Author: Leland Richardson

Art Supplies
by Leland Richardson on 0

How to Find Arts and Crafts Supplies

About 20 years ago, I was playing around with the idea of buying a florist business. I eventually didn’t go through with it as I was breaking the cardinal rule of owning a business – that of having good practical experience. My total amount of floral experience was limited to occasional purchases from the area wholesale florist. During my interview with the owner, I asked her how I could find floral-related vendors. Her response:‘Don’t worry – they’ll find you!”.

If you’ve been in business any length of time, you know how true this is. However, you need to scare up some potential arts and craft supplies vendors and request price lists before you start your arts and crafts business. There is no way you can take even the first step towards starting a business unless you know how much it’s going to cost you to make your product.

Arts and Craft Supplies Instructor Referrals

Instructors at arts / crafts classes or seminars are great referral sources for tools, art supplies and craft materials. Since the instructor has so much experience in the field, they should have an encyclopedic knowledge of the best vendors in your arts/crafts area. Most likely, they’ll have a handout addressing this issue they’ll distribute the first night of class.

Arts and Crafts Books and Magazines

Flip through any arts/craft specialty magazine and you’ll see numerous advertisements by arts and crafts supplies vendors. The more tailored the magazine to your particular area of interest, the more useful the advertisements. Check them out – but keep in mind that as your business grows you’ll want to find vendors selling wholesale. Most advertisers in these magazines gear themselves towards the casual hobbyist.

Most arts/crafts books have a resource section in the appendix listing supply vendors. You don’t have to lay out the money to purchase many different books. Pay a visit to your local library and borrow the books or use the library copier to make copies of the applicable info. Make sure the book is current (my suggestion – published within the last year) so you don’t waste your time tracking down a bunch of defunct vendors.

Online Arts and Crafts Supplies Vendors

Your first online search should be the Guide who writes about your craft. Most Guides have resource links with plenty of vendor suggestions. For example, check out Painting Guide Marion Boddy-Evans’ What Art Supplies Do You Need to Start Painting? article.

Do a key phrase search by Googling ‘wholesale xxx supplies’ and see what comes up. I’ve not found that Googling is the best way to find full service arts/crafts vendors but it’s worth a shot. I also occasionally check out suppliers selling through eBay, Etsy and ArtFire.

Finding Arts and Crafts Supplies Vendors Through Trade Organizations

If you haven’t already, you should join some of your industry arts/crafts organizations. Besides keeping up with your industry, they are a great place to find wholesale vendors. You’ll also find links to other online resources serving your particular art/craft.

For example, The Ganoksin Project has a resources page with a comprehensive guide to industry websites . While tailored to the jewelry making industry, many of the vendors listed provide materials and supplies for other types of arts/crafts also. The Society of American Silversmiths also has fantastic resources for artists such as technical information and how to purchase hard-to-find goods and services.

I know from experience that it can be just plain hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. Worse yet is when you find the perfect vendor only to find out they won’t sell to your business because it’s too new or unknown or their minimum order is too big. My best advice is to just keep on looking until you find what you need, go to as many trade events as possible and make industry contacts by joining trade organizations.

Share on Read Full Story
JVC Everio GZ-HM1S Overview
Camera Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

JVC Everio GZ-HM1S Overview

The JVC Everio GZ-HM1S is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format. It is one of the most expensive models in JVC’s lineup, even though it was introduced in 2010.

The GZ-HM1S carries a suggested retail price of $1199. Full technical specifications for the GZ-HM1S can be found here.

JVC Everio GZ-HM1S Video Features

The Everio GZ-HM1S uses the full AVCHD format for 1920 x 1080 high definition recording. It supports 24Mbps recording, the highest bit-rate available in the AVCHD video format. The HM1S features the same 10.6-megapixel 1/2.3-inch back-illuminatedCMOS image sensor found on most of the top-of-the-line 2011 Everios. Unlike JVC’s mid-range models, the HM1S cannot record in standard definition (not that you’d really miss it).

