Posted in art supplies on 08/04/2010 03:59 pm by admin
Glass Copper
Ever wonder why your friend's fish tank is cleaner than yours? Or how come you have to clean twice as much as him when you both use the same products and have the same kind of fish? It's probably because he is using some type of water filter but not just any kind - it's most likely a reverse osmosis (ro) system. A reverse osmosis system will remove a very good majority of impurities out of the water. Impurities like phosphates, nitrates, and heavy metals exist in most water sources even in bottled water.
Many tap water sources contains phosphates and nitrates which is the main food source for algae. When there is an abundance of these elements, algae will tend to grow very rapidly and stick to your glass making you spend your valuable time on cleaning the glass. Copper is another notorious element found in tap water which comes from the copper plumbing. Copper is can be very toxic to invertebrates and should be removed quickly to prevent any illnesses or unfortunate deaths within your aquarium. The best way to combat these impurities is by using a reverse osmosis system coupled with a mixed bed deionization (DI) filter. A reverse osmosis filter alone will remove about 95-98% of the impurities and the mixed bed DI filter will catch anything that is left behind. Together both will remove about 99.9% of impurities.
Another related problem to untreated water is the effects of pH conditioners. With untreated water, pH conditioners tend to be less effective due to the amount of impurities in the water. Reverse osmosis (ro) water coupled with mixed bed DI filtration will typically have nero zero TDS (total dissolved solids) in the water making it much easier for you to pH balance. With RO/DI water, you will be able to use less pH conditioners and minerals for pH balancing than with untreated water.
It requires very little maintenance and will help with saving time and costs. When the filters for the filtration system is serviced regularly, the costs in the long run outweigh any short term immediate bandage. Almost any standard reverse osmosis system on the market can be turned into an aquarium ready system simply by adding a mixed bed di filter. So join your friend and try using a reverse osmosis system with a DI filter. You will be surprised at the quality of water that you get.
Where do I find copper door guards for an apartment building in Chicago?
They look like pipes that go over the front glass entry door to avoid finger prints. It is usually 3-4 strips of copper placed horizontally across the glass door. They were prominent on buildings built in the 40's when it was not unusual to see stain glass windows and doors.
Ahh, try Menards? I've found alot of neat items there. Alternately, you might visit a window/glass specialty shop, I think there is one in Gurnee, but I cannot quite remember the name....
Copper Foiling Tools for Stained Glass : Using a Soldering Iron Stand
Posted in art supplies on 08/03/2010 04:28 pm by admin
Glass Hearts
Murano Glass Heart Necklace – A Great Gift on Any Occasion
Situated on the eastern coast of Italy, Venice is among the world’s most vibrant tourist destinations. This multicultural city is worldwide famous for a number of things, such as its canals and gondolas, its spectacular architecture and, of course, its glass work. Right in the heart of Venice is the small island of Murano, where artisans have been skillfully crafting the amazing Murano glass for over seven hundred years now.
A perfect combination of traditional lines and contemporary colors and styles, Murano glass is worldwide famous and various objects decorate millions of homes around the world, just as Murano glass jewelry and accessories are worn by millions of women around the globe.
Jewelry has always been a must-have for most women. However, not all women can make friends with diamonds, as we would like. Nevertheless, Murano glass jewelry can make for a very good substitute for precious gems. It is stylish, elegant, beautiful and classy. No other piece of jewelry is as vibrantly colored, and you have a very wide range of styles and colors to choose from. You can have a piece of Murano glass jewelry to go with each of your outfits for different occasions.
The variety of colors, styles and shapes makes each piece of Murano glass jewelry special and unique. In addition to being one of kind, a Murano glass heart necklace, for instance, will be the perfect accessory to any outfit, irrespective of the occasion you are wearing it to.
Furthermore, a Murano glass heart pendant (and any piece of Murano glass jewelry for that matter) can be a great gift to someone you love. There are always occasion to give a unique and meaningful gift to someone special. More often than not, choosing the perfect gift can be a difficult task. Given their beauty and uniqueness, Murano glass jewelry and decorations will always make for a great gift. You can never go wrong with a Murano glass heart for your girlfriend, your mother, your sister, or any other special woman in your life.
