Cool and Trendy Jewelry - The Birth of Steel Jewelry

Unbelievably, there?s actually more to stainless steel than just structural purposes.Everybody knows that diamonds are a girl?s best friend. Most would admit it. No woman could fail to be ecstatic enough at the sight of a bright piece of diamond jewelry offered to her. Furthermore, this scene is also applicable to other pieces of fashion jewelry such as precious stones, crystals and more. Surprisingly enough, jewelry appeals to men as well. Thus, it?s safe for us to say that jewelry definitely is one of the largest industries recognized all over the world. And, yes, steel has a place.
Jewelry and Society
Jewelry probably is the most basic and popularly used accessory. Even in the ancient times, much importance is given to jewelry. How much one has of jewelry was some sort of social standardization, and those individual who has a high position in society owning high valued ones often flaunt and display them in social gatherings to show off their wealth.
Today, not so much standardization is concerned. Some jewelry owners simply collect jewelry as a hobby, for the sake of investment or for the basic purpose of body ornamentation. Over the years, many innovations have been performed on different types of jewelry that gave way to much more possibilities for the industry of jewelry to flourish. Although there have been multiple modifications and improvements made in the past concerning jewelry, you may have noticed that this jewelry have always used the same materials. Fortunately enough, new potentials have been found, thus, the birth of steel jewelry.
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions at the worlds best homepage and visit his associated site for unique jewelry.

for a huge variety of steel jewelry, shop at www.big-baby.com were the options is only limited as your imagination! shop for Inspirations, sliders letter, personalized items (such as flip flops and bracelets) this is the place to find the right gift for any occassion!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell

Cool Gift Idea For Mother's Day. History Of Mother's Day

Cool Gift Idea For Mother's Day. History Of Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a day honouring mothers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. Mothers often receive gifts on this day. It complements Father's Day, the celebration honouring fathers.

History
A celebratory Mother's Day cookie cake.
Different countries celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins.
One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece, which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of Greek gods. This festival was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (15 March) to 18 March.
The ancient Romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno, though mothers were usually given gifts on this day.
In some countries the Mother's Day began not as a celebration for individual mothers but rather for Christians.[citation needed]

Mother's Day in the United States
The United States celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. In the United States, Mother's Day was loosely inspired by the British day and was imported by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War. However, it was intended as a call to unite women against war. In 1870, she wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation as a call for peace and disarmament. Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace. Her idea was influenced by Ann Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who, starting in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers' Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors. In parts of the United States it is customary to plant tomatoes outdoors after Mother's Day (and not before).
When Jarvis died in 1907, her daughter, named Anna Jarvis, started the crusade to found a memorial day for women. The first such Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on 10 May, 1908, in the church where the elder Ann Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Grafton is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine. From there, the custom caught on — spreading eventually to 45 states. The holiday was declared officially by some states beginning in 1912. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.
Nine years after the first official Mother's Day, commercialization of the U.S. holiday became so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become. Mother's Day continues to this day to be one of the most commercially successful U.S. occasions. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother's Day is now the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States.

for the perfect special gift for your mom, shop at www.big-baby.com the selection is huge to choose from and as always, the options are only limited as your imagination!

This page was last modified on 26 March 2008, at 12:34.
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Charm Bracelets - The history of Charm Bracelets

Beginning in the early years of the 20th century and extending until around 1960, it was a mark of middle-class properity that young girls be given a charm bracelet before they reached puberty and that at every holiday or anniversay, a new charm be added to the assemblage, often by the doting relative who had supplied the original bracelet. One suspects that jewelers were behind the craze, but in fact, the demand for charms is ancient; only this method of marketing them is relatively recent. Not all the charms on these bracelets were lucky emblems -- equally common were hobby-related and school-related charms. In fact, the multiplicity of charms available, and the mundanity of many of them -- a telephone, a car, a cheerleader's megaphone, a windmill -- served to devalue the word "charm" in the English language, so that today one may be misunderstood if one refers to "charms" when one means "amulets."
The picture here is an undated French postcard that was mailed in 1921. Printed in sepia tone, with modest touches of colour, it is a photo of 10 good luck charms of the type then popular in Europe and America.
The legend reads "Le Langage de Porte Bonheur" ("The Language of Good Luck Charms") and the 10 charms are labelled with their meanings -- which, i feel compelled to note, do not accord in every case with their usual symbolism.
The charms are:
an elephant: "Felicite" (happiness)
a heart: "Amour" (love)
a four-leaf clover: "Bonheur" (luck)
a horsehoe magnet: "Argent" (silver -- or money, due to the magnet's "drawing" power)
a die, showing seven spots: "Veine" (games of chance; gambler's luck)
the number 13: "Joie" (joy; the usual use of this number is as general luck or gambler's luck)
a pig: "Prosperite" (prosperity)
a hamsa hand: "Richesse" (riches; this is not accurate -- the hamsa hand protects against the evil eye; this one is unusual in that in place of the bilaterally symmetrical filigree design of an Arab "hand of Fatima" or an eye in the palm (which would make it an eye-in-hand amulet), it has a little arabesque curlique in the palm which is not visible on this scan (and barely visible on the original)
a horseshoe: "Fidelite" (fidelity; not entrely accurate -- the usual meaning is attraction or "drawing")
a pansy: "Souvenir" (remembrance; i have not encountered the pansy as a lucky charm elsewhere; it belongs more properly to the "language of flowers" than the "language of good luck charms")

