Amethyst: February's Birthstone

Each month has its different birthstone that influences the personality of a person. It's a belief that people actually get some magical powers on the basis of their zodiac signs that can be enhanced if you wear the suitable stones as inscribed by the ancient scriptures.

Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. It can save from deceit and protect a person from baldness. It is also believed to improve the condition of skin of a person too. It occurs naturally as crystals within rocks. Basically, the stones are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zambia, and Australia and in the mountains of Russia America.

Amethyst generally illuminate if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. Its color will also get changed to dark yellow or reddish brown when heated to 550-560 Centigrade. They are ideal deep medium purple with rose-colored sparks; normally amethysts range in shade from pale lilac to nearly black purple.

The gemstone amethyst has a striking purple color. And due to its magnificence Amethyst was the most commonly used jewelry by the kings and queens of the yesteryears. Till now, it has been a great part of the British royal jewelry.

The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word "amethystos," which means sober. In ancient Greece, amethyst was connected with the god of wine, and it was a common practice to serve drink from Amethyst goblets in the belief that this would prevent intemperance. Even today, amethyst is regarded as a steady force for those struggling to overcome their addictive habits.

So if you a February born and a strong believer of birthstones go for a beautiful amethyst. You will find many jewelers dedicated to gemstone jewelry from ages where you could buy your birthstone jewelry. Many websites on the net have rich information on the benefits of amethyst as a birthstone. You can also look for many success stories where they actually prove beneficial. That's why; the market of birthstones is a blooming these days. Though, no official guarantee is given that the birthstone will have an effect or not.

For more information on jewelry , plz visit:http://www.preciousglow.com

Actors, Fear Not the Independant Film Makers.

Fly like a bird, and be free my friend-

One of the most special things about being an actor is expression, and there is a place for every actor, old or new, to express themselves. It is a garden to roam in, a playground, and it's found in every city.

Now hold on, don't be asking what Sacreeta is smoking.

For one thing, Sacreeta doesn't smoke; but she does play in this playground, and I implore you to go out and discover your own.

You'll find your playground among the independent, low-budget and student filmmakers, with their auditions, sets and films.

And that's the truth of it. Of course it's not all fun. It's demanding, hard work, often full of growing pains. But that's exactly the point. It's one of the best places to grow, and also an excellent place to practice the techniques taught in the Kamitic Acting System.

Independent filmmakers -- what comes to mind when one hears that is what makes me feel bad for those guys. Most are fresh from college, or were interns, have no backing, are pressed for time, cut down scripts to fit the criteria. There are sacrifices and compromises made. They aren't always happy with that, but they make the best of it.

What if new actors had empathy for IFM? What if they crafted their audition/acting talents toward making life easier for these guys/gals? What if you, as a real actor, walked into the audition with sincere compliments on the script handed to you? It has been proven that directors do consider/respect those who consider them first, and understand that they too, have a dilemma. They must produce a screenplay of value that can be shot with proficiency, while being believable and persuasive, within the boundaries of the filmmakers' budget.

Instead of actors considering this an encumbrance, spot-on actors would take up the challenge, and act within the boundaries of what's available with contentment. Working in these conditions forces the actor to well ACT. The emphasis is no longer on what the film can afford, it shifts to what the actor can do. Spot-on actors, willing to work with little to no pay, are hard to come by, and it's understood. The IFM know the competency of the actors is what will give the picture its credibility, and the actors should be aware that the experience can do nothing but enhance their own career goals.

My response would be, "Very interesting.. concept," and I'll tell you exactly why.

First and foremost: Unknown today=Famous tomorrow.

My friend, everyone has to start somewhere, actors, directors, writers, filmmakers and on and on. Being kind to everyone who crosses your path in the business is not only proper etiquette, it is smart business. It involves understanding what's going on around you, reading up on the latest trends, keeping up with the direction on what's pleasing the crowds (and it is a matter of public opinion who becomes famous-no matter what the critics tell you.) Keeping abreast is as important as knowing the difference between hairspray and product.

Ok. Let's shift back to freedom for the actors, with a few basic considerations.

A good low-budget filmmaker most likely would look for actors who are capable of inspiring and filling in the gaps of a character more than they would in a big-budget production. The actor may be chosen because of a spark of personality that strikes everyone upon their grand entrance to the casting session. The writers of low-budget films concentrate more on the development of the storyline. The direction in which the story takes the character can be influenced by the actors themselves. Having a strong character that is able to take the audience through the story is vital, and landing a role where you have the luxury of such artistic freedom is an excellent way for the actor to grow.

