Why July 4th ?
January 31, 2009
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. On this day they formally declared that these colonies were free and independent states, not subject to the government of Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by leaders from the colonies, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America.
It is a day to be celebrated by all, by patriotic parades, picnics and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread. July 4th gifts are given to family and friends to celebrate this special occasion.
Show your true American patriotism this year by wearing a fabulous piece of American jewelry that is made in America by Americans. One of the easiest by stylish ways is to wear the American Flag as a lapel pin or pendant. The diamonds within these shine the light of freedom in the eyes of all beholders. Another way could be to wear a Statue of Liberty pendant.
This seasons must have item of jewelry for the ladies to celebrate Independence Day would have to be a Diamond Heart US Flag Pendent Belly Ring. Other gift ideas could be a ‘$’ shaped money clip or Presidential Seal or US Marine Cuff Links.
How to Contour Draw and the Many Benefits…
January 30, 2009
How to Contour Draw and the Many Benefits…
by: Todd Harris
Making a contour drawing may seem a little overwhelming or pointless to you. Let me say there are a great many advantages and lessons learned through doing these drawings.
First, let’s discuss what a contour drawing is. Before you can draw the human form, or anything else for that matter, you must be able to see it accurately. Contour drawing is a tool that helps artists develop this skill through the sense of sight and sense of touch.
The contour is the edge of the model in space, or in more simple terms, it is the outline or horizon of the form. Contour is more than the outline; it shows forms within overlapping other forms and so on. It creates the sense of 3D. It is curved lines representing specific forms along the silhouette of the form. Defining contour can be tricky but as we explain how to do the contour drawing, you will see a clearer definition.
How to draw the Contour
Photographing Birds
January 29, 2009
Photographing Birds
by: Felix Zhucha
Many people have switched from mere bird watching to a more exciting hobby of photographing birds.The pleasure of bird watching, and the capability of preserving the visual image that brought that pleasure is possible only with photography.Therefore, bird watching and bird photography complement each other.
You don’t need to be an experienced birder to enjoy photographing birds,but you need to know your subjects - study birds and know their biology,travel patterns,habits, and behavior.
The best way to start photographing birds is to begin in your backyard with subjects that are easily accessible.To attract birds - set up a feeding station in your backyard. Choose some location with a non-distracting background. Set up a blind close to the feeder and shoot.Or,you can shoot through an open window.
Also, you may have some of your best luck with photographing birds at bird sanctuaries.
Begin photographing from a distance, and with a wider angle lens, and photograph birds in a larger context.Wide-angle lenses and short zoom lenses are useful for some of the more creative aspects of bird photography.
Christmas Matters
January 29, 2009
Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler - less stressful.
Have I ever? One year I tried forgetting Christmas here in the UK and spent it in the Canary Islands. It was quite extraordinary really. Christmas day was spent around the pool. The staff brought round ‘Christmas’ cake at various intervals (not the fruit stuff but madeira cake) and Santa Claus arrived on the beach by parachute. The hotel was full of people trying to get away from the stress of the season. All regretted leaving families but felt the need to just ‘get away’. The guy in the next room spent every Christmas away from his wife and family. His wife, children and grandchildren loved to do the whole British Christmas experience - he just wanted time to chill out and spent a good deal of his time alone. He didn’t feel this was extraordinary at all!
Animus Mundi and Intelligent Design
January 28, 2009
Animus Mundi:
The World Mind or Critical Mass of intellectual and spiritual energy was called Animus Mundi by the spiritually aware revivalists of the turn of the century. The spirit or ‘anima’ (Aristotle) in all that is includes things not alive as we think of it. The Mayans put it this way ? ‘Do not put yourself in front of your Self’. There is a qualitative aspect to our genetic mutations and other changes in the world around us. Koestler saw some of it and Bucky Fuller (A ‘charmed’ person to be sure.) put it forward as ‘creative realization’. I also have enjoyed many other Fullerisms and principles. His ‘Observer of the Observed’ is a tool I have found useful in keeping balance even as I seem to be hysterical in the joy of what goes on around me. Bucky said that the world around us is the way it is because we ‘think’ or ‘made’ it that way because of our mindset or what might be termed our paradigm. All we need to do to actualize great and wondrous change is to ‘think’ differently.
Dr. Janice Boddy says we have a ‘Reifying thrust of Materialism’ and we need to develop a ‘Reifying thrust of Spiritualism’ I think.
