tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24822394567181701012024-03-12T22:08:26.565-07:00Welcome to Beltane MoonJewely - Body Jewelry - ArtBeltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-38790945616904286172016-10-03T17:45:00.001-07:002016-10-03T17:49:17.161-07:00#Secret #Lives of #Etsy #Shops Many etsy shops work very hard at making a living through a platform that has changed since I began in March of 2009. At first, the process seemed user friendly and items sold quickly compared to present, puzzling SEO and lack of transparency behind etsy's murky <span style="background-color: white;">algorithms. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Since 2008, I extended my brick and mortar shop through etsy and all was okay at first. Over time, many etsy changes stymied the best of long time merchants. Old gave way to new and included corporate shifts as well as the premise of the site. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">Over the years, many shop owners became frustrated as etsy seemed to pass it's sales focus on to shop owners insofar as making SEO a money maker through billing shops to be seen. Those who did not partake lost rank in site visibility and google indexing tossed them off the map of search-ability. This was furthered by creating a less handmade - come - social platform (of irony) due to the numerous closed fora posts and muting calling for transparency. Compliance did not do much for sales, but it lent a cape of supremacy at will by corporate.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">In the meantime - shops struggled to pay the essential bills through their place on etsy. All that glittered was hardly gold and many felt the struggle in their ability to juggle work/life balance in a sustainable way. All this without panic. Shops were shuttered without notice and lives were negatively damaged as a result. Messing with someone's ability to feed and clothe their families is an outrage and one etsy never much cared about. When the corporate end of things has a paycheck, the real world can wait it would seem. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">The lives behind etsy shops are peppered with independent life struggles including those recovering from divorce, loss of family, school and caring for elderly family. The list goes on. The struggles these shop owners face are grace under pressure. Many cannot find work in this horrid economy. The young graduate and over 50 or divorced women find the job market in general very hostile and unwelcoming. Etsy is a way to eat at least another meal or to keep the lights on.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">I recall one difficult winter in which I sold one of my beloved paintings to none other than founder, Rob Kalin, to whom I will always be grateful. His support allowed me to have heat in winter that month. He may not realize it, but his purchase gave me hope during an abysmal Christmas, post divorce. That he saw value in something I envisioned and put my heart into, gave me strength.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">I currently care for my elderly parents and visit my handicapped brother nearby. I also work as a health coach as needed for a local company which I love. I only wish this was offered as a FT position. I maintain a 4.0 while in grad school for Adult EDU. Seems as a prior business owner and hard worker plus student, I would have better luck with finding a health coaching job FT. Unfortunately, employers can skim candidates as they want based on things down to the age and hair color.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">I want to know if you would like to share your story - the life behind your etsy shop and how you keep it all together. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white;">Love - </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Steel</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #878787; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></b>Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-3474659885048292062016-05-07T06:22:00.004-07:002016-05-07T06:22:45.399-07:00New site for Beltane Moon <b>Greetings</b>, earthlings! Beltane Moon is excited to announce the development of our new site <a href="http://beltanemoon.com/">BeltaneMoon.com</a> .<br />
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<b>At this juncture</b>, the new site redirects to our <a href="http://www.beltanemoon.etsy.com/" target="_blank">shop</a> hosted on etsy. Exciting developments will continue to offer the same quality products, plus new items customers have been asking for. Expect to see<br />
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<li>new body jewelry styles & designs</li>
<li>body jewelry tools </li>
<li>piercing kits</li>
<li>after care products </li>
<li>jewelry care products</li>
<li>art & extended applications (mugs, cards)</li>
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Beltane Moon's autoclave sterilization service will extend to qualifying products such as tools and piercing kits.<br />
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<b>Why change?</b> Beltane Moon has outgrown the increasingly limited and confusing parameters of the etsy platform. While our presence will remain on etsy, our new site will transition to a more inclusive, fully functional site to include:<br />
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<li>secure SSL encryption payment</li>
<li>optimized customer service</li>
<li>product line support</li>
<li>alternate shipping options</li>
<li>return policies on guaranteed products</li>
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We loved etsy, but we grew to <b>love our customers more. </b>Beltane Moon owes a gratitude of service that is not available as a cog in the growing wheel of our previous platform.<br />
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Join Beltane Moon on the new journey!<br />Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-79814583052598834222016-02-23T10:39:00.003-08:002016-02-23T10:56:34.782-08:00Clean, Disinfect,Sterilizing : a brief look into autoclaving body jewelry<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">There are major differences in the decontamination of jewelry which has become a source of some confusion relative to body jewelry. The following briefly explains</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the differences between of the methods of : cleaning, disinfection and sterilization. Let's take a brief look into methods of "decontamination" as relates to body jewelry </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Auto means 'self", clavis is Latin for "cleaning". A bit of a misnomer as an autoclave is not an every day household cleaning implement. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An autoclave (as defined by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave">Wikipedia </a>):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> "...an instrument used to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(microbiology)" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Sterilization (microbiology)">sterilize</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam at 121 °C for around 15–20 minutes..."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Sounds Familiar!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">These units have a broad design in both size and application as well as method. The autoclave is primarily applied within the health care industry and has a wide scope of application within these institutions. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Industries in which the autoclave is commonly employed include (but not limited to); Veterinary, medical, dental, piercing, tattoo and nail salon industries for the purpose of sterilizing associated tools and equipment. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Autoclave use is most often used in the medical field. Medical waste requires sterilization in favor over incineration (thermal oxidation) due to environmental concerns . There are exceptions to this rule, for example, such as when dealing with pathological waste. An designated autoclave is used for medical waste only. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">As for piercing jewelry, the method for sterilizing new jewelry in an autoclave employs the use of an autoclave pouch. An autoclave pouch has a sterility indicator printed on the outside which changes color upon proper processing.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFkPoKTpajUTSLH7aWBZ3st8LnGz65n5CWKiy29nMKFnLSyMFhjmSLIzyoUxE2AITSDqxqakcKusmAdT20aNKxbciKgLuhlzRhyphenhyphenD5tN5ljnDL0jkgx5B-eMr54_gzSkxVwKoS0dn3LXmB/s1600/defendpluspouchgroup2_10286269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFkPoKTpajUTSLH7aWBZ3st8LnGz65n5CWKiy29nMKFnLSyMFhjmSLIzyoUxE2AITSDqxqakcKusmAdT20aNKxbciKgLuhlzRhyphenhyphenD5tN5ljnDL0jkgx5B-eMr54_gzSkxVwKoS0dn3LXmB/s200/defendpluspouchgroup2_10286269.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Example of pouch</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Disinfection, Cleaning, Sterilization</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">It is important to recognize </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilization in relation to proper jewelry and piercing care. Disinfection and sterilization are part of a decontamination process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">In t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">he absence of owning an autoclave, cleaning and disinfecting your jewelry is a wise (and hopefully ongoing) personal responsibility. Let's start there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">1. <b>Cleaning </b>is essentially part of infection control in the reduction and removal of surface microbial contaminants. Simple, mindful cleaning begins with the removal of body jewelry and its components as applicable. Use clean water and antibacterial soap with a soft brush in and around the components to remove debris on a regular basis. Use a clean, disposable paper product to dry the jewelry and allow to air dry. In oral jewelry, it is wise to remove plaque accumulation from jewelry parts by soaking in clean, warm water before removing with a soft brush as it can be difficult to remove. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Ultrasonic unit aids in the process of the removal microbial contaminants that may not be visibly removed. These can be purchased through online sources. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><b>2. Disinfecting</b> is the process in the limited </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "graphik web" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">elimination of most pathogenic microorganisms (excluding bacterial spores).