My eclectic Oakgem jewelry wishlist.

If you’ve browsed much jewelry online, you’ve already heard of Oakgem – the 30 year veteran jewelry store, based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is well known for their eclectic collection of fine estate and designer jewelry. If you’ve spent any time at all browsing jewelry on 1stdibs or even on Pinterest, you’ve probably found your way to an Oakgem piece.

They’re also known for their selection of flatware and United States coins, but we’re not going to talk about those categories here today (although I really do think rare coins are cool).

My very favorite thing about Oakgem is the incredible variety you can find there. It’s not just that they have a lot of different kinds of pieces, but they have a lot of different kinds of pieces that are all remarkable. My Oakgem wishlist has pieces that span hundreds of years, all noteworthy. That’s hard to find.

To give you an idea of the kinds of pieces I’m talking about, I’m going to walk through my personal Oakgem wishlist. Well – an abbreviated version thereof. My actual list of pieces from Oakgem I’d like to own is terrifyingly long.

I thought we’d start with a quartet of rings, because that’s always a good place to start! These are all estate and all absurdly fabulous.

Top left is rock crystal with onyx and diamonds; top right is a fan-shaped design by Georland France in turquoise, onyx, and diamonds; bottom right is a 1960’s gold, diamond, and turquoise cluster; and bottom left is a 1960’s Cartier piece with ruby and turquoise in gold.

This 1980’s David Webb azurite set is a bit chunkier that what I usually go for, but I swoon for the big, beautiful pieces of that magical blue-green stone.

And if I ever did get the funds together to achieve my jewelry bucket list item of a David Webb azurite piece, Oakgem would be a great place to do it – their flawless reputation means you can rest easy that any signed pieces they offer have been properly authenticated.

These gorgeous antique day-to-night earrings are convertible: the larger, lower parts detach and the upper elements can be worn as a more subtle pair of earrings. They’re rose-cut diamonds in silver over gold, and – most interestingly – the designers is Tiffany & Co.. It’s unusual to see a piece like this from the great T & Co.

This necklace is just so weird and so fabulous. It’s from the 1960’s, made in Italy, and features blue sodalite in yellow gold. It’s fun and flamboyant and I adore it.

This glamorous retro brooch features amethyst, tourmaline, pearls, and diamonds in gold. I love how it takes the iconic starburst brooch shape and adds visual interest by making the elements that reach outward geometric.

These colorful earrings have a lot in common with many of my favorite Victorian earrings, but they’re larger in scale – which makes sense, seeing as how they date to the funky 1970’s. Lapis, pearls, and turquoise in gold.

I’m assuming that the reasons behind my love for this antique silver-topped gold and opal ring are obvious: it’s ridiculously beautiful. That iridescent opal, the rich contrast of the silver’s patina with the embellished yellow gold shoulders…where do I sign?

I love the sleek lines of this Georg Jensen bypass cuff bracelet. It’s 18k yellow gold with pearls.

This necklace. What can I even say? It’s just so pretty.

This piece is antique, and features a mix of natural Burmese rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and a few synthetic sapphires and rubies in gold. It’s simply beautiful.There’s nothing like a classic Victorian cuff bracelet. I love the texture on this one! It’s such a simple piece, but so interesting.

Here’s another David Webb piece. This ring is a great example of my favorite Webb designs: it’s bulbous and sort of weird but somehow there’s something perfect about its proportions that makes it incredibly satisfying to look at.

Two great little Victorian brooches (1/2)! These pieces have so much personality. I love brooches for cooler weather – I’m definitely going to try to work more pieces like this into my own collection.

What do you think of my Oakgem wishlist, darlings? Which piece is your favorite?

This sponsored post is brought to you by Oakgem. 

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Dive Boat Etiquette for Kids

If it hasn’t already happened to you, it’s bound to at some point — you get on a dive boat, start putting your gear away and staking out a good spot for your dry bag, when they come crashing, banging and arguing onto the boat. It’s a diving family…with kids. (Cue the “Psycho” shower scene music). Or, maybe you’re the diving family — either way, teaching proper dive boat etiquette for kids (and keeping it in mind yourself) is absolutely vital when it comes to making sure everyone onboard enjoys the day.

