Jul
4
Using Natural Wood And Stone Accents For Your Home Renovation Project
Filed Under Home Improvement | Leave a Comment
Sergio Marville asked:
If your cookie cutter house is starting to bore you, perhaps it’s time to add a bit of exotic flare. Asia has always been home to craftsmen and specialists in all manner of arts including stonework and woodwork. The products created in Asia are beautiful and ideal for homes that need a bit of spice and ornate detail.
Stone Accents
Stone is gaining in popularity as a durable and beautiful building material suitable for any number of purposes. A stone relief or carving graces an entry way. The large limestone ornamentation is hand carved with your choice subject or art. Regardless of your color scheme or overall decorating style, a stone relief will add a great deal of visual stimulation not only to an entry way, but to a garden or patio as well.
Stone work is also beautiful around patios, swimming pools and indoors in kitchens or baths. Why use basic stone options when exotic stone is available? Stone from Southeast Asia is harvested from volcanic islands and used in many of the most upscale tropical resorts in the world.
It makes sense that Asian stone should help you create your own sense of beauty and sanctuary in your home or garden. Stepping out into your backyard for a swim goes from basic to extraordinary with poolside stone work. Add a bit of creative flavor to your kitchen or bathroom with countertops created from large slabs of polished marble or stone.
Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank floors are one of the most distinguishable custom features in a home. A wide plank floor is breathtaking upon entry and adds an infinite amount of style and elegance to any home. Not only is the floor attractive, but wide plank flooring from tropical ferns and other trees are durable and very long lasting.
The wide plank flooring created in Asia is done with the same timeless attention to detail and craftsmanship that has thrived in the region for centuries. Despite modern kilns and state-of-the-art saws, the planks maintain an integrity that is truly timeless.
Custom Wood Work
Another extremely popular choice for exotic flavor is custom wood work. Custom moldings and hand carved doors reveal more than the work of a collection of hand tools. Selecting carved doors for you home invites visitors into a house sure to be full of other wonderful treasures and accents.
You won’t disappoint them upon entry with ornate molding on the wall or balconies. A true decorator knows that only the details complete a decorating scheme, so the custom wood work that began upon entry will continue throughout your home in all nooks and crannies.
Regardless of what and how many Asian accents you chose to use in your home, the detail and beauty of the orient will never go unnoticed and will decorate your house with the kind of style most only dream about.
LEO
If your cookie cutter house is starting to bore you, perhaps it’s time to add a bit of exotic flare. Asia has always been home to craftsmen and specialists in all manner of arts including stonework and woodwork. The products created in Asia are beautiful and ideal for homes that need a bit of spice and ornate detail.
Stone Accents
Stone is gaining in popularity as a durable and beautiful building material suitable for any number of purposes. A stone relief or carving graces an entry way. The large limestone ornamentation is hand carved with your choice subject or art. Regardless of your color scheme or overall decorating style, a stone relief will add a great deal of visual stimulation not only to an entry way, but to a garden or patio as well.
Stone work is also beautiful around patios, swimming pools and indoors in kitchens or baths. Why use basic stone options when exotic stone is available? Stone from Southeast Asia is harvested from volcanic islands and used in many of the most upscale tropical resorts in the world.
It makes sense that Asian stone should help you create your own sense of beauty and sanctuary in your home or garden. Stepping out into your backyard for a swim goes from basic to extraordinary with poolside stone work. Add a bit of creative flavor to your kitchen or bathroom with countertops created from large slabs of polished marble or stone.
Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank floors are one of the most distinguishable custom features in a home. A wide plank floor is breathtaking upon entry and adds an infinite amount of style and elegance to any home. Not only is the floor attractive, but wide plank flooring from tropical ferns and other trees are durable and very long lasting.
The wide plank flooring created in Asia is done with the same timeless attention to detail and craftsmanship that has thrived in the region for centuries. Despite modern kilns and state-of-the-art saws, the planks maintain an integrity that is truly timeless.
Custom Wood Work
Another extremely popular choice for exotic flavor is custom wood work. Custom moldings and hand carved doors reveal more than the work of a collection of hand tools. Selecting carved doors for you home invites visitors into a house sure to be full of other wonderful treasures and accents.
You won’t disappoint them upon entry with ornate molding on the wall or balconies. A true decorator knows that only the details complete a decorating scheme, so the custom wood work that began upon entry will continue throughout your home in all nooks and crannies.
Regardless of what and how many Asian accents you chose to use in your home, the detail and beauty of the orient will never go unnoticed and will decorate your house with the kind of style most only dream about.
LEO
Jul
4
7 Basic Steps to E-Publishing
Filed Under Publishing | Leave a Comment
Derek Wood asked:
Ok, first we will take a moment just to make sure that you know what an info-product is. Information products are basically a book, video, or audio clip that teaches someone else how to do something. This can be as small as a few pages, a ten minute video, or a week long audio seminar. It all depends on what information is being provided, and how much there is to learn.
Now that we know what an info product is, let’s talk about how to get started with creating your own products.
