The invention of jet propulsion was ideal for fighter aircraft. Although at first it reduced range and endurance and often increased the take-off run. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor twin jets saw action in 1944, together with the tailless Me 163 rocket interceptor which sacrificed range and endurance for astounding climb and speed in defending local areas against heavy bombers.
Germany was far in front of other countries in another factor too: armament. A range of 30 mm (1 inch) cannon, radically new high-speed cannon with multiple-revolver chambers, very large recoilless guns, spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets fired in salvoes, and wire-guided air-to-air missiles were all under test before the Luftwaffe s defeat. They gradually inspired similar developments in other countries: one German gun, the Mauser MG 213, led to the American Pontiac M-39, the French DEFA, the Russian NR-30, the Swiss Oerlikon KCA, and the British Aden, all of which are still in use.
Many early jet fighters were fitted into more or less conventional airframes. The fighter often considered the ultimate achievement of the piston era, the long-range North American P-51 Mustang appeared both in a twinned double-fuselage form and, with few changes, as a US Navy jet.
But the US Air Force decided to wait a year until its makers could sweep back the wings and tail at 35 degrees, which German research had shown could lead to higher speed. The result was the F-86 Sabre, which in 1948 set a speed record at 1,080 km/h (671 mph) and outflew all other fighters. Later versions carried radar and rockets and reached 1,150 km/h (715 mph).
During the Korean War (1950-3) the F-86 met a previously unknown machine built in the Soviet Union, the somewhat lighter and simpler MiG-15, and although the MiG could climb higher and had heavy cannon, the Sabre’s skilled pilots and better equipment gave it the edge in combat.
North American’s next fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, which exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. The MiG bureau built the twin jet MiG-19, which was even faster, and is still in wide use. The US Air Force ordered various all-weather interceptors with largely automatic radar and flight control systems so that, with guided missiles, they could intercept and destroy enemy aircraft without the pilot ever seeing them.
The British ordered a jet-fighter flying-boat, but discovered that this way of doing business without airfields yielded an inferior fighter. The Americans suffered similar problems with a ‘hydroski’ fighter, which could dive faster than sound, but took off and landed on retractable water skis.
Two even stranger fighters were designed around powerful turboprop engines and, standing on their tails, screwed themselves vertically into the air (they were intended to operate from the confined decks of warships or merchant vessels). Britain built high-altitude supersonic fighters with ‘mixed power’ from a turbojet and a rocket. In 1957 the British Minister of Defence suggested there would soon be no more manned fighters at all, only missiles. The Americans stuck to fighters, but made them very large and armed them with missiles, but no gun.
Today the wheel has turned full circle. In the past 10 to 20 years there has been a powerful trend to get back to the ‘eyeball-to-eyeball’ type of confrontation of the man in the Sopwith Camel. The pre-eminent Western fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, was rebuilt with an internal gun, a rapid-fire 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon with six barrels firing up to 6,000 rds/ min, and a slatted wing to pull tighter turns in combat.
New small fighters appeared, such as the General Dynamics F-16, which, although bigger and heavier than any single-engined fighters of World War II, are nevertheless small and light by comparison with such impressive machines as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and MiG-25 Foxbat, The RAF’s next interceptor, the ADV (Air-Defence Version) of the Panavia Tornado, is a careful midway compromise, smaller than the three monsters just listed, but with two engines, long range, powerful radar, and extremely effective Skyflash missiles.
Modern interceptors defend vast blocks of airspace up to 160 km (100 miles) in radius, with powerful radar able to look down at the surrounding land and water and spot low-flying intruders trying to slip through the defences unnoticed. Their task is eased by the presence of special surveillance, early-warning, and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, with enormous radars and sophisticated command and control systems to manage all a nation’s defences in the most efficient way.
There is no better feeling than being in the cockpit during your jet fighter flight. Jet fighter flights and jet fighter joy flights are the ultimate gift giving and receiving experience that will be remembered forever. Your jet fighter pilot experience is available in Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. Visit flyingwarbirds.com.au for more details. For mini bus hire Brisbane, contact Group 1 Minibus.
Tags: jet fighter flight, jet fighter flights, jet fighter joy flightsJune 9th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or photorejuvenation therapy is a light based technology which treats several skin conditions in one treatment.
It works in the deeper layers of the skin where traditional skincare cannot reach, thus achieving a far superior result in a shorter time frame.
Skin concerns such as pigmentation, freckling, sun damage, capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea may be treated with photorejuvenation.
Pulses of light are applied to the skin either in single zone or more commonly over the whole area to provide a uniform result.
The treatments remove most types of sun induced pigmentation like freckling, age spots and sun damage. By lessening the darker pigmentation IPL leaves the skin with a more even tone.
