Archive for September, 2007

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How to recycle cards, and mementos for your scrapbook

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

Introduction

If you like to scrapbook you probably have all sorts of materials that you use.  There are papers (of all shaped, sizes and patterns), tapes, stickers, embellishments, cutting tools, the list could go on and on.  Many people enjoy scrapbooking their photos and journaling what that particular picture is about.  But with so many memories that are stored in items such as cards or other mementos, it is hard to know what to do to incorporate all of your precious memories on a flat sheet of paper.

Instructions
How to salvage a scrapbook that got wet
Meta description:  Fortunately there is something that you can do if the unthinkable happens and you experience a flood or an accidental spill and your scrapbook becomes wet.  By following these instructions carefully, you can salvage your scrapbook.
Key words: scrapbook, pages, photos, wet, dry, clean, ventilated, room, salvage, save, paper, steps, hang
Tags: scrapbook, pages, photos, wet, dry, clean, ventilated, room, salvage, save, paper, steps, hang

Introduction

A scrapbook is a very valuable possession to many people, especially if it has been passed down from loved ones.  It is very traumatic when the unfortunate happens and this precious book and its contents become damaged.  Water damage can be particularly distressing especially if your now damaged documents are irreplaceable. 

Instructions

Fortunately there is something that you can do if the unthinkable happens and you experience a flood or an accidental spill and your scrapbook becomes wet.  By following these instructions carefully, you can salvage your scrapbook.

Steps to salvaging a scrapbook that got wet

When salvaging a scrapbook that got wet it is important to treat the photos and the scrapbook pages differently.  Photo paper has properties that are very different from that of scrapbooking paper.  There is some debate over the appropriateness of the following photo drying procedure with digital prints, so it is wise to follow these steps with a test digital photo to ensure that you will not cause more damage. 

Drying out the photos.

1.    Take apart your scrapbook album and space the pages out.  Photos will stick together if they are allowed to dry while still touching.
2.    Start to dry them immediately, the disintegration process begins after only a few days.
3.    If the photos are completely covered in water, put them in clean plastic buckets of cold water.  Add 1/4 cup of formaldehyde for every gallon of cold water. Try to keep the water temperature at 65 degrees or lower.  Allow the photos to soak for only a moment.
4.    As quickly as you can, remove the soaking photos and rinse them in cold running water for about 15 minutes.
5.    Hang the photos to dry on the clothesline in a room that is well ventilated and clean. 

Drying out the scrapbook pages.

6.    Air dry the documents.  Find a safe place in your house that is clean, dry and preferably colder than the rest of your home.  If you have a dehumidifier, turn it on and place it in the room.
7.    Interleave the pages of the scrapbook and put un-inked newsprint or some other type of blotter in between each page.  Fiberglass screens will also work well put can become expensive as you will need one for every page in your scrapbook.
8.    Change out the blotting paper and reposition the pages so that all side of every page are exposed and allowed to dry. Make sure that you maintain the order of the pages as you are moving them around
9.    Make sure that your drying room remains well ventilated throughout this process.  Direct fans away from the scrapbook pages rather than positioning them so that air is blowing on the pages.
10.    To remove the curl from the dry prints, carefully slip them (individually) between 2 pieces of acid-free paper (or other appropriate substance) and flatten them out for a day or two under a heavy book. 

Other tips

After drying out scrapbook pages, some people find that the pages have a mildew or musty smell to them.  Usually a few minutes outside (not in direct sunlight) will help to eliminate this smell.  It is also important to remember to maintain your scrapbook well; this includes storing them the right way.  Scrapbooks should be stored in water tight containers.  Silica gel helps to eliminate the effects of mold and mildew. Silica gel can be found in most craft stores.  Simply put a packet (do not open the solution) in between the pages of the front and the back of the book before putting it into storage.  Using archival paper is another way to lengthen the life of your scrapbook. 

