Trains

I can honestly say, that I do not believe there is an easy answer to that question. That is the conclusion I came to when I started on a quest to make the cleanest burning candle possible several years ago. I wanted to create a virtually soot free candle because I loved to burn candles but hated the soot residue that was left behind. The soot would blacken the container the candles were in and left soot residue on my walls and furnishings. I had bought many name brand candles in the hopes of finding a remedy to my dilemma, only to be disappointed with my findings. Buying a name brand or paying more for a candle does not necessarily guarantee a cleaner burning candle. There are several factors that...

Your hand crafted candles' unprocessed component is the wax. The quality of the hand crafted candles you will create will depend on the wax you choose. You can qualify the waxes you're going to use according to ease of use, grade and aroma. Needless to say, your choice of wax is extremely important because mistakes can affect the profitability of your hand crafted candles and your reputation as a candle maker in general. If you're a beginner you can start by utilizing paraffin-type handcrafted candles. These paraffin waxes differ from the other varieties of wax available in the market because of their price and availability. If you notice, the handmade candles you buy in bulk for regular use are...

The name brings smiles to our faces. Hummingbird. You smile and can imagine this tiny bird darting from flower to flower, hovering in space, in its iridescent splendor. Every year we sit on the patio and watch as several males establish their territories in our backyard birding areas. There always seems to be one who thinks all the feeders are for him and him alone. After a while, it seems like a well laid battle plan. One hummingbird feeds while another draws the bully away - over and over again. The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is the most common in the US and normally the only hummingbird east of the Mississippi river. This tiny bird is also an amazing migratory bird. Each fall, hummingbirds leave...

If you've had trouble finding a soap that's just right for you, and have struggled with cleansers with overpowering scents or artificial ingredients, then perhaps it's time to learn a thing or two about creating your own brand of hand-milled soaps. You'll first need two to three bars of plain white soap. Grate the soap into flakes - enough to make two cups. Grab a couple of soap molds, which are sold at most craft retailers, and coat them with a small amount of petroleum jelly. Pour one half a cup of water into your measuring cup filled with the soap flakes, and set the whole cup into a sauce pan, which should be filled with about two inches of water. Turn the burner on to medium heat, and bring...

Sometimes you will have knit a few rows of a pattern before realizing you have dropped a stitch. One method to correct this error is to unravel your work until you get to the dropped stitch then pick it up on the needle and continue with your knitting. An even simpler and less time consuming method, however, is to use a crochet hook to pick up that dropped stitch and carefully knit it up the rows until it reaches the rest of the work. As long as you pay attention, you can make the stitches either purl or knit as required. For picking up a dropped purl stitch, I recommend working from the back of the work since you can knit the stitch at the back and will create a purl stitch on the front...

Michigan has been known as a State yielding gold and silver mines, gangster treasure, shipwrecks, and more. Hidden Treasure is there. However, the key to any found treasure is research. This article will start you on the right path, and in a moment you'll be reading about some areas that have been rumored to have buried and lost treasures in Michigan. Having a metal detector is a good idea when searching for hidden treasure. You don't need an expensive detector. You can purchase a reliable detector for between $300 and $400. The most important point is learning your detector. By reading the owners manual and using the detector you will gain enough experience, and with that experience you will find...

Where can you find free online Sudoku puzzles? You can find free online Sudoku puzzles nearly anywhere on the Internet. There are so many websites dedicated to this fun, exciting and challenging game. Since nearly every one of all ages enjoys the game of Sudoku, there are even children's websites that have free Sudoku puzzles. What are Sudoku Puzzles? This game has become extremely popular over the past few years. You have probably seen Sudoku book puzzles in your local stores, and even your T.V. Guide and various newspapers. The rules of the game are always next to the grid of letters or numbers, because there are still people trying to learn how to play this game. This challenging game of Sudoku...

These days, handmade tribal accessories are really trendy. You will see them in almost every store in the city. You can even order them from stores on the Internet. These accessories are handcrafted by tribesmen and are often worn by members of popular rock bands, as well as their fans. They are usually available in neutral or dark colors and artistic shapes. Also, the materials used for these accessories are often wood, metal, and beads. The tribal look is actually one of the trendiest look for this year. In fact, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets are not the only handmade tribal accessories being sold today. Bags, belts, and scarves are also being marketed as handmade tribal accessories. These...