The camcorder uses JVC’s “Intelligent Auto” mode for automatically matching scene modes such as portrait, sunset, scenery, forest and macro mode, to shooting environments.

You can snap 9-megapixel still photos with the HM1S, and it has a built-in flash to aid in low light photography.

While it’s not quite a replacement for a standalone digital camera, it will deliver sharper pictures than camcorders without a built-in flash.

Optical Features

You’ll find a 10x optical zoom Konica Minolta HD lens on the Everio GZ-HM1S. This optical zoom is joined by two digital zoom technologies: a dynamic zoom can boost magnification to 16x without sacrificing video quality. There’s also a standard digital zoom, which increases magnification to 200x. The lens uses JVC’s “Enhanced Advanced Image Stabilizer” for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. According to the company, the image stabilization technology can compensate for camera shake at wide-angles and is four times as effective in combating shake than the Advanced Stabilization found on less expensive models in the Everio line. In our experience, JVC has some of the best image stabilization technology in the camcorder market.

The HM1S’s lens is conveniently protected by an automatic lens cap.

Memory and Display

The GZ-HM1S offers 64GB of internal flash memory in addition to a single SDHC memory card slot.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t accept higher-capacity SDXC cards for additional storage capacity, although with 32GB on board, you probably will not find yourself running out of memory. The HM 550 uses JVC’s “seamless recording” system, which automatically switches memory formats when one is full. The camcorder is Eye-Fi ready, so it will automatically recognize when a wireless Eye-Fi memory card is in use.

You’ll frame your recordings on a large 3.5-inch Laser Touch LCD display. The Laser Touch display is something of hybrid – it’s not a touch screen but there are no tactile buttons either. Instead, you’ll find a serious of touch-sensitive controls on the edge of the display, including a swipe bar, for navigating around the HM1S’s menu items. In our experience, this Laser Touch display can be more responsive than small touch screens although it takes some getting used to.

Design

Design-wise, the HM1S cuts an angular (in our view attractive) appearance with nice ergonomics. Thanks to the use of flash memory you’ll still enjoy a light weight body though not as light as JVC’s less expensive HD models (.67 pounds with battery inside). The HM1S measures in at 2.1 x 2.4 x 4.8 inches, roughly the same form factor as the entry-level series of Everios, and features a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder’s battery. Open the display and you’ll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder’s ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV. There is a manual focus wheel adjacent to the lens.

Aesthetically, the HM1S is available in one color – silver, with black accents.

Shooting Features

The Everio GZ-HM1S is outfitted with face detection and a a face flow playback, which highlights faces in a frame in the playback menu so you can search your footage by the people you’ve recorded..

Among the other features you’ll find on the GZ-HM1S is a time-lapse recording function that lets you record one frame at a time for a selectable time interval (between one and 80 seconds). There are several fast frame rate options for recording in slow motion. The effect is very cool but the video files are lower quality, so they won’t look as good on the big screen as they will on your computer.

Finally, you can add basic animated effects to video in the camcorder as well as to still images. JVC’s Everio Media Browser software is built-in the camcorder as well for disc-free loading when you attach the camcorder to a computer via USB. The software supports basic video editing (color changing, clipping, etc.) as well as sharing via YouTube and Facebook.

Connectivity

The Everio GZ-HM1S offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable, which is included.

Impression

At $1,100, the HM1S is geared for video enthusiasts who want to exercise a high level of control over the look of their video. The HM1S has an attractive design and a solid feature set for the price but is getting old, in camcorder years, so you may want to wait to see what JVC replaces it with before purchasing (or wait until its replacement is named and the HM1S gets discounted further).

Share on Read Full Story
JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Overview
Camera Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Overview

The JVC Everio GZ-HD500 is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format with a built-in hard disc drive.

The GZ-HD500 carries a suggested retail price of $549. Full technical specifications for the GZ-HD500 can be found here.

JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Video Features

The Everio GZ-HD500 uses the full AVCHD format for 1920 x 1080 high definition recording. It supports 24Mbps recording, the highest bit-rate available in the AVCHD video format. The HD500 features a 1/5.8-inch, 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor. Unlike JVC’s mid-range models, the HD500 cannot record in standard definition (not that you’d really miss it, would you?).

You can snap still photos with the HD500, however there’s no built-in flash so unless you’re operating in plenty of sunlight and keep steady, you’re likely to get blurry pics from it.

Optical Features

You’ll find a 20x optical zoom lens on the Everio GZ-HD500. This optical zoom is joined by a digital zoom which increases magnification to 200x. The lens uses JVC’s “Enhanced Advanced Image Stabilizer” for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. According to the company, the image stabilization technology can compensate for camera shake at wide-angles and is four times as effective in combating shake than the Advanced Stabilization found on less expensive models in the Everio line. In our experience, JVC has some of the best image stabilization technology in the camcorder market.

The HD500’s lens is conveniently protected by an automatic lens cap.

Memory and Display

The GZ-HD500 offers an 80GB built-in hard drive plus a single microSD/SDHC memory card slot. Unfortunately, it doesn’t accept higher-capacity SDXC cards for additional storage capacity, although with 80GB on board, you probably will not find yourself running out of memory. There is no seamless recording on the HD500, so you will need to manually switch between hard drive and memory card recording.

You’ll frame your recordings on a large 2.7-inch Laser Touch LCD display. The Laser Touch display is something of hybrid – it’s not a touch screen but there are no tactile buttons either. Instead, you’ll find a serious of touch-sensitive controls on the edge of the display, including a swipe bar, for navigating around the HD500’s menu items. In our experience, this Laser Touch display can be more responsive than small touch screens although it takes some getting used to.

Design

Design-wise, the HD500 is bulkier than JVC’s flash memory camcorders and much heavier at 1.82lbs (by contrast, JVC’s flash camcorders usually weigh about half as much). The HD500 measures in at 2.1 x 2.4 x 4.8 inches, roughly the same form factor as the entry-level series of Everios, and features a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder’s battery. Open the display and you’ll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder’s ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV.

The camcorder uses JVC’s two-way grip, which is a dual-purpose strap lets you hold it aloft or dangle the camcorder securely from your wrist.

Aesthetically, the HD500 is available in black.

Shooting Features

The Everio GZ-HD500 is outfitted with face detection and a face flow playback, which highlights faces in a frame in the playback menu so you can search your footage by the people you’ve recorded. There’s also an Auto Record function which starts recording automatically whenever an object moves into the frame. The camcorder will automatically end recording if motion stops after five seconds, so the camcorder can double as a motion-activated video camera (the battery won’t last long enough for it to truly replace a security camera though).

Among the other features you’ll find on the GZ-HD500 is a time-lapse recording function that lets you record one frame at a time for a selectable time interval (between one and 80 seconds).

Finally, you can add basic animated effects to video in the camcorder as well as to still images. JVC’s Everio Media Browser software is built-in the camcorder as well for disc-free loading when you attach the camcorder to a computer via USB. The software supports basic video editing (color changing, clipping, etc.) as well as sharing via YouTube and Facebook.

Connectivity

The Everio GZ-HD500 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable. There is a built-in button for YouTube uploading as well so you can send videos to the online sharing service when you camcorder is connected to your PC.

Impression

Hard disc camcorders are not nearly as popular as they used to be but still serve a niche for those who value large amounts of on-board camcorder storage. In our view, flash camcorders are more attractive options because they’re lighter, more energy efficient and tend to be more responsive. Still, if you want hours upon hours of recording capacity without breaking the bank, a hard drive camcorder is the way to go.

