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Your More Perfect Diamond Means You Loop the Loupe

It does take a good deal of time and effort to lift oneself from being an occasional user of the diamond inspecting instrument the loupe, and an expert who works daily with the instrument and easily adapts it to each nuaance and need. For one to get from the former to the latter steps is now one of your life's little joyful anticipation. So, you can imagine the next time you look into you loupe, all could see how more and more steady you were in handling this delicate instrument.

And you were thankful that it was not you they were laughing at, ribs being poked in just to stifle laughter. So you shouldeer on, reading the books that tell you about how to hold the loupe an inch from the eye, and your hand with the diamond about the same. You find this highly reassurring, and can feel comfort with each additional parting of information and knowledge about diamonds, natures most perfect creation. With the use of the loupe, the gemologist is able to determine whether the gem is natural or synthetic at basic.

Beyond this it may be glass of a composite stone. The Loupe will reveal flaws, blemishes, and cracks. Your loupe will reveal whether this stone has ragged edges, and in fact is flawed or a fraud, not the true gemstone is may have been presented as. The beginner will notice immediate difference in seeing so more closely, and one can feel the surge of confidence in that you can see what the expert is describing. Its a moon landing in reverse, yet so ablaze with light and fire as your loupe takes you inside the diamond.

To look inside a diamond is to see each edge of piece flying by as your eye takes it all in. As a beginner, you want to take each step slowly and carefully. Study the craftsmanship that the artists put into his creation. Did he rush and try to cut corners at crucial points and thereby create a lesser stone than it should have been? Next is that you watch carefully for nicks and scratches, chips on the fact edges,plane or table.

Glass is very light and will show scratches very easily. Stones such as emeralds are well suited to the loupe, which can bring out any inner flaws and whether that discounts your price any further.Stones as emeralds bring out the best in the loupe and helps you make your mind up about a sale. The difference between a softer cut innto cheap glass and the harder cut into emeralds as exqample will be shown clean and pure. It takes the trained eye of the gemologist to find the bubble, inclusions and flaws, and even at that with his loupe for deeper vision.

Many flaws cannot be seen to the 10x magnification power of this U.S. Federal standards. You should realize that the more time you spent on your new hobby sport diamond spotting. The more you play at it, the better you will get. However, the kind of flaws you may find in what your are examinating can affect it much. The loupe will tell you the truth, and some times there may be too much information, little flaws and stresses running over each other, creating hesitations in the investor.

Become friends with your loupe; the more you trust it, the more it will help you relaxed into seeing what is there. And you have it in you to be better at this than you could have imagined.

About the Author

Derek Dashwood enjoys noticing positive ways we progress, the combining of science into the humanities to measure life atLoose Diamonds

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Selling at Craft Fairs: Are They For You?

You love what you create and you love sharing with others. Has anyone ever approached you and said, "You know, you should really consider making and selling these things!" While the compliment is very flattening, you may think that you enjoy making items yourself but wonder whether selling those items would be a good idea. Is it all worth it? It may or may not be.

If you have considered entering your products into a craft fair, it is important to do your homework first. This is very important; because the work you do ahead of time will make sure you are able to get into the fair in the first place! You have a lot to plan for, but first let's make sure this is right for you.

First, you will want to find out where the craft shows are happening. When and where will they be taking place? Call your local Chamber of Commerce. Look at local community bulletin boards, including school and church fairs. You may be surprised how many you find once you start looking!

In the craft show market, there are really two different kinds of shows. There are juried and non-juried shows. A juried show is one in which you apply and send in photographs of your items. A selection committee then makes the final decision if you will be accepted to display in that show. Juried shows have a limited number of sellers and the booth costs are likely to be higher. However, the attendance is often greater and there is often more advertising, meaning more prospective customers.

Non-juried shows are those in which all who would like to have a booth are welcome, or are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Typically, the booth fees are less than you will find for juried shows. Non-juried shows can be a great way to get started in this kind of business.

