tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886332824289659892024-03-13T11:07:27.697-04:00Primitive Times Magazine<a href="http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com/store/Default.asp"><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/Imag1e18.gif" border="0"></a><br><br>Uniting Our Crafting Community One Crafter At A Time<br>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-73482294492151948632009-07-03T11:18:00.002-04:002009-07-03T11:22:50.675-04:00July 2009 Issue is now Available<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/ducknchele/July09cover.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 800px; height: 622px;" src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/ducknchele/July09cover.gif" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Get for free download copy now.<br />http://www.box.net/shared/70m692dxkh<br /><br /><br /><br />Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-47025416017037239862009-05-01T11:19:00.003-04:002009-05-01T11:20:24.296-04:00May 2009 Issue is now ready!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XJtfRLDMLII/SfsTEP1butI/AAAAAAAAAN0/duD1qnHGwKU/s1600-h/May+2009+Cover.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XJtfRLDMLII/SfsTEP1butI/AAAAAAAAAN0/duD1qnHGwKU/s320/May+2009+Cover.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330875547614165714" border="0" /></a>Click on link to download your very own free copy now.<br /><br />http://www.box.net/shared/aglcpc3gc2Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-70401416076389935332009-04-01T09:09:00.002-04:002009-04-01T09:13:13.195-04:00The April Issue is now available.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XJtfRLDMLII/SdNoO6bGwAI/AAAAAAAAANk/VxWHjtLXz7g/s1600-h/April+09+Cover.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XJtfRLDMLII/SdNoO6bGwAI/AAAAAAAAANk/VxWHjtLXz7g/s320/April+09+Cover.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319710190265090050" border="0" /></a><br />Our current issue of Primitive Times Magazine in now available for free you can download it from our site.<br /><br />http://primitivetimesmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=58<br /><br />Just click on the red "click here" to download the latest issue for free.Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-91072945854002179092009-02-04T09:48:00.003-05:002009-02-04T10:21:32.947-05:00<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/1bn67enuav"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/ducknchele/FebissueCover-1.gif" border="0" /></a><br />The latest issue of Primitive Times Magazine is here. In this issue we have a nice chat with our featured business Bittersweet Susan. Be inspired with our featured crafter connie Grigsby of Tinkets & Treasures and Bewitching Hollow. There are tons of recipes in this issue for your to enjoy and don't forget the free pattern from A Lit'l Bit Country and Primitives.Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-19472045148658166092008-08-30T16:05:00.000-04:002008-08-30T16:06:53.678-04:00Prim Friends Network<a href="http://primfriendsnetwork.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240400651322328690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZVxz0Bck5-8/SLmkoKbLBnI/AAAAAAAAA4M/_PhVaZ9sPB8/s400/PFNbutton.bnr.125x125.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Looking to promote your craft business website or blog for free?</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Whether you craft primitive, whimsy, vintage or shabby chic... Prim Friends Network is the place to visit & network from.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Each week a crafter will be featured and there will be a drawing for a give-a-way. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">If you are interested in 'networking', send Shari, the owner of Prim Friends Network your 125x125 button banner. In return you need to set up a Prim Friends Network link on your site. This can be text only, or you can be as elaborate as you would like with pictures, banners, etc. The only requirement is that you do it! This is a Network and it doesn't work if it's members don't "Network"! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Let's work together to promote crafting AND your business! Visit </span><a href="http://primfriendsnetwork.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Prim Friends Network </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">today!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-62772880879878833032008-08-29T19:47:00.001-04:002008-08-29T19:47:59.695-04:00Zoho Writer: FREE Program For PDF Files<span style="font-size:130%;">A few pattern makers on a Prim Forum I belong to asked how they could turn their paper patterns into PDF files for Epatterns. I mentioned that I do mine on a FREE program called </span><a href="http://www.zoho.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Zoho Writer</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. They checked out the link but were a little overwhelmed by the program. While I don't pretend to know everything about it, I have used it a number of times for my own e-patterns and wrote up some instructions on how I use it. If you are interested in reading them you are welcome to download the pdf : </span><a href="http://uploadingit.com/files/798847_o13aj/Zoho%20Writer-%20Creating%20E-Pattern%20PDF%20Files.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">Creating E-Pattern PDF Files On Zoho</span></a><br /><a href="http://uploadingit.com/files/798847_o13aj/Zoho%20Writer-%20Creating%20E-Pattern%20PDF%20Files.pdf"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-11029525772943684002008-08-21T16:35:00.000-04:002008-08-21T16:37:15.380-04:00Grubby Electric Candles<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4228/1908/1600/grubby%20candle%20light-burgundybow.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4228/1908/320/grubby%20candle%20light-burgundybow.jpg" border="0" /></a> These grubby candles are fun to make! This is one of the first ones I made a few years back.