Mercari

Name a Few Cereals That Come to Mind….

Ok, now think. 1..2..3… Go!

Alright, so once you come up with a few I would like to ask from writer to reader, if you thought of any of the brands I thought of when asking myself the same question.

 I thought Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Special K, Pops, Raisin Bran, and then I just imagined the whole cereal isle at the grocery store. Well I start off with this tactic of speaking to communicate that I am eating Lucky Charms as a little bed time snack. Anyways, not to sound cliché, but who is your lucky charm? How does your significant other, pet, best friend, or family member make you feel? Hopefully you are happy, or overall content, a majority of the time for at least one of the listed groups of people. Some people like to call their spouse their soul-mate, or destined lover. Then again, sometimes it is just used as a phrase to show appreciation of one specific person, “He/She is my lucky charm.” You know what I am saying? Like, yes it is apparent to most people that being alone is not always the best, forever, while living- so you socialize, make friends at school, work, clubs, or organizations. Bonding occurs when two people have a common connection to relate to with one another. Some people are truly okay with being alone, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have ‘lucky charms’, because they can be items, ideas, memories, or places. 

To me, for someone to be your ‘lucky charm’, they must bring out the best in you, and support you. In return the same actions should be displayed, to create a connection unique from other friends and acquaintances.  It could even come down to the simple terms of, ‘Who do you love most?’, and then that may be a possibility of that one’s lucky charm. Thinking in different terms, somebody’s lucky charm might not even be a person, it could potentially be a computer, specific type of clothing, or an accessory. It could be an item for an acquired hobby, or activity. And then to preform a full circle, it could even be something as simple as a bowl of cereal being a ‘lucky charm’ to starting one’s day off right, or ending it on a good note.

Symbolism is so significant when choosing the charm that you want to use to express and represent you. Context, a story, an admiration of some sorts- your lucky charm gives meaning and purpose to not only it/them, but to you- the one choosing it/them to be apart of you and your life. Inversely, the same goes for the item, person, idea, memory, group, atmosphere, or place.

The End.

12.16.19-12.20.19 – Chloe Aiken.

Shop with me!! Ebay, Mercari, Depop: With A Purpose handmade merchandise sold on these three apps and sites. 

Mercari (the app) for now– and a little back story for my business startup inventory!!!

Saturday August 17th, 2019 (Blog #7)

Chloe Aiken

Buy my inventory through the apps Mercari and Holonis!

I recently started my online sales for my business through two apps. Mercari and Holonis. Mercari I would say is more convenient, and easier to navigate. Holonis is more of a broad platform, where I can do more than just sell, like Mercari solely does. That in my words, is the best way I can explain the two. Hopefully soon I can figure out how to directly set up my inventory on my website, so that it isn’t necessary to go through third party apps and websites. 

Currently I am selling beaded bracelets hand-made by me. They are also known in the festival culture as ‘rave candy’. To me though, it means so much more than just a bracelet. With that being said I guess this is where my short story begins. 

On September 1st, 2017 Brennen took me on our first date together. It was my first weekend home from college, and still to this day do I remember being so excited to be taken out. He told me we were going to a show, an edm show, at The International in downtown Knoxville. 

After the show I remember being squished into a car with mutual friends of Brennen’s. Going along with my last blog post on mental health, I was at the time starting to get overwhelmed and anxious because of all the people I was surrounded by in a small car. All I knew to do in the moment was to close my eyes and breathe. Slowly, in and then back out I would exhale. I remember Brennen asking me if I was okay, and I then responded with yes, but that I did feel nauseous because of the claustrophobia. 

This is where Brennen touched me, either by holding my hand, or just by gently laying his hand on my leg to let me know he was there, and that he cared. I somehow drew my attention to Brennen’s wrist, where he was wearing a beaded yellow, pink, and blue bracelet. I started touching each individual bead, one by one, moving them as I continued touching and feeling the next single bead. It was meditative to me in the sense that it calmed my anxieties in the moment. And wow, I still truly feel that moment to this day. Practically two years later. 

This is where I became even more blessed to be in that moment. I was happy enough to have found that peace within myself, but then Brennen decided to pass on the peace, love, unity, and respect. As I mentioned, about the ‘rave candy’, in the festival/rave culture, the phrase, ‘PLUR’ represents peace, love, unity, and respect. With the beaded bracelets, this is how the energy is transferred, or released from one to another. Two people touch fingertips with both an index and a middle finger creating a peace sign, together. Then, love, by creating a heart still with the same two people, and same hands. Thirdly, unity, by holding hands. And lastly, respect. This being the final step by which the bracelet is released from the person acquiring it to the person receiving it. I was the receiver, and Brennen was the person who gifted me my first ‘rave candy’ bracelet. 

The End.