How often have we had a beautiful piece of artwork or perhaps family photo and the frame just doesn’t do it justice. Even if we are into woodworking there is often the misconception that framework is not something comes within this field. There are many custom framers that specialize just in this area and have spent many years at it. Unfortunately, we can’t always afford to put out that extra money for the framework costs.

You may not have the tools to do the custom work or the expertise, buy you do have the ability to make a very acceptable frame with the tools you already have and a few how to instructions. If you have, a table saw, a router and a few bits then you are on your way.

When you are sizing your frame, you are going to have to take into consideration the size and thickness of your matting for the picture. Keep in mind as well that the larger the frame is then the side pieces must be appropriately as wide as well to work with the over all balance of the picture.

First, you are going to need to cut your pieces of your ?-inch solid stock wood. You are going to cut two pieces but tack on an extra 3 inches to the length of each piece so you will have it to work with when you make your adjustments.

For the width of your frame pieces, you need to double the measurement and add 1/2inch. This also will allow for adjustments.

So now you have cut the pieces for your height and length, you will need to choose which profile bits you are going to use with your router. As you probably know there are several styles and you probably already have a selection of them to choose from. In this case, it?s a matter of individual choice and preference.

Now what you need to do with your chosen profile bit you are going to need to make the frame profile. You need to rout the face of the frame, which means it?s the good side.

The area where the glass sits inside the frame is called the rabbet profile. It?s suggested you use a 3/8 inch rabbet.

Finally, you are ready to star ripping the pieces to the width measurement that you wanted. Once you have done this, you will now have four pieces.

On the outside frame pieces, you need to make the cove edge. This is the last pass that is needed.

Now you have all of your profiling done you can go ahead and cut the frame with your miter saw or your table saw.

Once you are sure you have cut the frame to the proper size you have to fasten the joints. You can choose which technique you want here. You can use tack plates if you like but not on hardwood. Consider corrugated nails or chevrons for this. If you are familiar with working with biscuits this method may be good to use in some cases.

Use a picture frame clamp to hold your pieces together for drying. You should also consider reinforcing the joints with dowel plugs to give your frame good strength.

Although at first it may be overwhelming to make a personal and unique sterling silver charm bracelet, this task is much less daunting when you have an ordered plan to follow. This craft allows for a lot of freedom in design and style. This can add to that overwhelming feeling, though, if you don’t put in the thought and effort required.

Of the questions that must be answered, a few are more pressing than the rest. What theme do you have in mind? How should the charms be positioned? Where can you find the perfect silver charms? These things must be addressed if you want your charm bracelet to really shine.

The theme should definitely be the first thing you consider. If you don’t have some distinct central idea behind the charm bracelet, the rest of the process will be rather frustrating. But how exactly is a theme defined, anyways? And why is it so important?

The theme can be anything in the whole world so long as it’s something specific. You can go with something broad like ‘theater’ or something specific like ‘the Wizard of Oz,’ of anything in between. So long as the theme is specific enough to focus the charm bracelet creation process, you’ll be fine.

The best way to choose a theme is to determine what’s important to you or the person you’re making the silver charm bracelet for. Choosing from your hobbies, passions, or interests will typically lead to good results just about every time.

If you don’t have a clearly defined theme, you may wind up at the end with a random combination of silver charms that don’t really mean that much of anything. This is in no way personalized, and will likely lead to you losing interest in the piece in a short time period.

Another aspect of making a silver charm bracelet which you can add your own personal touch to is in the specific positions of the charms themselves. Specific orderings can add a whole lot of meaning to the bracelet if done correctly. Even if this isn’t important to you, you should still make sure that the charms are placed in a symmetric fashion.

As to finding the perfect charms, make sure to take your time and browse around. The internet is full of different niche shops that are well suited for just about any theme. With a little effort, you can get a highly personal silver charm bracelet every time.

If you’ve been thinking about switching over to scrapbooking digitally, you should try it, and here are 3 good reasons why!

1. Time - If you’ve ever scrapbooked, you know there is some time involved. First, you have to edit and print your pictures. Once they’re printed, you have to find and purchase the products youll use on your scrapbook pages. That can take some time, although, many of us quite enjoy this part! Next, you have to set everything out, design your pages, cut, glue, print, measure, tape and the list goes on and on. Then, you get to clean it all up! And if youre like most people, you may only have a couple hours, here and there, to work on it, and you most likely dont have a room dedicated to scrapbooking. So, that means that out of that little time slot, you spend a lot of time setting, and cleaning up.

Now, let’s compare that to digital scrapbooking! You hop on your computer, surf the web for products you want to use and purchase, and immediately have them in your possession through downloads! Next, you add them into your digital scrapbooking program, and you’re ready to go. You add you’re pictures as you need them, so no need to edit and print before hand! And when you’re done, you walk away from the computer! You’re clean up time goes from minutes, to a couple seconds! Now that small time slot you had to scrapbook has been used to the max!

