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Eco Friendly Clothing

People are becoming more conscious about the products they’re buying and how these products are made. That’s why manufacturers are creating styles crafted from sustainable resources. From sport shirts to fleece to accessories, eco-friendly products are a welcome alternative that are designed to work in harmony with nature. When you purchase a product that is organic, recycled or produced in an environmentally friendly manner then you have voted with your dollars and helped create a demand for alternative products. Eco Friendly products is a fledgling part of the apparel industry it will take time to make it to the mainstream in a more profound way, but as time goes on more products will be available for the environmentally conscious consumer.

Eco Friendly Clothing is all the rage these days and with the goings on in the world, economy and our daily lives eco friendly apparel makes sense. Organic clothing and recycled clothing are nice ways to treat out earth in a friendly manner and at the same time be fashionable and hip with your friends. The styles available range from plain white t-shirts, polo shirts and hats made of bamboo, and apparel created with recycled plastic bottles. As with anything there are downsides to eco friendly clothing such as it a little more expensive for consumer, but when compared to the upside the argument for more organic clothing is strong. I am quite sure as this catches on the prices will come down.

Eco Friendly Apparel is designed for healthy, active lifestyles and people who care about the environment and society enough to be conscious of the impact their clothes have on the rest of the world. Each of us leaves a footprint behind while we live our lives on planet earth and it is truly thoughtful to try to leave it as you found it. We as a species have a long way to go concerning the health of the earth. Just think that every little act does count and it does add up over time. We can reverse the downtrend in the degradation of humanities greatest possession – planet earth.

Made from natural and fair-trade materials like soy, organic cotton, bamboo, and leather-alternatives, clothing and accessories are eco-conscious, socially responsible and stylish at the same time. Be kind to our planet - buy eco friendly clothing.

Types of clothing

Bamboo fabric is created from the bamboo pulp. It does not need chlorine to bleach it and it can be dyed easily with minimal water requirements. Fabrics that do not dye easily are often treated with harsh chemicals and much more water, so an organic fabric that dyes easy is generally better for the environment.

Organic cotton is much more environmentally friendly than the traditional variety as it uses no pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides during the growing cycle. There are many growers of this crop, and the number is steadily increasing.

Recycled Fleece has many benefits for the environment and economy. Benefits include lessening of our dependence on oil (foreign oil), reduces discarded clothing, and is generally thought to create less air, water and soil contamination. When a polyester garment reaches a landfill where they incinerate some of the garbage, polyester will create toxic emissions that will pollute the air – recycling of these garments reduce that toxic emission. Major sources for recycled polyester are discarded plastic bottles.

Jason Duke has been involved with the apparel industry for a little over 2 years. Organic clothing is a new and exciting part of the apparel industry and is being promoted because our planet is needful of friendly manufacturing processes and less waste. Check out some Eco Friendly Apparel

Fun Facts About Christmas

1. Christmas (believe it or not) is not festival celebrating gluttony, drunkeness or consumerism. The festival now often referred to by busy people as ‘Xmas’ is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC/BCE—26–36 AD/CE), also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure of the religion of Christianity and is revered by most Christian churches as the Son of God and the incarnation of God. Islam considers Jesus a prophet, while many Hindus see him as an Avatar.

2. A gift or present is the transfer of something, without the need for compensation that is involved in trade (also know as commerce). A gift is a act which is voluntary does not require anything in return. Even though it may involve a social expectation of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power, a gift is meant to be free.

In many human cultures and societies, the act of mutually exchanging goods, money etc may contribute to enhancing social cohesion. Economists have elaborated the economics of gift-giving into the notion of a gift economy.

The term gift can also refer to anything that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favour, including forgiveness and kindness. Gifts aren’t always material objects!

3. There are several alternative names for Christmas. Crimbo is a slang term which first appeared in print in 1928. The variant ‘Crimble’ was first used by John Lennon in a Beatles’ Fan Club Christmas single in 1963. Xmas is an established abbreviation, though it is involved in the secularization of Christmas debate. Yule is used in Northern Europe. In the US, the term(s) “holiday” and / or “season” may be used.