Step 1) You first need to know what it is that you know a lot about. Take a moment to think of several topics that you know well. Can you carve statues with a chainsaw? Are you an excellent poker player? Perhaps you have a method of saving money on daily household items that no one has heard of before. Anything that you can do, that other people might be interested in learning, or that will benefit them, if they can do it too is considered a great product.
Step 2) Now make a simply list of your topic and all the things that you know about that topic. The better your list, the more effective your writing process will be.
Step 3) Take a moment to organize your list into an outline based on categories. If you’re writing about carving with a chainsaw, you might have a list of which chainsaws to buy as one category, and 10 best types of wood to use as another.
Step 4) As with step 2, you will now list everything you know about each sub-category you listed. Again, try to be as detailed as you can. You will be providing these details to your readers.
Step 5) Ok, now you can get started writing what you already know. You have created a list of your main topic, several sub-topics, and hopefully some text about what you know about each topic. During this step you will simply expand on this by writing out a few paragraphs about your topics and sub-topics. Try to write from the heart, as if you were simply sharing the information with a friend. Do not worry at this point about grammar and structure; you will be able to correct any problems with that later.
Important notes for step 5. If you are not comfortable writing out your product yet, try breaking it down into sections. Take each topic and write a small stand-alone article about that topic. Then go back and do this for each topic. You can then combine your articles into one larger book.
You will basically use the same process for audio of video products, as these products will still need a list of topics to discuss. The only difference is that you will be talking, and if you wrote it all down, then at least you have a script to follow.
Step 6) Proofreading. This is an essential part of your product. Make sure that you take the time to read it, and re-read it for errors and context. If you are unsure, then consider having a friend or family member read it. No one likes to see errors in printed materials, especially if it was your own error.
Step 7) Now all you have left to do is to put it all together. You now have your product topics, some content, and it has been written and proofed. Now you need to get it published through a publisher, convert it to a PDF File, or record it as necessary.
That’s it. You’re done with the product creation process. Now that you’re done, you can move on to the hard work. Selling your product!
LEO
Ok, first we will take a moment just to make sure that you know what an info-product is. Information products are basically a book, video, or audio clip that teaches someone else how to do something. This can be as small as a few pages, a ten minute video, or a week long audio seminar. It all depends on what information is being provided, and how much there is to learn.
Now that we know what an info product is, let’s talk about how to get started with creating your own products.
Step 1) You first need to know what it is that you know a lot about. Take a moment to think of several topics that you know well. Can you carve statues with a chainsaw? Are you an excellent poker player? Perhaps you have a method of saving money on daily household items that no one has heard of before. Anything that you can do, that other people might be interested in learning, or that will benefit them, if they can do it too is considered a great product.
Step 2) Now make a simply list of your topic and all the things that you know about that topic. The better your list, the more effective your writing process will be.
Step 3) Take a moment to organize your list into an outline based on categories. If you’re writing about carving with a chainsaw, you might have a list of which chainsaws to buy as one category, and 10 best types of wood to use as another.
Step 4) As with step 2, you will now list everything you know about each sub-category you listed. Again, try to be as detailed as you can. You will be providing these details to your readers.
Step 5) Ok, now you can get started writing what you already know. You have created a list of your main topic, several sub-topics, and hopefully some text about what you know about each topic. During this step you will simply expand on this by writing out a few paragraphs about your topics and sub-topics. Try to write from the heart, as if you were simply sharing the information with a friend. Do not worry at this point about grammar and structure; you will be able to correct any problems with that later.
Important notes for step 5. If you are not comfortable writing out your product yet, try breaking it down into sections. Take each topic and write a small stand-alone article about that topic. Then go back and do this for each topic. You can then combine your articles into one larger book.
You will basically use the same process for audio of video products, as these products will still need a list of topics to discuss. The only difference is that you will be talking, and if you wrote it all down, then at least you have a script to follow.
Step 6) Proofreading. This is an essential part of your product. Make sure that you take the time to read it, and re-read it for errors and context. If you are unsure, then consider having a friend or family member read it. No one likes to see errors in printed materials, especially if it was your own error.
Step 7) Now all you have left to do is to put it all together. You now have your product topics, some content, and it has been written and proofed. Now you need to get it published through a publisher, convert it to a PDF File, or record it as necessary.
That’s it. You’re done with the product creation process. Now that you’re done, you can move on to the hard work. Selling your product!
LEO
Jul
3
Does a wood carving block/board have to kiln-dried?
Filed Under Do It Yourself (DIY) | Leave a Comment
arby asked:
Can I use a plank of green walnut or oak as a meat carving board or should it be properly kiln-dried and sealed with mineral oil first?
RAMIRO
Can I use a plank of green walnut or oak as a meat carving board or should it be properly kiln-dried and sealed with mineral oil first?
RAMIRO
Jul
2
Wood Carving- What supplies needed for a beginner interested in this hobby? ?
Filed Under Hobbies & Crafts | Leave a Comment
Christie B asked:
My 11 year old son wants to learn to carve wood… I don’t know what to buy… what kind of knife, what kind of wood, anything else needed?
My 11 year old son wants to learn to carve wood… I don’t know what to buy… what kind of knife, what kind of wood, anything else needed?
