Essential Bar Accessories

Home bars are made with the intention of avoiding loud environment of the professional bars. However, if you don't have the basic bar accessories, then the whole experience of drinks can convert into a messy affair. So, what are the bare minimum wine accessories that you must have in your bar.

Basic Wine Accessories: There are certain basic bar accessories that can be called bar starter set. These include corkscrews, measures and dispensers, pourers, large mugs, bottle coolers, ice buckets, straws and bar towels. Whether you serve beer, scotch or wine, you'll need them.

Basic Accessories for Cocktails: Since you have a bar, you must be able to serve your guests chilled cocktails. For sweet-tasting drinks you should have bar accessories that allow you to mix cocktails. Shaker tin, shaker glass, muddler, cocktail strainer, twisted mixing spoon, jigger measure, bottle pourers, bar knife and paper cocktail umbrellas are some of the accessories that you must buy for the purpose.

Wine Decanters: A decanter removes sediments from old wines and softens harsh tasting tannins present in some red wines. They also highlight the liquid’s natural colors. Decanters are essential to enhance the taste of wine, especially old ones. Decanting wine in a proper way is also essential for the best effect.

Wine Coolers: The temperature at which wine is served can make or mar its taste. Wine chillers can be set to keep different types of wines stored at the proper temperature for serving. Wine coolers are mostly required for white or sparkling wines. The sparkling wines and Champagne should be completely chilled before serving.

Art Deco Furniture – History and the Resurgence

If we talk of traditional notes, then people used simple furniture that was functional in all senses. However, later on, particularly after the First World War, there occurred many social changes which gave rise to different kinds of furniture requirements. Emphasis was also laid on well-designed decorative furniture that also had a high degree of functionality. Thus, Art Deco came into being.

Schools of Art Deco Designers

There were two schools of Art Deco Designers. One was that which consisted of designers who made individual pieces with highly skilled craftsmanship and which were very expensive- could only be bought by the very rich. The other class of Art Deco Designers took to mass production. They synthesized simple forms, luxurious materials and finishes along with functionality. These had severe geometrical looks.

Extinction and Resurgence of Art Deco

Initially, Art Deco Furniture had traditional styles which were made with exotic woods like amboyna. Materials like ivory were used to decorate them. By the mid 1920's, modern materials such as chrome and glass panels were introduced and the designs became more and more geometric and streamlined. Somehow, the functional furniture took over from Art Deco in the later years. It proved to be one of the shortest-lived design periods in history. However, art can never die and it has again become popular.

Art Deco Resurgence has brought furniture that have both modern and classic touch. All luxurious fabrics and materials are used to give familiar shapes to furniture that doesn't lose its single functionality. That is perhaps the reason why art lovers tend to fall for art deco furniture.

Smoking Pipes – Various Types for Smokers and Collectors

Whether you like to collect smoking pipes or love to smoke them, you have great options as there are many types of smoking pipes available for you. A pipe can be a very simple machine-made briar pipe or an expensive handmade artistic pipe that turns to be an invaluable collectible. Although the designs of smoking pipes vary from one type to another, they essentially have a chamber, or bowl, in which tobacco or other substance to be smoked is placed, a stem of some sort and a mouthpiece through which the smoke is sucked or inhaled.

Types of Smoking Pipes

Smoking pipes are categorized on the basis of the material and shape which also have influence upon the aesthetics of a smoke.

Briar Pipes: The most common types, the Briar, can be machine made or hand-made. Briar is a very good wood for making pipes. It is naturally resistant to fire and has a good ability to absorb moisture. Thus, it can absorb moisture which results due to combustion. Briar is obtained from the root burl of the tree heath found in Mediterranean regions. Two types of blocks are cut from the center and the outer part of root burl- ebauchon & plateaux. Artisans prefer plateaux because of its superior graining. Some pipe makers also use Brylon, a synthetic material having properties similar to briar.

Meerschaum Pipes: This hydrated magnesium silicate, found only in central Turkey, can be molded into many decorative figures. “Meerschaum” means "sea foam" in German, suggesting its natural white color and very low weight. It is very porous and absorbs elements of the tobacco during smoking process, and gradually changes color to become golden brown. However, sometimes such pipes are also made from meerschaum dust collected after carving and mixed with an emulsifier. It is then pressed into shape of a pipe. These are low quality meerschaum pipes that are not absorbent, do not color, and lack the smoking quality of the block carved pipe.

