May 18, 2025: The Stories Behind A Name
“Names are powerful things. They act as an identity marker and a kind of map, locating you in time and geography. More than that, they can be a compass.”
Nicola Yoon
As nature lovers and birders, we’re always fascinated by the common names and their history given to the creatures and animals we encounter during our explorations of the natural world that surrounds us. The iconic American Robin was named after its counterpoint in England, even though they aren’t the same species; they just share the attribute of a red chest. Black-eyed susans, (Rubdeckia) , as the legend goes, comes from an Old English poem dating back to the post-Elizabethan era by the famous poet John Gay. Names are important. They are a critical aspect of personal identity, facilitating cultural understanding, and social interaction.
A tradition in our jewelry business is to find both a meaningful name and inspirational quote for our jewelry pieces. The names are inspired by both the designs and connections we discover between the jewelry piece and events, places and things. This focus on the importance of a name began with the choosing of a moniker for our Jewelry Business. Like our jewelry pieces, there is always a story behind the name.
Sixteen years ago, we fulfilled a long-held wish by buying our camp on a beautiful lake in northern Maine. Each June, we leave the Lakes Region in New Hampshire, and head north six hours to the peace and quietude of East Grand Lake, returning for shows and in Autumn, once the brilliant foliage has passed.
On one of our first stays, we were hiking on one of the many trails and shared ideas for what to call our newly purchased camp. After brainstorming and multiple suggestions, we decided that since the camp was the fulfillment of a dream and a great escape from the busyness of life down in NH, we would call the camp Dreamscape. As we headed back to camp, we observed the beautiful trillium’s that were blooming along the way. The inspirations on that walk also led to the name of our business, Dreamscape Jewelry Design, and our logo is a trillium flower.
“In every name is a spark of light.”
– Unknown
In naming each piece, we hope to create a meaningful connection. A connection that strikes a spark in the heart and mind of our customers. The jewelry piece can be a physical reminder of a poignant and treasured memory, a special person, a passion, a place or an inspiration for the days ahead.
Finding meaningful quotes for our jewelry designs and our blogposts is always a heartfelt endeavor. What never fails to amaze me is that the quotes reflect the humanity that shines through the centuries. From early Greek philosophers to modern day writers, the shared emotions, intentions and reflections flow through time. Everything has a story, and a name is the doorway into its telling.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to read this blogpost. As always, I’ve included some inspirational quotes on the importance of names. If you have thoughts about this post or quotes that are meaningful to you, we invite you to share them in the comments below and with someone who might find it meaningful..
In the name of Peace and Harmony,
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer
“Names tell stories; they hold history within them.”
– Martin Dugard
“A name represents identity, a deep feeling, and holds tremendous significance to its owner.”
– Rachel Ingber
“Names are the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
— Dale Carnegie
“As you awaken, may your dreams greet you by name, and may you answer, “Yes!”
—Mary Anne Radmacher
“The name we give to something shapes our attitude to it.”
—Katherine Patterson
“We do what we must, and call it by the best names.”
—\Ralph Waldo Emerson
“There is power in a name.”
– Justin Cronin
“Names are like magic wands, they possess the power to conjure identities.”
– Richelle E. Goodrich’
“Names act as the lanterns on the pathways of life.”
– Anonymous
“A name carries with it a rich and fascinating history that traces back through time.”
– Anonymous
“The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.”
– Margaret Atwood
“Living so that you beautify your name, even if it wasn’t beautiful to begin with… making it stand in people’s thoughts for something so lovely and pleasant that they never think of it by itself.”
L. M. Montgomery