 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Throughout history, jewelry has been worn in various cultures and religions and even played an important role in many. By simply putting on one piece of jewelry - or even a few, you can change up your entire look. In some cultures, jewelry has also been used for healing or to classify various status roles. Learn some of the benefits of wearing jewelry every day or for specific occasions.
Enhance Your Everyday Look with Jewelry We all have our own unique style that shines in our everyday outfits. Buying jewelry to accent that look is one way to really make it pop. Finding the best jewelry for your look involves shopping around. Try searching for styles that match your style, such as goth, punk, boho, couture, and more. You also may find the best jewelry by searching for unique, handcrafted artisan items. Oftentimes, these are made so that there is only one and no one else will have your look. Look into custom handmade jewelry as well. Bring Out Your Unique Features The shape of the right necklace can help outline your unique neckline and enhance your appearance. Earrings are often used to draw attention to the ears and face. Nose rings, eyebrow piercings, and other facial piercings are often used to accent specific areas of the face as well. Show off or enhance your wrists or ankles with bracelets and anklets. You can do the same with your fingers and toes. Enhance your look in these areas by adding one or more rings. Utilize the Healing Properties of Jewelry Did you know that some jewelry can actually contain healing properties? There is beaded jewelry made from healing stones, jewelry with medicinal herbal satchels, blessed jewelry, and more. When buying jewelry specifically for healing, be sure to choose an artisan that has made the jewelry specifically with your intent in mind. Intent-sive Nature is an example of one store that infuses each piece of jewelry with good intent, as well as the specific healing need. This is done using healing energy from the artisan, crystals, stones, herbs, and other items, both physical and ethereal. You can buy custom herbal satchels or mojo bags for dreams, healing jewelry made from stones and other items, and much more!. Duct Tape My Heart is another example of a store with healing in mind. Each piece is blessed by a natural healer. Represent Your Culture or Beliefs Many people wear jewelry to symbolize a specific religion, cause, or culture. For instance, some might consider buying jewelry with a pink ribbon to symbolize breast cancer awareness. Others wear crosses to represent Christianity-based religions. Some may wear a pentacle to represent protection from evil or the Om symbol or peace sign to represent peace. When buying jewelry, it you may consider the meaning behind jewelry, if any. Specific stones may hold special meanings as well, beyond the healing properties mentioned above. Choosing and Buying Jewelry When you’re buying jewelry, choose pieces that accent your clothing, as well as your body. It’s important to have multiple pieces of jewelry because not every piece will go with every outfit or purpose. Finding the best jewelry is all about knowing exactly the look you wish to achieve. When you see the right piece of jewelry for each specific need, you will know. Choose based on moods, styles, colors, and more. When buying jewelry, give yourself a good selection to look the best every day or best represent your cause, purpose, or belief in multiple ways. Browse our unique collection of handcrafted jewelry at Intent-sive Nature. Preview some below. Last Updated 5/31/2023
10 Comments
 A large part of selling jewelry online involves having awesome jewelry product photos. When people buy jewelry from the internet, they need to have a clear picture of what they’re getting. When taking cell phone photography, there are some key tips to help you take awesome jewelry product photos.
Focus Your Cell Phone Camera Before you start taking jewelry product photos, learn how to focus your cell phone camera. Most smartphones will either auto-focus when still for a few seconds. or require you to tap the screen a few times to focus on a specific area. It can help to purchase a separate macro lens made specifically for cell phone photography. This is true of most smaller objects, including jewelry. Use a Cell Phone Photography Tripod Using a tripod will help prevent issues that occur with shaky hands or focusing properly. It can also help you to use your cell phone camera at various angles, no matter how awkward. You can easily use an inexpensive tripod for jewelry photos. However, if you will be taking photos in which your jewelry is positioned up high or in places where you would need more than the usual small cell phone photography tripod. Tripods are great for taking timed photos to reduce the effects of shaking and other motion. Lighting is Key for Awesome Jewelry Product Photos Take awesome jewelry product photos by paying close attention to the lighting. For most jewelry photos, the lighting needs to be soft but not dim. This is why many jewelry product photos are taken outside. This is great when cell phone photography is the method you choose. Cell phones typically take the best photos outdoors. If you cannot take photos outside, you may also wish to try using a lightbox. For either method, try turning the flash off on your cell phone. This is because the flash can cause glare in jewelry product photos. Edit Your Cell Phone Photos with a Good Photo Editing App You shouldn’t have to do too much to your jewelry product photos, if you take them right. However, a little bit of touch-up editing can give you really awesome jewelry product photos. For instance, if you need the background completely white and there are non-white areas, you can solve this with a photo editor. You can also sharpen images or make certain areas stand out more than others. You really can take awesome jewelry product photos with a cell phone. All it takes is a few simple techniques. Remember that to sell your jewelry online, you really need to show it off. The best way to do so is to showcase it with great photos. Try out a few of these techniques today and see how much more often people purchase jewelry products.  We've all heard of scrapbooks, but many of us have never actually ventured into the hobby of scrapbooking. A scrapbook is a creative collection of photos, magazine clippings and many other odds and ends that you can tape, paste, laminate, or otherwise put into the pages of a book.