Share on Read Full Story
Guide to 3D Camcorders
Camera Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Guide to 3D Camcorders

Camcorders and TVs have a symbiotic relationship (like those birds that pick food off of a rhino’s back). When TVs converted to high definition, it wasn’t long before high definition camcorders appeared. So it’s no surprise that with a new generation of 3D HDTVs hitting the market, 3D camcorders have trotted along behind. Here’s what you need to know about them.

How 3D Camcorders Work

To get a true 3D image or video, you need a camcorder that uses two lenses and two image sensors to capture two sets of images.

This creates the “stereoscopic” effect that fools our brain into thinking we’re seeing depth on the screen. In some cases, these two lenses are built into the camcorder itself. In others, a double-lens kit is sold as an accessory: it can be attached to the camcorder when you want to film in 3D and removed when you want to film in 2D.

Since two lenses and two image sensors can add cost and bulk to a camcorder, some manufacturers have opted to do 2D-to-3D conversions using software inside the camcorder. Many purists would object to the use of software since it’s not creating a full-resolution 3D image, but if you only want to dabble with 3D on occasion, the software conversion minimizes your costs.

Will You Pay More for 3D?

The short answer is basically yes, for now. There aren’t many 3D camcorders on the market as this is written, but based on the selection currently available, you’ll definitely pay more for a camcorder that offers 3D functionality than one without (there are exceptions: see this roundup of 3D camcorders for the latest prices and models).

Do You Need Glasses to View Your 3D Videos?

That depends. Some camcorders offer special LCD screens that can display 3D footage without the use of glasses. The technology is called a Parallax Barrier: it basically embeds the polarized glasses that you’d typically wear on your face, on the display itself.

If the camcorder does not require glasses to view your videos in 3D it will typically work with a dedicated media viewer – basically a small digital frame – that uses the same parallax barrier technology found in the camcorder’s display.

Other camcorders require you to output your video onto a 3D capable TV via an HDMI cable, where you will indeed need glasses to view your videos in 3D.

Can You Edit 3D Video Files?

Yes. Some of the major video editing programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas Pro have added 3D video editing options already. Software included with Panasonic’s first 3D camcorder also allows you to edit the 3D video file as you would a 2D file.

3D Doesn’t Mean HD

It may seem a bit obvious, but don’t assume that a 3D camcorder is recording in high definition. Some 3D camcorder models currently on the market record in standard definition.

Do You Need a 3D Camcorder?

You should definitely not consider buying a 3D camcorder unless you already own a 3D HDTV. Otherwise, you’re only other choice to view 3D movies will be on a small 8-inch media viewer – and that’s not the ideal viewing experience for your home movies. You should also steer clear of 3D camcorders if 3D footage makes you ill. For now at least, most consumers would be better off taking a wait-and-see approach with 3D.

Share on Read Full Story
Panasonic HDC-TM41H Overview
Camera Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Panasonic HDC-TM41H Overview

The Panasonic HDC-TM41H is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format. It represents the entry-level of Panasonic’s high definition camcorder line-up with a retail price of $399.

Panasonic HDC-TM41 Video Features

Video is recorded at a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 at a bit-rate of 17Mbps in the AVCHD format. It uses a 1.5-megapixel 1/5.8-inch CMOS image sensor. Video can also be recorded at lower bit-rates (13Mbps, 9Mbps, 5Mbps) or in the iFrame format of 960 x 540 at 28Mbps. Still photos are recorded at 2-megapixels, which is fairly low-resolution as far as images go. It’s enough to email, but not to print.

The HDC-TM41H features Panasonic’s “Intelligent Auto” (iAuto) mode for automatically matching scene modes to shooting environments.

You’ll also have a choice of several scene modes including sports, portrait, low light, spot light, snow, beach, sunset, fireworks, scenery, night scenery and night portrait (for still images only) and a “soft skin” mode for minimizing blemishes when filming people.

Audio is recorded through a 2-channel stereo microphone in Dolby Digital. Audio can also be recorded in the ACC format when filming in the aforementioned iFrame video format.