 
 

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The differences in materials of beads

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Besides the numerous types of beads that are available another interesting thing about beads is the differences in material. Beads are made up of many different materials, which is what helps make the beads so different. No matter what kind of material the beads are made out the still come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and colors, which makes them pretty universal. But because of the beads begin made out of different materials so beads are designed for a specific purpose, such as crafting, art, jewelry, etc. But the good thing about beads is that even though they might be made out of glass, which is used a lot for jewelry, you can still use the glass beads for other purposes, beads are very universal regardless of what they are made up of.

Here are some of the materials that beads are made up of.

Plastic:
Most of your beads that are designed for jewelry are not made from plastic, but you can find some plastic beads that are designed for piercing, which is basically designed for stringing. One of the most common types of beads that are made out of plastic is your seed beads. One of the great things about plastic is that you can actually mold the beads to the string during production. In fact the throw beads that you see at Mardi Gras and the fake bead necklaces that kids use for dress up are made out of plastic beads being molded onto a thread. Plastic is a popular material used in making beads but one thing to keep in mind is that plastic is not a raw material, it is entirely man made. With plastic beads different types of dyes are added to change the colors.

Glass:
Glass is another popular material that beads are made up of.  Most of your glass beads were designed for jewelry and other art forms with beads. Unlike plastic beads glass beads can not be molded onto a thread during production. The only way to make anything out of glass beads is by stringing the beads with a machine or by hand. Glass is another material of bead that is entirely man made, meaning it isn’t a raw material. Another thing about glass beads is that there are other chemicals added to it to change the color of the glass.

Stone:
This is probably the most popular method of making beads from raw materials. Both glass and plastic beads are man made, but stone is a completely natural product. One of the best things about using stones to make beads is that if you have the right equipment you can make your own stone beads. Stone beads only come in their natural color, so in order to get the right color you are going to have to pick a certain kind of stone.

While these three materials are the most common materials used in making beads there are still other materials, both raw and man made materials that are used to make beads. Some other materials that are used to make beads are: bone, horn, ivory, metal, shell, pearl, coral, gemstones, polymer, clay, metal clay, resin, synthetic materials, wood, ceramic, fiber, paper, and seeds. The main difference between all of these materials, besides them being natural materials, is how the materials are processed to make the beads and what things are added to the materials in order to change the color or shape of the bead. Most beads are now made by machine, but what kind of machine is used depends on the material being used to form the beads.

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Why jewelry is a great craft idea for kids

Friday, September 28th, 2007

Most kids enjoy making crafts. Crafts keep kids entertained and allow them to put their creativity to good use.

If you are looking for a great craft idea for your children, consider jewelry making. This is an ideal craft for kids of all ages and can use all sorts of materials, from macaroni to beautiful glass beads.

Jewelry is a great craft idea for kids for a number of reasons, including:
 Appropriate for all ages. Kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teenagers, will enjoy making and decorating their own jewelry. Younger children can make necklaces and bracelets out of yarn and macaroni, and older kids will enjoy making jewelry out of beads, wire, and jewelry clasps.
 It doesn’t require a lot of materials. Making jewelry is an inexpensive craft idea for kids (unless older kids want to spend a lot of money on beads and different materials.) In fact, most of the things you need to make jewelry you’ll already have around the house.
 It’s easy. Making jewelry is an easy craft idea that doesn’t require complicated instructions. Instead, kids can put their creativity to work by creating different pieces of jewelry by style, materials, and color.
 It is easily displayed. Unlike many craft items, jewelry won’t be stuck to the refrigerator or put in a box somewhere. Jewelry is a great craft idea for kids because they can proudly wear their creations or give them as gifts.

Making jewelry
If this sounds like something your kids would enjoy, here is how to make jewelry for all ages.

Older kids can make jewelry using fishing wire and beads, obtained at local craft stores. This is easy to do. Measure out the length you want in wire, adding a little extra so you can attach the clasps to the ends as well.

