Over a thousand years ago the people of Java, an island in the East Indies, wanted to put pictures of the fruits, flowers, and birds which they saw around them on their clothes. They knew that wax would resist water, so they covered the designs they had made on the cloth with melted wax. When the wax was stiffened the cloth was dipped into a cool dye made from vegetables and fruits. After the wax was removed by melting it again with hot water, the light pictures showed clearly against the dyed, colored background.
Today this process, as well as the cloth itself, is called batik. You can make a batik yourself with wax crayons and a package of dye. Suppose you want to make a batik scarf. First draw your design, perhaps some fruit, or flowers, or a bird, just as the Javanese did, on a piece of cotton material. Cover the design solidly with the wax crayon. Dip the cloth into the dye, following the directions on the box.
After the dyed cloth has been thoroughly dyed, wash it with soap and hot water. You will find the crayon washes and you have a real batik. This same method can be used to make a crayon batik on paper. Instead of dye you can use black water-color paint. Draw your picture on the paper and this time use all the bright colors you can. Press hard on the crayons and cover the design solidly. Then brush the black paint over the whole paper. When the paper is dry you will find that the beautifully colored picture shines out of the dark background
David is the author of many articles including Best Friend Quotes and also the author of Best life quotes
other articles:
Zodiac Sign Compatibility
Capricorn Traits
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Bunch
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Monday, 18 October 2010
Make Your Own Bag Toppers for Merchandising at Your Craft Show
I love crafting, which is why I spend countless hours creating handcrafts in my workshop. One of my favorite activities is preparing for upcoming craft shows. I love the last few days just before a show, packaging and pricing merchandise, deciding on how I'll set up my booth depending on the time of the year, and making last minute additions to my inventory.
What I particularly love is creating my bag toppers for my projects. I am a graphic designer as well as a crafter, so designing bag toppers for seasonal shows is a task I do myself. With a color printer and some card stock, bag toppers are easy to make.
First I decide on the color of card stock I plan to use. Then I determine the size topper I need for each size bag I will be using. After I determine the size of the bag topper, I can then sketch out my design layout.
On each topper, I like to utilize applicable seasonal designs. For fall shows, I use graphics such as pumpkins, colorful leaves, Halloween images, and Thanksgiving themed designs. Christmas toppers will have reindeer, vintage Santas, snowmen, Christmas trees, angels, and prim stars.
I make certain to leave plenty of room for the text. The text should be in a font size that shoppers can easily read. I usually put my pricing on the topper, also, along with my business name, address, telephone number, and website URL.
I use card stock for my bag toppers because it is more durable than paper and can withstand the packing, unpacking, and repacking at the craft shows. If some toppers become worn from trips to several shows, I simply replace them with newly printed ones when necessary.
The bag toppers are not expensive to make. The card stock and the printer ink are the only tangibles involved. The main "expense" for the toppers is my time in designing the graphics on them so they will be attractive to customers.
The bags themselves are in varying sizes and while they do not cost that much individually, I buy them in bulk so initially there is some capital to be outlaid up front. I try to limit how many different sizes I need because I buy a specific size in quantities of 1000 or so.
Even if you don't want to make your own bag toppers or just don't feel graphically inclined on the computer, you can still purchase toppers ready made from a graphic designer with your custom information on them.
Bag toppers are a wonderful way to merchandise your crafts because they, like your handcraft creations, reflect your artistic talent and shoppers are attracted to tasteful and appealing product packaging.
Don't have the time or desire to make your own bag toppers? Buy some affordable and attractive Custom Bag Toppers at Penney Layne Graphics. Penney Layne also offers DIY Site Hosting and EZ Street Shoppe virtual online craft booths so you can showcase your products online for only $2.08 a month!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_McAvery
What I particularly love is creating my bag toppers for my projects. I am a graphic designer as well as a crafter, so designing bag toppers for seasonal shows is a task I do myself. With a color printer and some card stock, bag toppers are easy to make.
First I decide on the color of card stock I plan to use. Then I determine the size topper I need for each size bag I will be using. After I determine the size of the bag topper, I can then sketch out my design layout.
On each topper, I like to utilize applicable seasonal designs. For fall shows, I use graphics such as pumpkins, colorful leaves, Halloween images, and Thanksgiving themed designs. Christmas toppers will have reindeer, vintage Santas, snowmen, Christmas trees, angels, and prim stars.
I make certain to leave plenty of room for the text. The text should be in a font size that shoppers can easily read. I usually put my pricing on the topper, also, along with my business name, address, telephone number, and website URL.
