Primitive Times Magazine

July 2009 Issue is now Available

2009-07-03T11:18:00.002-04:00

Get for free download copy now.
http://www.box.net/shared/70m692dxkh

May 2009 Issue is now ready!

2009-05-01T11:19:00.003-04:00

Click on link to download your very own free copy now.

http://www.box.net/shared/aglcpc3gc2

The April Issue is now available.

2009-04-01T09:09:00.002-04:00

Our current issue of Primitive Times Magazine in now available for free you can download it from our site.

http://primitivetimesmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=58

Just click on the red "click here" to download the latest issue for free.

2009-02-04T09:48:00.003-05:00

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.

Prim Friends Network

2008-08-30T16:05:00.000-04:00

Looking to promote your craft business website or blog for free?

Whether you craft primitive, whimsy, vintage or shabby chic... Prim Friends Network is the place to visit & network from.

Each week a crafter will be featured and there will be a drawing for a give-a-way.

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"!

Let's work together to promote crafting AND your business! Visit Prim Friends Network today!

Zoho Writer: FREE Program For PDF Files

2008-08-29T19:47:00.001-04:00

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 Zoho Writer. 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 : Creating E-Pattern PDF Files On Zoho

Grubby Electric Candles

2008-08-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

These grubby candles are fun to make! This is one of the first ones I made a few years back.
I picked up some old electric candles at yard sales and flea markets . Sometimes you can find them at dollar stores too.

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.

When that was dried, I would paint on some more Mod Podge sporatically and 'drizzle' more cinnamon over that.
Once dried, I painted with another coat of Mod Podge to seal the coffee mixture.
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.
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.
I replaced the bulb that came with the candle with a silicone coated bulb.

2008-07-06T17:34:00.001-04:00

Featured Crafter

Susan Dean-Threadbare Primitives

By Denise Bailey

Please tell us a little bit about yourself

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.

I live in a beautiful old 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.

How long have you had your online shoppe?
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.

How did you come up with the name Threadbare Primitives?
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.

How long have you been creating primitive and folkart patterns?
I have been sewing and crafting for 20 years but have only been creating patterns for about 4 years. But I do enjoy stitching, punch needle, painting and working with clay. You name it and I have done it.

Is all your work done freehand or do you use a graphics program to draw out your patterns?
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 feel if I used a graphics program......I like the hands on approach.

How long have you been interested in drawing? Did you take art classes? Are you self taught?
I am a self taught artist. I design and draw every day. I try to do things that I am not entirely comfortable with in order to keep my edge and skill level up

What or who is your inspiration for the many wonderful patterns you create?
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.

How long would you say it takes you to create a new pattern, from beginning to end?
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 back for more.

Do you make one pattern at a time or several before you introduce them into your shoppe?
No...I make a pattern and get it up on the site on the weekend. I try to stay consistent with

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!

I see you are now offering punch needle, applique & sampler patterns, is this new or have you had them all along?
I have had those patterns for a while now...I love making samplers and patterns and 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 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.

What other venues besides your online shoppe do you offer your patterns for sale? Which venue does best for your sales?
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.

Do you sell your patterns wholesale?

Yes, my patterns are available at wholesale pricing.
Threadbare Primitives Patterns are distributed and sold
throughout the USA as well as Australia, Italy and Canada
and through many finer Quilting and Needlework shops.

When you make 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?
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.

Which type of pattern seems to be your best seller/s?
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.

Which type of pattern do 'you' have the most fun creating?
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.

Do you ever make something from your patterns to keep for yourself?
Unfortunately, no....everything I make, I sell. (Sigh)

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 treat 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!!!!!

www.threadbareprimitives.com

July 2008 Issue

2008-07-06T16:59:00.000-04:00

In this great issue we have 3 NEW E-Patterns, TONS Of Recipes
some with YUMMY photos, we have photos of Laurie's Fair Time Edition,
Scrapbook Layout Pattern, We also have great BUSINESS articles on the NEW Wave
of blogging called Entrecard, plus Business Tips with Denise and more! This is
our largest issue yet with OVER 71 PAGES!!!!!!!

Click
here to download our PDF format Version OR

Click here to view our Magazine ONLINE

Remember we are accepting ads for our August
issue which are currently HALF OFF for the next three days! So get your ad
NOW

web hosting, wahm web hosting, wahm diy sitebuilder, diy webhosting

2008-07-01T13:50:00.000-04:00

Prim Web Designs 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!!

To see a working sample of the Adminstration panel CLICK HERE
or click to view more information on this great DIY Sitebuilder and affordable Web Hosting from Prim Web Designs

How to add an Etsy Mini To your Blog or Myspace

2008-06-24T01:43:00.000-04:00

Do you want to help promote your etsy account well a wonderful way to do this is with an Etsy Mini! A Etsy mini 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 Etsy Mini To your Site today!

1. Log into your Etsy account
2. In the left hand column you will see "Etsy Mini" click here
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.
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
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!

Resizing your photos for Ebay and Etsy

2008-06-24T01:38:00.000-04:00

Have 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
Angie

Make your own stamps and prints!

2008-06-24T01:32:00.000-04:00

I love coming across cool new tutorial to help my fellow crafters! I came across a great site tonight called Etsy Labs that has great crafting tutorials! Here is just one I wanted to share with you!
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:
Click here to finish this great tutorial

30% OFF All Advertising in July Issue

2008-06-15T21:11:00.000-04:00

Get your ad placed in our July Issue right now for 30 % off normal pricing!
Right now you can get

1/8 Ad for only $13
1/4 Ad for only $22
Half Page ad for only $32
Or Full page ad for only $42

Click here to advertise today

Craft Ideas for Kids - Kids and Pasta

2008-06-12T12:19:00.000-04:00

Craft Ideas for Kids – Kids and Pasta

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.

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.

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.

If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the
back.

Necklaces and Bracelets – Penne pasta and macaroni noodles make wonderful
necklaces and bracelets. I suggest using 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 it to dry and then string the pasta onto your
fishing line.

Decorative Jars - Save empty jars. Then fill the jar with an assortment of
shapes and colors of pasta. These jars make pretty decorations for bathrooms,
bedrooms or even end tables.

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.

Self Portraits - Use spaghetti and linguini. Boil just until soft. Then press
the pasta onto construction paper and into a self portrait. You can also create
landscape scenes using the soft long noodles.

These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made
by kids.

Article Source:
http://www.wahm-articles.com

Article Written By: Audrey Okaneko is mom to two
girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at

www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Thirteen Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog

2008-06-12T12:17:00.000-04:00

A lot of online business woman
take for granted the benefits a blog has to their business, and a lot of them
choose not to use a blog because they simply can't see the benefit it has to
them and their business.

Well in this article you will learn thirteen very important reasons why your
business needs a blog!

1. Networking - Blogs are a great way to build relationships and networking with
those looking for your services and/or goods.

2. Information - Blogs are also a great way to get information out about the
products or services you sell!

3. Fun - Blogging is a great way to build your business while having fun. Really
it doesn’t even feel like work!

4. Affordable - Sometimes having a blog can be more affordable to get set up
than having a website. 1. Because the Wordpress Blogging platform is free to
install on your own hosting and domain, and 2. you don’t need expensive software
like Frontpage or Dreamweaver to maintain your blog.

5. Easy Maintenance - Using blogging platforms like Wordpress and the like make
it so much easier to add content to your website, through the art of categories
and the like, you can easily organize your content and make it easier for your
visitors to find what they are looking for and therefore encouraging them to
stay and visit for awhile!

6. Friends - While you are networking you can also make friends!

7. Interactive - With blogs you can be more interactive with your visitors by
making posts, asking for comments, and then replying to the comments, all
through your Wordpress admin dashboard! You can’t do that with a “regular”
website!

8. Easy RSS - It is super easy to create an RSS feed with a blog which means
more readers for your blogs!

9. Plug Ins - Plug ins add value to your blog by making it possible for you to
host podcasts on your blog, and even generate Google sitemaps too! With regular
websites you would either need to know alot about javascript, and a whole lot of
code mumbo jumbo, but with Plug Ins all you have to do is intall, configure, and
have fun! So much easier, and so much more fun!

10. More Search Engine Traffic - With the write Wordpress template and plug ins
- your traffic will be streaming in no time at all.

11. Flexibility - With Wordpress you have the flexibility to create posts,
pages, and you even have the control over what appears on your home page (like a
sticky post or even a specific page) which provides you with the flexibility to
either create more of a blogging type website, or a static type website.

12. Community/Partnerships - Wordpress blogs are a great way to create community
blogs! So say you have a team of employees, or business partners, Wordpress
makes the ability to have multiple authors of the blog seamless, which is a
great way for your team to grow their business!

13. Perfect - All around Wordpress is the perfect choice for you and your
business, by giving you the opportunity to communicate with your guests and to
help build strong relationships that will in turn help you grow your business.
No business should be without a blog, period!

Article Source:
http://www.wahm-articles.com

Article Written By:
Heather Bixler is the owner and Lead Designer at
Girly Blog Designz.

My Baby is Growing Up!!!

2008-06-11T03:16:00.001-04:00

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

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

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!!

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????

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?

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!!

Lord help I need a NICE hot bubble bath! LOL LOL

Tattered Star and Crow E-Pattern

2008-06-10T01:33:00.000-04:00

In our April 2008 Issue Susan Greer of Cats in the Barn 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 clicking here

String of Stars and Bells E-Pattern May 2008

2008-06-10T01:30:00.000-04:00

In our May 2008 Issue Susan Greer of Cats in the Barn 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 clicking here

Star Door Hanger E-Pattern-June 2008

2008-06-10T01:27:00.000-04:00

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 clicking here

Let’s Go Garage Saling!

2008-06-10T01:18:00.000-04:00

Let’s Go Garage Saling!

By Laurie Johnson of Prindle Mountain Primitives

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.

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.

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

To read the rest of this article please download our latest edition by clicking here

Six Easy Ways to Increase Your Craft Sales

2008-06-10T01:15:00.000-04:00

Six Easy Ways to Increase Your Craft Sales
By: Louise Longworth

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.

1. No false modesty

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.

2. Honest benefits

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.

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.

3. Touchy feely

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.

Similarly, if your craft is wearable always wear some samples yourself - it always looks better on a real life model.

4. Make the most of special occasions

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.

5. Good range of prices

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.

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!

6. Be friendly

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?

Article by:

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.com

Craft Ideas For Kids - Kids and Pasta

2008-06-10T01:14:00.000-04:00

Craft Ideas For Kids - Kids and Pasta
By: Audrey Okaneko

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.

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.

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.

If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the back.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made by kids.

Article by:

Audrey Okaneko is mom to two girls. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Craft Barter Exchange To Pay For Services Or Products

2008-06-10T01:13:00.001-04:00

Craft Barter Exchange To Pay For Services Or Products

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Craft Barter Exchange To Boost Sales

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...

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:

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.

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!

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.

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!

Article by:

If you'd like to participate in and benefit from craft barter exchanges, browse our Craft Barter Directory and get listed free!

Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

2008-06-10T01:10:00.000-04:00

Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

3 ounces Vietnamese cellophane noodles, cooked according to package directions
2 cups bean sprouts
2 carrots, julienned
1 large beet, julienned
1 fresh red chile, cut in circles
2 handfuls fresh cilantro, hand-torn
3/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
1 lime, juiced
Sea salt
20 (8-inch) round rice paper wrappers
40 mint leaves

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.

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.

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.

Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon red chili paste, such as sambal

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.

Yield: 1 cup

Some FREEBIE E-Patterns

2008-06-07T23:16:00.000-04:00

These are Free E-Patterns ©Denise Bailey KKL Primitives Click on Photos to Download FilesFiles are in pdf format, you will need Adobe Reader to open them.http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ Prim Fabric Sunflowers TutorialThis tut is for sunflowers only. Directions for making box light are not included. Photo is for display purpose only.

Wooly Sheep Ornie Hanger

Fabric Scrap Prim Easter Eggs

KKL Primitives
Allegheny Primitives
The Krazy kraft Lady Blog
KKL Primitives Blog
KKl Graphics Blog
Promote For Free Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

Lighted Jar Lamp

2008-06-07T15:01:00.000-04:00

Lighted Jar Lamp

By Denise Bailey

Supplies Needed

cracker jar or similar sized jar

1 set of 35 clear mini-lights

bag of potpourri

rosehips

crocheted or lace doily approx. 15 inches round

large rubber band

1/2 inch wide strip of homespun, 36 inches long

power drill

diamond drill bit

spray bottle of water

To make this lighted jar lamp, I had my husband drill a hole through a large cracker jar that I picked up at a fleamarket for $2.00

To drill a hole through glass, you should always first protect your eyes by wearing some kind of eye protection, like goggles.

You will need a power drill and diamond drill bit. As you are drilling, you must keep the area damp. The reason for this is that grinding glass creates a lot of heat. You need to keep the area that you are drilling wet/lubricated. You can use a turkey baster filled with water or spray bottle of water.

Place a piece of masking tape over the area where you want your hole. Do not place it too close to the bottom of your jar. Place a heavy towel under your jar to cushion it.

When drilling, go very slow and apply light pressure. Your hole only needs to be large enough to fit the wires of your mini-lights through.

After hole is drilled, you will need to remove the plug from the wires so that the wires can be fed through the hole from the inside of the jar. My husband usually just cuts the plug off and replaces it with a new one after he's fed it through the hole.

