Arts n' Crafts

2007-04-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

Choosing Arts And Crafts That Are In Demand
By Terri Grace

Would you like to earn money with your arts and crafts? Are you tired of working for someone other than yourself? Would you like to build a business with your own creativity? Do you wonder how to make your craft marketable?

Below are five tips that will help you make an income with your own arts and crafts.

Build a business foundation: When building a business to earn money with your arts and crafts, make sure your product is in demand and a marketable craft. When picking your foundation products, make sure they are not seasonal items. You need to pick products that can be sold year round, then add a
few holiday crafts throughout the year. If you choose to produce crafts that have a shelf life, try to pick just a few items to sell in addition to the foundation product. By adding a large variety of products
to your display you will draw the attention of many different customers.

Arts and Crafts that are in demand: Look for items that are needed such as:baby items, home decor, personalized gifts, holiday crafts, jewelry or other personal items. The list could go on and on- your opportunities could be endless. One approach to help you make a decisions on products is to visit boutiques, craft suppliers and other retail stores in your area. By doing this and researching what sells effectively in your area, you can make those very important decisions.

Determine necessity: The best-selling crafts are the ones that are needed by consumers, not ones that are simply wanted. If you are making something like beautiful baby quilts, they are far more likely to sell than something like a higher priced wood carving.

Make your arts and crafts target your demographic: Where will you be selling your product? Are you selling it at a Craft Boutique? Then perhaps, you should not make a hunting related product, save that for a Hunting and Camping Expo. Instead, make something like a wooden home de'cor product.

Don't follow trends: Trends in crafts come and go. Don't base your business solely on what's hot right now. It's okay to sell trendy and hot items, but make sure you also have a variety of other items for when this trend is no longer popular.

By using these five easy steps, you should be ready to choose the arts and or crafts you would like to create for your business. You should start out slow-only making a few of each item until you see what is going to sell. This way you are not going to be left with hundreds of left over products that you just did not market well. The most important thing to remember when starting your own retail business is to have fun with it, and to learn from your mistakes. You will make mistakes, but that is the way a good business is built.

Bio: Terri Grace, successful business owner of a boutique for the past 5
years. Owner and entrepreneur of an online boutique. Expert in boutique
sales and marketing. For more information on boutiques go to =>http://www.terrisbluegooseboutique.com

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2007-04-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

Traditional Handprint Crafts
By Katrina Harper

Sensational New Handprint Crafts are Safer and Take Less Time to Complete than Ever Before.

Traditional handprint crafts are a fun way to preserve memories of your baby. All you need to make traditional handprint crafts are some easily available craft items and loads of imagination. Crafters have used these methods and variations of them for centuries.

You can put your 's handprints on ceramic tiles, clay, fabric or paper.

You can use colored paper to make traditional handprint crafts. For this you need paper plates or bright yellow and orange colored paper, scissors, gum, markers and wobbly eyes or nose if you so desire. Cut out the inner circle for the sun and trace the 's hands on to the colored paper for the rays of sunshine. Trace the handprints a number of times on the yellow and orange paper, cut them out, and then stick them alternately on to the inner circle. Make a face with the marker, stick the eyes, and nose to complete the face of Mr. Sunshine.

To Make traditional handprint crafts on ceramic tiles, you need an unglazed tile of 4" or 6" depending on the size of the hand, a soft brush, a pot of ceramic under glaze in a dark color, a container of clear glaze, sponge, and tissues to clear the mess. You can get all these materials at your local hobby center and order the tiles beforehand, as they may not be available singly.

Clean the tile with a wet sponge and wash the 's hands with soap and dry well. Paint a single coat of glaze across the palm and keep the fingers apart so that the fingerprints appear on the tile. Ensure that the hands are steady and then gently press the palm and fingers for the full hand impression. To commemorate this event, paint your 's name and date of birth alongside the handprint. Next, you must let the tile dry and then fire it before you put a coat of clear glaze. Your traditional handprint crafts are now ready for display.

Other traditional handprint crafts include casting the 's handprint in plaster. For this smear, some oil on the 's hand so that the plaster does not stick to the skin. Next, put the hand in the plaster in a container or a tray and press it gently so that the full imprint appears. Remove the hand and clean it thoroughly of plaster.

You can carve in the 's name and birth date in the wet plaster before it sets. Use your creativity to beautify the traditional handprint crafts with accessories. You can insert a straw in the wet plaster so that you can insert a ribbon and create a wall hanging out of your 's handprints. Once the plaster sets remove it from the container and it is ready to put on show.

Traditional handprint crafts can add a twist to your Halloween decorations. You can trace out the handprints on green paper and cut them out. Make them more frightful by adding pointy fingernails or a blood trail. Stick them behind doors to scare your friends. You can use other variations of this idea by using glitter and other dreadful colors. Thus, traditional handprint crafts can make a great memento for your child when he grows up.

Katrina Harper
Author-crafter-site owner http://www.katrinasbabyhandprintcrafts.com/Traditional_Baby_HandPrint_Crafts/
Wouldn't you just love to keep the memories of those very special moments you had when your baby was still small, Traditional handprint crafts ideas will allow you to do just that.

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2007-04-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Easter Crafts Ideas
By Marcel Vigh

Easter is on the door-step... Do you need any Easter crafts ideas to decorate your home quickly?
My free Easter crafts ideas and projects are really practical, because they're so simple and you don't need any special accessories to make them.

You'll only need some glue, paint, scissors, felt, papers and your two hands to make these simple Easter crafts projects.

Easter paper craft using egg-boxes

You might think how is it possible to make decoration using egg-boxes. It's really simple and I think this is the most lovely Easter decoration on my site.

Take an hour or so, a paper egg-box, some felt, an egg boxes few other things and your creative two hands and create wonderful chickens!

The following two step-by-step guideline will explain you how to make them. Visit my site www.marcels-kid-crafts-com to see the pattern and the step-by-step pictures.

You'll need:

* egg-box (for the body and the wings)

* all purpose adhesive

* scissors

* red felt (for the crests)

* yellow cardboard (for the beak)

* feather (for the tail)

* white paper (for the eyes)

* black marker

* pen

The steps:

Print and cut the patterns out.

Outline the patterns.

Cut out pieces. (The wings are made of the lid of the egg-box.)

Cut the middle part, the peaks of the box.

Cut the bottom of the peak round as shown.

First, glue the two red felt pieces about the middle of the peak.

Next, glue the beak as shown and hold it for a few minutes.

Then, glue the edge of the first wing on the back of the chicken.

Do the same with the second wing.

Glue the two white eyes and draw two dots with the black marker.

Next, is the feather.

Glue it on the back of the chicken between the wings.

Hold it for a few minutes.

Finally, glue the crest on the top of the chicken and hold it until it stands firmly.

Wait 5-10 minutes until everything completely dried.

Dont't forget to have a look at the pictures!

Marcel Vigh
Marcel's Kid Crafts

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2007-01-27T05:54:00.000-08:00

Making The Cut With The Right Stencil Cutter
By Keith Londrie

Many say that stenciling is much about the cutting as it is with the painting, and they can never be more correct. Stenciling, after all, is an ages old art form that makes good use of prepared cutouts to help in the coloring process, resulting in precise and often stark designs that never fail to capture the eyes. This is the heart of stenciling, and this is the core of the craft itself.

Hence, a stencil cutter is a very important tool for the pursuit of this passion. It is that which helps prepare the patterns for the design that the artist has in mind. Instead of pencils before inking, or sketches before painting, or even turnarounds for sculptures, stenciling requires patterns that would help give shape and texture to the piece that will be a design reality.

Since stenciling can be applied to a variety of canvases like walls, floors, paper and even cloth, an equal variety of patterns are needed, and these require different kinds of cutters as well. There are manual tools, and there are electric tools, for these purposes. The choice of which to use depends on the preference of the artist as well as the needs of the decorative patterns for the canvass being considered.

A manual stencil cutter is the popular choice for traditional stencil artists. In the days of yore, stenciling was entirely done by hand, after all. There are many kinds of cutters that require some manual attention. Rotary cutters make those circular patterns and edges possible. Plastic cutters are perfect for plastic surfaces, as with glass, metal and wood cutters. Multi-purpose cutters are used by artists who often work with different kinds of canvasses. Line cutters are perfect for flawless rows.

An electric stencil cutter, on the other hand, can make the artist's work less strenuous. Though this kind is not generally preferred by traditionalists, there's no denying the precision and ease that it brings to the table. Some canvases do require more force and an electric cutter becomes necessary for such tasks.

A stencil cutter, regardless of its kind, however, is not possessed of eternal blades. As with other edges, the sharpness can disappear after prolonged uses. Replacements are in order, and it would be wise to consider the availability of the same whenever you're deciding on buying some cutters.

If you want to try out the fine art of stenciling, then a cutter would prove to be a great and essential tool for your needs. Invest on one that would be perfect for what you have in mind.

Keith Londrie II is a successful Webmaster of http://www.free-pumpkin-letter-tattoo-printable-alphabet-stencils.info/ A website that specializes in providing tips on Stencils that you can research on the internet. Visit http://www.free-pumpkin-letter-tattoo-printable-alphabet-stencils.info/ today!

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2007-01-27T05:51:00.000-08:00

Acrylic Paintings
By Ken Marlborough

Acrylic paintings are relatively new as acrylic paint for painting was first introduced around 1950. Acrylic paint has now become an essential element of the arts and craft market. Many artists consider acrylic paint as a viable option for oil paints. Acrylic paints differ from the conventional oil paints in terms of their physical and chemical properties and thus necessitates special care of acrylic paintings.

Typically, acrylic paints are of two types, namely water-based and solvent-based. However, water-based acrylics are more popular among painters. Acrylic paints dry quickly as compared to oil paints and may hardly require half an hour for the entire painting to dry. Acrylic films are not very hard and may easily gather dust and grime.

Various types of additives, such as stabilizers, defoamers, coalescing solvents, thickeners, and preservatives, are added to the acrylic paint to produce the desired results.

The chances of acrylic paintings cracking are relatively low as the paint is flexible and can withstand pressure. However, acrylic paintings may become very brittle and crack in freezing temperatures. Sometimes acrylic paintings may develop a gray veil on the surface or form a yellow discoloration over a long period of time.

Since acrylic films are soft at room temperature, dust particles can settle on the surface and become mixed with the paint, resulting in stained paintings. Protective framing can combat this problem up to a certain extent. Varnishes can protect the paintings considerably from scratches and dust. Many artists do not like to varnish their paintings. Another major problem faced by acrylic painters is that of mold growth and as of now, no perfect solution has been devised for this problem.

There is a wide range of acrylic paints available in the market. It is imperative for acrylic painters to purchased superior quality products as poor quality paints fade easily when exposed to ultra violet light.

Regardless of high standards of care and maintenance, many artists continue to use acrylic paints because of their fast-drying quality and versatility.

Paintings provides detailed information on Paintings, Oil Paintings, Famous Paintings, Abstract Paintings and more. Paintings is affiliated with Oil Paintings For Sale.

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2006-12-28T04:16:00.000-08:00

Types of Indian Embroideries
By Gaurav Doshi

Introduction

India is a diversified country having varied range of cultures and customs. The Indian art and craft have become world famous. There is huge demand of Indian embroidered garments. There is huge variety of embroideries done in India, here are few of them which have got more fame in terms of popularity in international market : -

Zardozi embroidery

Zardozi work is an ancient form of embroidery basically done with gold or silver zari threads. It is also known as metal embroidery. Although now-a-days it is also done with colored metal threads. The word ‘Zardozi’ is derived by combining two words Zar and Dozi which in Persian language means gold and embroidery respectively. Therefore it is clear that this art of embroidery was originated in Persia which was bought to India by Moghuls. Initially it was done with real metal threads of gold and silver. It was done on clothes for the rich and royal, wall hangings, bedsheets, etc. In between the application of pearls and precious stones looks stunning on it. Basically it is done on silk, crepe, brocade and velvet fabrics. Zardozi embroidery saw its decline during the reign of Aurangzeb. It was revived after the independence.

Zardozi work is an extension of zari embroidery which is done with crochet hook. The embroidery done gives the appearance of chain stitch. The things required for doing zardozi are beads, dabka, coiled wires, sequins, etc.

