Marketing a Craft Product

Author: Paul Duxbury

There are many ways to market your soaps and homemade bath products. I have found that giving free samples is one of the best methods for getting new customers for my soaps.

You can cut 16 samples from one basic 4 oz. bar of soap by cutting the bar into 8 pieces, then cutting those pieces in half. Next, place a piece of the soap in a small craft bag (you can get these at Stores in the Crafts section) and label it with your business information using regular Avery mailing labels.

To distribute your samples, place them in attractive baskets and visit a few non-competing stores to see if they will let you leave your baskets on their counters.

You can also staple these to your business cards, and hand them out as you normally would a business card.

Yet another method that works better than the above two would be to make what are called ""fish bowls"" and leave these at area businesses. To make a fish bowl, first print out some cards for customer's information such as name, address and phone number. Next, purchase a few containers that are clear, and that has a secure lid on them, that are about the size of a regular fish bowl. Some people actually use fish bowls, but I have found this causes problems because the fish bowls break easily, and cannot be closed to prevent theft of your customer's information.

Now take the lid of your container, and cut a slot that is big enough for your slips of paper that you printed off earlier to slip into when they are folded in half. Secure your lid onto your container with tape and then cover the tape with attractive ribbon.

Next, make a sign stating that anyone that enters your drawing for a free ""whatever"" will receive a free soap sample in the mail. The ""whatever"" can be a gift certificate from the store that lets you place your fish bowls on their counters (this helps promote the store, thus making the store owner more agreeable to letting you use their counter space), or it can be a few bars of soap from your inventory or both

Next, locate stores that do not mind sharing some of their counter space with you. This is where you'll place your fish bowls.

Although this method costs a bit more because you are offering a prize, and because you will need to mail your samples, it also produces better results than by just handing out samples.

You will get potential customers addresses and phone numbers, when you mail your sample you can also include information about your products, and you can also send them a follow up mailing asking for their input on how well they liked your sample. This information can be very valuable towards the growth of your business.

You can also package samples of your bath salts and scrubs in the small zip lock bags as well, and use these instead if you do not make soap.

About the author: Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition he owns PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has just published a Guide to Making Soaps and Candles which can be found at http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk/making_soaps_and_candles.htm

Wacky Spiders - A Fun Halloween Craft For Kids

Author: Lindsay Small

This is one of my favorite Halloween crafts for kids. It is quick and simple, can be done with a crowd if necessary, and is an excellent way to practice cutting and fine motor skills with younger children. Older kids can let their imaginations take over and create some really wacky spiders!

You will need:

Black paper Scissors Glue or sticky-tape Googly eyes (optional) or scraps of paper and pens

Instructions:

Cut a rectangle of paper approximately 3 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Fold the short side down about an inch to make a crease, then open up again.

Turn the paper so that the crease is horizontal, then cut the paper in 7 straight lines up to the crease to create eight spider's legs. For younger children, draw in the lines for them to practice cutting on. For older children, show them how to make the first cut in the middle, dividing the area below the crease into 2 halves. Then show them how to divide each half again to make quarters, then the quarters to make eighths. There is no need to be too accurate.

Now wrap the spider around the child's finger and fasten with sticky-tape or glue. Remove the spider again and decorate - either with scraps of paper or with googly eyes. Put back on the finger and bend the legs into shape or curl them around a pencil.

Variations:

Hang the spiders up! Simply cut a length of black yarn (wool) and attach inside the head of the spider with a small piece of sticky-tape.

Make smaller versions of these spiders to decorate the ends of Halloween pencils.

Wrap small spiders around straws to decorate your Halloween table! Make some bigger spiders and scatter them around the table as well.

Cut a small slit on either side of the spider's head and insert a name card to turn these spiders into spooky place markers!

Once the body of the spider has been made but before decorating, wrap a black pipe cleaner around the head of the spider to give a furry effect. The protruding end of the pipe cleaner can be curled into a hook shape, which makes the spider easy to suspend from shelves, the tops of doors, and other spooky places! Stick googly eyes on top of the pipe cleaner.

About the author: Lindsay Small is the owner of Activity Village, packed full of fun and educational activities for kids. Do you have children aged 2-10? Visit http://ww.ActivityVillage.co.uk to find free kids crafts, printables, educational resources, worksheets, coloring pages and puzzles, jigsaws, Sudoku for kids and much more!

MAKING QUALITY QUILTS WITH FREE QUILT PATTERNS ONLINE

Author: Dean Erickson

Quilt making is a traditional pastime passed on from grandmother to mother to daughter, and it still draws thousands of enthusiasts. Modern day quilting lovers are extra lucky because there is a wealth of information available freely on the Internet.

Quilting is a skill and pastime that you may have acquired from your grandmother or may have just developed a taste for it. Whatever the case, whether you are an expert or a beginner, the Internet serves as a remarkable resource packed with ideas, patterns and how-to guides, many of which are absolutely free.

Try an Internet search for ""free quilt patterns"" and you'll discover links to hundreds of quilt patterns. Websites dedicated to the craft of quilt making, such as Freequiltpatterns.info and Freequilt.com offer an inexhaustible selection of quilt patterns for every taste. There are appliqué quilt patterns, baby quilt patterns, Christmas quilt patterns, patterns with cats, dogs, dolphins and hundreds of other novelty quilt patterns.

You'll also find free tips and techniques and all the creative inspiration you'll need for your quilt project.

The art of quilt making is such an old one. It has literally been around for aeons and passed on down from one generation to the next. In one way, quilt patterns have always been around for free, so it makes perfect sense that there should be so much sharing of quilt patterns online.

Quilting has such a broad appeal. Quilting is really for everyone, regardless of resources or wealth. One can buy new fabric pieces or use whatever stray pieces may be lying around in drawers and cupboards to make good quality quilts or, even, works of art, which can decorate the walls of a family room or bedroom. Quilts make great gifts for weddings or new born babies. Do an Internet search for ""wedding quilt patterns"" or ""baby quilt patterns"". Add the word ""free"" to your search to target sites that offer free quilt patterns.

There are many quilting techniques and patterns to learn about. The most popular, of course, is the Christmas quilt. Christmas is a time when all traditions are remembered so quilting is the perfect way to spend time in the cold days before Christmas and, once completed, a quilt is the ideal gift or room decoration. There are hundreds of design ideas, too. Whether it is Santa or a snowman you want featured there are many free quilt patterns available online to download. Just add ""Christmas quilt pattern"" to your Internet query.

For something a little different and challenging look for appliqué quilt patterns, star quilt patterns or even Hawaiian quilt patterns. The appliqué technique differs from the traditional patchwork technique. In patchwork quilting one pieces or joins strips of fabric together into blocks. In appliqué quilting one layers fabric pieces and sews them onto a ""foundation fabric"". For extra creative inspiration, search for instructions on a truly unique challenge, such as Hawaiian quilting.

About the author: Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of quilt-patterns-finder.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Gardening is an activity-the art and craft of growing plants

Author: Michael Sanford

Gardening is an activity--the art and craft of growing plants--with a goal of creating a beautiful environment. Gardening most often takes place in or about one's residence, in a space referred to as the garden. A garden that is in close proximity to one's residence is also known as a residential garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land within, surrounding, or adjacent to a residence, it may also be located in less traditional locations such as on a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a windowbox, or on a patio.

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens (botanical gardens or zoological gardens), amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of what are essentially houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Plants grown in a conservatory or greenhouse may or may not require more exacting care and conditions than ordinary houseplants. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems. Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant(s).

In cryptanalysis, gardening was a term used at Bletchley Park during World War II for schemes to entice the Germans to include known plaintext, which they called cribs, in their encrypted messages. It is claimed to have been most effective against messages produced by the German Navy's Enigma machines

In China, for instance, farmers regularly set up outhouses on the roads to attract tourists to use them, furnishing the farmers with ""night soil"" (human manure) for use as a fertiliser. These methods make excellent use of calories and minerals and water, but of course violate the aesthetics of most Westerners, who would balk at using stranger's human wastes on their own gardens. There is thus some conflict between gardening for personal or aesthetic reasons, and for practical food-raising, even for one household. The living wall is an unusual variant of a living machine and is effectively a vertical garden: water dripping down feeds a surface growing with moss and vines, other plants, some insects and bacteria, and captured at the bottom in a pool or pond to be recirculated to the top. These are sometimes built indoors to help cure sick building syndrome or otherwise increase the oxygen levels in recirculated air.

Gardening is considered to be an absolutely essential art in most cultures. In Japan, for instance, Samurai and Zen monks were often required to build decorative gardens or practice related skills like flower arrangement known as ikebana.

Social aspect In modern Europe and North America, people often express their political or social views in gardens, intentionally or not. The Green parties and Greenpeace often advise their campaigners to call first on homeowners who have lush chaotic wild gardens, as these are deemed to be more likely to respond to the Greens' political message than those with AstroTurf or bluegrass lawns. No reliable statistics support such claims, but for many years, in the United States, there was a widespread belief that there was such a thing as a Republican lawn and Democratic lawn.

The lawn vs. garden issue is played out in urban planning as the debate over the ""land ethic"" that is to determine urban land use and whether hyperhygienist bylaws (e.g. weed control) should apply, or whether land should generally be allowed to exist in its natural wild state. In a famous Canadian Charter of Rights case, ""Sandra Bell vs. City of Toronto"", 1997, the right to cultivate all native species, even most varieties deemed noxious or allergenic, was upheld as part of the right of free expression, at least in Canada. Gardening is thus not only a food source and art, but also a right. The Slow Food movement has sought in some countries to add an edible schoolyard and garden classrooms to schools, e.g. in Fergus, Ontario, where these were added to a public school to augment the kitchen classroom. In US and British usage, the care, installation, and maintenance of ornamental plantings in and around commercial and institutional buildings is called landscaping, landscape maintenance or groundskeeping, while international usage uses the term gardening for these same activities.

History Gardening for food extends far back into prehistory. Ornamental gardens are known in ancient times (the Hanging Gardens of Babylon), and ancient Rome had dozens of gardens. See the History of gardening article for more information, including a List of historical garden types, as well as a List of notable historical gardens.

For more information on organic gardening art please visit the organic gardening art resource center at

organic gardening art Resource Center

About the author: None

A New Outdoor Craft Idea for All Ages

Author: Jim Wilson

For years our family has enjoyed vactioning and traveling across this great country and one thing that has always drawn our attention is the beautiful landscaping done by others.

Usually, the one attraction that sets apart the ones we find more appealing will have rocks, stones, or even boulders scattered into the display.

Well, in all of our efforts to find a method to create a residential scale boulder project had found us either with too much cost involved or not having the available tools required to create our own boulders.

Not to be outdone, we set out to experiment with the simple tools we had available to us and if I must say so, we discovered a can't fail method with amazingly realistic results.

What we were able to construct has fooled every person that has witnessed firsthand our creation. So, that home project later was highly suggested that we share our discovery with others that have the same desire to add realistic rocks and stones to their landscaoing ideas.

Needless to say, we had no idea there were so many like-minded individuals. We shared our findings with folks across this great country as well as other countries. Much to our amazement the results of our creation has led to thousands of happy rockers!

To learn more about our discovery of CaveRock visit us on the web.

About the author: Jim is an avid outdoor project guy and you can learn more about CaveRock at: http://wealthsmith.com

Which Craft Shows Do I Choose?

Author: Natalie Goyette

Every weekend, nearly 600 craft shows take place around the U.S.--that's around 30,000 a year--offering more than 10,000 full-time craftspeople a place to sell their craft show items. According to a National Endowment for the Arts survey, nearly 70 million people attend craft shows annually.

Now, you've selected the craft you want to produce, you've started production, you've tested prices and set up your business. You're ready to take your craft show items on the road. In order to do that, you need to decide where you will test your wares. Initially, many new crafters begin with local one-day shows that cost under $100 to enter and require no prior jury selection. This means anyone can enter as space allows. This is where you will get your feet wet, iron out the kinks in your product and learn the ropes of ""hiccraft show"" business! It's preferable to make mistakes when you're paying a $25 entry fee and no travel expenses than when you're paying several hundred or even several thousand dollars to attend and even more for motels, gas and meals.

Although there are wholesale as well as retail craft shows, we will address retail craft shows only. In a wholesale show you are selling your craft at about half of the retail price to buyers who are looking for products for their stores or galleries. You have to sell larger quantities to make up for the lower price, so you may wish to do this down the road when you are more seasoned.

Wholesale craft shows might be a good option for you if you have a way to make your craft show item efficiently and with a good amount of quality. You can make money with your crafts by selling them to larger vendors, and having them peddle them in other craft shows, or even in their studios or stores.

