Craft Furniture for the Home and Office

If you’re looking for an innovative way to organizer all your craft needs in your home or office, visit www.ScrapbookSpaceStation.com to see how you can create a great space in your home.  From over sized desks, to oversized cabinets and a great paper organizer and ribbon organizer, we have just about anything your can think to help you organize all your supplies an beautiful modern look.  Sign up for our free monthly newsletter and you’ll be eligible for our contest to give a way a paper organizer starting May 22nd… more info to come.

Add comment May 9th, 2006

Plastic Canvas Needlepoint-Today’s Most Fun, Frugal Craft!

The most fun and frugal craft around is Plastic Canvas Needlepoint.  The supplies are very inexpensive and easy to find, plus it’s easy to learn for anyone of any age. The charts are easy to read and there’s no need to get out the magnifying glass in order to see what you’re doing! Even the most inexperienced beginner can turn out a project worthy of admiration.
Plastic Canvas Needlepoint is worked by cutting shaped pieces from  sheets of plastic canvas; then working stitches on the canvas.  Worsted weight yarn is the most common type of yarn used, but specialty plastic canvas yarn is also available.
Details are often worked using regular embroidery stitches and embroidery floss. And plastic canvas is a great way to use up the yarn you have left from other projects. It’s a very rewarding kind of needlework. When you work with plastic canvas, projects are not just flat wall hangings or pillows. Probably the item most people think of when they think of plastic canvas is a tissue box cover, but so much more can be done with plastic canvas, from birdhouses to picture frames to purse accessories to baskets to doorstops. 

The list just goes on and on! A handmade gift from the heart is always appreciated.  Plastic canvas makes up beautifully into nursery items just perfect for those baby showers.  Projects work up quickly and they are very portable.  Many stitchers like to keep a totebag just to carry along in order to stitch a little when the opportunity arises. Make accessories for your own home; any pattern can be customized by changing the colors to match your decor.  It is these handmade details that make a house a “Home”. The sheets of plastic canvas are very, very inexpensive.  They’re readily available at discount and craft stores.  Worsted-weight yarn
can be purchased at bargain prices, also.  Plus, garage sales and yard sales are great places to pick up all kinds and colors of yarn.  A little goes a long way in plastic canvas! So if you’re looking for a craft that is fun and affordable, look no further…Plastic Canvas Needlepoint is for you!

For affordable, original plastic canvas needlepoint designs featuring Care Bears, Disney Princess and more, visit Cynthia Roberts’ new website:

http://www.designsbycynthia.cynroberts.com
 

Add comment May 6th, 2006

The Age of Titanium

Although Titanium is an abundant element on earth it was not discovered until 1791 but it would be another hundred years after that before it was possible to isolate the metal.

In appearance the metal is grey and lustrous and has often been used to make alloys which are light and resistant. Titanium has also been detected in meteorites and in the moon rocks brought back from the Apollo 17 mission.

It is because of its desirable properties which make Titanium an ideal metal for this technological age that has lead to a huge rise in popularity of this metal.

In industry the uses for titanium are many because of its resistance to corrosion even from salt water, alkalis and acids and even corrosive gases. Because of its corrosion resistance and the fact that it is also physiologically inert and hypoallergenic, Titanium is also used extensively in the field of medicine and in particular for prosthetic implants such as hip and knee replacements.

This wonderful metal has very high strength to weight ratio and it is much utilised in critical and demanding applications such as in the aerospace industry. The use of Titanium has made space exploration possible and the earlier rockets such as Mercury, Apollo and Gemini were all made largely of this metal. The Space Shuttle also has many parts made from Titanium as have many jet fighters, submarines, ships and tanks.

Titanium therefore is used across a broad spectrum of applications making it very much a metal of our modern age.

Aircraft grade titanium is now becoming increasingly popular in the jewellery trade and has found favour particularly in the manufacture of mens jewellery because of it’s hard wearing properties. Titanium rings have become increasingly popular as wedding rings in part because they will stand up to more wear and tear than precious metals but probably just as much because of the look. Titanium really is a very versatile metal and lends itself very to the making of fine jewellery and a variety of looks can be achieved utilising different finishes and even the application of heat which brings about a change in colour ranging through the whole spectrum.