<br />I picked up some old electric candles at yard sales and flea markets . Sometimes you can find them at dollar stores too.<br /><br />I took some sandpaper and sanded down the candle, then painted it with brown acrylic paint. When it dried, I painted it with Mod Podge and then rolled it into a mixture of instant coffee, real coffee grounds, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.<br /><br />When that was dried, I would paint on some more Mod Podge sporatically and 'drizzle' more cinnamon over that.<br />Once dried, I painted with another coat of Mod Podge to seal the coffee mixture.<br />I purchased a fluted candle pan and glued the candle to that with clear Liquid nails. I tried hot glue and didn't like the results. Didn't hold good enough.<br />I tied a strip of homespun around the base of the candle and attched some red pip berries. Then filled the candle pan with scented rosehips.<br />I replaced the bulb that came with the candle with a silicone coated bulb.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-60962645648826430142008-07-06T17:34:00.001-04:002008-07-06T17:34:50.598-04:00<p style="margin-bottom: 14pt" class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-weight: bold"> <img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/susan.jpg" border="0" alt=" " width="215" height="208" align="left" /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold">Featured Crafter</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">Susan Dean-Threadbare Primitives</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">By Denise Bailey</span><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-weight: bold">Please tell us a little bit about yourself </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-weight: bold"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I am 49 years old and have been married for 28 years. No kids but lots of "fur babies". I have three "indoor" cats....Jinx, Chadwic, and Porter and one tiny four pound Chihuahua named Baxter. These are my kids and I spoil them rotten every waking moment. I guess you could say I am an animal lover. My husband and I also run a cat rescue center on our property for unwanted or abused cats. </span></p> <br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I live in a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smval.gif" alt=" " width="270" height="205" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">beautiful old</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> 85 year old farmhouse on 2 acres surrounded by trees, squirrels, and every kind of critter. I love to cook, read, go to auctions, and take care of my animals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">How long have you had your online shoppe?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> I have been online with my website for about 4 years now. It has gone through many changes in those years and I am constantly updating it to keep it new and interesting. The latest thing I have added is my $4.99 epattern section. With the economy being a little tight I figured anyone can afford $4.99 for a pattern and not have to worry about spending the money.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">How did you come up with the name Threadbare Primitives?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> Well, when I started this business I did alot of extreme prim...which I love. I would sand those dolls till the stuffing showed....thus the name "Threadbare Primitives". Now I design everything from whimsical to extreme prim. I seem to go through phases.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smpudge.gif" alt=" " width="203" height="295" align="right" /> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">How long have you been creating primitive and folkart patterns?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> I have been sewing and crafting for 20 years but have only been creating patterns </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">for about 4 years. But I do enjoy stitching, punch needle, painting and working with clay. You name it and I have done it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Is all your work done freehand or do you use a graphics program to draw out your patterns?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> All of my patterns are drawn out freehand on a artists sketch pad. Then revised til they look the way I want. I don't think my dolls would have the same fe</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">el if I used a graphics program......I like the hands on approach.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">How long have you been interested in drawing? Did you take art classes? Are you self taught?<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I am a self taught artist. I design and draw every day. I try to do things that I am not entirely</span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smpitty.gif" alt=" " width="277" height="207" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> comfortable with in order to keep my edge and skill level up</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">What or</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold"> who is your inspiration for the many wonderful patterns you create?<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I love antiques and primitives, so anything old, rusty and with paint missing is right up my alley. I have always tried to make dolls and folk art that would fit into that decorating scheme. My whimsical dolls are just my attempt to be "just so darn cute". I guess I have a duel personality....I really try to design for all tastes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">How long would you say it takes you to create a new pattern, from beginning to end?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> I have always been lucky. I just get an idea, draw it out, make the pattern and sew it up. I turn out 1-2 patterns every week which I think is good for my customers because they can visit my site and always see something new. It keeps them interested and inspired and always coming </span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smpeep.gif" alt=" " width="272" height="203" align="right" /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">back for more. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Do you make one pattern at a time or several before yo</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">u introduce them into your shoppe?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> No...I make a pattern and get it up on the site on the weekend. I try to stay consistent with </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">with that....if I miss a weekend I get email saying "Are you gonna have something new this week?" LOL....I LOVE my customers! They TOTALLY keep me on my toes....I really love every one of them!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">I see you are now offering punch needle, applique & sampler patterns, is this new or have you had them all along?<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I have had those patterns for a while now...I love making samplers and patterns a</span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smmoobert.gif" alt=" " width="316" height="270" align="left" /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">nd need to do more of them but I have been so busy with getting Fall and Halloween patterns in the works I have not had a </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">chance. I will be doing more stitcheries though....the ones I have right now have been quite popular. They are very easy and can be finished in one evening.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">What other venues besides your online shoppe do you offer your patterns for sale? Which venue does best for your sales?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> I currently sell through my own website, Ebay, and Prim Mart. I have also been honored to be on the front cover of "Homespun" magazine and have a pattern available within the pages and a lovely article written about my business</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Do you sell your patterns wholesale?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> Yes, my patterns are available at wholesale pricing.<br /> Threadbare Primitives Patterns are distributed and sold<br /> throughout the USA as well as Australia, Italy and Canada<br /> and through many finer Quilting and Needlework shops.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smhalloweenghostornies.gif" alt=" " width="302" height="227" align="right" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">When you ma</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">ke an item to sell ( not the pattern) , do you make only one or do you make several? For example: you make one item to use as the cover model for your patterns - sell that and you go on to the next pattern?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> I have never made two of anything. The original creation serves as the model for the cover shot of the pattern jacket. That same model is then sold and I am on to the next idea.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Which type of pattern seems to be your best seller/s?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> Right now I am selling alot of whimsical patterns...but then I have been focusing on that style for the last little while. I have about 175 patterns at the moment and I would say they break down half 'n half. Half are cute and whimsical and half are extreme prim. But...I have switched and have gone back to the prim style and have turned out some awesome black doll patterns with more coming.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smhalloweencatornies.gif" alt=" " width="306" height="208" align="left" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Which type of pattern do 'you' have the most fun creating?<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">I love the extreme prim style though I am probably best known for my whimsical style. I love making and designing old black dolls and have released quite a few new black doll patterns over the past couple of months. I have alot more in the works too, so I will be concentrating on a more primitive style for a while.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">Do you ever make something from your patterns to keep fo</span><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/smcharlette.gif" alt=" " width="224" height="345" align="right" /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black; font-weight: bold">r yourself?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"><br /> Unfortunately, no....everything I make, I sell. (Sigh)</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">Alot of gals out there often ask me what is the key to success in this business. Since my strength is in business and I come from a business background I could go on and on about the business end of things. But one thing I always stress is that if you want to make a living with your art form, then trea</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black">t it like a job. In order to make a living "out there" in the private sector you are required to go to bed at a decent hour, set your alarm clock, wake up get dressed and go to work. You will work for 8 hours every day to earn your pay check. You will do that consistently every day for 5 days a week. If you do that with your craft, if you REALLY treat it like a job, you will be successful. So my advice to anyone either starting out or who just isn't having the success they desire is to treat this business as a business. AND NEVER EVER EVER give up!!!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.threadbareprimitives.com/"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"">www.threadbareprimitives.