Angie Bought Prim Talk Radio

I have the best news to tell you! Angie Wenke, just bought Prim Talk Radio and she and some of the editors from Primitive Times Magazine are going to be doing craft podcasts. Angie officially takes over the first of April, but she and some of the editors of Primitive Times Magazine have already been doing some Prim Talk Radio crafting segments.

You might be wondering exactly what Prim Talk Radio is. Well, according to its' founder, Niki Jackson, of The Vintage Artist, Prim Talk Radio is an online internet radio show & podcast for primitive crafters.

What, you don't know what PODCASTS are?

Well, according to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia they are as follows:

A podcast is a media file which is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers. Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of syndication. The latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. The term "podcast" is a portmanteau of the name of Apple's portable music player, the iPod, and broadcast; a pod refers to a container of some sort and the idea of broadcasting to a container or pod correctly describes the process of podcasting.

Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically, using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.

Prim Talk Radio in other words is a series of FREE radio show segments that can be downloaded as MP3 files directly from the website or syndicated through podcast subscriptions. The radio segments can also be can be played for your listening pleasure directly from the Prim Talk Radio website.

I have listened to many of the craft radio segments while working on my computer and have enjoyed each and every one of them. It's a great way to learn a new crafting skill while whiling away the hours on the computer.

So, if you haven't tuned in to Prim Talk Radio yet do yourself a favor and do so. The segments have been fabulous so far and with Angie and some of her Primitive Times Magazine editors involved now it should only get better.

Tune in to Prim Talk Radio and learn something new today.

Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

E-Products, E-Commerce, E-Patterns????? What are They?

In a previous post Angie told you that Primitive Times Magazine E-Zine was creating a new section in our E-Zine for E-Products called "E-Products Showcase."

Well, you may have heard the term E-Products and E-Commerce and might be wondering exactly what they are and what that is?

Well, E-Commerce is simply the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet (i.e. the World Wide Web). E-commerce and E-business are used interchangeably and stand for the same time.

E-Products are products which can be digitally encoded then transmitted electronically over the Internet. In effect, an e-product is a digitized product that is sent electronically from the seller to the buyer via a file format that can be read on a computer screen or read using a special reader such as the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most new computers comes with the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader already installed.

For online retail selling, the term E-tailing is sometimes used and refers to E-goods.

Anything that can be digitized can be an e-product. For example, an e-pattern is a regular pattern that is created in .PDF (i.e. Portable Document Format) format so it can be read and transmitted digitally over the computer. It looks exactly the same as a print pattern would except it's viewable over the computer screen and is stored in a computer file instead of being stored on paper. It can be saved to your computers hard drive and printed via the printer connected to your computer. It is sent to you via the Internet versus via the U.S. Post Office.

So, what else could be an E-product? Well, there's a lot. So, hold onto your hats!

You can have E-books, E-cards, E-comics, E-magazines or E-zines, E-graphics, E-printables, E-books, E-patterns, E-photo's, E-software, E-artwork, E-video's, E-music, E-websets, E-labels, E-tags, E-templates, E-catalogs, E-brochures, E-pamphlets, E-doodles, E-stitcheries, MP3 files, etc.

E-Products can be sent as attachments to an email or they can be "instantly downloaded" by the customer themselves after they are paid for.

If you are thinking of selling online and have products that are conducive to being digitized and sold then you should seriously consider selling them as e-products.

And, if you are thinking of advertising your E-Products then there is no better place to showcase them then in our NEW Primitive Times Magazine E-Zine E-Products Showcase. If you are interested in advertising in our new E-Products Showcase please CLICK HERE for more information.


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

Quilts By The Contented Kitty

Meet Jeannie of The Contented Kitty.

Jeannie has been sewing for over 30 years. She loves to quilt, and she loves her cats! She's combined her two loves and created the The Contented Kitty where she sells her beautiful array of quilts. You will find in her shoppe, wheelchair quilts, kitty quilts, canine cuddlers, pillows, neck pillows and beautiful quilted sweatshirt jackets.

Jeannie also makes beautiful curtains, swags and balloon curtains. To see her curtain gallery, click here.

Meet Jackie, Jeannie's inspiration for The Contented Kitty.

Jeannie shares with us these instructions that she uses for making a tied quilt. Thank you Jeannie!

Tied Quilt

You will have 3 layers - your top layer, middle layer which is your batting, and bottom layer which is your backing.

Place the backing layer down, wrong side facing you.

Place batting on this layer.

Place top layer down on top of batting, right side facing you.