Space is at a premium on dive boats, and it fills up fast with gear, water bottles, snacks, cameras, etc. That crowded feeling can extend to the water as well when divers don’t wait their turn to see the latest cool find or are unaware of their position in the water. Kids typically don’t need the personal space that adults do, and they don’t always understand boundaries. As the mother of a teenager, I can confidently say that they can also be… somewhat self-absorbed.

Teaching Good Dive Boat Etiquette for Kids

Because of these things, kids tend to spread out everywhere on a dive boat. One of the most important lessons you can teach them is to pull out only what they need as they need it. Show your kids how to pack their gear in order of what they’ll need first. Teach them to set up gear on their tank as it comes out of the bag. They can tuck their booties inside their fins and stack the fins underneath their tank or even put their booties on if that will not impede them from putting on a wetsuit later. Have them hang their mask and snorkel on the tank valve, stack them on top of their fins, or otherwise attach them to their BC with a clip.

Beside making a good neighbor to fellow divers, staying organized means kids will be ready when it’s time to dive. They’re also far less likely to lose gear. When returning from a dive, kids can reassemble their gear the same way. Or, if it was the last dive, they can stow it back in their gear bag so that it doesn’t get mixed in with someone else’s gear or inadvertently left on board.

Underwater Awareness

Once the gear is properly set-up and stored, it’s time to talk to your kids about their position underwater. Children are generally less aware of where their bodies and equipment are in relation to others; add to this the excitement of a day spent diving and they may create a path of destruction underwater.  “Repeat and remind” is a good rule of thumb, so go over the rules and especially discuss the buddy system before the dive. If they’re reminded that they must stay with you, you’ll be able to monitor or control their movements.

Parents should also explain that when the divemaster taps his tank to get the divers’ attention, it does not mean to take off at warp speed and shove others out of the way to get a look at what he has found. Most DMs will work to ensure that everyone gets a look while also protecting the creature and the reef. Help your kids become more aware by explaining that they can help with this task by knowing where their fins, arms, tank, etc. are in relation to other divers, the divemaster and reef. No parent wants to hear that their child knocked someone’s mask off, kicked another diver in the head, or used another diver as a makeshift landing strip while coming in at Mach 10 to see the seahorse first.

Safe Surface Intervals

A successful surface interval is about not only safety, but courtesy as well. After completing a dive, it’s fun to watch other divers surfacing or jump in for a quick swim, but remind kids to keep the area around the ladder clear. This includes both the areas in the water and on the boat. Divers must be able to ascend when they’re ready without having to navigate through swimmers or people loitering in their way on the boat. Remind kids that the diver coming out of the water is still fully geared up and is not as nimble; they could fall off the ladder onto a swimmer or lose footing on the boat’s slippery deck.

When the boat is underway, either between dive sites or heading back to shore, tell your child find somewhere to sit and stay there for the duration of the trip. Once the boat starts moving, it’s much harder to move around safely, and since kids are usually lighter than we are, they bounce around more and may not have the reach or strength to hold onto something to steady themselves. Your fellow passengers will appreciate a calm, seated child far more than one who’s running around a moving boat as well.

Family diving can be a wonderful experience, and spending a day with someone else’s family on board needn’t cause waves of panic among other divers. A little extra guidance from mom and dad can help ensure that everyone on the boat has a good time. Most importantly, just as parents are responsible for raising their children to be good citizens on land, teaching them good diving habits early can ensure they grow up to be good citizens in the diving community and in the marine world as well.

By guest author Christine Brinkley

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The Power of Brand

What first impression does your salon create in the minds of your clients? What lasting impression does it make? 

Unquantifiable, charm is often overlooked, yet it is the most persuasive beauty communications tool there is. A beauty business requires a presence of charm to create a genuine connection with their audience. Simply put, charm is the secret weapon of successful beauty businesses. So, how can your beauty brand communicate with charm to become more engaging? It’s simple: Make every touch point with your beauty business brand delightful and inspiring. Communicate with charm. 

