Finance

Textile design can be defined, to mean the art of making patterns of various types on fabric materials. In a broader view, it as an area of discipline in applied or industrial art had been practised in different parts of the world at different times. For instance, it was reportedly practised in China around 618-906 AD, in Japan around 552-794 AD. It was also recorded by historians that, it was practised for centuries in South- East Asia, Indonesia, India, Peru and parts of Africa especially Nigeria to be specific. Additionally, it is an embodiment of professional disciplines that are open to different areas of specialization. For example, under it, are the following disciplines, viz; Tie- Dye, Batik, Print and Print making, Weaving and Embroidery.

Textile design has its own usefulness and purpose in mankind, and such usefulness cannot be underestimated in human daily endeavours. To start with, it can be used as a means of utility, that is, it can serve different purposes at a time. For example, it can be worn as cloth, can be used to make handbags, can be used as window blind or curtain for home and office, as table cover, as handkerchief and so on.

Textile design as an area of specialization can serve as a means of employment and source of income to individuals. This implies that, an artist or a designer can explore new motifs, techniques or styles in textile design and by so doing, make himself or herself self employed without depending on government or family member(s) for sustenance. This, on the other hand, tends to reduce, to some extent, the unemployment rate of a particular society. It is also very significant in our daily endeavours in the area of aesthetics.

Aesthetics is defined according to oxford advance learner dictionary as anything concerned with beauty and art, and the understanding of beautiful things. Based on this fact highlighted above, it can therefore be used as both interior and exterior decoration in public and private buildings like hotels, churches, mosque, banks, offices, to mention but just a few. The products of textile designs used for both interior and exterior decoration are usually made into various sizes, with beautiful patterns, framed and hung on the walls of the buildings.

Another vital area where it can play an important role in the daily endeavours of humans is in the area of being an agent or a means to communicate, address and as well, promote cultural values of a particular society. It shall be recalled at this instance that, dressing is one of the main tenets of culture. Fabric materials, to be worn as cloth, can be designed by an artist to portray some historical antecedents of a society so as to showcase such cultural values to the outside world. This can be achieved, through the use of stories and motifs, that are common or identified with such societies, as designs on textile materials. Citing an instance, common folktales of different versions of a society can be made on fabrics, anyone that comes across such works/cloths will be reminded or be acquainted with the cultural values of such society. Similarly, foreigners and those that are not very familiar with the cultural values of the communities involved, can use the works/fabrics as reference points or souvenirs for better understanding of the cultural heritage of the communities concerned.

Economic significance is yet another area, through which the exploration of textile design can be of paramount importance to human daily endeavour. This can be explained through the boost, the sales of textile design products will give to the economy of a nation. This means that, buying and selling of the products and the patronage given to them cannot only make individuals involved to be self- reliant, but also add to the gross domestic products of a nation. It should be emphasised that, on any products sold or bought, the personalities involved in the transactions has directly and indirectly paid some amount of money as tax while buying the products. The tax goes into the purse of the government, this therefore generates some money into the purse of the government, thus, adding a quota to the national development of the nation.

Conclusively, all the points discussed in this essay are just part of a whole of the usefulness of textile design to our daily endeavours as humans.

The following are a few of the best costumes for 2011, and most are still available if you shop online. They are made of good quality and comfortable to wear. The online stores seem to have the best choices in diversity of styles. Just go to your favorite search engine and type in the name of the costume you want and you will find just what you need.

Shopping online for costumes is nice and easy and you get a wider variety to choose from. Then you just click and wait for it to get there. No going out and shopping and hanging out in traffic and lines. You save time money and frustration.

Halloween is one of those holidays the slip up on you and by the time you decide you or your dog or kids needs a costume the stores have been pretty well picked over and there is nothing left that really looks like something that you want.

If you wait till the last minute, the chances of getting the captain sparrow, princess, raggedy or any other costume is better than if you go to the store. Then you would have to go to another store and another store until you are just exhausted and settling for whatever "they have". Worse you may decide to make an outfit yourself and you know that is always harder to do than you think it will be.

Some tips on Costumes

Buy quality once and you can reuse it time and time again; buy cheap and you wear and toss it awayIf you have a bet dress them up, they add a lot of laughter to any eventMake sure you buy for what you need, meaning if you are only inside don't over dress if you are outside then make sure you and yours dress warmlyDo not forget the accessories. They will make or break your costumeWear the character and not just the costume. Study up a bit to make your costume more realIf you cannot afford it, don't buy it. When my kids were young and money was short I made silly homemade costumes. They loved them. Just plug in your creativity and make it fun.