Here are some instructions on how to replace plugs.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2104146_replace-electric-plug.html

Make sure that the mini-lights are 'loose' in the jar, don't pack it down. Place handfuls of potpourri and rosehips in the jar, shake the jar so that they fall to the bottom, in and around the lights. fill to the top of jar. Don't pack, keep it loose so that your lights will shine through when plugged in.

Cover jar with doily, secure with rubber band. Tie homespun around neck of jar to cover rubber band.

These make excellent gifts and be sure to keep one for yourself!

www.kklprimitives.com

http://theoldecarriagehouse.com/Vendors/sites/AlleghenyPrimitives/

Featured Crafter for June Kristie Norman

2008-06-07T14:39:00.000-04:00

Featured Crafter
Kristie & Gary Norman of
Norman's Country Creek
by Denise Bailey

Please tell us a little bit about yourself : Gary and I live in Wabash Indiana. We have 4 children, 5 grandchildren, 2 dogs (one who is a certified pet therapy dog) and an inside bird aviary. We have both taught together in the same elementary school for the past 24 years. I am retiring this year, but Gary will continue for a few more years. He coaches varsity wrestling, and loves beekeeping.

How long has Country Creek been in business?
Country Creek has been in business since 1999. However, our business began to grow when Gary became a beekeeper in 2000. He has about 20 hives and with teaching and wrestling this keeps him extremely busy.

How did you come up with your business' name?
We have a beautiful creek and a small falls running beside our house and we live on a country farm, so Country Creek seemed to be the perfect name. However, I had to name our website Norman's Country Creek, because of the domain name.

Do you sell in other venues?
We attend 9-10 craft shows a year. Our busy season is from September to the end of November. Gary sells his honey/beeswax at local health food stores, school, and customers stop by the house frequently for honey. In past years I have placed products on consignments at local shoppes, particulary my handmade paper note cards.

What kind of products does Country Creek offer to their customers?
I specialize in lamps made from gourds and decanters and lights made from hurricane vases. I have begun making my own lampshades using a very old technique called “cut and pierced.” Since I enjoy painting and making candles, I have combined the two crafts and make painted hurricane candles.

One of the newest products I have online are the oil candle kits. Several customers at our craft shows kept asking why I didn't sell my oil candles on our website. So I decided to offer them as a kit.

Sewing has always been a favorite pastime, so of course I have Raggedy Dolls. I am not a person who enjoys having idle time, so I keep myself busy crocheting in the evening, or during wrestling matches, riding in the car, etc. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was around 13 and I still use some of her needles and books. I think of her everytime I pick up a new crochet book.
I have always loved to make handmade paper. I hope to add handmade paper note cards in the near future. I sold them for about 5 years, and have had customers requesting them again. I generally make paper from recycled paper, but I have tried making paper pulp from grasses, irises, and certain weeds. I do give paper making demonstrations at local clubs and find it very relaxing to make paper.

Of course Gary offers raw honey in different sizes and beeswax, which is great for a variety of uses.

Are all of your products handcrafted? Yes
Which ones? I make everything but the small tinpunch night lights, and the bases for the Cut & Pierced lamp shades.

What products seem to be your best sellers?
Craft shows and the website are completly different.. The Glass Mini-lamps, and painted hurricane vases are our best sellers at craft shows. However, the best sellers on the website are my raggedy dolls and the painted hurricane globes.

Do you offer wholesale?
I have had lots of requests for wholesale, but haven't decided to offer that option at the moment.

What methods of advertising do you use to promote your shoppe?
I advertise through a variety of online market sites and of course advertise through my own online craft mall site: Honey Creek Market. I am also advertising in the Aug/Sept issue of "Country Sampler" magazine. I always offer discount coupons at all our craft shows.

When sales are slow do you do anything special to try to bring customers in to your shop?
When sales are slow, I try to offer discounts, or reduce shipping costs. But I think the best thing is not to get discouraged, because business will pick up eventually.

Do you have any advice for those who might be thinking about opening an online shoppe?
I have found this business can be very rewarding, yet also time consuming. You must constantly promote, promote, promote and connect with other sites as much as possible. Stay motivated
and don’t give up!

Do you have any advice on what NOT to do?
Don't quit after the first few months, and you MUST advertise. Unfortunately it takes quite a bit of advertising to see a return.

How many hours per day or week would you say you spend working on your crafted products and on your website?
Since I have 2 websites, it takes me about 1 1/2 hours per day on the computer. Now that I am retiring I intend to spend a lot more hours (4 or more) daily working on products, especially my sewing.

Do you have any future plans for expanding your online shoppe? Perhaps opening your own brick & mortar store?
I am thinking about starting another online shoppe sometime next winter. I have a few more ideas, but haven't finalized anything at the moment.

Visit Kristie today at Normans Country Creek just CLICK HERE

Primitive TImes Magazine June 2008 Issue

2008-06-07T14:37:00.000-04:00

Primitive Times Magazine June 2008 Edition Click to
WATCH ONLINE

Or Click below to view download PDF
Version

We have TOTALLY Redesigned our Magazine!
Not only does it look Beautiful! But it has GREAT content too! We are taking ads
for our July issue and we have already filled half of our spots so please please
get your ads in asap! With your July Ad you can include a FREE coupon PLUS get a
Full page on our site with up to 9 product photos if you purchase a 1/4 ad or
larger! So click here to reserve your spot in our beautiful NEW Magazine!
Click here to reserve your Spot today!

Also if you like our magazine and enjoy
it every month consider making a donation to help offset the cost of production!
Just click the button below and donate ANY Amount you want! Thank you

Inside our June Edition

There are TWO Great E-Patterns

A 10 Page Home Tour with wonderful photos

Pages Filled Yummy Recipes

WAHM and Primitive Crafter Business
Advice

Featured Crafter- Kristie Norman

Spotlight Ads

And Sooo much more!

Click to download our
latest edition HERE

Help Promote
Primitive Times Magazine by adding our graphic below to your site and linking it
back to Primitive Times Magazine just click the code in the box and you are all
set!

Primitive TImes Magazine-HAS A NEW LOOK STOP BY

2008-04-08T13:08:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to announce we have a NEW bigger and better site!
As we were creating our new site our old crashed so I apologized
for the downtime!

Our new site has WONDERFUL new features you all will love!
1-NEW Community Forum built right into our site

2-Automatic Link Exchange-Come Exchange links with us!

3-NEW Article Directory so you can see all the great articles
posted with more to come this weekend

4-NEW Submit form so you can send us in your articles or recipes
you would like to submit to earn FREE advertising

5-NEW Product Review where we will be posting our PAST reviews and
a information if you would like to have your reviews added!

COMING SOON in the next day or so

1-Craft Mall Directory for FREE where you can list your site in our
directory for added exsposure for FREE

2-Home Tour Gallery-We will be adding ALL of our past home tour
photos and information up please INFO on how you can get your home
featured on our site

Stop by our new site and let us know what you think! If you have
ideas for things you would like to see added just contact us!
Have a wonderful weekend and the new issue will be up by Monday I
am sorry on the delay with the site crashing and my a ill family
member I am finishing it up as speak!

Primitive Times Magazine

April 2008 Issue

2008-04-08T13:04:00.000-04:00

Click on Cover to download April Issue

In this Issue

Mother's Day T Shirt Article
Chocolate Wacky Cake
Scrapbook Layout Sketches
Scrapbook Layout
Tattered Star and Crow Pattern
Prim Jar Labels Download
Prim Bottle Cap Images
Featured Crafter-Lisa from Primsy Doodles Design
6 Red Hot Tips to get your articles read
Tips for Having a Great Garage Sale Experience
Recipe Corner
Finding the Right Consignment Shop
Grubby Fruit Craft Project
Primitive Times Magazine NEW website Info

Tea Staining Fabric

2008-04-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

Tea Staining Fabric

Tea staining has been around a long time and was first used to
hide stains on linens. It is one of the most popular ways to
stain fabric and gives it a warm antique look. Different types
of teas such a green tea, black tea, rasperry and herbel teas
will give you different tints and tones on fabrics so don't be
afraid to experiment a bit. Hibiscus tea will give you red tones
while black teas give more of a soft brown or cream tone to the
fabric. Tea staining works well only on natural fabrics- muslin,
cotton, linen and wools dye well. It is very easy to do and just
takes a few simple steps

If you
fabric is new be sure to wash it first to remove the sizing
before dying.I have found 4 cups of water and 4 single cup tea
bags will dye one yard of fabric.

Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat add tea and let
set for about 5 minutes until the liquid turns the desired
color. Remove the tea bags from the water if you dont the tea
bags may make dark stains on your fabric

Wet the fabric in water thoroughly, removing excess before
putting in the tea mixture- stir gently

Let soak for about 10 minutes checking to see if the fabric is
dark enough. Remember you fabric will dry a shade lighter.

When fabric has reached the desired color remove from the tea
mixture and rinse well with warm water and a mild dish soap- if
you don"t the fabric may become damaged by the tea- tea contains
acid which can destroy fibers over time

Line dry or place the fabric in the dryer. I like to put the
fabric in an old pillowcase to protect my dryer and if Im going
to put in white clothes right after I will wipe the dryer out if
it jeans I just don't worry

When the fabric is dry if you want it darker repeat the process
, if the fabric is too dark wash the fabric in a gallon of water
to which you have added 1 tablespoon of bleach this will lighten
the fabric- rinse thoroughly and redry

If I am going to use the fabric for something that is going to
be washed I will soak it in a gallon of cold water to which I
have added 1 tablespoon of vinegar to set the color.

Have fun tea
staining - remember the possibilities are endless -old linens,
clothes, etc can all be tea stained
!

Rusting Items By Debbie

2008-04-02T08:21:00.001-04:00

Rusting Items
by Debbie

This recipe
will nicely rust safety pins, jingle bells, or anything else you
want 'age' for your primitive creations. The most important
thing to remember about rusting, is that you will want to buy
the cheap brand of pins, bells ...etc that you can find. The
more expensive brands have a shellac coating on them that you
will have to sand off before rusting. Makes sure they are NOT
brass either-brass will not rust. Do this outside away from
children and pets... and fumes are terrible!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cider
vinegar

1/2 cup bleach

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Combine the
ingredients in an old quart jar.

Add items you
want to rust and cover loosely-place in a safe spot and let set
for at least 2 days.

Line a tray
with a couple of layers of paper towels and remove the items
with an old fork from the mixture. Place in the sunshine... the
items will begin to rust as they dry. Move them around so that
they dry on all sides.

Perfectly
rusted bells, pins, and any other item you wish to rust.

CAUTION: Do not
throw the mixture down the sink- dispose of properly where no
animal or child could come in contact with.

Written by Debbie Hainline- Two
Old Crows (www.2oldcrows.com)

If you fabric is new be sure to wash it first to remove the
sizing before dying.I have found 4 cups of water and 4 single
cup tea bags will dye one yard of fabric.

Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat add tea and let
set for about 5 minutes until the liquid turns the desired
color. Remove the tea bags from the water if you dont the tea
bags may make dark stains on your fabric

Wet the fabric in water thoroughly, removing excess before
putting in the tea mixture- stir gently

Let soak for about 10 minutes checking to see if the fabric is
dark enough. Remember you fabric will dry a shade lighter.

When fabric has reached the desired color remove from the tea
mixture and rinse well with warm water and a mild dish soap- if
you don"t the fabric may become damaged by the tea- tea contains
acid which can destroy fibers over time

Line dry or place the fabric in the dryer. I like to put the
fabric in an old pillowcase to protect my dryer and if Im going
to put in white clothes right after I will wipe the dryer out if
it jeans I just don't worry

When the fabric is dry if you want it darker repeat the process
, if the fabric is too dark wash the fabric in a gallon of water
to which you have added 1 tablespoon of bleach this will lighten
the fabric- rinse thoroughly and redry

If I am going to use the fabric for something that is going to
be washed I will soak it in a gallon of cold water to which I
have added 1 tablespoon of vinegar to set the color.

Have
fun tea staining - remember the possibilities are endless -old
linens, clothes, etc can all be tea stained !

Debbie
owns "Two Old Crows" (www.2oldcrows.com) where she sells her
handpainted folk art and other handcrafted items she makes along
with antiques, primitives and vintage collectibles

Tax Tips for Work At Home Moms

2008-04-02T08:20:00.001-04:00

As we start our tax filing and getting our receipts and forms ready to file it got me thinking on how as Work At Home Mom’s we can make next years tax filing a little easier and more organized. If you are like me I was waiting until the last moments to gather all my paper work and receipts and I even had to search for a couple of my receipts.

As a work at home mom with a business generating income it is very important and almost crucial that you have some sort of financial software to help you keep track of your book keeping such as Quick Books or Quicken. The financial software will help you keep track of all your expenditures and income coming into your accounts from your online business. Which will make your tax time a snap next year?

Here are some tips to help you save a little money on your taxes for next year!

1-Purchase your high priced items that you may need to replace equipment this year by Dec 31st so that you can use this as a tax write off on your next years taxes. Another words if it is December and you know you need to purchase a new computer next year, buy it this year to help increase your expenses and thus lowering your taxes. Same goes with your household expenses if you work from home, pay all your bills in December instead of waiting for January just to add more deductions on your 2008 taxes for example your mortgage payment, insurance payments taxes and more.

2-Donations- Donate your old equipment or kids clothing or household items this year and keep a running total of everything you donated so that you can use it next year on your tax returns. Thus helping to increase your deductions.

3-Try to keep a separate checking account or paypal account for your business use, so at the end of the year it makes your book keeping much easier. Although I have paid for items out of my personal accounts I make sure if I paid for something out of my personal account that I keep my receipts and mark my receipt accordingly to show the purchases were for my business use.

