Amber Leads The Way Once Again

by Brad Swift

For those who have followed my personal adventures along the Purposeful Path over this past year, you will recall that Amber's desire to be in the Jericho Productions play, Cheaper by the Dozen, led me to my acting debut in the play as well. Once again, Amber has guided me to what's next in living on purpose, this time in the arena of sports and fitness. She joined the YMCA's youth volleyball league a few weeks ago. Of course, as a devoted father I've made it to several of their practices and all of their games. (Her teammates remarked at the last game, "Your Dad is really LOUD!" I confess I really love to cheer for them.) In fact, I've become so inspired that I looked into and discovered that they also have a adult coed league that meets on Monday nights at the Y and so I've joined that league. I went to a practice session this past week and ended up playing several games with the "A Team" members from the more advance league. I held my own in the technical arena of returning shots, making serves, etc. but since I've never played any 'organized volleyball' I noticed as the game went on that I began to feel lost and disoriented on the court. It finally dawned on me that the rest of the team had a fairly simple and straight forward strategy they were following that I was clueless about. Finally, one of Amber's coaches who was on the same team with me, shared with me the strategy. Boy, did I feel foolish. Yet at the same time I realized afterwards that it was one more way my Inherited Purpose had shaped my life without my being aware of it. "I have to be smart and know all the answers or pretend that I do..." was the part of my IP that kept me from simply starting out by letting my teammates know that I hadn't played organized volleyball before so I could use some pointers regarding how they play. A valuable lesson was learned, not only about volleyball but also about being even more alert to how sneaky my Inherited Purpose can shape my life. 2006 Brad Swift of Life On Purpose Institute, Inc. This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.

FREE Amber Alert Tickers for Your Website

by Scott Woods

Project Safekids provides webmasters a valuable tool which could save a child's life. Add our Amber Alert Ticker to your website today.

Please visit Http://www.projectsafekids.org/code.html to get an Amber Alert Ticker for your website today.

Our Amber Alert News feed displays information about abducted children as it happens. This auto updating content. You simply enter a few lines of html code into your web pages and that's it. If a tip comes from your site which leads to the arrest and conviction of a child abducter you are paid a reward.

Project Safekids is a not for profit community service organization dedicated to creating awareness of the dangers that face our children and families daily. Interested in sponsoring an event? Please Contact Us , our trained professionals will help you assess which event will best serve your needs.

Project Safekids is the foremost provider of child safety programs throughout the U.S.A. In an effort to make our services available to more families all of our child safety programs are available on a National Level. Project Safekids Child Identification programs were created specifically to work with the National Amber Alert System. Amber Alerts work ! Over 155 children have been successfully recovered as a result of the National Amber Alert since being signed into law on April 30th,2003.

Please visit Http://www.projectsafekids.org/code.html to get an Amber Alert Ticker for your website today.

Amber Mysteries Revealed

by : Sam Serio

Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a gemstone at all, is actually fossilized pine sap. People have collected, traded, carved, and coveted amber for more than 10,000 years. Yet despite our fascination with it, much about the smoky yellow stone -- the history of amber -- remains a mystery.

The price for amber stones varies widely, in the right price range for Average Joe's (and Joannas) who can spend as little as $20 for amber and silver jewelry, and also for high-rollers ready to spend $40,000 or more for a "slice of sunshine" in amber jewelry crafted in gold, platinum, and featuring other gemstones. And although it not an official "birthstone -- a designation reserved for actual gemstones -- amber is often presented to those born under the sign of Taurus (April 19-May 19).

History of Amber

Amber is found in Myanmar home to the largest piece of transparent amber in the world (33.5 pounds and 40-50 million years old), as well as Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, and Canad. The two main sources of amber on the market today, however, are the Dominican Republic and the Baltic states.

Once highly regulated, Baltic amber has become more widely available due to more liberal economic policies in Eastern Europe. Today, the whole world enjoys amber minded from the Baltic region, where the largest mine is in Russia, west of Kaliningrad.

Baltic amber may also be found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia. Baltic amber has even washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Denmark, Norway, and England. Baltic amber is the oldest geological specimen to be used in jewelry. Archeologists digging near the Baltic Sea have found evidence of Baltic amber jewelry that is approximately 40,000 years old.