Raggedy Ann Costume

This is an old time favorite and never seems to go out of popularity. The character was created in 1915 by a man for his daughter and the book series came into being in 1918. The costume is cute and will have a hat, a bib dress and of course the red yarn hair. Want to see something funny then you should look up the Raggedy Ann costumes for a dog. This costume can be worn for Halloween or for playtime. The character inspires children to niceness and to be truthful and honest.

Captain Jack Sparrow

Yaaaaar Me Mateys - Who does not want to be a pirate? We all know the look and the lingo. It is a fun costume to wear for both adults and children. You can accessorize with swords and knives and bottles of wicked drinks. This costume is one of those that is high in demand, especially with all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies having been made.

Captain America

Captain America is a superhero character that first showed up in the comic books in 1941. This is a very old and popular costume as the character is well loved. He is not only patriotic and heroic but he stands for freedom. With times being tough and the moral decay seems lowered, wouldn't you like to put on the Captain America Costume and strut about proudly in the red white and blue?

Robber costume

A robber costume is simply fun to wear and the mischief you can get into! There are many styles and genre of the robber costume. It does not have to be the guy with a black face mask dressed in black anymore; you can be a cowboy robber, medieval or whatever the picture of a robber is in your head, add the props and your set to go.

Sexy wonder women costume

This is one of the top selling costumes around and it comes in all sizes from baby to toddler to adult and even has a costume for your pet dog. It is fun in bold red, white and blue. It's time to save the world.

Vegas Costume

Oh yeah, glitz and glamour as you step into the nightlife world of people like Elvis Presley. You can dress as Elvis in many styles or you can dress as a card girl, a dealer and any of the many characters that inhabit Vegas.

Alice in Wonderland

A beloved character all on her own, but in the theme of Alice in Wonderland you have many delightful characters to choose to portray if you want; Cheshire cat, mad hatter, white rabbit and the villainous queen.

Final Fantasy

Cosplay costumes are the "bomb" there is one great place to get any kind of Cosplay costume available with all the accessories you will ever need and that is Light in the box. They are simply superb in style and quality so would be wise to shop no place else for Cosplay costumes.

A few of the other high in demand costumes are: the ever sexy Arabian, butterfly, fantasy, football and baby animal costumes.

Want to be the shining star in a great costume this Halloween? Want to decorate your home and yard with super accessories that will have your neighbors envious, then check it all out here at CostumeCostumeCostume and get huge lists of costumes, decorations, ideas and more.

The internationally famous Brazilian model is regarded as one of the most gorgeous ladies in the world and these ladies are tops in the fashion world. There are other beautiful models all around the world, nevertheless, none are as beautiful or as gorgeous as those who have come from Brazil. Not only are the Brazilian models beautiful but they are the essence of sex appeal and sophistication. Brazilian women are also known for being confident and they value not only their looks but their brains as well.

Gisele Bundchen- This stunning model was named one of the most gorgeous women in the world and during 1999 grew to become one of the most needed wanted models in the entire modeling industry. Gisele's career took off in 1996 when she was chosen by Vogue to be the face of the re-launch with the sexy model. Gisele was discovered by a Brazilian modeling agency while on a school trip to Rio De Janiero. Even though her father didn't approve, Gisele moved away and two years later was living in New York.

Adriana Lima- Brazilian modeling agencies frequently discover beautiful girls in shopping malls, and that is precisely what happened with Adriana. At the young age of 13, Adriana began her modeling career, and by fifteen she had been voted the Ford supermodel of Brazil. As Adriana's career took off she located herself like many other models New York, where she signed with Elite model management. This stunning Brazil model has appeared on a number of leading designers catwalks such as Armani, Vera Wang and Valentino.

Alessandra Ambrosio- Enrolling in modeling classes is yet another way that prospective models are found. At the age of 12 Alessandra began her modeling profession and by 15 she was modeling for Dilson Stein. Alessandra went on to win Brazils Elite model look which launched her career. This amazing Brazilian beauty is in high demand and has been featured on several international magazine covers. In addition to being a famous model, Alessandria has appeared on a number of television shows and has even come out with her own swimwear line.

Ana Beatriz Barros- While hanging out on the beach with some friends, Ana was spotted by the Elite model agency and was asked to join their models. In 1996, Ana won the Elite model look and came in second in the international competition. Ana has modeled in numerous distinct marketing campaigns including Armani jeans, Naf Naf, Diesel and Victoria Secret. In 2004, Ana was selected by Jenifer Lopez to become the face of her new lingerie line.