Because beads are so small and it can be difficult threading them onto the wire or thread, it is also helpful sometimes to use a needle as a guide. Stack the beads on the needle, and then use it to guide them onto the wire or thread.

Macaroni jewelry
This type of jewelry is better for younger kids who don’t have the manual dexterity to string tiny beads onto thread and wire. It can be made with materials you probably already have lying around the house.

Materials needed:
 Macaroni noodles
 Rubbing alcohol
 Food coloring and bowls to put it in
 Yarn
 Paper towels

Instructions

1. Using one bowl for each color, place the desired number of noodles in each bowl. Pour enough rubbing alcohol over the noodles so they are covered. Then, add a generous amount of food coloring to each bowl of alcohol and noodles. Let them sit until they have reached the desired shade. (This step may want to be done the night before; the longer the noodles sit, the brighter the colors.)
2. Once noodles have reached the desired color, lay them flat and let them dry on paper towels.
3. When noodles are dry, cut lengths of yarn for necklaces, bracelets, etc. and string noodles on them, allowing enough length for tying.

Jewelry is a great craft idea for a number of kids. Not only is it perfect for all ages, but kids can proudly display their creations by wearing them!

 

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Where to go to learn how to embroider

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Have you always wanted to learn how to embroider but never knew where you could go to learn how? If you answered yes to the previous question the good news is that there are numerous places you can go to get embroidering lessons. Where you can go to learn how to embroider depends a lot on how you are able to learn. For example if you can teach yourself without the aid of a teacher than you should be able to learn from books, video or the internet, but if you need to have someone walking you through the steps than you would want to take a class or learn from a friend.

Here are some tips on where you can go to learn how to embroider.

Tip one:
Like everything else in our world today you can also learn how to embroider on the internet. There are a variety of websites on the internet that offer step by step instructions on how to embroider. These websites can and do include instructional videos that you can download, as well as reading material to help you learn. Some of the websites will also provide you with tips and tricks to embroidering as well as free patterns from basic patterns for beginners to more advanced patterns for the more advanced users.

Tip two:
One place to go for embroidering lessons is to take a class on embroidering. You can take classes on embroidering from craft or fabric stores, as well as community colleges or adult schools. These classes are also offered in different levels so if you are a beginner you can take a beginning class and then you can move up as you see fit. You can also take specialty classes that will give you tips and tricks on embroidering, you can even take classes that will teach you how to embroider free hand, which means without a pattern. Most of the time if you want to embroider without a pattern you are going to need to have some type of drawing skills so that you can sketch out a pattern or draw directly with the needle and thread.

Tip three:
One of the best places that you can go to take embroidering lessons is to friends or family members that already do embroidering; chances are that the best person you can approach for embroidering lessons is your mother or grandmother. By learning from somebody you know you are going to be in a relaxed environment and you can get first hand knowledge from watching them embroider, as well as getting instructions in a one on one setting. Sometimes learning in a group is harder than learning by yourself, but you will still have the benefit from their experience. Not to mention the fact that if you are learning from a family member you will most likely learn about your "family secrets" to embroidering.

Tip four:
Another way that you can learn how to embroider is through books. You can go to book stores, craft stores, fabric stores, libraries, or any other place that sells books on embroidering and buy books that can teach you how to embroider. By using books you can read about all of the steps involved in embroidering, look at diagrams on how it is done and obtain free patterns so that you can practice. And you are not limited to only using books, many times you can find embroidering magazines that will teach you how to embroider. But the bad thing about learning from a book is that you don’t have the benefit of asking people questions about what you should be doing, nor do you get to learn their tips and tricks.

Tip five:
Another place to go to take lessons in embroidering is in your own home through the use of instructional videos. These are a great way to help you learn how to embroider because you can stop and rewind the video at any point until you understand the concept or until you master the skill. You can also benefit from watching the people show you the steps and the proper way to hold the needle, do the stitches or what you can do to correct your mistakes.  But like with books you don’t have the advantages of having someone answer your questions directly.

