Archive for the ‘ Crafts ’ Category

by Ethan O. Tanner

A clicker press is a machine that cuts shapes out of rolls of soft material, such as rubber, cardboard, or leather, using a sharp metal part called a die. A metal tool and die shop will get a pattern, and bend, weld and form pre-sharpened steel into a die. A cutting die is generally a steel cutting tool to be used with a clicker press.

There are many uses for cutting dies. They are appropriate for cutting paper, leather, rubber, plastic and more including envelope cutting dies, label cutting dies, clicker dies, window dies, punch dies, gasket cutting dies, washer dies, trimming dies, high dies, threaded punch dies, rotary panel cutters, corner blades, strap dies and more.

Beverly Clicker Dies, Single Edge Dies, Double Edge Dies, Gang Dies, Precision Milled Dies, and Serrated Edge Dies are the six basic types of cutting dies. These dies are crafted from steel and will usually last for tens of thousands of cuts.

The Beverly Clicker Die is used principally in the Shoe and Leather Garment Industries. It is simply a clicker die built around a center plate, which acts as a brace like reinforcement, making a very solid and durable die.

Double edge dies are used in applications with an identical right and left piece. The double edge die perhaps could be used to greatly reduce die cost. Such applications would be the shoe and glove trades. A model would be a moccasin die with a distinct left and right size. By constructing a two sided die the cost is less than making two distinct dies for right and left size.

Gang dies are standard clicker dies in dual configurations for high volume or multiple part situations. A good example of a gang die would be a key fob in which you have orders for 10,000 pieces. Instead of just die cut one at a time it would be productive to cut a 2 up or 3 up gang die to do the cutting job with efficiency

Precision Milled Dies are an extremely accurate die milled from high grade tool steel. The solid steel milled die is best used in very close tolerance high production situations. Precision dies are often used where extremely tight corners and fine tolerances are required. This type of die may be costly as it requires a fair amount of time and skilled labor and expensive machinery.

New technology in cutting dies features a serrated edge that allows for the die to permeate multiple layers of materials much easier than conventional edge cutting dies. These particular edge dies also help eliminate fusing with many materials. A fine use of this type of dye would be cutting of multiple layers of vinyl.

If you are cutting leather, and have a product that has a run of at least 500 pieces, then a cutting press (clicker) and steel cutting dies are a strong consideration. You might debate buying a cutting press for your manufacturing, or there are companies that will subcontract cutting for your demands.

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by Ethan O. Tanner

Leather is a tough and durable substance, and it can be very difficult to cut. A straight edge, a utility knife, a leather shears, a rotary knife, a mallet cutting die, a clicker die, or a laser cutting system are the various ways to cut leather.

A pattern is the first step in accurately cutting leather. To make a custom pattern, draw a pattern on paper with a pencil or use a computer drawing program. Place the paper pattern on the leather piece. Begin cutting with either a straight edge utility knife or a rotary cutter. A rotary cutter is easy to use and if used properly, it results in a clean edge. Safety Alert: This tool has an extremely sharp blade and should be used with caution. Keep the rotary cutter, and all sharp cutting tools, away from small children. Cut your leather using the rotary cutter, using a self-healing cutting mat beneath the leather. These mats prevent your table or counter surface from being damaged by the cutter

A Leather shears is a heavy duty scissors that usually has serrated blades, and it is capable of cutting soft or even heavy strap leather. A dependable quality leather shears will cut through most leathers easily.

The razor utility, swivel knife or hobby knife pertains generally to cutting tools and more specifically to cutting tools that are engaged in leather craft. Conventional hand cutting tools that are generally utilized by hobbyists and others occupied in the art of decorative leather tooling typically consist knife-like blades fixedly and permanently mounted within a holder that is accommodated for manual operation by the user.

Strap cutter is an adjustable wooden cutting tool that cuts parallel strips of leather from a piece of hide. It works every bit well with heavy strap leather or soft garment leather. It is capable of cutting 16 oz. leather into 4″ straps or soft suede into ” strips.

A clicker press is a machine that cuts shapes out of rolls of soft material, such as rubber, cardboard, or leather, using a sharp metal piece called a die. A metal tool and die shop will take a pattern, and bend, weld and form pre-sharpened steel into a die. A cutting die is commonly a steel cutting tool to be used with a clicker press. Cutting dies are appropriate for cutting paper, leather, rubber, plastic and more including envelope cutting dies, label cutting dies, clicker dies, window dies, punch dies, gasket cutting dies, washer dies, trimming dies, high dies, threaded punch dies, rotary panel cutters, corner blades, strap dies and more.

