Find Out How Much A Comic Book Is Worth

Blown the dust off that box of old comics? Wondering if any of those oldies are worth a mint now? Brace yourself--the answer is "probably not." Comics generally increase in value only if there are a limited quantity printed, or few in excellent condition. Here's find out just how much your old comic books are worth today.

Instructions

Four-color Gold? Pricing your old comic books for cash.

1. Search pricing guides and the Internet. Just because a comic book is "old" does not automatically mean it is valuable. Look for Wizard Magazine or Gemstone Publishing's guides. These are available at or through your local comic shop, or online. Remember, though, that such guides are only that: guides. The value of your comic or collection is exactly the amount another person is willing to pay for it.

2. Get your grades. Having your comic book professionally graded provides an expert assessment of condition and quality. Professional comic book grading consists of a scale of .5 (poor) to 10.0 (gem mint). The Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) can, for a fee, grade your comics and seal them in protective cases. CGC does not, however, provide a value for your comics. You may well spend more on the grading and sealing process than the comic book is worth, so your best bet is usually to get a local appraisal.

3. Ask the experts down the street. The guys and gals of your local comic book shop are the best source of comic information. They can give you an idea of the value of your your comics. These folks live and breathe the comics world, and often have at least one member on staff who can tell you approximately what your comics are worth just by looking at the cover. If you have just a few titles, you can call the shop and make a brief inquiry. If you have a box full of comics, it is best to simply stop by the shop and chat up the resident expert. Comic fans are happy to talk about their passion, and are usually more than happy to give you an idea of your comics' worth. Just provide them a basic list of titles and general condition of each book.

4. Be realistic. Unless you have near-mint issues of popular Issue #1 titles, chances are very good your comics are only worth a little more--sometimes a lot less--than the original cover price. Comic books, like any collectors item, can fluctuate wildly in their value. For example, a mid-grade Issue #1 of The Incredible Hulk was recently valued at as much as several thousand dollars. However, most comics, regardless of age, are not necessarily an investment option.

5. Offer your collection for auction. Even if your comic collection isn't worth much, it might be worth auctioning off the entire lot. Be prepared to enter every title, issue number, and approximate grade. You never know--even a collection with no special value to the comic book world might appeal greatly to one person who is willing to pay handsomely for your collection. Just be sure you've gotten a professional opinion on the comics first so you don't inadvertently auction off a valuable comic for pennies.

Find New Contemporary Artists

There are many interesting new contemporary artists, but many work from home and only work with certain galleries, so it may be challenging to find an artist that you really like. When you want to start collecting art work, you are faced with the issue of finding art by new contemporary artists that you like at affordable prices. Finding new contemporary artists is not all that hard when you know where to look.

Instructions

1. Go to local art fairs and shows. These are held in downtown historical areas, parks, and recreational areas. They are usually announced in the local newspaper, or even on TV. Some fairs are so well-known that everyone in your community knows about it.

2. Visit your local art district. Every city has an area where there are art galleries, classes and art studios. You can visit some of the galleries, or better yet visit the artist’s studios. When you visit the studio, you will get a better feel for the type of work the artist does. You will usually get a better price too and you have the added benefit of creating a rapport with an artist you like.

3. Many of today’s contemporary artists have their own blog or online gallery that you can browse. These are interesting places because you can also find out your artist's inspiration, where he studied and what types of things he likes to paint.

4. Take a vacation in a city or town that is known for its artists. There are many towns and cities around the world where artists from different countries congregate, give workshops, teach and have studios.

Find Modern Dance Music

Find Modern Dance Music

Modern dance evolved out of a dissatisfaction with the constraints of classical ballet. One of the pioneers of modern dance, Isadora Duncan, rebelled against ballet and developed a style she called "free dance." The music that accompanies modern dancing can represent any genre.

Instructions

1. Consider certain factors before setting out to find modern dance music. What is the mood you are striving for, slow and romantic or fast and aggressive? Do you have a certain theme in mind, like modern dancing with a Latin flavor? Answering these questions will help narrow down your search for modern dance music.

2. Go to the iTunes or Amazon websites to sample different kinds of music. Try songs from the CD "Original Music for the Modern Dance Class" by Michael Roberts. Consider music with only percussion or other instrumental arrangements.

3. Visit your local library to explore its CD and DVD collections. Check to see if there are any DVDs featuring famous modern dancers such as Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. Cross reference the music used in the DVDs with the library's CD collection.

4. Shop at a music store. Some stores have headphones you can use to listen to a CD before you purchase it. Imagine a modern dance being performed as you are listening to the music with moves like a pique turn, pirouette and a plie.

5. Contact a local dance studio that offers modern dance lessons. Ask the instructor for modern dance music recommendations and where to find the music.

Find Legitimate Poetry Contests

There are advertisements all over the Internet for free poetry contests that offer great prizes. However, many of these contests are scams that will inform all entrants that they are winners and ask for the money needed to buy a poetry anthology or to place their poem on a plaque. With a little research, you can avoid these scams and find legitimate poetry contests.

Instructions

1. Look online at the various Web sites that offer poetry contests. Check for reputable names that have been in business for a long time.

2. Find Web sites that offer a list of legitimate poetry contests. These sites will give you the basics of each contest, including the entrance fee and submission deadline.

3. Be careful of poetry contests that are free to enter. There are some legitimate companies that do not charge a fee, but most charge a modest reading fee.

4. Enter poetry contests that are held on an annual or semi-annual basis. Companies that hold contests year-round are not usually reputable.

5. Check for judges on the panel that are established poets with published works. If you have never heard of any of the judges, the contest is most likely a scam.

Find Kaleidoscope Supplies

Sir David Brewster named his invention, the kaleidoscope, after the Greek ,"kalos," or beautiful, "eidos," or form, and "scopos," or watcher. To create beautiful forms to look at, you need supplies. Buy a kit and they're already available. But you can track down everything you need at home improvement stores or hardware stores, hobby shops, arts and crafts stores and glass shops.

Instructions

1. Locate a mailing tube or length of PVC pipe to use as the main cylinder of your kaleidoscope. You can find mailing tubes at UPS, while you can pick up PVC at a home improvement or hardware store. Cardboard is cheaper and easier to cut than PVC, but plastic is more durable.

2. Choose reflective surfaces from glass or styrene mirrors or mylar-covered poster board. Purchase pre-cut mirror squares, styrene and mylar at craft stores such as Michael's. Work with pre-cut glass, if you find it too difficult to cut glass.

3. Construct your endpieces from plastic transparent sheets or petri dishes. Track down plastic transparent sheets at stationery stores or craft stores. Pick up petri dishes at hobby shops or biological lab supply companies. You can manipulate transparent sheets more easily than petri dishes and they're easier to find.

4. Buy small pieces of colored glass, beads, bits of foil or small marbles at craft supply stores. When you turn your kaleidoscope, the mirrors reflect these small colored objects, making the pretty patterns you view when you look through the eyepiece.

5. Find tools and other supplies such as a glue gun, masking tape, markers, a utility or craft knife, ice cream sticks, scissors, a metal ruler or square and a glass cutter at craft stores or home improvement stores.

Get A Comic Strip Published

Get a Comic Strip Published

Comic strips have been around since the 19th century. Often humorous and smart, comic strips have touched each generation since its inception. Whether it's The Peanuts, The Phantom or The Boondocks, the creative team behind them spent years and years to get their work published. From creative, solicitation to getting an agent, we show you get your comic strip published.

Instructions

Creative Team; Concept to Publication

1. Get your creative team together. A drawer and writer are essential. They can be the same person as well. "If you can't write then find someone you know who has talent. A friend who wants to break in the business and wants to get their name out there is a good way to save on the budget," claims Courtnee Blackmon, independent graphic designer.

2. Concept the art work, faces and poses. Conceptualizing is part of the theme or main idea for the comic script. Bart Simpson has a constant "look "to him, do the same for each of your characters.

3. Take your comic concept and solicit it to local your independent comic book shops, newspapers and local rags. The Boondocks comic strip was started at a college newspaper, then to a national publication and later a TV show. Please note even the Boondocks example was not an overnight sensation but years of hard work to reach each of those accomplishments.

4. Meet with potential agents to represent your work. Show either your portfolio or website with your concept ideas. The agent that represents you must believe in your comic strip, so feel good about the agent you choose.

5. Self publish! Several comic strips have gained large audiences with their Web-only publications. "Penny Arcade and Ray2kproduxions are such examples. Create a web site with easy navigation. A simple but sleek web design needs to compliment your comic strip. Add social networking pages as well to attract and gain new traffic.

