Designer Jewelry Experts

Posts Tagged ‘kids’

PMC (PMC) is really a clay-like medium used for a variety of artistic pursuits. It consists of water, an organic binding material, and tiny particles of either silver or gold. Various other metal clays exist on the market and can contain silver, platinum, copper, and gold. There are varieties that contain alloys as well, including steel and bronze.

Metal clay containing alloys is less expensive as the metals themselves carry smaller price tags. Precious metals are more expensive, increasing the price of the clay that contains them. The price of the metal in the clay determines the price range for the medium, as well as the appearance, quality, and value of the items created with it.

PMC can be used to create beads, jewelry, and even small sculptured pieces. It can be shaped with the same techniques used with soft clay. Hand-shaping is common. It can also be used with clay molds. Some artisans create their own unique molds for use with PMC.

After being shaped, the clay is allowed to dry before being fired. Firing can be completed through various means. A kiln can be used, though some artisans will use a handheld gas-fueled torch. A gas stove can also be an inexpensive and easy method of firing items created from PMC. The type of PMC used determines the firing method needed. There are three varieties of PMC and each requires a different firing temperature to produce the right conditions to fuse the metal fragments together.

In the firing process, there are changes that take place. The binding material that holds the precious metal fragments burns away during firing. The fine metal fragments fuse together, creating a solid metal piece. The entire process causes shrinkage in the final piece. The shrinkage amount depends on the product that is used but can be anywhere between 12 and 30 percent.

The shrinking that occurs with PMC makes it easier for artisans to create very fine pieces. It can be quite difficult and challenging to craft a minute item with pure metal as the base medium. It is easier and simpler to create such an item with PMC. It can be crafted in a larger size and then shrunk to the desired final size. When the artisan knows the percentage of shrinkage with a particular product, they can then create a piece that will shrink just the right amount to create the desired end result.

Silver metal clay is perfect for enameling, producing objects that are just under one percent pure silver. Gold metal clay is more expensive but creates pieces with a rich color and fine appearance. Both can be used to create solid metal pieces and also be good choices for creating small accents that are combined with other larger objects.

Artisans use PMC to create simple metal pieces and ornate components of other larger projects. The uses for PMC vary widely, limited only by the imagination of the user. Many individuals use the medium in the creation of jewelry and jewelry components. It is also commonly used in the creation of small statues. It can easily be used to make fine designs for decorating wooden structures as well.

PMC is sold in lumps and packaged in sealed sleeves to keep it moist. The moisture keeps the clay soft and workable. It can be purchased in pre-filled syringes that contain a softer paste-like version of the medium. Jars filled with thin slips of this medium can also be found.

PMC was developed in Japan in the early 1990s by Dr. A. Morikawa, a metallurgist. It contains miniscule pieces of pure silver or gold. When fired, the organic, non-toxic binding material burns away and the fine metal fuses together to create a solid finished metal piece.

There are three varieties of PMC, each designed to be fired at a different temperature. The Standard PMC has to be fired in a kiln and must achieve a temperature of 900 degrees Celsius to achieve the proper consistency.

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation developed the other two varieties of PMC. The second type is called PMC+ and can be fired at 810 degrees Celsius. The final version is PMC3 and can be fired at 599 degrees Celsius, making it a good choice for crafters who work with their home’s gas stove.

PMC carries 22k and 18k yellow gold clay. They also carry silver and platinum clay. The platinum and the 18k gold varieties are only sold in Japan.

William Bartolo is the owner of WJ Exclusive Jewelry, an online site for William J Exclusives, located in Springfield, IL. WJ Exclusive Jewelry exclusive jewelry stores offer a wide range of jewelry including: beautiful hand crafted bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants. Visit us online today for more information!

There are many Jewish holidays and celebrations that are important to the culture. From Passover and Hanukkah to Yom Kippur and Purim, the list is long and cherished by the Jewish community. In addition, there are two other very important celebrations that take place in the lives of younger Jewish people: the Bar Mitzvah and the Bat Mitzvah, the coming of age ceremonies for Jewish boys turning 13 or Jewish girls turning 12, respectively, are recognized as being adults who are responsible for their actions from that day forward. For a girl’s Bat Mitzvah it is important and traditional to bring a gift that she can treasure as a part of the celebration for years to come. Here are 10 great gift ideas to give you a head start in choosing the right gift for her.