Leather is increasingly cut by laser. Laser leather cutting is a highly skilled job. The operator will program the design to be cut by the laser cutting machine. Cutting leather in this method may be a time consuming exercise. The leather cut by laser is extremely accurate, and true to your pattern.

There are many different techniques for cutting leather, which is a tough, durable, and hard to cut material. For the small manufacturer a clicker or mallet cutting die would increase production. The larger manufacturer usually uses clicker dies or a laser cutting system for its leather cutting. For the home craftsman, the most effective ways to cut leather would include the leather shears, the utility knife and straight edge.

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by Ethan O. Tanner

Leather is a tough and long-lasting substance, and it can be very hard to cut. The diverse ways to cut leather include a straight edge, a utility knife, a leather shears, a rotary knife, a mallet cutting die, a clicker die, or a laser cutting system.

A pattern is the first step in precisely cutting leather. To make a customized pattern, draw a design on paper with a pencil or use a computer drawing program. Lay the paper pattern on the leather piece. Start out cutting with either a straight edge utility knife or a rotary cutter. A rotary cutter is effortless to use and if used the right way, it results in a clean edge. Safety warning: This tool has an exceedingly sharp blade and should be used with care. Keep the rotary cutter, and all sharp cutting tools away from small children. Cut your leather using the rotary cutter, using a self-healing cutting mat beneath the leather. These mats keep your table or counter surface from being damaged by the cutter.

A Leather Shears is a heavy duty Scissors that usually has serrated blades, and it is capable of cutting soft or even heavy strap leather. A good quality leather shears will cut through most leathers with ease.

The razor utility, swivel knife or hobby knife refers generally to cutting tools and more specifically to cutting tools that are employed in leather craft. Conventional hand cutting tools that are generally employed by hobbyists and others engaged in the art of decorative leather tooling typically comprise knife-like blades fixedly and permanently mounted within a holder that is adapted for manual operation by the user.

Strap cutter is an changeable wooden cutting tool that cuts parallel strips of leather from part of a hide. It works equally well with heavy strap leather or soft garment leather. It is able to cut 16 oz. leather into 4″ straps or soft suede into ” strips.

A clicker press is a machine that cuts shapes out of rolls of soft material, such as rubber, cardboard, or leather, using a sharp metal piece called a die. A metal tool and die shop will take a pattern, and bend, weld and form pre-sharpened steel into a die. A cutting die is usually a steel cutting tool to be used with a clicker press. Cutting dies are desirable for cutting paper, leather, rubber, plastic and more including envelope cutting dies, label cutting dies, clicker dies, window dies, punch dies, gasket cutting dies, washer dies, trimming dies, high dies, threaded punch dies, rotary panel cutters, corner blades, strap dies and more.

Leather is more and more cut by laser. Laser leather cutting is a extremely skilled job. The operator will program the blueprint to be cut by the laser cutting machine. Cutting leather in this method takes a lot of time. The leather cut by laser is extremely accurate, and dependable to your pattern.

There are many different methods for cutting leather, which is a tough, durable, and difficult to cut material. For the small manufacturer a clicker or mallet cutting die would increase production. The larger manufacturer usually uses clicker dies or a laser cutting system for its leather cutting. For the home craftsman, the best ways to cut leather would include the leather shears, the utility knife and straight edge.

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by Rex Simpleton

A long time ago taking pictures and developing them meant spending a fortune and a great deal of time so when making pictures the whole process was just a generator of headaches. If you wanted to make a scrapbook things would cost a fortune.

But that happened before, when technology wasn’t at its peak. Nowadays, people can do everything with computer help. Photos can finally resist the test of time.

It’s time to forget about films, photos and albums that only stay in corners of our house and get filled with dust. Now you can make a whole scrapbook only with the use of computer. You can save it on your computer and keep it from being deteriorated; the same thing can happen to your photos.

Scrapbooks became popular when people wanted to show others photos of their family, friends or themselves in an original presentation. Scrapbooks are a great way to keep memories in a wonderful layout.

Sending pictures to people through mail may be a traditional way but it’s not that effective as you can spend a lot of time without being sure that your photos will safely arrive to the destination. Another disadvantage about is the fact that they might not get on time or get lost on the way there.

The greatest method to show an entire scrapbook to your loved ones or sharing it to the whole world is the internet. Just make the scrapbook and share it through sharing programs or mail. People will be able to access the scrapbook no matter the part of the world where they live.