Green Amber is a completely natural variation of Baltic Amber. The green color is a result of plant interaction with the resin. While green is a more valuable color of amber than brown, the best quality of amber remains clear, transparent, and flawless.

Slightly softer than Baltic amber, Dominican amber is prized for its coloration, including yellow and deep red, as well as the distinctive (and rare) blue and smoky green hues that come exclusively from that area.

Shocking Information about Amber
The ancient name for amber was "electron," the root word of electricity. Around 600 B.C., it was discovered that if an amber stone was rugged vigorously, it became electrically charged. Believed to carry a negative electrical energy charge, amber was used to draw power and energy into its bearer.
In addition to its ability to attract energy and power, amber was believed to aid the intellect. It was prescribed for memory loss; eccentric behavior; anxiety, and indecisiveness.
The Joy of Amber

Amber jewelry is said to help one be joyful and happy. The cheery yellow stone is believed to lighten the burdens of life.

Healers say that amber activates our altruistic nature and helps us realize the full power of our spiritual intellect.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Amber The Gift From Mother Nature

by Sher Matsen

Amber is a beautiful gift from mother nature. It comes in many different colors - yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, blue and almost black. It may be transparent or clouded. Transparent tones range from pale to dark yellow, to yellow light brown. Cloudy amber comes in many colors.

Amber is fossilized resin of ancient trees that grew in "amber forests". Through various physical and chemical changes the resin becomes Amber. Amber is unique because it is able to preserve the organic tissues in it. It is very common to find pieces of plants and insects, trapped in amber making it extremely valuable to both collectors and the scientists. A beautiful and fascinating gem!

Amber is found in various parts of the world. The largest amber deposits are off the shores of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Amber is the most sought after and valuable for making amber jewelry. Baltic Amber has been used for decorative items since prehistoric times. A Baltic amber amulet has even been found in Egyptian tombs . Amber was also very popular in ancient Rome during the reign of Neron when: jewelry, ornaments, amulets, and even dice were made from amber. During the Middle Ages, amber prayer beads were exported. From the 16th century into the 18th century item made from amber included jewelry, dishes, buttons, pipe mouth pieces, chess sets and a host of other fine products.

The majority of Baltic amber comes from a 400-square-mile area - the Samland Peninsula, now known as the Kaliningrad region. The Kaliningrad amber mine supplies 99% of the Baltic amber. Up until the 19th century amber was retrieved manually from the sea. During the latter part of the 19th century operations became much more sophisticated as they began dredging and mining for amber. Since then millions of pounds of Baltic amber have been mined.. A small town in the Kaliningrad region has the world's largest amber mine. Amber has a special beauty in its ability for each piece to be truly original in nature and content. The downfall to amber is like anything organic it does not last forever. Baltic amber is known to have the longest life expectancy. Taking proper care of your amber will result in enjoyment for many years, sometimes thousands of years as seen with the recovery of jewels from the past.

Some important tips for caring for your amber:

 Never store amber where it may rub against hard surfaces such as metal or other jewelry.  Do not expose amber to harsh chemicals such as soap, jewelry cleaners, perfumes, hair products.  Do not expose amber to direct sunshine or heat.  To clean your amber wash in lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to wash and dry. To restore the shine polish with pure olive oil.  Treat your amber like any fine gem

Where amber with pride, add it to your jewelry wardrobe and be sure to make your fashion statement!

� Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.
About the Author

Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Amber Mysteries Revealed

by Sam Serio



Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a gemstone at all, is actually fossilized pine sap. People have collected, traded, carved, and coveted amber for more than 10,000 years. Yet despite our fascination with it, much about the smoky yellow stone -- the history of amber -- remains a mystery.
The price for amber stones varies widely, in the right price range for Average Joe's (and Joannas) who can spend as little as $20 for amber and silver jewelry, and also for high-rollers ready to spend $40,000 or more for a "slice of sunshine" in amber jewelry crafted in gold, platinum, and featuring other gemstones. And although it not an official "birthstone -- a designation reserved for actual gemstones -- amber is often presented to those born under the sign of Taurus (April 19-May 19).
History of Amber

Amber is found in Myanmar home to the largest piece of transparent amber in the world (33.5 pounds and 40-50 million years old), as well as Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, and Canad. The two main sources of amber on the market today, however, are the Dominican Republic and the Baltic states.

