Over the course of the past month, my business, Ciarrai Studios, and I have started a new chapter with a new name and a new website / blog. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all my followers and readers here on Ciarrai Studios blog to join me over at my new site, C. S. Literary Jewelry (http://csliteraryjewelry.com) and at the new C. S. Literary Jewelry Etsy shop, Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, and Pinterest page.
Hope to see you there!
Kerry
Please join me in wishing a happy birthday to Mary Shelley, author of the classic horror novel, Frankenstein. I recently read Frankenstein for the first time and was really impressed with the book, if not the lead character. If you haven’t already, you can read my Open Letter to Victor Frankenstein here.
Anyway, I usually celebrate famous literary birthdays with a tea party, but Mary Shelley just seemed to require a little something extra so I put together a song and dance routine in honor or the day. I hope you enjoy it!
And if you needed another reason to celebrate, the folks who brought us the fabulous Lizzy Bennet Diaries have now turned their attentions to Frankenstein with the new web series, Frankenstein MD. Check out the first episode here.
Lastly, I put together this treasury of great handmade Mary Shelley and Frankenstein – inspired Etsy items. Enjoy!
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$5
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$699.99
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$4.9
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$45
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Today is Women’s Equality Day, a commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote and a day to acknowledge the courageous women who fought (and who are still fighting) to secure the rights and protections that we enjoy today.
Like many parts of my personality, my feminism was strongly influenced by the books I read growing up. Louisa May Alcott had a huge impact on me. Not only did she create Jo March (one of the earliest literary feminist role models), but she was the gateway that launched me into an obsession with reading biographies of great women in history. I started with Invincible Louisa and was fascinated by Alcott’s life working as an abolitionist, suffragette, and social reformer. After that, I spent two years obsessively devouring every book in my school library about women like Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Amelia Earhart, and Madame Curie and it left me with a deep and abiding respect for the women who paved the way for girls like me.
I spend so much time talking about my favorite fictional characters but on this very important anniversary, I wanted to take a moment to thank the real life heroines whose dedication and bravery made the world a better place for women like me.
With the Labor Day weekend just around the corner, kids are enjoying the final days of summer vacation before starting school sometime next week. But for many teachers, the school year has already (unofficially) started as they set up their classrooms, plan lessons, and do other behind the scenes work to make their students’ school year a successful one. So in honor of our hardworking and dedicated teachers, here’s my:
Top 10 Teachers From Books and Literature
1. Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter by J. K. Rowlings) While a case could be made for many members of the Hogwarts faculty, in my opinion, Professor McGonagall is hands-down the best teacher in the Harry Potter series. Tough but fair, McGonagall is steadfast and dependable. In a story where role models and parental figures come and go, McGonagall is always there to watch out for her students. Although McGonagall can more than hold her own in the fight against evil, what truly sets her ahead of her fellow Hogwarts teachers is the fact that she never lets it distract her from making her students her first priority.
2. Professor Bhaer (Little Women / Little Men / Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott) – Education is sort of the family business for the March family with Mr. March, Meg, Jo, and John Brooke all employed as teachers, tutors, and governesses at one point or another, but it is Professor Bhaer that almost single-handedly taches all of those little men (and Daisy and Nan too), not only reading, writing, and arithmetic but also how to be a person of integrity and character.
3. Miss Temple (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte) – Although Jane herself becomes a governess, I chose Miss Temple for this list over Jane because of the way she tries to protect her students from the abuses of Lowood School. In a climate where student testing and Common Core curriculum are so hotly debated by the powers that be, we need teachers like Miss Temple who shield and guide their students through it all.
4. Mr. Carpenter (Emily of New Moon Trilogy, L. M. Montgomery) – Miss Stacey from Anne of Green Gables (or even Anne herself) would be the more obvious choice for this list but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Mr. Carpenter. He isn’t warm and fuzzy but he is brutally honest and his students know that he will not sugar coat anything in his efforts to help them be the best they can be.