As zardozi is done with coiled metal wires studded with stones, beads, etc is heavy in weight therefore is done on fabrics that are thick and heavy like silk, velvet, stain, crepe, etc. Thus the choice of fabrics is also royal and expensive. The design to be done is first traced on the fabric, then it is spread on the wooden frame. Further the embroidery is done by picking up single thread in the needle and sewing it into the cloth. This art requires patience and is quite complicated. Expertise is required to do it properly.

Earlier zardozi was done on wearable garments and bedspreads mainly for royal families. But now it has got into the reach of common people also. Clothes with zardozi are an integral part for any wedding or important functions as it depicts royalty. Apart from wearable garments, zardozi is also done on cushion covers, table cloths, wall hangings, fabric purses, etc. This embroidery is a costly affair.

Mirror Embroidery

Mirror embroidery is the specialty of Gujarat state. This work also originated in Persia during 13th century. Mirror work is never done alone, it is generally in combination with other types of stitches or embroideries. This embroidery is done with both large and small mirrors. Basically it was more utilized by Jats community. It is embroidered using colorful threads like red, green, blue, yellow, black, maroon, etc.

This art apart from Gujarat state is also practiced in neighboring state of Rajasthan and in appliqué art of Orissa. Many different types of stitches like cross stitch, buttonhole stitch and satin stitch are used in its combination. This art is often done by the aid of machine embroidery, but in some places it is still done through hand work which is more time consuming and a costly affair in comparison to the former technique. The mirrors used are of different shapes and sizes like round shape, diamond shape, square shape, etc. However round shape is the most common shape of mirrors used in this form of embroidery.

Mirror work is done on different fabrics and types of garments. Apart from ethnic garments it is crafted even on indo western clothes. It has huge demand in western countries. Mirror work is done on cushion covers, purses, bedsheets, curtains, wearable garments, wall hangings, decorative items, laces, etc. This embroidery has also seen the limelight of international ramp shows too.

Kantha Embroidery

Kantha is the traditional form of embroidery of West Bengal. It is running style of stitch. The embroidery is done on many layers of cloth. It is done on quilts, bedsheets, blankets, saris, salwar suits, stoles, napkins, etc.

It is also known as ‘Dorukha’. This word means making worn out garments into beautiful garments. Therefore it is also known as recycling art. In earlier times the worn out silk or muslin clothes where used to be put in piles and stitched together. It is believed that its date of origin lies during the era of Lord Buddha. They used to drape themselves with rags of clothes that were stitched together.

The artists usually embroidery images of human beings, animals, flowers, geometric designs and mythological figures. Generally the worker selects the figure of embroidery to which they relate to. There are different types of kantha done- Sujani kantha, Durjani kantha, Lep kantha, Archilata kantha, Rumal kantha and Oaar kantha.

Different types of patterns like jaal, folk life designs, dhan chori, etc are done in kantha embroidery. The rural women of West Bengal usually do it on cotton saris with thread taken from the borders of the sari and done all over.

Chikankari Embroidery

The state of Uttar Pradesh especially the city of Lucknow is considered to be the hub of Chikankari embroidery. Chikankari is derived from the word Chakeen that means elegant patterns on the fabric which is a Persian word. Earlier it was done with white thread on muslin clothes. However now it is been done on various types of fabrics like cotton, linen nylon, georgette, chiffon and synthetic fabrics. Apart from wearable garments it is also done on various other things like curtains, bedsheets, table cloths, pillow covers and cushion covers.

Unlike earlier times it is not only done on white colored cloths but also fabrics of various colors. But the thread used for the embroidery is generally white. Various motifs are embroidered through it like floral motifs which include flowers like rose, lotus, jasmine, creepers, etc.

There are many types of stitches used to make beautiful chikankari embroidery like chain stitch, buttonhole stitch, French knots and running stitch. The most beautiful is the motif having design created in the form of net or jhali all over the garment by generating thread tension. Shadow work is also done by chikan embroidery which is done on the opposite side of the garment.

There are three types of chikankari stitches ;

1) Jali work – It is done in the form of net design spread all over the fabric.

2) Flat stitches – The flat stitches are delicate and very fine stitch. It gives the look as if the embroidery is itself the texture of the garment.

3) Embossed stitches – This stitch provides beaded type of look to the garment.

In international apparel market also the demand of chikankari embroidered garments have seen a steep rise. The artisans of Uttar Pradesh earn foreign currency for the country. Many high profile designers intricate this form of art in their collections.

Conclusion

India is very rich in terms of art and crafts because of different communities and culture of its people. The above was just a glimpse of four the many types of embroidery art present in India. These arts have acclaimed international fame and are in great demand in western countries. After independence these arts were revived by the Indian government which improved the declining situation of the Indian embroideries. The main support came from the Indian government.

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2006-12-28T04:14:00.000-08:00

How To Save Money On Craft Show Supplies
By Natalie Goyette

Finding a supplier that isn't going to cost you an arm and a leg, and still have good quality might be a challenge at first. But, in my experience, it is always better to pay just a little bit more for good quality, than it is to buy bargain basement materials and have your customers be disappointed when the overall quality of your craft is poor.

Once you combine your experience with the supplies and the experience of making the craft, you will soon realize where you might be able to save a few pennies on supplies, and where you should just pay for good quality.

You'll need to have several excellent sources for supplies that are readily available in order to be a successful crafter. Initial research, then time and experience will be necessary for you to find your best suppliers in terms of cost, quality and promptness of delivery. Here are a few tips on getting the best supplies for the lowest prices:

Comparison shop with several vendors, and even after using one or two, keep an eye out for better deals. With a little bit of extra effort, you might be able to find the materials you want on sale, or at a lower price at a different vendor.

Ask other craftspeople for recommendations. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find deals. If you belong to a craft group or if you know other people who craft, talk to them about where they are getting their supplies. They may give you a great lead on fantastic prices.

Always buy wholesale-all you need is your resale certificate to qualify. Wholesale eliminates the middle man in many cases. You should be able to save a great deal of money on craft supplies if you have a craft supplies wholesaler in your area.

Buy in quantity for greater discounts, maybe even by partnering with another crafter. It's the same is if you go to the grocery store – usually, the more you buy, the better overall deal you are getting. It may cost a little more out of pocket, but your cost per piece goes down significantly.

Use recycled materials and recycle what you can from your past inventory. You never know when scraps of other supplies will make great pieces elsewhere on your craft. This is a great way to save money on your supply cost.

Keep track of your supply inventory so you can order in advance at better prices for busier seasons rather than waiting until the last minute. If you wait until the last minute you usually don't have time to find a deal – you just need the supplies fast! This could end up costing you a lot of money.

Do your best to get 30-day terms, so you can pay suppliers after you've sold some product. You will probably have to pay with cash or credit the first few times that you go into a store, but after they recognize your patronage and you qualify with their accounting department, you can get terms that allow you to pay 30 days after you purchase the supplies.

Supply costs are one of the biggest costs when you are setting up your craft show business. As mentioned earlier, most crafts rely on materials of some sort or another. In order to ensure a tidy profit at the end of the day, you need to control the material expense so your prices stay competitive and you sell more product!

Natalie Goyette shows you how to make your craft show business profitable in her best selling ebook: Craft Show Success Secrets. Visit her site: Craft Shows

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2006-12-13T19:27:00.001-08:00

Holiday Traditions for Your Family
By Adriana Copaceanu

Kids, young and the young at heart, love the holidays and there are an almost limitless number of crafts that can be made to keep the kids busy, especially when the weather gets bad and they are home from school. Many projects can be done with common items found around the house.

Paper snowflakes are always a favorite and all you need is white paper, scissors and possibly glue and glitter. Fold the paper in half, half again and again, until you have a triangle. Cut small shapes, unfold carefully, you have beautiful one of a kind snowflakes. If you have glue and glitter, the kids may want to make them a bit fancier. They also make wonderful decorations to hang from the ceiling and windows for the holidays.

Recycled cards - let the kids cut the message parts off the cards, and by gluing them to the front of either folded construction paper or lightweight card stock, they can create their own cards to send to friends and family. Ribbon, glitter and other items can make nice decorative touches.

Ornaments/gift tags - by cutting out the pictures from the cards in different shapes (stars, circles, etc), maybe even using scrap booking edging scissors, some ribbon and glitter, they can make cute ornaments for the tree that can also be used as gift tags.

Candy dish - cut a hexagon of plain cardstock and then six pieces from Christmas card fronts (trying to get the nicest part of the picture showing on the shape) that taper slightly wider at the top than the base for the sides. Cover all the pieces with clear contact paper and punch holes along all the edges, evenly spaced. Sew the pieces together using ribbon or yarn, and you have a one of a kind candy dish. Let the kids experiment with different shapes and sizes.

Styrofoam ball snowmen are an easy project. Stack and glue together (use toothpicks to support the pieces) different sizes, and decorate with buttons, or scrap pieces of felt for the eyes and mouth and buttons. To make a cute hat for the snowman, place a standard size styrofoam coffee cup upside down on a foil lined baking pan. Place in the oven at a low temperature (adult supervision). Watch carefully as the cup begins to melt, shrink and reshape itself into a funny top hat. Remove carefully, let them cool, and they can be painted and decorated and glued onto the snowman's head.

Adriana is a busy mom of 2 who loves helping moms find what they need online.
Learn how to make a
piñata and create a walnut shell ornament at http://www.busy-moms-online.com/548/walnut-shell-cradle-ornament/

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2006-12-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

Popular Christmas Craft Ideas This Holiday Season
By Rob Buenaventura

Christmas is one time of year when people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds begin looking for craft projects. The great news is that many project ideas and how to’s can be found quite easily online or off. The World Wide Web is chock full of all kinds of do it yourself craft ideas for Christmas fun. Women’s magazines make an excellent offline source for this incredibly useful information as well.

Looking for Christmas craft ideas? Try some of these:

Baking your own shortbread cookies. Of course the fun doesn’t stop with the baking. You then need to decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles (the little ones love to help add the sprinkles). Once they’ve been baked and decorated, string them on fishing line and use them as decorations. You can use a knife in order to shape the cookies are opt for cookie cutters in wonderful shapes and designs for Christmas baking delight.

Making Garlands. This particular craft requires group participation. Not only do you need to pop the popcorn and smack the hands of those attempting to steal the popcorn, you also need help during the actual stringing process. Of course you aren’t limited to popcorn, you can also opt for cranberries or nuts.

Another great Christmas craft is the making of your very own Christmas decorations. You can find inspiration and crafting materials in the shape of Styrofoam, play dough, and ribbons. One great thing to do especially with kids is to take a package of ordinary Christmas balls and use glue in order to create patterns on the balls. After creating the design roll the ball in glitter for a sparkling pattern.

If you are truly dedicated to the craft of crafting, you can create your very own holiday candles (hint, hint: these make great gifts too!). The simplest way to do this is by rolling up sheets of beeswax. If this doesn’t appeal to you as much you can also melt wax in a double boiler to make your own candles. You can find scents to add to your wax at a local craft store, most will have some scents designed specifically for Christmas. You can find molds in popular holiday shapes to complete your craft project.

The time spent with family creating these wonderful crafts for the holidays will be remembered long after the toys, gifts, and gizmos have been forgotten. Take the time to enjoy making beautiful crafts together and strengthen the bonds you have with your children.

Rob Buenaventura is a successful webmaster and publisher of GetChristmasShopping. He provides tips on Christmas decoration ideas, unique xmas gifts, and other Christmas ideas. For more tips on Christmas decoration tips, check out http://www.getchristmasshopping.com

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2006-12-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

Grandmas Recipes, Bar Mixes, Christmas Information
By Bruce Chambers

Grandmas Recipes, Bar Mixes, Christmas Information

To save space on your computer, make a few files and name them
Recipes, Cooking Tips, Cleaning Tips, Bar Mixes. You can then
copy and paste only articles you would like to save.

Contends

Grandma’s Wrapped Turkey

Cooking, Roasting Time

Grandma’s Cooked Ham And Apples

Aunt Pat’s Favourite Tarts

Mom’s Mincemeat Cookies

Lightside

Christmas Information

Cleaning Tips

Responsible Drinking

Bar Mixes

Place dressed turnkey, breast up in centre of greased, wide,
heavy foil. Bring ends of foil up over breast. Overlap fold
and press up against ends of turkey. Place bird in shallow pan.
Open foil last 20 minutes to brown. Bake at 450 F, (230 C)
according to time table.