Once highly regulated, Baltic amber has become more widely available due to more liberal economic policies in Eastern Europe. Today, the whole world enjoys amber minded from the Baltic region, where the largest mine is in Russia, west of Kaliningrad.
Baltic amber may also be found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia. Baltic amber has even washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Denmark, Norway, and England. Baltic amber is the oldest geological specimen to be used in jewelry. Archeologists digging near the Baltic Sea have found evidence of Baltic amber jewelry that is approximately 40,000 years old.
Green Amber is a completely natural variation of Baltic Amber. The green color is a result of plant interaction with the resin. While green is a more valuable color of amber than brown, the best quality of amber remains clear, transparent, and flawless.
Slightly softer than Baltic amber, Dominican amber is prized for its coloration, including yellow and deep red, as well as the distinctive (and rare) blue and smoky green hues that come exclusively from that area.
Shocking Information about Amber
The ancient name for amber was "electron," the root word of electricity. Around 600 B.C., it was discovered that if an amber stone was rugged vigorously, it became electrically charged. Believed to carry a negative electrical energy charge, amber was used to draw power and energy into its bearer.
In addition to its ability to attract energy and power, amber was believed to aid the intellect. It was prescribed for memory loss; eccentric behavior; anxiety, and indecisiveness.
The Joy of Amber
Amber jewelry is said to help one be joyful and happy. The cheery yellow stone is believed to lighten the burdens of life.

Healers say that amber activates our altruistic nature and helps us realize the full power of our spiritual intellect.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of �How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.� This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

So why amber ?

Why Amber?

Amber contains joy and happiness. It contains life-giving energy. The life that started more than 30 million years ago survived the massive moving of earth plates, masses of heavy grounds falling on them, being washed away miles away and miles deep to the ocean bed ... and the traces of them still stayed to amazing details inside the tree resin we now call Amber! The treasures of life forms proved its existence through this long and really earth moving experience. Amber is therefore symbolic of life-giving energy. Amber is popular for thoughtful gift giving to the beloved ones. Amber has a meaningful message about life and survival.

What is Amber? Commonly referred to as tree sap, however amber is anything but sap! Read below to know more. This is how it all started millions of years ago...Large number of trees in some parts of the world began to seep its sticky and aromatic resin down their sides and onto the land while filling internal fissures, trapping debris, such as seeds, leaves, feathers and insects on the way. These seeped globes of tree resin collected life forms in the process. As geologic time progressed through the millions of years afterwards, these forests were buried under the ocean or the resin was washed out of the forest floor by large rivers and transported south towards the sea.
In the course of time, the globes of resin progressively hardened into a golden gem with a warm and soft glow from within! . This process of fossilizing tree resin of ancient trees is called "natural polymerization and oxidization of original organic compounds". In other words, amber is fossilized resin that is million of years old. Most of the world's amber is in the range of 30-90 million years old.

Therefore contrary to common belief, Amber is not produced from tree sap, but rather from plant resin Amber and Baltic Amber Since the ancient times, the word amber meant only one thing - the Baltic Amber! However, the process of how amber is formed traced more amber varieties in different parts of the world. Although more than 125 types of fossil resins are known in the world, these resins are not amber but its relatives. They are mostly found in Europe and America and each of them has its own name. But the Baltic amber is uniquely known for its quality and is most sought after. Baltic amber is fossil resin produced by pine trees, which grew in Northern Europe - from southern regions of the present-day Scandinavia and nearby regions of the bed of the Baltic Sea.

The climate became warmer and conifer trees started to exude big amounts of resin. Scientists say that amber (or succinite) is a fossil pine resin from this region that has achieved a stable state through oxidation. Our amber comes from the Palvininkai deposit in the Yantamy, Kaliningrad Province of Russia.

The Palvininkai deposit contains 90% of the world's amber. Even now 500-700 tons of this mineral per year are excavated in an open mine using modern mining equipment. Over 90% percent of all extracted amber is of poorer quality and can be used only as an ingredient in other products.

Amber is beautiful

Amber is a beautiful! A true gift from mother nature. It comes in many different colors - yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, blue and almost black. It may be transparent or clouded. Transparent tones range from pale to dark yellow, to yellow light brown. Cloudy amber comes in a wide range of colors. Amber is fossilized resin of ancient trees that grew in amber forests. Through various physical and chemical changes the resin becomes Amber. Amber is unique because it is able to preserve the organic tissues in it. It is very common to find pieces of plants and insects, trapped in amber making it extremely valuable to both collectors and the scientists. A beautiful and fascinating gem! Amber is found in various parts of the world.

