How to Make Ribbon Rose Christmas Ornaments

By A. Labedzki

Ribbons are luxurious, beautiful and are useful for many different things. You always have ribbons in your house somewhere. Ribbon has become very trendy in recent years. Stationary stores and gift stores inevitably all have a rack of ribbons. These luxurious Christmas ornaments can be made with ribbon, however the same method can be applied if using beautiful strips of your favorite fabric. If you want to use fabric, usually fabric stores will sell you small cuts of 10cm. You can choose a few matching colors that you might like to see on your tree. As far as colors go, choose a theme, or maybe you already have one from years of collecting ornaments. The abbreviation RW means ribbon width. If you have a ribbon that is 1 inch wide then you need a 9RW long piece for this project.

If you have wired ribbon the wire must be removed.

Materials: Ribbon: 1" wide and 9" long Beads and embellishments Narrow ribbon Needle and thread Scissors

Basic Method: Start hand stitching 1/8 inch in from the raw edge. Back stitch over the selvage to secure. As you hand stitch to the other side of the ribbon round the corners. Continue stitching across to the second corner and form a curve. Leave 1/8 inch at the raw edge as you finish stitching. The curves create two ¼ inch tails you'll be able to hold while you finish your rose. Pull in your gathers to about ½ inch. Hold tightly with one hand back stitch and then knot but don't cut thread. Draw your gathers into a circle. Overlap the two gathered ends of the ribbon. With one or two stitches secure the two ends and knot off in the back. Now you have a beautiful rose. They're very quick and easy to make. Create a small loop with narrow ribbon and attach to back with glue or hand stitch. In the center of your ribbon rose you can sew a bead, button, or brooch. If you decide to do this with strips of fabric your rose will have an unfinished edge and this is fine. It is very trendy in fact, to have frayed edges on textiles. Follow the same method as for the ribbon rose. Now they are ready to adorn you Christmas tree.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com
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Making Christmas Candles and Candle Making Tips

By Kaye Dennan

Candle making produces a product that is so popular and desired by so many people. Many people love to have them as decorative item, while others like to have them burning all the time. Perfumed candles are the most popular candles for home as they provide a long lasting aroma.
This is not an expensive hobby to set up and the wax to make the candles is not really very costly either. If you use good quality fragrances you will find them a little more expensive initially, but as they are concentrated you do not use very much and they do have have a much better throw off perfume. If you are making candles to sell then I would definitely recommend you use the better quality fragrance because you will be looking for repeat business.
Prepare your molds well so that you candles do not look messy.

Do this step before you start melting your wax. Make sure the molds are clean with wicks in place, and ready for warming before you pour. Warm molds will prevent you from having 'pour marks' down the side of your molds.

Glass molds MUST be heated before being poured into. Put them into a cold oven and bring the temperature up to 150 degrees. At this temperature you should not have any problems with breaking glass. For safety sake, anyway, it is suggested that you use slightly thicker glass. Stay away from the very thin fragile glass because you don't want them to break when they are burning.

Second pour of wax.

To prevent a drop in the top of your finished candles you will need to top up your candles (a second pour), when your wax in the mold is cool to touch. Heat the second pour of wax (making sure to give it a couple of minutes good stirring) to approximately 10 degrees hotter than your first pour, then top up your candles. If you do this, and your candles were left to get cool enough, the top should remain nice and flat after the second pour. But, if you do a second pour when the original wax is still too warm, the completed candle will have a nipple effect at the top.
It is important that when using colored wax that the second pour is done with some of the original wax or the color may not match.

Wicks

It is possible to buy pre-tabbed and pre-waxed wicks, but it is up to you what you buy. Wicks are a very important part of candle making because of the burn factor. You will need to research this, especially if you are making more novelty candles. You will get plenty of help from a good supplier.

Flat Candle Base

If the base of your candle is not flat simply place it on a hot pan surface and melt it down so that it is flat.

