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How to Prepare a Plan to Become a Dog Walker
Sep 7th
There is a lot more to owning your own dog walking business than clicking a leash on someone’s pet and walking around the block. Dog walking can be a rewarding job for the right person but you must be organized and you must understand dog behavior. If you are seriously thinking about earning a few extra dollars in the dog walking business there are some things you should consider.
How much time do you want to dedicate to your business? Once you commit to walking someone’s dog, that person is counting on you to be there. Dog walking can be done part time but not some of the time. Like any successful business you need to take this seriously from the start. So, lets say you want to commit to 10 hours a week walking. Would that mean twice a day – five days a week for 1 hour? Realistically 10 hours a week is probably too many hours to commit if you are just starting out. It also depends greatly on your family life schedule. Even though you haven’t built a clientele yet you should know what your hours will be. As your business grows, you may choose to add additional walks which would mean more hours committed.
The next thing to plan in advance is your rate. If you live in an area where there is competition, you certainly would not charge more than others are charging. On the other hand, if you feel confident that you will provide a quality service, don’t undercharge drastically either. As potential customers hear of your service and your business grows, you don’t want to feel you are being underpaid. Keep your fee reasonable and competitive. Plan ahead and know what you will charge. You may wish to charge differently for small, large, old or young dogs. With this in mind know that different breed of dogs demand different aspects of you.
Before starting your business you should research and understand basic dog behavior. If someone wanted to hire you to walk their German Shepard would you schedule this at the same time as someone else’s Pekinese? Certain breeds are aggressive and you should not take chances that you or the animals could get hurt. If you’re unsure of a dog’s disposition, you should walk it individually. Also understand that dog’s are pack animals. When you are in charge of one or a group of dogs YOU are the pack leader. Realizing this is key to your success.
The last step in preparing your plan as a dog walker is to get the word out about your business. You may already know a few people that you could just tell and offer the service, or you may need to advertise. Advertising on your local craigslist is free. Anyway that you choose to advertise is fine. You are sure to add clients as the word gets out. A lot of your jobs will surely be from word of mouth.
So you see, there is a lot to consider before ever professionally taking that first dog for a paid walk. You need to have a plan and really understand the behavior of the dogs you will be getting to know.
Julie Shoemaker is a successful entrepreneur, hobbiest, and pet owner. To read reviews and topics concerning dog training please click here. http://shojul.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/
Handicrafts Gift
Sep 5th
Handicraft means a skill needing careful use of your hands. By applying this you can create something to produce what you are good at.
Handicraft gifts are one of the special craft work that someone appreciates. Picture yourself when somebody gives you a handmade gift to you. You will cherish it especially when someone gives you on your birthday celebration. You feel deep down in your heart that you will never forget it on this occasion. Sometimes you feel emotionally disturbed about it.
Handmade jewelery is one of the most outshone jewelery gift that most ladies appreciated. Necklace, rings, brooch, earrings of different sizes, shape and colors form this type of jewelery. The materials used is also quite unique where you can engrave your name if you want it to. Handmade jewelery has a timeless appeal especially in today’s high speed tech world, in which crafter and artist are devoting more time to create one-of-a-kind item. Jewelery made of gold, gems, pearls, beads or any material of choice will elicit compliments every time it is worn. The special thought, care and design, flair that go into such a piece made an everlasting impression.
Place mats are a useful gift, appropriate for almost anyone and are easy to create with the help of clear adhesive sheets. In fact, almost any flat items can be replaced between two sheets, with theme possibilities limited only by the imagination.
Decorated gift box offers a wide variety of eye-pleasing shapes to tempt creative hands. This types of pasta, then spray-painted silver to create a one-of-a-kind gift container for a gourmet cook. It makes a wonderful presentation for a kitchen gift.
Nowadays, handicraft gifts are getting popular. It can be very costly depending on the material, originality of the country where the piece inherited.
Anyway, one of the best ways is to purchase these handmade gifts online.
Hi, my name is Rahmat. I have been working as a craftsman for many years. I believe I have a passion for handicrafts work in wood,plastic and metal. Besides that, I like reading, listening to music, and traveling.Last but not least I like to surf the net Visit my site http://www.mrhandicraft.com
Easter Basket Projects For Easter Parties
Sep 4th
If you are planning to have an Easter party it can be fun to include an Easter basket project as a fun craft to do during the party. This way you can have the kids occupied with something fun and best of all they have something really great to take home with them at the end of the party. You can also fill these crafts with goodies for a party favor which makes them extra special. Here are some Easter basket projects for Easter parties-
Woven Bunny Basket- This fun craft uses open weave small baskets (available at most craft stores) or you can recycle pint sized strawberry baskets.
