Lapis Lazuli Beads

keywords: Lapis Lazuli Beads, Lapis Lazuli Gemstones

The deep blue of lapis lazuli beads is often flecked with golden sparkles. This stone has been prized since ancient times for jewelry, carvings, bowls and funeral decorations. It was also used in creating the paint color ultramarine. The mines of Afghanistan were the source of lapis in the ancient world and still produce most of the world’s supply of these gemstones, but it is also found in Russia, Chile, Italy and Mongolia, as well as the United States and Canada.

Deepest Darkest Blue

Lapis lazuli beads get their distinctive blue color from lazurite, a mineral composed of silica, sulfate, sulfur and chloride. The stone often has inclusions of golden pyrite, which gives lapis lazuli gemstones the appearance of a dark blue sky full of stars. The name ‘lapis’ means ‘rock’ in Latin, while ‘lazuli’ come from the Latin ‘lazulum’ and refers to the area of Persia where the stones were mined. The gorgeous color of these beads make them perfect for jewelry and crafts projects.

First Gemstones

Lapis lazuli beads are believed to be among the first gemstones ever used. Many examples of jewelry, carved bowls and vases made from lapis lazuli have been found by archeologists at sites around the ancient world, such as the Mediterranean, Persia, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Lapis lazuli was especially prized for funeral decorations. The Egyptians used lapis lazuli gemstones to create scarabs, the carved beetles that were part of death rites, and the eyebrows of King Tutankhamun’s death mask. Because lapis is relatively soft and easy to carve, it was popular for seals and signet rings. Some ancient scholars called lapis lazuli ‘sapphire,’ and it is thought that the references to sapphires in the Bible are actually talking about lapis lazuli. 

Used in Painting

When ground to a fine powder, lapis lazuli gives a brilliant blue color that has been used to create a paint shade called ultramarine. This pigment was very expensive and it was used especially for the garments of the Virgin Mary on Renaissance frescos. Vermeer used ultramarine for the headdress in his painting Girl with the Pearl Earring in 1665. In the nineteenth century, synthetic and much less expensive ultramarine became available and lapis lazuli beads were no longer used for this purpose. 

Stone of Truth

Crystal workers use lapis lazuli beads to clear the mind and strengthen the intellect. Students, journalists and writers can all use the dark blue stone to aid them in uncovering the truth in a situation and understanding difficult material. Wearing lapis lazuli helps with learning and memory and supports effective communication. It is said to promote fame, so if you are seeking recognition and public approval for your work, get some jewelry made of lapis lazuli gemstones from GiveMeMoreBeads!

Fleece

keywords: Big and Tall Athletic Wear

Fleece is the perfect material for the changing seasons. It is lightweight, great for blocking out wind, hypoallergenic and comfortable to wear. Fleece garments are easy to care for and have replaced wool in many people’s wardrobes. Plus, this versatile fiber can be made from recycled plastic bottles, making it a great green alternative. A fleece jacket, sweater or vest is a valuable addition to your collection of big and tall athletic wear.

Where Does Fleece Come From?

Fleece is a synthetic fabric made of polyester, also known as polyethylene terephthalate, which is what many plastic drink bottles are made of. This material can be manufactured from recycled plastic by crushing the bottles into small pieces. These chunks are then melted, drawn out into thin strands and spun together to make yarn. The yarn is dyed and knitted into fabric and treated to make it waterproof. The fleece fabric can be made into clothing, blankets, rugs, towels and many household items. Before the introduction of synthetic fleece, many of these items were made from wool.

Fleece vs. Wool

Fleece is produced in a factory while wool is grown on the back of a sheep, but they have some similarities. Both are good insulators and useful for making clothing. However, fleece has some advantages when it comes to big and tall athletic wear. Fleece can be machine washed and dried, whereas wool usually needs to be dry cleaned or washed by hand. Wool garments are heavier than those made from fleece, but even if it is lightweight, fleece does a great job of resisting wind and rain. One disadvantage of fleece is that it can’t be ironed or it will melt, but jackets and sweaters made of fleece rarely wrinkle anyway.

Properties of Fleece

Fleece is very easy to work with, and that has made it especially useful to manufacturers of big and tall athletic wear. This versatile fabric comes in different weights, with heavier weight fleece used for items like coats and jackets, mid-weights turned into vests and sweaters, and lightweight fabrics crafted into sweatpants and shorts. Some types of fleece are bonded together so that the fabric is reversible. Pilling — the formation of tiny balls of fluff on the surface of the garment after it is worn for a while — has been a problem with fleece in the past, but manufacturers  have developed new anti-pill versions of the material.

Wearing Fleece

Since its introduction in the 1980s, fleece has changed the athletic wear industry. BigMansLand carries a large assortment of big and tall athletic wear made from different weights of fleece. We have heavy-duty coats made for weathering winter storms and windbreakers that are perfect for an early spring day. Whatever you need in the line of spring outerwear made from fleece, come to BigMansLand for great fit, fashion and value.

Fire Damage Cleanup

keyword: Fire Damage Cleanup

Because every building is different, every fire situation is going to be different too, but there are some similarities. When you are faced with fire damage cleanup, you need to get rid of smoke and water, protect surfaces from corrosion or mold, clean the items that can be cleaned, and dispose of items that cannot be salvaged. Contacting a fire restoration company can make this difficult process much easier on you and your family.

Remove Smoke and Water

After your building has been inspected and declared structurally sound, you can bring in heavy duty fans and vacuums to remove smoke and water. It is important to get rid of smoke and water as quickly as possible, because the longer they stay in the building, the more damage they will do. Professionals who have been trained and certified in fire damage cleanup by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) know how to do this effectively.

Protect Surfaces

Once residual smoke and water have been removed, the next step in fire damage cleanup is to protect surfaces as much as possible from further damage. To protect metal surfaces from corrosion, wipe exposed metal with soft, dry rags and coat with a layer of petroleum jelly. To keep floors from buckling, pull up any wet carpeting. It’s a good idea to elevate large items, such as bookcases and entertainment units, on small pieces of scrap wood. This allows air to circulate under the furniture and allow the floor to dry more quickly. The quicker everything dries out, the less chance that mold will grow in the area.

Basic Cleaning

One of the rules for fire damage cleanup is to start at the top and work your way down. You can clean ceilings and the tops of walls using a soft brush on a telescoping pole with a solution of one tablespoon of TSP or washing soda mixed with a gallon of warm water. White vinegar is helpful in removing odors and soot from walls and woodwork. You may need to go over surfaces several times before they are clean. Don’t forget to wear old clothes for this because it is a very dirty job, and also be sure to use protective items such as rubber gloves and goggles.

Don’t Throw Anything Away

Seeing your personal possessions piled in soggy heaps is very depressing, but resist the temptation to just hire a dumpster and throw everything away. While you will need to move things in order to begin fire damage cleanup, do not discard anything until the insurance adjuster has finished the inspection of the site. That blackened, soggy couch may look worthless to you, but if the contents of your home are insured, they still have value and the insurance company needs that information.

Hiring Professionals

Fire damage cleanup is not an easy task, and the cost for hiring professionals is more than worth it. Vital Restorations has IICRC certified technicians who can handle all aspects of fire recovery from boarding up your home to cleaning up from smoke and water damage and having electronics cleaned and inspected. If a fire has devastated your home, let Vital Restorations restore your peace of mind.

Title Tag: The Basic Steps in Do-It-Yourself Fire Damage Cleanup

Meta Description: When you are faced with fire damage cleanup, getting rid of smoke and water, protecting surfaces and cleaning salvageable items are some necessary steps.