When it comes to choosing an exquisite piece of jewelry to wear to a special occasion, a Murano glass heart necklace is one of the best options. It is not nearly as expensive as gold or precious stones, but it is equally elegant and beautiful. And with the many models and colors to choose from, you will certainly be one of a kind. And the good news is you don’t even have to go to Italy to purchase and authentic Murano glass heart pendant or any other piece of jewelry made of this beautiful glass. There are many online shops that sell Murano glass jewelry and objects of décor. Your only concern should be to find the genuine ones, because there are also many cheap replicas out there.
All in all, Murano glass jewelry is the best choice whenever you want to be stylish or give a meaningful gift to someone dear. With so many unique pieces of jewelry to choose from, you will certainly be able to find the best gift.
Does milk one hot glass before bed every-night good for heart?
i drink hot milk every night before bed to relax my body, i wonder if it helps my heart as well,i have been doing that for more than 6 months,is it good?what are other benefits?
ask a doctor. but look at it this way.. it cant hurt!
Posted in art supplies on 08/03/2010 04:57 am by admin
Jewelry Necklace
The Beauty of Pearl Jewelry Necklace
Pearl jewelry necklace is perhaps one of the most sophisticated pieces that you can buy or wear. For this reason, many women choose to wear pearls on special occasions such as proms, weddings, and anniversaries. Pearls look great with just about anything, and with so many different colors and styles available today, women of all ages can enjoy pearl jewelry. A pearl necklace can be purchased online through one of many jewelry dealers, or it can be purchased through a local retailer or wholesaler.
A pearl jewelry necklace is a great addition to a wedding gown because many women choose to wear a white gown. Even colored pearls look good with a wedding gown because they are not overly colorful and they don’t take away from the beauty of the gown or the beauty of a woman. Because pearls come in a variety of sizes any woman can find a pearl jewelry necklace that will flatter her on her big day and a necklace would not only look great, but other pieces such as earrings and bracelets can be purchased as well to complete the whole look. Other options are handcrafted beaded jewelry and crystal jewelry.
If you would like a pearl jewelry necklace that will deliver the beauty and simplicity of the pearl with a bit more pop, you might want to consider mixing pearls with other jewels. If you browse around jewelry stores online or in your local area you will find that pearls and diamonds look absolutely beautiful together. The diamonds don’t have to be huge, so it doesn’t have to increase the cost of the pearl necklace, but it can bring something extra to the piece. Look for different diamond cuts as well as diamond sizes to see which combinations appeal to you the most.
If you are a fan of fashion jewelry and you are not finding a pearl jewelry necklace that suits your style, maybe you want to put together your own necklace. Fashion jewelry is actually quite simple to put together and you can teach the techniques to yourself or you can take a couple classes to learn how to create your own pearl necklace. When you buy the pearls themselves it will cost a bit, but it will cost less than if you purchased the pearl jewelry necklace already put together, and you just might like the process more because you get exactly what you want!
About the Author
Learn more about pearl necklaces and beaded necklaces from VLjewelry which specializes in providing accurate jewelry information and poducts.
I used jewelry polish on my pearl necklace and it left the pearls looking dull. How can I make them shiny?
I know that you aren't supposed to use chemicals on pearls now...unfortunatly I learned the hard way...Please help!!!
I dont think that jewelry polish would help...thats what messed them up in the 1st place.
You need to be REALLY careful when cleaning pearls because they are very delicate.
•Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
•Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
•Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
•Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).
•Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
•Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
•Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.
Posted in art supplies on 07/17/2010 08:35 pm by admin
Lapidary Glass
Wonderful, Magickal, Mustika-pearls Part 2
Some of the characteristics and virtues of mustika-pearls are intensely curious and interesting. Below we present just a few of these :
The pearl from the dugong (called "Ikan-duyung" in Indonesian) for instance, floats in salt water, but sinks in fresh water; this and the crystallized pearl from its tear are good for love-spells. The otter-pearl attracts lots of fishes during fishing trips; the fossilized egg of a crocodile increases one's sexual prowess; the dew-pearl beautifies one's aura--the smaller sizes of these pearls when moisten with one's finger, coheres to it as it is dragged across a smooth surface; the golden carp and bamboo (symbols of wealth, business advantage, and longevity in Chinese lore) -pearls attracts lots of luck and increases prosperity; the centipede pearl helps one to choose the right numbers during gambling; the owl-pearl helps to improve one's psychic senses; the Galih Kelor seed-pearl wards-off negative energies in the form of black magick and psychic attack; the boar-pearl makes one invulnerable to sharp weapons. Almost all of the pearls have unusual powers and virtues. If one finds an object embedded in a pearl it usually has extra virtues. Generally speaking, the higher nature, power, abilities, virtues of animals/plants are to be found in the pearls. Mustika-pearls, unlike ordinary gem stones and crystals, possesses the combined spiritual blueprints, matrixes and forces of the spirit-animal-mineral or the spirit-plant-mineral kingdoms.
