By: Mitch Johnson
In the wood carving, the biggest problem perhaps is the wood. Good wood
is not always available depending the season or climate where the wood
grows. In this article we will learn about some season which can damage
the wood and how to prepare wood in these seasons.
In air and kiln seasoning, time depends on the density, thickness and
water content of the wood. It is not advisable to use green, freshly
cut timber for carving. The cells and the cell walls of this timber
contain water. It is the process of drying out the free water in the
cells, and the partial drying out of water in the cell walls, which is
known as ’seasoning’. It is obvious that when this water which is after
all a part of the tree’s composition is removed, shrinkage is bound to
take place. Therefore the process must be controlled if distortion,
cracks and splits are to be avoided. The two main methods of seasoning
are air seasoning and kiln drying. The former is a slow method. For
instance, with 2 inch planks it will take over six months of good
drying weather to reduce the moisture content of twenty per cent of
their weight. For timber used in heated buildings it is necessary to
reduce the moisture to about ten to twelve per cent. The process of
seasoning wood in a modern kiln can be achieved in a matter of weeks.
In the case of tropical woods, air seasoning is favored, for periods up
to two years. These can then be finally dried by the kiln method. There
are a few woods that cannot be kilned at all as the cell walls of the
wood collapse and render the wood useless.
The kiln
Very briefly, the kiln is a brick-built room with heating pipes
generally in the ceiling. Fans are installed to keep the air moving and
steam is introduced through a number of jets. The wood is stacked
horizontally in such a way that the air can circulate freely. The
planks themselves rest on sticks or wood bearers of 1 inch X 1 inch,
spaced approximately 4 ft. apart for planks that are 2 inch thick or
more. Regular tests of moisture content during kilning are made and the
drying process is controlled by varying the humidity and the heat.
Air seasoning
Timber deteriorates if left on the ground and exposed to the elements.
In air seasoning the timber is stacked, as in kiln drying, in such a
way that the air can circulate. The stack should not be more than 6 ft.
wide. A well-drained site is chosen and brick piers are built not less
than 9 in. in height and preferably more. These piers are approximately
9 inch square and are spaced 2 ft. apart. Timber cross members 4 inch X
4 inch are placed on the piers. Strength is given by laying further
heavy bearers along the whole length of the stack. The planks to be
seasoned are placed horizontally on the foundation, each plank
separated from the other by 1 in. X1 in. sticks. It is important that
the wood should be kept level and sagging prevented. Therefore, the
sticks are placed at intervals of 2 ft. to 4 ft., according to the
thickness of the planks. The stack is left open but covered by a
sloping roof with a good overhang. The ends of the planks should be
protected by bituminous paint. In reasonable weather, 2 inch planks of
softwood stacked in the spring would be seasoned by the autumn of the
same year. Hardwoods should be stacked three months earlier.
We need to treat the wood according to the season. As wrong treatments
of the wood can really damaging the wood, the carved will not come as
good as we expected.
About the Author:
Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for www.kitchen-plans-n-designs.com/ , www.collectablestips.info/ , www.goodbudgetholiday.info/
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: MITCHELL HAMPSON
Sterling silver jewelry is very popular and is a ideal seller at retail
stores, online gift sites, festivals, craft fairs, and trade shows.
There are quite a few wholesale sterling silver sites online that sell
everything you may want, from .925 silver jewelry, to silver jewelry
making supplies like French wires, fasteners, and findings. A state
issued sales tax identification number is required to make wholesale
purchases, as well as registration of your business for account set up.
This can all be completed online in a matter of a few minutes
relatively easily. You may also request to be placed on a mailing list
for catalogues and email special promotions as well. Some wholesale
sterling silver vendors only sell to distributors and other
wholesalers, while others only sell to resellers and retailers.
Whichever you are, you ought to have no problem finding a wholesale
silver dealer to meet your specific needs.
Sterling silver is one of the most popular metals, and it has a variety
of uses, jewelry being one of the most popular. Silver is also used for
silverware, silver dining services, and at one time was used in the
making of coins. Wholesale silver is purchased by artisans also to use
in their original jewelry creations, or to make other fine pieces of
art. Wholesale sterling silver can be used to make rings, body jewelry,
earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, chains, and watches.