Using big quilters pins, pin these layers together.

Using either yarn or 6 strand embroidery floss, tie about every six inches or so. A regular knot will work fine.

Then cut strips of fabric 2.5" wide by the width of the fabric (usually 42-45"). Sew these together until you have a very long piece 2.5" wide, times the length all around your quilt.

Machine sew this "binding" onto the quilt right sides together. Fold over, turn under, and sew. I like to hand sew this part so the stitching doesn't show on the right side of the quilt.

I have never mastered a nice corner, so I just sew 4 different binding pieces, one to each side of the quilt. I like to do the sides first, then the ends.

Have fun with it!

These are bed sized quilts made by Jeannie
To view her quilt gallery click here

http://www.thecontentedkitty.com/

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,

Posted by: Neenee, contributing editor

KKL Primitives
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

Apple Annie's Showcase Shop

We are so proud to showcase a wonderful Primitive Store! Our new store this week is Apple Annies! If you are looking for Handmade Crafts and Candle holders and more this is the place the for you! Apple Annies is hosted on Gone Country Graphics, their site is beautiful with prim colors and their menu consists of a prim looking apple tree.

Apple Annie's Introduction:
Welcome to Apple Annies. We are so glad you came to visit. Inside you will find a variety of handmade apple crafts, primitive stars, hearts and candle holders. There are also some cute twig and berry creations. Please stop back often to see what is new.

Shopping Catagories:
Heavely Scents: This is full of handmade candle and electric candle and rosehips and hips n sticks, and fixens!

Apples N Spices:
This catagory features TONS of handmade apple crafts from Sewn Apples, Apple Towels to Apple Bag Dolls and so much more!

Primitives:
This catagory features Prim Star Hangings, Heart Hangings, Wooden Angels and more!

Twigs N Berries:
This catagory features Garland, Wreaths, Twig Stars and more!

Product Samples:








For all your prim shopping needs be sure to stop by Apple Annie's Today!
http://www.appleannies.net
Would you like your shoppe showcased? You can for only $10
Click here to learn more!

Angie

Easter egg Decorating Fun by Angela Wenke

Easter egg Decorating Fun by Angela Wenke

Easter is such a wonderful time of the year, with all the beautiful flowers in bloom, families coming together to celebrate the holiday that I thought I would share some fun, and creative egg decorating ideas. All of these techniques can be used whether you are working alone or with the help of your children. So sit back enjoy a cup of coffee and enjoy these fun and wonderfully easy Easter egg Techniques.

Masking Tape Eggs



Materials:



*Hard Boiled Eggs (dried and cooled)

*Masking Tape

*Craft Knife

*Food Coloring or Egg Dye

*Push Pins

*Cardboard Pieces

*Paper Towels

*Spoon

*Plastic Gloves (optional)

Steps:

1. Start by boiling your eggs and then allow them to cool and dry completely before starting your project.
2. While your eggs are cooling and drying you can make egg stands for our eggs to dry on, by simply folding pieces of cardboard into a triangle shape and securing with push pins. Make sure to test your egg stands by placing an egg on top, to make sure your egg stand can with stand the weight of the egg.
3. Now place your egg into your first color choice, it is usually best to dye your egg at this point in the lighter of the two shades. As this will be the shade that will show once we remove our masking tape. Now allow to dry.
4. Now we are ready for our second color. Next, simply cut different widths of masking tape approximately 10 inches in length using your craft knife. You can even cut curves into your masking tape or different shapes to add a unique feel to your eggs. Try to keep your tape no wider than ¼ inch to keep a uniformed look on your egg.
5. Now choose which colors you will be using on your egg, it is best to keep it simply with just two colors until you become more experienced.
6. Next, apply your strips to your egg, you can use any design you want. Such as having a center point at the top of your egg that all your strips start from, or be creative and use a plaid design. Your imagination has no bounds in this creative project.
7. Once you have applied all the strips of masking tape to your egg, simply dip into the dye mixture. You may want to dip several times to achieve a uniform color and richness of color. Then simply tap dry with a paper towel and place on top of our egg stands to dry.
8. Once your egg is completely dry, carefully remove your masking tape one strip at a time.
9. Your egg is complete! Now if you would like to add a professional touch and make your egg stand out by adding a gloss to your egg you will want to use polyurethane. Simply dip your finger into the polyurethane with your gloved hand, and spread it around your egg. Be gentle as to not crack your egg, and be sure your egg is completely covered and place back onto the egg stand to dry.
10. At this point you could also add a second coat of polyurethane to insure an even coating and higher gloss. And that is it your egg is complete!