4. Saint Nicholas is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a Christian saint who was Bishop of Myra in Lycia of Anatolia (now known as Antalya province in Turkey, though at the time it was a Greek-speaking Roman Province). Because of the many miracles attributed to him, he is known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, and is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas Day is a festival in early December for children in much of Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.

Images of Santa Claus were popularised through Haddon Sundblom’s depiction of him in The Coca-Cola Company’s Christmas advertising in the 1930’s. The popularity of the image has since spawned urban legends that Santa Claus was himself an invention of Coca-Cola or that Santa wears red and white because those are the colors of the Coca-Cola brand. In fact, Coca-Cola was not the first soft drinks company to utilize the modern image of Santa in its advertising – White Rock Beverages used Santa to sell mineral water in 1915 and then later in ads for ginger ale in 1923. The massive advertising campaign by Coca-Cola simply popularised the depiction of Santa wearing red and white, in contrast to the variety of colours he wore prior to that campaign; red and white was originally given by the 19th century caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. The modern depiction of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly man (or gnome) in a red coat and trousers with white cuffs and collar, black leather belt and boots, first became popular in the United States due to Nash’s work.

Gary Tallon wrote this article about Gifts .

Bridal Dress Inspirations From Around The World

If you want a truly unique bridal dress on your wedding day, you can look for inspirations from the wedding attire of different cultures. You can veer away from the traditional white gown, the trendy strapless bodice, the long veil, and the seed pearls and embroidery of your peers’ wedding gowns. Of course, you will need a certain unorthodox spirit to carry out your inspired bridal dress plus a husband who will cater to your whims. If he is of the culture you borrowed your inspiration from, then better for you!

The Indian Sari

You have seen a sari worn by Indian beauty queens like Aishwarya Rai. You cannot deny how these flowing garments emphasize feminine grace and attributes while leaving plenty to the imagination. Add in colorful threads and embellishments and you have one head-turning dress!

For Indian weddings, the traditional colors are red and white that symbolizes fertility, wealth and purity. Instead of an all-white bridal dress, you can inject touches of red - a ribbon or hem embroidery perhaps. If you want to take it one step further, you can design a sari-inspired wedding gown. You would have dispensed of stiff petticoats and restraining corsets and just be comfortable during the wedding ceremony and the reception.

The Irish Blue

The traditional Irish bridal dress is blue, which symbolizes purity. Lest you think that it should be green since it is the color of Ireland, it is actually considered bad luck for the bride to wear green. (Thus, if invited to an Irish wedding, avoid wearing green, too)

You can wear a blue-hued dress, if you want. Better yet, you can always use the finest Irish lace in your wedding gown. Not only do you go haute couture, you also have an exquisite dress on your wedding day!

The Scottish Tartan

Fortunately for you, The Scottish bridal dress is traditionally white or cream. However, you can add touches of tartan to your dress - tartan ribbons on your bouquet, tartan trimmings, tartan shawl, or a tartan waist sash. This livens up an otherwise all-white ensemble with tradition particularly when your family or that of your husband’s has Scottish origins.

Or if you do not want a tartan, you can always have Celtic knot work embroidered on your wedding gown to symbolize eternal love. At the very least, you have ancient patterns with meanings instead of the customary flowers and leaves.

The Hispanic Heritage

If you are of Hispanic heritage, the tradition about wearing something borrowed takes on a different meaning. Your wedding dress might very well be the wedding dress of your mother and your grandmother, with a few revisions to suit your bodily measurements. This reflects your pride of family, a trait highly valued in Hispanic societies.

The Spanish traditional wedding gown represents a radical departure from the customary white of Western weddings. The Spanish bride wears a black gown and a lacy mantilla veil to symbolize her devotion to her husband until death. If you choose a Spanish-influenced gown vis-…-vis color, you do not need to despair. You can sew in ribbons of yellow, blue and red into your lingerie or infuse touches of these colors into your gown.