This property of colouration by heat has been used particularly in the manufacture of ladies jewellery for making eye catching unique designs in earrings, necklaces and modern, trendy titanium rings.

In the making of rings, titanium can also be inlaid with precious metals and set with precious stones and although the material is more difficult to work with because of its strength, once made you will have a beautiful piece of jewellery that will look good and last a lifetime.

The durability, strength and looks of titanium will ensure that it continues to grow in popularity as a metal in the manufacture of jewellery and in particular for the making of titanium rings.

Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer titanium rings made here in the UK by small independent designers.

Add comment May 2nd, 2006

Use your Printer on Vellum and Other Difficult Surfaces and get PERFECT Results!

Have you just about given up on printing on vellum because it smears, resists and takes so long to dry? Are you wishing you could get perfect results printing on transparencies every time? Would you like to print your own messages on twill tape and eliminate the bleeding?

If you are new to papercrafting, you might be asking what vellum is. Vellum is a slick, translucent paper which looks great for titles and journaling in scrapbooks, and adds elegance and whimsy to cards. While some vellums are sold specifically for ink jet printers, most of the colorful, pearlescent, metallic, coated, or embossed vellums are not ink jet friendly. In olden days, vellum was made from animal skins, but today it is a paper product.

Make sure you have the proper tools for the job: your inkjet printer and a Perfect Printing Pouch by ScraPerfect. You might also need a can of fixative spray. If you would like more information about The Perfect Printing Pouch, visit http://www.scraperfect.com. In addition to inkjet printing, The Perfect printing Pouch an also be used with markers and stamp ink. If you would like to print without the pouch, see the suggestions at the end of the article.

STEPS FOR INKJET PRINTING
1. Design your title, journalling or message using word processing or specialty software. 
HINT: If you do not need a whole sheet of vellum, focus on the
font and size but do not worry about location on your page. Print
out title on inkjet paper. Cut vellum or printing substrate to
desired size and adhere it to the paper directly over the printing
with a temporary adhesive, such as spray adhesive or masking
tape. Spray adhesive is recommended on vellum, ribbon and and
fabrics, whereas tape is preferred for delicate, stiff or thick
materials. If a spray adhesive is used, it may remain tacky
enough to go onto your project after printing without additional
adhesive.

2. Tap Tap Tap the Perfect Printing Pouch.  Gently wipe the surface with the pouch to evenly distribute the powders onto the printing surface. Shake or blow to remove any excess powder.

3. Make sure your printer is set for normal paper and print quality. The transparency setting puts out a minimum of ink but you want it bold and dark. Send the paper through the printer so it prints directly onto the treated surface.

4. Let dry. Although you may be able to work with it immediately, the printing can be smeared if not totally dry.
 HINT: If the powder is too visible after printing, try one of these
methods: 
* Simply feather the edge of the powdered area with your finger
or soft cloth.
* Remove powder with a soft paintbrush or make-up brush. 
* Dab with a damp cloth or baby wipe if usinfg waterproof ink on
slick surfaces,
 
5. At this point although the printing looks good, it may rub off from transparencies, clay, and other very slick, non-porous surfaces.  To set the ink permanently, spritz with a spray fixative.

Note: Just because you can use your printer and the Perfect Printing Pouch to print perfectly on most any surface, doesn’t mean you should. Tortillas are delicious and may even be printable but your printer was designed for paper. Treat your printer with care and use some restraint. If you want to print on wood, use your Perfect Printing Pouch with markers or stamps. Wood just isn’t a good idea for inkjet printers! ScraPerfect is not responsible for damage caused to your printer resulting from printing onto materials not specifically recommended for your printer.

SUGGESTIONS for better printing without The Perfect Printing Pouch:
TIP 1: Try printing on transparency setting as this puts out a lot less
ink.  
DRAWBACK: The printing will not be perfect, bold or crisp, and the ink
may still dry slowly.