Christmas Candles

For Christmas candles you can of course use red and green wax and you can also use decorations to dress up any candles that you make. If you buy long taper candles you can roll white candles in red or green and use them for the table. There are various ways to add gold or silver to your candles as well. When making your own candles you can layer Christmas decorations on the outside of the candle. Just make sure that when you are using any decorations that they will not cause a fire hazard.

Kaye Dennan has spent many years as a craft teacher and has written an ebook on candle making which is absolutely loaded with 'must do' tips. The ebook takes you from your very first thought right through to a finished product. There are also some beginner projects to help you start. Candle Making - Start with Confidence can be purchased at http://ebooksnowonline.com/hobbies/candle-making-start-with-confidence/
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Creative Gift Hampers

By Lulie Swanepoel

We all, at one time or another, have difficulty in deciding on gift purchases. This is usually the time when most people turn to "the safe gifts list ". Items such as chocolates, candles or bubble bath may not have failed in the past, yet they also seem quite impersonal and rather mundane.
Why a gift hamper? The popularity of gift hampers has increased drastically in recent years simply due to the convenience. It takes the guesswork out of finding that one perfect gift. Gift hampers aren't boring and you can choose appropriately how personal the selection of gifts in the hamper should be. The uniqueness of creative gift hampers lies in that they are much appreciated by recipients and even when prearranged; a hamper remains a thoughtful and personal gift.

Hampers give the recipient a variety of gifts. Even if there is an item the recipient does not want or need, there will surely be a few others they will find to be perfect. This comes in handy if the recipient is notorious for being finicky, a gift hamper will even delight those with the most discerning tastes.

Gift hampers prove to be appropriate for all occasions, including the celebration of a new baby, Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries or even as a thank-you gift. The same could be said for different types of people. No matter who they are, their interests, hobbies or age, a gift hamper makes an ideal present.

Corporate Gift Hampers There are many outlets where wide selections of gift hampers are readily available. In instances where you are giving a corporate gift hamper, it would be wise to know a few things about the client or company.

With regards to a corporate gift hamper for a company, know their culture. Is it an artistic and trendy environment or a more conservative, elegant company? Know the etiquette of the company to ensure that your gift hamper reflects this and you avoid upsetting anybody.
In the case of a client, it would be easier to choose an appropriate hamper if you know a few individual details without being too personal. If you know their hobbies, likes and dislikes or interests, you would be able to personalise the gift hamper a bit more.

General tips for gift hampers Unless intended as a religious gift hamper, try and avoid religious messages or themes. Christmas, for example, is not celebrated by everyone, but the message of "Happy Holiday" would not be unwelcome and would therefore also work for everyone.

Be original! There is nothing worse than receiving the same gift each year. It becomes mundane and is taken for granted. If you are making use of the professional services of a specialist, they should be able to suggest creative, fun and different ideas to make you stand out from the crowd.
The assortment of items in a gift hamper makes it perfect for families or groups. Instead of buying individual gifts for everyone, each person can instead choose his or her favourite item from the hamper. This way everybody is happy with what they receive without the added effort for you.

A gift hamper doesn't have to be sent only on special occasions. In itself it can create a celebration if sent on an ordinary day, making someone's day special. With luxury and elegance, you can unexpectedly treat someone and if you should choose, keep them entertained with your choice of gifts in the hamper. This will truly make it an unforgettable moment, not to mention the appreciation you'll receive for your thoughtful gesture.

Giving someone a gift hamper will never go unnoticed. Even unopened hampers are eye-catching. It can be stylised with beautiful colourful ribbons, arranged in an artistic fashion and especially created for any occasion or person. It's a combination of both beauty and utility, thoughtful and fun to open. A gift hamper truly is the perfect gift for all!
Author BioInterflora is a professional flower and gift delivery service available in South Africa.
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The Art of Weaving Glass

By Robert Santacroce

The Art of Weaving Glass brings together the technical skills of fusing and the creative manipulating of weaving glass elements in a final artistic work. I am a self-taught glass artist working in the realm of fused glass art. My earlier work was an attempt to form gestures into glass sculptures that would open the imagination of the viewer to explore shapes and textures as qualities in nature in a spontaneous interaction between form and function. I started to layer multiple strips of glass in order to capture air bubbles within the movement of the glass as a way to enhance the gesture of form.