The retail craft shows come in every shape and size, from church bazaars with 20 booths to the Harvest Festival with hundreds of vendors. The attendance varies as well from several thousand at a one-day local craft show, to several hundred thousand at state fairs. How do you decide where to sell your precious products made with your tender loving care? Various factors will affect your decision, such as the type of craft show, the types of products at the show, the types of customers the show attracts, how vendors are selected, the type of promoter in charge of the show, where the craft show is located, the costs to enter and probably a few more. This doesn't make your job of selecting shows any easier. It's just one part of your business you will improve on as you learn and grow.

About the author: Natalie goyette is the best selling author of Craft Show Success. Her e-book shows you how you can finally make money at craft shows. www.craftshowsuccess.com

Christmas Craft, bead and pipe cleaner ornaments

Author: Paul Duxbury

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make. They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make. This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again. Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colours and acrylic beads. Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners. One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads. These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a centre that contains the hole for stringing. When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead. It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole. Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively. For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colours of red, green, and clear. The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colours. For the Christmas craft, the best colours to use are the metallic and Christmas colours. The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off. The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary. For best results, show the children how to alternate colours when stringing, or start a pattern of three colours. When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes. For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape. Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath. Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath. Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments. Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year. Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.

About the author: Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation. He owns one of the UK's Leading Information Providers PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk)and has recently launched http://www.profitable-crafts.co.uk

Online Benefits for Craft Businesses

Author: Narelle Davison

The internet has an endless number of benefits for craftspeople, not just as a medium for selling the end product but for each step that leads to sales. The fact that you are reading this shows that you already utilise the web for information but perhaps you have not yet considered some of the following points presented.

The ideas provided in this article have come from interviews with craftspeople, conducted for AussieCrafts.com , in the interest of sharing information with our peers. When boiled down to its bare essentials this is the true essence of the internet but it sometimes gets lost in all of the advertising and sales. The interviews spawned a host of ways in which the internet assists the crafters, both in their business and creatively, and provided much insight into untangling the web.

Inspiration

When asked about the sources they use for inspiration most craftspeople have said that the internet is a much used research tool. This is particularly useful with commission pieces, where a client gives a basic idea and there is a need to familiarise yourself with the subject. Browsing websites is also great for when you want to start a new piece but are not quite sure where to begin. No matter what craft you do if you are stuck for ideas on what to create there are always plenty of places to get some quick inspiration online. The obvious way to get ideas is to search for your craft in the search engines but some other methods are: -Type your craft name into Google image search -Yahoo groups on your craft often have galleries -Online stores that sell your craft -Craft directories -Historical sites related to your craft, most crafts did after all come from very ancient beginnings. -Try searching for crafts that are similar to yours, if you do pottery, for example, search for glasswork. The colours and shapes are likely to spark new ideas.

If it's a more abstract inspiration that you need such as colour or texture then art, photography and nature sites are fantastic sources of ideas. Stock photography sites (such as www.dreamstime.com), for example, have thousands of images of almost everything imaginable. Let's say you want to create a bead necklace that reflects the colour and movement of the ocean. If you browse the sea and ocean category of a stock photography site you can jot down ideas based on what you see as you view page after page of photographs that cover every aspect of the ocean.

Education: patterns and tutorials

There are very few crafters who believe they know everything there is about their craft. Who of us do not want to learn something new? The internet is the best source of tips, tricks, patterns and tutorials on every craft imaginable, so much so that many craftspeople no longer purchase books about their craft. Many sites offer this information for free, as a way to attract and keep surfers, much the same way as articles like this are utilised. Others charge a subscription or a cost per tutorial, often downloaded as an e-book or a pdf file. For many crafts there are also online classes or lessons via email, again some are free (and often include advertising) and others are subscription based.

To find these valuable resources consider using some of the following terms alongside your craft name: tutorial, pattern, learn to, ebook, lesson, techniques, instructions or projects. These keywords were tested using Google search and beading, for example 'beading projects', and the results were astonishing. If it a particular technique you are searching for then add that to your search query, for example 'beading peyote technique', where peyote is a type of beading stitch.

Purchasing tools and materials

The internet has brought about a convenient way to buy almost anything, from anywhere in the world, and to craftspeople this has been one the most important benefits of being online. Often there are supplies needed for craftwork that are not available locally and this can be the case no matter where you live. It may be because it is only manufactured in a small area of Europe or that there are few people working in the same craft as you and therefore there is little demand.

Apart from availability issues nothing is better than being able to browse many stores in a short space of time and not only get prices but also see things without having to leave home. Ebay is popular with many craftspeople due to the range of goods and their prices, you can find both new and secondhand tools and materials there. Shopping online means more time for doing what you enjoy or what brings in your income. The world is becoming smaller and shipping costs and delivery times are too.

Often the websites that sell crafts materials also have a range of useful resources such as guides to using their products. They also have convenient contact information, like email, and as they are often craftspeople themselves can give advice on craft specific problems.

Publicity and exhibition requests

Many of the sources that are traditionally used for publicity such as magazines, newspapers and event organizers are now using the internet as a way to find craftspeople. Not only is the internet often a faster way to find what they need but it is also a visual medium. Therefore having a website for your craft business is not just about gaining sales and commissions but it also provides a way for the media and galleries to see your work.

One example of this is an artist interviewed on Aussie Crafts who has in the last few months been contacted by a lifestyle magazine to do an article on her work, as well as another contact to request her involvement in an exhibition. Both of these publicity avenues have stemmed from her website, which contain galleries of her work.

This same artist is also a member of an organisation supporting her medium, which has a website that lists galleries showing members' works at any given time. There are organisations such as this for many crafts, both global and local, that are worth having a membership with.

Sales and commissions

The most obvious way that craftspeople are using the internet is to sell their products to a wider market than previously possible, what is not so obvious is that there are many ways to do this. One artist interviewed extolled the virtues of the internet as, ""It's been huge for us. We sell artwork and DIY kits all over the world and so put virtually all our marketing energy into our website. We get well over five thousand visitors every month at basically no cost and the whole world has become our target market.""

Some of the reasons people decided to sell their crafts online include not having to deal with galleries, no commissions to pay, less overheads than a store and the fact that there is more time crafting and less selling.

Apart from setting up an often expensive e-commerce website there are other means to gaining online sales: -A 'brochure' style site, which displays the products you make but does not sell them online. Instead it can be used to promote a market stall, shop front, commission enquiries etc. -Many craftspeople are selling their work in auctions at Ebay; this can be a lucrative option for the right products. -Online craft malls are a way to have an online presence without the hassle and overheads of building an e-commerce site. Search for craft malls in the search engines and you will find such sites as craftmall.com, aokcorral.com and lilysplace.com. These sites generally use Paypal as a payment option to take the headaches out of online payments and are similar to Ebay without being auction based.