In addition to finding out the dates, times, and booth price, there are some other important questions to ask the organizer, which include:

- Approximately how many attendees do they expect?
- How many vendors are selling the same type of product as yours?
- How will the craft fair be advertised?
- Find out what is included in the booth price. A Chair? Table? Electricity?
- What commissions need to be paid, if any, to the organizer? Are a percentage of sales taken?

If you're not sure about the kind of show you should attend, then attend as many as you can as a consumer. This will give you a better idea of the shows in which you are interested in participating the next time they are held!

Second, it is important to find out any city or state requirements you have for your area. Because you likely must charge and then pay sales tax on the items you sell, it will be imperative that you register your business with the state and obtain a sales tax certificate. You can find that information by contacting your state agency covering sales tax (often available online). Check with the state and/or the show organizers to find out how the tax is to be collected. At some shows I've sold at, the state tax authorities pass around a certificate that needs to be filled out at the end and then turned in that day rather than filing later. Different states and shows vary, so be sure to find this information out before you begin.

Finally, perhaps the biggest question should be, "Do I have the time I need to invest into preparing for this show?" That is a question that only you can answer for yourself. If you choose to pursue this, then you may want to consider taking a look at your calendar and setting goals and deadlines for yourself to ensure you are not up until 3 a.m. the night before the big show! We've all been there...trust me! Look at giving yourself "office hours" each day when you can spend time each week making the items you will be selling. Be creative in how you streamline the process of managing your time. Rather than planning a large assortment of different items for your booth, consider finding a "niche" and focusing on just a few items so that you can make items in "assembly-line" fashion. This will help not only with your time, but also with your costs...and your sanity!

Preparing for and participating in a craft fair can be a lot of work, and yet very rewarding at the same time. To do what you love and get paid for it at the same time provides much satisfaction. You can feel good about what you are doing, so enjoy the journey! It is definitely a learning process, so don't become discouraged. You will learn new things each time you participate in a show. We wish you all the best in your creative endeavors!

About the Author

Kim Christopherson is the owner and creator of www.YouCanMakeThis.com. Find hundreds of downloadable patterns and "how-to" eBooks for your home and family. Sign up for the YCMT newsletter and receive a $75 ebook bundle package for FREE!

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Selling at Craft Fairs: What to Bring and How to Impress

Your items are all made. You have done your research on how to price these treasures you have been working on for so long. Now it is time to get packed up and go! There are some essential and not-so-essential items that you should remember to take with you on the big day.

A Friend: First and foremost, bring help with you! Do not think for a minute that this is something you can do entirely on your own. Running a booth is a constant juggling act, so having a right-hand man is not only your key to success, but everything is more enjoyable when you can share it with others! Having a second person to take payments helps you be fully available to answer questions and show your products. Having a backup is also valuable for transporting items, being able to take a restroom break, or even grab a lunchtime meal. This person also becomes your cheerleader to help support your efforts throughout the day! I promise, you will be so grateful if you can find that special friend or family member to help you on the big day.

Your Products: How many you ask? That is a good question. Bring what you can, but make sure you have a sign-up list available for those who would like to special order for later delivery, in case you run out.

Bags for Customers: Shoppers need bags! There are a number of resources online with ideas on obtaining bags, but one of the best resources may be in your very own area! Before doing a show several years back, I went to our local drugstore, as I knew their bags did not carry the individual store's name. Instead there was a rose and I figured if I could get them at a good price. It really did not matter what was on the bag! So I went in and asked the manager if I could purchase some bags from them and indeed they did let me! The cost was unbelievably cheap and I was ready to take my bags with me to the booth!

A Possible Credit Card Machine: If this is doable, you may want to seriously consider opening up this method of paying to customers. By doing so, you are offering a convenient service to them. If you don't, you may lose some potential buyers. I say this not to scare you, but perhaps intrigue you into looking into this option more seriously. It not only makes your booth look even more professional, but it is also a much safer route to go than accepting personal checks. You must obtain a merchant account in order to offer this, so be sure to check with your bank on how to do this. Taking credit and debit cards can really boost your sales!

