By Amy Ressa
The beginning basic components of most earrings are the part that hooks into the ear and a headpin, which is used to string your beads on. Many refer these pieces as "findings".
You can easily locate earring findings that are already manufactured. They are often sold at your local craft stores and of course online. The come in a variety of metals ranging from silver and gold plated to fine silver and gold. It is a matter of preference and affordability.
You may also decide to make your own findings for your handcrafted earrings. Earrings are easy to make on your own. You may find yourself in a crunch and needing to make your own finds due to time constraints. If you learn how to do this it could keep you from having to make a special trip to the store or place a special online order and delay the completion of your piece.
You can cut the cost of your supplies by buying bulk precious metal wire. It can end up being less costly to purchase it in this manner. This is a great way to keep your costs down and not have to pass extra fees on to your customers. This is an important factor in making a larger profit, for those of us in business.
The jewelry business is very competitive. To stay alive in this field you must produce quality work. Creating unique pieces is another good way to attract customers to your product. This also may allow you to charge more for your pieces, since your buyer knows they are not going to be able to find it at the next stop!
Learning how to create your own earring findings will also allow your creative side to emerge. You will have the knowledge and flexibility will producing your designs. This is also a great way to achieve a since of accomplishment.
There are a variety of wire choices on the market. Not only do you have to choose the type of metal, but the gauge that works best for your project. It is popular today to even mix the metal types using different colors together and different gauges. This adds more interest to your piece. It is recommended to use 21 gauge half-hard and soft round sterling wire. The 21 gauge fits well in the hole of pierced earring wearers, while being able to support the additional pieces strung on the wire. 20 to 22-gauge wire is also a good type to use for earrings.
So, I would suggest you start collecting your wire and preparing yourself to learn how to make wire earrings. My next article will focus on a basic earring wire instruction. Stay tuned for future articles.
Amy
www.amyspaintedhouseandmore.com
14-530-0219
My name is Amy Ressa. I am the owner of The Painted House and More. My business is located in Central Ohio. I have over 16 years of painting experience which began painting in my own home. I originally started painting with stencils and then progressed in to freehand decorative painting. My style of painting is the One Stroke Technique, developed by Donna Dewberry. It is an easy way to make painting visually interesting. I have experience painting not only on walls, but glass, ceramics, fabric, metal, candles, and canvas. This technique is great for small and large jobs alike. It isn't limited to just one area. I love to use the acrylic enamel made by Plaid. It is a great product that is very durable. You can bake your glass projects to set the paint, or just let it cure in the open air. After 21 days your paint will be set. I am always looking for people who I can share my talent with. If you have any interest or questions, please feel free to call me at: 614-530-0219 or email me at: aamilou@aol.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Ressa
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Showing posts with label etc.. Show all posts
Christmas - Decorate Your House And Rooms - Ideas And Tips
By Francisco Monaco
Do you want a beautiful decoration this Christmas? Well, I'll show you how. A very common mistake I see in most of the houses I have visited on Christmas, is that only the "important" parts of the house, such as the living room or the dining room are decorated. The most important parts, or at least those where the people spend more time, such as the bathrooms and kitchen, are not. So, here are some tips.
There's nothing better than having full-of-Christmas rooms, especially for your kids, and there are many things you can do, such as putting a small Christmas tree in one of the corners, and those classical lights in the window. Another very fun thing to do is pouring fake snow all over the furniture and other objects in the room, it gives a beautiful Christmas sensation, plus, as I said before, is a VERY fun thing to do. You can also decorate your home rooms with posters, which are easy to get and place.
What about bathrooms? You can always place those classical Christmas covers for your toilet, and all that similar stuff like the bathtub curtains, and the carpet. Also, you always have the alternative of the fake snow, and in the bathroom, looks just as fine as in the rooms. And you can put a Christmas door wreath, it always looks fine.
And finally, the kitchen. For me, the kitchen is a very important part of the house, and your hardly ever find a decorated one. So, leave that behind and change it. You definitively have to get some Christmas flowers, at least one, and put it in a corner. You also should place wreaths on the doors, they give a very cozy and elegant look. You can always get posters. Imagine your kitchen with a beautiful cook-Santa framed poster, or a funny snow man made of cream and fruits - they look terrific, here you can look for some samples.
