Made With Molecules Newsletter - Holidays 2012

[raven hanna]

Dear MWM friends and fans,

Aloha from this rural little corner of Hawai'i, where we are gearing up for the holidays. I've already attended a Christmas craft and wreath show on Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, where I smelled a fresh pine tree for the first time in a year. I'll be participating in the only ukulele marching band in all of Puna district in the Pahoa holiday parade, and I'll watch the sun rise with my halau hula at the easternmost place in Hawai'i on the winter solstice morning.

While I'm enjoying the off-grid, small-town Hawaiian life, I've finally had time to design and make some new molecules for MWM, and I'm super-excited about them!


In this newsletter:

1. *new* acetylcholine holiday ornament - for 2012
2. *new* anandamide ring
3. *new* testosterone necklace
4. *new* ethanol earrings
5. holiday card designs
6. holiday ordering deadlines


1. *new* acetylcholine holiday ornament - for 2012

Memories are a central part of our enjoyment of the holiday season. They give us stories and traditions, compounding year after year. When thinking about what molecule to choose to represent an aspect of the holiday season this year, I thought about acetylcholine as a symbol for memory. When it dawned on me to combine an acetylcholine with a photo frame, I knew that what it had to be! I love the idea of adding photos from holidays 2012 into this ornament as a keepsake for future seasons. Or, you can add photos or mementos from previous years or holidays to an ornament to make an extra-meaningful gift. There are only 100 of these and they sometimes do sell out before the end of December. (Extra thanks to my ever-supportive mom and Jeremy for helping me assemble these!)

http://store.madewithmolecules.com/product/acetylcholine-holiday-ornament


2. *new* anandamide ring

Of course, I've always wanted a silver molecule wrapped around my finger. And now, I have one! Introducing the first (and not last!) MWM ring: anandamide for bliss. When I first started Made With Molecules, I asked a neuroscientist at UC Berkeley what neurotransmitters I should be making, but don't have. He looked at my collection and almost immediately said: anandamide. That was back in 2005 and since then, I've had anandamide on my drawing board - literally. It only struck me this year that anandamide's long hydrocarbon tail could be formed into an adjustable ring style. It worked beautifully! And it has been blissful wearing my molecular ring. To me, this ring has become a symbol of living each moment in the present and enjoying being present. It's wonderful to look down at my hands and get that reminder. Plus, it's cute!

http://store.madewithmolecules.com/product/anandamide-ring


3. *new* testosterone necklace

Finally, the often-requested testosterone necklace is here! I'm the first to admit to not being quite as complete in my masculine jewelry as my feminine. The trouble is, you see, that I make jewelry that I want to wear (see anandamide ring above). That said, I actually might pull out this testosterone necklace for the right occasions, since the molecule is very important to women as well as men. But, given Western males' especially fond relationship with this neuro-active hormone, I think it would also make a great daily-wear for a guy. The molecule has a nice heft to it, without being overbearing. (And, gosh, I wish that was the way testosterone always came!) It's available in both shiny and oxidized versions.

http://store.madewithmolecules.com/product/testosterone-necklace


4. *new* ethanol earrings

I've deflected requests for the also often-requested ethanol because it would basically look like a broken lollipop in my usual style. But, it is the perfect opportunity to try a space-filling model style, since, as you all probably remember from your organic chemistry model kits, ethyl alcohol looks like a little dog, with it's body of carbons, oxygen head, and hydrogen legs and uni-ear. They are pretty and sparkly in silver.

http://store.madewithmolecules.com/product/ethanol-earrings


5. holiday card designs

For those wanting to share a little science for the holidays. I uploaded my card designs to Zazzle and Greener Printer, so you can order them directly from these companies. I'm working on a new solstice design that should be done soon.

http://store.madewithmolecules.com/holiday-card-designs


6. holiday ordering deadlines

Please refer to the following list for ordering dates and deadlines. Since I’m shipping from Hawai’i, please allow for a bit extra time on top of USPS's shipping charts as detailed below. Thank you!

Nov 25:     deadline to order custom amino acid jewelry until January
Nov 30:     suggested deadline for international mail to arrive for the holidays (not guaranteed, but likely)
Dec 18:     suggested deadline to order via regular mail for Dec 24 US delivery
Dec 20:     suggested deadline to order via express mail for Dec 24 US delivery

I will be on vacation from December 22 to January 2.


You might notice that I have a new website! I'm still working out the kinks, but hopefully you will find it easier to navigate.

Wishing you all serotonin-happiness, anandamide-bliss, dopamine-excitement, and acetylcholine-memories/dreams this solstice-centered holiday season,

.raven..

Raven Hanna, PhD
Made With Molecules | Art In Science | San Francisco
newsletter: http://groups.google.com/group/made-with-molecules-newsletter
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/molecularmuse
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/madewithmolecules