Clay Pipes: Pipes made of fine white clay are of good quality. Pipes made from porcelain slip poured into a mold have lower quality which impart unwanted flavors to smoke. Making clay pipes is a labor intensive process. All the air has to be beaten out of the clay and then each pipe is hand-rolled before molding. They are then pierced with a fine wire before careful firing. They tend to become hot while using and as such less preferable for actual smoking.

Calabash Pipes: Made from Calabash gourds, sometimes from mahogany wood, they have their own classic shape. Those made of gourds are very expensive. They usually have meerschaum or porcelain bowls set inside them. There's also an air chamber beneath the bowl which is for cooling, drying, and mellowing the smoke. A well finished pipe gives one of the coolest, driest smokes available.

Metal Pipes: Although uncommon, metal is still used for making pipes. The popular one is a pipe with a stem and shank of aluminum, serving as a heat sink. Mouthpieces are made from vulcanite or lucite. Other metal tobacco pipes are the Japanese kiseru and the Arabian midwakh. Hookahs also have metal stems, but they are categorized as water pipes.

Hookahs: These are typical middle eastern water pipes which cool the smoke by filtering it through a liquid chamber. Many hookahs have multiple mouth pieces so that many people may enjoy the tobacco simultaneously. The tobacco used in the hookah is usually dried whole leaf, soaked and crumbled, or canned, mixed with various herbs & flavors sometimes with ice, lemon juice or even milk. The moist tobacco is heaped into the bowl and covered with a small charcoal fire.

Although smoking lets you feel good, you should be aware of health risks of pipe smoking. Collecting them, anyway, doesn't carry any ill effect!

Plastic Craft Lacing - An Introduction to Boondoggling

The plastic craft of knotting and plaiting plastic strings is known in the U.S. as "boondoggling" or "Gimp". It is known as Scoubidou in Europe. It is also known as Lanyards or just plastic lacing through which many interesting items such as key holders or jewelery can be made.

Boondoggling- An introduction

Boondoggle is usually a round or flat plastic lace. Plaiting and knotting craft from these laces originated in France that aimed at young adults, and became a fad in the late 1950s. However, 'boondoggle' is a typical North American term which is often applied for describing work of little or no importance done merely to appear busy. In 1935, an article published in the New York Times had the headline, “$3,187,000 Relief is Spent to Teach Jobless to Play ... Boon Doggles Made”. It referred to small items of leather, rope & canvas, that were being crafted by the jobless people during the Great Depression as a form of make-work. Since then, the word instantly became famous and now is typically used to represent plastic craft lacing that has been a craze in some countries since 2004, especially in The Netherlands, France, America and England.

How to do boondoggling

The round, hollow plastic tubes or the Scoubidou (Gimp) comes in a variety of lengths and colors. They are used to make various projects using knots or stitches. If you are interested in doing plastic lacing then you should first acquaint yourself with basic boondoggle terms. The next step is to try to learn certain starting stitches. Once you've learned the basic knots or stitches you can move towards learning advanced stitches.
You can make key rings, plastic jewelery, zipper pulls, small animals and many other creative items through this craft. The knotting techniques are only meant for getting started and achieve mastery at plastic craft. The real fun will come when you experiment with different colors and stitches to create a whole new range of your own exclusive designs!

Creative Video Games- Making Players do Physical Exercise

Since ages, toys and games have been the source of entertainment and recreation. From stone and bone toys to highly sophisticated battery operated toys, they have undergone many developments. Games are no further behind. From simple drawings on earth and wooden or bone dices, the complex video games have kept mankind engaged and happy. Video games- from being described as giving rise to obesity and loneliness- have manifested the creativity of the game makers by indulging the players into actual physical exercising!

Apart from the benefits of video games such as those of hand- eye coordination, improving concentration and reading skills, many new video games are making the players to dance, walk, run or exercise in some other forms. These games require the player to actually get up and move around. No buttons or joysticks are used but the players have to stand on a small dance floor or mat that is designed to sense where a player puts his feet. Players have to move their bodies to match the directions given on the screen, while music plays on. Mistakes are caught by the machine without fail. These video games are fast getting into fitness centers and schools and encouraging everyone to get more and more exercise.

Tips for Effective Garden Lighting

If you love when your home decor is appreciated then you should also be concerned about garden lighting. After all, outdoor decor gives the first impression about your artistic taste. Here are certain tips for effective garden lighting for your outdoor decor.