Your Money Center : Some craft fair organizers provide these for you and some do not, so be sure to check into your options. The small table is a great place to set up your money center. Some ideas of what to include are your calculator, a receipt book, a sales tax chart, cash box or machine, and the credit card machine if you go that route. And while you're at it, don't forget to bring change! A copy of your sales tax certificate and your business license to hang up in your booth is also a nice touch.

A Small Cooler: Bring some snacks and bottles of water to keep you at your peak performance all day. You may easily get worn down if you wait too long before taking a break. Sometimes a small snack provides the right energy boost you need!

Office Supplies & Other Misc.: These include: pens, stapler, tape, a garbage bag, sales tax chart for your area, extra price tags, markers, business cards and brochures, tape, your cell phone, a camera so you can document this fun day, and possibly some candy in a bowl. Don't believe for a second that the candy is just for the children! The grown-ups love it just as well!

Any Hang Tags or Care Instructions: If you are offering any item for sale that requires special instructions, be sure to attach those to your products. Your customers will truly appreciate your efforts.

Tissue or Newspaper: If you have any items that are fragile, you will want to be sure to have these on hand to help package the items in the customers' bags.

Shelves: If possible, see if you can find some shelves that you can put onto your tables. Keeping items at different levels is more pleasing to the eye. So lift! Keep the booth interesting by doing this. Crates and stacks of blocks also work well with linen cloths draped over.

Company Name Sign: Make sure it is big and make it something special. If you have a website, be sure to include that on your banner as well.

Now, let's talk about that first impression! We all know the saying, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression", right? Well, it rings true in selling, as well! First of all, if you follow the checklist items mentioned above, you are already half-way there because you are ORGANIZED. Have your booth set up well in advance before the show begins. That way you are not scrambling at the last minute while customers are beginning to just walk on by.

Keep your prices clearly marked. Remember my "car sales" approach? Trust me, customers want to see the price immediately and not have to guess. If they do, some will simply just not inquire.

If possible, you may want to consider making some of your items right in front of the customers. If you are selling jewelry for example, demonstrate the process you go through to make a particular piece. This method can work in many different areas of crafting and others may truly enjoy watching! And just think, you will be able to get something done at the same time! But be carefully not to ignore the customer while working on your project. Be flexible enough to pause the project to answer questions, visit with the customer and showcase some of your best-sellers. This is also where your helper can come in handy.

Be positive! There is no doubt that you will get some who may come into your booth and you will hear whisperings such as, "Oh, I bet I could make that myself" or "That's nice, but she's asking WAY too much for it. I could get that cheaper somewhere else!" Staying positive and upbeat will create a great feeling in your booth. Both you and the customer win when you can maintain a pleasant and courteous demeanor no matter what. Be a professional. You will always get the naysayers, but more often than not, you will find customers who are just excited to be a part of this whole experience. They will appreciate the extra effort you go to being genuine in your approach to each of them. And smile!

Cover tables with floor-length tablecloths. This makes great storage space for your extra items and keeps the booth area look nice and neat. A solid color works best so it does not distract from your hand-made items.

Dress professionally. As mentioned before, you are a professional. Wear comfortable shoes. If you have a company name on a shirt or jacket, wear it! If not, just keeping a modest and higher end casual style in your clothing choices will make you feel even more confident and approachable.

About the Author

Kim Christopherson is the owner and creator of www.YouCanMakeThis.com. Find hundreds of downloadable patterns and "how-to" eBooks for your home and family. Sign up for the YCMT newsletter and receive a $75 ebook bundle package for FREE!

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Qualities Of Soy Candles You Should Use

Soy wax candles can be combined with other fragrances and oils and can come in different colors and shapes. If you want to learn how to make candles on your own, there are many benefits to using soy wax. Making soy wax candles can turn out to be a rewarding hobby that the entire family can learn to do together.