1. Savings bond or cash – There is nothing that a 12-year-old likes more than receiving money for their coming of age celebration. Starting a savings bond or giving them cash to save for the future is a great idea. This can teach them to be frugal with their money and help them learn that saving is always a good thing to do. Many times in the Jewish culture they give bonds in increments of 18 because that number is important in the Jewish culture. The Hebrew word for life (chai) has a numeric value of 18.

2. Star of David necklace – This symbol of Judaism is a great gift because it is a symbol of protection for the wearer. You can purchase a necklace in either sterling silver or gold.

3. A gift certificate for her favorite bookstore – Many teenagers like to read, so this can be a nice gift, allowing her to purchase her favorite books and do it on her own, making her own choices. She can choose books about her religion in order to learn more about Judaism, or any others on subjects that interest her.

4. A pen set – This can be great for a gift and will help her in high school, too. You can get a lovely, elegant pen set for around $50 and then have it engraved with her name for a special touch.

5. Photo album – You can get her a nice photo album to commemorate the special occasion of her bat mitzvah. This is a great way for her to share the experience with others through pictures of family and friends. You can gift either an old-fashioned book style for hard copy photos or a special piece of software (like iPhoto) that will let her make photo albums from digital pictures on her PC.

6. Storage box – This is a great idea if she has a lot of memorabilia. A nice box can even have her name engraved on it, and can be a place where she can keep her jewelry and other important things.

7. Frame – You can get her a nice frame into which you can place a picture of her on her special day. You can add the date and her name on the frame so that she will always remember it for the rest of her life. As with #5 above, this can be a regular frame, or a digital one that will display pictures (as slideshows, too) that were taken on a digital camera.

8. Family tree – You can create a family tree for her to cherish. Gather all of your family history from decades or even centuries past, and put pictures, clippings, stories and other things into a family tree design, and frame it for her to hang on her wall.

9. Family heirloom – It can be something very special to give her something that was handed down from previous generations in your family. She will feel special being the next recipient to receive the heirloom, and it is something she will never forget.

10. Ritual items – There are several ritual items that you can give her, such as candlesticks or even a Menorah, that are traditionally given at a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah.

A bat mitzvah can be one of the most joyous and sacred times in a young Jewish girl’s life. It is not only a time-honored tradition, but a turning point in her life where she finally gains recognition and responsibilities as an adult. The gifts are just the icing on the cake and they will make her feel more special and appreciated than ever.

Disney Precious Collections, the leading brand in kids jewelry, is comprised of two lines of the highest quality jewelry available for girls available. Looking for jewelry sets? Visit us online today!

When you decide to buy jewelry for any woman in your life, you certainly want to be sure that the gift will be one she loves. A piece of jewelry is a very personal gift and you want to ensure that the message you’re sending is the one that you want to communicate.

Jewelry is a sign of love and true appreciation. You want the piece to be as beautiful as the woman in your life. You also want it to reflect the unique personality and character of the woman. One way to determine what piece would be right is know the style the woman prefers. If you know her well enough to buy her jewelry, you certainly know what her particular style and tastes are. You’re sure to have noticed patterns in her own choices of clothing, accessories and decorations.

Invariably, you’ve noticed the kind of clothing she prefers. Perhaps she’s a practical woman who tends to prefer clothing that is comfortable and durable. If this is the case, you may choose a piece of jewelry that is equally sedate. It may be a nice bracelet or necklace that can easily be paired with casual clothing.

Sometimes the practical dresser is that way due to necessity. If the woman in your life is one who works in a field that doesn’t afford her much room for self expression, you may want to consider a piece of jewelry that speaks more to her true character. Just because she has to wear a uniform all day doesn’t mean there isn’t another side to her personality. It may mean a great deal to her that you see her more unique and feminine side, and a piece of jewelry that communicates that message may be just the right heartfelt gift.