The most important thing about decorating your house on Christmas is to share it with the people you care for. So remember, keep it simple, keep it fun.
Watch beautiful poster samples in www.mychristmasposters.com.
http://www.mychristmasposters.com/posters.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Monaco
Do you want a beautiful decoration this Christmas? Well, I'll show you how. A very common mistake I see in most of the houses I have visited on Christmas, is that only the "important" parts of the house, such as the living room or the dining room are decorated. The most important parts, or at least those where the people spend more time, such as the bathrooms and kitchen, are not. So, here are some tips.
There's nothing better than having full-of-Christmas rooms, especially for your kids, and there are many things you can do, such as putting a small Christmas tree in one of the corners, and those classical lights in the window. Another very fun thing to do is pouring fake snow all over the furniture and other objects in the room, it gives a beautiful Christmas sensation, plus, as I said before, is a VERY fun thing to do. You can also decorate your home rooms with posters, which are easy to get and place.
What about bathrooms? You can always place those classical Christmas covers for your toilet, and all that similar stuff like the bathtub curtains, and the carpet. Also, you always have the alternative of the fake snow, and in the bathroom, looks just as fine as in the rooms. And you can put a Christmas door wreath, it always looks fine.
And finally, the kitchen. For me, the kitchen is a very important part of the house, and your hardly ever find a decorated one. So, leave that behind and change it. You definitively have to get some Christmas flowers, at least one, and put it in a corner. You also should place wreaths on the doors, they give a very cozy and elegant look. You can always get posters. Imagine your kitchen with a beautiful cook-Santa framed poster, or a funny snow man made of cream and fruits - they look terrific, here you can look for some samples.
The most important thing about decorating your house on Christmas is to share it with the people you care for. So remember, keep it simple, keep it fun.
Watch beautiful poster samples in www.mychristmasposters.com.
http://www.mychristmasposters.com/posters.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Monaco
Phulkari Art of Punjab - A Novel Indian Craft
By Rajneesh Dubey
Punjab is a happening place in India. Various craft forms often synchronize with the popular folk music and produce an enchanting effect. People of Punjab are said to be very hard working and diligent at their vocation. Phulakri is predominantly a handiwork of the female folks of Punjab. The literal meaning of phulkari is flowering. This craft involves the embroidery of the flowering patterns on dupattas, shawls and other garments.
Evolution of the Craft:
Phulkari is done with huge interest and enthusiasm by the women. They started doing it in the backdrop of remaining free at home while their husbands were working away in the fields. It started off in the sixteenth century as amateurish disposition and evolved to a developed craft in 19th century.
How Phulkari is Done:
This craft is done as making artistic small darn stitch over the cloth. These stitches are done in innumerable designs making the cloth immensely beautiful. When the stitches are made all over the body of the cloth, the prepared piece is called "Bagh". The base cloth used for this purpose is home-spun, locally-woven and dyed khadi. The thread used is silk yarn also called Pat, that is imported from the various corners of Kashmir, Bengal, China and Afghanistan.
Colors and Designs:
The popular colors used in making phulkari are golden, yellow, crimson, orange, green, blue and pink. You may get to see plenty of designs in geometrical as well as natural patterns. Among figures, prominently of flowers, leaves, birds, animals and of human are popular. The figures of vegetables, pots, buildings, rivers, sun and moon are also displayed quite often. The baghs carrying dhoop-chhaon (sun-shade) patterns are very popular all over Punjab. Similarly, Dhaniya bagh (coriander), Motia Bagh (jasmine), Satranga Bagh (rainbow), Leheria Bagh (wavy) etc. are also very famous. Most sought after phulkaris are said to be Sainehi Phulkaris that carry the scenes of rural Punjab.
Significance of Phulkaris:
Phulkari craft has played a significant role in defining the popular mood of Punjab. The phulkari designing and the scenes displayed on the clothes has been inspiration for various folk songs and other cultural activities. They show the feelings and emotions of the people. Phulkari done garments are exchanged in the familial ties essentially. It is said that bride when leaves for the house of groom, she is given many sets of Baghs to be worn in the in-law's home. They have some religious significance too. They are used as the canopy over the holy scripture of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.
