Rubber Band Bracelets: Be In the Loop
August 18, 2008
Those colorful loops of rubber should be quite familiar to you by now. Yes, we are talking about rubber band bracelets. They have become ubiquitous in the last couple of years. You can see them on the wrists of Tsunami aid workers, citizens campaigning for a cause, and even the on wrists of school children.
The rubber band bracelets have become the most-preferred and the most inexpensive way to show your support for a cause, or to donate to charity, or to raise awareness about an issue or a disease. You can see them used for extremely different purposes, such as to proclaim one’s religious affiliation, or as a fashion statement! The rubber band bracelet is the modern way of wearing your heart on your sleeve, er wrist!
What are rubber band bracelets? They are simply loops of solid rubber, worn on the wrist by stretching and sliding them over the palm of one’s hands. They come in any color imaginable — yellow, orange, blue, green, black, pink… Some are translucent, others glow in the dark… And they are worn in support of many a message or cause — they are as versatile as they are stretchable! Not all rubber band bracelets are rubber, though. Some of them are made of silicone.
You can have any message stamped over the rubber band bracelets, or designs crafted on them. In fact, some of the latest rubber band bracelets sport more than one message! Rubber band bracelets usually sell for $1-5 a piece, and can be ordered online from many Web sites, in multiples of five hundred, or smaller packs of a dozen or more. The manufacturers often give discounts for the larger orders.
The most famous of the rubber band bracelets is the yellow ‘Livestrong’ wristband worn by cycling champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The pink ones are worn to show support to breast cancer patients. SHeDAISY’s ‘Come Home Soon’ yellow rubber band bracelets (named for the group’s Top 15 single) with the words ‘Come Home Soon’ stamped on them are highly popular among relatives of American servicemen.
The rubber band bracelet is a very useful and inexpensive tool for crowd control: it is used as a cheap identifying device in restricted access events attended by large numbers of people, such as music concerts. The rubber band bracelets are also issued by hospitals to their patients as identifying devices with some basic medical information stamped on them.
So what makes these rubber band bracelets so popular? Sociologists say people have always used amulets in times of trouble. Now we are just using them in a more positive way. Yes, rubber band bracelets are more than simple loops of rubber; they represent the human urge to fight and survive great odds.
Shannan Barrett is an avid reader and market researcher. She dedicates much of her free time helping the underprivileged and finds the charitable aspect of the ‘bracelet craze’ amazing, especially with Lance Armstrong’s ‘Live Strong’ foundation. Barrett analyzes what makes most people sport rubber band bracelets and comes up with some interesting findings on what makes them so popular. Know more about rubber band bracelets at http://www.a1-awareness-bracelets.com/rubber-band-bracelet.html
Dolphin or Not a Dolphin?
August 12, 2008
Dolphin or not a dolphin? That is the question! You see, there are several types of dolphins. Some are saltwater dolphins while others are river dolphins.
When people are asking the question: "What are the 32 types of dolphins?" they are actually referring to the saltwater dolphins that have their natural habitat located in oceans and seas. The river dolphins, which are living in fresh water, are not included in these species. But what would be the answer in this case if we ask: "Dolphin or not a dolphin?" The answer would obviously be yes, river dolphins are still belonging to the dolphins family.
Amongst the 32 types of dolphins, some do not actually wear the word "dolphin" in their name such as: the tucuxi while others actually have the word "whale" as part of their name even if they are not whales but in fact, belong to the dolphins family. Such dolphins species are: the Northern Right whale, the Southern Right whale, the Melon-Headed whale, the Pygmy killer whale, the Long-Finned Pilot whale, the Short-Finned Pilot whale, the False killer whale and finally, the Killer whale. So what would be the answer to the question: "Dolphin or not a dolphin?" in these cases? It would be yes, all these species do belong to the dolphins family.