5. Miss Edmund (Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson) – Miss Edmund is the kind of teacher who sees and nurtures talent in her students and encourages them to be themselves. Although it ended in tragedy, the trip that Miss Edmund and Jesse took to the museum reminds me of the countless teachers that give of their own time and money to help their students both inside and outside of the classroom.
6. Tom Wingo (The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy) – At first glance, Tom Wingo is an odd fit for this list, seeming on the surface to be merely a redneck football coach suffering a mental breakdown after years of abuse, trauma, and the death of his older brother, Luke. But this shrimpers son has the soul of a poet and is a passionate educator and lover of art, literature, and culture. As a man and as a teacher, Tom resists stereotyping and teaches his students (both on the football field and off) to recognize the unsuspected layers of complexity and strength in themselves and others.
7. Mrs Weston / Miss Taylor (Emma by Jane Austen) – Miss Taylor never waivers in her believe that Emma can do anything she set her mind to and remains a true friend and support even after Emma has completed her education.
8. Emily Sparks (Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters) Emily Sparks is the type of teacher who never gives up on a troubled kid. Recognizing that the hardest kids to love sometimes need it the most, Emily’s care and devotion follows her student throughout his life.
9. Annie Sullivan (The Story of My Life by Helen Keller / The Miracle Worker by William Gibson) – A real life teacher whose work with Helen Keller was immortalized by Helen’s autobiography which was then adapted into a play and a film, I decided to include Miss Sullivan in this list of fictional teachers to represent for Special Education teachers everywhere whose drive, dedication and creativity improve the lives of their special needs students.
10. Hans Hubermann (The Book Thief by Markus Zusak) – Although not a professional teacher, Hans nonetheless teaches Liesel (aka The Book Thief) to read when she is having trouble at school. Hans is here on this list representing home schoolers and dedicated parents who take an active role in their children’s education.
Although not technically from a book, I am psychologically incapable of ending this list of fictional teachers without putting in a tribute to Robin William’s brilliant performance as Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society, so I am just going to leave this here:
So that’s it for me. Now I want to hear from you. Are there any great teachers from books and literature that I forgot about? Leave a comment with your favorites.
Don’t forget that my Back to School Sale on handmade literary jewelry for teachers, librarians, and book lovers will be coming to an end soon. Visit my shop and use the coupon code: BACKTOSCHOOL to save 15% on your order.
And for all the teachers, staff, and students who are about to start a new semester, I wish you the very best of luck and a great year at school!
From Anne Shirley to Dr. Watson to Winnie the Pooh, our favorite fictional characters bring a special something to the relationship that makes us wish they could be our friends in real life. So in honor of Friendship Week, I am breaking down what we love about our favorite bookish BFF’s and fictional friends and why we totally need friends just like them in our lives.
#1. Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery) – Life is never dull when you have a friend like Anne! Creative and imaginative, she brings out the magic in everyday life. She can be a bit dramatic at times and her romantic and whimsical outlook on life may get her into trouble but ultimately her good sense and ability to laugh at herself sees her through every scrape.
#2. Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien) – Loyal and dedicated to a fault, a Samwise Gamgee is the type of friend who has been with you since the beginning and will stay with you to the bitter end. Friends like Sam would walk through hell for you, encourage you every step of the way and will literally carry you when things gets too hard.
(Bonus – Since Sam is a gardener, you can totally call him up the next time you are going away and need someone to water your plants!)
#3. Sancho Panza (Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes) – Everyone needs a Sancho, the kind of friend who is willing to go along for the ride – no matter how crazy your latest scheme seems to everyone else. A Sancho never stops believing in you, no matter how many windmills knock you on your butt and is always game for the next adventure!
#4. Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett) – While the Sams and Sanchos of the world are great friends to have, you also need a Mary Lennox. Mary is the type of friend who will tell you the straight truth when you are acting like an ass. She will crash your pity party and call you on your nonsense. She may seem a bit harsh but she will always have your back, Not only can you trust Mary to tell it like it is, she will also help you get back on your feet when you are ready to stop complaining and start trying.