The 20th century American charm bracelet at left features a variety of lucky charms in a bright mix of brass, copper, sterling silver, and gold-plated metal.
This bracelet is typical of the kind of jewelry worn by adolescent girls in the 1950s and 1960s, collected charm by charm while travelling through the tourist traps, flea markets, jewelry stores, and yard sales of the heartland. It is, in fact, my very own charm bracelet! There are 13 charms on it, demonstating the use of "unlucky" 13 as reversed bad luck. Clockwise from the top, they are:
a silver heart engraved with initials: love for the named individual
a brass heart pierced by an arrow: smitten romantic love
a silver horseshoe: attraction or "drawing" luck
a gold wishbone set with a pearl: wishes come true
a silver horseshoe on which is placed a wishbone, a four-leaf clover, a horseshoe and the words "Good Luck": good luck
a gold and green enamelled four-leaf clover: luck
a silver money bag with a $ sign: wealth
a copper horseshoe on which is placed a four-leaf clover: good luck
a brass heart padlock: faithful love
a silver spread of playing cards: gambling luck
a gold double horseshoe set with an artificial diamond: money luck
a brass money bag marked 1000: wealth
a silver horseshoe: attraction or "drawing" luck
Other popular 20th century charms not depicted on this page but often found on European and American charm bracelets include:
a swastika: luck (pre-Hitlerian, of course)
twin hearts pierced by a single arrow: reciprocated love
an Amanita muscaria mushroom: luck
a chimney sweep or his ladder and brush: luck
a so-called "Lucky Buddha": luck
a black cat: gambling luck
Unrelated to European and American charm bracelets -- but probably made to meet Occidental rather than Oriental tastes -- are the so-called Chinese charm bracelets made with glass beads, jade carvings, and metal amulets strung on black cord and tied around the wrist.

For more ideas and lucky charms, visit www.big-baby.com, where you'll find a huge selection of charms of any kind; charm bracelets, good luck Italian horns, and charm accessories to accent any of your jewelry collection. as always, with Big Baby you are only limited as your imagination!

copyright © 1995-2003 catherine yronwode. All rights reserved. Send your comments to: cat yronwode.

Ceramic Beads; How they are made

There are three types of clay used in ceramics today:
Earthenware: porous clay most frequently found in nature. Due to a high percentage of iron and other mineral impurities, earthenware is fired at a lower temperature. The color of fired earthenware varies from tan to red to black.
Stoneware: less porous than earthenware and bonds well with glazes. The color of fired stoneware tends to be variegated, ranges from buff to light gray to dark gray.
Porcelain: or kaolin is made of tinier particles than stoneware and earthenware and is also known as china clay. Chinese potters have used kaolin combined with other clays for hundreds of years. Porcelain is a dense, white clay that can be manipulated into extremely thin, smooth, translucent pieces.
To form beads, artisans shape wet clay by hand. More intricate beads, are made with molds and carving tools. The beads are set in the open air until they are completely dry "greenware" and ready for "bisquing", the first kiln firing. This process burns out the remaining water. The beads become very porous and more durable, which allows the glazes to take hold. The temperature of the bisque firing depends on the type of clay: earthenware requires temperatures beginning at 1300 degrees F, while porcelain fires at temperatures above 2300 degrees F.
After the bisque firing, beads are ready for glazing. Designs may be painted on by hand or decals may be applied before the beads are dipped in glaze. There are many different glaze "recipes," but all are made from combinations of minerals. Some glazes may also contain metallic oxides. Once glazed, beads are ready for the final firing.
There are two methods of final firing:
High-fire Method: uses a kiln that is hot enough to melt the glaze into the beads, fusing the glassy coating to the surface. Beads are suspended on rods to prevent the glaze from settling improperly. This method takes many hours, since the kiln must heat up and then cool down slowly to prevent pieces from warping or cracking. Multi-colored pieces may be coated with multiple layers of glaze, each fired at a successively lower temperature.
Raku Method: is a traditional Japanese technique, where beads are removed from the kiln while still red-hot and plunged into a metal container filled with combustible material, such as pine needles, dry leaves or sawdust. These combustible materials burst into flame and the container is covered so that the fire consumes the oxygen reducing the glaze and coating the bead with soot. Then the beads are quick-cooled in water, and the soot is rubbed off by hand. If a temperature-sensitive crackle glaze has been used, the soot remains in the cracks after the glazed area has been cleaned. The raku process is often used in combination with copper luster or copper matte glazes, giving the finished beads a rough-textured or "oxidized" look.
In both firing methods, slight variations in temperature and duration of firing can significantly impact the color intensity of a glaze. Different batches of the same material vary in color and it is often difficult to replicate a specific hue.

to some more great options of ceramic beads, simply go to www.big-baby.com were you can see our collection! if you have a special occassion and would like to create something special just for you, we can provide that as well! the options are only limited as your imagination!