2. Convenience - I’ve already mentioned that the clean up time for digital scrapbooking is nonexistent! So, that makes it very convenient. Also, think back to the last time you scrapbooked the traditional way! Do you remember all the product you had lying around for inspiration? Plus, all the photos and supplies? I remember feeling so overwhelmed by the mess, I had a hard time being creative!

Now, let’s compare that to digital scrapbooking. You can digital scrapbook anywhere you can use youre computer! Imagine taking youre laptop outside, or on a plane and scrapbooking! Since there’s no mess involved, it becomes a lot more convenient!

3. Money - This is the main reason I switched over to digital scrapbooking. I found I was constantly making mistakes when I scrapbooked the traditional way, and I was filling my trash cans with expensive products. I began experimenting with my layouts on my computer, hoping to minimize my mistakes. Then I heard about digital scrapbooking, and decided to compare the costs, to see if it was really going to save me money. Here is what I found:

Traditional (20 page album) $15 photo album (that’s really good ” most cost around $25-$30) $0.60 per background page (once again, that’s really good, most cost more) $1.50 in embellishments & extra paper for framing photos (some pages more, some pages less) $0.50 in photo prints (that’s an average of $0.17 per picture and 3 pictures per page) $5 in sheet protectors (a box of 20 costs $10, and youd only use 10 protectors) Average of $72 per album (stamps, glue, adhesives, cutters, scissors, punches… and mistakes not included!)

Digital (20 page album published in a hard bound 12×12 book) $7 (Optional purchase of digital scrapbooking products online) $44.00 for book publishing (Quote taken from Shutterfly.com on June 12, 2009) $11.99 Shipping & Handling Average of $62.99 per album. And remember, that album is bound in a hard bound book, where you’ll never have to worry about embellishments and photos coming off the pages. And the pages aren’t so thick they take a 2″ binder.

Once I saw how much I could save by switching over to digital scrapbooking, I made the change, and have never looked back!

So, if you’re still debating on switching to digital, give it a try! You’ll never go back!

In quilting, you are able to express yourself. How? There are many simple ways, if you are excited for your new baby to come out a few months later, you may create quilts with baby patterns for her. If you want to make your grandma happy, you may want to create a quilt for her. So many other things you may think, and if you cannot express yourself that well to others, giving them these quilts is one simple step to do that.

If you think that making those quilts is that difficult, then you are definitely wrong. Just tell yourself, if others can do it, I can do it as well! Just as long as you love what you do, then you’ll be sure you’ll never regret you’ve spent some time on making your way to know how to do these quilts.

Do to so, you may need some guides to do the thing right. Here are some quilt books for you, which are carefully selected to aid you in quilting, may you be a novice or expert quilter.

Applique Made Easy, by Karen Costello Soltys. From the title itself, this is great for beginner quilters. Through this, you will learn easy hand stitching, as well as machine quilting to make your appliques look their best.

Quilts To Make For Children, by Margaret Rolfe. This is very nice to have if you have kids at home. You can either create quilts for them, or teach them how to do it themselves. It provides lots of patterns that are very much appealing to our little ones.

Crazy Shortcut Quilts Book, by Marguerita McManus and Sarah Raffuse. If you are familiar with the traditional crazy quilts, then this book talks about that. This also provides you a handful of great stitches to do using your quilting or sewing machine, which you can use, even if you do other quilt designs, other that these crazy quilts.

They are just a few of the resources that you can think about of reading. Who knows, you’ll also be inspired by them. And just like what these quilt books have imparted to others, you might as well be inspired to do and try out quilting.

Not too many people realize that you can bleach wood although most are aware that you can stain it. It can be frustrating sometimes when you buy a piece of wood for a project and the colors are so naturally uneven that it looks like it has been done on purpose. You can use bleaching techniques on the darker area to lighten it up somewhat so it blends in more with the lighter shade. Another good use for utilizing the properties of bleach is when wood has black spots on it created by water stains and some various other types of stains.

The properties of bleach create a chemical action just as they do when we use a bleach to remove stains or whiten our clothes. When it comes to the bleach?s reaction on the wood, it doesn?t actually remove the stain it just causes a chain reaction to turn them into a colorless component.

Just as with working with any, chemical or solvent one needs to be properly protected. Gloves are a must and even protective clothing is beneficial. Eye protection glasses are also very important. There are specific bleaches designed for wood and these can be caustic and burn your skin. As a safety precaution keep a container of clear water in your area in the event that you do get some on your skin. Should this occur wash it off immediately.

Bleaching is only applicable to bare wood so you need to remove any coloring on the wood.

The First bleach: Is a combination of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. They are used as a combination but are sold in separate containers. It?s when they are applied to the wood that the chemical action takes place. This is good for evening out the color variations in the wood.

The Second bleach: Is chlorine bleach and is used to remove the dye stains left in wood .The household chlorine we use for clothes is weaker than the brand used for woodworking but it can be used but will require several applications.

The Third bleach: Oxalic acid is the treatment you want for iron stains and black water rings that are left on the furniture, which the paint stripping did not remove.

Once you have used any bleaching procedure you must stop the chemical reaction. A thorough rinsing with plain water then a second rinsing with a mixture of baking soda and water will do this. If you have used a two-part bleach, you can neutralize it with a mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water.

It is important to fully read and understand the instructions on wood bleaches before working with them.

Remember the wood must be stripped clean of any color first before using the wood bleaches. These bleaches are not your common household bleaches and you can purchase them as a rule from where you buy your paint and finishing supplies.

Its always a good idea to test a small area of the wood before doing a full application to be sure you are not going to get any adverse results from the chemical reactions.

If you are looking to make a unique kind of jewelry for yourself or your friends and family members, you?ll find that one of the best materials that you can use is glass beads. Beautiful and wonderfully unique, glass beads offer plenty of options when it comes to looking at handmade jewelry and learning how to make the pieces that you are interested in.

Getting started on glass beads requires little effort, and you will hardly experience any problems at all when you consider making glass bead jewelry. Even people who are quite new to the process will be able to make handmade beaded jewelry that is wonderfully and surprisingly unique. Without further ado, I present to you some advice on getting started on making handmade beaded treasures.

First and foremost, you should think about would be the raw materials that you’re going to need. Besides the beads themselves, you will also need some jewelry wire that will let you string them. Searching for accent beads that you might want to include into your jewelry design would also be wise. Clasps and closures (which are also known as findings) and wire cutters or pliers are essential tools that will add that final touch to your jewelry.

These supplies can easily be obtained at any craft store in your area, and you’ll soon see that there are plenty of options open for you. When you go to the fabric or craft store, for example, you’ll find that there are also plenty of books, which will help you decide the design you want. With just a little bit of work, you’ll be able to get the results that you need.

When you seek to make your own glass bead jewelry, you’ll notice that first you need to think about what glass beads you want to use! If you have already been to the craft or fabric store, you already have a fair idea of what you want. Look for these materials, and be on your way to becoming an expert on glass beads!

Woodworking seems to be one of those hobbies that if you enjoy it then you spend hours at a time at it, other than if you work at it for a living. Almost everything we do whether it is work or recreational has some type of safety factors that apply to it and woodworking has several like any venue where you are working with any type of tools. Apart from the tools, there are the environmental hazards to be concerned with and here it would be the workshop dust. You may notice that many of the newer tools that you may have purchased are paying attention to dust control as well. Although you are not going to be dust free when working with wood there is much you can about it to keep it under control.

Although there are several reasons why you would want to control the dust in your shop one of the most important is the effect it can have on your health. Going back a few years many persons that worked with wood would not wear any type of protection. Many of them suffer health wise today because of this. Some complain of respiratory or breathing problems. Nowadays to prevent this sort of problem most woodworkers will wear a respirator. There are many potential health problems that can surface from not wearing one of these and it?s just not worth the risk.

Dust meaning sawdust in your work area is also a fire concern. This is one area that many don?t realize or even think about. It must be remembered that the sawdust is a residue of flammable material, which is wood. When it is ignited, it burns with strength and quickly. When the air becomes so thick with this dust it only takes the slightest spark from one of your tools to create an explosion. This not a common occurrence but can occur never the less. A greater risk is the sawdust laying around being ignited by a spark.

Sawdust has a tendency to make a concrete or wood floor very slippery. This is an accident waiting to happen.

Then there are other side effects of the dust like it ending up in your finishes or getting into your tools and shortening their functionality. You may not have had your tools for any great length of time yet they are virtually ruined by the sawdust.

Aside from being astute at cleaning up the sawdust because of your health and what it does to your projects and tools there may be actual regulations in place. This most often only applies to the commercial sector. The rules are strict though and the woodworking shop industry must abide by them. It?s not only for the safety of the people working there but for the purposes of a fire as well.

It only makes sense that anyone working with wood would want to take the same precautions with their health in the other areas they are exposed to besides the risk of tool injury. One must be astute and alert for any type of potential danger that exists or could exist that could be controlled.

Many folks in today’s society were initiated in the skill of woodworking in their school days, so they already have an understanding of the basics. Taking it up once again could be highly rewarding, particularly because it can lead to the addition of both functional and ornamental articles in your home. These pieces will assuredly be valued by your family members. Those who really find it rewarding can even pursue it to the point of turning it into a profitable endeavor. However, woodworking as a hobby is an enjoyable diversion, and it can also be good for managing tension.