• Always use glare guard to hide the light source. If not, then try to install the luminaire behind a shrub, large branch, wall or rock.
• If you don't want a shadowy effect then never install luminaries in the undergrowth of low shrubs or tall grasses. If done, the beam of light will be impeded giving rise to shadows.
• Don't install too much of light. It gives garish, theatrical look. Remember, less is more.
• You may experiment with backlighting. An uplighted hedge behind a shrub or tree will create silhouettes in the foreground.
• Avoid illuminating all surfaces.
• Give a night view that is different from day view. It can be a little dramatic than the day view.
• You can use beam angles, frosted lenses and mounts for giving dramatic effects to your outdoor.
• Landscape lighting http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/landscape-lighting-finishes-the-scene-164782.html will give great beauty to your garden.
• Always use high quality equipment, and materials. They last longer and offer more options.
• When deck lighting, pay attention to places where people sit and try to avoid glaring light effects over there.
• Driveway lighting should be enough for vehicles. At the at the same time it should give a safe access to pedestrians. Lampposts and small post lights are excellent for such place.

Tableware Market Trends: The Report

In the past two years, the tableware industry has seen many ups and downs. The consumer market for tableware and tabletop items grew 6.4 % from 2006 to 2007 and then declined by 4.2 % in 2008 as very few tabletop purchases were made in this year. Tabletop products include dinnerware, glassware & crystal, flatware, servingware, tabletop decorative accessories, giftware & collectibles and other tabletop goods, such as linen. The total market for dinnerware declined by 14 % from 2006 to 2008 and sales of glassware declined by 10 %. Only crystal in the glassware category experienced a 7 % increase in its sales.

The above analysis has been provided in the "Tabletop Report 2009: The Ultimate Guide to the Consumer Market for Tabletop Marketers and Retailers." According to the author of this report, “Consumers are more interested in buying items that they can use to decorate or enhance the appearance of their dinner table than they are in buying items that can be used specifically for dining purposes. So rather than buy a new dinnerware place setting, they are more likely to buy candlesticks or a vase; rather than buy a new serving bowl set, they are more likely to buy a decorative bowl to work into a centerpiece display.”

The study says that for marketers and retailers, key opportunity for growth lies in delivering decorative items that enhance the dining experience. The report is based on a survey among 1,165 American consumers (average income $98,000; 66 percent female; average age 44.2 years). The results are compared with data gathered for the tabletop report in 2006.

Bridal Show - San Diego

Trade Events are a great opportunity for both- buyers and sellers. There are certain trade shows that attract even more serious shoppers. Bridal Shows are generally this type of shows. Here, people are ready to buy anything- from apparel garment, beauty equipment to fashion accessories- there's no restriction on expenditure.

So, if you are an artist who is into jewelery making or costume designing or even a gift box making, you have all chances of getting good money as well as appreciation in Bridal Show - San Diego.

The show will be organized on Sunday, April 26th from 10:00am – 4:00pm at Bridal Bazaar, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA.

Tips on Safe Metal Craft for Beginners

Any metal when given art form, looks stunning, so if you are fascinated with metal craft, it's no wonder. Brass, iron, silver, copper, bronze, wrought iron- whatever metal you choose for making a craft, it will be undoubtedly sharp. Beginners need not to worry about that. You'll probably get a few minor cuts but nothing as serious that should deter you from metal crafting. Just follow certain safety rules and enjoy your new interest.

• Always hold metal lightly. A tight grip can lead to cuts.
• Avoid running fingers along the raw edge of metal.
• Always keep the cutting tool deep in the cut as you move along. Don't opt for short cuts and make burrs along the cut line.
• Initially wear gloves while working on metals. As you become more and more confident, start working without them because it gives a better feel leading to quality craft.
• Try to use a clamping device like a well-mounted vice to hold your piece while working on it. It might not be possible all the time but whenever possible, try to follow it. Also use a rag or a scrap leather piece to cushion the metal so that the point where vice holds the piece doesn't get destroyed.
• Always use a brush or a piece of cardboard or some similar object to brush off the metal scraps. Don't ever do it with your hands.
• Take your own time to finish off the work. Don't rush otherwise, you might get injured. As you become used to, you'll automatically do fast work.
• Always ensure proper and adequate lights in the work area. As most of the metals shine, it sometimes become difficult to see them clearly. Ensure proper vision from all the angels, right in the beginning.
• Always buy good quality tools. A pair of good tin snips, if possible, aviation snips are best for even for the beginners. They need as much safety as the experts. Even if good tools cost a little more, they are worth buying.

