Getting The Big Picture Series: Part 2-"What's Beneath The Surface?"

Treci Cauthen

Getting The Big Picture Series: Part 2-"What's Beneath The Surface?" by Treci Cauthen

When you take a piece of gold to a pawn shop sometimes they will take a small saw-like tool to scrape the jewelry to find out for sure "What's Beneath The Surface". Sometimes they find pure gold, silver, or tarnished metal.

Well it's the same story when it comes to conducting business on the Internet. Some Opportunities fall far from the mark. Some "Get Rich Quick" schemes will read, "Earn $10,000 Every Month" or "Make A Million Dollars and Retire Early".

"Big earnings with minimum effort" not likely my friends..

What's Beneath The Surface?

"Tarnished metal".

You pay $29.95 for an envelope stuffing job offer. The fee is to set you up with supplies, or, you pay $19.95 for an information package to start your own home business. Only to find that you never hear back from them. If your a busy person you could forget that you ever signed up for the offer. If your a take charge type of person that decides to investigate the matter you may find a disconnected telephone or a bad mailing address.

"The Silver"

Let's say you stumble upon a website that sells electronics, or some other retail products. You have seen there website and it is impressive. They are willing to build you a website just like theirs for $49.95 with a monthly $20 fee for hosting your website. They are willing to pay you 40% commission for items sold.

Hey, you could be on to something here...

But the problem is they leave you hanging. You don't have a clue how to market the product. Some might, give you a list of free classified ads and tell you to submit your site to the search engine. It's more than likely that you will never make 1 sale with they're technique due to anxiety especially if you're looking make a sell instantly. You burn out quickly and your efforts come to a dead halt.

"The Gold"

Your one of the lucky ones. You've landed on a site that has great products/services with all the trimmings. A solid Business Opportunity will take you by the hand and show you the way. They will train you with articles, presentations and online courses. They will be there to support you when you need answers. They won't leave you feeling "lost in the storm". But you will need to stay focused, patient and you have to want to learn because there is alot to take in and "Knowledge is Power".

Getting The Big Picture?

Treci Cauthen is a Writer/Internet Marketer. Find Home Internet Business:: Opportunities, Articles and Resources! go to: www.homeinternetbusiness.com ***Natural Cures
Telecom USACopyright © 2004


A DEAD-END BOOK COVER, A LAPIS LAZULI MOMENT, A SACRED SUNRISE
Rolf Gompertz

A creative dead end can produce wonders.

That was proved to me once again in a most dramatic way. It involved the cover design of my new book, a provocative biblical novel, titled, "Abraham, The Dreamer / An Erotic and Sacred Love Story."

I had submitted my thoughts for the cover design to the publisher (iUniverse.com). I explained that the story is about a love triangle, involving Abraham, his wife Sarah, and her handmaid, Hagar, "the other woman." I suggested that the cover capture that relationship.

Of course, there's much more to the story, and I filled in the details at some length. After all, this is not a contemporary novel in a contemporary setting. We are talking about life 4000 years ago, with its many gods and goddesses, its child sacrifices and erotic Sacred Marriage Rites. Abraham's wife, Sarah, could very well have been, what I portray her to be, a high priestess serving Inanna, the great goddess of Love and War. We have Abraham, who turned against his society to follow a new and different God. What made him do that, I wondered, as I tried to recreate his life and tell his story. Furthermore, what made him transfer his love from Sarah to Hagar?

I tried to give the designer a sense of the individuals and of the story that lay hidden in the laconic biblical account.

When the cover design came back to me I knew I was in trouble. The artwork suggested a knightly romance set in England during the Middle Ages. But the story is about Sumer, Canaan and Egypt, and nomadic, biblical characters who lived some three thousand years before the Middle Ages. How could the designers have been so far off the mark? I learned, what I had not known before, that the design department was not set up to provide original artwork. The designers could only work with existing stock art and clip art. Though plentiful, this art could not produce the "look" that I was looking for.

I was now faced with two problems. First, a deadline. I had about two weeks to come up with an idea that could be made to work. Otherwise, the book would be canceled and I would have to start with it all over again as a "new" project.

Second, I didn't know if I could come up with a satisfactory, workable cover idea. I considered hiring an outside graphic artist. A quick check indicated that there would not be enough time for this and that it would be costly, if not prohibitive.

So I did what was only proper under such circumstances: I freaked out! Or, to be perfectly honest, I freaked out - some more! I was desperate. I knew I had to stop thinking about the original cover concept. I had to stop my circular thinking, or, to put it another way, I had to start thinking outside the box. In short, I had to think creatively.

The creative process itself is elusive. It works in a most mysterious way. It usually consists of stating the problem, defining it and turning it over to your mind to think about and solve. I have often found that the answer, the solution comes to me when the mind is relaxed and at rest. Invariably, I wake up at two or three in the morning. At first I'm annoyed. I wonder why I woke up. Then I lie quietly. Presently, I become conscious of some answer or solution to a "problem" floating into view.

The first thought that came this way was "lapis lazuli." I had used lapis lazuli jewelry in the book on several significant occasions. The gold-speckled, deep-blue gemstone was highly prized in those times. In the book, it is presented as a gift to Sarah, the high priestess, during the Sacred Marriage Rite. Elsewhere, I have Abraham giving Hagar a lapis lazuli necklace and matching earrings upon consummating their love. A lapis lazuli-colored scarf also figures meaningfully in the story.

"Yes," I thought to myself. "That's it! That's my cover. A lapis lazuli necklace and earrings and a lapis lazuli scarf. A perfect metaphor for the full story."

I was elated, exhilarated. I loved the simplicity of the idea, the richness of the deep-blue color, the poetic symbolism.

But there was only one problem: I could not locate images of the scarf and jewelry. I even had trouble locating an image of a lapis lazuli gemstone. Though I still had a couple of days left to find the right image, I now feared that my book would be canceled since I had nothing for the cover.

I paced nervously through the house that evening, going back and forth between bedroom and study. I paused before my nature pictures which cover the walls, photographs that I had taken of sunrises and sunsets, lakes and oceans, trees, flowers and clouds. I don't know why I turned to these images -- perhaps to relax me, to comfort me, to inspire me, which they have always done. Suddenly, my eyes fixed on a blazing red sunrise, with a white cloud spiraling into the sky, hovering over a dark lake.


Whenever I looked at that spectacular image, in the past, it always left me awed and breathless. This time, however, the sunrise addressed me in a new way - its blazing colors spoke to me of erotic passions, its cloud spiraling upwards spoke to me of the sacred and the heavenly, of dreams and dreamers, the fiery pillar emerging out of the darkness spoke to me of the immanent and transcendent God, the great Mystery, the awesome Mystery, the holy Mystery, the loving Mystery in which we move and live and have our being.