Easy Techniques for Decorating:

There are many fun ways to add some texture or a different design to your normal colored Easter eggs. Inside this article I will share some fun and easy tips.

Bubble Packaging Eggs:

Take a hard boiled egg uncolored and let’s add some paint the fun way! Simply take bubble wrap and paint onto your bubble wrap some acrylic paint in color of your choice, now simply roll your egg over the bubble wrap for a fun and creative texture on your egg. You add stripes of different colors or make a tie die effect. This is super simple and it leaves a wonderfully unique design.

Thumbprint Eggs:

This is a fun one for the kids, allow the kids to apply thumbprints in different colors of acrylic paint. This can create a mosaic look to your eggs this year.

Dripped On Eggs:

Take a colored Easter egg and let’s add some fun to our design. Simply take a paint brush dipped in acrylic paint and drip streams of paint or dots of paint all over your egg. This will give your eggs a unique retro design that will be sure to impress.



Light Bulb Sleeve Eggs:

The Sleeves that protect your light bulbs have wonderful ridges that are so much fun to decorate your eggs with. Simply open your sleeve and lay it flat to expose the bumpy ridges and cover in acrylic paint of your choice, and roll your egg over the ridges. This makes a wonderful fence design if you would like to paint a spring garden.

I hope you have enjoyed these super easy ideas for adding a bit of fun and spice to your ordinary Easter eggs this season.

Author:

Angie Wenke is the owner-designer of Heartland Graphics and Heartland Marketplace.

"I started in the craft community by offering crafts of my own I started selling gift baskets and some handmade unique crafts of my own. That is how I met such wonderful crafters, then I started my first site Heartland Marketplace which has been a huge success! Then I started created graphics which has been my true passion and I started Heartland Graphics!"

http://www.heartlandgraphics.org

To find more great articles like these please visit
Primitive World Magazine

Congratulations on your new store, now where are the sales? by Angie Wenke

Congratulations on your new store, now where are the sales? by Angie Wenke

So you just spent a fortune opening your website and designing it, then countless hours adding your products and tweaking the site to make sure it is user friendly. Now the big question where are the sales? How many times have I been asked this question over the years?



This when I have to lay the unfortunate reality check on them. A good online business with a reputable reputation may take 2-5 years to develop a good customer base. This may be harsh reality for a lot of people, but it is better to be upfront and honest and realize even though your website may be awesome, and you may offer wonderful unique products. In a sea of Primitive and Country Craft websites yours may just be flopping out there hidden amongst them until your site is recognized.



Designing your website, picking out your domain name and adding your products are simply the beginning. You will need to look at your online business as a baby. A baby yes you heard me correctly. Over the next few months you will need to nurture and care for your website in order to see it grow. Meaning lots of hard work and advertising to obtain a good customer base. Let’s take the reality in that with a lot of love, hard work and determination your business will be huge success, just don’t expect it to take off overnight or you business will surely fail.

Let’s start with the basics to help you advertise your site effectively without breaking your start up budget.

1. Submitting your site to Search Engines:

Nothing is more important than having your site indexed by Search Engines. If you site is not properly indexed you will be lost out in cyberspace and no one will be able to find you.

Most people are familiar with search engines and use them on a daily basis. Search engines like Yahoo, Google, MSN and AOL are your target search engines to reach as these will bring you the most customers on the long run.

If you cannot afford to hire someone to do this for you you can find many FREE search engine submission sites out there. The key is to have your keywords set and ready and your Meta tags and then submit your site often to the major search engines. A site I recommend for FREE search engine submission is http://www.submitexpress.com and http://www.addpro.com.

2. Finding your Keywords:

Keywords are simply in basic terms any and all words that describe your business and products you are offering. The best advice I can give you is sit down and take a notebook and paper and write down all the words that describe your products and business, and then organize them by what is important on your site. Make your keywords a true reflection of your site. For example if you are selling candles some of your keywords may be:

Grubby, votives, candles, candle supplies, candle making, candle care tips, jar candles, bakery candles and so on and so forth. Don’t forget when making your list of keywords that you put the city and state you are located in as keywords, and the name of your site. A great site to help you with your keywords is Goggle’s Ad Words tool at https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

3. Fine tuning your site for search engines:

Once you have done everything above there are few more tips to help boost or optimize your site. When adding the title of your site in your HTML coding also add a few keywords. For example: Title of my faux shop is “Angie’s Prim Candles” so my title of my site would be “Angie’s Prim Candles-Best Primitive Handmade Candles around” this just highlighted three major keywords to my site, Primitive, Handmade and Candles. You can adjust this saying to pertain to each page of your site.