</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "graphik web" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">The most common type of disinfectant used in jewelry cleaning is alcohol. Pure alcohol is not favored as much as rubbing alcohol. Pure alcohol immediately coagulates a germ cell's outer wall which creates a protective barrier which does not effectively neutralize the inner protein. Therefore, the germ cell can reactivate. Rubbing alcohol works more slowly thereby allowing entry into the protein and killing the bacteria, before total coagulation of the outer wall is complete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>3. Sterilization</b> - Autoclaves utilize steam or gas to </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; line-height: 21px;">destroy microorganisms such as bacteria and spores which cannot be done through cleaning and disinfecting methods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Similar to the old fashioned pressure cooker, a steam autoclave</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"> boils water at a temperature higher (approx.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">20°C hotter) than the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"> normal boiling point.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">In my steam autoclave, the process is as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">The jewelry is inserted into the pouch and then into the autoclave for sterilization. </span><span style="line-height: 19px;"> The chemical or steam indicator color change reflects successful exposure to time & temperature during processing. A symbol or lettering on the pouch indicates color change and should state as such. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">In my shop, I use an FDA approved Prestige unit accepted for piercing jewelry. The temperature specs for this unit are: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sterilizing temp': 121°C</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sterilizing temp': 250 F</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arriving at sterizing temp: 16 mins</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cycle time - total 26 mins</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a professional piercer I find it essential & morally ethical to autoclave-sterilize piercing jewelry. I autoclave-sterilize body piercing jewelry (where applicable) prior to shipping to my <a href="http://www.beltanemoon.etsy.com/">Beltane Moon</a> Etsy customers.Please keep in mind that all body jewelry in my shop jewelry is new and has never been worn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope this lends some clarity on the basic concept and mechanics of what an autoclave is and how it is used in my shop. If you have any questions, please contact me and I am more than happy to respond!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Copyright 2016, Beltane Moon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cite Reference for use</span></div>
Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-21139894219496016262014-05-22T07:27:00.001-07:002014-05-22T08:51:37.157-07:00Piercing Aftercare Success or Failure, Education KeyPiercing Aftercare - Success or Failure is up to Education<br />
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Determining the failure of a piercing depends on many factors from aftercare to the type of jewelry worn and when it is worn. </div>
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As a professional piercer, it is important that recipients of piercings be educated about their piercings insofar as how to care for them. This includes all aspects of management from care of the initial piercing through jewelry selection. In my experience, many of my clients are open to education from a knowledgeable piercer and willing to ask if they are uncertain. I prefer they call, e-mail or text if they are unsure. No question is stupid when it comes to piercing aftercare. Success is my bottom line for both our benefit. </div>
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When I first opened my shop, I had an influx of customers in need of damage control. Education about aftercare and types of jewelry are and always will be of paramount importance. It is too easy to blame the piercer for errors inadvertently made when a answer is easily within reach, but forgone in favor of dismissing personal responsibility. </div>
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Not only am I a professional piercer, but a nationally certified Phlebotomist. OSHA regulations insofar as Bloodborne Pathogens guidelines are of considerable if not absolute concern for piercing methodologies. This is one reason I autoclave sterilize jewelry prior to piercing a customer. </div>
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With navel piercings, it is important to not introduce heavy or dangling jewelry into a piercing until completely healed. By<i> healed</i> I mean at least one year of continuous wearing of <u>autoclave sterilized,</u> low weight, non-dangling jewelry that is both simple and kept clean. No skin irritation, no redness, no exudate from the entry/exit, no pain or green discharge. </div>
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By cleaning, I am referring to the use of fragrance-free, anti-bacterial, dye-free soap such as dial. The piercing should be cleaned at least once daily for the entire <i>year</i> post piercing and thereafter and dried with a clean disposable paper product. Polysporins <i>must be avoided </i>as the petroleum base occludes the piercing from proper oxygen circulation essential for healing. Clean means avoiding the use of alcohol based products and harsh chemical cleansers that should never be used on broken (ie: PIERCED) skin for any reason. No iodine, no bandaids or other interventions. </div>
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The least irritating jewelry best used when being pierced is titanium, niobium or bioplast. It should be autoclave sterilized prior to piercing or wear. There should be no dangling parts and the jewelry should be the appropriate size for the piercing. The wearer should not be playing with, touching or bumping the piercing to avoid irritation and opportunistic bacteria from entering and causing infection.</div>
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Your piercer should be following sterile techniques and using a sterilized needle and gloves while avoiding cross contamination.</div>
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Once the piercing has healed in 12 months time, it is important to know the skin is approx. 80% as strong prior to piercing. Repiercing the same spot may result in failure to heal.</div>
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The jewelry worn thereafter should be lightweight and ornate jewelry should not be worn for more than 12 hours. This is a key point. Wearing ornate dangling jewelry overnight may result in irritation during sleep due to changing positions and lying on the jewelry overnight. The tendency to fiddle with dangling or ornate jewelry is a temptation for many wearers that can lead to irritation and infection. </div>
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Changing navel jewelry requires cleaning of the hands and tools used for installation and removal. </div>
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When used for purposes of body jewelry, it is a sound choice for most who are able to wear titanium in well-healed piercings. Titanium is inert, biocompatible, non-toxic and will not be rejected by the body. Because it is non-ferromagnetic, recipients of Ti implants can be examined safely using MRI.</div>
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If you are concerned the material of your jewelry is not as stated, have it tested for verification purposes. Getting to the bottom of your piercing woes relies on many factors and breaking the chain of unknowns has more than one causative possibility. Determining the failure of a piercing depends on many factors from aftercare to the type of jewelry worn and when it is worn. Ask for information if you are uncertain and seek answers rather than blame. Sometimes the manufacturers of excellent jewelry are blamed. Piercers may be blamed through no fault of their own and unless culpability is proven, the answer may lie elsewhere.<br />
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The solution lies in a process of eliminating mitigating circumstances one by one, and only then should a conclusion be made. Be proactively informed on the responsibility involved in selecting a piercer and aftercare education is a logical approach to avoid complications. It is important to select and responsibly wear appropriate body jewelry. Accountability begins with each person in this chain and relies upon open communication. Many professional piercers and jewelers want customers to to enjoy a well-healed piercing. </div>
Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-52071804227396448202014-02-18T07:56:00.002-08:002014-02-18T16:40:03.824-08:00Once Upon A Bustle ~ Esther Skandunas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.100000381469727px;">As a fan of dimensional creativity, it was not happenstance to become enchanted by Esther Skandunas' shop <i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OnceUponABustle" target="_blank">Once Upon a Bustle</a></i> on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. My preoccupation with television revival of 1800 <i>Sleepy Hollow</i> is well known to my friends. I am enchanted by actor <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2070427/" target="_blank">Tom Mison'</a>s </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.100000381469727px;">charmingly innocent </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.100000381469727px;">portrayal of Ichabod Crane. If you have not seen this show think dusty boots, long hair and 1800s clothing. All hot and flustered fanning aside, I find similar creative i</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">ngenuity</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> and trademark authenticity in Esther Skandunas' work. Hence, my understandable interest in asking her to share her story. You can find Esther on</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Once-Upon-A-Bustle/189603687720547" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> too. Enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Y7bTezFIs0ddP7v-uSXoDbdoSeLIkVH1AAT0he0KEXnrrFtHqWWni_5xuPVLdzN7PU6IUw7K76Y-6SIbv4qH1A1UFi-wTznqtdRDnuTI0DLMWUKCsZLa1LUEJo4UtJHuqQA4ExL9yzH/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36478833_n4y1gf82ys088ow8cwcw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Y7bTezFIs0ddP7v-uSXoDbdoSeLIkVH1AAT0he0KEXnrrFtHqWWni_5xuPVLdzN7PU6IUw7K76Y-6SIbv4qH1A1UFi-wTznqtdRDnuTI0DLMWUKCsZLa1LUEJo4UtJHuqQA4ExL9yzH/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36478833_n4y1gf82ys088ow8cwcw.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I started out very
young. My mother sewed most of my clothes when I was little, and I loved to
watch her. I began by playing with her fabric and lace scraps by creating
Barbie clothes out of them. My mother noticed how much I loved to make these
little scrap fabric clothes, so she decided that she would show me how to use
the sewing machine at age 5.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">My love for
creating and sewing grew quickly and has never stopped. I get so excited about
new projects and figuring out the creation process for very difficult items.