Of course, when you do choose a foreign influence as inspiration for your bridal dress, do not make the mistake of turning it into a hodgepodge of clashing ideas. You want a timeless appeal with a traditional touch to your wedding gown!

For a perfect wedding, find ideas for your wedding favours and wedding cakes as well as your perfect bridal dress at BestforBride.com today!

Funeral Limousine Services in Toronto

Toronto funeral limousine is part of limousine services offered in the Greater Toronto Area, which the many companies have introduced to accommodate its customers as they transport loved ones who have passed on. The company has professionally trained staff who specialize in car services to offer chauffeured services to those who have lost a love one and need them to travel in style. These services are offered not only in the cities of Toronto but also in the greater Toronto area. The death of a family member is a trying moment for most people. It is more trying if the person dies when they are overseas or in another state. Not only is transporting the body costly, but it is also mentally strenuous to make all the arrangements to the last detail. That is why it is wise to get a Toronto funeral limousine to help transport the body of the loved one. These companies take upon themselves all the hassle of getting the body from the airport to the morgue or the place of burial.

The funeral limousine companies have a fleet of limousines, which have several different features to ensure comfort and style when traveling. The limousines have GPS tracking devices or units, which are among the most recent investments. The limousine companies deliver the highest and fastest level of service, which is among the most courteous and dependable limo services available in the Greater Toronto Area. No matter what plans a family has in transporting a lost loved one the funeral limousine offers one of the best environment and mood. The Toronto funeral limousine has features such as fiber optic lighting, leather interiors and privacy partitions to ensure the family travels in style.

Luxury limousine service offers a wide variety of vehicles that accommodates groups of any size and delivers the best transport care and service. Limo prices vary and Toronto funeral limousine range from cheap limousines to pricey exotic limousines. Choosing a limousine for a funeral service is not sufficient to make the event memorable. There are several assorted Toronto funeral limousine models, which are available as part of limousine rentals. Choosing the right one for the event guarantees an elegant and stylish farewell. When combing the cities of Toronto, Ontario, Mississauga or even the Greater Toronto Area, for limousine companies, it is important to consider not just the cheap limousine rentals but also the executive limousine services that offer chauffer services. This would be necessary when being used to transport the body of a departed.

If it is the first time that a family is hiring a Toronto funeral limousine and they are not sure about the best model choice for the event, then limousine services in Toronto have guides on variety of limo models that are for rental. Some of the limos have simple interior designs but ensure smooth travel and accommodate different number of people. A Lincoln town car is a perfect example of a convenient limo. It can be used to carry the body of the lost loved one and ensure a respectable farewell.

Funeral LimousinWhether it be a luxury sedan or one of our larger limos, our service will be unmatched by anyone in the industry. visit: http://www.torontolimousineservices.com

The Life Insurance Business in 1868

The world of 1868, when the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was born, was very different from the world we know today. There were no telephones in those days and no electric lights. The country had not yet been spanned by a transcontinental railroad. Records were kept in handwritten ledgers, and business letters were penned in longhand. The entire population of the United States was only about 37,000,000. The flag then carried 37 stars.

Canada at that time contained only 3,500,000 people. She had only one year earlier (1867) achieved Dominion status in the British Empire. The two countries, although their frontiers were expanding, were still largely rural. At the census of 1870, the American population living on farms and in country villages numbered about 30,000,000. Persons engaged in agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry constituted half the total working population.

The War of the States, to be sure, was over, but the struggle had left in its wake a variety of national problems— not only political but also economic and social. The Nation was still feeling most of these with full force. For instance, greenbacks were still in circulation, and specie payment was not to be resumed until 11 years later. With the emancipation of the slaves, the labor problem reached a new phase. The Government of a now united Nation was anxious to offer its citizens fields for expansion, and through the Homestead Acts and subsequent land grants made thousands of farm acres available to pioneers.

To others more enterprising, new territories offered opportunity to exploit the resources of great plains and mountains. The primary need of the country was adequate transportation facilities, which were considered a key to further economic progress. However, all signs pointed to a great expansion ahead. The actual issues of the war itself had, for the most part, been settled. The country could now go forward to the fruitful destiny which its rich natural resources and its vigorous people promised.