Judging by the abandoned use of the word these days, anything made between the first and second World Wars is Art Deco. This is just not so. Art Deco defines a style, a look, an artistic palette which is quite specific. The name was coined in the 1960s to describe the style of design which was showcased at the Paris Exposition of 1925. The exhibition had been in the planning stages since well before WWI, but had been postponed several times. The ethos of the show was that everything had to be forward looking, modern, new and display the best that the artisans, craftsmen and women and artists of Paris could produce. Pieces that today we would describe as Art Deco had been produced even before the...

The game of Sudoku has been gaining fame among many during the last few years. In response to this, the popular Sudoku game is now offered in different versions for your playing enjoyment. Rather than playing your favorite game from a magazine, Sudoku is now available in board game versions and handheld electronic versions. Rather than playing your favorite game with a pen and pencil by yourself, the larger board games let others help you figure out your puzzle. No more worn paper, using up the eraser on your pencil, or forgetting what number you were considering for that particular spot. The electronic handheld versions are small enough to fit into a pocket or purse and take with you wherever you...

Paper quilling is a form of art or craft born out of creating decorative designs using thin strips of curled paper. This age-old quilling craft has emerged since the Renaissance time, and dated back to about 3 centuries old. It was during the time when all the nuns used small edges trimmed from the Bible pages. From there, those pieces were used to create simple but beautiful form of artistry. This craft was known as "Quilling" due to how the scrapped of paper were wrapped around goose quills to create "coiled shapes". Getting into paper quilling craft was not expensive as most of the time you will only need few inexpensive basic materials, which you can buy at most art and craft stores. Because of...

Decorative wooden boxes can be very expensive to purchase depending on how decorative you want them. Luckily there are plenty of unfinished wood boxes on the market in many sizes, shapes, and styles to choose from. Once you purchase the size and shape box that you prefer you will then have to decide how you wish to decorate it. There are many ways to go about decorating a wooden box including painting, staining, decoupage, wood burning, and wood carving. Some methods cost more than others. For instance, wood burning tools cost more than paint and a paint brush. The great thing about decorating your own wooden box is that you can use some of your own artistic abilities. Many people enjoy painting and...

If you want to find out how to make a business knitting shawl pieces or knitting in general, you've got the right article. I've actually been knitting for a few decades now. What started out as a hobby, became an interest of my childrens', and eventually became a business for me. I can honestly say that it's been a blessing since it happened. I am not very business oriented and actually began knitting when my children were younger and at home. Knitting shawl pieces and other clothing was a very therapeutic activity. It gave me a chance to be creative and to do my own thing for a while too. Basically, it gave me time for myself... which I so needed with four children in the house with me! My business...

Woodworking is the art or expertise of creating things out of wood. It is depicted in many earliest Egyptian drawings. It is now a broad designation covering a wide array of skills and techniques. And it is a craft that has evolved over centuries. Woodworking can be unsafe. Injuries are always a possibility in a woodworking center. And it can be Expensive. Good, high-featured tools are costly, but they are a long-lasting investment. Woodworking is an admirable skill with a history that stretches back to antiquity. It is more than just building things with your hands; it becomes a means of expressing your creativity. Woodworking is a great way to introduce a child to new skills and new ways of...

Every kid likes puppies. There is a very cute puppy pups ornament that they can have fun doing no matter what age they are. This is an easy and fun craft to do. This also makes a great gift for parents if they wish to use their new ornament that way. The materials that you will need for this puppy pups ornament craft is: Ping pong ball (one for each ornament) Black felt Scissors Tacky glue 2 (10 mm) Wiggle eyes (you can use other sizes if you prefer) 3/4" White pompom 1/4" Black pompom Decorative string or ribbon (this will be what is used to hang it) Paper Pencil White pencil (this is for tracing the pattern on black felt for ears) You want to notice where the wording is on the ping pong ball...

There are "NO" hunted-out metal detecting sites! In 39 years of hunting coins, relics and jewelry with metal detectors, I have continued to find valuable items on sites that I have hunted dozens of times. But, I am totally convinced that no area will be completed hunted and all good targets removed with the present limited capabilities of metal detectors. The major obstacle or dilemma in hunting-out a site is masking. Masking is not a new concept in the metal detecting field, but probably one of the least known or least understood topics in the hobby. I discovered masking early in the 1970's when discriminate was added to detectors and I built my first test garden to practice on the varying signal...