Content Provided in Part by: All About Beads, by Maureen Murray, B.T. Batsford Ltd ; Keith O'Connor; Golem Design Studio; and http://www.claytimes.com .

Summer Bracelets. Get The Right Look For Hot Summer Jewelry

More is more this season when it comes to adorning your arms with jewelry — chunky bangles and cuffs to be exact. They were first spotted on the runway at the Chanel, Stella McCartney and Hermes spring shows, and then they quickly made their way onto the wrists of Hollywood's major trendsetters like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson.
Metallic bangles and cuffs in particular look luxe when stacked on top of each other, but one special piece does the trick as well. And whether you opt for polished, hammered, studded or braided, they perk up this season's neutrals and black and white prints.
Here's how you can rock the big bracelet look:
Kick-start a new corporate look by pairing one or two bangles with a dress or skirt suit. Shirtdresses lend themselves perfectly to this office glam look.
Lucite is a clear winner this season. Pile on your plastics with an all-white ensemble or with any electric shade of the moment.
Studded numbers play the perfect partner to sleek all-black looks.
Ramp up your evening attire with a racy jewel-encrusted bangle.

Don't forget about denim. Live large and sport extra-wide bracelets with your jeans and sandals or denim jacket (sleeves rolled up of course) with wide leg trousers.
Look for broad cuffs that double as watches.
Don't exclude shorts. Dress up your cropped bottoms with shiny accessories and fitted jackets.
Menswear doesn't have to look butch. Keep it sexy and pair a slouchy suit, buttoned-down white shirt or vest with layers of embellished cuffs.

for lots more fashionable accessories, shop at www.big-baby.com, where you'll find the latest trends to complete you hip summer look!

Source: http://beauty.ivillage.com/accessories/acctrends/0,,b5xmdhqp-2,00.html

Personalized Flip-Flops. The History of the Flip Flop

Personalized Flip-Flops. The History of the Flip Flop

Since it is almost impossible to quote the origination of the shoe, it is equally impossible to quote the origination of the flip flop. There are several cases in history among different culture, where the flip flop, or shoes closely similar in design are seen. Most publications seem to agree, that the history of the flip flop seems to be dominated in the Eastern culture’s history of countries like China and New Zealand. The history of the flip flop, spans far past even that, where there is evidence in the art of places like Egypt. In the hieroglyphics and other artistic pieces that derive from Egypt, many times one can notice a Egyptian figure wearing something on their feet that is close to the design of a flip flop.

However, in many of the cultures of countries such as these, you will never read or hear of the flip flop being referred to as a flip flop. The history of the flip flop begins at the sandal. Many of the earlier cultures, would refer to their shoe as the sandal, even though the design and the function of the shoe was similar to the flip flop.

Mostly, the history of the flip flop can be consider to begin when people began to refer to the sandal that had no back as the flip flop. The term “flip flop” comes from the sound that the shoe made. These types of sandals indeed had no back that would support the ankle, or prevented the shoe from continuously detaching from the foot. People would describe the sound of the attaching and detaching as a “flip flop”. In effect, the sandal began to be referred to as just that, the “flip flop”.

As Western culture began to explode and spread throughout the world, the history of the flip flop seem to begin with it. The flip flop became a popular footwear for hot days, and it became and expected footwear for beach and park recreational activities. Now in the 21st Century, as fashion grows to depict styles and to create icons, the history of the flip flop is beginning to involve into something so wide range, that it is “flip flopping” into a category all its own.

For more information on flip flops and other summery footwear visit flip flop sandals. Looking for other shoes, boots and footwear? Visit GBshoes.com for a wide selection of mens, womens and childrens shoes. For unique apparel visit Black Chandelier
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

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Teenagers Jewelry Trends. SIlver Jewelry Loved By Teens

Teenagers Jewelry Trends

Teenagers love to keep up with the fashion trends of the moment. Silver it seems is currently a very ‘in’ thing to have. All manner of silver items are now being worn by teenagers the world over. Read on to find out what youngsters really love about silver.

Silver jewelry is today’s fad among teens and young adults. The adults can have the gold, but give the younger generation silver! From bangle bracelets to rope chains , from rings for toes to rings in the nose , silver is in and it looks as if this will be the jewelry of choice for some time for young people.

While jewelry among teenagers can change at any moment , it does appear that many young people are wearing silver jewelry not only because they want to be wearing the pieces of jewelry which are in style but they also want to wear what they like and apparently the jewelry of choice is sterling silver.

Jewelry selections are ordered online or from catalogs and seemingly, parents are pleased to let their daughters and sons order freely because many of the high school students are showing up with numerous new silver pieces of jewelry throughout the year. Broaches, anklets, bracelets, chains, chokers, even lockets and rosaries are all showing up on teenagers. And the choice of the day is always silver.