6. Self promote your work. Do the footwork, don't think that just cause you have created the greatest comic in the world people should flock to your website. On the contrary, hustle your comic with the same passion you created it with.

Find Items To Sell On Ebay At Garage Sales

Use garage sales as one way to find items to sell on eBay.

Garage sales can be a great way to find inexpensive items you can sell for a profit on eBay. In fact, the online marketplace founded in 1995, can even be thought of as a virtual garage sale bringing individual sellers and buyers together. There is a strategy to follow for getting the most out of your garage sale shopping for eBay efforts.

Instructions

1. Plan ahead. Read local print newspapers and online editions, and Craig's List for garage sale announcements. Start your search early in the week because garage sales usually begin on Fridays and last through the weekend. You can find a lot of items quickly if you go to specific neighborhood sales instead of going to sales all across town.

2. Go to sales in the affluent parts of town to maximize your chances of finding items that may be worth money.

3. Go early. Most garage sales start in the morning, sometimes as early as 8 a.m. Arriving early ensures that you have first dibs on the best items.

4. Bring plenty of cash. You don't want to take valuable time convincing the seller to take a personal check. Most garage sale sellers only accept cash.

5. Bring your cell phone to call a friend or family member for a second opinion on an item. You may also get an eBay application for your smartphone, allowing you to check on prices and research specific sales trends. Use your phone to search for specific items on the Web to determine how much other sellers are asking for items.

6. Don't be afraid to bargain or make offers. People have garage sales to get rid of their stuff. Make reasonable offers and be fair.

7. Use the "cash in hand" technique. If you find something for $20, and think it is overpriced, you can approach the seller with $10 in your hand and say, "Hi, I am interested in that item over there. I only have $10 left, would you take that?" Seeing the cash, the seller usually takes it. The idea is to be reasonable. This technique usually works best later in the day when sellers are ready to close down their sales.

8. Conduct some research on the eBay site to determine which items or products are popular sellers. Certain items sell better than others and knowing what to look for can really help you maximize your profits.

Enjoy The Dali Museum

The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg Florida is unique in that its main focus is on a single artist, Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali i Domenech. The permanent collection is made up of 95 original oil paintings, more than 100 watercolors and drawings and nearly 1,300 graphics, sculptures, photographs and objects d’art. The museum also houses an extensive library of information on the artist.

Instructions

1. Explore the museum collection. Divided into seven different galleries, the Dali Museum's permanent collection offers an extensive tour through the artist's life. Each gallery presents works that are related, either by theme, style or period. Gallery 5 is the largest of the galleries, and is situated in the center of the other rooms. Entrance to the galleries can be gained through the museum store, which also serves as the exit. The museum offers guided tours of the collection, individual audio tours, as well as toured tailored to the handicapped, or those not fluent in English.

2. Visit the touring exhibit. Throughout the year, the museum plays host to various touring exhibits that have some relationship to Dali or his work. In the past, exhibits have included such themes as "Dali & Mass Culture", "Mapping Dali's Landscapes", "Dali Revealed: Land, Myth, Perception and God" and even a surrealist student show. These exhibits change on a regular basis and are included in the regular museum admission price.

3. Participate in a special event. The museum offers weekly, monthly and special events featuring various themes. Some of the regular events include: Dali Family Fun Saturdays Breakfast with Dali, offered on the 1st Saturday of each month Coffee with a Dali Curator, 1st Wednesday of each month Dali & Beyond Film Series, 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month In the past, special events have included: Wine & Song, a wine tasting and the celebration of Spanish culture Dali Music from the Outside, an avant-garde music event S'Real Friday Happy Hour, Music, art, films and spirits.

4. Shop in the museum store. Located inside the main entrance to the museum, the Dali Museum store is a Dali lover's paradise. The massive store includes items such as calendars, books, jewelry, toys, games, perfume, posters, prints, DVDs and clothing inspired by Dali. In addition, the store also offers museum memberships. You do not have to purchase admission into the galleries to shop in the store.

Find Information On Official Album Sales

Music sales are tracked by a variety of companies and organizations.

Album sales are a significant barometer of commercial success. There are, however, different organizations that track these sales and some are considered more "official" than others. There are also a variety of tracking companies that keep up with album sales for specific reasons. In order to get a reasonable idea of actual sales numbers, you have to pay attention to several sources as there is not a single "official" tracking company.

Instructions

1. Follow general sales numbers on a weekly and annual basis through magazines that cater to the music industry. One popular source is "Billboard" magazine, which bills itself as "the music industry's premiere news source." A six month subscription to "Billboard" begins at $75 (as of 2010). Other magazines providing this information include "Rolling Stone" and genre-specific publications like "The Source."

2. Utilize Nielsen's SoundScan application, which is intended to "track music and music-video product sales as well as radio-station music plays." As of 2010, the SoundScan sales numbers are considered the standard for the industry.

SoundScan's website has music rankings and additional information, including up-to-date sales figures, is available upon request. Nielsen charges for these services according to the needs of each client.

3. Check the data acquired by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the group that issues gold and platinum records for commercially successful recordings. According to the RIAA, its figures come "directly from the major music companies." While this is considered an official number, the RIAA says it only accounts for "about 85 percent of the music sold in the U.S."

Draw Comic Characters Who Have Thinking Bubbles

Draw Comic Characters Who Have Thinking Bubbles

Thinking bubbles, or thought bubbles, are variants of the speaking bubble used to convey a comic book character's words. Thought bubbles show the character's internal thoughts, which aren't being voiced to the rest of the characters. Drawing them is fairly easy, though it requires some expertise to convey properly. Like a lot of art techniques, it gets better with practice, and the more you work at it, the more effective your thought bubbles will become.

Instructions

1. Write down the dialogue you intend to use on a piece of scratch paper. That will give you an idea how much space it will take up. Comic dialogue should be brief and concise, limited to just a sentence or two if possible. Try to arrange the words in an elliptical pattern--with the center lines of dialogue slightly longer than the top and bottom lines.

2. Draw the image to which you intend to attach the thought bubble. The character doing the thinking should have his mouth closed in most cases, and you should include enough white space above or around his head so that you can comfortably place the thought bubble on top of it.

3. Rewrite the dialogue into the white space above the character's head, making sure that it fits in the location without overlapping any key parts of the image.

4. Draw a cloud-like circle around the words, using circular puffy embellishments along the surface of the circle. That will differentiate it from speaking bubbles, which consist of a straightforward oval shape. The circle should completely encompass the words, and none of the surrounding artwork should intrude into its space.

5. Draw three or four tiny circles stretching from the bottom of the circle you just created to the character's face or mouth. Like the large circle, they shouldn't obscure any details in the background image and need to be completely white on the inside.

6. Ink the edges of the circles to cement it in the image, then fill in the background details of the surrounding image in any white space left over.

7. Repeat the process as necessary with any additional thought bubbles in the image. Sometimes, multiple thought bubbles are necessary to convey a particularly long line of dialogue (though you should probably cut the dialogue down to an absolute minimum before doing so).

Do Metal Sculpture

Metal sculpture is a challenging form of art where you cut, shape and weld metal like recycled iron and scrap metal into any design you can think of. Even some pieces of junk metal or tin cans can be made into wildlife figures or human figures. The metal sculptures can be used as decorations indoors and outdoors. The 6 major materials used in metal sculpture are bronze, zinc, gold, silver, cast iron and lead. Lead is rarely used because it is very heavy. Pure gold metal sculptures are also rare but gold usually is used to plate bronze sculptures.

Instructions

1. Choose a simple design and make a paper pattern. Then outline the design on the metal using welders chalk.

2. Cut out the design using a torch or die grinder. If you are using a thin metal sheet you can use a metal scissor to cut out the design. Do not worry about rough edges; they can be smoothed later.

3. Use the metal wheel grinder to smooth the cut edges. You can also use a hammer to smooth the edges of cut metal. Place the cut out metal on a sturdy metal surface and slowly hammer the edges.

4. Check for sharp bits by carefully running your finger along the cutout's edge. If there are sharp bits then file gently to remove the sharp bits.

5. Shape the cutout metal according to your design. If you want curves in your metal sculpture you can use an anvil and hammer.

6. Paint your metal sculpture to prevent it from rusting, especially if you want to put it outdoors. You can even adorn your metal sculpture with plastic jewels or paint it with different colors to make it more attractive.

Find Grants For Artists

Grants for Artists

In the past, it was difficult to find grants for artists. However, with more focus being placed on creativity and expression these days, grants are more in abundance. If you need a grant to help support your work, you're in luck. Below, you'll learn find grants for artists.