For any kinds of informational and commercial leads, please visit Indian Phulkari Crafts.
Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.india-crafts.com/
This is a website covering all kinds of art and craft forms of India. Here, you will come to know about jewelry, dresses, sculptures, religions, paintings and various other topics on India. You can see here the lists of the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of an array of handicrafts too.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rajneesh_Dubey
Punjab is a happening place in India. Various craft forms often synchronize with the popular folk music and produce an enchanting effect. People of Punjab are said to be very hard working and diligent at their vocation. Phulakri is predominantly a handiwork of the female folks of Punjab. The literal meaning of phulkari is flowering. This craft involves the embroidery of the flowering patterns on dupattas, shawls and other garments.
Evolution of the Craft:
Phulkari is done with huge interest and enthusiasm by the women. They started doing it in the backdrop of remaining free at home while their husbands were working away in the fields. It started off in the sixteenth century as amateurish disposition and evolved to a developed craft in 19th century.
How Phulkari is Done:
This craft is done as making artistic small darn stitch over the cloth. These stitches are done in innumerable designs making the cloth immensely beautiful. When the stitches are made all over the body of the cloth, the prepared piece is called "Bagh". The base cloth used for this purpose is home-spun, locally-woven and dyed khadi. The thread used is silk yarn also called Pat, that is imported from the various corners of Kashmir, Bengal, China and Afghanistan.
Colors and Designs:
The popular colors used in making phulkari are golden, yellow, crimson, orange, green, blue and pink. You may get to see plenty of designs in geometrical as well as natural patterns. Among figures, prominently of flowers, leaves, birds, animals and of human are popular. The figures of vegetables, pots, buildings, rivers, sun and moon are also displayed quite often. The baghs carrying dhoop-chhaon (sun-shade) patterns are very popular all over Punjab. Similarly, Dhaniya bagh (coriander), Motia Bagh (jasmine), Satranga Bagh (rainbow), Leheria Bagh (wavy) etc. are also very famous. Most sought after phulkaris are said to be Sainehi Phulkaris that carry the scenes of rural Punjab.
Significance of Phulkaris:
Phulkari craft has played a significant role in defining the popular mood of Punjab. The phulkari designing and the scenes displayed on the clothes has been inspiration for various folk songs and other cultural activities. They show the feelings and emotions of the people. Phulkari done garments are exchanged in the familial ties essentially. It is said that bride when leaves for the house of groom, she is given many sets of Baghs to be worn in the in-law's home. They have some religious significance too. They are used as the canopy over the holy scripture of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.
For any kinds of informational and commercial leads, please visit Indian Phulkari Crafts.
Rajneesh Dubey is Content Coordinator for http://www.india-crafts.com/
This is a website covering all kinds of art and craft forms of India. Here, you will come to know about jewelry, dresses, sculptures, religions, paintings and various other topics on India. You can see here the lists of the manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of an array of handicrafts too.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rajneesh_Dubey
3 Fall and Halloween Themed Crafts for Elementary School Kids
By Abigail Beal
Fall is the perfect time for kids to do crafts. Halloween is an especially crafty time. Most kids enjoy carving out their own pumpkin, but there are lots of other crafts they can make to have during this season.
Jack O’Lantern Terra Cotta Planter
For this craft you will need:
1. A terra cotta pot and dish
2. Orange, green and black craft paint
3. Paintbrushes, small, medium and large sizes 4. A plant of your choice to put in the pot
Begin this craft by spreading out newspaper to protect the surface you are working on. It is probably best to “double up” the newspaper and put down two layers of newspaper.
This craft is for a Jack O’Lantern face on a terra cotta pot. Paint the pot entirely orange; do not paint the rim of the pot. Use one or two coats, make sure the pot is nice deep orange color. Allow this to dry completely before going on to the next step.
Now you are ready to add the Jack O’Lantern’s face. A little tip in doing this: you will find this a bit easier if you sketch out the face you like on a piece of paper, and then lightly sketch it onto the planter so your child can paint into the lined area. Paint the features black. Give this one or two coats, again making sure the paint is thick.