With this new wonderful and more improved alternative to scrapbooking the only care people should have is how to be more creative with their electronic scrapbook.

When first scrapbooking software was introduced, the technology became so popular because people found it more accessible, faster and easier to develop. They could send things on mail in just a few seconds.

This method is a great way to remember things, so making scrapbooks the electronic way is much better than the traditional way and it takes a lot less time.

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by Rex Simpleton

Scrapbooking means a lot of things and you may find out a lot of definitions for it, you probably have made a scrapbook yourself. But besides that, having a scrapbook means keeping your memories.

Just like photos, scrapbooks are keepers of precious moments that you would always want to return back to. The moments that you have captured in photos and the moments of your creativity, deeply embedded in every page, note, captions and journals in your scrapbook. One day, you’ll take a look at the scrapbooks you have created and they will deliver you back in time.

Not all of us are avid scrapbookers. Many may not even have tried starting one. However, we all have an idea of how to preserve our past. Well, scrapbooking is like that, only you would have to add up some creativity and art concepts into it.

The bad thing about scrapbooking is the fact that it takes a lot of time. At first you may find yourself spending a lot of time and many become frustrated and abandon the idea.

In this article you will find some tips and ideas that will make your scrapbooking easier. This collection of ideas will prove useful during hard times of frustration.

Know yourself and make sure that you are aware of your own style.

Your personality will be the structure of your scrapbook so your scrapbook is influenced by the way you are. You must first try and find out how you are, what type of person you are, what are your tastes and make sure that everything you do is original. Nothing is more important than an original scrapbook.

Sometimes, we have to find outlets for our personalities to show. Some people do writing stuffs, some delve into less serious practices. Scrapbooking though may fill the gaps between the two.

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by Ethan O. Tanner

There are several different ways to advertise your business on the Internet. Just a few popular options for Internet marketing are Placing banner ads, orchestrating an email marketing campaign and tactfully mentioning your business on industry related forums and message boards.

One of the finest Internet marketing strategies involves making and publicizing a website to advertize your business. There are a number of ways you can use your website. Some of these ways include providing more information about your business and the products or services you offer, letting possible purchasers know how to reach you and even selling your products and services thru the website.

One outstanding advantage to using a website to market your business on the Internet is that you can place descriptions and photos of the products or services your business offers. This is significant because many consumers use the Internet when searching for products and services. This gives your business an advantage over the competition by having an online presence because consumers are much more likely to select your products or services over the products and services offered by your competitors who do not promote online.

A Profitable advantage to marketing your business on a website is you can use the website to not only market but also sell your products directly. Again this can give you an edge over the direct competition. Consumers who use the Internet to research products and services are often very anxious to make their purchases and they would be more inclined to select a retailer or service providers who offer the opportunity to purchase products or services online over a retailer or service provider who only allows for purchase in a store or via phone.

Still another advantage to using a website to market your business is the ability to reach a large, worldwide audience. The Internet essentially knows no boundaries and advertising on a website means the business owner can reach competitors around the world instead of being limited to their general location. Advertising via other medium such as television, radio and the print media is somewhat limited and may only reach potential customers in a relatively small geographic area.

Another benefit to using a website to market your business is the Internet is available 24 hours a day around the world. This essentially offers you a storefront which is open 24 hours a day. While your competitors may be limited to their regular business hours, your website will enable you to reach your customers at any hour of the day. This is especially important for reaching potential customers in other time zones and for reach customers in your own area who are simply too busy to shop for products or services like the ones you offer during regular business hours. Many potential customers work long hours and appreciate the ability to research and shop online after hours.

One other strategy to using a website to market your business is you can actually bring forth a profit from your website in other ways than through sales to customers. You can likewise use your website to generate income by selling advertising space to other business owners who are selling their own products and services on the Internet.

Care should be taken when publicizing on your website. First of all you should not sell advertising space to direct competitors. The reason for this is because this may cause you to lose expected business if potential customers choose to purchase product or services from competitors who advertise on your website. An ideal advertiser is one who offers products and services which do not immediately compete with your own products or services but would be of interest to your potential customers. You should also be careful not to place too many advertisements on your website. This is important because too many advertisements may take away from your business and may cause you to lose potential customers. Follow these suggestions and your sales could increase by using a website to promote your business.

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by Christine Perry

Most experienced scrapbookers are familiar with Frances Meyer scrapbooking supplies. This line of products offers stickers, paper, embellishments, everything you need to create beautiful scrapbooking pages. Their scrapbooking supplies come in fun, creative designs and they all coordinate, making it easy for anyone to put together amazing page layouts.