Industry, commerce, and finance felt the new stimulus to surge forward. The business depression which immediately followed the close of the war proved short and was succeeded by a distinct upturn. By 1868 there was in progress a business revival which was to last five years. The Metropolitan was thus launched on a rising economic tide. Immigrants in large numbers were encouraged to come to add the work of their hands to the building of the country.

They made up a new working population, which took root, for the most part, in the cities. Crossroads were becoming towns almost overnight. Towns were swiftly growing into cities. A deeper sense of permanence colored the thoughts of the American people, who began to think in terms of a future, a home, family security. The United States was rapidly coming of age.

The class of wage earners was growing rapidly, a circumstance which, as we shall see, proved to be a determining factor in the development of the Metropolitan. As inventions multiplied and factories grew, women and children were employed in greater numbers. The acceleration of industry and of urban life accentuated the economic insecurity which many felt in their new environment.

City dwellers became conscious of the hazards of long working days, child labor, and industrial accidents. Mines and railroads and machines were being developed with consequent risk to human life. Health conditions in our cities were far from good. To provide a measure of security for this increasing urban population, life insurance and private health insurance (http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/health/) companies came into being.

The war decade of the 1860s gave opportunity for the great expansion of the life insurance and individual health insurance (http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/health/dallas.cfm) business. As a result, more than 100 companies were functioning by 1868. The New England Mutual and The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York had already been in operation for 25 years.

In fact, when the Metropolitan appeared on the scene, there were already in existence organizations with such familiar names as the New York Life, the Equitable Life of New York, the Mutual Benefit of New Jersey, the John Hancock, the Aetna, and the Connecticut Mutual. By present standards none of these companies was large, yet in their day they were important economic enterprises. At the end of 1868 the largest of these, The Mutual Life of New York, had gross assets of more than $30,000,000 and insurance in force amounting to nearly $200,000,000.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in business, finance, and private health insurance. For a free individual health insurance quote, please visit http://www.cheap-insurance-rates.com/.

The Investigation Into the Life Insurance Business

The marked depreciation of urban real estate, farm lands, and bond values called for the rearrangement of the investment portfolio of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

President Ecker, with his long and varied experience in this field, addressed himself to the solution of this problem, made particularly difficult by the continued decline in opportunities for the profitable investment of insurance funds. Money was accumulating in the treasury because it was almost impossible to find proper investment channels.

Under these conditions and with a consciousness of civic responsibility, Mr. Ecker turned his attention to the field of moderate rental housing. At the age of 70 he launched a building program unprecedented in social character and magnitude, to provide homes for persons of medium income in New York City.

He located a large tract in The Bronx, guided the planning of adequate buildings and services, and saw step by step the fulfillment of his hopes in the completion of a model community, Parkchester. By the early 1920’s, 36,000 people lived there, a splendid contribution to the moderate priced housing program of the city and the Nation.

Similar housing developments were undertaken under Mr. Ecker’s direction both in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and later in Alexandria, Va. Such building programs, without precedent in the United States for a private company, were recognized by national and private agencies as an important contribution to the housing problem in the period of war emergency.

At the same time, they served as an excellent investment field for the company. During the period of financial depression there were criticisms of every business; and the business of life insurance, homeowner’s insurance (http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/home/), and even automobile insurance in general and the Metropolitan specifically were not exempt.

Notwithstanding the splendid record of the major companies, various movements for investigating the life insurance business and health insurance providers (http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/health/) were initiated in Washington. In 1938 the Congress of the United States responded to a message from President Roosevelt and included among the subjects to be investigated by the Temporary National Economic Committee certain investment phases of the business of life insurance.

The investigation was assigned to the newly created Securities and Exchange Commission. Those responsible for gathering evidence to submit to the T.N.E.C. lost no opportunity to seek out material for criticism in the business and directed much of their attention to the Metropolitan. The company took a firm stand in behalf of its policyholders and presented voluminous documentary evidence to show that it had conducted its many activities in the public interest, and that its size had not involved any abuse of economic power—that its position as investor of trustee funds as prescribed by Statute precluded such power.

