http://articles.your-free-cams.com/ Articles at YFC free articles directory en-us http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/the-importance-of-jewellery-storage.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/the-importance-of-jewellery-storage.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:32:46 +0200
The simplest way to keep your jewellery safe and secure is to use a jewellery box. Compartmentalised and often lined with soft material, these boxes are custom-made to keep jewellery safe and protected. Because a jewellery box is sealed rather than open, it can help to keep the dust and grime of everyday life away from the items inside, so that they keep their shine and lustre for longer. Jewellery boxes can also become valuable in their own right, with antique ones often as treasured as the jewellery they contain.

Safe, secure and sorted

For more practical solutions, a modern jewellery organiser allows you to keep your jewellery safe, secure and sorted. These boxes will have specific areas designed to hold rings, bracelets and necklaces without them becoming tangled and possibly even damaged in storage. Even precious metal can become scratched and damaged by being in close proximity with other pieces so a jewellery organiser allows you to separate your most precious items and store them safely, preventing damage that may devalue the piece considerably. For added protection, soft, drawstring bags are readily available to keep the most precious items protected.

A little organisation goes a long way

For those who enjoy creating their own jewellery, there are often challenges when it comes to storing small items such as loose beads. However, thanks to the growth in popularity of crafts involving beadwork, jewellery suppliers now carry a wide variety of bead storage boxes that are specifically designed to house your beads. Not only does it prevent them from being lost or damaged, but a bead storage box also makes it easier for you to find the right bead for any project. These storage boxes can range from ‘fishing tackle' type boxes that open out with several trays immediately visible, through to specifically designed boxes that can carry beads of different shapes and sizes. The ‘at a glance' advantage of this system will be appreciated by anyone who has spent hours hunting through loose beads and bags trying to find the right beads for a matching pair of earrings.

A little organisation can go a long way. By utilising the selection of jewellery storage solutions on the market, you can keep your precious items in a safe, clean environment that can also be secured with a lock, ensuring that little fingers don't get into ‘mummy's jewellery box' and start playing with family heirlooms! A beautiful jewellery box can also be an ornament in its own right, and make a perfect addition to any dressing table or cabinet. Quality jewellery boxes combine both form and function and a jewellery organiser is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who's serious about creating their own jewellery.
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/the-best-places-to-buy-jewellery-packaging.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/the-best-places-to-buy-jewellery-packaging.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:38:38 +0200
Gift packaging can say a lot about the care and attention a jeweller lavishes on their work. Beautiful jewellery deserves to be presented at its very best, and it can also make a big difference in its attractiveness to potential buyers. Quality jewellery packaging also acts as a long-term storage solution for the purchaser, giving it an intrinsic value in its own right. Therefore, finding a good supplier of jewellery packaging, jewellery boxes and unusual packaging ideas is a must for anyone who is serious about creating a business from jewellery making.

Simple and elegant to quirky, fun and fancy

Packaging can come in a variety of styles - from the simple and elegant to the quirky, fun and fancy. It all depends on what you want to ‘say' to your public. You will also need to consider what type of jewellery packaging best shows off your work to potential buyers. That includes the colour, shape and design of the packaging. For example, silver works well against darker colours, so choosing a jewellery box that is dark blue in colour will display your jewellery far more effectively than a lighter colour. The most common type of quality jewellery boxes is velvet lined, giving the jewellery inside a plain but elegant surface upon which to shine.

If you are using gemstones in your work, choose colours of packaging that complement the gem rather than overwhelm it. An emerald will be lost on a green background, but will dazzle against a ruby red or dark blue surface. Opals, with their iridescence and rainbow of colours work best against plain backgrounds such as midnight blue or black, letting the true beauty of the gem shine through.

Packaging is as important as the contents inside

Smaller items such as earrings can be displayed in multiples, catching the eye against simple backgrounds and drawing in the customer. Necklaces should be displayed in their full glory, allowing the buyer to imagine what the necklace would look like around their own neck. The right jewellery packaging can be a big influence on whether a customer buys an item or not, so think as carefully about your jewellery packaging as you do about your jewellery design.