The writers usually create the script with a particular mold in mind, such as gruff exterior, soft soulful eyes and a charming, no-fuss attitude. In walks Johnny, his eyes are dark and mysterious, not the soft soulful look, but his raspy voice and devious grin are irresistibly charming, inspiring the entire crew. They can foresee sequels, and in turn rewrite the script to suit the actor.

Room for change, room for freedom of expression, enhancing your resume, networking - these are certainly benefits to the actors for being in an independent film.

A few extra things to think about:

The director and crew may be a little wet behind the ears. Have as much patience with them as you would appreciate them having with you.

Don't be afraid to question them if you are confused about your character's actions. If the director and scriptwriter are in agreement, then it will be a quick, smooth resolution. Politely and amicably suggest things that may sum up the scene with a different perspective that you feel strongly about, which could be helpful. But keep it neat. Abrupt criticism could simply have you taken off the set.

Study the script. Get a good impression of the plot, the conflict, the climax-and break down the script as you would with a big-budget film.

And finally: There really is no difference when it comes to putting your best performance into your work. Take pride in every acting project you take on, make it your own, and you'll do great.

See ya next time

Sacreeta

Sacreeta Veneficus

Senior Staff Writer

RKA Cinema Society, Bronx, NY

http://www.rkacinemasociety.com

Actor:Casting:Columnist:Novelist:Scriptwriter:College Professor:Graphic Artist:Dancer/Singer

Pendants - Time To Reveal Who You Are

A pendant may appear as a very simple object, but with the power of human faith and the values that we tend to attach with it or any object, it can be the essence of an entire existence. While it can be just a piece of jewel for some, for others, it can be the cosmos of all the values and faith that they hold dear.

Can a pendant attain such a role in our lives, that we reflect what we are, who we are, what do we believe in through just a piece of jewellery? Can calling it - just a piece of jewellery - sound blasphemous to some? We wear 'The Cross' or 'The Lord' as something to keep God near our hearts. This shows more than the love for the Almighty.

Not just love for God, they are worn even to show love for people in our lives. Some wear them to remind them of their lovers or spouses, some wear for parents or it can be anyone, related to you in anyway. It reflects the strong bond of love that you hang around your neck and keep close to your heart.

There are people, usually this is seen more in youngsters, who wear their identity on their chest. It can be something that they identify themselves with or something that occupies a major role in their life. For example, you can wear a guitar or any musical instrument, if you are a die hard rock music (or any kind of music) fan.

And we simply can not forget pendants as jewellery. They are an integral part of neck jewellery. However pendants can be worn in other kinds of jewellery as well like tiara and belts or waist bands. Faceted or non faceted stones can be great as pendants. So can be pearls and diamonds. When worn as jewellery can add instant glow and beauty to your face and make you look prettier if chosen carefully.

Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also Pearl Pendants being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.

Pendants - Wear What You Love - Close To Your Heart

We are living in an age that is marked by competition and all of us are more or less like a brand. Whether it is the professional life or the social circle, we need to have our own distinct identity in order to be recognised separately even when amidst the crowd. And therefore, we have come up with different ways to express ourselves, to let the whole world know what we are and what are our beliefs. Sometimes we take the help of tattoos, and sometimes a special jewellery that tells something about us.

A pendant is one such jewellery and a popular way of establishing one's own identity. With the help of a pendant, you can express your faith, your belief, your favourites, likes and dislikes. You can also bear your name in a pendant - and this is quite a common practice around the world. If you are a sports aficionado or a music buff, you can tell that to the entire world around you, with the help of pendants.

A pendant is also a great way to keep someone close to your heart. You can put a picture of your beloved or her name written on the pendant and hang it on your neck, bearing your love on your chest. Or if you are the absolutely romantic sort, you can write her name in a foreign language on a fancy pendant, which is not quite common in your land, and flaunt your love openly enjoying all the curiosity around.

Pendants can make lovely gifts. And the fact that it is quite unisex in nature makes it a wonderful gift for both the men and women. And not just adults, even kids can wear pendants and there are many kids who actually sport fashionable pendants. So in short, pendants are one of those jewellery which is unisex in nature, is quite universal and the best way to express anything that you want to say.

Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the Pendants being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.

Kitchen Pendant Lighting - For Flexible Uses Inside Your Household

If you are looking for the best kitchen lighting fixture, there are many options for you. But if you want to narrow your search, why not just consider pendant lighting, or also usually called as light suspenders or light drops? They are called such, since a mounted pendant light typically dangles from a ceiling through the use of metal chain or rod. Kitchen pendant lightings are popular choice because not only they serve as better task lighting solution for kitchen functions, but they also complement well the overall aesthetics of the room.