Yes, this was the cover! This was my cover! It had emerged from the wondrous mystery of the creative process. It reminded me, once more, to stay loose, remain flexible and trust that process, that Mystery, in all its creative variations.

Copyright 2002 Rolf Gompertz. All rights reserved.


Rolf Gompertz is the author of eight books, including, "Abraham, The Dreamer/An Erotic and Sacred Love Story," a biblical paperback novel about the turbulent relationship between Abraham, his wife, Sarah, and "the other woman," Hagar. It may be browsed and ordered online at www.iUniverse.com, www.amazon.com,
from any bookstore or iUniverse's toll free number 1/877/823-9235.
Author contact: mailto rolfgompertz@yahoo.com

Getting The Big Picture Series: Part 2-"What's Beneath The Surface?"

Treci Cauthen

Getting The Big Picture Series: Part 2-"What's Beneath The Surface?" by Treci Cauthen

When you take a piece of gold to a pawn shop sometimes they will take a small saw-like tool to scrape the jewelry to find out for sure "What's Beneath The Surface". Sometimes they find pure gold, silver, or tarnished metal.

Well it's the same story when it comes to conducting business on the Internet. Some Opportunities fall far from the mark. Some "Get Rich Quick" schemes will read, "Earn $10,000 Every Month" or "Make A Million Dollars and Retire Early".

"Big earnings with minimum effort" not likely my friends..

What's Beneath The Surface?

"Tarnished metal".

You pay $29.95 for an envelope stuffing job offer. The fee is to set you up with supplies, or, you pay $19.95 for an information package to start your own home business. Only to find that you never hear back from them. If your a busy person you could forget that you ever signed up for the offer. If your a take charge type of person that decides to investigate the matter you may find a disconnected telephone or a bad mailing address.

"The Silver"

Let's say you stumble upon a website that sells electronics, or some other retail products. You have seen there website and it is impressive. They are willing to build you a website just like theirs for $49.95 with a monthly $20 fee for hosting your website. They are willing to pay you 40% commission for items sold.

Hey, you could be on to something here...

But the problem is they leave you hanging. You don't have a clue how to market the product. Some might, give you a list of free classified ads and tell you to submit your site to the search engine. It's more than likely that you will never make 1 sale with they're technique due to anxiety especially if you're looking make a sell instantly. You burn out quickly and your efforts come to a dead halt.

"The Gold"

Your one of the lucky ones. You've landed on a site that has great products/services with all the trimmings. A solid Business Opportunity will take you by the hand and show you the way. They will train you with articles, presentations and online courses. They will be there to support you when you need answers. They won't leave you feeling "lost in the storm". But you will need to stay focused, patient and you have to want to learn because there is alot to take in and "Knowledge is Power".

Getting The Big Picture?

Treci Cauthen is a Writer/Internet Marketer. Find Home Internet Business:: Opportunities, Articles and Resources! go to: www.homeinternetbusiness.com ***Natural Cures
Telecom USACopyright © 2004


Frivolous and Impracticle
Gina Schreck

Be Frivolous and Impractical

I am meeting some girl friends for lunch at a little cafe later this afternoon and I am dressed as if I were stepping onto the runway of a New York City fashion show. I am wearing a simple red sweater with a black skirt, but the shoes I have on...they are an old flame. A love from my past.

These are not just shoes. These are the hottest looking pair of red Salvatore Ferragamo works of art. Stiletto heels and a little red and black polka dot bow on the back.

They could stop traffic on a busy street corner during rush hour standing all alone, and the best part about them is they make me feel powerful! They are impractical, but when I wear them I am fearless!

I love shoes. High-heeled or flat, wedge or stiletto, strappy sandals or a great pair of boots, just about any shoe that is impractical, could find a home in my closet.

I typically see a great pair of shoes, hunt down an outfit to go with them and then decide where I can go to wear this new ensemble. I know it sounds impractical, materialistic and completely backwards, but I got this from my grandmother, Annie Florio.

My grandmother was extremely practical and this is where her and I were very different. I have never heard anyone use the word practical in the same sentence with my name.

Of course growing up during the great depression, she was extremely frugal and never bought anything unless it was truly necessary. She washed and reused pieces of aluminum foil, even piecing the small scraps together to reuse later. She made most of her clothes and wore very practical shoes. I don't think she ever owned anything flashy...except for the single pair of glorious, red, Ferragamo shoes.

When I was only ten years old, I was playing hide and seek with my cousins and I had found a great hiding spot in the very back corner of my grandmother's bedroom closet. As I sat, I started looking through the neatly stacked boxes that were behind me.

At the bottom of the stack, sat a red and gold box. The box was so lovely that I knew it had to contain certain treasures. As I carefully lifted the lid on this wonderful box, my heart began to race and I suddenly felt hot. The contents were beyond wonderful. Not even in magazines had my eyes ever seen such beauty.

It was love at first sight. Almost in a trance, I gently lifted these precious gems from their slumbering bed and ever so slowly slipped them onto my size five feet.

I stood quickly and tried to rush to the full-length mirror across the bedroom, but before I could catch a glimpse of their magnificence on the ends of my skinny chicken legs, I tripped and twisted my ankle.

I must have let out a yelp, signally my grandmother, because suddenly I could hear her wooden clogs clacking down the tile hallway. I scrambled to my feet and tried to get the treasure back to its hiding place.

When the door opened I spun around and my face gave away my transgression. I began to explain that I just happened to find these shoes and told her they were the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

She took the box into her hands like a lost lover and began caressing the lid. She told me she had bought them when she was in her thirties. My mother and aunt were just children and they didn't have a lot of money, but when my grandmother spotted them in a little shop somewhere in San Francisco, she was smitten.

She never went anywhere dressy enough to warrant wearing such beautiful shoes and she didn't own anything that would match their splendor. But she knew she had to have them, so she put a little bit of money down on them that day and told the clerk to hold them for her. She made the trip back into the city each week to deposit more money until she could take them home with her.

But I didn't understand. These shoes were over twenty years old and yet they were still brand new, unblemished. Why, if she loved them so much did she never wear them? She said she kept them hidden away for a special occasion, but admitted that every time she thought about wearing them she said she feared people would think she was frivolous and impractical, so they laid unworn, prisoners to her fear.

What did these words, "frivolous" and "impractical" really mean and why would they cause a grown woman such fear?

