Love for Fleur-de-Lis

A beautiful symbol, the fleur-de-lis, French for "lily flower", portrays various meanings.


The fleur-de-lis is found on many European coats of arms and also state and country flags but traditionally it is associated with French monarchy on a historical context.

Although the fleur-de-lis is an "enduring symbol of France", appearing on many postage stamps and such, the symbol has never been officially adopted by any of the French republics.

In North America, the fleur-de-lis is often associated with areas settled by the French, such as Quebec and Louisiana.

In Louisiana, the Acadiana Region which includes most of southern Louisiana (Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans) the fleur-de-lis is a part of everyday life! Actually, on July 9, 2008, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R), signed a bill into law making the fleur-de-lis an official symbol of the state. In fact, following Hurricane Katrina in September, 2005, the fleur-de-lis has been widely used in New Orleans as a symbol of grassroot's support for New Orlean's recovery.

With all of this being said, I would like to show off some Fleur-de-Lis jewelry I've created, and have listed in my Shop.

Etsy Angels at it Again...Helping the Anderson House in January!

In addition to creating jewelry and working a full time job, I also serve as the Moderator for an Etsy Street Team, Etsy Angels. The Etsy Angels are a great team of caring artists whose main goal is to help others! ♥
Our Team was formed after the many hours spent together promoting for Dawn’s Boys; an effort that began in late December 2007 after a Jewelry artist who was on both Etsy and Ebay lost her life in an automobile accident. She left behind two little boys. Several "Angels" came together to help. After spending countless hours promoting donations from more people than we could imagine that wanted to help, many friendships were made. We couldn’t imagine it all ending without creating a Team for Dawn’s Angels. ♥


This month we are going to help raise funds for a shelter for abused women and children, The Anderson House, ...it is in a fellow Etsy Angel's home province on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The Anderson House is the only shelter for women and children on Prince Edward Island which has a population of 139,818 . It is partial funded by the government but relies a great deal on donations. The Anderson House also does fundraising of their own.

It is a safe and supportive shelter for women and their children who have been physically or emotionally abused or who live in constant fear of abuse. The Anderson House is staffed at all times by trained women who honour confidentially.

It provides:

*emergency shelter for abused women and children, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
*Confidential crisis and support phone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
*Outreach Services
*Second stage housing.
*Information and support groups for women and children.
*Public education training.
*Liaison with other community and support services in West Prince, East Prince, and Eastern P.E.I., in partnership with local community committees.
*Cooperative second stage housing units in Summerside and O'Leary, in partnership with local community committees.
*Abused Women Support Group
*10-week support and information group for women who have been or are currently in an abusive relationship.
*Child Care Program


The Anderson House is a room shelter where the women can go to in times of an emergency with their children. The women are provided with support from the trained women there and help with their children. The women have to help maintain the home....cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.

If a woman is working and must get to work there is a service available to her where she will be escorted to her work site if she feels it is necessary. There is short term child care that is available to her as well.

Comments from some of the women who have used the shelter and who have been part of the justice system that I work for...I asked them if they would help me with this information in order to let the buyers and sellers of Etsy know about the shelter as we were doing a fund raiser....they were only too happy to provide this information!

* The shelter has saved my life!
* I learned while I was there that it is not only people from my background that are abused and are afraid! I know now that I too have the right to help!
* My family would never believe how horrible my life was until I had to go to this shelter and move into their second stage housing in order to get rid of my abusive partner.
* The councellors are amazing....they help so many people...I wish they were getting paid more.
* Where would I go if this place closed up....I have been there a number of times.
* We need more....sometimes you are not ready to leave but know that you have too...


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Please see our thread:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5981176

Purchase from the participating shops and help this worthy cause!

Search for items using : http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=eangteam+anderson+house

For more information check their website:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=5531

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Other organizations and charities in which the Etsy Angels have helped include: Susan G. Komen Foundation (Breast Cancer Awareness and Research), Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue (AWBAR), Etsy for Animals.

We will continue to raise money and awareness for various causes.

Finally... I Created Something for ME!!!

My birthday is in December, and I love the chosen birthstone, Blue Topaz. My wonderful husband bought me the most gorgeous and sparkly Blue Topaz I've ever seen. They are radiant in color...absolutely perfect.

These are faceted cushion briolettes that I individually wire wrapped in sterling silver wire and attached with small "segments" of sterling silver Figure-8 chain. The necklace measures about 16.5 inches.

The matching earrings feature the same Blue Topaz briolettes secured with fine silver ball-end head pins and hang on sterling silver elongated kidney ear wires.

I absolutely love this set. I wear the earrings often, but the necklace requires some dressing up!
Think I should make Hubby take me out?

What do you think about my PERSONAL creation??

Not Just to Bourbon Street...

...New Orleans is also home to Jackson Square where the majestic Saint Louis Cathedral stands. This is one of the most gorgeous creations in the Country!

Standing in front of the St. Louis Cathedral; December 14


"Few cities in the world are so identified by a building as is New Orleans. The city is instantly recognized by our cathedral and its position overlooking Jackson Square. The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States. As the caretakers of the Cathedral we constantly battle the elements and the aging of the Cathedral with ongoing conservation and restoration."
(Taken from http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/)

SNOW IN THE DEEP SOUTH!

Would you lookie here!!! Baton Rouge and New Orleans received record snowfall on Dec. 11 (my birthday). Pretty disappointed that we up here in West Monroe didn't get a single SNOWFLAKE!!

Figured I would share some pictures with you since most of you would NEVER think in a MILLION years that the DEEP SOUTH could get this much snow!

State Capitol building, Baton Rouge, LA

Infamous street car on St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA