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The invention of jet propulsion was ideal for fighter aircraft. Although at first it reduced range and endurance and often increased the take-off run. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor twin jets saw action in 1944, together with the tailless Me 163 rocket interceptor which sacrificed range and endurance for astounding climb and speed in defending local areas against heavy bombers.

Germany was far in front of other countries in another factor too: armament. A range of 30 mm (1 inch) cannon, radically new high-speed cannon with multiple-revolver chambers, very large recoilless guns, spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets fired in salvoes, and wire-guided air-to-air missiles were all under test before the Luftwaffe s defeat. They gradually inspired similar developments in other countries: one German gun, the Mauser MG 213, led to the American Pontiac M-39, the French DEFA, the Russian NR-30, the Swiss Oerlikon KCA, and the British Aden, all of which are still in use.

Many early jet fighters were fitted into more or less conventional airframes. The fighter often considered the ultimate achievement of the piston era, the long-range North American P-51 Mustang appeared both in a twinned double-fuselage form and, with few changes, as a US Navy jet.

But the US Air Force decided to wait a year until its makers could sweep back the wings and tail at 35 degrees, which German research had shown could lead to higher speed. The result was the F-86 Sabre, which in 1948 set a speed record at 1,080 km/h (671 mph) and outflew all other fighters. Later versions carried radar and rockets and reached 1,150 km/h (715 mph).

During the Korean War (1950-3) the F-86 met a previously unknown machine built in the Soviet Union, the somewhat lighter and simpler MiG-15, and although the MiG could climb higher and had heavy cannon, the Sabre’s skilled pilots and better equipment gave it the edge in combat.

North American’s next fighter was the F-100 Super Sabre, which exceeded the speed of sound in level flight. The MiG bureau built the twin jet MiG-19, which was even faster, and is still in wide use. The US Air Force ordered various all-weather interceptors with largely automatic radar and flight control systems so that, with guided missiles, they could intercept and destroy enemy aircraft without the pilot ever seeing them.

The British ordered a jet-fighter flying-boat, but discovered that this way of doing business without airfields yielded an inferior fighter. The Americans suffered similar problems with a ‘hydroski’ fighter, which could dive faster than sound, but took off and landed on retractable water skis.

Two even stranger fighters were designed around powerful turboprop engines and, standing on their tails, screwed themselves vertically into the air (they were intended to operate from the confined decks of warships or merchant vessels). Britain built high-altitude supersonic fighters with ‘mixed power’ from a turbojet and a rocket. In 1957 the British Minister of Defence suggested there would soon be no more manned fighters at all, only missiles. The Americans stuck to fighters, but made them very large and armed them with missiles, but no gun.

Today the wheel has turned full circle. In the past 10 to 20 years there has been a powerful trend to get back to the ‘eyeball-to-eyeball’ type of confrontation of the man in the Sopwith Camel. The pre-eminent Western fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, was rebuilt with an internal gun, a rapid-fire 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon with six barrels firing up to 6,000 rds/ min, and a slatted wing to pull tighter turns in combat.

New small fighters appeared, such as the General Dynamics F-16, which, although bigger and heavier than any single-engined fighters of World War II, are nevertheless small and light by comparison with such impressive machines as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and MiG-25 Foxbat, The RAF’s next interceptor, the ADV (Air-Defence Version) of the Panavia Tornado, is a careful midway compromise, smaller than the three monsters just listed, but with two engines, long range, powerful radar, and extremely effective Skyflash missiles.

Modern interceptors defend vast blocks of airspace up to 160 km (100 miles) in radius, with powerful radar able to look down at the surrounding land and water and spot low-flying intruders trying to slip through the defences unnoticed. Their task is eased by the presence of special surveillance, early-warning, and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, with enormous radars and sophisticated command and control systems to manage all a nation’s defences in the most efficient way.

There is no better feeling than being in the cockpit during your jet fighter flight. Jet fighter flights and jet fighter joy flights are the ultimate gift giving and receiving experience that will be remembered forever. Your jet fighter pilot experience is available in Melbourne, Cairns and Townsville. Visit flyingwarbirds.com.au for more details. For mini bus hire Brisbane, contact Group 1 Minibus.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or photorejuvenation therapy is a light based technology which treats several skin conditions in one treatment.

