Florence Broadhurst - Born July 1899, Murdered October 1977

I have to write about this amazingly talented lady. Her influences on Australia and the world in the early 1900's was second to none. Her fabric designs are now as popular as they were back then. I am yet to purchase any fabric with her designs, but hope to in the future. My fabric wall hangings are crying out for the very fabric that I am about to mention. I can imagine these prints on the walls of the most elite homes, the grand old mansions that she would have once lived in herself I am sure.

There are five main collections for her designs to be found. If you are after pure elegance, you need to know about these. I will offer you one designs from each collection -

Black and White Collection - Aubrey

Borderline Collection - Japanese Floral

Home Collection - Japanese Bamboo

Originals Collection - Fingers

Woven Jacquard Collection - The Cranes

These fabric consist of 100% cottons or polyester/cotton blends with different % depending on the designs chosen. They come in widths starting at 137cm and retail here in Australia for approximately $143 AUD/metre

Florence Broadhurst produced some truly inspirational designs. She also had many other talents to add to her list of achievements. Singing, painting, wallpaper designs and sculpting. I felt sad to know that this women whom shone her outstanding talents on the world did not die of old age, she was murdered in Sydney Australia in 1977.

If you are looking for some fabrics that will be the envy of all, whether making curtains, cushions or even wall hangings like myself, please find a Florence Broadhurst design and explore the possibilities of what her designs would look like in your home or office. You will be drawn to the pure elegance, the sheer look of yesteryear is alive again.

http://www.kimtdesigns.com

Custom Embroidery

Aside from the beauty of nature, your own personal style as well as your unique individuality can be reflected in any form of art, including the laborious art form of embroidery. Embroidery is an art form that uses needles and threads to make designs and patterns on any piece of cloth or fabric by weaving or sewing. It entails clear eyesight and dexterous hands to do the intricate details of designs and patterns. There are several types of customized embroidery that can surely reflect your total personality type.

Custom embroidery can be done either traditionally by hand or by electronic embroidery sewing machines operated and controlled by computers. Hand designs are truly difficult, especially if you desire a specific design that will involve complicated sewing and weaving of threads. There are several types of hand designs that can be used to make custom embroidery. A few of the things you can use are the famous Assisi design, Blackwork, Counted Thread, and Whitework.

Aside from hand made designs, custom embroidery can also be done through embroidery sewing machines. This type can give you many varied custom designs. You can also give your own design that can very well express your individuality, which can be easily crafted since it is done with the aid of computers. Unlike the hand designs, computer made custom embroidery can be done without going through much difficulties.

Besides the traditional embroidery makers or stores near you, the Internet can also be an avenue for you to have the type of embroidery product that will match the specific details that you desire. You can browse online for embroidery stores that you can trust. Just make sure that the on line store that you decided to transact business with are indeed reliable and authentic.

Embroidery provides detailed information on Embroidery, Embroidery Machines, Custom Embroidery, Embroidery Designs and more. Embroidery is affiliated with Used Embroidery Machines.

Useful Advice for Buying Jewellery Online and How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

So.... you want to buy jewellery over the internet?

You can get some really great deals by purchasing jewellery online.
Gold and precious stones are very expensive to purchase in New Zealand (and indeed many countries), and you'll find there are some great wholesale stores online, where the jewels are a fraction of the retail cost.

If you are looking to buy check out our directory for a good range (www.grizzlynut.co.nz). There are some fantastic shops that ship to New Zealand. I can assure you - once you find the right ones, you will never go back to shopping offline again - the selection and prices are fantastic.

But.... there are also some really awful buys online as well.

I was looking to buy some products to resell earlier this year and thought I would try an auction site & look for some Gold rings.

And WOW - the auction sites have some cheap rings - the pictures looked awesome, they were real gems, real gold - and they were only going to cost me $30 each ring to bring in to New Zealand (and that included shipping, customs & tax). I thought - "wohooo I'm on to a gold-mine here! I can sell these things for hundreds of dollars!!", and straight away I bought 3 rings from the one supplier. I mean - what could go wrong (after all the seller had a fantastic trader rating)?!?!?