If you're simply looking for jewellery packaging to store personal items, then the same rules apply. Thankfully, there are plenty of jewellery packaging suppliers online, offering a wide variety of packaging to both commercial customers and those looking for one-off purchases. Your most treasured jewellery deserves to be stored and displayed effectively, even when you aren't wearing it, and effective storage solutions such as purpose designed jewellery boxes are ideal for keeping your jewellery safe and free from damage. Padded boxes offer a much higher degree of protection than keeping your jewellery loose. It will prevent your necklaces becoming tangled and family heirlooms from being scratched or damaged. Good jewellery suppliers will carry a full range of protective jewellery boxes, again available in both wholesale and retail quantities.

]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/how-to-add-texture-to-precious-metal-clay.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/how-to-add-texture-to-precious-metal-clay.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:28:34 +0200
Almost anything can be used to add texture to precious metal clay - from custom-made moulds through to leaves, lace curtains or even dried pasta! Working with PMC requires very little in the way of specialist tools. All you need is some PMC, a few modelling tools that are inexpensive to buy and a kiln.

Perfect for any style

To add texture to traditional metal jewellery requires a process of chasing, engraving, etching and a host of other techniques that may take years to learn properly. Because PMC is so easy to work with, it is an ideal choice for hobbyists and those who just want to create their own unique jewellery for fun. Whether you prefer a rougher, more organic finish or a smooth, professional finish with crisp lines and fine detailing, PMC lends itself perfectly to any type or style of jewellery-making.

The easiest way to add texture to PMC is to buy commercially produced texture sheets or stamps. Texture sheets are usually about 8 inches by 11 inches in size, and the texture is transferred onto the precious metal clay by pressing the clay onto the sheet. To prevent it sticking and to ensure that the pattern is pressed cleanly into the clay, try using olive oil to lightly coat the sheet before you apply the PMC to it. Rubber stamps come in almost any design you can think of - from Celtic knotwork through to floral designs, butterflies and crisp, modern motifs. Again, the stamp is simply pressed into the PMC, transferring the pattern onto the surface of the clay.

Texture from ordinary objects

Anything you find around the house can add texture to PMC. A paper doily can be used to create an interesting ‘lace' pattern and will simply burn away during the firing process, leaving the pattern on the surface of the metal object. Other objects such as buttons or other pieces of jewellery can be used in the same way as rubber stamps, impressing a pattern onto the surface of the PMC before firing. The garden can be a rich source of inspiration, with bark, leaves, textured stones and fern fronds making ideal ‘natural stamps'.

You can also create your own textures by carving the surface of the PMC with modelling tools or other implements. The prongs of an ordinary fork can be used to create complex ‘Zen Garden' swirls, but ensure that you clean up the tracks carefully before firing to ensure a crisp effect.

One thing you will need to remember is that PMC does shrink during firing. As such, extremely fine detail may be lost during the firing process, so make sure your work is as clean and as crisp as possible before putting it into the kiln.

Precious metal clay is easy to work with and ‘takes' impressions of almost any object quickly and easily. The only thing that limits what you can use to create a textured finish that's unique and beautiful is your imagination!
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/using-moulds-in-precious-metal-clay.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/using-moulds-in-precious-metal-clay.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:11:06 +0200 precious metal clay is fired, burning off the binding agent and leaving the precious metal behind.

Because of these properties, precious metal clay works exceptionally well with moulds of all kinds. For beginners, even a bar of soap can be used as an effective mould, impressing a design into the surface of the clay that can then produce precious metal jewellery incorporating intricate designs with very little effort.

How to use PMC with moulds

Silver clay lends itself to both home-made and commercially produced moulds. Using a mould also allows for repeated elements and the production of multiple pieces all incorporating the same design. Hollow moulds also allow you to produce lightweight work and to make your precious metal clay go further.

A simple way to start is to use a bar of soap to form the basis of a mould. Simply carve a pattern into the surface of the soap and then press the precious metal clay into the depression, ensuring that it is forced into every corner and recess of the carving. Then just peel away the PMC and you have a pattern embossed into the surface of the clay. This can then be worked to tidy up any uneven lines or areas that may have not come out as crisply as you would like. Once you are happy with the design, the piece can then be fired to burn off the binding agent and the metal polished and finished to produce a beautiful piece of gold or silver jewellery.

Using moulds sold in hobby shops or from specialist retailers online is also an excellent way to produce fine quality precious metal jewellery on a budget. Any mould designed to produce candles, plaster or even candy will work, and even butter or biscuit moulds sold in cookery shops can be utilised to produce unusual jewellery of exceptional quality.