Another question that people ask is: "Are the marine mammals that perform in acrobatic shows at aquariums such as Marineland and Sea World all dolphins?" So, it always seems to come back to the question: "Dolphin or not a dolphin?" Well the answer is no in this case. The marine mammals that perform there are not all dolphins. Some are dolphins like the Bottlenose dolphin and the Killer whale which is often referred to as an orca whale since the word "orca" is part of this dolphin specie scientific name "Orchinus orca". The beluga which people tend to think belong to the dolphins family because they display what seems like a smile, like most dolphins, but they are in fact a specie of the whale’s family.
Another question that people tend to ask is: "Aren’t dolphins and porpoises in the same marine mammal family?" or in other words: "Dolphin or not a dolphin?" Although they both have similarities, they are also different in several ways. You see, the differences are mainly regarding size and shape. The porpoise is smaller than a dolphin, stocky with small or no dorsal fins have a rounded snout and their teeth are shaped like spades or chisels. The dolphin is bigger, has a sleek figure, large dorsal fins, a pointy beaked nose and cone-shaped teeth. As you can see, the porpoise is not a dolphin.
Now that you read these facts about dolphins, you probably realize that while certain marine mammals may appear to be part of the dolphins species and that others seem to be part of the whale’s family but in either cases, it is not obvious and can be surprising when you identify a marine mammal as being a dolphin or not a dolphin. That is the question!
My name is Kevin Leochko. I like to provide helpful information to others in several areas such as dolphins, Autism and much more. If you wish to learn more information about dolphins such as facts, their species, etc. Please feel free to visit the following site: dolphins-and-more.com
History of Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry
August 5, 2008
Back to the era of the Hawaiian monarchy, the origin of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry can be found. The Hawaiian kingdom had long enjoyed a favorable relationship with England.
In February 1862, Prince Albert, husband to England’s Queen Victoria, was dead. During the queen’s time of grief, only mourning clothes and black-accented jewelry were acceptable apparel at the royal court. Meanwhile, jewelry accented with black jet or enamel and carved with floral, vine or scroll designs became the fashion trend in England. These pieces came in the forms of rings, broaches, pendants and bracelets.
Reacting to Prince Albert’s death, a 23-year-old Hawaiian princess named Liliu Loloku Walania Kamakaeha (Hawaii’s last Queen Liliuokalani) ordered two gold that precisely followed the style and detail of the black-enameled English mourning jewelry.
In 1887, Hawaii’s Queen Kapiolani and Princess Liliu were invited to Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. At the Jubilee, Queen Victoria bestowed them precious gold bracelets with each name of theirs imprinted in Old English Lettering filled with black enamel (here’s an example of hawaiian jewelry). They adored the gift so that they had similar bracelets made for Hawaiian Royal members upon their return to Hawaii. Hawaiian Royal had adopted this sophisticated and hand-carved technique and developed it into its unique design inspired by Hawaiian nature. This Hawaiian royal heritage has been succeeded and lived on as Today’s Hawaiian Jewelry.
Each Watch Band is Unique and Tells Its Own Story
July 31, 2008
Anyone who possesses a valuable and unique watch will also want something special from the watch band that is worn with it. HIRSCH artisanal watch bands are masterpieces, each created by craftsmen in a process involving over 60 separate stages, giving each individual watch band its own elegance and beauty.
HIRSCH artisanal watch bands
In the course of development activities which have taken place over a number of decades, HIRSCH, together with the finest Swiss watchmakers, have created and implemented standards of production and quality which today are a benchmark for the entire sector.
One milestone in quality optimisation has been the development of the Oysterglove Supersoft lining leather, which guarantees softness and comfort in wear. Oysterglove is a waterproof and perspiration resistant lining leather, tanned in a way that is kind to the skin and discreetly coloured, and contributing to a significantly extended duration of life for the replacement watch band.
The elegance and durability of a watch band depend largely on the quality of the materials used. It is essential to exercise the greatest care in the choice of materials, both for the upper leather and for the lining leather, in order to provide softness and comfort in wear.
