"Porch Pirates" How far can our jade go to protect us?

"Porch Pirates" have been in the news the past couple of weeks.  These pirates are people who follow delivery trucks, then when the truck leaves, if the package is on the porch, they take it.  And they walk around their neighborhood looking for packages the mail carrier left on porches, next to mail boxes, even peek in mail boxes to see if there's anything they would like to take.  Most often, the pirates are people who live in the neighborhood.

I pay an extra fee to my postage program to send me a daily report on packages that were delivered, packages with a delivery status of "failed" (whatever that means), and delivery status of "exception",  which usually means there wasn't anyone available to sign for a package when it was shipped with signature confirmation.  I was very relieved to see the "delivered" status until the porch pirates became more active.

The status could show "delivered" when you use the tracking number, but that doesn't mean the customer really got it.

For the holidays, and probably for the future, packages that have a value of around $200 or more will be shipped with signature confirmation.  Of course, that means shipping prices will increase.  But we both want to know that expensive jade bangle bracelet got on your wrist, not someone elses.

So what do you think happens to jade that is "pirated"?  Do you think the thief can wear the jade bangle with "happiness and good luck"? 

"Pirates" are a dilemma to deal with.  After much meditation on the problem,  I realized that although I can't win the war against them,  Karma will take effect and their jade will probably bring them bad luck.

This holiday season, and probably for the future, you can protect yourself from "porch pirates" several ways.  If you have home security, you can have cameras on your porch or where packages are delivered.   You can track the packages, and know when they arrive and be present.  Or if you can't be present, you can talk with your mail carrier if it's coming by USPS, and let mail carrier know where you want your package, somewhere safer.  If UPS, you can go online to change the delivery day if you won't be home to accept it.  Or request your seller to ship with signature required.  If it's USPS, and signature is required, you can arrange to have it delivered when you are available, or pick it up at your post office. The carrier will leave a note with your options.

Your jade has good qi energy to protect you.  Take precautions so you do get it.

Jade for Women's Wellness -Jade "Yoni" Eggs for Kegel Exercise

We have been selling  jade eggs and ben wa balls for women's health for several years.   In fact, we were one of the first sellers of these in USA.  Now they are very popular, and have even been featured on television talk shows.  But with so many to choose from now, it can be confusing.

Jade Eggs for Women

Unfortunately, with this new web site that doesn't allow for much variation, I haven't found a good reviews program to add to it.  Most of our items are one of a kind, and when it's sold, it's "gone", so there's no way to leave a review for it.

Here's a review I received on Etsy:
"It's been three weeks since receiving my eggs I use them once a day.. I have gained so much control of my yoni. Intimacy is so much greater I am really happy ..Thank you so much.. They are truly a gift. "

I started selling them because I used them myself, and was very happy with how much tighter my pelvis got, and no more "gotta go" and I can sleep all night without having to get up and urinate.  And I think by using them, I honor my body more.

Jade Ben Wa Balls

This is Women's Wellness weekend on Jade Heaven, and the basic sets are priced lower than we have offered them in the past.  Try them now!  And if you like them, give them as a gift to a special lady friend.

Women's Wellness Weekend

Black Friday for Jade?

Customers have been asking and waiting for "Black Friday" sales.  Some retailers have used Veterans Day and Friday the 13th as the beginning of Black Friday.  This weekend will start our holiday sales. 

There were stories on the news and online stating  Black Friday is often not the best time to get your best deals.  Research indicated that many retailers mark up their prices, so they can offer deep discounts during special sales.  Our prices have always been real prices, and our sales are always real sales.  I really get frustrated when I purchase something online, only tot see a lower price on it in less than a week.  And I try to treat customers the way I want to be treated, so I consider that when offering discounts and sales.

Heavenly Jade

Several jade loving customers make sure their account is up to date on our web sites.  Then they make a wish list by adding what they would love to have for holiday gifts.  Our shopping carts are designed to keep your added items in the cart.  They might sell out and not be available, but the cart stays intact.  Then they give the login information to their loved ones who want to buy something special for them, and the buyer can easily see their wish list items, and purchase them.  They often have the order  shipped to a work address so it will be a  real surprise. 

