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Dana Arts

The Art of Handcrafted Art

  • Dana Arts
  • Collections
    • Animal Inspired
    • Beaded Jewelry
    • Bracelets
    • Celtic Inspired
    • Charms
    • Chokers
    • CTR Rings
    • Earrings
    • Engagement Rings
    • Faces
    • Flag Rings
    • Gold Bands
    • Greek Inspired
    • Hawaiian Inspired
    • Impressions of Nature
    • Laotion Inspired
    • Mission Rings
    • Necklaces
    • Pendants
    • Paradise
    • Patterned Bands
    • Steampunk Inspired
    • Custom
  • Photography
  • Crafts
  • Still
  • CAD
  • Details
    • Policies
    • FAQ
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Pricing
  • Scheduling
  • Account/Login

It's Christmas Season

Christmas season is a fun time of year. It means different things to different people and I love different aspects of Christmas. It has also changed over the years as I have grown up and after I got married. More changes came when I had kids and then now as they have grown up it also has a different feel. Here are a few examples of the different stages of life and the Christmas season.

My mom is from Denmark and we had what I feel were Danish Christmases. She would always decorate the house with danish ornaments and little scenes. Small little figurines that were made of string or wooden figurines that all had red and white colors to represent Danish colors. The Christmas tree was the best. It had lots of ornaments with the touch of little stringed paper danish flags that would wrap around the tree. We also spent time making those danish hearts that were woven together and had a handle on them. You could add candy to those too. :) I remember dancing around the tree signing songs. Also the food was traditional foods like pork and pork rinds, the red cabbage, and the pudding that has the almonds in it. You know there were only one or two whole almonds in it and whomever got them would win a prize. The pudding was always so rich that I could not eat a lot, but tried so I could maybe win. lol . She always created a magical time. I’ll always remember Christmas at home.

When I got married things had changed. No more Danish Christmas. I tried, but not too hard to keep the traditions going. It was hard because no one else had these traditions in the Latin culture and I felt out numbered and gave up early on. My kids didn’t grow up with the same feeling of magic that I grew up with. I’m sorry kids.

As I’ve grown up and my kids are older I’ve been trying to center Christmas more and more on the true meaning of Christmas and about Christ and his example and role in this world. I mean, Christ was born and that is very significant. So even though we can create a lovely time during Christmas and enjoy all the decorations it’s also important to remember the Christ and his purpose here on earth. I won’t get into any depth on this, but I’m hoping you know what I mean.

So yes we still decorate a little, and things have changed, but it’s still an enjoyable time to be with family and share giving and thoughtful times with each other. One fun family tradition we do every year is to buy a Christmas tree permit and go out to the forest together and cut our tree down. It’s a fun day that we all enjoy.

Our Christmas tree 2023 - simple forest tree

So what are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

I have to say that leading up to Christmas day is a busy time for me working in the jewelry field. I usually don’t get vacation during this time of year, but making jewelry and being able to see the joy other get when wearing jewelry makes me happy too. I have not designed any specific designs for Christmas this year, but may I suggest some fun rings to look at.

  1. Petals Scale band - a unique silver ring that has these like shield sections or scales that go around the band. Then it has these leave petals or stems that are on each scale. It creates a very cool nature like ring. You can see it by clicking here.

  2. This Life Cross pendant in sterling silver. A must see.

  3. The Tree of Life pendant is also another one that has some great meaning behind it. This pendant is cool because it has the leaves and a tree next to a little flowing creek and on the back it shows the roots and a more winter like tree above.

  4. Or this sooth and rough band it sterling silver. The smooth surface next to the rough organic surface makes a unique ring that also reminds me of nature and Christmas.

  5. This square ring that has leaf like patterns on the edges is a truly lovely ring. It is comfortable with the hidden side designs that bring that cool festive factor to it.

So I could keep going as I have a lot to share, but these rings are some of my favorites that are natural and have a good vibe about them. I love nature and what has been created for all of us to live with. Getting close to nature definitely helps me get closer to God. Hopefully some of these rings can bring that type of representation to you as you wear them.

tags: Christmas, Christmas 2023, Christmas season, Christ is born, Dana Arts, Danish Christmas, Growing up, Christ, Christmas tree, Memories, Family memories
categories: Updates
Thursday 12.14.23
Posted by Dana Thorup
 

Paradise Visit 2019

I recently this past weekend got together with a bunch of friends that grew up with me in Paradise. We were able to visit our childhood homes and see what has happened to our homes (Paradise will always have a place in our hearts). All I can say is I don’t have words to express the magnitude of what happened. All the stories and difficulties that have happened and are still happening. For each and everyone of us our experience is different and personal. It hits us in different ways. Ways we are not even aware of until those feelings come rushing in. For me there are many triggers, but at the moment it’s nostalgia of childhood friends thinking of past and present and this chimney. Why this chimney? This was the chimney where my families Christmas stockings would be hung across a wooden beam mantle. The kitchen table was right in front of it. A place that brings back so many memories. Although this picture is sad, my memories are not. My friends and I no longer live in Paradise, but some of us still had family there and we all have lots of memories there. I like how my friend more or less put it. Our visit was a bit sobering and we were absorbing both past memories while being confronted with the present destruction right before us. Those two things made it hard.

It was an enjoyable time with my friends. I had not seen them for over 25 years. It was like we were never separated. We got together and it was like good old times. I just wish it were for a different reason, but this has brought us closer together and I feel we will make more of an effort to have small reunions more often. I can’t wait.

Is this goodbye to Paradise forever? Not for me. I have family in Chico so I’ll be around every now and then. Paradise, CA will never be the same though. Homes, people and the environment will all change. I can see a slow rebuild happening in the future, but my little home town is lost, how I know it, forever. In memories it will live on and have a special place in my heart forever.

Chimney of the house I grew up in - Paradise, CA April 2019

Chimney of the house I grew up in - Paradise, CA April 2019

tags: Paradise camp Fire, Paradise California, Paradise, Paradise Closure, Novemeber 8, Camp Fire, Memories, Childhood friends, Paradise Camp Fire, Camp Fire Nov. 8 2018
categories: Updates, Photography
Friday 04.19.19
Posted by Dana Thorup
 

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