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 100%; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; color: black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-5958333619386798052008-07-06T16:59:00.000-04:002008-07-06T17:00:48.724-04:00July 2008 Issue<div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/Image23-4.gif" alt=" " height="331" width="432"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <font size="4">In this great issue we have 3 NEW E-Patterns, TONS Of Recipes <br /> some with YUMMY photos, we have photos of Laurie's Fair Time Edition, <br /> Scrapbook Layout Pattern, We also have great BUSINESS articles on the NEW Wave <br /> of blogging called Entrecard, plus Business Tips with Denise and more! This is <br /> our largest issue yet with OVER 71 PAGES!!!!!!! </font></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <font size="4"><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/fr0p8dvc44.pdf">Click <br /> here</a> to download our PDF format Version OR</font></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <font size="4">Click here to view our Magazine ONLINE</font></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <font size="4"> </font></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <font color="#ff0000" size="4">Remember we are accepting ads for our August <br /> issue which are currently HALF OFF for the next three days! So get your ad <br /> NOW </font></div>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-49654191339514503522008-07-01T13:50:00.000-04:002008-07-01T13:51:01.870-04:00web hosting, wahm web hosting, wahm diy sitebuilder, diy webhosting<img src="http://www.primwebdesigns.com/images/7.gif" alt="Prim Web Designs" /><a href="http://primwebdesigns.com/">Prim Web Designs</a> they just launched a great new DIY(do it yourself) Sitebuilder with built in shopping cart! This is great for WAHM's and Crafters who like a template based site with little to NO HTML knowledge! Or you can customize the templates to suite your needs! You OWN the Sitebuilder once installed so you never have to worry about your site if you move to a new host you take the program with you!!<br /><br />To see a working sample of the Adminstration panel <a href="http://primwebdesigns.com/sitebuilder/storeadmin/">CLICK HERE</a><br />or <a href="http://primwebdesigns.com/sitebuildernew.htm">click to view more information </a>on this great DIY Sitebuilder and affordable Web Hosting from <a href="http://primwebdesigns.com/">Prim Web Designs</a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-35402235977203564482008-06-24T01:43:00.000-04:002008-06-24T01:49:13.676-04:00How to add an Etsy Mini To your Blog or Myspace<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/etsymini.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/etsymini.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Do you want to help promote your etsy account well a wonderful way to do this is with an <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy Mini</a>! A <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy mini</a> is simply a small showcasing of some of your products that you can add to your blog or site itself. Just follow this easy to follow instructions to add your <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy Mini</a> To your Site today!<br /><br />1. Log into your <a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a> account<br />2. In the left hand column you will see "<a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy Mini</a>" click here<br />3. Now you need to choose whether you want to display items you are selling in your shop or items you love. After this you need to choose thumbnail photos or larger gallery views and how big you want your mini by choosing how many rows and columns.<br />4. After you have chose all of that you will see a box of coding they have created for you, highlight the code by taking your mouse and highlighting all the text and then right click and click on COPY<br />5. Now log into your site or blog or myspace and add your code and save and you are all done! You have now added a "Etsy Mini" to your site! Hope you get lots of sales!Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-39182416395683820512008-06-24T01:38:00.000-04:002008-06-24T01:41:13.614-04:00Resizing your photos for Ebay and EtsyHave you been looking for ways to crop your photos because they are too large to use for your website, ebay or etsy? And you are just not techincally inclined? Well I came across this great video that will you walk you through the easiest way to crop your photos! Enjoy<br />Angie<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bNimwNLgT1E&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bNimwNLgT1E&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-79941385779406602592008-06-24T01:32:00.000-04:002008-06-24T01:36:13.813-04:00Make your own stamps and prints!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jh30dXNo_DY/RlSo5UxSbQI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Sc7tiM8MRL0/s400/CIMG3195+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jh30dXNo_DY/RlSo5UxSbQI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Sc7tiM8MRL0/s400/CIMG3195+(2).JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I love coming across cool new tutorial to help my fellow crafters! I came across a great site tonight called <a href="http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/make-your-own-stamps-and-prints.html">Etsy Labs</a> that has great crafting tutorials! Here is just one I wanted to share with you! <br />Get a block of linoleum from your local craft store and a couple carving tools to go with it! Draw the reverse of the design you want to produce and carve out the spaces you don't want reflected in the stamp:<br /><a href="http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/make-your-own-stamps-and-prints.html">Click here</a> to finish this great tutorialAngela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-37523517360093899262008-06-15T21:11:00.000-04:002008-06-15T21:13:09.442-04:0030% OFF All Advertising in July IssueGet your ad placed in our July Issue right now for 30 % off normal pricing!