The largest amber deposits are off the shores of the Baltic Sea. Baltic Amber is the most sought after and valuable for making amber jewelry. Baltic Amber has been used for decorative items since prehistoric times. A Baltic amber amulet has even been found in Egyptian tombs . Amber was also very popular in ancient Rome during the reign of Neron when: jewelry, ornaments, amulets, and even dice were made from amber. During the Middle Ages, amber prayer beads were exported. From the 16th century into the 18th century item made from amber included jewelry, dishes, buttons, pipe mouth pieces, chess sets and a host of other fine products. The majority of Baltic amber comes from a 400-square-mile area - the Samland Peninsula, now known as the Kaliningrad region. The Kaliningrad amber mine supplies 99% of the Baltic amber. Up until the 19th century amber was retrieved manually from the sea.

During the latter part of the 19th century operations became much more sophisticated as they began dredging and mining for amber. Since then millions of pounds of Baltic amber have been mined.. A small town in the Kaliningrad region has the world's largest amber mine. Amber has a special beauty in its ability for each piece to be truly original in nature and content. The downfall to amber is like anything organic it does not last forever. Baltic amber is known to have the longest life expectancy.

Taking proper care of your amber will result in enjoyment for many years, sometimes thousands of years as seen with the recovery of jewels from the past. Some important tips for caring for your amber: ' Never store amber where it may rub against hard surfaces such as metal or other jewelry. ' Do not expose amber to harsh chemicals such as soap, jewelry cleaners, perfumes, hair products.  Do not expose amber to direct sunshine or heat.  To clean your amber wash in lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to wash and dry.

To restore the shine polish with pure olive oil. Where amber with pride, add it to your jewelry wardrobe and be sure to make your fashion statement!

About the Author

Copyright Sher Matsen,

Scrimshaw Gifts for Men and Women

by Elly Kendall

American scrimshaw dates back to at least 100-200 AD in North America, practiced for centuries by native groups along the Northwest Coast. Not wanting to simply discard the teeth and bones of animals hunted for food, native cultures invented a new style of art that would later be known as Scrimshaw, one of only a few indigenous American crafts.

While other cultures around the world, such as the Orient artists, certainly worked in ivory and bone, the style of North American cultures and that of the Yankee sailors who followed were uniquely their own, making scrimshaw a traditionally American art form. It was adopted by the Yankee whale men of the early 1800's. Two- to five-year voyages quickly became monotonous, so the whale men turned to working with baleen, whale teeth, and jawbones, all of which were in abundant supply. In fact, on many ships, whale teeth were part of the pay and were often traded in port for goods or services. The origin of the word is obscure; one interesting etymology is a Dutch phrase meaning "to waste one's time!" The term "scrimshaw" also applies to carved or pierced bone or ivory, since much of the whale men's work was carved rather than etched.

Scrimshaw art is a slow and tedious process where one mistake can ruin an entire piece. Creating ivory sculpture or carving is equally unforgiving work. Scrimshaw is not an art form for the impatient. Each piece can take from 30 to over 900 hours to complete. Scrimshaw is usually defined as carving or embellishment of ivory or bone. Today's definition would more likely be thought of as the intricate incising of ivory to produce images of unbelievable detail. Incising and engraving could both describe the scrimshaw method. Extremely sharp scribes scratch the surface of the ivory, and then paint or ink is rubbed into the incisions. Stippling is a technique of employing thousands of tiny holes that are then carefully filled with pigment to reveal a beautiful work of art and to create the fine shading.

Today, Scrimshaw is still practiced by master scrimshanders (the scrimshaw artist) and their work is highly sought after and collected. Perhaps the most noted collector was President John F. Kennedy, who even displayed many of his most cherished pieces of ivory scrimshaw in the Oval Office of the White House. The greatest masters of the craft to have ever picked up a scribe are working today.