Broaches are apparently coming back in style among young people who are excited to show off their latest styles and anything that looks Victorian or old adds a significant amount of charm to the jewelry piece. Stickpins are equally popular in some areas of the United States where teens are wearing these in hats or on coats.

Pop stars started the silver craze several years ago and while people like Brittney Spears and Madonna move on to other fads, teens are finding they love their silver jewelry and are keeping up with the older tradition of jewelry by wearing what they find appealing to the eyes.

Colorful stones are adding to the appeal of silver because the brightness of rubies, sapphires, emeralds and even diamonds can really make a plain silver band become extraordinarily beautiful with just the right stone to blend in with just the right band.

Chokers are also very stylish in Silver. Whether the choker is thin or thick, the elegance is evident in sterling silver chokers. Jewelry items can be found in many of the teen shops now too. The popular Limited Too carries some jewelry items of interest to teens, and silver is popular in the pre-teen’s favorite place to shop. Claire’s and other popular stores which appeal to teens are allowing more space for jewelry of sterling silver or two-toned gold and silver pieces.

Mall kiosks have many silver items for sale as well. You’ll find the items of jewelry in a kiosk are most likely less expensive than many of the department stores where jewelry is typically sold. And if you are lucky enough to catch a sale, you can shop for your teenager and find some great jewelry bargains!

Silver jewelry is definitely going to be around for awhile and with the craze covering everything from head to toe in silver, it’s likely fashion statements will tone down somewhat as teenagers begin to embrace the elegant and softer appeal of silver.

For all your teen jewelry and silver jewelry bracelets, sliders, beads and more, visit Big-Baby.com for huge selection of teen jewelry at low prices

Prom Pressure. How To Prepare For Your Prom

Prom Pressure. How To Prepare For Your Prom

Gina can't believe that she almost sat out her senior prom. It's true that things started out badly: She'd asked Chris - her secret crush - to be her date and he'd said no. Then a girl she thought was her friend started telling everyone how Chris had turned Gina down. The final straw was when the store where Gina worked closed, leaving her without a job - and without the money to buy the dress she wanted. Gina decided it was all a sign she shouldn't go.

Gina's friends finally persuaded her to go with them - it was her senior prom after all, and they thought she'd regret not going. So Gina borrowed a dress from her cousin and went with her friends. She ended up spending most of the night with Chris, who'd turned down offers of dates because he wanted to go with his friends instead.

The prom can be one of the most important events in your high school experience - a special night to look forward to and fantasize about for months beforehand. For some teens, though, the prom can seem like just another reason to worry and feel stressed out. Here are some strategies for overcoming prom pressure.

Your Money
With a little bit of planning and creativity, the prom doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are a few less expensive options:

Try renting dresses or tuxedos or paying for them in installments if you don't want to blow a wad of cash.

Thrift shopping for cool finds is a great way to get style on the cheap. You may be able to find some funky vintage shoes, purses, jewelry, and other accessories.

Think about borrowing threads from older siblings or cousins.

If you can't afford a trip to a beauty salon, go to a drugstore with a friend and treat yourselves to some new beauty supplies. You can spend the afternoon helping one another primp to perfection.
Instead of an expensive restaurant, opt for a romantic picnic dinner in the park or meet up at a friend's place for some home cooking.

If you're going with a date, talk openly about what's important to him or her - that way you'll have some idea of where you should spend your money. And guys shouldn't feel pressure to pay for everything - in fact, lots of girls prefer to share the expenses and have some choice in what the plans are.

If you need to ask a parent or other family member for help with your finances, offer to make up the cash by doing chores around the house like mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, or babysitting your little brother or sister. Sometimes parents are happy to help with some expenses - such as a limo that means they won't have to worry about how you'll get home.

Your Self-Esteem
The biggest prom worry for most people is asking and being asked: It's natural to stress out about gathering the courage to invite that special someone - and then being turned down. It's tempting to avoid the possibility of rejection by not asking, but who wants to be afraid of taking a chance? Ask. If the person says no, you can move on. That's what Gina did - and she was surprised when people told her how much they admired her for asking Chris in the first place. If you never ask, you may miss out on a dream date - someone who might be waiting for you to make the first move because he or she is too shy.

This works the other way around, of course: If you need to decline an offer, try to step back and think about the other person's feelings so you don't let him or her down too hard.

The important thing is to find a date you know you'll enjoy spending the evening with, whether it's a friend, boyfriend or girlfriend, or the object of your secret desire. Because most people want to relax and keep their options open for fun on prom night, more and more people are choosing to go with a group of friends instead of a date. Who better to spend the evening with than the people who love you for who you are?

Your Looks
Want to lose weight? As always it's important to do what's healthy and right for you. If you are overweight and you've talked to your doctor about your need to lose weight, the prom could be a great reason to get motivated. Your best strategy is to plan ahead. Girls in particular often resort to crash dieting right before the big night - and they're usually left feeling weak, cranky, and certainly not in the mood for fun. Because the weight that's lost through crash diets is mostly water weight, most of these people gain the weight back after prom's over. What's more, studies have found that frequent "yo-yo" dieters - people who crash diet and then go back to eating normally - may end up gaining more weight over time.