Vascular skin concerns including capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea are also targeted by the broad wavelengths of light.
As most people will have several skin concerns, this treatment has become popular as it can address them all. The IPL photorejuvenation also stimulates the production of collagen which will plump and smooth the texture of the skin, improving fine lines, wrinkles and pitted scarring.
The most common treatment areas are face, neck, décolletage/chest area and backs of hands.
There is little or no downtime involved with photorejuvenation. Most people will experience some redness and heat in the area which subsides in several hours after treatment.
The darker areas of pigment may form tiny ‘pigment crusts’ which lift off in a few days revealing the result underneath. As the skin is not broken or damaged it is fine to wear make-up, though exfoliation via mechanical scrubs and AHA/glycolics is to be avoided for a week after the IPL treatment.
IPL Photorejuvenation treatments can be utilised as a once off treatment, however a course of treatments will promote the best results.
A progressive result can be expected with a change usually noticed within a week after a session. It is of utmost importance to wear sunscreen in between and after treatments as most of the damage on skin is caused by UV exposure and to prolong the result from the IPL photorejuvenation this is essential.
For more information about IPL Brisbane or IPL photorejuvenation Brisbane, contact Image by Laser.
Tags: IPL, IPL photorejuvenation, photorejuvenationJune 6th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
Your phone has been ringing all morning. You’re trying to get a report out and people have been constantly walking in and out of your office, it’s like a railway station! You’re exhausted - and it’s only 11.00am!
Spare a thought for your receptionist. This is what most receptionists put up with every day.
The role of the receptionist was once as simple as answering phones and looking after personal visitors. Now the definition of a receptionist is more accurately stated as someone who answers the phone, greets people in person, does 25 things at once, and is continually interrupted.
At any one time a receptionist might be on the phone, holding two calls, tending to a personal client and calling a cab, all while typing the minutes from yesterday’s staff meeting.
The role of the receptionist is sometimes looked upon as a lowly position, by the public, co-workers, management and receptionists themselves. The attitude is - “It’s just reception, how taxing can it be?”
A survey conducted by Reception Plus found that 63% of receptionists do not feel valued or appreciated. They feel isolated and their efforts unappreciated in many cases.
How can you ensure that anyone calling or coming in to reception will feel comfortable and likely to conduct business with you? The answer is motivation, encouragement and appreciation of the person at your front desk.
Your marketing and sales personnel promote the advantages of using your services. If people making contact feel they’re treated poorly or even rudely, they may choose to seek out your competitors rather than repeat a disappointing experience. I know I would.
The majority of receptionists are proactive, efficient and welcoming. They care about their clients and it is obvious; they make people feel welcome and relaxed; they’re helpful, but not condescending; in control, but not over-bearing; friendly but not unprofessional.
If your receptionist is like this, let him or her know that you appreciate their approach and contribution to the smooth running of the organisation.
It may be by simply remembering to say hello to them as you enter the office, returning their smile, using your manners, asking their opinion, even making them a coffee.
On the other hand, your receptionist may be showing signs of being a little challenged, finding it difficult to know how to respond to various people and situations, and to manage several things at once. Don’t leave them to struggle. Seek out options for training and encouragement.
Reception is very similar to customer service. The requirements are the same: a positive attitude, confidence, assertiveness, good communication, people and telephone skills, politeness, efficiency, willingness to help, ability to handle multiple tasks, and a sound knowledge of the company procedures and services. These attributes can all be learned by a willing participant.
Looking for a receptionist course? Receptionist training is one of the best investments you can make for your business. Reception Plus runs professional receptionist seminars throughout Australia. Check their website for locations and dates.
Tags: receptionist courses, receptionist seminars, receptionist trainingJune 3rd, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
Getting paid, just as you would realise is fundamentally crucial in your business because if you are not getting paid, why are you in business?
You may be astounded at the heaps of business people who have their clientele to simply pay when and if they get on with it. I know such a trader who repeatedly holds bad debts like accolades. Why, do you think? Simply because he doesn’t bring himself to ask for the payment and people can just overpower him.
If you permit someone credit, do so only because they cleared themselves to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for a time. Also, you must see whether they have the means to pay you - if not do not do business with them. Don’t trick yourself into the line of “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s fruitless to do the service or providing the goods for free if you do not get paid.
If you are the sort of person who can’t request the payment even when the job has been done, try these ideas:
Tell your client that when all the work is done with, you require cash or cheque. They should probably have it to hand over at at the finish date and you will not need to request your fee.
When handing out your quote, make sure your payment terms are clear.