Making your own silicone moulds

However, it is possible to make your own moulds using two-part silicone compounds. These have the advantage in that they do not need to be lubricated. But if you do find that the precious metal clay sticks to the sides of the mould, a light coating of non-stick cooking spray will ensure that the clay can be removed easily from the mould without damaging the imprint on the surface.

When using precious metal clay, you will have to take into account shrinkage. Early forms of silver clay suffered from quite dramatic amounts of shrinkage when fired, but modern versions have a far lower shrinkage rate. However, if you are using moulds that have a lot of fine lines, be aware that some of the detail may be lost in the final piece.
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/tips-on-storing-beads-and-beading-accessories.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/tips-on-storing-beads-and-beading-accessories.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:42:59 +0200
Bead storage boxes

The simplest way to safely store your beads is by using storage boxes that are specifically designed to house loose beads. The cheapest alternative for someone just starting out on their beading hobby is to pop down to the local fishing tackle shop and buy a couple of boxes designed to house fishing flies. These plastic boxes have compartments that are perfectly suited for keeping a selection of beads separate from one another - particularly useful if you don't want to spend hours sorting out one colour from another!

However, specially designed bead storage boxes are perhaps a better option, as they have been created with the beading enthusiast in mind. These organisers are made up of different sized compartments and drawers, allowing larger beads to be housed in more appropriately sized sections. They also come with scoops and tweezers, making handling small beads in particular much easier.

Seed beads normally come in their own plastic tubes, which can be re-used once the beads have been incorporated into jewellery. These are perfect for storing small beads safely and securely and can even be bought wholesale if you have a lot of beads to sort out and store. Small plastic ‘snap-bags' that have a top that can be re-sealed are also ideal for sorting out a bead collection, allowing you to instantly see what is in each bag and even labelling individual bags that contain specific beads.

Don't forget your other equipment

Specially designed bead cases have the advantage in that they have an acid-free, sticky surface upon which loose beads can be placed without rolling away. This gives you the opportunity to design a beading pattern before threading, saving time during the design stage. Some of these even have magnets attached to hold your needle, meaning no more hunting around carefully for a lost needle on the floor. These additional features make bead cases ideal for use both at home and when travelling.

The most important thing to consider when picking out the best jewellery storage solutions is what you want to achieve. If you are a serious bead fanatic, you may be looking for a system that allows you to instantly see what you have in front of you and select the appropriate bead quickly and easily. But don't forget that you also need to consider how you want to store your beading equipment. Bead looms take up a lot of space, so a large fishing tackle box with a spacious area underneath concertina-type drawers will be ideal. Small items such as needles and pins need to be stored safely, and valuable tools also need their own storage space. Whatever your requirements, there are plenty of options available that will suit almost any budget, allowing you to keep your beads safe, free from damage and easily accessible.

]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-car-boot-sales.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-car-boot-sales.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:20:36 +0200
Hosting and running a car boot sale - Hosting your own car boot sale is a rewarding task that can bring in lots of money for your chosen cause. The first step is to locate the perfect venue, without stating the obvious it must be easily assessable by car! Secondly, it should have easy transport links or be within walking distance. The site should be large enough to cover people turning up to buy at the car boot sale and those who have gone to sell. You should also check with the local police and governing authorities regarding permits and insurance. It will be your reasonability to ensure that the car booty is stewarded and cars and vans leaving the ground don't cause traffic or pedestrian obstructions.

The next step is publicity! You should advertise your charity car boot sale weeks before the actual event to drum up lots of interest. Speak with the local media to see if they will promote the event free of charge. Remember you need to advertise to vendors as well as the general public so you have a good ratio of sellers to buyers.

You can charge each vendor a set fee for selling their items at your charity car booty; you could also charge a small admissions fee for people coming to buy. It is also worth speaking to local catering businesses who may be interested in setting up a pitch on the site to sell food and drink. You could either charge them admission or take a percentage of their takings.

With plenty of pre-planning and organisation running a car boot sale is a great way to fundraise!