Want to get him all the stuff for Christmas.
EMERSON
Jul
1
Steve Gillman asked:
What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is solidly built. You don’t need more than a three-inch blade, but it needs to be strong enough that it won’t snap on you when you hit a knot in the wood. A locking blade is a good idea too, if you value your fingers.
What type of wood should you use? Any type you want, but be aware of the differences. Many people like hardwood hiking sticks because they can be very beautiful once polished up. That’s fine if you don’t mind the extra work it takes to carve hardwoods. Also be aware that they are heavy, better suited for decorating the cabin than for using on long hikes.
One of my favorite trees for carved hiking sticks is poplar. It’s light, and one of the easiest woods to work with. Young poplars often grow in over-crowded stands, so cutting a few out won’t hurt the forest. If you cut it in the spring or early summer, you can almost peel the bark off by hand.
Northern White Cedar is a much tougher wood to carve, but it is beautiful, straight, and one of the lightest. In a cedar swamp, you can find many dead young cedars that have not begun to rot. Cedar lasts forever, it seems, even when used untreated as fence posts.
Making Your Carved Hiking Stick
What if you don’t know your trees? Find a straight young tree in any area that could use thinning, and cut it. A short saw is the easiest way to cut your stick. Otherwise, you can use your knife, by cutting deeper and deeper in a circle around the tree until you can snap it off. Cut the piece a bit longer than you want your finished hiking stick to be.
How long should it be? A general rule is to have the hiking stick come up to just below your armpit. This is a personal thing though. If you want a fancy seven-foot staff, go for it.
Cut away from yourself, removing all the bark. Narrow down the bottom end, but not to a sharp point. You can leave the top flat, round it off, or even carve a spiral design into it. Use you imagination. Almost any piece of sandpaper can be used to smooth it, and you can apply stain or a poly acrylic finish if you want, or just leave it natural.
If you start with green wood, it is best to let it dry for at least a few weeks. Carving it while green can be easier, but it will often twist or bend then as it dries. You might prevent this by tying it to something straight to dry. Each wood is a little different in how it cuts and drys.
I wrap the bottom end with leather (with a small nail to hold it) to keep the stick from splitting. I also usually put a handgrip on it. This can be a piece of cloth or leather. Glue it on or glue and staple it. You can also drill a hole throught the stick near the top, to add a wrist strap.
Get creative. Use a wood burner to add designs to your hiking stick. Drill a hole in the top and glue a glass ball in it. Mark inches on it, so you can measure with it. Some of my best sellers had pewter animals nailed to them. Experimenting is one of the best parts about making your own carved hiking stick.
MICHEAL
What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is solidly built. You don’t need more than a three-inch blade, but it needs to be strong enough that it won’t snap on you when you hit a knot in the wood. A locking blade is a good idea too, if you value your fingers.
What type of wood should you use? Any type you want, but be aware of the differences. Many people like hardwood hiking sticks because they can be very beautiful once polished up. That’s fine if you don’t mind the extra work it takes to carve hardwoods. Also be aware that they are heavy, better suited for decorating the cabin than for using on long hikes.
One of my favorite trees for carved hiking sticks is poplar. It’s light, and one of the easiest woods to work with. Young poplars often grow in over-crowded stands, so cutting a few out won’t hurt the forest. If you cut it in the spring or early summer, you can almost peel the bark off by hand.
Northern White Cedar is a much tougher wood to carve, but it is beautiful, straight, and one of the lightest. In a cedar swamp, you can find many dead young cedars that have not begun to rot. Cedar lasts forever, it seems, even when used untreated as fence posts.
Making Your Carved Hiking Stick
What if you don’t know your trees? Find a straight young tree in any area that could use thinning, and cut it. A short saw is the easiest way to cut your stick. Otherwise, you can use your knife, by cutting deeper and deeper in a circle around the tree until you can snap it off. Cut the piece a bit longer than you want your finished hiking stick to be.
How long should it be? A general rule is to have the hiking stick come up to just below your armpit. This is a personal thing though. If you want a fancy seven-foot staff, go for it.
Cut away from yourself, removing all the bark. Narrow down the bottom end, but not to a sharp point. You can leave the top flat, round it off, or even carve a spiral design into it. Use you imagination. Almost any piece of sandpaper can be used to smooth it, and you can apply stain or a poly acrylic finish if you want, or just leave it natural.
If you start with green wood, it is best to let it dry for at least a few weeks. Carving it while green can be easier, but it will often twist or bend then as it dries. You might prevent this by tying it to something straight to dry. Each wood is a little different in how it cuts and drys.
I wrap the bottom end with leather (with a small nail to hold it) to keep the stick from splitting. I also usually put a handgrip on it. This can be a piece of cloth or leather. Glue it on or glue and staple it. You can also drill a hole throught the stick near the top, to add a wrist strap.
Get creative. Use a wood burner to add designs to your hiking stick. Drill a hole in the top and glue a glass ball in it. Mark inches on it, so you can measure with it. Some of my best sellers had pewter animals nailed to them. Experimenting is one of the best parts about making your own carved hiking stick.
MICHEAL