"How much yarn, or thread, will I need for my needlepoint project?" If you are not stitching a needlepoint kit then this is undoubtedly a question you will need answered. Estimating needlepoint yarn quantities is not an exact science and there is a 'right' way and a 'quick' way to do this. The 'right' way of estimating thread quantities for a needlepoint project is to stitch a square inch on your selected canvas, using your selected yarn and the stitch you plan to use. You then calculate total yarn quantities by multiplying out from the amount used to cover this square inch. I call this method the 'right' way as it will give you the most accurate measure of how much yarn you will need. The tricky...

The idea of ebonizing is just like any other staining process in wood - really it's nothing more than applying colour to wood and waiting until some of it soaks in! In order to make it as even as possible we usually use a rag, sponge or brush, although some people immerse their wood entirely (which is OK for small pieces) and then we wait until it dries. If you use water-based stains you may have to lightly sand after staining because water-based stains tend to raise the grain a little. It depends on your final finish and, of course, your personal preferences. Here we're talking specifically about ebonizing - making the wood as near black as we can. There are commercial stains you can buy, and you...

Spatter ware and sponge ware are some terms in pottery that are often linked or supposed to be the same. Are they the same or not? Spattered pottery originated in Staffordshire, England at about 1750. Back then, they called it sponge ware. And it was really very common to use sponges. During the 19th century, English sponge creations was more popular than ever and it began to be manufactured by Wedgwood for the American market and to be exported. Upon arriving in America, it became popular due to the technique with which it was decorated - which was called spattering. Thus, it became popularly known as spatter ware. From this, it appears that spatter ware and sponge ware are the same and that they...

Candle making has been around for ages. Ever since fire was invented, candles have been around in one form or the other. Whether it is as plain torches to animal fat candles, these illuminating sticks have been lighting up our homes since time immemorial. Though today candles play a more ambient role in providing mood lighting and as devices used to aid in relaxation, during colonial times, candles were used as the main source of lighting during the night time hours. The importance of candles in colonial times is related to the number of household tasks women of the time had to do. For example, the things we take for granted like preparing food, washing clothes and dishes, keeping the house clean...

Ornate Moroccan ceilings, walls adorned with tadelakt plaster, floors with zellige tiles, amoire, and the infamous ottoman. But among these home decors the most popular and endearing among designers and collectors are the Moroccan candle lanterns. The rustic, intricate elegance of Moroccan lanterns have won artistic impression in the candle industry. Its credence is derived mainly from its antique finish, timeless beauty and enduring ornamental concept - elegant classic patterns, and unique figures and shapes. There are countless Moroccan lanterns that fit your own furnishing and ornament scheme. From brass to iron, clear to colored-panel, trimmed to thickset designs. They also come in several types...

Mouse trap cars represent marvelous contraptions that can be constructed with things you can find in any home. All you need is a basic understanding of Physics and just use the tools that you have. The great thing about the mouse trap cars is that is has its own propulsion source. The energy is stored and then released using a spring. The snapper converts the kinetic energy and moves the wheels. This will trigger a chain reaction in the device. The energy is transformed and the car will move. You do not need electricity or any kind of fuel to move this car. You will be amazed to see what this little car can do. You should know that the device needs 4 wheels, a solid base, two axles, a mouse trap and...

Layering is a basic technique for applying highlights to a model that are both more precise and cleaner looking than your basic drybrushing. While drybrushing certainly has its benefits, when applied to an entire model it gives the model a dirty look and is hard to control exactly where you want the paint to go. With layering, you decide where the highlights will be. Some basic things to remember before you go ahead and start painting them: 1) Determine both the starting colour and the final colour that you want to aim for. Don't be upset if the final colour comes out a bit different however, that is normal. Choosing the colours you want to start and finish with will help with choosing highlight...

Old time crafts are made solely from natural materials. When store-bought crafting supplies are used on any type of craft, it loses the old fashioned appeal. Objects found in nature are the most beautiful embellishments for homemade craft creations such as bird houses and feeders, greeting cards, Christmas decor, etc. Pine cones, leaves, straw, nuts, pebbles and small rocks are just a few of the many natural materials that transform your handiwork into a beautiful old fashion piece of art. Pebbles and small rocks can be used to cover the roof of a bird house or to adorn a bird bath. Some types of beach ferns resemble the fur of animals and may be used on a greeting card as the fur of a critter or a...

