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 resulted in 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 put up with day in, day out.

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 taxing 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 say hello to 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.

To be paid, just as you would figure is essentially important at your business because if you are not getting paid, why are you in business?

You might be laughing at the heaps of business people who permit their customers to make payment when and if they get around to it. I know such a business owner who always holds bad debts like accolades. How? Probably because he cannot bring himself to ask for the money and allows people to use him.

If you give someone credit, do it only because they have proven themselves to you by paying cash on delivery (COD) for a time. Moreover, you need to gauge whether they have the funds to pay you - if not you shouldn’t do business with them. Don’t fool yourself into saying “I need the work” or “I need the sales”. It’s fruitless when you do the service or providing the goods for nada if you are not getting paid.

If you are the sort of person who can’t ask for the payment after the job has been done, try these tips:
Tell your customer that when the service is done with, you will require cash or cheque. They will probably have it there at completion and you will not need to ask for your fee.

When handing out a quote, be sure your payment terms are visible.

Complete an invoice including your terms of payment plainly stated and hand the client the invoice when the task is completed. They will see the invoice and reactively assume they need to pay for it now without you needing to say a thing. Fabricate a “nasty boss” who may flay you alive if you can’t go back with the pay for the service.

Set up your banking institution to provide you with Merchant facilities so you can take credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa. Most people use credit cards and it could stop the dilemma of the client not holding a cheque book or not having the cash at the time.

Moreover, don’t be afraid to hold any goods till you have been paid. Remember, until the goods have been paid for, the goods still remain yours.

If you choose to permit somebody credit, be sure you take the following contact details off them at a point 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

Once you know all this detail, telephone the bank and make for certain that they operate an account with them. Then, call each of the trade reference and inquire if they pay their bills on time or if they have had any problems 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.

If you’re looking for a Brisbane web design company or Brisbane SEO company, talk to Search Tempo. Check out their SEO prices today.

If you publish one lousy ad, meaning, nobody responds, the world does not collapse. But if you plan poorly, or not at all, you have reason to be concerned about your business failing.

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 fusion 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 fusion 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 fusion 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 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 taken from the Spanish cucaracha. The cockroach is characterized by a flattened oval body, long hairlike antennae, and a gloss black or brown leathery integument. The head is aimed downward, and the mouthparts aim to the rear instead of forward or downward as is the case with many other insects. The male often has two pairs of wings, but the female, who in some species, is wingless or appears with vestigial wings. The female creates eggs in egg cases (labeled oothecae). These are at times held coming from her body or could be held in protected parts. After the female produces an egg case, the soft, white nymphs emerge. As their exoskeleton solidifies, it turns brown in shade. The shape and large size (certain species demonstrate a wing span measurement of more than 12 cm [4.7 inches]) of cockroaches have turned them into a significant interest in the biological laboratory.

The cockroach enjoys a warm, humid, dark habitat and is often found thriving in tropical and other mild temperatures. Only a small number of species have become pests. The insect inflicts damage on more material than it digests and has a disagreeable scent. The diet of the roach, which should be both plant and animal product, ranges from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, including bedbugs. Insecticides should be taken in roach destroying.

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 locations (e.g., basements and furnace rooms). In its adult life, lasting about 1.5 years, the female drops 50 or more oothecae, each possessing usually 16 eggs that hatch after 45 days. Nymphal life goes from 11 to 14 months. The American cockroach, indigenous to tropical and subtropical America, possesses well-developed wings. However, many species are rarely good at flying.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a common house pest and sometimes erroneously thought of as a waterbug, is light brown with two dark stripes on the prothoracic region. The female produces the ootheca three days after mating and carries it for generally around 20 days. Because it is miniature (about 12 mm [less than 0.5 inch] long), this cockroach generally can be taken into houses in grocery bags and boxes; it has been taken across the globe by ship. Three or more generations can breed yearly. This cockroach, abundant through the water pipes of the Croton Aqueduct in New York City, became labeled the Croton bug.

The brown-banded cockroach (Supella supellectilium) closely resembles 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 over the back. The adult life span is around 200 days, and there might be two generations annually. Eggs are be deposited in clothes, wood molding, or cracks in the floor. With the innovation of heated buildings this cockroach became 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 has short, fully developed wings, and the female possesses vestigial wings. This cockroach has been spread by vehicles of commerce from its Asiatic origins to almost every temperate regions.

Wood roaches are feral pests. Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, the common wood cockroach, can be found beneath logs and stones in northern latitudes. The male and female are so unlike in appearance that they were originally believed to be unique species. The male, 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long, possesses wings that go beyond the abdomen; the female is smaller and has much shorter wings. Cryptocercus punctulatus eats wood with the help 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 number one beach holiday spot. Over 10 million travelers travel to the city each year, lured by the vision of simple, spoiled days and fabulous, fast-paced nights.

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

Why go for the Gold Coast?
If all-year-round sunshine and warm temperatures plus at least 57 majestic kilometres of coastline aren’t what will to get you dusting off your suitcases right now, let the wide share of food and drink providers, world class living and never-ending list of activities to do on the Gold Coast provide even more interest. Are we there yet?

The best restaurants and cafes
With over 500 thriving Gold Coast restaurants, the local dining industry is the truth that eating positively is one of life’s number one pleasures. Some of the world’s greatest chefs call the Gold Coast home and you can take your hat off to alfresco seafood restaurants with multi-million dollar scenery and chic, sophisticated up to the minute bustling eateries. Or land on chilled out, classic Gold Coast cafes that give the simple things – great service, quality food and indescribable atmosphere – really are the best.