To lose the weight for real - to keep it off for the rest of the summer's fun and beyond - plan to lose a pound or 2 (0.5 or 1 kilogram) a week through regular exercise and by eating a variety of healthy foods. Because it's almost impossible to lose more than a couple of pounds of body fat per week, set your goals early on: If you decide you'd like to lose 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms), for example, start your program 3 weeks before the big night.

Exercising and eating right will also help your skin look its best. And speaking of skin, lots of people hit the tanning bed before prom night. Most of us already know the problems tanning causes later in life. But tanning can also cause skin problems that mess with prom-night good looks: Some people find they are prone to breakouts after tanning; others notice it leaves them with dull, dry, flaky skin. The best strategy is to look for alternatives to the tanning bed. Plan ahead and experiment with store-bought tanning products. Try a couple several weeks in advance to find out which one works best for you. Or visit a salon for advice on spray tanning.

Another strategy for looking prom-night gorgeous? Get plenty of rest, especially on the days leading up to the prom. No matter what body type you have or how much money you spend, confidence helps you look good!

Your Health
Lots of people feel pressure from their friends to drink, do drugs, or lose their virginity on prom night. As with your other prom plans, take a minute to think in advance about how you'll avoid getting into an unwanted situation. You'll feel more confident and in control if you're prepared.

Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol impair your judgment and can hurt you. And there's also the fact that drinking and drugs are illegal - you don't want to spend prom night in the lockup.

Be sure you have a safe ride home, whether it's a designated driver, parent, or that chauffeur-driven limo. It's also a good idea to have cab fare or to bring a cell phone and the number of an older sibling or parent just in case your ride gets wild.

Substances like alcohol and drugs can also play a role in teens' losing their virginity on prom night. The decision to have sex is an important personal choice that involves many factors. Don't feel pressure to have sex just because it's a special night - your night will be even more memorable if your memories are happy instead of regretful. In fact, lots of girls and guys who think about it in advance decide that there's enough excitement on prom night anyway - and that having sex is a special, personal decision that shouldn't just be a sideline to prom fun.

Prom can be magical. But it's not the only time you'll have this much fun: There are plenty of other life-defining events as well. So don't let anyone use prom night to pressure you into drinking, drugs, sex, or breaking your curfew - or doing anything else you don't want to. It's your prom. Enjoy it the way you want to.

No prom gown or tux is complete with out your own personalized jewelry. Be sure to visit big-baby.com to buy some trendy, self-expression teen jewelry to add as a great accessory to your prom outfit

Teens and Peer Pressure. Good Peer Pressure. Bad peer Pressure

Teens and Peer Pressure. Good Peer Pressure. Bad peer Pressure. Know the difference!

"Now!" whispered Suki. "Quick, while the clerk's not looking."

Heart pounding, Leah leaned against the store's unattended makeup display and slid two tubes of lipstick into her purse. She looked bored and detached as she followed her friends Suki and Jill out of the store, but inside she felt panicked.

"I can't believe you made me do that," Leah wailed.

"Relax," said Jill. "Everybody does it sometimes. And we didn't make you do it."

She said nothing, but Leah knew she wouldn't have done that on her own. She'd just had a big dose of peer pressure.

Who Are Your Peers?

When you were a little kid, your parents usually chose your friends, putting you in playgroups or arranging playdates with certain children they knew and liked. Now that you're older, you decide who your friends are and what groups you spend time with.

Your friends — your peers — are people your age or close to it who have experiences and interests similar to yours. You and your friends make dozens of decisions every day, and you influence each other's choices and behaviors. This is often positive — it's human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.

As you become more independent, your peers naturally play a greater role in your life. As school and other activities take you away from home, you may spend more time with peers than you do with your parents and siblings. You'll probably develop close friendships with some of your peers, and you may feel so connected to them that they are like an extended family.

Besides close friends, your peers include other kids you know who are the same age — like people in your grade, church, sports team, or community. These peers also influence you by the way they dress and act, things they're involved in, and the attitudes they show.

It's natural for people to identify with and compare themselves to their peers as they consider how they wish to be (or think they should be), or what they want to achieve. People are influenced by peers because they want to fit in, be like peers they admire, do what others are doing, or have what others have.

Peer Influence Isn't All Bad
You already know that the teen years can be tough. You're figuring out who you are, what you believe, what you're good at, what your responsibilities are, and what your place in the world is going to be.

It's comforting to face those challenges with friends who are into the same things that you are. But you probably hear adults — parents, teachers, guidance counselors, etc. — talk about peer pressure more than the benefits of belonging to a peer group.

You might not hear a lot about it, but peers have a profoundly positive influence on each other and play important roles in each other's lives:

Friendship. Among peers you can find friendship and acceptance, and share experiences that can build lasting bonds.