WELL - when I got the rings (and the shipping was great - the rings arrived within 2 weeks), but when I opened the package the smug grin I'd been wearing for the last couple of weeks vanished - the gold was so thin you could have only worn them twice, the jewels were real - but they looked fake, were very badly cut & certainly didn't glisten in the sunlight! (Needless to say I did not make my millions from that venture).

Now - don't get me wrong - I'm not saying don't buy off auction sites (I've bought some stunning pieces of jewellery since then for fantastic prices) - just be careful (and use any pictures that they have as a guidance - the actual product may look completely different).
Don't rush into a purchase and buy a bulk load of goods. Purchase 1 ring - take note of how it is described, and do a full inspection when you get it. If it's a good buy - purchase in bulk. If not - you haven't wasted too much money.

And... this rule doesn't apply only to online auctions. It also applies to online stores.
You don't know whom is running the stores, and you can't visually see the goods (pictures may lie).
Don't take up the "buy in bulk & save loads of money" offer, or you may be kissing your hard earned moola away. Buy small - check out the goods, then go back for more.

My second piece of advice - Don't always go for the cheapest jewellery on the internet (but certainly don't go for the most expensive). Generally the cheaper the jewellery, the lower the quality of the product. Even if you are purchasing for resale, you want to be able to sell the product with honesty and integrity (I mean - if you think the ring is junk, you really shouldn't be selling it for a high price).

My third piece of advice - check out the jewellery store onine. Do a search on google, and see if anything bad comes up. Believe it or not I got scammed out of $US650 recently when I bought some bulk nappies for resale off an auction site and they didn't show - I did a search on the manufacturer afterwards to find 269,000 results which showed other people had been scammed) - if only I'd done that before wasting my money (which I still haven't got back by the way - so I'm not talking about that!!).
The one thing to remember during your search, is that some of the people giving the bad reports may be competitors (but I can assure you if you get 269,000 hits - SOMETHING IS WRONG!!)

There are some really good jewellery stores online that have fantastic prices, will ship to New Zealand, and are just overall great shops.

Some jewellery shops with great prices:

www.pugster.com - This is an international store. They have really great pricing (and a fantastic range) of italian charms I have ever seen. They do have free shipping if you spend over $US45 (but... remember my rules - just because I like them, they may not be to your liking)

www.bargainsforyouall.co.uk - This is another international store. They offer wholesale prices on jewellery and they Dropship if required!!

www.ringsandthings.co.nz - This is a New Zealand Store which I had to mention because the jewellery looks so stunning! If you are looking for gorgeous, and unusual jewellery that not everyone owns check this shop out - the prices are not wholesale but they are really good for what you are getting, and the items are unique.

www.echinastone.com - This is an international store. Are you looking to buy gemstones? Look no further! Very well priced, very nice - and free shipping if you sepnd over $US100 (I'm not going to repeat the shipping rule here...)

www.jgoodin.com - An international store with unbelievably low priced jewellery ...

That's it for this week.... Check back soon..

Don't get ripped off like me!!

Shirlene

www.grizzlynut.co.nz

Bracelets Through The Ages

The earliest bracelets date back to around 2500 BC and were those worn by the Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia. Bracelets, necklaces, anklets, finger rings and ear rings made the women of Sumer into show windows of their husband's prosperity. Bracelets were found in the tombs of Ur where it was customary to bury royalty with their jewellery and unfortunately their poor servants.

By about 2000 BC, in Ancient Egypt, bracelets emerged as major pieces of jewellery. Bracelets were found in the ruins from the Vesuvias eruption in Pompeii in 79 AD. It was during the age of the Egyptian Pharaohs that charm bracelets were first seen although charms themselves dated back as far as the Neolithic era when men would gather unusual bits of wood or pieces of stone which would be carried about their person in order to ward off their enemies. So these charms were considered ‘lucky charms’ and powerful protectors against evil. It wasn’t until the time of the Pharaohs though that these charms were incorporated into elaborate pieces of jewellery such as wrist and neck bracelets which were not only deemed to offer protection but were also a sign of how prosperous the person had been in life and after death would be an indicator to the Gods of this persons proper status in the after life.

In Grecian times bracelets were popular with men and soldiers wore defensive bands of leather, often decorated with gold, silver and or gemstones, on their forearms. They were known as ‘Bracels,’ from the Latin Brachium, meaning, ‘arm.’ When women caught on that these Bracels would look great on them, they started wearing smaller versions, called little Bracels...or ‘Bracel-ets.’

