Made With Molecules Newsletter - Spring!

[raven...@gmail.com]

Dear Made With Molecules friends and fans,

Spring has arrived! I finally feel recovered from the busy-ness of the
holidays and beyond. Last weekend I took a long walk in the redwoods.
It was beautiful: with sunlight filtering through the trees to the
ferns below. A cool breeze. Everything is very green, growing, and
happy. And the smell of blossoming jasmine - what an experience!
Perhaps one of you know if scents like jasmine can release endorphins.
They must!

Being in Nature always rekindles my curiosity about how the world
works. And (true to my overly-academic-leanings) I've loaded my
bookshelf with another suite of popular science books that I hope to
make summer reading. I also hope to devote some of the summertime to
other projects, both writing and art. I'll certainly mention these
when there's something to report.

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. Because of the busy-
ness of the past months, I'm afraid I have let some things slip
through the cracks. If you tried to get a hold of me and did not hear
back, please try again.

I hope you all are taking time to smell the jasmine...


In this Newsletter:

1. New! Capsaicin Necklace
2. Complete Amino Acids
3. Gold Molecules
4. Dopamine Necklace - Cotton Cord
5. Oxytocin Onsesies - back in stock
6. Pretty enough for Mom
7. Weddings
8. Molecules in Synthesis
9. Press Mentions


1. New! Capsaicin Necklace
Already very popular with foodies and people from Texas, capsaicin is
the latest addition to the molecule collection. Capsaicin, the spicy-
hot molecule in chili peppers that causes our brains to release
endorphins, is why I order my Indian food "spicy" and my salsa "hot."
This necklace (other than the beta-endorphin choker) is the boldest
one yet. It will definitely attract attention. My current favorite
combination - a capsaicin necklace and theobromine earrings. Chile-
chocolate - Yum!
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/capsaicinnecklace.html

2. Complete Amino Acids
I've now completed the amino acid charms set: 21 in all. (There is one
more natural amino acid, but (unfortunately!) it's really too big to
work in the jewelry.) So now you can make all sorts of wonderful
words, like SWEETHEART, GENIUS, MYSTERY, MUSIC, CREATE, LAUGH,
ADMIRED, SUPERSTAR, HOMOSAPIEN, and (my favorite) STARSTUFF. And, of
course, names are still popular. I've recently made LAURA, HEIDI,
APRIL, KATE, MARINA, SHELLEY, and so, so many more. I really love the
way the amino acid words look hanging vertically from a necklace chain
- especially those of 7 "letters" or less. They look like some strange
hieroglyphic from a lost, ancient culture.
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/aminobet.html

3. Gold Molecules
I've finally made a webpage to make ordering molecule earrings in 14K
gold much easier. Some molecules are in stock, while some require 2-3
weeks.
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/earringsgold.html

4. Dopamine Necklace - Cotton Cord
It's the nature of dopamine to want newness, so perhaps a slight
facelift for the dopamine necklace is fitting. From now on, I'll be
using black waxed cotton cord instead of black leather cord. It is one
of those win-win situations: the cotton cord both hangs better and is
more environmentally friendly. Leather cord is still available as a
special order, if you'd like. So many options!
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/dopaminenecklace.html

5. Oxytocin Onesies - back in stock
The itsy-bitsy sizes of oxytocin onesies are back in stock! (Of
course, by now your little one may not require such teeny-tiny wear!)
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/oxytocincuddleB.html

6. Pretty enough for Mom
Even if I hadn't made it, the serotonin necklace would have still been
a great gift for my mom. She's not a scientist, but she loves the
necklace because it is unusual, elegant, and has the meaning of
"happiness." Other popular choices for Mother's Day are estrogen (Go
Grrrls!) and theobromine (for the chocolate-lovers). If you are in the
US, please order by May 5 for delivery by Mother's Day.

7. Weddings
I didn't anticipate how much interest there is for molecules at
weddings. From an endorphin choker for the bride to carefully-matched
neurotransmitter earrings for the bridesmaids to molecule keychains
for the groomsmen, MWM will be a part of many weddings this summer.
I'm so delighted! Hooray for science-philic couples!

8. Molecules in Synthesis
In another month or so I plan to have the often requested theobromine
necklace ready. I also have a dopamine lapel pin in the works.

9. Press Mentions
March and April have been exciting months for Made With Molecules in
the press, with articles or mentions in Craft Magazine, Gourmet
Magazine, Psychology Today, and the LA Times and BoingBoing blogs. If
you know of a media outlet that might be a good fit for an MWM
mention, please let me (or them!) know.
http://www.madewithmolecules.com/press.html


That's all for now. Thank you all for your suggestions and support!
Happy Earth Day on April 22!

With much sun-induced serotonin and jasmine-prompted endorphins (I'm
sure!),

.raven..

Raven Hanna
Made With Molecules
Art In Science
www.madewithmolecules.com
please send correspondence to: ra...@madewithmolecules.com