Weights Roasting Times

Ready To Cook Weight Roasting Time

8 – 10 lbs 2 ¼ - 2 ½ hours

10 – 12 lbs 2 ½ - 3 hours

14 – 16 lbs 3 – 3 ¼ hours

18 – 20 lbs 3 ¼ - 3 ½ hours

22 – 24 lbs 3 ½ - 3 ¾ hours

GRANDMA’S BAKED HAM AND APPLES

2 large slices of hamsteak

2 teaspoons……………..(10 ml)………………….prepared mustard

4 tablespoons………….(60 ml)……………………brown sugar

2 tart apples

1 ½ cups…………………………(375 ml)…………………apple juice

Place the ham in baking dish and rub with mustard. Sprinkle
with 2 tablespoons (30 ml), of brown sugar. Core the apple
and cut into thin slices. Cover the ham with the apple slices
and sprinkle with rest of brown sugar. Add apple juice. Bake
at 300 F, (150 C), for 30 minutes or until tender.
YIELD: 4-5 servings.

TIME: 40 minutes

AUNT PAT’S FAVOURITE BUTTER TARTS

1/3-cup ………………………(80 ml) …………………butter

1-cup………………………………(250 ml)…………………brown sugar

2 tablespoons…………(30 ml)……………………milk or cream

1/3 cup……………………….(80 ml)……………………currants

1 egg beaten well

1 teaspoon……………….(5 ml)………………………vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Put in unbaked tart shells.
Bake at 450 F, (230 C), for 8 minutes. Turn down to 350 F,
(175 C), and cook until brown.

MOM’S MINCEMEAT COOKIES

¾ cup………………………………(185 ml)…………………shortening

1 ½ cups…………………………(375 ml)…………………sugar

3 eggs beaten
3 cups………………………………(750 ml)…………………flour

¾ teaspoon…………………….(3.75 ml)………………salt

1 teaspoon…………………....(4 ml)…………………..soda

1 cup………………………………(250 ml……………….canned mincemeat

3 tablespoons………….......(45 ml )…………………water

1 cup…………………………………(250 ml)…………………walnuts

Cream, sugar and shortening. Then add eggs. Sift flour, salt,
and soda together. Add to creamed mixture. Add mincemeat and
water. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Add nuts and stir. Drop
from teaspoon onto well greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350F,
(175 C), for 10-15 minutes.

YIELD: 4-5 dozen cookies

TIME: 1 hour

LIGHTSIDE
A rabbi, a priest and a pastor were all in a boat together
fishing.
The pastor said to the others, “I think I am going to go over to
that shore and sit down.” So he gets out of the boat, walks across
the water and sits down on the shore.

Then, the priest says to the rabbi, “I think I am going to go
over and join him.” So, he does the same as the pastor and sits next
to him on the shore.

The rabbi thinks to himself, “well if they can do it, so can I”.
He climbs out of the boat, but he falls right down in the water.
The pastor says to the priest, “do you think we should have told
him where the rocks were?”

CHRISTMAS INFORMATION

The word Christmas comes from the words Cristes maesse, or "Christ's
Mass." Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus for members
of the Christian religion.

Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the
Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the
yule log, the giving of gifts, carolers who sing while going from house
to house, the feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back
4000 years.

In 350 AD Julius1, a Bishop in Rome chooses December 25th as the
observation of Christmas.

Both Australia’s and New Zealand, Christmas occurs during summer and
is celebrated at the beach.

Christmas celebration was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681, however residents of Virginia and New York celebrated the Christmas holiday freely.

Christmas was declared a U.S. federal holiday in 1870.

Many public buildings once commonly included Nativity scences. By doing
so the practice led to lawsuits, claiming the government was endorsing a religion.

In 1984 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a city-owned Christmas display, including
a Nativity scene did not violate the First Amendment.

For a complete history on Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Ramaden, Christmas Customs, Carols, crafts, click on the link below:

http://www.ask.com/web?q=christmas+history&qsrc=8

CLEANING TIPS

WARNING: DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA TOGETHER, THE FUMES CAN
BE DEADLY.

Commercial cleaning supplies can aggravate your allergies and
have long terms effects on your health. You can save on your house
cleaning bill with very good results using less toxic substances.

Ø Ammonia – cuts grease, cleans windows, Strip wax off floors.

Ø Baking soda – cleans, deodorizes, polishes, and removes stains.

Ø Bleach – whitens practically anything, removes mould and mildew.

Ø Cornstarch – cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs.

*Rug Stains: Use a solution of half water, half white vinegar.

*Shirt or blouse stain: Just a little of water and cornstarch

will remove.

*Grass stains: Dampen stain with cold water, and rub with plain

bar soap. (One without moisturizers). The stain should come right

out. Then wash normally.

*Toilet bowl: use tang, or sprinkle baking soda into the bowl.

Drizzle with vinegar. Scour with toilet brush. Cleans and

deodorizes.

*Basin, tub and tiles: rub the area to be cleaned with a half

lemon dipped in Borax. Rinse and dry with soft cloth.

*Fix plaster walls: with white glue and baking soda. Try it,

crack will disappear in minutes.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
If you have teenagers, or in fact any adult, impress on them
the risks of driving while intoxicated. Statistics demonstrate
many fatal road accidents are caused by drunk drivers.

If you're having a Thanksgiving Day, Christmas party, provide
food with drinks. Offer non-alcoholic substitutes such as fruit,
soft drinks.

2 drinks taken within an hour by a person 100 pounds produces a
075 reading. One drink is equal to about 1.5 oz. of whisky or 2
bottles of beer. The rate of elimination for each hour after
drinking has stopped is 015. A 200 pound person, after 1 drink
produces a reading of .019, so you can see there is a big difference
due to weight.

As a host it is your duty to make sure no one leaves your party
impaired. Have some one drive them home.

BAR MIXES

Standard Measures

1 gallon (US)………………………….128 ounces

½ gallon…………………………………64 ounces

1 quart…………………………………..32 ounces

1 fifth……………………………………25.6 ounces

¾ quart…………………………………24 ounces

1 pint……………………………………16 ounces

1 tenth…………………………………..12.8 ounces

1 cup (1/2 pint) …………………………8 ounces

1-jigger…………………………………..1 ½ ounces

1 pony……………………………………1/8 ounce

1 dash………………………………………3 drops

John McClain

1 ½ oz scotch

I teaspoon syrup

A few dashes of Angostura bitters

Combine with ice; shake.

Strain and add ice.

Java Cooler

1 ½ oz. gin

1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice

A few dashes of angostura bitters

Tonic water

Add the limejuice, bitters, and gin over ice.

Stir well, fill with tonic.

Christmas, Juice Punch

2 quarts apple juice

2 quarts cranberry juice

8 oz. lemon juice

8 oz. sugar

2 bottles ginger ale

Combine everything except the ginger ale.
Stir well. Add ginger ale plus chunks of ice before serving.

Apple Cocktail

½ ounce applejack

½ ounce apple cider

¼ ounce gin

¼ ounce brandy

Shake with ice cubes. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Fresh Fruit Punch

8 ounces apiece of orange juice, pineapple juice, and
grapefruit juice.

1 bottle ginger ale. Sugar to taste.

Combine the juices with the sugar. Stir until the sugar is
dissolved and refrigerate. Add the ginger ale plus chunks of
ice before serving.

Enjoy your Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and/or Ramaden.
Best wishes for a great and enjoyable 2007.

Article Source: Bruce Chambers sold his printing, publishing, mail order business and retired in 1980. He came on the Internet in 2003. He researched for 1 year, and then started a free monthly Internet marketing report, plus free monthly recipes, bar mixes, tips newsletters. At present he resells from his website.
You can subscribe to either or both free newsletters by going to his web site. Please visit:

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Chambers

2006-11-30T04:19:00.000-08:00

Because It’s More Fun To Make It Yourself – Homemade Kids Crafts
By Susanne Myers

One of our favorite things to do as kids was to play with play dough. I don’t even want to guess how many tubs of that stuff we went through. It’s always the hands-on, get-to-touch it kind of crafts that seem to fascinate young children the most. For my sister and me that included anything to do with some sort of craft dough, or finger-paints. We could spend hours over a large sheet of paper smearing the paint with our fingers or making handprints.

My favorite childhood memories revolve around both of these crafts and more specifically around making the supplies with my mom. There is just something magical about seeing a handful of household ingredients magically transform into pink play dough.

Give it a try. Make some simple salt dough with your kids and let them form it into pieces of art. Bake it in the oven and let them paint their creations after they are cooled.

Here’s a simple salt dough recipe:

Salt Dough

Ingredients:

4 cups Flour

1 cup Salt

1-1/2 cups Hot Water

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the water while stirring until the dough becomes elastic. If the dough seems too sticky, add some more flour. If it’s not pliable enough, work in a little more water.

Bake your child’s salt dough creations at 200 degrees until they are completely hardened. Baking time will depend on the thickness of the items. Cover them with aluminum foil if the items start to darken during the baking process.

If you enjoyed making this simple salt dough, consider making some homemade playdough, paper or even fingerpaint. You will find recipes and instructions for these on the pages mentioned below.

Kinderinfo.com provides a variety of fun craft ideas and recipes, including how to make homemade paper at http://www.kinderinfo.com/crafts/homemade-paper.htm how to make your own playdough at http://www.kinderinfo.com/crafts/homemade-playdough.htm and even how to make fingerpaint at http://www.kinderinfo.com/crafts/fingerpaint.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Myers

2006-11-30T04:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas Traditions: 25 Meaningful Ideas for Families
By Susie Cortright

The holidays are a time to revel in the gratitude and love we feel for one another. Here are 25 meaningful ways to celebrate your togetherness this season.

1. Go for a family nature walk near your home to collect seasonal items that you can use in your holiday decor. If you live near a forest, the obvious choices are pine boughs and pinecones, but long dried grasses can look just as festive tied with a holiday bow.

2. Make a few handmade holiday cards this year as a family.

3. Make appreciation cards. Replace the annual Christmas letter in your holiday cards with a brief letter of appreciation for the recipient.

4. Create or purchase new ornaments each year for the tree. Create or shop for an ornament that reflects a defining event or sentiment for the year.

5. Enjoy a Family Night with special holiday crafts or games.

6. Start a Christmas-themed puzzle somewhere in your home. A puzzle table, placed in a quiet room is great for holiday visitors. Whenever your guests want to get away from the action, they can retreat to work on the puzzle. This can be a great stress reliever, and it’s wonderful for those guests who always have to be busy doing something.

7. Play special music. What is everyone’s favorite holiday CD? Allow each family member to choose and keep them in the CD changer so everyone’s musical taste is represented.

8. Take a photo of your children standing in a particular spot each year -- in front of the tree, by the front door -- anyplace that will be consistent from year to year. Make a special holiday ornament or scrapbook album that depicts the growth and change of your family each year.

9. Research the holiday traditions of your nationality. Adopt a few of these traditions into your annual celebration each year to celebrate your heritage.

10. Ask each child to write a Dear Santa letter. (Small children can draw pictures). Keep a special record of these letters in an album or treasure box.

11. Create an evening tradition of taking a family walk or drive in your neighborhood to view the holiday lights.

12. Cut snowflakes from wrapping paper, festive holiday advertisements, or last year’s holiday cards, and string them together into a festive garland.

13. Adopt a special cause each year and spend some time as a family helping those in need, or raising or donating money for a charity of your choice.

14. What are your favorite holiday memories? Pose the question tonight at the dinner table. Use your family's answers to plan this year's celebration. You may be surprised at the special memories that have nothing to do with gifts or elaborate events.

15. For fifteen minutes, write down things in your life that you are grateful for. Ask each of your family members to join you in creating their own lists.

16. Bundle up and head outside. Make snow angels or build a snow fort with your kids. When it's time to warm up, build a cozy fire and roast marshmallows in your living room.

17. What's your favorite homemade holiday treat? Write down the recipe, and share it with your friends. Encourage them to do the same.

18. Challenge each member of your family to fill a box or bag full of items to give away. Decide as a family where to make a donation.

19. What was the best book you read this year? With whom would you most like to share its message? Purchase a copy for them and drop it off, anonymously.

20. Take your family to a performance of The Nutcracker. Purchase a CD or DVD of the Nutcracker to bring the memories home.