For example, I am the costume designer for the band <i>Steam Powered Giraffe</i>. The costumes aren't what I would call
simple. I have had to learn how to create with lighting and metal; two things
that I can say are very recent additions to my creation vocabulary.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfg-pGWpSL9YinT4ykB1s1WXeaag2esZkORUo35eCN2Z8zfxS65sBFTyvFoaIR2HjnrN-w_f_HLTvWXcNzdnxFuXkUhRncglrcmksDPk2K8ykO2VseKj7ufydljcErkTye2sCpnpoH7e4/s1600/il_570xN.195329518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfg-pGWpSL9YinT4ykB1s1WXeaag2esZkORUo35eCN2Z8zfxS65sBFTyvFoaIR2HjnrN-w_f_HLTvWXcNzdnxFuXkUhRncglrcmksDPk2K8ykO2VseKj7ufydljcErkTye2sCpnpoH7e4/s1600/il_570xN.195329518.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">
You probably wonder
why I call the items that I make creations. Well, before I </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">can sew or tailor
anything, I have to first start with an idea. Then from that point I have to
create the pattern, which is not as easy process in itself. I have to think 3-dimensionally </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">while creating this flat paper pattern, so that when I cut the
fabric and sew it all together, it will come together with the correct shape </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">and effect that my initial idea or design had. It can be a very challenging
process, but I love challenges and always have. I call them creations because before I ever
have the idea, the pieces that I make never existed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;">Between the age of 5 and
becoming the costume designer for Steam Powered Giraffe, I continued learning
as much as I could about sewing. I learned how to make my own clothes in Junior
High. In High School I was lucky to attend a school that had a Fashion
Production Program on campus. There, I learned how to use industrial sewing
machines, and, let’s just say that the teacher knew me really well by the end
of my high school career! I was in that class every chance that I could get. I
made the majority of my own clothes in high school.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
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At the age of 17,
right after I graduated from high school, I </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWNM66OQMWSfm14mJFXSbZn8t_qb2uEpbZNQdYxNQngcmX37-f02vx0xK9m-vQVjlL9Buf8FwHvB9QmQXudN_912PMJGQOOpWgjeY1kDeyUO99WWGCphoHUoqRVLCpYCzUEw-UJhuqIAx/s1600/il_570xN.301158527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWNM66OQMWSfm14mJFXSbZn8t_qb2uEpbZNQdYxNQngcmX37-f02vx0xK9m-vQVjlL9Buf8FwHvB9QmQXudN_912PMJGQOOpWgjeY1kDeyUO99WWGCphoHUoqRVLCpYCzUEw-UJhuqIAx/s1600/il_570xN.301158527.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">was hired at The Old Globe Theatre
in San Diego as a seamstress. I think I was the youngest person </span></span></span><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">that they had
ever hired at that point. I worked and went to Community College. I studied
fashion design. But I must say that the best education that I received was at
The Old Globe Theatre. That is where I was introduced to the making of menswear.
My true love is menswear and I love everything about it. Men's clothing is very
deceptive. To just merely look at a men's suit one may think, “Wow! That is a
nice suit!” yet not realize the craftsmanship and labor that is involved. I suggest going on Youtube and reviewing
videos on the process of hand tailored suits to appreciate the intricacies of
the art involved.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHsHUNOhy8mOGkcr52ZcSNWxKHR9ERQDBq9I0_z4gaM0P7AtYud_agp5t1kb_xWoJT8g1KwBZO8NXPWd0iljELBl70zZr4u8dk8szf13CYIgK_ZcN8BoHH0yy_Zb6_inTBdSsdskCn9eD/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36438788_8puy8lbost0cwo0ccwws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHsHUNOhy8mOGkcr52ZcSNWxKHR9ERQDBq9I0_z4gaM0P7AtYud_agp5t1kb_xWoJT8g1KwBZO8NXPWd0iljELBl70zZr4u8dk8szf13CYIgK_ZcN8BoHH0yy_Zb6_inTBdSsdskCn9eD/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36438788_8puy8lbost0cwo0ccwws.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On my 24th
birthday, I was hired at a local Community College as the Theatre Arts
Department Costume Shop Foreman. I had 6 years of experience learning from the
best at the Old Globe....now I was and still am in charge of my own Costume
Shop. Some of my responsibilities include designing the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">costumes for the shows,
pattern making, cutting of the patterns out of fabric, sewing, and teaching students
to sew.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I opened my Etsy
shop in 2010. It took off slowly, which is to be expected.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When I opened my
shop I believe there was only one other person on Etsy selling hand
tailored menswear. It was a great time to open. My first sale got things
rolling slowly, but soon picked up the pace. Because I am employed full time, I
work on orders before and after my day job as well as weekends. My average day
begins at 6:30AM and ends at 10PM. You have to love what you do to be able to
dedicate so many hours to your creations. Luckily I love every minute of
it and find time to spend with family and friends. I have become very good at
time management, and my husband also helps me whenever he has the time. I am lucky
to have a strong support group around me that believes in my work, talent, and
products.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qQ7FVWfix684plmGX-R3bY7fCrPs0tmFl66aCeXumFynFERyVtjnj2J8t4n630J8ffCg3wgluJeGkGaIOHgOWO_NkZgkFyiJ9H9TvLatbTblKPokUj8wMAKnzOCF0aDLzoRHaBoK490x/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36449475_nk06nf13tn4c4ww8sss8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qQ7FVWfix684plmGX-R3bY7fCrPs0tmFl66aCeXumFynFERyVtjnj2J8t4n630J8ffCg3wgluJeGkGaIOHgOWO_NkZgkFyiJ9H9TvLatbTblKPokUj8wMAKnzOCF0aDLzoRHaBoK490x/s1600/icm_fullxfull.36449475_nk06nf13tn4c4ww8sss8.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the last few years since opening my Etsy shop, I have had the privilege of working on some amazing projects. I have created menswear for Hollywood photo shoots, a few of my Etsy items have appeared on television, and I have the great honor of being Glenn Hetrick's personal tailor and clothier.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Thank you,Esther!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">-<i>Steel</i></span></span><br />
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Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-5766546933986185712014-01-21T06:47:00.002-08:002014-02-18T15:12:16.696-08:00Want to be Featured?Are you an independent artist with a shop on #Etsy.com? Please contact me through my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeltaneMoon?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Beltane Moon</a> on Etsy. There is no cost, this is my way of helping small businesses rebuild the economy and sustainability.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIuENM-JBRhmsFQlD9kyNmqC0_1DezSNchtK8nNiG5cWijo579HNhiEf1ZD4yc7ZaKANuqOIqaeV_1Ve19fDKzcGYt2-xVsZjAb1seahxp-CWTOrNXX3Un11wFiGnEEG8zQ-nf-Nu_UEn/s1600/boop+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIuENM-JBRhmsFQlD9kyNmqC0_1DezSNchtK8nNiG5cWijo579HNhiEf1ZD4yc7ZaKANuqOIqaeV_1Ve19fDKzcGYt2-xVsZjAb1seahxp-CWTOrNXX3Un11wFiGnEEG8zQ-nf-Nu_UEn/s1600/boop+002.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop Security </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What do people want to know?<br />
<br />
So many are interested in starting a new business but are unsure of the process. Through your stories, others discover your shop and talent while empowering themselves to do better in life. People want to know how you got started in your line of work. The ups and downs - what motivates you and your goals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NDdp1_ySF2gXO1DtegedWhQuT6IsWJF0UR1WuUUu9-eSUjKzgYoUPaqqCvy9hgKqpqLKEzO38gWIwzNu000B7qHS0usWVxruvoF0lVGMhmhY7khRrHG1XyEejxFT3sOBztt04W1hAGA2/s1600/dd+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NDdp1_ySF2gXO1DtegedWhQuT6IsWJF0UR1WuUUu9-eSUjKzgYoUPaqqCvy9hgKqpqLKEzO38gWIwzNu000B7qHS0usWVxruvoF0lVGMhmhY7khRrHG1XyEejxFT3sOBztt04W1hAGA2/s1600/dd+.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motivation for Steel</td></tr>
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<br />
Tell your story through photos: Your process (without divulging trade secrets, of course), funny stories through pictures and the direction you see for your dreams.<br />
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Provide links to social media if you so choose, whereby customers can order and ask questions.<br />
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Every story counts. Leave footprints on the path of positive discovery!<br />
<br />
~Steel<br />
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<br />Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-63957649246721171052014-01-19T16:10:00.001-08:002014-02-18T15:08:06.085-08:00Open Range Preserve Vintage<br />
