Low Jeremy asked:
Weddings are definitely joyous but exhausting event. Aside from the basics like searching for a venue, the wedding dress, the reception and the like-one of the major considerations of countless couples who are planning to tie the knot is the their wedding ring.
Usually, most couples prefer a diamond wedding ring set because it is large enough to be worn by itself. For those who are much into rings, a diamond wedding set is perfect for you because it can serve as an engagement ring and the wedding ring all at the same.
Searching for that perfect diamond wedding ring can be stressful and strenuous because there are so many things to consider such as the beauty, shape, size, and cost. The best thing you can do is to trim down these options based on your personal preference and taste.
Here are some tips that can help you get by in searching for that dream diamond wedding ring set. First, you have to choose a diamond wedding ring set that suits your taste and of your fianc
Wedding Planning Secrets. How To Have Your Fairytale Wedding On A Shoestring Budget.
March 25, 2009
March 14, 2009
Choosing A Diamond Wedding Ring Set
March 8, 2009
Diamond Wedding Ring: How to Buy Them
Greath Owen asked:
First piece of advice: Don’t shop by yourself; take your fiancée along with you. That way both of you can choose rings that you would like to wear for a lifetime. Imagine wearing a wedding ring that you don’t find quite to your liking. You can’t change it because it is your wedding ring. So arrange to select one that precisely matches your taste.
Second piece of advice: Select a diamond separately and then arrange to get it set into your ring. Diamonds bought loose cost less than ones set into rings. Different kinds of diamonds are best for differently shaped hands. If your fiancée has long fingers, an oval shaped diamond is better than a round one.
Then there is the issue of selecting the right combination of diamond and its set into the ring.
Diamonds and Diamonds
Diamonds come in different shapes, colors and sizes. There are round, princess, oval, marquise and heart diamonds. The diamonds can be set into the ring in different ways. Bezel, pave, a focal diamond with smaller side stones and mounted on a mirror plate are some of the options.
The typical diamond is a clear diamond. Then there are colored diamonds, with both naturally colored ones and colors created by treating the diamonds. The naturally colored diamonds are rare, and more expensive. There is nothing wrong in treating the diamonds to give them color. However, don’t let the jeweler make you believe that such treated diamonds are naturally colored ones, and charge you accordingly!
Thus diamonds can come in pink, blue or the much cherished yellow colors. Intense colors are achieved through treatment as nature does not color diamonds that much.
Then there is the issue of your budget. The ideal ring set with a large diamond can prove a little too expensive. You might have to go for more affordable options. That does not mean the result will be cheap. As we discussed in a separate article, Your Diamond Engagement Ring: Make It Resplendent, you have options to create impressive rings out of even small diamonds.
Rings and Rings
The ring can be made of yellow gold, white gold, platinum or titanium. Gold is not only commonplace but can also get scratched (especially the higher carat 22 or 24 carat gold). For making your selection unique, it is better to go for the other options. Platinum is a prestigious option, though an expensive one. Platinum is also very durable.
The white options are not only less commonplace but can also go with most kinds of outfits. The titanium option is for you if you can’t go for the highly expensive platinum-diamond wedding ring. Titanium is also durable and attractive.
The main choice thus is between a modern white metal ring and a heritage yellow gold one. Do you want to be seen as a modern guy or gal, or a traditional person?
Then there are options for setting the diamond into the ring. The pave option sets several small diamonds in a way that they look like one large diamond. The bezel option covers the diamond securely, and also hides any chipping on the stone. Having a focal diamond with smaller side diamonds on its sides adds some pizzazz to the ring.
Mix and match all the options, look at your personality and finger shapes, and develop a unique combination for your diamond wedding ring that you can cherish for lifetime. After all, a wedding comes but once in a lifetime (unless you are frequent flyer from marriage to marriage, an option not recommended for most of us).
Best Bridal Shower Games And More - Printable Games, Themes And More.
March 4, 2009
Choosing the Right Mens Gold Wedding Rings
Jonathan Blocker asked:
Diamond Wedding Rings – No Longer Just For Women
At one time, Mens Gold Wedding Rings did not even exist. They are a fairly recent phenomenon, having become common only in the past hundred years or so – and for much of that time, consisted of little more than a simple, unadorned gold ring. Mens wedding rings have changed considerably in the last few decades, however. Today, mens diamond wedding rings and exotic pieces made from platinum and palladium and even tungsten rings have largely replaced the old-fashioned mens wedding bands of yesterday.
Mens Jewelry
Of course, traditional mens gold wedding rings are still available, and even common. Many of these however contain mounted stones; not only are mens diamond wedding rings popular today, such rings may feature rubies, sapphires, emeralds or any number of precious stones. It is not even uncommon to have mens wedding bands engraved, either with a meaningful phrase, the wedding date, or some type of artistic design, such as Celtic knot work patterns.
