With the country’s financial system in turmoil, everyone is looking for ways to save a few bucks this holiday season. While some Christmas shopping might be inevitable (Just make sure you shop handmade when you do shop!), there’s no need to spend more than you can afford. Listed below is a number of easy gift projects which can be completed at home with minimal costs.
For most customers, shopping on Black Friday based more in tradition than practicality. The day after Thanksgiving requires one to wake up at dawn, drive to the mall, and shop and shop and shop! However, for some shoppers, Black Friday is more of an annoyance than anything else, a rushed unpleasant time for taking care of holiday shopping—but having to first face masses of angry and demanding customers.
Tip #1
Supplies:
Most people have some misinterpretations about energy usage when it comes to their personal computers. There are many misconceptions floating around about efficient computer use, but after some thorough investigating on the web, I’ve constructed a short list of methods to aid users in making use of environmentally friendly personal computer skills.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, we all want to make a difference, but have no clue how to start. I mean it is not like we’re all billionaires, with immense amounts of money and time to spare changing the world. Most of us are just trying to get by, and when it comes to helping others, yeah, maybe we’ll get to that after the house is clean and the bills are paid and the kids are put to sleep. And really, one person can’t make that much of an impact right?
Orchid by Sfbeads $35  | Check out this darling handmade decoration, prefect for fall home decorating. Orchid stands about 8 inches high, and is sure to put a smile on the face of everyone this Halloween! Click here to view the item for sale on Artfire.com. | |
Fall Pumpkin Pincushion by Verybigjen $20 | This handmade pincushion is custom made when you order it to be completely one-of-a-kind! Great for Halloween, fall, or just anytime you’re doing needlecrafts. Click here to view the item for sale on Artfire.com. | |
Halloween Lampwork Glass Beads – Pumpkins 4 Candy Corn by beadsnsuch $20 | This bracelet looks good enough to eat! It’s 100% handmade of Moretti, Lausha and Czech glass. A great treat for any child or adult! Click here the view the item for sale on Artfire.com. | |
Autumn Handmade Fall greeting Card by Kards $2.5 | This blank greeting card was specially made to encompass the feeling of fall. Send it to someone to wish them a Happy Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just to let them know you’re thinking of them. Click here to view the item for sale on Artfire.com. |
Looking for more festive goodies? Check out our seasonal crafts section.
Thanks for reading, and have a Happy Halloween everyone!
-Sara
www.artfire.com
Turning your home business into an environmentally friendly one is helpful for the earth as well as your piggy bank. Below are 3 quick changes you can make in your working day that will help turn your craft business into a more eco-friendly one.
So you’ve added the finishing touches on your children’s handmade Halloween outfits, you’ve put out the healthy Halloween treats for visitors, so what else do you need to do to make sure your family has a happy Halloween this year? Most parents know better than to let their children treat-or-trick alone or eat unusual candy, but in the rush of the holiday, people usually overlook a few significant safety precautions. Listed below is some helpful advice for a fun and safe Halloween with your family this year.
As Halloween draws closer and closer, major chain stores have begun displaying their Halloween costumes and decorations. But most shoppers understand that Halloween outfits from mainstream stores lack originality and quality. The majority of them are designed to be worn only that one night, and therefore they are made with second-rate materials. For a high-quality specialized Halloween costume, shoppers must turn to the craft marketplace.
One easy way to go green is to not use hazardous cleaning materials to make your art studio spick and span. But if you can’t use normal cleaning supplies, what can you do to maintain a neat and tidy craft room? Well, listed below we have some handy eco-friendly tips to help you break your dependency on dangerous cleaning materials.
Tony, like most people, doesn’t always listen to his mom. Moms normally mean well, but we can’t follow all the advice they offer us. Not many of us live the well-mannered and healthy life our mothers planned for us. We don’t bother to eat an apple a day and have chicken soap when we’re feeling under the weather. But with scientific and medical findings proving the positive impact of these bits of advice, one begins to wonder, what else was mom right about?
Halloween Pumpkin painting can be easier and safer than carving, and it often results in a more creative craft product. A painted pumpkin will last longer than a carved one, especially if you live somewhere with humid or chilly weather.
When you launch your own internet artisan business, you get all the advantages of being your own boss while earning revenue from your talent. But this isn’t as simple as it sounds. Many crafters work hard to be profitable in their home businesses, and listed below is some pointers to help you in setting up a rewarding internet store.
Photo: Andrew Moore, Wired Magazine
Rather than simply setting aside a space in his home for the library, Walker designed the house around his library. This is his inspirational center, his artistic haven, his intellectual port. Here, one is surrounded by informational and rare objects which changed the ways people think about the world as they know it.
On one wall, you’ll find a cloth napkin from 1943, on which President Franklin D. Roosevelt sketched out his plan to victory in World War II. On the table is a 300 million-year-old dinosaur eggs, posed next to a surgeon’s tool kit from the Civil War. Across the room sits a tree-bark Indonesian book about cannibalism, with a Middle Eastern goddess figure from 5000 BC sitting on top. And let’s not forget Sputnik, which hangs gracefully overhead.