<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Guardian-EgypTT, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-shadow: white 0px 1px 0px; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">From Knoxville, Tennessee, I present Jane, from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenRangePreserve" target="_blank">Open Range Preserve</a> vintage on Etsy.com. </span></i></h1>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: blue;">I recently nudged Jane into sharing her shop story with me on this blog. Pull up a chair and stroll through memory lane with Jane!</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/161184559/two-1960s-floral-brooch-pin-rose-daisy?ref=shop_home_active_23" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QW-viN3G4Qo2OdjNdeY-lPopm6OmtJ7TCPFRz_XvpZJQ5OAkt_2_Iq7Vb4Z6t3IGAkCqZNEVS-8xevaesdvNwGm7SP2PYXVAxQz_5aL0-Pdo-YXLfT28bgyNEkOX18VXH88PRKNbfWYx/s1600/il_570xN.496072961_r8nf.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3S7Rs4kL0XTzP1VSgFnhQKm2a6HcTkOXC9o2FctYZ5Nn1-df20bCIR6PoI9tGqv0vEN3lkaXwLjfGiKviA1ZvXFF4vDGKKs3xhHLA6SbHnV78ZwQABlS1OnBTBwil2eJlINwnAg0wPJy/s1600/icm_fullxfull.35232945_qmh2wdwxg3kwcokkscs0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">I had been making handmade items for decades, using crochet, macramé, sewing, quilting, embroidery, and needlepoint to make clothing, decor, accessories, Christmas ornaments, household linens, and anything else I could think of. Five years ago, several people began urging me to sell on Etsy. But I had a job and other activities and just didn't think I had time for it. So I let it go.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Fast forward a few years, and I'm in my sixties, too old for my former job and with health issues and changing family circumstances that moved me to a much smaller living space. And here were all these wonderful items I had collected over the decades, but that I would no longer have room to keep. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/158056264/1939-sewing-feedsacks-cotton-bags?ref=shop_home_feat_1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu2hY5vavOX74aoZeInyjnorcY2iwUs3rZN2KCNqFvxzmQJIyvYpUGUwUOX1Q5BuvFCfx4_X2opErNwFVGsoCUKe3yQiLaIdjybzvEgBYVqTVR6FYjeA4ClbJmFJNsDfd9BIrtvkTnY1f/s1600/icm_fullxfull.35232945_qmh2wdwxg3kwcokkscs0.jpg" height="200" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">A friend already had an established Etsy shop (Victorian Wardrobe), and she pointed out that I could sell vintage on Etsy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Well, I was well supplied with that! So I looked into Etsy and started my shop on May 2013. While I haven't sold a lot, it has been enough to keep me going. I have out-of-print fabrics, vintage patterns, pre-loved toys, heirloom household items, nearly-antique jewelry, and old books (including some first editions). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Now, every time I sell an item of special significance, I recall how I got it, and I think of how much the buyer is going to enjoy it. Recently I sold an old hippie kind of book that I thought was wonderful, and not long afterwards I sold an old pair of hippie bellbottom tiedyed jeans that I had grown out of long ago. And I was so excited for the buyers! They get to have these neat items!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175577412/three-playmobil-klicky-cowboy-people?ref=shop_home_active_10" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp8TpciZCRnJpC7PVJO8JKpfCd6IWULRCRi6FzDXvU0tqYN3dPu_q_PyBEwnnTZdNpdqhdIdftVU0AzkIZ6khTIASo2CrbR3YaSmcmi11l5jye-FU-QzLrWYdGsMTG5eLkqfKAxI7tZ3i/s1600/icm_fullxfull.35225720_mckq5m0fsess8wo4s0ko.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><i><span style="color: blue;">Thanks, Jane! </span></i></span></span><br />
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Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-3194447791714346922014-01-14T06:38:00.000-08:002014-02-18T16:43:42.123-08:00Vintage In Saratoga Springs<h2 class="header" style="font-family: Guardian-EgypTT, Georgia, serif; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Vintage finds new homes</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OldTimesKeepsake?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank"> Old Times Keepsake on Etsy</a> ~ Pat DeSio </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OfSaGwsoUrwaj5wUdi8QcePnuaAoxZVs1zFRAoI-LGxfWGRVta6RDPoqgeyfkC_3P3f8cdUf83fMymfil7KUoJFtZGBTaHYPiTpo3SghE-5Pn2KCUdISgGH35g2hFiYyABHf7aNftvB9/s1600/pat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OfSaGwsoUrwaj5wUdi8QcePnuaAoxZVs1zFRAoI-LGxfWGRVta6RDPoqgeyfkC_3P3f8cdUf83fMymfil7KUoJFtZGBTaHYPiTpo3SghE-5Pn2KCUdISgGH35g2hFiYyABHf7aNftvB9/s200/pat.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat - graduating nursing school</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIoxhV_BrVcCk3A1zHxQ8KTxbGMbfDCSy0qISX3nPPS0I1VbkgvKj0cvaRECgRjb-TkOz96lCsyIghfe_LekiyiwZpL6fvrGP0cC7q5Ey4XdEHVa83S9Jmx6sO6e7TLUJZaT9blm3WDG0/s1600/blackbird2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIoxhV_BrVcCk3A1zHxQ8KTxbGMbfDCSy0qISX3nPPS0I1VbkgvKj0cvaRECgRjb-TkOz96lCsyIghfe_LekiyiwZpL6fvrGP0cC7q5Ey4XdEHVa83S9Jmx6sO6e7TLUJZaT9blm3WDG0/s1600/blackbird2.gif" height="15" width="200" /></a>My name is Pat and my husband and I reside in beautiful Saratoga Springs, New York. A lovely small community of artisans, historical preservation and notably, horse racing.</div>
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My schooling was nursing in which I worked in a variety of specialties such as geriatrics and hospice. I served on a plethora of boards in hospital and community service over my lifetime. </div>
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For years I have collected vintage and refinished antiques. Our home outgrew my personal collections, but not my love for iconic rememberances.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174024414/vintage-coffee-pot-retro-percolator?ref=shop_home_active_10" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7GLBMMDv2j6Qm1nIh02QQvvBTe-A0Ooanb03R6uQeF9x_FSwHmaMfr2Yta52_U6KwOToSF-UjoCf8IbeMjU_FSyD5kMevYOdbsh4AcPEgAsU6wXept_qPj2ihwIMtvcMRa-7jW-L8VgJ/s1600/il_570xN.544403879_6gni.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174024414/vintage-coffee-pot-retro-percolator?ref=shop_home_active_10" target="_blank">Retro Vintage </a></td></tr>
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My father was a builder/carpenter when I was born. He taught me about building, craftsmanship and the like. His skills were such that he did it all: from the basement build out to the intricacies of detailed handrails.<br />
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The trade was a family affair: my younger sister and I helped my father; our mother did the book keeping and our older sister got to go on the truck; our brother learned the trade. Well into their 80's, my parents even put a roof on their house!<br />
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My grandfather gave me many pieces of his furniture and I learned the art of caning .<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174041546/vintage-fenton-milk-glass-hobnail-oil?ref=shop_home_active_9" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bxAoRbApo1kDSOTBAh2-lQlvQA2FlN0U5jXqn08Jz4-IMpd-ndPikFXuDMbe2gz1_GdfWO3ma21mPf6p7kRvTT3bapiYdOtivfcCXhNvzYWhpOlgnoxZg0PnEzh_Hjm_luzbt2HTRLJd/s200/rt.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174041546/vintage-fenton-milk-glass-hobnail-oil?ref=shop_home_active_9" target="_blank">Fenton Milk Glass</a></td></tr>
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Over the years I have retained the love for antiques, architecture and all things vintage. Each piece has a story to tell. Most of the pieces had one owner - ME! My love for vintage has outgrown my home. </div>
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My daughter told me about Etsy and encouraged me to open shop. She has been on Etsy since 2013 - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeltaneMoon?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Beltane Moon </a>(Steel Grey Art). Incidentally, she is the author of this blog! We have other family member across the US who also have their own Etsy shops. Each one unique and individual.<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174255959/vintage-lighter-silverplate-ronson?ref=shop_home_active_5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIPohXVvwiZnuQgmdE7_jujIIM9ibguaZcLDRkWtVNxNcQe8uEBQavYvoM6MbrgvSS31IhzJQ8EVRs1Hd1nLALyZ_7d-E97BMLfHAEwsmdeVttgp6ozpNTPN3PXzi6p-NlMOnrzhSZPVb/s1600/il_570xN.545247377_keq0.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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Join me on the adventure of storytelling through shared love of vintage!</div>
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~Pat</div>
Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-54326699450048134642012-06-21T16:02:00.002-07:002014-02-18T15:30:10.795-08:00Wonderstruck Inc on Etsy<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">My parents have traveled from the US to </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">Johannesburg many times over the years. I have heard stories about their amazing voyages.</span>In my daily tweets, I discovered a lovely Etsy shop keeper from <span style="line-height: 16px;">Johannesburg. "CJ" (or "Zoocatty" as I came to know her on Twitter) was kind enough to entertain a blog interview for her shop. Enjoy!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_865146630"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVryyKqMn94UZwIst5ajChU1isu3DxdQpYC-Xr75h9Dpzpcp1HiSyl78mu_oDqKOhfXGIk1Y8Ui7oZ5wN6l-GTvde3ERjf090c17mYdA2veckMSRZ4CJn7kro3skvr3-_YEXNcB40411w/s200/il_170x135.311297995.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92816969/bird-and-cage-wooden-cutout" target="_blank">Bird & Cage</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">The best way to describe myself, would probably be as a 30 year old metal head, living in a small town called Meyerton. It’s south of one of South Africa’s most well known cities, Johannesburg.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I don’t have human kids, but I do consider myself the mother of several beasties that just fill my life with so much cuteness and mind-blowing madness.