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 looking after personal visitors. Now the definition of a receptionist is more accurately defined 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 typing 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 complicated 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 unacknowledged in many cases.

How can you ensure that anyone calling or coming in to reception will feel comfortable and likely to do 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 runs professional receptionist seminars throughout Australia. Check their website for locations and dates.

To get paid, just as you would imagine is fundamentally fundamental to your business because if you are not getting paid, why are you in business?

You will be surprised at the amount of business people who allow their clients to make payment when and if they remember it. I know such a businessman who repeatedly collects bad debts like accolades. Why, do you think? Probably because he can’t bring himself to request the cash and allows people to use him.

If you give somebody credit, only do it after they proved their worth to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for some period. Furthermore, you can gauge whether they have the means to pay you - if not then do not do business with them. Don’t push yourself into the pattern of “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s damaging in doing the job or providing the goods for free if you are not paid.

If you are the kind of person who can’t ask for the cash even when the job has been finished, try these cheats:
Tell your client that when the service is finished, you will need cash or cheque. They should likely have it ready at the point of sale and you will not need to ask for your pay.

When you hand out a quote, be sure your payment terms are plain.

Create an invoice with the terms of payment evidently listed and hand the customer the invoice when the service is finished. They can take the invoice and immediately realise they need to pay the fee now without you going to say a word. Fabricate a “nasty boss” who might burn you alive if you don’t return with the pay for the service.

Ask your banking institution to provide you with Merchant facilities so you can accept credit cards like Mastercard and Visa. The large part of people use credit cards and it will prevent the problem of the customer not operating a cheque account or not having the right amount of cash on hand.

Likewise, don’t be afraid to hold your goods until after the payment has been made. Understand, until they’re paid for, the goods remain yours.

If you plan to give someone credit, be sure you take the following information from them a week BEFORE you give them credit.

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

After you possess all this information, contact the banking institution and make certain that they do have an account with them. Then, telephone each trade reference and inquire if they pay their invoices correctly or if they have 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 determined 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 always on the hunt for joint advertising opportunities, chances to tie in with other companies 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 cooperative 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 joint 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 marketing expert will tell you that frequency and persistence are the secrets of success in marketing. 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 characterized by a flat oval body, long hairlike antennae, and a glossy black or brown leathery integument. The head is aimed downward, and the mouthparts aim backward instead of forward or downward as is the case with many other insects. The male generally has two pairs of wings, unlike the female, who in some species, is wingless or possesses vestigial wings. The female generates eggs in egg cases (labeled oothecae). These are at times held coming out from her body or can be glued in protected locations. After the female deposits an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton hardens, it turns brown in shade. The form and big size (some species demonstrate a wing span of over 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have turned them into a significant interest in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach takes a warm, humid, dark living environment and is often located in tropical or other mild temperatures. Just a couple of species have become pests. The insect harms more material than it eats and possesses a unpleasant smell. The food of the roach, which should be both plant and animal product, can be from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, particularly bedbugs. Insecticides should be preferred in roach removing.

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). In its adult life, a time of about 1.5 years, the female deposits 50 or more oothecae, each holding around 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, the majority of species are seldom gifted at flying.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common pest in houses and is often incorrectly labeled a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic area. The female deposits 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 generally can be taken into homes in grocery bags and boxes; it has been taken throughout the world by boat. Three or more generations can occur yearly. This cockroach, found abundantly throughout the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, is labeled the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) is similar to the German cockroach but is even smaller. The male has fully developed wings and is paler in shade than the female, whose wings are stunted and nonfunctional. Both sexes have two light-coloured bands across the back. The adult life span is around 200 days, and there could be two generations a year. Eggs might be dropped in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the invention of heated buildings this cockroach became common in cooler climates.

The Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) is thought of as one of the most disgusting 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, but the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been distributed in vehicles of commerce from its Asiatic origins to all the temperate regions.

Wood roaches are non-domestic pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, can be found beneath logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so varied in appearance that they were initially considered individual species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, has wings that extend past the abdomen; the female is smaller and possesses much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus eats wood with the aid of particular 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 best beach getaway location. Over 10 million holidaymakers get over to the beaches each year, lured in by the utopia of simple, spoiled days and fabulous, fast-paced nights.

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

Why visit the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round sun and warm temperatures plus at least 57 glorious kilometres of coastline aren’t enough to get you pulling out your suitcase right now, have the wide variety of food and drink places, world class resorts and hotels and never-ending list of fun things to do on the Gold Coast bring out even more incentive. Are we there yet?

The best restaurants and cafes
With more than 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining industry is proof that eating definitely is one of life’s top pleasures. Some of the world’s finest chefs call the Gold Coast home and you may take your choice of alfresco seafood restaurants with multi-million dollar outlooks and chic, sophisticated modern paced eateries. Or select relaxed, idealic Gold Coast cafes that give the simple things – super service, delicious food and indescribable atmosphere – surely are the best.

Exciting things to do
The expansive, exciting and glorious landscape – think lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; wide beaches, deep blue ocean waters and the stunning Surfers Paradise skyline - that makes up the Gold Coast is a veritable ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do could be surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not view the glorious landscape by your very own helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything could be here on the Gold Coast.