Complete an invoice with the terms of payment evidently stated and hand the customer the invoice when the task is finished up. They will see the invoice and immediately know they should pay you for it now without you needing to say anything. Manufacture a “nasty boss” who might torture you alive if you don’t go back with the fee for the service.
Set up your bank to set you up with Merchant facilities so you can have credit cards like Mastercard and Visa. Many people have credit cards and it could cease the dilemma of the client not having a cheque account or not having enough cash in their pocket.
As another option, don’t be afraid to keep the goods until after they have been paid for. Don’t forget, until the goods have been paid for, they are still yours.
If you plan to permit someone credit, be sure you have taken the following contact details from them some time BEFORE you permit them credit.
When you take all this detail, contact the branch and make for sure that they operate an account there. Then, ring every trade reference and request if they pay their invoices punctually or if there have been any difficulties with them.
Most people will be willing to tell you if the person is troublesome. If everything is OK, allow them a moderate level of debt, say no more than $500 (depending on your business). Monitor the operation of the account for a few months before allowing this amount to be exceeded.
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Tags: brisbane seo, seo brisbane, seo prices, web design brisbaneMay 25th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
If you run one bad ad, meaning, nobody responds, the world does not collapse. But if you plan poorly, or not at all, you have reason to worry about your business failing.
Once you’ve worked out where you should advertise, analysed your target audience, and chosen the media you’ll use, the planning of what you’ll say and when you’ll say it is essential to your success. You’ve got to plan with your goals in mind as well as your budget, your competition, your plans for the future, and the realities of the moment.
Might your short or long-range planning include promotions with other companies? Smart marketers are always on the lookout for joint advertising opportunities, chances to tie in with other advertisers so that the advertising gets more exposure but at a lower price, since the cost is shared with others.
If three local stores, all compatible, such as a drapery store, a carpet showroom, and a wallpaper shop, combine to run a full-page ad in a regional edition of a national magazine, they all gain the credibility of the ad, but the cost will be only a third of what it normally would be. That’s one of the benefits of joint advertising, and that’s why you should consider the concept before planning your campaign. Just be sure that you never lose your own identity in joint ventures.
Plan your advertising campaign with an eye toward what you’ll do in case you are copied. If you come up with a dynamic plan and it is highly successful, you can count on being copied. So be certain that your name, your look, your logo, the whole works, are synonymous with your name and identity. You may be copied, but your consumers won’t confuse you with the others. Be certain that your plan takes into consideration five important variables:
1. Advertising
2. Promotions
3. Other marketing weapons like promotional products
4. Coordination
5. Timing
Think of these as a basketball team with five players. No matter how good it is, if it lost only one player and had to play with a four-player team, it would lose most of its games to complete teams that excel at teamwork. A good plan includes all the players and is the essence of teamwork. Alone, each of these players just can’t do the job. They need each other. Every smart marketing professional plays with his or her full team.
The smart marketer knows that an advertising campaign must have continuity to do the persuading job well. In advertising, intermittent communication is no communication at all. Your plan must have consistency built right into it. The idea is not to flirt with your public but to convince them. There is a huge difference between the two. Any true marketing expert will tell you that frequency and persistence are the secrets of success in marketing. A major commitment to one or a few of the media will work better in most cases than an across-the-board plan with a variety of media but a short insertion schedule.
You should plan your campaign so that you are consistent, but never boring, committed, but never predictable. You’ve got to build special promotions into your plan to keep your staff on their feet and your competitors off balance. The only part of the plan engraved in stone is your identity. Flexibility and an ability to make alterations in your advertising is crucial.
Promotional products like printed carrier bags, promotional balloons and promotional badges are a great marketing investment. They can be used to thank existing customers, generate curiousity in prospects and keep your brand top of mind. Need ideas? Visit hotline.co.uk today and browse our fabulous range of promotional products and corporate give-aways.
Tags: printed carrier bags, promotional badges, promotional baloonsMay 20th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
The word cockroach is taken from the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is characterizable by a flat oval body, long stringlike antennae, and a gloss black or brown leathery integument. The head is bent downward, and the mouthparts are aimed to the rear instead of forward or downward as is the case for almost all other insects. The male frequently has two pairs of wings, unlike the female, who in some species, is wingless or appears with vestigial wings. The female produces eggs in egg cases (labeled oothecae). These are at times held coming from her body or might be held in protected places. After the female deposits an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton solidifies, it turns brown in colour. The geometry and remarkable size (certain species possess a wingspread measurement of higher than 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have become a singular objective in the biological laboratory.