Human contact

One of the common problems that people who craft for an income mention is loneliness. Oftentimes they work at home alone and this can be very isolating. The internet can provide avenues to have contact with others who craft. They could be in the same locality as you and allow for face-to-face meeting or they may be on the other side of the world.

There are many group and organisations for most craft genres, such as Yahoo groups or MSN chats. Often if it is a location-based group there are classes and retreats organised for people to come together and learn. These groups can become invaluable for technical advice, feedback and learning but also that human contact that is a necessary part of life.

Client contact

Email is a fantastic way to keep in touch with clients and industry contacts. It is so much cheaper than a phone call (i.e. free) and is much less time consuming. Email provides a simple means to show clients' examples or progress on a work via photograph attachments. It also provides a record of all communication.

Online messaging systems, available for free from MSN and Yahoo, are also useful ways to keep in contact with customers. These can even be used to give online support by providing your identification name on your website. However these systems can become a time waster instead of saver if you are not careful.

About the author: Narelle has created the Australian arts and craft site , Aussie Crafts, to provide information and promotion for craftspeople through interviews, articles, forum and directory. The interviews provide great reading to both admirers of each craft and fellow crafters. If you are an Aussie crafter and would like a Craft Interview please visit.

Save on Kid's Craft Supplies - Recycle!

Author: Pam Lester

Here is some information about how to collect and use recycled objects in your crafts!

You can save a lot of money on arts and crafts supplies by saving things that you might ordinarily throw away! If you are building up a craft supply box for a classroom, daycare, church or school - get the parents involved by sending out list of these items so they can help out too!

Make sure to prepare each item for storage. Wash and dry anything that contained food or liquids. Remove labels from jars, boxes, containers, etc. Be sure to have a place for each type of item. Plastic shoe boxes or empty baby wipe containers are great for storage. If you organize well, the supplies will be ready and easy to find when you need them!

plastic milk jug lids plastic milk jugs (1/2 gal. and gallon) soda can tabs paper towel tubes paper grocery bags plastic grocery bags baby wipe containers baby food jars and lids frozen juice can lids plastic containers and thier lids(like Cool Whip) empty milk cartons (any size) plastic soda bottles (any size) soda bottle lids junk mail newspaper broken crayons camera film canisters old computer and music cd's plastic produce baskets magazines popsicle sticks old markers mismatched board game pieces cardboard or foam egg crates candy wrappers rubber bands

Now what do you do with all of this stuff?? Create! Here are a couple of ideas:

Wheelbarrow Planter

Need:

Laundry detergent scoop 2 plastic milk jug lids 6"" length of ribbon potting soil flower seeds (seeds) craft glue water

Clean and dry scoop and lids. Glue a milk jug lid to each side of the scoop to form the wheels. Allow the glue to dry. Tie the ribbon to the handle of the scoop. Fill the scoop with potting soil, and plant the seeds. Sprinkle the soil with a few drops of water. You can have the child make these planters as gifts. Enjoy!

Ocean Treasures in a Bottle

Need:

empty small clear plastic soda bottle water cooking oil blue food coloring beads shells glitter coins

Remove the label from the bottle. Pour enough water to fill 3/4 of the bottle. Add a drop of blue food coloring. Add in the shells, beads, coins, and glitter. Fill the remainder with cooking oil. Place the lid on securely - you may want to wrap the secured lid with electrical tape. Now you have an ocean in a bottle - with treasure!!

If you have trouble getting the entire label off - you may want to place a label over it saying ""(child's name)'s Ocean in a Bottle"".

Have fun and let your children be creative with thier recycled treasures!

About the author: Pam Lester is a former art teacher and mother of 2. She is the owner and creator of http://www.TheIdeaBox.com and http://www.Class-Parties.com. The sites offer free kids crafts, recipes, games and activities for parents, teachers and caregivers. Please visit TheIdeaBox for more great ideas!

Quick Halloween Craft Idea - Witch's Hands!

Author: Lindsay Small

Quick Halloween Craft Idea - Witch's hands!

This is a handprint craft with a difference! You need only a few inexpensive supplies which you will probably have lying around the house. It is an easy craft to do with a crowd of children and the results are great for decorating the house or classroom. Best of all, you will end up with a fun memento to keep and look back on as the children grow.

You will need:

Green card or paper Scraps of black, red or purple card, paper, felt, tissue paper etc Pencils and pens White glue

Instructions:

Draw around the children's hands onto the green card. Older children can pair up and draw round each other's hands. Cut out carefully.

Use the scraps of paper or card to cut pointed oval shapes for long, spiky finger nails and stick them on - embellishing, if you like, with glitter or stickers.

Draw some spidery veins onto the hands, using your own hands as inspiration.

Why not add a wart or two? Make them by scrunching tissue paper into a tiny ball and sticking onto the hands with white glue.

Use the hands to decorate a notice-board, the fridge, or the Halloween table (place them on either side of a plate for a humorous effect). If you attach them to the edge of doors with sticky-tack it looks as if someone spooky could be hiding on the other side!

Alternatively, attach plain white paper to the back of the hands and use them as invitations!

Variations:

Children could create monster hands. Use cream or brown card and square off the fingers of the handprints before cutting out. Fingernails should be black or perhaps silver, and also square in shape. Use black pen to draw veins and lots of spiky black hair in the center of the hand and knuckles!

Ghostly hands can be made out of white card. Stretch your handprints out a little to give particularly long, thin fingers. Make fingernails out of grey or silver scraps and decorate with silver glitter. Use pencil or grey pen to draw on veins.

About the author: Lindsay Small is the owner of Activity Village, packed full of fun and educational activities for kids. Do you have children aged 2-10? Visit http://ww.ActivityVillage.co.uk to find free kids crafts, printables, educational resources, worksheets, coloring pages and puzzles, jigsaws, Sudoku for kids and much more!

3 Little Known Tips For Shopping For Craft Supplies Online

Author: Amy Metz

Let me ask you a question. Did you ever think that the internet would become so powerful and pervasive, that even craft supplies would turn into big business online? Neither did I. But it's true. You can actually find just about any type of craft supplies that you are looking for if you look hard enough through the different search engines (or your local retail store). However, there are a few big sites that you might want to peruse the next time you are considering buying craft supplies.

1) Amazon. Amazon has recently (during the last few years) expanded their reach into the far corners of the internet. By this, I, of course, am referring to the fact that a lot of online merchants sell through Amazon.com's website. If you are searching for 'leather craft supplies,' Amazon might not have what you are looking for in stock. However, Amazon might have a partner retailer who sells their leather craft supplies and lists their goods on Amazon. Consider Amazon like a giant retail search engine that lists items from all sorts of different companies besides themselves.