TIP 2: Use vellum made specifically for inkjet printers or office supply
vellum which often prints fairly well.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet vellum can only be made in plain pastels…no
pearl, embossed, or metallic coating. No sparkle! Also, inkjet
vellum tends to be more expensive and still takes a long time
to dry.

TIP 3: Use the “right side” of the vellum. If you can find a less shiny
side, use it. 
DRAWBACK: You will probably be frustrated trying to find that side
and waste a good deal of vellum in the process.

TIP 4: Don’t use big, wide fonts as thinner lines won’t show the
resisting as much.
DRAWBACK: If you want big, bold fonts for your title, who wants to
compromise?

TIP 5: Since the ink will smear when it’s wet, don’t touch it until it is
totally dry or use embossing powder and a heat gun.
DRAWBACK: Waiting to use your vellum–sometimes for hours or
days–can be a drag.  And while embossing can be attractive,
who wants to have to do this everytime you print on vellum?

TIP 6: Buy markers specifically made for vellum and stamp ink
specifically designed to stick to more difficult surfaces
DRAWBACK: Buying additonal special inks and markers can be costly,
and your storage space may be limited.

TIP 7: Buy pre-printed vellum, transparency film, ribbon and twill
tape.
DRAWBACK: Pre-printed supplies are expensive, aren’t personalized,
and when you buy packs of quotes, you may find some you love
and throw away the rest (or forever store them).

TIP 8: Buy inkjet transparency film for printing on.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet transparencies may not be acid-free and the ones
that are may be expensive and difficult to find. (While Polyester
film, such as film negatives and ‘write-on’ transparencies are
acid free and archivally safe, most ink jet transparencies are
treated with acid to make the matte surface and are not acid
free. If archival safety is important to you, make sure the inkjet
film specifies archivally-safe.

TIP 9: Buy shrink plastic specifically made for inkjet printers or use
sand paper to rough up the surface so the ink adheres better.
DRAWBACK: Inkjet shrink plastic may be less commonly available
and more expensive. You may already have non-inkjet shrink
plastic in your child’s supplies and while sanding helps, the
surface may still resist the ink.

TIP 10: Reserve mulberry paper, shiny holographic papers, cool
acryllic-coated, flocked papers, other specialty papers, clay and
wood for backgrounds and embellishments and don’t try to print
on them.
DRAWBACK: Limiting your usage means you’ll have fewer
opportunities to use these cool materials.

Add comment May 2nd, 2006

Try Crafting For Your Next Hobby

by Brent Shields

Why should I or anyone for that matter get involved in crafting? Well…first things first, have you noticed how prices just keep getting higher and higher? Who can afford to give a decent gift to anyone nowadays? But…if you make the gift yourself it can be done for a fraction of the cost, not to mention the fact that everyone admires and wishes they could do the crafting themselves.

Well you can! All you have to do is try. Crafting is one area that creativity itself is often inspired by necessity. And amazingly enough new crafters usually find that they fall in love with crafting. Many people start out crafting because they have no choice, they needed something to give to someone or they could not afford to buy ready made things for their own home. In the process of learning how to save money they discover this amazing person inside of themselves, this creative and talented person that they never would have believed they could be.

You too can become more creative. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and each and every one of us has our own concepts of what is beautiful. Each of us has hidden talents just waiting to be accessed. Once you get started you will be amazed at how quickly your mind will become flooded with ideas for things you can make. Anything you see was crafted by someone. Why not you?

Where do I start?
Well, what do you need? Once you know why you need a gift then you can look for something to fit the person you want to make the gift for.

I needed a gift for my friend who had just bought her first home and I wanted it to be something special as a housewarming gift. She has always used tons of candles in her home so I found a log that had an interesting shape and cut it so that it was about six inches high by ten or twelve inches around. I cleaned the wood and sanded it top and bottom then carved out an area in the middle to pour the wax, that I had colored in green to match her new living room. The wax was a green apple scent and I poured it into the area I had carved out of the center of the log. A little polish on the top and I had a gift that I was proud of and she really enjoyed it also.