</span><br style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I play keyboard and piano, and wish I played drums and violin (and maybe I’ll take some lessons one day). </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I drink a lot of coffee, while tea is my dirty little secret. </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I’m very otaku and indulge my inner child with anime EVERY DAY.</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I have a day job, but dream of crafting full time.</span> <br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Early in 2009, I took a wrecking ball to my life and by mid-2009 I had a new job, I was happier, I was writing again after YEARS of just not being inspired, and I found myself trying out beading. I’m not sure how I got around to it, but I do remember me and the step mother spending many a Saturday beading together in front of the tv, watching movies.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">I don’t consider myself ‘self-taught’ when there is just SO MUCH information available on the internet to work with and learn from. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">I was never confident enough to take jewellery beading classes at a local crafting store, that I buy a lot of my “alternative” supplies from. So I battled on, learning as I went, consulting the internet whenever I was at a loss and in 2010 I started going to a monthly craft market in the next village.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_4780561"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW96auHTmSvwlop_zPz15rQhYkcueXbf_Hi_pzcRFizcJI5aIfRIG65__aEJjCNeDQn1-OL0Y6BSIRa27Uh765L6dWm0V1w_gqErq8gPfj61D3mjdJcSHU4MqORd44INM63VzA1QSFPkcf/s200/il_570xN.343816109.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/101693863/deadly-carnival-wrap-bracelet-set-in" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Deadly Carnival</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">My confidence soared as my customer base grew…but the more I was scouring through my supply stores, the more I was picking up stuff that had very little to do with beading. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">By the end of 2010 I was experimenting with other types of “mixed media” jewellery. Painted wooden pendants, lace, ribbon, painted wooden beads, cameos, pictures and photos.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">In 2012 my stall continues to attract people who “<i>have never seen jewellery like it anywhere else</i>”.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">My biggest store discovery however, has been <a href="http://etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. The distance difference compared to a physical market, can be overcome by keeping in touch with people that buy or sell to you on Etsy. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wonderstruckinc" target="_blank">WonderstruckIn</a>c is under constant construction. I’m getting a new business logo and banner designed. I re-read my store description,editing my listings as clearly as possible (though grammar issues always seem to slip in there).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">The Etsy customs will be a learning curve for me, getting over that nervousness because of the distance.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Running your own business, no matter how big or small is A LOT of work, even if that means answering every little query, and really going out of your way to speak to people, just to let them know you’ve posted their package off, or let them know that you got their order and you’re busy packing it. J</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">ust one of those many things Etsians are always learning about and getting through.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">I provide custom requests for people that visit my stall. I’m confident working hands on with them on what they want.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">I’m also working on pieces that I can do customs of through Etsy as I get more confident. As my components are available, my ability to do customs will grow. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">See CJ's shop on ETSY here:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/wonderstruckinc" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.etsy.com/shop/wonderstruckinc</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can find CJ on twitter:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://twitter.com/zoocatty">http://twitter.com/zoocatty</a></span><br style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://twitter.com/wonderstruckinc">http://twitter.com/wonderstruckinc</a></span></span></span>Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-28524706259714745012012-03-07T09:14:00.003-08:002014-02-18T15:09:34.034-08:00Autoclave Sterilization<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sterilizing body jewelry for first time use is important, but the body mod industry is not universally regulated, if at all. Hence, the method/s involved in sterilization are left to the imagination for many customers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a professional piercer, I autoclave sterilize body jewelry prior to shipping to my <a href="http://www.beltanemoon.etsy.com/">Beltane Moon</a> Etsy customers. I could simply say "autoclaved" in my descriptions, but inclusion of redundant "sterilized" helps contextualize the concept. It is key to know that all piercing rings, barbells and screw on components in my shop jewelry are brand new and have never been worn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autoclave: <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Auto means 'self", clavis is Latin for "cleaning".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An autoclave as defined by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave">Wikipedia </a>is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> "...an instrument used to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(microbiology)" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Sterilization (microbiology)">sterilize</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam at 121 °C for around 15–20 minutes..."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">The application for an autoclave includes (but not limited to), Veterinary, medical, dental, piercing, tattoo and nail salon industries for the purpose of sterilizing associated tools and equipment. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Autoclave use is most often used in the medical field. Medical waste requires sterilization in favor over incineration (thermal oxidation) due to environmental concerns . There are exceptions to this rule, for example, such as when dealing with pathological waste. An designated autoclave is used for medical waste only. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">As for piercing jewelry, the method for sterilizing new jewelry in an autoclave employs the use of an autoclave pouch. An autoclave pouch has a sterility indicator printed on the outside which changes color upon proper processing.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFkPoKTpajUTSLH7aWBZ3st8LnGz65n5CWKiy29nMKFnLSyMFhjmSLIzyoUxE2AITSDqxqakcKusmAdT20aNKxbciKgLuhlzRhyphenhyphenD5tN5ljnDL0jkgx5B-eMr54_gzSkxVwKoS0dn3LXmB/s1600/defendpluspouchgroup2_10286269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFkPoKTpajUTSLH7aWBZ3st8LnGz65n5CWKiy29nMKFnLSyMFhjmSLIzyoUxE2AITSDqxqakcKusmAdT20aNKxbciKgLuhlzRhyphenhyphenD5tN5ljnDL0jkgx5B-eMr54_gzSkxVwKoS0dn3LXmB/s200/defendpluspouchgroup2_10286269.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of pouch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">The jewelry is inserted into the pouch and then into the autoclave for sterilization. </span><span style="line-height: 19px;"> The chemical or steam indicator color change reflects successful exposure to time & temperature during processing. A symbol or lettering on the pouch indicates color change and should state as such. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">In medical autoclaves, a chemical indicator may be present:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">"... </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Biological indicators contain </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spores" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Spores">spores</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> of a heat-resistant bacterium, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geobacillus_stearothermophilus" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Geobacillus stearothermophilus">Geobacillus stearothermophilus</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">. If the autoclave does not reach the right temperature, the spores will </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germination" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Germination">germinate</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> when incubated and their </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Metabolism">metabolism</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">will change the color of a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="PH">pH</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">-sensitive chemical. Some physical indicators consist of an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloy" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Alloy">alloy</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> designed to melt only after being subjected to a given temperature for the relevant holding time. If the alloy melts, the change will be visible...." (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave">wikipedia</a>)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">In my shop, I use an FDA approved Prestige unit accepted for piercing jewelry. The temperature specs for this unit are: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">Sterilizing temp': 121°C</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">Sterilizing temp': 250 F</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">Arriving at sterizing temp: 16 mins</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">Cycle time - total 26 mins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this lends some clarity on the basic concept and mechanics of what an autoclave is and how it is used in my shop. If you have any questions, please contact me and I am more than happy to respond!</span></div>
Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-46917154609288180192012-01-25T21:40:00.000-08:002012-01-26T10:28:35.236-08:00Bead Soul on Etsy Featuring Lisa Hamilton ~ Custom Jewelry & More<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX4S_J9RGpQJQc1P_-J9U-ohPwK1EJQllQPXcC-_p6oO14wsewIDRCET9KySnkZjcMfgAZNjILst9npY9T2PtPxdK8b-tyiy4g4_B4JS1YBeySMXiJhhNrguvPZAvNsV_CuShscChyphenhyphenC_Y/s200/il_170x135.302899932.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90491952/made-to-order-fine-silver-stacker-ring">Stacker Rings </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">As a musician, I had been looking for hand cut stamped guitar picks on Etsy.com. Fortunately I found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsoul"> BeadSoul </a>custom jewelry and more. She had such fresh, clean lines and attuned for accuracy. So impressed, I asked her for a blog bio.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Before I could ask about her background, I had to know if she was a musician as well and why guitar picks? Lisa was kind enough to share this story:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70294400/personalized-hand-stamped-tiny-tags-a" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmRm4Odg3O5epPkCRhpPHTlz1a_mTwrWNf0g1LLh6D1TY6fWIuYDH6IryxehPmV-otGgBVMCpkGwqjgeotffIXB4QiBydGbmKK2atA1xdXT7ApHF_3j6G_lndv0L3zYRoocFowUjtCcHk/s200/il_170x135.265133862.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70294400/personalized-hand-stamped-tiny-tags-a">Tasty Trio</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">" I fell into making the guitar picks quite by accident. A repeat customer saw a shop with them on Etsy but she thought I could do a better job. She asked me to make one for her daughter's guitar teacher for Christmas 2010. I said sure, ran to get a guitar pick for a template and just went for it. I look at the pictures of that one and cringe. She and the instructor were happy, but it was pretty elementary, lol! I am so grateful to her for that request, you have no idea. I am really good at cutting them out now and cut all of them myself except for the aluminum ones- that metal is just too thick for me to mess with, but I like to offer it as a good pendant alternative."</span></blockquote><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Lisa Hamilton, age 45, has lived in Denver, CO area her entire life. She currently lives in the same town as one of my sisters: Littleton. She blames her mom for her interest in jewelry making. Lisa said she would go nuts every year trying to come up with a gift for her and decided to create something with her hands- that way she couldn't say, "you shouldn't have!" She was hooked. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70294400/personalized-hand-stamped-tiny-tags-a" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d4aM5lqw9bbzTdO7jAokmerdcX1z3Bk3EQXElRds_CqWwzn2pMpqW5eejIoDs6SEurdDRwsYEyxCgBSR_lm3NRN8ZwfUHtU_R6Z2__uWV9Z8N0K-YPkTRj8XJ-3XhWGKEtgHrOc7JRrT/s200/il_570xN.293973283.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88019922/guitar-pick-brass-hand-stamped-rock-on">Brass Pick</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">"Mom always was crafting, crochet, macrame, pottery, etc, and it rubbed off on me. Eventually, I got tired of stringing beads and began to explore other ways of creating jewelry. I stumbled upon metal stamping/metalwork and the light went on! I do a more "quick and dirty" form of metal work. I had to make due with what I already had and add equipment slowly. I would probably horrify more traditional metalworkers with the shortcuts I take. I also have a neurologic movement disorder that doesn't allow me to do some of the finer motor skills, such as detailed saw work. I have fun, get to try new things and have found that I can do more than I can't do."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I asked about her favorite feedback from customers. She said, " I get convos and feed back from people who cried when they opened their gift box- that just blows my mind that I can bring someone that much joy!"</span></blockquote><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">All jewelry makers have their challenges. When I asked Lisa what hers are, she replied;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">"The hardest part of my work would be the fact that I really want to make people happy and can be overly neurotic and worry if they like things. I cause myself a great deal of harm when 99% of the time, people are delighted (insert laugh)! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">It seems as though jewelry making would not create an environment for disaster and Lisa concurs:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">"Mishaps have been pretty tame, though I did watch myself as I got a polishing wheel caught in my scarf the other day... that could have been pretty bad! Most mistakes with this are learning experiences, which is great!</span><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Injuries are mostly burns, cuts and an occasional hammer blow gone bad. I am pretty fortunate and feel my guardian angel deserves a raise; I can be clumsy and have the "dropsies" sometimes."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Lisa married at the young age of 21 young and </span><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">has 3 kids who are mostly grown.</span><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> Her oldest just graduated from college; middle is son in college and youngest is 20. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">"She is an amazing kid. They all are. My hubby is a teacher and is the real hero. Teaching second graders is tough enough, but these days it seems to be more difficult. He loves kids and it is heartwarming to see how hard he works to help them learn. He is my biggest cheerleader and moral support. I was having a meltdown at Christmas due to a huge rush of orders- he just calmly told me that I could do it and he would help me with the packaging- what a guy!"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7DwjzQrgQr-Q674Oqx3qta2IPEyXItcHSkA8wcgptXHym_b8XbTOd2Sci1JcptDZlDIU5daIrm7HeROl7WlLUk1bIBZxlskmjXYq3Yd3XYvOX9EDOZ6J2hCm3XJRKogdB4DF6PFZe-Kg/s1600/il_570xN.247463525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7DwjzQrgQr-Q674Oqx3qta2IPEyXItcHSkA8wcgptXHym_b8XbTOd2Sci1JcptDZlDIU5daIrm7HeROl7WlLUk1bIBZxlskmjXYq3Yd3XYvOX9EDOZ6J2hCm3XJRKogdB4DF6PFZe-Kg/s200/il_570xN.247463525.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74937848/copper-canyon-wire-wrapped-ring-size-65">Canyon Copper Wire Ring</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I asked Lisa if she had goals in mind for her business. She sheepishly replied that she has no goals per se with the shop but strives to learn new techniques, meet great people and help them make the piece they would love to give or get. </span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">"I would like to teach more and don't know how that would fit in my life right now. My kids don't need me much and will be gone before I know it; who knows?"</span></blockquote><span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Lisa, I know plenty of musicians who will need those picks!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I was so lucky to have had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa via phone. She is gracious, full of energy, positive and very uplifting. I am of the belief that these attributes show through in her jewelry. </span><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Here is some information to follow Lisa</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/gVRRT">Mailing list</a>: Get the latest news and sales</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Blog<a href="http://beadsoul.com/">: http://beadsoul.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebeadsoul">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/beadsoul">Twitter</a></span></div>Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-71934286073130519812012-01-10T13:46:00.000-08:002014-02-18T15:10:33.279-08:00SockMonkeyCards on Etsy<div style="text-align: right;">
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.178633913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.178633913.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I was not having one of my best days when I happened upon a card of Sock Monkeys sledding down a hill. Immediately I felt a sense of hilarity wash over my mood and I admittedly needed more giggles. I clicked on the shop responsible for making me smile.<a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/sockmonkeycards?ref=pr_profile"> SockMonkey</a>Cards by Laurie. I had to know where the heck this humor came from and how such award winning style develops. I feel a first- person inquiry helps to appreciate this brand of success with such positive force.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Thanks goes to Laurie of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/sockmonkeycards">SockMonkeyCards</a> on Etsy for submitting this tell-all about her shop. </span><br />
