No matter when it happens, dating is perhaps something that a majority of us have to face at some point of our lives. While there are those who take to the dating pool like a fish, there are others who struggle with finding the confidence to spend an entire evening with a stranger. Advice on dating is what really helps when it comes to meeting and spending time with someone. You can surely get geared up to both men and women by reading a couple of books or watching talk shows.
Of course, the first step in going on a date is to find someone to date. Even though this may seem easy it can prove to be a challenge for many people. Some of the best advice on dating suggests making use of different ways to find suitable dates. Online dating sites, is one of the choices available now that seems to be working for a majority of people. Online dating sites not only screen potential suitors but they also offer advice on dating.
When you have found someone to spend time with then it's time to decide on something to do for the evening or afternoon. It is often suggested by dating experts to select and activity that you both will enjoy. Many people usually would go out and have a lovely dinner at a fancy restaurant followed by a visit to the movies or a theatre. Despite the fact that this is a wonderful way to know more about the person, why not try something off the beaten track. In fact a lot of the advice on dating found today recommends trying something like rock climbing, inline skating or a pottery class. Now not only you have the chance to spend time talking but daters also have fun doing something as well.
It is after the first date, that both people tend to feel more at ease with one another. Maybe this will lead to spending more and more time together, including attending family gatherings. Most advice on dating will tell you that meeting your suitor's family is a huge step. Sure, you will want to give a perfect first impression but don't forget to be yourself.
For sure, every relationship is different from another however there is one common link that can be found in every successful pairing that is - communication. It is vital if the relationship is going to evolve from the dating stage into a longer commitment. All advice on dating will tell you to keep the lines of communication open.
It is advisable to having a sense of humor that can be important when it comes to successful dating. This holds true whether you are just beginning to date or you've been dating the same person for months. Finally, advice on dating suggests that you keep the fun in your dating life always!
Caring for Jewelry
Caring for your handmade jewellery is easy and will help your treasures last a lifetime of wear and pleasure. This brief guide takes you through the basics, as well as highlighting some pitfalls to watch out for. But first, a quick word of caution. Before you start any cleaning activity, please be sure that your stones or beads will not be damaged by whichever method you have selected.
General wearing advice:
When wearing, protect all jewellery from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.
The above also apply to storage, when jewellery is particularly vulnerable, especially when left in the bottom of a drawer or cupboard.
Store jewellery separately so it doesn't scratch other jewellery.
Remove jewellery when doing household tasks such a gardening, cleaning and household repairs or other strenuous activities such as sport.
Apply makeup, perfume and hairspray before putting on your jewellery.
Do not wear jewellery while in a swimming pool or hot tub or bathing. The chlorine in the water can damage various gemstones and metals.
Do not store jewellery next to heating vent, window sill, or in the car.
Store jewellery away from sunlight. The sun will fade some gemstones.
Always store bead necklaces strung on silk or cotton flat because these threads stretch over time.
Store metal jewellery in resealable plastic or jewellery bags with silica-gel sachets to prevent tarnish.
Jewellery with pearls or opals needs to be stored in fabric instead of plastic bags as these stones need to "breathe."
General cleaning advice:
After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewellery clean of make up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
Some jewellery can be washed in warm soapy water providing it is dried carefully before storage. Do not do this if your jewellery is strung on silk or cotton as these will stretch.
Rinse carefully and pat dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
Polish metals gently with a soft jewellery polishing cloth.
Ultrasonic cleaners only work with hard crystalline stones; otherwise avoid them.
Whatever you do, please be gentle.
Do not use Chemical Cleaners:
Many stones will be adversely affected by harsh chemical cleaners. Many will discolour and some may eventually break apart. The stones which are particularly vulnerable include Amber, Aquamarine, Coral, Emerald, Jade, Lapis, Malachite, Opal, Pearls, Shell and Turquoise. If in doubt, simply don't put in any chemicals.
Light Sensitive Stones:
Many stones will bleach in strong light if left exposed for long periods of time. They will lose their bright colour and eventually become drab and unattractive. The stones which are vulnerable to sunlight include Amethyst, Ametrine, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Hiddenite, Kunzite, Rose and Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz.
Cleaning Beads:
Beads are usually more robust than semi-precious stones, especially if they are made of glass, pottery or ceramic. However some beads, in particular those made from wood or bone are usually very sensitive and have to be treated with great care. Consequently the same cleaning and storage precautions should be exercised as the advice given for other kinds of jewellery.
Cleaning Silver and Gold:
Silver and gold can generally be cared for in the same way. Both methods below work well, but make sure that you are not too enthusiastic cleaning plated items, as your vigorous rubbing may wear away the metal coating. Solid items should withstand more vigorous treatment.