Semi-precious and precious stones are often used in the making of
silver jewelry as well, and truly complement the finished piece. The
making of silver jewelry goes back many, many centuries, and is an art
that has been passed on to others by teaching to successive family
members, and through jewelry making apprenticeships.
Since there are quite a few wholesale silver vendors, be sure to shop
comparatively before you settle on making a purchase. There are
different grades of wholesale silver available, and purity may vary, or
may be combined with other metals, such as nickel. Like I said, shop
around, and educate yourself so that you know exactly what you are
getting. Sterling silver jewelry is a top seller, and you want to
select the finest quality that there is to keep your customers coming
back for more. Whether you are a wholesaler, distributor, or retailer
looking to purchase wholesale silver jewelry, jewelry making supplies,
or other pieces made from silver, the internet is your best source to
aquire just what you’re looking for!
About the Author:
Mitch Hampson writes for
www.jewelryjew.info/beaded-handbag.php ">Beaded handbag
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Tom Ambrozewicz
Scrapbooking can be quick and easy if you simply copy other layouts or
use tools such as computer programs to create pages. However, if you
want more of a creative challenge, try your hand at designing your own
layouts. Don’t be surprised at the difficulty you may have designing
the pages for your first album, because layout design is trickier than
it first seems. With a little imagination and a lot of inspiration, you
are well on your way to designing layouts, but you also need a good
foundation of knowledge to take this art to the next level.
Photograph placement is important. Generally, a layout, whether it is
one page or two, looks better with an odd number of pictures. Our eyes
also find it pleasing to scan the page in an "s" shaped pattern-that
is, imagine a giant letter S covering your page. Your most important
pictures should lie in the upper right-hand corner, at the start of the
S, while your least important picture should fall in the lower
left-hand corner at the end of the S. Of course, this is just a general
guideline-many other techniques can be used to create interest and
focus your eyes on a particular spot on the page.
In most designs, the biggest picture is also the most important and
most eye pleasing. This can be achieved by cropping other pictures to
be smaller or by using multiple mats under the most important picture
to give it the sense that it is bigger. Mats should usually be used
under all pictures to help them stand out from the background page.
Color is an important part of the design. Use your most important
photograph as a key and draw two or three colors from this picture to
make the layout. If your pictures are very colorful and you can’t
choose a dominating color, use your surrounding as inspiration. The
shades of red and pink used in your bedspread would also look nice
placed together on a scrapbook page, for example. Stick to three colors
or less in most cases so that your photographs are not overwhelmed.
Designing is all about having fun and experimenting. Don’t worry if
your first attempts are less than perfect, because over time you will
get better. As with any skill, practice will help you improve. Look at
pre-made layouts to get a sense of what works and what does not and
take these ideas to your own pages to create beautiful albums.
About the Author:
Tom Ambrozewicz is one of the pioneers in using breakthrough audio technology on his web sites. You can read, you can listen to professional narrator reading to you or having MP3 files ready to download if you hate to keep printed files. You can check all scrapbooking tips at Ask-How.info now.
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Charles Cox
The basic element in studying crochet patterns and instruction is
learning to understand the style of writing and interpreting crochet
abbreviations. However, just remember that you don’t have to learn and
memorize the symbols and abbreviations immediately because you can
always refer to your list when needed.
Crocheting directions generally make liberal use of parentheses ( ) and
asterisks (*) to show pattern repetitions. For instance, when the
pattern instructs you to “repeat from *” you need to examine and look
back at the instruction of the row that you currently are working on
and then locate the asterisk (*). Crochet the instruction instantly
following that asterisk (*).
Generally only one asterisk (*) in a row is found and the “repeats”
will bring you to the row ending so that there is no supplementary
instruction required for where you should end the repeats.
There are a few patterns that uses a “single asterisk (*)”at the start
and at the end of “the repeat”. So that when you arrive to the
succeeding “single asterisk (*), you are aware that it is the spot
where that “repeat” will be stopped.
At certain times patterns uses “single asterisk (*) and a “double
asterisk (**), where the “double asterisk (**)” is normally used to
indicate where you need to end the repeat; for instance, a pattern
instructs you to “repeat from * to **”. You need to search for, going
backwards in the instructions of the round which you are working on and
locate the asterisk (*). Then you need to crochet the instructions at
once succeeding that asterisk (*) and then continue till such time you
arrive to the double asterisk (**), then you need to stop and begin to
crochet once more at the course where you stop or left off before
making the repeat.
Here are things to keep in mind when looking at a crochet pattern:
1. Crocheting patterns and instructions are worked usually in rounds or
rows. Every pattern will spell out if you are doing or working in
rounds, rows or mixture of both.
2. Almost all crochet patterns and instructions are generally ranked
according to difficulty level such as advanced, intermediate, easy or
beginner. Select a pattern with a difficulty level that suits your
abilities, to avoid frustration when trying to finish a pattern that
has advanced level. As you continue on working and increase your
crochet experience, then you can work on to the next difficulty level.
3. It is important to count the stitches you have made as you go on
with your work so will be able to keep track of how many more are
needed on each round or row as required by the pattern.
4. You will need to verify your gauge. To do so, crochet a sample of
about 4 X 4 inches size in the pattern that is used your crochet
instructions. When your gauge turned out to be larger than that
indicated by the pattern, then use a smaller hook; when your gauge
turned out to be smaller, then try using a much larger hook.
5. Enrolling in a crochet class can be very helpful when you are beginning to learn crochet.
When just starting out, never be discouraged for not being able to
understand each pattern and its abbreviations. Reading and
understanding crochet patterns will take constant practice.
About the Author:
C.S.Cox published the acclaimed instructional book, "Crocheting Made
Simple" which has taught numerous people how to crochet. Find out how
to sign up for the FREE Crocheting Made Simple Newsletter at www.crochetmadesimple.com
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Joseph Then
When you think about sewing machines what do you think of in terms of
the capabilities? Do you think in terms of its varied functions? Or how
it can make things easier for you?
Well, when I think about sewing machines I think of some of the things
I am going to be able to accomplish with it. I may choose to think
about the different items that I am going to be able to fix when I have
a sewing machine around or it could be the many different items I am
going to be able to make with the use of a sewing machine.
How many of us really thought about how the sewing machine came about?
Not likely. More than likely there was not many of us that really think
about where the sewing machine came from. They are just probable aware
that they seen their mother or grandmother using one all the time
either fixing items that had a small tore or making some complete
outfits for their children. Now days the sewing machine is not used as
much for making complete outfits for you children or for yourself.
They are used more for convince such as fixing little tears that you
may have noticed on your cloths or for making different quilts and
blankets. When you think about making an entire outfit for your
children you start to think that there is no way that they are going to
wear anything that you have made for them. With some of the children
anymore that is going to be true.
Even if you are not thinking of making an outfit for your children you
may think of making different items for around the house. You are able
to make simple things like curtains or blankets. If you are feeling a
little brave you could even do little more complicated things like some
quilts for your home. Yet there are quilt designs out there that are
going to give you some ease with the pattern having everything ready
for you to sew together.
No matter what your skill on a sewing machine is you will be able to a
little sewing hear and there. As you are practicing with the little
stitches you are doing on cloths you will soon be able to accomplish
more difficult tasks to try.
Now, get on to get one sewing machine today!
About the Author:
or more information about sewing machines, please visit our website: www.1-sewing-machines.info
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Rose Mary
Beaded items are very popular nowadays. In shopping malls, department
stores or designers stores, we will not fail to find lots of beautiful
beaded items for sale such as bags, purses, bracelets, necklaces, wall
hangings, cushion covers, etc. A lot of people find beads not only
attractive but irresistible.
Beads come in many different shapes, sizes, textures, colors and
designs. Designers of accessories, jewelry, and interiors make use of
the richness of their colors and the diversity of their shapes to
create astounding pieces. Items made with beads are indeed captivating
and useful. People use completed beading items such as bracelets and
necklaces as accessories to enhance their appearance, while beading
items like wall hangings, cushion covers, etc are used to decorate
their homes. Fabrics with beads could help to add to the decor of homes.