<br />Right now you can get<br /><br />1/8 Ad for only $13<br />1/4 Ad for only $22<br />Half Page ad for only $32<br />Or Full page ad for only $42<br /><br /><a href="http://primitivetimesmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=85">Click here to advertise today</a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-61655418029008521552008-06-12T12:19:00.000-04:002008-06-12T12:20:00.212-04:00Craft Ideas for Kids - Kids and Pasta<p class="articletext">Craft Ideas for Kids – Kids and Pasta<br><br /><br><br />Pasta is not just for tomato sauce. My kids loved pasta for many different art <br />projects. Next time you find a sale on pasta grab several varieties. Here are <br />just a few ideas of what kids can make with pasta.<br><br /><br><br />Photo frames - We use either the bow tie pasta or the shell pasta. Start with <br />thick cardboard. I tend to use white so that we can add any color we want. Your <br />frame can either be circular or square. Cut out the frame, this is the actual <br />full size you’ll want at the end. Then cut out the middle to fit the size of the <br />photo you want to put in there. <br><br /><br><br />Now decide if you want to spray paint the pasta or use food coloring. Gold <br />metallic spray paint looks great. We have also made various colors of pasta and <br />made rainbow frames.<br><br /><br><br />If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the <br />back.<br><br /><br><br />Necklaces and Bracelets – Penne pasta and macaroni noodles make wonderful <br />necklaces and bracelets. I suggest using fishing line. It just doesn’t break. As <br />with the frames, you can use multiple colors of pasta by adding food dye or you <br />can spray paint the pasta, allow it to dry and then string the pasta onto your <br />fishing line.<br><br /><br><br />Decorative Jars - Save empty jars. Then fill the jar with an assortment of <br />shapes and colors of pasta. These jars make pretty decorations for bathrooms, <br />bedrooms or even end tables. <br><br /><br><br />Pipe Cleaner Figurines - Grab a pipe cleaner. Now arrange pasta on the pipe <br />cleaner to create people and animals. Mix and match shapes and sizes and then <br />bend to create almost anything.<br><br /><br><br />Self Portraits - Use spaghetti and linguini. Boil just until soft. Then press <br />the pasta onto construction paper and into a self portrait. You can also create <br />landscape scenes using the soft long noodles.<br><br /><br><br />These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made <br />by kids.</p><br /><p class articletext><b>Article Source:</b><br /><a href="http://www.wahm-articles.com">http://www.wahm-articles.com</a></p><br /><p class="articletext"> </p><br /><p class="articletext"><b>Article Written By:</b> Audrey Okaneko is mom to two <br />girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at<br /><a href="http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com" target="_blank"><br />www.scrapping-made-simple.com</a> </p>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-82312408633489921012008-06-12T12:17:00.000-04:002008-06-12T12:18:08.317-04:00Thirteen Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog<p class="articletext"><font face="Trebuchet MS">A lot of online business woman <br />take for granted the benefits a blog has to their business, and a lot of them <br />choose not to use a blog because they simply can't see the benefit it has to <br />them and their business.<br><br /><br><br />Well in this article you will learn thirteen very important reasons why your <br />business needs a blog!<br><br /><br><br />1. Networking - Blogs are a great way to build relationships and networking with <br />those looking for your services and/or goods.<br><br /><br><br />2. Information - Blogs are also a great way to get information out about the <br />products or services you sell!<br><br /><br><br />3. Fun - Blogging is a great way to build your business while having fun. Really <br />it doesn’t even feel like work!<br><br /><br><br />4. Affordable - Sometimes having a blog can be more affordable to get set up <br />than having a website. 1. Because the Wordpress Blogging platform is free to <br />install on your own hosting and domain, and 2. you don’t need expensive software <br />like Frontpage or Dreamweaver to maintain your blog.<br><br /><br><br />5. Easy Maintenance - Using blogging platforms like Wordpress and the like make <br />it so much easier to add content to your website, through the art of categories <br />and the like, you can easily organize your content and make it easier for your <br />visitors to find what they are looking for and therefore encouraging them to <br />stay and visit for awhile!<br><br /><br><br />6. Friends - While you are networking you can also make friends!<br><br /><br><br />7. Interactive - With blogs you can be more interactive with your visitors by <br />making posts, asking for comments, and then replying to the comments, all <br />through your Wordpress admin dashboard! You can’t do that with a “regular” <br />website!<br><br /><br><br />8. Easy RSS - It is super easy to create an RSS feed with a blog which means <br />more readers for your blogs!<br><br /><br><br />9. Plug Ins - Plug ins add value to your blog by making it possible for you to <br />host podcasts on your blog, and even generate Google sitemaps too! With regular <br />websites you would either need to know alot about javascript, and a whole lot of <br />code mumbo jumbo, but with Plug Ins all you have to do is intall, configure, and <br />have fun! So much easier, and so much more fun!<br><br /><br><br />10. More Search Engine Traffic - With the write Wordpress template and plug ins <br />- your traffic will be streaming in no time at all. <br><br /><br><br />11. Flexibility - With Wordpress you have the flexibility to create posts, <br />pages, and you even have the control over what appears on your home page (like a <br />sticky post or even a specific page) which provides you with the flexibility to <br />either create more of a blogging type website, or a static type website. <br><br /><br><br />12. Community/Partnerships - Wordpress blogs are a great way to create community <br />blogs! So say you have a team of employees, or business partners, Wordpress <br />makes the ability to have multiple authors of the blog seamless, which is a <br />great way for your team to grow their business!