With so many of us having digital cameras in our cell phones and so much being done online, scrapbooks aren't as in vogue as they were. Still, scrapbooking is still a fairly popular hobby. In fact, scrapbooking is even a growing hobby. It's still a great way to take a “trip down memory lane” as they say. What Do You Need to Make a Scrapbook? All you need to create a scrapbook are some simple supplies and a little bit of creativity. They're a great way to commemorate special days or big events. But they can be created around anything that's dear to you. Scrapbooks make great time capsules. They can also make great gifts. Am I Creative Enough to Create a Scrapbook? If you're not sure where to begin with creating a scrapbook, there are many DIY scrapbooking guides and kits. Many are of these are inexpensive and can give you a headstart depending on what you're trying to do with your scrapbook. It's even possible to hire someone to create a scrapbook for you. But it likely wouldn't have your personal touch, and personality is what makes a scrapbook special. Anyone is creative enough to create one. You just need to have the time. Where Can You Learn Beginner Scrapbooking Techniques? Being a fast-growing hobby, there are many resources available for beginner scrapbookers. There's many different options available depending on the level of commitment you want to give to scrapbooking. Everyone has different goals for scrapbooking. You may just want to preserve family photos in an attractive way. Perhaps, you may want to create elaborate time capsules to enjoy later. Or, you want to save anything you can concerning a particular interest. Then again, you may just want to take on scrapbooking as a hobby and help others create their own scrapbooks. Like any hobby, scrapbooking can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Local craft stores are a great resource for beginner scrapbookers where you can get an idea of where you want to go with the hobby. Some craft stores when specialise in scrapbooking, with staff who can point you in the right direction with tools and supplies. Are There Good Scrapbooking Classes for Beginners? Many craft stores offer scrapbooking classes for all skill levels. These classes feature the latest scrapbooking materials and techniques so you can keep up on the best things in the hobby. It's also a great way to meet with and learn from other scrapbookers. There are also project classes in which you can complete an entire scrapbook from scratch. Scrapbooking classes are usually available for a reasonable cost. Most provide all the necessary tools and materials, so you can try out scrapbooking with minimal financial investment. What Do I Need to Bring to a Scrapbooking Class? Typically for a scrapbooking class, you'll need to bring several photographs for use on your page layouts. Scrapbooking teachers are enthusiastic and experienced, trained to teach all levels of scrapbooking techniques. They can answer any questions you might have about scrapbooking. It's common to see experienced scrapbookers in these classes. Some people take them just for the social aspect of the class. Even the most experienced scrapbookers are looking for new ideas on how to use basic techniques more effectively. To find a class in your area, check with large chain craft stores. Also, check your local scrapbooking stores. Most stores offer classes with convenient schedules. Many classes can be started any time. Can I Learn Scrapbooking At Home? You absolutely can learn beginner scrapbooking in your own home. There are direct sales companies, such as Creative Memories and Close to My Heart, who have consultants that can come to your home. These consultants give a class on basic scrapbooking. These scrapbooking classes are much like a Tupperware party. You invite friends and family to your home for a scrapbooking lesson. The consultant teaches the basic philosophy behind scrapbooking, how to choose tools and supplies, and how to design a simple page. Together, you, your family, and your friends will usually make a two-page layout. It's made with materials supplied by the consultant and photos brought from home. The best part is that consultants may or may not charge for the lesson. The cost depends on the cost of the supplies used for the pages. How can a lesson cost you nothing? Each in-home lesson usually ends with an opportunity to purchase the company’s products. Essentially, it's a sales pitch. Likely, someone will want to buy something, which makes the class worth the consultants time and the company's money. What Are Scrapbooking Album Kits? Album kits are great for beginner scrapbookers because they are complete with all the supplies you need to make a scrapbook. They provide detailed instructions and sometimes even basic color and design layout theory. But, to complete the album, you’ll need to buy your own tools, such as scissors and adhesives. Should I Look Into Scrapbooking Magazines? Scrapbooking magazines are a great resource for beginner scrapbookers. They are often full of information on basic scrapbooking techniques and tips. The most popular scrapbooking magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers and Scrapbooks, Etc. To get started with scrapbooking magazines, buy or borrow a single issue of each magazine first. Each magazine approaches scrapbooking from a somewhat different angle. For example, Simple Scrapbooks focuses on quick, easy scrapbook pages. Once you find a magazine that seems to match your style, you can buy the annual subscription. This is always more cost effective than buying single newsstand copies. What are Scrapbooking Crop Nights? As you learn about beginner scrapbooking, you may hear about crop nights. They are essentially scrapbooking parties, and many craft stores offer them. Crop nights Bron together scrapbookers of all ages and skill levels to work on scrapbook pages together. Craft stores who offer crop nights usually charge a small fee, mostly to cover the cost of refreshments served during the evening. Many stores even will allow you to use their tools during the crop night, too. It's a great way to try out more expensive tools such as die cut machines and cutters. Crop nights allow everyone to share techniques and offer beginner scrapbookers with many tips and ideas. You don't even need to go to a store for a crop night. You can have a crop night in your own home. After I Master the Basics of Scrapbooking, What Next? After you learn beginner scrapbooking, practice your techniques often. The more pages you make, the better you will become at designing layouts. Then, even as you master the basics, you can use the same resources to find more advanced tips and techniques. Just like with any hobby, you can never stop learning with scrapbooking.  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Even if you don't usually wear jewelry, here's why I say everyone NEEDS healing jewelry. This can be true, regardless of whether you are a religious person or not. Gemstones and other tools used in healing jewelry are often not connected to a specific faith, but rather hold a special meaning for the wearer. This means they can be utilized by all faiths or even those who are atheist or hold no specific belief or label. What Is Healing Jewelry? Healing jewelry can be many things. What it is actually depends on the person, as well as the intent put into it. But, it generally includes gemstones, crystals, items from the Earth, items that are symbolic in some way, or all of the above. Why Do I Need Healing Jewelry? Well, this is something that has a different answer for everyone. Have you been having trouble sleeping? Have you been ill? Do you need good luck in obtaining a business position? Do you need more calmness in your life? More positivity? More love? More acceptance? Do you need protection from negative energies or a specific person or entity? Everyone has something that they need in their life. Healing jewelry is a simple way to help that along just by wearing something beautiful and unique to you. Many people feel naked without their healing or protective jewelry, as it serves a purpose nothing else can, since it is especially customized to each person, whether by the crafter or by consecration of the wearer upon receipt. Some compare being without their healing jewelry to a Christian person being without their bible or prayer. It is simply a tool used to better connect with yourself and the natural world, much like a Christian would use prayer or the bible to connect with their God. How Do I Know What My Healing Jewelry Means? These items all have special meanings to the wearer, whether these meanings are specific or not. Over time, people from various cultures and belief systems have come to associate gemstones and other natural items with specific meanings, based on experience, as well as what ancestors, spirits, or nature might tell them to use it for. This is true of symbols, animals, and other items as well. But, this is where it gets even trickier. Sometimes the wearer might have a special meaning behind something that no one else has. What if the wearer has a bond with butterflies because they remind them of a loved one who is passed on? What if the wearer has communicated with nature and felt their own meaning? In this case, the traditional meanings may hold less weight than the wearer's personal bond and feeling with the items. I always tell people to go with your own feelings, intuitions, communications, and so on before what other people say because only you know what something is to you personally. How Do I Know Which Meanings Or Sellers To Trust? Intent also has a stronger force, so be careful who you get your healing items from. Be sure it is one who has the same intent as you do when they make the item. Rest assured, all of my items only have good will intended and I only put out the intent specified on their listings when wielding them. But again, you have no way of knowing I'm telling the truth here. So, a little bit of good faith is needed. Also, I always recommend everyone do a good cleansing of any items they purchase, even from me. This is for safety and even just for your own peace of mind. One thing to watch out for is that some people make things purely for the money and just rattle off a bunch of items just to get them out there. This isn't good when it comes to healing jewelry because it needs to have the proper combinations of things as well as the proper procedures and intent put into it. Even though I do sell my healing jewelry, the bigger reason I do so is to help people. What doesn't go to worthy causes goes to my family, as well as back into the healing jewelry so that I can get more out there. Find out more in "What Is The Meaning Behind Healing Jewelry by Lyn Lomasi at Intent-sive Nature?" Important Things To Remember:
You can find all my healing jewelry at Intent-sive Nature, our family healing, hobby, & arts store. Preview some below. Last updated 11/01/2021  Orange Starry Solar Plexus Bracelet for Happiness & Stress Relief by Lyn Lomasi I'm Lyn Lomasi and among many ventures, I create healing jewelry in our family healing, hobby, & arts store, Intent-sive Nature. What qualifies myself & fellow artists and what's the meaning behind our healing jewelry? Intuitive Healing of the Heart, Mind, Body, & Soul Ever since I was a small child, I've always been a natural intuitive healer, as well as a creator of many artforms. Before I was too young to know what it was and what my calling would come to be, I always had an interest in helping and healing others through love and nature's energies. I always seem to know what people and animals need when they are sick, feeling down, or otherwise needing some sort of help or guidance. These people and animals are drawn to me and myself to them and I have saved or helped many. This empathic nature inside of me has been true for as long as I can remember. It is also what led me to other artisans who share the gift of healing and empathy. Anyone who crafts for Intent-sive Nature must respect nature, as well as have intuitive healing gifts. They also must be a close family member or friend that shares the same natural vibrations. This way, the positive intent and healing put into the items is authentic and connected, no matter which of us crafts the item. Becoming an Expert Intuitive Healer Again, I am a natural intuitive healer. Throughout the years, I've learned to accept my intuitiveness and healing capabilities. Some have come to me through dreams or discussions with ancient ancestors. Others seem to have been there from the beginning. Accepting this eventually led to studying various religions and traditions of my ancestors and others. Those I have most been drawn to include many Native American traditions (which makes sense as I do have a great deal of native heritage), Ancient Kemet (Egypt) and other African traditions (which is also deep in my heritage), as well as wisdom from several other cultures and religions that acknowledge the natural vibrations in ourselves and natural objects, like crystals. However, it is important to note that we do not infuse our items with any specific religion unless asked, nor do we insert any specific religion into our natural healing unless asked. We do not believe in a specific religion, but rather we are spiritual and in line with God, our ancestors, and the Earth. First and foremost, we are purely about healing the soul. Some may refer to our healing actions and abilities as Shamanic, since we rely on the forces of nature to wield our creations and nurture the mind, body, and soul. This is where our parent company's name (Brand Shamans) came from. Any of us who are on the healing and artisan team have been referred to as a Shaman or similar type of healer by another, as well as had one or more spiritual journeys before we claimed the title for ourselves. Though not all of us were raised within a tribe, we all must also have some type of ancestral lineage that points to the original or indigenous peoples of America, Africa, or elsewhere. Some have more than others. But we all have these origins. About Our Artisan Healing Jewelry Our artisan healing jewelry is completely one of a kind. Each piece is made using energy from the artisan's heart and soul, as well as from nature. Some speak to ancestors or to God. If any specific religion is used, it will be stated. It's our mission to help people heal their mind, body, and soul while expressing themselves with the pieces created uniquely for them. Myself and any other artisans feel the natural vibrations of each component (such as gemstones and crystals, which have their own energies and meanings) and that tells us what they want to become, based on several factors. When it's a custom piece, what that person wants and needs is also factored in. About Gemstone Meanings & Healing Interpretations We simply use what the Earth provides to us all. If you do the research, you will easily see that gemstone meanings and the healing interpretations of each stone tend to be the same throughout various cultures and belief systems throughout the world. This is because they are a natural occurrence and the gemstones and crystals are not associated with any one religion or belief system. They are simply a tool that can be used as both the creator and wearer intend for them to be used. Intent is a very strong force and must be used wisely and accurately. The Importance of Intent During Creation of Healing Jewelry Intent is extremely important when choosing an artisan for your healing jewelry. If your jewelry is to heal, the artisan should be one that only works with positive intent and has only good intentions, YOUR greater purpose, and YOUR healing in mind during the creation of the project. It is possible to do this with general pieces, as well as custom pieces if the artisan puts the correct intent into the pieces. However, be aware of those who will perform actions for others that may have ill will in mind. This is something you will never see our Brand Shamans think about. We only ever put out love, positive vibrations, and healing thoughts or intent when creating any protection or healing jewelry. We do not create pieces that would wish harm upon anyone, no matter the price you wish to pay. If this is what you seek, look elsewhere. We are healers and will only practice good will actions. The Importance of Cleansing, Intent, & Charging Cleansing of the crystals and stones, as well as putting intent into them and charging them under a full moon are also important. The full moon gives these natural stones an extra burst of energy. All of our healing crystals and gemstones have been cleansed with good intent by our artisans, as well as charged under a full moon. We do this whenever we get a new shipment of crystals and stones, even if we need to wait to use them. We also recharge all of the stones and crystals in stock each time there is a full moon and if possible, we charge the jewelry once it is made. The cleansing is something the wearer should do upon receiving them as well. This is to ensure that all energies are toward the wearer and any negative energies from others are wiped clean. What Materials Do We Use? Some of the materials we use include natural crystals and gemstones, glass and stone beads, nickel-free findings, recycled vintage jewelry parts, and many other materials. Being green is important to us for preserving the earth, so we like to use items from nature, as well as used or vintage items that can be repurposed or upcycled to help create less waste and more enjoyment. If you still have questions about our healing jewelry, feel free to Contact Us. UPDATED 8/18/2020: Updated any outdated links and info for clarity. UPDATED 4/20/2020: Updated any outdated links and info. UPDATED 10/07/2018: Updated to include more artisans, as Lyn Lomasi is the main artisan, but no longer the only artisan. UPDATED 7/23/2018: Updated for clarity and to reflect new store name (Intent-sive Nature was formerly Crafts For A Purpose) See all of our healing jewelry at Intent-sive Nature. Preview some of our designs below.
by Richard A. Rowell, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  “A work of art is never finished, only abandoned.”- Paul Valéry, or Leonardo Da Vinci, or Picasso, depending on who you ask...
This aphorism has been paraphrased and attributed to several people. Paul Valery, the French poet and essayist, and the famous artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci are the two main ones. Some have even attributed the saying to Pablo Picasso. In any case, whomever said it, and all three of them could have easily said it, it's a concept worth thinking about. Google defines an aphorism as "a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author." Nothing in creation is ever truly complete, and this is something that Valery definitely wrote about. This is a quote from one of Paul Valery's dramas, Le Cimetière Marin: “In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished—a word that for them has no sense—but abandoned; and this abandonment, whether to the flames or to the public (and which is the result of weariness or an obligation to deliver) is a kind of an accident to them, like the breaking off of a reflection, which fatigue, irritation, or something similar has made worthless.” There comes a point where a work of art must be abandoned in order to move onto another thing. This usually happens when improvement upon that work does not seem possible at the time. No work is ever truly perfect. But, there is always a sort of forced completion to every piece of art, whether it's painting, sculpting, writing, or otherwise. Something to keep in mind for all of the writers and artists out there: you can always come back and improve something later. Some people obsess over perfection, but sometimes the flaws are part of what makes art what it is. The best part is once the artist or writer abandons a piece of work, sometimes others will continue to enjoy it for many years to come. Not every piece of art or writing will turn out as you might expect. But, when you abandon your perceived failures, make sure to keep in mind those things that seem failures now could one day be improved upon to become wild successes.  The white agate gemstone has been used for centuries in many cultures. Learn the meanings of white agate gemstones and why you should wear this precious stone. As with our other crystal and precious gemstone interpretations, these meanings are a combination of those derived from many cultures, including Native American healing practices. Find out more about the meanings behind our healing jewelry in "What Is The Meaning Behind Intent-sive Nature Healing Jewelry?" The Color White And Its Meaning In Earth Magick and in Native American healing, the color white represents peace, tranquility, calmness, protection, innocence, purity, healing, truth, rain, illumination/light, clearing blocks from your path, and is often used for repelling evil. When combined with the agate gemstone, these same meanings will strengthen and more will be added. Uses For The Agate Stone The agate gemstone is commonly used in protection from bad dreams. It is also used in aiding the protection of small children, especially with white agate stones. You may also use the agate stone to protect from stress. It's also used in letting go of anger, increasing stability, aids in important decision-making, encourages self-examination, and is very special to pregnant mothers and mothers of new babies. The agate gemstone can help new moms avoid having the baby blues right after birth if worn during pregnancy and after birth. Since this precious stone also helps increase lactation and also is important in providing protection to babies, it is good to continue to wear this gemstone once your baby has arrived. Why You Should Wear White Agate You should wear a white agate gemstone if you are seeking any of the benefits above. Wearing this precious gemstone around your neck as a white agate necklace keeps the stone close to your heart for intent. This will help you draw the energy from it more easily. Also remember to touch or rub the stone with your hand as often as possible. Choose white agate jewelry to wear close to your heart in our Intent-sive Nature family store.