Instructions

1. Join local artists groups. One way you can find grants for artists is to join local artists groups. Most of these groups will stay informed on the latest grants and you can learn about them quickly in order to take advantage. You can also get some great support and tips from fellow artists. You can check the community section of your local newspaper to find out more or visit http://art.meetup.com/.

2. Utilize private foundation grants. There are a number of private foundations that support the arts and often give grants to individual artists for different reasons. From grants for individual projects to opening art centers and more, these are a great resource. A few of the foundations you should know about include the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation, the A Room of Her Own Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts. Each of these foundations offer different types of grants for artists. You can learn more by visiting http://www.artheals.org/artist_support/grants.php.

3. Look into government grants. There are different grants available for artists through the government, but you should know that most of these grants are very competitive. However, that doesn't mean you don't have a shot at obtaining one. www.Grants.gov is a great tool for finding grants given by the government. You can use the keyword search option located on the site to search for grants for artists. Once you have typed in your keyword, you will be taken to a list of results where you can look at the grants in detail and even get the applications for those grants. You can also learn more about artist's grants by visiting http://www.federalgrantswire.com/artist-federal-grants.html.

4. Search for local art programs. Although there are many grants available for generalized art programs and such, sometimes searching your own individual art will help you find more information. Whether you're writer, painter, photographer or a different type of artist, search Google, Yahoo or another major search engine for information. You can use the word 'grants for' and then add your own art to get more information.

A helpful tip is to do this when you have a few hours to spend going through your search results. There are some scam sites that will try to get money from you but real grant sites do not charge.

By using the steps above, you can find grants for artists to help you with your next project or needs you have at this time.

Make Cartoon Animations Online

Cartoon illustrations can be animated online.

Bring your ideas to life through online cartoon animation. Creating cartoons is not as mysterious as it may seem. The secret to making cartoons lies in a technique called "framing." Cartoonists create many copies of the same drawing, each with a slight change from the one before. As multiple copies are flashed in quick succession on the screen, it gives the appearance of motion.

No longer is it necessary to buy expensive software in order to animate cartoons. Many online sites are now available for use.

Instructions

1. Learn from the tutorial.

Find online cartooning sites using a search engine. Enter terminology such as "animation software" or "online cartooning." Watch visual demos or tutorials on the sites to give you an idea of how they work.

2. Try it before buying it.

Select the software program you want to use. If it offers a "try it and buy it" feature, test it out before purchasing.

3. Purchase access using a credit card.

Register with the website to gain access to the program. If there is a charge for using the program, pay for the subscription using a credit card or a secure online payment service.

4. Check out software's features and tools.

Learn the features and tools. Practice using them to get acquainted with what they do.

5. Plan each frame.

Develop a storyline. Plan out the action. Be specific on what you want to see as the story progresses.

6. Upload photos.

Transform your story into an animated cartoon utilizing your own drawings, characters that come with the program or outside sources such as a photo host website. Upload the images. Be sure to use photos that are free access or those for which you have copyright privileges.

7. Save the cartoon when it is done.

Resize your photos, manipulate their positions and move them along frame by frame to create action. These functions should be provided for in your program. When the frames are completed and you are satisfied with the results, save your work.

Find Contemporary Wedding Songs

Contemporary music is often melody-driven.

Contemporary music is classified as any music created in the 1970s, '80s, '90s or 2000s. This genre of music is generally appropriate for weddings, office parties and other festive events. You may have difficulty deciding which contemporary songs are right for your wedding day. Take into account both your and your fianc 's tastes, and utilize various resources to find the soundtrack to your big day.

Instructions

1. Talk to your wedding planner, if you have one. These professionals often have a large collection of music for weddings and can tell you which contemporary wedding songs would best suit your ceremony.

2. Ask your partner is there is any music that he absolutely does not want played at the wedding. This can help narrow down your search from a few thousand to a few hundred songs. Deciding whether you want vocals in your music or purely instrumental songs can also help narrow down your selection.

3. Search iTunes or another popular music site to download the music that you have chosen. In some cases, if you are still undecided, iTunes will group music based on its genre, which allows you to search through titles similar to those that you have already purchased. If you are planning to have live music, give the band a list of titles and artists so that they can practice the songs you've chosen.

Make A Laser Light Show

Make a Laser Light Show

If you want to create your own laser light show, then follow these steps to get started. You see these type of laser light shows at concerts and other events, and they add an electric vibe of energy to the mix. Your laser light show can be completely of your own creation with unique lasers and color of lights. Learn how you can make a laser light show.

Instructions

1. Get your loud speaker and your rubber cement. Place some of the rubber cement on the back of the small mirror and then attach the small mirror to the middle of your speaker.

2. Take the speaker wires and connect them to the speaker terminals. Be careful as you do this step and make sure attach them properly to the speaker so that the sound will travel through.

3. Grab the other end of the speaker wires and attach them to the stereo speaker. Get some tape and place in on the laser pointer button to keep it permanently held down.

4. Start your laser light show by aiming the laser at the little mirror you have attached to the smaller speaker. Find out where the light bounces off too.

5. Keep adjusting the speakers so that the laser aims at a wall. Once it is on the wall, make sure both the speaker and laser are propped up on their own.

6. Turn on your stereo and the vibrations will make your laser move and make cool patterns. The vibrations will make the mirror reflect different shapes in your laser stream.

Find A Photography Grant

Find grants to fund photography projects.

Photography grants are monetary awards given to photographers to produce a body of original artwork. Award amounts vary depending on the grant. Money from grants can be used to finance new equipment, travel, staff, etc. Individual grants stipulate what the funds can be used for. There's a lot of competition for photography grants, but the good thing is that there are many grants to choose from. Learn search for photography grants and get funded for your next project.

Instructions

1. Make an outline of the next project you want funding for. Applying for grants requires you to provide extensive project details. The scope of the project dictates what grants you qualify for.

2. Conduct a basic internet search to find photography grants.

3. Read each grant's eligibility material to find out whether or not you qualify to apply.

4. Print out application and resource materials.

5. Purchase a book that lists grants for individuals. "Foundation Grants to Individuals" by Foundation Center is updated every one or two years. The book has a reliable list of foundational grants available.

6. Grants are listed by number, not alphabetically. It is best to use the index to search through the book.

7. Look up the subject index in the back of the book. Find "photography" and look at the reference numbers listed beside it.

8. Look up each reference and read the eligibility to find out whether or not you qualify for the grant.

9. Write down the mail and website address of applicable grants. Write a letter to receive grant application material or visit their website to see if an online version is available.

Get Song Lyrics Published

Are you a great wordsmith, but not necessarily a great tunesmith? There are many people who love writing lyrics but do not write the accompanying music. There are others who write both music and lyrics but are looking for a way to primarily sell lyrics. There is a growing market for lyrics. In the music business, publishing is where the money’s at, so many people look to publishing to make a living in music.

Instructions

1. Check out the Songwriter Guild of America (www.songwritersguild.com). Here you can find different markets for songwriters. The Songwriters Guild was put together to protect songwriters by establishing good publishing and contract terms. There are membership fees, but this can be a good way to network with other songwriters.

2. Check online. There are websites that buy lyrics exclusively. For instance, take a look at the site, Empire Music Company (www.empiremusicco.com). The site buys lyrics from lyricists, not just musicians.

3. Join ASCAP – the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. ASCAP will protects writing and distribution of your songs. This is available to self-publishers, as well as people who’ve put something out on a major label.

4. Be sure to fight for adequate credit. If you co-write a song with someone, you can share in the publishing credit. People have been known to be scammed by not getting due credit, so make sure to get split credit in writing.

5. Check out the Music Publisher’s Association (www.mpa.org) for a complete list of music publishers.

Find A Cotillion

A cotillion offers children of all ages lessons in social behavior and etiquette, all in a formal dancing atmosphere. Much more than dancing lessons, cotillions use dancing to teach proper manners, dress and communicate effectively. Learn find a cotillion in your area.

Instructions

1. Know that cotillions are usually programs that require at least 2 years of lessons. Dancing is only one area of focus at a cotillion. Manners, proper dress for special occasions and engage others in conversation are other topics covered. Parents are shown their child's progress through formal dances.

2. Contact the National League of Junior Cotillions for chapters in your area. The NLJC is the premier group in the U.S. for cotillion organization and information. Based in North Carolina, the NLJC offers a specific manners-oriented curriculum for children in Pre-K through grade 8 (see Resources below).