These first pieces led me to experiment with weaving glass as a tapestry. I began to see, after numerous kiln tests of varying temperatures, that I could create fabric out of glass. Once I achieved the desired direction, I began to focus on creating my own color pallet, as the range of colored art glass available is extremely limiting. I then began to develop my own sculptural forms fired out of porcelain clay, into shapes that would be interesting final gestures of my work.
When the assembled pieces of glass elements are slumped into these forms, the culmination of these several processes of manipulating the glass form a unique and varied work that is texturally pleasing.

I began to concentrate on producing gallery-quality works that show the transformation of the glass raw material and forcing it into a form beyond what it is supposed to do; a seemingly impossible shaping of the glass itself. I create a colorful texture in glass that is rarely experienced in this way. One must touch these pieces in order to sense their true texture and depth. Each of my Glass Carpets presents an opportunity for the viewer to travel on their own magical ride.
For me the greatest pleasure arrives each time I open the kiln and discover what actually occurred in the hours of heat. What one finds is nothing short of unexpected surprise and enjoyment.

For more information, please contact Robert Santacroce at 734 478-0630 or visit: http://www.santacrocedesign.net/index.html
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The Creation of a Persian Rug

By Ingrid E. Gonzalez

The most well-known Oriental handwoven rugs are Persian rugs. Handmade rugs are created in many other areas of the world, but often Oriental Rugs as a whole, are referred to as "Persian", even though this is not strictly correct. Handmade rugs of any kind, are set apart from machine made rugs by superior quality, materials, and design.

Authentic Persian rugs are carefully hand-made, not machine-made, giving them a unique style. They are made of wool in many different colors and styles. Wool carpets have the reputation of being the best in the world, and are characteristically lustrous, elegant and superior. A handmade wool rug can be created in a wide variety of styles, and nearly any color, so it is possible to find one that fits virtually any taste or decorating requirement. To identify hand-made rug, turn it over and look at the back. Handmade rugs should have the same pattern, back and front.

Handmade rugs are constructed on looms. The looms range from small portable looms, traditionally used by nomadic tribes, to larger stationary looms which are used for larger carpets, more often woven in the cities. Tribal crafted rugs tend to be not only smaller, but they typically have patterns that are more asymmetrical, with simpler shapes and repetitions. City carpets may be more complex, contain more contemporary designs, and have patterns with less asymmetry.

The weaving process can be long, difficult and tedious, depending on the quality, size and design. The length of time in making a rug depends on the finished size, a small 3' x 5' might take several months to make, perhaps a year for a medium size, 5' x 8' rug, and larger size will need several people to make and can take years. Depending on the quality and size of the rug, the knot count can be anywhere from 16 to 550 knots per square inch, with higher knot counts typically being worth more. Knot density is one measurement of quality.

Weaving something as intricate as a handwoven rug is a highly skilled art. Not only must one learn to create the specialized knots, but the weaver also must learn to combine the colors into a pattern, and then execute the pattern in a way that results in a pleasing and balanced appearance. Nomadic rugs may be created completely from custom grown wool, with the crafters dying the wool for their own designs, and constructing their own looms. It requires an abundance of patience, and the ability to take pleasure in small signs of progress.

Rug weavers are true artists - their style and to a certain extent, their philosophy is translated into the design of the carpet. Some designs contain traditional symbols such as a Camel which translate into wealth and prosperity, Cypress Tree (strength and endurance), Star (spirituality and good luck), Carnation (happiness) and many other symbols with various meanings. Whether the symbolism is understood or not, the resulting pattern conveys a sense of rich tradition.

