The Sunday Times: Issue #31

Oe topic that has come up several times for me this week in discussions with friends, family, and a few of you online is money. Saving up, cashing out, splurging, budgeting, treating... I guess it's natural to hear so many of these phrases when you work within the retail industry. But what is money really, these days? It's less and less something that you actually hold, and more and more just numbers on a screen that dictate what you can and cannot afford to do. It feels like points in a video game. I've had a lot of thoughts swirling around my head this week about what money really is (and isn't) and the lies we tell ourselves about it (do we deserve it? do we have enough of it? will having more of it make us happier?).

Earlier this week I (half) jokingly posted a dream home listing in my stories and said "Buy my jewelry so I can buy this house!" That's when I realized that all of my money used to be your money. Unlike having a 9-5 job in which I'm paid by my employer, my money did not come from various sources that went through various iterations before it landed in my bank account, my money (and therefore my agency) comes directly from you and only you. That makes me feel several ways. I feel deeply grateful for you. I also feel a sense of responsibility to be a good steward of your money. Because I've always felt that money is energy. If you treat your currency like a current of energy, putting it towards the people, things, and causes you care about and want to see grow, you're creating positive change in the world just by being more intentional with your choices.

In this week's issue I want to update you on your money. I'll let you know where some of it has been donated and where some will be donated in the future. I'll tell you about the materials I purchase with your money and the companies I choose to support with your money. I'll also detail why buying jewelry with your money is really cool and why it isn't like most other purchases.

So pour yourself a cup of tea and get comfy.

"A budget is more than just a series of numbers on a page. It is an embodiment of our values."

- Barack Obama

RECENT DONATIONS

RAGE RING RAISES $600

I debuted the Rage Ring shortly after the election last November. I made one for myself as a way to channel my emotions into jewelry and many of you resonated with it. I decided to offer them made-to-order and committed $100 from each sale to a local St. Petersburg organization working to counteract hate, misogyny and bigotry. The first $600 raised was donated to the Nomad Studio. From their website: We are artists, advocates, and activists tapping into the power of art to help build happier, more connected communities. We believe that all people need opportunities for creative self-expression and connection with other people, but access to these opportunities is inequitable and often excludes many people. We provide free, equitable access to high quality creative opportunities that increase wellbeing and strengthen networks within communities.

CUSTOM WORD RING RAISES ANOTHER $600

After hearing from many of you that you'd like to have a different encouraging or motivational word engraved (like RESIST, NO QUIT, ALIGN), I offered the Custom Word Ring and since then we have raised $600 for another local St. Petersburg organization. I donated the $600 to CASA, the official provider of domestic violence support in Pinellas County. From their website: Our Mission: Challenging the Societal Acceptance of all Forms of Domestic Violence, CASA Stands up to Silence through Advocacy, Prevention, Intervention, and Support Services. Our Vision: A Society Free from Domestic Violence.

PALM CHARMS RAISE $2,000 FOR LA FIRES

In January of this year when the fires broke out in LA, we raised $2k together for the various GoFundMe's and organizations on the ground in need of support. Almost a year after the LA fires and a full year after the devastating hurricanes that hit the east coast, a lot of folks are still rebuilding. This below purple sapphire, donated by Caleb Quashen, is available to purchase and the full amount of $2,650 will be donated to those in both CA and NC that are in need of funds. Email me at hello@palm-sunday.com if you’re interested!

FUTURE DONATIONS

TAKING SUGGESTIONS

In the past we've made donations to Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood, Abortion Networks, and others. Do you know of a Florida organization (or any other) that you'd like to see a fundraiser for? I know it feels like there are a thousand fires to put out, but hopefully together we can contribute to some sort of meaningful change.

ONGOING SUPPORT

ANZA AND GEM LEGACY

ANZA Gems donates 10% of each purchase of their gems to Gem Legacy, a charity committed to sustainably solving problems brought to them by artisanal gem mining communities with a culturally sensitive approach. They offer vocational training, entrepreneurship investment, and community development in East African mining communities. By working with ANZA gems, we are helping to give back to the people that provide the beautiful gems to us.

FAIRMINED GOLD

In addition to receiving a fair price for their gold, for every gram of Fairmined Gold sold, the miners receive 4-6 USD. Thanks to this premium, certified small-scale mining organizations are able to improve their mining activity, carry out projects in favor of human rights, gender equality and environmental projects. Of course, they also comply with the technical, legal and environmental requirements to obtain the Fairmined certification that is renewed and audited every year.