TM 41 Optical Features

You’ll find a 16.8x optical zoom lens (42.9 x 721mm, 35mm equivalent) on the Panasonic HDC-TM41H. It uses Panasonic’s Power Optical Image Stabilization for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. In “active mode” the image stabilization can compensate at wide-angles.

You have the option for both automatic and manual focus on the TM41H. There’s also a digital zoom to boost magnification out to 1200x – though a digital zoom should be used sparingly, if at all.

Memory and Display

Video footage is recorded directly to 16GB of internal flash memory.

There is also a slot for SDXC memory cards for adding additional recording capacity.

You’ll frame your recordings on a 2.7-inch LCD display. There is no viewfinder.

Design

Thanks to its use of flash memory, the TM41 is very light weight (indeed, it’s the lightest model in the company’s lineup as of this writing). Without the battery it weighs just .37 pounds and measures in at 2.03 x 2.26 x 4.27 inches. It’s a traditional, barrel-style form factor with a zoom lever and shutter button on the top of the camcorder. Pop open the display and you’ll find buttons for switching between iAuto and manual shooting and activating image stabilization, among others.

Aesthetically, the TM41 isn’t much of a head-turner. It’s only available in black.

Shooting Features

You will have some degree of control over your video when shooting with the HDC-TM41. You’ll be able to automatically white balance the camcorder, in addition to manually adjusting the iris. The shutter is automatic. There is a tele-macro mode available too for focusing on objects up to 50cm away. When the lights go down, you can avail yourself to the built-in LED video light to give you some additional illumination. There is no flash, however, for aiding in still photography. Overall a fairly scant feature-set, but that’s to be expected given the price.

Connectivity

The Panasonic HDC-TM41 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable.

Impression

For those looking for a low-cost camcorder that delivers better video quality than a pocket camcorder with a few extra controls (manual focus, manual iris control and white balance) with a much better zoom lens, the Panasonic HDC-TM41 is definitely worth a look. It’s small design and light weight build ensure it can be carried anywhere without being a burden. It won’t pack the same kind of feature-punch as higher-end models, but if you need a basic, no frills camcorder, give the TM41H a closer look.

Share on Read Full Story
Guide to Camcorder Software
Uncategorized
by Leland Richardson on 0

Guide to Camcorder Software

These days, you’re just as likely to view your camcorder videos on a computer as on a TV (if not more so.) That’s why every camcorder is packaged with some basic video software that will let you perform some routine tasks with your camcorder video. Here’s what you can expect:

Basic editing: While you shouldn’t expect to edit your Hollywood blockbuster on the included software, the basic editing features are usually there – some color corrections, trimming, along with the ability to add titles and transition effects.

Sharing: Whether you want to post your videos to Facebook or YouTube or send them to friends and family via email, the software included in your camcorder usually contains tools for Web sharing.

Transcoding: If you want to watch your home movies on DVD, smartphone, portable media players or even a PlayStation Portable, you may need to transcode your video – i.e. turn it into a file format that can be recognized by these devices. Most bundled software will have an option to output your video file for viewing on various platforms.

Organize: The more videos and photos you record with your camcorder, the harder it is to keep track of all your digital files. Included software will offer a basic organizer that will let you keep track of your ever-growing digital library.

DVD Burning: One of the most routine tasks you’ll need to perform with your camcorder’s software is burning an archival disk of your footage. If it does nothing else, your software should allow you to burn DVDs of your home movies.

Perform Specialized Tasks: Some high-end camcorder features can only be accessed through specialized software applications not found on off-the-shelf software.

Sony’s GPS camcorders are a case in point: you can only access map views and “geo-tagging” if you use the company’s included software to organize your files.

Built-in Software

There’s a growing trend among camcorders to ditch the CD-Rom and load their software directly into the camcorder itself. The software will typically install itself on your computer the first time you connect the camcorder to the computer. The virtue with the built-in approach is that you can upgrade computer (of suffer a hard drive wipe out) without worrying about losing your software.