Those who are new to the handmade rug market may be surprised at first when they see the price of a handmade carpet. But as one gains understanding, it becomes apparent that the work and skill that are required to create these textile masterpieces, are, if anything, undervalued.
Ingrid Gonzalez, marketing assistant for Image Carpets, Inc., http://www.imagecarpetsinc.com
Image Carpets, located in New York City, offers the trade, designers and retail clients a discerning choice of hand-made antique Persian, Indian hand made oriental rugs, Turkish hand made rugs and European rugs and other hand knotted rugs and carpets.
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Cheap Craft Supplies

By Candis Reade

Crafters and artisans all have something in common - finding the best supplies at the lowest cost to increase their profit margin. And divulging where they find those awesome bargains is like asking your great grandma to tell the world her secret recipe for pecan pie. Finding craft supplies at rock bottom prices is fairly simple if you know where and when to look.

The easiest place to start your hunt for cheap craft supplies is online. Head over to eBay (www.ebay.com) and do a search for, you guessed it, cheap craft supplies. The results may be hundreds of items up for auction or ready to purchase under a Buy It Now listing. Try looking for the specific craft item you need to get a narrowed down list of items. While a number of sellers on eBay are honest folks like you and me, some have less than desirable ratings leading some to steer clear of this venue.

So while you're still online, pop on over to Oriental Trading for a myriad of craft and craft items at very reasonable prices. Be amazed at the amount of kids' crafts that could make any child's next birthday party a smash hit. Need silk flowers for a wedding bouquet, or 3D embellishments for your scrap booking project? Oriental Trading has an abundance of items and is a hot spot for craft supply finds.

Another gold mine for cheap craft supplies is AllCraftSupplies.com, which has just about every craft item under the sun - even leathercraft and paper mache items that are not always easy to find in a brick and mortar store.

Then there are the local favorites: Michaels (michaels.com), A . C. Moore, Hobby Lobby, or Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts (joann.com) all waiting to dazzle visitors with in-store and online specials. Sign up with any of these businesses and receive email alerts inviting you to super secret online only sales events.

Before shopping online at any of your favorite craft stores, take a quick detour over to Ebates (ebates.com) and find out which stores it has partnered with that offers rebates on your purchases. While the rebate percentages are small - some only 2 or 3 percent, hey if you're going to shop at the particular store anyway, you might as well get the rebate.

There is also a funky place online called Etsy.com (pronounced like Betsy without the B), especially for crafters and artisans. It proclaims to be a showcase for everything homemade. Type in a search for "destash", which is crafter lingo for someone clearing out leftover supplies they no longer want and are selling cheap.

Now that you have a few examples of where to buy cheap craft supplies, the trick is also knowing when to buy. Weekly sales are, of course, the most popular time to buy those items that are...well, on sale. A number of sales circulars have coupons and some craft stores even accept competitors' coupons. End of season sales can mean up to 80% savings on some items.
Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about cheap craft supplies, please visit Crafting For Fun And Profit for current articles and discussions.
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How to Age Your Model Tank

By Victor Epand

One of the greatest benefits of building model tanks is the ability to add as much detail to them as you would like. From adding custom paint schemes to changing out parts, you can do as much detailing as you could possibly wish. One of the best ways to detail a model tank is to age it so that it looks like it has been around for as long as the real thing.

An M1 should look like it is thirty years old or more rather than looking like a tank that has just rolled off the assembly line. The first step in aging your tank is to figure out exactly when the original was first manufactured. By knowing the models relative age you can then decide on what sort of damage to add to it according to which war or conflict it was used in.

For example, the tanks that saw action in WWII and the Korean War saw quite a bit of action so they would understandably have a good deal of wear on them. An Abrams that was produced for the first Gulf War would not have seen near as much damage since not one was lost during the entire war. Pock marks can be easily added to your model tank to help simulate damage from enemy gunfire or shrapnel. Just take a hobby knife with a sharp tip and lightly twist it into the plastic of the body wherever you wish to add the damage. Make sure to do so very lightly as a bullet would never be able to pierce a tank. It would only chip it or make an indention at most.
Land mine damage can be added this way as well. Just take and very easily skim some of the plastic away to create indentations. You can even take and cut chips into the body as well. You can take some of the chips and glue them in other spots to simulate embedded shrapnel as well. After you have painted your model you can add more damage by carefully flaking paint away in spots where the damage should look the greatest.