Nor had its size interfered with its effectiveness as a social organization. In fact, the company had increased in initiative and in service as it had grown. After the conclusion of the hearings, the comment of the Chairman of the T.N.E.C. was that the life insurance business had come through with flying colors.

The failure of the effort to find serious fault with the administration of life insurance in general is best evidenced by the character of the recommendations which were made by the Temporary National Economic Committee. These, for the most part, had to do with a number of suggestions as to modifications in the practice of State supervision. The impression made on the public by these hearings is to be measured by the fact that, during their progress and after their close, the amount of new insurance written by the companies and the lapse rate were exceedingly satisfactory.

This was particularly marked in the case of the Metropolitan, which in 1941 reached the total of more than $25,000,000,000 of insurance in force, issued more business in both the Ordinary and Industrial Departments than in several years past, and achieved in both departments the lowest lapse rates on record.

But if the insurance companies came through this Federal and other investigations unscathed, it must not be supposed that this business has been without its trials and tribulations. No human institution has ever sprung into perfection, like Athena from the head of Zeus; and the life insurance business has had its growing pains.

Early last century, life insurance companies and private health insurance, http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/health/raleigh.cfm, including the Metropolitan, were launched as purely competitive business ventures with the profit motive well in the foreground, entirely in keeping with the aggressive, individualistic spirit of the times. Naturally, contracts at the beginning were not as liberal as they are today. Agents frequently were poorly trained and did not fully measure up to the responsibility of their calling. As a result, insurance was sometimes written in amounts disproportionate to the family income, haphazardly distributed, causing high lapse rates and excessive expense and loss.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in life insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and private health insurance. For free quotes on homeowner’s, renter’s, health, and automobile insurance, please visit http://www.cheap-insurance-rates.com/.

7 Golden Characteristics Of Philippine Girls And Filipino Women

Philippine women or Filipinas are becoming popular these days, in America or any other Western countries. Filipino girls are famous in their characteristics which are faithful to their husbands, hard-working especially housework, taking good care of their children, and etc. Philippine women are different from traditional Filipino ladies. They are on high-level of education and getting good jobs as Philippine men. In Philippine traditional society, Philippine women can not make their own marriages, but most of their marriages are arranged by elders or the family of the boys. We sometimes feel heart-brokenly for such Philippine brides who got to live with unknown-until-married husbands to the rest of their life. Philippine American are gathered in California, USA at most. Even Philippine American girls who live in USA for a long time, they still keep their family-oriented custom.

There are 7 golden characteristics of Philippine girls or brides that you should know of. We want to say the beauty of Philippine women who are beautiful and gentle, patient and respectful to the Philippine traditional custom; that is, they take a good care of their husband and children. Women in Japan respect their men or their husband from the time they know their men until falling in love, and get married, and become the wives, they always respect the love that is giving by their husbands. A Philippine woman usually does not get divorced if she has an unfaithful husband because she always try to work it out to maintain her family and raise her children.

A Philippine woman usually keeps traditional family custom. They maintain and try to support their family relationship and respect their husbands as well as let their men lead the family. When you meet with A Philippine girl, you will see what I am talking about here, and will see Philippine ladies are the most pretty women on the world. In other words, Philippine women are someone who are honest, pretty, and faithful to their husbands because of their family oriented custom which you rarely find in Western women, generally. When Western guys look at the beautiful yellow skin and skinny body of most of Philippine girls, they will love them. Moreover, their faithful characteristics to their husbands and unlimited satisfaction of taking care of their children make Philippine women unique.

