Come cast your vote for The Christmas Mouse of 2010!

The naming of the Christmas Mouse on Christmas Day is our tradition of many years. Yes, I know that guinea pigs are not exactly mice, but humor us! They do have rather mouse-like faces and each year they all strive and campaign for this great honor! We have ELEVEN candidates (you can read about each of them in detail by clicking here)!  You, their adoring public, will decide who wins the coveted Christmas Mouse Crown this year with your votes! This is not a mere photo contest- you are voting for the pig most worthy of this year's crown! (You can vote multiple times- voting limited to once every 6 hours- PLEASE do not ruin this contest by using vote cheating software!) The results and pictures of the Crowning Ceremony will be posted Christmas Morning! 

How to Meditate With Crystals and Stones

To begin, here is a list of the some stones/crystals and the chakras they are associated with. The color of the stone often matches the color of the chakra but not always. Also please note that many crystals resonate with several of the chakras. Base Chakra (Red)- Harlequin Fire Quartz, Garnet

Sacral Chakra (Orange)-Tangerine Quartz, Carnelian

Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow)-Citrine, Golden Topaz

Heart Chakra (Green or Pink)- Chrysoprase, Pink Peruvian Opal, Pink Kunzite, Rose Quartz

Throat Chakra (Blue)- Aqua Aura Quartz, Celestite, Aquamarine

Third Eye or Brow Chakra (Indigo)- Apophyllite, Atlantisite

Crown Chakra (Purple)- Amethyst, Holley Lavender Agate, Phenacite

Grounding Stones to be placed below feet- Pyrite, Apache Tear, Jasper, Malachite, Hematite

Quartz Crystals (2)-To be placed one in each hand   (The color of the stone often matches the color of the chakra but not always.)       The Chakras   What's a Chakra?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel, or vortex, and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of which our energetic body is thought to be composed of. It is said by sensitives that from a side view, a chakra looks like a cone with its point plugging into your spine to receive energy, and it is opening about four inches from your body.

These chakras, energy vortices, or energy centers, are thought to function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of energy through our energy system and transmit the life force throughout the body. This life force is called Prana by Indian Ayurveda doctors and Ch'i by the Chinese Doctors. Certain gemstones are considered in tune with these Chakras and are used to cleanse the Chakra and bring balance.     Why is Activation & Balancing of Chakras (energy centers) Important?