The cockroach prefers a warm, humid, dark living environment and is often found thriving in tropical or other mild climates. Just a couple species have become pests. The insect damages more material than it consumes and has a yucky smell. The food of the roach, which should be both plant and animal products, can be from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, including bedbugs. Insecticides can be taken in roach killing.
The American cockroach (species Periplaneta americana) is 30 to 50 mm long (up to about 2 inches), reddish brown, and inhabits outdoors or in dark, heated indoor places (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). During adult life, a period of about 1.5 years, the female creates 50 or more oothecae, each holding around 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life lasts from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, originally from tropical and subtropical America, has well-developed wings. However, most species are often not good flyers.
The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common pest in houses and is sometimes erroneously labeled a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic area. The female generates the ootheca three days post mating and carries it for around 20 days. Because it is small in size (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach generally can be introduced into homes in grocery bags and boxes; it has been spread throughout the world by ship. Three or more generations can occur yearly. This cockroach, found abundantly throughout the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, has become labeled the Croton bug.
The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) is like the German cockroach but is a bit smaller. The male has completely developed wings and is paler in shade than the female, whose wings are stunted and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands across the back. The adult life span is generally around 200 days, and there may be two generations annually. Eggs can be left in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the introduction of heated buildings this cockroach became more common in cooler temperatures.
The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is held to be one of the filthiest of household pests. It is oval, shiny black or dark brown, 25 to 30 mm (1 to 1.2 inches) long, with a life cycle like that of the American cockroach. The male has short, fully developed wings, while the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been distributed by vehicles of trade from its Asiatic origins to every temperate regions.
Wood roaches are not domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, is found in logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so varied in appearance that they were initially considered individual species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that go beyond the abdomen; the female is smaller and has much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus eats wood with the aid of some protozoans in its digestive tract.
Got a cockroach or pest problem? If you’re looking for pest control Brisbane or a pest exterminator Brisbane, contact Brislander today.
Tags: brisbane pest exterminator, pest control brisbaneMay 19th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
Modern, magical and a major hotspot, the Gold Coast is Australia’s most preferred beach getaway location. Over 10 million holidaymakers travel to the locale each year, drawn in by the vision of perfect, pampered days and fabulous, fast-paced nights.
Whether you’re a first-time tourist or a lifelong resident, the Gold Coast offers a variety of things to see, people to meet and things to do. It isn’t but another destination – it’s a lifestyle.
Why go to the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round beach sun and warm atmosphere and above 57 awesome kilometres of coastline aren’t going to get you packing your travel packs right now, let the wide variety of food and drink places, world class resorts and hotels and endless choice of events to do on the Gold Coast bring out even more incentive. Are we there yet?
The top restaurants and cafes
With above 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining scheme is solid proof that eating definitely is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Some of the world’s best chefs call the Gold Coast home and you will take your fancy from alfresco seafood restaurants boasting multi-million dollar views and modern, sophisticated modern paced eateries. Or pick chilled out, iconic Gold Coast cafes that really prove simple things – wonderful service, top quality food and indescribable atmosphere – really are the best.
Exciting things to do
The deep, driven and colourful landscape – a combination of lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; expansive beaches, clear blue ocean waters and the spectacular Surfers Paradise skyline - that becomes the Gold Coast is a practical ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do may include surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not check out the fantastic area from helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything could be done on the Gold Coast.
A wide variety of hotels and accommodation
When it’s time to lay your weary head, you can rest assured you’re not dreaming - your new home away from home awaits you. The variety of Gold Coast hotels available for you allow deals to suit all types of travelers, whether you go for five-star waterfront glamour, a unique boutique retreat or a luxurious resort set on the perfect grounds of a golf course.
International shopping scene
Having a famed shopping circuit that has your take of great shopping centres, great open-air piazzas and then buzzing shopping strips by the sand, there are a whole lot of reasons to take out the plastic and come out all up to the nines with shopping bags! From the modern fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to hip homewares departments, whatever you want, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.
World-class day spas and retreats
Going on a vacation on the Gold Coast is finally splurging in the top priority ‘me-time’ and there’s no other way to totally enjoy this than to call yourself in for a pampering package at one of the joyous Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a tension-relaxing massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package including a healthy and tasty meal, the Gold Coast wellness service holds a service for every whim.
Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the continuous attraction of the Gold Coast is due in the permanent draw of big international events and individual local events that are planned. Pick any given day on the Gold Coast, you will be impressed by open-air concerts, international sporting events and professional surfing tournaments plus music, art, food and film festivals alike. No two days are alike on the Gold Coast, granting you with all the more inclination to start booking your trip!
Thinking about holidaying on the Gold Coast? If so, visit the Gold Coast Guide for a review of Gold Coast attractions including things to do, things to see and tips on how to find a great restaurant; Gold Coast restaurants offers some of the best food in Australia.