21. The holidays can take their toll. Make a holiday tradition of recharging your own batteries. Gather your daughter and your best friend and head to the day spa for a much deserved pedicure or massage.

22. Reach out to those whom you haven’t seen all year. It takes a little extra effort this busy time of year, but make a goal to send a card or note to someone you think about but don’t see much anymore.

23. Keep a "Joy Journal" this holiday season, in which you record the funny things your kids say, joyful times you share, your favorite things to do with your family (and by yourself), and all the things for which you are grateful. Use your Joy Journal as a reminder of the facets of your life (and this holiday season) that are really important.

24. Give small and simple gifts (homemade cookies or a small book) to a few of the people who make your everyday life easier, such as the trash collector and postal carrier.

25. Share your family traditions with friends and ask them to tell you about the family traditions that make their holidays sweeter.

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she hand picks only the very best online coupons and products, including coupons for photo processing and photo gifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susie_Cortright

2006-11-30T04:16:00.000-08:00

Boyfriend Gift Ideas for this Christmas
By Natalie Aranda

You can feel it in the air, Christmas season is coming our way so before it can find you doing anything else, get ready to jot down your Christmas gifts list, because it is never too late or to early to write down gifts that you know will be loved this holiday season.

Perhaps weird, or just odd, but every year we receive the same advice for plan ahead for our shopping time. In fact, more than often, we have in mind a series of Christmas gift ideas, but somehow we are caught before we could to anything to implement at least one.

Lack of time seems to be the "illness" of present times, but if everything turns around a boyfriend Christmas gift ideas, things change drastically. Your boyfriend is your "other half" so it will never hurt if you dedicate some of your spare time to finding meaningful Christmas gifts for him.

When it comes to Christmas gift ideas for boyfriends, only you can determine what to give. There are present that have no age or time, such as collectible action figures, but there are others more suitable for the businessman, like an executive handheld set that would be unsuitable if your boyfriend is a teenager, just like you.

Alternatively, who knows, there are young men who have well defined professional careers since their early high school days and may feel amazingly surprised with such a classy gift. On the other hand, a businessman will never be too old to receive caramels or toys decorated following the instructions of patterns with Christmas gift ideas or crafts for this very special season of the year.

If this year is the right one for getting ready your Christmas gifts list, add a special section devoted to boyfriend Christmas gift ideas, and add as many items as you think he will enjoy, whether alone or by your side sharing a kiss under your mistletoe central decor.

Christmas gift ideas for boyfriends may include some of these presents: a bottle of wine, a flashlight, or Swiss knife. If he enjoys games, try arcade games, or a wrist exerciser for guys who like to stay in shape. Other ideas include remote control vehicles, a digital camera, spy toys, a pocket calculator, a radio with clock, multi flavored chocolates, sport gear, and many others that your imagination dictates.

When is not time but lack of inspiration, ask your boyfriend about the things he likes. In fact, where have you been? This is something that you should know even before he actually turned into your boyfriend.

However never is too late to investigate, or nurture your inspiration with other sources. There are excellent Christmas gift ideas and Christmas gift ideas for boyfriends can be found by just surfing the Internet or taking a walk browsing the Christmas gifts shops near to your home, so good luck and happy shopping.

Natalie Aranda writes on home and holidays. When it comes to Christmas gift ideas for boyfriends, only you can determine what to give. There are present that have no age or time, such as collectible action figures, but there are others more suitable for the businessman, like an executive handheld set that would be unsuitable if your boyfriend is a teenager, just like you. There are excellent Christmas gift ideas and Christmas gift ideas for boyfriends can be found by just surfing the Internet or taking a walk browsing the Christmas gifts shops near to your home, so good luck and happy shopping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda

2006-11-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day Crafts Are Fun For Kids
By Gail Leino

Homemade gifts and decorations are the best kind and those made in the moment as part of a Christmas day crafts project are the most enjoyable of all. There's something cozy and comforting to staying in the warm on any cold winter day with hot chocolate and cookies. Add the crafting projects to the day and things are about as good as it gets.

Almost anything of a hobby or arts and crafts nature qualifies for this cold winter day activity. But those special for the holiday are probably a better idea. Sometimes it’s a nice idea to save decorating for a Christmas day crafts activity.
This solves many problems from entertainment to budget concerns and time shortages.

If vacation time together is limited then use the decoration of home and tree on Christmas day itself as the celebration of the holiday. That is an old fashioned idea anyway. Opening gifts doesn't take much time and it can leave a lot of time with no real entertainment plans. Christmas day crafts can be used as gifts themselves or the project elements can be presents. Children love to receive crafting kits or crayons, markers or glitter and glue.

Simple gift kits can include fleece no sew clothing or blanket kits. Pre-cut scarves that only need minor embellishment or afghans which only need tied laces are perfect and quick.

When these are opened and used to make Christmas day crafts to decorate then it saves money on decorations. Therefore money is saved on gifts, entertainment and decorations. It can also be cheaper to buy a last minute Christmas tree and is sometimes even left for free on the lot. That saves more money for Christmas dinner! It is also practical to have only a short stay of a fresh cut tree in the home.wares.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Free Christmas Party Games, (http://christmas-fun.com) party planning tips, recipes, menus, history with fun fact, printable educational activities and free coloring pages.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

2006-11-11T04:25:00.000-08:00

Candles at the Hearth and Heart of the Home
By Yvonne Perry

The holidays are coming and that means gift giving. Candles make an ideal gift for just about anyone on your list. Store bought candles are lovely, but can be quite expensive. Why not say, “I love you” with a homemade candle? You don t need to buy a lot of fancy equipment and costly supplies to make candles at home. You can use things you already have. If you are willing to take the time, you can make beautiful candles for yourself and your friends. Homemade candles are a thoughtful gift anyone would be glad to receive.

There are several types of candles. Some are dipped; others are poured into
decorative glass cups, or into temporary molds that are removed to reveal a stand-alone candle. These instructions will focus on making poured candles. Following these simple instructions, you will be making your own candles in no time at all!

Let’s begin with a few safety tips. NEVER microwave the wax as it can splatter and be very dangerous. It also fades the color. A double-boiler is best to use for melting the wax. Always use pot holders or oven mitts when handling the double-boiler, the hot wax, or hot molds.

Next you’ll need to gather some materials:

An old sheet, towel or newspaper to cover your work surface and catch spills

An old saucepan or double-boiler

Large metal container such as a tin coffee can (not needed if you re using a double-boiler)

Oven mitt or potholders

Cotton twine or wicks purchased from an arts and craft

Masking tape

Store-bought or homemade molds *

Long metal spoon or ladle

Scissors

Pencil or stick

Wax chips or paraffin wax (you can use leftover candles)

Aroma/fragrance chips, lavender blooms, ground cinnamon or other aromatic
spice

Color chips

*Homemade molds can be constructed from small milk containers, boxes that bar
soap comes in, Hostess cup cake containers, toilet paper rolls, etc. If the mold has a bottom that isn't totally sealed then use masking tape to seal the bottom on outside of the box so it doesn’t leak. You may use glass containers if making votive candles, or store bought plastic molds purchased from an arts and crafts store.

It is best to use a double boiler, but don t panic if you don t have one. You can make one by using a metal coffee can and an old saucepan. Put one inch of water in the saucepan (or bottom section of the double-boiler). Add the wax chips or paraffin to the coffee can, (or the top section of the double-boiler) and sit the can (or top section of double-boiler) inside the saucepan (or double boiler). Heat on stovetop at low temperature until the wax melts. DO NOT allow the wax to boil! While the wax is heating, set up your glass containers or prepare the homemade molds.

Installing the wick:

First, you’ll need to prime the wick. Cut a piece of string a little longer than the length of the mold. Tie a toothpick or pencil to one end of the string. Hold the wick by the pencil and dip the string in the melted wax. Do this a few times, letting the wax harden on the string in between each dip. This helps the wick burn better. Tape the free end of the wick to the bottom of the container or mold. Set up wick in the container with the pencil balanced across the top. Pull the wick tight by turning the pencil.

Add the fragrance:

When wax has completely melted, let it cool a few minutes then add the color chips and fragrance chips. You can use the same kind used in making soap, which may be purchased at an arts and crafts store. A little goes a long way, so use color and fragrance sparingly.

Pouring and cooling:

Wearing an oven mitt, take a soup ladle or large spoon and dip a small amount of hot wax into the mold while holding the wick straight. The mold should have about ¼ of wax in the bottom. It is important to allow the small amount to harden before adding more wax. Once it does harden, add enough wax to suitably fill your mold. Leave space to add decorative materials. Due to contraction during cooling you may have a sunken area in your container. Simply poke holes near the wick with a toothpick and fill it again.

Decorating the candles:

You may add crushed or whole lavender flowers, coffee beans, cinnamon, or other aromatic spices, leaves, grain, etc. The material may settle to the bottom but they are still attractive. You may add leaves, seashells, orange slices, or flowers in the mold once the wax is poured and begins to cool

Once the candles are cool to the touch, you may tear away the paper molds, or remove the plastic molds. You can speed up the cooling process by putting them in the refrigerator but do NOT freeze them as they may crack.

Trimming the wick:

Using scissors, trim the top of the candlewick to about 1/3 inch. Turn the candle over and closely trim any wick that may be hanging from the bottom.

A word about clean up:

Do NOT pour hot wax down the sink drain! It will clog. Instead, pour the waste wax into smaller containers such as an old muffin pan or ice cube trays. The small size will make melting easier next time. Be sure to label the scent. If you spilled wax on a hard surface, scrape it off once it cools. If wax gets on cloth, pour hot water through it to melt it away. If wax gets on something you can’t pour water through (such as your carpet) let it harden, then rub it with an ice cube to make it brittle. Then scrape it with a dull knife. Metal and glassware can be put through the dishwasher cycle to clean.

Use and storage of finished product:

Now that you’ve completed your first at-home candle-making project, it’s time to enjoy the finished product. Remember to always use a metal, glass, or clay saucer underneath your candle to catch drips and avoid ruining your furniture. This is also a safety precaution. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch after each use, and allow the wax to cool and become solid before attempting to move the candle.

When not using or displaying candles, store them upright at room temperature, in a dark place, preferably in a sealed bag. This will keep the color, shape, and scent. Avoid exposing your candles to extreme cold or hot.

Candle making is an enjoyable and easy project anyone can do at home. The savings advantages and thoughtfulness of giving a homemade gift far outweigh the convenience of purchasing a candle at a retail store. With practice you could become an expert.

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her team of ghostwriters service clients all over the globe by offering quality writing on a wide variety of topics at an affordable price. If you need a brochure, web text, business document, resume, bio, article or book, visit http://www.yvonneperry.net. While there be sure to subscribe to the RSS podcast feed and the free monthly newsletter about writing, networking, publishing and marketing. Read more on Yvonne’s blog at http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvonne_Perry

2006-10-09T04:40:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook Adhesive - Sticky Situations - What Kind of Adhesive to Use in Your Scrapbook
By Casey Lee

The many adhesive options available on the scrapbooking supply market may leave you mystified as to which ones you need for your project. Not only are countless types of adhesives available, but you often are given choices between a number of brands as well. This can leave beginners frustrated and ready to go home and use a hot glue gun for the whole project. A word of caution, however—learning to use the different types of adhesives will help protect your photographs and keep your work in tact for many years.

There are three basic types of adhesives: glues, tapes, and corner mounts. The first, glue, is probably the item you are most familiar with using with your other craft projects. Hot glue and tacky glue, both common items around the house, are not good for your scrapbooking project. Although these adhesives are strong and permanent, the heat and acidity that comes with using them will ruin your photographs over time. Another common option is the glue stick. These are inexpensive, but remember that you get what you pay for—glue sticks lose their stickiness over time, and your pages will come undone. Many other glue options are available on the market especially for scrapbooking. These products will always say “acid free” and “photo safe” on the label to let you know that they are ok to use with pictures. Glue pens are popular, but one of the most innovative products in recent years has been glue dots. This product is pressure-sensitive and works very well for adhering embellishments to the page. Another helpful scrapbooking glue product comes in an aerosol can. When sprayed to an item such as vellum or tissue, you can adhere the light paper to the page without leaving marks showing through. Glue dots and aerosol sprays can be pricey, but are effective when used correctly.