It works in the deeper layers of the skin where traditional skincare cannot reach, thus achieving a far superior result in a shorter time frame.

Skin concerns such as pigmentation, freckling, sun damage, capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea may be treated with photorejuvenation.

Pulses of light are applied to the skin either in single zone or more commonly over the whole area to provide a uniform result.

The treatments remove most types of sun induced pigmentation like freckling, age spots and sun damage. By lessening the darker pigmentation IPL leaves the skin with a more even tone.

Vascular skin concerns including capillaries, redness, acne scarring and rosacea are also targeted by the broad wavelengths of light.

As most people will have several skin concerns, this treatment has become popular as it can address them all. The IPL photorejuvenation also stimulates the production of collagen which will plump and smooth the texture of the skin, improving fine lines, wrinkles and pitted scarring.

The most common treatment areas are face, neck, décolletage/chest area and backs of hands.

There is little or no downtime involved with photorejuvenation. Most people will experience some redness and heat in the area which subsides in several hours after treatment.

The darker areas of pigment may form tiny ‘pigment crusts’ which lift off in a few days revealing the result underneath. As the skin is not broken or damaged it is fine to wear make-up, though exfoliation via mechanical scrubs and AHA/glycolics is to be avoided for a week after the IPL treatment.

IPL Photorejuvenation treatments can be utilised as a once off treatment, however a course of treatments will promote the best results.

A progressive result can be expected with a change usually noticed within a week after a session. It is of utmost importance to wear sunscreen in between and after treatments as most of the damage on skin is caused by UV exposure and to prolong the result from the IPL photorejuvenation this is essential.

For more information about IPL Brisbane or IPL photorejuvenation Brisbane, contact Image by Laser.

Your phone has been ringing all morning. You’re trying to get a report out and people have been constantly walking in and out of your office, it’s like a railway station! You’re exhausted - and it’s only 11.00am!

Spare a thought for your receptionist. This is what most receptionists face every day.

The role of the receptionist was once as simple as answering phones and attending to personal visitors. Now the definition of a receptionist is more accurately stated as someone who answers the phone, greets people in person, does 25 things at once, and is continually interrupted.

At any one time a receptionist might be on the phone, holding two calls, tending to a personal client and calling a cab, all while putting together the minutes from yesterday’s staff meeting.

The role of the receptionist is sometimes looked upon as a lowly position, by the public, co-workers, management and receptionists themselves. The attitude is - “It’s just reception, how difficult can it be?”

A survey conducted by Reception Plus found that 63% of receptionists do not feel valued or appreciated. They feel isolated and their efforts unappreciated in many cases.

How can you ensure that anyone calling or coming in to reception will feel comfortable and likely to conduct business with you? The answer is motivation, encouragement and appreciation of the person at your front desk.

Your marketing and sales personnel promote the advantages of using your services. If people making contact feel they’re treated poorly or even rudely, they may choose to seek out your competitors rather than repeat a disappointing experience. I know I would.

The majority of receptionists are proactive, efficient and welcoming. They care about their clients and it is obvious; they make people feel welcome and relaxed; they’re helpful, but not condescending; in control, but not over-bearing; friendly but not unprofessional.

If your receptionist is like this, let him or her know that you appreciate their approach and contribution to the smooth running of the organisation.

It may be by simply remembering to acknowledge them as you enter the office, returning their smile, using your manners, asking their opinion, even making them a coffee.

On the other hand, your receptionist may be showing signs of being a little challenged, finding it difficult to know how to respond to various people and situations, and to manage several things at once. Don’t leave them to struggle. Seek out options for training and encouragement.

Reception is very similar to customer service. The requirements are the same: a positive attitude, confidence, assertiveness, good communication, people and telephone skills, politeness, efficiency, willingness to help, ability to handle multiple tasks, and a sound knowledge of the company procedures and services. These attributes can all be learned by a willing participant.

Looking for a receptionist course? Receptionist training is one of the best investments you can make for your business. Reception Plus conducts professional receptionist seminars throughout Australia. Check their website for locations and dates.

Being paid, as you would understand is vitally important in your business because if you are not paid, what’s the point in business?

You will be astounded at the loads of business people who only have their customer base to pay them when and if they feel like it. I am acquainted with such a tradesman who persistently gets bad debts like charms. Why? Very possibly because he can’t bring himself to ask for the cash and allows people to intimidate him.