The first phase in getting started is setting up your workshop. This productive space is where every one of your woodworking projects will be manufactured. It’s best to check with the other individuals who live in your house if it’s okay to turn a specific room into a workshop, since it may get thoroughly cluttered after you get going on a task.

Study the floor covering before you set anything up. If it’s the type of floor covering that can get worn and scratched without difficulty, it’s best to use a protective covering for it. If this isn’t possible, you’re better off to situate your workshop outside the house, for example in the garage or tool shed.

Tools and equipment for DIY woodworking mostly include carving and cutting utensils to sculpt the wood. There are also supplies needed for the final touches such as sanding the coarse surfaces and applying a coating of varnish or wood finish. Other helpful paraphernalia include clean-up brushes, a broom for cleaning out the work area on occasion, rubbish bins and storage units and containers. Organization is one of the most important elements of a woodworking shop since it can make everything simpler and safer.

Start with some uncomplicated woodworking plans that don’t entail complicated and pricey tools. This will help you to achieve self-assurance and expand your ability. It isn’t prudent for beginners to begin with large projects, particularly people who get in a rush to view the end result of their project. Deciding what would be practical for the household is a good way to help you settle on a project. For example, the final product will need to have a function in the house and not simply occupy space. Consider making a cookbook holder or a plaything.

Don’t forget to be patient. A typical challenge for the novice woodworker is being overly impatient, and as a result they end up rushing things, which can cause devastating consequences. Furthermore, finish what you begin, before taking up any other jobs. You don’t want a work space filled with half finished bits and pieces.

Purple is one of my favorite colors. It is the combination of red and blue. Purple signifies royalty and wealth; it is the symbol for regality and power. For the Zodiac sign Libra, purple is the dominant color as well as blue and red. Purple can also be taut as the darker side of the lighter Lavender and a twin sister of the color violet.

At Hartford, “The Color Purple” is deemed of as a show which was popularized from Oprah Winfrey’s famous talk show: Oprah. The show merely talks about women, women’s issues and their importance to the society. It is a relatively heartwarming show because it is one of the times that women will feel important in their lives because they will be bonding with fellow women who feel the same way.

The show contains large audiences of women from different sector of life, who have vast experiences like being domestically violated, brutally harassed, emotionally violated and physically injured. Likewise the show celebrates women who had made a difference like actresses, advocates, celebrities and young girls who won national and international acclaims for their talents and skills. The show continues to invite wide viewers and interested souls.

The show draws lot of attention, due to its very informative aspects. Women can relate to their topics and even learn possibilities and circumstances. Women can get very emotional, they can easily relate to other stories, and even compare her personal experience.

Being a woman is what I’m most proud of. A woman can stand any pain for her family; can even sacrifice her life for the people she values the most. Every woman is entitled to be happy. Single or married, young or old, being a woman is something worth celebrating for. Like Purple, a woman symbolizes strength and passion.

Because soy candles are made from renewable resource they are preferred by environmentally conscious candle lovers. Aside from the benefit of clean and long burning, soy candles are biodegradable because of the fact that they are literally made soybeans. Using soy candles over paraffin wax counterparts is more economical because they last 30% - 50% longer. Imagine the added benefit if you make your own soy candle.

Because of this a lot of candle lovers switched to soy candles. For one, it’s easy to make with no complicated instructions and the materials is freely available in almost every craft store. Plus you get the joy and pride each time your candle is displayed at your home. Especially when there’s visitors.

Here’s the material you need in order to make your soy candles. Just get a pound of soy wax and a mason jar. Simple isn’t it? You’ll want to buy a melting pot if you don’t have one already dedicated to wax melting.

To spice things up a bit, you might want to get fragrance oil and dye too. They make your candles colorful and smells really nice. Oh, you can get canning jar as your container of choice too. Mason jar and cannign jar is perfect for candle making because of it’s resistance to heat and crack.

Now, after you get all the materials required. It’s time to make your first soy candle! You might make a lot of mistakes the first time you do it, and frankly the more complicated you make this seems like the less fun you’re going to experience. I’m an advocate of keeping things simple. Here’s what I do. Melt the wax until it’s completely melted. No, you don’t need to watch the timer or the thermometer.

Now, you would want to watch your wax because you’d want to put in the fragrance oil and dye when it’s completely melted. Turn off the heat first though. Just stir the fragrance oil in it until it is fully absorbed into the wax. (you can use anything to stir it) Now, add in the candle dye.

Oh before I forget, you’ll need to read the instructions on the color dye too. Add to much and you’ll get a vastly different color. Add too little and you might as well have a clear soy candle.

The last step, at last! While your wax is still in liquid form, you need to prepare your mason or canning jar for pouring. Put the wick straight in the mason jar and keep it straight as you pour the wax into the jar. This can be dangerous so you might want to tie the wick to a stick while you pour your lovely wax. When you’re done, just wait for 48 hours for the wax to dry.