Crafting is anything you make yourself! And there are all kinds of crafts that you can choose to do. There’s needle work such as embroidery both hand embroidery and machine embroidery, crochet, cross stitching, smocking and knitting just to name a few.

There’s jewelry making such as beading, wire twisting and silver smiting (silver smiting is not as hard as some people think).

There’s wreath making for all kinds of holidays.

Candle making can be even more creative than you think.

Painting both with oils and water colors.

Then there’s the junk art that has become so popular and is made from things you find in and around your own home.

There are many more forms of crafting that have not been mentioned here and I’m sure even more are being created as we speak, so have a great day and happy crafting!

About the Author
Brent is a regular writer for www.home-n-family.com - for more home and family related information please visit www.home-n-family.com

Add comment May 1st, 2006

Art Marketing Tips - Launch a successful business selling your art or crafts

Author: Ralph Serpe 

Define your goals and get organized - What are your goals as an artist? Do you hope and dream to one day have your artwork displayed in a museum or do you just want to sell enough of your art to make a good living? Defining your goals is an important first step toward your success as an artist. Realize your long-term goal and then set reasonable and attainable short-term goals. Build your confidence - You need to believe in yourself and your artwork. If not, your marketing efforts will be less effective as the fear of rejection will hold you back. You have to learn to take risks. No one is going to come knocking at your studio door. Get out there and meet new people, network with other artists, open a booth at an art show, etc.Get in a business mentality – If you want to be successful with your art business, then you will have to learn how to juggle more than one task. This means learning how to become successful as a businessperson. The artists that are most successful have learned how to enjoy both creating and marketing their art.

Art fairs – Art fairs open up great doors of opportunity for artists. They enable artists to market directly to the public without the need of an agent. The public loves art fairs. They usually come to these art fairs with the intention to purchase something, which creates more opportunity for an artist to make a sale and get recognized. You can find a wealth of information about art fairs online. One such place is http://www.sunshineartist.com/. Sunshine Artist is a great magazine that provides detailed information about art fairs and festivals. Check it out!

Follow up – You must get into the habit of following up with anyone who has shown interest or has appreciated your art. That person who saw your painting in the doctors office, or the person who took your business card at your last art show are leads who can possibly turn into paying customers. They may also be able to help you in other ways you never thought possible. It’s important therefore to keep in touch with everyone. Create a mailing list and ask your contacts if they would like to be added. You can send out mailers whenever you create a new piece, or to notify your contacts of upcoming exhibits or art fairs you will be attending.

Customer service – You must go above and beyond your customer’s expectations if you want to set yourself apart from the competition. Make sure you treat your customers and leads with the utmost professionalism. Answer all inquiries promptly. Send out thank you notes and instructions for preserving and caring for the art with all of your orders. Customer service is important to all businesses, and your art business should be no exception.

Artist agents - You are your own best agent. No one knows your art better then you, and no one can express yourself and your art better than you can. An agent generally deals with more than one artist at a time so their focus is not on you and your art alone. Agents usually charge a lot of money as well. By the time it’s all said and done, the artist doesn’t make very much on the sale. It’s better to learn the ropes yourself and learn how to reach your buyers directly.

Get your own unique website - The Internet has become a huge platform for selling goods and services. More and more people are going online then ever before and artists are taking advantage of this amazing opportunity. If you want to expand your business and reach more people on a worldwide scale, you should definitely consider getting your own website. You can market and sell your artwork directly online with your own website. Your website is also a great way to organize and showcase your art to interested galleries and the people you meet in public.

Would you like more free articles on art marketing? Visit http://www.sellingartnews.com right now and sign up for a free 25 part Ecourse on Art Marketing!