4-Don’t overlook deductions that apply to you! One of the most overlooked deductions for Work At Home Moms is your mileage! YES you work from home but you can deduct your mileage attending workshops, running to the office supply store, the post office if you send out lots of packages and more! If you plan on deducting your mileage keep a mileage book in your car so that is within reach when you are driving for business purposes and can keep an accurate record of your mileage to and from your business stops.

5-Start Up Expenses if you were a new business in 2008 you can deduct up to $5000 in start up expenses the key is the deductions can only be made before you made your first dollar! These expenses can be advertising, attorney costs, accountant, supplies and equipment.

6-Home Office Expense- Don’t forget if you work from home remember you can deduct your area of home that use for your business. It use to be a HUGE red flag for the IRS but over the last five years this is not true as more people are starting to work home and this can be a huge deduction because you can deduct a portion of your utilities and mortgage payments and tax and insurance payments

7-Keep your tax books current and up to date you should try to site down once a month and make sure you have added all your expenses and income coming in so that at the end of the year you are not back tracking

8- Pay your taxes quarterly so that you are not having to owe a large sum of money at the end of year! The best way to do this is to figure out approximately what your income will be and pay in your taxes that way.

February Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

2008-04-02T08:19:00.001-04:00

February Issue Click Here to Download

Inside this edition you will see our

Meet the Editors,

A Fibre Arts Book Review,
A Farm Story,

A Primitive Lamb Sampler,

A Lam b E pattern,

Using Beeswax on
your Paintings,

Valentines Paper Crafts,

Bonny Bunny Pattern and Instructions,
Tons of great recipes,

Analyzing Website Traffic Article,

Goal Setting for the
new year,

Good Versus Bad Web Design,

and Are you afraid of pattern making
amongest Many other great articles!

Click on the link above or the magazine
cover to download your issue today!

December Edition of Primitive Times Magazine

2008-04-02T08:18:00.000-04:00

Click here to download our latest issue

January Edition of Primitive Times Magazine

2008-04-02T08:16:00.000-04:00

Click here to download the latest issue

Old Fashioned Soap Balls

2008-04-02T08:15:00.001-04:00

Old fashion soap balls can be created
easily using either ivory or dove soap bars, they have the look
and feel of old soap. For a more grungy looking soap ball roll
them in spices such as cinnamon before they are completely set
up (Caution do not use if you do this your skin may have
allergic reaction to the spices- display only)

Ingredients:
1 cup of instant Quaker oatmeal
1 bar of ivory or dove soap
1/4 cup of water

Grind up the oatmeal in a food processor until finely milled but
do not grind to flour you want it chopped up enough to break up
the oatmeal flakes but still be visible

Grate the bar of soap into small slivers
Place the soap and water into a large microwavable bowl and
microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir the mixture once or
twice making sure it does not bubble over

When the soap is dissolved remove from the microwave and add the
ground oatmeal slowly stirring constantly

Let cool enough to touch then form into balls placing on wax
paper to set and dry. It will take about 2 hours for them to
set.

Oatmeal soap balls have a great
old fashion look and can be displayed in old soap dishes,
vintage jars, wooden bowls and baskets in primitive or country
bathrooms or kitchens.

Debbie
owns "Two Old Crows" (www.2oldcrows.com) where she sells her
handpainted folk art and other handcrafted items she makes along
with antiques, primitives and vintage collectibles

Sweet Potato Garland

2008-04-02T08:14:00.000-04:00

Sweet potato garland is a wonderful accent to primitive or country decor. Stringed sweet potato garland is perfect for hanging on a primitive tree or as garland on a fire place or doorway. I don’t suggest putting it outside unless you don’t mind the varmit and birds eating it.

Supplies:
Sweet potatoes ( you can use regular potatoes)
Instant coffee
Spices- nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon
Cotton string
Needle

First make your coffee staining mixture
3 heaping tablespoons of instant coffee (I have found that the more expensive coffee gives a deeper stain)
1 cup of boiling water
Mix the two and let steep for a few minutes

Stain your piece of cotton string with this mixture by dipping it in and letting it dry ( I would not do a garland more than 6 feet long) dry this completely.

Do not peel the potatoes but just cut into 1 inch cubes

Mix equal amounts of your spices together in a pie pan

Soak the cubes of potatoes in the coffee mixture then roll them in the spices covering thoroughly ( I like to roll them all once and then roll again)

Tightly string the cubes together because they will shrink while drying

You can let these air dry or place in a 150 degree on a cookie sheet. Be sure to keep checking and scrunching them together as they dry to prevent gaps. ( Have found they are impossible to move on the string after drying)

These are a wonderful addition for fall decorating

Microwave Hang Tags:

2008-04-02T08:13:00.000-04:00

Microwave Hang Tags:
A recipe for grubby hang tabs. It works great, and you don't
need to turn oven on.
2 cups of hot water
1/4 cup instant coffee (dry)
2-3 tea bags (let seep for a bit)
3 Tablespoons imitation vanilla
scented oil is optional and amount depends on strength
desired.
Mix together. Soak tags in coffee mixture for 5-10 mins. Lay
on paper plate lined with paper towels. Microwave in
intervals of 40 sec, checking to make sure they don't burn.
Sprinkled lightly with real cinnamon before microwaving. You
can stamp on them or write on them. A really great look is
old time pictures applied with decoupage. Add pic of your
kids to the hang tags and use as gift tags.

Kids tip: Let the kids
personalize them and they can give for Valentines, Mother's
Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day or for any special
event.

This recipe can be used to stain muslin also, apply with
sponge brush. Sprinkle the wet muslin with cinnamon and rub
for a great grubby look. Air dry the fabric.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let's get grungy!! Tea bag trick! I want to share this
quick tip with you. Do you have lampshades that need that
fast prim touch? Take a few tea bags (may need more ready
depending on the size of the shade) Throw a cup of water in
the microwave on high to get nice and hot, let your tea bags
steep and gently wring out a little to get excess water
off. Simply dab or blot your tea bags directly onto your
shade! Yes, it's that simple. You can do as many layers as
you'd like depending on how dark you want your stain.

Advertise Your Websites For Free At Qassia

2008-01-30T16:46:00.000-05:00

I was introduced to a website called Qassia that is a credit-driven intelligence engine coupled to a cascading tag-based web directory.

At Qassia, you can add your websites for free, and without having to add reciprocal backlinks. You'll get unlimited quality backlinks. You can also add intel. Short for "intelligence", intel is a tidbit of information. Qassia rewards users who add intel in three ways.

1. Backlinks You get one backlink for every piece of intel you add. Every intel will carry a direct backlink to one of your sites. So the more intel you add, the more backlinks you get.

2. Credit When you add intel, you also get credit, in the form of Qassia dollars. Your net worth in Qassia dollars determines how well your websites rank in our directory.

3. Revenue When your intel is displayed, you get 100% of the advertising revenue generated by that page. ( Revenue is used in $ signs but is NOT actual money, it is credits that is applied to your listed websites - the more credits/revenue you have, the higher rankings your sites gets).

What is Intel? Intel is information that you provide for others to read. It can be taken from your blog or website ( you are the original author or have been given permission from the original author to publish 'anywhere'). My article here may not be used as Intel because the information is about Qassia.

Intel may consist of any information, provided that copyright is not violated, and the intel is:
1. in English.
2. comprised of sentences as opposed to keywords.
3. non-pornographic.
4. not about Qassia.

What happens is when you publish Intel on your Qassia site, you receive credits. After it is submitted, it will be screened and rated by others ( outstanding, good job, etc.). The readers also receive credits towards their sites for each read Intel.

You will also receive credits for each referral from your site. For example when you click on my Qassia Site and sign up and then validate your email, I will receive $200 referral credits. The same will apply to you when you refer someone and they click on your Qassia Site, sign up and validate their email.

It seems like an interesing concept, and it's free, so what do you have to lose? Stop by my Qassia site and have a look for yourself.

You can click on other links provided to give you more indepth to what Qassia is all about.

I've listed my crafts website, graphics website and Zazzle website and plan to add my blogs as well. Every little bit of free advertising helps!

Primitive Times Magazine Jan Issue is Ready

2008-01-08T03:47:00.000-05:00

Our latest issue is out and available full of great goodies for you!! Here is what is inside

1. Front Cover

2. Welcome and Index

3. Holiday Special

4. Meet Our Editors

5. Meet Our Editors/Ads

6. Interview with Karen Lopez

7. Interview with Karen Lopez

8. Interview with Karen Lopez

9. Interview with Karen Lopez

10. Saving Our Memories of 2007

11. Happy Valentines with Dianne

12. E-Pattern

13. Spotlight Ads

14. Hand N Heart Make Do

15. Hand N Heart Make Do

16. Hand N Heart Make Do Pattern

17. What is an Art Journal?

18. Valentine E-Pattern

19. Valentine E-Pattern

20. Ads

21. Ads

22. Hugs N Kisses Box

23. Link Popularity

24. Coupons

25. Ads Layouts

26. Ads

27. ADs

28. Recipe Corner

29. Recipe Corner

. Wandas Farmhouse Ads

31. Primitive Times Advertising

32. WAHM Buss. Advice

33. WAHM Buss. Advice

34. WAHM Buss. Advice

35. Country Folkart Marketplace

36. Valentines Day by Laurie

37. Valentines Day by Laurie

38.Valentine E-Pattern.

39. Country Folkart Marketplace

Click here to download our latests issue today! And don't forget to grab your advertising for next month's Valentine issue!

Primitive Times Magazine Decemeber Issue is Ready

2007-12-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

Our December Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

Full of Great Holiday
E-Patterns and Instructions FREE Graphics, Recipes and Great Holiday Stories and
More!

Prim Talk Radio Show #80

2007-11-09T09:18:00.000-05:00

This Week's Show Contents:

Angie Owner of Heartland Graphics I will be sharing a great Thanksgiving Recipe and also a segment on how to draw quality traffic to your site.

Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wives talks about how you can involve your kids to help you out with your crafting business

Linda Pinda from Linda Pinda Designs Linda is sick this week and will be back next week

Heather from Cotton Pickin Prims is here to talk about how she lost weight due to a New Year's Resolution and and how she plans on losing more!

Michele from
Briar Patch Prim is here to tell you how to make dried fruit

Visit our site at www.primtalkradio.com to listen to our latest show

How to get your kids to help on your crafting business by Michelle Lammers

2007-11-09T08:26:00.001-05:00

Greetings and welcome to my segment this week. Last week I took a break from doing a segment. I had
to get ready for a big craft fair on Saturday. To say the least I was thankful that I had plenty of
goodies for the customers to buy. Since I did the craft fair I thought that I would talk about how we
can have our children help us out when possible.

All three of my children seem to be very helpful children when it comes to certain things. They like to
help me get the truck loaded, which can be like a jigsaw puzzle. Once the truck is loaded, we can get
moving towards the craft fair. I have found that if I can set up the night before it makes a great
difference, I am not rushed the morning of the craft fair. Once we get to where we can set up. The
kids can be very helpful in helping unload the truck. I have a couple of heavier pieces that I need help
both setting up and taking down.

Now that the vehicle is all unloaded it is time to set up. You can give the children small tasks that they
will be able to accomplish without to much fuss. One of the things I have found that my youngest can
do without problems is my ornie tree. I have a very simple post that has pegs that can have the ornies
put on it. After putting the ornies on this, they can help put some extra ornies on a small primitive tree.
I have found that this works in my area as it shows what the ornies look like on a tree but you don’t have
to carry a large tree and set it up.

After that simple task is done, they are great to hand you things that you need. I have found that the
more that you include the children with the process of doing craft fairs, the more understanding they
are. Now that you have finished your set up of the booth, then it is time to go home and rest for a few
hours until the next morning. I usually like to have one of my children help me at the craft fair. I don’t
take my youngest as she can be a handful and talks about silly things to the customers. But the older
ones can be great helpers for you. If there is a small break they can sit with the booth while you run to
the bathroom or to get something to eat.

Once the fair is over my children are great helpers on getting things packed and loaded into the truck.
This is just another aspect of the craft fairs that they can learn about. I find that it is important that
I make sure that I load things back the way I had time before. That way if I need something I can
find it without issues.

So now that the vehicle is loaded and we are on our way back home it is a great time to ask them how
they thought it went. Mine always like to know how it went, so we talk about it. This is a great way for
them to see what the customers were buying. We even come up with new ideas for the next time. Some
craft fairs are better then others, so this helps the children understand why we can be frustrated.
Sometimes it feels that if we work hard and can’t sell much. Then there are the other times that it
works out great and we do well at the craft fairs. Having your children see both ways helps them
understand that it is a hard venture, but can be a rather rewarding one in the end.

I realize that not everyone will want to include their children in the process of the craft fair set up on
take down. But I would recommend at least giving it a try once to see if it works for you and your
children. They may get an eye opener and understand what we go through durning craft fair season.

Thanks for listening to my segment this week and I hope that you have a great week. If you have any
comments about this or a past segment please feel free to stop by my site and send me an email. Visit
at www.scrappinwitharmywife.com Happy Crafting and Craft Fairs!

The Holidays and Maintaining Your Weight Loss by Heather

2007-11-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

The Holidays and Maintaining Your Weight Loss
Goal

Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims.
Welcome to this week’s Prim Talk Radio show. I’ve just wrapped up my craft
shows for the season this past week and I’m happy to report they were very
successful. I hope you’ve had the same success with your shows this year.

