Archive for June, 2010
The Wind Inspires it All: The Driving Force Behind Chicago Fashion Schools
Chicago, the “windy city” is known for its multicultural population as well as its dramatic architecture and love for the arts.
In detail, Chicago has:
1. at least 3 million people
2. harbors, parks, beaches, clubs, and ethnic restaurants
3. 29 miles of lakefront, museums, neighborhood festivals, and cultural attractions
People visit the city as often as winds do. Also, tourists favor the mid-western hospitality of the people. They also share stories of their enjoyment in going to exhibits in museums like Degas, Monet, and the whimsical “Cows on Parade” of Summer 1999.
The businesses blended with the multicultural aspects of the city are said to be the driving “winds” that spur creativity among people who visit or study in Chicago. As always, it is inevitable to have fashion schools within a city that celebrate and support the arts and dynamism of culture.
The following are some featured fashion design schools in Illinois:
1. The International Academy of Design and Technology is located in Chicago.
The institute offers the following degree programs:
• Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Fashion Design and Marketing
• Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design and Marketing
The curriculum of Fashion and Design assimilates the study of new trends and innovations in the thriving international industry of fashion with the mastery of traditional skills, thus providing a holistic background to both fashion amateurs and masters alike when it comes to designing.
• Bachelor of Arts, Major in Merchandising Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Merchandising Management
The program of Merchandising Management provides students and professionals as well as with the opportunity to contend within the job market by integrating theoretical concepts with practical implementations. However, students can rest assured that after graduation their skills on developing suitable visual displays, and utilizing appropriate business practices and scales are honed to help them achieve profitability in the long run.
2. The Illinois Institute of Art is primarily situated in Schaumburg. The degree programs they offer vary by location.
The Illinois Institute of Art is, basically, an association of schools in different locations. Collectively, the Art Institute is considered as a leader in the area of applied science education.
Their courses such as Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design are restructured on a regular basis to reveal ideas garnered from industry advisors, leaders, and employers for relevance and practical applications in the marketplace.
The Art Institute also possesses seasoned faculty members who are also affiliated to the local community of functions. Thus, this provides students with plenty of occasions for consultation with industry professionals and practicing designers. As students’ knowledge and skills improve through the programs, they are required to plan an initial design and execute it into a finished product to cap their stay in the institution.
3. International Academy of Design and Technology
The school has campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orlando. They provide program areas and a variety of degree levels designed to fit your unique career track. In detail, they offer:
• Diploma in Fashion Design
• Diploma in Merchandising and Fashion Marketing
These are only three among the plenty list of schools in this city. The decision now lies in your hand. Within the “windy city” are competitions and strict trainings from various places in the job arena. Where do you think the “will of the wind inside you” will bring you and your high hopes of hitting it big in the fashion industry?
How to Buy Jewelry Wholesale
Buying jewelry wholesale is really quite easy. The Internet gives you access to all of the wholesale jewelry companies you could ever need to make your selections, so you can buy exactly what you want or need – at very competitive prices.
There is a difference between online jewelry stores and online wholesale companies. Online jewelry stores sell jewelry at retail prices, even though the price may be slightly discounted. Wholesale companies sell jewelry at wholesale prices – which of course are cheaper than retail prices.
There are many sites where you can purchase directories of wholesale companies, but this really isn’t necessary. Just use a search engine like Google to find what you are looking for. If you are looking for an engagement ring at a wholesale price, for example, simply type ‘engagement ring wholesale’ into the search box – a whole slew of wholesalers who carry engagement rings will pop up in the search results.
Be aware that some wholesaler’s will only sell in bulk. Of course, if you just want to buy one engagement ring, you do not want to buy in bulk. But there are many companies that will sell just one item – you just have to look for them.
If buying online isn’t what you are interested in, consider joining a discount club, such as Sam’s. Here you will find jewelry at deeply discounted retail prices, which is the next best thing to jewelry wholesale prices – but again, the wholesale prices will be lower.
When dealing with an online wholesale company, you need to do several things. First, you want to be sure that you are buying the real thing. There are many companies out there that will advertise that their jewelry is ‘authentic.’ Read the sales copy very carefully, and educate yourself quickly. For instance, beware of words like ‘gold plated’ or ‘realistic.’ This is an indication that the jewelry isn’t gold, or that stones are fake.