One thing that really appeals to most serious scrappers about the Frances Meyer line of products is that she offers a wide range of stickers that can be used for so many different types of pages, something that many scrapbook suppliers leave out. For instance, a quick internet search of her supplies will yield stickers for working out, fishing, barnyards, kids at weddings, and even some for a child’s visit to the doctor’s office.

You aren’t limited to scrapbooking just typical events like graduations, wedding or your baby’s birth. You can make page layouts of your favorite activities or events in your everyday life.

If you’re looking for a wide range of papers to use for your scrapbook albums so that you can create your own pages, Frances Meyer scrapbooking supplies product line is also a safe bet that you’ll find just what you’re looking for. This line offers paper for each season, holiday, sport, vacation spot, and virtually any other theme you might want to scrapbook.

Designed to coordinately perfectly, you can mix and match a lot of this product line. Frances Meyer also sells templates to help you create better scrapbooking pages. They are creative and give you guidance and expert direction for beautiful page layouts.

Everything you need to create lovely page layouts is included in the template, including photo frames, journaling and layout ideas. Use the template as a guideline, but remember to add your own personal touch to make it more a reflection of your taste and creativity.

Remember to add your own unique personality to your scrapbooking pages. Frances Meyer supplies make it easier to create beautiful pages, but they leave room for your personal touches. Express your scrapbooking style in every page and make them more meaningful for your family.

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by Christine Perry

Does it seem like only yesterday that your child started kindergarten? Now he’s graduating from high school and will soon start college in the fall. It’s important to document your child’s high school years in a special graduation scrapbook.

You may already have a school scrapbooking album for your child, but high school graduation memories can fill an entire scrapbook. Dedicate one album for this special occasion. It doesn’t need to be a large album, but one that can accommodate professional portraits might be important if you plan to include the sittings for senior pictures.

Senior pictures deserve a special place in any graduation album. Your student’s senior pictures are usually dominate the summer before his senior year. Choose your favorite pose and use that for the title page of your scrapbook album.

There are so many things you can include in a graduation scrapbook. Save a copy of your child’s graduation announcement and showcase it on a page. Be sure to include cards and letters from friends and family, especially ones with graduation advice. Write a letter to your child telling him your hopes and dreams for their future in any advice you wish you would have had when you graduated.

Is your child receiving an honor or award at the graduation ceremony? Design a page layout to highlight this accomplishment. After the ceremony is over, make a copy to include in the album.

If your child is giving a speech at the ceremony, snap some pictures of him practicing for the speech. You can even save his draft or notes and use them on a scrapbook page.

Newspapers often cover graduations. Clip articles from your local paper for a graduation scrapbook page. If you or another family member have placed a congratulations newspaper ad for your graduate, make a photocopy of it to preserve it in the album. Newspaper articles tend to fade over time, and copies will last longer.

There are so many photo opportunities during a graduation ceremony. Make a list of photos you want to take before the ceremony. Don’t forget to include pictures of your child with his family, friends and teachers.
Include high school mementoes in the scrapbook album. One page layout should show the graduation ceremony program. Scrapbook two copies on the page showing both the cover and the inside as much as possible.

Don’t forget high school mementos, such as, the program from the graduation ceremony. Save at least two copies to use on a graduation scrapbook page Ser you can show both the cover and the inside of the program.

Candid shots are a fun way to document graduation parties. Send a camera with your child when he attends graduation celebrations. Plan to exchange photographs with your child’s friends as well. That way you’ll have plenty of candid photos to choose from for your graduation album.

You’ll definitely want to scrapbook a copy of your graduates final report card or high school transcript. On the opposite page layout scrapbook a copy of the acceptance letter for the college your child plans to attend.

The final closing page to the graduation scrapbook could be a photograph of him leaving for college. You might also choose to include a picture of his first day of kindergarten alongside a graduation picture.

It’s easy to create a graduation scrapbook that will soon become a family heirloom. The most important part of designing a graduation scrapbook is to document and preserve your child’s high school memories.

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by Christine Perry

Are you suffering from scrapbooking burnout? Are your photos and scrapbooking supplies piling up and you don’t have the motivation to create a single page layout? Here are a few ideas to help you cure your scrapbooking burnout.

1. Learning a new technique can spark your creativity. Just find some photos and try out the technique. It’s always best to try a new scrapbooking method as soon after you learn it as possible.

2. Ignore the backlog of photos and just scrap one photograph. Choose a favorite photo, and make it your focal point. Sometimes getting started is all the motivation you need.