No animals are harmed as the result of work by responsible scrimshanders. Most srimshaw is done on shed antler, bone, horn, legal elephant, antique piano keys and fossil ivories. The fossil ivory is from the ice age giant, the Wooly Mammoth, or ancient fossil mastodon or walrus tusk, making it ecologically ideal for the traditional 14th wedding anniversary gift of ivory. Horn scrimshaw is most often seen on black powder hunting horns. The rare and beautiful woods used by the artist are primarily black Ebony from harvest farms near Makassar on the island of Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia, and equally magnificent Ironwoods from the African continent.

Scrimshaw combines the allure of history, fine art, and heritage making it not only a potentially valuable investment but an investment in our heritage. It links us with cave art to modern pieces and with extinct creatures. Maybe the value scrimshaw collectors see far surpasses the dollar.

Elly Kendall writes articles for Log Cabin Fever Gifts & Decor

woolly mamooth

Five years later, the reports on that Iraqi war front are much brighter every day now. How could any of us have doubted the outcome or the future? How could a small war on the other side of the world possibly bankrupt or destroy "the most powerful nation on earth"?

So, the message of the fable was something about why Woolly Mammoths were obsolete or extinct, the superpowers of their day. They were metaphorically geared for a nineteenth or twentieth century style of imperialism and or survival. They were no match for a sleeker version of the same species. Time and history march on.

Woolly Mammoth - (a fable of sorts)

Woolly Mammoth went trudging his way along the path near the river. The heat was unbearable. The noonday sun would soon spike high above. He was looking for just the right spot in the river, not too shallow, not too deep to first cool his toes and then spray himself with the help of his truck. Time to cool off, shake the old neck and perhaps get a snack.

Woolly was off on his own today, away from the herd. A female was giving birth in the distance. Female's work to give encouragement and a few nudges for a calf to be born. Oh the burden of being a big bull. The Big Bull. King of the woolly mammoths.

A young male cousin was tagging along nearby. Big Bull raised his truck and trumpeted his displeasure. Leave me alone. I am Big Bull. Go off and play. Or watch big sister give birth to little brother.

Just then a sweet smell of broken grasses reached big bull's nose. Smells like sweet mammoth grass. Someone is eating it. A snack first, then the river. Along the path he continued until he came to what looked like an island in the middle of the river. Tall sweet grass, still wet with morning dew lay under the shade of a mighty tree. I don't remember this spot. Perhaps my father, Old Bull, had once shown me this spot. Old Bull knew all the good places to find the good treats. One does not always have to share with the herd. The herd would always be along. They will follow the scent of Big Bull and sweet grass on a riverbank.

Unique Jewerly

There are many options available on the market right now that may be absolutely, as well as practically, perfect for your currently less than stellar jewelry storage situation. One of these methods (which is my personal favorite, by the way) is to store your jewelry in an elegant piece of furniture, the armoire.
If you have ever lost an expensive piece of jewelry (whether you ever fond it again or whether you did not) you know the panic of misplacing something especially precious, or at least extremely costly, to you. However, when there is a designated place created especially to help you to really keep track of and provide storage for your most precious jewels, jewelry and other accessories, it can be an incredible relief.
Did you leave it in your luggage? Was it stolen? Did you misplace it somehow? It is a really bad feeling when this happens, no matter who you are. This is because even if your jewelry is insured, replacement guidelines are tricky and sometimes you can never exactly replace the piece of jewelry that has vanished.
So the choice, if you make the decision to purchase a jewelry armoire – the only real question now is what type of armoire will best suit your needs – and of course, the interior home design you prefer. Most armoires designed especially for jewelry storage are designed to be a piece of your bedroom furniture.
You can find a great armoire though many furniture suppliers, as well as in many different styles, sizes, and all with a particular allure. There are, most importantly, jewelry armoires with a wide variety of storage spaces especially for the jewelry, accessories and / or heirlooms that you have. You can even have an armoire custom designed for your jewelry and to coordinate with the design of your bedroom and / or bathroom too enhance the overall look you want in your room.

woolly mammoth

Five years later, the reports on that Iraqi war front are much brighter every day now. How could any of us have doubted the outcome or the future? How could a small war on the other side of the world possibly bankrupt or destroy "the most powerful nation on earth"?

So, the message of the fable was something about why Woolly Mammoths were obsolete or extinct, the superpowers of their day. They were metaphorically geared for a nineteenth or twentieth century style of imperialism and or survival. They were no match for a sleeker version of the same species. Time and history march on.