Some good advantages in using soy wax to make your own candles are that soy wax candles produce much less soot than paraffin wax candles. If you have any spills with soy wax, it is easier to clean up than if you had spilled paraffin wax.

Soy candles are known to burn longer than paraffin wax, so you know you are getting a candle that will last longer. The levels of carbon dioxide in the air will not increase when burning soy candles. There are a number of online websites and craft stores that will have everything you need to start making soy candles.

If you want to start out by making soy jar candles, it is a very easy process. You will need one pound of soy wax, and one jar; any jar will work for this. You need one ounce of fragrance oil, if you choose to make scented candles, and one wick that is safe to use with soy wax.

These items are all you need to make a soy candle. You can find all these supplies easily online or at a craft store. There are more detailed instructions online to tell you everything about making your own soy candles. You can be creative and try different fragrances and oils in your soy candles. There are candle books that can give you creative ideas about making soy candles.

Try using different fragrance oils to make special scents for your soy candles, and create your own unique scents by mixing the oils together. It can be fun experimenting when making your own soy candles. To make sure you mix oils that will smell good for your candles, mix the oils first before adding them to the soy wax. This way you will know if the scent you mixed will smell good in the candle. You can also make soy votive candles. They are small candles that can be placed anywhere in your home to help you relax and create a romantic atmosphere.

You can take them on trips to freshen up the different places you stay. If you smoke, you can use these votive candles to freshen up your living space. You can use the same jar repeatedly for scented soy candles. When all the wax is gone, just refill the jar again to make a new soy candle. It's as simple as that.

Candlewicks can be used as a light source for many occasions. If your power goes out, or if you just want to have a romantic evening with your partner, then try lighting a soy candle for the occasion. If you want more light in a room, try lighting more than one candle to give the room a warm glow. Soy candles have a wonderful scent and give off a warm light for romantic evenings.

Soy candles come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. One of the most popular types of candle is a jar candle. Other popular candles are pillar candles and tea light candles. You can buy many types of candle holders for your candles. Soy candles are a very popular choice when buying candles for your home.

About the Author

We know you enjoy in candles and would love to find more about them. You can find plenty of information about how candles are made and what types of candles are best for your needs on our site.

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Which Piano Brands Are Most Popular?

When choosing a piano, most people want to ensure they get a good quality one and the best way to do this is to buy a popular brand that has been around for a while and has an established reputation. There are quite a few popular piano brands available to select from.

Baldwin Pianos

This company was established back in the late 1800s and still provides some of the best pianos on the market. They also own a number of piano companies including Wurlitzer. Created by Dwight Hamilton Baldwin, the first Baldwin piano was an upright, though they later manufactured grand pianos, as well.
The Baldwin piano is well-liked because of the high quality available. As a family piano, its very good choice. Liberace and Bela Bartok both played this piano.

Steinway Pianos

Of all the different piano brands, Steinway and Sons is definitely at the top of the list in popularity and best known. Its a real boon to have a Steinway in your home and is a goal for many true piano students who dream of owning one.

Henry Steinway was originally a cabinet maker who began to manufacture pianos professionally back in the 1850s. Some of the most famous pianists of all time have use Steinways, including Wagner, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin among others. With an elegant quality about them, these pianos are on the wish list of every pianist.

Schimmel Pianos

This German piano brand is a good one, as well. Many pianists and aspiring pianists find Schimmel pianos to be a dream for playing on and as a result, Schimmel pianos can be found around the world, not just in Germany. Its a great option for anyone who is looking for a high quality piano, but doesnt want to invest in a Steinway.

Wilhelm Schimmel was the founder of this company in 1885, but it was later passed on to his grandson in the 60s. It is one of the few piano companies that is still run by the original family, while most other piano manufacturers have been bought out by larger companies.