Most mustika-pearl enthusiasts are amazed at the size and diversity of the pearls. Take for instance the centipede pearl, these sometimes measures 1 cm or more in diameter. The size itself could cause some skeptism as we normally think of centipedes as small creatures; yet, in the jungles of Sumatra they may grow to be as long as a meter in length! The quality and type of centipede pearls differ depending on which region they come from. A centipede may also produce four sorts of pearls--one on its head, this is called the "crown." Another may be found in its stomach; smaller types are to be found among its whiskers, and the most valuable and scarce of them all, the pearl to be found in its mouth--this one is said to glow in the dark and gives one the power of etheric vision.
Most mustika-pearls are of a crystalline nature, and are closely related to the etheric world, perhaps much more than any of the common substances that we normally come across in our daily lives. Each pearl carries the vibrational essence of the Spirit Intelligence in charge of the evolution of the consciousness and form of the animal/plant species allocated to it. Unlike consuming animal meat and substances, close and regular contact with animal and plant pearls have a healing effect upon our body and psyche and raises our energy-frequency, aiding us to transit into a higher consciousness-level, awakening our spiritual senses. Most owners of magickal pearls only look to their physical effect--the true value of a mustika lies in what it can do for one's spiritual evolution.
In alchemy, the practitioner would seek ways to transmute base metals into gold and to acquire the philosopher's stone, and the stone of various substances. Nature, the great alchemist, produces animal and plant stones in her laboratory under the appropriate conditions known at present only to Her; we are blessed that these stones are available for healing some of the psychological and physical ills that we constantly suffer.
Mustikas are Nature's products and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes as alluded to before. Mustikas of the same animal or plant-life may differ in form, color, size, etc. The shape is sometimes given by the lapidary, though normally the original outline is closely followed in the tumbling and polishing process. The point is that the genuineness of a mustika cannot be judged by its appearance alone--but by occult detection. Nevertheless, mustikas do possess high vibrational qualities that most low-caliber psychics toxicated with egoic-debris are unable to detect. Not sensing these they may pronounce a magickal pearl to be a fake.
Mustikas in their original state have a rough texture and requires tumbling and polishing to bring out their true beauty. Lapidaries are often surprised with these mustikas. One fellow commented the strangeness of these pearls--normally, tumbling and polishing ten ordinary stones gives him no aching problem. But just polishing one of these mustikas makes his arm ache all over--and yet, they are probably no harder than the average agate stone--some are even brittle. Not knowing the origin of these pearls, he then suggested that they must be enchanted. Indeed! A further shock was when he discovered that one of them changed color when it was immersed in water. This is quite interesting as most magickal pearls do have unusual physical characteristics.
Choosing a mustika for one's personal use may require careful thought. It should be noted that the consciousness of God pervades all of Nature, and in each creature we have the dynamic Divine Intelligence expressing in a certain way with certain virtues. Thus, the spiritual attribute that we wish to develop may be a factor in one's choice of an animal or a plant mustika-pearl. Studying Nature--animal psychology, behavioral-patterns and instincts or the Doctrine of Signatures of the plant kingdom and the symbolism of both would be a rewarding venture for those intending to acquire mustika-pearls for personal use.
If one has no actual purpose in mind or preference, one should choose a pearl that coincides closely with one's Totem-animal or the animal that harmonizes well with one's Chinese zodiacal sign.