The human form is linked into multiple aspects of itself, each section expressing a range of frequencies or vibrations, within a network of zones of energy, spheres within spheres. Chakras are thought to be energy vortexes in our emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. The physical body is a series of separate, yet related systems of energy. This system is referred to in the ancient texts as the Chakras. A Chakra is thought to be the interface point between the physical and non-physical form. They lie along a linear pathway (along the spine) from the Crown Chakra, located at the top of the cranium, to the Root Chakra, located at the base of the spine. There are 7 primary Chakras with colors representing the 7 Rays. It is said that activation and balance of energy flow in Chakras allow the body system to be at optimal connection with the higher self.       Here is  a little about how I meditate with crystals to get you started....   I guess there are many ways to meditate with crystals, but there are some basic things that everybody likes to go by and this is the way that I use and like best.   There are the 7 basic chakras shown in the picture above (actually there are more, but 7 main ones) kind of energy centers in your body.  Well, they have colors associated with them too.  An easy rule is to pick a stone the same color as the chakra for that chakra, although there is always some unusual ones that are different.  And you can't mess up!  Its not like something bad will happen and the universe will implode if you use a throat chakra stone on you solar plexus chakra!    The first or "base chakra", located at the very base of your spine, is about wanting to exist in the physical world, survival, passion for life.  Some stones for it would be rough ruby, fire quartz or garnet, red jasper.   The second chakra, sometimes known at the "tribal" or "sexual" chakra, is located in your pelvis just above your pubic bone.  Its color is orange and this chakra is all about relationships, connections, and again intensity.  Some good stones would be carnelian or tangerine quartz.   The third chakra, the "solar plexus" is located between your ribcage and your navel.  It is about our sense of self or ego (not in a bad way) in the physical world.  It is associated with the color yellow and some stones would be citrine or topaz.   The fourth chakra (my personal favorite!!) is the "heart chakra" located in the center of the sternum (breastbone).  This one is all about emotions and sadly it is where much emotional pain can accumulate.  Now this one is different in that there are TWO colors associated with it--pink and green.  This means there are a ton of stones for the heart chakra...rose quartz, jade, rhodochrosite, chrysoprase and pink kunzite, just to name a few!   The fifth chakra is the "throat chakra" located at the base of the neck.  It is all about expression of course (not just speaking your truth, but living your truth, manifesting your truth, etc).  Its color is blue.  Some stones would be aquamarine and aqua aura quartz.   The sixth chakra is called the "third eye", located in the middle of the forehead just above the brow line.  This chakra is all about your innate ability to see and perceive beyond what is in this world!  And here the color system breaks down a bit.  an indigo stone such as iolite is a good choice, but there are many others good for the third eye-herkimer diamond is a nice one!  Apophyllite is also a good one!   The crown chakra is focused actually several inches up off the top of your head (at least for meditation purposes, the way I've been taught).  It is a gateway to all of the chakras in your body and is associated with the color white!  Quartz crystal is an excellent choice for this chakra as is amethyst or phenacite.   Now, when you meditate whith stones, you need one stone for each chakra, a grounding stone at your feet and two pointed crystals to hold in your hands (like nice sized quartz crystals or whatever you are drawn to).   The idea of grounding is that it drains any excess energy from us that we do not want there, kind of a negativity vacuum.  Good grounding stones are Howlite, hematite, pyrite, apache tear and black tourmaline.   You proceed to lie down flat on your bed or a mat with a pillow for your head, a blankie near you in case you get cold, and your stones in a pile in your hand or within reach.   You begin by placing the grounding stone about 6-12 inches down from your feet. Then you lay the red stone on the base chakra, the orange stone of the pelvic chakra and so on up until you are lying flat reaching up over your head to set the crown chakra stone in place 6-12 inches above your head.  Now you have all your stones in place--be still all they will wobble off!  Take your two larger quartz crystals.  Place one with the point touching the palm of your left hand and place the other with the point facing out in your right hand (arms should be resting out at your sides with the crystals in them).   Basically, once you do this you can then use whatever meditation technique works best for you.  I like to deep breath imagining that I'm getting rid of everything that feels negative in waves going down to the grounding stone as I exhale.  I do that for awhile until I feel a difference.  then I focus on each chakra and the stone there starting at the base and going up, trying to build the energy there.  When I get to the crown chakra, i imagine mine open with white light from the universe, god, whatever you wish to call it streaming in.  Then I focus upon my hands.  The left hand if for receiving the energy of the stone, so I just focus on letting that in.  Then the right hand is for manifesting in this world what you want, kind of like holding a wand!  That part is fun!  I focus on everything i wish to create and manifest in this life (which has a much higher probablility of manifesting, when you are in a deep meditative state like that)!  Then I just get quiet and try to still all thoughts so that anything can come in that I am meant to hear.    Best of luck from Puppy and me on your journey exploring meditation! It has become challenging for many of us to become still in this sometimes frantic world. However the benefits are immense! If you are a concrete thinker who wants to stick with the proven, there are numerous studies which conclude that meditation improves quality of live and reduces stress related illnesses. For those willing to consider the more abstract, it is said that regular meditation helps us to "raise our vibration", which essentially means make spiritual progress during our physical incarnation. People report seeing clearly on a creative and intuitive level during meditation.  It is a worthwhile practice that crystals can enhance!

ALL HAIL GINA THE MINPIN!

Her cuteness power won her human a sterling wire wrapped Peruvian blue opal pendant from Puppy! In Gina's picture, you can see her having fun up on mommy's bed. She looks a little guilty in the picture!

