How and Why Reverse Linking Will Help Your Rankinks

Michael A. Domeck

What is "Reverse Linking"? These are links that you set up to other "relevant" web sites. You link to them but they DO NOT link to you. I classify these as my "resource" links!

I set up a separate page on my web site and call it a resource page. This is NOT a links page or a "My Favorite Links" page. This page provides external links to highly relevant resources for my visitors. Think of it as adding "free" content to your website that is contributed by the best websites around.

Who Should You Link Out To? (Reverse Links)

"who should you link to" is a very serious question and one and will have a significant impact on your future search engine placements. When you link to other highly relevant, external, sites, you are telling the Search Engines - "This site has highly appropriate content that compliments my site and it will add to my visitors overall enjoyment."

The potentially positive impact is so great there is a need for a number of
considerations when determining which web site that you should link to. Factors that must be considered in making this determination are:

1) Is the potential site's content related to your sites content? Just like a good incoming link strategy (sites linking to you), the relevance of the content found on both sites must be high. If you put a bunch of links from your site out to other websites which have completely unrelated content, the value of these links will produce negligible results. Actually they will tend to rapidly reduce the perceived value of your own site.

2) Are you trying to link to a competitor? Since we are linking "out" and we are not looking for a linking partner your ultimate interests must be considered. Do you really want to link to a site that provides the same, or very similar, products and/or services as you provide? Unless that site is willing to reciprocate with a link and they have a higher PageRank than you do that is NOT a good idea!

3) What is the PageRank of the other website? The majority of people falsely believe that outbound links hurt your SE placement. Actually the opposite is the truth. Poor link-building is the biggest cause of these misconceptions, not the actual link. Always check the PageRank assigned by Google when you are choosing whether to link to another site. Like the boost a relevant link from a high PageRank site gives to your site in the incoming links it can have a positive effect on your outbound (reverse) links. If all of your outbound links go to highly regarded sites (as seen by the search engines) and their content is complimentary to your site then these links will definitely gain you higher rankings.

Finding the Links

Where is the best place to look for links to boost your search engine placement? The best place to start looking is the search engines themselves. Searching will easily produce hundreds of "potential" links. Actually, if you did the proper initial research for your keyword and niche selection you will already have a lot of this information.

Best Practices for Reverse Linking

Here are some important considerations to make regarding how to organize those new outbound links for maximum benefit. The absolutely most important thing is to create a "Resources Page". Call it a "Resources Page", or "Additional Resources", or something similar, rather than a "Links Page". This is not only for a better consideration by the search engine but also for your visitors.

Placing the majority of these reverse (outbound) links on their own page avoids
affecting the optimization and search engine considerations of the rest of your
website. It also gives you a "page" to place all those new links on as they come in.

Each outbound link should look something like the following example linked from a lighthouse web site: "For the enthusiast this collection of unique nautical gifts is truly in a class by itself. They offer magnificently handcrafted nautical coin jewelry." The link ('Custom Nautical Jewelry') opens in a new window when the visitor clicks on it.

Each link should have a descriptive text within it (not the ambiguous "click here") and there should be a high quality description of the web site just below the link (remember presell'). If you don't know what to include as the description, just ask the site owner, they are often very pleased that you are putting so much care into the a link to their site. If you are lucky the webmaster might even suggest a reciprocal link - but let them suggest it - you do NOT suggest it.

Very Important note- Remember to have these outbound links open in a new window. If you are using the SiteBuildIt format, as opposed to uploading your own pages, then use the traffic link tool and check "Open in an new window". I am appalled at the number of websites that don't do this (Yes, I have messed up and done the same thing without thinking). You must keep the visitor in your site, even if your site is now in a browser beneath the one being viewed. You have a much higher chance, by an overwhelming 100 to 1 that the visitor will actually return to your site this way. If they leave your site, because they have clicked on one of those outbound links, then you probably want get them back since they have completely left your site.

By putting these practices into place you will shorten the time it takes for the major search engines to spider your site. But first you still have to build a content rich site and use SiteBuildIt's Analyze tool to optimize those web pages. The strategy I have provided gives your visitors even more valuable content for the search terms they are entering. Link building is the icing but without the cake 9a content rich. SE friendly site) it amounts to nothing.

Michael Domeck
www.the-best-light-houses.com
www.homefurnishingsforless.com

The author has been working in Communications and Web development for over 15 years. He has purposely stayed away from the fancy graphics, php, cgi and Flash programming methods used on many sites. By keeping his websites simple he has constantly had his, and his clients, websites rated high in the Search Engines using the KISS method.

Just Nice Things
Just Nice Things

EASY INTERNET ORDERING for our CATALOG CUSTOMERS!!! Just enter the item number of your selection in the SEARCH FIELD and hit START SEARCH. Our EASY INTERNET ORDERING will take you directly to your item.
We offer fine quality merchandise for all you're gift-giving occasions.

You will find it all here...from dolls to music boxes, jewelry to luggage and much, much more.

We have wonderful gifts for every person on your list for every occasion.

Just Nice Things guarantee you will be completely satisfied with every purchase, or we will refund your money.



Just Nice Things is your one-stop shop for fine quality merchandise. We have that special something for all the important people in your life! At Just Nice Things you'll find just the right gift for your husband, wife, children and every other member of your family. And don't forget the bride and groom, graduate, anniversary couple and all the other special people on your list. There's something here for everyone...all at prices you can afford!

History of the Claddagh rings

Paul Gibney

The Claddagh ring is Irelands most romantic and enduring Celtic jewelry tradition. It is customary for the ring to be worn as a wedding or engagement ring and then to be handed down from generation to generation.
Claddagh itself is one of Ireland's oldest fishing villages just outside Galway City in the west of Ireland. Legend has it that one of its residents a Richard Joyce was abducted while out fishing, by Moorish pirates and taken back to Tunisia. There he was to become a slave and learned the craft of a Goldsmith. In 1670 he was released when King William III came to the throne and concluded an agreement whereby all his subjects who where held captive were allowed to return to their homes. Richard`s former master pleaded with him to stay, marry one of his daughters and inherit half of all his wealth. But all to no avail Richard was returning to his one true Irish love back in Claddagh. When he arrived home he found that his true love was unmarried and still waiting for him. They set up a Goldsmiths store together. Where Richard made the first Claddagh rings and used at their own wedding.
In earlier times in Claddagh village the design of the ring was the symbol of the "fishing Kings of Claddagh" the meaning being then "in love and friendship let us reign". The heart symbolizes love, the hands symbolizes friendship and the crown loyalty. The popularity of the Claddagh ring was helped by the mass exodus from Ireland during the great famine 1845-50.
Some famous wearers of the Claddagh ring include Queen Victoria, Edward VII and lately Buffy the vampire slayer (who was given the ring by Angel). The present Governor of New York recently mentioned that over 200 Claddagh rings had been recovered from the attack on the world trade center on September 11th 2001.

The tradtional Claddagh symbols - heart for love, hands for friendship and crown for loyalty.

How to wear your Claddagh Ring;

Right hand with the heart pointing outwards = Fancy free
Right hand with the heart pointing inwards = Spoken for
Left hand with the heart pointing inwards = Found true love


Paul Gibney is a co-founder of http://www.claddaghstore.com one of Ireland largest online Celtic Jewelry Stores.

The Uniqueness of Missoni
Sher Matsen

To Uniqueness of Angela Missoni stands her alone and away from any other designer. A garment designed by Angela easily is picked out of a line of impressive fashions.

Even though Angela Missoni had been involved in the family fashion business she was determined not to follow in the footsteps of her parent.

After having several career from managing a children's playground to raising organic chickens, she was drawn back to her natural roots and began designing jewelry. Her father offered her a position in the company claiming that the diversity could keep her working in her own department out of the daily reaches of her parents.

Angela soon began designing fashion collections. Her collections were varied. One collection saw accessories added, another some knits, as she always battled to be unique and different.

One day her mother said she felt Angela's lines should be what Missoni should be about.