<br><br /><br><br />13. Perfect - All around Wordpress is the perfect choice for you and your <br />business, by giving you the opportunity to communicate with your guests and to <br />help build strong relationships that will in turn help you grow your business. <br />No business should be without a blog, period!</font></p><br /><p class articletext><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Article Source:</b><br /><a href="http://www.wahm-articles.com">http://www.wahm-articles.com</a></font></p><br /><p class="articletext"> </p><br /><p class="articletext"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><b>Article Written By:</b> <br />Heather Bixler is the owner and Lead Designer at <b><br /><a href="http://girlyblogdesignz.com" target="_blank">Girly Blog Designz</a></b>.</font></p>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-88500694526223449372008-06-11T03:16:00.001-04:002008-06-11T13:19:42.941-04:00My Baby is Growing Up!!!<img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/KATETIX032.jpg" width="200" alt="" />OK don't laugh! But I had a OLD POOR ME DAY! LOL My daughter turned sixteen two weeks ago but thanks to dear old mom who lost her social security card we had to wait to get her drivers liscense until TODAY! Ok not only am I feeling OLD and everything but you know what today meant! It meant my baby is growing up! UGH<br /><br />So needless to say I was the proper Mom no crying at the DMV while my daughter is taking her tests! OH No I would not want to embaress my teenager! Mom sat there with tissue hiding in her hand trying not to cry! I am not even joking I saw 7 kids in there getting their drivers licenses and all of us Moms had that look! The look of OH GOD MY Car Insurance rates just jumped through the roof! And OH GOD My baby is NOT a baby anymore! lol lol<br /><br />The lady next to me her son was in my daughters drivers ed class! She said I guess this means that we have to let them grow a little bit today doesnt it! NOW My insides are YELLING NO NOT MY BABY!! But she was right!!<br /><br />So after she passed her test and with drivers license in hand we headed home! Where MOM being the pillar of strength that I was (as my knees were quivering) handed over the treasured keys! And said "Katie go have some fun and show off your drivers licenses to some of your friends!" Ok now I just earned myself the "Cool Mom" award right????<br /><br />Now mind you while she was gone (a whole two hours LOL) I had to call her at least 4 times to make sure she was still alive, the car was in one piece, and that she was behaving! LOL Not too much of a mother hen was I? <br /><br />So needless to say my daughter made it home in one piece! With drivers license in hand! And a nervously waiting Mom patiently waiting for her! So round one goes to Mom!! Now comes tomorow! She is going to be driving around filling out job applications! MY BABY GETTING A JOB!! Say it isnt so!!<br /><br />Lord help I need a NICE hot bubble bath! LOL LOL<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/angie.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/angie.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-73889158842830557402008-06-10T01:33:00.000-04:002008-06-11T13:20:07.188-04:00Tattered Star and Crow E-Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/tttt.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/tttt.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In our April 2008 Issue Susan Greer of <a href="http://www.catsinthebarn.com">Cats in the Barn</a> shares with us this great E-Pattern above! Her Tattered Star and Crow! To download this great pattern including instructions and materials lists please visit us by <a href="http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com">clicking here</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/angie.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/angie.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-41783681279232129272008-06-10T01:30:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:33:08.237-04:00String of Stars and Bells E-Pattern May 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/aaaa.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/aaaa.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In our May 2008 Issue Susan Greer of <a href="http://www.catsinthebarn.com">Cats in the Barn </a>shares with us this great E-Pattern above! Her String of Stars and Bells just in time for Fourth of July! To download this great pattern including instructions and materials lists please visit us by <a href="http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com">clicking here</a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-64915119860381017192008-06-10T01:27:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:29:11.372-04:00Star Door Hanger E-Pattern-June 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/iiii.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/iiii.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In our June 2008 Issue Susan Greer or Cats in the Barn shares this wonderful E-Pattern above! For the complete pattern including instructions and materials lists please be sure to download the June 2008 Issue by <a href="http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com">clicking here</a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-10654637424464056252008-06-10T01:18:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:26:14.884-04:00Let’s Go Garage Saling!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/jkj.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px;" src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t279/primtalk/NEw/jkj.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Let’s Go Garage Saling! </span><br /><br />By Laurie Johnson of <a href="http://www.prindlemountainprimitives.com">Prindle Mountain Primitives</a><br /><br />With the prices of gas, groceries, and nearly everything else skyrocketing lately, our family is planning to stay close to home this summer. There are still many ways to have fun this summer right here in our hometown, however. A fun afternoon pastime of ours is scouting out garage sales.