The holiday’s are just around the corner, my how time
flies. Our US friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving in just a couple of
weeks and then Christmas is on the horizon a month later. With all the family
gatherings and social parties that will be heading our way soon, it will be
difficult not to be tempted by all that turkey and delicious array of sweets
that will be offered to us. Last year I made a New Year’s resolution to get
into shape and start eating healthier. My goal was to loose weight. I didn’t
start my resolution right away as with every resolution in years past would fall
by the way side before the first of February. I waited and started my new
resolution in April. I joined a weight loss program with a friend. I struggled
at first and then started to see some results. I didn’t push myself into my
goal weight too hard. My personal goal each week was to loose one pound. If I
lost more it was a bonus for me. I started weighing and measuring out my food
and counting my points for the day. I began walking and exercising daily as
well. Just 30 minutes each day will give you simple results. A few months
later I joined a women’s only gym and started a simple weight training and
toning workout three times a week. Soon the pounds started to shed off. I was
looking better, had more energy than I’d had in years and was eating healthier
meals each day. I’ve lost just a little over 40 pounds now and it feels so
great to walk into a store and purchase items a size smaller. I still have
about 80 more pounds to go and will get to that goal weight by the end of 2008.
That’s my personal goal, is to be down the 80 pounds by this time next year.
Baby steps, I call it. One day at a time, one meal at a time. Loosing weight
is not about being on a diet, you have to think of it as a lifestyle change. A
lifestyle change at any age can be a challenge, but once you start seeing
results and feeling better, you will realize that this new lifestyle will make
you so much more happier and healthier.

With the holidays approaching, I’m starting to plan ahead
for meals so that I’m not tempted to stray away from my weight loss challenge.
I’m searching out recipes that offer a healthy alternative. For stuffing, I’m
going to be using a low fat recipe. Desserts will consist of low fat items or
more fruit this year. Hey nothing wrong with a red or green jello with fruit
and a dollup of fat free cool whip on top! I find planning ahead keeps me from
binge shopping and eating. This will be my first Christmas on my new lifestyle
change and as with holidays that have past by this past year, I’ve found
planning ahead keeps me on my toes and allows me to still enjoy the festivities
of the season without gaining the weight I’ve lost.

You’re probably saying, Heather that’s all good for when
I’m home with family, but what about those dreaded work parties and those nights
out attending holiday parties at friend or relative houses? Well that’s not a
problem. A work party, you usually will know where it’s going to be held. If
it’s going to be held at a restaurant, familiarize yourself with their menu
ahead of time and plan out a meal that will work for you. Start with a soup or
salad and then look for a broasted chicken or non battered fish plate on the
menu. Top it off with maybe a fruit cup for dessert. If an alcoholic beverage
is to be served, opt for one small glass and then stick to water or
decaffeinated coffee or tea after that. Don’t worry if you feel you aren’t
eating as much as our co-workers. I used to feel that I had to eat huge
platefuls for that’s what others did. Little did I know how many calories and
bad items I was putting on that fork and into my mouth. Now I eat a little
slower than the others and it looks like I’ve had just as big a meal and still
stay to my plan for loosing weight. Heading out to a friend’s house party?
Don’t worry, make up a fruit bowl or a low fat cheese and cracker platter and
take it with you. Don’t feel that you’re imposing on your host or sending the
wrong message that you don’t care for her food. Taking your own little platter
will give you the confidence that you have something at her party that you can
eat and not feel guilty about later. If your friend is a true friend in your
weight loss challenge, she won’t be offended at all. Another little trick I
like to do when we’re heading out to a house party is I will have a pre party
snack. I’ll eat one of those 100 calorie dark chocolate Aero bars (only 2
points) and will eat a small apple just before heading out the door. In 4
points I’m good to go and won’t overindulge at the party. While at the party,
move around and socialize. Doing so will leave you less tempted to hit the
trays upon trays of food sitting out. Don’t be tempted by all the wonderful
alcoholic drinks that will be available. Those are high in points value. Opt
for a diet soda or a fruit water. Don’t be ashamed in bringing your own items
to drink for the night.

One of the most important elements to the holidays is to
get out and exercise. Taking a brisk 30 minute walk after all that turkey will
make you feel so alive and will help shed those few extra pounds at the same
time. I know with the colder weather approaching us, it’s not overly tempting
to be out there walking. Bundle up and get out there for that walk. Trust me
after a few minutes of walking you’ll be sweating and feeling warm in no time.
While out strolling, enjoy your neighbour’s holiday decorations and clear your
mind. You’ll feel so exhilarated and alive.

I hope I’ve helped give you some ideas on how to prepare
for the holiday season and not falter on your lifestyle change routine. If you
haven’t started that new lifestyle change, give it a whirl today. There are all
sorts of weight loss centers out there that can help you reach your goal. Find
one that best suits your needs and jump on the wagon to a new you. If you
started today, you could be less 10 pounds by Christmas. It’s true. That’s my
new goal for these next few weeks….to be less another 10 pounds before December
25^th. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. If you have any
questions or want more information on my personal quest to a new me, drop me a
line. You can reach me through Prim Talk Radio here or through my website,
Cotton Picken Prims. You can find us on the web at:

www.cottonpickenprims.com . I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s segment.
Start planning for those holiday meals and gatherings now and let me know how
you’re progressing with your new lifestyle change! Till next week everyone,
have a great week!

Holiday Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

2007-11-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

Our November Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

1.

Front Cover

2.

Welcome and Index

3.

Holiday Special

4.
Meet
Our Editors

5.

Wanda’s Corner

6.

Country Christmas w/Laurie

7.
Cats
in Barn Pattern

8.

E-Pattern

9.

E-Pattern

10.

E-Pattern

11.

E-Pattern

12.

E-Pattern

13.

Country Coasters w/Laurie

14.

Christmas Past N Present

15.

Strawberry E-Pattern

16.

Punkin Dough Critters

17.

Punkin Dough Critters Cont

18.

Punkin Dough Critters

19.

Punkin Dough Critters

20.
A
Harvest Blessing

21.

Adveriting your own Website

22.

Adveriting your own Website

23.

Household and Recipe Tips

24.

Household and Recipe Tips

25.

Household and Recipe Tips

26.

Remembering Christmas

27.

Remembering Christmas

28.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

29.
Featured Crafter

30.
Featured Crafter

31.
Ads

32.
Wanda’s Country Farmhouse

33.
PMT Info

34.
Dear PMT-

35.
Country Folkart Marketplace

36.
The Keeping Room

37.
Primitive Grungy Jar

38.
Primitive Grungy Jar Cont

39.
Ads

40.
Ads

41.
Featured Crafter

42

Featured Crafter

43

Featured Crafter

44

Recipe Corner

45

Recipe Corner

46
Ads

47
Mini
Crab Cakes Recipe

48

Primitive Braided Curtains

49

Choosing and Preparing Gourds to Paint

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR MAIN SITE

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas by Angela Wenke

2007-11-06T14:58:00.001-05:00

Today I thought since Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching
it might be a great timet o start talking about how to decorate your home and
table for the holidays! The great thing about Thanksgiving is that a lot of the
decorations can be for FREE and found in just the outdoor elements such as
gourds and pumpkins and leaves and acorns and so one!

If you are in a quick pinch and need a simple centerpiece
idea you can take either treenware bowls or vintage pots and pans and line them
down the center of your dining table and then taking fresh fruits, leaves,
acorns, ghords, squashes, cinnamon sticks, mini pumpkins and dried flowers you
can fill with a beautiful assortment of fall autumns! And you cost you next
nothing to create but it will fill your house with beautiful autumn colors and
textures and scents.

Want to add some pizzaz to your candles for your
Thanksgiving dinner? Take a couple of pillar candles in white or autumn colors
and some floral wire and autumn leaves and you are on your way to a fancy
display! Using tall pillar candles of any width put autumn leaves on the sides
of the candles so that it forms a nice row of leaves around the base of the
candle and hold into place with floral wire. Make sure there is a couple of
inches from the top of the candle and the top of the leaves to allow you time to
burn your candlewithout ruining the leaves.

Don’t’ forget the lighting this year! You need some abience
and to do so fill your home with autumn scented candles, the smell will fill
your home with wonderful autumn aromas and the candle light will give your home
a certain ambience! If you don’t have or don’t want to use candles you could
always use carriage lights or lanterns also.

Another idea is if you grow your own herbs In your herb
garden think of picking your herbs and adding them all around your home in small
baskets in your kitchen and living room filling your home with wonderful aromas!
And we don’t want to forget to decorate the all fun Kid table! You will want to
decorate the kid table to keep your little ones entertained while they are
waiting on everyone to finish up their meals. Since our theme is Thanksgiving
you could add a map the table as a tablecloth and add some small boats to
represent the first boats to discover

America, to add another fun touch you could have handmade
headbands for each of your kiddos laying on top of their plates! Just take
construction paper and scissors and stapler and create your headband don’t
forget to adorn it with a colorful ribbon now you have a table full of Indians.
And lastly offer small boxes of crayons so your little Indians can chart their
path on the map of where they plan to sail off too.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe by Angela Wenke

2007-11-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

My Aunt brought over a YUMMY pie for our last Christmas
that we all fell in love with so I decided to share the recipe! We all love
Pecan pies in my family and this year my Aunt tricked us as we thought we were
getting ready to bite into her traditional pecan pie we all love so much only to
find out it was chocolate pecan pie! Can we say it was to die for!!! It was soo
delicious I hope you will love this recipe as much as we did.

Crust:

1-1/4 cups flour

Pinch salt

6 Tbsp. unsalted, cold butter, cut into slim pats

About 3 to 5 Tbsp. ice water

Filling:

1-1/3 cups pecan halves or large pieces

4 eggs, graded “large”

1 Tbsp. instant espresso powder

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 cup sifted or strained unsweetened cocoa powder

Pinch salt

1 cup light corn syrup

For Crust:

In medium bowl, combine flour and salt; stir to mix well. with two knives or
pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is in fine crumbs. (This step can
also be done in a food processor fitted with a steel blade; pulse on-and-off
until butter-flour mixture is in fine crumbs, then turn into medium bowl.)
Gradually add just enough ice water so that pastry holds together. Form into a
ball, then flatten into a disk. Handle as little as possible. Wrap tightly in
plastic wrap; chill at least 1-2 hours. Roll out crust on lightly floured
surface with lightly floured rolling pin. Turn crust over frequently, and
lightly re-flour work surface and rolling pin as necessary. Crust should be
rolled into a circle about 13″ in diameter. Fit crust into ungreased, 9″ pie
plate of heatproof glass; form a high-standing rim, trimming excess from edges
and pinching or fluting rim decoratively as desired. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
F. Thoroughly prick crust all over with fork. Chill at least 10 minutes while
oven heats. Bake in preheated oven 5 minutes (crust will not brown). Remove to
rack and cool completely before filling.

For Filling:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. If your pecan halves are very large, break them
up a bit with your fingers; otherwise, use them as they are. Scatter them evenly
on the bottom of the cooled pie shell. In small bowl, with fork, beat eggs to
combine. Add espresso powder and beat to mix. Let stand at least 10 minutes,
beating occasionally to dissolve espresso. By hand, in medium bowl, cream
softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in cocoa and
salt. Add egg-espresso mixture one-third at a time, beating after each addition
until smooth. Stir in corn syrup. This “custard” will be thick–that’s OK. Pour
mixture slowly over pecans in pie shell. If any pecans do not get completely
covered by “custard”, submerge them until they do. Let stand 2-3 minutes; with
toothpick or tip of sharp knife, pierce any remaining air bubbles (during this
standing period, pecans may rise to top of pie–OK). Bake in preheated 400 degree
oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F; bake 33-37 minutes longer
(total baking time is 43-47 minutes), or until edges are cracked and risen but
pie center still quivers slightly when pie is shaken gently. Do not overbake. If
pie begins to brown excessively, cover top lightly with foil. Remove from oven;
cool on rack before serving.

Mary Jo’s Segment on our Prim Family

2007-11-06T14:55:00.000-05:00

Hello Prim Talk Radio Listeners, this is Mary Jo with
FineCountryLivingPrimitives.com. I’m sorry I missed last week’s show. My husband
and I are opening our own brick and mortar store here on our property and we are
doing all the work ourselves to save on start up costs. What we are paying for
is our lack of extra time, and last week the days just got away from me!

I’m glad to be back this week, but I’m here with a bit of sad news. A few
months ago, Angie had a wonderful segment on joining eBay groups and networking.
I’ve been a member of a wonderful eBay group for well over a year now called
APCG A Primitive Country Gathering. Many of our contributors here and on
Primitive Times Magazine are also members, and it is a wonderful gathering of
primitive sisters and we share the love of crafting, art, and sisterhood.

Our wonderful leader since the beginning is Kassy. Kassy passed away just
this week after an illness, and it is devastating news for all of us in our very
close-knit group. She was a wonderful person, and touched each and every person
she ever met with her unending kindness, support and love.

We will miss Kassy greatly, and I want this segment to be in honor of her and
what she has taught me. This segment is going to be about our primitive
community.

Until I entered into this community of primitive lovers and crafters, I never
knew that it existed. It’s not a community located in one place, it consists of
many locations throughout our country and even our world, but brought together
with everyone’s love for primitives and things that remind us of the simpler
times.

This community ranges from the online magazines and craft malls, through to
chat rooms, eBay groups and WAHM forums where people gather to meet and chat
about our work. What ends up happening is you see one person in one forum, then
maybe when you read a great online article or hear a segment on a pod cast such
as Prim Talk Radio, you realize that it’s that person you’ve been chatting with
online for a few months. Many forums do exchanges where you are partnered up
with another member and you exchange something handmade and it’s amazing how
much you get to know a person just from that little gesture!