3. Apply to become a National League of Junior Cotillions Director for your area. If you can't find a cotillion in your area, you can start one. Fill out the application form on the NLJC website (see Resources below). If selected, you receive instruction on teach the curriculum of the NLJC.

Find A Company'S Federal Tax Id Number

Finding your employer's tax ID number.

A federal tax identification number, or employer identification number (EIN), is one of the primary methods through which the U.S. government identifies businesses and companies. When filing their taxes, employees often have to note the business's federal tax ID number.

Instructions

Finding Your Own Company's Federal Tax ID Number

1. Find the email or letter sent to you by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if you have misplaced the federal tax ID number for your business. You would have received this notice to confirm the receipt of your tax ID application with the IRS. On the confirmation form, typically in the top left corner, is your company's ID number.

2. Contact any bank or financial institution where you applied for a business account. To open one of these accounts, you had to give your company's ID number, and they may provide it to you on request.

3. Call the Internal Revenue Service's Business Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. Request to speak to a federal tax assistant. He or she will ask you to provide identifiable corporate information that helps verify that you are indeed the owner of the business, and then provide you with your company's ID number.

Finding Your Employer's Federal Tax ID Number

4. Contact your company's human resources or accounting department. Some businesses, depending on their size, may combine the two departments. Request the company's federal tax ID number and explain why you need this information. Businesses are used to providing this information to employees and will give it to you for reasonable purposes.

5. Find an old W-2 form or similar tax or income record issued to you by the company. The business's federal tax ID number is often located on the sheet in the employer's information box.

6. Contact your local Internal Revenue Service office and ask to speak to a tax representative or assistant. They will provide the company's EIN.

Make Your Own Claymation Animation

Before the digital era, making a convincing claymation video was painstaking work that required film-editing tools that not every household would have on hand. Today, though, anyone can be an animator with a standard digital camera and cheap or free video-editing software. This is a great ongoing project for older kids, as there are several stages to it that teach different skills: composing the story, building sets and characters, shooting the story and piecing together the animation.

Instructions

1. Come up with a storyline. Either write down some basic scenes in outline form or storyboard the movie. To make a storyboard, divide a piece of light-colored cardboard or oak tag into comic strip panels. Make simple sketches of each scene, in consecutive order, within the panels. You don't have to include a panel for every shot - just keep track of major changes, like when the action moves to a new set or when a new character is introduced.

2. Build the characters. Create as many as you want but remember, to make a good film you will have to change the all of characters' arm and leg motions, so don't go overboard in your first film. Use Playdoh or any flexible clay in bright colors. Use a material that bends easily but is rigid enough to keep the characters upright without assistance.

3. Create a background for your film. Include a few adjustable cutouts - like clouds, the sun and birds - that you can move easily from shot to shot to help create the illusion of motion.

4. Take your photographs. Remember to have a small change in every photo so that it looks like actual movements are going on. Be careful not to make any adjustments to the camera angle while you're taking photos. Shoot the movie straight on and keep the framing tight. Invest in a cheap tripod to keep shots steady.

5. Upload the photographs to your computer and import them into a video-editing program like Microsoft Movie Maker or Apple iMovie. Place the photos in the correct sequence and add music, dialogue or titles as needed.

Find Artists To Paint Portraits For You

Choose an artist whose work you admire.

For a truly personal piece of art to display in your home, consider commissioning a portrait artist to paint your portrait. Before you start looking for an artist, figure out how much you can afford to spend. An unknown art student will be far cheaper than an established, professional portrait artist. Decide what your preferred style is, for example contemporary or traditional, to help you narrow down your search.

Instructions

1. Attend portrait exhibitions at local art galleries. Write down the names of artists whose work you admire. Ask the gallery staff get in touch with the artist.

2. Look in your telephone directory and online to find contact details for local art agencies. Check out their websites to find what artists they represent. They often show examples of their artists' work on their site. Contact the agency and arrange an appointment to look through the portfolios of portrait artists whose work is within your budget.

3. Visit a local art college and ask to see the work of students who are specializing in portraiture. Choose your favorite and ask the student if she would consider painting your portrait.

4. Visit a website featuring professional portrait artists, such as A Stroke of Genius Portrait Artists. Follow the links on the site to view portfolios, find links to artists' own websites and get details on commission a portrait artist.

Make A Diagram Of An Ecosystem

Plants are producers.

An ecosystem is a representation of the interactions between the living and nonliving elements within a community. This includes the exchange of nutrients and energy. Ecosystems consist of producers, consumers and decomposers. The producers partake in the process of photosynthesis, the consumers obtain their energy by ingesting the producers, and the decomposers obtain their nutrients and deposit other nutrients to the ecosystem by breaking down dead plant and animal remains. A diagram of an ecosystem portrays this flow of energy and exchange of nutrients. In order to make a diagram of an ecosystem, you have to depict the living and nonliving entities, and put arrows where the flow of energy occurs.

Instructions

1. Sketch the living and nonliving components of the ecosystem on the poster paper. In order to make a diagram of an ecosystem, you have to depict how the living organisms and the nonliving elements of the community interact. The nonliving factors within the ecosystem typically consist of the sun and the soil. The sun provides the energy needed for photosynthesis, and the soil stores the organic matter that is created by the decomposers. The living organisms of the ecosystem typically consist of the plants, animals and fungi. The plants represent the producers, the animals represent the consumers, and the fungi represent the decomposers. Always make your sketches in pencil.

2. Distinguish between the primary and secondary consumers. In order to make a diagram of an ecosystem, you have to show that not all animals have the same feeding habits. This is why both herbivores and carnivores are displayed within the ecosystem diagram. The herbivores are usually insects, such as beetles. An example of a carnivore is a snake. Label the primary and secondary consumer on your diagram.

3. Label the other components of the ecosystem on your diagram. The sun should be labeled as the energy source. The plant should be labeled as the producer. The fungi should be labeled as the decomposer. Also, label the soil.

4. Draw arrows on the diagram to represent the flow of energy. WIthin an ecosystem, there is energy that is passed on and energy that is lost. Therefore, you should represent this concept using two different colors. For example, orange arrows can be used to represent the energy that is passed on, and purple arrows can be used to represent energy that is lost. Draw an orange arrow from the sun to the plants. Then draw an orange arrow from the plants to the primary consumer and a purple arrow from the plants to the surroundings. Draw an orange arrow from the primary consumer to the secondary consumer and a purple arrow from the primary consumer to the surroundings.

5. Depict the transfer of nutrients. Represent the nutrients that are transfered from the wastes of the organisms to the soil. This can be done using arrows of another color, such as blue. Draw blue arrows from the primary and secondary consumers that point down into the soil. The waste products of the primary and secondary consumers provide nutrients to the soil when the waste products are broken down by the decomposers. Draw a blue arrow from the soil to the plants.

6. Use the markers to color the words and features of the ecosystem that you originally sketched in pencil. Also, create a key that indicates which arrow color represents which process. In order to make a diagram of an ecosystem, it is necessary to color and label everything clearly.

Find And Easily Enter Contests Online

While entering contests once required filling out complicated forms, mailing contest entries, and spending time hunting down opportunities, the Internet has changed all that. It is possible to find and easily enter contests over the Internet today, and it can often be done in mere minutes. All that is required is a bit of free time and Web access.

Instructions

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Navigate to a website that offers a list of Internet based contests. A few of the options include Contest Alley, Free Contests and More, and Online-Sweepstakes (See Resources). These sites gather lists of available Internet contests on a regular basis and post links for visitors.

3. Click the "Register" or "Register For a Free Membership" link. While some sites do not require you to register to get contest links, the most complete information is available if you register with the site. Registering with any of the contest sites will mean that you will regularly receive email alerts about new contests.

4. Click on the links of any contests that you are interested in entering. These links will take you to the external websites which host the contest. Some sites, such as Online-Sweepstakes.com, divide the contests by date, type, and prize so you can choose to view only those which are best suited for you.

5. Complete all required information on the contest site fully. While required information does vary, you will generally be asked for your name, age (to verify you are old enough to enter the contest in question,) and your email address.

6. Click the "Enter" link and wait for a confirmation that your contest entry has been received. Some contest sites will send a verification to your email address that you have entered the contest.

Make A Tattoo Heal Faster

Constant care and vigilance will ensure a tattoo heals faster.

When it comes to tattoo healing, there are two ways to go about it -- quick or proper. The faster way to help a tattoo is to let your body heal it naturally by developing a scab. However, natural scabs are the absolute worst way to heal a tattoo since they almost always cause portions of the ink to fall out and unevenly fade the rest. It is never a good idea to let your body heal the tattoo itself. The proper way can take up to two weeks, but there are some notes of advice that can help shave a few days off that mark.