Lilliane Ferrarezi- In 2002 Lilliane won the Brazilian round of the supermodel of the world competition, beating out 350,000 other models for the title. Lilliane went on to represent Brazil in the international competition and and was the runner up. This model has been featured in several different campaigns, modeling for leading fashion designers and their labels. Lilliane has also appeared in a television commercial and is also currently looking to expand her career in this direction.

The Brazilian model class gets more difficult every single year and when the modeling agencies look for new faces they really have a tough time. There so many amazingly beautiful girls in Brazil to choose from but only a small number actually make the cut to become the next new face on magazine covers internationally.

Joel Higginbotham currently lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and created his website http://www.brazilcultureandtravel.com/ to give everyone a taste of this amazing country. For more interesting Brazil facts click the following link to discover more about the different locations of the Brazil capital.

Learning about the German artist Joseph Beuys during my training as a tour guide at the Walker Art Center inspired me to examine art as a way of shamanistic practice.

Like shamans, artists have the ability to explore alternative realms. Artists can retrieve healing energies, knowledge, larger truths, and ancestral wisdom to give form to forces that can change our world.

It has always been my belief that art should have a practical purpose and researching Beuys' ideas about the artist-shaman encouraged me to open up to new possibilities in my own art practice and to explore the way of the shaman!

Beuys did indeed believe that art could serve as a mediator between this world and other realms of existence.

He believed that for us to evolve we must be open to receiving the invisible energies that can serve the useful purpose of educating and healing! Moreover, artists could use symbols as a way to affect those purposes. Great stuff!

Starting with the idea of art as an instrument for healing, I looked at the idea of cures or remedies in Feng Shui. To summarize, certain imagery can be placed in certain corners of your living space, or bagua, to effect cures or enhancements in certain corresponding areas of your life.

For example, in Feng Shui a dragon holding a pearl is a powerful symbol for good fortune. Those receiving this magical remedy need only to place their painting in the proper section of the bagua. The Feng Shui imagery that we place in our power spots helps to shift the energy of our homes and work places and are visual reminders of our intention to manifest our dreams!

My method for designing paintings that become personal symbolic healing remedies based on Feng Shui principals, utilizes the following simple process:

• Define the remedy needed
• Set the intention
• Create a color palette
• Create imagery reflecting a desire/need

As well, painting images of helpful saints as a way of shamanistic practice also intrigues me. After discussing my ideas of the artist as shaman with a friend who is a writer, she commissioned me to paint an image of the patron saint of writers. I realized that art has long been used as a mediator between this world and other worlds in the same magical way that Joseph Beuys was aware of. Think of religious art.

Think also of the cave walls at Lascaux and how images of animals were rendered by firelight on the walls of the caves on the evening before a hunt. One theory is that this art was sympathetic magic used to envision and thus facilitate a successful hunt.

Feng Shui imagery, images of helpful saints, and animal totems are the artist-shaman experiments I am exploring now. Does this great stuff really work?

Does art really have the power to communicate, heal and shift awareness?

Can the artist-shaman's connection to mystical energies, nature, dreams and visions, rendered in visual imagery, empower our consciousness with positive energies that promote progress and prosperity in our lives and in our world?

There may be other Beuys' inspired examples of the artist-shaman that you may have. Please email me at cwgoldenvilla@aol.com. I'd love to hear your stories!

I believe that nothing holds more quintessential charm than early 19th century, English, blue transfer ware, otherwise known as "blue and white".

Charm is a word we hear very little of these days, although it's something we naturally look for. We may not often hear the word, but there's a part of us that seeks it out. Charm can be defined in a number of ways: - to attract, or delight, to enchant. Charm is alluring, or pleasing, a particular quality that attracts and delights.

By charming I don't mean mawkish sentimentality. That, which charms, never stops giving; it remains delightful and pleasing to the eye and does not change with the vagaries of fashion, so beautifully defined by Oscar Wilde - "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months". Or even people, again an Oscar Wilde quote - "It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious".

English, blue underglaze, transfer printing on pottery was at its peak from the late 18th century when Josiah Spode I, the Staffordshire potter, is credited with the introduction of blue transfer printing on earthenware (1781 - 1784) although printing on porcelain, in a small way, had had a much earlier introduction. The process was probably invented by John Brooks, an Irish, copper plate engraver employed at the Battersea enamel works in London in 1753

There is also an anecdotal story, from circa 1750, about a Liverpool printer, John Sadler, who stood fascinated, watching children at play. The children were pressing damp scraps of printed paper onto the surface of pieces of broken pottery leaving a print behind!

