ReeHart - Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘trade markets’

I am planning to go to the next Artisan’s Craft Show, and I think I have the necessary crafts to join. With only eight days until the event, I’m already preparing the things that I will be selling as a vendor. Among the things that I will be showing off are turquoise, aquamarine, onyx, chalcedony, smoky quartz, purple amethyst, amber, citrine, prasiolite (green amethyst), rose and clear faceted quartz, rutilated quartz… Do you want me to continue? I may even bring some ruby or emerald if I complete the design in the short time left.

As you can very well see, I have a great fascination with colored stones and gems of all types and colors. I feel uncomfortable if I do not have at least one gem set in jewelry on my person; I simply must have one around my neck or on my fingers. But, I have decided to take it one step further. I have designed and made a number of necklaces using sterling silver with gemstones. And I am eager to show them off.

Accessories like these, of course, need to be accentuated by the right sort of clothing. I went by Nova Moda boutique and I found out that “Not My Daughter’s Jeans” were in stock. In Hamilton, Nova Moda is the only shop that carries this particular line of jeans; they will fit your loved one fabulously. I have already mentioned Michael Kors in a past entry, as well as Nada, who is a Canadian designer. The latter showed up during Toronto’s Fashion Week, and she was said to be one of Canada’s rising stars in the fashion world.

But for now, I have to get back to making these jewelry pieces. It’s hard for me to begin a project, but once I do, I carry the momentum for quite a while. So I shouldn’t interrupt myself when I work. At any rate, I’ll just see you at the next craft show!

A year after, most cheese makers from other states and other countries had adopted Wisconsin as their new home. This continuous supply of man power, both in physical labor, experience and innovation, had kept the Wisconsin cheese industry continuing strong. Most of these men were Europeans, some French and most were cheese makers by trade. Their work ethics, determination, ambition, love for cheese, family secrets and recipes, unique tastes and techniques all fused and combined with those of the Wisconsin cheese makers, making some of the world’s finest and celebrated cheeses of our time.

Swiss cheese makers had created the first batches of Swiss cheeses in Wisconsin. Italians made with flavor and depth, bringing in recipes of Gorgonzola, Mozzarella and that of Provolone. The English folks gave Cheddar, a robust flavored cheese. The Dutch contributed the recipes for Edam Cheese and Gouda. The French, Camembert and Brie, equally soft cheeses. Brick cheese and Colby cheese were some of the original cheeses created by the Wisconsin folk.

At present, from the original less than three thousand factories, the number was somewhat fluctuating with the combining and splitting of companies of different cheese makers. The dairy farms, however, was a different story. Milk will always have a strong base in Wisconsin, and thanks to milk, the cheese industry will stay strong.

At least fifteen thousand dairy farms exist today, providing the core ingredient for cheese-making. Dairy farms, maintained with milk by one million two hundred thousand strong cows, produce an average eighteen thousand pounds of quality milk. A lot of these are used for cheese making as well, approximately 90 percent of the value, with over one hundred fifteen plants processing and manufacturing cheese at a commercial level.

Wisconsin also strives to maintain and uphold this tradition, employing universities to teach cheese making courses, as well as cheese making licenses. At least over two billion pounds of cheese are produced per year, supplying America’s demand for quality cheese.

Gunnison Beach is found in Monmouth County, New Jersey and is a part of the Sandy Hook unit for the Gateway National Recreation Area. It is also the only legal nude beach in the whole state of New Jersey.

The beach was named after the Gunnison battery, a fort used to protect the New York Harbor during war times. The remains of the fort can still be seen, albeit not available for tourist use (they could still be pretty dangerous). The fort was part of present Fort Hancock, but was then made for a Nike missile defense installation. It was turned into a beach where the soldiers swam in the nude.

By the end of the 19th century, New Jersey had passed a ruling that prohibited all types of nudist and naturist activity in other activities on state beaches or municipal beaches. Gunnison beach remains to be the only legal nude beach in everywhere else. It is a clothing-optional beach however. This means that naturism is not imposed, but one may opt to wear something. Be warned that most nudists would take this as an offense however, although the lot would just wave it off as modesty

The clothing optional beach offers a great view of Lower Manhattan and of the Verrazano Narrows. The beach is a sight to see (perverts stay away) during the summer months. At least five thousand come to see and congregate in these bathing grounds.

Gunnison Beach observes the usual rules of beaches. Trash is carry in-carry home. Means, you bring your trash with you. No littering, and no leaving of things behind. Glass containers are strictly prohibited, and alcohol is allowed, though one should drink moderately. Photos require permission from those in the photo. No lewd behavior should be displayed and respect local laws as well. Politeness is compulsory, and aggression be avoided in all levels.

Chances are, you’d be asking for the Sunken Gardens if you’re looking for this place, since that is what others call this Japanese Garden in San Antonio, Texas. The reason for the term is because the gardens are located inside an abandoned limestone quarry. If you can’t find the place, ask for “Chinese Tea Garden Gate”. It’s what they used in the registrations.

The Japanese gardens had a long hard history. Starting first as a quarry, it had been developed into a garden under the direction of the city. Several companies had bloomed under the park with the workers also benefiting. The theme of being Japanese was added later on when the basic outlays were introduced. The funds from different donors came, where the extensive outlays were introduced.

Due to World War II, most of its benefactors have been extradited and sent back to Japan. The whole place fell into disrepair and vandalism and it was not only until at least 2005 that serious action and renovation was spearheaded and led by the concerned citizens that did not wish the park to be closed down.

The park opened last March 2008, thanks to the continued efforts of Councilwoman Bonnie Conner. Through her campaign to protect and keep the park open, they were able to acquire enough funds to restore and renovate the park. The family that was extradited from the site, the Jingu family was able to come back after a few decades.

The Gardens have garnered several titles like the Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, Texas Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, the gardens stand proud and tall, hosting to people who wish to experience the glamor and the intricacy of Japanese tea ceremonies. The gardens can be found at the Northwestern edge at Brackenridge Park, near the San Antonio Garden.