Instructions

1. Remove the initial bandage on your tattoo, put in place by your artist, as soon as you get home. Once you remove the bandage, your tattoo should never be bandaged again.

2. Wash the fresh tattoo three to four times a day with warm water and antibacterial soap. Do not allow water to run over the tattoo, but instead shovel it onto the area with your hand, and dab the soap on the area, don't rub it in.

3. Dry the tattoo by dabbing a clean towel on it or allow it to air dry.

4. Spread a very thin amount of protective ointment over the area after every cleaning for the first two to three days. After those days, only use non-scented body lotion. Scented lotion contains alcohol, which will dry out your tattoo and irritate it. Keep the layers thin; too thick a layer of either the ointment or the lotion will only add time to the healing process. Using a consistent thin layer will help ensure the tattoo heals as quickly as possible without sacrificing any of the proper care.

5. Leave the tattooed area exposed as much as possible. The less contact your tattoo has with fabrics such as clothing, the quicker it will heal. Obviously, you may have to cover the tattoo for work and other purposes, and when you do, do so with dark and loose fabric. However, unless you absolutely must cover the tattoo, don't.

6. Avoid direct contact with sunlight. Sunlight causes irritation, which will add time to the healing process.

Make A Tattoo Stencil

Make a Tattoo Stencil

A tattoo stencil is a stencil that is used to create an ink or henna tattoo. Creating your own stencil allows you to personalize a design or create a tattoo to your specifications. This is a useful technique that helps insure that you like the tattoo design before you commit to a permanent tattoo.

Instructions

1. Pick or design the tattoo of your choice. Draw it or print it on regular paper first. Take the time to review every aspect, color and line. This gives you the chance to make sure it is exactly the tattoo you want.

2. Lay the transfer paper on a flat surface. Place the carbon paper ink-side down onto the transfer paper.

3. Tape your design onto the top of the carbon paper and transfer paper to hold it in place.

4. Trace the design with a pencil. Press hard along the lines so the tattoo design transfers completely. Make sure to trace each line of the design.

5. Cut the design out of the transfer paper leaving about two inches around each edge.

6. Rub a glycerin-based deodorant over the area of skin where you want the tattoo. This moistens the skin and allows the transfer to stick.

7. Put the transfer paper on your skin on the moistened area. Rub the stencil into the skin until all of the transfer has been placed on the skin.

8. Trace around the outsides of the tattoo with henna or body art paint. Another option is to add the colors with paint so you get the full picture of the tattoo.

Fade Tattoos

Tattoo work sometimes becomes regrettable.

Tattoos have become a great avenue for self-expression. However, what seems like a good idea at the time often turns to regret when a tattoo no longer has meaning or just does not look good anymore. There are different ways to fade and hopefully remove the unwanted tattoo from the body. Each way has its own challenges and price tag, making it important to research the options before settling on the right way for you to fade a tattoo.

Instructions

1. Check with a medical professional regarding how much it would cost to fade or remove a tattoo professionally with laser or surgical options. If you are unable to afford surgical or laser removal options, there are at-home options available.

2. Apply a chemical peel that will fade a tattoo over time. Dermasal and Nuviderm are two premade chemical peels to use, and you can purchase either one online. Apply these products to the skin, which will start to peel and blister up. The solution should stay on for 3 to 5 minutes and then be washed off. These solutions should be applied daily, but if skin irritation occurs, wait three or four days before applying again. Repeat these steps until the tattoo fades away, which can take anywhere from three to 18 months.

3. Place a cream recommended by the Tattoo Removal Institute on the tattoo. These creams include Tat B Gone and Tattoo-Off, both of which are available online. Wash the tattoo, dry it and place the cream on the tattoo. The cream will start to fade the ink and should be applied daily. Keep applying the cream until the tattoo fades away over time, which on average is three to nine months.

4. Use trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, to exfoliate the skin and fade the tattoo away. This product can be bought online or at most drug stores. Place the TCA acid on the tattoo. In two to three weeks, the skin should start to peel, and the peeling process continues for another two to three weeks. Reapply TCA every four to six weeks after the skin is done peeling. It takes three to six treatments for full fading to occur.

Fade Paint On A Truck

Faded paint is a popular paint theme for trucks and hot rods. Some faded vehicles use only two colors faded together one time, while others may use several colors, fading two colors together where each color meets. A faded paint job is always custom and can be done using almost any combination of two colors. Learn fade paint on a truck and combine your favorite colors into a fade.

Instructions

1. Sand the entire truck with 220 grit sand paper to remove the first layer of paint/clear coat. Sand evenly using a sanding block so that primer can adhere to the surface.

2. Prime the truck using three coats of evenly sprayed primer. Allow each coat to dry completely. Sand the primer with a sanding block and 800 grit sand paper. Sand the top surface of the primer lightly until smooth.

3. Fill two paint guns with the two colors with which you will paint the truck. Fill the third paint gun with a 50/50 mix of each color. Start painting the truck with one of the main colors. Start at the front of the truck and paint back to the point where you want the fade to occur (if the fade is going to be horizontal, start at the top of the truck and paint down until you reach the height of where the fade will be). Use the second color, and start at the opposite end of the truck and paint until you reach the stopping point of the other color.

4. Use the third paint gun filled with the 50/50 mix to paint in the area where the two colors meet. Paint all the way around the truck, following the line where the two paints meet.

5. Use the two solid paint filled spray guns to lightly spray the edges of the mixed color line on the truck until they are blended, and no 'hard' lines are visible. Allow all of the paint to dry completely.

6. Spray four to five coats of clear on the paint, allowing each to dry completely.

Facilitate A Cotillion

Candle table decor gives any room an elegant ambiance.

Practicing formal etiquette, dancing techniques and other social graces is common at cotillions. It is a formal dance with an instructional and informative basis. Typically, cotillions are given to teach young teens and college-age students the fine art of attending a formal evening. It gives them a chance to practice manners, dances and conversational techniques they have been learning in preparation for the big night. Facilitating a cotillion is not difficult, and proper planning will ensure the evening will be a night to remember.

Instructions

1. Pick the venue for your cotillion months in advance, particularly if it is during the holiday months. Choose the venue with the number of people in mind. Make sure you allow space for seating around tables, a food table and a dance floor.

2. Hire instructors to help lead the dances. If you are a teacher with multiple classes, this may be necessary in order to keep the cotillion flowing well and to help students who need pointers.

3. Plan your menu. Cotillion food is typically light snacks such as finger foods or chips and dip. Make sure the food is bite-size and easy to transport from the food table to the seating area. Don't serve foods that are messy. Depending on the budget, you may choose elegant appetizers or choose to keep the food casual. Provide chilled punch and carbonated beverages to quench the thirst of the dancers.

4. Pass around two baskets that contain numbers for the guests to pick; one for the females and one for the males. This is a fair way to determine who each person's partner will be for the beginning portion of the cotillion. Set a time to draw a different number two or three times throughout the evening. This will ensure everyone gets to practice their conversational skills and dancing techniques with different types of people. Another idea is to make beautiful, pastel favors with a mate in each of the two baskets. For instance, if a female chooses a beautiful, tissue paper butterfly to pin to her dress then her partner will be the male who chooses the same.

5. Instruct the attendees on the dress code at least two or three weeks before the event. Most cotillion dances are formal, but you can tell the guests to wear their Sunday best or to come in a period costume for a masquerade cotillion theme.

6. Hire a small band or a deejay to play the music. Choose popular music that the age group will enjoy. Mix in beautiful classic songs throughout the evening so that they can perform all the dance steps they have been practicing.

7. Decorate the tables with white tablecloths to give the room an elegant look. Add a floral centerpiece or simply place a candle votive in the center to light during the party. Toss some confetti onto the tables to add a festive atmosphere.

8. Use crepe paper streamers and colored balloons to add to the elegant and festive ambiance of the evening.

Explain Chiaroscuro Technique

Explain Chiaroscuro Technique

The time-honored technique of chiaroscuro is essentially a dialectical practice of contrasting light and dark. Much greater detail exists on the definition of the term, to be found in many different places and exemplified in different media and types of visual art.

Instructions

1. First, examine the fundamental dialectic presented by chiaroscuro and how artists have used materials to affect this technique, either with inks and pigments or with colored paper or shading.

2. Talk about the historic reference of the term, it's beginning in the Renaissance, and the use of chiaroscuro in woodcuts over successive centuries. Though the woodcuts do not work in pigment, they present "shaded" or fluctuating styles that seem to indicate light and dark. Examples can be found in books of German or Italian print makers of the 1600s or 1700s.

