Recently, we discovered an amazing company called Shepherd's Watch. Amazing not only because of the sheer beauty of their products... but because of the function and history behind them.
You see, Shepherd's Watch makes wearable Sundials! Yes, you heard right. Sundials that you wear as a necklace or a ring!
Amazing -- I told you so!
You see, Shepherd's Watch makes wearable Sundials! Yes, you heard right. Sundials that you wear as a necklace or a ring!
Amazing -- I told you so!
Shepherd's Watch was founded in Montreal Canada in 1993 by respected artisan Harris Morrison. He uses a unique "bead of light" to make telling time a fun, fascinating and battery-free experience.
You can choose from a unique collection of “wearable sundial" gift pieces, from jewelry pendants to promise jewelry and garden sundials.
Each piece is actually a miniature portable sundial, which tells the time using only sunlight and the unique “bead-of-light” technology.
For those interested in sundial lore, history and science, the Shepherd's Watch website is filled with interesting Historical references and informative educational materials.
For a short video explaining the Bead of Light technology, just click here to view the Shepherd's Watch Video.
Shepherd's Watch makes several styles of wearable Sundial, these are our favourites:
The Aquitaine Series
How it works...On sunny days, watch this replica go to work by suspending the dial by its black satin cord. Through a tiny hole, a thin ray of sunshine shines through to illuminate a number on the inside of the dial showing the time of day.
The Aquitaine is available in several design motifs in Pewter, Sterling Silver, mixed Silver and Gold, and Gold in 10, 14, or 18 karat, and by special order, 22 karat. All Shepherds Watch dials come with instructions.
Historical Note:
How did the Aquitaine sundial get its name? Almost 900 years ago, in 1152, Eleanor of Aquitaine gave a sundial like this one to King Henry II of England so that Henry would know when to return from the hunt for their love trysts. Henry had a copy of the dial made for Eleanor that was inlaid with diamonds and engraved with the words Carpe Diem or "Seize the Day."
Nocturnal Series
Historical Note:
Perhaps the most accurate of all our dials, "star" dials were first used in the 15th century by navigators who told time by the position of the stars. They work so well because they are based on the North Star, which is almost directly on the axis of the earth's tilt and always appears in the same position in the sky. All the other stars seem to revolve around it.
Saturn Series:
How it works:
1. Place dial on a level surface
2."S" tilted up in south direction.
3. Read the time in center of marbles shadow.
4. For increased accuracy, place two pennies under the marble
You will be amazed and intrigued by these gorgeous Sundials -- not just for their beauty, function, and style but by the immediate, haunting step back into time. These wearable pieces of timepiece art connect you to days long past -- they draw you in and cast their spell. You won't want to take them off!
You can connect with Shepherd's Watch on their brand-new Facebook page at: Shepherd's Watch Sundials.
Please stop by and tell them that Terri & Liz from Gathering My Roses sent you!
We also love Shepherd's Watch for their Humanitarian endeavours. They give back to the World Community.
Shepherd's Watch gives 10% of their profits to an international charity called Susila Dharma International. (It's the umbrella organization for about 47 projects in about 23 different countries.) These programs serve children, the elderly, the sick and the dispossessed in many innovative ways. Most of the programs started in individuals who had a vision and the strength to make it happen.
Susila Dharma International just launched its own Facebook Page.
Please stop by and and pay them a visit!
Shepherd's Watch has generously offered on luck Follower a chance to win the stunning Saturn Series Necklace!
Just follow the instructions below for your chance to enter and win!
Open to 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 ENTRY: Tell me about a timepiece or piece of jewelry that connects you to the past and a happy memory.
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
1. Follow Shepherd's Watch Sundials on Facebook and post on their Wall -- tell them Terri & Liz from Gathering My Roses sent you!
2. Purchase an item(s) from Shepherd's Watch and provide us with your invoice number!
3. Follow Gathering My Roses PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect (Located on the sidebar)
4. Follow Gathering My Roses via Facebook Networked Blogs (Located on sidebar)
5. Become a fan of Gathering My Roses on Facebook (link on Sidebar!)
6. Follow @GeorgiaMist on Twitter
7. Tweet about this contest (no more than twice daily, please!)
@GeorgiaMist Win a Saturn Series Sundial Necklace from Gathering My Roses! Ends 6/18/10 http://bit.ly/bwW7Bn
8. Post the link to this contest on your blog and / or Facebook and link back here!
9. Enter another contest on our blog and then come back and tell us which one.
10. Grab our button and post it to your sidebar or favourites page!
This contest will be open from Wednesday, June 2nd until Friday, June 18th. Winner will be announced on Saturday, June 19th.
DISCLOSURE: We received complimentary Sundial Necklaces from Shepherd's Watch for the purpose of review. We were under no obligation to review these items. We did not receive any monetary compensation. The opinions expressed herein are our own and based on our own personal use of and experience with the item.