I use card stock for my bag toppers because it is more durable than paper and can withstand the packing, unpacking, and repacking at the craft shows. If some toppers become worn from trips to several shows, I simply replace them with newly printed ones when necessary.
The bag toppers are not expensive to make. The card stock and the printer ink are the only tangibles involved. The main "expense" for the toppers is my time in designing the graphics on them so they will be attractive to customers.
The bags themselves are in varying sizes and while they do not cost that much individually, I buy them in bulk so initially there is some capital to be outlaid up front. I try to limit how many different sizes I need because I buy a specific size in quantities of 1000 or so.
Even if you don't want to make your own bag toppers or just don't feel graphically inclined on the computer, you can still purchase toppers ready made from a graphic designer with your custom information on them.
Bag toppers are a wonderful way to merchandise your crafts because they, like your handcraft creations, reflect your artistic talent and shoppers are attracted to tasteful and appealing product packaging.
Don't have the time or desire to make your own bag toppers? Buy some affordable and attractive Custom Bag Toppers at Penney Layne Graphics. Penney Layne also offers DIY Site Hosting and EZ Street Shoppe virtual online craft booths so you can showcase your products online for only $2.08 a month!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_McAvery
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Earth Craft House, an Eco-Friendly Program in Atlanta
With the emergence of Eco-Friendly programs such as the Earth Craft House, the local of Metro Atlanta is paving a path for Southeast US to know what going green basically defines. There are around six Earth Craft communities and around 5,500 certified Earth Craft homes in the city. The structure of the program has proved to be so successful that even the Georgians also have adopted the program, as have places like Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.
The standards of the program were made in 1990 for the area of Metro Atlanta, to help with the measuring and encouraging of energy efficient structures in the region. So in order to confirm the standards are met, homes made have to reach the dedicated practices of energy effectiveness, conservation, prevention of pollution, comfort and even the impact on the environment.
The real estate market of the Metro Atlanta area is consistent with homes with seal of approval by Earth Craft. The builders responsible for the construction of such green eco friendly homes are given the required technical and practical training.
You have to know that the concept would most probably leave you wanting such an eco-friendly home but the fact remains that houses with these approved seals are not all about the idea of tree-hugging. So that is not the attraction, the real attraction stands in the added value that comes from the certification processes. The values automatically rise up. These houses are no doubt a healthier place to reside in and have a longer lasting life line. They also have the higher standard quality building materials used in their construction. The air quality indoors is very high, as the houses are built to help save the money of the owner.
This whole program point to the aspirations of the Atlantic community turning green and the timings could not be better. This is an area that has grown the most in the last few years in the USA. It's a lucky thing as well that such a city would adopt such a plan.
Any programs that help the environment are a testament to the country's continuous effort to make the world a better place to live in for everyone. And by taking such small steps and trying to be an Eco-Friendly locality the country is surely doing its share little by little.
The author is a full time writer for many topics. He also write on odd topics such as massage therapist salary and neuromuscular massage therapy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_C_Freeman
The standards of the program were made in 1990 for the area of Metro Atlanta, to help with the measuring and encouraging of energy efficient structures in the region. So in order to confirm the standards are met, homes made have to reach the dedicated practices of energy effectiveness, conservation, prevention of pollution, comfort and even the impact on the environment.
The real estate market of the Metro Atlanta area is consistent with homes with seal of approval by Earth Craft. The builders responsible for the construction of such green eco friendly homes are given the required technical and practical training.
You have to know that the concept would most probably leave you wanting such an eco-friendly home but the fact remains that houses with these approved seals are not all about the idea of tree-hugging. So that is not the attraction, the real attraction stands in the added value that comes from the certification processes. The values automatically rise up. These houses are no doubt a healthier place to reside in and have a longer lasting life line. They also have the higher standard quality building materials used in their construction. The air quality indoors is very high, as the houses are built to help save the money of the owner.
This whole program point to the aspirations of the Atlantic community turning green and the timings could not be better. This is an area that has grown the most in the last few years in the USA. It's a lucky thing as well that such a city would adopt such a plan.
Any programs that help the environment are a testament to the country's continuous effort to make the world a better place to live in for everyone. And by taking such small steps and trying to be an Eco-Friendly locality the country is surely doing its share little by little.