Pendant lights are best used over the kitchen lighting applications, specifically over the island or countertops. They have the right level of brightness just enough for whatever purpose your kitchen has. You can adjust this level of brightness because of the dimmer switches they typically come together with. The switches will bring just the right amount of brightness when you are preparing the ingredients of the food you are cooking. Brighter illumination is most ideal when chopping your vegetables, cutting meat, and mixing the ingredients. Similarly, it is what you need when you are on the actual process of cooking.

When you are done with the preparation of the meal and is ready to be served, you can turn the switch to adjust the brightness into more subdued effect when the family is about to eat. To some households, the kitchen is best place for children to study school lessons, for the mother to study bills, and even for the father to read his newspaper at night. Therefore, kitchen pendant lighting must be carefully designed to provide them proper illumination each time. The pendant light with its dimmer switch allows the entire household to adjust the illumination level just according to their specific needs. The flexibility of this type of kitchen lighting is the main reason why it is most popular and more preferred by many.

When it comes to aesthetics, the pendant lightings are available in a wide variety that surely all kinds of kitchen designs will have just the right type to complement them. Some of the designs available are traditional pendant lightings, transitional pendant lightings, crystal pendant lightings, tiffany-type pendant lightings, and a lot more. From these choices, it really is not a problem if your home needs a kitchen pendant lighting that incorporates classic and timeless design, artistic expression fused with timeless design, unique and elegant design, bold and contemporary style, and signature-type integrated with an architectural distinction.

All of these designs are not tough to achieve. They are available in the market and they will surely create the most desired aesthetics you prefer for your home. Of course, your preference will also rely on the budget you are willing to spend for this project. Kitchen pendant lightings are available in different price marks, mainly running around from $30 to as much as $500. So, even if you are trying to keep low on your budget, there is really no problem when choosing for the right kitchen pendant lighting. All of these pendant lights are creations that will provide what your kitchen needs, functionality- and aesthetics-wise.

For kitchen lighting ideas, visit http://www.kitchenlighting101.com

Why Pendant Lighting Is A Must For Any House

History and introduction to pendant lighting fixture

Pendant lighting is comparatively a baby in respect to other type of lights in the same category starting from the Huge Chandeliers. Actually if history is right, Pendant lights came into existence just as a useful substitute but a less detailed version of Chandeliers with almost same features and functionality. In fact it derived its name from pendant, a jewelry accessory. Its typical history dates back to 2700 B.C. It started with hanging lamps of clay with light given by an animal fat burn which was the way Greeks devised. As time past, clay lamps were replaced by Glass. In the 80s, European pendants began to appear with exclusive use of glass designs as pendants with attractive shades.

The picture of the typical pendant light is a single fixture that hangs from the ceiling from a string or other kind of supporting device such as a metal rod. They are minuscule in detail as compare to the chandeliers and rather than having its lights exposed, the tip or the lower end employs types of shades which is for the same reason the fixture is described as the pendant light fixture. A pendant lighting fixture is also called a suspender or a drop and most often if single-hanging entities without the extra branches are used alone can give dramatic effect when two or three are used together suspended at varying heights. The light may be stripped to a bare bulb suspended from a cord, or housed in a decorative shade crafted from glass, resin, metal or fabric. During its earliest days, the pendant featured a crude type of blown glass shell, which eventually evolved into a huge style conscious make. Today, the variety of styles combined with customers demand has made pendant lights on par with other forms of lighting fixtures. A closer look around pendant lighting online store will surprise you with the extent to which this type of lighting has evolved.

The Why’s and What’s of Pendant Lighting

One of the crucial features of the pendant lights is its versatility. Pendants can often be found in living room, small foyers, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and it can suit each space with equal ease. Pendants lights are much different from other types of lights and command the same respect as jewellery. They sparkle, enlighten, and soften a clean, austere environment. In actuality, pendant lights can be every bit as fancy as chandeliers, because one gets pendant lights studded with Swarovski crystals or dangling gemstones. One of the other most important benefits of pendant lights is it never needs re modifications of your existing space like drilling a hole in the ceiling as the case with recessed lights or hammering your walls for those classic wall scones. This drastically reduces the installation time along with peace of mind and yes, brings down your lighting investment. Pendant lighting fixtures do not have the grand scale of a tiered chandelier and are ideal when space and cost is a concern. Wherever space is an issue, mini-pendants can be hung from above, effectively freeing up space in the room for furniture and other things.