Woolly Mammoth - (a fable of sorts)

Woolly Mammoth went trudging his way along the path near the river. The heat was unbearable. The noonday sun would soon spike high above. He was looking for just the right spot in the river, not too shallow, not too deep to first cool his toes and then spray himself with the help of his truck. Time to cool off, shake the old neck and perhaps get a snack.

Woolly was off on his own today, away from the herd. A female was giving birth in the distance. Female's work to give encouragement and a few nudges for a calf to be born. Oh the burden of being a big bull. The Big Bull. King of the woolly mammoths.

A young male cousin was tagging along nearby. Big Bull raised his truck and trumpeted his displeasure. Leave me alone. I am Big Bull. Go off and play. Or watch big sister give birth to little brother.

Just then a sweet smell of broken grasses reached big bull's nose. Smells like sweet mammoth grass. Someone is eating it. A snack first, then the river. Along the path he continued until he came to what looked like an island in the middle of the river. Tall sweet grass, still wet with morning dew lay under the shade of a mighty tree. I don't remember this spot. Perhaps my father, Old Bull, had once shown me this spot. Old Bull knew all the good places to find the good treats. One does not always have to share with the herd. The herd would always be along. They will follow the scent of Big Bull and sweet grass on a riverbank.

Scrimshaw Fid

This is a fairly simple antique scrimshaw whalebone fid, showing minor wear. A nice example of a utilitarian scrimshaw tool, it is from a Nantucket home. 11 1/2 in. long and about 1 3/8 in. maximum diameter.

Scrimshaw Treasures

Scrimshaw is a traditional American art form that is etchings or carvings on bone, tusks, or animal teeth. Elephant tusks, whale teeth, and even the preserved tusks of woolly mammoths are the most common materials used for Scrimshaw.
Scrimshaw started as a seaman's art and the first etchings were done on whale teeth, which were readily available to sailors. They became very beautiful and valuable items and were often used to barter and as currency. In modern times Scrimshaw has expanded to other materials such as bone, antlers, tusks, and ivory.
Pieces colored with ink are especially susceptible to damage and all Scrimshaw art should be handled carefully to avoid damaging it. Scrimshaw should be displayed in a dry place, away from moisture and out of direct sunlight. Moisture and sunlight can cause the ink to fade and can cause pieces made of ivory crack and discolor.

Cleaning Scrimshaw is a simple process, and should only be done if it is absolutely necessary. The best way to clean a Scrimshaw piece is to use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the surface clean. You should not apply much pressure as it can damage the etching or ink. Abrasive cleansers or cleaning materials should never be used to clean Scrimshaw. Ivory Scrimshaw can benefit from light waxing to help preserve it and prevent damage caused by aging. Natural beeswax is the best type of wax to use to preserve ivory and will prevent drying and slow down the ivory's natural aging process. Only a light coat of wax should be applied with a very soft cloth after each cleaning.

4 Unique Christmas Gifts For The Socially Aware Person

4 Unique Christmas Gifts For The Socially Aware Person
By Peter Crump

Christmas is coming, and we're all looking for cool Christmas gifts for our loved ones. Christmas is a special time of year, and the giving and receiving of Christmas gifts is a large part of that.

In fact the giving of socially aware Christmas gifts is itself becoming a pretty cool activity, and many people are actively looking for ways they can source Christmas gifts in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

I have therefore, scoured the web for cool Christmas gifts for the socially and environmentally aware person. Christmas gifts that can be given to someone who cares about the impact of our Christmas activities on others, and the environment.

Here's 3 suggestions for cool Christmas gifts for the socially aware person. There's lots more, check out my website.

1. Give a hand carved bone necklace. Made in Kenya, bone carving is a tradition going back centuries. It is a skill passed from family member to family member, and the result is a lovely piece of jewelry for both men and women.

Yes I did say men. These bone carved necklaces are quite masculine and would make a fine gift for a man. I would happily wear one.

2. A gourd birdhouse. Carved from gourds in Peru, these are birdhouses with a difference. Delightfully carved, some with village scenes, they are to hang around the garden to offer a home to some of our feathered friends.

Give a gift that not only helps the people of Peru who do the carving, but which enriches our lives with birdsong in our garden.

3. A hand made Dominoes game. Colorful, hand carved and sourced from Thailand, these are wonderful Dominoe sets for the enthusiast. Very cheap for a hand made product. Perfect to put on the coffee table to stimulate conversation as well as play.