 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Why should you wear white crystals? Learn this as well as the meanings for the color white in crystals. As with much of our information and craft work, meanings are derived from a combination of Native American healing methods, as well as Earth Magick. White Crystal Meanings The color white itself holds a special meaning in many cultures. It is no different when considering the power of white crystals in healing, as well as in Earth Magick. The following meanings have been associated with white crystals for both of these purposes:
Why Should You Wear White Crystals? If you need help with protection, balancing your aura, peace, calmness, purity, bringing about the rain, or any of the other meanings above, this is the crystal you need to wear. It is important to wear and touch the white crystals with intent for your needs in order to draw from their energy. Jewelry is one of the easiest ways you can wear your white crystals for protection and other means. Find our white crystal jewelry in the Natural Healing Gemstone Jewelry & Talismans section of Intent-sive Nature
(also featured below) 
Whether you plan to set your wood model plane to flight at the nearest park or just want to display it in your bedroom, you'll first need to learn the basics of constructing it correctly. You don't want to be the laughing stock among friends when your plane does not fly or it falls apart from shoddy construction. If you are putting it on display instead of flying it, you want it to be in a state worthy of presentation, not to look like it instead belongs in the nearest trash compacter.
Some wood model planes use balsa wood, which is a thin wood that is lightweight enough to glide, but also pliable enough to use for constructing the plane. Wooden model planes can also be constructed of other woods, but balsa is the most popular. You can either purchase sheets of wood and design your own plane or you can purchase wood model plane kits. Some kits will come with everything you need, while others will not. Be sure to check the packaging to see what you are getting. One of the most important materials to have for your wood model plane is a good hobby knife. These can be purchased online or at local craft or hobby stores for a small cost. This is especially important if you will be designing your own wood model plane or if your kit does not come with pre-cut shapes. Also equally important is a good bonding glue. C/A glue and white glue both work well for balsa wood, as well as many other woods. Keep a ruler around for measuring and also for drawing patterns. It's also good to have a pencil for drawing any pattern lines. A regular #2 pencil is fine. Wax paper is great to put underneath the working area so that the wooden model does not stick to the work surface. If you use plain newspapers, like with other crafts, the balsa wood may accidentally get glued down to the newspaper. With wax paper, this problem can be prevented a little better. Also keep some fine grit sandpaper handy for your wood model plane. Sandpaper may be needed to smooth any rough edges. Be careful if you're using balsa wood. This type of wood is very thin as it is, so you don't want to overdo it on sanding. One or two sweeps is generally enough. If you would like your plane to be radio-controlled, you will also need to purchase the supplies for that, including an engine. Also there is paint, decals, and other decoration and model plane accessory materials to consider. by Rayne L. Desertsong; Rainbow Warrior & Contributing Writer  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved If you need to know where to buy protection spell jewelry, you can go about it in multiple ways. When making your decision on which of the following to choose, know that not all protective jewelry is made equal. It takes someone with experience in both the artisan side, as well as the spiritual side to create an effective piece. Also, many healers (such as our artisans at Intent-sive Nature) do not call their creations "spells". Protective jewelry, talisman, or healing jewelry may be more appropriate names, depending on the artisan. Learn about some of the best methods for finding protective jewelry. Find a Spiritual Healer Who Crafts Protective Jewelry Spiritual healers are well-versed in the specific elements of the Earth that have healing properties. Many prefer to work with someone of native descent, whether they were raised this way or not. This is because people of native descent have a specific connection with nature that is inherent, no matter how they are raised. Some of them may use this knowledge to make handcrafted protective jewelry that can be worn for specific needs and intent. Such jewelry may use certain colors, stones, and herbs. Seek Out Someone Who is Connected to Nature Someone connected to nature will understand the importance of utilizing specific elements to obtain a specific need or desire. This may include writing down your intent in a journal and using herbs, gemstones, or other tools. A good crafter of protection jewelry will only utilize good forces. Get The Best Of Everything At Crafts For A Purpose I am one of the artisans and spiritual healers at Intent-sive Nature. Anyone who creates our healing jewelry has to have studied all about the healing materials of the Earth, spiritual healing from many cultures, and must be of native descent. Our art comes straight from the heart with knowledge and good intention. I have met the above and have been crafting jewelry since I was a child. This protection jewelry is special, since it combines many methods with the forces of nature. Learn more: What is the Meaning Behind Intent-sive Nature Healing Jewelry? Feel welcome to browse some of our current natural healing protection jewelry items below. We also take custom orders if you need something more personal. Custom Dream Protection Mojo Bag To Banish Bad Dreams And Gain Peaceful Sleep
$28.88
Are you or your child haunted by bad dreams? Banish nightmares and negative energy with this custom dream protection mojo bag for adults and children. Get a peaceful night's sleep with a customized dream intent just for you or your child.
We utilize Mother Earth's energy and blend calming herbs and spices to create your personalized dream experience. Once the herbs have been mixed and prepared, they are placed inside burlap, wrapped with an appropriate cord, finished with a charm or stone chosen specifically for you, and then blessed and charged with protection (and any other chosen intent) by a healer. To use the dream protection mojo bag, place it under your pillow or near your bed at night when you go to sleep. This special dream protection mojo bag can be used on both adults and children. However, be sure that it is placed where a child cannot reach it, such as sewn inside the mattress, hung above the bed, or another inaccessible place that it will still be effective. Healing Artisan: Lyn Lomasi DO NOT EAT. Herbs are mixed for intent purposes, not food purposes, and may not be made of edible plants. (*Crystal, herbal, healing, and magic interpretations are for informational purposes only. Please do your own research. Individual results, beliefs, and spell usage may vary. We are not responsible for your use, misuse, or interpretations of any magic-related info or products. Be safe and be wise.)  Looking for some magical, celestial, or fantasy jewelry for yourself or for gifts? This jewelry is so much fun to wear and so versatile. Choose one or multiple!
