Message in a Bottle--Treasure Hunt Part 1 {Updates below}

Today I looked forward to a delightful reading session. To just sit in my reading nook with my lovely dream-mobile hanging over my head as I dreamed the day away.

But upon entering my room, I spotted something unusual on my lace-covered side table, something that hadn't been there before.

Can you spot it?

Why yes, a tiny jar! And more than that--a tiny jar with a note inside of it. A note tied with pink ribbon.

Enchanted with wonder, I lifted the lid of the little jar...

The note was tied with such care, I wondered who had left it for me. I wondered who would take the time to leave me a mysterious message in a bottle.

So tiny it fit in the palm of my hand with ease, the little pink ribbon tied perfectly.

I pulled the ribbon open...

And read the little note, which had been folded and rolled up to fit inside the tiny bottle.

A wish ticket! Oh how my heart skipped a beat with delight! At the bottom of the note was a little hand-scrawled note that said: "Turn me over to begin your hunt. The clue to the treasure is not on my front!" Treasure?? What treasure? What was going on? Carefully, I turned the paper over in my hands....

I gasped out loud. A riddle! A puzzle of some sort...What did it mean? How could I guess what the clues described? For they are difficult indeed, if you'll just take a peek:

What you see on the surface

Is not always my purpose.

Touch my chilled skin—

I’ve trapped you within!

A cage for some,

A portal for others.

There is many a world left to uncover.

What am I?

Do you have any idea what the clue could be? I've pondered it for hours and still no luck. Something that is not always what it seems...something cold to the touch...but what was this business about having skin? Inanimate objects don't have skins. Maybe that was just a metaphor for the type of material it was made out of. Yes, that must be what it is. Hmm...something that can trap me...it mentions a cage...that must be significant if it was mentioned twice..."A cage for some, a portal for others" it says. Something that allows you to go through it, into another world, perhaps? But what does it mean by a cage for some? It makes it sound like there are only a few people who can use this thing--whatever it is--as a portal of some sort. What is cold, traps you, can transport you, and takes you to another world? Another world....another...wait a second! I know!!! I've figured it out!!! It's-----

:)

What do you think it is? I can't wait to find the next clue. I have a sneaking suspicion of where it could be....

P.S. Jenn from Broomsticks and Lace is hosting a lovely little giveaway! If you are interested, you can check out more on her blog. I don't know about you, but I am jumping at this opportunity to enter! She has enclosed a marvelous giveaway and I am so excited to be a part of it! Won't you join in the gypsy fun? :)

Her giveaway includes: A soy candle, a gypsy box, and a fleur de lis necklace! Check out her blog for details on entering :)