Tough and Durable
Although weddings are often sentimental occasions, men in American society are still expected to exhibit a certain degree of “ruggedness” – and some of the alternative materials that go into today’s mens wedding rings are a reflection of this.
For all their beauty and luster, mens gold wedding rings are relatively soft and easily scratched; they will also tarnish if not polished regularly. Today, tungsten rings as well as mens wedding bands made from platinum and palladium are common and quite popular. You may recall that tungsten is the metal used for old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs, while palladium is extremely hard and scratch resistant; such rings will last for several lifetimes, making them ideal heirlooms that will be cherished for generations.
The Tacorian Tradition
Some of the finest diamond wedding rings on the market today are those crafted and sold by the Tacorian family of Los Angeles. The Tacorian family escaped from Romania during the 1970s in the dark days of the Ceau?escu regime. When the eldest son realized he could earn more money in a week selling jewelry than his father made in a month at his job, Tacori Jewelers was born.
This company’s line of fine mens jewelry includes mens wedding bands made from such exotic and durable metals. Tacori mens wedding rings are often made without stones so as to allow the purchaser to choose the gem that will be mounted; they also reflect a unique sense of style that combines the baroque elegance of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods with the sleek, industrial-influenced lines of the Art Deco movement. Tacori mens wedding bands are among the most treasured and stylish rings available for men.
How To Photograph A Wedding. Wedding Photography Techniques For Photographers. Photographing A Wedding, Find Out The Secrets Of A Professional.
March 3, 2009
Wedding Rings
Jordan Davis asked:
There are many details which are connected with the preparation for the wedding ceremony and the long – awaited words “I do”. Probably the most important details are: wedding dress and menu, photographer, list of guests, invitations, location, music, dance floor and the wedding rings. These rings are the symbol of love and passion and you will have to choose the jewelry which will express your feelings and characters. Much depends on the individual wishes and tastes of the groom and bride. Some couples choose the traditional rings. The others prefer to buy the extraordinary and creative jewelries. Some people even order the wedding rings to designers which take into account the individual wishes of the couple. The best decision is to create design of the wedding rings yourself.
You can include very personal and special details into the design of the rings. You can discuss with the designer all important details and control the work. In this case your opinion is the main and you can choose everything you really want. One of the most important things is the metal which you will choose for the wedding jewelry. There are several variants: silver, gold, platinum, white gold or titanium. Besides, choose beforehand the stones which you want to have on the wedding bands. The most popular choices are: diamonds, rubies, pearls, emeralds, opals. In the same time some brides and grooms do not use the stones at all.
One more additional reason why you have to create your own wedding rings is that it will be cheaper and you will save the money. If you will choose the designer rings, you will pay not only for the metal and idea, but also for the name of designer. If you will be the designer, the price will be lower. Besides, it is wonderful way to express the feelings to each other.
The Complete Intarsia Manual. For Woodworkers Of All Levels - Intarsia Techniques And Info On Tools, Wood Choices, Finishes, Etc., Plus Free Plans.
March 2, 2009
Methods For Hanging Framed Pictures, Part 2: Hanging Heavy Pictures
Sheila Gallien asked:
In Part 1 of this series, we acknowledged how framed art can bring out the beauty in any space, personal or professional. But novice decorators might feel intimidated by the prospect of hanging heavier pieces. Here we discuss the process of hanging heavier pictures, which simply requires a little more planning.
Starting with a couple of general principles, make sure, first of all, that the art is secure in its frame. Any loose areas will worsen under pressure, and might cause damage to both the frame and art, or even allow the piece to fall. Also, plan to hang heavy pictures from two secure points. Hanging them from one point will create stress across the back of the frame, weakening corners and opening mitres.
Next, you need to know the material and thickness of the wall you intend to use. Wood is suitable for almost any object. Concrete requires special anchors. Particle board should not be used for heavy pieces. The most common material is drywall, which comes in thicknesses of ½” to 1 ½”. The standard thickness is 5/8″, but in some newer construction you might find ½” walls, and sometimes shared walls are up to 1 ½”. You may want to use extra precautions for hanging objects on thin drywall, or check the specifications of whatever fasteners you choose.
Once you have secured your picture and analyzed the wall materials, you are ready for the three-part process of hanging a heavy picture. These steps are:
1. Installing a fastener to anchor the picture to the wall;
2. Installing a hanging device on the frame itself;
3. Installing the matching hardware to connect the frame to the wall.
Some systems are designed to streamline the process. All the most popular methods are discussed below.
The Wall: Installation Fasteners
After you have analyzed the material of the wall and made sure it is structurally suitable, you need to decide on the method you will use to secure the picture to the wall. There are essentially five different types of wall fasteners:
Anchors: Anchors are over-sized screws which allow a ***** to be inserted into the center. They are designed for drywall, and require only a Phillips screwdriver for installation. The ***** can be easily removed from the anchor, and the anchor itself can be removed in seconds as well. Anchors can be used with any hanging device.