 Looking for the perfect pieces to wear on Christmas or to give as jewelry gifts for loved ones? Here are some beautiful red, green, and other holiday and festive jewelry selections to accent any winter wardrobe!
 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved When gifting to loved ones, you can also give to homeless pets AND support small businesses! Here's how to make every gift count more than once! Did you know that over 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year? Astounding isn't it? You can help each time you need a unique handcrafted gift. Intent-sive Nature makes very unique jewelry and other handcrafted items and donates a portion of every single purchase to animal shelters. We have rescued sheltered pets, as well as helped prevent some from going to the shelters. But we can't save every animal ourselves. We need your help, since they can't all come live with us! To help, simply visit Intent-sive Nature and pick out a gift or two, or three, or five... and then make your purchase. We will send you a confirmation email with a photograph/snapshot of the receipt showing where we donated to help out shelter pets! Don't see what you like? We even take custom orders. This way, you not only make your loved one smile with a one-of-a-kind gift that is handcrafted with love, but you make shelter animals smile too! We also like to throw in handmade dog and cat toys as often as possible too. The more that is purchased, the more we can help out. We often use profits left over after donations to restock the store, as well as make special toys for the shelter animals to play with. You make that possible! About Intent-sive Nature And Our Mission/Dedication Intent-sive Nature was founded in order to help pets located in animal shelters. Therefore, a portion of proceeds always goes to this cause. The play on words is a combination of intensive (or extreme) intent toward nature. We are a nature and love-focused business who strives to do good in everything. How Much Is Donated? That depends on you! Ten percent of each sale is donated. In addition, for each item sold, a dog or cat toy will be made to donate to the shelter as well. True, this doesn't leave much profit after materials cost and shipping. But the animals are worth it! There's no exact goal, except that the larger, the better because then more homeless pets at local shelters will receive funds and toys. Meet Our Furry Rescued Pets! Not only do we like to help out animal shelters, but we also practice what we preach, helping to adopt, foster, and/or rehome animals in need whenever we can. These are just some of the pets our family has rescued from the shelters or other unfortunate situations. There have been many over the years. But these are three of the ones who became part of the family.
by Barney Whistance, Contributing Writer
DIY crafts are such an easy way to express your personality to other people. These articles are like a painting, which expresses the artist’s point of view on a subject. The items that you create on your own may end up being your most prized possessions. This is because; only you know the time spent on it and the memories’ made through the effort put in those crafts. Not everything that you create has to be a masterpiece, but the work you have put in is going to matter. Mugs are the most mainstream articles that can be customized to your liking. You may put your own pictures or the one that you like the most. You can have a name, a quote or even a wish printed on it. Some even go as far as to have magic mugs which only display their content when they are filled with hot liquid. But it is even better to have a mug that has been personally customized by you. It can be a fun time that you spend with your family or friends as well. You will be making memories as you create the mug you desire. Here are 10 different ideas that you can implement to personalize your mugs yourself. Mug Paintings: Treat a blank mug as your blank canvas and paint something that inspires you or soothes you. So that when you are sipping your hot morning coffee you won’t just be treating your taste buds and your nose with coffee, but also your sight, by the beautiful visuals that you have painted on a mug. Any paint brush will do fine with the mugs. To paint a mug you cannot use water colors or poster colors. You need china paint, which is specifically made to stick to ceramic or porcelain items. It is also crucial to point out that if you are planning to use the mug regularly to drink from and not just as a piece of decoration, then do not use a “mug painting” kit. This kit only provides you with paint which can be erased with a few washes and is only meant for show. Quotations or Wishes or Logos: If you don’t fancy painting then this is the craft for you to do. All you need is a good “paint marker” which will not fade away easily; it works the same way as any marker. It is best that you use these markers instead of permanent ones, as the permanent markers tend to fade away quickly. Try practicing what you want to write on a paper. Select a font that you think is appropriate with the text then finally write on the mug. You must keep rubbing alcohol by your side as to erase any mistakes. These mugs can also be a great gift to someone for their birthday, or the holidays or any other celebrations. You could be writing your favorite inspirational quote on the mug, or wishing someone through this mug, or even promoting a brand through mug branding, this could be the perfect way to do it. Stencil Writing: If you feel like you do not have the proper skills for writing beautifully or painting then this one could do the job for you. All you need for this craft is a stencil, your choice of spray paints and a glass scraper and pick set. The pick set will help you remove any extra color and make your work neater. You may use any color but make sure that are compatible with porcelain and does not fade. Make sure to give the paint at least 2 weeks to rest before you start using the mug. Pattern Drawing: The easiest form of drawing that you can do is make a random pattern. They could be circles within a circle, a starburst pattern, straight lines or triangles placed alongside each other. You may not even need a brush to make a pattern but instead use tube paints to make the look and even give it a 3d effect. You can apply paint by squeezing it out of the tube onto the mug surface. Shape the squeezed paint the way you want and move on to the next point. When you are done, leave the mug to dry in cool air. After 24 hours, bake it in the oven so that it doesn’t wash away after cleaning. The bake instructions can be usually found on the paint container that you have used. Glitter Mug: This one is more for show than for usage, but a glitter is a great way to decorate a mug. You may be able to use it and wash it, but it won’t be long lasting. Here is how you can decorate mug with glitter. All you need is decoupage water glue, glitter and masking tape. Paste the masking tape on the mug as such that it makes an outline of your desired shape or pattern. Fill the empty space of the outline with the glue and then pour glitter over it. Take out the tape and remove any excess glitter by hand which may have stuck here and there in the process. Keep the mug to dry on its own for at least 10 days. Then wash off the surface. Your mug will be a perfect for display. These mug ideas are your perfect time pass. They mix creativity and fun. All these methods are easy and are even safe for kids. So it could be your very own artwork or your kid’s creation that makes your ordinary coffee mug look all the more special. 
by Alicia Bodine, Contributing Writer
You will need the following items for this craft:
 Image © ThrasherDave; Flickr.com Is your child's artwork piling up endlessly? Ours does too. I found an easy solution that doubles as preservation without the mess. Rescue your kid's artwork piles by making this art and memory scrapbook.
Simply grab a handful of your child's artwork, a hole punch, and some string to make this fun project. Be sure to let kids help create this fun art project that will be full of memories. This is a great way to spend some time together, as well as let your kids know their artwork is special to you. First, sort the art out according the time frame it was created in. Obviously, you won't know the exact date for each, unless you're very meticulous prior to this project. However, try to put them in an order that makes the most sense. If you want, you can use a manila folder or some construction paper as the cover. I personally prefer to have one of the pieces of art as a cover. If you're using this additional covering, simply place the artwork inside your cover piece or pieces. Now, punch four holes in the left side of all of the pages. If you have a heavy duty hole punch, you may be able to do them all at once to line them up easier. Once you do this, tie a piece of string in a bow between the top two holes. Repeat for the bottom two holes with another piece of string. That's it! Now, stick it with your photo and memory albums and enjoy!