So, now when you are equipped with the basic safety rules, why not make a metal wall art and enjoy your first metal craft project!

Treasure Hunt For Antiques – Opportunity and Caution

If you are an antiques lover, this is for you. There's something going on for sometimes that might be called a great opportunity for all the antique collectors- The Treasure Hunters Roadshow. It happened in Sedalia, in Danville, in Deming, and now it's going to be on Coast this week. However, there is a word of caution too with this great opportunity.

The buyers are ready to purchase anything antique from you- dolls, toys and games, firearms, or glassware- just anything that is old or unusual. Usually, in such types of roadshows, only appraisal certificates are issued to establish the cost of any antique. But this is different. The organizers of this treasure hunt show are ready to issue a check on the spot. The only disturbing fact is the continuous appearance of news items regarding bad checks published in the media since a few days now. This bad checks news has not been published only once but it's a repeating incident. It's was published in Eastern Arizona Courier on Feb 08, in Silver City Sun News and in the Deming Headlight on Feb 12 to quote a few.

Although the organizers are saying that they'll make good on checks and will also cover subsequent costs to those who had checks bounce, it's wise to remain alert. Taking this opportunity or not taking advantage of such opportunity- both will be somewhat risky. Anyhow, the wise thing would be to get price of anything you sell in cash. Don't go for any kind of cheques. You might try your luck and be fortunate enough. Good luck to you for whatever decision you take!

How to Care for Bronze Sculptures

The durable Bronze sculptures can last for several years. However, patina- the colored surface of bronze sculpture- is prone to damages and a good lot of care has to be taken to maintain it. The artist or the foundry where these sculptures are cast, protect patina by applying wax or laquer. Collectors, however, have to care and clean their bronze sculpture regularly to preserve its original patina. Here are some tips on maintaining bronze sculptures.

• Avoid excessive heat and humidity and display bronze sculpture in ventilated areas. Attics and basements are a complete 'no'.
• For regular dusting, use soft and clean cotton rags that are lint free. Soft bristle brushes, 1-2 inches for small sculpture and 2-3 inches for larger bronze sculptures, can also be used.
• Avoid using solvents such as xylene or turpentine to clean bronzes. They strip off the wax coating and damage the patina.
• Don't use car waxes that might contain abrasives. Use a wax recommended for bronze such as microcrystalline wax.
• Never use household detergents. Instead use non-ionic detergent or neutral detergent, which can be found at most janitorial supply stores, to clean bronze sculpture. Mix the detergent as recommended on the label in a non-metallic bucket and rinse well.
• Indoor bronze should be cleaned once a year and also twice, if kept in humid or corrosive environments.
• Outdoor bronzes should be cleaned twice a year and 3-4 times, if kept in humid or acidic areas.
• When waxing, apply very thin even coat of wax with a soft cotton cloth or a soft brush using a circular motion. If doing on a large bronze sculpture, divide it into areas, and do one area at a time. Allow the wax to sit and dry from six to twelve hours before polishing. Drying should not be done in sun or strong light. If outdoor sculpture is being done then do it in shaded area or in the late afternoon after the sun is not so bright. With a clean cotton cloth gently rub the surface until the desired shine appears.
• Although, there is no harm in waxing a sculpture frequently, applying too much wax in one go, removes the previous layers of wax.

Tips on Buying Antique Vintage Watches

Watches are not just a piece of jewelery. They are works of art. And the antique watches have their own look and feel. That's why many people love to just collect these vintage watches. However, before buying, you must know enough about them otherwise you'll end up paying a handsome amount of money just to know later that what you've bought, doesn't work or even that it's not an antique at all!

Research before buying: Get a good catalog book from the local book store or browse through an auction website. It's better to invest some money and time in knowing antique watches than to waste on a useless piece.

Determine your preferences: What is your taste, what's your budget, time you can spend on repairing, time period from which you want a watch? Answer these questions.

Examine condition of watch: Its a key determinant of the price of a vintage watch. If buying from distant location, get its pictures from different angles. If can see it physically, check the corroded metal and pitting. Although, older watches do have corrosion but decide on how much badly corroded watch, you are willing to take.

Check authenticity and originality: Find those who know antique watches- a friend, a watch servicer, anyone who can verify the claim of antiquity and establish whether its parts are not touched up or redone.