Commercial silver/gold cleaners. Be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Read the label, and if in doubt, do not use the cleaner. Some gemstones that cannot be placed in most commercial jewellery cleaners are: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral, turquoise, and others.
Ammonia and water. Use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly with water. Ammonia should not be used on the same types of gemstones that should not be used with commercial cleaners.
Tarnish can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Silver of gold jewellery containing pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic bags.
Cleaning Copper and Brass:
Surprisingly, copper and brass are also very simple to care for. While they do tarnish more quickly than silver, they can be restored to their original shine very easily. Methods for cleaning and shining copper and brass jewellery are outlined below:
Commercial copper/brass cleaner. Again, be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner and if in doubt do not use it.
Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce or Vinegar. As unlikely as it sounds, the acetic acid in these substances will shine up copper and brass very nicely. Apply them carefully with a toothbrush or soft cloth, leave on for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid getting these products on the same types of stones which should not be exposed to chemical cleaners.
Combination of water, lemon or lime juice and salt. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. If needed, the dip in the solution can be repeated. Again, this method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.
Tarnish, as with silver, can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Avoid storing jewellery containing opals or pearls in this way.
Disclaimer: Whilst the information given above is provided in good faith, we do not recommend you do anything unless you are personally certain that no harm will come to your jewellery as a result of cleaning. We do not take any responsibility for damage which ensues from your actions
General wearing advice:
When wearing, protect all jewellery from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.
The above also apply to storage, when jewellery is particularly vulnerable, especially when left in the bottom of a drawer or cupboard.
Store jewellery separately so it doesn't scratch other jewellery.
Remove jewellery when doing household tasks such a gardening, cleaning and household repairs or other strenuous activities such as sport.
Apply makeup, perfume and hairspray before putting on your jewellery.
Do not wear jewellery while in a swimming pool or hot tub or bathing. The chlorine in the water can damage various gemstones and metals.
Do not store jewellery next to heating vent, window sill, or in the car.
Store jewellery away from sunlight. The sun will fade some gemstones.
Always store bead necklaces strung on silk or cotton flat because these threads stretch over time.
Store metal jewellery in resealable plastic or jewellery bags with silica-gel sachets to prevent tarnish.
Jewellery with pearls or opals needs to be stored in fabric instead of plastic bags as these stones need to "breathe."
General cleaning advice:
After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewellery clean of make up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
Some jewellery can be washed in warm soapy water providing it is dried carefully before storage. Do not do this if your jewellery is strung on silk or cotton as these will stretch.
Rinse carefully and pat dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
Polish metals gently with a soft jewellery polishing cloth.
Ultrasonic cleaners only work with hard crystalline stones; otherwise avoid them.
Whatever you do, please be gentle.
Do not use Chemical Cleaners:
Many stones will be adversely affected by harsh chemical cleaners. Many will discolour and some may eventually break apart. The stones which are particularly vulnerable include Amber, Aquamarine, Coral, Emerald, Jade, Lapis, Malachite, Opal, Pearls, Shell and Turquoise. If in doubt, simply don't put in any chemicals.
Light Sensitive Stones:
Many stones will bleach in strong light if left exposed for long periods of time. They will lose their bright colour and eventually become drab and unattractive. The stones which are vulnerable to sunlight include Amethyst, Ametrine, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Beryl, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Hiddenite, Kunzite, Rose and Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Topaz.
Cleaning Beads:
Beads are usually more robust than semi-precious stones, especially if they are made of glass, pottery or ceramic. However some beads, in particular those made from wood or bone are usually very sensitive and have to be treated with great care. Consequently the same cleaning and storage precautions should be exercised as the advice given for other kinds of jewellery.
Cleaning Silver and Gold:
Silver and gold can generally be cared for in the same way. Both methods below work well, but make sure that you are not too enthusiastic cleaning plated items, as your vigorous rubbing may wear away the metal coating. Solid items should withstand more vigorous treatment.
Commercial silver/gold cleaners. Be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Read the label, and if in doubt, do not use the cleaner. Some gemstones that cannot be placed in most commercial jewellery cleaners are: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral, turquoise, and others.
Ammonia and water. Use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly with water. Ammonia should not be used on the same types of gemstones that should not be used with commercial cleaners.
Tarnish can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Silver of gold jewellery containing pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic bags.
Cleaning Copper and Brass:
Surprisingly, copper and brass are also very simple to care for. While they do tarnish more quickly than silver, they can be restored to their original shine very easily. Methods for cleaning and shining copper and brass jewellery are outlined below:
Commercial copper/brass cleaner. Again, be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner and if in doubt do not use it.
Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce or Vinegar. As unlikely as it sounds, the acetic acid in these substances will shine up copper and brass very nicely. Apply them carefully with a toothbrush or soft cloth, leave on for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid getting these products on the same types of stones which should not be exposed to chemical cleaners.
Combination of water, lemon or lime juice and salt. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. If needed, the dip in the solution can be repeated. Again, this method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.
Tarnish, as with silver, can be prevented by storing your jewellery in resealable plastic bag together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture. Avoid storing jewellery containing opals or pearls in this way.
Disclaimer: Whilst the information given above is provided in good faith, we do not recommend you do anything unless you are personally certain that no harm will come to your jewellery as a result of cleaning. We do not take any responsibility for damage which ensues from your actions
CHICAGO ARTISTS' ONLINE GALLERY GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION
For Immediate Release:
11/24/99
From: Tim Patterson
Subject: ArtifactGallery.com
For further information contact:
Tim Patterson
Ph# 312.243.1020 fax#312.243.0302
Email: artifact@ocd3.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO ARTISTS' ONLINE GALLERY GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION
ArtifactGallery.com (http://artifactgallery.com), an online art, craft and artisans portal site developed by a group of women artists, is
capturing interest beyond its original Chicago focus. From its humble beginnings in a local coffee house, ArtifactGallery.com is now
the home of artists from around the country and around the world. Media and industry honchos are taking notice.
ArtifactGallery.com director Tracey Cave was contacted by Time Inc. this week, with a request to have her site featured in Sony Style
Magazine's Web Adventures in an upcoming issue. "Of course we were pleased to be included," Tracey stated "and we've sent our
information & images off to their Art Director. We are all truly surprised and thrilled at the buzz that our 'little web site' has created
nationally"
ArtifactGallery.com was put together in August of 1999 as the result of a conversation between a few friends over coffee. Artists
Claudia Cleveland, Tracey Cave and Christina Gillespie of OCD3 Design Group (http://ocd3.com) thought that by pooling web
development and artist networking resources, they could create an online art gallery that would expose the work of non-net-savvy
artist friends to a larger audience via the worldwide web. Though their effort was met initially with some disbelief and predictions of
gloom and doom, the site was successfully launched on September 1, 1999, and continues to gain new exhibitors and visitors daily.
"We put ArtifactGallery together with an all-volunteer staff, no budget and a lot of determination" says site designer Christina
Gillespie. "There were many all-nighters, with Tracey and I working on the site, writing email, and begging for help. We've gotten to
the point now where we are training interns to help us keep the site maintained, answer requests for information and add new galleries.
It's been hectic - but it's very exciting to see it grow so much in such a short time."
Chicago based DotCom Marketing, Inc. ( http://dotcommkt.com ) generously supplied ArtifactGallery with valuable assistance in the
areas of hosting and training. In addition, DotCom recently chose ArtifactGallery.com as a development site for it's new V-Flex Site
Management System. DotCom's Web Development Guru, Jon Herrmann has nothing but kudos for ArtifactGallery's efforts. "We like
their concept, and are very impressed with the work they've put into the site to make it all come together. They have always focused
on supplying a much needed service and resource to artists. That focus is why we believe ArtifactGallery.com will continue to grow
beyond its grassroots beginnings."
Meanwhile, ArtifactGallery.com is gearing up for what will probably be a very busy Holiday Shopping season. With handcrafted
jewelry from noted metalsmiths such as Todd Reed, Claudia Cleveland and Anna Pertzoff, Raku pottery from Joyce Kristoffy-Hewlett
and Artist Toni Louis's Potion Pots, ArtifactGallery.com looks like the perfect place on the Internet to find that one-of-a-kind gift for
"the person who has everything". "It's incredible!" Christina Gillespie sighs: "I've picked out art furniture, glass ornaments, folk art
and prints from ArtifactGallery.com that I want to buy for some special people on my holiday gift list - but I've been so busy working
on the site that I haven't had a chance to order anything! Tracey keeps reminding me how many shopping days there are until
Christmas!"
ArtifactGallery.com is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , year round at http://artifactgallery.com
11/24/99
From: Tim Patterson
Subject: ArtifactGallery.com
For further information contact:
Tim Patterson
Ph# 312.243.1020 fax#312.243.0302
Email: artifact@ocd3.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO ARTISTS' ONLINE GALLERY GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION
ArtifactGallery.com (http://artifactgallery.com), an online art, craft and artisans portal site developed by a group of women artists, is
capturing interest beyond its original Chicago focus. From its humble beginnings in a local coffee house, ArtifactGallery.com is now
the home of artists from around the country and around the world. Media and industry honchos are taking notice.