They are stylish, have a simple elegance, are functional and provide illumination in hard to light areas. Mini-pendants typically serve as task lights which define the work surface of a kitchen island or bar. Pendants can also be used to spice-up a room or to instigate authentic schemes. When hung in multiple, either multiple pendant fixtures or single pendant fixtures lined up in line, they can effectively set that evening calming mood. Another classic benefit of pendant lights is its wide options available in the market. It could be chosen for their varieties in different form, colour, pattern and texture and prices. Pendants are an eye catcher in it’s not something you want to cut corners on when considering a purchase. There are tons of styles and configurations available today and with a little persistence, you can find just the right fixture for both your décor and your budget. An inexpensive pendant gives you what you pay for and if it wears out, replacing it can be a chore that you won’t relish. A single pendant design fixture can cost very less to a five pendant traditional light costing bit more to the more traditional shade five pendant lights costing higher.

Pre- Shopping guide for Pendant lighting fixture

First thing to look before going on shopping for pendant lights will be to know what will be its function and which part of your home will need them. Pendant fixtures are normally used for general or task lighting. Pendants can be used as stand alone lighting for a particular area or can be used in combination with other lighting fixtures, particularly in larger areas. Narrow areas that need lighting are ideal candidates for a single low pendant light. Considering the pendant size, they can range in size from two inches, to a multiple pendant fixtures that is 22 to 48 inches in diameter ideally suited to brighten from small task area in a kitchen to a bigger hallway. For example, for a pendant installed over a dining table, possibly choose a pendant no larger in diameter than half the width of the table. For an entry foyer, add the width and length dimensions of the foyer together and the calculated total equal the maximum pendant diameter. Nowadays pendant lights comes in varied styles and colours right from single glass pendant light fixture to 5 pendant traditional light to a 8 pendant lamp shaded traditional light fixture. Whatever style and colour you choose, decide whether you want to blend with the décor or want to make it a focal point. After looking at these aspects, the most important thing to look next is you’re lighting especially your pendant lighting budget. Luckily, today there are lots of style choices and hopefully you will find a suitable pendant lighting fixture that will respect your budget. Whatever budget you have decided, make sure it doesn’t compromise the quality which resides in the many details of pendant lighting fixtures. Quality in pendant lighting fixtures means authenticity in design details and fine craftsmanship. See to it that finishes are both durable and handsome. High quality finishes on pendant lighting increase durability and resist tarnishing. Brushed metal finishes and painted finishes have gained popularity and are top sellers today. To understand these entire factors better, possibly consult the light shop’s customer service department. A good store will have some lighting experts who will guide you in selecting needed pendant fixtures with in your budget and may also advice complimenting wall scones and other lighting fixtures.

We at For your Home really feel reading the above information, you will atleast check one pendant lighting fixtures today.

You can also read this article on our website’s News and article section at:

http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/pendant-lights-an-informative-guide-about-pendant-lighting-ideas/articles/35.html.

We at For your Home are specialist in helping you make better homes and gardens. You are always welcome to visit our online store at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk and our pendant lighting online department at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/contemporary-lighting/c/373_484.html

Spot Lights and Pendant Lights for Art Galleries

As a budding and yet to be discovered artist of the 21st century, I'm always on the look out for galleries that will house my fine works of art for a reasonable amount of time and for a reasonable housing fee. One of the qualifications that I always look for is whether the gallery has proper lighting. Without the right kind of lighting, patrons wouldn't be able to fully appreciate my works and understand how much blood, sweat and tears I put into each piece.

But back to what I was talking about earlier; lighting is imperative in show casing my works. With that said, I look for galleries that include spot lights and perhaps even some directional pendant lighting. Spot lights are especially important and I'm not talking about the really big ones they use in Hollywood, I'm talking about the ones that use the small LED bulbs or even compact fluorescent bulbs. The spot lights have to be placed at least six inches away from the wall so that they properly light up my work. The six inches will ensure that the patrons will be able to view the finer details in my work without the light burning any holes through them.

Directional pendant lights are superb for lighting up sculptural pieces and installation art and can work just as well if not better than spot lights depending on the scenario. For instance, if an artist decides to showcase an installation art piece in the middle of a gallery, spot lights alongside the walls probably won't be able to illuminate it, unless the gallery has spot lights installed along the middle of the ceiling. Pendant lights with adjustable directional fixtures will easily solve this dilemma, especially if track pendant lighting is used.

When you work as a professional artist, your work is always being scrutinized, top to bottom. Without the proper lighting, you run the risk of getting a bad review (I speak from experience). But as long as you find a gallery that includes all the essentials you require, then every patron will be able to see all the blood, sweat and tears that you've put into your work (or is that just me).

For an excellent selection in outdoor lighting and bathroom lighting, be sure to visit Eco-Lights.com.