Made With Molecules Newsletter - Holidays 2011
raven hanna
I've now been living on the flank of a Hawai'ian volcano for over a
year. I've settled in to off-grid living, and I am still so amazed
that we are completely solar powered! We are growing food and learning
to use the local resources - like experimenting with breadfruit
recipes. Yum! I'm also enjoying dusting-off my botany knowledge as I
get deeper into gardening.
The native Hawai'ian culture weaves its way through so much of life
here. Having a brain that naturally drifts to the molecular world, I'm
finding points of convergence between molecules and Hawai'ian culture.
For example, I've now come to think of oxytocin as the "aloha
molecule." Often thought of as "hello" and "love," aloha has a deeper
implication of recognizing the breath or soul of others. To show aloha
is to show welcome and acceptance. Like aloha, oxytocin helps us show
empathy toward others and makes us feel that we are accepted and
belong. I'm still gnawing on the idea, but it makes a lot of sense to
me.
1. Dopamine Ornament for 2011
2. holiday ordering deadlines
3. holiday cards
4. my designs on other websites
5. MWM jewelry at 'Imiloa and Tcho
6. other science-inspired Gifts
1. Dopamine Ornament for 2011
Every year I make an ornament based on a molecule that has something
to do with our holiday experiences. This year I chose dopamine. While
dopamine is well known for its role in love and pleasure pathways, it
also plays a role in the delight we find in anticipating a happy
event: a party, a vacation, or a holiday. It was dopamine that put
butterflies in my belly the day before Christmas when I was a child,
and it is dopamine that makes me look forward to traveling to see my
nieces enjoy their wonder-filled holiday this year.
The dopamine ornament is made by a wonderful, small casting company in
New Mexico from lead-free pewter. Like my jewelry, it comes in a logo
gift box. I also include a storage pouch handmade by me from organic
cotton fabric printed with my dopamine design. Your dopamine
neurotransmitters will have you looking forward to using this dopamine
ornament year after year!
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/ornamentDopamine.html
2. holiday ordering deadlines
Nov 25: deadline to order custom amino acid jewelry until
January
Nov 30: soft deadline for international mail to arrive for the
holidays (not guaranteed, but likely)
Dec 16: suggested deadline to order for Dec 24 US delivery
(not guaranteed, but likely)
Since mail delays are common during the busy holiday season, please
order as early as possible.
I will be on vacation from 24 December to 2 January.
3. holiday cards
I've received many inquiries about my holiday card designs. While I
have discontinued selling cards myself, I have uploaded the designs to
two third-party companies, Greener Printer and Zazzle, through which
you can order cards.
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/holidaycards.html
4. my designs on other websites
If you are interested in molecule-themed clothing, please visit my
Spreadshirt store:
http://madewithmolecules.spreadshirt.com/
Some MWM designed cards, clothing, and mugs available in my Zazzle
store:
http://www.zazzle.com/madewithmolecules
I plan to add some new designs to each of these shops in the next few
days.
5. MWM jewelry at 'Imiloa and Tcho
During the last month, I added two more retailers. 'Imiloa is the
wonderful astronomy and Hawai'ian culture museum here on the Big
Island. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in the 'hood. Tcho
is an inventive chocolate maker in San Francisco. They are also worth
a visit - and not just for the yummy free samples.
http://www.imiloahawaii.org/
http://www.tcho.com/
6. other science-inspired gifts
Here are some other wonderful science-y, art-y things that may help
you check off your holiday gift list:
Science Tarot: http://www.sciencetarot.com
Tammy Stellanova natural history inspired jewelry: http://www.stellanovajewelry.com/
plush elementary particles from Particle Zoo: www.particlezoo.net/
iconic science images as ceramic jewelry by Surlyramics:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/surly?section_id=5265740
Happy Solstice-Centered Holidays to You! And much aloha,
.raven..
Raven Hanna, PhD
Made With Molecules | Art In Science
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