When I speak of our prim community with what I call “outsiders” such as my
family and my local friends and neighbors, people look at me as if I’m a bit
crazy! I will be laughing and tell them of a story I heard from one of my
friends, and they will say something like “Who?” I then usually reply, “Oh, my
online friend Michele, or Renae”, and they just don’t understand that you really
create a bond with these people.

We all share a common thread with our love of primitives, and many of us are
WAHM’s that are always there for each other when times get crazy or tough. Many
times we bounce new ideas off of each other or ask one another for opinions on
store names, or new doll ideas, because only one of us prim lovers can truly
understand what the other is saying or even thinking.

I guess that what I’m trying to say is that it is a large community online
for us crafters and prim lovers, but it is also so small when we all get to know
each other, support each other, and lend a helping hand when needed.

I encourage all of you to get involved with this little community if you have
not already. And if you have, next time you are online, say thank you to your
friends who always seem to be there when you need them most, those who truly
understand how hard it is to work from home and take care of the kids, cook
dinner and do the chores all at once. Take the time to tell those sisters in
your community that they mean the world to you, because someday, they just may
not be there to hear it.

I truly didn’t want this to be a sad segment, and I’m sorry if it sounded
like it was. I want this segment to be a reminder of how special so many of you
are and to continue to enjoy each other’s company. I know that myself, and many
of us, will miss our dear sister Kassy, but I also know that this community
meant so much to her, and if she could, she would encourage all of us to share
our passions with others as she shared hers with so many of us.

May we all continue our sisterhood in her honor and thank you all for being a
part of this special community!

Fine
Country Living Primitives

http://finecountrylivingprimitives.com/store/Default.asp

Primitive Times Magazine Sept Issue Is Ready

2007-09-03T12:46:00.000-04:00

Our September Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of Contents Below:

Inside This Issue:

Introduction and Welcome by Angie—Page 2

An En "Lighting" Lesson—Page 3

Assorted Recipes and Crafts—Page 4

Beat Some Stress—Page 5

Fall Potpourri Balls-Page 5

Featured Editor DIanne—Page 6

Amish Country Getaway—Page 7

New Salem Getaway—Page 8=9

Unique Uses for Vodka—Page 10

FREE Fall Patterns—Page 10

Information on FREE Advertising —Page 11

The HUNT By MIchele—Page 12

Eckerts Farm Trip—Page 13-15

Wandas Country Farmhouse Ad—Page 16

Spotlight Ads—Page 17

Country Folkart Marketplace Ad—Page 18

Spotlight Ads-Page 19-21

Fre Fall Graphics —Page 22

Great Fall Recipes=Page 23

The Keeping Room-Page 24

Click here to download the latest version

Prim Talk Radio Show #70

2007-08-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PRINTED VERSION OF OUR SHOW
Today’s Show:

Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing some great crafts to create with Dried Apples, Also a Fall Candle Decoration and then a great business article on How to Keep your Sanity while the kids go back to school

Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks to us about how to set and achieve our
goals

Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives

is out of town this week she will be back again next week

Heather from CottonPickin Prims is here talksome wonderful tips and tricks for crafting

Aurelia Williams from Real LifeCoaching is off this week she will be back again next week

Renae Meyers from Prim Clipper and WAHM Clipper shares some great Bath N Body
recipes with you

Debbie Hainline from Two Old Crows is off this week

Email me for our NEW Special Send Paypal to
AngelaWenke@aol.com Your choice of
the following: One Year of Front Page Advertising for $100/Year or 6 months of
advertising for $60 just put Advertising PTR in the subject line sale good
through Sunday at midnight

Click here to download MP3

Click here to visit our Home Page

Keeping Your Sanity As A New Year School Year Starts

2007-08-17T14:34:00.000-04:00

Keeping Your Sanity As A New Year School Year Starts
By Angela Wenke

Like a lot of you mother’s right now, my kids are putting the finishing touches on getting ready for the new school year. Checking their backpacks to make sure they have everything ready for school. Pondering over what outfit to wear on that first day, and where their classes are located. As this week has progressed I have realized, not only does the kids going back to school stress me out but my kids also. So I thought I would share some great tips to help you keep your sanity while we try to get back into the swing of school life again.

It is that time of year again where we have to role out our appointment books to mark all the children’s after school activities, and the kids school schedules and the parent and teacher meetings. Sometimes it can seem very overwhelming, especially when you have more than one child to get ready for the school year.

One of the biggest tips I have learned through trial and error in raising my children, is being organized is an absolute must, While I was doing all the school supply shopping for own kids, I also purchase a few items to help me keep track of our lives to help me keep my sanity.

Items we purchase:
Purse size agenda or calendar
Wall Mount Calender
Dry Erase Markers and Eraser

One of the best tools we have in our home is our Wall mounted calendar in our kitchen, With this calendar we keep track of the kids sports and games, early dismals or school meetings and so much more. I keep a small dish on our counter top with four colored dry erase markers in it, Each person is assigned a color so if they need to add activity to our calendar we knew who’s writing it was. Every Sunday I will take my purse size calendar and compare it to the Wall Mounted Calender so I know that our calendars match and I know where I have to be for each day of the upcoming week.
Next to our Calender I have Two paper hanging on my wall that show my girls chores charts for the week. Now my girls are 10 and 15 so obvisouly they have more chores than a child say starting kindergarten., But I have learned through running my own home daycare and also teaching preschool that a child from the age of 4 years and older should have a chore chart to help your child feel a sense of responsibility. When my children come home they immediately grab themselves a snack and rest for a short period then it is off to chores and homework. They know if they plan on playing with the neighborhood kids or visiting friends that the chores and homework have to be completed first.

Another tradition we have developed in our home is to set aside two nights a week that is strictly FAMILY NIGHT which I know can be hard in a busy household. Especially with everyone running in different directions, but on family night not only do we all eat together and discuss the days events but afterwards we either watch a movie together or play a board game or go for a walk. Just to allow us time to connect together as a family at least for couple nights out of the week.
On the weekends I try to plan our menu for the week according to what our schedule looks like, this not only helps in our grocery shopping by allowing us to only buy the items we will be needing instead of ton of extra junk food but this also allows me a easy to look at menu to see what I will be cooking for each night. Now there are times where we may switch a meal to a different night but the menu is a nice outline for our family, If I plan on having any meals that are very time consuming I tend to prepare the meals on the weekends, this helps me out a great deal. So that I am not rushing to prepare dinner right after the kids get home, but I can sit down and chat with them about their day they just had.

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

2007-08-17T14:31:00.000-04:00

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

Welcome Prim Talk Listeners to another great week of wonderful crafting tips and creations! Today I wanted to share some fun and easy tips for decorating your home for the Fall Season! These are super easy and fun crafting ideas that you can do in your spare time or on a lazy weekend.

Fall Candle Decorating

A Treenware Bowl or Prim Bowl
Votive Candles in Fall Scents like Pumpkin or Ginger
Popcorn Kernels in assorted colors
Small mixed nuts and berries
Pine cones and Pine Needles
Essential Oil in a Fall Scent
For a Halloween Decoration you can Use Candy Corn

Simply fill a deep bowl with an assortment of nuts, berries, popcorn kernels, pine cones, pine needles or even fall dried flowers. Next add an assortment of Fall Scented Candles into your bowl. You can use clear glass candle holders if choose or leave your candles floating in your Fall Mixture. Next add a few drops of your favorite essential oils in the fall mixture to add wonderful aroma and scent throughout your house. This is super simple decorating idea and you can even change your fall mixture to a candy corn mixture to adapt your candle decoration to blend into the Halloween season.

With Apple Picking Season Fast upon us I thought I would share some easy Apple Craft Recipes I shared the Apple Wreath last year and I will touch base on this again. Apples are not only a wonderful edition to your Fall Menu planning but they can add a wonderful and beautiful touch to your home décor also.

Simple Apple Potpourri
Lemon Juice
Apple Slices
Cinnamon Ground
Cinnamon Sticks

Cut 8-10 Medium Apples into slices leaving the seeds in tack. Next pour Lemon Juice over your apples in a bowl, allow them to soak in the Lemon Juice for about 5-10 minutes and then layout on paper towls to dry. Next in a bowl coat well with ground cinnamon and you can even use a little sugar to give your apples a wonderful aroma then place them onto a cookie sheet and place in your oven at 200 degrees for 5 minutes to speed up the drying process. Next just add your apples slices to a Treenware or Primitive bowl and you can add cinnamon sticks for decorations and even dried flowers to add a little contrasting color.

Apple Wreath
Lemon Juice
Apple Slices
Heavy Gauge Wire
Pliers
Cinnamon Ground
Gingham Fabric

Prepare your apple slices are you did above slicing them and baking them in the oven. Now just add your slices to your Heavy Gauge Wire and fill up your wire to the desired length you are looking for. Then using your pliers fasten the ends of your wire together and you can share and bend your wire into either a circle or heart shape. Next using your gingham fabric you can either fill in gaps with bows or add a hanger for your wreath by using gingham ribbon on the top of your wreath! Now you have beautiful and fun and easy to make wreath that will leave a wonderful aroma of Apples and Cinnamon throughout the Fall Season.

Another easy adaption to the apple wreath that my daughters and I did last year was to simply make apple garland by stringing your apple slices onto the wire then adding gingham bows through the wire. We also added cinnamon sticks for a decorative flair and then I hung this from my fireplace. It made a beautiful garland and was so inexpensive to make and my kids had a blast helping me create these. Remember not only are apples yummy and wonderful in apple pies but by using a little creativity and items you have around your home they can become a wonderful craft projects also!

How To Create Fabric 'Prim' Sunflowers'

2007-08-17T02:28:00.000-04:00

Materials needed:
muslin
scissors
Mark B Gone pen
needle
upholstery thread
1 small coffee can plastic lid
1 lid from pringles can or similar size
coffee stain*
cookie sheet & foil
polyester filling

*Coffee Stain
3 Tablespoons instant coffee to 1 cup hot water
2 Tablespoons vanilla
note : for grungy sunflowers add approx. 1/4 cup or more of cinnamon. Mix and let sit. After a short while the cinnamon will form a 'sludge' on the bottom of your pan. This sludge is what you apply to get the grungy dirty look.

Directions:
With your Mark B Gone pen, trace out 4 large circles using the larger plastic lid as your template. Trace 1 small circle with the smaller plastic lid.
Using the tracing line as your cutting line, cut out all circles.

Place the 4 larger circles on top of each other. Center the small circle over these and pin in place.

Thread needle with upholstery thread, knot and come up under the small circle to hide the knot. Begin basting the small circle, being sure to go through all layers of muslin. Leave about a one inch opening to insert polyester fill.

Stuff lightly with polyester fill as shown in photo

Stitch opening closed.

With scissors, cut from outer edge of larger circles just to the beginning of the small circle, being careful not to cut through it.

Continue cutting all the way around circle.

Emerge sunflower into coffee stain, being sure to flip so both sides are soaked through. Let sit a minute or two.

Take sunflower out of stain, squeeze excess moisture out and place on foil on cookie sheet

Place cookie sheet in low oven (about 200 degrees ) to dry. Turning often so sunflower won't burn. When dry remove.

Start pulling apart the 4 layers of 'petals'

To finish:

You can leave sunflower as is, or you can grubby it up by painting on the sludge and more coffee stain and returning to oven to dry.

You can paint the puffed up inner circle with a brown paint. When dried, dry brush the edge with black paint. I added some orange and gold to this one as well.

For variety, instead of a muslin center, use homespun.

This is a sunflower & crows cheesebox light I made with my sunflowers

To make a larger sunflower you can use dinner and dessert plates as your template like I did for this sunlower nodder.

Prim Talk Radio Show #69 August 11th

2007-08-11T12:10:00.001-04:00

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PRINTED VERSION OF OUR SHOW

Today’s Show:

Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing Great tips to advertise your site for the Holiday Season and also a Candy Sundae Craft Project

Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks to us about the most important meal of the day "Breakfast"

Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives talks to you about her Bottom 5 for Doll Making a continuing series from last week's show

Heather from Cotton Pickin Prims is here talk to us about how to beat those crafting slumps

Aurelia Williams from Real Life Coaching is here to discusss great tips to cut down on the morning madness when the kids start back at school

Renae Meyers from Prim Clipper and WAHM Clipper shares some great Bath N Body recipes with you

Debbie Hainline from Two Old Crows discusses how to make Sweet Potatoe Garland and next week she shares how to paint Old Screens

Email me for our NEW Special Send Paypal to AngelaWenke@aol.com Your choice of the following: One Year of Front Page Advertising for $100/Year or 6 months of advertising for $60 just put Advertising PTR in the subject line sale good through Sunday at midnight

Click here to download MP3

Prim Talk Radio Show #66

2007-07-20T12:28:00.000-04:00

Today’s Show:

Angie
host of

Heartland Graphics

will be sharing a segment on how to sell on Ebay for the Holiday Season this
is Part 2

We have a Featured Crafter Interview
today with Michele from

Holly Tree Primitives we encourage you to
click on her banner below and visit her great NEW site today!

Michelle Lammers

from

Scrappin with Army Wife

talks trying to find time to spend with
your kids, some alone time for yourself and some alone time with your husband.

Mary
Jo Elliott our newest staff member from

Fine Country Living Primitives

talks to you using Pip Berry Vines and Wreaths in your prim decorating, she
also has a wonderful summertime recipe she will be sharing with everyone!