2) Ebay. Ebay is a great place to find close out merchadise. By this, I mean that companies go bankrupt and have fire sales. A lot of these sales have moved online and therefore you might be able to get a really good deal on some merchandise that is being auctioned off on the world's biggest auction site.

3) Retailers' own websites. Many of the well known craft sites like Michael's have their own websites. These sites often have great bargains on merchandise that's also found in their retail stores. However, even these retailers need to occasionally close out some big lots of merchandise. The web is a perfect place to do exactly that. With no real overhead costs (besides the website's operation), many of these big retailers will use the web to move a large amount of product really quick. Of course, the retailer needs a mail order, or store pickup, set up to do this, but most do. Check your local retailer's website, you might be surprise.

There is a lot more to craft supplies' shopping than first meets the eye. Learn all about how to shop for crafts, there is an entire world waiting for you online.

About the author: Amy Metz is author of ""The Craft Supplies Insider's Guide."" Pick up your copy at

http://www.onlycraftsupplies.com .

3 Little Known Tips for Shopping for Craft Supplies Online

Author: Amy Metz

Let me ask you a question. Did you ever think that the internet would become so powerful and pervasive, that even craft supplies would turn into big business online? Neither did I. But it's true. You can actually find just about any type of craft supplies that you are looking for if you look hard enough through the different search engines (or your local retail store). However, there are a few big sites that you might want to peruse the next time you are considering buying craft supplies.

1)Amazon. Amazon has recently (during the last few years) expanded their reach into the far corners of the internet. By this, I, of course, am referring to the fact that a lot of online merchants sell through Amazon.com's website. If you are searching for 'leather craft supplies,' Amazon might not have what you are looking for in stock. However, Amazon might have a partner retailer who sells their leather craft supplies and lists their goods on Amazon. Consider Amazon like a giant retail search engine that lists items from all sorts of different companies besides themselves.

2)Ebay. Ebay is a great place to find close out merchadise. By this, I mean that companies go bankrupt and have fire sales. A lot of these sales have moved online and therefore you might be able to get a really good deal on some merchandise that is being auctioned off on the world's biggest auction site.

3)Retailers' own websites. Many of the well known craft sites like Michael's have their own websites. These sites often have great bargains on merchandise that's also found in their retail stores. However, even these retailers need to occasionally close out some big lots of merchandise. The web is a perfect place to do exactly that. With no real overhead costs (besides the website's operation), many of these big retailers will use the web to move a large amount of product really quick. Of course, the retailer needs a mail order, or store pickup, set up to do this, but most do. Check your local retailer's website, you might be surprise.

There is a lot more to craft supplies' shopping than first meets the eye. Learn all about how to shop for crafts, there is an entire world waiting for you online.

About the author: Amy Metz is author of ""The Craft Supplies Insider's Guide."" Pick up your copy at http://www.onlycraftsupplies.com.

Making money away from Craft Shows!

Author: Natalie Goyette

As you gain experience selling your crafts at craft shows, you'll be planning your schedule a year in advance. Although a business plan isn't essential, a marketing plan is a good idea to have as you plan your shows. You'll want to keep your customers on your mailing list informed of new products, special sales and upcoming shows. You may need to update your marketing materials from time to time as well. In addition, between shows, you may decide to pursue other paths to selling your products. Some of these are: the Internet (your own Web site or eBay), retail (your own store, space in a gallery or retail store), wholesale (trade shows, distributors or sales reps), trade or consumer magazine ads (extremely costly), mail order, catalogs, TV shopping networks and home shows.

Selling wholesale at galleries, stores, trade shows or through reps or distributors cuts your profit in half. The only way to make it up is through large quantity sales--and then you may find yourself in a bigger production mode than what you feel comfortable with. Selling wholesale has other drawbacks, like return policies, cancellations and late payments. And some shops and galleries will only take you on consignment.

Although billions of dollars are spent by consumers buying products over the Internet, online sales for craft items has not been spectacular--and nothing compared to craft show figures. However, it's relatively inexpensive to sell over eBay and for under $1,000 you can have a decent Web site designed. Check out eBay for yourself to see if anything like your items are being marketed there. If you have to sell way too low to match the competition that you won't make a profit, it's not worth it. Put up your own Web site and let it be a virtual shop for you--for existing customers to see what you're up to and to attract new buyers. You can post your show schedule, have information about yourself and your crafts and sell whatever items photograph well and ship safely.

Research other Web sites selling similar products, decide how you would like your electronic store to look and find a competent Web designer. Make sure you are quoted all costs up front including monthly maintenance so you can keep your site updated. Design your Web site with the same care you designed your booth--so it represents you and your product in the best light. Make it easy for people to buy and to contact you. Have your phone number and e-mail address so they can ask questions. If your Web designer is not marketing savvy, have someone help you submit your Web site to search engines and do whatever you can to make it visible to potential buyers.

Another way to promote yourself online is to join craft forums or chat groups, where buyers and sellers gather to discuss crafts. If you position yourself as an expert answering various questions, people may visit your Web site to gain more contact with you. Also consider having links and resources on your site so people will see you as a source of knowledge about crafts. As a creative person, you'll probably have so many ideas to enhance your Web site--just don't become obsessed so it takes you away from your first love--making crafts! Once you have a Web site, put the address on all your marketing materials--from business cards to show schedules.

If you are doing well selling your crafts at craft shows, that may be all you need to do. The more avenues for sales you take on, the thinner you spread yourself, and the less you're doing what you love most and what you started this business for--creating crafts!

About the author: Natalie Goyette is the author of the best selling book, ""Craft Show Success"" Her book shows you how to maximize your profits from the crafts you make in your own home!

Discover How To Quilt

Author: www.Craft-Ideas-Guide.com

In order to learn how to quilt you must first understand how a quilt is made.

Basically a quilt is a sandwich that consists of three layers. The top of the quilt is a decorative layer created from small fabric pieces or 'patches' sewn together in a creative and artistic manner.

The second layer is the batting. Batting is a cozy thermal layer of matted cotton, wool, polyester or silk fibers that give the quilt warmth and volume.

The third layer is the backing that is made from one continuous piece of fabric.

Quilting is the stitching which holds the three layers of the quilt 'sandwich' together while forming a decorative design. Quilting can be done either by hand or machine.

The three layers are held together in one of three ways...