4. A chocolate gift basket with a difference. Filled with organic chocolates, both milk and dark, that you would nver have heard of before. From unusual places, and some unusual products. Organic Java drops for example, or organic cocoa.

Trends in Scrimshaw

Alaska is famous for its trade in Mammoth Ivory trade along with the whale and walrus tusks. From scrimshaws to small and large carved tusks, artists want everything that they can lay their hands on. Wooly Mammoths fossils can be found on private estates which are available for sale as it is legal all over the world.Most of the mammoths died in the cold regions of the tundra which encompasses arctic, Alaska and Siberia. Jewelry, curios, beads, souvenirs and decorative items are quite a favorite with people all around the world.
There are many artists who engrave ivory as a means of hobby and earn a livelihood through it. Scrimshaw artists, bead makers, fossil collectors, sculptors are always willing to buy different shapes and sizes of tusks and tooth.
Huge tusks weighing more than 60 kg are known to be much in demand by both the customers and the artists. Exorbitantly priced tusks are bought by private collectors and museums. However, Alaska has the biggest cache of mammoth ivory fossils in USA. Shifting rivers, melted snow, digging on private estate and eroding coats bring up the fossils that generally look like driftwood.

Do You Know Which Ivory is Legal?

Do You Know Which Ivory is Legal?
By Anita Satin Choudhary

Mammoth ivory is an exquisitely beautiful material medium reaching far back into our artistically creative humanistic past, and still touches us today due to the well preserved mammoths being excavated throughout Alaska and Siberia, and the traditional ivory carving artists. Most all of these highly talented artists have been uniquely trained by highly skilled and experienced senior artists.

From the largest to the very smallest, there is no wastage of the salvaged ivory. Even the smallest of pieces can be used for decoration purposes of knife handles, jewelry, various types of artworks, and each slightly larger size discovered may be made into Netsuke designs, piano keys, scrimshaws, gun handles and so forth. For the larger ivory findings, those pieces will be individually sold just as all the other variations of tusks. It is in the larger pieces discovered, and that then they will be carved into very thin sheets for the sales to those with the artistic talents of water color painting sheets.

Whale ivory is another popular ivory used for many kinds of carvings and especially in maritime scrimshaw carvings. Whale tooth carving has also been one of the original materials for traditional and contemporary Japanese Netsuke, due to its beauty and hardness. Just as mammoth ivory, whale ivory is one of the most perfect materials to carve small and elegantly detailed items out off you are the proud owner of any type of ivory, whether it is whale, mammoth, or elephant, proper care is very important for this delicate material. If a piece becomes slightly yellowed from darkness, wipe it down with a soft cloth that has been dipped in water diluted lemon juice.

If the ivory is combined with any kind of metal, do not get the metal wet with the lemon juice in any way. If your ivory is damaged by dark patches, take it to a professional who is knowledgeable in the proper polishing methods in a delicate material like ivory.

Scrimshaw

Nantucket: Coastal Charm and Beautiful Beaches
By Jennifer Weiss

It is impossible to overstate the beauty of the pristine and stunning beaches that line the shore of this quaint little island. The sparkling stretches of sand along the north shore, including Children’s Beach, Dionis Beach, and Jetties Beach, are the perfect place for family-oriented excursion since they are protected by Nantucket Sound and generally have few waves. Swimming, shelling, and sunbathing are all available near the water in addition to sandcastle building competitions and Fourth of July fireworks at Jetties Beach and a playground at Children’s Beach.

In contrast to the relative calm of the north, the rest of Nantucket’s shoreline is susceptible to pounding surf and strong currents. The south and eastern shores, which feature Miacomet Beach, Cisco Beach, Surfside Beach, and Siasconset Beach, are particularly dangerous since the Atlantic’s waves flood into this area. Depending on the conditions, swimming is sometimes possible, but wading is usually a better bet along with surfing at Cisco Beach. On the western shore, Madaket Beach has very heavy surf along its lengthy banks and is the best place on the island to soak up a vibrant and breathtaking sunset.

