Finding And Buying Handicrafts Online

By Alevoor Rajagopal

Handicrafts reflect the richness of cultures of their respective countries of origin as much as they do with the buyers' tastes. Traditionally, for years handicrafts were bought and sold in conventional trading style and it only recent that the advent of ecommerce and high usage of broadband that the online stores dedicated for handicrafts have sprung up everywhere selling their niche wares.

Although internet and ecommerce is viewed as an extension of comfortable consumerism with regards to buying conventional and products of everyday needs, the case is a little different when it is buying items of luxury or collectibles. The reasons for this may vary from item to item although I could not notice this skepticism to be specific to a particular region. It is safe to draw down that people of all societies like to collect handicrafts, whether it is from their own region or from other. Surprisingly, I found this phenomenon pretty similar to online jewelry purchasing practices; buyers dare to buy diamonds online but not so much the case when it comes to buying jewelry.

Well, the one major reason I could sight was the passion for which the handicrafts were bought and emotional upsurges buyers experience while buying them. In general terms, buyers want to touch and feel what they are buying and experience for themselves which otherwise would not be possible. This is a unique issue which is very much unlike security issues for online transactions. Don't forget that Amazon, the world's largest retail ecommerce shop was making a loss in handicrafts department till very recently.

However, real considerations you should mind while buying handcrafts online are not whether they are genuine because all handicrafts are proprietary by nature, but issues related to the seller and its experience in the field, and of course the same old security issues related to your payments. Here are a few points you may find useful to ponder before deciding to buy handicrafts online the next time.


Avoid paying for items that are out of stock even if they are flagged as such

Check shipping lead times required and whether you can track your shipment online

Check whether the store has a toll free 1-800 customer care number, just in case

Check whether the cost includes insurance, delicate china and glass wares are better insured.

Shipping costs for heavier items like those made from wood or stones may outweigh item cost. Verify this instead of getting a shock later.

Read through the sellers' privacy and warranty policy and make sure how you can claim damages, just in case.

Handicrafts adorn every home, buying them online carefully will make you cherish your passion.
Alevoor Rajagopal, MBA, is a reputed business consultant and writes on showcasing individuality with MySpace layout. Visit his blog on video clips for a good laugh.

Online Diamond Jewelry Store - Tips When Buying Diamond Jewelry Online

By Cheow Yu Yuan

Nowadays, there are a lot of scams around which make buying diamond jewelry from online jewelry store almost impossible. However, scams do not always need to be associated with online shopping. As long as you are careful, you will still be able to find bargains and quality diamond jewelry from the Internet.

One of the reasons why people choose to buy diamond jewelry from the Internet is because online jewelry stores are able to offer lower prices when compared to local jewelry store due to low overhead costs. But if you come across an online store which offers jewelry at an unbelievable low price, it may be an indication of a scam.

One of the best things when buying jewelry from the Internet is that you will have an unlimited selection of diamond jewelry. A local jewelry store has a limited storefront, which means that you will have a limited selection. However, online stores have huge disk space, which enable them to list almost unlimited selection of jewelry.

One thing to note before shopping online for diamond jewelry, you will need to learn as much as you can about diamonds. Cut, colour, clarity and carat weights are things that you need know about. Once you are knowledgeable about diamonds, you will be able to spot any scams out there.

As you have a wide selection of choices on the Internet, take your time to browse around. Do not purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, when you found a piece that you like, look for similar piece that is for sale on other online stores. By doing some comparison shopping, you will be sure to find the best bargains.

After you have found a piece that you love with the lowest price, do not purchase the diamond yet. Find out about the seller's credentials and his return, refund and upgrade policies. Also do check whether the seller provides his business address and phone number so that you will be able to call them instead there is any problems with the diamond that you have ordered.

Lastly, you should ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA and EGL before making the purchase. A good practice is to request the diamond jewelry seller to send the diamond to an escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service will appraise your diamond and sends the diamond back to you and sends the money that you have paid them to the seller. This is the surest way to protect you from any online jewelry scams. However, make sure that you find a reputable escrow service.

Clubbing Clothes For The Clubbing Scene

By Daniel Jarman

Clothes are certainly changing again in the clubbing scene these days, mainly with the girls dressing up to the nines as they do. Now not content with leaving nothing to the imagination, you can obtain the new Lumitop.

It is exactly how it sounds, lighting up the front and neck collerline, requiring batteries, this elegant looking top is perfect for the girl that wants to be seen!!!

Im not sure why a girl would want to though, at tops starting at over £100!!! Still, it gives a new meaning to, This girl lights up my life!!!

Girls always wish to stand out in the crowd, and with these beautiful Lumitops they will have no trouble at all. Created from Fibre optic material, the Lumitops make the perfect clubbing gear, not only to impress the boys but, outshine all the other girls too.

Depending on the type of electronic module or LED used with the fabric, many colors are possible. The most common and most luminous are Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and White.

All the wearable items are powered by low voltage batteries (3V or 4.5V), so there is absolutely no risk of electrical shock, and the Fiber Optics Fabric does not heat up when it is lighted.

The fabric transmits and emits light, It is a non-reflective material and the Fiber Optics Fabric can be gently hand washed with water up to 70°C and natural soap.