Tags: gold coast attractions, gold coast guide, restaurant gold coastMay 19th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
When you are starting a home based business, time management is an element of business management often overlooked or left out of the equation.
Sure enough, everybody knows a friend in small business who races around like a mad dog all day, rarely enough hours in a day, all they do is hurry and get overloaded - is it that this person is you! Come the week’s end, when the panic settles, what have you completed? Do you think about the day and think “what happened to the time, I didn’t get as much finished as I intended to do. If this seems familiar, then you might have an organisational and time management problem.
Successful people never appear to rush, they remain composed and unflustered. The difference between them and everybody else is they have exceptional time management.
What is time management? It is merely allocating time in your day in an organised and efficient way. Before we can really take on how to time manage our day, we need to figure for ourselves what we are aiming to accomplish today, this week, this year and perhaps even ten years from now. This is “Goal setting”.
The best way in my preference to take on goals is to write them down. You might review the goals from time to time to feel that they are relevant and realisable but not so easy that you don’t need to put in the hard work to achieve them otherwise what is the meaning of your goals in the first place?
From the start of every working year you should take time and plan what you want to get this year. It might be that you desire to increase your profits by 20%, you perhaps desire to move into different premises, you might hope to take away from your debt significantly. At the beginning of each new working week you may write down on a note pad or in your diary the major jobs that must to be taken care of this week, and check on them every day to ensure that you’re making progress and hopefully check some of the chores from the list.
You should place this list on your desk or at a spot where you should be repeatedly reminded of what will be done this week. The list can be in order of priority so that the impending work at the top of this list get finalised earlier. All jobs not accomplished this week should be carried onto next week on a higher importance, this should ensure it gets accomplished.
The next thing you will be doing is having a daily list of tasks to get done. This may help keep you on track throughout each day. Again, this list could be put where you can constantly check on it and check off the items finished. Wiping off the jobs is a way to allow you a sense of completion and let you know how you are progressing through the day. Always adhere to the list unless not possible and try to continue working from the top priority to the lesser priority. I know loopholes can turn up throughout the day that can throw the whole day out of whack, but you need to either take on the dilemma and return to the list or if the new work isn’t as important as some of the chores on your list then target it for later on the list and continue on doing the project you were doing.
Each task you need to get done could be written down for a few reasons. Firstly, so you don’t put off to do it and secondly, so you keep your day scheduled and you finish your daily goals. Beware initiating jobs and not finishing them. This would show up tomorrow in a mess of not completed jobs and can cause “list blowout”.
You will end up with a list at a mile long and you will throw the towel in in despair and revert back to bad habits of running around in panic every day and achieving nothing.
Remember for each day you achieve your goals and check off all the tasks on your list, you get a day closer to realizing your weekly and ultimately your yearly and long term goals.
A few pointers on Time Management:
Be evasive with time wasters, people who will just start to chat all day, and if they are employed by you, set them straight, or get rid of them.
For more information about self employment Brisbane, home business Brisbane, or work from home Brisbane, contact Lifestyle Switch. Make the switch to your own business today.
Tags: home business brisbane, work from homeMay 18th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
Jewellery for babies and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.
There are many references to the wearing of infant and children’s jewellery over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and timber were worn by babies. These early pieces were worn for fashion as well as for superstitious purposes; for example, to ward off evil spirits.
In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewellery item at birth. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewelry has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.
Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewelry have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt crafted jewellery enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans worked mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times added precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewellery designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewelry today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents decorated the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with tiny silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.
In Victorian times, babies commonly wore exquisite gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewellery styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.
Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewellery and these include:
Jewelry making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewelry items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewellery was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewelry continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewelry, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.
In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewelry to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.
At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewellery, children’s jewellery, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.
Tags: Baby Jewelry, baby jewellery, Children's JewelryMay 15th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments
Jewellery for babies and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.
There are many references to the wearing of baby and children’s jewellery over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and wood were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for decoration as well as for superstitious purposes; for example, to ward off evil spirits.
In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewelry item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be gifted - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewelry has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.
Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewelry have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewellery enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans worked mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewelry designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewelry today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents adorned the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with small silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.
In Victorian times, babies commonly wore exquisite gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often replicated in today’s jewellery styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewelry items are now seen on display in museums.
Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewelry and these include:
Jewelry making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewelry items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewelry was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewellery, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.
In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewelry to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.
At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewelry, children’s jewellry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.
Tags: Baby Jewelry, Children's JewelryMay 15th, 2010UncategorizedRead More >No Comments