When I was forty, my grandmother passed away and as her children and grandchildren divided her jewelry and china, the only thing I asked for was the gold and red box in the very back corner of her bedroom closet.

It is time to head out for lunch and I am reminded that some love affairs grow stronger over time. I gather my purse and as turn off my computer I have an overwhelming feeling of power and fearlessness. I am going out into the world frivolous and impractical!



© Gina Schreck is the "Cheerman of the Bored" and she helps people Reconnect with What Matters Most! She is the author of several books, including Inside Out Success: Reconnecting with What Matters Most, and Marriage Mechanics: A Tune Up for the Highway of Love! She speaks to organizations that want to improve relationships from the inside out. To contact Gina, call 303-978-0887 or check out her website at http://www.schrecktalk.com/

Alternative Treatments For Arthritis Pain Relief

Priya Shah

Copyright © 2005 Priya Shah

Natural, herbal remedies can help arthritis sufferers who have tried traditional pain medications without success. Many natural remedies and supplements have been found to actually reduce cartilage deterioration and even rebuild a patient's lost cartilage.

Many people are also seeking natural remedies because of the increasing cost of prescription medication. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems in long-term users.

Before adding any supplements to your daily routine, check with your healthcare advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and may not be right for your situation. Before discontinuing a prescription medication, consult a physician.

However, with a doctor's approval, there are many natural solutions, which may aid in managing arthritis.

Acupuncture - This is a popular alternative to medication for pain relief. Although the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can be very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are insufficient or have unacceptable side effects

Aromatherapy - Aromatherapy focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical oils by either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water, inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding environment. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with relaxation, lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and nervous system via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled. It is another holistic treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief and stress management.

Cayenne Cream - Cayenne peppers contain an substance called capsaicin which is responsible for their spicy effect. This also causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with skin, and inhibits the body's production of substance P which is heavily involved the relaying signals of pain to the brain. You may need to apply the cayenne cream to painful areas two to three times per day for at least one week before you find relief.

Chondroitin - The most popular dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight equals more joint pressure.

Fish Oil - Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body and may provide relief when arthritis is caused by an immune system dysfunction as in lupus. A vegetarian alternative to fish oil is flax seed or borage oil. More information can be found at http://www.omega3fats.com

Glucosamine - Recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse the disease is still unclear.
Glutathione

Glutathione - Glutathione is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and can be safely boosted by consuming its precursors available in the supplements, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) or undenatured whey protein. You can find out more about it here http://www.1whey2health.com

Magnets - Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.

MSM - Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane is an organic sulfur supplement that appears to slow down the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved. It is used in the reduction of inflammation and can be used in conjunction with glucosamine, in some instances.

Nettle leaf - Nettles can reduce a patient's need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.

Vitamin B - It is an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well.

Vitamin E - This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.

Ginger - Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.

These are merely a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. Due to the lack of scientific study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no proof of their effectiveness.

Nothing can cure osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application of heat or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow the progress of the disease.

For a comprehensive report on arthritis, visit Arthritis Remedies
http://www.arthritisremedies.org

Priya Shah is the editor of The Glutathione Report and Health Naturale. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.

Denim Is In For Work and Play
Sher Matsen

For all you denim lovers, like myself, this is the season for you to shine. Denim is big this season. Denim has become a fashion statement of its own. No longer are we limited to boot cut, low rise, or relaxed fit jeans. It has come into its own - we can have denim hats, tops, belts, skirts, and even shoes. So wear denim with the attitude it deserves.

Many celebrities are really utilizing denim - they're dressing it up with embroidery, lace, fur, jewelry, accessories. What ever the heart desires. Dark denim, light denim, stone washed denim, colored denim - all good to go this season! So go crazy with the denim choices available. Dress it up or down. Denim can take you from the office to a night on the town.
The gals can dress it up with pearls, the guys with a tie. Crystal or rhinestone jewelry will make you dazzling! Add some long fun beads, a chunky necklace, or an armful of bangles. Don't forget to accessorize. Add a hat, a belt, or how about suspenders just for kicks. Add a fitted blazer to that denim skirt, add some heals to your favorite pair of jeans. Try a pair of the ever popular wedge shoes with any of your denim items.

For women with small waists and wider hips Joe's jeans has a new jean line called "Honey Jeans" They are designed so they don't gape at the waist. They accomplish this by making a two part waist band which give them more of a curve. Low rise jean that truly fits the feminine form. Check them out. They run around $148.00 a pair and can be found online.

Paper Denim has grown in popularity and offers great body fits - Super low rise, low rise, x-low slash pocket, and x-low flare. As well as the trouser and boot cut if your looking for something different.

Marc Jacobs has a form fitting dress that is ever so sexy. Add a light cardigan for those cooler evenings and you'll look sensational.

There are a host of denim designers and manufacturers offering jeans of various cuts, mini skirts, bustle skirts, form fitting dresses, flowing dresses, capri pants, denim shirts, vests, hats, denim belts, denim shoes, the list goes on and on.

If you want to get some great ideas of what you can do with your denim I recommend you visit Misssixty.com Very interesting and informative site!

Quite frankly, denim never goes out of style, but it's acceptance varies. Currently many companies are even allowing it at the work place if it has been dressed up. Dressing up denim is very easy to do. Add a formal top, some heels, or a nice blazer and you've got a very polished look.

Denim is durable, wearable, comfortable, and now more than ever fashionable. So enjoy your denim and dress it up or down to whatever the occasion. Be certain to accent it with your favorite jewelry and have fun! Make your fashion statement!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.


© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Men's silver jewelry online today

Susi at Jewelry Crossings

The men's silver jewelry market has taken off in the past few years with men in the mainstream comfortably buying sterling adornments historically worn by Hollywood stars and athletes. From sterling silver pendants to chunky link necklaces and bracelets, silver jewelry for men has come of age since the days when cufflinks were the only jewelry adornment offered in the men's accessory department.

With the successful introduction of international brands such as the UK's Hot Diamonds into the United States market, American men have given themselves permission to have fun with attractive necklaces, bangles and heavy link chains for the wrist, as well as an endless variety of sterling silver rings, key holders and cufflinks. Hot Diamonds was one of the first jewelers for men and women to enhance sterling silver with small round diamonds.

Another distinctive feature of the Hot Diamonds Collection is the very clean, contemporary design of the jewelry. For instance, the classic heavy link bracelet is brought up-to-date with a toggle clasp sporting diamonds on each end of the bar fastener. Patterns are repeated in cufflink, pendant, key ring and ring, offering attractive sets to give as gifts, as well as to wear.