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Image by Shane's Stuff via Flickr.com
Perhaps you've walked past a stunning display of die-cast metal model cars. Maybe one of your buddies has an award-worthy collection that you're envious of. It could be that you just saw some in a magazine and thought they were cool. Whatever the reason, you are likely eager to get started on building your first die-cast metal model car. Building a die-cast metal model car can be a fun project. It can sometimes be more time-consuming than is thought by just looking at the package. But, once it is done, you will hopefully have something nice to display. Before you get started, there are some things you should know about building a die-cast metal model car.
The first thing you will need to do is choose your building kit. The kits are sold at craft and hobby shops and come in various skill levels. Building a die-cast metal model car can be fun, but if you've never done it before, a beginner's kit is best. The more difficult building kits are best for those who have done this, or something similar, at least one time, if not more. Choosing which type of car to build can be part of the fun that comes with these cars, especially if you are a car enthusiast. The materials needed will depend on the kit you purchase. Some kits come with everything you need, including the paint. Other kits only come with the basics. You may also choose to customize your die-cast metal model car with accessories, such as racing decals, custom rims and tires, a racing engine, or even a hydraulics kit. There are many different accessories and custom options available for building a die-cast metal model car. Some of these even come with the kits. There are also some basic supplies to have on hand, even if your model building kit comes with them. Sometimes there will not be enough glue or paint included, due to extra gluing or painting with multiple coats of paint to get the look you want. Hobby paint, such as Testors brand, sold at Hobby Lobby, is good for a die-cast metal model car. It's less than 5 bucks and you likely won't even use the whole container on just one car. Don't forget the brushes. Also useful for building your die-cast metal model car are a hobby knife, wax paper, and clear acrylic for the protective coat. Testors brand also has a good finishing coat. When building your die-cast metal model car, you may also wish to have some internet resources handy, such as those that offer tips & suggestions, ones to purchase your supplies from, or just those that are interesting to anyone building a die-cast metal model car. Some useful websites include ModelCarsMag, Hobby Lobby, RC Tek, and Model Car Hub. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff UPDATED: 5/24/2017   That's right! You can once again help pets with the purchase of pet toys, jewelry, and other arts & crafts handmade by myself and my kids in our family craft shop. We keep our prices low enough for most people to be able to enjoy these beautiful items without breaking the bank. Our shipping is free to the U.S. & Canada and we use only quality materials. Our Mission to Help Homeless Pets Via Crafting Those who know myself and my kids online or off likely know that we often do various things to help homeless pets. From physically saving them, to adopting or fostering, to donating money, to donating toys and more, we've been involved in animal rescue for as long as I can remember. One of those ventures is Crafts For A Purpose, from which we donate a portion of proceeds to animal shelters. We had an Etsy shop (among others), but we since moved it all to our own venue, with more results. Many will be glad to know that the current location has all new crafts and goals! Meet Our Rescued Pets!
Handcrafted Jewelry We like to work with beads and findings to make unique pieces. In addition to our creative stock, we also do custom orders. Glass beads, stone beads, and nickel-free findings are our favorite tools to work with. Dog Toys & Other Pet Accessories
Our dog toys and other pet accessories are made from re-purposed clothing and other fabric in order to be Earth friendly. The other reason is that dogs, cats, and other fur kids tend to enjoy items that have been used by humans. In addition to selling these toys and accessories, we often drop piles of them in the material donation box at a local animal shelter. Since shelter pets are often cared for by mostly material and financial donations, we feel the need to raise money, as well as donate materials they can use. Homemade Cloth Diapers, Diaper Covers, Bibs, & Other Baby Items
How You Can Help The Animals You can help keep our projects to support these animals going by liking and getting notifications for Crafts For A Purpose on Facebook and checking out our shop at LifeSuccessfully.com/CraftsForAPurpose. A portion of all shop purchases goes toward helping homeless pets in shelters local to us. These purchases are greatly appreciated, as are likes and shares.  All Images © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved  Looking for a craft both useful and green to do with your homeschool students? Try eco-friendly tie-dyed clothing. But wait, how can dye can be green? As a seasoned homeschool parent and green living guru, I've experimented with many projects using natural materials. It's very affordable and simple to make eco-friendly tie-dyed clothing.
Materials Needed First, gather some used clothing, like old t-shirts, socks, blue jeans, and headbands. Any clothing you and the kids have that's a little old or stained but still fits is good for this project. The tie-dye designs will likely cover up the stains and make the clothing new again. You'll also need some natural dyes. Beet juice, blueberry juice, blackberry or raspberry juice, and carrot juice all make excellent dyes. Ever notice these are some of the hardest stains to get out? Many natural fruit juices are used in creating professional dyes. So are many vegetables. But you don't really need all the chemicals for efficacy. Be sure to also have some twine or other thick string handy. Have a bucket ready for each color of dye you have. Making the Dye Each natural dye has its own unique instructions. Some may require soaking the fabric in it for a while. Others may require cooking or otherwise preparing juices or ingredients prior to using them. The juices mentioned above can be used as they are. They will be most effective if they are heated before applying. Wonderhowto.com has a good video tutorial on making grape dye. Visit Moneycrashers.com for information on several options, including difficult colors like yellow, brown, and purple. Creating Tie Dye Clothing With Earth Friendly Dyes Before dying the clothing, twist it up in various locations and then also tie strings around it to keep it twisted. If you want to make some specific designs, but are unsure how, ehow has some design ideas and instructions. Instead of the rubber bands, use twine or another thick string. Once you have twisted your clothing items, submerge them in the dyes. If you are using fruit juice or carrot juice, leave the clothing in the dye for about 24 hours after submersion. Then, take the clothing out of the dye and hang it upside down for another 24 hours to let the excess dye run off and dry. Slowly remove the twine and untwist the clothing. If there's still some dampness, lie the items flat to dry, so as not to cause the dye to run. If you are using the dyes from the outside links, use the instructions mentioned for each specific dye. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Tired of tossing heaps of paper into the trash throughout the school year? Equally tired of telling your toddler over and over that scribbling in the older kid's workbooks is a no-no? Perhaps you need a greener and more practical way to do things. Enter the green-freak/veteran homeschool supermom. Yeah, that's me - go ahead and laugh until you try my solutions. They really work! Homemade reusable workbooks can save lots of time, paper, money, and frustration throughout the years.