The Prize:

Honorable Mentions go to Joey the kitteh looking very cuddly in his picture:

Rosie the Goat, a lovely creature indeed:

And the ever gorgeous PIHAS sows (PIHAS = Puppy's International Harem of Attractive Sows), Sugar and Lucy:

Thank you so much to everyone for sharing your adorable photos with me, Puppy and the world! If your cute baby did not win, please do not be sad or take offense. Remember that the winner is chosen from a pool of the top cutest photos with a random number generator (www.random.org). We truly enjoyed ALL of the adorable entries!

Announcing Another Cute Pet Pix Jewelry Give-Away Contest: Blue Peruvian Opal Sterling Wire Wrapped Pendant!

It's Puppy's Cute Pet Pix Jewelry Give-Away Contest!!!! That's right humans...cash in on your four-pawed's cuteness power and get free bling from the Pig!


Due to increased time demands, we have had to decrease the frequency of our give aways. This prize will be awarded on Nov. 1, 2010! Don't miss out!
For our prize we have a delicious chunk of completely natural Peruvian blue opal wrapped in sterling silver!

Here's how our monthly cute pet pix contest works: Puppy's mommy will list a new crystal or gemstone creation as the give away prize. As cute pet pix are submitted, they will be added to the slideshow widget on the right of the blog for everyone's viewing enjoyment and for the increased fame of the four-pawed's involved! New entries will be accepted until midnight PST of Sunday, October 31st. The cutest photo's will be designated semifinalist (so level of cuteness definitely matters) and then the winner will be chosen from those semifinalist by random number generator!

To enter and be eligible to win you must:

1.) follow this blog (via google, blogger, yahoo, twitter...see widgets near bottom right labelled "Puppy's Fan Club")
2.) live in the US.
3.) submit a photo entry of your pet via email (JPEG file) with the pet's name, your name, mailing address and permission to post your photo on this blog. Entries may be submitted via email to puppylovejewelry@rocketmail.com .
4.) Please submit only one entry per pet per contest (if you have several pets, you can submit one picture for each of them, as long as they are CUTE pictures!).
5.) I accept new entries up until October 31st, at which point this month's contest will be closed. The prize winner will be posted on our blog on Monday November 1'st, 2010.
6.) I will NEVER give your email or mailing address to anyone else. If I send out a marketing email about a sale, you may get one however I sent out a total of 4 marketing emails last year so I think its safe to say that you won't be bombarded, and if you do get anything from me it will be cute!

Let the sharing of cuteness begin!

Our Featured Prize, to be awarded November 1st, 2010:

Sterling Silver Blue Peruvian Opal Wire Wrapped Pendant!

Sterling silver wire is sculpted around a brilliant natural bright blue opal stone in the rough.  Shimmering blue and purple artisan crafted dichroic glass beads are added for adornment!
The pendant measures just under 2 inches long, including the sterling silver bail.  The unwrapped stone dimensions are 16mm by 13mm by 6mm (rough, free form). It is made of some of the brightest colored material available (that is totally natural).  It is in the spectrum of "jelly opal" as it is translucent to bright light-lovely energy! The pendant comes with a long fine black satin cord, but would also look pretty worn on a silver chain.

My handmade original, infused with love! You will receive the exact pendant pictured here. Comes in a lavender satin gift bag with a card explaining the metaphysical properties pretty blue opal!

Metaphysical Properties of Blue Opal:

Blue Opal: Stimulates creativity, communication and courage to voice the difficult. Gives the wearer the self-assuredness to speak freely as well as discernment regarding who will be most receptive to ideas. Resonates with the throat chakra and energizes the third eye. Also said to have a very soothing energy for those who are stressed, often promoting deep and comforting sleep.

So get your cute on, and send us your cutest picture!

ALL HAIL MR. BOJANGLES!

