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…

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!

After rewinding and carefully reviewing the footage a couple of times, I realized that this was, in fact, the necklace that she was wearing! A quick search of Melissa Gorga’s blog led me to discover that it was a very popular necklace and that fans were trying to hunt it down! Melissa wrote: “I have been getting a lot of requests for the evil eye necklace that I wore on the show last week.  I called the store that I bought it from but they are sold out so now I am on a search for it for all of you!  As soon as I find it, I will let you all know where you can get it from! There is a box on my site where you can enter your email address, sign up and I will send an email to everyone when I find it!”

Very excited, I contacted a blog that writes about the fashion of the Real Housewives, www.BigBlondHair.com, and they got the word out that you can find Melissa Gorga’s Evil Eye Necklace at Jewish Gift Place! Other blogs followed – www.Housewifestyle.com and www.the-budgetista.com! The phones have been ringing like crazy and the orders are pouring in! This necklace is so hot! My mom brought the necklace home yesterday and I got to see it in person! It is gorgeous! I can picture wearing it with a black dress or a white tank top this summer! It really catches the light!

Sizing of the Michal Golan Evil Eye Necklaces: Michal Golan evil eye necklaces come in various sizes — from petite to large. It can get a little confusing so we’re posting this picture to give you an idea of the size of the necklaces. The crystal and gold evil eye necklace that Melissa Gorga is wearing is considered a medium. This image shows the necklace sizes: (from top to bottom) medium, small, petite and a quarter for comparison.

Evil Eye Symbolism: There is a lot of symbolism behind the evil eye. One of my friends happened to be over yesterday when my mom arrived and showed us the Melissa Gorga necklace. My friend thought that it looked very Egyptian. That’s because this symbol has been seen in many cultures for thousands of years! Everything (and I mean everything!) you ever wanted to know about the symbolism of the evil eye can be found in our collection of articles on the subject, which is called, “What is the Evil Eye?“

The video clip that Andy showed last night where I noticed the evil eye necklace on Jill was actually from last season and that got me thinking — how many other other pieces of evil eye jewelry have I missed on the Real Housewives ladies? Well, a little research revealed that the answer is at least one! Caroline Manzo of the Real Housewives of New Jersey has also been sporting this fashionable symbol. I’m sure there are others, and I’ll keep my “eyes” open and report back!

Secrets of a Jewish Mother

Andy Cohen may have been having poking fun last night at how many times Jill Zarin and her mother, Gloria Kamen, plugged their now year-old book, Secrets of a Jewish Mother, on his show but, hey, who can blame them? Jill’s been taking a beating on the show so there should be a little payback! Their book is an opinionated guide to life, with advice on all areas of life from friendship to career, marriage to parenting. There is even a cute quiz at the back of the book to determine if you are a Jewish Mother. A portion of all the proceeds of the book are going to charity, so it’s a worthwhile buy.

At Jewish Gift Place we have a special place in our hearts for Jewish mothers, being that we are all work at home moms! I myself have been trying since last Mother’s Day to get in touch with Jill Zarin (through tweets, emails, blog comments, phone calls) so that I can ask her some questions about her book, Secrets of a Jewish Mother, and her experiences with Jewish motherhood. Well, Jill is a very busy lady, and I haven’t made any headway in getting a shot at this.

Melanie Notkin of Savvy Auntie and her bff Jill Zarin (photo credit to www.savvyauntie.com)

I must say that Melanie Notkin at www.SavvyAuntie.com has made this look easy because she posted a great interview with Jill Zarin, Jill’s mom, Gloria Kamen and Jill’s sister, Lisa Wexler, called, Secrets of the Real Jewish Aunties. Melanie explains that she has a soft spot for the Zarin family because her own Jewish mother died over two decades ago. She found Jill Zarin and her family to be warm, genuine and generous of heart. Bravo Melanie! (No pun intended!) Great interview! I must admit, I was more than a little envious when I read Melanie’s post entitled “Real Friendships of New York City” on her instant and lasting friendship with Jill. (…here’s what, Melanie, I grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, not far from Zarin Fabrics, so I kind of feel like Jill and I are meant to be besties too! We’ll talk…)

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, 2011

With Mother’s Day approaching, we need to start thinking about our Jewish moms, these women of valor, and how we can honor them this year. There will be more to come on this topic in the coming weeks but I think it’s fitting to end on this note and pay tribute to Jewish moms ( and all moms!) everywhere, “A woman of valor, who can find? Far beyond pearls is her value.“

Although $2,200 is a stretch for most people to get the protection of the Evil Eye, at Jewish Gift Place, we too sell incredibly gorgeous evil eye jewelry like the Michal Golan Blue Stone and Red Evil Eye Wrap Bracelet for $45 .  One of our most popular artists is Michal Golan, an Israeli born, New York City based designer.  Her pieces are inspired by Byzantine jewelry, with its generous use of gemstones, jewelry from the regime of Queen Victoria, and Middle Eastern art.

