Get the MOST out of your Baltic Amber jewelry!

How can you maximize the benefits of your Baltic Amber jewelry?

As with most natural and homeopathic treatments, experiences can be different for everyone. Overwhelming anecdotal data supports using Baltic Amber for relief from pain from headaches, teething pain, neck and shoulder pain, wrist pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, sciatica, and more.

Baltic Amber is most effective when worn as much as possible. The stones need to be in contact with the skin to warm and release their oils to receive maximum therapeutic benefits. For best results, wear your Baltic Amber jewelry as close to the source of the pain as possible - necklace for headaches, teething pain, etc., bracelet for wrist pain, etc. Some people will notice slight differences very quickly when wearing their jewelry for the first time! For many, pain symptoms often lessen within less than 24 hours of putting on their jewelry. For most, it is a cumulative effect - with the easing of symptoms most often noted within 2-3 weeks of consistent wear.

If you need to boost the pain relief from your Baltic amber jewelry, you can run the beads under luke warm water. The heat and moisture help to activate a quicker release of the amber's natural oils containing the pain reliever, succinic acid.

The most common testimonial we receive is when people get their new amber jewelry and wear for a long while, perhaps not even noting the changes they are experiencing. Invariably they take off their amber jewelry for some reason or another. We love to receive emails like this, "We had the worst day yesterday (pain-wise). Little one was cranky and cried so much. And then I realized we took off the her necklace the night before! I put it back on her right away. I didn't even realize how well it was working till I took it off and OH MY GOSH! We love it! We are convinced, never will we be without amber again!!"





To lengthen the life of (and consequently, maximize the benefits) your Baltic Amber jewelry, it's important to properly care for your pieces:

 - Do not use harsh chemicals or jewelry cleaners/solutions.

 - Do not store your amber jewelry along with metal jewelry as it may cause the amber beads to chip, crack and break.

 - Remove your jewelry and/or avoid using body care products in the areas you wear your amber jewelry that will coat the jewelry, such as: hairsprays, gels, lotions, etc. These types of personal care products can not only dull the look of your amber jewelry, but also they can affect the therapeutic effectiveness by coating the stones and inhibiting the release of the amber's natural oils.

 - It is generally ok to shower or bathe with amber jewelry on. Just keep in mind you need to avoid the jewelry coming in contact with body care products which can coat and damage the beads.

 - It is recommended that amber jewelry be removed before swimming in chlorinated pools and spas. It is a good idea to remove jewelry any time it will be wet for long periods as it can damage the thread and clasps to soak your jewelry for long periods of time.

If you find the effectiveness of your jewelry to be lessening, your piece may need to be cleaned to
remove buildup of hygiene products and dirt. To clean, simply rinse in cool water and pat dry with a soft cloth. If further cleaning is needed, you can brush between the beads and around the clasps with a soft jewelry brush or cloth. Once clean, dry with a soft cloth.

We want you to get the maximum benefit out of your Funky Birdie Amber jewelry! If you have any questions, please check out our FAQ page, contact us via Etsy, or e-mail us at funkybirdieamber@gmail.com

What size necklace should I order?

What size necklace is right for your child, and why is length so important?

Baltic Amber jewelry works by being worn against the skin. Is NOT intended for children to chew on their Baltic amber and gemstone jewelry. It is important to determine the correct size necklace to order for your child, as the goal is to be sure that they cannot roll their necklace over their chin and into their mouth. Amber is soft and will break if chewed. Gemstones are hard and will break teeth if chewed. If your child is well past the putting-things-in-their-mouth phase, this is obviously less important and length becomes a matter of preference.

Using a soft measuring measuring tape, measure your child to determine what length will be best. If you do not have a soft measuring tape, you can use a string, shoe lace or piece of dental floss and measure using a hard tape or ruler. The key is not tight but not so long that your child can pass the necklace over his or her chin and put it into his or her mouth.

Keep in mind the stones themselves will add some "bulk" compared to the measuring tape. Most parents find taking the measurement of their child's neck and adding 1.5"-2" to determine what size to order. Once you have measured their neck, extend the tape 1.5"-2" and check that size to be sure you like that fit.

The most popular size necklace for very young children is 12", which should fit until age 2 to 2 1/2.

As always, we are here to help if you have questions! Simply send us a message and we can assist you in finding or designing the right size piece for your child.

Which clasp should I choose for my amber jewelry?

We offer three clasp options for your child or adult size jewelry! When you consider safety and functionality, which one is right for you and your kids? Keep reading to find out.

STERLING SILVER CLASP: Funky Birdie Amber jewelry comes standard with a sterling silver spring ring clasp. Yes, even on pieces for children! Why are these sterling silver closures our favorite? Not only are they made with .925 sterling silver (great for those with sensitive skin), each piece made with a silver clasp has multiple safety breakaway points - both at the spring ring clasp itself as well as the "clamshell" findings on either side. Durable enough for every day use, when the piece is pulled on hard or yanked with force, the clasp or the clamshells will give way - just as it's intended to do. Your sterling silver clasp piece will require repair if break-away is used. We love this type of clasp for ALL ages!