Heather our newest staff member from
Cotton
Pickin Prims is here talk to us about getting your booth ready for
the upcoming Fall Craft Shows

Grab
our
Advertising Special 6 months

of Front Page advertising plus mention on every show for 50% off normal prices
the total is only $50 for six months!

Click here to order!

Click below to listen to our show
OR
Click here to visit our site

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

2007-07-14T01:56:00.000-04:00

Want to improve your craft sales results?
You have to change the process to change the results.

It's estimated (and I can well believe it) that of every ten sales people, only three will actually ask for the business. Of those three, only one will be successful in closing the deal. Are you the one who makes the sale, or are you part of the nine who don't?

If you're in business for yourself, it's because you have something to sell. Are your results what you expect or would like them to be? Do you think (or know) that you could do better?

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Can You Sell?

It's a common scenario - for example: You make something that everybody loves, so you decide to start selling your products in the hopes that you'll build your little business into something big enough to sustain a full time income, but you're just not selling enough to be able to quit your job and work for yourself.

It may be that you've never been trained in sales - this is not unusual, you're an artist or crafter for a reason, if sales is what you were born to do, that's what you would be doing. It may be that you're not very comfortable with or confident at selling - also not unusual if you've never been taught sales skills and techniques, because it takes time to develop the confidence to sell when you first start out.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Develop Your Skills

Whatever the reason, the good news is that it's really easy to turn the situation around so that you start closing one deal after the next, resulting in a much improved cash flow!

Yes, it does take confidence, and you will build that confidence up sale by sale, because it also takes skill and technique - once you've learned how to sell, and you apply your new skills, you'll be so thrilled with the results that your confidence will grow in leaps and bounds, and so will your sales!

I'd like to share a personal anecdote on this topic, because what I'm writing about here is what I've experienced myself.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - A True Story

At one of my previous jobs where I worked in a customer service role, my employer thought I showed promise to do more, and offered me a position in sales. I accepted, wanting to improve my earnings and climb up a notch. However, I didn't do very well at all. My employer hadn't offered me any sales training, and all the other sales consultants came from experienced sales backgrounds, so they didn't need to be trained (or so he thought).

I didn't want to lose this opportunity or fail at it, so I made some enquiries and I found a one day seminar that offered sales training for beginners. I asked my employer if he would pay for it and allow me to go - he wasn't very keen at first, but he could see how enthusiastic I was, and he was impressed that I'd been proactive instead of just giving up.

Well, that one day practically changed my life! I didn't realize it at first, of course, because the techniques seemed like such a "hard sell", and I didn't think I was confident enough to go through with it all. But little by little I started trying a few things out - a different rebuttal if a customer was giving me a reason s/he didn't want to buy; or a different introduction to the beginning of my sales pitch - and I could see that these things were having an effect on my customers, an effect that was positive for me.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Take Action!

A lot of people think you have to be a "born salesperson", but I can testify that isn't true. When you learn the right sales skills and techniques, and you apply them, you can become a successful salesperson. And if you want to run your own successful craft business, you have to become a successful salesperson - your business depends on it.

There are a number of ways you can go about learning the sales skills and techniques you need:

* Search the internet
* Find out what courses are offered in your area
* Browse your local library or book store, etc.

Generally speaking, not everything of value that you find is going to necessarily be free or inexpensive, but very often "you get what you pay for".

Article by:

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

Create Your Own Crafting Space

2007-07-14T01:54:00.000-04:00

If you are at the place where your crafting is becoming more than a passive hobby, it may be time to consider having your own space in which to craft. This space can come in many forms but the important thing is that you need a space of your own.

Many crafters start out working at their dining room table or kitchen. However, most of them eventually find they long to have separate space. Crafting at the dining room or kitchen table can work for small projects that are completed fairly quickly. As you get into projects that require more time to complete, you will find that the clutter left in those rooms can quickly become overwhelming. Plus your family members may not appreciate the clutter of your crafts in a room that is utilized by everyone. It may be time to seek out a solution and create your own crafting space.

A lot of crafters may be limited to they type of space available to them. Perhaps they don’t have a spare bedroom they could use. In cases like this you have to get creative.

Let us explore some of the creative spaces you might consider.

1. Attic
An attic can be an ideal space if it’s easily accessible, like a walk up attic. Be sure your attic is cool enough in the summer. Also, make sure there enough head room for you to stand up. Attics can be delightful spaces in which to craft especially if they are large enough and have windows for natural lighting.

2. Large Walk In Closet
Some homes have very large walk in closets that can be easily turned into an ideal crafting space. Be sure there is access to electrical outlets and that you have enough space to place a work desk and storage.

3. Large Outdoor Shed
If you don’t have any ideal options for a crafting space inside your home, consider an outdoor shed, preferably one that is insulated and made from wood. Sheds can be purchased in various sizes ranging from 8 x 8 feet all the way up to 10 x 15 feet on average. If you do not already have a shed in your backyard, purchasing one may be an alternative. If you or your husband is handy in carpentry, you could also build your own. It’s important that your shed is wired for electric and meets all the safety standards. Check with your local county for more information. A outdoor shed can be as simple or elaborate as you want and can be delightful crafting spaces.

4. Basements
If you have a finished basement that is comfortable and has access to a lot of natural light, this may be an ideal option. Basements that are dark, cold and uninviting are usually not good options. You don’t want to feel like you are descending into a dungeon each time you go down to craft. Remember that your craft space should be a pleasant place to work.

5. In Plain Sight
Perhaps you live in a apartment, loft or small home where additional space poses quite a challenge. In cases like this you may need to consider creating your crafting space in plain sight, sort of. Consider using room dividers to create a separate space in a existing room. The dividers will not only separate your crafting space from living space but they will also serve to hide any craft related clutter.

Regardless of the location you choose for your crafting space, it’s important to remember to make it a inspiring place in which to create. Once you have determined the location, consider the following.

1. Natural light or the ability to create enough artificial light is a must.
2. Be sure there is adequate space to allow for storage of your supplies.
3. Consider wall colors that will create a light and pleasant crafting space.
4. Decorate your space to surround yourself with things that inspire you.
5. Think about if you want access to a radio, TV or phone in your space.

Even if you may not have the ideal crafting space, you can create a wonderful work place with a little imagination.

Article by:

© 2007 Kelle Arvay is the owner of Pattern Mart with offers customers access to thousands of craft patterns that they can purchase and download instantly. Additionally, she is the owner of eCraft Classes which is dedicated to online craft classes. She has been a crafter and pattern designer for many years. www.PatternMart.com www.eCraftClasses.com

Prim Talk Radio Show #65 Friday July 13th

2007-07-14T01:53:00.001-04:00

Today’s Show:

* Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing a segment on how to sell on Ebay for the Holiday Season this is Part 1
* Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks getting crafts ready for the Holiday Season
* Mary Jo Elliott our newest staff member from Fine Country Living Primitives talks to you about Auctions and Estate Sales
* Aurelia Williams our Personal Development Coach discusses put more balance in your life
* Renae from Prim Clipper is on vacation!
* Vicky will be talking about how to make Tie Dye Crafts with your kids
* Feathured Crafter Interview this week is with Michele from Holly Tree Primitives
* Grab our Advertising Special 6 months of Front Page advertising plus mention on every show for 50% off normal prices the total is only $50 for six months! Click here to order!
* Our Top 5 Partner Program-Get your site listed for FREE
* Aurelia’s Podcast-“Parenting My Teen”
* Jessica Archer-Song “At Last”
* Tim Armstrong Band=Song “Listen to your Heart”
Click here to visit our site
Click here to download our show

Prim Talk Radio Show #61 Friday June 15th

2007-06-16T03:51:00.001-04:00

Today’s Show:

Debbie from
Two Old Crows talks about Painting Wicker
Furniture

Angie host of Prim Talk Radio will be sharing tips
of creating a Basket of Roses
from
Primitive Times Magazine from Neenee which can be found on 10 and 11 of
our June Issue and also "How to Make Primitive Signs"

Michelle Lammers from
Scrappin with Army Wife
talks about how to keep your kids busy during
the summer

Lauren from
North Country Essentuals

does not have a segment this week

Aurelia Williams our
Personal Development Coach is back with
great tips On to create a Meal Plan and To Do Lists

Renae from
Prim Clipper is back to some quick Father's
Day Craft Ideas

Carmen from
Carmens Country Candles is will be back
next week with her segment

Our newest intern is Victoria my daughter she will sharing a Father's
Day Craft Ideas called "Daddy's Little Girl Frame"
Click here to visit our site

Click here to listen to our show

Primitive Times Magazine June Issue Is Ready

2007-06-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

The June 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and it is a "MUST READ!" It is filled to the brim with FREE craft articles for
Fathers Day!. You definitely don't want to miss it.

You can now read your copy of the FREE June 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine two ways. It is available as either a
FREE .pdf e-zine issuefor you to download and or you can order a copy by mail!.

Whichever way you decide to read it Primitive Times Magazine May 2007 issue is filled to the brim with 31 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

Our June Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

Introduction

Website Design Tips to Make Your Site more Attractive

Recipe Corner

How I Keep My Creative Juices Flowing

So You Thinking of Opening A Co-Op To Sell Your Crafts

Handmade Grass Soap

Potato Prints

Clock Face Tutorial

Featured Crafter #1

Baskets of Apple Roses

Shopping Your Local Flea Market

Campground Recipes

Tips and Ideas for Crafting

Father's Day Ideas

Featured Crafter #2

The #1 Mistake of Crafters With Blogs!

Recipe Corner 2

Business Success with Niki Jackson

Camping Tips

Starch Play Clay

Web Directory

Spotlight Ads

Prim Talk Radio Ad

Heartland Marketplace Ad

Prim Clipper Ad

Fathers Day Gift Ideas

Fathers Day Recipes

So grab your FREE June 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine.
CLICK to Download the FREE .pdf e-zine issue .

Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Angela Wenke of Prim Talk Radio, Heartland Marketplace, Primitive
Times Magazine, Heartland Graphics

New Crafting Forum - New Graphics Forum

2007-05-31T03:40:00.000-04:00

I must be a real sucker for trying out new things, *lol* like I don't have enough to keep me busy. I recently opened a new crafting forum/community called

The Crafter's Lounge

Only today, I created a *new & improved*

Unique Boutique Graphics Community

I have a MSN group also called Unique Boutique that I've had for several years now. There have been a lot of 'technical' problems the last 6 months or so that just don't seem to be getting any better so I thought it was time to move the group to a new hosting site.

I chose Proboards.com

1. they are free

2. I know how to navigate these boards

3. I have more control over boards, moderators

4. love the PM and Email options

5. love that you can customize the forum skins/colors anytime you wish

6. you can create categories, subcategories, boards, subboards, modify, reorder, move, and delete

7. avatars - you can use the ones provided, or you can delete those and make and upload your own ( which I have done in the craft forum so far ) or you can customize your own and link to it from a photo hosting site if you don't want to use the community's.

8. you can lock boards, have polls, designate who can post, reply, appoint moderators to help keep an eye on the boards

If you are looking for another craft forum ( there are lots of them out there now ) or would like to join up with a graphics forum - hope you'll stop by to see me! Tell 'em Neenee sent ya.

Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives

The Crafter's Lounge online crafter's community/forum
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

Unique Boutique Graphics Community

contributing editor for:
Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters
Primitive Times Magazine Blog

FREE How To Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern E-Pamphlet

2007-05-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

I get asked a lot - "How do you design a doll e-pattern?"

So, a few months ago I wrote a 4-part series of articles on "How to Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern" for Primitive Times Magazine E-Zine and thought that maybe all of you might like it if I created a FREE .PDF E-Pamphlet for that series of articles. So, I did. Now everyone who wants to try and design their own doll or craft patterns or e-patterns can find out how to do it.

If you'd like to read my 4-part series all you need to do is to download the FREE .PDF attachment, save it on your computer, and open it up in Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, don’t worry. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is a FREE download from Adobe. Just go to www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html and follow the instructions for downloading the program.

If you already have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (which most computer users do) then all you need to do is to download the PDF file attachment and then open it to view it. It will open in the Adobe Acrobat Reader program. From there you can save it to your computer, view it, or print it.

If you'd like to download my FREE Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern please just CLICK HERE or click on the picture above.

I hope you enjoy my FREE Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern E-Pamphlet and hope it motivates you to create your own e-patterns.

Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns,Linda Walsh Originals DOLLS NEW Handmade Dolls & Crafts Website, Linda Walsh Originals Dolls and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

Free Angel 'Earn Your Wings' Outline

2007-05-24T11:28:00.000-04:00

Click on image to view full size & save to your hard drive

This will print off on a 9x11 sheet of paper. You may not sell or offer outline for download but you may sell whatever you make with outline. You are permitted to resize outline.

Have fun!

Posted by: Neenee

KKL Primitives

The Crafter's Lounge online crafter's community/forum

The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog

KKL Graphics Blog

KKL Kreations Blog

Menopausal Monster Blog

contributing editor for:

Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters

Primitive Times Magazine Blog

WHAT'S NEW On Our Editors Pages

2007-05-11T09:15:00.000-04:00

Our editors are always adding NEW content to their pages of our Primitive Times Magazine website. Since we wouldn't want you to miss anything NEW we decided that we'd tell you about the NEW content that is added to our editors pages each month on our Primitive Times Magazine Blog. That way you'll always know what's NEW.

This month we have quite a few NEW articles on the editors pages of our Primitive Times Magazine website that we thought you might like to know about.