But Walker doesn’t collect unusual and valuable items just for the sake of doing so. Many of the books in his collection are reprints, and many of the rare artifacts in his library are too unusual to be worth much to other collectors. Walker prefers to collect objects that altered how people think about the world. His mindset is if so many changes can be made in human thought within our time on this planet, then the future holds endless possibilities.
Walker made his riches by founding Walker Digital, a company which comes up with ideas and patents, best known for developing Priceline.com. And while a three story craft studio might be a bit out of most artisans’ budget, everyone can learn a thing or two from Walker’s library. Many crafters place their art space in an itsy bitsy corner, pushed away from the rest of the home. What does this communicate about their hobby? That it is just a hobby, rather than an important part of their lives. While people often balance art projects in with family, work, and a social life, generally it is crafts that take the smallest priority. So take a few tips from Walker, don’t shove your interests off to the side. Give them the attention they deserve, and take your art seriously!
Douglas Prasher, standing outside the Toyota dealership where he works in Huntsville, Alabama. Image from the Cape Cod Times.
Significant contributions to the world cannot be designed by one individual. Rather, they are a group project, crafted and developed by a handful of talented workers, rather than just the two or three who get the credit. This is true in the crafting world just as it is true in the scientific world. And no one knows this better than Douglas Prasher.
In 1988, Prasher was at the top of scientific research world. His work on jellyfish proteins helped gain Roger Tsien and Martin Chalfie the 2008 Nobel Prize, according to the Cape Cod Times. And while these men will be collecting a $ 1.4 million check, Prasher will be making his living driving a courtesy shuttle at a car dealership.
But Prasher regrets nothing. After his grant ran out in 1992, Prasher willing gave his data and samples to fellow scientists and friends Chalfie and Tsien. They continued his research, and were granted the Nobel Prize last week with Osamu Shimomura after formulating a new way to help treat cancer cells using glowing jellyfish proteins. That many sound strange, but it has enormous potential in preventing the spread of cancer in the human body.
Although he has helped secure his fellow scientists money and praise, Prasher was happy to help. He thinks about the larger impact his work will have on cancer treatment, and is proud to have contributed.
This kind of selflessness is something that everyone can aspire to. Whether you’re an artisan or a scientist, a craftsman or a chemist, you can appreciate the importance of the sharing of ideas for the common good.
While people often try to protect their original ideas, at Artfire.com, we encourage artist cooperation and teamwork. So don’t be greedy with your craft ideas. Get out there was a community and make an impact!
Click here to read the full article on Douglas Prasher by the Cape Cod Times.
Click here to read my Behind ArtFire Beta Blog.
-Sara
This picture shows a woman in the great depression displaying one of her handmade quilts at a local fair. Many people do not think of the 1930s as being in color, since most pictures are in black and white. Those times were bleak, work was scarce, and life was difficult. All these things are expressed in this women’s hard expression. And now, nearly 80 years after this photo was taken, America is facing the possibility of yet another depression.
Let’s face it: the stock market is the toilet. Reporters this morning were throwing around the term “Black Friday” as the Dow Jones dipped below 9,000 points. Markets around the world are starting to go down, and many financial advisers say that this is only the beginning of a global recession, possibly even a global depression.
The truth is, as much as these experts and reporters claim, no one knows for sure what will happen. People begin to panic, and wonder what can be done to survive the recession.
To help our failing economy, Americans should invest in handmade goods from local sellers. When you make the choice to buy handmade, you’re helping another struggling average American citizen, rather than a wealthy CEO of an overseas manufacturing company. Your money is going to another person, who is facing the same kind of financial problems that you are.
And when you buy from local sellers, your money is going back into our economy, which aids in its recovery. Let’s be honest, our economy needs all the help it can get right now. Don’t send your money overseas to buy poorly made overpriced items. One of the reasons our economy is suffering stems from Americans are buying goods from China and India, instead of helping sellers here at home. Choose now to invest you money here, where it’s needed.
If you decide to buy handmade products over mass produced ones, you’re not just helping average citizens, you’re getting a finely made product at a lower price. Handmade items are proven to last longer and be more efficient than factory made items. When you buy handmade goods, you receive a unique specialized item for an affordable price.
And with free artisan listing sites like Artfire.com, you know that 100% of your money goes to support the artist. That’s because ArtFire allows members to list their items for completely free, no royalty fees, no final evacuation fees, no processing fees, no fees at all. The money you spend goes directly to help the artist.
Americas survived the great depression of the 1930s by investing in handmade goods. They knew the importance of aiding other Americans. They helped each other, and they helped local sellers. They supported other Americans, and with the financial boost from WWII, our country was able to come out of a bleak period in our economy. So learn from their example, buy handmade products and support local artists.