#5. Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White) – Not only is Charlotte a creative problem solver who is always there to help you with your problems but I like to think that, if Charlotte was a person, all that terrific web spinning would translate into hand-knit sweaters.
#6. Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald) – Everyone needs at least one friend who really knows how to have a good time and Gatsby, with his larger than life parties, more than fits the bill. (See also Falstaff).
#7, Winnie the Pooh (Winnie the Pooh by A, A, Milne) – But when all is said and done, it’s great to have a comfortable friend like Pooh who is always there with some laid back conversation and a little smackerel of something sweet to snack on.
#8. Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle) – Work is always better when you have a Watson in the office. So much more than a co-worker, a Watson is always there for you to bounce ideas off of. You may be a pretty big deal in your workplace, but the truth is, you wouldn’t shine half as brightly without the loyalty and support that you get from him.
Speaking of Sherlock and Watson, did you hear that now you can have tea with Sherlock Holmes with the latest addition to my Novel Tea Necklace series? Check it out here!
There are so many other great friendships from books and literature that I could have written about (Harry, Hermione, and Ron from the Harry Potter series, Huck and Finn, Jo and Laurie, just to name a few), but I want to hear from you. Which of your favorite fictional friends do you think should have made the list? Let me know in the comments!
In my last post, I talked about how to create the ultimate book lover’s dorm room. Today, your Back to School fashion gets a shot of literary chic style with book inspired clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
Bookish T-Shirts: The staple of most college students’ wardrobes, a t-shirt is a great way of showing off the books and authors you love. You can find some amazing literary t-shirts from the Literary Gift Company, Out Of Print, and Lithographs but I am partial to the great shirts made by indie artists on Etsy, including:
(From left to right: Pride and Prejudice shirt by Storiarts, Ladies of Literature shirt by BoredWalk and Oscar Wilde shirt by The Mighty Squirm)
You should also check out these cool jersey t-shirts for your favorite literary characters by Novel-T Shirts, especially the Bartleby the Scrivener shirt – unless you prefer not to.
Putting your best foot forward: I am not one of those Carrie Bradshaw – like women who have a million pairs of shoes but I am totally obsessed with these literary flats by Lead Foot Lucy. Perfect for fiction loving fastionistas, these shoes would be super cute with a little black dress to wear to parties or on dates and would also look fabulous with your favorite pair of jeans and a sweater!
Les Mis and Catcher in the Rye Flats by Lead Foot Lucy
See also: these adorable Library Due Card Canvas Sneakers, these Game of Thrones Sigil shoes and these comfy – looking Hobbit shoes for when your walk to Freshmen Seminar seems as long as the trek to Mount Doom.
Poe Hoodie by Binary Winter Press
Literary Layers: Getting to class, grabbing dinner, clubs and activities, and hanging out with friends will most likely involve walking outdoors in all sorts of weather. Plus dorm rooms, classrooms, and libraries can be drafty, so it’s always a good idea to have some layers to throw on if you get chilly. Fortunately, with these great bookish hoodies, scarves, and gloves, you can be comfortable and express your love of literature at the same time.
My Tell Tale Heart skips a beat for this insanely cool Edgar Allan Poe Raven Hoodie. Check out the Binary Winter Press shop on Etsy to see this Poe design on t-shirts, a tie, and a scarf. Too cool!
Wuthering Heights Fingerless Gloves by Storiarts
Trust me, fingerless gloves will come in handy (if you pardon the pun) during all sorts of outdoor events and activities and for taking notes in a chilly classroom. I will be sure to get a pair of these Wuthering Heights gloves for myself when I head back to grad school in the Spring. And while I am in the Storiarts Etsy shop, I just know I won’t be able to resist getting one (or more) of their to-die for bookish scarves!