Kawai Pianos

A Japanese brand, the Kawai piano is an interesting one. Most people think of electronic keyboards when they think of Japanese pianos, but for those in the know, Kawai is the place to go for high quality, decently priced pianos that offer great sound.

As far as first pianos go, this Japanese model is ideal to get started in the world of owning your very own piano. The Kawai piano brand is well liked and well known, but still not the most popular, which means prices havent gone through the roof like they have with many other models. This alone, makes these pianos a hot commodity.

Mason and Hamlin Pianos

This is a company that actually went bankrupt in 1995, but they have made a comeback and are still one of the most popular piano brands in existence. The pianos have been around since the founding in 1854. Though the original families are no longer involved in the business, it continues to do well after the bankruptcy.

The financial struggles in the past of this company hasnt affected the quality of their piano design. Its still an excellent design that people from around the world long to have.

Choosing the right piano brand is an important choice and one that must be made with care. If you go with a more popular brand of piano, chances are you will be more than happy with it. The years of growth and development have made these pianos some of the best in the world and they are popular brands for good reason.

About the Author

Quality music lessons Toronto and Piano lessons Toronto offered at one of the most innovative and recognized music schools in North America.

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Hobby of Honor: Civil War Bullet Collecting

Throughout the course of the Civil War, over 1,000 types of bullets were used. Although not very common, the hobby of collecting these bullets is definitely around. The main reason for this is because of the rapid development of firearms and ammunition, therefore new bullets and weapons were being put into regulation constantly.

The replacement of old round musketballs took place during this Civil War and were replaced with bullets in the shape that you see today. Although musketballs can still be found on the battlefields, the most common bullet that was used was the .58-caliber with three rings around the base. Over the course of these couple hundred years since the war, and the fact that most of the bullets found were shot at one point, you will find a lot of them that's shape is disformed. If you have any interest in the history of war or firearms, this hobby of collection is definitely one you should consider.

With the uprising of internet buying and selling, these bullets hit the market hard, and the prices skyrocketed. Normally, you would only be able to obtain these bullets by finding a shop that happened to sell them, or finding a person who had a collection of their own. Nowadays, people are selling them to collectors to make money, so they have raised the prices to turn out a higher profit. If you don't know the running rates for bullets, or are just starting your collection, it is a good idea to buy a price guide to ensure that you don't overpay for the bullet you are buying.

Often times collectors of these bullets also take the time to find other interesting artifacts from the past as well such as bullet molds and items from the Civil War era. In the Southeast, you will be able to find reenactments of the war; for the serious enthusiast, you might find interest in participating in one of these battles.

There are only two ways to really get a hold of these Civil War bullets. You can utilize online shopping such as Ebay to find bullets. The other one is by doing the searching yourself on the battlefields. Having a quality metal detector can make life a lot easier and you will definitely have more success in finding items. Because it does pick up anything metal, you will also find things like uniform buttons, bullet molds, belt buckles, along with other interesting items that ended up in battle. Unfortunately, getting the signal is the easiest part about your mission.

A lot of these metal objects that you will find are very deep into the ground, will not be easy to get out, and you have to pay close attention to the strength of the metal detector's signal so you dig in the right spot. Make sure to get a good headset to have the best ability to channel these frequencies into your digging area. Although hunting for relics is prohibited on protected battle areas, there are many homesites where battles took place which do not prohibit hunting. Find the owner and get permission to do this before going out and digging.

While this can be very exciting and tedious at sometimes, some people frown upon the idea of using a metal detector to find these pieces of history because soldiers lost their lives there. This is gathered by the fact that many bullet hunters find bones with their findings. But, this information and findings have led to more facts and discoveries of how the Civil War took place.

There are many reasons why the Civil War is so interesting, although the main one is what it stood for. Of course, slavery was not one of the high remarks of the United States, some people still discuss the issue of a strong central government versus states' rights. Civil War bullet or artifact collecting is not for everyone, but for those who do take interest in this hobby, it is a very rewarding one. While it can be sobering at time knowing these bullets caused many casualties to our people, they also commemorate their efforts to fight for freedom.