Her desire is fueled by her uniqueness. She never wanted to be like any other designer. Angela prides herself in knowing that nothing else in the fashion world looks quite like a Missoni design.

From it's inception in 1953 Missoni was very experimental. Sometime during the 1980s it lost its way and became intrenched in the more classic looks and styles. With the help of Angela it has found its way back to its roots.

The designs are once again bold, funky, younger looking. So watch for the new face or shall we say old face of the well known Missoni family with Angela now leading the way.

Angela's designs have been worn by many famous stars such as Sandra Bullock, Eva Mendes, Rachel Blanchard, Debra Messing and Sheryl Crow.

It's going to be an exciting season with Angela's imagination running wild what we will see on the runway this season can only be left to the imagination. Keep your eyes wide open!


Sher from Estate Jewelry International have 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.

Choose Your Jewelry Carefully

Sher Matsen

Choosing your jewelry is no different than choosing your wardrobe. Most important is to stick within your comfort zone and your personal fashion style. That said it never hurts to step out of the box once in awhile. What's most important is that your jewelry matches up with your outfit. Your jewelry is the finishing touch on your total look. Make your fashion statement count!

You need to determine what you want your jewelry to do. Do you want it front and center stage? Do you want it to compliment? Do you want it subtle? The occasion or event you'll be wearing your jewelry to is also important - make certain it is fitting. A sexy oversized choker might be perfect for a night on the town but may not be fitting for the boardroom.

Although you may have a favorite designer. There's really no need to stick with just one designer. In fact there's no need for the pieces to actually be designer. There are plenty of wonderful pieces on the market that are unsigned but certainly make a fashion statement. Mix and match your jewelry to give it character and a little pizzaz!

Costume Jewelry, both signed and unsigned, is an affordable way to complete your look. Costume Jewelry can be bought for a low price and has plenty of life. Heck we see costume jewelry back to the 1920s still in excellent condition. What's great with costume jewelry is you can use it, get tired of it, put it away or give it away and have still gotten good value for your money.

Designer pieces tend to cost a little more, last a little longer, and they usually follow more traditional lines so you can wear them for more than one or two seasons.

Sterling Silver is affordable and very versatile. If you don't want to spend the money for sterling, then purchase some silver plate pieces. Silver is a must have to any wardrobe! You can go from dainty and delicate to large and noticeable. It can be dressed up or down and is acceptable for any event or occasion.

We always recommend have some gold plate or gold tone pieces in your wardrobe basics also. 10-14k gold may be a bit too pricey for many but gold plated jewelry is quite affordable and will give you good value for the cost. Gold like silver can be dressed up or dressed down and is perfect for a very classy look.

When purchasing rings you can have great fun - again the choices are endless from large and overwhelming to dainty and feminine. The length and size of your fingers plays an important role in what will look good. For example long skinny fingers don't look good with huge oversized rings, yet a woman that has long thicker fingers they look exquisite. Long nails? Short nails? it all makes a difference. Play and see what you like what looks good. Also determine where you will be wearing these rings. For example if your working around fine fabrics you'll not want any rins that have sharp edges that could snag. Your rings are also part of your total statement.

When purchasing necklaces be certain you know your neck size so that you get a good fit. This is very important when purchasing on line as you don't get a chance to try. If your neck is average in size then a 16" necklace will look great, however if you have a somewhat larger than average neck then a 16" necklace could be too tight. Measure the length of some of your favourite necklaces you already own. This will give you a good indication of what length you prefer. Opera necklaces which are over 30" are terrific. They can be double wrapped, knotted, or whatever else your imagination comes up with. When choosing colored necklaces make sure its a color that compliments your skin tone. It may match your outfit fabulously but if it doesn't match or compliment your skin tone your look could be lost.

When purchasing bracelets you'll need to decide where you're going to wear them, and how noticeable you want them to be. The availability of size and shape is endless - you can go from large bangle bracelets to dainy gem bracelets. If it is a slip on bracelet be sure that it will fit over your hand. Make certain to measure your wrist as the fit of a bracelet is very important. To large and it will look sloppy and may even slide off. Too small can constrict your wrist movement.
When purchasing earrings - the shapes and styles are endless - from dangles to chandeliers to hoops to studs to buttons. From enamel to beads to gems to metal to wood.

Size of the earrings is very important to the statement your making. The larger the earring the more noticeable and the more incorporated they become into your total look. Large earrings aren't for everyone - depending on your face size and shape they may actually detract rather than attract. Experiment and find what looks best on you.

Your jewelry choices are endless - no matter what your tastes, your likes, your dislikes. You'll be able to complete your look just the way you want it with little effort. So be sure to 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.


15 Successful Packing Tips
Joyce Moseley Pierce

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15 Tips for Successful Packing
by: Joyce Moseley Pierce
1600 words - 65 character lines

Whether you travel for business or pleasure, frequently
or only occasionally, it seems that we basically pack the
same things every time. Here are a few tips to help simplify
the process so you don't have to stress about it every
time. Remember that most of these items can be purchased
when you get there, but you don't want to spend your
vacation money on things you already have at home, and if
you're traveling on business, you may not have time to
run to the store for something you need at an 8 am meeting.

After reading through these ideas, you might want to make
an itemized list of things you consider important to take.
Keep it in your suitcase so it will be available next
time you pack and use it as a checklist to make sure you haven't
forgotten anything. If other things come to mind while you're
traveling, update your list for next time, but be sure to
return it to your suitcase.

Rule #1 for me is to keep it light. I traveled toBrazil
for 10 days with only a carry-on rolling bag and backpack.
My husband packed a rolling bag that was big enough to
stuff a body into and it was difficult to manage when we
stayed in hotels that didn't have elevators. I don't pack more
than I can carry by myself and I try to leave a little room
for those vacation purchases. I have a nylon carry-on bag
that zips up into a small square that comes in handy for carrying
things home if I get too carried away.

1. Pajamas or gown. I have a pair of pjs I keep in my
suitcase just so I don't forget them. The reason I take
pajamas instead of a gown is that hotels are usually
cold and if I'm staying with friends or family, I want
to be able to get up and use the bathroom without having
to have a robe.

2. Underwear. Pack a pair for every day and then include
extras. If you're going to be doing activities that
require showering and changing clothes during the day, be
sure to include enough for that. Don't forget bras and
sports bras.

3. Make up and toiletries. Instead of having to remember
what to take every time, go through your beauty routine at home
and set out the things you use every day. Refill sample jars
from trial offers, or buy travel-size containers to pack
your cleansers so you don't have to pack an 8 oz. tub of
cold cream. Don't forget deodorant and shaving supplies. I
keep a razor in my bag all the time and just change the blade
when I'm leaving again. Keep your toiletry bag stocked and
leave it in your suitcase for the next trip,but be sure to
check and make sure you don't need to refill any of the containers.

4. Tooth care. Instead of buying a travel size tube of
toothpaste, when I get toward the bottom of my big tube,
I stop using it and throw it into my toiletry bag. I also
pack the floss and toothbrush the dentist gives me.

5. Feminine products. Don't forget to pack at least
enough to get you by until you can get to the store. A
urologist once told me that women seem prone to bladder
infections while they're on vacation. If you are, you
might want to pack an OTC medication that will help relieve
the pain and lessen the symptoms until you can get to a
doctor.

6. Medications. I have a separated pill box that holds
pills for a week. Usually my trips are not that long
(unfortunately!) so I'll put in what I need for each day
and use the extra slots for aspirin or other things I
might need while away. I have another pill box that I use
for my vitamins.

7. Clothes. After considering what the weather will be,
I pull clothes out and lay them on the bed. I like dark
colors because those spills aren't quite so obvious as
they are on light colors! I pack pants that will be
interchangeable with more than one shirt. In trying to pack
light, I may wear a pair of black pants more than once,
but not my shirts! If you're going to a cool climate,
remember to bring things to layer. It will take up less
room than bulkier items. It doesn't hurt to try things on
before you go, either! If you haven't worn something in
awhile, it may not fit the way you remembered.