 

 

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Tips for making your paper crafts last a lifetime

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Are you the type of person who enjoys making paper crafts? Do you make paper crafts to sell? Do you make paper crafts to give out as gifts for special occasions? Or are you the type of person who enjoys decorating your home with paper crafts that you have made? If you answered yes to any of the questions above you might have run into the problem that your paper crafts don’t last as long as other decorations. One major problem that people are experiencing whether they are decorating their house or making things to sell is that their paper crafts or their other crafts with paper accents are deteriorating faster than they would like. If this has happened to you the good news is that there are ways to help make your paper crafts last longer than average, maybe even as long as your lifetime.

Here are some tips on how to make your paper crafts last longer.

Tip one:
One of the ways that you can make your paper crafts last a lifetime is to use acid free paper for your paper craft projects. Everybody knows that over time normal paper can deteriorate or turn yellow, not to mention it can also affect the objects that are surrounding the paper, such as photos. The reason that this happens is that the acids that are inside the paper start to cause things to break down over time. The good news is that over time we have developed acid free paper which helps to save the colors of your paper, as well as prevent it from breaking down.

Tip two:
Another thing that you can do to help make your paper crafts last longer is after making the project you can paint it with a glue and water mix. To make this mix you will need to mix two cups of glue to one part of water and lightly coat your paper craft. This will increase the durability of the paper so it won’t lose its shape. You might have to reapply the glue and water mix as time goes on.

Tip three:
Everybody knows that over time paper will fade in sunlight, how fast it fades depends on how exposed it is to the sun. So a great way to help preserve the colors of the paper is to not place paper crafts in direct sunlight, such as hanging paper crafts in windows or placing them on window sills.

Tip four:
Another great tip to help make your paper crafts last longer is to use an acrylic spray after you have finished the project. This spray works similar to the glue and water mixture that was mentioned above, except that the spray works better for painted surfaces. In fact if you have painted the paper you don’t want to use the glue and water mixture because you can cause the colors in the paint to run. You can also use varnish instead of the acrylic spray, but with the varnish you will have to paint it on rather than spray it on.

Tip five:
Since your paper crafts are not always on display another way to help them last a lifetime is to properly store them. When storing your paper crafts you are going to want to store them in a room that provides a stable humidity and temperature, you don’t want to expose any kind of paper to extreme temperatures, whether high or low. Basically the best place to store these paper crafts is on the main floor of your home next to an inside wall, but you also want to keep the place relatively free from light. You also want to store them in a plastic box that is made up of polyester or polyethylene.

 

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How to sell your bead crafts

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

Have you been making bead crafts as a hobby, but are now starting to think that you would enjoy selling them? If so there is good news, you can actually sell your bead crafts to the general public and make a pretty good profit. More and more people who enjoy making crafts from beads, fabric, paper, etc are starting to sell their projects to the general public and they are finding that there is a demand for it. By following a few simple tips you can get started selling your bead crafts, which might eventually lead you to start your own business doing something that you love. One of the best ways to sell your bead crafts is through word of mouth advertising, if you plan on selling your bead crafts be sure to inform all of your friends and neighbors so they can tell everybody they know.

Here are some tips on how to sell your bead crafts.

Tip one:
A really great way to sell your bead crafts is to participate in craft shows, boutiques, and fairs. If you can’t afford the rent in a boutique in the beginning a great way to get started is to begin having "craft boutiques" from your own home. You can do most of the advertising yourself by posting fliers around the neighborhood letting people know when and where your boutique will be. Keep in mind that you might want to make up some type of business card so that people will know about your business and what you have to offer. When you are selling from your home, at a boutique or at craft shows you want to be sure to arrange your products in a way that will catch people’s eye and will cause them to come over to look. Before displaying your bead craft items you should learn more about displaying so that you can be sure that you display your products correctly.