Share on Read Full Story
JVC Everio GZ-HM30 Overview
Camera Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

JVC Everio GZ-HM30 Overview

The JVC Everio GZ-HM30US is a high definition camcorder that records 1280 x 720 video in the AVCHD Lite format. It represents the entry-level of JVC’s Everio high definition camcorder line-up with a retail price of $199.

JVC Everio GZ-HM30US Video Features

The Everio GZ-HM30US uses a “lite” version of the AVCHD format for recording 1280 x 720p high definition video (the “full” version of the AVCHD format supports higher resolution 1920 x 1080p recording). The camcorder features a 1.5-megapixel 1/5.8-inch CMOS image sensor. Video can also be recorded in a widescreen, standard definition format (720 x 480) for viewing on older TVs and computers or for extending recording times.

The Everio GZ-HM30US can upconvert 720p video to 1080p when connected to an HDTV via an HDMI cable. It’s not on par with video captured natively at 1080, but it does provide an option for higher quality presentation. The camcorder uses JVC’s “Intelligent Auto” mode for automatically matching scene modes such as portrait, sunset, scenery, forest and macro mode, to shooting environments.

Audio is recorded through a 2-channel stereo microphone.

Optical Features

You’ll find a 40x optical zoom Konica Minolta HD lens on the Everio GZ-HM30 – an excellent zoom range for the price. The optical zoom is joined by two digital zoom technologies: a dynamic zoom can boost magnification to 70x while a standard digital zoom increases magnification to 200x. The lens uses JVC’s “Advanced Image Stabilizer” for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. According to the company, the image stabilization technology can compensate for camera shake at wide-angles.

The lens is protected by a manual lens cap which is opened and closed via a tiny switch next to the lens barrel (far more convenient than the caps you need to clip on, although remembering to open and close the switch can be a challenge).

You do not have the option for manual focus on the GZ-HM30.

Memory and Display

Video footage is recorded directly to SDXC video cards. You can store up to 13 hours of the highest quality HD footage when using a 64GB SDXC card (not included). The camcorder is Eye-Fi ready, so it will automatically recognize when a wireless Eye-Fi memory card is in use.

You’ll frame your recordings on a 2.7-inch LCD display with a 230,000 pixel resolution. There is no viewfinder.

Design

Thanks to its use of flash memory, the GZ-HM30 is very light weight, weighing in at .48 pounds with battery. It and measures in at 2.1 x 2.3 x 4. inches. It’s a traditional, barrel-style form factor with a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder’s battery. Pop open the display and you’ll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder’s ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV.

The camcorder uses a two-way grip belt which lets you grip the camcorder or wear it around your wrist.

Aesthetically, the HM30 isn’t much of a head-turner, however it does come in four body colors: silver, black, blue and red.

Shooting Features

The Everio GZ-HM30 is geared to casual video takers, so the feature set isn’t all that robust. You will find face detection and a time-lapse recording function that lets you record one frame at a time for a selectable time interval (between one and 80 seconds). There’s also an Auto Record function which, when set, starts recording automatically whenever an object moves into the frame. The camcorder will also automatically end recording if motion stops after five seconds, so the camcorder can double as a motion-activated video camera (but the battery won’t last long enough for it to truly replace a security camera).

Connectivity

The Everio GZ-HM30 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable.

Impression

At $199, the competition in the camcorder market boils down to pocket camcorders and traditional models with a very limited feature set. One thing the GZ-HM30 has going for it is a very long optical zoom lens. While the AVCHD video quality is below what some other entry-level competitors from Panasonic and Sony offer, they’re not as inexpensive and don’t have the kind of lens that the HM30 delivers. It’s small design and light weight build ensure it can be carried anywhere without being a burden. It won’t pack the same kind of feature-punch as higher-end models, but if you need a basic, no frills camcorder, the Everio GZ-HM30 deserves a look.