The batteries must be mandatory removed prior to washing.(Well some people DON'T !!!)

If possible, do not immerse the battery box, even if the batteries have been removed.

It is preferable to completely remove the optical module prior to washing.
If you Like to know more about these tops give me an email for prices, or any questions you might have.

Sterling Silver Jewelery Designs In The Modern World

By Gary Smithe

There are chains that bind; there are also chains which bring brilliance and love into our lives; such chains are sterling silver chains. Sterling silver chains captivate the senses, catching the light and returning a brilliance that makes any woman smile.

They are all in one a gift to be adored while also adorning the body, complementing any fashion choice from evening ware, to a casual afternoon spent with family and friends.

HISTORICAL FACT: Silver has long fascinated both men and women, dating back for thousands of years. Silver jewellery has adorned the body since ancient times. Silver has been associated with mystics, used in monetary exchange, worn by kings, queens and the affluent.

The popularity of sterling silver jewellery has grown, both with men and women, not only because of its beauty (which many say is even more beautiful than gold) but also because of its price, affordable by many and not only obtainable by the affluent.

The ever popular "little black dress", suitable for most occasions, is often dressed up with sterling silver bracelets or chains that sparkle and capture the attention of those she passes. Most will opt for a rhodium finish, depending on the piece of silver jewellery.

RHODIUM FINISH: There is often trade-offs when dealing with precious metals. In the case of plating with the metal rhodium, while this protects the silver jewellery, it does decrease the brilliance somewhat. Silver reflects anywhere from 15% to 20% more light than Rhodium.

Sterling silver chains, bracelets and jewellery never go out of style and whether you're wearing a piece freshly made or one passed through the generations, it will be a piece to treasure and wear with pride. Your sterling silver is actually an alloy of 92 1/2 percent silver and 7 1/2 percent copper or other metals. Wearing your sterling silver chain or gemstone set jewellery does not cause its beauty to diminish, rather to increase as a patina or soft sheen begins to form, giving your piece even more character and allure as a kind of glow seems to emanate from the piece. Alternatively if you do not like the slightly tarnished, aged look on your sterling silver jewellery this is easily removed with a silver cleaning cloth and/or cleaning fluid.

If someone has given you a sterling silver chain, braclet or gemstone set jewellery creation, consider yourself fortunate, you are among the kings and queens of old who knew the true value of silver, and counted it among their gold, diamonds and other treasures.
Gem set Sterling Silver Jewellery is a specialist subject for the author G Smithe who takes an interest in the latest Jewellery Fashions and Trends.As well as jewellery designs in Gold and Silver the actual precious metals are also very interesting.For example recent increases in the Gold,Silver and Platinum markets have caused Silver Jewellery Scrap and other precious metal scrap to be worth selling for refining and recycling.

Wholesale suppliers of Sterling Silver jewellery, 9 carat Gold, Platinum and other Fashion jewellery such as http://www.jewellerydiscountshop.co.uk offer a massive selection of designer trendy jewellery to choose from, covering every jewellery aspect your can imagine.

The Mystifying and Powerful World of Japanese Fashion

Many would say that fashion is an expression of the culture and soul, hence every nation has a unique reflection of its own history as well as traditions in one way or another.

Japanese fashion is no exception to this sentiment. This article will go into a few details of how it has changed throughout the years while always remaining intact in its traditions.

The Past and the Present

One of the most traditional and common Japanese fashion outfits is the Kimono; it is still worn today in more modern designs, it was also embraced by the Western nations because of its sensuality as well as elegance.

Throughout the years Japanese fashion saw very few changes but throughout the years the Kimono was a dominant part of the classic collection and consistently a part of their lives in one form or another. Another kind of Kimono is the Furisode which is worn by young women in their twenties; in Japan the age to legally drink and smoke is twenty and in order to celebrate the parent frequently offer their daughters a Furisode.

Then the Houmongi takes the stage. This is another kind of Kimono that is worn by married women and similar to the Furisode the parents will give their daughter one when she is married.

The formal Kimono is known as Tomesode and is typically worn by married women to social functions such as marriages. Additional variations include the Mofuku which is the funeral Kimono for Japanese fashion and the Uchikake is the wedding Kimono.

Last but certainly not least the Obi is the oldest form of the Japanese fashion as they are no longer in production today and rarely will you find someone wearing this type even in Japan.

Modern Japanese fashion generally has several categories in addition to some that are not related to clothes. The Japanese fashion known as the Kogal is translated in Japan to people who enjoy displaying their higher income by wearing expensive jewelry or clothes.

The Gangoro Japanese fashion is designed for those people who began changing their hair color and then you have the Lolita as the Gothic Lolita Japanese fashion, which is being represented by the innocent and sweet dressed (Lolita) all the way to the other extreme type referred to as punk fashion, which is known as Gothic Lolitas.

The Eternal Fashion

The world of classic fashion is eternal throughout the world and Japanese fashion has their Kimonos to prove it. The use of colors also plays a large part in the world of Japanese fashion as well as their culture as it is directly correlated to the event. Fashion not only reflects and defines an era and a place in time but also the character and personality of the person who is wearing it.
Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of fashion. If you would like to learn more go to Fashion Photography advice and at Teen Fashion tips.