<br /><br />If you’re a primitive lover like me, this is a great place to pick up old rusty bread pans or muffin tins. Fill with coffee beans, rosehips, etc., and nestle votives inside. <br /><br />Also watch for picture frames that can be painted and distressed to hold stitcheries. A friend of mine likes to pair up an old glass candy dish with an antique wine goblet<br /><br />To read the rest of this article please download our latest edition by <a href="http://www.primitivetimesmagazine.com">clicking here</a>Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-16799388713321794742008-06-10T01:15:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:16:46.916-04:00Six Easy Ways to Increase Your Craft SalesSix Easy Ways to Increase Your Craft Sales<br />By: Louise Longworth<br /><br />Whether you sell your crafts at craft fairs, home parties or another face-to-face outlet, these six easy ways to increase sales will come in useful. I’m definitely not a born sales person, so these tips will help those of you who, like me, don't like to be 'pushy', but still want to maximise your sales.<br /><br /> 1. No false modesty<br /><br /> When customers compliment you on your creations, thank them, rather than getting embarrassed and mumbling that actually it’s not that great, anyone could do it, etc. Be proud of your crafts and don’t be afraid to tell people about the high quality and unique features.<br /><br /><br /> 2. Honest benefits<br /><br /> Let people know about the benefits of your crafts, especially if they’re applicable to that customer. And if something looks really good on a guest, tell them so! Give them a good reason to buy something for themselves.<br /><br /> As long as you keep it honest, you’re helping your customers, so they won’t mind. The same goes for pointing out matching items or special offers.<br /><br /><br /> 3. Touchy feely<br /><br /> Increase your craft sales by letting your customers touch, smell or try on your items if it's appropriate. If I see someone looking at a piece of my jewellery I always encourage them to try it on - they think I'm doing them a favour by letting them wear it, and it's one of the easiest ways to make the sale.<br /><br /> Similarly, if your craft is wearable always wear some samples yourself - it always looks better on a real life model.<br /><br /><br /> 4. Make the most of special occasions<br /><br /> If Mother’s or Father’s Day is coming up, remind your customers! Point out which items would make good gifts for these occasions. Make sure you’ve got plenty of Christmas themed crafts on display from October onwards.<br /><br /><br /> 5. Good range of prices<br /><br /> Have a good variety of prices, from inexpensive stocking fillers to your top of the range craft item. It’s always a good idea to have a few inexpensive items near you that people can add on at the last minute. If someone is spending £9, they’ll usually be more than happy to add a £1 item on to round it up to £10. Key-rings, bookmarks or greeting cards are some ideas for these, or try fridge magnets with mini versions of your crafts. You’ll find these small amounts add up quickly and make a big difference to your overall sales.<br /><br /> But equally, you should always have a few of your more expensive crafts available. Sometimes a guest is looking for a very special gift for someone and wants to spend a bit on it, and you don't want to miss out on that sale! Having higher priced items also gives an impression of overall quality - you don't want to be confused with cheap imports!<br /><br /><br /> 6. Be friendly<br /><br /> This is one of the best ways to increase sales. Just as in any selling outlet, smiling and being friendly is probably the most important thing you can do. If customers like you they’ll be happy to support you, but if you’re hiding in a corner, grumpy and monosyllabic they’ll take their business elsewhere. Wouldn’t you?<br /><br />Article by:<br /><br />Louise Longworth works from home selling her handmade jewelry at home parties, and has published a website to help other crafters do the same. Craft-Selling-Parties.comAngela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-15820643372921438592008-06-10T01:14:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:15:02.951-04:00Craft Ideas For Kids - Kids and PastaCraft Ideas For Kids - Kids and Pasta<br />By: Audrey Okaneko<br /><br />Pasta is not just for tomato sauce. My kids loved pasta for many different art projects. Next time you find a sale on pasta grab several varieties. Here are just a few ideas of what kids can make with pasta.<br /><br />Photo frames - We use either the bow tie pasta or the shell pasta. Start with thick cardboard. I tend to use white so that we can add any color we want. Your frame can either be circular or square. Cut out the frame, this is the actual full size you’ll want at the end. Then cut out the middle to fit the size of the photo you want to put in there.<br /><br />Now decide if you want to spray paint the pasta or use food coloring. Gold metallic spray paint looks great. We have also made various colors of pasta and made rainbow frames.<br /><br />If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the back.<br /><br />Necklaces and Bracelets – Penne pasta and macaroni noodles make wonderful necklaces and bracelets. I suggest fishing line. It just doesn’t break. As with the frames, you can use multiple colors of pasta by adding food dye or you can spray paint the pasta, allow to dry and then string the pasta onto your fishing line.<br /><br />Decorative Jars - Save empty jars. Then fill the far with an assortment of shapes and colors of pasta. These jars make pretty decorations for bathrooms, bedrooms or even end tables.<br /><br />Pipe Cleaner Figurines - Grab a pipe cleaner. Now arrange pasta on the pipe cleaner to create people and animals. Mix and match shapes and sizes and then bend to create almost anything.<br /><br />Self Portraits - Use spaghetti and linguini. Boil just until soft. Then press the pasta onto construction paper into a self portrait. You can also create landscape scenes using the soft long noodles.<br /><br />These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made by kids.