Speaking of literary scarves, you HAVE to check out the Nerd Alert Creations Etsy Shop. I seriously cannot be trusted to browse this shop with a credit card in hand. I would be sure to spend my rent money on amazingly bookish scarves and skits like these:
Literary Skirt and Scarves by Nerd Alert Creations
It’s in the bag: One of Novel Creations’ book purses would be the perfect bookish accessory for coffee with the cute boy from your Shakespeare 101 class, hanging out with friends at the Student Center, book readings at the college bookstore or the English departments latest mixer event.
(From left to right: The Great Gatsby Book Purse, Game of Thrones Book Purse,
and The Hobbit Book Purse by Novel Creations)
But for lugging your notes and textbooks back and forth to class and to study sessions at the library, I love these literary messenger bags from Bag Chemistry.
(From left to right, Bag Chemistry Messenger Bags inspired by:
Sherlock Holmes, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter)
Bookish Bling: And last, but certainly not least, we have book and poetry-inspired literary jewelry. Of course, I am partial to the jewelry from a little Etsy shop called Ciarrai Studios, (all of which is 15% off right now as part of my Back to School sale!) But I am forced to admit that there are some other artists on Etsy making some lovely literary jewelry too. Check out some of my favorites here:
(Top Left: Library Card Catalog Cuff by Accessoreads, Top Right: Oscar Wilde Book Page Necklace by Ciarrai Studios, Bottom: To Kill a Mockingbird Adjustable Ring and E. E. Cummings Poetry Pendant by Ciarrai Studios, Alice in Wonderland Leather Wrap Bracelet by C Johanneson)
Well there you have it! I hope you found some wonderfully bookish clothing and accessories to add to your back to school wardrobe and that you have a great year at school!
If you haven’t already, check out part 1 of my Back to School blog series: Must Haves for the Book Lover’s Dorm Room.
And don’t forget to shop my Back to School Sale with great handmade literary jewelry available for 15% off.
Around the country, college students are packing up to head back to school and while the internet is full of blog posts and articles about what to bring with you when you head off to college, I thought I would take this opportunity to put together a list specifically for the college bound book lovers, bibliophiles, and English majors.
If my own college experience is anything to go on, right now there are college freshmen trying to make the agonizing choice of which books to bring with them and which ones to leave at home, not realizing that the joy of getting those cartons of can’t-live-without books up three flights of stairs to their room is still ahead of them. But once you get everything unloaded, getting settled into your new dorm room and putting your personality into the place can be a lot of fun.
Here’s what you’re going to need:
Hemingway Print by Obvious State
#1. Posters and Prints: Make your new space your own with photos, posters, and prints like this Ernest Hemingway inspired print by Obvious State. (Actually almost anything in the Obvious State Etsy shop is to die for. I am currently crushing pretty hard on this Prufrock print myself!)
Other great options include: Bookish Posters at the Literary Gift Company, Spineless Classic Posters, Poster Text Posters, Lithographs, and these Redbox Designs prints
LOTR Map Pillow by ThisShopReallyRocks on Etsy
#2. Pillows and Beanbag Chairs: If your dorm is anything like the ones I lived in, seating will be scarce. Other than your bed, a dresser, and possibly a desk and chair, there isn’t a ton of room for extra furniture which means that you are going to have to get creative about getting comfortable, especially when you have friends hanging out in your room. Bean bag chairs and big comfy pillows, like this Lord of the Rings Map Pillow from the This Shop Really Rocks on Etsy, give you lots of options without taking up a lot of room and makes the person who ends up sitting on the floor a LOT more comfortable. They are also great for when friends from back home come to visit you for the weekend or for propping up your books and notebook when doing late night studying on your bed.
(You may also want to check out these awesome Game of Thrones pillows – also by This Shop Really Rocks – for occasional reminders that finals and term paper due dates… I mean winter is coming).
#3. Coffee Mugs: Let’s face it, between late night studying, last-minute term papers, and classes that start ridiculously early in the morning, you and your caffeinated beverage of choice are going to be spending a lot of time together, so you are going to need some great coffee mugs.