If you give a client credit, do so only when they cleared their worth to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for some period. Furthermore, you should gauge whether they have the means to pay you - if not then you should not do business with them. Don’t trick yourself into the pattern of “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s damaging in doing the work or providing the goods for zero if you do not get paid.

If you are the type of person who can’t request the money after the work has been completed, try these tips:
Tell your customer that when the service is finished, you will need cash or cheque. They should probably have it to hand over at the point of sale and you won’t need to ask for your fee.

When you send the initial quote, be sure your payment terms are evident.

Form an invoice including the terms of payment plainly printed and send the customer the invoice when the task is completed. They can take the invoice and reactively know they have to pay the money now without you having to say a word. Invent a “nasty boss” who might flay you alive if you don’t leave with the money for the service.

Arrange with your banking to set you up with Merchant facilities so you can take credit cards including Mastercard and Visa. Many people use credit cards and it should fix the problem of the customer not operating a cheque account or not having the cash in their wallet.

As another option, don’t be afraid to hand over the goods til after you have been paid. Understand, until the goods are paid for, the goods still remain yours.

If you plan to give someone credit, be sure you get the following contact information off them at a time PREVIOUSLY you permit them credit.

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Bank name and address
• Account no.
• 3 trade references with their names, addresses and phone numbers

Once you know all this detail, telephone the bank branch and make for certain that they operate an account there. Then, phone all of the trade reference and find out if they pay their bills correctly or if there are any difficulties with them.

Most people will be willing to tell you if the person is troublesome. If everything is OK, allow them a moderate level of debt, say no more than $500 (depending on your business). Monitor the operation of the account for a few months before allowing this amount to be exceeded.

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If you publish one bad ad, meaning, nobody responds, the world does not end. But if you plan poorly, or not at all, you have cause to worry about your business coming to a halt.

Once you’ve worked out where you should advertise, analysed your target audience, and picked the media you’ll use, the planning of what you’ll say and when you’ll say it is essential to your success. You’ve got to plan with your goals in mind as well as your budget, your competition, your plans for the future, and the realities of the moment.

Might your short or long-range planning include promotions with other companies? Smart marketers are constantly on the lookout for joint advertising opportunities, chances to tie in with other advertisers so that the advertising gets more exposure but at a lower price, since the cost is shared with others.

If three local stores, all compatible, such as a drapery store, a carpet showroom, and a wallpaper shop, combine to run a full-page ad in a regional edition of a national magazine, they all gain the credibility of the ad, but the cost will be only 33 percent of what it normally would be. That’s one of the benefits of joint advertising, and that’s why you should consider the concept before planning your campaign. Just be sure that you never lose your own identity in partner ventures.

Plan your advertising campaign with an eye toward what you’ll do in case you are copied. If you come up with a dynamic plan and it is highly successful, you can count on being copied. So be certain that your name, your look, your logo, the whole works, are synonymous with your name and identity. You may be copied, but your consumers won’t confuse you with the others. Be certain that your plan takes into consideration five important variables:

1. Advertising
2. Promotions
3. Other marketing weapons like promotional products
4. Coordination
5. Timing

Think of these as a basketball team with five players. No matter how good it is, if it lost only one player and had to play with a four-player team, it would lose most of its games to complete teams that excel at teamwork. A good plan includes all the players and is the essence of teamwork. Alone, each of these players just can’t do the job. They need each other. Every smart marketing professional plays with his or her full team.

The smart marketer knows that an advertising campaign must have continuity to do the persuading job well. In advertising, intermittent communication is no communication at all. Your plan must have consistency built right into it. The idea is not to flirt with your public but to convince them. There is a huge difference between the two. Any true advertising expert will tell you that frequency and persistence are the secrets of success in advertising. A major commitment to one or a few of the media will work better in most cases than an across-the-board plan with a variety of media but a short insertion schedule.

You should plan your campaign so that you are consistent, but never boring, committed, but never predictable. You’ve got to build special promotions into your plan to keep your staff on their feet and your competitors off balance. The only part of the plan engraved in stone is your identity. Flexibility and an ability to make alterations in your advertising is crucial.

Promotional products like printed carrier bags, promotional balloons and promotional badges are a great marketing investment. They can be used to thank existing customers, generate curiousity in prospects and keep your brand top of mind. Need ideas? Visit hotline.co.uk today and browse our fabulous range of promotional products and corporate give-aways.