When sticking your actually pictures to the page, however, glues are probably not your best option. The best way to go about adhering pictures to your page is to use a tape product. Again, be sure that the product label ensures that it is safe to use with photographs, since not all tapes are made the same. Traditional tape options, such as foam mounting tape or double sided tape are good to use in your album, but also check out the products made exclusively for scrapbooking. Mounting squares are a popular item, as are roll-on tape dispensers. Some temporary products are also available in case you don’t want to permanently attach your photographs to the page. This is also where corner mounts work well. Related to the tape family, these little triangles allow you to stick photographs to the page without commitment. Corner mounts work especially well with valuable photographs, but can only be used when you have cropped your pictures in a square or rectangular shape.

Whatever adhesive choices you make, remember that it is important to use the products correctly. Not all glues and tapes are made for the same purposes, so learning to use these products is vital. By experimenting with technique and following the usage guidelines you can create a beautiful and long-lasting album.

Tired of reading articles on scrapbooking? Try listening to scrapbooking articles instead. Casey Lee has been compiling articles that assist people in all avenues of life. The latest is to aide you in the art of scrapbooking. Visit EnVision Opportunity today and listen to more great information on Scrapbook Adhesive .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_Lee

2006-10-09T04:39:00.000-07:00

Craft And Hobby Woods - Basswood - Balsa Wood and Others
By Paul Wonning

Many hobbies involve building, carving, or wood burning which require speciality woods. These hobby and craft woods are available for just about any purpose. Hobbyists may choose from balsa, basswood, plywood, walnut, cherry, maple, among others for their project needs. Sheets or strips of these fine woods are available in thicknesses from 1/32 " to one inch, and in widths from 1/16 through six inches. You may purchase either sheets or strips.

Balsa is the most versatile of the hobby woods. Native to South America, these sixty foot trees are grown on large plantations. The wood is lightweight and strong. South Americans have been using balsa for boat and raft building since antiquity. Anyone who can recall Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki adventures will know of his successful attempt to reach the Polynesian Islands from South America on a balsa raft.

Balsa's fine grain combined with its strength and light weight have made it valuable for a great number of uses. Its heat retention ability has made it useful for insulating refrigerator and ship holds. It is used in aircraft to reduce vibration. Surfboards and life preservers have also been manufactured from balsa wood.

Crafters and hobbyists will find balsa very easy to cut and carve, making it ideal for a multitude of projects. It can also be painted or stained any color the hobbyist desires. Its greatest value for hobbyists is undoubtedly in the construction of model airplanes. Free flight , control line, and radio control aircraft are all made primarily from balsa wood. Other uses for this versatile wood include model boat building and dollhouse construction, as well as many other craft projects. Model railroaders can use balsa for scratch-building houses and other structures, bridges, and structural support for scenery.

Basswood, or linden, is another wood crafters and hobbyists find very useful. This North American wood is grown primarily in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Heavier than balsa, it shares many of it's characteristics - close-grained, strong, and lightweight. Basswood's hobby uses mirror those of balsa, but its heavier weight limits its use in building model airplanes. Because it carves easily, it is the premier choice for both beginning and advanced woodcarvers. Novice wood burners will also find basswood friendly, as it burns well. Like balsa, it is available in strips and sheets. Additionally, specialty shapes for dollhouse building include molding, siding, and roof shingles.

Special project needs may require the use of hobby plywood. This extremely high quality plywood ranges in thickness from paper thin 1/32 of an inch to 1/4 inch. Birch is the wood used, so it can take any stain desired. It is very durable and suitable for many uses.

Other woods are available for specialized hobby projects, including walnut, maple, cherry, and mahogany. Twenty four inch lengths include both strips and sheets. The maximum width for sheets is four inches.

Basswood and balsa are the most commonly available hobby/craft woods. Other types may need to be special ordered from your local craft or hobby shop. Check out the selection today for all your project needs.

Paul Wonning is the owner of
Toys, Hobbies and Crafts.com a web site which has information about many hobbies and crafts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wonning

2006-09-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

Rainy Day Crafts for Kids
By Michael Russell

Bad weather days can keep your kids indoors, but television isn't the only answer to inactivity. Simple and fun craft projects that can be done with items you probably have around the house can easily become a fun family activity!

Edible Jewelry. This is a very creative and fun way to play with your food! You will need shoe string licorice (not the rope style, as the licorice will be the string) and goodies that have some sort of hole in them. Example would be: Cheerios, pretzels, gummy lifesavers, mini donuts and dried apple rings. String the items along the licorice 'thread' and tie the two ends together. You can make necklaces and bracelets!

Edible play dough. If you have young ones who tend to eat their play dough - this is a nice alternative. Mix together one half cup of honey, one half cup of smooth peanut butter and one cup of dried milk powder. Mix until you have the dough consistency you like, adding more powdered milk if it feels sticky. If you like, you can work in a few drops of food coloring at this stage. Then let the kids play with and eat it! This is meant for a single use, don't store this longer than one day.

Sponge stamps. For this, all you need is any type of sponges you can find. The more different the textures of sponges, the more fun the designs are. Just cut the sponges into different shapes with scissors. The kids can dip the sponge pieces into paint and create their own works of art. For more creativity, try gluing the sponge pieces onto a 3 inch paint roller.

Maracas. For home made maracas, all you need are paper plates, dried beans and tape. Give each child two paper plates. Have them color and decorate the bottom of the plates any way they wish. Fill one plate with about ¼ cup of dried beans, place the other plate on top, face down and tape together - making sure you seal all the way around. The hollow area creates the space for the beans to shake around and make noise!

Homemade clay. There are lots of recipes out there for homemade clay, this one is very easy, if a little messy! You will need, flour, 12 day old slices white bread (with the crusts removed), ¾ cup of white glue, food coloring. Tear the bread into chunks and put in bowl, add the glue and mix really well with your hand until it becomes a unified mass. Turn out onto a floured board and need until the clay is no longer sticky. You may need to add tiny bits of flour as you go. To color the clay, pull off a chunk and add a drop or two of food coloring. Knead well to incorporate the color. Let the kids form whatever designs they like, then air dry the pieces. It will take a day or two depending on how big the pieces are. Paint the dried clay designs if you like. Clean up with soap and water.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Crafts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

2006-09-12T04:39:00.000-07:00

Crafts - Drying Flowers
By Michael Russell

Drying flowers is a way to keep memories of an event or place for a long time. Whether they are flowers from a bridal bouquet, or from your garden, drying flowers is easy to do. When harvesting your flowers for drying, the best time is in the morning before the sun has had a chance to make the flowers warm. Cut a good length of stem with the flowers, as you can always remove whatever you don't need. The method of drying that you use will depend on the type of flower and craft project you will be doing. Air drying works well with sturdier flowers such as statice, marigolds, strawflowers and decorative seed pods. The sturdier the flower head, the better they air dry. Separate the flowers into groups of 8 or 10 stems. Remove any diseased leaves that you see on the stems. Bundle a group of stems together and use a rubber band at the end of the stems to hold them together. Make sure that the rubber band is very tight. As the flowers dry, the stems will shrink and the rubber band will shrink with them. You also want to make sure the stems are long enough so that the tops of the flowers aren't smashed together when the stems are rubber banded. Now you just need to hang the flowers upside down. You can use paper clips, string, wire hangers (unraveled) or florist wire. Connect the hanger to the rubber band and hang in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Depending on the flower it will take two weeks or so for them to be completely dry.

You can also use silica gel to dry your flowers. (Silica gel is the stuff that you find in your shoe box in little packets). It removes moisture from flowers without crushing them. This works great for very delicate flowers such as hydrangea, roses, carnations and asters. You can purchase silica gel at any craft store. All you need is an airtight box (preferably plastic) and silica gel. Lay a bed of gel in the bottom of the container. Place your flowers on top of this bed and gently sprinkle the silica gel on the flowers until they are covered. Using a spoon works best for this to get the gel into the crevasses without crushing the blooms. Cover the box and wait 48 hours. That's it! Silica gel works very fast and the flowers hold their color. The great thing about silica gel is that it can be reused. You just need to place the silica gel onto a baking sheet in your oven at 200 degrees to dry it back out again.

For the most natural appearance of dried flowers, try glycerine. This is really preserving and not drying, but the results are wonderful. The foliage on the stems will stay a bright green and the flowers will be a bit sturdier. Prepare the stems by removing any bottom leaves. You may want to thread a piece of florist wire into the flower head to keep it from drooping, or tie the stem to some type of support, like a skewer. Mix together one part of liquid glycerine to 1 part of warm water for fresh flowers and one part glycerine to two parts of water for woody stems. Submerge the stem end only into this mixture. This process can take 2 to three weeks, replace any absorbed solution. Once preserved, remove and rinse the stems, then wipe off any mixture that might have seeped out of leaves.

There you go - three different ways to dry your flowers. Try all three methods and mix the resulting flowers into your craft projects for a multi depth arrangement!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Crafts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

2006-08-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

Recycle Treasures From Trash for a Kid Craft Activity
By Nancy Johnson

Years ago I was invited to teach a workshop to recreational leaders on ideas for a kid craft activity. I chose to share how they could use items around the house to create low-cost kid arts and crafts. Recognizing how many budgets are limited, Treasures from Trash was created.

Enlist the children in saving items to contribute to your fun arts and crafts projects. This is a great opportunity to incorporate the importance of recycling and saving our landfills. Listed are some ideas of recyclable items to save, but look around and see if there are other items that can be used to create your own Treasures from Trash. Use your imagination and think “outside the box”!

These recyclable items make great arts and crafts projects. Make sure to check the items so that they are clean and safe for the children to use.

Egg cartons
Paper rolls
Berry baskets
Baby food jars
Plastic soda bottles
Tuna cans (no sharp edges)
Greeting cards and old calendars
Six-pack plastic rings
Paper grocery bags
Magazines (child appropriate)
Coffee and drink cans
Oatmeal containers
Newspaper
Assorted sized cardboard boxes
Clean socks (The ones not lost in the dryer!)

Some kid craft activity ideas include puppets, box sculptures, science projects, collages and homemade gifts. Puppets can be made from all sizes of bags, socks and boxes. Create a marionette with a shoebox and imagination! Many science projects such as making a tornado, rain or terrarium call for a plastic soda bottle. Use berry baskets to decorate for Mother’s Day, Grandparents Day or Easter gifts.

Making a collage is an inexpensive art project when using a lot of the items listed above. Put out old greeting cards, calendars, magazines, postcards, and paper scraps for the kids to create a unique collage. Save leftover craft supplies such as buttons, ribbon, lace, fabric scraps, and beads to be used on the collage.

I hope this is a beginning of you creating your own Treasures from Trash projects. If you run out of ideas, just put the recycled items out and let the children create! They can be very resourceful and imaginative.

As a mother, grandmother, and child development professional, Nancy Johnson, shares over 20 years experience working with children and planning activities on her website, Creative-Child-Activity-Notebook.com. Check it out for more school age child activity ideas including summer, holiday, party, nature, and child learning activity ideas.

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2006-08-25T04:33:00.000-07:00

Fun Kid Fall Activity Ideas Using Apples
By Nancy Johnson

Fall is the season for apples. Fun kid fall activity ideas include apple arts and crafts, games, and yummy cooking projects. September 26 is Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, so plan a party with apples as the theme.

Make a pretty apple garland with dried apple slices. Slice apples into 1/8” thick across the core. Soak in lemon juice and salt (1 ½ tablespoon salt per 1 cup of lemon juice) for 20 minutes. The lemon juice and salt preserves the apple slices and keeps them from turning brown. Pat the slices dry and lay on a baking pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and ground cloves, and bake at 150 degrees for about 6 hours or until they look and feel leathery.

Have kids gather pretty fall leaves to add to the fall garland. Make a small hole through the center of the apple slices and leaves. Cut fall ribbon or fabric into 1” x 6” pieces. You will need lots of apple slices, leaves, and ribbon pieces for a long garland. To string the garland, thread an apple slice and several leaves onto jute string, and tie a ribbon bow onto the string. Repeat this pattern until the garland is the desired length. Tie autumn colored ribbon on each end to secure. Kids can take turns working on this fall craft activity until it is long enough to hang in the classroom or at home.

Kid friendly cooking recipes include making caramel apples slices and homemade applesauce. Melt about 25 caramel pieces with one tablespoon of water over low-heat. Core apples and slice to about 1” thick. Toss slices in melted caramel and roll in chopped peanuts. Cool the caramel apple slices on wax paper.

