Monday, October 5, 2009

Leather Craft Easy Techniques

By Ethan O. Tanner

Leather craft is a fascinating hobby and many artists have taken this way beyond carving initials or embossing a logo. Leather craft requires special tools and specific types of leather. Many craft workers have taken leather craft on the far side a hobby into a half-time or steady business.

Embossing is art of producing a three-dimensional image onto leather. The merely type of leather you prefer to try this along is vegetable tanned leather, which possibly described as tooling leather. With leather craft embossing, you don't need extensive training since all that's required are some special tools, embossing plates or wheels, and some basic leather craft knowledge, which can be learned in a class or even on the Internet.

With embossing, pressure is created from underneath the leather item or from on top. For de-bossing, this is when the design is backwards, created from the top side of the leather, which would produce a sunken look on the other side.

The great thing about embossing is that you do not need extensive training or expensive tools to create a remarkable leather craft piece. The most popular method of embossing involves buying an embossing wheel. These wheels do range in size but the one used most often is one-inch wide made of metal. On the metal wheel are various types of designs that protrude, which is what will set the image into the leather.

You can find embossing wheels with every type of design imaginable. There are flowers, animals, scrolling, geometric designs, and so on. These embossing wheels are very inexpensive and easy to find at any craft, hobby, or leather store. Just keep in mind that if you plan to emboss leather on a regular basis, it would be best to buy the better quality wheel.

This type of leather work regards getting the leather wet so the design of the embossing will dry stiff and stand come out more. If you don't have a exceptional embossing wheel, you are able to use stencils like you'd have used in primary school to trace your initials. Most hobby stores have a huge choice of stencils to choose from, giving you a good variety. Then, using a hammer made specially for embossing, you'd beat out the design in the stencil, producing the embossed design on the other side of the hide.

To generate an idea of what leather craft embossing looks like, if you've ever seen a notary public stamp on an important document defined a marriage license or birth certificate, that raised design is embossed. Keep in mind that the quality of the embossing is dependent on the skill of the person swinging that hammer. The more detailing you see in a piece of embossed leather, the more time and effort it went for achieve it.

Blind stamping is a regard to embossing surfaces that are not colored. At times, pigmentation possibly added or gold leafing increased to heighten the leather craft work. With stamping, a special press is used that looks like a hand stamp to create the design. Additionally with leather craft stamping, the design is often not three-dimensional but contrasting colors. The results are very nice but don't have the advanced effect you get with embossed leather.

Tooling is an artistic creation form that takes time to learn. This type of leather craft implies hand tools like a chisel and hammer to create intricate designs. Explore our article on "Classes" through the link below for additional information on wherever to find excellent training for this astounding fashion of leather craft.

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3 Reasons to Use Snake Proof Boots

By Harry Benjamin Watts

Snake proof boots are great bits of clothing which can protect your from the strikes of venomous snakes. While Southern turkey hunters are familiar with these important pieces of hunting gear, they have to deal with snake infested swamps. The average person isn't even aware that there is footwear designed specifically to protect your feet from slithering serpents.

While snake boots might not be all that common yet, they are growing in popularity. Not only reduced to hunters, many hikers in the desert areas or mountainous forests find them to be a great precaution against worst case scenario.

There are far more than three good reasons that consumers should look at snake boots. But if this article was going to list every single reason, you could end up sitting here and reading all day!

Out of all the reasons to get snake boots, the first one should be obvious. This footwear protects you from snake bites - whether they are rattlers, cottonmouths, coral snakes, or copperheads. If you live in an area with even a few of these slithery little guys, then you might want something extra to keep them away from your ingredient.

A second reason to consider snake boots might be surprising at first glance. The financial savings that this footwear can bring you is incredible. Consider that an ER visit to treat a venomous snake bite in the U.S. will cost you up to twenty grand. That's right, twenty grand. And that's only assuming that there are no complications, which in over half of the cases there are. Wearing a good pair of snake proof boots could prevent that type of traumatic physical and financial trauma.

The third and final reason to wear snake boots is for the confidence factor. Many people have a huge fear of snakes, but even these people can rest just a little easier when they know that they have full protection from the at least the knees down. By far and away most snake bites occur on the lower leg, and this protection can be priceless.

As you can see there are many good reasons for wearing snake boots. These reasons are physical, mental, health-based, and financial. When combined, they paint a pretty convincing case for the viability and usefulness of snake protection.

In the end, the decision on whether or not to wear snake boots is up to you. At least with this article you now know that there are some great options in footwear when it comes to defending yourself from snake strikes.

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

How To Build Up Muscle: Learn How To Build Up Muscle By Working Smarter Not Harder

By Henry Bantista

Remember the guy who took his girlfriend to the beach and got his girlfriend taken from him and sand kicked in his face by the body building bully? Perhaps you are that guy, or perhaps you just want to build up a little more bulk, well in order to learn how to build up muscles you must keep a very basic rule in mind. You get better results by working smart than you do by working hard.