Share on Read Full Story
on newness and springtime and going way, way out of your comfort zone
Crafts
by Leland Richardson on 0

on newness and springtime and going way, way out of your comfort zone

This year marks 19 years since I purchased my first single-lens-reflex camera.  I’m self-taught, and in that time, I’ve shot literally hundreds of thousands of photographs.  I’ve photographed flowers and faces and faraway places.  I’ve written and shot a book.  I kept up a photoblog for over 9 years.  And after playing with my camera for all this time, I’ve realized something:

My photographs are starting to feel same-old-same-old.  I have my processing tricks down pat.  I shoot from the same angles every time.  I know what works and what doesn’t, and I’m not sure how to experiment in a way that stretches me.  And I need to stretch.

This feeling — of being stagnant, of not growing — has become really acute over the last few weeks.  Perhaps it’s because it’s springtime, and there’s so much newness in the air, but I decided that it was time to shake myself up a bit.  So for the first time in my life, I signed up for a photography course.  But not just any course:  a course led by this fine art photographer.

As you can see, her work is nothing like my work: it’s surreal, and fantastical, and a bit out there.  And honestly, I don’t really have any plans on changing the types of photographs I take:  I find her work, while undeniably beautiful, a bit dark; and I, as you know, am all about the light.  But I think her techniques are amazing — mind-boggling, really.  I figure that simply by learning her methods — these methods and this way of shooting that are so different from mine — that I’m inevitably going to learn something.  And learning is always a good thing.

The course is this coming weekend.  I’ve purchased the recommended tools, pulled together my gear, and made my packing list.  I can’t wait.  I’m also a bit scared.  But I love that I’m doing this — scaring myself, I mean — at the beginning of the spring season.  Spring is all about renewal, and it occurs to me that maybe springtime is the time when we should do something a bit scary, a bit out there.  Something that shakes up our comfort zones.  Because I suspect that sometimes blissing your heart requires just that.

Share on Read Full Story
How to Make a Loopy Hair Bow
Crafts
by Leland Richardson on 0

How to Make a Loopy Hair Bow

A flower loop hair bow is a delightful way to dress up a little girl. This charming bow is made from a variety ribbon in different colors and patterns. You can make a flower loop hair bow any size with as many layers as you like. For each succeeding layer just decrease the length of the ribbon by one inch. After creating your loopy hair bow, embellish the top with an artificial flower, an ornamental button, a plastic heart, jingle bells, or any decoration you choose.

How to make the Bow

Practice the technique briefly to better understand the construction of a flower loop hair bow. Cut a 10″ length of ribbon. Find the middle of the ribbon and insert a needle through it. Curl one end of the ribbon over (the end is flat and not curled into a circle) and push the end down halfway on the needle. You should have a loop with a needle protruding through one end. Curl the other end of the ribbon over and push it down on the needle. Now you have a figure 8 with a needle protruding in the center. This is the process you will repeat to construct the loop bow.

4″ Bow with 4 layers

Cut 6 pieces of ribbon 9″ long for layer 1. Cut 5 pieces of ribbon 8″ long for layer 2. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon 7″ long for layer 3. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon 6″ long for layer 4. Stack up all 6 pieces of ribbon for layer 1, fold them in half and hold. Insert a threaded needle half way through the center of the loop and through each layer of ribbon. Fan the pieces of ribbon around the needle in the shape of a flower. Place a salon or hair clip in the center to hold the fanned ribbon in place. Fold the end of the first ribbon over and push the end onto the needle. Take the ribbon next to the one you just folded and do the same thing. Repeat until all the ribbons are folded all the way around. Adjust the folded ribbons so they are evenly distributed around the bow. Pull the needle completely through until it is stopped by the knot in the end of the thread. Run the needle back through making a stitch. Make several stitches to secure layer 1. Repeat the entire process for each layer of the bow. You can sew or hot glue all the layers together.