Many attacks took place either head on or from the sides. With a bit of creativity and some experimentation you will soon have a model tank that looks as if it has been through many battles only to be parked out behind a base somewhere to rust into obscurity.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant about model rockets, model tanks, and model spaceships. You will find the best shopping at these sites for model rockets, model tank tips.
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Quilting Kits - Everything Included

By Donald Drake

The kit gives you a detailed instruction sheet explaining how to create the design. Quilting kits provide all that you will need in order to create the top of the quilt and the bottom piece. The only items that will not be found in a quilting kit are the batting and the thread. Quilting kits are the perfect answer for beginners and even for experienced quilters who are looking for a way to save time.

What the Kit Includes

The quilting kits come with enough pieces to finish both the top and bottom of the quilt. All of the needed fabric pieces are already pre-cut. If you are a novice quilter, this will help you to learn the basics of the sewing involved and to get the feel of how to piece the design together without worrying about the cutting. The advanced quilter can use a kit to achieve a finished quilt in only a few hours. An advanced quilter can possibly make a stencil of the shapes and then re-use the design again and again. Either way, the convenient quilting kits will allow you to complete a homemade quilt in only a few hours.

The process of cutting pieces is one of the most difficult parts of quilting. You must get all the pieces as near the same size as possible or the design will not work. You will also have to repeat the tedious process of cutting repeatedly. Quilting kits then, help by cutting down the time necessary to complete the project. You simply open the package and begin sewing. The instructions are usually very simple to follow. The variety of designs is limitless and the level of difficulty will depend on which design you chose.

Other Uses

quilting kit offer a wide variety of other options besides creating quilts. For instance, you can make quilted pillows, wall hangings, baby items, potholders, and other items. The same things are included in all the quilting kits you might choose. All the pieces are pre-cut and the simple instructions will be included to help you create that perfect project. The kits are not only easy to use, but they are great time savers. No matter if you are a novice quilter or an advanced quilter, you will want to give quilting kits a try.

You can also find more info on quilting history. Quilltingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Quilt.
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Quilting Stencils - Expressing Love

By Donald Drake

You can create anything from stars to flowers to you actually designing your own creations. Quilting stencils will work to make it easier to demonstrate your expression of love that you have for the person for whom you are creating the beautiful quilt. You can truly be ingenious with the stencils and even create quilts that perfectly match your décor. Stencils are not difficult to use when quilting. It will only take you a few steps to begin to use this easy design tool.

Following an Outline

Quilting stencils are somewhat different than a standard painting stencil would be. Quilting stencils have little holes in them. These holes show where you are to place the stitches. This ensures that your pattern remains consistent each and every time you use it. It would not be a good thing if some of your flowers, or whatever design you are making, were larger than the others. Nobody wants to produce a crooked design.

Once you've placed your quilting stencil on the fabric, next you will need to mark the fabric. Whatever tool used to mark the quilting stencils is up to the individual quilter and probably will depend on the type of fabric being used. Chalk, fabric markers, or even soap work well for marking. Each of these will wash out of the fabric.

Using stencils for your quilts can save both time and money. Previously, you would have had to create your own stencils and you might not have consistent pieces. Perhaps you even had to redo some of them simply because they were not the same as the rest. Not only did you waste your time, you might have wasted more fabric than was necessary. Even more money can be saved on quilting stencils if you shop online. In fact, you may very well be able to find that just-right design absolutely free. All it takes is paper and the ink to print it out then transfer it to a blank stencil sheet.

Expanding Creativity

If you use quilting stencils it will ensure that your pieces will be equal and consistent. By using the quilting stencils, you can express your creativity easily. These stencils offer you a limitless variety of designs. It is especially helpful if you're not so great at drawing or if you are not so creative. Stencils can save time and money, so you can invest both in doing other things that you would like to do with your quilting piece. Some stencils can even be accessed for free. To find free quilting stencils, you will need to spend a little time in research, but it is worth it!