Are you a knitter who can't knit a pattern without changing something? Me, too. Perhaps the original designer's urge to create a new pattern rubs off on us as we knit. Lots of people have made The Little Flower Doily by Bad Cat Designs out of all kinds of yarn. Most used the original edging of big crocheted loops that block out like airy petals. Nice, but here's what I did different. First off, the pattern as written made me want to cast on. Why? Because it was knitted. I wanted some practice making a knitted doily pattern before I turn a vintage crocheted doily pattern into a knitted version. Roughing it. The pattern calls for smooth fingering weight yarn. So of course a vintage skein of a rough...

Have you seen the late night infomercials about the upside down tomato garden planter? A gentleman discusses the device that consists of a plastic bag that is filled with soil, add a tomato plant and hang from a hook. Within about 6 weeks, you have fresh tomatoes for your dinner table. All this for $19.99... and if you place your order in the next 60 seconds they will send a free one at no charge. Well, that is fine and dandy, but you can do essentially the same thing for a lot less. I set out to create a cheaper version... this is how I did it. Some simple Bucket Garden Books may have something similar but this process should be suffice. I went to the local department store, and found a black...

In today's world, the concept of book clubs has changed. Now instead of a handful of members there are thousands and thousands. There are book club meetings, but not every member becomes a part of them. People join book clubs to save money on books as clubs offer discounted copies. They also join to save their trip to the book store because of online facility of book clubs. Another very important thing to be noted is the prices. Introductory offers are great, but the future prices can give you frights, and thus, it kind of ends the main reason why someone should enroll for a book club. Also the intricacies of checking boxes according to the features that you want and do not want are quite annoying...

Those of you familiar with it will know it starts with strips of fabric which are cut down into separate smaller rectangles. These then have a quarter inch turn on one long edge and are next turned down into precise individual triangles. These little pieces may look uninspiring, but once they are made up they become stunning. It is the idea of the whole being bigger than the sum of the parts (I think!). Individually they are nondescript, but assembled correctly onto a base fabric and they become spectacular. Folded Star Patchwork was one project I always included in my card-making course because at first sight it looks way beyond a beginner. But taught slowly and carefully, with the right pauses for...

Building a stool can be very easy and fun by following these simple instructions. This project can be taken on by anyone who can get their hands on some pieces of wood and some screws. Like any woodworking project, if you are inexperienced, you should have someone supervise you for your safety and the safety of whoever is going to sit on this bench. This project should take a total of about an hour, less if you are experienced and maybe a little more if you are not. First, you need to decide how long your bench is going to be; once you have done so, cut your wood to the desired length. Now, you need two small square pieces of roughly 3x3 wood. Then you need your legs, these should be about 2x3...

Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how. Wheeled glass cutters are essential for creating glass mosaics. I use it to cut and shape vitreous glass and stained glass. It can also be used to cut smalti. The wheeled cutters make cleaner cuts than tile nippers. The two carbide wheels (or steel, if you buy cheap cutters) are fixed in position. Instead of scoring and breaking, the wheels apply even pressure to the top and bottom sides of the glass, causing it to fracture along the line of the wheels. The wheels are replaceable and eventually go dull, but not before several thousand cuts. Each wheel is held in place by a setscrew (usually an Allen screw). As your cuts become...

Candles are seemingly perfect for anyone who is into interior decorating. These ornaments are great choices as accents and are even greater as potential gifts. Candles are also considered basic household items. In fact, there is rarely a home out there that has no set of candles or tea lights. The idea of making candles to sell is gaining much popularity nowadays. Many stay at home wives decide to learn candle making for eventual profit. It is also common knowledge how long and tapered candles become so expensive. Especially, when such has been presented and beautifully packaged. Making your own candles at home is not really tough as you may initially think. With so many resources aiming to help...

Sewing a button is a fairly easy job. Almost anyone can learn how to sew a button. To start with, you have to select buttons that go well with the garment. Buttons can be of two main types: sew through (with two or four holes) or shank (with a pierced protrusion on the back side). Basic (plain) buttons can be used for securing clothes. Designer buttons beautify apparel in addition to securing them. After selecting the buttons, you need to find a thread matching the garment. A needle and a pair of scissors are also required. Once all the equipment is close at hand, you can begin sewing. First of all the thread has to be inserted into the eye of the needle. Take a double strand of thread, tie a knot...

Collecting war gaming miniatures is a reward of its own. Not only does it take us back to our childhood days playing war games with friends, but it offers us a unique glimpse into different eras. There are different kinds of war gaming miniatures: from fantasy to science fiction miniature war games, historical battlefield war games, or naval war games. Part of the fun in collecting war gaming miniatures is the research involved, so buy something that interests you. War gaming miniatures also come in different scales: 1:285 scale or 6 mm, which is often called micoarmour; 5/8 inches or 15 mm, for some early Dungeons and Dragons miniatures (a popular fantasy role playing game); 1:80.5 7/5 inches or 20...