The word cockroach is a corruption of the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is characterizable by a flat oval body, long thin antennae, and a glossy black or brown leathery integument. The head is directed downward, and the mouthparts are pointed to the rear instead of forward or downward as is the case of almost all other insects. The male generally has two pairs of wings, but the female, who in some species, is wingless or holds vestigial wings. The female creates eggs in egg cases (called oothecae). These are occasionally held away from her body or could be stuck in protected areas. After the female produces an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton hardens, it turns brown in hue. The geometry and large size (particular species have a wing span measurement of higher than 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have turned them into a significant area in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach takes a warm, humid, dark living and is often found in tropical or other mild areas. Only a small number species have become pests. The insect inflicts damage upon more material than it eats and possesses a unpleasant smell. The eating habits of the roach, which should be both plant and animal product, can be from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, especially bedbugs. Insecticides could be utilized in roach killing.

The American cockroach (species Periplaneta americana) is 30 to 50 mm long (up to about 2 inches), reddish brown, and inhabits outdoors or in dark, heated indoor spaces (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). During its adult life, generally about 1.5 years, the female deposits 50 or more oothecae, each containing about 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life takes from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, a native of tropical and subtropical America, possesses well-developed wings. However, most species are usually not good at flying.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common pest in households and is often incorrectly referred to as a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic region. The female creates the ootheca three days post mating and carries it for about 20 days. Because it is tiny in size (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach often is introduced into homes in grocery bags and boxes; it has been spread across the globe by boat. Three or more generations might occur yearly. This cockroach, abundant through the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, has become labeled the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) is similar to the German cockroach but is a little bit smaller. The male possesses completely developed wings and is brighter in colour than the female, whose wings are short and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands along the back. The adult life span is roughly 200 days, and there can be two generations annually. Eggs may be dropped in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the invention of heated buildings this cockroach became more common in cooler locations.

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is thought to be one of the filthiest of household pests. It is oval, shiny black or dark brown, 25 to 30 mm (1 to 1.2 inches) long, with a life cycle similar to that of the American cockroach. The male possesses short, fully developed wings, while the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been taken by vehicles of commerce from its Asiatic origins to almost all the temperate regions.

Wood roaches are not domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, lives in logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so different in appearance that they were once seen as unique species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that extend past the abdomen; the female is smaller and has much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus eats wood with the aid of some protozoans in its digestive tract.

Got a cockroach or pest problem? If you’re looking for pest control Brisbane or a pest exterminator Brisbane, contact Brislander today.

Cosmopolitan, cool and constantly evolving, the Gold Coast is Australia’s number one beach holiday location. More than 10 million travelers get away to the beaches over every year, pulled under the promise of simple, spoiled days and fantastic, fun-filled nights.

Whether you’re a first-time tourist or a lifelong resident, the Gold Coast proffers a plethora of things to see, people to meet and things to do. It isn’t just another destination – it’s a lifestyle.

Why go for the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round beach sun and warm air to breathe with more than 57 fabulous kilometres of coastline aren’t what will to get you grabbing your suitcases right now, check out the huge kinds of food and drink choices, world class resorts and hotels and endless list of fun activities to do on the Gold Coast peak even more inspiration. Are we there yet?

The top restaurants and cafes
With above 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining scene is the truth that eating really is one of life’s greater pleasures. Some of the world’s top chefs call the Gold Coast home and you can take your fancy from alfresco seafood restaurants toting multi-million dollar scenery and modern, sophisticated up to the minute bustling eateries. Or pick relaxed, classic Gold Coast cafes that give the simple things – exceptional service, quality food and remarkable atmosphere – really are the best.

Exciting things to do
The vast, vibrant and glorious landscape – think lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; expansive beaches, great blue ocean waters and the sunny Surfers Paradise skyline - that becomes the Gold Coast is a practical ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do may be surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not look at the glorious landscape from helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything can be done on the Gold Coast.

A wide variety of hotels and accommodation
When it’s time to lay your weary head, you can be assured you’re not dreaming - your new home away from home exists for you. The myriad of Gold Coast hotels available give choices to fit all sorts of travelers, whether you pick five-star waterfront glamour, a unique boutique retreat or a luxurious resort set on the ideallic grounds of a golf course.