Tip two:
Another great tip is to start a website that allows people to order your products online. If you have created business cards to hand out at any craft boutiques or shows that you are involved in make sure that you include your website, this can help increase the amount of sales you can get overall. Like your boutique you want to make sure that you arrange your website so that your products are displayed correctly.

Tip three:
Another idea is that you can make a business stand on the corners of certain streets; you want to make sure that you follow the proper steps in order to sell your beads from the street corner. You also want to choose a pretty busy intersection so that you can increase your foot and car traffic.

Tip four:
Another thing that you can do is to approach a consignment store. These stores will allow you to place your bead crafts on display at their store and they will sell them for you, but you will only receive a certain percentage of the sales. This is done in lieu of you paying rent and is perfect for people who are looking to sell bead crafts for some extra income.

Tip five:
Another way to sell your bead crafts is to publish a notice in a newspaper, local or county wide, that you are selling these types of craft items. You can also post fliers on bulletin boards in grocery stores or community centers.

The main thing is there are numerous ways that you can sell your bead crafts, the only limitations are in some cases you might need to obtain a business license. If you are serious about selling your bead crafts you should look into obtaining a business license, just so that you have more ways to sell your products.

 

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Where to find free craft ideas for kids

Friday, September 21st, 2007

With school out, one great way to keep kids entertained is through crafts. Crafts can keep children occupied for hours while providing an outlet for their creativity.

If you need craft ideas for kids, you can find them for free from a number of places. The following are resources for free craft ideas for kids:

The library
Your local public library is an excellent resource for free craft ideas for kids. Most libraries have entire sections on crafts, so you can check the books out and use them for ideas for your crafts before returning them.

Libraries are a good choice as well because not only do they have a wide range of books for crafts, but many of them are narrowed down to crafts for kids, holiday crafts for kids, crafts for pre school aged kids, and more, so it won’t be difficult to find free craft ideas, whether for fun or for learning.

Craft stores
You don’t have to pay for all the ideas you’ll see if you browse up and down the aisles of a craft store. Many times, stores will have handouts or tear-out sheets of craft ideas that you can take for free.

Online
The internet is also an excellent source for free craft ideas you can get without even leaving your home.

These are a few sites that are great resources for free craft ideas.
 www.familyfun.com This site have craft ideas for all ages for free, including back to school crafts, seasonal crafts, and educational craft ideas.
 www.mycraftbook.com This is an excellent site for crafts for kids, many of which are tailored to the current season. In addition, there are craft ideas for Father’s Day, birthdays, and many other occasions. This is nice because it is organized by age group, so you can select a group (for example, pre-school) and find age-appropriate crafts.
 www.craftbits.com This site is good for people who want to make some quick and easy crafts with kids and features 21 Quick Kids Crafts, ideas for easy crafts you can make with your children, many of which require materials you’ll already have around the house.
 www.kraftykid.com This site features free and easy craft ideas for children that are fun and simple for kids of all ages.
 www.crafterscommunity.com This is a great site for adults and children alike who enjoy crafts and has a number of free craft ideas for children of all ages and abilities.

Friends/Neighbors
If you have friends and neighbors with kids your age, ask them if they do any crafts with their kids. Many people love crafts and see it as an enjoyable way to spend time with their children, so it’s worth looking into whether or not your friends have any craft ideas they can tell you about. 

If you have the kids home for the summer, you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, or you just want to provide your children with something fun and creative they can do, consider doing some arts and crafts together. Crafts are an excellent way to encourage a child’s creativity, and many crafts can be done with things you already have in the house. You can find craft ideas for free in a number of places.

 

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Where to go for cross stitch lessons

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

Have you always wanted to learn how to cross stitch but never knew where you could go to get lessons? If you answered yes to the previous question the good news is that there are numerous places you can go to get cross stitching lessons. Where you can go to learn how to cross stitch depends a lot on how you are able to learn. For example if you can teach yourself without the aid of a teacher than you should be able to learn from books, video or the internet, but if you need to have someone walking you through the steps than you would want to take a class or learn from a friend.