It used to be the case that Macrame making was the preserve of the hippie crowd. In nowadays, however, macrame has become a hobby for millions of folks around the world. Let's start by examining macrame knots and the different variations that can be used to make jewelry. Square Knot The square knot is created using 4 strands of material. All 4 strands are laid parallel to each other. The 2 strands to the right and left are used. We take the strand from the left and pass it over the middle strands and it finishes up under the strand that's on the right. In pretty much the same way, the strand that started on the right is passed underneath the middle strands and ends up over the strand that was on the...

These days more and more people are looking for personalized gifts to give that someone special, no longer content with the mass produced junk, thrust at us with every piece of junk mail, catalogue or advert. Today people want to give gifts that have a little of them attached to it. A gift that will invoke fond memories, thoughts of happy times. Now there is nothing more personal and thought provoking than a perfect 3 dimensional replica of a baby handprint footprint casting. Follow these easy steps and you to can make the perfect personalized gift. Prepare the alginate as directed by the manufacture when the alginate mixture is ready for molding it should be of a smooth and creamy constancy...

Home candle making businesses are popular as a source for people to make money either as extra cash or as a fully fledged income. Working a home business does take some determination to get it up and running because there are so many initial steps to take before actually getting out there selling candles. Time management issues often arise when running a home based business in the craft and hobby industry. This is often caused because the owner tends to work on making product and does not put sufficient time aside to run the business. Two reasons account for this and one is that the owner is doing something they like and therefore want to do it rather than the jobs that aren't so enjoyable like book...

The Dopero kite has a well-earned reputation for being an excellent light wind flier. It flies at high line angles like a delta, and yet has very good stability and lifting capacity as well. The Dopero is basically two Pearson Roller kites side by side. The name was extracted from the words DOuble PEarson ROller. This kite is a favorite of KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) enthusiasts since it lets them get a camera up even on very light wind days. Some influential kite photography people, such as Brooks Leffler, say it is the best light wind kite they have ever flown. Typical Dopero Kites The original Dopero kite was under 3 meters in span. The Maxi Dopero was made shortly after, and had a more...

Everyone loves snow globes with their magical scenes. There are globes for every taste and budget on the market. And, at the Christmas holidays, they seem to be everywhere! But, have you considered making your own? It's really quite easy and inexpensive. What you need: Jar with lid Figurine of choice (make sure it will fit on the inside of the lid) Epoxy glue Distilled water Glitter Ribbons, fabric or other items for decoration Instructions: Remove the lid form the jar. Place a layer of the glue on the bottom of the figurine and place it on the inside of the lid. Hold in place for five minutes or until dry. Fill jar with the distilled water. Be sure to use distilled as it is less likely to cloud...

It takes more time than effort to learn to carve wood like a pro. Wood carving is an enjoyable pastime that has been enjoyed by many people for centuries. With a few simple tools, the right piece of wood, and time to develop your skill you can learn to carve wood. A few of the basic tools are a sharp knife, several gouges in assorted sizes, a coping saw, and a sharpening kit. A ruler and a carving clove also come in handy. Gouges will be the tool you use most, invest in several quality ones in several different sizes. Your sharpening kit should consist of a honing stone, leather strop, and ceramic slip stones for your gouges. Next you will need to choose wood for your project. White pine is an...

Metal detecting for gold nuggets is a pastime that is fairly new. The old time prospectors who searched for gold decades ago, never had any piece of equipment remotely like a metal detector. Modern technology however, has brought us this new device - the metal detector and modern prospectors are finding some signifigant gold that was previously overlooked. A detector is an electronic device, which can sense metallic objects buried in the ground. Since gold is certainly a metallic material, metal detectors can be used to find gold nuggets. In the last 20 years, detecting for nuggets has become a very fast-growing aspect of the prospecting world. Several companies have developed metal detectors...

To most adults in this world, bugs are the last thing we would think about as interesting. But for children, bugs are an extremely intriguing creature to study. When a child is playing outside and finds a particularly interesting bug, they tend to get right down next to it to check it out thoroughly. Kids generally don't get that creepy crawly feeling that most adults would get with the sight of a bug, or spider for that matter. Make no mistake about it; kids love bugs. Not only do they love bugs, but they also love to bring bugs indoors. Since this is the case, any indoor craft project that involves bugs is sure to be a hit. All you need to get started are some art lesson plans. Once you have a...