You can also find more info on home quilting machines. Quilltingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Quilt.
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Time Saving Quilting Techniques

By Donald Drake

The first step in the quilting process is to relax. Keep in mind that just like any craft; quilting requires the individual to master the basic techniques first, then gradually work up to more intricate patterns and stitches that more experienced quilters enjoy. It is also advisable to locate a quilting buddy who has been quilting for a while. That person can offer pointers and guide you through some of the more complex instructions, and keep you encouraged.

Foundational Quilting Techniques

Many quilts are created simply using the patchwork process. This involves assembling a number of squares of a certain patchwork pattern, and then stitching them together to create the finished piece. This technique, called patchwork quilting, can be done by hand or by machine. The most important element in making the squares is accuracy, both in the cutting and in the sewing process. Once you have mastered the cutting and the joining of your pieces, you will be ready to explore a few of the other quilting techniques available to you. These include techniques that will help to give your piece a unique, handcrafted appearance, as well as techniques that can help save time in the creation of your quilt.

Some of the time-honored quilting techniques that will give the project your individual touch will be hand piecing and hand appliqué. While both of these quilting techniques take time and effort to accomplish, the end result will be a one-of-a-kind handmade heirloom. On the other hand, quilting techniques like machine piecing and appliqué, chain piecing and strip quilting will also save plenty of time in the creative process, and yet will still leave you with a lovely masterpiece of your own making. These quilting techniques are particularly helpful for beginning quilters who would like to see a finished piece quickly and with more ease in the process. They can also be helpful techniques in the process of creating items in bulk, such as baby blankets to donate to a hospital or quilted pieces to be used in a craft sale.

Quilting is a marvelous hobby, and can be a great way to create unique handmade pieces for gifts as well as additions to your own home. If you are interested in quilting, a class or workshop can teach many of the basic quilting techniques to get you started. You will find classes offered at your local craft or fabric store or possibly at the community center in your neighborhood. By checking the Internet, you may discover a quilting group right in your area that you can join to learn and perfect your craft.

You can also find more info on quilting designs. Quilltingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Quilt.
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Top Ten Making Stained Glass Tips From a Master Stained Glass Artist

By Joe Collinsworth

Recently I had the chance to speak with a gifted stained glass artist and one thing I was curious to offer other glass art making beginners was what his top 10 stained glass tips were.
Luckily he was much obliged to offer up his insider tips on how to create such amazing stained glass.

So, without further ado, here they are.
The Wizard's Top 10 Stained Glass Tips to Make Amazing Glass Art!
1. Safety: Keep alert at all times. Where your safety glasses, keep a clean atmosphere & keep you work area clean. Make sure you have clean and sharp tools.

2. Only score once when preparing to break glass.

3. Soldering tips: Keep a steady flow of solder to achieve a smooth bead. Keep cleaning the soldering iron tip for the best results.

4. Breaking Glass: Between each cut, clean surface area to prevent the glass from cracking or scratching and getting slivers of glass in your hands. OUCH!!

5. Grinding: Make sure coolant is in the water to save your grinding wheel. Take your time and ease the glass into the wheel & let the grinding wheel do the work.

6. Patina: After soldering, clean the glass with mild soap and water. Dry throughly before putting on the patina color.

7. Learning Stained Glass Creation: We all learn in different ways; professional lessons, videos, books, Internet, and classes are just a few ways to learn this art.

Practice is the key when you're making glass art, and if you try to be perfect, you will never be fully satisfied. So use your artistic talent and remember, nothing is wrong when creating art. Practice teaches the techniques that will work best for you.

8. Picking a Pattern: Pick a pattern you like and really want to see as a finished product. Use your artistic talents & creativity for choices and colors of glass. Have some fun with this part! Books, photos, decorative items, and other things can provide great inspiration.

9. Ventilation: This is very important because of flux fumes and lead poisoning. Keep your work area well ventilated and be sure your hands remain clean. If you have scratches on your hands put on a bandage or gloves for precaution.

