Playing with Glass?

Many years ago – okay, I am really dating myself here –  way, way back in the 70′s, there was a little TV show that was just starting out called Saturday Night Live.  Perhaps you’ve heard of it?  I’m talking about the original version with the original cast – specifically,  a show that aired in Season 2, in 1976.  I was a kindergartner about that time so I don’t think I watched this episode live, but I must have seen it later on a “Best of…” type show.   It’s about the holidays and it focuses on a character played by Dan Aykroyd, who is almost always hilarious.  With Hanukkah and Christmas fast approaching, I really wanted to share this with everyone, while introducing a really cool, really fun, awesome new gift we just got at Jewish Gift Place.  So hang in there with me and you’ll see where I’m going with this…

In this episode, Dan Aykroyd plays Irwin Mainway, the sleazy President of Mainway Toys, who is being interviewed by a reporter investigating the safety of Mr. Mainway’s so-called “harmless” toys.  His company is the maker of such wholesome playthings as  Pretty Peggy Ear-Piercing Set, Mr. Skin-Grafter, and Johnny Switchblade.  But the skit got laugh-out-loud funny when the reporter holds up a giant bag of bits and pieces of jagged glass.

Here is an excerpt from the actual skit:

Irwin Mainway: Yeah, right, it’s you know, it’s glass, it’s broken glass, you know? It sells very well, as a matter of fact, you know? It’s just broken glass, you know?

Consumer Reporter: [ laughs ] I don’t understand. I mean, children could seriously cut themselves on any one of these pieces!

Irwin Mainway: Yeah, well, look – you know, the average kid, he picks up, you know, broken glass anywhere, you know? The beach, the street, garbage cans, parking lots, all over the place in any big city. We’re just packaging what the kids want! I mean, it’s a creative toy, you know? If you hold this up, you know, you see colors, every color of the rainbow! I mean, it teaches him about light refraction, you know? Prisms, and that stuff! You know what I mean?

Consumer Reporter: So, you don’t feel that this product is dangerous?

Irwin Mainway: No! Look, we put a label on every bag that says, “Kid! Be careful – broken glass!” I mean, we sell a lot of products in the “Bag O’” line.. like Bag O’ Glass, Bag O’ Nails, Bag O’ Bugs, Bag O’ Vipers, Bag O’ Sulfuric Acid. They’re decent toys, you know what I mean?

The entire skit was just  two characters - it was one of the funniest I have ever seen and you can watch it here at SNL – Irwin Mainway.

My family still jokes around the holidays that if you’re not good, you’ll get a Bag O’ Glass!

So,  when is it okay to play with glass?  When its safely housed inside a kaleidoscope!  We carry some really unique kaleidoscopes that are amazing works of art and we have just added something new to this category - these awesome kaleidoscope necklaces by Healy Designs.  These genuine sterling silver necklaces are superior in their quality and attention to detail.

The pendant is a working kaleidoscope filled with little bits and pieces of beach glass, crystal gems, and dichroic glass, which has a shimmering quality to it.  When you spin the cylinder, tiny mesmorizing patterns and designs of rainbow colors are formed.  What makes the kaleidoscope even more unique is that the pendant is also a mezuzah - with a  Shema on parchment inside -  accented by a Star of David charm dangling on the outside.

I can think of so many occasions that these necklaces would be perfect for – a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a special birthday, Hanukkah, Mother’s Day, any day you want to celebrate.  I love that the mezuzah kaleidoscope combines faith and fun and can make anyone feel like a kid again.

Deborah and Kevin Healy, the talented artists behind these enchanting pendants, say it best : “The swirling colors and patterns of kaleidoscopes have enabled us to add a new dimension to how our jewelry may be enjoyed.  As artists, we feel fortunate to participate in the revelatory and peaceful world of kaleidoscopes.”

Guaranteed to be so much more fun – and a whole lot safer – than the Bag O’ Glass!

A New Year – New Artists! 2 New Husband and Wife Teams

What better way to celebrate the New Year than to introduce some new artists to Jewish Gift Place?  We have been working hard, adding so many new and  incredible pieces to the site, and we wanted to share the news with everyone.  Two of the newest design studios to join us happen to be husband and wife teams.

First, we are happy to introduce Curtis and Sheron Rowland of Ildanach Studios, who bring us their beautiful, therapeutic copper jewelry all the way from Colorado.  They have provided Jewish Gift Place with exclusive Star of David copper bangles, earrings, and necklaces.  Did I mention these pieces are exclusive to JGP?  Although all the jewelry is amazing in their organic and earthy appeal, I just cannot put down the smokey quartz necklace.  The way the grayish brown hues and copper play off each other is so beautiful, so calming, just such a presence.  I love, love, love gemstones and all kinds of rocks and minerals with their natural, intrinsic colors and hues.  This necklace delivers all that and more, including a Star of David copper pendant and a pure copper clasp.  This necklace is a terrific Hanukkah gift at an even more terrific price.  If you know someone who loves smokey quartz or is a rock hound like me, you will not disappoint them with this gift.  Learn more about the therapeutic benefits of Ildanach Studio’s copper and take a look at our exclusive line when you get a chance.  They get extra kudos because they are a green certified site and utilize recycled materials in all their pieces.

I mentioned that we had another dynamic husband and wife duo.  Meet Howard and Whitney Schwartz, proud parents of three, and owners of Whitney Howard Designs.  Out of their studio in California comes some fun and inspirational heartfelt pewter jewelry that would make great, affordable Hanukkah or anytime gifts.  Their jewelry is made from lead free, recycled pewter, so kudos to Whitney Howard, too!  Another really cool idea is to design and personalize these pieces to create your own custom jewelry for your Bat Mitzvah or Bar Mitzvah party favors.  Completely awesome, totally unique, and earth friendly, imagine giving out blessing ring or story necklaces to your friends and family that you have designed with your own personal stamp on them!  Just give us a call or an email and we will be happy to discuss how we can help make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah an occasion to remember.

The New Year has just begun and already it is sweet for us at Jewish Gift Place and we hope so for you, too!  Please keep checking back as we will be adding even more handmade gifts over the next few weeks in eager anticipation of Hanukkah.  It’s just around the corner…

The Michal Golan Evil Eye Rings Are Here!

Michal Golan Evil Eye Ring

Can you tell that we are excited?  Who would have ever thought someone would be so happy to get the evil eye!  Well, when the evil eye comes in the form of absolutely stunning jewelry from the super talented artist Michal Golan, I gladly welcome it.

If you own the bracelet and/or the necklace, you absolutely must check out these incredible, adjustable rings.  Available in twelve designs, these evil eye rings are substantial in size and the band itself is a work of art in its own right.  If you don’t own any of these Michal Golan pieces, now is the time to get one, two, three, or more!

Evil eye jewelry has always been popular, but right now, it is HOT!  Due to the overwhelming popularity of the gold evil eye necklace as seen on Melissa Gorga of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, we decided to bring you these rings, to either complete your set, or maybe start your collection.  We have some great info on the history of the evil eye and evil eye jewelry if you are curious about what all the buzz is about.

I know I might sound crazy but feel free to give me the evil eye – um…the ring, that is!