The Beauty of Batik

Batik is very famous in Malaysia and other South East Asian countries. Batik can be made into clothing, become the material for purses, hats, caps, pencil cases, curtains, table cloths and many other items. It is also an ancient art and a complex one. It is using wax as a resist, was developed in many places around the world. The Russians in Czarist times used wax as resist to produce their spectacular Easter eggs, the West Africans and Japanese used indigo dye and wax resist to create elegant fabrics, but nowhere was the batik art more advanced than in Java, the largest of the Indonesian islands.

Batik Painting

Traditional batik was made with a copper stamp or drawn on cloth by hand using a tool called a chanting. A chanting is a little copper bowl with a spout attached to a wood or bamboo handle. The chanting is dipped into hot wax. The artist draws with the chanting by using the law of gravity.The wax to pours out of the spout and penetrates the fabric.

They draw with washable markers so the original lines will disappear once the piece is waxed. They usually work on fine rayon, although batik is often done on silk or cotton.

After wax has been applied to our line drawings, the fabric is stretched flat on a frame. The dyes we use to paint spread easily, too easily. The art is in controlling where they go, and how each color interacts with others, when to use a lot of water and when to use none at all.



The final product is a beautiful, durable and washable painting of fabric. These batiks will not fade, shrink or bleed.

Batik Stamping

Stamping batik requires special equipment. Here is a stamping table and the stamping plate.

copper which is use to make the stamp table and plate.

The stamping process requires special skill and is expertly practiced. After stamping the piece will be colored again, creating a luminous effect.

The fabric, after being stamped, is pinched into a pattern. Several colors are applied systematically and allowed to bleed together.

The batik now must be made permanent by applying fixative and boiling. Until a piece of batik is processed the colors are water soluble and can be destroyed easily. But batik process, especially commercial application does have adverse effects on the environment. Batik is all processed by hand, boiled in a forty four gallon drum, and washed out in the river.


The whole Batik process revolves around the principle that wax and water repel each other. When hot liquid wax is applied to cloth, it hardens almost immediately. The wax then acts essentially as a mask, protecting the area of cloth saturated with the wax from becoming saturated with water. If dye is added to water, the area of fabric left exposed and not covered by wax becomes saturated with the dye. Dye cannot penetrate a fabric where wax is painted.

paraffin wax

It is therefore possible to build up multicoloured batik by waiting for the cloth to dry and waxing in previously dyed sections to prevent the next dye colour from taking. This principle works very effectively if work from light to dark coloured dyes. Another, quicker method is to draw an outline of hot wax onto the fabric, creating completely enclosed areas or circles of wax. Dye is then hand-painted with in the wax borders. These borders stop the different coloured dyes from running into each other.

bee wax

Wax is one of the oldest forms of textile resist and is perhaps the strongest. It is possible to use it in long, cool, immersion dye baths and in hand painting projects. Natural beeswax and paraffin wax can all be used in numerous combinations for a variety of effects. Natural beeswax is malleable and tacky and when mixed to a ratio of one to one with paraffin creates a strong resist and the characteristic crackle that defines batik. It may also be used at a ratio of 70% beeswax to 30% paraffin to create concise detail with little crackle.

Beware of Sugar!

More than ever, people are consuming large amounts of sugar as part of their daily diet. But in excess, sugar can take its toll. Eating large amounts of sugar adds extra calories, which can cause weight gain. So many people opt for artificial sweeteners, it also referred to as sugar substitutes or low-calorie sweeteners as a way to enjoy their favorite foods without as many calories.

Artificial sweeteners are chemicals or natural compounds that offer the sweetness of sugar without as many calories. Because the substitutes are much sweeter than sugar, it takes a much smaller quantity to create the same sweetness. Products made with artificial sweeteners have a much lower calorie count than do those made with sugar. Artificial sweeteners are often used as part of a weight-loss plan or as a means to control weight gain.

People with diabetes may use artificial sweeteners because they make food taste sweet without raising blood sugar levels. But keep in mind that if you do have diabetes, some foods containing artificial sweeteners such as sugar-free yogurt. It can still affect your blood sugar level due to other carbohydrates or proteins in the food. Some foods labeled "sugar-free" such as sugar-free cookies and chocolates may contain sweeteners, which contain calories and can affect your blood sugar level. Also, remember that foods containing sugar substitutes may also contain calories that may undermine your ability to lose weight and control blood sugar.

There are several types of artificial sugar......

Acesulfame-K :

~ the K refers to potassium, the form of this substance used commercially is the potassium salt.

~ approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Because acesulfame-K is heat-stable, it can be used in cooking and baking.

~ it is not metabolized in the human body. Thus, it provides no calories and does not influence potassium intake despite its potassium content.

Aspartame :

~ approximately 180 times sweeter than sugar. Therefore, only very small amounts that provide very few calories are necessary to sweeten a food or beverage.

~ unstable if subjected to prolonged heating and therefore cannot be used in baking or cooking.

~ also decomposes in liquids during prolonged storage.

Neotame :
~ it is intensely sweet, with a sweetness potency at least 7000 times that of sugar and at least 30 times that of aspartame.