3. Talk about the successive Baroque use of chiaroscuro, and find examples in continental artworks of how the Holy theme of so many great works was enhanced through the interplay of light and dark. Also, indicate tributaries of chiaroscuro, for instance, the "tenebrism" of later Italian works.

4. Move on to the use of chiaroscuro in cinema. As directors experimented with the most effective means of good cinematography, the term came into play as working with shadows and set lighting. It is a simple phenomena, a name for a general cinematic technique, and something that can be found in corners of diverse types of films particularly before movies were made in color, as black and white film is perfect for the kind of contrast that chiaroscuro represents.

5. Find graphic novels that illustrate the light and dark interplay of chiaroscuro for modern examples of the technique. From the earliest graphic novels right up to Alan Moore, frames and panels of graphic novels represent the newest manifestation of this timeless artistic device.

Experience Andrew Lloyd Webber'S Film Legacy

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most popular composers in musical theater history, creating such powerful works as "The Phantom of the Opera," "Cats," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Evita" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." While nothing replaces the experience of seeing one of his shows live, there have been many splendid movie versions made of his pieces. It helps to watch those in order, with a bit of perspective on his career.

Instructions

1. Andrew Lloyd Webber created the first of his important shows, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at 19, as a commission for a British school called Colet Court. This Biblical piece wasn't produced for Broadway until nearly two decades later, disorienting some on its place in Webber's canon, but it clearly shows his foundational talents, including an ability to masterfully mix musical styles. It also was his first collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice, a team that later produced "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Evita." The best film version, starring Donny Osmond in the title role, pays tribute to this school-house beginning for Webber, and Osmond's voice has become the definitive one for this role. See this movie first. It's the lightest and most accessible.

2. "Joseph" leads directly to the musical that put Webber on the map, "Jesus Christ Superstar." There are two important movie versions of this show, and both should be watched because of the importance of this one in Webber's career. The first, created in 1972, features Ted Neeley as Jesus, and is an epic that centers around a bus-load of hippies. The second, more obscure, is the exceptional new version, featuring Glenn Carter as Jesus, which presents a sparse and modern reinterpretation that represents more of a stage feel. Totally different presentations of the same great material.

3. Get past the idea of Madonna as Eva Peron. That actually turns out to be pretty good typecasting, and the film version of "Evita," also starring the surprisingly strong Antonio Banderas, is the next must see in chronological order of when Webber created these pieces. This film is so extravagantly (and beautifully) produced that it makes it hard to go back to the spare stage version.

4. We're starting to build toward the crescendo now. "Cats," featuring Elaine Page, marks the separation of Webber and Rice. Webber's new partner is from the past, T.S. Eliot, and Webber blends a "Joseph"-like mix of music into the Jellicle mythology of Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats." The pace of this one is a bit slow at first, but once the viewer gets connected to the concept, it soars.

5. Webber's pinnacle, "The Phantom of the Opera," finishes this list, with an underappreciated film version released in 2005 starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. It's not quite the same as going to a theater and seeing the chandelier fall, but this movie also incorporates some special cinematic touches that make it worth watching over and over again, especially when none of the top Webber shows are playing in your area.

Expand A Sweater

Expand a shrunken sweater using hair conditioner and water.

Many of us have accidentally put a wool sweater in the dryer and been disappointed to find it has shrunk to nearly half its size. When this happens, it can be nearly impossible to restore the sweater to its original size, but you may still be able to expand the sweater. Before you throw the sweater out, try using a few simple items to fix your shrunken sweater.

Instructions

1. Fill a sink with lukewarm water and a 2 tbsp. of hair conditioner. Place the sweater in the water and allow to soak for 20 to 30 minutes. The hair conditioner will soften and loosen the threads in the sweater, which will make them easier to expand.

2. Drain the water from the sink. Remove excess water from the sweater by pressing it against the basin of the sink. Do not wring the sweater out to remove water.

3. Gently stretch the sweater, trying to restore it to its original shape. Place the sweater on a thick towel that can absorb the water.

4. Press a second towel on top of the sweater to continue absorbing excess water. Allow the sweater to air-dry.

Evaluate Websites For A Research Paper

Not all websites provide accurate, timely information.

Whether you are writing a research paper for work or school, you need sources that are reliable, dependable and accurate. The Internet has made a vast amount of information available at the click of a mouse, but evaluating websites for objectivity and credibility can sometimes be a challenge. With more information coming onto the Web on a daily (and sometimes hourly) basis, it can be difficult simply to keep up with all the choices that present themselves. However, if you fail to carefully evaluate sites, you might find that your grade, or even your job, is on the line.

Instructions

1. Consider the source. This is one of the most salient phrases in all of journalism, but it can be applied to any kind of research. You want your source to be objective, above all, and the website from which you gather information should reflect that. Personal blogs, commercial websites (at times) and sites pressing any type of agenda are not objective, and any facts gleaned from them may be called into question. Focus your search on sites built by government and academic agencies. These bodies are more highly motivated to provide accurate copy and reliable facts since their reputations depend upon being seen as highly knowledgeable on a topic.

2. Determine whether the site is written in a well-organized and readable manner. This indicates that the author spent a great deal of time working on the site, and that same effort may also have been expended during their research and writing. Beware of sites riddled with grammatical and spelling errors as well as those that are poorly organized and difficult to follow. Although not all subject experts can claim to be writers, the fact that they did not take the time to correct mistakes indicates the possibility that they are sloppy in other areas of their working life, such as research and fact-checking.

3. Research the author. While the main source of the article may be a particular institution or company, it does not hurt to do a little fact-checking on the person who wrote it as well. He should have years of experience on the topic, and should possess relevant degrees, licenses or certifications in the area of expertise he's writing about.

Make Wirebeaded Sculpture Animals

You can translate a sculptural form in to a beaded wire sculpture with a bit of practice.

With a bit of wire and some beads, you can make sculptural art in many forms, including animals. The sculptures generally use two different gauge wires. The heavier wire is used to make the basic animal shape, which is called the armature. The thinner wire is loaded with beads and woven into the armature to give the sculpture its surface form and to embellish the piece. When you're first learning to work in this challenging medium, you can create small animal sculptures. As you gain experience working with the beads and wire, you'll be able to create larger and more elaborate beaded wire animals.

Instructions

1. Form your animal shape with the heavy gauge wire. It may be helpful to trace the animal form onto a piece of paper and then bend the wire around it. Make the head, neck, body and legs of a long continuous piece of wire formed to the specific shape. For the giraffe example, form a very long neck with one wire and then bend the wire to represent the thickness of the body from shoulder to chest. Continue this wire down the left front leg. Bend the wire around into a hoof shape at the bottom of the leg and bring it back up. Continue the wire around the shape of the lower belly and then drop it back down to form the rear leg. The wire will move around the lower hoof shape, bend back up and form the rump. Take the wire back up as if it were the spine and then bend it up where you want the neck to be. When you get to the top of the neck, bend the wire in to the head shape and wrap it around the nose. Dropping the wire around the tip of the nose, bend one more time to form the underside of the jaw and join the wire to the beginning by twisting a couple of wraps to secure the ends. Clip the wire with wire cutters.

2. Form a second giraffe shape using the heavy gauge wire. Make it the same as the first shape along the neck, head and body. The legs can vary to represent different leg positions. Clip the wire.

3. Add wires to the armature by wrapping them over existing wires following the form of the giraffe. These wires will run perpendicular to the basic armature wiring. These wires also hold the framework of the giraffe apart to make the proper width of the head, neck and body. Pay close attention as you place these wires and remember that you are forming the giraffe's width at this time. Wrap these wires around the outside of the armature from one wire to the next going around the first wire in the neck making a loop around the inside of the armature wire and back to the outside of the armature. Move to the next wire in the neck and wrap around to the inside and back out. Wrap these wires tightly so that they do not slip around. When one wire has encircled the armature, secure it by twisting it in place and clip it. Make another wire wrap one or two inches down the neck. Continue down the neck and then place one where the neck joins the body. Place another wire wrap in this manner around the body. Continue down the body placing a wire wrap looped to the inside of the armature until you have a wire exoskeleton down the neck, around the body and around the legs. You may need to add two or more additional vertical wires to each leg once you have a body form to attach them to.