Leather is a raw material of high quality and rich tradition, and it is also a living material that requires a great deal of knowledge and experience and a certain necessary “feel” in order to be made into a fine bracelet. Working with leather presents a new challenge every day, for no two animals are alike and no single piece of leather is like any other, either in its appearance or in its consistency.
The tanning process
The process of tanning must be undertaken in order to make the animal skin durable and to transform it into a resistant and to some extent water repellent material. The chemical combination of the protein in the skin and the tanning agent turns the hide into leather. The tanning agents used are either of vegetable origin (wood, bark, fruits) or of mineral origin (metal salts containing chromium, zirconium, aluminium, titanium or iron), or a combination of the two.
Alongside the quality of the raw products, it is the type of tanning that determines the quality and characteristics of the leather end product: strength, elasticity, water tolerance and also such characteristics as resistance and flexibility are decisively influenced by the tanning process. However, the finished leather always represents a genuine piece of animal skin, a true natural product with its own unique character.
The refining process
The refining process significantly affects the aesthetic character of the leather. The leather can be dyed, or it can be given a shiny finish, or it can be patterned in various fashion “looks”. A distinction is made between two types of leather, depending on the refining process used:
? Smooth leather is a general term covering all types of leather with a closed surface. It can be smooth, but also grained, patterned, structured or shrunk, e.g. calfskin leather, nappa leather, goatskin leather, patent leather…
? Rough leather is the general term covering all leathers with a ground surface, e.g. velour leather or nubuck leather
Creation of leather watch bands
In order to create its leather watch bands, HIRSCH uses top quality skins from different kinds of animals (mammals, reptiles, fish, birds). Depending on the type of animal, different leather parts can be used. With cowhide, for example, watch bands can be cut from the neck, the crop and also the flanks. Alligator leather represents a special case. The underbelly and the tail are used, but also flanks, of small complete skins taken exclusively from farmed alligators. The main factors affecting the visual appearance and the price are the proportion of round to rectangular scales and the method used for cutting out the leather.
CITES - Washington Agreement
It is a natural part of the evolution of life on earth that species should die out ? but recently it is mankind, not nature, that has been responsible for the disappearance of animals and plants. International trade in wild animals and plants and the constant reduction of natural habitats have played a major part in this. International co-operation is necessary in order to put a stop to uncontrolled cross border trade in endangered species. The responsibility lies with both producer and consumer countries in equal measure.
In a spirit of joint responsibility, the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was signed on 3rd March 1973. This UN convention is also known as the “Washington Agreement”, after the city in which the CITES was signed by 21 countries. Since the agreement came into force on 1st July 1975, the number of member states has risen to 158.
This ordinance envisages standardised import and export regulations and also governs the marketing of listed species for all member countries. The HIRSCH artisanal collection offers a selected range of watch bracelets made of alligator, crocodile and lizard skin, all of which comply with the strictest provisions of the Washington Agreement, i.e. these leathers come from controlled stocks and are purchased and sold with a certificate.
Components
A HIRSCH leather watch band essentially consist of 3 parts:
? Upper leather ? on the upper side of the watch band
? Lining leather ? on the underside of the watch band
? Inlay layer ? an intermediate layer between the upper leather and the lining, which gives the watch band its 3-dimensional form
All these three parts are made of pure natural materials. The utmost care is necessary in the selection of both the upper leather and the lining leather; only top quality materials are used.
Care of Leather Watch Bands
Watch bands are worn directly on the skin for up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are also, to a greater or lesser extent, subject to wear as a result of the actions we perform with our hands or arms. For reasons of hygiene, therefore, watch bands should be cared for and subjected to hygiene checks. Regular care of your watch band will considerably extend its life. Leather watch bands from HIRSCH can easily be cleaned with lukewarm water and left to dry.
HIRSCH watch bands are designed so that you can wear them with waterproof watches in the shower or while swimming in fresh or salt water. After spending any length of time in a swimming pool or in the sea, the watch band (like the watch, and your body) should be rinsed with clear water to remove any salt or chemical residues. A further point is that wet watch bands should not be left to dry on a warm surface, since rapid evaporation of water can impair quality. We therefore recommend that the watch band is simply allowed to dry on your hand.