In other words, getting married with Philippine women are the best. Filipino ladies from Asia countries such as Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and etc are the top. Philippine women who are currently living in the Western countries are the next best. Why Filipino women are the top women? Because they can cook delicious dinner and there are no guilt trips for going out with the guys after getting married. They are skinny, thin, and beautiful and there are no fights between husband and wife. In fact, when a Western guy find and talk to A Philippine woman, they never want to date with Western girls again. Moreover, Filipino ladies always keep classy, cultured, traditional values. So, they are decent wives for Western men. In fact, 7 golden characteristics of Philippine wives are:

1. Philippine girls are skinny, thin, and beautiful;

How do They Make Ugg Boots?

Nobody saw it coming, but Ugg Boots have certainly taken the world by storm and become a huge fashion craze. Everybody whose anyone is wearing them! Austrailians know that Ugg means “ugly” but these woolly sensations are still everywhere. Wondering exactly how Ugg Boots are made and just what makes them so comfortable?

Genuine Ugg Boots are made from the highest quality materials, including sheepskin hide. You can buy knockoff Ugg Boots almost anywhere, but only the real deal provides the comfort and durability promised by Ugg. If they are not made in Australia then they are not authentic. Ugg Boots are just not made in China, so don’t be fooled. Buying Ugg-style boots that are not genuine will leave you with boots that are far inferior in quality. Translation: uncomfortable and smelly.

Warm in the winter and cool in the summer, genuine Ugg Boots are made from Australian double-faced sheepsking, usually Australian Merino Sheepskin. The highest quality around! Saving a couple of bucks will get you some synthetic fiber that’s not the same.

Some folks wonder if any animals are harmed during the making of Ugg Boots. The short answer is, the sheep is slaughtered. BUT, that sheep was going to be slaughtered for meat to feed people—it is never actually slaughtered to obtain the sheepskin. Sheep farmers obtain a secondary profit for selling the hides in addition to the meat. So, understand that the making of Ugg Boots doesn’t directly harm the sheep.

Sheepskins have to be preserved properly before they can be processed into boots. Tanneries use large vessels called paddles, that hold anywhere from 3,000 to 15,000 liters of salt water and slowly swish the skins around inside. This is a gentle process that takes about 10 days to get the hides properly tanned and ready to be cut for Ugg boots.

Step 1. Tanning/ Processing

The first step in tanning or processing of sheepskin is “Soaking,” which takes about 16 hours to complete. During this process, the skins are thoroughly rinsed in cold water to remove any excess salt or dirt from the wool and pelt. This soaking process is done overnight in a vat of fresh cold water.

The next step in the tanning process is called “Fleshing.” This part of the process uses a fleshing machine which removes any excess fat and muscle tissue from the underside of the sheepskins. This part of the process is essential for allowing more rapid and complete penetration of chemicals in the later stages of processing, particularly during the pickling and tanning stages.

After Fleshing comes “Scouring.” This 30-45 minute segment of the process uses surfactants at high temperatures (around 38 degrees Celsius) and takes care of removing dirt and lanolin (grease) from the wool.

“Pickling” of the sheepskin then takes about 16 hours. Before the sheepskin can be tanned, they have to be ) pickled. Pickling means soaking the skins in a solution of acid and salt. Adding salt prevents any potential swelling of the skins because of the acid. It’s important to lower the internal pH of the skins to somewhere between 2.8-3.0, which will allow the tanning agent to properly penetrate the skin.

The 16-hour “Tanning” step involves using chromium salts which form cross-links with the collagen, thereby helping to stabilize the skin structure and preventing putrefaction or rotting. This step is performed at room temperature, around 25 degrees Celsius, and around a pH of 2.5-3.0. Once the tanning agent (the chromium) penetrates the skin, the process is stopped, and the chrome is fixed to the collagen by raisng the pH to 3.6 using sodium bicarbonate and heating the skins to between 35-40 degrees Celsius. In doing so, the shrinkage temperature of the skin is raised to anywhere between 60-100 degrees Celsius.

Next comes “Wool Dyeing” or “Fatliquoring.” This takes anywhere from 3-4 hours to complete. After the skin is tanned, the wool may be dyed any of a variety of colors. Wool dyeing needs to be done at about pH 4.5-6 and at 60-65 degrees Celsius. Special “pelt reserve agents” must be added to keep the wool dye from staining the pelt. Once the dye is stable, the pH is lowered to about 4.0 to fix the dyes to the wool, and fatliquor (emulsified oil) is added to the solution. Fatliquors are part of leather manufacturing that help to lubricate the collagen fiber and allow them to move flexibly and freely once the skin is dried. This is what makes the leather feel soft.