Homemade applesauce cooking smells wonderful. Peel, core and quarter 4 medium apples and place in pot. Add one cup of water to apples and bring to a boil. Turn to simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until apples are tender. Add ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of butter and heat thoroughly. Mash the apples with a potato masher and cool.

Play apple games such as the popular bobbing for apples in a large bucket of water, or try biting into an apple tied to a string. How about having a relay race by pushing an apple to the finish line with your nose? Don’t forget there is always the Apple for the Teacher!

As a mother, grandmother, and child development professional, Nancy Johnson, shares over 20 years experience working with children and planning activities on her website, Creative-Child-Activity-Notebook.com. Check it out for more school age child activity ideas including party, holiday, learning, nature, and child fall activity ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Johnson

2006-08-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Arts And Crafts Ideas
By Kent Pinkerton

Arts and crafts is a world full of ideas that one can pursue and learn about. With arts and crafts, one can effectively use the trash of our house and convert it into good-looking, useful stuff. The knowledge of even the most basic skills of this craft is easy to learn.

Arts and crafts is a broad term that encloses a whole range of ideas to pursue. For kids, arts and crafts is about ideas. It is simply a way for them to get involved in developmental pursuits. They can learn to make a large variety of useful stuff and interesting toys through this art. They can learn to make paper toys, collage, pine cone bird feeders and more. They can also learn the basics of sewing and needlepoint, which they can then use to create colorful and designed knitted products. This is sure to give them joy and a sense of achievement. They can knit colorful pillows, bedsheets with their names, and more once they learn the basic tricks of this trade. They can also learn spray painting, drawing, candle making, and more, thus decorating their rooms with various colorful pots and designer candles. Even the arts of painting and making wall hangings can be pursued.

Not only is it fun to learn arts and crafts, but the freedom to create as one desires helps one to gain a variety of skills beneficial to mental development and advancement at any age. Plus, you might end up with a plethora of usable items for your home.

Arts And Crafts provides detailed information on Arts And Crafts, Kid Arts And Crafts, Arts And Crafts Stores, Arts And Crafts Ideas and more. Arts And Crafts is affiliated with Paper Dolls.

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2006-08-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Hand Puppets
By Kristy Annely

A hand puppet is a type of puppet that is controlled by a hand placed inside it. The puppeteer has his hand over the puppet’s head and controls the movement of the mouth and the head with other parts of the body hanging over the forearm. Other parts of the body can be operated by using the other hand, strings or rods, or more elaborate puppets may have mechanical apparatus with a remote control. Hand puppets can made simple items found at home such as an old sock, juice container or a paper bag, to more complicated items such manufactured with plastics and fabric coverings.

Creating simple hand puppets are usually part of children’s art and crafts class. Simple household items are used to create the puppets. Socks, juice containers, or small paper bags can be used as the body of the puppets. The eyes can either be drawn in with a marker pen or using paper cut outs. Additional designs could include the lips, the hair, design of the shirt, and others. A kid would usually design a puppet based on prominent character from a cartoon or TV show.

Puppets have been a great way to portray stories with moral lessons through puppet shows. Churches have long been using puppets to evangelize to both kids and adults alike. In fact, there are several puppet manufacturers who specialize in creating puppets based on biblical characters for evangelic meetings, outreach programs and Sunday schools. The puppets would have different skin tones, facial features, hair styles and costumes and props to depict one character from the other.

A beautiful puppet needs to be accompanied by a lively and creative puppeteer. The bright colors and costumes of the puppet may captivate the audience visually, but combined with a master puppeteer, it can become a complete entertainment experience.

Puppets provides detailed information on Puppets, Puppet Masters, Hand Puppets, Marionette Puppets and more. Puppets is affiliated with Jigsaw Puzzles.

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2006-08-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

5 Best Reasons To Knit!
By Alice Seidel

It's early August, and I can almost hear sleigh bells. Can't you? Don't look now, but summer is on the wane! Without even knowing it, the days are growing shorter, already! Cool breezes are blowing and some foliage is actually going away.

But wait! There is a solution....instead of getting depressed, you need to do something. Like take up a hobby.

I can't think of anything better than learning to knit!

I don't care about all those other crafts and DIY projects; learn knitting and you can kiss those paintballs goodbye!

If you don't believe me, then let me give you *5* good reasons why:

#1 You can feel just like a knitting apprentice! After all, in centuries past an apprentice was someone learning a craft, and if you are new to knitting, then you're an apprentice! Even the Donald couldn't argue with that!

With knitting, there is a TON of information, and no matter how often you knit, or how much you think you know, there is always something new.

And that's good, because you never want to run out of ideas.

#2 Years ago there was a TV commercial for "Shake N Bake", which featured a little girl in the kitchen with Mom, and all she said was "Shake n Bake...and I helped".

Now, I know that has nothing to do with knitting. However, the best part of that, is when a friend asks you where you bought your pretty little purse, or new scarf, you can say, "I knitted it myself."

Old commercial, same premise. Take it from me, when you knit-it-yourself, it feels good!

#3 The Four Seasons. Knitting is strictly non-committal. It doesn't care what month it is or what holiday is approaching, there is always something fun to knit.

Halloween, autumn, Independence Day, Valentine's Day, graduations, weddings, take-your-dog-to-work-day, christenings, Christmas, you name the day, and there is a knitting pattern out there for it!

Your knitting creations are always one-of-a-kind, not to be seen in any store or mall. So, when you're knitting that Christmas stocking on the train home from work, you never know who you will be inspiring next.

#4 Unless you have been living under a rock or way out past left field, you know how expensive gasoline is getting! Daily, the price goes higher.

So, instead of getting in your gas-guzzling vehicle, and cruising around town, to no avail, take up knitting. Get a neighborhood group together, or start a club in your dorm or condo.

Buy some cheapy yarn, and needles, and download my ebook, "Ready Or Knit, Here I Come!" from www.TheKnitStitch.com and you will be amazed at the fun to be had!

#5 Knitting is good for you! We all live very stressful lives.

If it's not one thing, it's the other; and every-day life can be tough. Sometimes a bubble bath, or mood music just doesn't cut it.

Knitting can help. The mere click of the needles is soothing music.

Knitting one row, then another, creating stitches, patterns, projects, and seeing it all come together makes for satisfaction indeed.

It doesn't all happen at once. Many projects take weeks, and months to complete, if you want to do them right.

But, that's the essence of knitting.

Working with your hands, you are creating something right from the first stitch. You watch it come to life as you go, and little by little, your knitting becomes reality.

Exercise is great, yet, doing something for your soul, is just as important.

So, if you want to slow down, and find meaning in your life again, try knitting.

So, there you have it, 5 best reason to knit!

But, don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!

Copyright 2006 Alice Seidel

Keep YOUR knitting on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resources and share stories.

FREE Details ==>[http://www.theknitstitch.com]

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2006-08-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Making Money through Creative Beading
By Ed Whit

Not everyone can be a good bead crafter, but if you have a special talent for creative beading, you may be able to turn your talent into a lucrative profession. One way to know if you can make money this way is to listen to what other people are saying about your beading crafts, whether you do jewelry or other beading projects. Don’t just listen to what people say when you give them your beading projects as gifts; they aren’t going to be as honest as you would like. Instead, try to display your beading work in places where a lot of different people will see them, and try to eavesdrop on the conversations that they have about your work.

People love creative beading, and most people can spot good work when they see it. Whether you are making costume jewelry or adding beading to clothing, you are going to be able to make a good living from it if you find that people keep coming back to purchase your particular designs. Once you establish yourself as a bead crafter who does good quality work, you may want to make up some business cards for yourself and pass them around. Try to set up a booth at craft fairs as often as possible, and hand out your business cards to people who buy your products. Be sure to include your phone number and email address, and let people know that you are willing to do custom work. Your creative beading talent could very well provide you with a good full time income.

You can find this article and more like it at http://www.beadingcentral.info

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2006-08-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget
By Monique Hawkins

Collecting is a hobby enjoyed by many. Some collectors enjoy collecting all kinds of collectibles such as music boxes and other mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, and many other types of items. Then there are those who enjoy collecting art. As a matter of fact, many individuals are inclined to forgo reprints and posters and start collecting their own unique art pieces for their homes and offices. If you are one of these people, here are some tips on starting your own unique art collection.

Before beginning an art collection, ask yourself if you interested in starting your own collection of original art. Keep in mind that if you, like most people, do not have thousands of dollars to spend on famous original artwork, then it's time to consider alternative creative sources.

For those who are short on time and are not particularly interested in cultivating their own tastes, an option you have to rent from a local gallery in your city or town. This way, you can get original art from local artists at a fraction of the cost. Once you tire of a particular piece, you can trade it in for a new art collectible piece. These also works very well for a business environment or even to update a personal space in your home if you are not sure what pieces will suit you in the long term.

Students also do great artwork. Therefore, another option you have is to go to local art schools or check your paper for shows by student artists. At the art schools or art shows by students, you can purchase original pieces by local artists for a very small investment when compared to the going rates for established artists. This unique art collectible strategy allows you to invest in the growth of local talent, and possibly make an investment that will appreciate enormously in value should the artist truly excel in their field.

Some communities have thriving art communities. If there are studios that are rented by local artists in your area, you may also find that they hold open houses during the year. This is a great way to find artwork on sale as many artists promote themselves through this avenue. This also provides you an opportunity to speak with the artist and get a real history on the work you select.

Many art collectibles experts like to find out about the career of an artist as well as what influences their work. If you find an artist that you click with and whose work moves you, you may need to consider collecting from a single artist rather than creating a diverse collection. Following the career of a new artist may give you a more valuable, as well as meaningful, collection in the future.

Antiques and collectibles shops, markets, and consignment stores are also great places to search for art pieces. Always keep your eyes open for artwork that appeals to you. Art is always subject to individual interpretation anyway. So while value may be important, if you find a piece you can afford and love, go for it!

Fall in love and immerse yourself in your art collecting. Whether it is a simple hobby or part of an overall love of collectibles such as music boxes and mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, or more, follow the above strategies and develop an art collection worthy of the master collectors!

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Monique's Music Box specializes in inlaid music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, ballerina music boxes, childrens jewelry boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, and more plus interesting music information! 60-Day money back guarantee. Great links as well to other gift sites so you can find the perfect gift for your loved ones. To give the gift of dreams, visit
http://www.my-music-box.com

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2006-08-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Value of Antique Photos
By Morgan Hamilton

Do you have antique photos of your family and forebearers that you would like to take real good care of? Antique photos depicting certain events or people have great value to collectors, but can't even hold a candle to the sentimental value that families place on photos of their loved ones.

Caring for antique photos is important because if they are not properly cared for, they will not only lose any value that they may have, they can literally disintegrate right before our eyes. Never expose antique photos to direct sunlight, or any other photos for that matter. Light, especially direct sunlight, is harmful to antique photos. The rays of sun will make the colors of the photo fade right off the film, so much so that you will not even be able to make out the picture after a while. Artificial and ambient lighting is nowhere near as damaging as the sun's rays are.

You should also take care when you're handling them so as to not bend the photos. When an antique photo is bent, the result will be a permanent mark that is left on the photo. Since many antique photos are on a card board type material, if the photo gets bent it breaks up the picture and you'll actually end up seeing the cardboard as opposed to the photo.

Among collectors, certainly not all antique photos have high value. There are certain events that pictures are taken of that are worth more than others. For example, an antique photo of a wedding party is worth more than just a random picture. And of course pictures of famous people such as Abraham Lincoln have tremendous value. But even wedding party pictures have differing values, the more people in the picture the higher the value of the photo. I suppose it's a matter of quantity and quality when it comes to valuing antique photos.

Also, if the people in the picture seem a little more high class (the clothing is expensive within the time period of the photo), then the photo is worth a little more than if it were of a lower class family. Hardly seems fair does it? But I believe it's all a matter of detail as opposed to discrimination.

Sometimes antique photos with only one person are valuable. Photos of kids are usually valuable because they are so interesting. Antique photos of historical figures and the infamous are often valuable, too, especially if the photo is signed by the subject.