Materials for Homemade Reusable Workbooks To make reusable homeschool workbooks, you'll need a laminating machine and laminating sheets, workbooks and/or loose worksheets, a hole puncher (three-ring works best), and a three-ring binder. For the kids to use them, you'll also need some earth-friendly wipe-off markers. Making Reusable Homeschool Workbooks If you are starting with workbooks, tear the sheets out so that they are loose. For organization, you can create reusable workbooks that are in order by grade level and subject. Use an eco-friendly permanent marker to mark the outside of the binders. Laminate each sheet individually. If you do not have the patience to do this, many office stores actually offer this service for free or at a discount on a certain day each year. It's generally near the start of the school year. Otherwise, they do charge a fee. But if you have a good number of worksheets to laminate, the fee may be worth it. Once all the sheets are laminated, punch holes in them so that they will go neatly into the binders. Then, put them in the appropriate binders. Benefits of Homemade Reusable Homeschool Workbooks Wipe of worksheets are great for going back to correct errors. If a student needs more time with a certain concept, you do not need to keep purchasing workbooks. Just wipe off and practice over and over. Also, if you have more than one homeschool student, you will only need to purchase or print workbooks and worksheets once. They can passed down to each child as they reach those levels. Also, by creating a reusable workbook, you are saving all that paper from going into the landfills. The plastic lamination may not be earth-friendly. But it will create an item that can last years and years, which is better for the environment than throwing piles and piles of paper and workbooks into the trash. What to Do When Kids Outgrow the Workbooks When kids outgrow their workbooks, create more and pass on the other ones to your other kids. If you have no other kids, give them to a friend or relative. It also would be a good idea to sell them and raise money for your homeschool. You may also donate them to a child in need. Homeless shelters and other family centered outreach programs can always use learning materials for the kids. Try contacting your local Covenant House, Red Cross, or Salvation Army to find out where you can donate them. If none of those are in your area, try contacting United Way. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Help Kids Be Green With a Fun Lesson That Helps the Homeless
Looking for a way to use fabric scraps instead of tossing them out? Try making a scrap quilt - even better, donate it to the homeless. This is a project kids and adults alike can participate in. Won't it feel great to be green and help someone at the same time? Quilts can be made for adults and children.
Choosing a Pattern When choosing patterns for your scrap quilt, keep in mind that the kids will be helping with the sewing. If your kids have never made a quilt before, it's best to stick to beginner patterns. This way they don't get frustrated and give up. Plus, if you have a ton of fabric, the less time each quilt takes, the more you can make. One simple pattern I recommend for making quilts for homeless kids is the Child's Rag Quilt. If you're instead making quilts for homeless adults, then I recommend Bev's Country Cottage. Mixing and Matching It's alright if not all of your pieces of fabric are going to match. This project is not about being a perfectionist, but about helping someone. If you can afford to purchase extra fabric to match, then go ahead. But if not, the recipient of the quilt will be just as happy. As long as the quilt is warm and cozy, it will serve the purpose. Besides, with quilts, mixing and matching is the whole point. Be creative with your designs to make the scrap quilt as fun and interesting as possible. Where to Donate Women's and children's shelters are one place that will need scrap quilts. There are also many centers and programs that serve the homeless. Some cater to just children, some to all ages, and some just to adults. Call around and see what you can find out. Your local United Way or social services department will likely be able to point you in the right direction. Many churches also work with the homeless. Sometimes during the winter or near Thanksgiving, there are blanket drives for the homeless. What do the Kids Learn? By making scrap quilts for the homeless, your homeschool students learn many lessons. Being green by not being wasteful is one important lesson. Another is that being green can be beneficial not just to the earth but to people as well. Then, there is compassion for others and the importance of giving. Plus, if they've never made a quilt before, they'll learn how. If they have done it before, practice makes perfect! *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network 
Writing has always been the perfect vehicle for me to best express myself. While I'm definitely happy to talk, I tend to be quite the rambler and I am not exactly the most polished conversationalist. I'm certainly no public speaker, either. While I also love to doodle, it's more of a curiosity for me, although at one time I did take it far more seriously. Other art forms seem to confound me. I simply just write because it's what comes most natural to me. In particular, web writing has become one of the best ways to express my creativity.
So, the question I'd like to ask is this: "Is what comes natural to you the best way to express your creativity?" I think that this is very likely the case. While it's good to dabble in other areas to expand your horizons, it's always best to default to your best form of expression. It's interesting because even within certain disciplines - writing, art, music, photography, or otherwise - you will discover niches within those disciplines. Some are better at poetry, others at prose, others at free writing or stream of consciousness. Some are great sketch artists, others painters, and others masters of mixed media. In music, it can be a particular instrument or instruments that seem to fit your personality and mannerisms best. Photography can be just point and shoot, but the possibilities of subjects are limitless. It's whatever feels natural. If it's feeling forced, then it's not the best vehicle. Of course, there are the performing arts, as well: dancing, singing, theater, and many more. Even then, there are niches within those, as well. It's all about finding the category of expression that fits you best, then find the best avenue in which to excel in that particular performing art. While it's awesome to be good at performing arts in addition to other forms of expression, it's not one hundred percent necessary. It's also not good to spread yourself out in too many directions at once, and the performing arts especially require a great deal of time and dedication to perform at a high level. Then, there are the crafting arts, and there are too many of those to list. The interesting thing about crafting is that the time and energy you put into it all depends on what materials and methods you’re using. Of all art forms, it may have the most limitless permutations ever. I'm not saying that writing or traditional art take less time and dedication than the performing or crafting arts - that's certainly not true. But what I'm saying is that it's best to focus the most time on whichever "feels" the most natural. What do you feel is your best vehicle to express your creativity? Fun Green Crafts from Dryer Lint Image by auberirsdische sind gesund via Flickr.com If you use a dryer rather than a clothesline, hopefully it's an eco-friendly one. Either way, you're going to have some dryer lint. Rather than toss it out, save it up as material for kids crafts. Dryer lint can be used to create many fun projects with kids. By reusing the dryer lint, you are fostering eco-friendly habits. Instead of tossing it in a trash heap, have some fun with the kids.
Make Clay From Dryer Lint About.com has a wonderful recipe for making modeling clay from dryer lint. This type of clay can be used to make craft items that need to be hardened. Some ideas include beads, figurines, and ornaments. The limit is only as far as a child's imagination. And admit it, some of you adults reading this want to construct some clay items as well. Bird Nest Material This one works best if you live in a desert climate. Otherwise, the birds will have issues with it when it rains or snows, as it remains damp for a good amount of time. Also, be sure you are using lint from natural fiber clothing, like cotton. To prepare some nesting material for birds, the kids can start with an empty toilet paper tube. They can fill the tube with twigs and a few small pieces of dryer lint, and set it on a tree branch for the birds. If you're lucky, you and the children might be able to actually watch birds gather some of the material. Make Beautiful Recycled Paper When you look at a chunk of dryer lint, you may not exactly be thinking of paper. However, in less than a day, the family can have some beautiful note paper from what would have been wasted in the trash bin. To add to the natural look, kids can put a leaf or two into the poured pulp mixture. Controlling the colors of the clothing you wash and dry will give you desired colors to work with. Trailer Park Dust Bunny Craft Now for something both fun and entertaining. If you're feeling extra crafty, you also might enjoy making the kids some of Jolene Sugarbaker's trailer park lint bunnies. Just remember that these are more for display fun and not for play. *CAUTION: Dryer lint can be flammable, so use care in choosing how to use it, especially around children. Never use dryer lint when making clothing or stuffed toy items. **I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved With this fun craft, you don't need to worry if the kids eat the paint. You also don't need to be as concerned about harming the environment. Learn how the kids can create leaf prints using homemade milk paint and recycled materials. This eco-friendly craft can be done by even the smallest kids with parental assistance.