About the Author

Kevin Bailey loves hobbies.
If you're interested in finding out more:
Look at Cheap Jigsaw Puzzles, Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles, or Puzzle Piece Charm Bulk.

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From Nothing to Something Christmas Crafts

There are so many wonderful things about Christmas such as family getting together, presents, great food, holiday atmosphere, and one of the most overlooked, crafting. This is definitely one of the best times of the year for crafts, especially since you can make them for the Christmas tree as ornaments. Using simple pipe cleaners and acrylic beads, extremely unique and easy to make ornaments can be made. This craft can be done by small children as well, so nobody is left out. This is an excellent plan to have for having the family together and everyone can pitch in.

To start off you will need to collect the materials, in this case different colored pipe cleaners and acrylic beads. There are two types of beads that work great for this project. The first one is a sunburst bead, they also have many other names such as the snowflake bead, starburst bead, or paddlewheel bead. They are fairly common, and have six paddles going outwards from the center that look similar to a watermill. These are very unique because they create an interlocking pattern when they are strung together.

The second bead that is very effective for this project is the propeller bead or tri bead. With three rounded bumps around the stringing hole, they also interlock just like the sunburst bead. With a combination of the sunburst and propeller beads, you will be able to create a very attractive ornament. Colors that can be used are green, red, and clear; which will look very nice on the Christmas tree and to match the color of the holiday.

While pipe cleaners can be found in just about every color possible, there are a few recommended colors that will look the best when it is finished. This is because even though the beads will cover up the pipe cleaners, the ends still need to be twisted into hangers, thus you will be able to see the color. A selection of holiday colors along with metallics should be great to work with.

This craft is simply for everyone, so you don't need to worry about small children not being able to participate. Make sure that the pipe cleaner end is bent up, so when you string the beads on, they don't automatically fall right off. Of course, children will do their best to string every bead possible on the pipe cleaner. Show them how to alternate colors and beads to make a colorful and unique pattern. What makes pipe cleaners really interesting, is that while you are crafting, you can also bend the shape of the pipe cleaners into whatever you like.

While some shapes may be more challenging, a candy cane is one that can be done by everyone. Also, you can take a standard circle shape and string alternating red and green beads to create a wreath. You can also utilize the pipe cleaners as a way to make bows for the wreaths as well. Next, all you have to do is make a hanger at the top end of the pipe cleaner and your ornament is ready to go.

Another idea that is a little more challenging for ornaments is taking silver pipe cleaners and clear beads, and making shiny stars or snowflakes. In order to obtain a snowflake shape from a pipe cleaner you will not be able to use the beads as the bending process will be too hard to accomplish.

Creating these crafts are not only fun because you get to make ornaments, but it is a great way to socialize within your family and bring them even closer together. Both children and parents will love to see their ornaments being hung year after year, as well as the new ones that are made in the future.

About the Author

Kevin Bailey loves hobbies.
If you're interested in finding out more:
Look at Cheap Jigsaw Puzzles, 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzles, or Puzzle Piece Charm Bulk.

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How to Make Stained Glass Questions and Answers

When beginning to pursue stained glass making there are a number of stained glass questions that tend to arise as one embarks upon the journey of creating their first stained glass piece.

First, let us say that it is an amazing art that many people enjoy, however one that can be frustrating if you don't have the right guidance.

You can get yourself into a class which is a great way to test your skills, learn how to make a piece of art first-hand, and see if this is the art for you before buying tools and supplies.

However, a class can be a few hundred dollars or more unless you can find a community center or organization that is offering a special introductory course. You can also buy books, DVD's, or join an online community and learn, ask, and answer as you go. It all depends on your learning style.

With that said, here are a number of questions that come up most frequently.

Q: How do I begin creating stained glass? This is a huge open-ended question and why we have made an entire site and community around the subject. Spend some time with us to learn how to make stained glass the right way.

