Tech gadgets are becoming increasingly incorporated into clothing, enhancing function and giving it a modern edge. Living in our fast-paced, highly tech-driven society, it is no wonder the fashion industry is becoming a number one hotspot for inserting gizmos. Turning snaps into switches, sneaking tracking devices into earrings for kids, electronics are being integrated into fabrics and here are some really neat wearable tech fashions merging fashion and practicality for the future.

Sports EyeTap

A very cool, sci-fi looking device that may one day come to replace eye glasses- the Sports EyeTap allows the wearer, while in a stadium, to follow a particular player in a field and have the EyeTap display statistics relevant to that player in a floating box above. This kind of technology would be useful in just about any field where a user would benefit from real-time interactive information. The EyeTap is also being explored as a potential tool for individuals with visual disabilities.

Pollution Dress

Designed to raise environmental awareness, the LED-Equipped “Climate” Gown responds to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere using conductive embroidery that transmits information to hundreds of tiny LED’s laced into the dress. This results in patterns that range from slow pulses to rapid flashes depending on the concentration of the greenhouse gas.

AK-39

Though for now the AK-39 is a wearable keyboard intended specifically for military use, devices like it are already underway for the general public, providing instant and reliable means of communication. Designed by iKey to be worn on the arm, this rugged keyboard provides a simple compact data-input solution that does not restrict the user’s arm movements. It is designed to meet MIL-461 standards and is intended for use in very harsh electro magnetic interference (EMI) environments, as well as withstand harsh environmental conditions such as rain, dirt or extreme temperatures.

Hug Shirt

The shirt that lets you give love even when you’re far away, the Hug Shirt, made by Cute Circuit, allows you to send and feel hugs to and from other Hug Shirt owning friends. The Hug Shirt is filled with wearable sensors and actuators, with a Bluetooth and Java enabled mobile phone- running on the ‘Hug Me’ Java software application. The sensors feel the strength of the touch, the warmth of the skin and the heart-rate.

MOTION RESPONSE sportswear

Designed by Kerri Wallace, MOTION RESPONSE sportswear, uses thermochromic printing techniques which enable fabric to change color in response to the wearer’s heart rate and body temperature. Much like the concept of a mood ring, the fabrics change colours based on the change in temperature. The technical term for this is thermochromism and as the athlete heats up, the Thermochromic ink disappears while the Thermochromic Liquid Crystal (TLC) ink becomes colorful. The color spectrum ranges from clear to turquoise to black and allows you, as well as others, to see the intensity of your workout.

HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam

Every lady needs a good clutch and now it seems she also won’t leave the house without her computer. Vivienne Tam’s stylish computer clutch has a 60GB hard drive and weighs 1kg. It has a 10-inch LCD display, a built-in webcam, and is powered by Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processors. Designed for the fashion-forward, woman on-the-go; the HP Mini 1000 sells for $1,199.

Dream Jammies

There is an element of creepy to this wearable tech fashion. Dream Jammies allow you to see how your loved ones are sleeping, even if they are on the other side of the world. The pajamas’ sensors are embedded into the embroidery and connect you to your loved ones’ phone which then displays an ambient colour that represents the state of sleep.

Designer and inventor, Alexander Reeder explains: “As you lay down to sleep, the screen fades from green to blue, the shade of blue reflecting your body temperature. As you roll around, the screen flickers red. By shaking the iPhone your partner is able to reach out, causing the chest of your pajamas to vibrate. Not pleasant while you sleep, but a perfect alarm clock. Not only are you able to keep in touch while living on opposite sides of the world, Dream Jammies offer insight into how you sleep by capturing data as you snooze.”

I don’t like having to read an article 3 times. Thankfully, this recent one was short, although it was short on explanation too. The title reads “Thief Steals Ring Off Hand of 90-Year-Old Woman”. That wording seems to strongly suggest that the ring was actually physically removed from the woman’s hand, which is all the more disturbing, and I suppose more interesting news, too. The jewelry thief stole the $21,000 diamond engagement ring from a 90-year-old lady in an assisted-living facility. Without saying more about the woman, her age at least opens the door to the from-her-finger removal possibility.

But here’s the weird part. Apparently, the woman’s daughter-in-law is the one who noticed it was missing, and the official police report says it was stolen between March 9^th and 23^rd. Now either the thief followed her around and pulled it off her finger super slowly over a two-week period, or it was simply kept somewhere in her home and removed from there. As far as theft prevention is concerned the police commander is quoted as saying “the best thing to do with jewelry is to wear it.” This mostly suggests that she wasn’t wearing it at the time, although it could be interpreted as a “it’s the best thing to do, and still it was taken.” Given other recent ring thefts from the elderly like this, the news is disheartening either way.

So I guess this is either an absolutely outlandish crime, or a more regular but still very unfortunate crime, with confusing reporting. Maybe they meant to say something along the lines of “the criminal took it off her hands,” as in “no, go out, I’ll babysit and take the kids off your hands.” Except you’d end up returning the kids. And they’re probably not worth $21,000. Sorry - I don’t like kids.

Jewelry designers are artists whose medium is precious metals, stones, and other unique items combined to create a work of art known as a piece of jewelry. Jewelry designer artisans work with different mediums to create works of art that are worn and enjoyed by men and women around the world.

Jewelry designers can design a single unique piece of jewelry or can design jewelry that will serve as the model for mass produced jewelry. Jewelry designers are artist and it is therefore not mandatory that a designer attend a school to become a designer. Being an artist a jewelry designer is only limited by their own passion and imagination.

