Musings, ramblings and thought provoking articles from our team of talented writers - all views expressed are their own!
A birthstone is different from a gemstone, right? George Frederick Kunz, author of The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, writes eloquently about this: “There can be no doubt that the owner of a ring or an ornament set with a natal stone is impressed with the idea of possessing something more intimately associated with his […]
We’ve just done the draw and the winner of the September giveaway is Amanda Moss. Congratulations, Amanda! You’ve won our Claddagh Silver Stone Set Ring: http://www.shanore.com/claddagh-silver-stone-set-ring—product-311.html. Thanks to everyone that took part this month. We’re already looking forward to a great October giveaway. Keep posted! Can’t get enough Claddagh? As if that’s possible? It seems there’s […]
Two hours ago, four hours ago, seven minutes ago—the news is trickling in: Seamus Heaney, dead. He was 74. Every week, we devote writing space to one or more pieces of jewelry, and then to the Irish culture. Another way of saying that, though, is to say we write about Irish culture, every time. From […]
There’s a reason Irish jewelry is so beautiful. Practice does make perfect, and we’ve been at this metalwork business a good few centuries now. Lots of people are curious about their roots, but what about the roots of their Claddagh ring or Triple Spiral pendant? They have some pretty amazing ancestors too, and they are […]
“Stand, watch, listen.” In one of the best examples—cinematic or otherwise—of complexity in the mundane, we have the glorious Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. In less than the time it takes to microwave popcorn, Streep’s character marshals together history and perspective into something that deflates pomposity and makes you feel […]
The more astute may have noticed that both the Irish government and a particularly popular purveyor of a brand of stout associated with this island both use a harp as a symbol. It isn’t the same harp, mind you, due to copyright laws, but these aren’t the only examples of the harp as a symbol […]
Every week we feature our jewelry. We also take a moment and write about something to do with Ireland. This week, well, the prevalence of online dating has all but wiped away an older form of courtship still existing today—in Ireland. What’s consistent in the chatter about the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is that you need […]
The Claddagh ring is one of Ireland’s most popular symbols as well as a best-selling piece of jewelry now available in a dazzling range of styles for every taste and budget. The story of Richard Joyce being captured by pirates shortly before his wedding day and sold into slavery to a goldsmith is well known. […]
When you’re in the jewelry business, you think about the body in a different way. All of the sudden, a hand can be naked. An ear lobe can look lonely. A wrist? Muffled, silent, a singer without a song and a dancer without a partner. Last week on the blog, we featured the Silver Celtic […]
Last year, author Bruce Feller wrote in the New York Times, “The Art of the Wedding Toast.” Inspired by a cry for help from a desperate brother, Feller embarked on a literary and film survey, interviews and thoughtful ruminations about how best to compose what is arguably one of the most difficult types of public […]