The power of charm is captivating, influential and magnetic. Every brand can benefit from integrating charm into their creative communications. In the business of beauty the bar is set high, beauty brands need a distinctive style to stand out and attract fashion-savvy clients in an over-saturated market. BeautyMark Marketing’s professional brand identity services create charming, believable, well-positioned brands. Our brand development process focuses to enhance your business and enliven your beauty brand. Charm is a powerful way to deliver your brand message. Charmed? I’m sure.

To play a real role in the beauty industry, it is imperative that guests perceive your business highly.

How would clients rate your salon? How do they perceive your salon brand? Do they have an opinion on the level of service provided? Will they stick with your salon?

Details can make the difference between mediocrity and megastar status in the minds of your clients. Salons that offer that “je ne said quoi” factor enhances the salon experience and stands out from the rest. This is the essence of your salon - make your brand so charming and remarkable that your clients would never think about trying the competition.

3 elements that make your beauty business remarkable:

1. Brand Image:
“Brand” is the definition of a business in shorthand, because you can’t explain the who and the what of your business to everyone (that would be exhausting!). Your brand is your beacon, it signals and calls out to your potential purchasers so they can find you. 

What does your brand say about you? It speaks volumes without saying a word, good or bad. In a world littered with marketing noise and branding buzzwords, distinguishing your brand from the rest of the crowd is paramount to success.

2. Impression:
Your image is dependent on what others think about you. Perfecting and refreshing your salon’s brand presence communicates and reflects your brand message. The goal is for a brand’s impression to create confidence and trustworthiness in your business.

3. Identity: 
Branding is a lot like flirting. Imagine the power of a brand that can genuinely flirt and connect with people. Brand is the combination of creative communications tools that say who and what you are in a visual snapshot. These tools communicate your salon’s identity in the form of fonts, color palette, logo, wordmark, patterns, images, and verbiage (voice). Branding is the creation of charm.

How well is your salon brand communicated, does it leave a lasting impression on clients and guests? A salon’s brand - when all working in harmony with image, impression and identity - are the perfect equation to an irresistible business.

When was the last time you freshened up your brand?
The average salon loses over 20 percent of its client base each month and, for every 10 new clients, less than 3 come back. Poor customer service certainly plays a part sometimes but there is a very different culprit to blame for low returns – branding.

Branding is how you communicate to the public why they should choose your salon. In other words, your brand is your business. The problem is that many salons imagine they can compete solely on the quality of their respective work. So, they select the same overused fonts, decor and colors as a hundred other salons and focus solely on getting their names out there. They try to maintain a competitive edge through quality alone but, in reality, doing a good job is not a basis for competition in the salon business; it is a requirement. 

Many salons do a good job; they wouldn’t exist otherwise. The question is why someone should choose your salon over another. If the only answer you can give is the quality of the work you provide, the decision to choose your salon will be based solely on location and price.

Instead of getting in price wars with your competitors, creating a unique brand for your salon can attract more new clients and keep existing customers coming back. However you envision your salon’s brand, you have to convey your beauty business' USP (unique selling point) to set your business apart from your competition to the public. Everything about your salon’s logo, color choices, layout, pricing, services offered and salon decor should all convey the same message. 

When was the last time you freshened up your brand? If your answer is over 5 years it may be time to re-evaluate your brand and what it "says" about your business. Need branding help? We are the beauty branding experts, contact me at kierna@beautymarkmarketing.com

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What's So Wrong With Social Work School? (And How To Make It More Right)

Don’t get me wrong, I love social work. I even loved social work school. I am offering these reflections and suggestions with the hope that they will be validating and helpful in making your education feel even more worthwhile.

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Fitness for Challenged or Disabled Divers

Personal training is an inspirational profession. Although clients hire trainers and coaches for inspiration, most often the clients instead inspire the trainers. This is particularly true when working with injured, disabled and special-needs clients. Physical fitness is even more essential when it comes to addressing birth defects, disease, accidents and wartime injuries. The average healthy individual who falls out of their exercise and nutrition routine will experience setbacks, but nothing like a challenged or special-needs individual. Exercise enhances life for challenged clients, because physical health is essential when it comes to performing daily activities. Physical-fitness therapies also become the basis for participation in adaptive sports such as scuba diving. Challenged or disabled divers have the opportunity to experience freedom of movement underwater.