The history of bracelets stretches forward through the Middle Ages of medieval Europe through the Baroque period of the 18th century, and on right through to the present.

Throughout time, bracelets have been made from many different materials such as leather, iron, copper, beads, bone and teeth as well as precious metals and gemstone. Throughout the ages bracelets have always been popular and the styles seem to have varied according to dress styles. In cultures where people wore sleeveless or short sleeved attire such as the Romans and ancient Greeks, the wearing of bracelets both on the upper and lower arm became popular with both men and women. The wearing of upper arm bracelets is still popular today with modern fashionable skimpy clothing lending itself well to the wearing of more jewellery.

Today, bracelets are worn by both men and women in a variety of materials such as traditional precious metals like gold silver and platinum. Modern plastics and acrylics are now much used to make trendy, unusual bracelets as well as metals like titanium and zirconium which have become popular because they are hard wearing, very light and hypoallergenic. Whatever your tastes and whatever your budget, there is an enormous choice of bracelets and bangles to suit everyone.

Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer bracelets made here in the UK by small independent designers.

Buying Diamonds & Engagement Rings in Australia

Diamonds are big business across the globe and Australia in particular has a huge diamonds industry operated by dependable traders who are part of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia. Not everyone who deals in diamonds is a member of the Diamond Dealers Club. There is a strict screening of applicants to the club to make sure that they are dependable, ethical, and financially secure. This means that only the leading diamond dealers and merchants qualify for membership.

Diamonds, they say, are a girl's best friend, hardly surprising when you consider the amount of work that goes into mining them, and how much these diamonds are worth on the open market. However, it has not always been a simple matter to find a diamond engagement ring in a style that you want but, it is possible to buy a loose certified diamond and then have it set in a custom designed engagement ring for that special person.

Diamond Imports are a renowned founding member of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia and are well known for their expertise in the jewellery industry and for the quality of their diamonds. As one of Australia's foremost dealers in diamonds the company is noted for the cut and quality of their diamonds - more importantly Diamond Imports make it their business to ensure that their clients have the knowledge to make an informed decision when choosing diamonds.

It is a simple matter to have a beautiful diamond that you want made up in a ring design of your choice because Diamond Imports sells certified loose diamonds and also have their own team of master jewelers. The company only deals in quality diamonds which are independently guaranteed and certified by compliant, internationally recognized diamond grading laboratories. In the Australian diamond business the name Diamond Imports is associated with the best quality and finest cut diamonds.

Diamond Imports will provide knowledge and education about their quality stones for customers looking to buy diamonds. They deal in loose diamonds, certified diamonds, wholesale diamonds as well as custom made diamond engagement rings, wedding rings and other jewellery.

When you have your loose diamond made into the ring of your choice by a reputable dealer such as Diamond Imports you won't have to just settle for a ready made ring or deal with a harried shop assistant who may not always be able to tell you very much about the diamond - when you buy your diamond from Diamond Imports you can rest assured that they will provide you with all the information you require concerning your diamond as well as a stunning hand made engagement ring.

Buying a diamond that is going to be made into an engagement ring is something that, hopefully, you only do once, so you want the best quality diamond you can afford. The cut of a diamond is extremely important and it is what gives a diamond its sparkle, fire and brilliance. The most popular cuts for engagement rings are round brilliant cut and princess cut diamonds. There are other fancy shape diamonds which are unique and very beautiful, these include the pear and oval cut, asscher and cushion cuts as well as radiant, trilliant, marquise and emerald cut diamonds.

The price of the loose diamond that you buy is determined by its clarity, cut, carat weight and color as well as the shape of the stone. When you buy loose diamonds that have been independently certified you can be assured of the quality and you don't have to depend on the pre-set designs on offer in most jewellery stores. Even those jewelers that carry loose stones have only a very limited number to choose from, which means you are restricted to the carat weight, color and cut that they have on offer. When you buy a diamond from a reputable diamond dealer like Diamond Imports you can be sure of the highest quality and a good selection of certified diamonds which you are able to compare and view before buying, which means that you always have a reliable investment and you buy diamonds with confidence.