What you will need:
A small basket with an open weave
Ribbon or precut foam pieces that measure the width of the open weave-Easter colors work especially well
A satin bow to tie on the handle
A tag for personalizing (optional) Instructions for the project: Give each child a basket and the precut ribbon or foam pieces. They can then begin weaving them through the open weave of the basket. Have them continue weaving until the entire basket is covered. Tie the satin bow onto the handle and add a tag with their name on it if you want to.
Mini Easter egg baskets- These small baskets will charm your party guests with their springtime flair.
What you will need:
Mini Easter Baskets
Tacky Glue
Alphabet Beads
Nylon Monofilament
Colorful Trim-this can be ribbon, rickrack or even foam pieces
Artificial Easter Grass
Scissors Instructions for the project: String on the alphabet beads to spell out the child’s name on a piece of nylon monofilament. When you have all the beads on a string you can then push the ends through the basket weaving and tie off on the inside. Trim carefully and then glue on colorful trim. Put some grass in the bottom of the basket and fill with treats.
Cotton ball lamb basket- This charming basket will have your party guests thrilled with the results.
What you will need:
Empty Container
White Craft Foam
Styrofoam Egg
Wiggle Eyes-10mm work well
Cotton Balls
Low Temp Glue Gun
Scissors
Ribbon
White Acrylic Paint and Brush Instructions for the project: Paint Styrofoam egg white and let dry completely. Cut two ears out of the craft foam. Make a small slit in the sides of the lambs head (the Styrofoam egg). Put a dab of glue on the ears and gently push the ends into the slits. Tear apart some cotton balls and glue to the head of the lamb. Tie the ribbon into a bow and glue to the lambs head. Carefully glue the cotton balls all around your container covering it completely. After the basket is dry you can glue the egg to the side near the top to make a head. Cut a 1″ strip of craft foam and glue the ends to the sides to make a handle for your basket.
Easter Treasure Box- Who says that an Easter basket can only be a basket? This clever craft turns a simple box into an Easter treasure box that outshines any basket.
What you will need:
Paper Mache or small wooden treasure box (available at most craft stores)
Paints in a variety of Easter colors
Paint and Foam Brushes
Assorted decorating supplies (jewels, stickers, rub-ons, ribbon, markers etc.)
Glue Dots
Easter Grass
Plastic Eggs Instructions for the project: Have the child paint the entire treasure box and let dry completely. It is important to prop the lid open as it dries. After the treasure box is completely dry have the child decorate the outside as they desire. Add some grass and plastic eggs.
Looking for more Easter activities? visit http://www.easterbunnyfun.net/ for crafts, coloring pages, recipes, poems, and the opportunity to share your best Easter memories.
Make Quick Easy Money Selling Items You Find in the Woods
Sep 3rd
When you take a long walk in the woods, you can find the most interesting things: Pine cones, interesting pieces of wood and sometimes feathers. If you are a crafter you may find items to turn into interesting decorations. If you are an artist, you may find items you can use on an interesting display. You can turn these free finds into money. Or you could sell the items as is to others. You can make quick easy money just snooping through the woods.
What could be easier? You enjoy the smells and the sounds of the woods, so why not get paid for your time? Some of the items you find can bring you lots of money. For instance, if you find an interesting shaped piece of firewood, you can use it to build a lovely flower arrangement. If you find a small dried tree or a large branch, you can put it in a can of quick drying cement and paint it white. Then you can add white lights for an interesting display. You can even add silk flowers and foliage. You can sell this piece and make quick easy money.
You might even find interesting rocks or pebbles. A nice flat rock could be painted for a nice yard display. Paint the customers name or the likeness of a favorite pet on the rock and your customers will be thrilled. They will pay you a good fee for these yard rocks. Once the neighbors see the adorned rock in your customers yard, you will get lots of other orders. You will make quick easy money doing something you enjoy.
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What Are the Yummiest Fall Festival Foods?