<br /><br />Article by:<br /><br />Audrey Okaneko is mom to two girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.comAngela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-28559656381413097322008-06-10T01:13:00.001-04:002008-06-10T01:13:38.141-04:00Craft Barter Exchange To Pay For Services Or ProductsCraft Barter Exchange To Pay For Services Or Products<br /><br />When I started my business I didn't have a big budget for advertising, but it was obviously necessary, so I would seek out other small businesses where I could make contact directly with the owner to discuss the option of paying for advertising not in cash or on credit, but with products of mine to the value of the service.<br /><br />For example, we have a local A5 booklet dropped in our mail boxes once monthly which is purely advertising - the first half is devoted to home improvement services, and the second half to other local products and services, which I noticed also included advertising for craft and handmade items. I picked up the phone and contacted the company who prints and distributes the booklet, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was all run by one woman, so we started chatting... I ended up with a full color half page ad which was very successful, and which ended up costing me less than half the full price!<br /><br />You see, the beauty of barter exchanging your products for services is that you're trading them at their retail value, but that's not what they're costing you to make them!<br /><br />Craft barter exchanges can be used to pay for many different services which can either help boost your business, such as advertising, or services/products which are just necessary, such as getting business cards printed.<br /><br />Whether you have the budget for these things or not, always try to negotiate a barter exchange wherever you possibly can - you will save a lot in the long run, which can then be put towards more advertising or promotional activities.<br /><br />Craft Barter Exchange To Boost Sales<br /><br />Upselling is a term you should be familiar with (if not, go research it now!) and is usually limited to your own products, but let's do some thinking outside the box...<br /><br />If you find someone who sells products that are complimentary to yours, they can work well as good incentives for upsells - here's an example:<br /><br />You have a booth at a craft fair or market, and a customer is admiring your handmade jewelry. She'd really love to go home with your beautiful (most expensive) jeweled necklace, which she knows is going to match her evening gown just perfectly, but she's hesitating because of the price.<br /><br />You, however, have barter traded with a crafter who makes handmade purses - for just this reason! You approach your prospective customer and suggest that if she'd like to purchase that necklace, you'll also let her have this lovely evening purse which matches the colors of the necklace fabulously... sold!<br /><br />There are many other examples - offering free fancy gift packaging or handmade greeting cards if the item is being bought as a gift; a free dining table candle if someone is buying handmade napkin rings, or vice versa; even seasonal promotions such as free Christmas tree decorations with something purchased at that time of year.<br /><br />Use your imagination to find items that are complimentary to yours, and when you introduce the idea of doing a barter exchange with another crafter s/he will probably thank you for sharing the idea too!<br /><br />Article by:<br /><br />If you'd like to participate in and benefit from craft barter exchanges, browse our Craft Barter Directory and get listed free!Angela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3788633282428965989.post-76174993268549467412008-06-10T01:10:00.000-04:002008-06-10T01:11:37.247-04:00Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce<span style="font-weight:bold;">Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce</span><br /><br />3 ounces Vietnamese cellophane noodles, cooked according to package directions<br />2 cups bean sprouts<br />2 carrots, julienned<br />1 large beet, julienned<br />1 fresh red chile, cut in circles<br />2 handfuls fresh cilantro, hand-torn<br />3/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts<br />2 teaspoons dark sesame oil<br />1 lime, juiced<br />Sea salt<br />20 (8-inch) round rice paper wrappers<br />40 mint leaves<br /><br />Put the cellophane noodles, vegetables, cilantro and peanuts in a large bowl; toss with sesame oil and lime juice to give the filling some flavor; season with salt and pepper.<br /><br />Pour 3 cups of hot, not boiling water in a large shallow bowl. One at a time, immerse the rice paper wrappers in the hot water for 10 seconds to soften, then place on a slightly damp towel. The rice paper is very delicate, don't soak them any longer or they will break apart. Keep them covered while you work to prevent them from drying out and curling.<br /><br />To form the rolls, lay a rice paper wrapper on a flat surface. Grab a small amount of the cellophane and vegetable mixture and lay it across the bottom third. Use less filling than you think you should, if you overstuff the wrapper it will tear. Carefully fold the bottom of the wrapper up to cover the filling. Fold in the left and right sides, then tuck and roll it over once. Lay 2 mint leaves on top, then tuck and roll it over to close the whole thing up like a tight cigar. The mint leaves should show through the transparent rice paper. Arrange the finished rolls on a platter and cover with a damp towel.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:</span><br /><br />1/4 cup rice wine vinegar<br />2 tablespoons fish sauce<br />1/4 cup hot water<br />2 tablespoons sugar<br />1 lime, juiced<br />1 teaspoon minced garlic<br />1 teaspoon red chili paste, such as sambal<br /><br />In a blender, puree the rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, hot water, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste until combined. Pour into a small bowl and serve with the summer rolls.<br /><br />Yield: 1 cupAngela Wenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512453687898146651noreply@blogger.com0