International shopping scene
With a famed shopping circuit that has your take of big shopping centres, stunning open-air piazzas plus buzzing shopping strips by the sand, they have a tonne of reasons to whip out the plastic and come back weighed down with shopping bags! From the top brand fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to individual homewares shops, whatever you are looking for, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.

World-class day spas and retreats
Going on your time off on the Gold Coast is about indulging in the necessary ‘me-time’ and there simply can be no simpler way to totally take it than getting yourself in for a luxurious beauty therapy session at one of the unbeatable Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a therapeutic massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package with a nutritious and tasty lunch, the Gold Coast health and wellbeing scene showcases a package to suit all requirements.

Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the never-ending excitement of the Gold Coast is due in the permanent lineup of massive international events and tonnes of local events that happen. For any given day on the Gold Coast, you may be drawn by open-air concerts, international sporting events and professional surfing tournaments plus music, art, food and film festivals alike. No day is boring on the Gold Coast, providing you even more inclination to extend your stay!

Thinking about holidaying on the Gold Coast? If so, visit the Gold Coast Guide for a review of Gold Coast attractions including things to do, things to see and tips on how to find a great restaurant; Gold Coast restaurants offers some of the best food in Australia.

When you are starting a from-home business, time management is an area of business management that is overlooked or left out of the equation.

Surely everybody knows a friend in small business who races around like a chicken with its head cut off all day, never enough hours in every day, all they do is rush and get worked up - is it that this person is you! Come the week’s end, when the panic settles, what have you accomplished? Do you replay the day and realise “what happened to the time, I didn’t get as much accomplished as I hoped. If this seems familiar, then you might simply have an organisational and time management problem.

Successful people never appear to rush, they always remain composed and unflustered. The difference in them and others is they have great time management.

What is time management? It is just planning time in your day in an organised and efficient scheme. Before we can truly get how to time manage our day, we must decide for ourselves what we are hoping to accomplish today, this week, this year and perhaps even ten years from now. This is “Goal setting”.

The most effective method in my view to achieve goals is to write them down. You can reflect on your goals from time to time to make sure that they are meaningful and possible but not so easy to do that you don’t need to try hard to accomplish them otherwise what is the point of any goals in the first place?

From the start of each working year you can pause and plan what you hope to take away from this year. It might be that you need to enlarge your profits by 20%, you may hope to move into larger premises, you may want to take down your debt as much as possible. At the beginning of a new working week you can write down on a note pad or in your diary the large jobs that have to be achieved this week, and reflect them on each day to make sure you’re making progress and hopefully wipe some of those chores off your list.

You may keep your list on your desk or at a location where you could be persistently reminded of what must be done throughout the week. The list could be in order of importance so that the key chores at the top of this list get done first. Any of the jobs not accomplished this week should be brought through to next week at a higher urgency, this should require it gets taken care of.

The next thing you could be doing is creating a daily list of jobs to accomplish. This should help keep you organised throughout the day. Again, this list may be put where you are able to constantly refer to it and mark off the jobs finished. Finishing off the projects will allow you a pride of achievement and let you know how you are moving through the day. Always adhere to your list where possible and try to keep working from the top priority to low priority. I know wormholes can jump up through the day that may throw the whole day topsyturvy, but you must either take on the problem and get back on to the list or if the unplanned job isn’t as time sensitive as some of the jobs on your list then list it for later on the list and continue on doing the task you were doing.

Every aspect of work you hope to finish should be written down for a numerous reasons. Firstly, so you don’t forget to do it and secondly, so you keep the day outlined and you get your daily goals. Be sensitive to beginning jobs and not completing them. This would come back tomorrow in a cloud of half finished jobs and could cause “list blowout”.

You will end up with the list a mile long and you will give it up in despair and change back to those habits of getting yourself in panic each day and accomplishing nothing.

Remember each day you achieve your goals and tick off everything on your list, you will be a little bit closer to accomplishing your weekly and eventually your yearly and long term goals.

A few hints on Time Management:

• Do it once and do it well, it’s fruitless reverting to the work and having to redo it.
• Learn to civilly inform people when you’re busy and that you can get back to them later.
• Learn to issue tasks that really don’t require your hand.
• Don’t go on wild goose chases.
• Don’t waste time on phone calls that are not going to accomplish something.
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Look at your list of items to do frequently through your day.
• “Map out your day” in the car and schedule out your daily list the second you start work. Finish what you list.
• Prioritise all your work, always begin things in their order of necessity to you and your business.