The oldest method is hand quilting. This is perhaps the most labor intensive choice for those just learning how to make a quilt. Hand quilting is usually done in a quilting 'hoop' or on a quilting 'frame' using special needles, called 'betweens', and quilting thread.

The easiest method is machine quilting. Machine quilting involves the use of a sewing machine to stitch the layers of the fabric sandwich together.

The third method is called tying which involves using evenly spaced knots or bows to hold the layers together at wider intervals than quilting. Done by hand or machine, this method makes a generous, puffy quilt called a comforter.

Those learning how to make a quilt should be familiar with the term piecing or patchwork as it is sometimes called. This is an exacting method of sewing small pieces of fabric ('patches') together to produce a decorative pattern or 'block'. This can be done either by hand or with a sewing machine.

Another important definition to know while learning how to quilt is of the term appliqué. Applique is the method of applying fabric shapes (called 'patches') by hand, onto a fabric background. Applique are grouped together to produce a decorative pattern or 'block'. If you are using a sewing machine, appliqué, fabric shapes are usually cut into the desired shape without seam allowances. The shapes are then fused to the background with heat-activated fusible web. They are usually sewn on the quilt using a close zigzag stitch called a 'satin stitch'. This method is particularly suited to intricate 'pictorial' appliqué that attempts to reproduce a stylized or realistic story or picture.

Another method of machine appliqué involves drawing or tracing the shape onto the wrong side of the fabric. The patch is then placed facedown onto a lightweight lining and sewn around the marked seam line. It is then trimmed, turned right side out and sewn to the background using invisible thread and a machine blind hemstitch.

If you are just learning how to quilt that are plenty of sites on the Internet that can explain such products as heat-activated fusible web and, seam lines and various stitches used in quilting.

A 'Block' is a single design unit comprised of small fabric pieces sewn together to produce a decorative pattern. Often, blocks are separated by alternating plain squares or by fabric strips. This is called sashing. Sashing is a term that those just learning how to quilt will run into often.

For comprehensive step by step lessons in how to quilt go http://www.kathkwilts.com/lessons/gendirs.html. Here you will find out everything you always wanted to know about making a quilt including instructions on how to cut shapes for piece work, hand piecing, machine piecing, creating appliques by hand, creating borders and sashing.

http://www.Craft-Ideas-Guide.com

© 2004 www.Craft-Ideas-Guide.com

About the author: A wealth of arts and crafts tips for adults and children of all ages.

Making money with craft show customer service!

Author: Natalie Goyette

Thrill of all thrills--you've got a potential buyer in your booth! Now what? First smile, make eye contact, greet the customer and start a simple conversation--anything but, ""Can I help you?"" Walk the fine line between being available and being pushy. And definitely never sit in a corner reading a novel! Ask questions to create a personal connection like, ""Are you looking for a gift or for yourself? ""What colors do you enjoy best?"" ""What are your favorite styles of crafts?""

Buyers often come to craft shows to see unusual objects and meet the artists, so give them what they came for. Explain briefly about your crafts and how you make them--if it's a unique process. Talk about a specific item they may be showing an interest in--strictly from an informational standpoint. Listen, answer any questions and take feedback openly.

Don't assume anything about a potential customer--treat everyone with respect and attention. However, don't cater to extremely difficult or rude visitors who have something negative to say about everything: ""I can make that myself!"" ""I saw one just like that at another booth for half the price!"" Just smile and say okay. Or you can say something pleasant like, ""You may have difficulty finding everything you need to create something like this"" or, ""All my items are original designs and I don't think anyone has copied them!""

Don't take negativity or rejection personally--everyone will have an opinion! As long as the majority of people don't feel that way about your crafts, you'll do fine. You'll never please everyone and not everyone will buy from you, but everyone's comments can have some value. Learn from any comments that may be helpful--you may get clues as to future modifications or new items to create

If a customer seems prepared to buy and has some hesitation, practice some sales techniques for overcoming objections. Find out what the real problem is--whether a woman isn't sure her husband will like it or if it will fit in her home--and see how you can solve it. Can you offer to make a custom item, ship it later or call her husband on the phone? Offer cash, check or credit card options to make buying an easy process.

When you find real fans of your work, do what you can to turn them into collectors. Make sure they have your upcoming show schedule and contact information and you have theirs. Tell them you'll keep in touch and let them know when you produce new items. Also, send every customer a thank you e-mail or card when you return home. It's a very personal touch and only done by high-end stores with exceptional customer service.

When concluding a sale, learn to be efficient in wrapping the item, taking the payment, giving the customer a receipt, your card or brochure and getting them to leave their contact information. They can either sign your guest book or fill out a form and drop it in a box for a drawing. Your expedience in finishing a sale allows you to move on to other customers who may be waiting for your attention. Have lots of pens, receipt books, shopping bags and marketing materials. You may also want to carry decorative gift boxes that would be easier to use for gifts than wrapping paper.

As you do more and more shows, you will come to create a profile of your ideal customer--their age, income bracket, interests, gender, how they dress, what they like, what they purchase most often and other characteristics that will help you plan your future craft items, pricing and display.

About the author: Natalie Goyette shows you how to maximize your profits at craft shows with her best-selling book, ""Craft Show Success!"" www.craftshowsuccess.com

How to Craft a Series of Bestselling Titles from a Single Topic

Author: Jim Green

During the past ten years I have authored seventeen traditionally published niche non-fiction books, all of which (save one) have achieved bestselling status in their respective genres.

Here's the thing though; I have used only 2 topics to produce 16 bestsellers.

How do you do that; craft a series of titles from a single topic?

It's a little-known technique that dates back to the dawn of literature and is used by all bestselling authors either consciously or unwittingly.

And when you know the secret, you can also use this technique in writing fiction.

It has a lot in common with what the late great Alfred Hitchcock called the 'McGuffin'; the singular device he employed in all of his screenplays.

Hitch reckoned that everyone is looking for something whether they are watching a movie or reading a book and when you discover what people are searching for in your particular niche you will be well on your way to writing a successful book in record time.

And when you've done it once, you can do it all over again - as many times as you like.

Although considerable mileage still remains in the 2 topics I used to produce 16 bestsellers, I decided eighteen months ago to research a third topic for its McGuffin potential and the result was ""Your Retirement Masterplan"" (How To Books ISBN 1857039874) published in October 2004.

This title currently ranks No.7 out of 3328 competitive titles on Amazon.co.uk and is due for a 2nd upgraded edition in February 2006; to be followed by ""How to Earn Money in Retirement"" in April of the same year.

But the McGuffin on this third topic is only just starting to bite...