Q: How much does it cost to make stained glass? This answer again is going to depend on many things, however, here is a list of the necessities you will need: tools, supplies, a work area, education, and so forth. It can range anywhere from under a hundred dollars to somewhere in the thousand range.

Q: Should I take a class and is it worth it? Everyone we have spoken with that took a class did not regret it. It is a bit more expensive when you add in tools and other aspects of making stained glass, but as stated above, if that is the best way for you to learn - in a live setting, then it is probably a good idea. Just remember, it is not the only way to learn though.

Q: How do I... do something specific? We get a lot of questions on how to cut glass without having to go to the hospital. How to solder correctly so it comes out looking right. How do I repair a piece, finish, hang, and so forth. All of these specifics are what's covered in any course, book, or website you visit, including ours at CreateStainedGlass.

Q: Where do I get patterns? This is a great question as it is one of the initial steps to making a stained glass idea come to life. The beauty is that you can get patterns from all sorts of places both for free or a small cost. Pictures, pattern books, magazines, the web, other people, your kids, and so anywhere that gives you inspiration.

Q: Can I make money selling my art?
This is one of my favorite questions since in this day and age people can't rely on their companies anymore and really want to find a way to produce an income while getting something out of their work. So, the short answer is a resounding yes.

The details are a whole different story as there are many ways to create your art and sell it. There are trade shows, fairs, local store, consignment, auctions, online auctions, your own website, team up with a website like us, and so many ways just to sell your art let alone market it and more.

These are just a few of the broader questions we receive on a consistent basis. Answering these questions are what our website community is all about and why you could write books upon each technique and subject regarding stained glass making.

The beauty of this art is there isn't just one way to make stained glass and you can be as creative as you want! Think big and have fun learning both beginner how to stained glass, plus more advanced techniques as you grow and develop your glass making skills.

About the Author

CreateStainedGlass.com is a glass art community by artists for artists offering tons of great content and resources for learning to make stained glass. Join us in our discussion forum to discuss the great fun of making stained glass.

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Poster Buying For Profit

Posters have been used to convey information and images to an expectant audience since the advent of lithographic printing in the late 1800s. There is however a precursor to this era, albeit one of a less mass produced nature. Wanted posters in the Wild West, calls to arms during times of conflict, invites to nights of Nitrous Oxide indulgence to laugh your cares away; these were typeset adverts to the masses and probably the start of marketing as we know it today.

Once the lithographic printing press mastered colour applications, posters were used decoratively as well as for information. Often containing high quality artwork, these banners have become collectable items, and can fetch a high price on the antiques market. Products and brands that have gained a cult status or following, such as Guinness and Pears, often ensure any marketing paraphernalia commands a high price. Posters available today come in a variety of categories and here we evaluate which ones are worth collecting.

Propaganda/Political
Often used to promote a message that uplifts to support a political cause, and in many cases calling citizens to action within a conflict situation or time of political unrest. Can also be used to instil fear, intimidation and disinformation in a game of psychological warfare that is often encountered in political campaigns or during times of war.

Advertising
Slick graphics of the media revolution have taken over hand drawn artwork to promote products to a consumer hungry population. Text combines with an idyllic image or one with a shock value to call a consumer to action, or to ingrain product information. The psychology behind marketing campaigns ensures that promotions are placed in the right place for the target audience.

Film
Used to promote an upcoming movie, these posters straddle the line between advertising and fan poster status. Many of these become collectors items due to the portrayal of popular movie stars or the work of an acclaimed director.

Comic Book
Similar in style to Film posters, the promotion of comic books advertises a product and encourages a sale as well as promoting the work of an artist. Once again a highly collectable item, these often become a focal point of artwork, and a prestigious addition to the interior design in a house or workplace.

Event /Concert/festival
Text heavy on a graphic background, these advertisements primarily convey information to attract a certain demographic to a public event. Whether it is promoting a club night, gig, fete or car boot sale, it is essential to provide all the information in a theme that matches the nature of the event.