The woman in your life certainly already owns jewelry. The jewelry that she chooses for herself is a good indicator of her personal style and taste. If you’ve noticed she wears a lot of silver instead of gold or platinum, you may take that as a sign that she really prefers silver.

The type of designs and gemstones that a woman chooses for herself are also an indicator of the kind of jewelry she may prefer. You may notice that she really likes a particular color of stone or perhaps her outfits or decorating choices tend to favor certain shades. These are all signs that she may appreciate jewelry that features the same colored stones.

The occasion for which you’re giving the jewelry can also be a determining factor in what you select. If you’re celebrating a special event or milestone in the woman’s life, you will want the gift to be equivalent to the significance of the moment. A birthday, holiday, promotion, educational achievement, or other special recognition are all reasons for celebration. The jewelry you give should be as special as the event you’re celebrating.

There are, of course, moments that are special to just the two of you. If you’re giving jewelry as a gift for an anniversary, you may want to consider a piece that carries some symbolic value. The piece itself may not cost that much but it should have a special significance to the woman. Celebrating a first anniversary can be a good time to give a small token of your appreciation. A simple necklace or pair of earrings can be a perfect choice.

Momentous occasions merit more spectacular gifts. The celebration of the birth of your first child for instance can be a great time to purchase a piece of jewelry that features both of your birthstones and the birthstone of your newborn. Or perhaps you’re celebrating your 10th wedding anniversary, in which case you may want to consider purchasing her a ring that rivals the beauty of her engagement ring.

Each woman is different and the jewelry you buy for that special lady in your life should be true to her own special nature. Reflecting your own intimate knowledge of her and your unique appreciation for her splendid beauty is important. It lets her know that you see her for who she really is and love her for all that she brings to your life.

Buying jewelry or any similarly personal gift can be intimidating. Of course, you want it to be something that she will love. You may be afraid that you won’t choose the right piece to clearly communicate how special she is to you. You may think you’ll choose something that she won’t like all that much.

Odds are that your worry is for naught, as you likely know her better than you think. You probably know more about her tastes, personality and character than you realize. All you really need to do is take a good look at the lady in your life. Examine the way she carries herself, the clothing she loves and the decorations she chooses to surround herself with; you’re sure to have a good idea of what type of jewelry may suit her well.

illiam Bartolo is the owner of WJ Exclusive Jewelry; an online site for William J Exclusives, located in Springfield, IL. WJ Exclusive Jewelry offers a wide range of exclusive jewelry, including beautiful hand crafted bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants. Visit us online today for more information!

Crafts have always been a great way for families to spend time with each other, learning and exploring new ways to create wonderful works of art to share. Parents are always looking for new and innovative ways to have fun with their children without spending a lot of money, and crafts are a great way to accomplish that. You can help your children to unlock their imaginations with crafts and create their own special masterpieces. This is also a great way for you to spend some quality time with your kids and perhaps create something new and neat together. Here are five examples of good craft projects to help you get started.

1. You or your child on paper: This is a fun and entertaining craft project that you and the kids can do. You will need to purchase some large pieces of paper, preferably packing paper, leftover wallpaper or the end of a roll of newsprint from the local newspaper. You have your child lie down on the sheet of paper and then you trace the shape of their body. You should use a pencil for this so you don’t get ink on their skin or clothes. Once you have finished tracing them on the paper they can take it and draw the face, hair and also add clothes and accessories. You can even purchase things like glitter or gemstones to give it some bling. You can also have your child trace you and any siblings, and join them in decorating the figures. This is great fun for all ages.

2. Painting Rocks- Rocks are found almost anywhere and surprisingly they can be great fun to paint and decorate too. You can choose different sizes and shapes of rocks to craft. Take a rock and put some imagination into what you put on it. You can paint designs or funny faces on them, or you can glue on glitter, yarn, sequins, and other things. Once you are done you can use your rocks to decorate desks, shelves, bedside tables, or any other place that would put a smile on your face.