Positive Examples. Peers set plenty of good examples for each other. Having peers who are committed to doing well in school or to doing their best in a sport can influence you to be more goal-oriented, too. Peers who are kind and loyal influence you to build these qualities in yourself. Even peers you've never met can be role models! For example, watching someone your age compete in the Olympics, give a piano concert, or spearhead a community project might inspire you to go after a dream of your own.

Feedback and Advice. Your friends listen and give you feedback as you try out new ideas, explore belief, and discuss problems. Peers can help you make decisions, too: what courses to take; whether to get your hair cut, let it grow, or dye it; how to handle a family argument. You might turn to your peers for all sorts of advice — even about intimate or potentially risky decisions like whether to have sex or try drugs.

Socializing. Your peer group gives you opportunities to try out new social skills. Getting to know lots of different people — such as classmates or teammates — gives you a chance to learn how to expand your circle of friends, build relationships, and work out differences. You may have peers you agree or disagree with, compete with, or team with, peers you admire, and peers you don't want to be like.

Encouragement. Peers encourage you to work hard to get the solo in the concert, help you study, listen and support you when you're upset or troubled, and empathize with you when they've experienced similar difficulties.

New Experiences. Your peers might get you involved in clubs, sports, or religious groups. Your world would be far less rich without peers to encourage you try sushi for the first time, listen to a CD you've never heard before, or to offer moral support when you audition for the school play.
Good Advice. Peers often give each other good advice. Your friends will be quick to tell you when they think you're making a mistake or doing something risky.

When the Pressure's On
Sometimes, though, the stresses in your life can actually come from your peers. They may pressure you into doing something you're uncomfortable with, such as shoplifting, doing drugs or drinking, taking dangerous risks when driving a car, or having sex before you feel ready.

This pressure may be expressed openly ("Oh, come on — it's just one beer, and everyone else is having one") or more indirectly — simply making beer available at a party, for instance.

Most peer pressure is less easy to define. Sometimes a group can make subtle signals without saying anything at all — letting you know that you must dress or talk a certain way or adopt particular attitudes toward school, other students, parents, and teachers in order to win acceptance and approval.

The pressure to conform (to do what others are doing) can be powerful and hard to resist. A person might feel pressure to do something just because others are doing it (or say they are). Peer pressure can influence a person to do something that is relatively harmless — or something that has more serious consequences. Giving in to the pressure to dress a certain way is one thing — going along with the crowd to drink or smoke is another.

People may feel pressure to conform so they fit in or are accepted, or so they don't feel awkward or uncomfortable. When people are unsure of what to do in a social situation, they naturally look to others for cues about what is and isn't acceptable.

The people who are most easily influenced will follow someone else's lead first. Then others may go along, too — so it can be easy to think, "It must be OK. Everyone else is doing it. They must know what they're doing." Before you know it, many people are going along with the crowd — perhaps on something they might not otherwise do.

Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature — but some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers' approval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.

Using alcohol or drugs increases anyone's chances of giving in to peer pressure. Substance use impairs judgment and interferes with the ability to make good decisions.

Pressure Pointers
Nearly everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation at some point. No matter how wisely you choose your friends, or how well you think you know them, sooner or later you'll have to make decisions that are difficult and could be unpopular. It may be something as simple as resisting the pressure to spend your hard-earned babysitting money on the latest MP3 player that "everybody" has. Or it may mean deciding to take a stand that makes you look uncool to your group.

But these situations can be opportunities to figure out what is right for you. There's no magic to standing up to peer pressure, but it does take courage — yours:

Listen to your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, even if your friends seem to be OK with what's going on, it means that something about the situation is wrong for you. This kind of decision-making is part of becoming self-reliant and learning more about who you are.
Plan for possible pressure situations. If you'd like to go to a party but you believe you may be offered alcohol or drugs there, think ahead about how you'll handle this challenge. Decide ahead of time — and even rehearse — what you'll say and do. Learn a few tricks. If you're holding a bottle of water or a can of soda, for instance, you're less likely to be offered a drink you don't want.

Arrange a "bail-out" code phrase you can use with your parents without losing face with your peers. You might call home from a party at which you're feeling pressured to drink alcohol and say, for instance, "Can you come and drive me home? I have a terrible earache."
Learn to feel comfortable saying "no." With good friends you should never have to offer an explanation or apology. But if you feel you need an excuse for, say, turning down a drink or smoke, think up a few lines you can use casually. You can always say, "No, thanks, I've got a belt test in karate next week and I'm in training," or "No way — my uncle just died of cirrhosis and I'm not even looking at any booze."

Hang with people who feel the same way you do. Choose friends who will speak up with you when you're in need of moral support, and be quick to speak up for a friend in the same way. If you're hearing that little voice telling you a situation's not right, chances are others hear it, too. Just having one other person stand with you against peer pressure makes it much easier for both people to resist.

Blame your parents: "Are you kidding? If my mom found out, she'd kill me, and her spies are everywhere."