We will continue the Daily Specials and Sale collections, update them and offer good deals for you. When you see the storefront design "holiday style", you will know that discounts are the best and lowest prices we can offer.

Happy shopping!

Jade for Craft Shows

It's that time of year, when holiday craft shows are popular.  Our community has a craft show in November.  This year, it was the Saturday after we were gone for a week, and I didn't have time to "get it together" to participate.  I always enjoy looking at what crafters make, and do some of my Christmas shopping at our local craft show.  A girlfriend and I used to knit fashion scarves using fancy yarns.  We are both busy women who enjoyed spending time with each other, but liked something to do with our hands, and loom knitting was perfect because we didn't have to think about it much, and then accomplished something while we were doing "nothing".  And we would sell them at the craft show.

I had my jade carver make very small jade baby bangle bracelets to use with the scarves and you could tie the bangle to the scarf for a unique jade item.  They never sold when I had them on the web site, but they were very popular at the craft show.  And I kept a supply of jade eggs and ben wa balls with me, which are also very popular.

My girlfriend who I used to shared a table with at the craft show told me people kept asking "where's that jade lady".   "That jade lady" will probably use the few scarves I still have to wrap around your new  pretty jade bangle bracelet you purchase for yourself during this holiday season.  If you want a scarf  with your jade bangle purchase, write a note in the comments box and while they last I will include it with your order. The small jade baby bangles are available on the YYJ web site.

Remember the "Make an Offer" Deals?

Long time customers will remember our "make an offer" sales. When the new web site was opened in May, it was more automated than the old site and transactions work out best if they are done online.  Also, long time customers will notice that the prices on the high end old mine "lao pit" jadeite are significantly lower than they were previously, so there's not much room for making an offer.  You really get a good deal on older, vintage genuine jadeite now because although the web sites are "new", they were developed to be more automated, have lower prices.   Long time customers have also seen my blogs about working towards retiring soon.  It's been a struggle to price the best quality jade as low as possible, because I know it has much higher value, is rare and precious, but I would like to see it sold and on a jade lover's wrist instead of a box in my inventory.

The old mine lao pit jadeite is truly rare and precious.  "Lao" means "old" in Chinese.  This jade was mined prior to the year 2000 and before the political and military conflicts in Burma.  Since then, the lao pit mines have been closed, abandoned, destroyed during the conflicts.  The USA despised the political situation, and put sanctions on Burma (Myanmar) to punish it for inhumane behavior.  The USA intended to embargo resources like gas, oil.  But you know how politics go.  The politics of politics and greed often wipe out any benefits.  Mr. Lantos was an embargo  promoter and lobbied in Washington for strict sanctions.  But when all was said an done, the only embargo was against jadeite and rubies. It became illegal to import jadeite to USA, even if it was purchased by Chinese, carved into bangles, pendants, and sold to USA citizens.  Did it work? No.  People in USA bought embargoed jadeite on ebay after the embargo date of 2008.  Could I risk buying jadeite considering  my significant jade web presence?   No.   That's why our descriptions state the year the jade was purchased on our shopping trips in China.

When I fell in love with jade in 1999, I was still working my "real" job, psychology and counseling.  Computer technology was become more common, and I went to a webmaster school to learn web design, and build a web site for online counseling.  It turned into a jade health and wellness web site when I learned about the healing characteristics of jade. When I went to Beijing to learn Chinese medicine,  I met a Chinese doctor who helped me get genuine natural Chinese jade for health tools like jade rollers and gua sha, and we met a jade expert who supplied jade for me.  I also went to China every year during my summer vacation to buy jade.  And I spent every extra dollar I made buying the grade A old mine jadeite bangle bracelets.  Not because I knew an embargo was coming, but because I planned to quit my real job in 2004 and sell jade online. I still have boxes of jadeite bangle bracelets I purchased during 1999-2005.  They turned out to be an investment I am using now.

And yes, it's all real jade.  I went to China the first time to learn Chinese medicine, learning about jade and healing and wellness, and committed myself to only "real" jade.  Working with a Chinese doctor meant only real, genuine jade.

Back on track to the subject selling old mine lao pit jadeite:   instead of "make an offer", this auspicious November I'm offering 11% off the collection on higher end priced jadeite bangles $1011+.  And the sale will go through November 11.  The details and coupon are on the Sale page.   