The author is a full time writer for many topics. He also write on odd topics such as massage therapist salary and neuromuscular massage therapy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_C_Freeman
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Discover a Shopper's Paradise in the Handicraft Capital Kerala
It is said that the best shoppers' items one can bring home from one's travels are the quintessential goods that reflect the destination's culture, art and cuisine. Although hobnobbing for bargains in branded stores may be some shopaholics' idea of the ultimate shopping experience, seasoned travellers know what local specialties make for a collector's item or the ideal souvenir that captures the soul of the holiday location. And if it's an authentic shopping experience in India one's after, there's no better place to hit the local markets than the sun kissed state of Kerala.
Renowned as a venue of choice for all that is traditional, the major shopping districts of Kerala are concentrated in Trivandrum and Kochi. A popular locale for all that shines, gold and ivory are much sought after items in the region while antiques are virtually available in every street corner. Jew Street in Kochi is one such hotspot that sells everything from Malayalam collectibles to Chinese ceramics while the metal mirrors of Aranmula are also popular items among travellers. Kairali and other government run emporiums are ideal for souvenirs such as Kathakali masks and other local crafts while wall mats, bags, natural fibre furnishings and carpets are all the rage in the Alappuzha and Kuttanad markets. Sandalwood figures, teak urus and rosewood snake boats are also staples in any Kerala shopping list while coconut shell, wood and coir creations are equally famous. Handicrafts made from buffalo horns are also prized items in addition to handlooms and Kasavu Mundu and Neryathu which are traditional garbs of Keralites.
Famed as the land of spices, Kerala is also the place to pick up those treasured condiments that form the basis of Indian and Asian cuisine. Whether it's aromatic cardamoms, ginger, arecanuts, spicy peppers or medicinal turmeric all that is needed for a well-stocked spice rack are available at the numerous spice markets in the state.
For those with a hankering for a steaming Kerala cuppa, look no further than the tea capitals of Idukki district and Munnar where real Indian tea is up for grabs. Caffeine fanatics on the other hand can head down to Kalpetta or Wayanad district to experience the state's coffee culture although there are a myriad of tea and coffee vendors approved by the Tea Board and Coffee Board scattered across Kerala.
Visitors in search of first class hotels in Kovalam will be more than satisfied with the stylish rest that is The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala. Ideally situated within close range of the Trivandrum International Airport, it is also one of the most conveniently located Kovalam hotels in all of Kerala.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pushpitha_Wijesinghe
Renowned as a venue of choice for all that is traditional, the major shopping districts of Kerala are concentrated in Trivandrum and Kochi. A popular locale for all that shines, gold and ivory are much sought after items in the region while antiques are virtually available in every street corner. Jew Street in Kochi is one such hotspot that sells everything from Malayalam collectibles to Chinese ceramics while the metal mirrors of Aranmula are also popular items among travellers. Kairali and other government run emporiums are ideal for souvenirs such as Kathakali masks and other local crafts while wall mats, bags, natural fibre furnishings and carpets are all the rage in the Alappuzha and Kuttanad markets. Sandalwood figures, teak urus and rosewood snake boats are also staples in any Kerala shopping list while coconut shell, wood and coir creations are equally famous. Handicrafts made from buffalo horns are also prized items in addition to handlooms and Kasavu Mundu and Neryathu which are traditional garbs of Keralites.
Famed as the land of spices, Kerala is also the place to pick up those treasured condiments that form the basis of Indian and Asian cuisine. Whether it's aromatic cardamoms, ginger, arecanuts, spicy peppers or medicinal turmeric all that is needed for a well-stocked spice rack are available at the numerous spice markets in the state.
For those with a hankering for a steaming Kerala cuppa, look no further than the tea capitals of Idukki district and Munnar where real Indian tea is up for grabs. Caffeine fanatics on the other hand can head down to Kalpetta or Wayanad district to experience the state's coffee culture although there are a myriad of tea and coffee vendors approved by the Tea Board and Coffee Board scattered across Kerala.
Visitors in search of first class hotels in Kovalam will be more than satisfied with the stylish rest that is The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala. Ideally situated within close range of the Trivandrum International Airport, it is also one of the most conveniently located Kovalam hotels in all of Kerala.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pushpitha_Wijesinghe
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Wooden Handicrafts - An Important Business Option
Wooden Handicraft:- "Handicraft", as the name suggests, is the traditional art of creating useful and decorative items entirely by hand. Thus, wooden handicraft is a craft where skilled labor is employed to decorate or carve wood to create items with bare minimum tools. India takes the pride of superlative craftsmanship which reflects the right shades of traditional beauty and style. Important to mention here is the fact that goods involving mass production or machinery are not considered as "Handicraft".