Many people like to label their photos. It's not really a good idea to be sticking things to the surface of your antique photos. Nor is it a good idea to be writing on them. If you use a pen to label the photos, it is possible that the ink might react somehow with the ink in the photo. If you must label antique photos, it is better to use a pencil of some sort. It is better for the picture because the graphite will not react. Another benefit of pencil is that if you decide you do not want it labeled, then it is easier to erase than pen. Perhaps something along the lines of a Post-it note that is not adhered directly to the photos surface might be the best bet.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding lifestyle. You can get interesting and informative information here at Antique Photos

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2006-07-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Sewing Tips - Sewing Non-Ripply Buttonholes In Knits
By Marian Lewis

The sewing machine buttonhole stitches stretch the crosswise threads in a knit when it makes the buttonhole and you end up with ugly, wavy or rippled looking buttonhole lips.

That shouts "homemade" really loud and clear! Avoid the homemade look and end sewing frustration of sewing buttonholes in knits.

Here is a little sewing tip to help prevent those "warped lips" when machine sewing buttonholes down the front of your knit shirt. In fact, this sewing tip is good for sewing buttonholes in any fabric that stretches crosswise.

To help keep the crosswise threads from stretching and causing rippled buttonholes, place one hand above and the other hand below the buttonhole area pressing down on the fabric and holding or pulling it taut, "lengthwise" as you stitch your buttonhole.

It's magic. No more ripply buttonholes in knits. The pressure of your hands holding the lengthwise grain taut keeps the crosswise from stretching.

It also helps to interface and stabilize the buttonhole area with a strip of organza. Place the lengthwise grain of the organza the length of the buttonhole lips. Organza doesn't add bulk. Trim away the excess after you make the buttonhole.

Cord buttonhole lips

For even more stable lips, make your buttonhole stitches over a piece of heavier thread. Tie the ends before you cut off the thread tails.

To "fix" rippled lips on old buttonholes, thread a needle with heavier thread and run it through the buttonhole stitches up through one lip and back through the other lip. Pull the thread to make the lips lay flat and tie the ends to keep lips from stretching again.

More sewing tips:

Place a dab of "Fray Check" on the buttonhole and let it dry before you cut it open.

Also, place a pin across both ends just inside the bartack of the buttonhole before you cut it to avoid the catastrophe of cutting too far.

It just makes sense!

©2006 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved
1st Step To Sewing Success

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, "Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants", find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern. It just makes sense!

For more information, go to http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html

Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, "Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids" and "Classy Designer Straight Skirt" where she teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques.

To learn more, go to http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

Subscribe to the free Sewing Success Newsletter at: http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/news.html

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2006-07-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

How to Make A Game
By Nick Destefano

Have you ever dreamed about making your own game? Whether it be a simple game or a complex strategy game that requires a lot of skill, making your own game can be a very fun and challenging task. The games that have been developed today in large companies are coded by skilled programmers that work continously on specific requirements for each step in the game. Making games can be as simple as the most famous pong game where you hit a ball back and forth, or it can involve many graphics and levels of hard work to develop.

There are many different games that you can make on your own. Here are some popular categories of games that are being developed by individuals such as yourself.

1. Flash games

2. Computer games

3. Board games

4. 3d games

5. Word games

These are just a few of the popular games that are being developed. Many think that a college or even masters degree is required to create a game. This is actually not true as all you need is a simple manual or guide to walk you through on how to create your own game. Generally all you will need to code your games in at first is notepad. This is where you will create your own game code from scratch. Many programmers that develop games for big companies will make their games in notepad, but have templates setup where they copy much of the existing code from other games they have developed and just tweak what they need. Making games can be very simple if you have the necessary tools and instructions on how to do so. The rewards in making your own game can be beneficial and lead into a career advancement or placement into a large company. Otherwise you can always make games for fun and have friends and relatives play them and you can get the satisfaction of having known you created the game from scratch.

To learn how you can easily create your own game using step by step instructions visit =>http://www.CreateGames.ZoomReviews.com

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2006-07-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

Arts and Crafts Idea
By Karen Lavender

Crafters are able to come up with arts and crafts ideas from items that many people might consider junk! Arts and crafts ideas can be found in baby food jars, paper bags, shoe boxes, cds, and egg cartons among other items easily found around the home. When you come up with arts and crafts ideas from things you have in your home, you save money on having to purchase supplies from the craft store, and you are helping the environment by recycling.

Shoe boxes are the culprits of many arts and crafts ideas! You can create dioramas, doll houses, and box guitars. The arts and crafts ideas using shoe boxes are virtually endless- limited only by your imagination. You can also use shoe boxes for more traditional means, and create decorative storage boxes for your favorite things, momentos or other objects.

CD's are also great items to encourage arts and crafts ideas. They are perfectly round, and give off a wonderful shine when light hits them. The little hole in the center is perfect for stringing twine or chain through, in order to create hanging arts and crafts. Ideas include Christmas ornaments, candle holders, dreamcatchers, photo frames, clocks and magnets. Start with a CD you don't need (like the ones you get in the mail from advertisers, or a CD that has too many scratches to work properly) and see just how many arts and crafts ideas the little shiny circle can generate!

Clear thirty five millimeter film cannisters can cause many arts and crafts ideas. With a little mirrored paper board (available at a craft store), plastic wrap and cake sprinkles you can make a miniature kaleidoscope. Drill a small hole in the bottom of the film cannister. Fold the mirrored paper board into a triangle shape that will fit inside the cannister, and tape it inside. Place several cake sprinkles in the lid of the cannister and cover with a piece of plastic wrap, taped into place. Pop the cap back onto the cannister. When you look through the hole at the bottom of the cannister and turn the film cannister in your hand, the sprinkles will create shapes against the mirrored kaleidoscope. How is that for unique arts and crafts ideas!

Arts and crafts ideas can come from anywhere. You can recycle your empty jelly jars and make beach scenes in a jar, a time capsule, or a candle holder.

Common household items often invoke many arts and crafts ideas. Just think outside the box, and you might surprise yourself with how many arts and crafts ideas you come up with!

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Arts and Crafts Idea blog for more information.

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2006-07-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

How to Make Your Own Unique Music Box
By Monique Hawkins

For the music box and antique collectors who are creative and love arts and crafts, making a music box of their own can be fairly easy and great fun. Here are simple directions to make an exquisite music box called "Peter Cottontail". These unique directions are from Sharon Ganske's book, "Making Marvelous Music Boxes".

Material Needed

For the Base, Including Music Box Accessories: Round chipboard box, 2 ¼ high and 5" diameter; Square of wood, 2 ½ X 2 ½ X ½" thick; 18-note key-wind musical movement, including a magnetic swing arm Key extendeder; 3/8" T-bar winding key ¾"; 4 wooden beads, ½"

Decorative Accessories for Music Box

3 prepainted resin bunny figurines, 2"; Prepainted resin Easter tree, 3 ½" ; Round beveled mirror, 5" diameter; ½"-wide pink braided net ribbon; 16"; 5" wide floral-print ribbon, 24"

Acrylic Paint Colors

Ivory and Medium pink Adhesive and Spray Sealer:

Hot glue sticks; Industrial strength glue; Tacky glue Tacky glue; thin-bodied Matte spray sealer

Tools and Brushes

Drill with ¼" drill bit; Glue gun; Old paintbrush; ; Paintbrush; Scissors

Once you have gathered all of the above materials, it is time to start making your music box. Here are the directions to assemble it.

Step One: prepare the chipboard box. Since these boxes are sometimes flimsy, they must be reinforced with by placing hot glue around the inside bottom edge of the box (side and bottom) and them allowing it to harden. Next, just apply a heavy layer of Tacky glue to the inside sides of the box and let them dry.

Step Two: using a paintbrush, paint box and lid with the ivory acrylic paint. Paint the beads with medium pink.

Step Three: Cut one strip from the net ribbon, 15 ¾? X 2 ¾", and one 4 ½" circle. Using the thin-bodied Tacky glue, laminate net ribbon strip to side of box, lining up top edge. Cut small notches to side of box, lining up top edge. Cut small notches in ½" overhang, laminating to box bottom and making sure it is flat and smooth. Centering, laminate 4 ½" circle to box bottom.

Step Four: Using your industrial strength glue, glue square of wood to inside center front of box bottom to which musical movement will be glued. Allow to dry.

Step Five: To mark the hole position for the winding-key shaft, place musical movement inside box at front center (seam is at back). Draw a line around the musical movement. Remove musical movement and place a dot of paint on winding-key shaft. Press the musical movement, winding-key shaft side down, back in the box. Remove the musical movement and drill a ¼" hole in box, centering winding-key shaft in the hole.

Step Six: Using the industrial strength glue, glue beads, evenly space, to the bottom of the box for legs. Glue the musical movement into the box, centering the winding-key shaft in the hole.

Step Seven: Using Tacky glue, glue the lid on the box. Glue the braided trim to the side of lid. Glue the magnet that comes with the musical movement to the bottom of the bunny that has been chosen to dance and twirl. Allow to dry.

Step eight: Wind the wind key extender onto the winding key. Wind the wind key extender onto the winding-key shaft so music can play. Place a bunny with magnet on top of the mirror. Place the tree at the center back of box and remaining bunnies on each side of the tree. Move the tree and bunnies so the dancing bunny does not bump into them. When they are in the right position, glue them on with a small amount of industrial-strength glue. Make sure excess glue does not seep from under the figurines and onto the mirror.

Making music boxes does not have to be difficult. With a little creativity and imagination, the music box and antique collector can create their own collection!

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Monique Hawkins is the owner of Monique's Music Box. Located at http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, and musical jewelry boxes. The company also provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Monique also is an associate with USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is encouraging and supporting others in their endeavors to obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit http://www.usana.com/en/products/us/essentials/what_essentials.shtml/
http://www.usana.com/en/products/us/sense/index.shtml

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2006-07-26T04:22:00.000-07:00

Thank Heavens for Arts and Craft Supplies and Projects!
By Anne Clarke

Can you imagine what the world would be like we were all deprived of art and craft supplies? Imagine how boring summer camps would be for children! Think of how school lessons would drag on for kids if there was no break to play with arts and crafts supplies!

Luckily, we do not live in such a world. If we did, it would not just be the kids who would suffer, either. We adults would certainly suffer, as well. What would we do if someone took away all of our acrylic paints, oil paints, leather craft supplies, wood supplies, and other craft supplies? I, for one, would cry.

In a sense, I did grow up in a world that lacked art and craft supplies. How so? Well, to put it simply, my parents thought that “art” was a waste of time. They preferred that all of my free time be spent reading and learning. In fact, they were so dead-set on this idea that they decided to homeschool me!

As a homeschooled child with no access to crayons and other craft supplies, I feel that I really missed out on something great. I did not get a chance to try out my artistic skills until I was in my teens! Let me first say that my premier arts and crafts projects were not pretty. That being said, let me tell you that from the very first moment I held a paint brush in my hand, I was hooked.

I love art! I love crafts! I can think of no better way to spend my time than grabbing a few paintbrushes and some acrylic paint or oil paint and having at it. I love to paint! Of course, I also love paper craft supplies and wood craft supplies and leather craft supplies. To put it simply, I just cannot have enough.

My parents would roll over in their graves if they saw my closet full of art and craft supplies! Of course, to their credit, I still do love learning and reading and all of those other things that they deemed “important.” Nonetheless, I do feel that I missed out on an important part of childhood by not being allowed to practice the art of art.

I believe that is very important that all children get very well-rounded educations – this means that they should be surrounded not just by books, but craft supplies, sports supplies, music, and other such things. Children should be given a chance to be creative.

Of course, I believe that the same is true of adults. Adults should most definitely surround themselves with scrapbooking supplies, leather craft supplies, paper craft supplies, and other arts and crafts supplies. It is amazing how soothing it can be to work on a craft project after a long day of work. It is good to use a different part of the brain, for a change, too.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on arts and crafts supplies, please visit Craft Supplies.

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2006-07-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

Make a Painted Christmas Card
By Olivia Andrews

Arts and crafts is a tool that provides you with unlimited creativity, patience, skill sets and a whole lot of fun. Many times, people don’t know or they feel ignorant as how to make something decorative, creative and beautiful and as such there are different craft books available to guide you for making a particular craft.

If it is the much awaited Christmas time and you want to send some beautiful Christmas cards to your friends and relatives then why to purchase an expensive card from the market instead you can paint a Christmas card at your home that shall have a personal touch too.