~ because neotame is extraordinarily sweet, the amount needed to sweeten a food or beverage is extremely small.

~ it is heat stable and thus can be used in cooking and baking. It does not contribute to tooth decay.

Saccharin :

~ it is 300 times sweeter than sugar.

~ passes through the human body intact, providing no food energy. Thus, its caloric content is zero.

~ it is the least expensive of the low-calorie sweeteners, but its suitability for some food applications is limited because its sweet taste is accompanied by bitterness.

Sucralose :

~ it is made from sugar, the human body does not recognize it as a sugar and does not metabolize it. Therefore, it provides no calories.

~ it is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and it is heat-stable during cooking and baking.

~ it can be used in a wide variety of foods and beverages.

How To Cut Back On Sugar In Others Way?

• Gradually cut down the amount of sugar in tea, coffee and cereals.
• Beware of chocolate, cakes, biscuits and sweets.
• Cut down on jams, honey, marmalade, syrup and treacle.
• Use low sugar versions of your favourite desserts and sweets.
• Buy tinned fruit in natural juice instead of syrup.
• Avoid buying sugar and honey coated breakfast cereals.

Plastic Profile

Plastics are polymeric materials, a material built up from long repeating chains of molecules. Polymers such as rubber occur naturally, but it was not until the development of synthetic polymers around year of 1910 that the polymers tailored to the needs of the engineer first started to appear.During the Second World War, plastics such as nylon and polyethylene were used as a replacement material for other materials in short supply.

The mechanical properties of plastics tend to be inferior to most metals. Fibre reinforced plastics are extensively used where the mechanical properties of the base plastic material are not sufficient. However, because of their relatively low weight, the ability to colour the plastics when manufacturing and the ability to mould complex shapes relatively easily, plastics are extensively used for product casings and other applications where mechanical strength is not at a premium.

Plastics are not cheap materials. The cost of raw plastic materials is typically higher than steel but less than aluminium. However, because processing costs over large production runs are lower, the use of plastics can result in significantly cheaper products. For applications requiring strength, the plastics can be reinforced by fibres, usually glass, which give the material added strength. There are two main families of plastics, thermoset plastics and thermo plastics.

Thermo plastics become soft when heated. They can be easily moulded and remoulded without significant degrading. Thermo plastics consist of long molecular chains with no regular structure or very little regular structure.

thermo plastics available:

---Polyethylene ---Polystyrene
---Polycarbonate ---Nylon
---Acrylic ---Acetal

Thermoset plastics are rigid plastics, resistant to higher temperatures than thermoplastics. Once set, a thermoset plastics cannot be remoulded.

thermoset plastics available:

---Expoxies---Polyester

There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with hundreds of different varieties. All types of plastic are recyclable. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, the American Society of Plastics Industry developed a standard marking code to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic. These types and their most common uses are:

Polyethylene terephthalate - Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.

High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.

Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.

Low density polyethylene - Carrier bags and bin liners.

Polypropylene - Margarine tubs and microwaveable meal trays.

Polystyrene - Foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.

Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. - An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.

I don't like to use perfume!

You spray your favorite perfume as you get ready for the new day.

You want to start off smelling great but you might not know that you could actually be harming yourself or others in your household with each spritz. Are you wondering how something that smells as wonderful as your perfume could be harmful? The answer to this question may be surprising.

Chemicals can cause several different types of health problems.
What people don't seem to realize is that each time you spray yourself with a squirt of perfume, you are spraying chemicals directly on your body and into the air around you. After all, it takes chemicals to make perfumes. These compounds are called fragrance chemicals and they vaporize when sprayed into the air or on your skin. As you and others around you breathe in these scents you are being exposed to chemicals that may be harmful.

Perfumes can be complex and have up to hundreds of individual ingredients

Perfumed oils to extravagant designer perfumes are being developed on a regular basis. Currently there are upwards of 800 different fragrance chemicals and oils used in perfumes and scented candles. Added to this, over half of the ingredients used in perfumes have never been tested to see how toxic they are to humans. However, when we consider how some scented candles contain carbon monoxide, acetone, lead or benzene.It is not difficult to imagine how mixing a bunch of different chemicals together could affect our health.

Ingredients of concern!!!

Propylparaben:

~ the propyl ester of p-hydroxybthe propyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, occur as natural substance found in many plants and some insects, although it is manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foods.

~ it is a preservative typically found in many water-based cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos and bath products.

~ it will irritate your skin and can cause allergic reactions.

Tocopheryl Acetate:

~ also known as vitamin E acetate, is a common vitamin supplement with the molecular formula C31H52O3 (for 'α' form). It is the ester of acetic acid and tocopherol (vitamin E). It is often used in dermatological products such as skin creams.

~ is used as an alternative to tocopherol itself because the phenolic hydroxyl group is blocked, providing a less acidic product.

~ it will cause allergies and cancer.

Methylparaben:

~ is an antifungal that is widely used as a preservative for food, drugs and cosmetics. The compound is often found in carpules of local anaesthetic, acting as a bacteriostatic agent and preservative.

~ readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin. It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rapidly excreted without accumulation in the body.

~ it will irritate your skin.

