#NOVICA Review and $35 GC Giveaway! Ends 12/16/16

Did you grow up with a subscription to National Geographic? Did you eagerly watch the TV specials? Do you subscribe to NatGeo on Cable?

I did and I do now!

I discovered NOVICA just a few years ago.  Novica is a global market place in associated with National Geographic. It's endeavor is to Empower. Connect. Preserve. 


That they most certainly do! The artisans supported by Novica come from many different regions of the world: The Andes, Bali, Java, India, Mexico, Thailand, West Africa, and Central America.

The items created by these artisans are amazing. From Jewelry to Fashion to Sculpture and more, every piece is crafted with love and skill.

I was blessed to receive this stunningly beautiful Cultured Pearl and Amethyst Necklace with Cross Pendant handmade from India. It retails for $43.19
Five radiant pearls adorn this amethyst cross pendant designed by Neeru Goel.

An artist story card comes with the pendant, so you will know the real person behind the item that you purchased. You may even follow that artist through your Novica account!

Hi! My name is Neeru Goel and I was born on September 19, 1960. I spent most of my childhood in Kolkata, a metropolis in West Bengal. Collecting jewelry and gemstones has been my passion ever since childhood. I have been greatly inspired by my grandmother who used to look into each and every detail, from how jewelry is made to what had been used to make the jewelry. I remember when I was just a child, my grandmother used to watch nomads walking on the roads and admire them for wearing huge and fancy jewelry. 
I recently started designing sculptures in silver with Meenakari art. This was suggested by a friend, who by looking at my designing skills thought I could also make a mark in sculpting. I am overwhelmed at this new experience, and I am looking forward to continuing on this new artistic path. 


Novica offers so many options for buy personal and gift items: unique corporate gifts, Decor Accessories, and more.

I am saving up for a birthstone ring for myself.  Are these Opal Rings not amazing? This one is my favourite:

You already know that I'm addicted to Bangles and Bracelets and there are so many beautiful choices. Like chips, you MUST buy more than one!

Now, my second addiction is Handbags. This leather bag just calls for me to bring it home.  It is hand-tooled Mexican leather!

There is something for everyone at Novica.  You rest assured that the money you spend will help the artisans and craftsmen who design and create these awesome pieces of art.

You may connect with NOVICA on their website and Social Media pages:
Facebook, Pinterest,  Google+,  Instagram, and @NOVICA on Twitter!

The wonderful folks at Novica have generously offered one of my readers the chance to win a $35 Gift Code of their own!

Just follow the instructions below for your chance to enter and win! Remember, the more options that you enter, the better your chances!

Open to USA, 18+.  Gift Code will be delivered by email.

DISCLOSURE: I received a Gift Certificate to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with the item.

Entry-Form

Blessed Good Friday and Happy Passover

A Blessed Good Friday and Blessed Shabbat, Passover to all of my family and friends. 

My Comfort Cross Review and Giveaway -- *2 WINNERS* -- CLOSED!

CLOSED!

His branches shall spread and His beauty shall be as the olive tree...
~~ Hosea 14:6 ~~

Recently, I was truly Blessed to discover the beautiful Comfort Cross. The Comfort Cross is carved by a Christian craftsman in Bethlehem from the wood of the Olive Tree.

The moment I removed the Cross from it's red-velvet bag, I loved it. It truly is a very comforting, warm feeling to hold this beautifully carved Olivewood Cross from the Holy Land of Israel.

It conjures up images of days long past... of Jesus walking with Mary and Joseph as a child... hold it in the palm of your hand and feel His presence.
As a Roman Catholic, I am accustomed to holding my Rosary Beads as I pray. So, holding this Cross in my hand came very naturally to me.

I keep the Comfort Cross in my handbag when I'm out and by my bedside at night. I like knowing that I can reach out and touch it and allow it's depth of meaning encompass me.

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles...
~~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ~~

What is the Mission of My Comfort Cross?