One's Totem-animal may be known by careful introspection; by sensing a special affinity with an animal or feeling the animal that one resonates well with. Totem animals may also be known through constant dreams of the animal; through meditation/intuition; by one's childhood obsession or longing for the animal as a pet; of the psychological identification with the animal itself or by the animal that one is most attracted to or fears most; by constant pictorial or concrete imagery forms of the animal arising in some manner, etc. If one often dream of tigers, and as a child found joy in fantasizing about the animal, this may indicate that the creature is one's Totem-animal. Sometimes the knowledge of one's Power or Totem animal is acquired during a crisis--during a physical encounter with the animal, for instance; or during unusual circumstances the knowledge is brought to the awareness. Knowledge of one's Totem animal may be acquired through a "VisionQuest." In Native American-Indian society this VisionQuest is mandatory as part of the rite of passage presented to the young. This quest entails fasting and seclusion in nakedness in a sweatlodge where a vision of a Totem-animal is unexpectedly presented by the Great Spirit to the consciousness of the child undergoing it. Tokens of the animal may be discovered subsequent to the vision in the surrounding area. This quest may be undergone by anyone willing to acquire the vision after due preparation.
The Totem animals are the projection of the elements of one's inner consciousness representing the area or quality in one's spirituality that requires balancing, harmonizing, or developing. Carrying a mustika-pearl of the animal in question serves as an aid in attuning with the Spirit-Guardian/Intelligences of the animal and helping us to administer to our soul-need and harmonize the imbalances in the psyche. It also helps to transfer the great wisdom or skill that each animal possess to our inner being.
Choosing a mustika-pearl based on one's Chinese sign is also a good method for determining what pearl would be best for one. Naturally this method and the one above does not apply to plant-pearls. These latter can be worn by anyone with great benefit.
The Chinese Zodiacal signs are grouped into four :
Chinese Zodiacal Animals
Pig Rabbit Goat
Rat Monkey Dragon
Cow Chicken Snake
Tiger Dog Horse
If you happen to be a Goat, one suitable pearl would be the Pig (Wild Boar) or Rabbit. If you are a Rat, the pearl that would best complement you is the Monkey-pearl or the Dragon- (dragon-snake) pearl. Substitutes may be used if a pearl from the exact creature is unavailable. For instance, the pig-pearl may be substituted by the wild-boar pearl; the ape or gorilla for the monkey; the dragon-snake for the dragon; the wild-dog or wolf for the dog.
One might also choose a mustika-pearl on the basis of its color as related to a chakra. A pearl with the associated color of a chakra vibrationally enhances the chakra and its psychological expression while aiding in removing any pathological elements related to it.
Another possible alternative of choosing a magickal pearl is the element-color method. Whatever element one lacks in his astrological nature may be complemented with a mustika of the appropriate color. If a person has an abundance of water in his psychological make-up, he may choose a color other than blue, as blue represents water. Following are the colors and the elements as given by one system of correspondence :
Mustika pearls of plants and animals may be chosen for their value in occult workings and rites. Every mustika-pearl has its mystical virtues that may be tapped and appropriated for the purposes of the Magickal Operator. The occult practitioner would study the attributes of the animal or plant in order to know which is especially required for certain magickal operations.
If one has absolutely no idea what mustika-pearl would be best for one's general well-being, health, spiritual development, and prosperity, one could submit the question to a shaman who is attuned to the Intelligences of Nature. The shaman would choose that which is appropriate for one's present evolutionary development, keeping in mind the subject's well-being in both spiritual and mundane matters. It is also possible to acquire the necessary information from one's Higher Self, one's Inner Guide.
Once having obtained a mustika, one might wonder what can be done with it or how to harness the power that it possesses. Whatever virtues a mustika possesses would be transferred to us by simply carrying or wearing it for some time. The effects of the mustika may be perceived after several weeks or so depending on the virtue sought. Greater powers such as invulnerability against sharp weapons as that given by the wild boar pearl may take a greater period of constant proximity with the pearl before it may show some effects. The time factor may be quickened by following certain disciplines such as constant attunement-sessions with the elemental spirit/pearl and drinking/showering with the water or elixir of the pearl. These elixirs or enchanted water/oil carry no physical properties of the pearls, but they do carry the vibrational quality and essences of the spiritual aspect of the animals or plants from which they have been derived.
Steeping pearls in a glass of water for half an hour empowers the water with its energies. Steeping it for several hours under sun or moonlight would imbue the water with a greater amount of the pearl's vibratory energies and essences; abundant life-force of a plant/animal mustika-pearl are channeled into the water. The spiritual blue-print in the pearl containing information of the animal/plant are also infused into the water. This is a supplemental nutrient for the various psychic components within man. Whatever force is embued in the water by the steeping process is transferred to one's physical and subtle bodies impelling them to resonate at higher frequencies where diseases of mind, body, and soul are non-existent and cannot exist. The enchanted pearl-water has a deep impact upon the nervous and blood-system.