Here are some tips for where you can go for cross stitch lessons.

Tip one:
One place to go for cross stitching lessons is to take a class on cross stitching. You can take classes on cross stitching from craft or fabric stores, as well as community colleges or adult schools. These classes are also offered in different levels so if you are a beginner you can take a beginning class and then you can move up as you see fit. You can also take specialty classes that will give you tips and tricks on cross stitching, you can even take classes that will teach you how to cross stitch free hand, which means without a pattern. The classes that you will be taking on cross stitching will include the basics of cross stitching, such as the five basic stitches used in cross stitching.

Tip two:
Like everything else in our world today you can also learn how to cross stitch on the internet. There are a variety of websites on the internet that offer step by step instructions on how to cross stitch. These websites can and do include instructional videos that you can download, as well as reading material to help you learn. Some of the websites will also provide you with tips and tricks to cross stitching as well as free patterns from basic patterns for beginners to more advanced patterns for the more advanced users.

Tip three:
One of the best places that you can go to take cross stitching lessons is to friends or family members that already do cross stitching, chances are that the best person you can approach for cross stitching lessons is your mother or grandmother. By learning from somebody you know you are going to be in a relaxed environment and you can get first hand knowledge from watching them cross stitch, as well as getting instructions in a one on one setting. Sometimes learning in a group is harder than learning by yourself, but you will still have the benefit from their experience. Not to mention the fact that if you are learning from a family member you will most likely learn about your "family secrets" to cross stitching.

Tip four:
Another place to go to take lessons in cross stitching is your own home through the use of instructional videos. These are a great way to help you learn how to cross stitch because you can stop and rewind the video at any point until you understand the concept or until you master the skill. You can also benefit from watching the people show you the steps and the proper way to hold the needle, do the stitches or what you can do to correct your mistakes.

Tip five:
Another way that you can learn how to cross stitch is through books. You can go to book stores, craft stores, fabric stores, libraries, or any other place that sells books on cross stitching and buy books that can teach you how to cross stitch. By using books you can read about all of the steps involved in cross stitching, look at diagrams on how it is done and obtain free patterns so that you can practice. And you are not limited to only using books, many times you can find cross stitching magazines that will teach you how to cross stitch. But the bad thing about learning from a book is that you don’t have the benefit of asking people questions about what you should be doing, nor do you get to learn their tips and tricks.

 

 

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How to recycle cards, and mementos for your scrapbook

Sunday, September 16th, 2007

Introduction

If you like to scrapbook you probably have all sorts of materials that you use.  There are papers (of all shaped, sizes and patterns), tapes, stickers, embellishments, cutting tools, the list could go on and on.  Many people enjoy scrapbooking their photos and journaling what that particular picture is about.  But with so many memories that are stored in items such as cards or other mementos, it is hard to know what to do to incorporate all of your precious memories on a flat sheet of paper.

Instructions

There are all sorts of ways that you can recycle cards and mementos for your scrapbook.  With some basic tools and some guidance, you can jumpstart your own imaginative ideas.  Start with an idea for a page that you want to make that incorporates a page or a memento (i.e. a birthday or Christmas page).  Gather the materials that you want to have represented on the page and figure out the format for your page.  If you are having trouble thinking of ways to recycle cards and mementos for your scrapbook, here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

Use card as a photo frame

Often times cards are very big (compared to your pictures and embellishments) and it is difficult to find room for them on the page of your scrapbook.  Instead of displaying your card by itself on a page, use the card as a photo frame for your picture.  You can either simply place the photo on top of the card or you can cut out a window (like a photo mat) for the picture and secure a photo to the inside of the card so that the card serves as a picture frame.  Use the front cover or the inside of the card (where the message and signature is) for both of these scrapbooking ideas.