If a situation seems dangerous, don't hesitate to get an adult's help.
It's not always easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do, it is easy to feel good about it afterwards. And you may even be a positive influence on your peers who feel the same way — often it just takes one person to speak out or take a different action to change a situation. Your friends may follow if you have the courage to do something different or refuse to go along with the group. Consider yourself a leader, and know that you have the potential to make a difference.

by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: February 2006

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Teen Virtual Life Community

Teen Virtual Life Community

Join Teens from all over the globe in Teen Second Life - a 3D virtual world created by you and for you. Create, learn new skills, start a business, meet new people -- it's your world, your imagination. http://teen.secondlife.com/

Build what you like, explore as you prefer, communicate across platforms with who you choose, fashion a persona to your exact specifications. All Teen Second Life features are designed to offer its users the most open-ended, customizable experience of any online world on the market. No restrictions or arbitrary guidelines imposed by the developers—only the tools and resources to build your own vision of a better world.

Having land in Second Life allows you to build, display, and store your virtual creations, as well as host events and businesses. Whether it’s a modest nook for a relaxing cottage, or an entire region to build your dream amusement park, land is for everyone.

What is Teen Second Life? http://teen.secondlife.com/
Teen Second Life is an international gathering place for teens 13-17 to make friends and to play, learn and create. In Second Life, teens can create and customize a digital self called an "avatar," fly through an ever-changing 3D landscape, chat and socialize with other teens from all over the world, and build anything from skyscrapers to virtual vehicles. It’s more than a videogame and much more than an Internet chat program – it’s a boundless world of surprise and adventure that encourages teens to work together and use their imaginations.

Who Makes Second Life? http://teen.secondlife.com/
Second Life is developed by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 and based in San Francisco. You can read all about us at www.lindenlab.com. Linden Lab provides the technology but the Second Life residents themselves are the ones who really help shape the world and make it unique.

Who is Teen Second Life for? http://teen.secondlife.com/
Be a part of a global community of teens aged 13-17. Only teens between the ages of 13 and 17 are allowed in (there is a separate version of Second Life for adults) so other than Linden Lab’s staff, Linden Liaisons, who are there to make Teen Second Life a safe and pleasant place to be, teens will interact with other teens their own age. Occasionally we may bring in teachers for special educational projects as well. When that happens we will always let residents know who they are and what type of project they’re working on.

Information for Parents http://teen.secondlife.com/
How can My Teen get Help in Teen Second Life?
Linden Lab staff can be spotted in-world with the last name Linden and the title Liaison. Liaisons are always reachable via our in-world Instant Messaging feature.

How can I Share My Teen’s Second Life Experience?
We encourage you to become involved in your teen’s Second Life experience. Ask them to show you around the world and to keep you informed about their in-world social and creative activities. Because only authorized adults are allowed in Teen Second Life, we do ask that you not actively operate your teen’s avatar yourself. However, if you enjoy your experience with your teen you are welcome to visit Second Life’s separate world for adults where you can have an avatar and account of your own.

Is Teen Second Life Safe for My Teen?
Linden Lab is committed to providing a safe online environment for its teen residents. Teen Second Life will always be staffed with Liaison coverage during open hours. You can help your teen stay safe by teaching them never to reveal any personally identifying real life information while they are online. Read Linden Lab’s Online Safety Tips for more suggestions about how to communicate safely online.

The Teen Second Life Community Standards apply to all teen community areas of Second Life, the Teen Second Life Forums, and the Teen Second Life Website. You should also take a look at the Terms of Service for more information about other actions that could result in account suspension or banning.

Are My Child’s Personal Details Safe with Linden Lab?
At Linden Lab, we value your support and are committed to protecting your teen’s privacy. We take precautions to make this site and the Teen Second Life virtual world safe environments for users. To learn more, please check our Privacy Policy.

Why Do You Ask for My E-Mail Address?
We ask for your e-mail address so that we can send password reminders, and account information as needed. If it is necessary to issue your teen an official Account Strike Notification, you will also receive it via email. We also offer you the ability to request up-to-date Account Activity summary information. In the future, Linden Lab will offer an opt-in newsletter to Teen Second Life Residents and their parents.

Does It Cost Anything to Play Teen Second Life?
A single Basic account is completely FREE, and includes access to events, shopping, building, scripting - everything you can do in Teen Second Life. The free Basic account is good for a lifetime of play. Start your teen with a free account today!

Why Can't my Teen be on the Second Life® World for Adults?
The Second Life world for adults is an exciting and attractive place, and some teens may be tempted to try to access it. However, the adult Second Life world is just that: adult. It is not intended for minors, and some of the content is geared toward mature users over 18 years of age. Linden Lab is committed to providing a secure environment for teen residents in Teen Second Life; to that end, violators of the adults-only policy of Second Life may face suspension and permanent ban from Second Life.

What if My Teen Wants to Acquire Land?
A Premium Teen Second Life account, starting at $9.95 a month, allows your teen to acquire land on which they can build, display, entertain and live. Visit Virtual Land to learn more about purchasing land in Teen Second Life.