3. Framed hands and feet: This is an awesome craft for kids and adults to do together. Get some construction paper and some fingerpaints and dip your child’s hands into the paint. Then place them onto the paper. Then you can do the same thing with their feet as well. This is also a great opportunity if they have younger siblings for them to get involved, as well. There is nothing that babies and toddlers love more than to be allowed to make a mess on purpose and this is a great way to have them do that, while being creative at the same time. You can do the same process with their hands and feet and then have brother or sister help them to decorate the paper with glitter, gems, crayons and markers once the paint has dried. You can let them make a messy one for themselves and then help them to create one that you can decorate and frame for the wall. You can purchase a few inexpensive frames to place these in and they are great as keepsakes for when your children grow up.

4. Make your very own sidewalk chalk: You can get great recipes online for making colorful and nontoxic sidewalk chalk. This is a fun and creative craft project to do together and when it’s done you and the kids can have even more fun using your creations outside on the sidewalk or driveway, to make a hopscotch game or simply create some colorful drawings. There are so many ways to have fun with this craft activity and the clean up is a breeze, too. Simply grab the hose and wash it away.

5. Scrapbooks: This is a timeless craft that has been around for centuries, frankly, and has been a fun-filled tradition for many families around the world. Young and old alike will enjoy this craft because it allows you to be as creative as you can be. There are an unlimited number of things you can put in your scrapbook; the possibilities are almost endless. You can create a family scrapbook with photos, or the kids can create one with their friends in it. This craft will let you create memories and have a whole lot of fun at the same time.

Looking for the best bead stores? Too Cute Beads was founded in 1998 based on one principal- giving everyone the opportunity to create beautiful and unique jewelry at a reasonable price. From the beginning, we followed the principal that we would never carry a product that we ourselves would not wear and love. Since then, we have grown and expanded. Our designs have been featured in some of the top beading magazines.

The Razor kick scooter is the present-day counterpart of the type of scooter that has been about for 50 years or more. In actuality, kids have almost certainly been fixing boards to wheels ever since scrap wheels became available. As with those classic scooters, the Razor kick scooter is propelled forward by foot power. That is, you put one foot on the board and push forward, or in other words kick back on the ground with the other.

This method of propulsion makes the Razor kick scooter an idyllic mode of transportation, exercise and fun for kids of all ages. In deed, Razor do not advocate a Razor kick scooter for the under fives unless supervised and state in their handbook:

“Children under age eight (8) should ride with adult supervision at all times. All children and preteens should ride with adult guidance at all times”.

This appears pretty severe to me and is almost certainly an case of over-prudence because of the litigious culture we live in. Just try suggesting to a twelve-year that you have to exercise guidance on all of his or her trips!

Having said that the Razor kick scooter comes in roughly seven different guises. There is the Kiddie Kick scooter for the under fives. It is constructed of tough plastic and has a third wheel for greater stability.

Then there is the ‘A’ series of Razor kick scooter: the A, A2, A3 and AW. These models are roughly equal to a child’s growth in size, competence and experience, although the maximum recommended weight for all three models of Razor kick scooter is 65 kilos or 143 lbs.

The Razor kick scooter Pro is a leap up in know-how and so has more capabilities. It can be ridden for extreme sport and will carry a rider weighing up to 100 kilos or 220 lbs.

Last, but not least, is the Cruiser Razor kick scooter. It will bear 79 kilos (175 lbs of weight and has larger wheels as it is designed for unhurried cruising about. The larger wheels mean that you won’t feel any uneven terrain beneath you while you are on this Razor kick scooter.

All of these Razor kick scooters share similar characteristics. All of these models of the Razor kick scooter are of very robust assembly and all but the Razor Kiddie Kick scooter are manufactured of high-grade aluminium and are built to last.

These Razor kick scooters boast extendable steering rods, which means that they can be pulled up to expand with your child or can be shared by kids of different sizes. They also share a strong braking system which is applied on the rear wheel, making them ultra-safe for use around pedestrians.

A Razor kick scooter starts at about $45 and so is an inexpensive method for you to guarantee that that your child gets regular exercise, gets out from behind his computer, gets some fresh air and sunlight and learns about politeness while having enjoyment being mobile. Apart from all these advantages, a Razor kick scooter will give your child affectionate memories to look back on for the rest of his or her life.

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