For example on your jar candles page maybe put “Angie’s Prim Candles-Handmade Jar Candles” Also I cannot stress enough to make sure you have your keywords added to each and every page of your site, just because one of your page is just a contact you page does not mean it doesn’t need keywords added.

4. Forums and Directories:

These are a wonderful avenue for your advertising, visit forums that interest you like a Work at Home Mom’s forum or a Country craft forum and meet other people and advertise your site in each message by adding your site’s URL to your profile page. So every time you make posts you are leaving your URL also. Now I must stress that your post are important too! No one likes someone who only goes into a forum to advertise and then leaves; add content to each forum or directory so customers can get to know you.

5. Link Exchanges:

Google is one of the Major search engines around and how their system works is comparing your site to other sites and basing where to rank you by how many sites link to your site. Therefore exchanging links with other customers is both beneficial for parties exchanging and now a days crucial to getting your site seen. With that being said, it is also crucial you are exchanging links with reputable sites that are similar to yours. Meaning you will not want to exchange links with an auto parts store if you are selling candles, but rather another country or primitive site.

The bottom line is with a lot of work your business will be a huge success, just put in lots of love and hard work and watch your baby grow. And when things get discouraging just remember tomorrow is a new day and things can only get better.



Author:

Angie Wenke is the owner-designer of Heartland Graphics and Heartland Marketplace.

"I started in the craft community by offering crafts of my own I started selling gift baskets and some handmade unique crafts of my own. That is how I met such wonderful crafters, then I started my first site Heartland Marketplace which has been a huge success! Then I started created graphics which has been my true passion and I started Heartland Graphics!"

http://www.heartlandgraphics.org

To find more great articles like these please visit
Primitive World Magazine

April Advertising is Now OPEN!

We are busy at work getting our April issue of Primitive Times Magazine ready for April! We have some great NEW things to share and also ways you can be seen in our magazine!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW E-Product Showcase

We will now be offering a showcase where you can sell your E-Patterns, E-Books, E-Printables, E-Websets and more for only $5 a piece! To view a sample of our E-Product Ads please click below

http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.primweb.com/store/WsPages.asp?ID=14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for Primitive Homes to Showcase~

Is your house all decorated in Country and Primitive Decor?
Then we would love to feature your house! We would like to offer Primitive Home Tours once a month in each issue of our E-Zine. This would include links to your site! If you are intersted please contact us at
AngelaWenke@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Product Review:

We have two slots open for our April issue of Product Review! What is Product Review? It is where you send us a product to test and review and then we will write an honest article on your product to help draw sales and traffic to your site! Then your product will be donated as a prize giveaway for a future contests! To view March's Product Review please click below

http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Advertising for April Issue is Open:

We have SEVERAL advertising opportunities for you ranging from $5-$75 and issue! With only a few spots left you must hurry! All Ads now include FREE design from one of our graphic artists for FREE!

Click below to learn about Advertising:
http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=%95Advertise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crafters Resource~

Do you offer candle supplies, address labels or business cards, craft supplies, craft advertising, and more for small businesses in our crafting community? Then you can list your site for FREE in our Crafters Resource Link Directory! All we ask is that you place our banner on your front page!

Click below to sign up today
http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.primweb.com/store/LDdefault.asp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stop by and visit our FORUMS also to meet our editors and lots of great crafting friends!
http://primtyme.proboards105.com


Our TOPSITES
http://primtimesmagazine.gotop100.com/in.php?ref=107

NEW E-Product Showcase

E-Product Showcase - The place for all your e-pattern, e-printable, e-book, e-phamplet, e-webset, e-graphic, e-zine, and other e-product needs.

Ad Includes:
A spot featuring a 1 inch photo or logo

The name of your site clickable

10 word description

Clickable link to purchase item

EXAMPLE:

Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns
Baptist and His Smile
18" Primitive Boy Doll
Buy $5.00 Instant E-Pattern Now

To learn more about purchasing an Ad Spot CLICK HERE.

Gourd Bird House or Bird Feeder

Gourd Bird Houses and Bird Feeders are a great way to take your natural resources and make something fun and creative! Here is a simple idea to create a great looking Bird House or Bird Feeder.