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.176606460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.176606460.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">About 12 years ago I took a black and white photograph of my sister's 3 sock monkeys, then started adopting my own sock monkeys. I made a few cards for friends, then my sister-in-law said she thought I really had something. At the time I started photographing the sock monkeys, my work life was pretty stressful, and this really got my active imagination going in a good direction. When I was photographing sock monkeys, I wasn't worried about the problems of the world. I approached a couple stores, and they agreed to sell my cards. That was probably about 8 years ago. SInce then, other stores have approached me either after seeing my cards in stores, or seeing them on Etsy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I truly don't think of myself as having a great sense of humor. I find such joy and contentment in the simple things in life; being outdoors, canoeing, cross-country skiing, making a snowman, bicycling. I appreciate the awesome beauty and strength of nature. I love photography, which I started studying in the early 90's. I do like to be silly sometimes. I always thought when I grew up I'd feel sophisticated, but that has never happened! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I was born in London England, though was only there for 6 months. I have lived all over the U.S in this order: </span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Pennsylvania</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Wyoming</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Pennsylvania</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">California</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Virginia</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">North Carolina</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Maryland</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Arizona</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> New Mexico</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">We have been living in Maine for the past 14 years and love it. </span></div>
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.70074677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.70074677.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">When I started college I was a music major, then switched to early childhood education. I taught preschool for a number of years, which I really enjoyed, but the money was terrible. I went on a 3 month bicycle trip in 1982 in Europe with a friend, which got the travel bug in me. When I returned home, I went to a career counselor, who suggested I be a flight attendant. So that's what I've been doing for 28 years now. After 9/11, my imagination went into overdrive, and photographing sock monkeys truly has been a serendipity for me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.155028402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.155028402.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I am inspired by those who bring good things to the world, be it medicine, music, art, writing, healing, encouragement and </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">support. I love going to art museums, playing the piano, reading, and doing almost anything outside. And of course, sock monkeys are always in the back of my mind. </span></div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.181364836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.181364836.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I have been making a sock monkey calendar each year for 7 years, and sell my cards and calendars and new book at about 12 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. I have many repeat customers, and I like the fact that my work makes people smile or even laugh out loud. I like the fact that it is good, clean fun. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Three of my favorite images are "Tiptoeing", which was chosen to be in a juried photography show by well known photographer Joyce Tenneson, "Snow Angels" because my husband and I were cross-country skiing after a beautiful snow when the idea popped into my head. I told him when we got home I wanted him to put up the big ladder in the back yard, which I photographed the sock monkeys making snow angels from. Also I love the "Surfer Sock Monkeys" because people get a kick out of it. I had the surfboards made by someone in Redondo Beach CA. A firefighter makes wooden items, and his wife paints them. She sells her things at the store where I sell my sock monkey cards, so it was a good situation for us all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Wow-- probably too much information, but I was on a roll there. Sometimes if my husband joins me on a trip or we go somewhere, he'll put a couple sock monkeys in his suitcase so I can photograph them in a new place. The first time he met me somewhere and he was so worried that security would make him open his suitcase and he'd be petrified with embarrassment. Oh- and my sock monkeys all have names. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Thank you so much Laurie! We want to know their names!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">CeCi @ <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeltaneMoon?ref=si_shop">BeltaneMoon</a></span></div>
Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-10720362203834541172012-01-09T11:51:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:54:09.663-08:00Gothic Glass<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/GothicGlassStudio">Gothic Glass </a>is owned by<span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"> Angie Chase of Nova Scotia. She appears to be a pixie of a gal and as light and breezy as her shop represents. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcJpvrKksCGpI0eEiJ1N4vc8kEIjKfvLmjayLFNccMZbM237KUztD_hEsWi1CNxjBnJR5sid6y31P4-6-rtXdDFNYXJg-q6m9S68hj-nxbVXDlOyQUQHpbVILnHacuRk1ahzyWvgrSh6Y/s1600/Angie-Chase-150x150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcJpvrKksCGpI0eEiJ1N4vc8kEIjKfvLmjayLFNccMZbM237KUztD_hEsWi1CNxjBnJR5sid6y31P4-6-rtXdDFNYXJg-q6m9S68hj-nxbVXDlOyQUQHpbVILnHacuRk1ahzyWvgrSh6Y/s200/Angie-Chase-150x150.png" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Angie and I "met" on <a href="http://gothicglass/">Twitter </a>and we had some shared passions and friendly exchanges. This led to me looking into her shop on Etsy. I was very impressed and interested in this unique lady and the beauty found within her shop.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">First thing that struck me was the name of her shop. Gothic Glass. A fellow fan of historical appreciation for stained glass, I could not click the link on her page quickly enough! Angie </span></span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">chose a name that reflected the architectural history of stained glass. The Gothic style was an expression appealing to the emotions as seen in its characteristic pointed arch, ribbed vault, flying buttress and most notably, the Rose window. The same light that refracted stained glass centuries ago still holds the same inner glow and timeless presentation today. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.270120108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.270120108.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Angie was born in </span></span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">B</span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">erwick, NS on August 10th. H</span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">er beginnings in glass debuted </span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">during summer employment while attending Acadia University. Merelys Williams of Fancy Glass & Crafts in Grand Pre was her mentor. Angie felt a natural affinity in working with glass that </span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> led to three consecutive summers working with and learning from Merelys. </span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> She later instituted her own home-based business in 1988.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.229961431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.229961431.jpg" width="193" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Growing bored with patterns, Angie developed her own which resulted in signature appeal that is seen in her work. Guiding her creations from her </span></span><span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">spiritual beliefs, she re-creates those symbolic intra-connections in my designs. She says she is connected to Mother Earth and celebrates her through Gothic Glass.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFGz5o72l3qN1H5kM1U9wjwwKjK0wHR-FRGfW8SX78nERQcATSVq-EMsPXlF0pjqkGuQDToT-M0__36AJeK6768e3JoK1MHRqq28tLzCCcliq9_mmEG9JaBSjlcvcuPRE-2hWa4zBvmS6/s1600/angie" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFGz5o72l3qN1H5kM1U9wjwwKjK0wHR-FRGfW8SX78nERQcATSVq-EMsPXlF0pjqkGuQDToT-M0__36AJeK6768e3JoK1MHRqq28tLzCCcliq9_mmEG9JaBSjlcvcuPRE-2hWa4zBvmS6/s200/angie" width="148" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Working with glass can be a sharp daunting task if one becomes tired or lets their guard down. Angie has respect for the material she works with . While she wears a safety glasses, face mask and constructs in a well ventilated area, she refuses to wear gloves both in the studio as well as garden. This clearly gives her an edge (so to speak) on working closely and with marvelous detail. It makes perfect sense to those who are inextricably linked to their craft.</span><br />