Find a reliable watch servicer: Not everyone can fix an antique watch. Find someone who really knows how to handle and fix them. Antiques might require repairing often if not very frequently. Don't forget to request for guarantee that they won't replace the parts.

Research on price: research about transactions dealing with similar watches in the recent past, if you can find it. Find out estimated 'market price' based on past transacted prices.
Buy from trusted seller: be it a trusted shop or individual seller, they are always better than unknown ones. If they are honest enough, they'll disclose what all has been done to the watch in the past.

All this is a good homework for buying an antique watch but remember to take care of your watch too.

Fraud Alert for Artists on Valentines Day

Cyber crime is not a new term now. A special day like a Valentines Day is a much awaited occasion for the hackers and scammers to do their mischievous lot. All those who are planning to buy online gifts have to stay beware of such valentines day frauds. Not only the cyber criminals target the buyers but also the sellers. The artists too need to remain alert as many people buy their arts and crafts to be given as gifts.

These days, a particular fraud is going around on Internet. There may be one or other difference in the events but the basic operation is similar in all of them. If you have placed an advertisement for any of your products, you might get an inquiry about your creation in the form of a mail. The description about buying interest is rather of a vague kind. Probably these are mass e-mails sent to many sellers in hope of trapping some of them. However, it's wise to respond to such mail as it could be from a genuine buyer also. However, the reply to your response will almost tell you whether this potential buyer is a fraud or not.

The reply received by you might contain an offer to pay by Cashier's check or Money Order and it might even offer to pay transportation expenses of the art or craft. The offered overpayment is a big tip off here. If asking for any banking information, that is another tip off. There is practically no need of providing your banking information and also your address for any legitimate transactions. These types of buyers are never willing to meet you in person. You should avoid accepting any cheques of distant location. These cheques might look legitimate but they are not. When these are processed in your bank, your account number can be delivered back to the issuer of the fraudulent cheque. Inquire with your bank about any cheques that you have any doubt about. Always ensure about having funds before you deliver any product to someone suspicious.

UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts

The Award of Excellence for Handicrafts is given by UNESCO to encourage artisans to produce handicrafts using traditional skills, patterns and themes in an innovative way. It aims at ensuring the continuity and sustainability of the traditions and skills along with supporting craft producers.

This program was initiated in Southeast Asia in 2001 by UNESCO Office, Bangkok in cooperation with the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA, Thailand). Since then, it has been expanded further into Central Asia with the Central Asia Crafts Support Association (CACSA, Kyrgyzstan), South Asia with the World Crafts Council Asia-Pacific Region (WCC APR, India), East Asia, Western Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean region.

The programme truly recognizes the importance of awards and prizes in motivating the crafts producers along with raising international awareness about handicrafts. The main objectives of the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts include establishing rigorous standards of excellence for handicrafts, encouraging innovativeness, offering training & support services, and providing new opportunities to ensure sustainability of handicraft industries.

In 2008, 144 new products have benefited from the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts in Asia. The rewarded artisans got the opportunity to display their products not only at regional exhibitions but also at international fairs such as the Paris Fair (France), the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market (USA), the Maison & Objet Trade Fair (France). The start date of this very encouraging programme for all artisans is 01-01-2001 and the end Date is 31-12-2013. The Lead Organization / Sector / Office is UNESCO HQ - Division des expressions culturelles et des industries créatives.

Conical Zither- The New Musical Instrument

There's a good news for all zither players over there! A Vietnamese Artisan – Musician, Pham Chi Bich, has contributed to the list of musical instruments by introducing his all new “conical-shaped zither”.

The new 1.65m high conical zither has 170 chords vertically arranged into five equal sections. Its sound-box is 1m in diameter at the bottom. The surface of zither is made of white wootung wood. The new musical instrument looks like a traditional Vietnamese conical hat.

Pham Chi Bich got the idea of creating this “conical-shaped zither” while watching a conical hat dance performance five years back. He changed the shape, sound and principle of playing the traditional 16-chord zither into a conical hat-shaped musical instrument of which the top is a symbol of convergence. The new musical instrument requires five players, or even ten, who have to control 34 chords each. The players can perform a solo or in a concert too.

Craft Ideas for Making Valentines Day Gifts

Valentines Day Gifts are dear to one's heart. And if they are made by own hands, they become more special, not only for those who make it but also for those who receive it. All the efforts put in these hand made gifts go to show how deeply someone is loved. If you are thinking of making your valentines day gift unique then here are some craft ideas to make that special gift with the help of simple art and craft supplies.