Attach to a Barrette

Sew a piece of ribbon 2 ½” long to the bottom of the bow (the side with visible ribbon ends). Use this piece of ribbon to hot glue or sew the bow to the barrette. Add a flower, or any decoration to the front of the bow.

Share on Read Full Story
How to Set Prices for Your Decorated Cakes
Crafts
by Leland Richardson on 0

How to Set Prices for Your Decorated Cakes

Cake Decorating and Pricing Tips

Many people who handcraft their own decorated cakes don’t charge for the time they invest in the cake. Maybe they feel because the cake is made in their own kitchen, that it is not worth the high price of a bakery  cake. For whatever reason, a person who makes cakes in their home often believe their craft is inferior to cakes created in the bakery section of a local store.

But, the cake you bake and decorate is no less a thing of beauty than any cake you find in your local bakery. Decorated cakes can be found in a variety of grocery stores, and they are decorated by hourly wage people that may or may not have had previous decorating experience.

Look at some of the handwriting on store bought cakes. It isn’t perfect, in fact sometimes the words are misspelled or placed incorrectly. On the other hand, you take the time to make everything as perfect as possible, you care about the product you make, and deserve to receive as much compensation for your work than anyone else.

Often, people who are just starting a cake decorating business offer lower prices than bakery shops. This is a big mistake! Actually, your prices should be slightly higher than the ones sold in stores. Most likely you precisely place the decorations on the cake, carefully write the message on the cake, and never take shortcuts when it comes to presenting the customer with a more personable cake than they’d get from a store.

Don’t under price your works of art, and don’t set your prices below the cakes found in bakery shops. Setting low prices might be your way to attract business, but people who are shopping for birthday or wedding cakes will question the low price. In effect, you can be eliminating yourself from the competition with low prices, because customers might think the quality of your cakes will be inferior.

Of course, when you first start in the cake decorating business, you need to set the prices comparable to other cake bakers in your local community. Never, never under price your cakes and set them apart from the going  prices set from specialty bakers. The reason someone comes to you is because they are looking for a better product or a technique that bakers will not or cannot provide. Then as you gain experience and improve your techniques, you can steadily increase the price of your specialty designed cakes.

Setting your cake decorating prices too low, can actually price yourself right out of business! Sure, you might get many orders for decorated cakes, but if you lose money on every one, how long will you be able to stay in business? Your cakes might be beautiful and unique, but if you are not being paid the true worth than you might as well just close your doors.

In addition to supplies, you must be compensated for your time, as well. Before setting a price, you need to take into consideration the time it takes to mix the cake, bake the cake, mix the icing, make the decorations and decorate the cake. For instance, if a customer wants a custom design, then you need to figure the cost of supplies, an hour to mix and make the cake, maybe another two hours to make the decorations, and another hour to decorate the cake. If you believe your time is worth $5 or $10 per hour, then the price of the cake should be a minimum of $40 to $60. Do not under compensate yourself.

Sure, cake decorating might begin as a hobby to present cakes to family members or friends and neighbors. But, before long, the word gets out about your skills and it turns into a business. You need to be smart about what you’re doing or it will become a drain on your time and finances.

In addition to cake and icing ingredients, cake decorating tips, cutters, colors, bags, racks, mixers, tables and classes to learn more or advanced techniques do not come free. You must charge a reasonable amount in order to buy the tools of the trade. No one can tell you how much to charge for a decorated cake. You need to be comfortable with the prices you charge. But, do your homework, learn how much bakers are charging for designed cakes in your community.

Compile a gallery of photos so customers can see the work you’ve done, and can feel confident in the product you have to offer. Here again, if your work is substandard to local bakeries, then why should customers pay  more to buy their cake from you? Photographs, good quality cakes, and unique designs are important in order to set your price a bit higher than store bakeries. Always strive to do better work, maintain good tasting cakes and icings, and give personable, caring service to your customers.

Share on Read Full Story