Sep 2nd
Fall is in the air, school is back in session and you’re gearing up for those fall festivals. Whether you are a crafter or just love the experience of attending these festivals, browsing stalls and enjoying the cool fall weather, this is a wonderful time of year. You get to enjoy great company, fun and games and experience some of the yummiest fall festival foods. In fact, for many people, it’s the food that makes the festival, in some ways. What are the most popular fall festival foods?
Funnel Cakes – Can you imagine a fall festival without funnel cakes? The aroma of baking cake batter fills the air, along with the sounds of happy laughter. These golden, delicious delights are covered in powdered sugar, though you’ll find other derivations that combine creative toppings like apples and cinnamon, caramel and more. Funnel cakes certainly rank up there with the yummiest fall festival foods ever!
Candied Apples – A staple at fall festivals across the country, candied apples are some of the most delicious, delightful “fair fare” out there! You’ll find hundreds of different varieties, including caramel apples, apples slathered in butter, cinnamon and even those coated in melted candy.
Fried Candy Bars – What would your fall festival be without deep fried candy bars? In recent years, deep frying has seen some rather unlikely candidates, as it seems that anything with chocolate in the mix is eligible for battering and frying. However, how can you argue with something that tastes so good? These are among the yummiest fall festival foods in the world, though you might have to enjoy them with a bit of guilt.
Deep Fried Pickles – These are relatively recent developments that combine dill pickles, batter and a deep fryer. Usually, you’ll find these pickles accompanied by a saucer of ranch dressing to round things out. As bizarre as they might sound, these are actually amazingly good and should be tried before you turn your nose up at them.
Other items that certainly rank in the category of yummiest fall festival foods include apple pies (and all the various derivatives like fritters, pastries and more), as well as pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, kettle corn, popcorn balls and more.
The vast plethora of different foods out there means that whether you’re a cook or a diner, you have an amazing range of palate-satisfying options!
FairsandFestivals.net is your premier online resource for information on craft shows, fairs, festivals, and more. You will find all of the latest events as well as articles and information on how to market your craft and fair business. To learn how you can increase your craft show profits, visit FairsandFestivals.net today.
Scrapbooking Books – The Ultimate Guide to Scrapbooking (Spiral-Bound)
Sep 1st
The gang at Memory Makers (Basically some of the editors of the Memory Makers magazine and Memory Makers Books) employ many of their own ideas and expertise to show many exciting and refreshing styles of scrapbooking layouts employing many colors and textures that might not be commonly used. The editors also employ many tips from various industry experts to enable the showcasing that a crafter needs to know about scrapbooking. These include practical suggestions to cutting-edge creative ideas.
One of the things I really like about this book is that it is spiral bound. You can open the page completely and work on the page you want. A really great idea for the scrapbooker. Its kinda surprising this idea isn’t used more often. This book also has a real wealth of information. If you need ideas about how to get your workspace and photos organized, tools, page design and techniques and journaling this book can really help you.
Another really good chapter in this book is based on photography. It gives the reader many options about taking that perfect shot. This is really great if you’re becoming frustrated a lack of ideas this great book offers numerous choices to make your page complete.
Some of the Items readers will learn about include:
- Preservation: practical tips and optimal conditions for keeping one’s pages well preserved for future generations
- Journaling: creative ideas for presenting a journal
- Photography: optimal shooting conditions for indoors and outdoors
- Page design and layout: basic design principles and what makes a page complete
- Creative techniques: step-by-step examples of popular techniques from basic to advanced
- Organization/supplies: supplies needed for scrapbooking, along with suggested methods for storing, organizing and using those supplies
Its interesting that while scrapbook styles change, information on tools and supplies, techniques, photography, design basics, preservation, organization and journaling remain the same timeless.
Author and Publisher: Memory Makers Books are an extension of the widely popular Memory Makers magazine
Spiral-bound: 224 pages
Approximate Cost $17.00
This book is a great addition if you already have Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking
http://www.scrapbookpageideas.net
http://www.scrapbooking-books.com
What Today’s Entrepreneur Can Learn From Our Continuing History of Bazaars As Social Gathering Place
Aug 31st
Throughout history, for all civilizations, a central focus of human activity has been visiting the local bazaar. The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı ÇarÅYı) in Istanbul, Turkey; was built in the 15th century, and remains the oldest covered market in the world. It covers an area greater than 54 square meters, and continues to rank as one of the world’s biggest covered markets. One of the appeals of bazaars has been it is not only a market place but also a social gathering location for friends to meet and discuss the latest topics, be it solving the world’s problems on hunger, or talking about the newest arrival to the family.