Getting Started
If you’re not an expert with a needle and thread, don’t worry. Just because you’re making your animal’s outfit by hand doesn’t mean you need to start with nothing. Depending on how big your pet is, you can start with a child or baby’s Halloween costume, easily found at your local thrift store. These outfits can be reworked it to fit your animal with just a little time and some crafting knowhow. If you’d rather not adapt your outfit from another’s, you can also try finding a pet Halloween outfit pattern online.
Measure and Test
A child’s body is shaped very differently from an animal’s. No matter how big or small your pet is, you’ll need to take measurements on your animal and do small changes to the outfit. The best way to do this is to try your costume out on your pet as you make adjustments.
Remember Safety
Consider your pet’s overall happiness as you work. The costume shouldn’t be too tight, and should allow for easy breathing through your pet’s mouth and the nose. Make sure your pet has easy control of his/her legs, head, and tail. The outfit should be easy to put on as well as take off. Remember, if you dress your pet in a poorly fitted costume, he/she will try to wiggle out of it. Also, remember your pet’s physical needs. If your pet needs to use the bathroom while dressed up, will he/she be able to?
Fun Costume Ideas
Dogs tend to be easiest to dress, but with some support cats can also wear costumes. If your animal is not used to being dressed up, you’ll want to go with something simple. Maybe a bright red vampire cape, or a pink tie, or maybe little devil horns.
If you plan on taking your pet trick or treating, you could try making matching or themed outfits for both of you. This year, try going as a couple witches, or maybe you could dress as the pet and he/she could be the master. Since you’re making the costume yourself, you can let your imagination run wild!
Click here to check out some of the fun clothing the crafters at ArtFire.com are making!
Click here to check out my Behind ArtFire Beta Blog!
-Sara
Photo: The world’s largest solar power plant in Germany, picture by Waltraud Grubitzsch/EPA/Corbis, the Guardian.
To battle growing energy concerns, researchers from the European Union are making preparations to make use of renewable energy sources more than 1,000 miles away.
Presently scientists are devising a plan for a High Voltage Direct Current line grid to bring in solar energy from the Saharan desert in northern Africa. Preparations are underway to create a series of solar farms across the desert, according to the Common Dreams News Center. Researchers speculate that just 0.3% of the sunlight hitting the Sahara everyday would be enough to sufficiently provide electricity to all of Europe.
The task is still in planning and very likely reach €450 billion in cost. It would assist Europe in fulfilling its goal of generating 20% of its total energy from green sources by 2020. The EU hopes that the gridline from the Sahara could produce 100 GW of solar power by 2050, which is more than all the current renewable energy sources could generate combined.
Click here to read more about Europe’s Green Energy plans.
Check out my Behind ArtFire Beta Blog!
-Sara
The photo above is by Stuart Haygarth, a special chandelier made completely out of recycled eyeglasses.
Life can be about the little things that make up our existence. Sadly, most people don’t notice or acknowledge the importance of these little things. This is why one art exhibit is working to put focus back on the little things and show visitors the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The exhibit, “Second Lives Remixing the Ordinary” at the New York Museum of Arts and Design doesn’t contain many normal pieces of art. The show represents more than 50 different artists or teams, all attempting to change the way people think about the small things which make up their days. Most of the pieces are made up of normal items, including old containers, combs, utensils, and other little things which surround daily life.
According to the New York Times, “Second Lives” demonstrates just how much the line has blurred between art, crafts, and design. Many of the gallery pieces are made from recycled materials, including a jacket made of army dog tags, a more than 3 foot tall mass of old records formed into the shape of a black wave, and a copy of a missing artifact made from middle eastern fast food containers.
Many of the materials would have likely been thrown away and forgotten. Instead, these artists have transformed them into pieces of art. They have, in a sense, offered them a second life.
-Sara
Check out what the artisans at Artfire.com are crafting!
Is your arts and crafts room looking a touch disorderly? I understand how messy things can get when creating handmade goods. Listed below are a few helpful tips to keep that work area tidy—without limiting your creativity.
1. Separate your work area. If you do not already have special room for your handicrafts, you might want to try partitioning off an area. This will separate your artwork from your daily activates. Tell your roommates/spouse/children that this space is off-limits at all times.
2. Work table. Invest in an old table that you wouldn’t feel bad about covering with glue or paint. After all, you can’t be expected to do your finest work when you are worrying about getting your table dirty!
3. Consider storage. Try to have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. If you can’t find your supplies, making artwork can be much more difficult! Don’t be afraid to organize with shoe boxes or other containers. And remember to put your supplies back in place when you’re done with them.
4. Remember good lighting. Art is much easier when you can see what you’re doing! Don’t forget the importance of natural light, as things can look different depending on what kind of lighting you use.
I hope these tips helped. And remember, keep crafting!
-Sara
Check out my Behind the Beta Blog for more tips and updates!