Michael Kares owns and operates Watchband.biz, a watch band site for collectors and watch enthusiasts, showcasing an extensive selection of HIRSCH watch bands in leather and stainless steel.
Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags
July 24, 2008
Handbags have become the most popular accessory on the market and there’s no reason to wonder why. There are so many styles and trends to choose from that it’s hard for a woman to choose just one handbag. Each outfit calls for a different type of handbag so it’s hard to distinguish which types are most popular. In order to help you determine which types of handbags are in style right now, I have compiled a list of the top five most often carried handbags. You do not have to choose one of these as the type of handbag you’re going to carry but use this as a guideline illustrating which are in fashion at the moment:
The handbag you choose will depend on your style and your personal preference. As a woman you will probably feel the need to change the style of handbag you carry on a regular basis. The style of handbag differs each day depending on where you are going and which type would be best suited for the occasion. Have fun with your handbag and let your personality show through the style you choose.
Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of http://www.designerhandbags101.com - a site that offers information about designer handbags, prada handbags, coach handbags and more.
Have a Cause? Wear a Rubber Wristband!
July 19, 2008
They are the hottest wearable right now, despite the fashion gurus adding the adjective ‘once trendy’ while referring to them. Yes we’re talking about rubber wristbands. You can’t escape them anymore. Be it evacuees at Gaza or NBA football stars, all are wearing these bands. Passing fad? Don’t know, but they are still selling like hot cakes.
If you have just stepped out of a time machine and can’t distinguish a rubber wristband from a tennis wristband, read this: Rubber wristbands were popularised by famous cycling champion Lance Armstrong who fought and survived multiple cancers. Armstrong wore a signature yellow rubber wristband during his record sixth straight victory at the Tour de France in July.
Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain when he was 25. He won the 1999 Tour de France and has won it six years in a row. The ‘Livestrong’ rubber wristbands from the Lance Armstrong Foundation are a means to show support for those battling cancer. The sales of these wristbands shot up when Oprah Winfrey encouraged her viewers to order a bracelet when she had Armstrong as a guest on her show.
The Live Strong rubber wristbands sell for $1 a piece. And they are still selling at the rate of 200,000 per day. The funds raised through selling them will support the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s efforts to help young people with cancer and their family members to live strong.
Today there are rubber wristbands of all colors available — blue, pink, yellow, striped… The blue rubber wristband was launched by BBC Radio One, and has the words ‘Beat Bullying’ stamped on it. This wristband is highly popular among footballers. One of the most popular rubber wristbands around is the ‘Support our troops’ wristband worn by family members of American servicemen. They come in many colors. The pink ones are about breast cancer awareness.
These wristbands are made of either silicon or rubber. There are also paper and leather wristbands, and ornamental bracelets.
Wearing a wristband is a good way of announcing your support for any worthy cause. What’s more, you can have your own custom message stamped on it. The beauty of rubber wristbands is that they can be worn in any situation.
So what does the continuing popularity of the rubber wristbands imply? That they are more than just an accessory. They are about attitude, a reminder about one of the numerous worthy causes that drive the human civilization forward. They are about the human need to show solidarity to those fighting against mighty odds.
Yes, rubber wristbands are a civilizational need in these turbulent times. Let the fashion gurus call them a passing fad, or whatever they like. But these rubber wristbands are here to stay.
If you have a worthy cause to support, show it by wearing a rubber wristband.
Shannan Barrett is an avid reader and market researcher. She dedicates much of her free time helping the underprivileged and finds the charitable aspect of the ‘bracelet craze’ amazing, especially with Lance Armstrong’s ‘Live Strong’ foundation. She looks at what drives the continuing craze for rubber wristbands around the world, despite them being labelled a passing fad. Know more about rubber wristbands at http://www.a1-awareness-bracelets.com/rubber-wristbands.html