Clay Picture Frame

Get some polymer clay and mix it to create a pink hue. Flatten the clay with rolling pin. You can even use a pasta machine for the purpose. Trim the clay to fit the frame you want to cover, for ex. a plastic, clear picture frames. Use scrap book scissors for the same. You can place other picture frame on top of it to mark the outlines. Cut out a hole of the picture frame with a knife. Make some darker pink clays for making heart shapes. Using a simple heart punch, punch through the darker pink clay. Roll out very thin snakelike rolls with some white clay. Place the snake rolls around the opening that has been cut out and place the hearts on on the roll. Place the clay frame on a cookie sheet and bake as per the instructions on the clay package. Allow the frame to cool, and spray with a clear varnish if desired. Using a hot glue gun, attach the clay to the plastic frame. Attach the clay to the plastic frame with the help of hot glue gun. Frame a picture of both of you and gift it to your partner to see his/her delighted face.

Beads Jewelery


Jewelery is loved by all and beads jewelery is the in thing. If you have considerable time in your hands then you can try making clay beads and then jewelery out of them. Get some Fimo or Sculpey clay, some tiny cookie cutters, toothpick, thin cording or string and a safety pin. Make symmetrical hearts or any other shape of your choice by using the side of a pen to roll flat a lump of clay to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out pieces with a heart-shaped cutter or give any shape with your hands. Use the toothpick to make a hole in a corner of each bead and then bake the hearts as per the package directions. Now use these beads to make any jewelery like necklace, bracelet, etc.

There are many other craft projects for making valentines day gifts. So enjoy making them to see your partner brimming with joy.

How to Take Care of Antiques

Anything that is not taken care of, is bound to be destroyed, sooner than it should be. This is more so with antiques. They are already old enough and have spent a good amount of their life. So, it becomes all the more essential to take care of antiques. This is the only way to preserve the fine workmanship of these valued possessions.

Antiques should always be kept where there is a balanced environment regarding light, humidity and temperature. They have to be cleaned properly but this exercise of cleaning should not be overdone. After all, fragile items like antiques have to be handled with care. Cleaning antique jewelery with soap and water may leave a residue on the metal and make the stones look dull. Many people use vinegar too which is also harmful to the gemstones. Nothing is more suitable as soft brushes and soft clothes to clean off the dust from antiques. If, anyway, that is not suffice and wet cleaning becomes essential then distilled water is the solution. It doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or minerals.

Ceramic Sculpture: Tips for Buying and Caring

Ceramic sculpture or the art of pottery has a historical and cultural value for many ancient cultures including Rome, Greece, China and Persia. In fact, the term 'ceramic' comes from 'keramikos', which is a Greek term for 'potter's clay.' Over the years, ceramic artworks have gained value as investment art. Art collectors, around the world, are buying ceramic creations at very high prices at auctions and galleries. So, whether you are an art lover or an art investor, you need to buy the right sculpture and care for it in the right manner.

• When buying outdoor sculpture, ensure that they are made of stoneware fired ceramic. They ought to be fired to stoneware temperatures, around 1200°C, otherwise they'll not be very durable.
• Ask the ceramic sculpture suppliers or the artist from whom you are buying it, whether the piece is frost proof or not.
• If not frost proof, you should bring your outside sculpture inside in the coldest winter months.
• Only fired ceramic can stay in full sun and do not fade.
• Ask if the sculpture is painted with brick sealant to prevent any water penetration.
• When buying hanging sculptures, ensure that very strong threads are used. Thread made of polypropylene and aluminum are the best as they don't rot or rust, and have good tensile strength.
• Very large wall hanging sculptures should have the yarn twined several times.
• Wall hanging sculptures should also have several very strong built in clay lugs, that should not break off.
• Use soft damp sponge to clean the sculpture. When there is a very fine work with a lot of texture, use a soft brush and warm water.
• Avoid using harsh abrasives or power hosing for cleaning ceramics.
• On certain grainy, sandy sculptures that are not very smooth, algae, moss and lichen may grow in time. Algae retardants can be painted on such sculpture.
• If buying directly from an artist, you can customize your piece with your choice of color, glaze and texture. However, artist is the final authority to decide whether your preference is possible and/ or advisable.
• Always look for makers seal, which is usually, on the underside of sculpture or built into the overall design of larger sculptures.
• If buying online, make sure that the sculpture is double boxed with a lot of cushioning.