Add a green line around the rim of the pot. Paint all around the rim of the pot using your green paint. Allow this to dry.
Once your pot is dry, you are ready to re-pot the plant into the planter.
Fall Leaves Barrette
This craft is great for girls and will go nicely with a Fall outfit.
For this craft you will need:
1. Silk leaves of traditional Fall leaves, golden, orange and red
2. A low-temp glue gun
3. Large barrettes (can be found at your craft store)
Plug the glue gun in and wait until it is hot. Add a glue stick to the glue gun. You will know when the glue gun is hot typically because the glue at the tip will be ready to melt (squeeze the trigger to test this). Follow your glue gun’s directions. Most children will need supervision using a glue gun.
Take the barrette and place a several small dots of glue on the barrette across the entire barrette. Remember that this glue cools quickly so you need to work fast.
Place the silk fall leaves along the barrette. You may want to place them diagonally, or use only two or one leaves depending on the size and shape of the barrette. Use your best judgment as to how many leaves to select.
Allow the glue to set, this usually takes thirty minutes. Once this has done you can use the barrette and enjoy.
Black Cat Halloween Card
This is a great craft that will give your child a Halloween card to send to their grandparents or family or friends to celebrate the holiday.
For this craft you will need:
1. Blank cards and envelopes
2. Black card stock
3. Yellow card stock
4. A gold metallic paint pen
5. Scissors
6. Non-toxic glue
Begin this craft by cutting the shape of a cat out of the black paper.
Tip: if you have trouble cutting out a cat, look for a cat in your clip art program and use this shape to guide you.
Then cut a large full moon out of the yellow paper. Once you have both of these cut out, glue the full moon to the paper first. Then glue the black cat to the paper, with the black cat halfway on the full moon.
Write about a quarter of the way down on the full moon “Happy Halloween” using the gold metallic paint pen. Allow the paint and the glue to dry. Once this is dry, your card is ready for you to send.
If you would like to make this project a little differently, make bats instead of cats.
Abigail Beal enjoys sharing her love of crafting with others. She also writes for several online publications including superfundraiser.com a site which helps schools and other groups find ways to fund their programs. By answering a few simple questions you’ll get a free fundraising match report with the best school fundraisers for your group.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abigail_Beal
Fall is the perfect time for kids to do crafts. Halloween is an especially crafty time. Most kids enjoy carving out their own pumpkin, but there are lots of other crafts they can make to have during this season.
Jack O’Lantern Terra Cotta Planter
For this craft you will need:
1. A terra cotta pot and dish
2. Orange, green and black craft paint
3. Paintbrushes, small, medium and large sizes 4. A plant of your choice to put in the pot
Begin this craft by spreading out newspaper to protect the surface you are working on. It is probably best to “double up” the newspaper and put down two layers of newspaper.
This craft is for a Jack O’Lantern face on a terra cotta pot. Paint the pot entirely orange; do not paint the rim of the pot. Use one or two coats, make sure the pot is nice deep orange color. Allow this to dry completely before going on to the next step.
Now you are ready to add the Jack O’Lantern’s face. A little tip in doing this: you will find this a bit easier if you sketch out the face you like on a piece of paper, and then lightly sketch it onto the planter so your child can paint into the lined area. Paint the features black. Give this one or two coats, again making sure the paint is thick.
Add a green line around the rim of the pot. Paint all around the rim of the pot using your green paint. Allow this to dry.
Once your pot is dry, you are ready to re-pot the plant into the planter.
Fall Leaves Barrette
This craft is great for girls and will go nicely with a Fall outfit.
For this craft you will need:
1. Silk leaves of traditional Fall leaves, golden, orange and red
2. A low-temp glue gun
3. Large barrettes (can be found at your craft store)
Plug the glue gun in and wait until it is hot. Add a glue stick to the glue gun. You will know when the glue gun is hot typically because the glue at the tip will be ready to melt (squeeze the trigger to test this). Follow your glue gun’s directions. Most children will need supervision using a glue gun.