His Cuteness Power won his human a sterling wire wrapped aqua aura quartz pendant from Puppy! Mr. Bojangles was a rescue dog found taking refuge from the rain in a phone booth. He lived to 16 years of age and now awaits his rescue human at the rainbow bridge!

The Prize:

Honorable Mentions go to Tinkerbell, who wore her kitty fairy princess outfit with incredible grace and elegance:

and also to Lucy for her spot on impersonation of the Grinch:

Thank you so much to everyone for sharing your adorable photos with me, Puppy and the world! If your cute baby did not win this time, please do not be sad or take offense. Remember that the winner is chosen from a pool of the top cutest photos with a random number generator (www.random.org) .Feel free to send us another one of your cutest pictures and try again (you can enter one picture for each pet you have each month if you want)!  

Announcing July's Cute Pet Pix Jewelry Give-Away Contest: Aqua Aura Quartz Wire Wrapped Pendant!

It's Puppy's Cute Pet Pix Jewelry Give-Away Contest!!!! That's right humans...cash in on your four-pawed's cuteness power and get free bling from the Pig!

We have a nice sparkly prize this month, a nice-sized aqua aura quartz crystal wrapped in sterling silver!
Here's how our monthly cute pet pix contest works: each month, Puppy's mommy will list a new crystal or gemstone creation as the give away prize. As cute pet pix are submitted, they will be added to the slideshow widget on the right of the blog for everyone's viewing enjoyment and for the increased fame of the four-pawed's involved! New entries will be accepted until midnight PST of July 31st. The cutest photo's will be designated semifinalist (so level of cuteness definitely matters) and then the winner will be chosen from those semifinalist by random number generator!

To enter and be eligible to win you must:

1.) follow this blog (via google, blogger, yahoo, twitter...see widgets near bottom right labelled "Puppy's Fan Club")
2.) live in the US.
3.) submit a photo entry of your pet via email (JPEG file) with the pet's name, your name, mailing address and permission to post your photo on this blog. Entries may be submitted via email to puppylovejewelry@rocketmail.com .
4.) Please submit only one entry per pet per month (if you have several pets, you can submit one picture for each of them, as long as they are CUTE pictures!).
5.) I accept new entries throughout the whole month until July 31st, at which point this month's contest will be closed. The prize winner will be posted on our blog on Sunday August 1'st, 2010.
6.) I will NEVER give your email or mailing address to anyone else. If I send out a marketing email about a sale, you may get one however I sent out a total of 4 marketing emails last year so I think its safe to say that you won't be bombarded, and if you do get anything from me it will be cute!

Let the sharing of cuteness begin!

Our Featured Prize, to be awarded August 1st, 2010:

Sterling Silver Aqua Aura Quartz Wire Wrapped Pendant!

Sterling silver wire is delicately sculpted around a beautiful blue aqua aura quartz crystal! A shimmering blue-green artisan crafted dichroic glass bead is added for adornment!
Aqua Aura Quartz is created when a layer of gold is alchemized to the surface of a quartz crystal, giving it a beautiful blue appearance and enriched metaphysical energies.

The entire pendant measures 2.75 inches long, including the sterling bail.  The unwrapped crystal dimensions are 42mm long and 10mm wide. The crystal demonstrates sparkling clarity and beautiful blue color! This piece comes with a long fine black satin cord, but would also look lovely worn on a silver chain.

My handmade original, infused with love! You will receive the exact pendant pictured here. Comes in a lavender satin gift bag with a card explaining the metaphysical properties pretty aqua aura quartz!

Metaphysical Properties of Aqua Aura Quartz:

This beautiful enhanced crystal is made when a layer of gold is alchemized to the surface of the quartz crystal. The gold itself is believed to change the inherent properties of the quartz. Frees the wearer from limitation and allows new beginnings. Also resonates with the throat chakra, giving birth to self-expression. Soothes the aura and instills profound peace during meditation.

So get your cute on, and send us your cutest picture!