Toggle Bolts: Also known as butterfly bolts, Toggle Bolts are very strong fasteners for drywall. Toggle Bolts come in two pieces, a long bolt and the toggle itself. You need to drill a fairly large hole for the toggle to fit through, thread it onto the bolt, then insert the whole unit into the hole. Once installed, the toggle springs open like a butterfly behind the wall. The bolt can later be loosened but not fully removed without losing the toggle section inside the wall.
Molly Bolts: Another strong fastener for drywall, Molly Bolts are similar to Toggle Bolts, but are in one piece, and don’t require as large a hole to be drilled. The Molly Bolt is drilled into the wall like a screw, then the tightening action fans the holding section of the ***** behind the drywall. The object then attaches through the same ***** hole used for installation. After installation, the bolt portion of the Molly can be fully removed and reattached as often as required.
Wall-DogsTM: This anchorless ***** is the best choice for attaching Heavy Duty Cleats or the Hangman wall brackets to nearly every material, including concrete. No wall anchors are needed, but Wall-DogTM, anchorless screws require a special drill bit for drilling the ***** holes in the wall. This can be purchased at any big box store.
Bear ClawTM: A relatively new addition to the fastener marketplace, this is a self-tapping, anchorless ***** used in studs, plaster or drywall, developed and marketed by Hangman Products . The Bear Claw? is installed with a few taps and a screwdriver. While the Bear ClawTM will not bear as much weight as the Wall-DogTM, it will certainly support most heavy paintings, canvas or paper. The Bear ClawTM is easily removable.
The Picture: Hanging Devices and Connecting to the Wall
As part of your decision regarding the anchor system on the wall, you will need to consider which technology to use for hanging your picture.
The frame will either be hung from two points on the wall, with a hanging device attached to two points on the frame (with or without picture wire), as with most of the older picture technology. Or, it will be hung with a system that spreads the weight across a broad piece of metal, as with the newer technology.
The most common Hanging Devices for pictures are:
Heavy-Duty Cleat Hanger: This technology, sold in a set, consists of either one 24″ long or one 40″ long extruded aluminum cleat which is mounted on the wall with screws and anchors and a pair of matching profile 2 1/2″ long cleats that are screwed onto the back side of the picture frame. Based on the old woodworking “French Cleat” principle, this mounting system creates simple, strong and reliable installations for large or heavy paneling, signage, framed mirrors or artwork.
D-Rings, with or without Picture Wire: To use D-rings without picture wire, install them at the back top corners of the frame, making sure they are perfectly even. (You will also need to be sure the screws and anchors are perfectly level on the wall so your picture hangs level.) Pre-drill the holes and use the included screws to secure the D-ring. Then hang the D-rings directly onto the screws anchored into the wall. Hangman Products has just introduced a Double-Headed Bear Claw? ***** designed especially for D-rings and wire. At any rate, do not attempt to hang a heavy picture with D-rings without first installing an appropriate wall fastener.
To use picture wire with D-rings, install them one-quarter to one-third down from the top on the side rails of the frame. If the frame allows, rotate the hangers in slightly, so they will be in line with picture wire when pulled taut. Pre-drill the holes, and fasten the D-rings with the included screws. String the picture wire through, allowing enough slack so that the apex of the wire is half-way between the D-rings and the top of the frame. Remember that you will be using two anchor points, so you will actually have two top points.
The Hangman Products Heavy Duty Hangman System is a high-strength, all aluminum two bracket hanger which disperses the weight along the back of the picture. The brackets are available in lengths from 6″ to 30″ to accommodate a wide array of sizes and weights. The Heavy Duty System is designed for hanging paper art in wooden frames. One bracket is screwed into the wooden frame and the other attaches to the wall with either wall anchors and screws or Wall-dog? screws (all included). The interlocking brackets then slide together to secure the picture. The wall bracket also contains a removable bubble level to guarantee that your installation is level.
The Hangman Products Frame/Canvas Hanger is a high strength, all aluminum, two bracket hanger designed to hang canvas in wooden frames. One bracket is screwed into the wooden frame and the other attaches to the wall with screws and anchors or Bear Claw? anchorless screws. The interlocking brackets then slide together to secure the picture. As with the Hangman Heavy Duty System, the wall bracket contains a removable bubble level, and all hardware is included with this product.
A Couple of Extra Tips:
Rust: No matter what system you choose, always use materials which will not rust: nickel-plated screws, brass or nickel-plated ***** eyes and D-rings, and non-rusting multi-strand wire if you are using wire. Rust will weaken any system and may allow your picture to fall.
Very Heavy Pictures: For very heavy pieces, you might want to use a well-secured picture rail. Or, you might consider using a shelf to distribute some of the weight.
The Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit. All The Tools You Need To Write Vows That Are A Romantic Masterpiece.