It is said that from this casual observation, the Staffordshire blue underglaze transfer printing industry eventually developed. However, after nearly seven years of trial and error, the earliest examples of printing on ceramics date to 1756 and were produced by Sadler and Green of Liverpool, who began by printing on tiles.

Just like so many industrial "secrets" Sadler and Green felt confident that their little printing secret was safe and had not bothered to patent their technique.

Either by sheer coincidence, or by workmen moving around the infant, mid 18th century, ceramics industry, we find not only early printing on Liverpool tiles, but the process promptly followed with experimental printing on porcelain at Worcester in 1757.

Like many processes, it's simple, after you know how and printing on earthenware was much the same in its development. The majority of the 18th and 19th century English, printed pottery manufacturers were centered in Staffordshire and by the early 19th century were producing inexpensive blue printed pottery in large quantities, both for the English and the export market, with vast quantities going to nearly all parts of the English speaking world, America, Canada, India, South Africa and Australia.

The process of transfer printing involved a series of steps with each completed step moving on to the next until the piece was ready to leave the factory. Of great importance was the "artist", or copper plate engraver. It was entirely due to his artistic expertise that produced the quality of the print. The engraver, with a sharp steel point, engraved the pattern on to the surface of a smooth copper plate.

This moved on to the inking shop, where the plate was inked until the ink had filled the engraved plate. Surplus ink was wiped off and the pattern, using a press, was printed on to fine sheets of tissue. The tissue was trimmed to a suitable shape and size and after being dampened, was transferred to the surface of the cream or white, fired, but unglazed, or bisque fired, earthenware shape.

A skillful practiced dabbing technique was used to print the tissue transfer to the surface; the tissue was then gently peeled off, leaving the pattern neatly printed behind. The next step was the glazing shop, where each newly printed piece, now dry, was plunged into a deep tub of glaze. The glaze was actually powdered glass suspended in water and looking a lot like a creamy white soup. The now printed and glazed shape, after drying off, went to the firing kiln. The high temperature kiln melted the powdered glass into a shiny smooth coat over the shape.

The final result was a beautiful sapphire blue image on a white or cream coloured pottery surface, named "creamware". During the final decade of the 18th century, it was discovered, that with the addition of a small amount of cobalt to the glaze, a fine, delicate blue lustre was produced, this became known as "pearlware".

Many of the prints can be seen to make social and political comment, humour, rural life and scenery, heroes of the day and royalty. Many were copied from illustrations of India, from hunting and farming. At this period, c1780 - 1830, society was principally rural and unlike today, the world was a much bigger place, with little opportunity to travel very far from home.

As the 19th century progressed, more and more industrial techniques were developed, eventually obliterating the beauty and all the charm of these 18th and early 19th century wares. The shapes lose all their refinement, becoming heavy and purely functional, in fact, the art had disappeared! By about 1850 colour printing had been introduced and although blue printed wares were still being made, the general quality has seriously declined. Just like all artistic forms, the further it gets from the original, the less identified it becomes with the original concept.

There are many "charming" aspects associated with early blue transfer ware, which could be referred to as naïve charm. If you look carefully at a blue and white shape, you will very often see where the transfer design ends and continues, leaving the pattern not quite matching. I have seen several pieces with the finger prints still visible, fired into the glassy glaze as left by the glazer 200 years ago.

A collection, small or large of early blue and white is a visual feast and the crowning compliment is the addition of an early blue and white lamp. Recall that these early pieces were glazed with a fine tight "skin" of glass and lamplight simply does the rest, with light twinkling, reflected from piece to piece and the lamp, of course, completely at home, the shape now being now reassigned as a perfectly appropriate lamp.

The traditional background colour for displaying blue and white is yellow, whether a yellow fabric or wall. Yellow toile printed fabric is very complimentary and can make a stunning accent for a kitchen or as a feature in a formal room. A beautiful big blue and white, flower filled jug in the middle of a small collection, really is a sight for sore eyes! Close to unbeatable is an antique corner cabinet, each shelf aglow with shapes and sizes of blue and white. The result will not only charm, but will certainly add its mystical quality to attract and delight, the early period being the most collectable, from around 1780 up until about 1830.

Antique English printed blue and white lamps can be seen by visiting the companies web site.

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialize in antique lamps. Lamps are shipped to the U.S, the U.K and Australia http://www.antiquelampshop.com/

As the nationwide obesity epidemic peaks, many parents are looking for ways to keep their children in shape. Soccer, football, gymnastics and other sports are popular, but there's another option for parents and children alike. Dancing can help keep kids active, but if you're looking into dance classes for your children, you might be wondering which type of class is best for you. Here are three different options. Each type has its own personality and style so choose carefully to determine which one is right for your child.