If you are interested in becoming a jewelry designer there are many schools across the country in which you could study. Here is a list of some of the jewelry schools available:

• Cranbrook Academy of Art: Bloomfield Hills, MI
• Arrowmont School of Arts: Gatlinburg, TN
• American Jewelers Institute: Portland, OR
• Bedazzled: Washington, DC
• Diablo Glass and Metal: Boston, MA
• Denver Jewelry Academy: Westminster, CO
• Gemological Institute of America: Pasadena, CA
• Fashion Institute of Technology: NY, NY
• Fredricka Kulicke School of Jewelry Art: Parsippany, NJ
• Houston Center of Contemporary Craft: Houston, TX
• Metalwerx: MA
• New Approach School for Jewelers: hands on training for stone setting and working with metal, including platinum.
• Valentine Yotkov Studio: Brooklyn, NY
• Several Universities have jewelry programs. Including Temple, Univ. of Kansas, Univ. of North Dakota and the list goes on.

This is just a small sampling of the many schools offering courses in jewelry design. There are other avenues you can take to become a jewelry designer. One of the most common practices is to apprentice under an establish artisan. This approach is very popular but can be hard to find a mentor. Jewelry design is very competitive and the apprentice spots available are few and far between.

This approach allows you to learn from someone who is an established artist. It gives you the opportunity to earn while you learn. This can be important for young struggling artist.

Some of the top jewelry designers are:

• Harry Winston: if you watched the stars stroll the red carpet, you gazed on many Harry Winston designed jewelry. Harry is known as the “Jeweler to the Stars”. Hollywood stars love his designer jewelry.
• Cartier: recognized around the world for designing stunning watches and jewelry. This French design house has tremendous influence on world jewelry fashion. Check out the Cartier collection for inspiration and to see what is currently in style.
• Scott Kay: best known for his bridal collection designs. Chances are you see Scott Kay wedding jewelry everyday on the hands of your friends and co-workers.
• Tiffany: fantastic collection that comes from many talented designers. Always on the cutting edge of jewelry design.
• Hidalgo: one of the most prolific jewelry designers in the world. Offers a wide range of very unique jewelry.

This is just a miniscule sampling of some of the world’s great jewelry designers. The range in style and materials used varies wildly. Each of these great jewelry designers’ collections is available at multiple retailers across the world. You can also browse pictures of the collections over the Internet.

Jewelry design is a wonderful, challenging, and very rewarding profession. If you love fashion, art, and love to tinker and make your own jewelry you should think about becoming a jewelry designer.

Fashion jewelry, also known as costume jewelry, are accessories usually designed with specific clothing and styles in mind, used to enhance the appearance of any outfit.

There is a misconception by many that the accessory is the jewelry itself. Fashion jewelry accessories can be many things:

• Polishing cloths
• Nylon Ear wire Retainers: these nylon retainers help keep French ear wire earrings from coming off the ear.
• Necklace chains: these come in a variety of metals and lengths. Chains can be costume cut and made to fit anyone. Chains are one of most common used accessories in fashion jewelry.
• Necklace chain extenders: outgrown your favorite chain, extend it. Now you can continue to use your favorite chain accessory.
• Pearl shorteners: essentially this accessory can double up your string of pearls and make them a choker or bracelet. Nice accessory.
• Simple bar pin: wear your pendant as a brooch.
• Jewelry boxes: this accessory can come in a variety of styles and made with many different types of materials. The jewelry box accessory is a very personal thing for most women. Many jewelry boxes have been handed down from generation to generation. Some of the different types of jewelry boxes are:
  1. Teak wood.
  2. Leather pouches.
  3. Pecan wood.
  4. Cherry wood.
  5. Mother of pearl.
  6. Gold.
  7. Silver.
  8. Copper.
  9. Brass.
  10. Walnut.

Styles range from the single leather pouch, single drawer, or multiple drawer grand style. Many men and women today opt to store their jewelry accessories in a safe. Burglary and crime have taught many people that keeping their valuables in a safe is the smart thing to do. Insurance companies often require you to keep your valuable jewelry accessories in a safe in order to be covered.

One of the new unique crazes in fashion jewelry accessories is made by Chamilia. Their catch phrase is “Jewelry that defines you”. There new bracelet has become the rage in Hollywood. The bracelet is unique because the beads interlock together and can be mixed and matched to make the bracelet different and unique. You become the fashion jewelry designer. It allows you to buy as many beads as you can afford and buy the rest later. The beads are made in a variety of materials:

• Silver
• Glass
• Gold
• Crystal

The bead prices vary according to the value of the precious metal. These unique fashion jewelry accessories are being worn by stars such as:

• Venus Williams
• Usher
• Fergie

Just to name a few. This company shows that jewelry accessories are very creative and innovative. They lead the way in jewelry fashion and design. Small companies and artisans shape the jewelry fashion accessory world on a daily basis.

Some jewelry accessories for men include:

• Cuff links
• Tie clips
• Rings
• Bracelets
• Vest chains
• Chains
• Jewelry designed watches.
• Eye glass chains.
• Diamond stud ear rings.

Fashion jewelry accessories do not have to be expensive. Today, you can find accessories to meet everyone’s pocket book. The fashion jewelry accessory is also available in any style and medium that suits your needs. The fashion jewelry accessory can be found locally or over the Internet in the convenience of your own home.

Women even have fashion jewelry accessory parties where they will get together and look at sample jewelry and purchase what catches their eye. The fashion jewelry accessory is more popular today than at any other time in history.