You may admire the guys of professional bodybuilding and even secretly desire to be one of those guys, but you have to keep in mind that these guys did not get the way they are through standard means of training. These guys have a gift from God, there natural make up is more conducive to gaining muscle.

The superstars of bodybuilding are the exception. They are all genetic super-humans who have been gifted with a genetic make-up that is unlike mine and yours. This is not to say that they have not worked hard to get where they are. It is obvious they have, but to expect to build up muscle mass like they have is in most cases not practical.

In learning how to build up muscles you need to find a program that makes sense. You need to approach body building slowly and sensibly. Find a program that is designed for you. Of course in order to see any changes you will need to change your routine and become serious about your desire to build up muscle. You cannot continue to do what you have been doing and expect to see some changes.

The first step of course is to purchase weight training equipment or join a local gym. I would recommend beginning at a local gym that is close to your home. A gym will most likely have better training equipment than you can afford to buy on your own and being at the gym will help to keep you motivated.

The first step in to build up muscle, is to overcome any mental barriers. You need to psyche yourself up to work out. It is hard work, they don't call it work out for nothing. So you need to look past the big boys and the pretty ladies and focus on your workout.

Another thing you need to concentrate on is focusing on your workout and blocking out those around you. Do not measure yourself up against the others, as nothing will discourage you faster. By trying to do what the other guy is doing you almost guarantee that you will hurt yourself.

Also overdoing training can lead to injury and this could set you back significantly and hinder the muscle building process. You cannot build up muscle if you throw out your back. So always keep in mind that when starting a weight lifting program you should be safe and do all of your training with moderation.

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Best DishNetwork Promotions

By Tammy Palmer

If you are presently a cable subscriber therefore you're paying way too much for your TV service. The cable provider is constantly looking for extra ways to add on extra fees to your monthly TV service bill. Why would you would like to give a provider that is demanding to cause you pay out more instead of save more? By subscribing to Dish Net you will be working with a provider that is trying to save you cash instead of cost you cash. By subscribing to DishTV, you will receive a ton of free upgrades like High Def TV and a DVR device.

By subscribing to Dish TV you receive a free of charge upgrade to HDTV at no added monthly cost. If you wanted to watch your TV in HD via the cable provider you would have to pay 100's of extra dollars a year for the same service. Having HDTV is one of the coolest features that DishNetwork subscribers get. There is honestly nothing better than being able to watch your favorite TV shows and movies on a crystal clear picture. High Definition TV is only one of the impressive features that DishNetwork gives its subscribers for free.

On top of a free upgrade to High Definition TV, DishTV gives their customers a free digital video recording device or DVR. A DVR device allows customers to pause, fast forward, rewind, and record live TV with the click of a button. This means you can record your favorite shows or season finales and watch them over and over again. Each DVR device from DishTV has over 90 hours of recording room on hand for you to store your favorite TV shows. If you wanted to receive a DVR device from the cable provider you would have to pay 100's of extra dollars a year. That is just another example of how the cable provider is always trying to make you pay more with extra bills!

Cable subscribers can only receive a highest of about 90 channels while Dish TV subscribers can have over 300 channels. That means you pay more cash to the cable provider for less channels while you pay less cash to Dish TV for more channels! Dish TV also provides its subscribers with more access to the most exclusive pay-per-view events. DishTV has about 80 PPV channels while the cable provider only has about 40. This is just another way that Dish Network gives you more service for less cash!

If you want to discontinue paying overpriced monthly TV bills then you should sign up for Dish TV today! Dish Network is a provider that is constantly trying to find new ways to save you cash and give you the service you need. The cable provider is only trying to find new ways to tack on extra charges and fees to your TV bill.

Stop paying the cable provider for overpriced bills and sign up for Dish TV now!

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Creativity And Food Photography

By Julie Wong

There are a number of different tips that could be learned when discussing the subject of food photography and what every food photographer should know. We will go cover a few of the introductory tips here. Some of the important ideas to keep in mind are lighting, props, quickness and enhancement. Here we will learn techniques for food photographers to take the next step.

Lighting the scene

Light is obviously the tool of a photographer second to the camera itself. Getting this right is always the trick with any kind of photography. With food photography though it is super important. Get it wrong and no amount of photoshop work will bring the picture to life.

Use of props

The right props can bring a simple food dish alive. Some food types like fast food is dull and lifeless so choosing the right props of fresh fruit, vegetables, plates, candles etc will make the dull become magic. To be s good food photographer you must have a special eye and flair for design. if you have this skill naturally you will fly.

If you do a lot of food photography then shopping at second hand markets can be a great way to build your box of props. You can pick up expensive items like large pots and dishes and vases for a few dollars and a smile. If you do not do much then you may have to go shopping for what you need and bill the client!

Quickness

Unfortunately food won't stay appealing for very long. As a food photographer you will want to be well prepared and ready to shoot your picture as soon as the dish is finished. This will give it no time to melt, collapse or lose its color. So knowing what you want the picture to turn out like will help you to prepare for the photo. One way food photographers prepare is to have everything arranged before the food is finished. By placing a temporary stand-in plate is an excellent way to get the lighting right, and when the food is finished you switch it with the finished dish and your picture is ready to be taken.