8. Accessories. Make sure you have belts if necessary.
You should only need one belt if you've packed color
coordinated items. Keep jewelry to a minimum.

9. Shoes. Be sure your shoes are comfortable! Don't go
buy a new pair of shoes and try to break them in away from
home. I plan my wardrobe so that I only need one or two
pair of shoes. I've cut heels out of my wardrobe, and
flats go great with long skirts or pants. If you're packing
shorts, take a comfortable pair of sandals that will work
with shorts or skirts. If I'm taking tennis shoes, I try to
wear them on the plane because they take up too much room
in the suitcase. If you're going on a business trip, be sure
to polish your shoes before you pack them, and then slip them
inside a plastic grocery bag so the polish doesn't rub off on
your clothes. Don't forget to take socks or nylons that will
fit with the shoes you've chosen to take.

10. Vacation gear. Don't forget your swimsuit, cover-up and
a pair of flip-flops (we used to call them 'thongs' but now
that has an entirely different meaning!). My husband always
forgets swim trunks and I accuse him of just wanting to buy
a new pair in every city!

11. Hair products. I have short hair that can easily air dry
on its own in the summer, but I have a travel hair dryer I
carry with me if I'm staying in a hotel that doesn't provide
one in the room. I have a hair brush that always stays in my
bag. Condense big bottles of shampoo and conditioner into smaller
ones. I carry a shampoo/conditioner product with me so I only have
to use one product. If you need gel or hair spray, buy travel
sizes the first time, and then refill them from your big bottle
when it runs out.

12. Electronics. With cell phones and computers,neither are any
good to you if the batteries are dead. Be sure to take the cords
with you and remember to recharge every night. Don't forget your
camera, film and batteries. Take film mailers with you and send
it off before you leave to have a head start on the processing,
and save on those one hour prices.

13. Backpack. I always carry a backpack for things
to entertain myself on the plane or in the car. About a week
before I leave home, I pull the backpack out and as I think of
things I want to take, I throw them in and then repack it before
I leave. Seems like it's always heavy going to my destination and
lighter coming home because I'm tired and pack more of it in the suitcase.
If I have a connecting flight and am worried about my suitcase arriving
at the same time I do, I include a change of clothes and my toiletry
bag. I always carry something to read, my journal, a bottle of water
and a snack. I put all travel documents in the outside pocket so
they are easily accessible. Do NOT pack your manicure tools or
they will be taken away from you.

14. Purse. I don't carry a purse when traveling, so I condense
everything into a fanny pack and put anything else I have to
have in the backpack. If I'm carrying much cash, I use one
of those money pouches that hangs around your neck and can
be worn under your shirt. It's a good idea not to carry all
of your money in one place.

15. Maps and other. Before I visit a new place, I do some
research on the internet and get driving directions from the
airport. I pull information on that city that might be of
interest to me and my family. Be sure to include a small
sewing kit, or at least some safety pins, as well as your
basic first aid supplies.

Each trip I take becomes a challenge to me to pack even better
on the next one. I discover what's important to take and what's
not. Having your list available as you pack for each trip allows
you to pack and feel confident that you haven't forgotten anything.
Of course if you are traveling with children, you'll need to take
their needs into consideration, and that might include taking
in-laws with you to help carry everything!





Joyce Moseley Pierce a freelance riter and owner of Emerson Publications. She is also editor of The Family First Newsletter, an ezine for families with young children. http://www.emersonpublications.com

The Modern Bridesmaid Has Style!

Sher Matsen

It's a whole new day, and there is a whole new look for bridesmaids. It's a welcome change from the past years. At it's not just the bridesmaids look that has gotten a facelift, the brides are sporting a whole new look too.

Traditional wedding gowns and traditional white will always be a choice. That's a tradition that's just not going to disappear. And that's okay. But the choices now available for the modern bride are welcome change, allowing those creative juices to flow, and one's own personality to stand out.

The history of the bridesmaids attire is quite interesting. In past centuries brides wore elaborate colorful gowns, and bridesmaids wore similar gowns. This was to disguise the bride and protect her from being kidnapped by evil spirits. By the Victorian era things had changed producing brides that wanted to stand out in the crowd. Thus the formal elaborate white wedding gown entered the wedding fashion scene. However the bridesmaids attire didn't change, remaining bold and frilly.

Well this century bridesmaids have a lot more to say about what they wear. Not only have the traditional dresses taken on a more sophisticated and elegant look. Many brides now let their bridesmaids choose their own dress based on the chosen color scheme. All bridesmaids weren't created equal. By allowing them to choose a dress that flatters them, you have happier bridesmaids and better photo ops.

Gowns and dresses worn by the modern bridesmaid are often functional enough for other formal events and gatherings. A much smarter alternative to the expensive gown that's worn once then buried deep in the closet never to be seen again. We all remember wearing one of those "awful" dresses at some point.

There are also no longer fast and set rules on how many bridesmaids you must have. The size of your wedding often relates to how many attendants, and these days the choice is entirely up to you. Tradition has gone out the window, a pleasing thought for many future brides. You can even have more than one maid of honor if you wish. The rules you must play by are your own rules.

The same new rules apply to your flower girl[s] and ring bearer[s] choose more than one, have only one, have one of each. The best age range for this very important little people's job is between 5 and 7. Younger children have a harder time staying focused. Now if you don't' mind if they mess up a little bit, then by all means you can choose a younger child. After all they can be a great source of amusement! Older children will also be thrilled to be chosen to man the guestbook or help guests. It makes them feel extra special.

The more bridesmaids you have the more coordination and communication your going to have to take care of. Remember you'll have plenty of issues to deal with from dresses, to nails, to hair, to jewelry. So don't choose more bridesmaids than you think you can handle. This is supose to be a happy time for you and stress doesn't make a person happy.

Forget the old theory that if you don't include everyone that's close to you, there will be hard feelings. Most women have outgrown this childish thought pattern, and recognize that the modern bride has tough choices to make to stay within budget and fulfill her special day. Sometimes a future bride just has too many close friends to have them all in the wedding party. Relax! Invite them to the wedding, and if you want ask them to do special favors such as perhaps your nails or your hair, depending on their own unique talents.

The maid of honor has a role to play besides in the wedding party. She needs to be the brides right arm and help with any wedding tasks she can. She can help select the wedding gown, get the invitations in order, arrange a wedding shower, help with choosing a reception location, help decorate, or even help prepare the food. The duties that can be assigned to your made of honor are endless, just be sure not to overwhelm her with too many requests. Your maid of honor is like the brides personal first aid kit. Ready to fix anything that's broken.

Bridesmaids also play an important role by planning the bridal shower, preparing munchies, cake, or sandwiches for the shower. They are also there to support and help the bride whenever they can.

For the modern bride these are happy times, choices are endless, you can make your fashion statement and let your bridesmaid's make theirs. No more having to follow traditions unless you want to. Planning the perfect wedding has never been easier!



© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher from Estate Jewelry International have 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.

Taking Care Of and Cleaning Jewelry

Ann Scaling Tucker

First, how susceptible is your jewelry to scratches and chemical products? Hardness is based on a gem-trade standard called the Mohs scale. The higher the Mohs scale number, the harder the stone is. The highest Mohs scale rating is 10 (diamonds). Anything with a Mohs scale rating of less than 7 is easily scratched (such as coral, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, and turquoise). Gold, silver, and platinum are only Mohs 2-1/2 to 4.