Men also do not have to fuss about keeping their Hot Diamonds jewelry clean since every piece is given a bath of rhodium, making them tarnish-free.

World renowned Canadian jeweler, John Hardy, who lives and creates his line in Bali, will be introducing his first collection of men's jewelry this fall called "Black Ice," combining sterling silver with black sapphires.

Fred Bennett brings a vast array of sterling silver pieces for men into the market with his 2004 collection. With elegant silver dotted with diamonds, oxidized silver that produces bold stripes of black, sleek satin finish pieces or even a series of "scratched" finish designs, the Fred Bennett line offers men an infinite variety of ways to wear silver. Even black agate, tiger's eye, enamel and resin are worked with silver to create masculine and bold patterns in the jewelry.

Very popular is the combination of highly polished sterling silver with matte-finished sterling, giving each piece texture and interest. Men are enjoying a way to bring individuality and style into their wardrobe without spending a fortune. Not only is sterling silver affordable, but it looks extremely fashionable with blacks, grays and the darker colors so many "mainstream men" choose to wear.

Men purchased $5 billion worth of jewelry last year, or 12 per cent of all jewelry sold. Much of that jewelry was purchased as gifts for wives and girlfriends. That is quickly changing as men are now on the lookout for their own personal jewelry and sterling silver is topping the charts as the metal of choice.

www.jewelrycrossings.com

For twenty-two years I have been involved in the gemstone and jewelry trade-first as the owner of an incorporated company in Singapore, then in Thailand, and for the last ten years in Northern California. Throughout my career my reward has always come from the knowledge that I have gone the extra steps to ensure my customers' absolute

Sex, Chocolate and Jewelry
Sam Serio

Forget about the 1960's Flower Power credo: "Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll." Toss out your DVD of the steamy 1989 erotic thriller "Sex, Lies, and Videotape." In the health-conscious, food-obsessed, "bling"-oriented 21st Century, we seem to have stopped hurtling forward and started to move backwards Everything old is new again and we're returning to a kinder, gentler era when gentlemen and ladies enjoyed sex, chocolate, and jewelry as the language of love.
Our Love Affair with Chocolate
3,000 years ago, Indians of Central America poured molten chocolate from one pot to another to create bitter drink with a froth on top, the part they liked best. Spanish conquistadores and missionaries took the beverage back to Europe, where it became fashionable with the aristocracy, who added sugar to it. Today, three centuries later, hot chocolate remains a favorite drink shared by friends, family-and lovers.
For a "pulse" on 21st Century chocolate, there's no better place to go than the annual Fancy Foods Show. This year, the chocolate beverage of choice was a hot chocolate reminiscent of the "nectar of the gods" preferred by the Mayans and Aztecs. The steamy treat is made with a high-cocoa-content dark chocolate and (in response to the low-carb craze, no doubt) less sugar.
How does this cocoa fit in with romance? Chocolate bars are replacing coffee bars and liquor bars as the meeting place of choice for singles with a taste for love-and sweets. In New York City, the popular midtown hotspot "The Chocolate Bar" serves hot chocolate drinks including Classic Hot Chocolate, Spicy Hot Chocolate, and White Chocolate Caramel and iced chocolate beverages including Chocolate Shakers (served over ice, with espresso and whipped cream)
Our Love Affair with Sex
When it comes to sex, every forty years seems to signal the arrival of a new wave of permissiveness and freedom. In the 20's, the world embraced "The Flapper Era"-and one another-with abandon. Tough times in the 30's and 40's put an end to the jazz babies, and gave birth to the tough, no-nonsense, almost asexual Rosie the Riveters who didn't have time for pleasures of the flesh. (And a good thing, too, since men were at war.)
As the 40's drew to a close, the "boys" came home to a booming post-war economy and produced a boom of their own -- the Baby Boom. And when those baby boomers hit their stride in the 1960's-the sexual revolution was born. Free love (and a fair number of sexually transmitted diseases!) were the order of the day.
Power and influence became "sexy" in the 80's and 90's. It was a button-down time reminiscent of the 50's, with preppie boys and girls emulating the dress, manner, and courtship rituals of their grandparents. That conservatism continues today, but the drumbeats of a new age can be heard in the lifestyle of Generation "Next."
Our Love Affair with Jewelry
Throughout time, both men and women have worn jewelry for power and for protection from ghosts, deities, snakes, and even bill collectors! Our ancestors wore jewelry for good reason. Personal adornment and the use of bright, shiny items to attract a mate is as old as time. Jewelry is our way of showing off, spreading our "peacock feathers" to make a hit with the opposite sex.
Put on jewelry and you're putting on protection. (Not that kind!) What we call jewelry is really the evolution of personal adornment that has its roots in power-bestowing charms and talismans. Today, fashion forward jewelry wearers covet "conventional jewelry," but with a unique touch. Many of the unique pieces people wear today are rooted in cultural and ethnic traditions, interpreted in a decidedly 21st Century way. The goal is for jewelry to express a link between the present and the past.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

New Age for Walking Canes

b star

"New Age For Walking Canes"

"Old, looks old, looks aged, using a walking cane is only for the very old!" Well, I'm sure we have heard those disparaging terms for years. But times have changed and for the better, I might add! No longer must one use the standard "metal", medicinal looking walking canes that have been around for what seems like forever. There is a whole new world of today's mobility assistive devices that look like designer creations!

The beauty of a "Butterfly" offset, or the serenity cool colors of the "Canterbury" gives one the feeling they have truly added a designer fashion accessory and not just a "walking cane." Happy colors tend to make the user feel happy-and that's what life is all about-. isn't it? The new fabric covered walking canes are oh so elegant. Select fabrics in tapestry, silk, and fine cottons allow individual taste to be expressed by even the most demanding. The colors and designs are endless!

The Walking cane has been around for centuries giving aid where needed, but typically categorizing those who utilized them in a "different" light. The unique designs of today's modern aids gives prestige and esteem to this unique group of users. The various designed handles, range from a smooth lacquered wood to molded plastic. The orthopedic palm grip has been a lifesaver for those with arthritis. The unique curve of the handle allows most of the person's weight to be distributed over the palm rather than fingers. These rather unique canes use to be rather clumsy and "boring," but not any more. One can find these beautiful "friends" in "Champagne, Emerald, Midnight Black, and Marbleized" to name a few, and the list of colors goes on and on. There is even a folding Champagne with silver shaft that we call, "Hi, Ho, Silver"-. can you guess why? Might as well have a little humor attached, wouldn't you agree?