I am particularly loving these:
(From left to right: Protagonist Coffee Mug by Java Drive , Reading is My Super Power Mug by Lenny Mud , and Alice in Wonderland Coffee Mug by More Than Porcelain)
But there’s also The Unemployed Philosopher’s Guild’s Shakespearean Insult Mug and Banned Book Mug, which are both pretty awesome!
Oscar Wilde Flask by Drinking Buddy
#4. Literary Libations: Of course, for those of you in the 21 and older crowd who are looking for a beverage with more of a kick than coffee, nothing comes any cooler than this awesome Oscar Wilde Flask by Drinking Buddy, but these Literary Shot Glasses, and this Dorothy Parker Martini Glass come pretty close!
#5. Odds and Ends: Hollow books make great places to stash all sorts of stuff. I use mine to hold paperclips and school supplies but you can fill yours with loose change, your dining hall meal card, jewelry, accessories, or whatever you want.
And not only can you hang notes, reminders, and take out menus on your message board or mini-fridge with these great Scrabble Tile Menus but you can use them to spell out weird messages to your roommate.
I hope this gives you some ideas on how to put together an awesomely bookish dorm room and that you have a wonderful year at school.
Don’t forget to stop by my Etsy shop, Ciarrai Studios Literary Jewelry to shop my Back to School sale! You can save 15% on handmade jewelry inspired by your favorite books and poetry with the coupon code: BACKTOSCHOOL
I will be posting another Bookish Back to School post on Monday, this time about great book – inspired clothing and accessories, so be sure to stop by and check that out.
And for more great dorm room ideas for book lovers, check out this Etsy treasury:
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Today is my mom’s birthday. (Happy Birthday Mom!) And as coincidence would have it, it is also the day that William Goldman, author of The Princess Bride, was born. I think this is so incredibly fitting because The Princess Bride is one of my mom’s favorite movies and she would send my sisters and me off to school every morning by saying “Bye bye girls! Have fun storming the castle!”
You really can’t blame my mom for loving the movie so much. It has it all. “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, True Love, miracles”
( Doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll try and stay awake) and is one of the most quotable movies of all time (right up there with Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
Most people have seen the movie but never realized that it was also a book and that is a shame but the book is hilarious. But regardless of if you love the book or the film (or if you are like me and love both), The Princess Bride is simply wonderful!
So in honor of my mom and William Goldman’s combined birthdays, I hereby declare August 12th to be Princess Bride Day here at Ciarrai Studios and invite you to share your favorite Princess Bride quotes in the comments. Have fun storming your castles and I will talk to you later!!
It’s been about a half an hour since I heard the news that Robin Williams passed away today and tears are still streaming down my face. If I, who never met the man in person, am this upset I cannot fathom how devastated his family, friends, and loved ones are.
Although Robin Williams was nothing short of brilliant in so many films, the one that keeps circling around in my mind right now is Dead Poet Society. I know I have spoken of this film before as one of my favorites and Robin Williams’ performance as Mr. Keating has really resonated with me over the years but never so much as it does now – perhaps in part because the film also features the tragic suicide of a sensitive and talented actor.
In the beginning of the film, Mr. Keating tells his students that they could refer to them as “Captain, My Captain,” a reference to a Walt Whitman poem about the death of Abraham Lincoln and in the now iconic ending scene, in a loving tribute and final farewell to their departing teacher, the boys stand on their desks and call out one last time “O Captain, my captain.” The scene never fails to get to me but for all the swell of emotion as the camera sweeps over the classroom of young boys standing on their desks, the fact remains that – as loved as he was – Mr. Keating still had to go.