Although all certification agencies recommend against exertion while using scuba, diving is a different experience for challenged divers. The Cody Unser Foundation is conducting research on the physical and psychological benefits for challenged and special-needs clients. Handicapped Scuba Association, WAVES, Diveheart, SUDS and the Wounded Warrior Project sponsor adaptive-diving opportunities and train dive professionals to work with challenged clients. The feel-good aspect of diving is also beneficial for overall wellness. The pressurized environment can also offer positive effects for some diseases, such as neurological disorders.

Health challenges can range from short-term injuries to cancer treatment or surgery recovery. Other health challenges include debilitating arthritis, ALS, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, PTSD, brain and spinal-cord injuries or amputations, among others. A number of restorative therapies help strengthen the body for diving, such as aquatic therapy, electrical muscle stimulation and active therapy, as well as traditional strength and aerobic exercise.

Aquatic therapy

Aquatic therapy is particularly synergistic with diving. The publication Disabled World defines aquatic therapy as “a form of physical therapy that is performed in a pool. The use of heat and warm water is preferable in association with aquatic therapy.” Aquatic therapy is meant to help restore a patient’s strength and movement through the use of buoyancy, resistance and heat. Therapies may involve both active exercise, called hydrotherapy, or passive immersion, called spa therapy. In the United States, aquatic therapy most often involves therapeutic exercise, such as gait training, functional task simulation and so forth. Regarding spa therapy, Disabled World says, “There is something to be said for enjoyment of stillness and inactivity. Remaining open-minded in regards to both spa and aquatic forms of therapy can be very helpful.”

The publication discusses various types of aquatic therapy including Ai Chi, modeled after the principles of T’ai Chi and yogic breathing techniques. Aquatic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is modeled after the movement patterns and principles of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). Aquatic Task-Type Training (TTTA) is a set of parameters for optimizing a person’s treatment, particularly those with neurological impairments.

Electrical muscle stimulation and active therapy

Restorative Therapies, a Baltimore, Maryland company, uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) therapies “to help people with neurological disorders or people in critical care achieve their full potential.” The technique uses pulses of electrical current to stimulate peripheral nerves, i.e. the lower-motor neurons that connect the spinal cord to muscles, generating muscle contractions and patterned muscle activity. FES works well for patients with weak or paralyzed muscles, even if the individual cannot consciously participate.

Therapists can use FES with specially designed exercise equipment such as an ergometer. This is best described as a stationary bike for the arms, or one that’s used while lying down rather than upright or seated. This is called active therapy, and according to Restorative Therapies, “is achieved either when an individual moves his muscles on his own or when those muscles are activated by FES.” Either way, the goal is to get the muscles working again.

Traditional strength and aerobic exercise

Last but not least, many health-challenged divers can perform traditional strength training and aerobic exercises, just slightly modified. Some fitness centers have adaptive modular-exercise machines, treadmills, ergometers and bikes. Cables, pulleys, bands and free weights offer additional options to help challenged divers stay fit. It is important to mention that instructors and dive buddies who assist disabled divers must stay in good physical condition. They may also make a good workout buddies. Exercises similar to those practiced during rescue diving courses are especially helpful, as both involve assisting another diver.

 

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Book Trailer: The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals

Watch rhe book trailer for The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2bxwy1Z

What I’m reading: Vol. 67.

A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean. This is Sarah’s MacLean’s newest and it is SO GOOD. If you like Regency romance novels, read this one immediately.

Internets:

Watch a football player get a ballet lesson. Surprisingly hilarious.

Racked wrote an interesting story about the popularity of charm bracelet giant, Pandora. (If you look carefully, there’s a quote from me in here.)

This is What Your Baby’s Nursery Would Look Like if You Had Actually Married a Backstreet Boy.

How to commission a bespoke engagement ring.

Life Behind the Stacks: The Secret Apartments of New York Libraries.

The history of Whitby Jet jewelry.

For more reads, check out my Amazon recommended books store. This post contains affiliate links. 

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