3. Organize and clean out your photos. Start going through your photographs and get rid of the blurry or poor quality ones. Your backlog will start shrinking.

4. Go through and organize your scrapbooking supplies. Can you use your materials in a new way? Or can you create new color combinations?

5. Scrapbooking magazines are designed to bring inspiration. Read your favorite magazine today for new techniques or the latest products.

6. Enroll in a scrapbooking class. The excitement of taking a class can often spark your interest to start scrapbooking again.

7. Gather your friends together for a scrapbooking crop. There’s inspiration and motivation in numbers. If you prefer not to set up a party of your own, check out your local scrapbooking store for a group crop.

8. Browsing your local scrapbook or craft store may encourage you to start scrapbooking again. Try buying a scrapbooking kit that has everything you need to make a complete album.

9. Stop trying to be perfect. Thinking every page you create must be a work of art only stops you before you ever get started. Give yourself permission to make a less than perfect page layout.

10. Sell or give away some of your scrapbooking supplies. Scaling down can help you overcome supply overload. Sometimes too many choices can keep you from taking action.

11. Don’t try to take on too much. Are you trying to create a whole album in one night? Try to scrapbook just one page at a time.

12. Sign up for a scrapbooking challenge. You can find these online in scrapbooking community message boards. Joining the competition and excitement will start your scrapbooking creativity going again.

13. Have you tried digital scrapbooking? Digital scrapbooking is becoming more and more popular among scrapbookers. It’s certainly less messy than traditional scrapbooking.

14. Join a scrapbooking community online and read their message boards and forums. Most of these communities have galleries where members upload their scrapbooking pages for others to see and make comments.

15. Put your scrapbook albums on display. Let your family and friends enjoy your page layouts. See their faces light up as they appreciate your pages will motivate you to get scrapbooking again.

Try these tips today and watch your scrapbooking burnout disappear.

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by Jane L. Church

The rise of the spa and leisure industry in recent years is no accident. Millions of people now enjoy the occasional spa treatment, but now you don’t have to leave home to enjoy your own pampering spa experience! You can transform your own bath tub into a home-made spa by making your own luxurious bath bombs. When dropped in the bath, bath bombs release a pleasant aroma that helps you wash away your worries and relax in style.

Bath bombs are colored spheres that fizz like a big Alka Seltzer when put in the bath. Drop a bath bomb in your tub and watch it fizz and swirl away, dissolving skin softeners and fragrant scents into your bath water to relax mind and body. But don’t keep this great bath bomb recipe all to yourself – bath bombs make fantastic gifts that your friends and family will love!

Get started with this Basic Bath Bomb Recipe

Fizzing bath bombs uses common ingredients that are found in almost any store and they are simple to make.

Dry Ingredient List:

* 1 c baking soda

* 1/2 c citric acid

Wet Ingredients:

* 2 1/2 Tbsp oil (for oils use 1 Tbsp cocoa, mango or shea-butter melted)

* 1/2 Tbsp carrier oil (jojoba, grapeseed or sweet almond)

* 3/4 Tbsp witch hazel in a fine mister (can substitute flower water, such as rosewater or a combination of rosewater and glycerin)

* 15 to 20 drops essential oils or fragrance

* 1/4 tsp or 1 large capsule Vitamin E oil to preserve the oils

* 1/4 tsp borax (an emulsifier)

* Vegetable or other natural colorant

You’ll also need a bath bomb mold, ice cube tray or soap mold in order to mold your bath bombs.

Instructions for combining the ingredients

Firstly, start by mixing the dry ingredients together. An electric mixer will help. Then add the dry coloring (but not too much, because the witch hazel will make the color show.) Don’t add the witch hazel just yet.

Now you’re ready to add a fragrance of your choice, followed by the witch hazel. Using a squirty bottle or mister, mist it into the batch while stirring. When the mix begins to stick together, you are ready to transfer the mixture to the molds.

You’re almost there! Simply put the bombs in the molds for a few minutes before tapping them out to dry. Bath bombs will air-dry in three to four hours, then they’re good to go. The harder and drier the bath bombs get, the more reactive and fizzy they will be in the water.

Here are some of the countless variations to the basic bath bomb recipe: While baking soda and citric acid are staple ingredients, you can add half a cup of borax, cornstarch, sea salt, or epsom salts to create a totally different bath bomb. .

There are a number of bath bomb recipes that you can take advantage of. Get yourself a recipe book such as “The Handcrafter’s Companion” for some really great ideas. These books make it easy for anyone to make their bath into a home spa with luxury bath bombs.

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