Pitching up at a car boot sale - Another way of raising money is to rent a pitch at a local car boot sale! One man's trash is another man's treasure - so ask around friends, family and work colleagues to see if they will donate unwanted items for the car boot sale. Turn up to the car booty early so that you can set up your stall; make sure the items are clearly priced and labelled. You should also group items together either by price or by category such as electronics, books etc. It also a great idea to advertise the fact that all proceeds will be going to charity - this will entice people to shop at your stand with the added benefit that you are spreading awareness of the charity or cause.
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-fetes.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-fetes.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:46:37 +0200 raise funds for your chosen charity or group. Fundraising at a fete can be as simple as standing at an entrance with a donation bucket to running an elaborate fair to benefit your cause. The sky really is the limit when it comes to running a successful fete.

Below are some top fundraising ideas for fetes:

Tombola - This classic fundraiser is a brilliant way to raise lots of money for your chosen cause. Tombola's are simple and easy to organise. The first step is to acquire prizes - it is a good idea to approach local businesses or supporters of your organisation to see if they will donate gifts. In return you could offer them free advertising at the fete. Once you have the prizes you can then set about selling tickets. You should start selling tickets in advance to ensure the tombola is a huge success.

You should price the tickets based on the event and the prizes available. You could also offer anyone buying more than one ticket a discount to encourage bulk purchases.

Coconut Shy's - Another great fundraiser which is great fun for the entire family. Coconut shy's require very little investment and can either be hired or homemade. All you need are coconuts, stands and balls. You can offer prizes to anyone who manages to knock over all the coconuts. One way you can increase profits is to approach local businesses to see if they will donate prizes in return for free advertisement. If you are providing the prizes yourself ensure that you charge enough per ticket to make a profit for your chosen charity.

Food & Drink - A lot of money can be raise by selling food and drink at your fundraising fete. The mark-up on items such as tea and coffee are astronomical, you may even be able to get local food stores to donate items increasing your profit margin.

Count the Candy - An easy addition to any fete which is easy to organise. Simply fill a jar up with sweets, people can then pay a small fee to guess how many there are. Guesses then can be recorded on a sheet and at the end of the fete; the person with the closes answer wins the jar! This fundraiser is simple and easy to do and can bring in that much needed cash for your charity.

Face Painting - This fundraising idea is a fun way to raise money at your fete. Enlist the help of any artistic friends to help paint faces and have a practice run before the big day. Ensure you have face paint, water for cleaning brushes, wet wipes, and examples of face painting so the kids can choose what they want. You can charge as little as £1 for simple designs or more for elaborate ones. You could also offer instant photos of the face painting to make even more money!

]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-charities.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/fundraising-ideas-for-charities.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:19:23 +0200 fundraising ideas to turn your charity from zero to hero.

In order for your charity to be successful you need to come up with novel fundraisers that not only bring in that all important cash but also help to raise the profile of your cause. There are many tried and tested fundraising events but some of the best are those that are tailored specifically to the charity in hand.

When devising a fundraising event, you should focus on the cause your charity supports, if you can somehow tie in the cause with the event then this will help to build awareness and help to raise lots of money.

If you are still struggling to come up with a top fundraising idea, then below is a list of some great charity fundraising ideas that you can adapt to suit your charity:

Charity Fun Run - Your charity could organise a fun run. This is a great way to raise lots of money for the cause. Participants should be encouraged to gain sponsorship for the run; you could even set a minimum limit to ensure you are profitable on the day. For example, each participant must raise at least £10 before the start of the race to allow them to take part. The key to running a successful charity fun run is promotion! Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time before the event to advertise the event and the charity's cause.

Charity Wristbands - Another popular idea which you can tailor to your charity is to sell charity wristbands. This is a great way to fundraise and raise awareness of the cause. Speak with wristband suppliers to help with designing your wristband; you should include the charity's colours, slogans and logos to increase awareness. You can buy the wristbands in bulk and sell at a profit. People love to show their support for charities so what are you waiting for? Start designing your fundraising wristband now!