Before starting with the craft, have some nature fun with the kids and let them gather fallen leaves from around the yard. Instruct them to find leaves of various shapes, sizes, and textures. That will make the artwork more interesting. Materials
Making the Milk Paint The first part of the craft involves making the milk paint. Kids can easily help with this, depending upon age and ability. Simply mix powdered milk and water until there is a thick pasty texture. It should be about the consistency of yogurt or pudding. In one bowl, add blueberry juice until the color is the tone you desire. Do the same in the other bowl with the beet juice. The beet juice will create a reddish paint color and the blueberry juice will create a bluish-purple paint color. To darken the color, simply add more juice. Painting With the Milk Paint Using Leaves Once the paint is made, kids can each be given their own recycled paper to paint on. The coloring for the paint involves dyes that can stain clothing. Be sure the children have on play clothe or aprons. The kids can use soft leaves as paintbrushes by rolling up the leaf and dipping it into the paint. Leaves can also be dipped into the paint and pressed onto the paper to make leaf print designs. Some kids also may choose to blend the two concepts together. Once the children are done, set the leaf prints and paintings aside to dry. Some also may want to frame their works of art. Eco-friendly frames can be created with sticks adjoined by vines or fallen branches. These are sturdy, but easy enough for kids to make or help with. The frames can be hung by attaching and looping sturdy vine to the top. Even once the vine is dried, it can still make a great frame hanger. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Susan Darling, Contributing Writer
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when they use Instagram to promote their companies is posting the wrong types of photos. This also applies to anyone who wants to share their arts and crafts on Instagram.
Sure a professional photo shoot can be a great way to promote a business, but if you really want to get at the heart of the subject, the photo shouldn’t be too posed. While large companies and corporations can use this tactic, not everyone has a global following so it’s important to speak to your target audience through your photos. How do you know what to post and how to post it? Should you tag your photos? There are so many questions so let’s explore a few options. Below are some tips for posting photos on Instagram that your followers will like. Post Photos That Don’t Advertise While you may feel that it’s a waste of time to post any photos that aren’t advertising your brand on your Instagram, this can actually be defeatist for you. There are so many different types of visual advertisements that your company has that it can be very difficult to not post them, right? You’ll lose followers very quickly if you are not looking at the big picture. People don’t want to be blasted with advertisements all the time. Give them photos that are more natural, and whatever you do leave the informational graphics (infographics) to other social media sites. They simply are not right for Instagram and people tend to ignore those types of photos anyway so it’s really a waste of your time. Use Your Account So you’ve signed up for an Instagram account for your company but you’re not even posting any photos. Your customers and business contacts will forget about your account if you don’t post regularly to let them know you’re still around. It can also make your profile and your company seem like it lacks motivation because you’re not doing anything with the account. Now, if you’ve really made an attempt to use Instagram at its fullest and you still aren’t into it, then you should deactivate your account rather than leaving it to rot in Instagram purgatory. Be Careful About Posting the Same Photos to Other Social Media Sites Yes, Instagram makes it very easy to save you time by allowing you to post the same photo to all of your social media sites. That’s one of the benefits you heard about when you signed up, right? However, while you can certainly post a few top photos or competitions to all the sites, you don’t want to have every single photo posted on all your accounts. Chances are that your followers on Twitter and your fans on Facebook are also following you on Instagram. They’ve now seen the same photo on three different networks and if you have more accounts then they’re being flooded with the same picture. Try to mix it up and make separate posts to keep your company’s brand interesting. You can also pay for instagram followers but remember that this will just increase your numbers, not your activity. So you’re not a huge corporation and you don’t need to post photos taken by a top of the line photographer with professional models to sell your brand? Instead, offer photos that show your products being used organically. If you don’t plan on using Instagram because it really doesn’t fit your marketing strategies then deactivate your account rather than letting it sit. Finally, there’s no need to upload the same photo to every single site. Instead show a little diversity and post different pictures to different sites.
Author Bio:
Susan Darling loves Instagram and writing tips and hints to help others learn how to get the most from using it for business or for pleasure. She posts photos of nature scenes and flowers and also has an IG account for her business. |
Subscribe to all of our content:
Crafting Successfully
Welcome to Crafting Successfully ! Here you will find articles about art, art history, art philosophy, DIY crafts, project ideas, lesson plans, material suggestions, and more. If it's related to art or crafts, you will find it. All ages, stages, and grade levels will be represented from 0-1000!
OWNER
Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
 Archives
November 2018
Categories
All
|
- Life Successfully
-
INTENT-SIVE NATURE
- Business Success Services >
- Healing Jewelry & Talismans >
- Custom Healing Products & Services
- Essential Oil, Spiritual Oils, & Aromatherapy
- Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care
- Rituals, Herbs, & Altar Supplies
- Original Artwork
- Protection
- Orgone Or Orgonite
- Wands
- Yoga & Meditation
- Crystals & Gemstones
- Books & Media
- Education & Homeschool Resources
- Clothing
- Decor And Home Accents
- RV, Camping, And Auto
- BUSINESS, MARKETING, & CONTENT SERVICES
- SUBMIT GUEST POSTS
- About & Contact
- Writing, Web, Business, & Tech
- News
- Travel
-
Family & Home
- Your Soul Flame Journal
- FLOW-Key Parenting Journal >
- Life & Home Journal
- Mekai's Branches ~ Family Adventure Journal
- Kymani's Travels ~ Family Travel Journal
- The Nova Skye Story ~ Family Journal
- Momtrepreneur Moments ~ A Business Mom's Journal
- Successful Relationships; A Heart-Focused Journal
- Better Plumbing Blog >
-
Education
- Health & Beauty
- Causes
- Fun
- Become an Affiliate!
- Disclosure, TOU, Dislaimer, & Privacy
- Shipping Policy
- Return Policy
- Life Successfully
-
INTENT-SIVE NATURE
- Business Success Services >
- Healing Jewelry & Talismans >
- Custom Healing Products & Services
- Essential Oil, Spiritual Oils, & Aromatherapy
- Bath, Beauty, & Self-Care
- Rituals, Herbs, & Altar Supplies
- Original Artwork
- Protection
- Orgone Or Orgonite
- Wands
- Yoga & Meditation
- Crystals & Gemstones
- Books & Media
- Education & Homeschool Resources
- Clothing
- Decor And Home Accents
- RV, Camping, And Auto
- BUSINESS, MARKETING, & CONTENT SERVICES
- SUBMIT GUEST POSTS
- About & Contact
- Writing, Web, Business, & Tech
- News
- Travel
-
Family & Home
- Your Soul Flame Journal
- FLOW-Key Parenting Journal >
- Life & Home Journal
- Mekai's Branches ~ Family Adventure Journal
- Kymani's Travels ~ Family Travel Journal
- The Nova Skye Story ~ Family Journal
- Momtrepreneur Moments ~ A Business Mom's Journal
- Successful Relationships; A Heart-Focused Journal
- Better Plumbing Blog >
-
Education
- Health & Beauty
- Causes
- Fun
- Become an Affiliate!
- Disclosure, TOU, Dislaimer, & Privacy
- Shipping Policy
- Return Policy
RSS Feed