4. Place wires around the armature wires of the head wrapping them tightly and securing each one in place by twisting the wire ends together. When you add wires to the head, wrap around the four wires of the armature. Remember to narrow the head by making smaller wire wraps as you work toward the nose. When complete, you should be able to easily visualize the giraffe form if you imagine skin covering the wire. As you visualize, correct any errors in your giraffe form.

5. Thread a few beads onto a length of your 28 gauge wire. These beads may be the same color or you can intersperse an occasional dark-spot colored bead among them. Secure one end of your wire to one of your original armature wires near the tip of the nose. Wrap the wire around to the next wire. Make sure you have beads extending the full width of the gap between wires. Wrap the 28 gauge wire around the armature wire and then extend it to the next wire near the tip of the nose. Add beads as needed. The beading should completely fill the space between wraps around the armature. Continue working around the nose and head in a spiral fashion. If you run out of wire, secure the end and start a new wire, adding beads and keeping the wraps very tight and very close together. Use armature wire or the 28 gauge wire, depending on the sculpture size, to add ears and horns when you get to the top of the head. Bead these areas as you did the nose.

6. Attach beaded wire to the neck. Use the dark beads to work dark giraffe splotches into the beading pattern as you attach the wires. Work around the neck in a tight spiral fashion as you did the nose and head. When you reach the body, you may choose to continue to apply the beads and wire in a spiral or you may elect to attach the beads and wire to the body along the length of the spine horizontally. Continue working the beaded wires in place until the body is complete. Use the 28 gauge wire to add a tail when you arrive at the tail location.

7. Attach at least one additional armature wire to each side of each leg to form a roundness for the leg shapes. Fasten these additional armature wires securely to the existing body wiring. Work the beaded wire segments onto the legs in the spiral fashion you used for the head and neck. Add the dark color patch beads as needed on the upper legs and then continue the rest of each leg in your light giraffe color.

8. Wrap the ends of the beaded wire securely when you reach the bottom of each leg. When all four legs are complete, your giraffe is done. You may wish to add a larger bead eye on each side of the head. Short beaded wires for the mane can be wrapped into the bead work along the top edge of the neck. Wrap the wire through one bead twice and then add the number of beads desired for the mane - two to six depending on the size of your giraffe. Secure the other end of the wire in the neck. Add these along the neck from the back of the head to the point where the neck meets the body. These short beaded wires can be added to make a tuft on the tail as well.

Etch Gun Cabinet Glass

Use a rotary cutting tool to etch gun cabinet glass

Most gun cabinets feature glass windows in its doors and may traditional cabinet windows are etched with scenes of bucks, geese or other wildlife. If your gun cabinet glass is unadorned, you can easily decorate it yourself, or simply etch your name. Etching glass is a straightforward procedure; you can finish a simple job in the space of an afternoon. If you have never etched glass before, it's best to practice with a piece of scrap before working on the gun cabinet itself.

Instructions

1. Remove the gun cabinet door containing the glass you would like to etch. Most door hinges can simply be unscrewed from the surrounding wood.

2. Set the gun cabinet door on a working surface, and place a large piece of dark cloth under the glass. This will make it easier to see your design while you are working. Clamp the door to the worktable.

3. Draw the design you wish to etch onto the glass with a wax crayon. If you make a mistake, remove the wax with mineral spirits. Remove all mineral-spirits residue with a clean cloth before continuing.

4. Fit your rotary cutter with a diamond-tipped bit, and put on a dust mask, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Hold the rotary cutter with the motor raised, so that the fingertip control is hanging above the gun cabinet glass.

5. Set the rotary cutter to maximum speed and guide the fingertip control gently over the surface of the glass. Do not press hard; allow the machine to do the work for you.

6. Watch the surface of the glass closely while etching. When powdered glass begins to accumulate, turn off the cutting tool and wipe the glass clean with a clean cloth.

Make Artwork Out Of Junk Metal

Visit a local junk yard to find scrap metal that can be turned into art.

With a little imagination, junk metal turns into a piece of artwork. Artists watch for items they can use to create a masterpiece. It is not uncommon to find an artist scavenging through junk yards and flea markets in search of unique pieces. Find junk metal around the house --- soda or baked bean cans or aluminum pie and roasting pans, for example.

Instructions

Small Junk Art

1. Find a piece of thin scrap metal from a scrap yard, flea market or around the house. Use leather gloves and scissors to cut the metal, if necessary. If using scrap metal such as a soda can, cut the top and bottom off and then cut the can down the middle and flatten it out.

2. Using a nonpermanent marker, sketch out a design or use a template to trace a design on the metal. Cut along the lines using the scissors and then wipe off the marker with a wet cloth.

3. Create a hole to hang your design, if desired, by hammering a nail through the metal.

4. Sand the edges to make smooth, including the hole you created with the nail. Hang your junk metal artwork by a tying a string, ribbon or raffia through the hole.

Large Junk Art

5. Get scrap metal from a scrap yard, flea market or around the house. Examine the junk metal and decide what to create.

6. Clean each piece and lay out in a workspace that has plenty of light and ventilation. Work outside if possible.

7. Determine assemble the junk metal sculpture. Use clamps to secure in place, and experiment to determine the best composition.

8. Put on safety materials such as goggles and gloves. Flux each side that will be brazed. Braze the pieces together by heating the area between the two metals. This should be done evenly so they are the same temperature. Then place the filler rod to the heated parts and allow it to melt. Remove excess flux with hot water.

9. Let cool, then remove clamps. Grind or sand any rough edges until smooth. Rub on Val-oil to create a glossy finished.

Draw Animals In Graphite

Graphite pencils come in a variety of lead hardness and softness to allow for a full range of grayscale shades.

Drawing subjects such as animals will develop your artistic range, since the variety of species in the animal kingdom gives you a virtually unlimited source of inspiration. Though your subjects may vary, the general techniques for drawing in graphite remain the same. Work from source photos and practice drawing animals to improve your illustration skills as well as your understanding of light and shadow.

Instructions

1. A square head and round rib cage are a couple of shapes comprising this dog.

Study your source photo and visualize the shapes that make up the animal's body. Imagine the skeleton and how the animal's bones connect. Think about the muscles that stretch over those bones, but don't worry about the fur or feathers just yet.

2. Use a 2H pencil to sketch the shapes that make up the form of your animal. A 2H pencil contains very hard graphite, which results in light lines. As you draw the shapes, consult your source photo to check the size of your shapes. Look for parts of the animal that line up in the photo.

3. Notice that the tiger's eyes divide the head in half.

Draw a grid to indicate where the animal's facial features fall. Look at your source photo and imagine a line running down the center of its face, right through the nose or beak. Then look for where a line connecting the animal's eyes would land; this line will generally divide the head in half.

4. Draw the outlines of your subject, using an HB pencil. The softer graphite in the HB pencil results in a slightly darker line. Draw a more accurate outline of the body using the shapes you sketched as a guide. Lightly outline the shape of the facial features, using the grid as a guide. Work on the entire image; don't focus on one area for too long.

5. Pay attention to the shapes of light and dark areas.

Check your source photo for the location and shape of the shadows on the animal's body. Notice how the animal's bones, muscles and fur affect the shadows. Use the 2H pencil to sketch these shapes on your drawing.

6. Draw the details of the animal from lightest to darkest. Your pencils range from 2H (the hardest and lightest) to 6B (the softest and blackest). Use your source photo to determine shade your drawing. Make your pencil marks in the same direction as the animal's coat. Remember that animals don't have outlines in the real world. Build up layers of shadow to render your subject, not lines.

7. Use clean rags to smudge areas of graphite that need smooth transitions. Experiment with different fabrics to achieve various levels of smoothness.

8. Erase any stray lines, and then shape the eraser as needed to erase highlight areas on the animal.

Get Funding For Art

Grants are available to fund art restoration projects, educational exhibits or new visual creations.

From paintings to theatrical productions, art inspires, entertains and educates people. To help provide everyone access to the arts, there are federal and nonprofit organizations that provide grants and other funding to artists and businesses alike. Whether the funding is for an educational art exhibit or for an artist requiring assistance in securing studio space, there are grants available from the federal government, businesses and nonprofit organizations. Individual artists, state and local governments, schools and businesses may be able to get funding for art.

Instructions

1. Define what you require art funding for. Take the time to outline how the funding will be used and why you require funding for the project.

2. Research the art-funding options available. The National Endowment for the Arts website (arts.gov) lists all federal art-funding opportunities available. The Arts and Healing Network website (artheals.org) features a complete listing of art grants available. Americans for the Arts website (artusa.org) offers grant overviews and guides for securing government grants. Contact your local art galleries and organizations to inquire about any funding options they may have available. Review all the funding options available and narrow your options down to the funding programs that align with your objectives and that you are eligible for.