Charity Raffle - Your charity could host a raffle. This is a simple yet effective fundraising idea that has the potential to make your charity lots of money. You can sell raffle tickets door-to-door or speak to local organisations to see if they will also sell raffle tickets on your behalf. You should also speak to local businesses to see if they will donate prizes for the raffle in return for free advertising at the event or on the tickets. Remember that whilst you are selling tickets you should also promote the charity and the cause in hand.
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/saddlebag-support-systems-highly-useful.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/saddlebag-support-systems-highly-useful.html Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:58:48 +0200
The basic thing that you should keep in mind is the exact measurement of Saddlebag Accessories. Before commencing the installation process you need to take measurements from the base of the seat to the exhaust pipes and back lights to the front of the motorcycle. The saddlebag support systems chosen by you should be uniquely form-fitted and available in shape-retentive parts. Saddlebag Lid Inserts comes in accurate size and shape. The edges are refined on a CNC Router that makes sure that they are highly consistent in size, shape and fit. Saddlebag Stiffeners will ensure that you get a superb fit and convenience of handling for self-installation.

Make sure that you choose high quality saddlebag support systems that you can conveniently adjust to fit lid inserts of any size. You will get an exclusive adhesive to ensure convenient installation of the Saddlebag Lid Inserts. The adhesive is of superior quality and does not get affected by heat or cold as it is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Saddlebag support systems are manufactured with the help of cutting edge technology which ensures that your lower bag maintains its shape when bumped or banged. Simply sit at your computer and do a quick search online for the website that offers high quality saddlebag support systems and accessories. Make sure that the supplier integrates every piece of the kit judiciously into the structure of your bag to create a flawless structure which will ensure that your saddlebag looks extremely stunning.

You can also make unique changes to your measurements and always install saddlebag a few inches away from the exhaust pipes so that they will not burn. If you have to pass through bumpy roads most of the time then a slanted saddlebag will serve the purpose well.

After ascertaining all the measurements you will be in the right position to decide which size of bags you need and perfectly fits your bike. You can also install a saddlebag with easy brackets. It is highly beneficial as you can remove and keep aside the bag in your home whenever you wish to do so. Regardless of which Saddlebag Restoration system and accessories you use make sure it goes perfectly well with your lifestyle.

A reliable website will offer you high quality Saddlebag Accessories that are durable and come with a warranty. The customer support staff is always willing to help and assist you in choosing the right Saddlebag Stiffeners. They will offer you top notch technical support needed by you to install saddlebag support systems. All your doubts and queries will be clarified instantly. Order now and ensure a cool riding experience.
]]> http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/saddlebag-support-systems-a-hot-trend.html http://articles.your-free-cams.com/hobbies/saddlebag-support-systems-a-hot-trend.html Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:52:42 +0200
The basic thing that you should keep in mind is the exact measurement of Saddlebag Accessories. Before commencing the installation process you need to take measurements from the base of the seat to the exhaust pipes and back lights to the front of the motorcycle. The saddlebag support systems chosen by you should be uniquely form-fitted and available in shape-retentive parts. Saddlebag Lid Inserts comes in accurate size and shape. The edges are refined on a CNC Router that makes sure that they are highly consistent in size, shape and fit. Saddlebag Stiffeners will ensure that you get a superb fit and convenience of handling for self-installation.

Make sure that you choose high quality saddlebag support systems that you can conveniently adjust to fit lid inserts of any size. You will get an exclusive adhesive to ensure convenient installation of the Saddlebag Lid Inserts. The adhesive is of superior quality and does not get affected by heat or cold as it is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Saddlebag support systems are manufactured with the help of cutting edge technology which ensures that your lower bag maintains its shape when bumped or banged. Simply sit at your computer and do a quick search online for the website that offers high quality saddlebag support systems and accessories. Make sure that the supplier integrates every piece of the kit judiciously into the structure of your bag to create a flawless structure which will ensure that your saddlebag looks extremely stunning.

You can also make unique changes to your measurements and always install saddlebag a few inches away from the exhaust pipes so that they will not burn. If you have to pass through bumpy roads most of the time then a slanted saddlebag will serve the purpose well.

After ascertaining all the measurements you will be in the right position to decide which size of bags you need and perfectly fits your bike. You can also install a saddlebag with easy brackets. It is highly beneficial as you can remove and keep aside the bag in your home whenever you wish to do so. Regardless of which Saddlebag Restoration system and accessories you use make sure it goes perfectly well with your lifestyle.

A reliable website will offer you high quality Saddlebag Accessories that are durable and come with a warranty. The customer support staff is always willing to help and assist you in choosing the right Saddlebag Stiffeners. They will offer you top notch technical support needed by you to install saddlebag support systems. All your doubts and queries will be clarified instantly. Order now and ensure a cool riding experience.
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