I also have signed contracts for these forthcoming titles:

1. ""Maximising Mindpower to Enrich Your Retirement"" - Publication date 2007

2. ""Give Your Mind a Daily Workout in Retirement"" - Publication date 2008

3. ""101 Retirement Holiday Options"" - Publication date 2008

4. ""101 Projects to Spice Up Your Retirement"" - Publication date 2009

5. ""101 Online Venues for Stimulating Retirement Interests""- Publication date 2010

6. ""Chronicling Your Lifetime Achievements in Retirement"" - Publication date 2011

7. ""Achieving Your Greatest Successes of Retirement"" - Publication date 2011

Have you guessed the secret yet?

There is no end to its power in producing bestsellers and if you would like to incorporate it in your creative writing, you will find out how in the website featured in the resource box below.

About the author: Jim Green is an entrepreneur and bestselling author with an ever-growing string of niche non-fiction titles to his credit. http://1st-creative-writing-course.com

Your Craft Show Booth - How it can make you more money!

Author: Natalie Goyette

The requirements for your booth will be spelled out in your contract for each show. This includes set up and break down times and policies to which you must adhere. In order to avoid having to have different displays for different shows, it makes sense to create a moveable display that will work well in the majority of situations--both for indoor and outdoor events. Even if the promoter supplies a backdrop, a rug or tables, you can bring your whole set-up and use it instead. Your display is your portable store, and since it reflects you and your product, you want it to be outstanding! A display that creates the best presentation for your crafts can make a huge difference in how well you sell your crafts.

Because you and your booth will be constant traveling companions, make sure it's light yet sturdy, easily collapsible and just as easy to erect. You need to be prepared for wind, rain and bratty children running around knocking into display poles! Your booth may continuously evolve, and it may take years to find the best set up, only to find colors and trends changing, or your products developing and the whole look of your booth needing a facelift. As a creative person, have fun with your booth and allow your skills as a craftsperson to spill over into booth creation and display. If you need help with the construction, ask male friends or family members for assistance--and ask female friends for help with display ideas. (Or vice versa as the case may be.)

A professional display marks you as a professional and enhances your products to promote optimum sales. Basically you want the space to be comfortable for you and customers. You want it to be inviting, making customers feel welcome enough to cross over the threshold that separates the lookers from the buyers. It should be comfortable for you too, as you will be in it for days on end. It also needs to be attractive, yet well organized for a 10 X 10 space (or slightly larger in some cases). Use of colorful signs, banners and accessories attract people and enhance your craft items, hopefully encouraging visitors to pick them up.

Use colors that follow a theme or complement the predominant colors or style of your products. Red, white and blue would be a good theme for country items, while black and silver would be a more contemporary look. Each craft style will dictate the best overall look for your display. You also need to have an area for doing business--taking money, wrapping and writing receipts--as well as a space for storage. If that sounds like a tall order, it is! That's why it may take a while to get it right. Observe other booths and record what you like and don't like. Then take the best of the best and incorporate those ideas into your booth.

The entrance to the booth is critical. It's the make or break point for drawing a potential customer in. Experiment until you find the best mix of color, signage, banners, spacing and product display that works best to get people in ""the door."" Booth openings should be wide enough to allow several people in, and you should never stand out front or in the entry obstructing the flow. Have your bestsellers, lowest priced or most striking products closest to the entrance so you can optimize the five seconds you have to capture the potential buyer's attention!

Your booth sets a mood that is immediately picked up by shoppers passing by. Make sure it sets the right mood to interest people in stopping to take a look at your amazing crafts. Have the products in as natural setting as possible, that is, if you have home décor items, create a homey environment. If you create baskets, fill them with what people would naturally fill them with--and vary this throughout the year based on seasons and holidays. If you produce jewelry items, have earrings and necklaces on mannequins to see how they would look, and have plenty of mirrors for customers to try things on.

Display objects at eye level or slightly higher, but not on the ground. Have multiple levels of display for greater visual appeal. Hanging products should not obstruct views or be a hazard to a customer walking through your space. Place your crafts so they are easily accessible and so customers will feel comfortable picking them up--and not afraid they will break something or mess up a ""perfect"" display. Statistics reveal people are four times more likely to make a purchase when they have touched the item.

Booth design, product display and merchandising must all be carefully planned out as part of your overall sales strategy. Once you commit to taking your craft from pastime to profits, you become a professional businessperson and creating a quality booth and stunning display will be worth the effort in increased profits.

About the author: Natalie Goyette is the best selling author of Craft Show Success. Her e-book shows you how you can finally make money at craft shows. Visit her website at: www.craftshowsuccess.com

Where to find Free craft projects and patterns online

Author: A Graf

When searching for patterns online it's best to start with your favorite search engine and type in what you are looking for. Unfortunately most of the time you end up with alot of links to web sites that are trying to sell you something.

Some of the best places I have found for great craft projects such as crochet, scrapbooking, knitting, and more are found on the following web sites:

http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=24842&AID=1511195&PID=97 1684

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home

http://freepatterns.com - You will have to register

http://www.lionbrand.com/

http://www.coatsandclark.com/fun_and_free/index.htm

There are severall other web sites with free patterns but these are just some of my favorites that offer a variety of crafts from crochet, knitting, cross stitch, kids crafts and more.

To learn more about crafting projects please check us out on the web at http://www.craftdrawer.com

About the author: http://www.craftdrawer.com

Coach Tom Craft got fired!

Author: Alfred johnson

Coach Tom Craft got fired! By Alfred Johnson

The NCAA Football former quarterback for the Aztecs in the mid-1970s Tom Craft was fired Monday after failing to post a winning record in four seasons.

The NCAA Football athletic director Jeff Schemmel promised to hire a replacement, ""Give Tom a lot of credit. I think the program's better than it was before,"" Schemmel said.

Schemmel hopes to hire a replacement by Christmas, promised to hire a replacement ""who can excite the community.""

Possible candidates: The former Washington and Colorado NCAA Football coach

Rick Neuheisel, Bobby Hauck, coach at Division I-AA Montana its another option.

Schemmel saids San Diego State can become a top 10 program.

About the author: About the Author

Alfred Johnson provides all sports fans with the most recent a up to date news information in the sports world. Mr. Johnson has been an exceptional article writer for http://www.bookemdirect.com

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

Starting a Home Craft Business: Cashing in on your Artistic and Creative Skills!