Generally, plant pearls affect more of the physical and etheric bodies while animal pearls the astral and spiritual side of man.
Drinking mustika-pearl water assists in one's reintegration with the Cosmic Intelligence; this cannot help but improve one's sense of oneness and harmony with all of Nature. This has a tremendous psychological import in one's approach to life, transmuting negativity into positivity. Mixing the pearl-waters of various mustikas is permissible. Once having studied the powers, virtues and healing properties of each pearl, a blend may be made of the waters to achieve a specific result. Constant attunements with the pearls helps to intuitively know their powers.
Mustika-pearl water should be made in a tranquil environment.When drunk, the water acts as a tonic effect to the body, healing physical ailments, psychological problems, balancing the chakral energies, and promoting spiritual awareness and growth. Pearl-elixirs using an alcohol-base may also be made. Nowadays, in the New-Age market, gem, crystal, and flower elixirs may be easily acquired. There is no company as yet, however, producing mustika elixirs. When properly made, these mustika-elixirs would possess more power and have a greater effect than the ordinary ones produced from gem stones and crystals.
That mustika-pearl water possesses healing virtues, many people including ourselves have personally determined to be true. It would be superfluous and unnecessary to relate case histories; one would have to experience this for oneself.
Aside from its consumption, mustika-pearl elixirs and water--and even oil--may also be anointed or massaged into the body. The pearl-fluid may be applied to the various points or chakral vortices along the main and secondary channels of the subtle body where the energy-flow is blocked . Its application helps to break up the psychic toxins embedded in the channels.
Pearl water, elixir or oil may also be placed in a room and left alone for its evaporation. The vibratory essence of the pearl would transmute negative energies in the surrounding area and harmonize the psychological condition of the people moving and living within its influential reach.
Some practitioners believe that the consumption of pearl-water is insufficient to tap the power of a pearl, that a password is required to command the indwelling spirit. There is some truth in this but the password is just a gimmick created by occult practitioners hoping to excite the interest of pearl-owners and increase their clientele. What is actually required is a simple psychic-attunement with the elemental spirit--by calling its name (if known), absorbing its energies by holding the pearl, and explaining to it the purpose of steeping the pearl in a glass of water. This communication with the pearl-intelligence may be formulated into an affirmation or decree--they should be specific so that the elemental-intelligence knows the healing or work that is to be conducted.
Mustika-pearls should be handled with great care as some of them are fragile. They should also be anointed often with aromatic oil such as sandalwood or "zafarron." When not in used they should be stored in a proper case with some flowers in it. Spirit elementals delight in the aroma of flower essences--the anointment and the placing of flowers are gestures of appreciation for their aid.
Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia. Magickal Items from Indonesia: talismans, mustika pearls, kerises, etc. Magickal Bezoar Mustika Pearls from Indonesia.
how do I safely operate and maintain an alcohol lamp?
This question is for the high school and college chemistry teachers. I now possess a faceted type glass alcohol lamp with metal cover attached by chain. The last time I used one of these was back in freshman chemistry in college. Right now I intend to be using one of these lamps for lapidary (cabbing) procedures involving dopping wax. As an engineer I have by now developed a healthy regard toward the use of potentially dangerous equipment and I now need an experienced teacher to tell me once again what I should have learned the first time but did not. The question I have is this: what are the major do's and don't toward the safe operation, maintenance, and storage of an alcohol lamp?
Alcohol burners or alcohol lamps are notoriously dangerous. The best way to keep it around is with NO alcohol in it. The major risk is the device tipping over and spreading flaming alcohol all over the place. North Carolina does not allow the use of alcohol burners in high schools.
My dad cut gemstones professionally (we still own the family rock and gem shop business), and he would use a portable propane torch* to melt wax. Yes, it gets hotter, but you have more control over the flame, and there is less danger overall.
*like this one from Lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_148755-13877-309272_0_?productId=3130885&Ntt=plumbing%20torch&Ntk=i_products&pl=1¤tURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=plumbing%20torch$y=0$x=0
US $16.90