Types:- Now moving on, we find that wooden handicrafts can be segregated under the following categories. They are:
* Antique Woodcraft
* Wooden furniture
* Wooden Gift Items
* Wooden Kitchen accessories
* Wooden Toys and Games
* Wooden Statues
* Wooden blinds for corporate as well as domestic purposes
The Industry:- India is one of the chief exporters of wooden handicrafts in the global market. The factors that have added to the benefit of this industry from India's perspective are:
* A low capital investment and other resources
* Scope of employment for about six million artisans (becoming the second largest employment provider after agriculture)
* Scope of earning for the women folk, who, constitute a large section of the handicrafts industry
Wooden Handicraft Suppliers:-
Each state mentioned have a unique workmanship which add to the value of that product from that region. The Indian states which contribute to the growth of this sector are:
* Uttar Pradesh
* Arunachal Pradesh
* Rajasthan
* Gujarat
* Madhya Pradesh
* West Bengal
* Karnataka
* Andhra Pradesh
* Tamil Nadu
* Kashmir
Apart from these states and the related business centre, many B2B market places have emerged to eradicate the gap between demand and supply. At the very click of the mouse, an array of suppliers and manufacturers line up to satisfy every individual need.
Right from antique handicrafts, wooden furniture designs to kitchen accessories and gift items, these market places have the solution to every problem.
Conclusion:- The Indian craftsmen of each state create these handicrafts using wood that is available locally. Some of the the most common varieties used to make Indian handicrafts are:
* Teak,
* Sheesham,
* Sal,
* Oak,
* Mango,
* Ebony and
* Mahogany
Worth mentioning here is the fact that Sandalwood, rosewood and walnut are the exotic varieties and are highly expensive raw materials. Hence, they are used in producing very niche and high end furniture and decorative items.
Although, Decentralization of this sector, perennial Deforestation, Lack of Infrastructure and Working Capital, and above all Poor Marketing Strategies have been a major concern in the growth and development of this sector, one cannot deny the following landmarks too:
* Indian Wooden Handicrafts has emerged as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings for India
* Considered to be an important export commodity for India
* India's handicraft exports show a consistent increase of sixteen per cent every year
Author has wide knowledge of B2B Marketplace and Business industries. For latest updates, business opportunities on wooden handicrafts products and available trade leads, visit Trade.indiaMART.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vaiv_Jais
Types:- Now moving on, we find that wooden handicrafts can be segregated under the following categories. They are:
* Antique Woodcraft
* Wooden furniture
* Wooden Gift Items
* Wooden Kitchen accessories
* Wooden Toys and Games
* Wooden Statues
* Wooden blinds for corporate as well as domestic purposes
The Industry:- India is one of the chief exporters of wooden handicrafts in the global market. The factors that have added to the benefit of this industry from India's perspective are:
* A low capital investment and other resources
* Scope of employment for about six million artisans (becoming the second largest employment provider after agriculture)
* Scope of earning for the women folk, who, constitute a large section of the handicrafts industry
Wooden Handicraft Suppliers:-
Each state mentioned have a unique workmanship which add to the value of that product from that region. The Indian states which contribute to the growth of this sector are:
* Uttar Pradesh
* Arunachal Pradesh
* Rajasthan
* Gujarat
* Madhya Pradesh
* West Bengal
* Karnataka
* Andhra Pradesh
* Tamil Nadu
* Kashmir
Apart from these states and the related business centre, many B2B market places have emerged to eradicate the gap between demand and supply. At the very click of the mouse, an array of suppliers and manufacturers line up to satisfy every individual need.
Right from antique handicrafts, wooden furniture designs to kitchen accessories and gift items, these market places have the solution to every problem.
Conclusion:- The Indian craftsmen of each state create these handicrafts using wood that is available locally. Some of the the most common varieties used to make Indian handicrafts are:
* Teak,
* Sheesham,
* Sal,
* Oak,
* Mango,
* Ebony and
* Mahogany
Worth mentioning here is the fact that Sandalwood, rosewood and walnut are the exotic varieties and are highly expensive raw materials. Hence, they are used in producing very niche and high end furniture and decorative items.
Although, Decentralization of this sector, perennial Deforestation, Lack of Infrastructure and Working Capital, and above all Poor Marketing Strategies have been a major concern in the growth and development of this sector, one cannot deny the following landmarks too:
* Indian Wooden Handicrafts has emerged as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings for India
* Considered to be an important export commodity for India
* India's handicraft exports show a consistent increase of sixteen per cent every year
Author has wide knowledge of B2B Marketplace and Business industries. For latest updates, business opportunities on wooden handicrafts products and available trade leads, visit Trade.indiaMART.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vaiv_Jais
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