With its rich history as the whaling capital of the world during the 1800s, a stop by the Whaling Museum is always in order during your stay on Nantucket. The awe-inspiring 43-foot skeleton of a finback whale is sure to delight children, while adults can certainly appreciate the paintings, portraits, and collection of scrimshaw in addition to the daily lectures, chock-full of colorful history, on the whaling industry. If the history of the island appeals to your senses, or you simply need to fill a rainy day, the Nantucket Life Saving Museum, with its stories of heroism, is always inspirational, and the Egan Maritime Foundation Museum offers interesting insight into the traditions, architecture, and history of Nantucket.

The Art Of Finding Mammoth Ivory Tusks

Alaska and Siberia are the two main locations for excavating the extinct woolly mammoth and tusks of ivory. Siberia, just as Alaska, carries the on going struggle that is getting deeper between the archaeologists and those excavating specifically for the exquisite natural material of mammoth ivory tusks. With mammoth now being the chosen ivory for creating some of the most beautiful ivory art throughout time, it is also one of the only legal ivory allowed because of elephants being banned, the importance of this ivory is at its height.

Even with the importance of archeology and the laws enforced to protect Alaska's only way to detail the land and human history, there are still those who do not care. Some interstate commerce traders are not stopping and illegally mining public sites for old walrus ivory and whale bone. The mammoth, walrus and whale are to serve as raw material for making ivory jewelry, scrimshaw, and carvings.

Despite what many people may think, elephant and mammoth ivory are both actually very fragile materials. Although both elephant and mammoth tusks are hard to the touch, they are also both made up of concentrated growth rings. It is when the tusks begin to grow and age, that there will be shrinkage. While at the same time, the ivory rings will then separate causing it to be slightly more fragile with the aging process. It is because of this, that the tusks of mammoth can be difficult to find as completely perfect whole tusks during initial preservation. This is one of the reasons as to why the excavation process can be slightly difficult and time consuming, so to not damage the 10,000 year old tusks of the mammoth.

Scrimshaw Collecting

Scrimshaw is an indigenous American craft. Many people collect these beautiful pieces of maritime artwork. Scrimshaw is etched or carved bone or whale teeth. It began as a way for sailors to literally whittle away the time during long sea voyages in the early part of the nineteenth century.
Scrimshaw is to this day a practiced art and is no longer confined to seamen, although most scrimshaw etchers will stick with maritime themes out of respect for the history of their craft. Collectors desire many of the original antique pieces, but are not averse to sprinkling their collection with more affordable modern pieces.
The recommended method of cleaning scrimshaw is to very gently wipe the surface with a cotton swab that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol. Very little pressure should be used, as too much pressure can damage the inks or even the etching itself. Never use any harsh cleaners on scrimshaw, such as shampoo, soap, detergents, jewelry cleaner, or bleach.
Do not scrub, as this will remove some ink from the fine lines. I use a light coat of warm beeswax rubbed into the ivory to preserve the scrimshaw and keep the ivory from drying and aging too fast. Waxing should be repeated when the ivory is cleaned, because the alcohol removes it. If you treat your scrimshaw with care, it will give you many years of pleasure and may become a treasured heirloom.

What is Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw -- Painstaking etching on ivory or bone -- is one of only a few indigenous American crafts. Many people collect these beautiful pieces of maritime artwork. Scrimshaw is etched or carved bone or whale teeth. It began as a way for sailors to literally whittle away the time during long sea voyages in the early part of the nineteenth century.

Scrimshaw is very detailed work, in most cases. It is carefully etched into the media and usually has a maritime them, reflecting its origins. Many fine pieces are of whaling scenes, whales, women, ships, or seascapes. The finished etching is then sometimes colored with quality inks to accentuate the etching.
Treat your scrimshawed ivory as you would any fine jewelry. Do not get it wet unnecessarily, because the inks, especially colors, may fade. Keep your scrimshaw out of bright sun; this dries and cracks the ivory and may fade certain colored inks. Detergents, shampoo, heavily chlorinated water, and jewelry cleaning solutions should be avoided, as they turn the ivory surface dull and remove the etched lines.
Care and cleaning of scrimshaw is important to collectors, as it is easy to damage it, especially some of the finer pieces with inks, especially colored inks. One of the primary care taking rules is to keep scrimshaw dry and out of direct sunlight. Both moisture and sun can fade the inks and dyes, and direct sunlight can cause ivory or bone to develop cracks.

If scrimshaw is properly cared for, it can last several lifetimes and can provide not only you, but also your heirs, with beautiful artwork with rich history that can be both fun and profitable to collect.