Fuji Digital Cameras
January 27, 2009
Fuji digital cameras entered the market in the late 90’s. Started in Japan in 1934, Fuji has always tried to stay ahead of the pack. The history of this company is rather interesting so let us take a look at it.
Started in a small Japanese in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Film Co. Ltd was founded in the year 1934. At that time, no one could imagine that such a small camera making company would become a million dollar global name known all across the globe within a span of 50 years. Today, Fuji is known for its great digital cameras and innovative technology.
It took Fuji 35 years to come to the USA. In the US, Fuji again started small with the establishment of a six person office in the Empire State Building in New York City. Within a span of four years, in 1969, the company had expanded itself so fast that the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company issued American Depository Receipts (ADRs) on Fuji Photo Film stock.
Power Numerology Review
January 26, 2009
Power Numerology Review
by: Andy Macintosh
There are plenty of people on the internet who will give you a numerology reading, but for some reason, there aren’t a whole lot of places to learn about numerology yourself.
Actually, most of the readings you can get off the net are rubbish computer generated stuff anyway, but that’s not the reason for this review.
What is the reason, is that I just found a numerology course called “Power Numerology”, by a gentleman called James Steem: http://ww.powernumerology.com.
The course is in audio format - you download it to your computer and can listen to it from there, or put it onto an iPod. Personally I prefer the stereo on the veranda, so I put it onto CD’s so I could listen outdoors!
There are three CDs in the course, with interviews with two top numerologists. This format works well, with James asking the questions and the experts answering. I found it easier to listen to than a formal lecture type of thing.
Motiff
January 25, 2009
Have you ever experienced infatuation with someone you know is not a good match for you? Or how about an interesting relationship that roots itself deep in your memory… Here’s my double take on someone who caught my eye years ago and invited me to play footsies in a work cafeteria. Although nothing ever involved from this infatuation, he has never left my thoughts.
Joining Of Hearts Never
Mixing Our Tender Illusions Fantasy Fires
Roses are red Or are they pink Since laying eyes on you All I do is think
Of holding you close And touching your face The fun we could have In a different place
Yet somehow I managed To let you see An image that scared you That really isn’t me
So I guess I’ll just wait Til the timing is right Keep believing in fate And dreaming at night
(c) 2005
LEO/LIBRA Leo and Libra: a fire and air sign together. Naturally empathetic to each other, these two although differing in method usually have the same long-term goals. They share visions. They complement each other beautifully. Leo will, purely by his nature, tend to be bossy and domineering. Libra will endure this good-naturedly, to a certain point. If the Lion pushes the relationship too far, Libra will make a quick exit and later on will punish the Lion.
Keeping it Simple this Season
January 24, 2009
It’s back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with it! This is the time when we are most tempted to overdo things - shopping, partying, spending.
This year?why not practice the art of simplicity and serenity? Begin a new tradition or fine tune an old one. Think ‘less is more’? quality over quantity.
Remember that this is a time to celebrate love, connection, tradition and new beginnings. Make this a holiday season to remember and cherish. Pay attention to what really matters this time of the year and always? your family and friends, your health and well-being, your connection to the divinity of a universal spirit who gave us a holiday season just so we could help ourselves to platefuls of joy and love.
Q. I love this idea! But how do I get started on creating a new tradition?
A. Make a list of your most deeply felt intentions for the season. A better relationship with family? A chance to enjoy a holiday without stress and conflict? The willingness to take in the generosity of others? Light a candle daily. Choose a sophisticated blend of freshly cut balsam, frankincense, spiced cranberry and orange reminiscent of the season or one that evokes a calm and meditative state ? a relaxing, soothing scent of peppermint, verbena and lavender. As you light the candle ask for the presence of mind to keep these intentions in mind during the season and all year long.
Selling Your Woodworking Art
January 24, 2009
Selling Your Woodworking Art
by: Jerry Mifflin
Our challenge as Crafter’s and intarsia artists is to discover our markets. You need to know your market, who is your customer?
Are you selling a product to local or global customers.
If you’re selling to local customers say out of a storefront, you must know if you are in the right market and selling at the right price for this local customer. If you’re not showing the right product to the right customer base, chances are they’re won’t be any sales are at least very few.
It only makes sense that If your selling a product that is not of use to the customer and its not something that they see they want or need, you had better find either different markets or a different product to sell from your store.
I use to have a shop that sold simple crafts like little animal yard and driveway signs. I sold lots of country style decorative items for the interiors of their homes. These items sold well because I was living in a rural area where my customers had big yards and long driveways.