Take the barrette and place a several small dots of glue on the barrette across the entire barrette. Remember that this glue cools quickly so you need to work fast.
Place the silk fall leaves along the barrette. You may want to place them diagonally, or use only two or one leaves depending on the size and shape of the barrette. Use your best judgment as to how many leaves to select.
Allow the glue to set, this usually takes thirty minutes. Once this has done you can use the barrette and enjoy.
Black Cat Halloween Card
This is a great craft that will give your child a Halloween card to send to their grandparents or family or friends to celebrate the holiday.
For this craft you will need:
1. Blank cards and envelopes
2. Black card stock
3. Yellow card stock
4. A gold metallic paint pen
5. Scissors
6. Non-toxic glue
Begin this craft by cutting the shape of a cat out of the black paper.
Tip: if you have trouble cutting out a cat, look for a cat in your clip art program and use this shape to guide you.
Then cut a large full moon out of the yellow paper. Once you have both of these cut out, glue the full moon to the paper first. Then glue the black cat to the paper, with the black cat halfway on the full moon.
Write about a quarter of the way down on the full moon “Happy Halloween” using the gold metallic paint pen. Allow the paint and the glue to dry. Once this is dry, your card is ready for you to send.
If you would like to make this project a little differently, make bats instead of cats.
Abigail Beal enjoys sharing her love of crafting with others. She also writes for several online publications including superfundraiser.com a site which helps schools and other groups find ways to fund their programs. By answering a few simple questions you’ll get a free fundraising match report with the best school fundraisers for your group.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abigail_Beal
Creating the Perfect Halloween Pumpkin Decorations - 7 Easy Tips
By Melania Karel
Are you making a pumpkin lantern or other pumpkin decorations this Halloween? If so, here are seven tips to make this year's Halloween pumpkin your best ever!
1. Plan your design carefully
It's important to decide what type of design you're going to use in advance. The design will determine the size, shape and colour of the pumpkin you select. Also consider if your pumpkin decoration will be a standalone centerpiece, or if you will have several pumpkins sitting together. If you just want the one, it will need to be large enough to make an impact and look good from all angles. If you're planning a display with several pumpkins, select pumpkins which will look good together, perhaps in a variety of shapes and sizes.
2. Make sure the pumpkin is in good condition
To ensure your Halloween pumpkin lasts as long as possible, buy one that is ripe and in excellent condition. Check for bruises, soft spots, mould, mildew etc, and remember that the flesh should be firm, and the stem should not look dried out. Pumpkins with smooth surfaces are easier to work with (although irregularities can add interesting aspects to your design too), and you might prefer to select one that is uniform in colour. After buying, be careful not to drop your pumpkin, and don't carry it around by the stem.
3. Choose a pumpkin that's the right size and shape
It's important to choose the right pumpkin for your planned design. Larger pumpkins are best for more complex designs, and smaller ones for simpler designs. A round pumpkin might work better with a scary face, whereas a tall pumpkin is preferable for an elongated design like a sitting cat or a ghost. If you're using a pre-made template, medium-sized pumpkins are usually best, unless otherwise specified.
4. Consider painting your pumpkin
Painted pumpkins are more unusual than the carved variety, but they last longer, and can be extremely eye-catching and attractive. Don't worry if you think you can't paint - it's really very easy! You can also enhance your carved pumpkin with a bit of paint. Check out my site (url below) for more information about easy pumpkin painting.
5. Use the right tools
Selecting the right tools for the job can make carving your pumpkin a lot easier. If you're really serious about pumpkin carving, you can buy special saws and other specialist tools designed just for carving pumpkins. These can make the carving process quicker, and are especially good if you're doing the more complex designs. But you can also get excellent results with the everyday tools you probably already have around the house, such as thin, long-bladed knives for cutting the flesh, spoons for scooping it out and a pen or pencil for drawing the design onto the pumpkin's surface. Knives should be sharp, and sharper knives are actually safer to use, as less force is needed.
6. Add a few extras
After carving or painting your pumpkin, you can dress it up further by adding extras like glitter, sequins, beads, wigs, hats, false noses etc. Just be careful about using flammable materials if you're adding a candle to your pumpkin to make a lantern.