SCREW CLASP: We also offer plastic screw clasps in colors to coordinate with your amber jewelry. Screw type clasps are the most difficult to break-away, meaning it will require a LOT of force to give way in the unlikely case of an emergency situation. For this reason, we don't recommend them on necklaces for very young children. We like plastic screw clasps for child's bracelets and anklets, as well as adult jewelry. 

POP CLASP: These clasps have the same look as screw clasps, but breakaway MUCH more easily than screw, or even sterling silver clasps. On the plus side, utilizing the break-away feature won't result in actual breakage of the piece, but does mean it's more likely to be removed by your child or lost. We like this option best for very young children. 

With brand new made-to-order options in Funky Birdie Amber shop, and our endless custom jewelry design options, you'll now be able to choose the correct closure that works for you.

Got questions? Contact us!

New Baby Wrap-Inspired Custom Jewelry!

We're now offering baby wrap inspired custom jewelry! Send us a quality photo of your favorite baby wrap, ring sling, carrier, or other babywearing apparatus, and we'll create a custom piece to match it's colorway/color scheme!

We do our best to meticulously hand-pick each stone to match your sling, and we'll send you a photo to make sure you're thrilled with your new matching piece! 

Want to rock your own wrap-inspired custom? Visit us on Etsy and snag your spot!

Funky Birdie Amber is now on Etsy!

We've got an exciting announcement! Funky Birdie Amber is now on Etsy! Your shopping experience will now be easier than ever. 

Need a custom piece, or don't see what you want in the shop? Message us on Facebook, Etsy, or e-mail us at funkybirdieamber@gmail.com to design your dream piece! 

Click "SHOP" above or click the link to shop in-stocks now! www.etsy.com/shop/funkybirdieamber

Houston Natural Parenting Expo + THE BIG LATCH-ON

Funky Birdie Amber will be vending at the Houston Natural Parenting Expo and BIG LATCH-ON on August 6th, 2016! When you come, you have TWO chances to win Funky Birdie Amber jewelry! 

Learn about your chances to win below, and then read on for more information about the event!

Chance #1: Come by our booth and enter our free drawing to win a custom Baltic amber & gemstone piece for you or your baby! 

Chance #2: Every BIG LATCH-ON participant will receive 1 entry to the Door Prize Raffle. After that, it's $1 = 1 entry. You can send money to naturalparentingevents@gmail.com. Make sure they have your REAL name, and all entries will be available for pickup the morning of the event! Drawing will take place after the Latch On. Enter the raffle to win our signature "After the Rain" design in a Mommy & Me set!

The goal for this event is to raise awareness for breastfeeding as well as provide a place for the natural parenting community to come together under one roof for lots of fun and fellowship!

Click here for the Facebook Event Link

***FREE EVENT***

LOCATION: United Way Center of Houston
50 Waugh Dr
Houston, Texas 77007

Tentative Event Info
9:30 - Expo Opens (Registration begins)
10:00 - Begin to find a seat for Latch On
10:30 - Big Latch On & Documentation Photos
11:00 - (or immediately following photos) RAFFLE DRAWING - Must be present to win
2:00 - Expo Closes 

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

Vendor List:
Sweet Baby Pearl's Eco Emporium
Mint 2 Sew 
The Pure Parenting Shop
Waterways Birthing - Birth Pool Rentals
Funky Birdie Amber
Woodland Babies
Beech-Nut
LuLaRoe PJ & Eddy Barnett VIP Group
Del Mar Productions
Heather Barrett - Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant
Mother Nurturing, LLC.
Every Day Essentials
BrainChild Parenting
Lactation Specialist of Houston, LLC
peaceful parenting
Gulf Coast Birth Resources
Cakery Bakery
Higher Calling Nannies
Lynn Dotson Photography - Houston Birth & Newborn Photographer
Mockingbird Baby - a natural family boutique
Bay Area Breastfeeding & Education
B.I.R.T.H.
Cairah Watt Young Living

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Bathe in your Amber Jewelry

A Public Service Announcement from Funky Birdie Amber to you... Please don't wear your amber jewelry in the bath, shower, pool, or spa! Here's why:

• Exposing your amber to soap, shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, oils, perfumes, hair spray, etc. causes a build-up of residue on amber which can reduce its effectiveness
• Water can damage the thread and findings over time, causing them to weaken and break
• Amber is an extremely soft and delicate compound (see our upcoming post on why it is NOT a stone!), so exposure to chlorinated water can damage it - causing it to chip, crack, or break easily

So, remember! Extend the life of your amber jewelry by removing it before diving into any water this summer and always. 

Follow us and check back often for more handy tips about amber and gemstones, and don't forget to share with your friends!