The folding walking cane has given so much freedom to today's users. The vibrant "today's" colors include such selections as Lilac, Wildflower, Splash and Rainbow. Not only are the new colors bright, but very "cheery" as well! These helpful aids fold into a neat little package of approximately 11". They fit snugly in a suitcase, purse, backpack and a zillion other places the standard 36" cane will not go. NO longer must one choose from one color- "Black." Most men and women's walking canes have typically been segregated into "masculine" and "feminine." Thank goodness for the ladies to have such a change! The bright new designs and colors are truly fashion accessories, yet useful and needed aids as well. The new designs for men are also considered fashion accessories with examples such as the "Brilliant Bronze" or the Matte "Midnight Black." The palm grip canes of today offer different fashion tones for both men and ladies. There are even palm grip canes made for smaller hands, which is a wonderful addition for the smaller ladies.

The list could go on forever about the wonderful choices today's walking cane users have. We all want to look our best, even when we must use a little "assistance." So, why carry a medicinal looking cane when you can have a "beautiful, fashion accessory" as your walking friend? Yes, we are talking to you ladies! Let's face it, you make choices when you are selecting earrings, rings or other jewelry. I would say that selecting a "fashion" cane is equal. You want to look your best, and why not?

So, my advice to you is-"Strut your stuff, Ladies"-. you deserve beauty and style every day of your lives!

Written by: B. Star, Owner
of "The Walking Cane Store"
Email: sales@thewalkingcanestore.com
Web: http://www.thewalkingcanestore.com




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Pearl is June's Birthstone
Sam Serio

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.
June's Birthstone: Pearl Birthstone Properties: Truth and beauty Alternative Birthstones: Moonstone and Alexandrite
Pearl is the official birthstone of the month of June. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. Pearls have adorned crowns, clothing, and temples, and were said to be a favorite of Cleopatra, yet there are perfectly suited to young girls and are a popular gift for first communion.
Pearls come in a wide range of colors from delicate rose white to black. The higher the luster or "orient," the more valuable the specimen. Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. In Arab legend, pearls were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops. Ancient Chinese thought that these gems originated from the brains of dragons.
Whatever their origins, pearls are magnificent!
Round Pearl-and Her Shapely Sisters It's hard to believe that the coveted pearl comes naturally from one of the humblest of life forms -- the mollusk. Divers find natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as in the waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California.
Besides the popular round shape most people associate with pearls, there are also large hemispherical cultured pearls (called mabe), fresh water pearls (elongated in interesting shapes and colors) and South Sea cultured pearls (from Australia and Indonesian waters) that grow to 10 mm and up!
Gems of unsurpassed beauty and elegance, pearls have been a passion and even an obsession of people throughout the ages. They have been ground up and used in cosmetics and as a medicine to treat heart and stomach conditions. Some cultures swear by pearls as an aphrodisiac.
Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry, but eventually these gems were seen among all classes of people. They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child. Pearls are nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown.
Alternate Birthstones
Moonstone is a type of feldspar that earned its name because of its resemblance to the iridescent sheen of the moon. Varying in color from clear to blue-white or peach, it was believed to endow the wearer with great spiritual understanding. A gift of this stone is symbolic of health and longevity.
Alexandrite. A yellowish or brownish green in color, this gemstone has the unique characteristic of changing color to a red hue when exposed to a glowing light source, such as candlelight. Because of this quality, it has been characterized by poets as "an emerald by day, a ruby by night."


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

http://shekeyw.mydollarshop.com

Sheryls Dollar Shop

Games, Books, Electronics, Videos,Home and Garden, Tools, Jewelry. Something for everyone. Great Prices. Its a Dollar Shop!

Trying to start a Dollar Shop. My name is Sheryl. Come see me soon. Great Offers!

Baby Shower Gift for Dads
Randy Wilson

Gift for Dads:
The mom is always on the limelight when she is pregnant. Poor Dad! He is also excited as mom. It is his proudest moment too. After all it is his son or daughter too.. It would be nice to invite dad to the shower. If it is a ladies only shower, you could still get the proud Dad-to-be a gift. In this piece you will see some of the suggestions which could go as gifts for Dad.

It is the thought that counts:
The gift for dads need not be necessarily expensive. There are plenty of ideas for the perfect gift for dad to choose from. They would range from the inexpensive to the very expensive. It all depends on your budget and what you are willing to spend. Remember, it is the thought that counts, not so much the gift.

If you remember the gift that you got in the past, even the small inexpensive ones which came as a surprise were the memorable ones. They made you glad by reminding you that your friend or relative thought of you. Some of them you probably still have, like a figurine, or something more elaborate.

So the future Dad would feel just as good about getting the perfect gift for dads, especially if he wasn't expecting to get a gift. So a surprise gift would add to his pleasure even more.

An expensive gift for dad would be nice too, but most people cannot afford to buy them. You could however all get together and get the father-to-be one gift. Let him know it came from all of you. That way nobody would feel left out of the giving. You don't all have to give the same amount, just what you can afford.

A gift for Dad should be something which he likes or has a soft spot for. Some of the less expensive gifts could be cologne, after shave, a money clip, or gourmet coffee. If he writes letters, you could get him some manly looking stationary supplies. Or maybe something for his desk: A letter opener, paper weight, pen and pencil holder, drawer organizer, postage stamps - for the ugh! bills he has to send. Thank you notes would be the perfect gift for dads, he wouldn't have to get them himself to thank the guests for the gifts.

Want a unique gift for dad, try a Coffee Tasters Club from DistinctDeliveries. Coffee lovers enjoy coffee from around the world. You get to taste smooth Nicaraguan coffee or the exotic flavor of Malawi coffee. With each monthly shipment they send you two different 12 ounce bags of fresh roasted coffee from around the world. You can choose either ground or whole bean delivered to you.

Some gifts for the bedroom would be a small reading lamp, table for eating in bed, candy if he has a sweet tooth. Or maybe a bath robe, slippers, or a bath towel wrap. The perfect gift of this type is the "Time Out Gift Basket" by DistinctDeliveries. Dad will enjoy the treats of Assorted Milk Chocolate Sport Balls, Fruit Flavored Hard Candy, Hunter Nut Mix and Deluxe Mixed Nuts, and a tin of Assorted Imported Butter Cookies if he has a sweet tooth!

If he likes jewelry, then you gift him jewelry as well. Remember, not all men like to wear jewelry. You might want to ask the mother-to-be about Dad's tastes. An ID bracelet, necklace, earring if he wears them, or a nice ring.

If Dad works out at the YMCA or local gym, or just likes to jog he might appreciate a jogging suit, sports clothing, sport accessories, jogging shorts, ball cap, gloves for weight lifting, shirts for the gym, or maybe some sweatbands.