How can you begin when writing about the French seam or seams in general? It is important to describe how seams are done. Seams are ways of joining fabric if 'joining' is the right word. Maybe you should say instead that seams are ways of sewing fabric. Thus, seams are ways of sewing fabrics. They complement fabric and design too. The French seam is a seam that some advise for lightweight fabrics. The French seam and how it is done raises an important question re: fabrics i.e. the right and wrong sides and when designing fabrics, the question of right side and wrong side is important. Should you make the fabric reversible? Still with most fabrics, there is a right side and wrong side and there are...

A hobby is a non profitable human choice of act for passing leisure time. Practising technological facts are very popular and common choice as a hobby. This kind of hobbyist already has a preference and basic knowledge in science and they like to learn more and apply it in making technical things. Technology dependent pastimes are not for everybody for its relative complexity. Electronics is a hobby for many people and they like to make electronics products by following circuit design. They have an interest in electronics and gain enough knowledge in this field. It is not always mandatory to have an academic education to make electronics products. Someone can start with some basic knowledge and by...

Back in Japan during the 6th Century AD, origami began to become wildly popular with the ruling and richer classes. Because of the expense of paper, the poorer people, which means most of them, were unable to practice this art form. origami was given as gifts to show affection or as respect between lovers and even from soldier to soldier. A gift of Origami was considered to be a very special gift and was given much respect. Even now, one of the most popular ways to express love with origami is though the giving of an origami flower, specifically a rose. These are very popular designs that display the creator as a very skilled paper folder. One of the earliest forms of origami was a very simplified...

These are the all important jewellery making techniques which are used primarily in bead stringing projects. · Flattened crimp - this is where you hold the crimp bead in your pliers and squeeze the pliers firmly so you flatten the crimp bead shut. Make sure you have made a loop with your wire and have brought it round on itself or you won't have any loop to attach your clasp to. *tip, you must put the crimp bead on the wire first then pass the end of the wire back through the crimp. · Folded crimp - follow the steps above, only once the crimp bead has been flattened use two pairs of pliers to slightly bend the crimp bead so it forms a slight 'v'. Then take one pair of pliers and put...

With our fast paced lives, it is always important that we spend enough time with our kids. Your time together can be spent creatively which would allow your kids to explore their creativity and take it to different heights. There are a lot of crafts that you can do with your kids including sewing a simple necktie. Sewing simple neckties with your kids can be a very fun activity that does not require too much effort. After you're done with your project, you can give it to dad for father's day or to grandpa for his birthday. Here's how to do it: 1. The first thing that you have to do is to gather all the materials that you need. For your necktie, you need silk or polyester fabric, stiff paper or...

Ok, so you are standing there ready to go. You have been up for hours. You have taken a shower and got dressed. Now, you're standing there with the metal detector in your hand. When suddenly it hits you, you might need other things. You just can't figure out what other tools you need. Well, I'm going to go over some tools you may need to go metal detecting. They should be easy to find. Let's begin. One of the best tools other than your detector would be a garden trowel. You're probably wondering why? Well, when your detector beeps and you have found your target you'll take the garden trowel and dig it up. It's much easier than using your hands especially when the dirt is very hard or rocky. You will...

It's that time of year again, when beekeepers across the country are gearing up for winter. Every measure will be taken to ensure each hive has enough surplus food to keep their colony buzzing until next spring. For some that means leaving a super or two of fall honey, Cooking up fondant, feeding pollen or grease patties, giving any needed treatments, and so on. Just the same fall routine we beekeepers go through every year. Then, after the work is done and temperatures are too low to get in a hive, it seems that the most we can do is keep our fingers crossed. Especially with the reports of last years colony losses at 29% and the cause of CCD still unknown, many of us wonder if there isn't anything...

This is where you can really make or break your craft showcareer. Being able to produce quality crafts as efficiently andaffordably as possible is the key to making a tidy profit fromcraft shows. How Production Evolves How you handle production of your craft show items will evolveover time. Initially you may produce all your craft items alone. This will likely be the most cost effective way to start yourcraft show creations. As your business grows, you may decide itis best to find employees who can recreate your artistic flair -so you can build more products and increase your overall revenue. Time and experience will help you streamline your productioncycle for maximum efficiency. You'll learn as...