Because a diamond can scratch gold or pearls it is always important to store all jewelry pieces separately. Gold jewelry will last you a lifetime if it is taken care of. Gold can be scratched and dented if you are not careful. Because of where they are worn, gold rings and bracelets will get the most damage, much more so than earrings or necklaces. Chemicals also can cause damage to gold. One of the worst is chlorine. Constant exposure to chlorinated cleaning products will make the gold weak and prone to breaking. Don't wear your gold in the swimming pool or Jacuzzi. Take your jewelry off around the house when cleaning but if you prefer to wear rings and bracelets wear rubber gloves for protection. Even makeup, perfume, hairspray, and perspiration can cause gold jewelry to lose its luster. Clean your jewelry regularly using a good jewelry cleaner. A quick clean can be done with a baby tooth brush and mild soap and a small amount of ammonia. (Never clean in the sink as the jewelry might fall down the drain, always clean in a bowl away from a drain pipe) Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping into plain rubbing alcohol. Always rinse thoroughly and dry after cleaning. Keep it wrapped separately in a soft cloth, jewelry box divider or plastic baggie. Keep your eye on prongs that could break and cause the loss of a stone. An occasional visit to a professional jeweler is the best idea.

Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It does not tarnish or get discolored from chlorine. Even though it is very tough you still need to take good care of your platinum jewelry. Store it separately because platinum can be scratched. Platinum can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.

You will probably be surprised that sunlight can cause many colored gemstones to fade, change color or become pale. Common stones that are damaged in sunlight (there may be more): Amethyst, Ametrine, Apatite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Fluorite, Kunzite, Rose Quartz, and Smokey Quartz. Pearls are organic stones and quickly react to any form of chemicals like perfumes, hand lotions, hair spray, etc. Chemicals directly attack the nacre, ruining the luster, which causes patches on your pearl. Put your pearl jewelry on last after you have applied your perfumes, lotions, etc. They should not be worn along with any other jewelry items such as chains or even watches. Clean pearls only with lukewarm water. Never brush them in any way. You can then wipe it with a regular cotton cloth. The silk is delicate and gets stretched after a period of time. Always store bead necklaces (such as lapis, pearls, etc) flat as that will keep the silk from stretching. It could break when the strand is worn on a regular basis. You should have them checked, to see if they need to be re-strung, every 3 years if you wear them regularly. Opals are water-based stones. Sudden temperature changes cause them to crack in multiples (known as Crazing). They should thus be cleaned only in room temperature water (68�F - 75�F) and then wiped with a soft cotton cloth. Emeralds, naturally coming out of the ground have several surface breaking inclusions in them. Almost all of them are treated through oiling to hide these inclusions. They cannot be immersed in ultrasonic cleaners or steam machines for this reason. The oiling will either discolor or come out during the cleaning process. Thus they can only be cleaned with room temperature water (68�F - 75�F) and a cotton cloth.

Platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals. It does not tarnish or get discolored from chlorine. Even though it is very tough you still need to take good care of your platinum jewelry. Store it separately because platinum can be scratched. Platinum can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.

Your silver jewelry tarnishes when exposed to air. This occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather and even sunshine, but is inevitable in any climate. Tarnish first appears as a golden hue on your sterling silver then turns to black. Always store in treated paper or cloth, or plastic zip lock bags made of Mylar (turkey cooking bags) or polyethylene. Some plastic contains sulfur compounds which can cause tarnish faster. Never use polyvinyl plastic bags. Tiny zip-lock bags work great for each individual piece. Don't store sterling silver jewelry on wood surfaces as wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish. Also avoid storing silver with other metals like pennies and rubber. Don't wear rubber gloves when washing or polishing silver because rubber promotes tarnish. Dry and polish silver with a soft cloth, not paper towels. You can use a baby tooth brush or a horsehair silver brush but stays away from paper, polyester and course fabrics that contain wood fibers as this can scratch your silver. Ordinary toothpaste is a good, quick cleaner but is mainly recommended for gold, not silver. If you don't want to rub the silver (or you're uncomfortable working with acid), make a dip using baking soda, aluminum foil and hot water. Place a 2' length of aluminum foil into a plastic bucket, and pour 1/2 gallon of hot water over it. Then pour a cup of fresh baking soda into the water (if the soda is fresh, it will begin foaming). Submerge a piece of silver in the water, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then pull out the silver, rinse it, and allow it to dry.

For a more of a heavy duty cleaner get a pickle jar and combine one inch of cleaning detergent (like Top Job or Mr. Clean), one inch of dish washing liquid and one inch of ammonia. Fill the rest of the container with water. Shake well, heat in microwave and pour into an old pot and simmer on stove. Put your silver or gold into the solution and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Remove from solution and rinse with water. Dry well.

About the Author: Elizabeth Ann Scaling Tucker is a retired grandmother of 5. She retired after 35 1/2 years with the Department of Defense. In her retirement years, she is a grandchild sitter and an assistant webmaster for family websites. You can see one of the websites at http://www.diamondengagementweddingrings.com/



When Your Customers Steal
Chris Malta

"When Your Customers Steal"
You know it's a slow news day when the news programs on TV turn their attention to their favorite new consumer warning
"Beware of online businesses!" they cry. "YOU could be SCAMMED on the Internet!"
Every time I see one of these news stories, I groan, and wonder how many sales my sites just lost. Then there are the ads for that new credit card that "protects" consumers against online fraud. They make Internet businesses people look like a bunch of thugs who meet in a sewer all day long to torture innocent consumers.
There a lot more honest, hardworking Netrepreneurs out there than scam artists. That doesn't make for a good news story, though, so we all take the lumps for the transgressions of a sordid few.
You know what I've never seen, though? I've never seen a headline story about the CUSTOMERS who scam the Netrepreneurs. I've seen stories about thieves robbing convenience stores. I've seen exposes featuring the practices favored by professional shoplifters. What about the "consumers" who target online businesses when they steal?
My partners and I market both informational products and brand name merchandise on the Internet. And we've been taken on both sides of the fence.
We publish a B2B (business to business) product called The Drop Ship Source Directory.
Recently, I received an email from someone who bought our Directory on EBay, and had questions about how they were to receive the information updates we send our customers every month. There was only one problem.
We don't SELL our Directory on EBay.
I was forced to write back to that person and tell him that he had been scammed. It was obvious to me that someone had purchased our product from us, and was reselling it to others illegally. How this scam artist expected to get away with reselling the product, I'll never know. At that time, it was a download that contained nearly a thousand pages. (Now, it's a much larger online database). There is a copyright notice on EVERY SINGLE PAGE. It's like me buying Stephen King's latest book on Amazon, typing it up into electronic form, and then reselling it on EBay. I'd have to be nuts to try something like that!
Last year, a site I was working with received an order for some moderately expensive jewelry. Nothing out of the ordinary. The credit card processed just fine, with the AVS (Automatic Verification System) coming back "green". This means that the online processing system had checked the card's information against the on-file address and zip code of its owner, and everything was OK. The Ship-to address was different from the card owner's Bill-to address, but that's nothing out of the ordinary either. LOTS of people buy jewelry and have it sent as a gift to another address.
A while later, we received a "chargeback" letter from the customer's bank. A chargeback means that the card owner has disputed the charge, and we have to show cause why we should not refund the money. At about the same time, we got a phone call from a police department in West Virginia, asking about that same order.
Turns out that a woman in West Virginia had inadvertently left her credit card on a checkout counter at a large department store. A clerk at that store picked up the card, and used it to make several online purchases. The clerk was having the purchases delivered to a vacant house RIGHT NEXT DOOR to his own. This guy must have left his brain cell in the 'fridge that day.
The above are both good examples of how WE, as Netrepreneurs, get "scammed". Maybe I've been luckier than most, but it has not happened to me all that many times.
We caught the guy who was reselling our Directory on EBay. What we did was this: The person who purchased the bootleg Directory was naturally very upset. I told him that if I were able to catch this person and confirm what had happened, I would see to it that his purchase was made good, and he would receive full access to our REAL Directory. He immediately sent me all the information he had on the auctioneer. Sure enough, the auctioneer was a customer of ours. I notified EBay's fraud department (SafeHarbor@EBay.com). I then contacted the perpetrator and elaborated on the penalties of copyright infringement. He pulled his auction listings immediately. We came to an agreement for restitution that I was satisfied with. I suggested to him that he refund the other people to whom he had already sold bootlegs, before THEY came after him.
The police in West Virginia caught the store clerk. They set up surveillance at the vacant house next door, and waited for more of his online purchases to arrive. After the case was prosecuted, we got the jewelry back. All we lost was a few dollars in shipping charges.
If you're in business, you're a potential target. Protect yourself as best you can. Use an AVS system when you accept credit cards. Confirm large-dollar purchases before processing them. When people charge thousands of dollars to buy large-ticket items from my sites, I always contact that customer to verify the purchase. I caught two stolen cards that way, BEFORE I got burned. Watch for multiple purchases of the same item by the same person. They'll end up being re-sold out of the trunk of a car, and you'll be stuck paying the REAL card owner back. Be aware of protection programs like EBay's Safe Harbor. And if you think you're being ripped off, don't just wait around to hear from someone about it. Contact the bank that issued the card, and the police in the area you think the perpetrator purchased from. They take credit card fraud very seriously.
Who knows? Maybe someday, someone will write a news story about it.
Chris Malta
WorldWide Brands, Inc.
For more information, visit http://www.YouCanDropship.com