Also find out if the company has a refund or exchange policy, as well as a 100% money back guarantee. This is important, and it will protect you if you find that you are not happy with the pieces you have purchased, or if they are of lesser quality than you expected.
Also consider using eBay to find jewelry wholesale prices. Again, use caution. Check the seller’s feedback and ratings, and make sure that you are dealing with a reputable person or company. If the jewelry is an important piece, use the escrow service that eBay recommends – even if you have to pay the escrow fees yourself!
5 Top Tips for Buying Native American Indian Bracelets
Nothing allows you to express your personality, feel closer to the spirit of traditional American culture, and add something truly unique and personal to your life like wearing an authentic Native American bracelet on your wrist. But how do you safely choose a real, attractive piece that also says the right things about you?
The wonderful craftsmanship, striking appeal, and fun originality of Native American Indian bracelets make them the top choice for the person who wants to wear something a little different than everyone else and own a unique piece of jewelry. However, the range of styles, the unknown authenticity, and the difficulty of finding the right store can make the choice difficult.
Fortunately, the selection of your Native American bracelet doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Once you know a few easy points to keep in mind, you can relax and shop to your heart’s content, without that fear of making the wrong choice or ending up with a bracelet that isn’t right for you.
1. Turquoise bracelets come in many varieties.
Everyone has a different mental image spring up when they hear “turquoise bracelets.” You may picture large stones, closely spaced and reaching orderly around the wrist. Or you may think of a circular, mandala-like arrangement of smaller blue-green stones on a centerpiece on the top of the wrist, with the band wrapping around underneath.
In fact, the use of turquoise in Native American bracelets is varied, often used in conjunction with other, multi-colored stones or clever use of silver and other metals. Often, the best piece will include one or two small turquoise pieces to accentuate other colors and textures. Then again, some pieces employ turquoise stones as their main feature, and do so with the utmost craft and beauty.
It is up to you which suits you, but you can shop secure in the knowledge that Native American turquoise retains its beauty even as other trends come and go.
2. Simplicity is beautiful.
It is entirely possible that the piece that speaks to you the best is very simple in design. Perhaps it is a silver band with a simple twisted pattern, or a restrained series of ridges. Maybe your look and personality are accented best by a bracelet with a single, large stone of turquoise or other mineral – just a splash of color to catch the eye. Complicated designs and details may look good in the shop display case, but aren’t necessarily the type of Native American bracelet that suit your taste.
3. Intricacy is beautiful.
On the other hand, the intriguingly intricate designs of an elaborately-crafted bracelet can be the conversation piece that sparks confidence, inspiration, and even admiring comments from others! The obvious genius that has gone into a bracelet with clever juxtapositions of its carvings, stamps, stones and/or silverwork can be just the thing that heightens your daily experience and communicates to others just what you want to say.
4. Only shop at places that offer buyer protection.
The most comfortable, free way to shop is when you know that your purchase is backed by a reputable company. In this internet age, the best place to buy Native American bracelets is online, through websites that offer protection to the buyer.
For example, the web’s premier auction house, eBay, always has hundreds of listings featuring one-of-a-kind Native American bracelets and other jewelry. eBay features an extensive system to ensure buyers are happy; you can contact the seller before bidding, check comments from the seller’s previous customers, send payment safely with your credit card through PayPal, keep your private information hidden, and even appeal to eBay when an item is not as described.
Furthermore, eBay listings feature one or more pictures of the item, as well as its dimensions and, often, the piece’s history. In short, you should stick to places like eBay that bring together sellers and buyers with several layers of protection for you. The biggest sites became big thanks to buyer satisfaction, which they take very seriously.
5. Nobody knows what you need like you do!
Sellers will try their best to use flowery language and convincing descriptions to get your business. However, only YOU know what is right for you. And as long as you are happy about the financial protection you as a shopper are receiving, you can tune all of that out and just get the Native American bracelet that speaks to you the loudest. YOU know which one that is… it’s just a matter of looking until you find it! Look at websites like http://native-american-store.fournotes.com for the widest selection of bracelets and sellers. Choice is always good!
Whether buying a lovely Native American bracelet for yourself, or as a gift for a friend or family member, it’s important to remember that there are very easy ways to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You want to be sure the bracelet is authentic, the seller is reputable, and the design suits the person it will be adorning. Use the tips in this article and you are virtually assured of being happy with your beautiful, exclusive bracelet!