Native American Beadwork: Loom Beading Basics

Beads have been used by Native Americans for thousands of years. They used to weave beads on a loom to create long, narrow bands for hair and bracelets. Not only this, they used the beads to decorate clothing, vessels, tools, and weapons. After 1900, Native Americans created beaded products especially for tourists market. However, in the recent years, beading has again become popular, in fact, it has been revived as a craft. A variety of beading looms are now available as also innumerable varieties of beads. There are certain facts, any way, that must be kept in mind while loom beading.

Tips for Loom Beading

Bead looming is a comparatively inexpensive hobby that requires a loom, a beading needle, thread, and of course, beads.

• Buy quality materials, especially the loom. Metal looms tend to become loose and inconsistent. Plastic looms can warp or stretch easily. Wooden looms are the best ones, as they are sturdy and maintain their integrity.
• Nowadays beads suppliers make numerous types of beads. Czech seed beads are common and easy-to-find as also easy to handle. Size 6 is quite large, 10 and 11 are mid-range, and 13 is tiny and very complex to work with. Size 10 is best for the beginners.
• First timers should choose simple patterns. They can find free patterns on Internet or in books. Own patterns can also be used. Most people, designing their own patterns, use graph paper and colored pencils to plot out their designs. Sketch out a drawing on graph paper of desired size. Then color in each square to represent a bead.
• Choose enough beads right in the beginning. For an 8-inch, 8-strand bracelet, you need between 300 and 400 size 10 beads, which means if you’re doing two colors, you’ll want 200 beads in each color. It’s always good to have more than enough so that you won’t run out before your project is completed.
  
• Choose a nylon beading thread as it is strong and flexible.
• Size of needle is important. It should be one size smaller than the bead size. When using a size 10 bead, select a size 11 needle.
• Do beading in a well-lit, comfortable, and steady surface like a table top. Always use some cloth on your worktable. If you drop beads they won’t bounce and scatter.
• Now you are ready for loom beading. You can learn the simple technique of weaving beads on a loom with the help of books or Internet.

Buying Rugs and Carpets: Do's & Dont's

Carpets and rugs grant beauty, style, character and personality to any house. They also give protection by avoiding slips and falls, thermal resistance by retaining warm air for a longer period of time. and sound insulation by absorbing the surrounding noises. However, these benefits can be availed only if the rugs are bought with care. There are certain do's and dont's that should be kept in mind while buying rugs.

Do's

Determine your budget: The first and the foremost thing to do is determining your budget otherwise you might end up compromising with your selection. Right from the beginning, look for what you can afford.

Research for Information: Buying is fruitful only when done on basis of informed decisions. Know about the carpets, their styles, origin, fabrics, weaves etc. Internet and books can be browsed, opinions of experts can be taken. After all, you are going to spend a good amount of money. While researching, you'll have a rough idea of prices, qualities and other details of rug too.

Determine Size and Shape: Measure the size of your room and the space you want to cover with the rug. If buying area rugs for spaces such as dining room and hallway, be more careful. Dining rooms need rugs that are large enough to hold the back legs of the chairs of dining tables, when pushed back. Hallways need rugs that cover the entire hall end to end, or with a small distance of about a foot at each end. Any rug too small or large will look odd.

Choose a Reputable Dealer: Visit many stores before buying. Ask about their reputation from friends and other people. Select the one having good reputation, the one with good return policy too. If buying through online auction sales, check the seller feedback and the ranking. Look for the trusted dealers lists which is provided by certain websites. Know about guarantees offered, if any.

Check the Material: Check it according to your needs. Mostly rugs are made of wool, cotton and silk. The most durable and easy- to- clean fiber is wool. Silk rugs are luxurious & beautiful but not suitable for very high traffic areas.

Make Sure of Antique Rugs: Only those which are more than 60 years of age can be called antiques. Check the overall condition. A fine rug will have no stains, tears or holes, and no previous repair work. A rug with an average condition might have undergone some minor repair but the worn ones may have discoloration, fading, insect or foundation damage. However, you may opt for not dismissing the worn rugs altogether as they can still have a very good resale value but only with Certificate of Authentication. Ask for it. It will add value to your carpet if you plan to sell it in future.