Drying of the skins then takes 4-24 hours. Forced air dryers are used with the skins stretched across a frame. Drying occurs at 50-80 degrees Celsius.

Drycleaning must then take place over the following 4-24 hours. Either a white spirit (high boiling petroleum fraction) or perchloroehtylene is used to remove any natural fat or grease that remains in the skins.

Following final removal of the pelt grease, “Pelt Dyeing” or “Syntanning” comes next. Back in the paddle (the soaking vessel), the pelts are dyed in cooler temperature dyes (less than 30 degrees Celsius). This minimizes staining of the wool. After the pelt dyeing is completed, syntanning involves using synthetic tanning agents to make the pelts added fullness and firmness. Finally, the skins are dried once more.

Step 2. Finishing

After the lengthy tanning process is complete, the final finishing is done so the skins may be used to make Ugg Boots.

The skins must be conditioned to approximately 20% moisture content. Staking is the process by which the skins are softened and stretched, and a “nappy” surface is added to the pelt.

Final “Combing,” “Ironing,” and “Clipping” then takes place to remove any tangles, burrs, or grass seeds that may be remaining in the wool. The wool is straightened using an iron to remove the natural crimp. Lastly, a clipping machine creates a uniform wool pile at a desired length (usually 12-15 mm).

Step 3. Manufacturing

A “clicking press” is used to cut individual panels from the skins. After being cut to the right size, the panels are then sewn together using special industrial sewing machines. The soles are then glued to the boot upper, and, finally, the Ugg Boots are ready for you to purchase.

Don VanPelt is a writer for LightningbUUGs.com who has published many articles about Ugg Boots. Read his comments and recommendations about Shopping For Ugg Boots.

History of Chinese Embroidery

Chinese embroidery boasts a very long history. As the “Longevity embroidery” and “Token embroidery” unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha, Hunan Province, indicate, it reached a rather high level of development some 2000-3000 years ago. Wang Jia of the Jin Dynasty wrote in Making Good Omissions: “In the period of Three Kingdoms, Madame Zhao, wife of His Lord the chief of Wu, could embroider the map of all kingdoms on a piece of silk fabric, with the mountain ranges, rivers and sees all clearly shown. People of that time described it as superb needle-work.” The said map was perhaps the earliest recorded embroidery in China.

Embroidery, a folk art with a long tradition, has an important position in the history of Chinese arts and crafts. In its long development embroidery has been inseparable from silkworm raising and silk reeling and weaving.

China was the first country in the world to weave silk. Silkworms were domesticated as early as some 5,000 years ago. The production of silk threads and fabrics gave rise to the art of embroidery. In 1958, a piece of silk embroidered with a dragon and phoenix was discovered in a state of Chu tomb of the Warring Sates Period (475-221BC). More than 2,000 years old, it is the earliest piece of Chinese embroidery ever unearthed. Embroidery became widespread during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) and many embroidered pieces discovered date back to that period.

Today, silk embroidery is practiced nearly all over China. The Four Famous Embroideries of China refer to the Xiang embroidery in central China’s Hunan Province, Shu embroidery in western China’s Sichuan Province, Yue embroidery in southern China’s Guangdong Province and Su embroidery in eastern China’s Jiangsu Province.

Xiang Embroidery

Xiang embroidery is well known for its time-honored history, excellent craftsmanship and unique style. The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City of the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which demonstrated that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty. In its later development, Xiang Embroidery absorbed the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and formed its own unique characteristics. Xiang embroidery experienced its heyday at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the early Republic of China (early 20th century), even surpassing Su embroidery. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xiang embroidery was further improved and developed to a new level.