Evil Eye Jewelry by Michal Golan

The Evil Eye is an amulet, or talisman,  of protection against evil forces in almost every culture of the world  – Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism and Christianity.  In different languages, it is known as:

• Hebrew Evil Eye – Ayin Ha’ra
• Turkish Evil Eye – Nazar Boncugu
• Italian Evil Eye – Mal Occhio
• Farsi – Bla Band
• Arabic – Ayin Harsha
• Scotland – Droch Shuil
• Spanish – Mal Ojo or El Oja
• France – Mauvais Oeil
• Germany – Busen Blick
• Romans – Oculus Malus

In Turkey, the Evil Eye is ingrained in every day life and has deep symbolism throughout the culture.  The Evil Eye pendant is affixed to anything that is perceived to attract greed, envy, or ill-will.  In Turkey, you will find the Evil Eye symbol on currency, in homes and offices, hanging from the necks of newborn children and farm animals, and in the foundations of buildings.

The belief in the Evil Eye goes back almost 3,000 years in cultures and countries such as Armenia, Assyrians, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Afghanistan, Islam, Judaism, Latin America,  Papua and New Guinea, Roma, Tibet, Turkey, and the United States.

The history of the Evil Eye in these cultures is fascinating!  I think I see another blog post or article coming to talk more about this!

In this episode, Tamra Barney had a house party where she was selling Evil Eye apparel and it was certainly a hit with the ladies! Then, in true Real Housewives fashion, the evil eye was brought to center stage when Gretchen Rossi stated that she could use the evil eye to protect herself from her host, Tamra! That didn’t go over well! A fight, with name calling, ensued! Lots of fun for the fans!

What is the Evil Eye?

The term evil eye refers to a power that some are said to possess that can inflict injury or bad luck on others. This harm is said to be directed by an envious look or a look of ill-will. The evil eye symbol on evil eye jewelry is said to protect the wearer from this form of negative energy.

The Jewish Evil Eye

The symbolism of the evil eye is found in many faiths and many cultures. The Jewish evil eye has a strong history. Dating back to Talmudic times, Jews have been wearing charms around their neck to guard from the Evil Eye. In some cases, the evil eye is defined as envy. In traditional Judaism, the one who casts an evil eye may not actually be at fault, but may suffer from an extra level of envy that only God may recognize. It has also been suggested that belief in the evil eye may be alluded to in Moses’ 10th Commandment, which states, “You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s…[his] house, field, manservant, maidservant, his ox, ass, or anything [else]…”

Evil Eye Jewelry

Jewish Gift Place is proud to carry a stunning line of evil eye jewelry. Our Michal Golan evil eye bracelets are hot! Reasonably priced at $45.00, they make the perfect gift for yourself or those you want to protect! If you plan on taking a trip to the OC in the near future, I’d recommend one!!

Check out a video of one of our evil eye bracelets below!

Where do you get your inspiration?

From everything and anything. From day to day life: A random composition of food on a plate, a film I saw the other night, stuff scattered around the room, and so on. The list can be endless… But of course, above all, matter and material from which creativity becomes possible. Read the entire Ayala Bar interview.

Do I sound like a fan?  Well, I am and you will be, too, once you take a look at this amazing collection.  What I really love about Ayala Bar’s necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, is that they can be worn day or night, with just about anything.  The designs in the Ayala Bar collection can be worn to dress up jeans and a t-shirt for an incredible pop of color and flair, or with a simple cocktail dress to infuse your own personal style.  I can 100% guarantee the compliments you receive on your jewelry will be plentiful!

Whether your style is classic or hip, Ayala Bar’s Spring Collection has something that will appeal to everyone.  Many of the pieces coordinate, but surely no one can fault you if you want to mix and match.  It’s important to note that Ayala Bar limits her collection run to six months, so start choosing your favorites from this collection now.  Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, full of color and life.  Celebrate spring, celebrate life!

Lauren Conrad, Ashley Tisdale, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Ritchie wear hamsas

The other day, I was in a department store with my 14 year old daughter and we were checking out the jewelry showcases. I immediately spotted a hamsa necklace and a small selection of other hamsa jewelry — earrings, bracelets, etc. Needless to say I was surprised! At Jewish Gift Place, we have always carried hamsa jewelry, as well as wall hamsas and other hamsa hand home accessories, but I have not seen them carried at the local department store.

Celebrities Wearing Hamsa Hand

I pointed them out to my daughter and she told me that she loves hamsas and that they are really popular. She told me that many celebrities were wearing them including Lindsay Lohan, Zac Efron, Nicole Ritchie and Lauren Conrad from the hit MTV show, The Hills. I was pretty surprised. I had known about hamsas as an amulet of protection in many religions, but I had no idea they were a fashion trend! “It’s like a high five, Mom,” she said. Although I know the historic symbolism isn’t quite as simple as that, I thought it was great that the hamsa hand was becoming part of popular culture. Note to self: ask my daughter about these things more often! She told me that kids at school sometimes hold up their hamsas and say “talk to the hand!” as a little joke. Funny, I thought!