7. Prolong the life of your pumpkin
Carved pumpkins usually tend to deteriorate within a few days, but you can help to prolong the life of your pumpkin by smearing the exposed surfaces with petroleum jelly. You can also buy special sprays designed for this purpose. Covering your carved pumpkin with cling film and keeping it in the fridge when not on display can also help. Bear in mind that painted pumpkins last longer than carved ones, so you might want to consider adding a painted pumpkin or two to your Halloween decorations for extra longevity and variety.
Bear these points in mind, and you're sure to create a beautiful, long-lasting pumpkin decoration this Halloween!
Melania Karel is entranced by all things supernatural and Halloween-related, and is webmaster of Halloween-o-Pedia, a treasure trove of spooky information and resources, including information about pumpkin painting and other forms of decoration.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melania_Karel
Are you making a pumpkin lantern or other pumpkin decorations this Halloween? If so, here are seven tips to make this year's Halloween pumpkin your best ever!
1. Plan your design carefully
It's important to decide what type of design you're going to use in advance. The design will determine the size, shape and colour of the pumpkin you select. Also consider if your pumpkin decoration will be a standalone centerpiece, or if you will have several pumpkins sitting together. If you just want the one, it will need to be large enough to make an impact and look good from all angles. If you're planning a display with several pumpkins, select pumpkins which will look good together, perhaps in a variety of shapes and sizes.
2. Make sure the pumpkin is in good condition
To ensure your Halloween pumpkin lasts as long as possible, buy one that is ripe and in excellent condition. Check for bruises, soft spots, mould, mildew etc, and remember that the flesh should be firm, and the stem should not look dried out. Pumpkins with smooth surfaces are easier to work with (although irregularities can add interesting aspects to your design too), and you might prefer to select one that is uniform in colour. After buying, be careful not to drop your pumpkin, and don't carry it around by the stem.
3. Choose a pumpkin that's the right size and shape
It's important to choose the right pumpkin for your planned design. Larger pumpkins are best for more complex designs, and smaller ones for simpler designs. A round pumpkin might work better with a scary face, whereas a tall pumpkin is preferable for an elongated design like a sitting cat or a ghost. If you're using a pre-made template, medium-sized pumpkins are usually best, unless otherwise specified.
4. Consider painting your pumpkin
Painted pumpkins are more unusual than the carved variety, but they last longer, and can be extremely eye-catching and attractive. Don't worry if you think you can't paint - it's really very easy! You can also enhance your carved pumpkin with a bit of paint. Check out my site (url below) for more information about easy pumpkin painting.
5. Use the right tools
Selecting the right tools for the job can make carving your pumpkin a lot easier. If you're really serious about pumpkin carving, you can buy special saws and other specialist tools designed just for carving pumpkins. These can make the carving process quicker, and are especially good if you're doing the more complex designs. But you can also get excellent results with the everyday tools you probably already have around the house, such as thin, long-bladed knives for cutting the flesh, spoons for scooping it out and a pen or pencil for drawing the design onto the pumpkin's surface. Knives should be sharp, and sharper knives are actually safer to use, as less force is needed.
6. Add a few extras
After carving or painting your pumpkin, you can dress it up further by adding extras like glitter, sequins, beads, wigs, hats, false noses etc. Just be careful about using flammable materials if you're adding a candle to your pumpkin to make a lantern.
7. Prolong the life of your pumpkin
Carved pumpkins usually tend to deteriorate within a few days, but you can help to prolong the life of your pumpkin by smearing the exposed surfaces with petroleum jelly. You can also buy special sprays designed for this purpose. Covering your carved pumpkin with cling film and keeping it in the fridge when not on display can also help. Bear in mind that painted pumpkins last longer than carved ones, so you might want to consider adding a painted pumpkin or two to your Halloween decorations for extra longevity and variety.
Bear these points in mind, and you're sure to create a beautiful, long-lasting pumpkin decoration this Halloween!
Melania Karel is entranced by all things supernatural and Halloween-related, and is webmaster of Halloween-o-Pedia, a treasure trove of spooky information and resources, including information about pumpkin painting and other forms of decoration.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melania_Karel
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