Exciting things to do
The deep, driven and colourful landscape – combined of lush green rainforest, hinterland and mountains; stretching beaches, clear blue ocean waters and the superb Surfers Paradise skyline - that really is the Gold Coast is a perfect ‘grown-up’s’ playground. Things to do may include surfing, fishing, sailing, water sports, golf, theme parks, film studios, action and adventure – why not check out the glorious scenery by your very own helicopter, seaplane, luxury cruiser or even a hot air balloon? Anything and everything is found on the Gold Coast.

A wide variety of hotels and accommodation
When it’s time to rest your weary head, you can be assured you’re not dreaming - your new home away from home awaits you. The list of Gold Coast hotels on offer offer deals to house every sort of travelers, whether you go for five-star waterfront glamour, a unique boutique retreat or a luxurious resort set on the pristine grounds of a golf course.

International shopping scene
Boasting a famous shopping circuit that offers your preference of great shopping centres, sensational open-air piazzas as well as funfilled shopping strips by the coastline, you have plenty of reasons to flex the plastic and come back laden with shopping bags! From the sophisticated fashion boutiques – with international and Australian flair – to hip homewares shops, whatever it is that you fancy, you’ll find it on the Gold Coast.

World-class day spas and retreats
Going on a time away on the Gold Coast is going and indulging in the top priority ‘me-time’ and there simply can be no other way to truly enjoy it than getting yourself in for a luxurious session at one of the unsurpassed Gold Coast day spas. Whether it’s a therapeutic massage, a radiance-boosting facial, or an all-day pamper package offering a nutritious and delicious dish, the Gold Coast personal health arena holds a package for all desires.

Large international events and unique local festivals
Part of the continuous attraction of the Gold Coast is found in in the constant flow of large international events and unique community events that take place. On any given day on the Gold Coast, you might be excited 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 even more inclination to come for a 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 start up a home based business, time management is an aspect of business management that is usually overlooked or left out of the equation.

Surely everybody knows a friend 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 panic and get worked up - perhaps this person is you! At the week’s end, when the panic settles, what have you accomplished? Do you reflect on the day and realise “what happened to the time, I didn’t get so much done as I hoped. If this seems familiar, then you might have an organisational and time management problem.

Successful people rarely seem to rush, they seem composed and unflustered. The difference from them and the others is they command time management.

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

The most effective method in my perspective to achieve goals is to write them down. You might review all your goals at times to make sure that they are purposeful and workable but not so simple that you don’t have to make the effort to achieve them otherwise what is the meaning of those goals in the first place?

At the start of each working year you could sit and think about what you want to accomplish this year. It can be that you need to enlarge your profits by 20%, you may desire to move into larger premises, you perhaps wish to take down your debt as much as possible. By the first day of each working week you should write down on a note pad or in your diary the signifcant jobs that have to be finalised this week, and check back them each day to be sure that you’re making progress and hopefully mark some of the jobs off the list.

You can hold the list on your desk or on a point where you could be constantly reminded of what needs to be accomplished throughout the week. Your list might be in order of necessity so that the key projects at the top of your list get accomplished first. Any of the projects not ticked off this week must be taken onto next week at a higher importance, this should demand it gets achieved.

The next thing you should be doing is having yourself a daily list of jobs to achieve. This may assist keep you organised throughout the day. Again, this list could be placed where you are able to repeatedly see it and mark off the chores finalised. Writing off the tasks helps to allow you a sense of success and let you review how you are going over the day. Always adhere to the list unless not possible and try to keep working from high priority to the lowest priority. I know loopholes sometimes show up through the day that may throw the whole day topsyturvy, but you must either take care of the crisis and get back on to the list or if the sudden task isn’t as urgent as some of the tasks on your list then put it at the bottom on your list and continue on with the work you were doing.

Each job you plan to finish must be written down for a multiplicity of reasons. Firstly, so you don’t forget to do it and secondly, so you have your day outlined and you realise your daily goals. Be alert to starting tasks and not finishing them. This may become tomorrow in a mess of not completed tasks and could cause “list blowout”.

You will end up with your list being a mile long and you will throw it out in despair and reverse back to old habits of running around in rush all day and finishing nothing.

Remember that every day you write out your goals and polish off every item on your list, you become a step closer to accomplishing your weekly and soon your yearly and long term goals.

A few hints on Time Management:

• Do it once and do it well, it’s wasteful reverting to the work and needing to redo it.
• Learn to nicely inform people when you’re working and that you will return to them at a later point.
• Learn to pass out tasks that really don’t require your direct participation.
• Don’t embark on wild goose chases.
• Don’t fizzle away time during phone calls that are not going to take care of something.
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Check back to your list of jobs to do often through the day.
• “Map out your day” in the shower and make out your daily list when you get to work. Don’t stop what you initiate.
• Prioritise every day, always take jobs in their order of urgency to you and the business.

Get away from time wasters, people that would merely like 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.

Jewelry for infants and children has become increasingly fashionable in the last decade, 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 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 infants. 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. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - 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 jewelry 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 jewelry have been discovered in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created 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 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 jewelry 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 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 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.

Jewellery making reached the level of fine art in the seventeenth 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 jewelry 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.

Jewelry for babies and children has become increasingly popular 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 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 jewelry item at birth. Sometimes a simple necklace or bracelet would be given - 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 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 found in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America from around 5000 years ago. Jewellers in ancient Egypt created 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 jewelry. 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 jewelry 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 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 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 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.

Jewellry 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 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.