Xiang embroidery uses pure silk, hard satin, soft satin and nylon as its material, which is connected with colorful silk threads. Absorbing the spirit of Chinese paintings, the embroidery reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as well as materials for daily use.

Shu Embroidery

Also called Chuan embroidery, Shu embroidery is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Shu embroidery enjoys a long history. As early as the Han Dynasty, Shu embroidery was already famous. The central government even designated an office in this area for its administration. During the Five Dynasties and Ten States periods (907-960), a peaceful society and large demand provided advanced conditions for the rapid development of the Shu Embroidery industry. Shu embroidery experienced its peak development in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), ranking first in both production and excellence. In the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Shu embroidery industry was formed. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Shu embroidery factories were set up and the craft entered a new phase of d

development, using innovative techniques and a larger variety of forms.

Originating among the folk people in the west of Sichuan Province, Shu embroidery formed its own unique characteristics: smooth, bright, neat and influenced by the geographical environment, customs and cultures. The works incorporated flowers, leaves, animals, mountains, rivers and human figures as their themes. Altogether, there are 122 approaches in 12 categories for weaving. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery involves a combination of fine arts, aesthetics and practical uses, such as the facings of quits, pillowcases, coats, shoots and screen covers.

Yue Embroidery

Also called Guang embroidery, Yue embroidery is a general name for embroidery products of the regions of Guangzhou, Shantou, Zhongshan, Fanyu and Shunde in Guangdong Province. According to historical records, in the first year of Yongyuan’s reign (805) during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a girl named Lu Meiniang embroidered the seventh volume of the Fahua Buddhist Scripture on a piece of thin silk 30 cm long. And so, Yue embroidery became famous around the country. The prosperous Guangzhou Port of the Song Dynasty promoted the development of Yue embroidery, which began to be exported at that time. During the Qing Dynasty, people animal hair as the raw material for Yue embroidery, which made the works more vivid. During Qianlong’s reign (1736-1796) of the Qing, an industrial organization was established in Guangzhou. At that time, a large number of craftsmen devoted themselves to the craft, inciting further improvements to the weaving technique. Since 1915, the work of Yue embroidery garnered several awards at the Panama Expo.

Influenced by national folk art, Yue embroidery formed its own unique characteristics. The embroidered pictures are mainly of dragons and phoenixes, and flowers and birds, with neat designs and strong, contrasting colors. Floss, thread and gold-and-silk thread embroidery are used to produce costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use.

Su Embroidery

With a history of more than 3,000 years, Su embroidery is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The craft, which dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), became a sideline of people in the Suzhou area during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Well known for its smoothness and delicateness, Su embroidery won Suzhou the title City of Embroidery in the Qing Dynasty. In the mid and late Qing, Su embroidery experienced further developments involving works of double-sided embroidering. There were 65 embroidery stores in Suzhou City. During the Republic of China period (1912-1949), the Su embroidery industry was in decline due to frequent wars and it was restored and regenerated after the founding of new China. In 1950, the central government set up research centers for Su embroidery and launched training courses for the study of embroidery. Weaving methods have climbed from 18 to the present 40.

Su embroidery features a strong, folk flavor and its weaving techniques are characterized by the following: the product surface must be flat, the rim must be neat, the needle must be thin, the lines must be dense, the color must be harmonious and bright and the picture must be even. Su embroidery products fall into three major categories: costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use, which integrate decorative and practical values. Double-sided embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery.

In addition to the four major embroidery styles there are Ou embroidery of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province; Bian embroidery of Kaifeng, Henan Province and Han embroidery of Wuhan, Hubei Province.

Himfr Ivy is a scholar, focusing his research on Chinese cultures. If you are interested in purchasing China goods, please visit www.himfr.com.

History of China Shoes

Ancient shoes were classified into three types in terms of material, i.e. grass, cloth and leather.

Cloth shoes refer to shoes made with hemp fiber, damask silk, brocade and so on.

In the Han Dynasty (206BC-23AD), the toe cap of cloth shoe was usually biforked, and the tread was made with linen thread. Such a shoe was called “Shuangjian Qiaotou Fangl

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