3. Register on U.S. Government Grants website (grants.gov) if you think you will apply for any federal grants. The registration process can take several weeks, so register in advance of submitting an application.

4. Submit the grant application. Carefully read all the information pertaining to the grant and follow the directions provided in the application. Take care to write legibly and avoid spelling errors. Provide all the supporting information required. Be prepared to submit a fact sheet, proposal summary, budget, and proposal narrative outlining the project purpose and the long- and short-range plans for the art project. Artists may need to submit a portfolio along with their funding request.

5. Follow up on the grant application process by visiting the U.S. Government Grant website for federal grants or by contacting the nonprofit organization to which you applied for a grant.

Learn Digital Scrapbooking The Easy Way

Digital scrapbooking involves using a computer and photo software to create digital scrapbook pages. You can print these pages or store them online, and share them with friends and family. Creating your scrapbook on a computer also allows you to easily send the pages to print shops, who can make high-quality prints of single pages, or combine multiple pages into a hard-backed book. Scrapbooking is relatively easy to learn, and is very rewarding.

Instructions

1. Set up your computer. You'll need a digital camera, and a scanner for scanning in older photographs. You may also want a printer, to print your pages yourself, and CD burning apparatus, to allow you to transfer your pages onto CDs. Finally, you will need image-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop.

2. Utilize inspirational tools such as digital scrapbooking books and magazines. These resources usually feature a range of layouts and tips, and copying sample layouts is a good way to learn put together pages before attempting your own. Most libraries will have copies of digital scrapbooking books with their craft books, and magazines are available from most newsagents.

3. Join a digital scrapbooking forum. These often contain sections where older members can sell items, or offer advice to those who are new to the craft. You can also find out about bargains and techniques, and ask any questions you have.

4. Research local classes. These can be run by educational establishments, or may be held at craft shops in your area. Usually, they involve watching a tutorial on a new technology, layout or technique, and trying it out for yourself. Your work is then emailed to you or transferred to a disc for you to take home. There may be prizes to win, and classes are a great way to meet people who also love digital scrapbooking.

5. Watch digital scrapbooking videos. These are useful for learning techniques and layouts, as well as for showing you use different photo-editing softwares and their features. Videos usually range from beginner to advanced, and cover a variety of techniques that you can use to make your scrapbooking interesting.

Find Sweepstakes With The Best Chance Of Winning 5 Ways

Find Sweepstakes With the Best Chance of Winning - 5 Ways

There are many sweepstakes out there. The total prize pool of sweepstakes that are open right now is in the millions of dollars. Many people however, have never won anything and believe that the odds of winning a sweepstakes are too long for them to bother entering. But that is not correct. Here are some tips on find winnable sweepstakes.

Instructions

1. Of the many many sweepstakes available to you, there are some that offer much better odds of winning than others. If a sweepstakes is hard to find, hard to enter, or very restricted for some reason, it stands to reason that there will be fewer entries. This tilts the odds of winning in favor of those that make the effort to find and enter them.

2. The number one type of sweepstakes with the best chance to win is a local sweepstakes in your area. The reason is that it will only get a dozen to a few hundred entries. All kinds of local businesses have periodic giveaways or contests to get people to come in to their store. Almost any grand opening has some type of giveaway or sweepstakes to attract new customers. These are your best bet to win. See my related article 'Win Local Sweepstakes and Giveaways' for more specifics (link below).

3. Radio station call-ins are another type of sweepstakes that offer pretty good odds of winning. They may be held several times a day, and you have to be listening to enter on the spot. They always offer tickets to upcoming local events, as well as the latest CD releases. The pool of listeners is fairly small compared to big sweepstakes. Most people don't believe they can win even this type of giveaway, so they don't bother calling. You just have to be ready. I recommend putting the call-in number on speed dial and giving it a try. You'll get through eventually if you keep at it.

4. Second chance sweepstakes also offer a very good chance to win. These are often offered where the original sweeps has multiple prizes, and there is some reason why some of the prizes will not be claimed. Usually this is because you need to find a winning ticket and then redeem it. Or you might need to collect codes over a period of time, and then redeem them somehow at the end of the sweepstakes. Most people will not realize there is a second chance sweepstakes for unclaimed prizes. They will have long forgotten about it by the time the second chance entry period comes around. That means there are usually still a lot of prizes, and fewer people entering. Read the official rules of sweeps with multiple prizes to see if they have a second chance drawing. That's the one you want your entries in.

5. Another sweepstakes that offers good odds is one that is only advertised on a product. You may need a code from the label to enter, or the product may be the only place the sweepstakes is advertised. Cereal boxes are a good example of this, but there are many sweepstakes run this way. It makes people actually look at and touch the product to enter, and that's what manufacturers are trying to persuade potential customers to do. Keep your eyes open for this type of sweepstakes.

6. Online blog sweepstakes and giveaways are a fairly new category, but one that is quickly gaining popularity. Bloggers run giveaways to get more visitors to visit their websites. Usually you must leave a comment to be included. These have good odds because many blog websites are just getting started, therefore they don't have many visitors. You can see how many entries there are when you leave your comment. Many times, you can get extra entries by linking to the blog site. Look for these sweeps at blogsearch.google.com, which limits its search to blog websites. Use search terms like sweepstakes or giveaway.

7. Those a five types of sweepstakes that offer good chances to win. Give them a try and good luck!

Establish A Communitybased Arts Festival

It is important to find a site big enough to hold the projected crowd.

Establishing a community-based arts festival can be challenging and requires a dedicated group of individuals willing to lend their creativity and time to the project. A lot of planning goes into starting a festival, from the exhibits themselves to building sufficient funding. You must mobilize enthusiastic team members who are delegated specific responsibilities. You need to involve as much of the community as possible, from elementary students to professional artists.

Instructions

1. Create a planning committee. This should be a group of volunteers willing to spend the time necessary to create the festival. It helps if some members have had experience planning large events or are familiar with the art community. Determine the tasks that need to be completed to organize the festival. Delegate the responsibilities. Create a timeline. Host frequent meetings, particularly the closer it gets to the festival. Establish subcommittees for parking, entertainment, food, security, accounting/auditing, permits, arts outreach, contests, publicity, clean-up and community relations.

2. Secure funding. Setting up an arts festival incurs various costs, from spreading publicity to renting equipment. Seek donations from community institutions and organizations, such as banks and businesses. Make sure they will be recognized for their contributions in order to make sponsorship more appealing to them. Create gold, silver and platinum levels to encourage support at all levels. Publish an arts guide with advertising that could be a source of funding. Ask your community newspaper publisher for support.

3. Locate a site to hold the festival. It should have easy access, be readily visible and large enough to hold the projected crowd. Public spaces, such as parks, are often cheap and central places to hold a community festival. Gain the necessary permission for a site before advertising the festival. Check the date for conflicts with other events in the community or nearby.

4. Obtain the necessary licenses. The paperwork requirements vary by community. Contact the local government offices or the town clerk to find out what documents are necessary to hold a festival. You will need liability insurance, security, parking supervision and traffic control. Since your festival will likely serve food and refreshments, you and your vendors will need permits from the local health department.

5. Invite the exhibitors. Try to get as wide a range of participants as possible. For example, allow the local elementary school to have an exhibit. This will get their parents and grandparents to come to the festival, increasing the crowd numbers. Also get in contact with local artists and any kinds of creative groups in the area.

6. Focus on the arts community for participation and support. Create a committee of arts-oriented volunteers for outreach and promotion to all types of artists in the region. Include visual and performing artists, authors, publishers, historical and cultural associations, environmental groups, schools and colleges as well as retired artists and dignitaries.

7. Create your arts festival into an event that makes news. Host arts competitions in many categories: visual and performing arts for all ages and talent levels. Award prizes from donors. Host an awards ceremony. Invite a well-known artist or dignitary to host the ceremony or make a speech that will draw a larger audience from the region. Invite a local cartoonist to give a "chalk talk" about his craft. Create activities and classes for kids to seniors -- from chalk art and face painting to a portrait class. Make your competitions and classes part of the advance publicity for your festival.

8. Publicize the event. Put up fliers in public places, as well as shop windows. Establish a website and Facebook page. Send out an email blast. Take out radio and newspaper ads. Ask churches and other organizations to announce the event. Work with the chamber of commerce and tourist development agency to promote the festival throughout the region. Be creative in finding ways to spread the word without tallying high advertising costs. Create various levels of media sponsorships to get in-kind promotion from newspapers, radio, TV and cable, and websites.