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

International shopping scene
With a reknowned shopping circuit that includes your take of big shopping centres, sensational open-air piazzas and buzzing shopping strips by the beach, there are tonnes of reasons to bring out the plastic and come home laden with shopping bags! From the brand fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to unique homewares shops, whatever it is you need, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.

World-class day spas and retreats
Of course your time on the Gold Coast is all about indulging in that most important ‘me-time’ and there just is no other way to really let go than to get yourself in for a luxurious day at one of the glorious Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a tension-relaxing massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package including a healthy and tasty meal, the Gold Coast wellbeing arena offers a deal for every requirement.

Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the never-ending excitement of the Gold Coast is in the constant draw of huge international events and many community events that are planned. Pick any given day on the Gold Coast, you could be impressed by open-air concerts, international sporting events and professional surfing tournaments plus music, art, food and film festivals alike. No event is left out on the Gold Coast, gracing you with ever more inclination to start packing!

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 starting out in a home business, time management is an area of business management usually overlooked or ignored.

We all know a person in small business who races at it like a chicken with its head cut off all day, never enough hours in each day, all they do is rush and get overtaken - is it that this person is you! Come the week’s end, when the panic settles, what have you completed? Do you replay the day and realise “what happened to the hours, I didn’t get so much accomplished as I planned to do. If this feels familiar, then you might simply have an organisational and time management problem.

Successful people seldom seem to rush, they are composed and unflustered. The difference with them and everybody else is they have mastered time management.

What is time management? It is merely scheduling minutes in your day in an organised and efficient process. Before we can truly get how to time manage our day, we need to question ourselves what we are aiming to accomplish today, this week, this year and perhaps even ten years from now. This is “Goal setting”.

The best process in my perspective to accomplish goals is to write them down. You should reflect on all your goals at points to know that they are meaningful and achievable but not so easy that you don’t need to try hard to accomplish them otherwise what is the meaning of your goals in the first place?

From the start of every working year you could takethe time and reflect on what you want to complete this year. It can be that you hope to increase your profits by 20%, you perhaps would like to move into different premises, you may plan to take down your debt in a susbstantial way. From the start of a new working week you may write down on a note pad or in your diary the large tasks that must to be completed this week, and look back to them each day to be sure you’re making progress and hopefully tick some of your projects off the list.

You can put your list on your desk or at a spot where you could be repeatedly reminded of what has to be completed this week. The list could be in order of necessity so that the major chores at the top of your list get finished first up. All the work not done this week must be brought onto next week on a higher urgency, this will demand it gets completed.

The next thing you should be doing is creating a daily list of projects to get done. This will help keep you on schedule during each day. Again, this list may be displayed where you are able to persistently look back to it and wipe off the items finalised. Finishing off the items could give you a pride of completion and remind you how you are progressing during the day. Always hold to this list where possible and continue working from top priority to less priority. I know problems sometimes jump up over the day that can throw the whole day off schedule, but you have to either deal with the situation and return to your list or if the unplanned work isn’t as urgent as some of the tasks on the list then place it for later on the list and continue doing the project you were doing.

Every issue you hope to accomplish needs to be written down for a number of reasons. Firstly, so you don’t forget to do it and secondly, so you keep your day scheduled and you get your daily goals. Be sensitive to beginning tasks and not completing them. This might turn tomorrow in a mushroom cloud of not completed projects and will cause “list blowout”.

You will end up with a list at a mile long and you will throw it up in despair and go back to old habits of running around in panic every day and completing nothing.

Remember that every day you write out your goals and check off every item on your list, you will be a little bit closer to accomplishing your weekly and soon your yearly and long term goals.

A few essentials on Time Management:

• Do it once and do it well, it’s frustrating coming back to the project and having to redo it.
• Learn to politely say to people when you’re busy and that you will speak to them at a later time.
• Learn to pass out jobs that really don’t demand your direct participation.
• Don’t embark on wild goose chases.
• Don’t use up time with phone calls that will not take care of something.
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Look back to your list of chores to do frequently through your day.
• “Map out your day” in the morning and make out your daily list when you begin work. Finish what you list.
• Prioritise all your jobs, always start jobs in their order of necessity to you and your customers.

Avoid time wasters, people that merely start to chat all day, and if they work for you, 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.

Jewellery for infants and children has become increasingly popular in the last decade, but children have worn jewelry 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 over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry 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 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. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - 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 jewelry 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 jewelry have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created jewellery 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 fitted 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 adorned the ankles of their babies with silver anklets strung with small 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 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.

Jewellery making reached the level of fine art in the 17th Century when many sculptors were often apprenticed to goldsmiths. Some jewelry 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 jewelry continues today and is very popular in modern baby and children’s jewellery, 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 jewelry 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 jewellery, children’s jewelry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.

Jewelry for infants and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last ten years, but children have worn jewelry for many centuries, for reasons as varied and interesting as the pieces themselves.

There are many references to the wearing of infant and children’s jewellery over the centuries, both in historical literature as well as the bible. In ancient times jewelry 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 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. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - 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 created jewellery 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 jewelry. Jewellers in Roman times added 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 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 jewelry 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.

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 jewelry 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 jewellry, children’s earrings, bracelets, anklets, charms, pins & much more online at affordable prices.