Earrings

"Ear piercing is one of the oldest known forms of body modification, with artistic and written references from cultures around the world dating back to early history. One of the early signs of earrings worn by males are from the walls of Perspolis in ancient Persia, the carved images of the soldiers from various parts of the Persian Empire which are displayed on some of the surviving walls of the palace showing the soldiers wearing an ear ring." from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earring

There are many different types of pierced earrings: studs, hoops, dangles, slaves, huggys, threads, and needles. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 30 years old. Why? I wasn't really "into" earrings because I wore my hair very long and you couldn't see my ears anyway. So, why bother? But I decided to treat myself on my 30th birthday so away I went to the mall and got some little gold studs put in. I was hooked (pardon the pun) immediately! I chose to have regular removable earrings, but my daughter has had permanent ones put in her ears (4 on each earlobe). Over the years I've had quite the collection. Remember seeing your grandmother or mother wear cameos? Or those oversize button things from the 80's?

Because I just had my hair done today, I was conscious of what earrings I could wear with this length. It's not too much shorter than before but I wanted to make sure I could wear all kinds from my little cubic zirconia studs to the longest dangly ones in my collection. When I got home, I went through my earrings and took a few photos of some of my favourites.

These are the oldest ones I own. I bought them at an

old local Robinson's store when my older daughter was

16 and working there. They cost $2.00 and I wear them

around the house with a t-shirt. (oh, pants too)

A couple of years ago, my sister and I went to a craft fair in my little

village. I didn't see anything I wanted to buy,but just as we were leaving,

we noticed a sort of business convention going on next door

and it was open to the public. We popped in and, voila! These were

handmade and for sale - $8.00! Good deal!

I've worn them a lot and always have people comment on them.

I bought these crystal hearts at a home-based Fifth Avenue party

about 6 or 7 years ago. They're perfect for a bit of sparkle with jeans

and a nice top. Cost: $40.00

I bought these green crystal earrings to wear on one of the

dressy evenings on an Alaska cruise. Cost: $45.00 Cdn.

While in Italy during the fall of '06, I found a lovely brown wrap sweater

in a tiny shop in Positano. When I went to pay for it, I spotted

these earrings which I knew would be perfect with it.

They're brown Swarovzki crystals and pearls.

Cost: 45 Euros = about $75.00 Cdn

Finally, this pair called to me from the window of a jewellry shop

in Taormina, Sicily. I went over to take a look and they said, "Buy us!"

So in I went and looked at them more closely.

They're mother-of-pearl and sterling silver - gorgeous!

Cost: If I remember correctly, around 90 Euros = around $150.00 Cdn

In Amalfi, I purchased a beaded necklace and earrings set - one of a kind by a local artisan - that I love to wear with basic black. The various colours really show up against the black. It was probably the equivalent of around $250.00 Cdn but I felt the set was well worth it. When I was in Wales, I bought a pair of faux gold hoops and faux silver embossed hoops.

I have to say that right now my favourite earrings of all are these.My daughter Jaclyn gave them to me for Christmas this year and because I'm aware of her financial situation, I know just what a sacrifice it was for her to buy these for me. They're opals set in sterling silver and she told me that she'd gone looking for opal earrings to go with the opal and diamond ring her Dad had given me years ago. These earrings are precious to me, not so much for their monetary value, but for the thought and sentiment that went into the giving.

It just goes to show that you don't need to spend a fortune on earrings to look good. Mine range in price from absolutely cheap to medium expensive a pair but no matter which ones I choose to wear, they make me feel feminine and pretty. Each pair has a history, a story of how they came to be in my possession. They finish off an outfit be it shorts and top to weed the garden or formal gown for a dressy affair. I don't feel dressed without them.