Here's what's new:

Neenee's Nook
Basically, Neenee's whole page is brand new and she has already added 2 great crafting articles that prim lovers are sure to enjoy. Plus, Neenee is a terrific graphics artist and she has added some of her wonderful FREE graphics including dolls, bears, fairies, mammies, sheep, angels and more.

Free Stick Horse Pattern by Neenee
Handmade Potpourri
FREE Graphics From Neenee
Boiling Ham and Cabbage Recipe
FREE Doll, Bear, & Fairy Graphics From Neenee - NEW
Making a Candle Jar - NEW

From The Crow's Nest by Debbie

Debbie has two great articles for prim crafters.

Tea Staining Fabric NEW
Rusting Items NEW

Dear Linda
If you like learning the history of certain items be sure to checkout Linda's latest article on the history of faceless dolls. If you like dolls and history you'll love reading this article and the other articles on Linda's "Dear Linda" page.

The History of Faceless Dolls-NEW

Prim Business Articles by Angie

Angie added another great business article on website how-to's.

Website How-To's - NEW

There's a ton of information on all our editors pages. We have everything from Free Graphics, Free Patterns, Recipes, Craft Projects, Business Tips, Craft Tips, Historical Articles, Advice for WAHM's, How-To's, Prim Crafting Tips, and so much more.

We hope you get a chance to stop by our Primitive Times Magazine website and read the latest from our editor's pages.

Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns,Linda Walsh Originals DOLLS NEW Handmade Dolls & Crafts Website, Linda Walsh Originals Dolls and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

The Easy Way To Drive That Pesky Traffic Away From Your Website 101

2007-05-05T14:11:00.000-04:00

The Easy Way to Drive That Pesky Traffic Away From Your Website

By Angie Wenke

Over the last two years I have written a lot of articles on how to drive traffic to your sites, and even how to promote your site for FREE to drive traffic to your site. But then I got to thinking that maybe an article on big "No No's" that will drive people from your site in droves might be a good idea also.

Let's face it we have all been on a site that drove us nuts, the menu was not easy to navigate, the graphics were so bright or loud or distracting or disorganized, the text was too large to read, or the site just simply looked like a huge mess. You do not want your site to fall into one of the above categories. So here are some fun tips of what NOT to do on your website. This article is meant to be a funny satire to sites that are not put together well.

1-DO NOT MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT YOU SELL OR OFFER:

This is the best way to drive traffic from your site kicking and screaming. Make what you sell a big mystery or clue finding mission. Make them search and read through the lines so they can try and figure out what what the heck are you offering. Make sure your spelling is awful, your text is set to font size "48" so even blind people are running from your site because they can't even read what you are saying.

2-MAKE YOUR SITE GRAPHIC BOLD AND MISMATCHED AND PLACED IN FUNNY SPOTS

Nothing is better than going to a site where there are country graphics mixed in with Gothic graphics, or how about those ever fluorescent colored sites where the text is brown on black background making you have to squint until you feel like your eyes are going to explode to try and see what the heck the text is saying.

3-HAVE A SEA OF BANNERS AND GRAPHICS FLOATING ALL OVER THE PLACE

Make sure you have banners advertising everything from preparation H to hemorrhoids all over your site, and don't forget your adult channels. Make sure the ads have NOTHING to do with your site, and your graphics do not make sense so you visitors are left clueless.

4-HAVE A COMPLICATED CHECKING OUT SYSTEM

Make sure your customers have to run around in circles like a hamster in a wheel to try and pay you for your products. You want to make sure your customers really want what you are selling so making a checkout system that is easy to use and understand will only deter you making really great sales! You want your customer to spend 30 minutes looking for the Pay pal button and credit card logos, and how about few errors pages thrown in the mix to really throw them off!

5-HAVE AS MANY BROKEN LINKS AS POSSIBLE

You do not want your customers to actually navigate all the pages on your site with ease so throw them a curve ball by throwing in a OLD OUTDATED page every once in awhile.

6-PUT OUTDATED OR INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION

For Heaven's sake DO NOT I repeat DO NOT put your correct email or phone number in your contact area! This is crucial you DO NOT want under any circumstances for the customer to actually be able to contact you!

This is a humorous look at bad sites that are floating around and things you DO NOT want your customers to encounter while shopping on your site. So take the time to make sure your site looks the best it can and the sales will come!

Top Sites - Is There Really a Benefit?

2007-05-05T13:22:00.000-04:00

Top sites - Is there really a benefit?

By Angela Wenke

If you have had online business for long then you have noticed on sites the cute little logos saying "Vote For Us" , but what really are top sites and will they really help your business be noticed? Top sites are everywhere you look, seems like everyone who owns a business also has a top sites account, therefore how do you know which ones should you join?

Top sites in my opinion are a wonderful "FREE" Resource of targeted traffic to your website. What I mean by targeted traffic is each top site has a theme such as country and primitive. The people browsing those top sites are looking for country and primitives and therefore would be interested in visiting your site if you banner and description are catchy enough. Traffic to your site is key, if you want your site to be seen and noticed and to eventually grow in the Search Engine Rankings and Top sites are wonderful FREE way to achieve this. Top sites allow customers to visit your site, join your top sites if you offer one, and even vote for your site to help boost you higher on that particular top site.

The key to making top sites work towards advertising your business is join ONLY top sites that are geared towards what you sell. For instance if you sell crafts and primitives then you would to join Primitive, Country and Crafts Top sites not top sites that cater to auto parts. When deciding what category your site fits do your research and ONLY join top sites that are in your category and also that are ranked high in GOOGLE.

Go to GOOGLE and type in what kind of top sites you are looking for, for example "primitive top sites. country top sites, craft top sites, candle top sites, graphics top sites, bath n body top sites" then join the top ten in each category that fits your business needs. Now when customers go to search for a particular product you might sell such as "candles" their search results should also include your candle top sites you just joined.

Voting for your top sites is also a nice way to make sure your site is seen an noticed, by just voting for your sites once a day or every other day it helps to boost your site to the number one position in the top sites voting system. Also make sure you offer a page for your customers to visit your top sites and hopefully give you a vote in the process. You will be surprised how many votes you will receive from customers some of them interested in searching top sites or maybe just joining that top sites. Either way works for you as you are getting the votes you need to keep your site seen and noticed.

May 2007 Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

2007-05-05T12:51:00.000-04:00

The May 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and it is a "MUST READ!" It is filled to the brim with FREE craft articles for Mothers Day!. You definitely don't want to miss it.

You can now read your copy of the FREE May 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine two ways. It is available as either a
FREE .pdf e-zine issuefor you to download and or you can order a copy by mail!.

Whichever way you decide to read it Primitive Times Magazine May 2007 issue is filled to the brim with 33 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

FREE Stitchery Patterns

Spring Cleaning Life's A Bleach by Neenee

A Love of Art Brings Peace by
Linda Walsh

How to Design a Print Pattern and E-Pattern by Linda Walsh

Fathers Day by Neenee

Website Spring Cleaning from a Consumers Point of View by Nancie

Increasing Your Sales with Craft Fairs by Brenda

Making Lye Soap with Milk by Wanda

Covering Lamp Shades by Wanda

14 Ways to Show Kids You Love them by Joan Brochu

Bananas Home Remedies by Joan Brochu

Recipe Corner

Practical Aromatheraphy by Lauren Sorgaard

Uses for Corn Starch by Joan Brochu

Do you have a Disaster Plan for your Business by Lisa Lowell

Business Success with Niki Jackson

An Empty Thread and Bath Time Fun by Lisa Lowell

Making A Prim Candle Mat by Dianne

Web Directory Ads

E-Pattern Showcase Ads

Ode to Mothers by Renae

Recipe Corner #2

Featured Crafter for May

Holly Tree Primitives

Mulled Spice Bags by Angie Wenke

Cute Button Candles by Angie Wenke

Product Reviews

So grab your FREE May 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine.
CLICK to Download the FREE .pdf e-zine issue .

Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Angela Wenke of Prim Talk Radio, Heartland Marketplace, Primitive
Times Magazine, Heartland Graphics

Blogs, Blogs, and More Blogs!

2007-04-26T14:35:00.000-04:00

BLOGS, BLOGS, AND MORE BLOGS!

Have any of you noticed how many blogs there are now for individuals, crafters, small business, corporations, etc.?

Everyday when I'm listening to the news I hear someone say, "Just go to so and so's blog at....." And, I love hearing that!

That tells me that blogs have become more and more commonplace as tools for individuals and families to stay in touch, as tools for small businesses and their customers, as tools for the news media, as selling tools, and as tools for mainstream businesses. Everyone and their brother has a blog and I think it's FABULOUS!

What I also love is how many crafting bloggers there are out there. And, most are around my age - which I also think is FABULOUS! WAY TO GO BABY BOOMERS!

If you key the word blog into Google you'll get 1,030,000,000 results. That's a LOT OF BLOGS.

There's a reason why blogs have been increasing in popularity exponentially over the past few years and it's because they are FREE, they are easy to use, they are extremely easy to update, and they are highly personal - which most customers LOVE. If you were to apply the reality TV versus regular TV analogy to blogs and websites you'd understand why reality TV and blogs are so popular. They are both highly personal and both involve people interacting with each other.

Plus, they can and do function for some bloggers as very professional websites. You can have your own domain name and you can use a shopping cart. In fact, I'd say that there isn't much you can't do with a blog. There is a way to do just about anything you want to. That makes blogs much more versatile than a website as they are much more flexible. And, they are a LOT easier to change and update.

The Internet is ever changing and to be in business on the Internet you need to be fluid and ever changing. That means utilizing what's popular with users and customers. BLOGS are extremely popular and easily adaptable to any kind of commerce, especially e-commerce and e-products.

I, personally, love shopping with someone who has a personal or small business blog. I love the feeling of getting to know the person I'm buying from. I don't know if you feel the same way, too, but I always feel more comfortable buying from someone who has taken the time to tell me something about their product(s) and their life or business. By doing so they make me feel feel more comfortable doing business with them. And, that's what writing blogs for small businesses does. Hopefully, if the blog reader is comfortable with the blog owner they will buy their product.

If they do that's FABULOUS! Bring on the blogs. The more the merrier!

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

April Featured Crafter-Lisa

2007-04-22T01:17:00.000-04:00

Our featured crafter for April is Lisa of Primsy Doodle Designs.

Lisa has been a friend of mine and is a wonderful graphics designer who has taught me a few tricks. Please sit back and relax and enjoy our interview with Lisa.

What is the name of your online businesses?

Primsy Doodle Designs, Primsy Graphics Club, and Primitive Plug Mart

When did you first open your first online business?

I opened my first online business Kaitlynn’s Kottage Graphics Shoppe in 2002

During a typical week how many hours do you work on your sites?

I work 70-80 hours per week on my sites and I love every minute of it.

What motivated you to open a business in the crafting community?

I had two babies within 12 months and had to find a way to work and stay home with them. I was already dabbling in Paint Shop Pro and I come from a very artistic family so opening a graphics business was the obvious answer for me.

What movitated you to go into the crafting and primitive community?

I have always loved crafting and art since I was a small child and fell instantly in love with primitive arts and crafts!

What is one thing you did, that you would advise others NOT to do?

I gave up several times and in the online world of selling, time and persistence
really is the key to success.

Do you have advice for a new crafter just starting out in the Crafting Community?

Yes, be patient and be persistent!

What are your future plans for your business?

I plan to keep expanding my line of clipart and add art prints in the very near future.

Would you like to share a little about your personal life and hobbies?

Sure. I Have 5 children,2 cats and one golden retriever!I live in a college town in
mid-Missouri. I am engaged to be married in July of 2007.My children and I love to spend as much time as possible outdoors swimming,hiking and visiting parks and lakes! I also love to read romance novels and watch American Idol!

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

2007-04-22T01:14:00.000-04:00

Improve Your Craft Sales Results
By: Liza Schmitt

Want to improve your craft sales results?
You have to change the process to change the results.

It's estimated (and I can well believe it) that of every ten sales people, only three will actually ask for the business. Of those three, only one will be successful in closing the deal. Are you the one who makes the sale, or are you part of the nine who don't?

If you're in business for yourself, it's because you have something to sell. Are your results what you expect or would like them to be? Do you think (or know) that you could do better?

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Can You Sell?

It's a common scenario - for example: You make something that everybody loves, so you decide to start selling your products in the hopes that you'll build your little business into something big enough to sustain a full time income, but you're just not selling enough to be able to quit your job and work for yourself.

It may be that you've never been trained in sales - this is not unusual, you're an artist or crafter for a reason, if sales is what you were born to do, that's what you would be doing. It may be that you're not very comfortable with or confident at selling - also not unusual if you've never been taught sales skills and techniques, because it takes time to develop the confidence to sell when you first start out.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Develop Your Skills

Whatever the reason, the good news is that it's really easy to turn the situation around so that you start closing one deal after the next, resulting in a much improved cash flow!

Yes, it does take confidence, and you will build that confidence up sale by sale, because it also takes skill and technique - once you've learned how to sell, and you apply your new skills, you'll be so thrilled with the results that your confidence will grow in leaps and bounds, and so will your sales!

I'd like to share a personal anecdote on this topic, because what I'm writing about here is what I've experienced myself.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - A True Story

At one of my previous jobs where I worked in a customer service role, my employer thought I showed promise to do more, and offered me a position in sales. I accepted, wanting to improve my earnings and climb up a notch. However, I didn't do very well at all. My employer hadn't offered me any sales training, and all the other sales consultants came from experienced sales backgrounds, so they didn't need to be trained (or so he thought).