Beads have been valued for centuries. Since early times, people have
been acquainted with beads, primarily in the form of berries, seeds,
stones and shells. Later, beads came to be manufactured from clay,
glass, metal and crystals and, more recently, acrylics and plastics.
People have been involved in beading for a very long time. They enjoy
selecting beads and combining them to form an attractive piece of work.
It is a very popular form of craft work for both old and young. Some do
it for work, others do it for hobby.
People enjoy beading because they find it extremely rewarding. It
offers them an opportunity to unleash their creativity and helps to
enhance their lives. There are those who believe that beads can become
an obsession. Some say that it could be addictive. Nonetheless, it is
indeed satisfying to use beads to make beautiful masterpieces for
yourself, for your home, or even as gifts for your friends.
The beauty of beadwork is its versatility. There is a wide range of
beads you can choose from the market. An extensive range of beading
supply is available. You can select the types, shapes, sizes, colors
and textures of the beads to create the pattern you want. Besides,
there is a wide spectrum of beading techniques that can be applied to
beads: wiring, threading, weaving, sticking and embroidering. You can
choose to use the method you like.
Beading techniques could be either threadless or threaded. Although
there are relatively few ways of uniting beads without thread, such as
with glue or tile grout, however, there are hundreds of ways involving
the use of thread. As each completed item would be a result of your own
selection, creativity and skill, you will certainly derive great
satisfaction from your work.
Beading is considered an economical craft work. You do not need a
special workshop. You only require a table, good lighting, some beading
equipment and selected beads. With these, you can design and make
really exciting pieces of beaded items. You can even create a piece of
jewelry that will become a family heirloom!
The basics of beading are easy to learn. There are many resources
available with step-by-step beading instructions to enable a starter to
learn doing beading projects. When you have learned the basic
techniques, you can go ahead to create even more pieces using a
multitude of your own ideas. This could be as simple as changing the
colors on one of the beading patterns you have learned or using beads
of a different size.
You will be surprised at how much these small changes can alter the
look of the original piece. The possibilities of creating new designs
are endless. You can attempt to test your design after creating it. If
you find that your idea do not work, you can take it apart and try a
new one. Beading is fun and interesting. Be adventurous, always
experiment and you will enjoy it.
About the Author:
Freelance Writer on various topics
Please visit the
Beading Tips for more information.
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Mitch Johnson
Before you start making ceramic, it is important to collect all the
tool and material needed for your work. Take a tip from this article on
what are the things to be collected and how to get prepared.
There is a vast variety of tools and a equipment now available to the
ceramics hobbyist. Suppliers catalogues are jam-packed with
paraphernalia for the amateur workshop. After paging through one of
these catalogues, the beginner is apt to be over impressed with the
necessity for fancy tools and equipment. Fact is, however, that very
few implements are can’t-do-without for the beginning ceramist.
A working surface covered with a piece of oilcloth, wrong side up; one
or two simple modeling tools, a knife, and about five pounds of clay
are all you need to start shaping your first object. The cost of these
is negligible. Most clay, for example, can be bought from retail
dealers at about 15 cents a pound.
Build your collection of tools slowly, adding items as you need them.
It is likely that you will do your first clay-craft in a local studio
or classroom, under the guidance of a professional teacher. It is not
probable that you’ll begin sculpting or casting your own pieces in a
mold. Instead, you will be supplied with green ware, a fettling knife,
brushes, colors and glazes. You will remove the mold marks from the
greensward, smooth the surface, add some decoration and glaze. Then the
professional ceramist will fire it for you in his kiln.
After you have learned to do this, which should not take more than one
or two lessons, you may want to take the green ware home and finish it
there. In all likelihood, you will buy the few necessary tools from
your teacher. This will be the start of your own home workshop.
Of course many new ceramists begin by immediately furnishing a complete
studio, from clay to kiln. In most cases this is not advisable for two
reasons. First, there are financial considerations which would
frustrate this grandiose plan of action for most people. Second, it is
more prudent to wait and see what type of equipment is best suited to
your personal needs and desires. The clay worker who wants to
specialize in hand-sculpture will not require the very same tools and
materials as the one whose skills and fancy lean toward pottery.