Chris Malta is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. He has worked with computer Systems for 18 years. He's been involved in eCommerce systems, networking and site design for more than 6 years. He's taught college-level computer courses in Western NY. He developed The Drop Ship Source Directory, and he and his partners at Worldwide Brands, Inc., publish the Directory and run eCommerce sites of their own using Drop Shipping as their only business method.

5 Ways to Win the War on Clutter

Dietta L. Stewart

5 Ways to Win the War on Clutter
By: Dietta L. Stewart

I had probably walked past that closet a hundred times, each time telling myself
how badly it needed cleaned. But each time I had an excuse. A good one too,
I'd get to it next weekend. Finally, after many weeks of putting it off I opened
the door to my youngest daughter's closet. It had been declared a hazardous
area, I would need special equipment before moving in. Armed with my 13-gallon
trash bag I took a deep breath and ventured in. What a mess. A half hour into the
task I wondered if there was an end to the mounds of Barbie shoes, jewelry beads,
crayons, (hey, these are brand new crayons!), Barbie clothes, doll house furniture-
You get the idea.
About 3 hours and 5, yes 5 trash bags later, I was finished. The closet had been
seized and conquered. I had won one more battle over clutter. I wondered if I'd
ever win the war. I decided that I could. I'm going to show you how you can too.
Clutter is a monster that grows and multiplies without warning and appears when we
aren't looking. Clutter is a thief of peace and balance. It takes up space in our homes,
and our hearts. Clearing the clutter out of your life is surprisingly liberating. Even after
cleaning a small space like a drawer in your kitchen you will suddenly feel lighter.
Choose today to restore energy and vitality to your life by clearing away the clutter.
Here are 5 easy ways to get you started.
1. Define Clutter. What does clutter mean to you? In order to defeat something you
have to know what it is you're fighting.
2. Take one area at a time. Sort through your stuff, clean and dust as you go. Get
rid of things that no longer fit who you are.
3. Do regular clutter maintenance to keep it from getting out of control. Create a
a schedule for major clutter clearing, like spring and fall, or every New Year's day,.
4. Create a space for everything.
5. Decide what areas won't be clutter free. Unless you live by yourself or with
someone who is very neat, you have to deal with other people's clutter. If we
let it, clutter can cause many the argument, heartache and headache. To
alleviate the stress of trying to control someone else's clutter accept that some areas
will always be cluttered unless the person or people creating the clutter changes or
cleans it up. This is okay. Every where we have lived my husband has created a
spot where he puts everything he brings into the house and leaves it there. Magazines
mail, tools, you name it. In the past I would let this frustrate me and I tried my best to
change it, after over ten years of marriage it still hasn't changed. I don't think it ever
will, so I have learned to live with it. When I'm in the mood I clean it up. When I'm
not, I leave it.


Dietta L. Stewart is the Editor of the monthly newsletter Balance Boosters and the author of
The Balanced Woman: A Christian Woman's Guide to Balanced Living. To subscribe to her
Free newsletter send a blank email to mailto:balanceboosters-subscribe@topica.com or
Visit her website at http://www.balanceboosters.com New subscribers will receive her latest
Report "52 Ways to Balance Your Life" free.

The History Of The Watch: From The Early 19th Century To Present Day Timepieces!

Chris Vorelli

The watch has made many transformations through the years. There have been many modifications and technological advancements that have made it possible to wear them on your wrist and tell the time with a push of a button! Unlike the watches made many centuries ago, the watches of today offer cutting edge technology and modern day convenience features. The watch is steeped in history and has seen us through World Wars and Nuclear Warfare. At the end of time, there's no doubt that we'll use a watch to make note of the date/time!

To truly understand the evolution of the watch, we must take a journey into the past. The first timekeeping device was actually a pocket watch. Though, back in the day, they were worn around the neck. I guess we know the occupation of Flava Flav's early ancestors!

After the railroad began using the pocket watch, the watch industry grew by leaps and bounds! With the invention of the wristwatch, watches became increasingly popular among professionals and everyday folk. The LED digital watch and the Pilot's watch have taken the watch designs and functions to a whole new level. To date, there are many watchmakers vying for your business! Your best bet is to hop online and view the many different styles, models and prices before you purchase another watch.

The pocket watch is the oldest form of watch in production. In the beginning, they were completely customized pieces of jewelry that were mainly owned by royalty or the rich. Encrusted with jewels and made of the finest quality materials, the early pocket watches were not easily affordable. Eventually made into smaller versions and worn around the neck, the pocket watch was still mostly considered a fashion accessory. That was until the development of the railroad. Using the pocket watch as a means to schedule train departures and arrivals, the pocket watch became a time telling necessity. Unfortunately, though, the early pocket watch models did not accurately tell time; they "lost" time as the day progressed, making it impossible to synchronize times among a group of people. Following a train collision, it was deemed that the pocket watch needed to undergo a technological improvement to tell time more accurately.

The revised technology made it possible to begin making the pocket watch smaller and smaller, until it eventually began to be worn on the wrist. The wristwatch began to see a dramatic burst of production during wartimes. The military saw a use for a watch that could be easily read while performing duties. The chronograph wristwatches with luminous hands were in high demand! Today, there are a multitude of watch manufacturers that specialize in wristwatch production. There are watches sporting beautiful jewels and watches that are mostly geared toward function. Some are battery operated, while others operate from the power of the sun! There are watches that will fit into any price range, too. Shopping online will allow you to view and compare many wristwatches so that you can pick the one that is most perfect for your wants and needs!

The LED Digital wrist watch came about in the late 1960's and early 1970's. These watches were very unique in that they require no moving parts to tell the time of day! Passing an electrical charge through inorganic materials creates the LED digital technology. In other words, you simply press a button and the watch lights up with the dime/date! The Americans and the Japanese have been the forerunners in the development of the LED digital watch. Early models were expensive, but are inexpensive to date. They are the best watches to learn how to tell time by!

The Aviation Watch (Pilot Watch) is a very functional timepiece.. These watches actually help to maintain flight plans, perform pre-flight planning and navigate flights, so they are extremely important for pilots! Used primarily by the military and aircrew, the Aviation style watches are also popular among avid outdoorsmen and athletes. Today, the aviation world has seen a great improvement in a plane's instrumentation panel, so the Aviation watch isn't quite as important, but they are very useful to have just in case you need a back up!

All watches are analog or digital in nature, some are even both! Men, women and children will be able to find a wrist watch that is just perfect for their needs/desires. Shopping on the Internet, you'll find many merchants that sell watches. There are places to find some really great discounted selections, too! When it comes to watches, there are many factors you should consider before you purchase, including: functions needed, size, style and price. Once you have your choices narrowed down, shopping online is the quickest and most convenient way to go. Whether you are an avid watch collector or you are purchasing a time teaching model, remember that your choices have been made possible thanks to the many talented designers and engineers through the years!