1.Drill gourd. Use a craft knife, razor knife, or hole-saw attachment for your drill to create the openings for birds. One hole makes it a birdhouse. Four holes make it a bird feeder

2. Add perches. To make a spot for perches, drill a hole the diameter of a wooden rod or peg under each bird entry.

3. Finish. Apply glue to the lip of the perch hole and insert the pegs into the holes. More glue can be applied to the contact area of the perch and gourd inside the feeder. To hang the feeder, add a small eye hook on top or drill a minute hole for a piece of wire.

To view more craft projects be sure to stop by our Craft Projects section at Primitive Times Magazine

This article was written by Angie Wenke owner of Heartland Marketplace, Primitive Times Magazine, Heartland Graphics, Heartland Vintage Graphics

You Can Read Our FREE Primitive Times Magazine Online NOW!

We are always thinking of our readers and just have the BEST NEWS to tell you.

You can read our FREE Primitive Times Magazine ONLINE NOW!

That's right! We have an online version.

Just CLICK HERE or CLICK on the picture of the March 2007 Issue Cover above to see it!

Isn't that WONDERFUL?

With the online version that means you can get our FREE Primitive Times Magazine for March 2007 three ways:

1) Our FREE .PDF Primitive Times Magazine March 2007 E-Zine

2) Our FREE Primitive Times Magazine March 2007 Online Magazine

3) Order the PRINT Version and have it mailed to your house. CLICK for more details on ordering our PRINT Version.

Three ways to get a FABULOUS magazine. Isn't that terrific?

We hope you like our brand new online version and would love to know what you think about it. Please let us know.



Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com/

Our March 2007 E-Zine Has Just Been Released and It's FABULOUS!

The March 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and we have to tell you that it's our BIGGEST and BEST issue ever. In fact, it's downright FABULOUS.

There's a TON of GOODIES inside! And we do mean a TON! And, they are all FABULOUS! We know you're waiting on one foot to hear what's inside so we won't keep you in suspense any longer.


The FREE March 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine (i.e. e-zine) is "Hot Off The Presses!" and ready for for you to download and you're going to love it.

It's jam packed with 33 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

FREE Patterns

Chickie E-Stitchery by Paula of Rusty Pins and Old Lace

Primitive Standing Rabbit E-Pattern by Paula

Cats In The Barn - LIL Black Cat E-Pattern

Love Can't Fall Out E-Stitchery by Vintage Artists

Cracked Egg E-Stitchery by Heartland Graphics

A Touch Of The Blarney, Easter Egg, and Easter Bunny E-Stitcheries by Olde-Time Stitchins

FREE Crafting Tips

Wax Seal by Renae of Prim Clipper

Rusting Items by Debbie

It's Bunny Time by Brenda

Salt Dough Recipes by Angie Wenke

FREE Crafting Ideas and Projects

Prim Sheep by Renae

Pomander Balls by Renae

Easter Decoupage Eggs by Wanda

Easy Mason Jar Electric Light by Denise Bailey (aka NeeNee)

Getting Creative With Your Kids for Easter - Dyeing Easter Eggs by Lisa Lowell

How To Make Prim Grungy Tags by Angie Wenke

St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks by Debbie

Great Jar Mixes by Angie Wenke

FREE Articles

A Pupil, A Teacher, and The Crafting Community by Linda Walsh

Trademarking: What it Is and Should You Consider It? by Lisa Lowell

How To Design a Print Pattern and E-Pattern - Part 2 by Linda Walsh

Tips On Opening a Brick and Mortar Store by Nancie

Tips On Being A Vendor In a Craft Show by Angie

Website Content and Search Engines: Wording Is Key by Lisa Lowell

Meet Our Special Sponsor - Talena Bacon by Angie Wenke

St. Patrick's Day Dinner by Kassy

FREE Graphics and Printables

E-Graphics from Paula of Rusty Pins and Old Lace

FREE Recipes

Making Bread The Easy Way by Paula

No Knead Breadsticks by Joan Bruchu

Hawaiian Bread

Super Duper Cake

Product Review

Prim Silicone Bulb Shoppe - Reviewed by Angie Wenke

Featured Crafter

Sheila of The Candle Buzz, Gramma Fran's Attic, Gramma Fran's Fixins, and The Rusty Rooster

Front Page Picture Donor

Homespun Country

Primitive Times Magazine Articles

Do You Have A Prim Home? We Want You! by Angie Wenke

Sign-Up For CO-OP Ad In Create & Decorate

How You Can Be In Primitive Times Magazine! by Angie Wenke

It's filled to the brim with wonderful how-to's, ideas and articles. You definitely don't want to miss our BIGGEST issue ever!

And, you can DOWNLOAD IT RIGHT HERE!





Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com/