Add comment May 1st, 2006

How To Be a Successful eBay Seller

by Samuel Colon
7 Tips For Selling On eBay

How To Be a Successful eBay Seller I’ve recommended eBay before as a great way to test a new product. For a growing number of entrepreneurs, though, eBay is their sole storefront. The beauty of eBay is that it lets you get into e-commerce without having to go through the trouble and expense of setting up an e-commerce site of your own. These seven eBay selling tips will help you get started selling on eBay successfully and get on your way to becoming an eBay PowerSeller.

1. A picture IS worth 1000 words. It’s old-fashioned, but people still like to see things before they buy them. For successful eBay selling, make sure any products you list on eBay are accompanied by professional quality photographs.

2. Do your eBay research. When selling on eBay, before you list a particular product, spend some time researching other similar products on eBay and following the bidding process. This will help you gauge the interest for your product and help you determine how much your product might be worth.

3. Learn all about shipping. Shipping is under the control of the eBay seller, but some methods of shipping are better than others when you’re selling on eBay. You want to find the best method of shipping for your product in terms of expense and reliability and then specify that shipping method in your eBay listing. (And don’t forget to include the shipping cost in your shipping information for potential buyers.)

4. Pay as much attention to the writing of your eBay listing as to your picture. For selling on eBay, you need a powerful eBay listing. And the trick to writing a strong eBay listing is to combine search engine friendly phrasing with concrete details about the product in a way that will entice people to bid on your product. Take the time to craft your eBay listing just as you would any ad.

5. Offer a full slate of payment options, including credit cards. The more payment options you, as an Ebay seller, offer prospective bidders, the more bidders your product will attract and the more successful your selling on eBay will be.

6. Focus on getting positive feedback first. Feedback really matters when you’re selling on eBay. If you have a consistent record of positive feedback, prospective buyers will both bid more often and be willing to pay higher prices. So you may want to hold back on placing higher priced products until you have a successful track record as an eBay seller established. http://www.realmoneysolution.com.

7. Be business-like. Act professionally, provide the kind of superior customer service that will build your reputation, and make sure that you’re following all the business rules that apply, such as registering your business and properly charging and remitting taxes. Selling on eBay is just like any other business; to become an eBay success, you need to follow the rules and provide the kind of customer satisfaction that will translate into increased eBay sales.

About the Author
My name is Samuel Colon, Online Business Man, the owner of http://www.realmoneysolution.com your online resource to make money at home. If you are searching for a business opportunity so you can work from home, or an online home based job or idea that can help you change your career or generate extra income. Let us help you. We have compiled a comprehensive list of opportunities and ideas for you to investigate.

Add comment April 30th, 2006

Easy Herbal Gifts For Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is almost here. You can use herbs to make simple gifts that are appropriate for giving for Mother’s Day or any time of the year. Here are some ideas.

Simple Lavender Laundry Sachet Gift: This gift is great for anyone who likes sweetly scented laundry. To make it fill a fabric bag with dried lavender buds. Seal the bag so the lavender can’t come out. This bag can be used in the dryer in place of laundry dryer sheets to add a delicate lavender scent to clothes. Make several and put them into a gift basket to give to the recipient. As an added touch, include some natural laundry soap with your gift basket.

Simple Rose Potpourri Gift: Everyone loves roses. You can make a simple gift using dried rose buds. Drizzle rose fragrance oil onto dried rose buds. Stir well to distribute the fragrance. Store in an airtight container.

Peppermint and Chamomile Tea Gift Basket: Do you know someone who likes to drink tea? This gift is one they will appreciate. Peppermint tea aids in digestion, and chamomile tea is relaxing. To make this gift put dried peppermint leaves (food grade) into a new glass jar, and put dried chamomile flowers (food grade) into another jar. Label each one. Put both jars into a gift basket and include a mug, a tea strainer, and a jar of honey or some stevia (Stevia is a natural herb that is used by many people as a sweetener).

Herb Suppliers:

HerbalCom.com
www.herbalcom.com

Penn Herb Company
www.pennherb.com

San Francisco Herb Company
www.sfherb.com

Copyright 2006, Ololade Franklin. Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM),the newsletter of handcrafted cosmetics, soaps and perfumes. She is also the author of Easy Recipes For Pamper Baskets and several other books. For complete details visit SoapmakingBusiness.com

1 comment April 16th, 2006

Craft Show Profits - Away From Craft Shows!