Chris Vorelli is a successful freelance writer, providing useful
articles and info on where to buy
discount watches, replacement bands

Cool Valentine's Day Gifts for Men
Kenia Morales

Most of us women have an eye for detail. So when it comes to buying presents for your friends, kids etc. you are probably a "slick diva". But what happens when you have given the man in your life a fair share of gifts and ran out of ideas or simply want to give something different than the typical button down shirt and tie. Well lucky for you I have created a list of cool gifts for men.

1.A gift basket- Yes, I know! It seems a little weird but, the gift basket business is "in" right now and they even carry gift baskets for beer lovers. An example of this basket would be: 6 beers from different countries and all type of munchies to go with it. If your mate enjoys drinking beer this is the perfect gift for him. Price range can be anywhere from $30 and above. Champaign gift baskets are available for those of you that are thinking about a sexier, sophisticated night.

2.Jewelry- Women love it when men give them jewelry as a present but, it does not mean he would not enjoy it also.

3.Electronics - I do not know about your partner but my husband drools all over electronic items. The same way women drool over shoes.

4.Collection- Does your mate have a collection of any type. Buy him one of the missing pieces.

5.Cigars- Just make sure you give them to a guy that smokes or is at least is interested on trying them.

6.Bath & Body products for men- I am sure a man can also appreciate being pampered.

7.Video/computer games- Does he enjoy playing video games? Games are no longer for kids only. So if he is into playing, surprise him!

8.Gift Card of his favorite store-If you have no clue of what to get him.

9.What he needs- If you can find something that he needs; buy it for him. What best present than a present that he will truly use.



Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics" click here http://www.kpatra.com/keniascolumn.htm to find Kenia's little piece of heaven her inspirational column

Manicure at Home

Kenia Morales

Required items to perform manicure:

*Bowl with warm soapy water

*scrub lotion

*petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion

*cuticle pusher

*Favorite nail polish and clear polish

*Nail polish remover (if your nails have color)

*clean white towel

Steps to a manicure:

Before starting make sure you remove your nail polish and have all the required items mentioned above. Also remove any jewelry on fingers.

First trim or shape nails.
soak both hands in warm soapy water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Push cuticles back gently with towel or cuticle pusher " stick".

Rub hands with a homemade scrub or any other scrub lotion to exfoliate skin.

Apply petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion on hands. Cover with gloves and leave on for about 5 minutes.

Paint nails. Make sure to apply at least to coats of nail polish and a top coat of clear nail polish to give it more shine. Give it enough time to dry.

Try giving yourself a manicure at least once a week to for great looking hands.

Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics".

How to Profit from Creative Home Businesses
Randy Wilson

Ideas for creative home businesses are everywhere. Many of them are already in your head, and you just don't know it. Here are some questions to get your own creative business ideas flowing:

• 
  
• What hobbies do I enjoy?
  
• What do I already know how to do?
  
• Do I want to pursue this full-time or part-time?
  
• Am I good with my hands?
  
• Do I want to learn a new craft?
  
• What do I love?
  

When it comes to creative home businesses, the last question may be the most important one of all. What do you love to do most? Write? Paint? Embroider? Sew? Build things? Decorate? This is where your passion is, and what you're passionate about, you're most likely to be successful at doing.

Too many people spend their days at jobs they don't even like, much less love. If you're considering starting a creative home business, this is your chance to do what you truly enjoy.

One idea for a creative home business is a home sewing business. Handmade wedding gowns and bridesmaids' dresses are always in demand. There are also opportunities for machine embroidering everything from sports teams' jerseys, caps, and jackets to beautiful beach towels.

Handmade draperies are also hot items these days. So if you're great at sewing or machine embroidery, this is a great area for your creative home business.

Maybe you like to build things. Handcrafted birdhouses, doghouses, toys, as well as many other things, are always in demand. Many times you can sell these items right from your front yard. Or you can sell them in online auctions. If you have a special niche item that you love to build, you may even want to have a kiosk at your local mall to sell your goods.

Jewelry making is one of the hottest trends going. This makes selling your handcrafted jewelry easier than ever. Specialty stores and upscale boutiques will buy all you can make, and at a premium price. You can also sell the handmade jewelry from your creative business on your own website. The cost of websites has come down drastically in the last few years, and they are great for selling to a much larger group of people than you could otherwise.

If you love to paint, get your paintings to a local art gallery that focuses on local artists. Your creative home business can get a turbo charge this way. Good art galleries are always on the lookout for fresh, new talent and are willing to have shows where you can sell your paintings. Another idea for selling your paintings (that not a lot of artists think of!) is through interior decorators. They, too, are always looking for unique art for their clients' homes and apartments. So arrange to show some of them your work and you'll likely make several sales immediately.

Now that you hopefully have your own creative business idea, here are a few things you need to consider:

• 
  
• What supplies and/or equipment do I need?
  
• Should I hire an accountant?
  
• Do I have the space I need in my home?
  
• Does my area/state require me to get a business license?
  
• How do I prepare for tax time?
  
• Is there a market for my items?
  
• What's my competition doing?
  
• How do I advertise?
  

After you've done the needed research, write out a business plan. And then follow it. You can't make a wedding gown without a pattern or plan. You can't build a business without one either. But with a good business plan, effort, determination, and patience, you CAN have the successful creative home business you've always dreamed of having.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.


Randy has dozens more home based business articles such as Carpet Cleaning Business and Cake Decorating Business.

The Art of Collage

Eileen Bergen

The Art Of Collage
By Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com

Collage, from the French word "coller" (to stick), is a technique
that incorporates fragments of paper and collected or found
objects into artistic compositions. The National Gallery of Art
credits Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso with legitimizing collage
as fine art. Today any material fixed to a surface may be termed
collage.

As usual, the guys get all the credit! At the risk of generalizing
I think women have a genetic proclivity for collage and have been
creating it since time began.

Women tend to arrange and organize, rearrange and reorganize, until
they see a composition that is pleasing to the eye. Women do this
with home d�cor, their dinner tables, their closets, their makeup,
their apparel, you name it.

Men, on the other hand, tend to leave things where they lie, find
organization in disorganization, have little concern (and may exhibit
actual annoyance) if you ask them to pick up after themselves or put
things back "where they belong so you can find it when you want it,
Dear".

Women's genetic tendency to artfully arrange things explains the
current rage for scrapbooking which has evolved into a very advanced
form of collage. Also in the collage category are shadow boxes,
photo collages, collaged cards, framed family history or theme collages,
and of course collage art (-for-art's sake).

1. Any collage starts with a theme or group of somehow related
objects. So look around you. Get the shoebox of family memorabilia
out of the attic. Keep your eye out for objects that appeal to you
and are mountable. Just a few suggestions: beach glass, shells, small
pieces of driftwood, dried flowers and leaves, jewelry parts, charms,
doll house furniture and accessories, machine parts, e.g. gears from
a watch or small motor, kitchen utensils, or old silverware.

You may have several groups accumulating at once; and objects may be
moved at whim from one group to another. Once you have enough in any
one group, lay them out on a table and arrange them. Let them talk to
you. Leave them for a few days, glancing at them from time to time and
moving items around until you are satisfied with the arrangement. Or if
you're really inspired, you may be pleased with your first arrangement!
It happens sometimes.

You may want to enhance or alter some objects for a special look. Paper
can be "antiqued" by carefull singeing the edges and/or washing over
the paper with tea. Some items can be painted or shellacked. You may want
only part of a photo. Tear or cut away the unwanted portion or create a
pretty mat from textured paper in a coordinated color. Objects can be
painted or colored: polka dots on a scrap of metal, a stained glass
design painted on clear glass, a matte finish on one item that would
otherwise clash with all the glossy ones - or vice versa.

2. Depending on the size and weight of your arrangement, choose
your substrate. If the collage will be large and heavy, consider masonite,
hardboard or wood, at least � inch thick. It is a good idea to glue two
firring strips to the back for support, both while you work and when you
go to hang your collage. Metal can also be used and is very effective in
combination with objects welded to it.

If you are scrapbooking, your substrate is most likely 12 X 12 inch paper
and your items need to be lightweight. Other possibilities are stretched
canvas, cardboard or wooden boxes, poster board, or for cards - any type
of cardstock or decorative paper including handmade papers.