Educational/Research
Most commonly used in schools, colleges and universities, these are information heavy and include geographical and biological maps. Economic graphs and charts are also commonly used. Board meetings and client proposals also feature the use of information posters. It may seem hard to believe, but even these can attain cult status and become collectable items; examples include the periodical table and London underground tube map.

Fan /pin up/band
These adorn bedroom walls worldwide with images of idols in the music, film and media industries. Glamour shots of pin-up girls, rock bands mid-thrash in concert and sultry pictures of Hollywood heartthrobs are the most popular posters of this type. The image is usually of a high quality, but the transient nature of the celebrity status rarely sees them acquiring a collectable status.

About the Author

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the photographic industry.
Find out more about posters and other printing mediums for your digital images at Cewe Photo World.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Knitting For Pleasure - Could This Be Your Next Hobbie?

No one taught me how to knit. There was no one in my family who ever knitted save for my Grandmother who crocheted doilies with the finest yarn and the smallest gauge crochet hook. For whatever reason crochet didn't interest me but I was fascinated at how quickly my grandmother's hands worked the yarn effortlessly in her hands.

I can recall my Godmother giving me some knitting needles as a child of about 8 years of age and she trying to teach me. I was hopeless at it and gave it up before long. But then at the age of 16 years I can recall walking into a store and falling in love with a beautifully knit sweater. I had to learn how to knit.

I purchased a book called "Learning How To Knit" which I still see available at yarn stores, read it through and began my assault on the innocent yarn that I subsequently massacred with all my mistakes and knotting together. Eventually I casted on a row and finally began to "knit" my first few stitches together.

It took me a very long time to learn how to do it well. As I look back now I'm surprised and impressed that I had the perseverance to continue to teach myself how to knit. It was no easy feat doing alone.

Before long I was happily knitting in the old "English" method of wrapping around the yarn with your right hand. I knitted scarves, sweaters, vests, and hats; just about anything I could get a pattern for. Some were great success some were miserable failures, but that didn't ever stop me from trying again.

I knitted this way for over 22 years. Leaving it for several months at a time only to pick it up again. The longing to feel yarn between my fingers and hearing the soothing clicking of the needles made it impossible to abandon knitting for very long.

I began to knit every day for at least an hour or more after my son was born. I loved knitting him sweaters and little knit toys. It was a whole new word knitting for children - the yarns, the patterns and it went so quickly too!

Knitting was something that was just for "me" and my down time. It was and still is a time of reflection for me and helps me to think clearly and just calms me in general. Don't laugh but I actually dream of knitting if I have not knit during the day. Sounds crazy but it's true.

I ran into a problem about a year ago while knitting. My right pinky, which holds the yarn to control the tension, began to bother me. At first it was just sore from time to time but eventually it began to get arthritic and had become too uncomfortable to knit for more than a few rows at a time.

I couldn't give up knitting and I'm not one to take medication, so I decided to do a little research on the internet and came across a knitting video which demonstrated the "Continental" method of knitting which uses the left hand to hold and control the yarn tension.

I gave it a go, as I wanted very badly to knit without difficulty again. It was not easy.. it reminded me of being 16 years old again and frustrated by my miserable attempts to learn how to knit all over again.

It took two weeks of at least 1 hour a day of using the new Continental method. I was sorely tempted several times to just revert back to my right hand and the English method. The most difficult part was getting the dexterity in my left hand as being right handed I had very little in my left.

I finally finished a dishcloth in that time and was reasonably happy with the results. It's been over a year now and I love the Continental method way of knitting. I've since learned to do all knitting stitches with my left hand and am amazed at how much quicker (and eventually) easier Continental knitting really is.

As I sit and knit with my new method, I'm reminded of my Grandmother again and can feel her sitting beside me crocheting her little doilies beside me. I smile - it's a great feeling to have.

About the Author

This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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