Calculate the Actual Cost: Ensure that the dealer tells you all the costs including product delivery cost and if something has to be retained by him on return of the rug. Ask about financing options, if any. Also ask the retailer and consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on how frequently your rug should be cleaned and the cost to clean it.

Dont's

Don't get distracted while buying the rug: Stick to your determined size, shape and budget.

Don't be fooled by huge discounts: Fake Custom Auctions, Going Out of Business(GOB) Sales, Moving Sales, Liquidation Sales, Lost Lease Sales, Closing Forever Sales, Bankruptcy Sales, Remodeling Sales – all are there to sell the wrong and low quality rugs to you. So beware!

Don't stay around with dealers who pressure you for making hasty decision: Leave at once. A good dealer will always give you time to look around, ask questions and also a good return policy.

Don't be afraid of putting forth questions: It's your right and the dealer's duty. If you anyway feel that you're not getting satisfying answers or the staff at the store is not knowledgeable, don't buy from there.

Don't buy misrepresented materials: Acrylic is sold as wool and rayon or mercerized cotton is sold as silk. If you can't make distinctions among them, take someone with you who can. If bought already, then get the material checked and in case of antique rugs, get it checked by antiques experts. Return the rug if found to be fake. You have the option to return it within period prescribed, if you've bothered to ensure that at the time of buying.

If you go by all the above do's and dont's, you are sure to get beauty, style, value of money, durability and all the health benefits of carpets.

How to Do Glass Painting

Glass is so beautiful! Paintings too are eyes' delight! When glass and paints are combined, they create amazing works of art. The art of glass painting is becoming popular, especially with them who want to decorate their homes with an artistic touch. In fact, it is not very tough to do. You can create a beautiful painting in a day.

All you need to do glass painting is a little imagination and patience along with, of course, certain things like a clean piece of glass (size 8X8” is sufficient for the first timers), glass liners, paints, paintbrushes, nail polish remover, and a soft piece of cloth. You don't have to bother yourself in collecting these items. They are all included in the Painting Kits, that are so easily available in the market these days. Even before buying a glass painting kit, you'll have to decide what colors are you going to use for making your glass painting. If you are a first timer then you must opt for water-based color and get the beginners kit. Water-based paints, as compared to oil based paints, are easier to handle.

Basic Steps for Making a Glass Painting

1.After getting the piece of glass and the painting kit, clean the glass so as to get a smooth surface.
2.If you are not going to oven cure your finished painting then you need somewhat rough surface. Firing in a kiln can help oil paints dry and adhere better otherwise paints tend to peel or chip off. This can be countered by roughening up the surface a little with wet or dry sandpaper. Roughing the surface in this manner will help the paint adhere better and last longer.
3.Select a pattern which has clear outlines with minimum possible curves and pointed corners.
4.Trace the pattern on a piece of paper which is exactly the size of the glass piece. The pattern should be drawn exactly at the center with at least 1 or 1-1/2 inches margin on all sides.
5.Keep the glass on the patterned piece of paper aligning them perfectly.
6.Make outlines of the pattern on the glass with the help of glass liner. Use black glass liner for maximum clarity. These borders help in holding the wet colors within them and avoid spilling of the paints.
7.While doing all these, be careful not to mess up the pattern. If, however, it happens, swab the smudged part with cotton-wool dipped into nail polish remover and wipe away with piece of cloth.
8.Leave the pattern to dry up. It may take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to get completely dried. It can also be blow dried for quickening the process.

9.Now use the colors to fill in the pattern with uni-directional strokes. Avoid taking too much of paint or spilling it. Any corner or part that is not painted can be seen from the reverse side by lifting up the glass. Be careful, not to hold the glass vertically to avoid dripping off the colors.
10.If any bubbles are made in the colors while painting, then pierce them with needle or a pin. They can also be gently brushed towards the outlines bringing them out of the borers and then wiping them away with nail polish remover.
11.Avoid applying two coats of paint in any portion of the pattern.
12.Allow the painting to dry for at least 24 hours.
13.After the painting has dried, place it in a cold oven. Set the oven to 160 deg C (325F). When temperature reaches 160C, time it for 40 minutes. Switch off the oven and allow it to cool. Once the oven is cold, remove the Glass Painting.
14.Alternatively, you can let the painting air dry only by not klin firing it.
15.You can use beads, glitter, and sequins into the wet paint before it dries for decorating the painting.
Not only paintings, this method, with little changes, can be used to make a painted stain glass window or mirror. You can even make glass painting greeting card and use it on any special occasion.