You will get a great discount price, and be able to purchase fine grained jadeite at prices lower than they sell them for in China.  I know it's priced lower than Chinese prices because I really get harassed by Chinese jade sellers about making my prices too low.

Also sale 11% off  on the Ying Yu Jade web site. 

Old Mine Lao Pit Grade A Jadeite Bangle Bracelet

The old experienced jade carvers would study their boulder of jadeite until they got a good "feel" for it, and decided how they wanted to use it.  Then they chose an auspicious day to do the carving.  I like that.   "Auspicious" and "jade" work well together. That's the basis for this sale, November, 11's, and Veteran's Day November 11.  I'm a Navy veteran, by the way.

Life's Challenges and Pleasures

Our few days in Key West last week were a combination of challenges and pleasures.   It was mostly a very enjoyable experience, but challenging physically, being on the go all the time.  I always desire my days off to be relaxing, but I like to do interesting things, too.

If you are in Key West, you simply have to shop on Duval Street.  So many unique things.  I always get a tee shirt, and this year it was so hot I got a tank top, with Conch Republic logo and art work from their tee shirt factory next to the Simonton Court bed and breakfast we stayed.  Last year, I wanted a Key West hurricane bracelet, but didn't get one, so buying one was on my list.  The Hurricane Bracelets are very symbolic to me because we moved to Florida in 2004, and six weeks after we arrived, three hurricanes came through central Florida in six weeks, and all three intersected within 10 miles of our home. It's rare for central Florida to get the full force of a hurricane.   So it was a stressful time for us.  Every time there's a hurricane near Florida, we feel the relief of it not affecting us directly, and consider the winds and rain that reach our area to be a blessing.

The person who designed these was selling them at the street market last Friday, so I had a chance to talk with him.  He helped me find the best size for my non-bangle wrist and showed me how to put it on and remove it.  It's a little tricky because the ball in the middle has to travel around the swirl and get pulled out.  And there was a story that went with the bracelet.  Sounds like buying jade from our stores, doesn't it!  Symbolism and a story.

"Hurricanes always grow in strength and each one has its lessons to teach with every passing season.  Share this charming bracelet wit those who have experienced your challenges and pleasures in life.  This design, with its unique clasp, locks in the center and wears perfectly with your personality". 

Good thoughts for mindful meditation.  And a reminder as I wear it during the day.

And it does look good when I wear it on the same wrist as my jade bangle bracelet.  But I like it by itself on my non-bangle wrist.  More symbolic for me.

Jade for November

If you wear jade as "medicine", and use the jade qi energy for health and wellness, November  is the month you want jade that balances the Metal meridian.

The month of November is related to the lungs and lung meridian, which is the metal element. Often people feel the emotion of grief in November, which is the lung qi being out of balance. Expressing feelings of grief help to rid the body of this excess. Keep grief bottled up inside can lead to problems breathing, and contribute to the growth of tumors or cancer. Breath is essential to life.

The Chinese term chi is usually translated as energy, but it really means breath. The energy of the body is the breath of the body; the energy of the heart is the breath of the heart. They are one and the same.

So if you wish to guard your health and enhance it, one of the best things you can do is engage in some form of spiritual meditation that emphasize breath. Not only will this energize you, it will clear much of the grief we all experience by living in this world. Excess grief exaggerates the force of contraction, crushing the heart nestled within the canopy of the lung. But grief can be cleared, restoring our connection to the love of the world and the divine, which are ever-present. If you are an advanced meditation practitioner, you can learn Tonglen meditation, using your breath as medicine to heal yourself, and to go a step further, practicing into the world. 

If you wear jade for health, this is a good time to wear your white jade, as white is the color associated with lung qi that also has moss or green viens.. "Winter white" jade is not pure white, but has other hues of lavender, gray and/or green to help balance the stark white energy. Most of the "lao pit" soft white with green veins have just the right qi for this time of year.

"Snowy White" Grade A Jadeite Bangle Bracelet #251

Glowing Translucent White Old Mine Lao Pit Jadeite Bangle Bracelet #BB588

Auspicious white jadeite 3-D Horse Pendant