Today there is concern that the actual physical locations of bazaars will fade as we move more to internet based purchasing. Let’s stop and think this through. Is the purpose of a bazaar to be a collection of vendors and buyers or is there a more fundamental meaning to the reason bazaars have lasted many centuries and will the concept continue to be? My answer is yes and here’s why.
Think of the times you are on vacation, or visiting friends in far away places. What is unique and memorable for you? If you have a guest then what do you think of doing for entertainment? Do you want to show your guest the uniqueness of your town or city and how do you do that? It’s extremely rare to take a friend to the local big box store, or mass merchandiser, or even to sit in front of the computer “shopping for the latest or best prices”. Most people want to take their guests to some place uniquely different, yet memorable, and not found elsewhere. Historically what has attracted people, and continues to do so, is bazaar type settings.
It’s fun visiting a unique shopping location where clouds of spice aromas envelope the area and entice you with spicy smells of nutmeg, cloves, fresh cookies baking, or roasting chestnuts on a cold, wintry day. How about seeing a display of locally grown bright, colorful fresh irresistible fruits such as ruby-seeded pomegranates,peaches, prunes, fresh picked peaches, or ripe fragrant melons and loupes? Some local markets may feature vendors of poultry offering exotics like pheasants, ducks, geese, turkeys or quail. Each area has uniqueness in venison which can be deer, buffalo, or in the Southern U.S., snapping turtle.
Often bazaar type areas feature craftspeople in such things as glass blowing, artists creating on canvas or other mediums, sculptors, and jewelers or metalsmithing. The visitor may not buy but can see the difficulty in creating art or crafts, often talking with the craftspeople as the process progresses to the final product. Throughout history one of the common crafters were basket weavers who would take plant material, dry it, and then from the reeds create.
Functional items for use but also done decoratively. It is that one of a kind, non mass produced craft, that so many long for. There is a connect between the customer, the item and the crafter that one can not find where goods were stamped, or molded, in machines producing exact look a likes 100,000 items a day. People want to observe the process but in a warm, rich pleasant environment. In most bazaars there usually develops some form of public entertainment so if the participant is not there to buy then the free entertainment provides a reason for coming and a social outlet.
It’s that “different” aspect that is found in local communities that makes for the rich experiences of traveling and socialization. The ubiquity of upbeat conversations, friendly greetings and loud bargaining add to the overall fun of the experience.
Bazaars do not attract shoppers only, but historically is an area of socialization around booths, vendors, foods, entertainment, education and a social gathering space. The future of successful shopping destinations will depend upon remembering the concepts of what a customer is looking for, not what is offered. The survivors will be those new retail enterprises that take advantage of old concepts and make shopping fun again.
Bob Johnson is owner/founder of The Cotton Company in Wake Forest, N.C. The Cotton Company offers a unique blend of vendor entrepreneurs in a nationally recognized restoration of an old Cotton Warehouse. The store has over 50 craft booths, on site artists, custom jeweler, reception gallery, delicatessen featuring hand made pizzas and much more in this quaint historic downtown district setting.
Wake Forest and nearby Festival Park, http://www.festivalpark.org, are recognized as the “Home of Family Friendly Festivals” with The Cotton Company sponsoring the annual HerbFest, OktoberFest, ItaliaFest, IrishFest, ShagFest and many more.
Travel editors from Southern Living, Cooking Light, Southern Accents awarded The Cotton Company distinction of being one of the Top 10 Shopping Destinations in the Research Triangle Park area of N.C.
For more visit: http://www.thecottoncompany.net
Gift Baskets- Ten Simple Steps to Financial Freedom
Aug 30th
Gift baskets are an excellent alternative to the typical “run of the mill” gifts that most people send and are a wonderful idea for any occasion.
The one thing that amazed me were all the different themes. I found gift baskets for vacations, scuba diving, coffee enthusiast, poker and even bar-b-que grilling. There are so many themes, gift baskets seem to be an ideal choice just about any occasion. The traditional holiday and birthday baskets have a lot of competition these days.