Hamsas at Jewish Gift Place

Risa Borsykowsky, owner of Jewish Gift Place and someone always on the lookout for beautiful and meaningful handcrafted merchandise, brought hamsas to Jewish Gift Place before it was a craze. When I first starting working for Risa, the hamsas immediately caught my eye. I particularly love the Michal Golan hamsas, especially her black hamsa pendant necklace which has become my signature gift to friends and family. I also love all of her wall hamsas which are, to me, the perfect housewarming gift. Last Hanukkah, Risa gave me this beautiful Michal Golan Colorful Freshwater Pearl Wall Hamsa which never fails to get noticed by visitors to my home. It is one my most prized possessions!

A Symbol of Peace

After that shopping excursion, I was definitely excited about the hamsa as a new fashion trend. A short time later, my daughter reported back to me with something new she had learned about the popularity of the hamsa hand. She told me that recently, Jewish activists for Middle East peace have begun wearing the hamsa as a symbol of the shared traditions between the Islamic and Jewish faiths. It was something she read about after the Iran election crisis. I was really happy to hear that. Young people seem to have connected with this powerful symbol, not only as a symbol of style, but as a symbol of hope – and that should give us all something to “high five” about.

Learn more about hamsa hand symbology.

See our entire collection of hamsas.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last year – belts are back! Everywhere you look – magazines, movies, tv shows – belts are everywhere! These glorious accessories are a huge fashion statement and are expected to continue to be so through at least the summer of 2009.

Carrie Bradshaw got noticed wearing a belt throughout the new Sex and the City summer blockbuster – as did her chic gal pals.

Some of us have always appreciated belts – so this sudden revival comes as no surprise and feels more like a ‘so, what took you so long?’ Some of us are belt and belt buckle collectors – always looking for that new design to add to our collection. Well, whether you are a fashionista, a belt wearer from way back, or a collector of fine artisan crafted belt buckles, here at Jewish Gift Place we have some news that is sure to excite you!

This week we have added Jewish designer Michal Golan’s gorgeous line of belt buckles to our collection. They are simply stunning – meticulously handcrafted and decked out in Swarovski crystals and natural stones.

The belt buckles come in two different sizes – a smaller, more petite size for those of us who like to be noticed, but in an understated way. They also come in a larger, bolder size for those women who enjoy the ‘wow factor’ and, in many cases, suitable in design and size for a man. The belt buckles, which come along with a black or brown leather belt, are really versatile and can be worn dressed up to the nines at an art gallery opening or to a mommy and me class with your two year old. There is something here for everyone.

Buy one to congratulate yourself on a job well done at the office or for losing those last five baby pounds – you can see your waist now! Also think about these belts as bridesmaids gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, or for any occasion you’d like to show someone how special they are to you.

We hope you will take some time to check out the new collection of handcrafted belt buckles and please, let us know what you think! We think you will like what you see. Whether for yourself or a loved one, these belts will definitely be something that is reached for again and again to add that special ‘pop’ to an outfit that needs a lift!

I have always been fascinated with fashion. Growing up on the lower east side of Manhattan, with the bargain mecca of Orchard Street beneath me and the clothing racks of the Garment District above me, I have always been interested in what is new and in style.

Back in the late 90s, my husband worked for several years as personal security to Calvin Klein and this gave me my first real peak into the glitz and glamour of the fashion world. Every day when he came home I would interrogate him about the designers and the fashions. Even today I never miss an episode of Project Runway and my heart skips a beat when they show that gorgeous “Needle Threading a Button” sculpture on 7th Avenue in NYC!

Well when I read this morning about a new documentary that is currently in production, I knew it would be right up my alley. The documentary by Pacific Street Films entitled Dressing America: Jews in the Garment Industry, “will tell the story of an often overlooked side of this colorful and vibrant industry – an industry which provided opportunities for countless entrepreneurs, largely Jewish, who blended business acumen with artistic flair – doing for American style what their counterparts in Hollywood did for the cinema.”

The documentary got me thinking about the contributions of Jewish designers in both clothing and jewelry design. From Judith Ripka to Marc Jacobs, the rich history and notable contributions of these amazing artists is undeniable. For many decades, especially during the postwar era, Jewish designers purposefully hid their heritage, but this is definitely changing.

More recently, designers have really been bringing Judaism to the front of the runway! Last summer, designer Alexandre Herchcovitch’s modest show was the talk of the fashion town with a strong use of Jewish themes in his couture line. The Jewish Star was big and I mean big!

Here at Jewish Gift Place, we have an incredible collection of talented Jewish artists creating stylish Judaica! Our Star of David Jewelry is incredibly popular and we are adding new items every day! Here are some pieces that are sure to get you noticed even if you are not on the catwalk!