The Land Use Fee is a monthly charge for the peak amount of Second Life land held during the previous 30 days in excess of the 512 square meter allowance granted with a Premium Account. The fee is tiered, and discounted as you acquire more land. When purchasing new land, you will be alerted if the new acquisition moves you into a higher tier requiring a greater monthly land use fee.

Visit http://teen.secondlife.com/

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Cool Teen Party Ideas. Fun Tween Party Ideas

Cool Teen Party Ideas. Fun Tween Party Ideas

A theme can help tie the different elements of your party together, and be a fun way for everyone to step out of their everyday lives. The party theme can be articulated in the decorations, food and activities that you have at your party. These are some of the most popular teen party themes at the moment:

Jewelry Glam Party: Stock up on jewelry making supplies and invite your friends for an evening of beading. Be sure to visit Big-Baby.com for low cost beadsm sliders, and more!

Retro Chic Party : Pick a bygone era and use it to style your party. Rummage in your folks' closets for attire for a Groovy Seventies party, run Brady Bunch episodes in the background, don headbands and valley girl minis for an Eighties Bash or get historical with a roaring twenties bash.

Luau Party: The luau may be a classic, but it is a perennial for a reason. Who wouldn't enjoy leaving homework and stress behind for a night in a tropical paradise. Make sure you include a limbo contest to get things rolling.

Silver Screen Party: Looking for a party idea for drama club or for your Oscar night get-together? Take your teen party inspiration straight from the silver screen. You can pick a particular movie, a genre, a director or leave it wide open. Imagine a party themed after your favorite Anime flick or all of your friends playing croquet in honor of Heathers.

American Idol Party: Rent a karaoke machine and have your own American Idol contest with your friends. When the final votes are in, your party will be the winner.

Fear Factor Party: You don't have to make your friends eat fried worms to have a fear factor party. Use jello to make unappealing but harmless snacks, make some innocuous slime for people to stick their hands and decorate with rubber snakes and fake rodents.
If you're inviting all girls for a birthday or slumber party, consider these favorite teen themes:

Salon Night Party: Spend the evening experimenting with hairstyles, makeup and glamour! If you have the budget, consider hiring a cosmetics or nail care professional to come and help!

Other Teen Part Ideas

Party Beach Party
Dance Party
Hollywood Party
Mall Party
Movie Party
Quinceanera Party
Sleepover Party
Spa party
Sweet 16 Party

Remember: For Teen party ideas, it's all about the entertainment. Talk with your teen and find out what kind of entertainment the two of you want and then work around that. Create an atmosphere of excitement around your chosen theme and have fun with it, be creative. The party will sure to be a success!

Teen Jewelry Fashion. Tween Jewelry Fashions

Teen Jewelry Fashion. Tween Jewelry Fashions

Teenagers are a fickle bunch. At that stage of physical and psychological growth, they are constantly experimenting with things to improve their image and their look. Teen jewelry fashion plays a major part in the development of their identity and efforts to either blend in with the crowd or establish their own unique persona. Any parental endorsement of fashion accessories is akin to the kiss of death, and adolescents look to other influences when it comes to teen jewelry fashion.

The celebrities that teenagers see in music videos, television programs or movie screens are largely responsible for dictating trends in teen jewelry fashion. The oversized, ostentatious accoutrements favored by rap musicians have spawned the hip-hop jewelry trend, and teenagers have been patronizing lower-priced but accurate replicas of celebrity bling bling. Instead of the diamonds and other precious gems used in celebrity jewelry, cheaper zirconia and base metals are used for duplicates. Body jewelry (both the pierced and non-pierced types) that is unusually designed and made with inexpensive materials has also seen an increase in teenage patrons.

Beaded jewelry and woven friendship bracelets and rings are some of the other hot trends in teen jewelry fashion.

Beaded jewelry and woven friendship bracelets and rings are some of the other hot trends in teen jewelry fashion. Many teenagers make these dress accessories themselves and give them to friends as gifts. These are personalized with beads that have the letters of the recipient’s name on them are incorporated into the woven fibers. Many teenagers also wear certain types of jewelry to identify them as part of a clique or group. These may take the form of uniquely designed pendants, rings or charms that have spiritual or mystical overtones.

Feminine teen jewelry fashion styles are also influenced largely by young celebrities today. Items worn by teen stars, such as Hilary Duff’s slave bracelets, are copied by her non-celebrity counterparts. However, whimsical designs are still hugely popular among this set of young consumers. Gold- or silver-plated jewelry and jewelry that has gemstones has not lost its following among teenagers.

Some masculine teen jewelry fashion trends, on the other hand, tend to lean more toward beadwork, silverwork, leatherwork, and unusual stones. Teenage guys seem to think that sporty-looking accessories, such as so-called surfer-dude necklaces and arm bands made from bone, wood, or shell beads on a rubber or leather cord are cool. Stainless steel jewelry is popular with them, too.

Jewelry has been used by all people throughout history as marks of beauty or to denote social status. Adolescents are not immune to these patterns; in fact they are probably even more susceptible to them because of their need to simultaneously conform and stand out. Teenage jewelry fashion is part of their social arsenal and a tool in the development process.

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