Golf balls or a golf club or set of clubs. Does he like racketball or tennis? Some tennis balls, a tennis racket or racketball racket for the worn out items he has now.

Does Dad like to go fishing? Pick him up some fishing lures, or a book on fishing. Maybe a gift for dad like a new reel, or rod, or rod and reel. A tackle box, some fishing accessories included, or just as is.

Hunting might be something Dad does. He would appreciate some gear related to hunting. A hunting jacket, orange cap, orange gloves, or some scents to attract the animals. A magazine subscription about one of the sports he likes.

A new watch to change his look or just to replace his old worn looking watch. Then add a billfold to make it complete.

Does he collect memorabilia? Get him memorabilia that he collects as the perfect gift for dad. Or just get him started collecting by buying him something. For example: boxing memorabilia, sports cards, or sports memorabilia.

An autographed ball, autographed jersey, or an authentic jersey of his favorite team would be good gifts for dad. There are so many sports; dad probably has a favorite sport he likes best.

If Dad likes to read, maybe he would like a magazine subscription, book or book gift basket. Lastly, a good gift for dads would be to get him a gift certificate for the local sports store, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, hardware store, or sports clothing store.

Again, ask his wife for help on this one. As hostess, give out some of these for a gift idea for dad in a list to the guests you are inviting.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy is owner of Planning the Baby Shower where you can get more tips and ideas for your baby shower. You can also purchase and find free baby shower games. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003.

REVERSE CLASSIFIEDS MAKE SENSE FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS

Andy Anderson

1) THE SELLER.

Since the beginning of time it seems that whenever
we've wanted to sell something we've either hung a
notice outside our cave, or on our local shop's notice
board, or placed classified advertisements in Local,
State, or Trade newspapers. Today we can even try
placing for-sale ads on the internet.

After placing our ads and seeing them published we
expect the phone to ring, or emails to come pouring in,
so put off going shopping confident that we'll still
get to the game in the afternoon after making our sale.
When the phone does eventually ring it's our friend
asking for confirmation of our presence at the stadium
in an hour. The phone then starts going crazy and
emails dribble in, so we have to stay in, only for
those people to be "time wasters" or not to show at
all.

The next call is from our friend giving us a serve for
missing the best game of the season!.

There must be a better way!

2) THE BUYER.

It's time to look for our Daughter's first car, so
after checking the bank account we head off to the
local, then not so local used-car lots to get an idea
of what's available.

Well now we know what to look for, so it's time to
start looking through the Local, State, and Trade
newspapers to find the car at a bargain basement price.
A week and two missed games later this small task we've
set ourselves is becoming a chore but we've got to do
the right thing for our all-of-a-sudden grown up
Daughter ( seems like she was in diapers only a year or
so ago!) haven't we?

We eventually succeed of course, and our Daughter is
thrilled, but there must be a better way as our Son
will be wanting his first car next year!

3) THE BETTER WAY

When placing our for-sale ads in the publications
above, or looking through them trying to find what we
want, we often see the heading "wanted". This should
have lots of ads for things people want, but usually
the ads are for "all your jewelry", "all your books'
etc.

WHY?? The answer must be tradition, but it doesn't make
sense as items listed under "wanted" should be ideal
for Buyers and Sellers.

Buyers should place ads there for what they want.
Sellers should look there to find someone who wants
what they're selling.

This Common-Sense way of advertising is called
REVERSE CLASSIFIEDS, and because it's so simple, will
become normal in the near future.

Andy Anderson is the inventor of the word "netwants" in
the English language and has used it to create his
Reverse Classifieds website http://netwants.com where
Buyers place Free ads for what they want and Sellers
look through the ads to find someone who wants what
they're selling. andy@netwants.com

Amber Mysteries Revealed
Sam Serio

Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a gemstone at all, is actually fossilized pine sap. People have collected, traded, carved, and coveted amber for more than 10,000 years. Yet despite our fascination with it, much about the smoky yellow stone -- the history of amber -- remains a mystery.
The price for amber stones varies widely, in the right price range for Average Joe's (and Joannas) who can spend as little as $20 for amber and silver jewelry, and also for high-rollers ready to spend $40,000 or more for a "slice of sunshine" in amber jewelry crafted in gold, platinum, and featuring other gemstones. And although it not an official "birthstone -- a designation reserved for actual gemstones -- amber is often presented to those born under the sign of Taurus (April 19-May 19).
History of Amber
Amber is found in Myanmar home to the largest piece of transparent amber in the world (33.5 pounds and 40-50 million years old), as well as Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, and Canad. The two main sources of amber on the market today, however, are the Dominican Republic and the Baltic states.
Once highly regulated, Baltic amber has become more widely available due to more liberal economic policies in Eastern Europe. Today, the whole world enjoys amber minded from the Baltic region, where the largest mine is in Russia, west of Kaliningrad.
Baltic amber may also be found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia. Baltic amber has even washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Denmark, Norway, and England. Baltic amber is the oldest geological specimen to be used in jewelry. Archeologists digging near the Baltic Sea have found evidence of Baltic amber jewelry that is approximately 40,000 years old.
Green Amber is a completely natural variation of Baltic Amber. The green color is a result of plant interaction with the resin. While green is a more valuable color of amber than brown, the best quality of amber remains clear, transparent, and flawless.
Slightly softer than Baltic amber, Dominican amber is prized for its coloration, including yellow and deep red, as well as the distinctive (and rare) blue and smoky green hues that come exclusively from that area.
Shocking Information about Amber
The ancient name for amber was "electron," the root word of electricity. Around 600 B.C., it was discovered that if an amber stone was rugged vigorously, it became electrically charged. Believed to carry a negative electrical energy charge, amber was used to draw power and energy into its bearer.
In addition to its ability to attract energy and power, amber was believed to aid the intellect. It was prescribed for memory loss; eccentric behavior; anxiety, and indecisiveness.
The Joy of Amber
Amber jewelry is said to help one be joyful and happy. The cheery yellow stone is believed to lighten the burdens of life.
Healers say that amber activates our altruistic nature and helps us realize the full power of our spiritual intellect.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Gem and Crystal Jewelry...the Power to Heal?