Way to improve your photographs in an instant

An excellent food photographer will want to learn this last but not least creative technique when it comes to taking photographs of food. And that is to use a small amount of vegetable oil that you have on hand and brush it on the food. This will make your dish glisten and stand out deliciously in your pictures.

Touch base with the chef

The last area to cover is working with you food professional. If you are unlucky you will have to do the presentation of the food yourself. If you are lucky and the client has a good budget you will have a chef to do the food display.

Take a few minutes before the shoot to talk with the chef and ask them how they like to work. Ask them if there is anything you need to know about the food that may not be obvious. If nothing else this will make them feel good so you will then be able to work closer and better together.

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Saturday, October 3, 2009

How To Get Unique Wedding Photography

By Randolph Quan

Not all wedding photos need to look the same (though after you've looked through the gallery of the umpteenth wedding photographer, it might seem like it).

You can get unique wedding photography by 1) choosing the right photographer and 2) making sure your voice is heard by that photographer.

The first tenet is vital, though admittedly less important than the second. The thing is, there's a bit of a catch here: Your voice probably won't be heard if you don't choose the right person that will give you the type of unique wedding photography you want. So how do you find the perfect, unique photographer for you?

Research! It can't be said enough - the only way you're going to find the right photographer is by weeding through the hundreds (or even thousands, depending on where you live) of photographers offering their services in your area. Finding the person with the right style and flair takes a little bit of work. Search through online galleries and ask for referrals both online and from friends or colleagues.

Once you've narrowed it down to a few choices, meet with them in person. Bring your fiance along and see how the three of you click. The end results will be a lot better if everyone is comfortable with each other. During your in-person meeting, ask the photographer how much input the couple has in selecting where and how photos are taken. This will establish right off the bat that you have a desire for unique wedding photographs that you had some say in.

A lot of unique wedding photography is special because there are special effects added either while shooting (special lenses or settings) or during the editing process (Photoshop is a blessing!) If this might be something you desire, inquire about their knowledge of such techniques and ask to see samples. Remember that too many special effects can be overkill and you'll want some regular shots, too, so your photographer should be skilled in both.

Once you've selected a photographer, don't be afraid to let him or her know what you want! Many couples have unique interests or backgrounds that should be highlighted in the photography of their big day. For example, if you two have a passion for motorcycles, ask for a shot of the two of you dressed in your wedding best on the back of your bike. Now there's a unique wedding photo you don't see every day! From props to locations, there's plenty of ways to capture weddings uniquely.

Many brides are afraid to speak up because they assume their photographer knows best. Assuredly, your photographer knows what they're doing - they went professional for a reason. But don't hesitate to let your voice be heard in order to get the unique wedding photography you want.

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Beat Making Programs - Learn What Features To Look For

By Ethan Lachermeier

Would you like the opportunity to create and lay down your own instrumental beats? If you said Yes, then you will soon discover that there are some great beat making programs available. Below we offer some basic advice at the things you should be considering before you purchase any of these programs you can make your beats with.

During the last few years the quantity of high quality software programs which both novice and veteran producers can use has grown substantially. All of these systems offer features which allow you to create some very good quality beats on your own computer. But you must be aware that some programs have been developed that only allow you to create beats online, while others allow you to download your beats and save them to your computer to use however you'd like.

One of the biggest benefits to be had from using these online beat making programs is that they teach you about music production at a pace you find suitable. Another thing with many of these programs is that they were created with the Novice in mind, suitable for those who have never attempted to create beats before. They also are relatively cheap to purchase.

So what should you be looking for when deciding which of the many online beat making programs to use? Below we offer a few tips that will help you with choosing a program that will meet your own particular requirements.

1. If you are completely new to the world of creating beats for yourself then select a program that has been developed specifically for beginners in music production to use. These programs will offer clear step by step instructions on all aspects of creating music that you will find easy to understand.

2. Although you may be interested in creating beats using music beat maker software for one particular genre of music, don?t limit yourself to finding programs that are specifically for this purpose. You are far better off going for an application that allows you to create beats across all different genres of music. This will help you to create beats that incorporate sounds or instruments from 2 or 3 different styles of music into your beats, which will help make them more unique. How many hip hop or rock songs have you heard before that incorporated violins or some other classical instrument into the beat?

3. Look for online beat making programs where a member's area is available. These tend to offer valuable information such as online video courses that you can download as well as specific lessons in the production of music. Some of these members areas even have detailed tutorials that help teach you how to use different instruments (like keyboards) to help create your beats.

4. Finally, you should be looking for those beat making programs that also discuss how the professional grade music production systems like pro tools work. This will help to provide you with a better understanding of how the program you are using works and will also help prepare you for the future if you upgrade to a professional grade system or get a job at a music production company.

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