Tetrasodium EDTA:

~ used to sequester metal ions in aqueous solution. In the textile industry, it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colours of dyed products.

~ most important chelating agents used in the separation of the lanthanide metals by ion-exchange chromatography.

~ it will linked to cancer problem and irritation of skin.

Diazolidinyl Urea:

~ is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics. It is chemically related to imidazolidinyl urea which is used in the same way. It is also acts as a formaldehyde releaser.

~ used in many cosmetics, skin care products, shampoos and conditioners, as well as a wide range of products including bubble baths, baby wipes and household detergents.

~ it will causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans.

What is the other problems caused by perfume?

• Sinusitis
• Headaches
• Nose and throat irritation
• Eye irritation
• Loss of coordination
• Defects of the central nervous system
• Birth defects
• Forgetfulness
• Cancer
  
  

~Help! I need the fresh air...

The Chemistry of Crystals

Crystal are believed to have the metaphysical powers of healing. This metaphysical healing relies on the innate powers of the healing crystals. The earliest records of crystal healing have been traced to ancient Egypt. India's Ayurvedic records and traditional Chinese medicine dating back as far as 5000 years ago also claim to use crystals for healing.

Each crystal has a unique vibrational resonance. It owes its unique ability to the mineral content, geometry and the colour frequency it emits. The human body has a complex electromagnetic system, also known as a vibrational energy system. Nature has created crystals to become electromagnetic conductors which are capable of interacting with our electromagnetic system. Crystals have been found to carry vibration that activates certain energy centres within this system, thus creating a positive effect on the body.

In crystal healing, crystals must be placed on the Chakra points- the seven main points on the body, namely, the root Chakra(base of the spine), the navel, the heart, the throat, the third eye and the crown. Crystal healing helps identify the weak points in our body. A crystal healer will be able to observe the changes of colours of the crystals placed on your body, hence determining the part of your health that should be improved and how.

Some types of crystals and their health benefits:

Diamond- helps to increase personal clarity and trust. It also helps amplify thoughts and attitudes as well as promote spirituality and love.

Jade- has a connection to the kidney and nervous system. It helps promote knowledge and emotional balance.

Ruby- helps fight infections and cholesterol. It promotes blood cleansing and stimulate circulation.

My crystal healing experience...

I was asked to lie flat face up on a bed. For my body to interact with the crystals, I needed to be in a very relaxed state. Elaine Wong, a crystal healer advised me to close my eyes and take slow deep breaths while she places the crystals on my Chakra points. With the help of soft music in the background, I was able to relax went through the calming process of crystal healing.

When I regained full consciousness, Elaine pointed out my weaknesses, the part of my body that should be strengthened and how it can be done. She also suggested the types of crystals I should wear to help strengthen my weaknesses and spiritual health. As I left the room, I felt a sense of peace and unexplainable calmness of mind, body and soul. I am not sure whether it was the effect of the healing crystals or the fact that my body was totally relaxed for about an hour. However, one thing's for sure. The power of crystals still amazes me.

The process of forming a crystalline structure from a fluid or from materials dissolved in the fluid is often referred to as crystallization. In the ancient example referenced by the root meaning of the word crystal, water being cooled undergoes a phase change from liquid to solid beginning with small ice crystals that grow until they fuse, forming a polycrystalline structure. The physical properties of the ice depend on the size and arrangement of the individual crystals, or grains, and the same may be said of metals solidifying from a molten state.

Which crystal structure the fluid will form depends on the chemistry of the fluid, the conditions under which it is being solidified and also on the ambient pressure. While the cooling process usually results in the generation of a crystalline material, under certain conditions, the fluid may be frozen in a noncrystalline state. In most cases, this involves cooling the fluid so rapidly that atoms cannot travel to their lattice sites before they lose mobility. A noncrystalline material, which has no long-range order, is called an amorphous, vitreous or glassy material.

covalent bond of crystal

Crystalline structures occur in all classes of materials, with all types of chemical bonds. Almost all metal exists in a polycrystalline state; amorphous or single-crystal metals must be produced synthetically, often with great difficulty. Ionically bonded crystals can form upon solidification of salts, either from a molten fluid or upon crystallization from a solution. Covalently bonded crystals are also very common, notable examples being diamond, silica and graphite. Polymer materials generally will form crystalline regions, but the lengths of the molecules usually prevent complete crystallization. Weak Van der Waals forces can also play a role in a crystal structure; for example, this type of bonding loosely holds together the hexagonal-patterned sheets in graphite.

ionic bond of crystal

To understand the importance of the chemical make-up of minerals, let's look at a few examples: ~Calcite, you will find by looking at the periodic table, is a calcium carbonate. Most people will know that calcium is the main constituent of the skeletal system, and therefore calcite is often used in crystal healing to help mend fractures of bones.

~Hematite, is an iron oxide. Iron helps to maintain healthy red corpuscles and oxygenate the blood, and hematite is frequently used to treat anaemia as well as circulatory problems.

~Malachite, contains mainly copper, which draws off heat and can therefore be used to reduce inflammation. This is the idea behind the use of copper wrist bands to treat osteoarthritis.