The reasons for giving gift baskets are many, but there’s one common thread; both the giver and recipient enjoy a common feeling of really caring. Giving a gift certificate just isn’t the same as giving a gift basket.
Let me let you in on something. I’ve done a little research into gift baskets and I’ve come up with a step-by-step guide that will turn you into a gift basket crafter extraordinaire, even if you don’t have a creative gene in your body.
I want to share a few things with you.
Whether you are designing your own gift basket or creating a list with pre-made gift baskets in mind, the ideas for gift baskets are never ending. Gift baskets are suitable for any affair, make a wonderful gift and theme gift baskets are an easy alternative to the traditional holiday present.
Designing and crafting gift baskets are FUN and can be a great way to earn a great part-time or full time income. Here are a few tips to get you thinking…
Gift Basket Creation Is EASY! Yes. It truly is. If you can find a container (not always a basket), stuff to put inside of it, a few ribbons or extra accessories… BAM, you’ve got yourself a gift basket. Traditionally of course, gift baskets came in what else, baskets? But, as time and traditions have changed, so have the basket formats. And that helps out tremendously in the imagination arena. Traditional gift baskets can be boring. . .
Selecting A “Theme” For Your Basket… If you can think it up, you can turn it into a gift basket. Gift basket creation is all about creativity and imagination. How far can yours stretch to come up with fresh, inventive ideas? Think about this… the more creative you get, the better chances you will create a gift so unique it wouldn’t be found anywhere else in the world. In fact, you could give 10 people the exact same supplies and ask them to come up with their own gift basket and end up with 10 different variations on the exact same theme.
Themes you can try…Gardening & Outdoor Activities, Butterfly Gardening, Water Gardening, “Backyard” Farming, Winter Sports, Golf and even Weight Training.
Now, on to the basic supplies you’re going to need to create your new gift basket. . A Container, Packing Extras & Accents and Basket Goodies. That’s All? Yep, that’s it.
Putting It All Together… Presentation is quite important when it comes to making your gift basket. You can’t simply throw everything in a bucket, slap a bow on it and say “Here Ya Go!” It takes a little more thought than that. Take into consideration the size of your container. Is it small, medium, or larger in size? How much can you fit within it before it begins to look “over stuffed”? While we want our gift baskets to look “full”, we don’t want them to be messy with too many things shoved in to every available space!
Sorry folks…I’m stopping here and saving the rest for later. But, there is one important thing that I want to point out. Learning to craft gift baskets is both fun and profitable!
If you are a work at home mom (or Dad,) student, retired grand parent, or disabled… learning how to sell and craft gift baskets is a great way to earn really good money… and it’s a feel good business as well. This is one home based business you should really consider. The market is open to anyone who has just a little spare time.
Terry Hudson
Did you find this article useful? For the complete guide on how you learn the art of crafting beautiful gift baskets, go to http://www.aaagiftbasketideas.com Learn how others are making a satifying part-time income crafting gift baskets in their own home.
Terry Hudson is a boat captain living in the US Virgin Islands. He has numerous article on how to make money on the Internet. Find more info at http://www.terryhudson.net
Selling Crafts in Online Craft Malls
Aug 28th
An online presence can greatly benefit any type of crafter in today’s global market. A presence on the internet is essentially like having a store open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, no waiting between those seasonal craft shows that happen just two or three times a year.
An online store gives new creditably to the crafter as a legitimate business, because now their customers can go to their online store to shop for birthday gifts, valentine gifts, mother’s day gifts, father’s day gifts etc. without having to wait for the next craft show. Their customers can also easily contact them if there is something they need that is not in their online store.
Some crafters are overwhelmed at the thought of having a web site. Hiring a web designer to build their store with ecommerce capabilities, hosting, managing and promoting their web site can be very expensive, and there are also other issues like security, merchant accounts etc.
But there is another option. Join an online crafters’ mall. In a good crafters’ mall the crafter/artisan will have their own store front. They will have a control panel where they can easily add their own product, product descriptions, taxes and shipping charges, they will take care of all their own orders, and they will not pay commissions on their sales. They can also have their own dot com, dot net business names (when available). As soon as they open their online store they get instant traffic.
Catherine Stabler is the owner of the virtual craft mall GLC Arts and Crafts Mall http://www.glcmall.com, which was designed to give crafters, artists, artisans and designers an opportunity to easily sell their crafts online.