3. Prepare your substrate if necessary. For example, you may need to
shellac or seal if you are using wood. You may want to put a wash of color
or sponged pattern as a backdrop to your theme.

4. Decide what you will need in order to mount your objects. Choose glues
appropriate for the object and the substrate; preferably ones which dry
transparent. Try to avoid any glue seeping out from the edges by carefully
placing and spreading the glue and letting it come to a proper tack before
placing each object on the base. Follow the manufacturer's label
instructions. Be sure the adhesive is permanent and, if you are working
with photos, also acid-free. Some consumer tapes, glue sticks and liquid
adhesives are not permanent or may react with photographs and cause them
to deteriorate. Some of these adhesives contain acids and other materials,
such as plasticizers or softening agents, which can migrate onto a
photograph and cause discoloration, fading and brittleness.

Other possible fasteners are nails, tacks (especially decorative ones such
as upholstery tacks), pegs, bolts, glue dots, stick pins, wire and tape.
Or you might take up welding. You wouldn't be the first woman to do so!

If you are a woman looking for your artistic or profitable niche, I
recommend you give some type of collage a try. It just comes so naturally
to most women that you may find it feeds the soul, as well as the
pocketbook.

For more artilcrs, tips and ideas about crafts and the crafting business,
visit http://www.theartfulcrafter.com

Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com



Ms. Bergen has had a varied career, first as a special education teacher and than, after getting a MBA degree, as a vice president of a major insurance company. For the last eight years she has been creating and selling her crafts.

Fashion Trends Spring 2005
Lisa Jay

The spring 2005 fashion trends show clothing and accessories that are very feminine and full of color, style and patterns. What are the experts forecasting for spring?

Fabric - Romance is in the air. The fabrics this season will be more feminine and light. We will see a lot of soft flowing fabrics such as chiffon and silk. A new trend this season is the big bold prints in wild designs. No longer dubbed the tacky, the big animal and floral prints will dominate the scene.

Handbags - Handbags are once again going to be designed for use. Bigger is definitely better! Purses will be oversized and versatile, held in the hand or slung over the shoulder. A bag has to hold all of the day's necessities.

Color - White will be all around us for spring and there will be no avoiding it. The color scene seems to be all over the color pallet. Think citrus; alive, vibrant colors of oranges, limes and lemons will be everywhere. Corals, various shades of pink, blues, aqua, taupe and deep gold will also dominate this season's fashion.

Jewelry - Pearls are still a front runner in the favorites for spring jewelry. Multiple layers of faux pearls and the "real deal" pearls will be combined in a big bunch to create long layered necklaces. Ears are no longer the focus this spring season, the arms are. Bangles and bracelets, big and small will take center stage in the jewelry industry. The earrings are moving from chandelier to long thin earrings and sapphires in pink set in gold will adorn many fingers this spring.

Clothing - It is once again fashionable to be feminine and lady like. Skirts will be loose fitting, fuller and patterned. No longer are the longer pencils skirts stylish, at the knee or just above the knee are all the rage. Blouses will have a lower neckline making room for some fabulous necklaces. You can kiss those low ride pants goodbye because they are history. Formal wear will be long and flowing in rich colors.

Shoe -�Out go the big chunky heels and in go the thin, tall spiky heels. Women want comfort so the round nosed toes will be appreciated. Embellished shoes with stones, studs and patterns will dominate the market. Sandals will have a Greece flare. The wedge heel is going to be a big fashion in sandals.

Coats, Jackets - A huge item this spring for your wardrobe will be the trench coat; this time around it will be cinched at the waste with a sash. Say goodbye to the Poncho. It looks like that was a one-hit wonder.

Lisa Jay is a freelance writer and the jewelry designer behind Lantana Designwear. You can visit her websites at http://www.LantanaDesignwear.com and http://www.JewelryMakingHQ.com
Be sure to sign up for her newsletter at http://www.LantanaDesignwear.com/signup_newsletter to receive information on jewelry, fashion and womens issues.

Let's Pretend

In my younger days, I made jewelry for fun, and with the encouragement of friends and family, I started selling them off too. Back then, I did not wear jewelry, never liked wearing them anyway, though I loved making them. I eventually wore jewelry to advertise my work.

It all started when my cousin showed me the earrings she had made. I was fascinated and started experimenting with whatever I could find to make my own jewelry.

My mom is a whiz with all sorts of handicrafts. Macrame, dress making, crochet, rug making, you name it, she's probably made it. She has a nice collection of craft materials. Beads, buttons, fabrics, strings.. and she let me use her materials.

I started with bracelets. No clasps. Just plain stretchable bead bracelets that were simply wooden beads strung together on elastic.

Bracelet making is about putting together a pleasant combination of beads, both in size and color. Mix and match the colors. Mix the big ones for focus with the small ones as fillers. You can thread them through a string first to see how it looks and measure it against your wrist for the fit. Once you are satisfied with the bracelet. String the elastic through the beads and tie a dead knot and hide the loose ends of elastic under the beads.

Here are 2 sets of instruction on bracelet making. Making A Bracelet and How to Make Bead Bracelets.

Once you have made your bracelets, you can sell them to friends and family. Or even get friends to sell for you for a commission. Some pals who love selling stuff might even sell them for free, or mark up the price and take the difference as a profit. Work out something you both are comfortable with.

Making Bracelets for fun and to sell
Janice Wee

In my younger days, I made jewelry for fun, and with the encouragement of friends and family, I started selling them off too. Back then, I did not wear jewelry, never liked wearing them anyway, though I loved making them. I eventually wore jewelry to advertise my work.

It all started when my cousin showed me the earrings she had made. I was fascinated and started experimenting with whatever I could find to make my own jewelry.

My mom is a whiz with all sorts of handicrafts. Macrame, dress making, crochet, rug making, you name it, she's probably made it. She has a nice collection of craft materials. Beads, buttons, fabrics, strings.. and she let me use her materials.

I started with bracelets. No clasps. Just plain stretchable bead bracelets that were simply wooden beads strung together on elastic.

Bracelet making is about putting together a pleasant combination of beads, both in size and color. Mix and match the colors. Mix the big ones for focus with the small ones as fillers. You can thread them through a string first to see how it looks and measure it against your wrist for the fit. Once you are satisfied with the bracelet. String the elastic through the beads and tie a dead knot and hide the loose ends of elastic under the beads.

Here are 2 sets of instruction on bracelet making. Making A Bracelet and How to Make Bead Bracelets.

Once you have made your bracelets, you can sell them to friends and family. Or even get friends to sell for you for a commission. Some pals who love selling stuff might even sell them for free, or mark up the price and take the difference as a profit. Work out something you both are comfortable with.

The writer is the webmaster of www.buy-bracelets.com - a site totally devoted to bracelets.

History of Earrings

The Playas of Acapulco, Mexico

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To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Mexico02/aca/beach/beach.html

Visitors to Mexico can stretch their dollar in Acapulco with authentic, incredible cuisine for under US$10, charming accommodations for less than US$60 and a wealth of activities at great values.

A vibrant port city, Acapulco is home to one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Acapulco has long been a favorite for celebrities such as Liz Taylor, Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias. Today, the destination offers something for travelers of all budgets and is frequented by visitors simply interested in swimming, shopping, dining or just soaking up the sun against one of the world's most spectacular backdrops.

Day 1 - Monday (Lunes)

Click For Acapulco City GuideStart off your trip with a walk to the Z�calo and its Mercado de Artesan�as (Crafts Market) and Mercado Municipal. All day the Z�calo is bustling with activity filled with vendors, shoeshine men and people greeting one another.

Locals come to these sprawling markets to purchase their everyday needs, from fresh vegetables and candles to love potions. While Acapulco is not known for its indigenous handicrafts, at the crafts market you can test your bargaining skills for Mexican treasures such as enormous sombreros, pi�atas,framed paintings done on velvet of the Virgin of Guadalupe and seashell renderings of the crucifixion. Fruits can be particularly inexpensive with mangos and bananas for as little as 25 cents a pound. Both markets are open daily.