Author: Randy Wilson

How can one forget the craft classes at school? You must have enjoyed putting together colorful pieces of paper and varied craft stuffs to give form to dolls, teddy bears, boats, aero planes, flowers and so on. Have you ever considered making innovative and attractive crafts could earn you a profitable and stable income? And you could work at home without having to set up any office or shop to sell your craft items.

You can set up a craft workshop at home with you being the boss. If required you can take the help of a few assistants. They could help you out with the various aspects of making craft products.

Does that sound interesting enough? You can surely give it a try! Starting a Home Craft Business is just so simple!

Overall summary of business: Starting a Craft Business is a perfect idea for a home business. You can create wonderful and visually appealing craft items using your creativity and innovation. So a craft hobby can be converted into a lucrative home-based business. You can freely work in the relaxed environment of your home adjusting the working hours according to your personal preferences.

Now what kind of craft products do you want to sell? Well that depends on your interests and hobbies. What exactly you enjoy making/creating determines the collection of craft items on your sales list.

There are a variety of products you can make such as flower arrangements, jewelry, soft toys, hand embroidered sewn items, clay crafts, wood crafts, paper crafts, stained glass items, scrap craft (craft made out of scraps and thrown away products), leather craft, hand painting, electronic craft, and the list goes on. You can specialize in Japanese craft making styles such as Origami, Ikebana that are just so beautiful and pretty. Your customers will grab them like 'hot cakes!'

Estimated start-up costs: The initial start up costs for a Home Crafts Business is extremely nominal. The major investment for a start up is in buying all the necessary equipment and accessories that will be needed to create and make the craft products. You do not have to worry about setting up a separate office for starting the home craft business. Any suitable room of your house can be converted into a craft workshop. And an additional space can be allotted to store the finished products ready to be sold. That's not a big problem at all! This business does not need a huge amount of capital. Your start up cost can be as little as $50 dollars.

Financing sources: You can approach banks, financial institutions, moneylenders and trade associations for financing your Home Crafts Business at the initial setting up stages. However, since start-up costs are so low, you may not need financing at all.

Pricing guidelines: Price you items low enough to make sales, yet high enough to cover the cost of the materials. A general rule of thumb is to charge twice the amount of the cost. For example: Materials cost $4.50, you charge $9.00. If you plan on selling them at wholesale to retail outlets, you should charge $6.75. You split the profit with the retailer.

Advertising and Marketing Methods and Tips:

Attend Craft Fairs Bring samples to jewelry stores and gift stores Build a website to promote your products Local Newspaper ads Yellow page advertising Print pamphlets and brochures Craft Home Parties

Essential Equipment: The essential equipment needed to start a home crafts business depends on what kind of craft products will be making. In addition to the basic stationery item such as adhesives, tapes, scissors, craft papers, staples and so on you will need a computer to lookup information, latest designs and ideas, bookkeeping, website building, etc.

Recommended Training, Experience, or Needed Skills:

To start a home based Crafts Business you do not need any special skills, equipment or formal training. There numerous easy to follow instruction manuals available. Guidelines to make crafts and related items are also available on the Internet. Just use your creativity.

Income Potential: $20,000 to $80,000 depending on the type of craft items you will be selling.

Target Market: The target market for home made craft items is diverse. With proper marketing techniques you can target almost all kinds of people who love arts and crafts and indulge in collecting such items for themselves or for their friends and relatives. Crafts and related products are also used for decorating purposes at weddings, birthdays, and shower parties; they also serve as gift items. You can also sell your craft pieces to gift shops and craft stores.

Success Tips: Research your market, watch TV craft shows, go to craft fairs and check out handcrafts in the marketplace.

About the author: © Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as

Medical Billing Business . You can also sign up for Randy's free newsletter and 8 different FREE e-courses:

Profitable Home Business Newsletter .

How to Make Candles Using Old Crayons

Author: LeAnn R. Ralph

As featured in the story ""A Candle For Christmas"" from the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003; trade paperback) http://ruralroute2.com

Materials: • 1 wax carton (quart) (milk, fabric softener, or orange juice) • 1 pound of paraffin wax • 4 or 5 old crayons • two trays of ice cubes • a double boiler (or an empty coffee can and a saucepan) • 1 piece of ordinary white package string about six inches long.

Caution: Do not heat paraffin directly over the burner. Paraffin is easily combustible. Use a double boiler or a two-pound coffee can set in a pan of water. I put the coffee can on top of home canning jar rings (the rings, not the flat lids). If the can is not set on top of something, the concave bottom creates a vacuum when the water begins to heat up, plus if it's on the bottom of the pan, it's just that much closer to the burner.

Trim the top part of the carton off so that what remains is about six inches high.

Cut the string so that it is six inches long. (To make a wick that lasts longer, try braiding three pieces of string together.)

Melt the paraffin wax over medium heat in a double boiler or a coffee can in a pan of water. Use three-quarters of a pound for a somewhat smaller candle or use all four squares for a larger candle. Once the water begins to boil, it will take 10 or 15 minutes for the paraffin to melt.

Break the crayons into small pieces and add to the paraffin. If the crayons are added first before the wax is melted, the color makes it difficult to see if all of the paraffin is liquefied.

Use a pair of tongs (a scissors works, too), and dip the string into the paraffin. Dipping the string will ensure that it is coated with paraffin since the ice cubes may prevent some sections from coming in contact with the liquid wax. Hold the string so that it is in the middle of the carton and fill the carton with ice cubes. Pour the hot paraffin over the ice cubes.

The candle will be set in about 30 minutes. Let the candle stand for another hour or two until most of the ice cubes are melted. Pour off the water. Peel off the carton. Place the candle in a tray or on a plate to catch the rest of the water from the ice cubes as they finish melting. Let the candle dry for a day or two.

The candles I have made with a single piece of string only burn for an hour or so and burn quickly enough so that most of the paraffin remains intact. To use the paraffin again, melt the candle and pour the wax into other containers to make solid candles.

~ Solid Candles ~

To make solid candles, select several glass containers. Pint or half-pint canning or jelly jars work well. For the wick, measure out a few more inches of string than is needed to reach the bottom of the container. Tie the string around a pencil. Put the pencil across the top of the container to hold the wick in place. When the paraffin and crayons are melted, pour the liquid wax into the container(s). When the candle is set, snip off the wick about a half inch above the wax.

~ Scented Candles ~

To make scented candles, put three or four teaspoons of vanilla extract into the bottom of the double boiler (or the coffee can) and then add the paraffin and crayons. When the wax is melted, pour into containers.

************

About the author: LeAnn R. Ralph is a freelance writer in west central Wisconsin, is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003; trade paperback) http://ruralroute2.com