald Isle."  Green is also part of the Irish flag and the country is known for its lush green landscape.

Green is also the color of Spring.  This is my favorite reason for wearing green.  After Winter, grass, trees, and flowers start coming back to life.  This time of year is so symbolic of Jesus' resurrection and that with a relationship with God we have eternal life.

The pinching comes from the legends of leprechauns.  Although they originally were associated with red and gold, it was believed that they couldn't see you if you wore green and if you didn't have on green they would pinch you.  The legend is also that they were shoemakers who saved their money in a pot and if you caught one you would get their pot of gold and have three wishes granted in exchange for their freedom.

St. Patrick's Day is a fun day of celebration. Christians may attend church services and it is believed that restrictions from Lent can be lifted just for today.

Another interesting custom is the "drowning of the shamrock."  A shamrock is placed at the bottom of a cup and filled with whiskey, beer, or cider.  It is drunk to a toast to St. Patrick or Ireland.  The shamrock is either swallowed with the drink or taken out and tossed over the shoulder for good luck.

In honor and celebration, I made a few pieces and listed them in my Etsy shop.

My new "How Great Thou Art" charm necklace 

Pink Peruvian Opal Sterling Silver Earrings

Red Aventurine Sterling Silver Earrings

Palmwood and Purple Acai Stretch Bracelet

Palmwood and Pink and Cream Acai Stretch Bracelet

Madre de Cacao and Red Acai Stretch Bracelet

Peach Moonstone and Rainbow Moonstone Earrings

These earrings are in honor of Labrador, Canada.  They are Moonstone and Labradorite.  Labradorite, found in Labrador, is how it got its name.  In Labrador and Newfoundland, the Monday closest to St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday.

Rainbow Moonstone and Blue Fire Labradorite Earrings 

I also made these two pieces today and will list them soon!

Fun, chartreuse Jade and Karen Hill Tribe Silver Earrings

This is a gorgeous Emerald and White African Opal bar necklace with 925 Sterling Silver Pave Diamond bead on Oxidized Sterling Silver chain.