Our Mission is to help Christians in Bethlehem. Issa is a Christian living on the outskirts of Bethlehem and has been carving crosses and religious items his whole life to support his wife and three children. Twenty years ago my mother met Issa on a visit to Bethlehem and began importing his olive wood handicrafts. With the decline in Bethlehem tourism, Issa and other Christian Artisans are struggling. Our aim is to support them by providing a market for olive wood crosses direct to Christians in America.

Why, you may ask is My Comfort Cross carved exclusively from the wood of the Olive Tree?

The Olivewood Cross:

Comfort Crosses are individually carved from a single unique piece of beautifully grained olive wood pruned from the olive trees around Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus. Christians have been carving crosses like this for hundreds of years, originally for pilgrims and more recently tourists visiting the Holy Land. Each craftsman receives a fair price to support their family and Christian community. The Comfort Cross is designed to fit comfortably into the palm of your hand as an aid to prayer or meditation. Ideal as your spiritual companion for easing children's fears, comforting worries and stresses of adults and focusing the prayer of the sick and elderly.

The olive tree is probably the most significant plant mentioned in both the New and Old Testament. First mentioned in Genesis as the leaf brought by the dove to comfort Noah it was the tree Jesus prayer under before the last supper. The Olive tree also provided food, lamp oil, anointing oil and building material during ancient times.

And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off:
so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
Genesis 8:11



The olive tree is an evergreen which can grow for thousands of years. The tree admired by Hosea whose leaves have been a sign of abundance; glory and peace are still used to crown victors in the Olympic Games. The oil from the fruit used to anoint the sick. The olive trees of Jerusalem are pruned to remove the hard wood and open the tree so new growth can provide a bountiful cop of olives the next year. This hard and beautiful timber is used by local craftsmen for carving.

Each sale of a comfort cross helps a Christian in the Holy Land by providing a fair price for his work.

Comfort Crosses are smooth and easy to hold in your hand and take with you everywhere. The red velvet pouch protects your Comfort Cross from damage and makes a lovely gift package as well.


Comfort Crosses are an ideal gift – for cancer patients, graduation, Baptism, anyone in need of spiritual comfort.


I would highly recommend that people take the Comfort Cross to their church and propose it as a fundraiser or as member gifts for Baptisms, Confirmation, Christenings, Marriages, Vacation Bible School, Youth Groups, and more.
What better way to welcome someone into the Church than to give them a Cross from the Holy Land.

As a fundraiser, this is a wonderful item. The benefits are not only monetary, but deeply spiritual as well.

My Comfort Cross offers Special Pricing for purchases made through the website:

*1 cross is $8 ($5 plus $3 shipping)
*2 crosses are $12 ($9 plus $3 shipping)
*Mission Pack is 8 crosses at $40 ($32 plus $8 shipping)
*Fundraising and Church packs are still $3 per cross plus shipping.

The wonderful gentlemen of My Comfort Cross have offered to give two of my readers a Comfort Cross of their very own.
We are blessed, indeed, by their kind generosity.

This giveaway is open to the USA only, please.

***NOTICE: You *MUST* leave your email address in the body of your comment or make your email address visible in your profile. If I cannot contact you -- you can't win!***

Please leave a separate comment for EACH entry!

MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. Please visit My Comfort Cross and tell me something you learned. Also, tell me how you comfort others when they are in need or to whom you might give a Comfort Cross.

2. Please *LIKE* My Comfort Cross on Facebook -- Post on their wall and tell them Terri at Gathering My Roses sent you! (Leave a comment on this post with your Facebook name and a link to your post on FB)

Additional Entries:

1. Please follow Gathering My Roses on Google Friend Connect. (On sidebar)

2. Please follow @GeorgiaMist on Twitter

3. Tweet this and leave a comment on this post with your Twitter name and link to your Tweet:
@GeorgiaMist Win a Comfort Cross from Gathering My Roses (ARV: $8)- 2 WINNERS-Ends 8/20/11 http://bit.ly/qIU46j

That's all! Easy entries!

Giveaway will be open from Tuesday, August 9th until 11:59 p.m on Saturday, August 20th. Winners to be announced on Sunday, August 21st.

DISCLOSURE:
I received a Comfort Cross for the purpose of revew. I was under no obligation to review this item. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with this item.