When you select a site for your workshop, make certain it is not
exposed directly to extremes of heat or dampness. Good lighting is also
important, contributing both to the ceramist’s comfort and to the
quality of his work. Running water, or easy access to water, is also
desirable. Until you start to accumulate a sizable collection of tools
and equipment, and want to set up your own workshop, your kitchen
should serve the purpose.
Many tools you will be able to make easily for yourself; others you
will find already at hand about the house. No matter how far you
advance in the ceramics art, you’ll find the most useful tools are your
fingers. Every other modeling device is employed simply to supplement
the work that can be done with your hands. When shaping a piece of
clay, tools will only assist your fingers. They will not accomplish
anything that can’t be done with your fingers.
About the Author:
Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ , www.urceramicsguide.info/ , www.ezceramicsguide.info/
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Byran Kempa
Beginner crochet books, guides and classes are becoming more popular as
women and men begin to enjoy the ancient art of crocheting. Whether the
interest in crocheting comes from a desire to create something, or
comes from a desire to engage in a therapeutic activity, beginner
crochet products and services are skyrocketing in popularity.
Crocheting, unlike knitting, is done with one "needle". With the right
technique, it is possible to crochet everything from blankets and
throws, to scarves and hats, to sweaters and wraps and more. Though
someone in beginner crocheting will not be making elaborate designs,
they will be learning the skills they need to create terrific items.
As with most things, when learning crochet you must first learn the
basics. Once you learn the basics you will be able to expand your grasp
of the craft and do more elaborate stitches and create more dynamic
things.
Many people are surprised to learn that there are many boys, young men
and men also learning crochet. Some people learn crochet after a family
member or friend shows them what they can do. Also, they learn that
crocheting can be relaxing.
If you are taking up crocheting, you should take your time and learn
the craft. Try not to go beyond your abilities at first or you may find
yourself frustrated. One good thing about crocheting, however, is that
you are able to "rip out" the stitches and reuse the same yarn.
Yarn varies in style and texture. Experimenting with different needles
and different yarns is a good ideas, especially for someone new to
crocheting. Once you get the feel of the stitches and of the particular
yarn you are using you will be surprised at how quickly you are able to
crochet and master the craft.
When buying yarn, remember to pay careful attention to the dye lot so
you can be assured that the yarn is all the same color and shade. If
you are making something that requires more than one skein of yarn, you
will be surprised to learn how obvious it is if you use skeins from
different dye lots.
As you begin your quest to learn more about crocheting, have fun, enjoy
and begin to create wonderful things. It all starts with the basics and
that means mastering beginner crochet. Remember to take it step by
step, and soon you will be a professional!
About the Author:
Byran Kempa for Crochet Source
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: Mitch Johnson
Every human being is unique so as the hobby. Pottery is one of the most
unique and special hobby which very less people have. For a people
having a good sense of creativity, pottery can be considered to be the
best in developing their creative ability. Go through this article and
learn more about this fascinating creative art.
In the cold, concise language of Webster’s Dictionary, clay is "an
earthy substance used in making pottery, bricks, etc". To the ceramist
this definition seems much too objective and academic like saying the
Hope Diamond is nothing more than a chunk of carbon which has undergone
immense subterranean pressure and heat. Surely this flawless gem is
worthy of a more full-flavored description.
So it is with clay. It can be shaped, colored and fired into myriad
marvels of esthetic and utilitarian beauty. It has "life" and is
capable of playing strange tricks under the influence of fire. Colors,
too, are often capricious. Even under the strictest control they may
affect results which are, to say the least, unexpected.
Every time you open the kiln, it is like Christmas. For you can never
be certain about exactly what you will get. These surprise endings only
add an extra dash of spice to an already absorbing hobby.
When you have started to work with ceramics, you will find that the
more you know, the more there is to learn about this fascinating
creative art. As with any worthwhile accomplishment, you will not
become an expert potter merely by reading a book. You will have to
taste your share of joys and disappointments during your
trial-and-error apprenticeship. But don’t be too easily discouraged if
at first your trials turn out to be mostly errors.