I know that Robin Williams was not Mr. Keating any more than he was Peter Pan or Mork or Aladdin’s genie. He was a talented man who brought such joy and laughter to others as he struggled with overwhelming sadness. (In some ways, I think the contrast of the two makes this hurt even more.) But in the face of this loss, I find myself wanting to find a desk to stand on and call out to my departing captain. I know that it will not make any change to the good-bye that must be said but in light of the many ways Robin Williams inspired me, I cannot think of any better tribute or farewell than this.
Yesterday was International Cat Day and since I am a lifelong cat lover, I couldn’t let the day go by without penning a few thoughts on the special relationship that cats have with books and literature. But where to start? I considered reading something particularly cat-ish but had trouble deciding on what to read. The Cat –cher in the Rye? The Great Catsby? A Tale of Two Kitties? I could do something Shakespearean with either Romeow and Juliet or CleoCATra and Anthony. Or I could fall back on a particular favorite and check out Jane Austen’s Purrrrrrsuasion.
In the end, I chose to go with the Edgar Allan Poe story, The Black Cat, because I have been on a major Poe spree lately and because several people mentioned it to me as their favorite Poe story. My only reservation was that I really didn’t want to read about anything bad happening to a cat. For some reason, I can handle nice old men getting hacked up and buried around the house (as in The Tell Tale Heart) or drunken noblemen being buried alive in the wine cellar (like in The Cast of Amontillado) but the thought of a defenseless animal getting the brunt of Poe’s usual Gothic gruesomeness really bothered me. I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone else who may want to read it but, even though karma prevailed at the end, there were several parts of the story that made me a little sorry that I had read it.
So, still in search of something suitable to celebrate Cat Day with, I decided to talk about all my favorite fictional felines. Literature is full of cats. From the moment we start learning how to read, we are confronted with stories about cats who sit on mats. Then we meet Cats in Hats and Pusses in Boots and cats in any other accessory that catch their kitty-ish fancies. And eventually there’s the Cheshire Cat (or as he is called in Jasper Fforde’s delightful Thursday Next series, the Unitary Authority of Warrington Cat), cats who befriend crickets in Times Square and cats that undertake incredible journeys. Aslan, Dorothy Gale’s friend, the Cowardly Lion, William Blake’s frightfully symmetrical tiger burning brightly in the forest and Kipling’s cat who walked by himself, and all places were alike to him. T. S. Eliot even wrote an entire book of cat poems called, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats which was eventually adapted into the Broadway musical, Cats.
One of my favorite literary cats is from a little – known book that I grew up loving but that almost no one I know has heard of, Tiger Flower. This picture book had gorgeous art and told the story of a tiger who was swept away to a land where everything that should be big was small and everything that should be small was big. And instead of having to worry about being the king of the towering tangled green jungle, he could spend his days as Tigre Flower, a tiny tiger perched on a blade of grass with a flower in his hair.
Another purrrsonal favorite when I was a little girl was the cat in Peter Beagle’s The Last Unicorn. Although he had a small part in the story, he had such great purrrrsonality that he just stuck with me throughout the years. (Sorry about the puns. It is genetically impossible for me to not make cat puns when the opportunity arises.) Years later, Peter Beagle wrote Tamsin, a book that quickly became another favorite and featured two unforgettable kitties. If you love cats and enjoy reading fantasy / ghost stories, then you should definitely check out Tamsin! I really cannot recommend it enough.
Of course, even outside the covers of books, cats and literature have gone together beautifully for years. Cats have made excellent companions for many famous authors, most notably Hemingway and his many-fingered kitties but you can see more cat and writer parings here. And any writer or reader (famous or not) know that it is almost impossible to read or write without your feline friends wanting in on the fun. Experts have even discovered a 15th century manuscript with cat paw prints in ink across the pages. So here’s to cats and the book lovers who can’t get enough of them! Now, if you excuse me, I’m off to find my cat and give him some extra petting! I will talk to you all again soon but in the meanwhile, check out my T. S. Eliot Naming of Cats Necklace and my Aslan Narnia Necklace, both 10% off this week in honor of Cat Day!
Ciarrai Studios Literary Jewelry 