Don’t get in with time wasters, people who will merely decide to chat all day, and if they are your workers, set them straight, or get rid of them.

For more information about self employment Brisbane, home business Brisbane, or work from home Brisbane, contact Lifestyle Switch. Make the switch to your own business today.

Jewelry for babies and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewellery throughout history, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of baby and children’s jewellery throughout history, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewellery made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and wood were worn by infants. These early pieces were worn for decoration as well as for superstitious reasons; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewelry item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be gifted - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewelry to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewelry has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt crafted jewelry enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans crafted mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewelry. Jewellers in Roman times added precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewellery designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewellery today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents decorated the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with tiny silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore exquisite gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewellery styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewellery and these include:

• Artistic visual exhibition
• Protection from evil spirits
• Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
• Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
• As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewelry making reached the level of fine art in the 17th Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewellery items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewellery was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewelry, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewellery as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewellery to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewelry, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.

Jewellery for infants and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last decade, but children have worn jewellery throughout history, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of infant and children’s jewelry over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewellery made from shells, animal teeth, animal hair and wood were worn by babies. These early pieces were worn for fashion as well as for superstitious purposes; for example, to ward off evil spirits.

In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a jewellery item at birth. Often a simple necklace or bracelet would be gifted - as often to baby boys as girls. Some African cultures used jewellery to gradually stretch the bottom lip, the ear-lobe or even the neck of young children. Using jewellery in this manner was and in some countries, still is, seen as beautiful. Just as jewellery has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it.

Jewelry making became a craft in Babylonian times. Early forms of jewellery have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt crafted jewelry enamels, or cloisonné, producing beautiful pieces worn by men, women and children. In ancient Greece artisans worked mainly in enamel and filigree gold or silver wire shaped into jewellery. Jewellers in Roman times fitted precious and semi-precious stones to gold and silver pieces. Byzantine jewelry designs included enamelling, an art which is popular in baby and children’s jewellery today. In ancient Hebrew times, bracelets were the insignia of kings and their sons. In 14th century Italy, it was customary to give newborns a cross crafted from coral which was to protect the baby from “evil eye”. For hundreds of years Cambodian parents decorated the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with tiny silver bells. Besides being decorative, the practical idea behind this tradition was to enable mothers to hear if their babies had crawled or toddled off and out of safety. There was another reason for these bells: to ward off evil spirits.

In Victorian times, babies commonly wore beautiful gold, and less often, silver bracelets, pins and bib clips. The bracelets were similar to today’s “ID” bracelets where a flattened area was engraved with the word “baby”. Pins, or brooches, also were sometimes engraved with the word “baby”. Enamelling was sometimes used to in-fill the letters or to add a small floral decoration. Semi-precious stones such as garnets were sometimes set into gold bracelets and brooches. Victorian styles are often copied in today’s jewelry styles for babies and children. Older children in Victorian times often wore gold or silver book-chain necklaces, cameos and bar pins. Many of these items were beautifully engraved. They became family heirlooms and many Victorian baby and children’s jewellery items are now seen on display in museums.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many reasons for babies and children wearing jewelry and these include:

• Artistic visual exhibition
• Protection from evil spirits
• Symbolism to show status or rank or membership
• Functional use such as clips, clasps, pins and buckles which later often evolved into decorative items.
• As currency or to display the wealth of the family.

Jewellry making reached the level of fine art in the 17th Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewellery items were created for functional reasons, for example clips or pins to hold a baby-bib in place, but years later, evolved into decorative items as the need for their functions decreased. Some jewelry was created to symbolise religious membership, for example the Star of David, or a crucifix. This use of jewellery continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewelry, frequently gifted for christenings, communions and bar mitzvahs.

In time, adults as well as babies and children increasingly wore jewelry as a sign of social or religious rank. Today though, the most common reasons for giving the gift of jewellery to a baby or small child are for the fun of wearing it and seeing it worn, and how it will make the little girl or boy look and feel.

At Baby Jewels you can buy baby jewelry, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.