Trinkets, Lockets And Empty Pockets

Trinkets, Lockets And Empty Pockets

It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up a website, without any type of plan or clue about how to promote it, how to write a sales letter, how to write an ad-- nothing!

Even more amazing is how many people try to conduct business online without any money.

The other day, I received an e-mail from a woman named Nadia inquiring about my E-mail Consultation Service.

In her e-mail, she explained she had "empty pockets" and couldn't afford my subscription fee. However, since her ancestors were gypsies, she had plenty of jewelry and she'd be willing to pay me with a few "trinkets and lockets," in exchange for my help. I politely declined her offer.

I get my share of crazy e-mails, so I have no idea if that one was a hoax or not. I'm assuming it was, since I never heard back from Nadia. Besides, I get so many e-mails every day from people asking me for free help and advice, I generally skim over them quickly and delete them.

People, listen to me, please! You can't conduct business online or offline without any money. You just can't do it! Now I'm not saying you need thousands of dollars--although that wouldn't hurt.

However, you need to at least have two or three hundred dollars in the bank to work with.

It's a myth that you can make money without having any money- -just a myth!

The number one reason why most businesses fail is because they're undercapitalized. They come online with just enough money to buy one ad--hoping to make a killing!

If that ad happens to be a success--bingo, instant cash flow! But if that one ad fails, just like that, they're out of business.

I know you're excited about your new business, and you can't wait to get started. However, instead of rushing into things, take a few more weeks or months to save up a little more money, and then get started.

Doing it that way does require a little more patience. But by having a little money to fall back on, you give yourself a greater chance to succeed, and in the long run, you'll be a lot better off!

Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer, publisher and entrepreneur. Questions? Comments? Dean can be reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net

Visit his website at: http://www.lets-make-money.net

The hidden Melbourne - the lesser known natural charms

Think of Melbourne, and chances of most will think of a hep and happening city, a huge cricket stadium, one or two lovely beaches and a wonderful population. The fact that it has been voted as the best place to live in many times draw focus to the concrete infrastructure. Yet, hidden from the knowledge or itinerary of many who visit Melbourne for a day or two, are a whole host of spectacular charms. Melbourne's geological position presents it with an astonishing variety of landscapes and rockfaces. Built on the confluence of lave flows and Silurian mudstones, it follows the Yarra River and the Dandenong Ranges, spreading into a flat country later on. The ocean-side situation further provides it access to the oceanic geology. The result is an astonishing variety of landscapes and natural wonders with breathtaking scenic beauty.

Northeast of the city proper one can see the beautiful Yarra Valley. The Black Spur Drive is an enchanting 30 minutes drive between Healesville and Marysville. The drive links the Yarra Valley with the mountains around Marysville, and crosses through tall trees, fragrant air and heady scenery. The famous Lady Talbot Forest Drive is a round-trip drive of 46 kilometers through rare old growth myrtle beech forests, boulders, gorges and creeks lined with ferns and mosses. The drive takes one through the Marysville State Forest and the Yarra Ranges National Park with rolling valleys of eucalyptus. Nearby is the Steavenson Falls Reserve which is full of pristine mountain ash, mountain gray gum, peppermint, and other trees. It has any number of beautiful walks, one of which will take you to the top of the central attraction - the Steavenson Falls, 84 meters tall and one of the highest in Victoria. The Mt. Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery is situated within the Yarra Valley providing another unforgettable forest experience. At one end of the Yarra, merely one hour from the Melbourne CBD, is the SkyHigh - the summit of the Dandenong Ranges. If offers a wonderful vista of the whole city and nearby landscape amid its cool ferns and verdant ageless forests. It offers a spectacular sight after sundown as the stars pop out of the sky - one by one - and as the city lights are switched on to welcome the dark night. While you savor this stellar performance you can enjoy the SkyHigh caf? and bistro, or you can light your own barbeque. With a beautifully crafted garden and trails, SkyHigh has something for everyone. One can take the picturesque and enchanting Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road to arrive at the Mt. Dandenong Observatory.

The Mornington Peninsula, on the other hand, much south of the city proper, is a haven for the beach lovers. Mornington has an endless parade of beaches. The Frankston is a large and safe sandy beach popular for all sea activities - including swimming, snorkeling, sailboarding, yachting and diving. Safeguarded by a Lifeguard club, this is a popular family picnic spot and is also known as a boating location. Between Mount Eliza and Mornington there are a large number of small bay beaches, like the Daveys Bay, Ranelagh and Sunnyside beaches and the Canadian and Half Moon bays. Mornington itself is another focal point of other spectacular beaches. Around this picturesque bay harbor lie the Scout, the Mill, Shire Hall, Fishermans and other beaches. In fact the list is quite endless. You could visit the Mount Martha beaches, the Safety Beach, the Dromana, the Rosebud, the Rye or Blairgowrie, the Sorrento Front Beach or the Portsea Front Beach.....Just across the Port Bay from Mornington are the two fabulous pair of the French island and the Philip Island. But let these two enchantments be a tale for another day.... The simple fact is that far too many people shy away from exploring the Melbourne hinterland - a treasure trove of natural spectacles. Far too many...