10. Tools and Supplies: Randy prefers the pistol grip glass cutter, but pick the tools that will work best for you. The grinder is an expensive tool, but it provides a quicker, easier method to preparing the glass and can save you tons of time, money, and headaches.

BONUS Tip: HAVE FUN! Most important is to have fun working your stained glass. It is truly rewarding and such a great feeling of accomplishment.

On one last note, he said that every professional was once not very good, but after much practice, learning, and continuing to enjoy the process, they became quite good at making stained glass. Just remember that little quote if your first piece or two doesn't turn out the way you want.

Folks this is only a start. There are tons of tips we share with you on our site and hope you'll also share with us.

The beauty of art is that everyone has little tidbits they can share so others can benefit.
Learn the incredible art of stained glass by true masters and discover how making glass art can offer a rewarding, challenging, and exciting experience. Visit us at CreateStainedGlass.com today to learn more.
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The Voyage of Dolls From Wood to Silicon

By Rod Low

Dolls have been a part of humankind since prehistoric times. Used to depict religious figures or used as playthings, early dolls were probably made from primitive materials such as clay, fur, or wood. No dolls have survived from prehistoric times, although a fragment of an alabaster doll with movable arms from the Babylonian period was recovered.

Once used in religious rituals, dolls are considered as a depiction of gods and spirits. It was around in the 15th century that dolls were given the status of toys, and since then, there is no looking back for the old variety of dolls.

During the 1850s, a "bebe" was first made. Very popular during the 1880s, it is still a collector's item now. It is so because it has considerable differences from its precursors before 1880 as it represents a young girl, instead of adults. While French dolls are supreme in its artistry, German Bisque dolls eventually took over them due to their cheaper price. In the 1900s, Kammer & Reinhardt showcased a bisque character doll for the first time, starting a new wave of creating realistic looking dolls.

Dolls then are not so sophisticated and majority of those are made from wood or wax and most of them represents German women. Dolls have come a long way from being crudely made to very exquisite dolls with very realistic features and body ratio like Barbie dolls. Most dolls are made to satisfy people's desire for play and fun and these types of dolls are so much that they are 'uncountable'. As a result, many efforts are made to make sure that these dolls are made from a non-toxic material and made as children friendly as possible.

With this height of innovation, there are now have dolls made of Silicone and even special material like Vinyl Skin. Although most dolls are now mass-manufactured using these modern materials, many doll makers are still insisting on using the traditional materials of the past to make collectible dolls.

DaDaBean is an informative blog that offers many different articles on collectible dolls. Browse the store of various collectibles and find the dolls you are looking for at DaDaBean.
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The How-To Guide For Barbie Dolls

By Rod Low

The Barbie doll was born in 1959. It was one of the most valuable collectibles by virtue of potential appreciation value. Barbie first made its debut in Japan and is immensely popular the day she was born. As the years went on, Barbie went through makeovers after makeovers and came back in greater varieties than before. Barbie can now be a lawyer or doctor and has numerous clothes and accessories that she is dazzling to behold.

To collect these dolls, you first have to know almost all there is to Barbie dolls, both her past, present and future. Altering them can improve their appearance but however, this will decrease their value. Barbie dolls that are of a limited edition will be more value than the others.

One of the most important things to notice when determining the value of a Barbie doll is to see whether there is any kind of damage on the doll. A slight tear in the clothes or the lack of cleanliness will cause the value to decrease immensely. Not taking out the dolls from the box will preserve their value and shield them from almost any kind of damage

Even though a collectible Barbie Doll that has been altered or restored may be worth less to collectors you may decide that you would still want to go ahead with the Barbie Doll restoration process. If you are not going to get the price you would like at this point and you would rather keep the Barbie Doll then you should consider restoration if you are not concerned with the value and more concerned with maintaining the essence of your Barbie then start the restoration process.

Due to her immense popularity, many people started to collect Barbie and all the different people she represents. As a collectible or toy, Barbie dolls are definitely worth it and lovers of Barbie dolls are now having much more choices as to which dolls to choose nowadays.

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