Sam Serio

References to the power of crystals and gems and their use in spiritual and healing rituals can be found in the ancient Mayan and Hebrew civilizations. Today the practice of using stones and crystals continues with ordinary people across the world who claim extraordinary results.
By stimulating a person's thought, it is believed that crystals stimulate healing - both physical and non-physical. Stones in the red family -- red, yellow and orange -- are prized for their ability to produce energy. On the other end of the spectrum, blue, violet, and lavender stones have a calming effect. In between are the clear and aquamarine stones that having healing properties.
Many people use and combine crystals to improve a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual conditions based on the healing properties attributed to each stone:
� Amethyst - This "spiritually uplifting" stone can reduce anger, and impatience.
� Aquamarine - This beautiful stone protects your heart and your immune system and aids communications on all levels-especially on the physical and spiritual planes
� Carnelian - The perfect stone for targeting your body's system, carnelian is a "stimulant" for your circulatory system, kidneys, appetite, emotions, and sexuality. It bestows confidence, assertiveness, and an unstoppable drive to succeed.
� Citrine - Citrine can help with acid indigestion, food disorders, and allergies with cleansing powers aimed at your spleen, kidneys, liver, urinary system, and intestines. Mentally, citrine is valuable for emotional clarity, willpower, optimism, and self-discipline.
� Coral - Use coral to strengthen your muscles and spine, and to promote bone and tissue regeneration. When it comes to your feels, coral can enliven and enrich your experience of emotions.
� Diamond - A symbol of prosperity and love, diamonds increase personal clarity, trust, and confidence. They also amplify your thoughts and allow you to expand your strengths and positive attitudes.
� Emerald: You'll breathe easier thanks to the positive effect of emeralds on your respiratory system. Emeralds can also help you get a good night's sleep and are believed to reduce the pain of childbirth.
� Jade: The crystal of choice for courage, knowledge, justice, compassion, emotional balance, humility, generosity, harmony, wealth, and long life.
� Lapis: Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, shyness, nervous system, speech, hearing, pituitary, inflammation, pain. Mind expansion, intuition, creativity, spiritual connection. Organize, quiet the mind.
� Malachite: Let go with malachite. Use it to release pain, reduce inflammation, and rid yourself of anger and depression.
� Ruby: It seems only natural that the red, red ruby is valuable for blood clots, blood cleansing, menstrual pain, and even impotency. Rubies simulate circulation and "amp up" the pituitary gland.
� Sapphire: Sapphires are used to reduce inflammation, lower fevers, and put an end to nosebleeds. They are also valuable for helping you tap into your intution.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 1 Buying Gold Jewelry
Sam Serio

Whether you presently own a retail or web based business and are looking for an additional profit center or you are thinking of starting a business, jewelry is a "no-brainer" choice for a proven product category. The buying public, (particularly women) never tires of jewelry as the choices in color, materials, finishes and styles are endless and innovations are continual. Every generation reinvents jewelry for itself in much the same way that it reinvents music and fashion. Styles change but the basic facts remain the same. If you are a seasoned professional, please consider the following a refresher course. To the new comer, use this information as a foundation for your ongoing jewelry education.

The Facts About Gold Jewelry
The word gold, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. Because 24K gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. If a piece of jewelry is not 24 karat gold, the karat quality should accompany any claim that the item is gold.

The karat quality marking tells you what proportion of gold is mixed with the other metals. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry.

Most jewelry is marked with its karat quality, although marking is not required by law. Near the karat quality mark, you should see the name of the U.S. registered trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. The trademark may be in the form of a name, symbol or initials. If you don't see a trademark accompanying a quality mark on a piece of jewelry, look for another piece.

Solid gold refers to an item made of any karat gold, if the inside of the item is not hollow. The proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry still is determined by the karat mark.

Jewelry can be plated with gold in a variety of ways. Gold plate refers to items that are either mechanically plated, electroplated, or plated by any other means with gold to a base metal. Eventually, gold plating wears away, but how soon will depend on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.

Gold-filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If the jewelry is marked with one of these terms, the term or abbreviation should follow the karat quality of the gold used (for example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP). If the layer of karat gold is less than 1/20th of the total weight of the item, any marking must state the actual percentage of karat gold, such as 1/40 14K Gold Overlay.

Gold electroplate describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process. The terms gold flashed or gold washed describe products that have an extremely thin electroplating of gold (less than .175 microns thick). This will wear away more quickly than gold plate, gold-filled or gold electroplate.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit

Sam Serio

There is an old adage that says work isn't really work if you enjoy what you're doing. If one of your hobbies is jewelry making, why not turn this activity into a source of income? You're already having fun anyway, and it wouldn't take a whole lot more to share your jewelry creations with people who would appreciate them and be more than happy to pay for them. With a bit of extra effort, time management and discipline, jewelry making is a great way to have fun and make a bit of extra money on the side.

Whether you're a novice about to enter the jewelry making field for the first time or whether you've been doing this for some time now, there are always several basic factors to consider. First, it's important to have an adequate amount of space where you can work unbothered for a certain length of time each day and where you can store your jewelry making materials and tools. It doesn't have to be a large space, just a corner or room where you can concentrate on bringing your ideas to life and be free from undue distractions.

Second, if you haven't already, decide on the kind of jewelry you are going to make. If you're just getting your feet wet in the jewelry making arena, start out with something simple. Think about what type of jewelry you'd enjoy and feel comfortable wearing and go on from there. Whatever materials you might need are readily available either on the Internet or in a physical retail store. Then, as you become more adept at what you're doing, you can start exploring other, more complex jewelry making techniques. Remember, there is a plethora of information resources to help you make money from your hobby: books, specialty magazines, the Internet, and other jewelry makers.

After you've made a number of jewelry items, there are steps you can take to get other people interested in them. Be a walking advertisement for your jewelry making business. Wear some of your creations whenever you go out: wear them to work, when you go to the supermarket, or when you attend parties. Word of mouth is also a great way to let other people know about your jewelry making endeavor. Show some of your finished pieces to family and friends, and encourage them to spread the word.

The important thing to remember is that you continue to enjoy making jewelry and to take pride in your creations. Your love for jewelry making will be the key factor in maintaining your creativity level and it will help you come up with the designs that appreciative customers will buy. Never forget the 'fun' factor in jewelry making, as this will be reflected in your work, and the 'profit' factor will follow.


For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Getting Your Affairs in Order: A Guide to Living Wills
Larry Denton

Living wills--sometimes referred to as "health care directives"--are for adults of all ages, not just the elderly. Some of the most recognized court cases concerning the "right to die" issue have involved people in their 20s and 30s--people like Karen Quinlan and Terri Schiavo. Living wills are essential documents for conscientious parents and spouses. Why leave your family in a constant state of worry and confusion when a legal document can specify your personal desires pertaining to the end of your life.