By: N. Goyette
 
 
As you gain experience selling your crafts at craft shows, you’ll be planning your schedule a year in advance. Although a business plan isn’t essential, a marketing plan is a good idea to have as you plan your shows. You’ll want to keep your customers on your mailing list informed of new products, special sales and upcoming shows. You may need to update your marketing materials from time to time as well. In addition, between shows, you may decide to pursue other paths to selling your products. Some of these are: the Internet (your own Web site or eBay), retail (your own store, space in a gallery or retail store), wholesale (trade shows, distributors or sales reps), trade or consumer magazine ads (extremely costly), mail order, catalogs, TV shopping networks and home shows.

Selling wholesale at galleries, stores, trade shows or through reps or distributors cuts your profit in half. The only way to make it up is through large quantity sales—and then you may find yourself in a bigger production mode than what you feel comfortable with. Selling wholesale has other drawbacks, like return policies, cancellations and late payments. And some shops and galleries will only take you on consignment.

Although billions of dollars are spent by consumers buying products over the Internet, online sales for craft items has not been spectacular—and nothing compared to craft show figures. However, it’s relatively inexpensive to sell over eBay and for under $1,000 you can have a decent Web site designed. Check out eBay for yourself to see if anything like your items are being marketed there. If you have to sell way too low to match the competition that you won’t make a profit, it’s not worth it. Put up your own Web site and let it be a virtual shop for you—for existing customers to see what you’re up to and to attract new buyers. You can post your show schedule, have information about yourself and your crafts and sell whatever items photograph well and ship safely.

Research other Web sites selling similar products, decide how you would like your electronic store to look and find a competent Web designer. Make sure you are quoted all costs up front including monthly maintenance so you can keep your site updated. Design your Web site with the same care you designed your booth—so it represents you and your product in the best light. Make it easy for people to buy and to contact you. Have your phone number and e-mail address so they can ask questions. If your Web designer is not marketing savvy, have someone help you submit your Web site to search engines and do whatever you can to make it visible to potential buyers.

Another way to promote yourself online is to join craft forums or chat groups, where buyers and sellers gather to discuss crafts. If you position yourself as an expert answering various questions, people may visit your Web site to gain more contact with you. Also consider having links and resources on your site so people will see you as a source of knowledge about crafts. As a creative person, you’ll probably have so many ideas to enhance your Web site—just don’t become obsessed so it takes you away from your first love—making crafts! Once you have a Web site, put the address on all your marketing materials—from business cards to show schedules.

If you are doing well selling your crafts at craft shows, that may be all you need to do. The more avenues for sales you take on, the thinner you spread yourself, and the less you’re doing what you love most and what you started this business for—creating crafts!
About the Author:
Natalie Goyette is the best selling author of Craft Show Success. Her e-book shows you how you can finally make money at craft shows. http://www.craftshowsuccess.com
Source: www.isnare.com 

Add comment April 3rd, 2006

Stay Off Your Cell Phone At The Craft Show

By: Shawn Vincent  

The other day I went to a home show with my wife and two of our friends. It’s fun to walk around and see what people have done, and what they are promoting. One thing I noticed as we were walking through the show, was how some vendors were sitting back in their chair, at the back of the display, talking on their cell phone. Needless to say, there were not many customers looking at their products.Keep this in mind when selling your crafts at craft shows. Don’t sit in the back of your booth or display, acting indifferent to those passing by. You need to be up at the front. Looking at people as they go by. Make eye contact with them. Have a pleasant smile. Say “Hello”, or give a nod. This shows people that you want to talk with them. They will find you inviting, instead of feeling like you might be bothered if they stopped.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com Shawn Vincent hosts Craft Show Success.Biz. A site devoted to helping crafters be successful at selling their crafts. You can find more helpful ideas on how to be successful at Craft Show Success.Biz. 

 

Add comment March 22nd, 2006