I didn't want to lose this opportunity or fail at it, so I made some enquiries and I found a one day seminar that offered sales training for beginners. I asked my employer if he would pay for it and allow me to go - he wasn't very keen at first, but he could see how enthusiastic I was, and he was impressed that I'd been proactive instead of just giving up.

Well, that one day practically changed my life! I didn't realize it at first, of course, because the techniques seemed like such a "hard sell", and I didn't think I was confident enough to go through with it all. But little by little I started trying a few things out - a different rebuttal if a customer was giving me a reason s/he didn't want to buy; or a different introduction to the beginning of my sales pitch - and I could see that these things were having an effect on my customers, an effect that was positive for me.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Take Action!

A lot of people think you have to be a "born salesperson", but I can testify that isn't true. When you learn the right sales skills and techniques, and you apply them, you can become a successful salesperson. And if you want to run your own successful craft business, you have to become a successful salesperson - your business depends on it.

There are a number of ways you can go about learning the sales skills and techniques you need:

* Search the internet
* Find out what courses are offered in your area
* Browse your local library or book store, etc.

Generally speaking, not everything of value that you find is going to necessarily be free or inexpensive, but very often "you get what you pay for".

Article by:

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

Prim Talk Radio=April 20th Show is up!

2007-04-22T01:06:00.000-04:00

Today’s Show:

Angie Murray (A New Contributor) from Angie’s Country Candles will be discussing some great Spring Scents you could use in your craft making including great places to buy your supplies.

Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will be sharing an article on how do you juggle your home life and online business. Ways you can become organized so have enough time for your family and housework also.

Next week I will be back with another scrapbooking segment and more!

Renae from the Prim Clipper is back great ways to bring the Spring Indoors into your home, also some yummy recipes she wanted to share with all of you!

Learn about our great new Grand Opening Contest and Advertising Specials for our Grand Opening of Prim Talk Radio.

Thomas=Lisa's husband from the Primsy Doodles will share his new upcoming segments here on Prim Talk Radio!

Talena (A New Contributor) is sick this week but will be back next week!

Our Featured Crafter this week is Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives

Our Featured Site is The Prim Angel Network

For more information on our Grand Opening Contest please click here

To go back to our MAIN WEBSITE please click here

[audio:http://nikibutterfly80.audioacrobat.com/download/ca5db9fe-9527-f3fe-5868-1d1e08c93115.mp3]

Click here to download…

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall=Showcase Shoppe

2007-04-22T00:51:00.000-04:00

We are showcasing a wonderful online craft mall called the Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall.

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall is a wonderful place to advertise your Primitive or Country Business and gain a lot of exposure and attention today.

Online Craft Malls are a wonderful way to enjoy shopping for your primitive and country decor without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Simply stop by one Craft Mall like Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall and you can shop from all the many varieties of stores inside. Some of the Shopping Catagories to shop from include:

Business Resources
Candles N Fixens
Home Decor
Sewing
Primitives
Raggedies
Woodworking
Bath N Body
Florals
Crafts
Lighting
Jewlery
Patterns

Here is a brief description of their site.

Are you looking for a way to advertise your website and increase your sales? If so you have come to the right place.

We welcome you to join our family of crafters.

Advertising Package includes:

Your website name and picture listed in 3 categories of your choice.
A description of your site (50 words or less).
A link to your website.

Each month we will also chose a new featured crafter. If you are chosen you will receive a full page dedicated just to you and your store.

April Special:

Check out all the great products our crafters have to offer! We are running a special for April and May. One year of advertising for $15.00. Join now and save ten dollars off our regular price.

Stop on by Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall

Free Stick Horse Pattern

2007-04-14T14:57:00.000-04:00

To make this prim stick horse, download the pattern below by clicking on the link. This size stick horse is for using with dolls or can be used as large ornies.

click here to save Pattern

Materials needed:
muslin fabric
*Coffee Stain
jute string
2 rusty bells
black embroidery floss
thin tree branch - approx. 8" long ( can substitute dowel rod )
paint brush
sewing needle
*Coffee Stain Mixture
1 cup hot water
4 T. instant coffee
2 T. vanilla
1/4 cup ground cinnamon

Stir well and let this set while you cut and sew your pattern. You want the cinnamon to settle at the bottom of your bowl.

Directions:
Trace pattern onto muslin. The outline is the sewing line so be sure to leave at least an inch around the horse when cutting out to sew. Sew only to the small x's on the bottom of the pattern, leaving the bottom open for stuffing. You will not be sewing this closed. Trim to within a 1/4 inch of the seam and clip where needed.

Stuff horse with polyester fiberfill til firm. Stuff only to broken line indicated on pattern.

Stitch the eye with 6 strands of black floss.

Wrap jute string around muzzle and neck several times to thickness desired for the harness.

Attach two rusty bells as shown in pattern.

Place horse head over your stick/branch and with the jute string, wrap firmly beginning at the dotted line. Wrap about 10 times and tie off.

With your paint brush, brush the coffee mixture over the horses head and jute strings.

Place in warm oven ( not higher than 200) until the head is dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Thread your needle with 6 strands of black floss. Beginning in front of horse's ear, attach the 'hair' for the mane. Clip to desired length. Continue down the back of the horse's neck to the wound jute.

With your paint brush, again paint the horse with the coffee mixture, this time wiping the bottom of the bowl with the brush to pick up some cinnamon. This will give you the 'dirty' or grungy look to your horse, brush over the mane too. When completely dried, the mane will be stiff.

Place horse stick back in oven and dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Terms Of Use
You may not offer this pattern for download, instead, you may link to it. Do not sell this pattern. The copyright belongs to me and I'm offering it for free, it should stay that way.
You may sell your completed project in craft shows only. If you sell, please give credit to me as the designer. (©KKL Primitives) Thank you.

Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog
contributing editor for:
Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters
Primitive Times Magazine Blog

Prim Talk Radio-Grand Re-Opening Show Is Up!

2007-04-06T13:43:00.000-04:00

Week of Friday, April 7,
2007 (Show #52)

We publish a new show every Friday morning. You can
listen whenever it fits your schedule! If you have a pop up stopper, you may need to give permission for a new window to open.

Welcome everyone to our first show on Prim Talk Radio as the new owners! We have a LARGE show for you today so we invite you to sit back and relax and enjoy our Crafting Radio Show.

Today's Show:

Angie Murray (A New Contributor) from Angie's Country Candles will be discussing a little bit about her upcoming segments on candlemaking and candle tips.

Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will be offering a great new craft project a Potpourri Pie.

Renae from the Prim Clipper is back with some great Easter Craft projects and yummy recipes to try.

Learn about our great new Grand Opening Contest and Advertising Specials for our Grand Opening of Prim Talk Radio.

Debbie from Two Old Crows is back to share with us how to paint on metal objects.

Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will share a new weekly segment on Scrapbooking, her topic today is Digital Scrapbooking.

Talena (A New Contributor) from Marketplace Square Craft Fair will be sharing great tips for being in a Craft Show.

For more information on our Grand Opening Contest please click here

For more information on our "DOUBLE IT" Advertising special please click here

Songs on our April 6, 2007 Podcast are from
Podsafe Music

Adrienne Pierce-Song Title "Beautiful"

Caitlyn Smith-Song Title "Breathe Deep"

CLICK to LISTEN NOW to Prim Talk Radio

We hope you enjoy the show!

The April 2007 Issue of Primitive Times Magazine Is A "Must Read!"

2007-04-04T11:22:00.000-04:00

The April 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and it is a "MUST READ!" It is filled to the brim with FREE craft articles for SPRING and EASTER. You definitely don't want to miss it.

You can now read your copy of the FREE April 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine two ways. It is available as either a FREE .pdf e-zine issue for you to download and read or is available as an online magazine.

Which ever way you decide to read it Primitive Times Magazine April 2007 issue is filled to the brim with 42 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

FREE Stitchery Patterns

Bunny Pattern donated by Olde-Time-Stitchin

FREE Home Decor and Crafting Tips

Hints and Money Savers by Joan Brochu

Frugal and Creative: Last Minute Easy Ideas For Christmas by Joan Brochu

Kitchen Tips with Joan Brochu

100 Ways To Create A Primitive Home by The Prim Country Market

Primitive Kitchen Decorating Ideas by Angie Wenke

Decorate Your Front Porch by Angie Wenke

Easter Table Decorating on the Cheap by Paula

FREE Crafting Ideas and Projects

Card Instructions by Nancie

EZ Homespun Spring Wreath by NeeNee

Spring Fling Gift Card by Nancie

Harvesting Flowers For Drying by Wanda

Grubby Sweet Annie Cheesecloth Eggs by The Prim Country Market

7 Easy Ways To Decorate With Primitive Salt Dough Ornaments by Niki Jackson

Printing on Fabric by Dianne

An Empty Thread and Bath Time Fun by Lisa Lowell

Painted Egg Place Card Holder by Paula

Painted Egg Mini Vase by Paula

Antiqued Golden Eggs by Renae

How To Make The Perfect No Mold Apple Crumble Pie by Carmen Ellis

FREE Tutorial

How To Make Your Own Notepads by Renae

FREE Articles

Website Statistics and Hit Counter: A Waste Of Time Or A Formula For Success by Lisa

Miss America - What's Your Talent? by Linda Walsh

Alphabet of Happiness by Dianne

How To Design A Print Pattern and E-Pattern Part 3 by Linda Walsh

The Love Of Crafting by Linda Walsh

Collecting Vintage Handkerchiefs by Debbie

FREE Graphics and Printables

Sheep graphic by Olde-Time-Stitchin

FREE Recipes

Hamburg Stroganoff by Joan Brochu

Irish Soda Bread by Joan Brochu

Raspberry Pretzel Desert by Renae

Barbecue Pork and Vegetables by Joan Brochu

Home Tours

Home Tour #1 sent in by Karen Martinsen

Home Tour #2 sent in by Mary Jo Elliott

Home Tour #3 sent in by Hazel

Featured Editor

NeeNee

Featured Crafter

Lisa of Primsy Doodle Designs

Front Page Picture Donor

Sent In By Karen Martinez of KM Primitives

Primitive Times Magazine Articles

Primitive Times Magazine Information

Create and Decorate Ad

Do You Have A Prim Home? We Want You!

Product Reviews

So grab your FREE April 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine. CLICK to Download the FREE .pdf e-zine issue or CLICK to read the online magazine.

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/

Angie Bought Prim Talk Radio

2007-03-23T09:39:00.000-04:00

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?

2007-03-19T18:33:00.000-04:00

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

Primitive Times Magazine

July 2009 Issue is now Available

May 2009 Issue is now ready!

The April Issue is now available.

Prim Friends Network

Zoho Writer: FREE Program For PDF Files

Grubby Electric Candles

July 2008 Issue

web hosting, wahm web hosting, wahm diy sitebuilder, diy webhosting

How to add an Etsy Mini To your Blog or Myspace

Resizing your photos for Ebay and Etsy

Make your own stamps and prints!

30% OFF All Advertising in July Issue

Craft Ideas for Kids - Kids and Pasta

Thirteen Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog

My Baby is Growing Up!!!

Tattered Star and Crow E-Pattern

String of Stars and Bells E-Pattern May 2008

Star Door Hanger E-Pattern-June 2008

Let’s Go Garage Saling!

Six Easy Ways to Increase Your Craft Sales

Craft Ideas For Kids - Kids and Pasta

Craft Barter Exchange To Pay For Services Or Products

Summer Rolls with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

Some FREEBIE E-Patterns

Lighted Jar Lamp

Featured Crafter for June Kristie Norman

Primitive TImes Magazine June 2008 Issue

Primitive TImes Magazine-HAS A NEW LOOK STOP BY

April 2008 Issue

Tea Staining Fabric

Rusting Items By Debbie

Tax Tips for Work At Home Moms

February Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

December Edition of Primitive Times Magazine

January Edition of Primitive Times Magazine

Old Fashioned Soap Balls

Sweet Potato Garland

Microwave Hang Tags:

Advertise Your Websites For Free At Qassia

Primitive Times Magazine Jan Issue is Ready

Primitive Times Magazine Decemeber Issue is Ready

Prim Talk Radio Show #80

How to get your kids to help on your crafting business by Michelle Lammers

The Holidays and Maintaining Your Weight Loss by Heather

Holiday Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas by Angela Wenke

Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe by Angela Wenke

Mary Jo’s Segment on our Prim Family

Primitive Times Magazine Sept Issue Is Ready

Prim Talk Radio Show #70

Keeping Your Sanity As A New Year School Year Starts

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

How To Create Fabric 'Prim' Sunflowers'

Prim Talk Radio Show #69 August 11th

Prim Talk Radio Show #66

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

Create Your Own Crafting Space

Prim Talk Radio Show #65 Friday July 13th

Prim Talk Radio Show #61 Friday June 15th

Primitive Times Magazine June Issue Is Ready

New Crafting Forum - New Graphics Forum

FREE How To Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern E-Pamphlet

*Free* Angel 'Earn Your Wings' Outline

WHAT'S NEW On Our Editors Pages

The Easy Way To Drive That Pesky Traffic Away From Your Website 101

Top Sites - Is There Really a Benefit?

May 2007 Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

Blogs, Blogs, and More Blogs!

April Featured Crafter-Lisa

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

Prim Talk Radio=April 20th Show is up!

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall=Showcase Shoppe

*Free* Stick Horse Pattern

Prim Talk Radio-Grand Re-Opening Show Is Up!

The April 2007 Issue of Primitive Times Magazine Is A "Must Read!"

Angie Bought Prim Talk Radio

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

Free Angel 'Earn Your Wings' Outline

Free Stick Horse Pattern