<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.280759073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.280759073.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #004961; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">We look forward to seeing all that evolves as Angie walks this path of light and reflection as she shares her talent and beauty expressed in her work as a glass artist. Thank you, Angie!</span></span><br />
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</span>Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482239456718170101.post-91038410759385084692012-01-09T09:33:00.000-08:002014-01-21T06:25:08.482-08:00Body Jewelry ~ The Captive Bead Ring ~ how to open and close captive bead ring jewelry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmStHbxY9o7dOtbBgx8snc_ZozyfAdUMwfpR_IpDBZIhs4RB99Xd8Ue6dCoIi_t7DFziB0Bu2AK610YO9tY5-08iDSWtlpwv0NRjeVHqKx63J_-xQeN27AOwaXzLEwnHZ_az-rjtQ-LLZY/s1600/CBR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmStHbxY9o7dOtbBgx8snc_ZozyfAdUMwfpR_IpDBZIhs4RB99Xd8Ue6dCoIi_t7DFziB0Bu2AK610YO9tY5-08iDSWtlpwv0NRjeVHqKx63J_-xQeN27AOwaXzLEwnHZ_az-rjtQ-LLZY/s200/CBR.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
The captive bead ring (CBR) is the classic standard for many body piercings - at least from a historical point of view. When speaking of Gypsies or belly dancers, the image of a simple ring through the navel typically comes to mind.<br />
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A basic captive bead ring can be worn in many a piercing and the variations are seemingly endless. Basic structure is a almost completed circular ring with ends that have been burred to a smooth finish. There is a small gap into which a small round bead fits. These beads either have two dimples, or shallow cusps on either side. The center bead may a hole drilled through the center. In any event, all three are held between the ring ends by the pressure/tension of the ring ends at the terminal of the bead. Though there is a modified bead which is soldered onto one end of the ring, generally speaking the bead is not a permanent fixture on the ring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AAfriVUB9NUvwBOCZKFvakgIxegFMkPXCTCjIiTRI0Qa-MeAwQyORNiefjrMdx33taXr3-YfSTMt6No1Jh0OZV_mW0OJVX9dfwFY4MO9UgteGBa7qQubwcfimgM-i7tPQ_XxMCIDvYFM/s1600/op+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AAfriVUB9NUvwBOCZKFvakgIxegFMkPXCTCjIiTRI0Qa-MeAwQyORNiefjrMdx33taXr3-YfSTMt6No1Jh0OZV_mW0OJVX9dfwFY4MO9UgteGBa7qQubwcfimgM-i7tPQ_XxMCIDvYFM/s200/op+close.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a>The standard operation for the classic CBR involves the use of 2 different piercing pliers: opening and closing. Of course new styles of pliers offer 2 in 1 options now. Depending on the CBR diameter, and gauge (thickness of the jewelry) two separate pliers would be more advantageous over the other. For most standard CBR styles of 10 gauge+ and 1/2" diameter I typically chose a small dual purpose 2 in 1 open/close plier. Manufacturer and size of the pliers as well as the shape and size of the plier nose affects my choice.<br />
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Most CBR jewelry comes assembled if you do not have it installed by your piercer. For example, if you purchase from me, the jewelry comes autoclave sterilized in a sealed pouch already assembled. Disassembling the CBR is the first step toward installing into the piercing.<br />
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For the purpose of this article, I am speaking in terms of utilizing two separate pliers: both the opening and closing tools.<br />
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Before you begin:<br />
1. consider wrapping the ends of the plier nose in cloth medical tape to protect your jewelry.<br />
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2. place a clean towel beneath your working area in case a center bead escapes your grip.<br />
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3. have sterile water based lubricant on hand and ready to use on the ring end to allow for easier insertion into the piercing.<br />
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OPENING PLIERS - Operation<br />
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In the relaxed, non working status position, the jaws of the plier nose are closed. (Imagine a bird beak in the closed position when viewing the profile).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CNR37uwI-p9ojVhs-UtabJjn29H64EDLrJU7omaXCCV6sU910LQB_-YHfzAoKwoJDz9m6CU25D3ktW3Ed-nfEXr42OdStla9FJqKorBnBH86fbisEac2_2eGYn1Qel82eTanhBrvVksO/s1600/openers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CNR37uwI-p9ojVhs-UtabJjn29H64EDLrJU7omaXCCV6sU910LQB_-YHfzAoKwoJDz9m6CU25D3ktW3Ed-nfEXr42OdStla9FJqKorBnBH86fbisEac2_2eGYn1Qel82eTanhBrvVksO/s200/openers.jpg" height="181" width="200" /></a>The opening pliers typically have spring loaded jaws. When the handles are squeezed the jaws open outward. This is a similar functional concept as auto shop snap ring pliers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-mdIJ6lMI7fPFrF3juju4VZAyGVh_ZcTcW_ZNmIpNRZixMLHI9TOTHkaOmA6O9csGpRnDd6x8vBUsD9ucp62uEt43VPftu98IHLW1nb838hcAz2SA63yiJuPtKZnpKh1aNBoK4p38zYl/s1600/ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-mdIJ6lMI7fPFrF3juju4VZAyGVh_ZcTcW_ZNmIpNRZixMLHI9TOTHkaOmA6O9csGpRnDd6x8vBUsD9ucp62uEt43VPftu98IHLW1nb838hcAz2SA63yiJuPtKZnpKh1aNBoK4p38zYl/s200/ring.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Insert the nose of the pliers into the center of the CBR. Hold the center bead with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and the pliers with the other. Holding the center bead will keep its location in check once the bead has been released from the CBR.<br />
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Gently squeeze the plier grip so that the jaws open and thereby increase the ring diameter, and thereby reduce ring pressure on the bead. At this point the bead should release.<br />
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RING CLOSING PLIERS ~ OPERATION<br />
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Place the bead in a readily accessible area. Hold the ring in one hand and open the jaws of the pliers. Place the jaws around the diameter of the CBR.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbFvGL2iHgCgk6P99YyQqwSjjv84dnfg-Ofcgx5BbUHjBs6AEkAEvG5lfE9PzuP2hZqA0txQJPtdNrFGLPIa75BIbyChYhdKoVi4u1wMfo8zlls7-ICcCKlDir8TSqHK5EVd2WSwsEX-E/s1600/closingtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbFvGL2iHgCgk6P99YyQqwSjjv84dnfg-Ofcgx5BbUHjBs6AEkAEvG5lfE9PzuP2hZqA0txQJPtdNrFGLPIa75BIbyChYhdKoVi4u1wMfo8zlls7-ICcCKlDir8TSqHK5EVd2WSwsEX-E/s200/closingtime.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Gently,slowly & slightly squeeze the plier grips. This will decrease the diameter (thereby increasing CBR pressure). Avoid closing too much or the ring may warp out of shape.<br />
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Lube Time - if you have not already done so, dab one end of the ring into some water base lube.<br />
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Insert ring into the piercing without using undue force. (Remain calm and breathe!)<br />
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Once the CBR is inserted, carefully insert the opening pliers as in step one into the CBR and slightly open the jaws to open up the ring.<br />
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This is where things get tricky when you first start! Open just enough to align the dimples (or drilled holes) of the bead one side at a time with the ends of the ring. The goal is to abut the ring ends with the bead anchoring.<br />
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The ring tensile properties usually keep the ring somewhat "springy" if not opened far to wide for insertion of the bead. Therefore, once you are able to abut one side of the bead and one ring end, further gentle manipulation of the second side should allow some tension to hold the bead in place - or - captive.<br />
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In difficult to navigate piercing areas, it is best to have a pro piercer install the jewelry. Even in areas that have easier access such as the navel, have a pro show you how to safely execute this tricky little maneuver. As a piercer I have done countless CBR installations. In fact, I dont even look as much as I feel where the ring and bead are when installing. Everyone has a unique method and when you do them as often as a pro piercer it seems as though we can do them in our sleep!<br />
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Sometimes this can frustrate the most patient of beginners. Don't give up - get assistance from a reputable shop if you need it. Some charge a nominal fee for this service. Regardless, it is worth your safety and patience to learn how should it prove too tedious the first few times.<br />
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Good luck and feel free to email me at piercedatlanta@aol.com or beltanemoon1@gmail.com if you need advice. I may not always have the answers, but I will do my best to find them for you - or at least refer you to help.<br />
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All photos courtesy of Beltane Moon<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">©</span>. Permission to link or reuse photos and or article required. Please link back to this blog when granted permission and credit Beltane Moon<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">©</span> as original photographer and author.Beltane Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038392314539440633noreply@blogger.com1