Most educators agree that lessons learned by trial and error are
lessons best remembered. With ceramics, moreover, all mistakes are not
for the worst. On the contrary, many of a potter’s errors result in his
most attractive and original works. Usually these are the pieces which
can never be duplicated.
Very popular in the ceramist’s lexicon of phrases are the words "let us
see what happens". The thrill of experimentation is not lacking in this
hobby. For example, you could glaze a tray and toss on a few pieces of
copper, just to "see what happens". After firing it, you may find the
copper completely burned away, leaving a scrumptious splotch of green
from the copper oxide. On the other hand, the copper might scale over
the glaze and ruin the tray. You won’t know until you remove it from
the kiln and the suspense, as any ceramics enthusiast knows, can be
unbearable.
Since the end of World War II, ceramics has mushroomed in popularity
until today it is one of the nation’s favorite pastimes. Its
enthusiastic adherents are outnumbered, according to latest estimates,
only by those of bowling, fishing and stamp collecting. As for creative
hobbies, there are more ceramists in the country than any other breed
of amateur artist.
Actually, it is difficult to put your finger on the reason for this
sudden spurt in popularity. Perhaps it can be attributed to the war
itself. Existing conditions then made it impossible to import pottery
from abroad. Stores were eager to sell locally made merchandise.
Critical shortages existed in metals and other materials that normally
go into gift ware. But there has always been an abundance of raw
material for the manufacture of pottery: clay. And the metallic oxides
and carbonates that are used for pottery colors were likewise available
throughout the war years.
No one can become an expert potter by just reading books, he has to
gone through a long way of trail and error. Those who keep in going
without feeling discourage can only be called an expert potter.
About the Author:
Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ , www.myceramicshub.info/ , www.myceramicsresource.info/
Article Source: http://www.therealarticles.com
By: John Savage
There are many ways to add colorful designs to your homemade soaps. We
will discuss using the cold process soap making method to make soaps
with intriguing designs.
First, you will need to start with a plain white base. A base of 30
percent coconut oil, 5 percent castor oil and 65 percent lard makes a
nice white base that lathers and conditions well.
To make tri color soap with nice triangular designs, first make one
third of your base recipe to pour into your standard block soap mold.
Once the base has traced, add colorant of your choice, then prop your
mold at an angle so that when you pour your base into your mold it will
fill only one corner of your mold instead of the whole bottom.
To do this, place a few books under one side of your mold to raise one
side a few inches from your counter then place books against the other
side of the mold to keep it from moving. Pour your soap down the side
of your mold that still rests on the counter until it has filled the
corner, but not quite fully to
the top of the mold.
Now carefully cover your mold with a towel until your soap has gone
through the saponification process and has cooled into soap. This will
make a triangle block of soap that will sit off to the side of your
regular bar, making a nice design.
Next, mix two thirds of your plain white base recipe, and separate it
into two equal amounts. Color these with 2 separate colors, pour one
into your mold being careful not to splash it onto your triangle block,
then pour the second color on top of this.
Let this set for 24 hours covered, unmold your soap, cut, and you
should have a nice tri colored bar of soap with a triangle to the side.
I have found these soaps to be much sought after from customers as a
nice novelty for their bathroom decor.
Another way to put nice designs in your soap would be to use a mold that makes individual bars of soaps instead of blocks.
First, make a plain white base to fill your mold, and then remove a cup
or two from your batch. Add colorant to the cup of mixture, and then
pour this into a cake-decorating bag. Use this mixture to write
colorful designs onto the bottom of your mold.
Once you have completed this, then spoon your white base mixture on top
of this, being very careful not to disturb your writings.
Once you have spooned a few inches over your writings, then you can
carefully pour the rest of your soap into your mold (do this in one
corner so if your writing is disturbed only one section will be messed
up), let this set for 24 to 48 hours. Unmold and cut into bars.
When you unmold your soap, the bottoms will have your designs
permanently embedded into your bars of soap. This is yet another
intriguing method used to decorate your soaps.
Be creative and above all, have fun.
About the Author:
john savage is a Current Soap Maker. To quickly and easily make soap without wasting time or money please Click Here to visit my Blog.
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