Day 2 - Tuesday (Martes)

Driving along the Costera Aleman could be a great option for travelers looking to take in the scenes without taking an expensive tour. From El Fuerte de San Diego, which was originally built to protect Acapulco from pirates, to Cici, a modern-day water-oriented theme park for children, the Costera Aleman provides visitors not only with a spectacular view of the bay but with some of Acapulco's most treasured and low-cost attractions.

Cici - A water theme park for children, Cici has dolphin and seal shows, a freshwater pool with wave-making apparatus, a water slide and mini-aquarium. Entrance is $4.

Parque Papagayo - Papagayo sits on 52 acres of prime real estate on the Costera. Children enjoy a life-size model of a Spanish galleon, an aviary, a roller-skating rink and a racetrack with child-size racecars. No entrance fee, rides range from $.70 to $1.80.

Casa de la Cultura - A cultural complex houses a small archaeological museum, an exhibit of Mexican and international crafts and the Ixcateopan art gallery. No entrance fee.

Day 3 - Wednesday (Miercoles)

Wednesday night may be just the evening to take a sunset cruise along Acapulco's breathtaking bay. For about $12, visitors can enjoy a cruise with open bar and live and disco music. A good deal for those on a budget, Bonanza's cruises leave downtown near the z�calo at 4:30 p.m. Sunset cruises are likely one of the best ways to also see the cliff divers. Many hotels and shops sell the tickets.

Day 4 - Thursday (Jueves)

A day at the beach is always a day well spent on Mexico's West Coast. For less than a $12 taxi ride or a $.75 bus ride from the city, visitors can find two off-the-beaten-path beaches known as Pie de la Cuesta and the Coyuca lagoon. For the peso equivalent of about $5, visitors can also tour the lagoon in a "lancha" or small motorboat where you can witness fishermen casting their nets, a variety of hidden coves and tiny islands inhabited by a variety of bird species.

Another beautiful, less crowded beach is the pristine Puerto Marqu�s. Sheltered within a small bay east of Playa Icacos, it boasts the most tranquil waters in the area, breath-taking sunsets, charming little restaurants that will set up tables, chairs and umbrellas for you and where a shrimp cocktail and a bottle of Corona will cost about $5.

Day 5 - Viernes

Day trips to the nearby silver city of Taxco could be a great way to save on local wares, which can be hard to come across in Acapulco.

Approximately 170 miles north of Acapulco, Taxco, one of Mexico's most picturesque and charming cities, is a relic of its colonial past. An old mining town, Taxco remained isolated for centuries until an American William Spratling fell in love with the town and revived its silver mines.

Today, the town of Taxco is littered with silver shops and tourists trying to strike a deal on beautifully designed jewelry and wares. While shopping in Taxco is not what many would consider "cheap," shoppers definitely find good value for their dollar. Even if you can't afford to shop, a visit to Mexico's most medieval looking city is worth the visit.

Day 6 - Saturday (Sabado)

A trip to Acapulco isn't complete until you've seen the world-famous divers at La Quebrada. Trained divers plunge 130 feet into a narrow cove of just 11 feet of water, which is safe only when a wave has come in. You can see the dives, while sipping a drink at the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel or watch from a concrete embankment where admission is only $1.25.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Mexico02/aca/beach/beach.html

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent � Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com


The Playas of Acapulco, Mexico
Kriss Hammond

The Playas of Acapulco, Mexico

Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Mexico02/aca/beach/beach.html

Visitors to Mexico can stretch their dollar in Acapulco with authentic, incredible cuisine for under US$10, charming accommodations for less than US$60 and a wealth of activities at great values.

A vibrant port city, Acapulco is home to one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Acapulco has long been a favorite for celebrities such as Liz Taylor, Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias. Today, the destination offers something for travelers of all budgets and is frequented by visitors simply interested in swimming, shopping, dining or just soaking up the sun against one of the world's most spectacular backdrops.

Day 1 - Monday (Lunes)

Click For Acapulco City GuideStart off your trip with a walk to the Z�calo and its Mercado de Artesan�as (Crafts Market) and Mercado Municipal. All day the Z�calo is bustling with activity filled with vendors, shoeshine men and people greeting one another.

Locals come to these sprawling markets to purchase their everyday needs, from fresh vegetables and candles to love potions. While Acapulco is not known for its indigenous handicrafts, at the crafts market you can test your bargaining skills for Mexican treasures such as enormous sombreros, pi�atas,framed paintings done on velvet of the Virgin of Guadalupe and seashell renderings of the crucifixion. Fruits can be particularly inexpensive with mangos and bananas for as little as 25 cents a pound. Both markets are open daily.

Day 2 - Tuesday (Martes)

Driving along the Costera Aleman could be a great option for travelers looking to take in the scenes without taking an expensive tour. From El Fuerte de San Diego, which was originally built to protect Acapulco from pirates, to Cici, a modern-day water-oriented theme park for children, the Costera Aleman provides visitors not only with a spectacular view of the bay but with some of Acapulco's most treasured and low-cost attractions.

Cici - A water theme park for children, Cici has dolphin and seal shows, a freshwater pool with wave-making apparatus, a water slide and mini-aquarium. Entrance is $4.

Parque Papagayo - Papagayo sits on 52 acres of prime real estate on the Costera. Children enjoy a life-size model of a Spanish galleon, an aviary, a roller-skating rink and a racetrack with child-size racecars. No entrance fee, rides range from $.70 to $1.80.

Casa de la Cultura - A cultural complex houses a small archaeological museum, an exhibit of Mexican and international crafts and the Ixcateopan art gallery. No entrance fee.

Day 3 - Wednesday (Miercoles)

Wednesday night may be just the evening to take a sunset cruise along Acapulco's breathtaking bay. For about $12, visitors can enjoy a cruise with open bar and live and disco music. A good deal for those on a budget, Bonanza's cruises leave downtown near the z�calo at 4:30 p.m. Sunset cruises are likely one of the best ways to also see the cliff divers. Many hotels and shops sell the tickets.

Day 4 - Thursday (Jueves)

A day at the beach is always a day well spent on Mexico's West Coast. For less than a $12 taxi ride or a $.75 bus ride from the city, visitors can find two off-the-beaten-path beaches known as Pie de la Cuesta and the Coyuca lagoon. For the peso equivalent of about $5, visitors can also tour the lagoon in a "lancha" or small motorboat where you can witness fishermen casting their nets, a variety of hidden coves and tiny islands inhabited by a variety of bird species.

Another beautiful, less crowded beach is the pristine Puerto Marqu�s. Sheltered within a small bay east of Playa Icacos, it boasts the most tranquil waters in the area, breath-taking sunsets, charming little restaurants that will set up tables, chairs and umbrellas for you and where a shrimp cocktail and a bottle of Corona will cost about $5.

Day 5 - Viernes

Day trips to the nearby silver city of Taxco could be a great way to save on local wares, which can be hard to come across in Acapulco.

Approximately 170 miles north of Acapulco, Taxco, one of Mexico's most picturesque and charming cities, is a relic of its colonial past. An old mining town, Taxco remained isolated for centuries until an American William Spratling fell in love with the town and revived its silver mines.

Today, the town of Taxco is littered with silver shops and tourists trying to strike a deal on beautifully designed jewelry and wares. While shopping in Taxco is not what many would consider "cheap," shoppers definitely find good value for their dollar. Even if you can't afford to shop, a visit to Mexico's most medieval looking city is worth the visit.

Day 6 - Saturday (Sabado)

A trip to Acapulco isn't complete until you've seen the world-famous divers at La Quebrada. Trained divers plunge 130 feet into a narrow cove of just 11 feet of water, which is safe only when a wave has come in. You can see the dives, while sipping a drink at the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel or watch from a concrete embankment where admission is only $1.25.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Mexico02/aca/beach/beach.html

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent � Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com



Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.

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