Produced by the team at http://www.travelAU.com.au - A group of travel and technology industry professionals promoting unique Australian tourism and travel products produced this article on behalf of http://www.vervebeachside.com.au

Pendant Necklace - Useful Tips And Advice To Help You

Simple elegance is often defined in a diamond pendant necklace. This clean piece of jewelry is a classic among ladies across the globe and across time. No matter the time a diamond pendant necklace will be sure to be the envy of every woman in the room. Any lady who has one of these delightful items should consider taking proper care of the jewel.

The pricey addition to a jewelry collection usually takes a considerable investment. It is wise to invest time and energy to taking care of the pendant necklace to assure that it will remain in new condition through years and decades to come. The diamond pendant necklace should last a lifetime and beyond.

Many of us take for granted that the diamond is the hardest substance on earth and we tend to treat our diamond with little regard to their more delicate attributes. The pendant necklace requires attention and care even though it is comprised of a tough material.

Your pendant necklace should be cleaned on a usual basis. The diamond sets close to your skin and the oils from your skin can have an bad effect on the diamond?s appearance. Soap is a natural enemy of oil and should be used during the regular cleanings. It is significant to use a mild soap.

The best way to approach cleaning your diamond pendant necklace is by soaking it in a mixture of mild soap and water. Some swear by another mixture of equal parts ammonia and cold water. The gem should soak for about thirty minutes in this second alternative solution. Many of us prefer using a professional grade cleaner from our jeweler.

Your jeweler can offer a special brush to use to loosen dirt and particles that can hold to the gem. However, the tough gem can still be scratched with a brush so clean it with care. It is important to keep the pendant necklace away from the sink when cleaning. Keeping the solution and a rinse in bowls away from the sink is good practice in general.

Another good practice is having your settings checked every so often. Many women tend to do this with their rings, but the same applies for a pendant necklace as well. Any reputable jeweler is happy to check the settings and he probably will suggest this when the item is purchased.

Once your settings are checked and your pendant necklace is sparkling it is time to show off your fine piece of jewelry. After all your care will be shining right through the diamond.

Glen B. Porter provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for fashion, leisure as well as other related information.

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition if you are not wearing at least a little something green you just might get pinched and why put yourself through that? Let's face it most of us do not look very good in green attire but, there are ways around this.

A pretty green pendant to wear on your lapel for the occasion would be fun and festive especially if you make it yourself.

I chose the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover because, According to Irish tradition it represents blessings and who doesn't like getting blessed?

This St. Patrick's Day craft project is geared for adults, it is not easy enough for children to do unless an adult is right there helping the child through each step.

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Supplies:

1- 18 X 22 piece of green felt. (any shade of green)

1- Acrylic Craft Jewel (any color)

1- Pin Back- 1 1/4"

A small tube of green (any shade of green) glitter fabric paint

Scissors

Craft Tacky Glue

1- Black Sharpie marker

Heart shaped template (provided)

Circle shaped template (provided)

Clover Stem template (provided)

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Please go to- http://www.craftsxcetra.com/jeweled_shamrock_templates.html to print out the templates for this project.

Directions:

1. Print out the templates provided. Use medium to heavy white card stock to print on.

2. Cut along out lines of the circle template and the clover stem template. (See fig. 1) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig1.jpg

3. Fold heart shaped template in half. (See Fig. 2) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig2.jpg

4. Cut along out line of the folded heart shaped template. (See Fig. 3 & 4) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig3.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig4.jpg

*Unfold the heart shaped template.

5. Lay the heart shaped template onto the piece of green felt. Take the black Sharpie marker and carefully trace inside the line of the template.

Do this 4X (4-times). Let Ink Dry. (See Fig. 5 & 6) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig5.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig6.jpg

6. Trace the Clover stem template and the Circle template onto the green felt. Let Ink dry. Cut along outer edges. (See Fig. 7) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/pendant_fig7.jpg

7. Glue each heart piece to the circle piece. Be sure to glue the pointed part of the heart piece to the inner part of the circle piece forming a Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover.

Let glue dry (5 - 15 mins) (See Fig. 8 & 9) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig8.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig9.jpg

8. Turn Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover over, and glue the Clover Stem unto the back. Make sure that the stem extends out and shows from the front before actually applying the glue.

Let dry (5 - 15 mins)

9. Glue the acrylic craft jewel in the middle of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover. Let dry for (5 - 15 mins)

10. Take your tube of green glitter fabric paint and carefully trace along all edges of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover.

Let glue dry for approx. 24-Hours. Be sure to sit your project somewhere out of reach from the kiddos! lol

11. After the glitter fabric paint has dried (24-hrs) You might want to go back over it with the paint, It's up to you because, if you do choose to go back over it you will need to let it dry again for another 24-hrs.

12. Simply glue the pin back to the back of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover. Glue to center of the Circle part. Let dry for at least 1-hour or more before attempting to wear.

And, That's It!

You can view the finished Jeweled Shamrock Pendant here at: http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig10.jpg

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Your Jeweled Shamrock Pendant is ready to wear for St. Patrick's Day!

You may even want to make more than one, and share them with family, friends, and co-workers.

"Many Irish Blessings to You & Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Lynda K. Smith, is the owner and webmaster of http://www.craftsxcetra.com She lives in Texas with her Husband and Two Children. Her hobbies are sewing, crafts, and web design.