You may copy this article about diamonds and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box and the live links

Australia's Leading Wholesaler of Excellent Cut Diamonds and Certified Diamonds

Copyright © 2008 Diamond Imports Pty Ltd
http://www.diamondimports.com.au

A Rakhi Gift to Your Sister

Rakhi, is also known as Raksha Bandhan and it is commemorated for the special bond that lingers between a brother and sister. This relationship has been celebrated since ages and the occasion comes once a year. The date of Rakhi is not fixed; it is calculated as per Sharvan month's second festival as per the Hindu calendar. A Rakhi, or protective thread is tied on the wrist of the brother by the sister. The thread indicates brother's promise of protecting his sister in every possible manner, thus it is called Raksha (protection) Bandhan (bond).

Festivals have evolved over a period of time and the new age cultures have intruded. The culture of gifting your sister on Rakhi has grown and has become a huge business since the past few years. Array of choices are available as gifting options and increasingly new products are being used as gifts. Sending bunch of flowers is not what makes your sister happy. There are umpteen options to choose from that would suit your sister and her choice. A special gift on a special day for your sister would make her feel blissful.

There are varied options available for gifting your sister. For the teenagers it ranges from clothing to mobile phones to Mp3 players to their favored shopping place gift vouchers to jewellery and much more. It is important to know the preference of your sister well before gifting her. This will help you narrow down your search to better gifts for her. Most girls like jewellery but in what form is also important to know. Many girls are allergic to certain types of metals so be careful while you chose jewellery for her. Giving shopping vouchers of her favourite place would do wonders. If she likes shoes or clothing from a particular shop and she gets to purchase with a good credit then there is nothing else like it.

Searching and buying unique gifts online is more sensible as it gives better variants. There are customized options available and also scope for customization. Personalized services are offered by online sellers to meet the product requirement more efficiently. Thus online gift shops are a more convenient way of sending Rakhi gifts. A personalized card with the gift would make it a complete package and make your sister's day. Buying gifts online ensures utilization of time coupled with giving best gift for your sister.

Monty Alexander is a reputed author. His articles cover many topics ie. send gifts online, online gift shop, send flowers online and more

Jewelry Boxes - A Treasured Gift

Can a container capture more attention than what it contains? It happens if the container is a jewelry box – hand made, exquisite, antique so on and on. The jewelry box is not functioning as a mere holder of valuable jewels. It is a work of art by itself. There are mind boggling varieties to choose from, the playful styles suitable for little girls, to handcrafted jewellery boxes. Their functions and the price ranges also vary.

Remember the wind up music boxes to hold your fancy jewels and also the trademark character jewelry boxes which fascinated the young girls with a small mirror for the little princess to check your look after putting on your jewels. These inexpensive great gifts are meant for little girls.
Then there are the dresser style jewelry boxes resembling tiny chests of drawers in bright colours with a soft fabric lining to protect the jewelry.

Jewelry boxes for the grown up come in different styles to fit every need – not only for the women – watch boxes, valet box which falls under the category of jewelry boxes are specially made for men.

Beautifully hand crafted jewelry boxes made from natural woods such as teak, mahogany and oak, fetch a good price. Looking for a fancier jewelry box – try those made in rosewood, sandalwood, sal wood and white cedar, they are sanded to a perfect finish with beautiful stain and with a clear shiny coat of lacquer.

Limited edition jewelry boxes are made by master craftsmen and each piece has great detail and it is very difficult even for the original maker of the particular box to get an exact replica.

Jewelry boxes from different countries have different and distinct styles of their own. Jewelry boxes from India, particularly from Tamilnadu and Kerala are mostly carved in sandalwood with tiny relief work all over.

Lacquer Jewelry boxes from Russia are mostly miniature works of art with watercolour and oil decorations and appreciated for their high artistic quality reflecting Russian culture. Brightly coloured and sparkling they compare well with the jewellery held inside.

Need something to hold the treasured family heirloom? There is a big world of jewelry boxes beckoning you.

A special gift needing a special package? Try the Crystal jewellery boxes, hand painted with enamel over pewter. They are reasonably priced. They make a great impact as a Christmas, engagement, wedding, birthday or anniversary gift.

Anastasia Phocas is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit Trinket Boxes or Antique Jewelry Boxes