Ballet Classes For Kids

Ballet classes are some of the most popular types of dance classes for children. Here, children will learn proper ballet positions, terminology and classroom etiquette. Ballet classes help instill confidence in students and they teach poise, grace and discipline. Although many people think of ballet classes as something that's strictly for girls, young boys can also benefit greatly from these dance lessons. Some boys who take ballet do so to improve their coordination and many parents remember hearing about the NFL teams whose members took ballet classes to help improve their performance on the football field. Boys typically need to wear a T-shirt and tights, while girls need a leotard and tights. Girls also need to have their hair pulled back in a bun. Both boys and girls need special shoes - regular street shoes or shoes designed for other forms won't do. As students become more advanced, girls may advance to using 'pointe' shoes, but it's fairly rare for boys to wear these special shoes.

Jazz Lessons For Kids

Jazz dance lessons are another option for parents looking to help their kids stay active. Jazz incorporates a number of different styles, such as ballet, and is influenced by popular jazz music. This type of dancing is energetic and is guaranteed to get children up and moving. The movements can be grand and exaggerated and oftentimes dancers are encouraged to add their own personality into the movements. Students usually need to wear body-hugging clothing, such as tight shorts or pants and shirts, so instructors can see the lines of the dancer's body. Special jazz shoes are required, but there are many different types, so talk to your child's instructor before purchasing a pair.

Hip Hop Lessons For Kids

Hip hop dance lessons are some of the newest dance lessons in the industry. Children will learn some of the hottest moves to current music. Hip hop dancers are laid back and students usually need to be a little older to participate in these dance lessons because they need to be able to pay attention to the instructor and focus on the movements. Students don't need any sort of special attire and instead can wear everyday loose fitting clothing and gym shoes.

Dancing is an excellent way for children to stay active. If you're looking for a way to keep your kids moving, but you want an alternative to traditional sports like football, basketball or soccer, dancing can be fun for kids of all ages.

A Step Above Dance Academy offers dance classes in Geneva, IL. The school offers a number of different dance lessons in Geneva for students of all ages. If you're interested in learning more about ballet lessons in Geneva or want to view a class schedule, visit http://www.astepaboveacademy.net/.

Wolverine is one of the greatest comic book characters ever created. He's headlined comic books, animated television shows and four major movies. He once brought an edge to comic books. His past was a mystery, and he wasn't afraid to cross boundaries if it meant getting the job done. He was the badass character everyone wanted to be. Yet over the years, Wolverine's extreme popularity has lead to Marvel including him in any comic book title they can. He is being overexposed.

Wolverine's overexposure is something that angers many comic book fans. Fans like a sense of continuity within the Marvel universe, so when Wolverine is able to jump back and fourth between the X-Men, X-Force, The Avengers, The New Avengers and his own solo series things can get pretty confusing. For one thing, Wolverine is at the centre of this year's X-Men event X-Men: Schism, which apparently occurs at the same time as Marvel's crossover event Fear Itself. For comic books to be treated with respect, they at least have to follow some sense of continuity, and when that is thrown out the widow to allow Marvel to generate some extra sales by throwing Logan on the front cover, it's bound to cause some angry faces.

With a level of uncertainty surrounding the comic industry in recent times, there is some logic as to why Marvel might stick Wolverine in anything they can. If the character truly does boost comic book sales, then it's slightly easier to accept why he stars in so many books. What I don't understand is that they stick him in any title they can, but don't give him any significance. For example, Wolverine could easily be removed from Fear Itself or the main Avengers series. Especially since the character's lost his edge. His origin has been explored and butchered over and over again, taking away the original appeal that went with the character. Why include him in two Avengers titles, if fan favourite characters like Bucky Barnes and Hawkeye are going to get pushed aside? It's frustrating.

It's also frustrating to see Wolverine continuously starring in X-Men movies when it's about time Marvel and Fox movie forward with projects for other characters. Fox have the rights for The Fantastic 4. It's about time they use them, instead of giving us more mediocre Wolverine origin movies. Or at least maybe expand on the Wolverine mythos, and give us a movie based on his son Daken, as some fans would argue Daken has become a far edgier, more compelling character than his father in recent years.

Wolverine's had his day. There are far more characters deserving of the attention and exposure Wolverine receives. Remove him from the Avengers and you might just see why Logan is more appealing when he's an X-Men exclusive. Perhaps now the Avengers movie draws near, we might see a more classic Avengers line up without Ol' Canucklehead.