There are many good reasons to record your wishes about "end-of-life" medical care: you might be too ill or incapacitated to express yourself when the time comes; your family may disagree about what to do, leaving the doctors in a difficult situation and more likely to keep you on life support; you can personally make the difficult decision of whether or not to use life support; finally, most living wills include legal protection for doctors and hospitals, so they will not be sued for honoring your requests.

Everyone knows they should get their "important papers" organized and in order. The problem often lies in the fact that the term "important papers" may be different for every family. Items such as: sources of income, Social Security and Medicare information, life insurance information, location of deeds and important legal papers (birth certificates,etc.), location of personal items such as jewelry and family treasures, name and number of your checking and savings accounts should all be included in a list of "important papers."

As of 2004, about 25 percent of all American adults have a living will which specifies the medical treatment people do or do not wish if they become terminally ill or incapacitated. All 50 states recognize living wills and a second legal document known as the durable medical power of attorney. Although different states have different rules for what living rules should cover, all states allow you to decline aggressive life support if you're close to death, without affecting your right to get pain relief medications or other "comfort care." Refusing medical treatment is not considered suicide, since it is not illegal or immoral to let nature run its course.

The best way to express your views and desires on "end-of-life" issues is to write them down. There are many different types of legal documents that can help you plan how your affairs will be handled in the future. Wills and trusts give you a method to say how you want your possessions disbursed after you die. Advance directives describe your health care wishes in case you can not speak for yourself.

A power of attorney lets you give someone the authority to act on your behalf. The three basic types are: a standard power of attorney; a durable power of attorney; a durable power of attorney for health care which allows you to name another person to medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself.

Finally, a living will explains how you want your health care handled if you are in a life-threatening situation and can not make medical decisions yourself. It also gives you the right to refuse certain types of care, and gives those who are caring for you the legal protection and right to follow your wishes.

No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. However, it is just this kind of advanced planning that can be of major assistance in times of emergency. No amount of planning can cover all the problems that can arise when we get old or sick. But a living will can certainly help you and your family when heart-breaking decisions need to be made.

Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently V.P. of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business providing valuable information on a variety of timely topics. For a lawyer's office full of advice, resources and suggestions about living wills, visit http://www.LivingWillToday.com

Antique Jewelry: a timeless and elegant adornment

Angela Davis

Antique jewelry is a timeless classic adornment which can never go out of fashion. It is the epitome of ethereal charm, delicate grace and a gentle reminder of a bygone era. It is that jewelry which has been made during and before the early 1900's.

The jewelry has its own unique character which cannot be copied or imitated. In most cases antique jewelry is handcrafted. It has exquisite craftsmanship and a very special whimsical aura surrounding it, which sets it apart from all other jewelry, however beautiful or expensive they maybe. There is an understated classic elegance inherent in the design and styling. Though widely looked upon as being something worn by only those who are older; perceptions are gradually changing. It is now also seen as a very fashionable ornament which is quite in vogue and is worn by almost anyone, irrespective of their age group.

This kind of jewelry is not available in just any departmental store or some other normal jewelry shop, it can most often be found in niche show rooms, exclusive boutiques, and big auction houses and in antique dealer stores. These are the more reliable places from where you can acquire antique jewelry. Though there are many websites online and other shops which sell this kind of jewelry; it is best to be cautious. The reason being that in many cases the antique jewelry being sold is not actually an original . Also you could charged an exorbitant price for a piece which is not actually that expensive. Unless you have a trained eye and know the difference, it is easy to be fooled.

In many cases antique jewelry has also been handed down from one generation to another and is a part of the family heirlooms. Some antique jewelry can actually be quite expensive and a real collectors item.

Just a simple piece of antique jewelry can greatly enhance your over all appearance, add to your appeal and lend a sophisticated charm to your entire persona. Being the beautiful pieces that they are, this jewelry can easily attract attention and can become the focal point of any conversation. However not every one can carry off antique jewelry, you have to have a certain inner beauty and dignity to wear it.

One of the best things about antique jewelry is that its value only appreciates with time. In fact some of the pieces are valuable collector's item and can fetch huge sums of money. They can in the long run, actually prove to be good investments.

Antique jewelry is a wonderful thing to buy for yourself, a delightful possession and also a great thing to gift to some one special in your life. Whether it is your daughter, mother, wife, girlfriend or sister; antique jewelry is that gift which lets the other person know how much they mean to you. Also this jewelry is not just restricted to women; there are beautiful intricate pieces which are there for men too.

So go ahead indulge yourself and relive the beauty of a bygone era.

Looking for information about Jewelry?
Go to: http://www.merryjewelry.com
'Merry Jewelry' is published by Angela Davis -
The Complete Jewelry Resource Directory
Check out more Jewelry articles at: http://www.merryjewelry.com/archive


How to clean gold jewelry
Ben Sather

Gold jewelry to a woman is priceless. Although gold jewelry comes in many different styles and colors, the care and cleaning procedure for all golden treasures remain the same. Good common sense is your best guide, and these important tips on how to clean gold jewelry will help you keep your exquisite pieces lustrous and shining.

Gold is tarnish-resistant, but it can get dirty or smudged. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils that we use regularly can cover your jewelry and cut down their brilliance. Jewelry cleaning removes any such build-up or residue and restores the original sparkle and shine to make your precious jewelries last a lifetime.

Although numerous commercial products are available to clean gold jewelry, most often water and a mild detergent is sufficient to restore the radiance, and a soft brush helps to gently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Sometimes it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water for up to sixty seconds. It is imperative to dry and polish your gold jewelry with a chamois or soft cloth after cleaning.

Jewelry polishing cloths are an effective and inexpensive way of keeping your bits of gold glittering and radiant. These essential cotton cloths help to remove tarnish and to buff jewelry to look as good as new. Avoid wearing jewelry while in contact with household chemicals, such as chlorine bleach as this can discolor or damage your gold jewelry mountings.

Proper storage of jewelry when not in use is essential to keep your golden treasures clean and new. When storing your jewelry, be careful that pieces do not tumble against each other to avoid scratching and loss of radiance. Ideally, store your jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case, or a box with compartments or dividers or store each piece in individual soft cloth pouches.

It is important to check the stone settings of your jewelry periodically for any damage to the gold prongs or bezels. Immersing the jewelry in rubbing alcohol for a few seconds will restore the gorgeous sparkle to cloudy stones. It is very important to dry the jewelry thoroughly after cleaning before wearing or storing. Remember that Pave set (glued in stones) jewelry should never be immersed in water while cleaning gold jewelry.

Ben Sather is the publisher of http://www.a2-gold-jewelry.com/ - A gold jewelry information resource. You can publish this article if the author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.