Cut out card illustrations

If you are looking for something even smaller than a card size, cut out only a portion of the card and use it as a decorative sticker.  Cut out the figures on the card and use them to decorate the scrapbook page. 

If it will stick on a page, use it!

Sometimes it is difficult to think of ways to incorporate large or 3-D mementos to your scrapbook.  This is when it becomes important to be creative.  Let’s say that you got a really special gift for your birthday.  Let’s use the example of a bike.  Obviously you cannot use that memento on your scrapbook page, but you can incorporate the wrapping paper used to wrap the bike, the front page of the bike’s instruction manual or a picture of the bike from a catalog.  If you have some kind of memento that is flat but may not adhere to paper with simple tape, use clear adhesive.  Things like award ribbons, certificates, school papers with a `A+’ mark, can all be incorporated in to a scrapbook and accompanied by a photo that may help to better tell the story of the event.

Take photos or use a piece of larger mementos

Many times there are very special things in our life that we want to be able to incorporate in our scrapbooks but the scale of the objects prohibits us from doing so.  For example, your daughter’s first dance outfit may be very special to you or the first car you bought may hold sentimental value.  Obviously both of these things will not fit in a memory book, however you can capture anything in a photo and incorporate that photo onto a special page.  Another idea is to take only a piece of a larger object and scrapbook that piece instead. One example for this is that you can cut a small part of a special dance outfit out and adhere it to the page next to a picture of the outfit. 

Other tips

It is hard to perfectly capture everything that is important to you in a scrapbook but if you use your imagination you can really do something special.  Another idea to incorporate cards and mementos into your scrapbook is to video record when you receive these items and then use your computer to make a DVD that you can store in your scrapbook and look at from time to time. 

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How to find a wholesaler for beads

Saturday, September 15th, 2007

If you are involved in a crafting business or are thinking about starting a crafting business chances are you already know a little bit about wholesalers and what they do. But if you don’t know what a wholesaler is here is a brief explanation. A wholesaler is a company or person that sells materials to other businesses at a discounted price. Many times wholesalers do not sell items in small quantities; they most often sell their materials in bulk. It is because they sell the materials in bulk that you get a better price on the items than you would have to buy them individually. Wholesalers generally only sell to people who have a valid business license and in order to work with a wholesaler you usually need to provide a copy of your business license or at least provide them with some type of proof that you are running a business. By going through a wholesaler you can also sometimes get your materials tax free, depending on what type of business you are and what the wholesaler has to offer, but remember that even if you don’t pay tax on the items now you will still have to pay that tax at a later date.

Here are some tips on how to find a wholesaler for beads.

Tip one:
One of the most important things that you need to know about finding a wholesaler for beads is that in order to purchase from a wholesaler you are going to need a business license. If you don’t have a business license chances are you are not going to be able to purchase beads from a wholesaler at the better prices.

Tip two:
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a wholesaler is to make sure that they wholesaler can provide you with everything that you need as soon as you need it. If you go to the wholesaler you are expecting to be able to get certain things and if they are constantly out of an item you need and don’t make arrangements to get it for you, then you are going to have problems pleasing your customers.

Tip three:
Another thing that you should do when looking for a wholesaler is to avoid any e-books and drop shippers lists that claim to hook you up with the best wholesalers. Chances are these companies are either out of business or are actually third parties selling supplies that they claim are wholesale prices but are quite a bit higher.

Tip four:
When looking for a wholesaler you are going to want to do some research on the company to be sure that they are actually wholesalers. By using business resources such as a small business association or something similar you can find reputable wholesalers. You can also use wholesale directories that will led you to reputable wholesalers.

Tip five:
You can also check with local crafters to see what wholesalers they use or talk to people at your local craft store to find out about any wholesalers that they know about.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a wholesaler is to do plenty of research and try to see the place in person. By actually being able to go to the warehouse you are going to get a better feel for the people you will be dealing with and their inventory. If they are out of a lot of items when you go and visit chances are they aren’t going to have what you need when you want it.

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