To craft a painted Christmas card, you need to have a white blank card, green acrylic paint, gold liquid marker, gold glitter paint, silver glitter paint, calligraphy pen, black calligraphy ink, red calligraphy ink, water, paper towel, yellow marker, grey marker, red glitter paint, green glitter paint.

Steps to create a painted Christmas card:

1. First mix enough water with small amount of green acrylic paint to create a thin wash and thoroughly mix it.

2. Dip your brush in the wash and paint the front of the card in straight brush strokes. You have to cover the card with the wash as quickly as possible as so the stokes of your paint brush won’t show and the card has a nice even coat of the wash being created. After you finish the wash you need to blot up the excess wash from the front of your card completely. Let your card dry and then place a new piece of paper towel over the card and place a heavy book on top of the card so that it dries flat. This is necessary so that it is flat before you draw on your design.

3. Draw your design on the front of the card lightly with a pencil and then draw a faint line where you could writer your own words.

4. Once you are satisfied with the design, assign colors to each part and trace over these parts with the help of markers of the chosen colors. These colors should correspond with the paint colors that you shall use on the parts of the design later.

5. Trace over the thin lines that you drew for the words with the liquid gold marker. Let it dry and then test it by pressing a paper on the line and lift it carefully to check whether it had dried.

6. With the help of the red calligraphy pen write the words “Merry Christmas” on the gold line you have created. Practice on another sheet of paper if you feel necessary. You can also cover your words with a small piece of paper to blot it while you continue to decorate your card.

7. You can trace the design with glitter paint and then using the fine tip of the bottle or pen trace around the parts of the design in their respective colors such as yellow-gold, silver-silver, red-red, green-green. To spread the paint around the thinner than the lines created by the tips of the bottles or pens you are using just smear it with the help of a toothpick.

8. Next change the color of the calligraphy pen to black and write a message inside the card as well. Practice it on a separate piece of paper and then place a paper towel over the ink to blot so that it does not bleed to other side of the card before it dries. You can also let it dry standing up and open.

Olivia Andrews, writing for Craft Books is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.

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2006-07-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

Yule Logs for The Christmas Holidays
By Michele Graham

I realize it is July and here in Texas it is 100 plus degrees, but this is also the perfect time of the year to stay indoors and start making your gifts for Christmas.

One of my favorites and least expensive to make, is the Yule Log. I mass produced these at one time when I had a manufacturing company, years ago, but it is one of those items that never goes out of style.

I was fortunate enough to have access to 12 acres of woods with fallen trees, but if you are not this lucky, it is okay. You just need a fire wood log that has not been split. You want it to be round but stable enough that it will "sit" without rolling over. It should be about 12-18 inches in length and no more then 24 inches long. The diameter of the log should be about 4-6 inches. If you choose a larger log, you would want larger holes drilled for larger candles or maybe ever one large hole off-center for a three inch candle.

Once you locate the perfect log, you will need to drill 3 holes, 7/8" diameter, spaced equally apart. These holes are for your tapered candles that will be part of your decoration.

Now for the finish. You will need a hot glue gun and a box of old Christmas decorations. Christmas balls, 1 1/2 inches -2 inches in diameter or small one inch balls, greenery, old ornaments such as a miniature Santa or reindeer, or elves work nicely. Pine cones, which most of us have somewhere in Texas and other states as well, are great as part of the decoration as well. As a final touch, you will want to purchase #9 Christmas ribbon from your local craft shop. You will need approximately 4 yards of ribbon.

Once you have assembled all of your materials, the fun will begin. You will start by using your hot glue gun to lay your base of greenery on the log. Once you have glued the greenery, you will then hot glue your Christmas balls in groups of three, resembling "berries" maybe. Then you can add your theme decorations such as the Santa or elf. Finish it off with a bow, made from your ribbon, leaving enough of a tail to ripple and hot glue the length of your log. The last addition is your three tapered candles.

For smaller projects, you could use a shorter log and smaller taper candles, like the half inch diameter.

Once all decorations are in place and glued, you will want to complete this project with some spray glitter. This really makes the Yule Log look professionally created. This is a great project for kids and adults alike.

Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well. She also owned a craft business for 16 years.

http://www.phmnetwork.com

http://www.craftmenagerie.blogspot.com

http://craftmenagerie.net

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2006-07-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

Inexpensive Craft Project - Poinsettia Basket
By Michele Graham

Summer is really here in most parts of the country which makes a perfect time to start working on your Christmas craft projects, since it is too hot to go outside.

There are many simple and inexpensive crafts you can make for Christmas gifts that are quick and easy. One of my favorites is a basket of poinsettias. This is a quick and easy project anyone can do!

You can purchase inexpensive baskets at any of the dollar stores for $3.00 or under. You will need your hot glue gun, a block of floral styrofoam and several bunches of silk poinsettias. You can purchase the poinsettias anywhere from 99 cents to $3.99 per bunch, depending on which craft store you buy them from. You will also need some additional greenery, like holly. You can purchase a strand of silk holly that can be cut the lengths you need. Additionally, you need a bag of Spanish moss for filler. Finally, you will need 4-5 yards of #9 craft ribbon. Also, a can of spray glitter.

Steps to assemble:

1. Hot glue the styrofoam block into the bottom of your basket.

2. Cover the foam with the Spanish moss.

3. Start adding your bunches of poinsettias, having them high in the center and tapering lower to

the sides.

4. Make a bow from your craft ribbon, leaving lon tails that you can hot glue in ripples, along the

handle of the basket.

5. Finish off by spraying the glitter all over the baskets and the flowers.

You can make these arrangements as large or small as you would like. I have a large one, with the basket being about 18 inches in diameter that I keep on my fireplace hearth at Christmas. Smaller ones can be used for smaller places.

This technique is also good for white baskets with spring flowers for summer and spring. I also use lots of pine cones in baskets using this techniques, sprinkling glass Christmas balls in different places with the cones, making an inexpensive, beautiful arrangement.

Michele Graham-CEO and owner of Professional Healthcare Management has 41 years in the healthcare industry. She writes about business issues in all businesses and the healthcare field as well. She owened a craft shop and maunfacturing company for twelve years plus.

http://www.phmnetwork.com

http://www.healthcarenewsonline.com

http://phmnetwork.blogspot.com

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2006-07-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Starting a Home Craft Business: Cashing In On Your Artistic and Creative Skills!
By Randy Wilson

How can one forget the craft classes at school? You must have enjoyed putting together colorful pieces of paper and varied craft stuffs to give form to dolls, teddy bears, boats, aero planes, flowers and so on. Have you ever considered making innovative and attractive crafts could earn you a profitable and stable income? And you could work at home without having to set up any office or shop to sell your craft items.

You can set up a craft workshop at home with you being the boss. If required you can take the help of a few assistants. They could help you out with the various aspects of making craft products.

Does that sound interesting enough? You can surely give it a try! Starting a Home Craft Business is just so simple!

Overall summary of business:

Starting a Craft Business is a perfect idea for a home business. You can create wonderful and visually appealing craft items using your creativity and innovation. So a craft hobby can be converted into a lucrative home-based business. You can freely work in the relaxed environment of your home adjusting the working hours according to your personal preferences.

Now what kind of craft products do you want to sell? Well that depends on your interests and hobbies. What exactly you enjoy making/creating determines the collection of craft items on your sales list.

There are a variety of products you can make such as flower arrangements, jewelry, soft toys, hand embroidered sewn items, clay crafts, wood crafts, paper crafts, stained glass items, scrap craft (craft made out of scraps and thrown away products), leather craft, hand painting, electronic craft, and the list goes on. You can specialize in Japanese craft making styles such as Origami, Ikebana that are just so beautiful and pretty. Your customers will grab them like ‘hot cakes!’

Estimated start-up costs:

The initial start up costs for a Home Crafts Business is extremely nominal. The major investment for a start up is in buying all the necessary equipment and accessories that will be needed to create and make the craft products. You do not have to worry about setting up a separate office for starting the home craft business. Any suitable room of your house can be converted into a craft workshop. And an additional space can be allotted to store the finished products ready to be sold. That’s not a big problem at all! This business does not need a huge amount of capital. Your start up cost can be as little as $50 dollars.

Financing sources:

You can approach banks, financial institutions, moneylenders and trade associations for financing your Home Crafts Business at the initial setting up stages. However, since start-up costs are so low, you may not need financing at all.

Pricing guidelines:

Price you items low enough to make sales, yet high enough to cover the cost of the materials. A general rule of thumb is to charge twice the amount of the cost. For example: Materials cost $4.50, you charge $9.00. If you plan on selling them at wholesale to retail outlets, you should charge $6.75. You split the profit with the retailer.

Advertising and Marketing Methods and Tips:

Attend Craft Fairs
Bring samples to jewelry stores and gift stores
Build a website to promote your products
Local Newspaper ads
Yellow page advertising
Print pamphlets and brochures
Craft Home Parties

Essential Equipment:

The essential equipment needed to start a home crafts business depends on what kind of craft products will be making. In addition to the basic stationery item such as adhesives, tapes, scissors, craft papers, staples and so on you will need a computer to lookup information, latest designs and ideas, bookkeeping, website building, etc.

Recommended Training, Experience, or Needed Skills:

To start a home based Crafts Business you do not need any special skills, equipment or formal training. There numerous easy to follow instruction manuals available. Guidelines to make crafts and related items are also available on the Internet. Just use your creativity.

Income Potential:

$20,000 to $80,000 depending on the type of craft items you will be selling.

Target Market:

The target market for home made craft items is diverse. With proper marketing techniques you can target almost all kinds of people who love arts and crafts and indulge in collecting such items for themselves or for their friends and relatives. Crafts and related products are also used for decorating purposes at weddings, birthdays, and shower parties; they also serve as gift items. You can also sell your craft pieces to gift shops and craft stores.

Success Tips:

Research your market, watch TV craft shows, go to craft fairs and check out handcrafts in the marketplace.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as Medical Billing Business. You can also sign up for Randy's free newsletter and 8 different FREE e-courses:Profitable Home Business Newsletter.

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2006-07-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

Making Your Own Country Wood Crafts
By Jared Winston

Country wood crafts have found a place in recent years in many homes that have very little otherwise in the way of country decor. Many different types of crafts have shown up in droves, from the simple things such as plaques and wicker baskets, to much more complex carvings and such. There is a beauty to country wood crafts which goes beyond their obvious qualities. Something in the way they are constructed makes a welcome plaque feel truly welcoming, or a handmade carving of a bear more than just shaped wood, but truly as majestic and powerful as the creature it depicts. While it is impossible to truly explain why this is the case, there can be no doubt that it is true.

If you want to bring a sense of welcome to your own home, there is nothing that does so quite as well as a welcoming plaque. It can carry nearly any message or image you desire, and is probably the simplest of all country wood crafts. However, despite being so simple, it can have a great deal of impact on your home, particularly if you choose a message that has a special meaning to you and your family.

Like all country wood crafts, the first thing you will need for your project is wood. The wood you use does not really matter all that much, apart from the size of the piece. It can be in any shape you want, although leaving it in the natural shape it is cut in will give your end result a little bit of an extra rustic feel. You can get this kind of wood from many craft supply stores, in a number of different varieties. Or, if you are so inclined, you could simply cut a piece of wood from a tree or a fairly thick branch to use for your project. Be sure the piece you cut is large enough to hold the message you intend to use.

Once you have your piece cut out, sand the front surface smooth (this is particularly important, because your painting will look rather odd if the surface is not fairly smooth.) You may choose to remove the ring of bark around the outside of your piece, or leave it in place, whichever seems more appealing to you. Also, be sure the thickness of your piece is uniform, as any slant will cause it to hang poorly when put up on a wall.

The last stage of your adventure in country wood crafts is to add your message. For this, you can simply paint on your words, pictures, or whatever else you like by freehand if you are particularly artistically inclined. If you are not, however, there is no need to fear. Simply type out whatever words you want to use on a computer (an odd tool for country wood crafts, but useful nonetheless,) in a nice font, print it out and use a pencil to cover the back of the paper, and place it on the wood. By tracing around the letters, you will leave a pencil line on the wood below, which you can then fill in with paint.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in learning more about country home decor then you will definitely want to drop by Rustic Adornments.com, a resource that offers tips and advice pertaining to owning and decorating your very own rustic home.

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