ArtifactGallery.com director Tracey Cave was contacted by Time Inc. this week, with a request to have her site featured in Sony Style
Magazine's Web Adventures in an upcoming issue. "Of course we were pleased to be included," Tracey stated "and we've sent our
information & images off to their Art Director. We are all truly surprised and thrilled at the buzz that our 'little web site' has created
nationally"
ArtifactGallery.com was put together in August of 1999 as the result of a conversation between a few friends over coffee. Artists
Claudia Cleveland, Tracey Cave and Christina Gillespie of OCD3 Design Group (http://ocd3.com) thought that by pooling web
development and artist networking resources, they could create an online art gallery that would expose the work of non-net-savvy
artist friends to a larger audience via the worldwide web. Though their effort was met initially with some disbelief and predictions of
gloom and doom, the site was successfully launched on September 1, 1999, and continues to gain new exhibitors and visitors daily.
"We put ArtifactGallery together with an all-volunteer staff, no budget and a lot of determination" says site designer Christina
Gillespie. "There were many all-nighters, with Tracey and I working on the site, writing email, and begging for help. We've gotten to
the point now where we are training interns to help us keep the site maintained, answer requests for information and add new galleries.
It's been hectic - but it's very exciting to see it grow so much in such a short time."
Chicago based DotCom Marketing, Inc. ( http://dotcommkt.com ) generously supplied ArtifactGallery with valuable assistance in the
areas of hosting and training. In addition, DotCom recently chose ArtifactGallery.com as a development site for it's new V-Flex Site
Management System. DotCom's Web Development Guru, Jon Herrmann has nothing but kudos for ArtifactGallery's efforts. "We like
their concept, and are very impressed with the work they've put into the site to make it all come together. They have always focused
on supplying a much needed service and resource to artists. That focus is why we believe ArtifactGallery.com will continue to grow
beyond its grassroots beginnings."
Meanwhile, ArtifactGallery.com is gearing up for what will probably be a very busy Holiday Shopping season. With handcrafted
jewelry from noted metalsmiths such as Todd Reed, Claudia Cleveland and Anna Pertzoff, Raku pottery from Joyce Kristoffy-Hewlett
and Artist Toni Louis's Potion Pots, ArtifactGallery.com looks like the perfect place on the Internet to find that one-of-a-kind gift for
"the person who has everything". "It's incredible!" Christina Gillespie sighs: "I've picked out art furniture, glass ornaments, folk art
and prints from ArtifactGallery.com that I want to buy for some special people on my holiday gift list - but I've been so busy working
on the site that I haven't had a chance to order anything! Tracey keeps reminding me how many shopping days there are until
Christmas!"
ArtifactGallery.com is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , year round at http://artifactgallery.com
Look Past the Bottom Line for a Property's Potential
It's unfortunate that many real estate investors tend to look at the bottom line when deliberating about a property, rather than the big picture. The real moneymakers in real estate investments are the people with vision, who think creatively, and are willing to assume some level of risk.
A client's initial line of questioning about an investment property goes something like this: What has the property's revenue been for the past three years? How much money will they make starting out? and, How much will they have to invest in the property in the beginning? These are all valid questions. After asking and answering them, investors might try taking off the blinders and thinking outside of the box.
Our population is growing, and land -- unlike cars, furniture, or other structures -- cannot be remade.
Real estate investors might ask themselves these simple questions:
1. Is there growth in the area where the property is located? Is there anywhere for the growth to go? If so, is it headed towards your property's location?
2. Has the city or county zoned the are for revitilization or economic development? If so, are there any special funds or benefits available?
3. Is the property accessible to public transportation?
4. Are people beginning to look for homes in this area? If so, investors want to be looking far in advance of others to secure the best property deals.
5. Is the property value in the neighborhood in a slump or an upswing? Purchase during a slump for maximum profits.
The truth is, an investor not make a profit from the property for the first two years. Investment property owners should be looking at the long-term, because they may make money over the next 15 years, while others are not.
Check County Records for Property Value
Do your research, or hire a REALTOR who is motivated to do it correctly. Speak to neighbors to understand the benefits of living there. Look at the neighborhood surrounding the area, and try to determine if those homes have increased in value. For a solid indicator, consider county property tax figures. In some areas you will find a slight increase in the tax base of 1-3%. In other areas, like Williamsburg, Virginia, taxes have increased 15-13%. Tax base increases are linked to improved property value.
Are Revitalization Funds Available?
If your investment property venture is a legitimate business, contact the local Chamber of Commerce and county government to see if there are special funds available for revitalization projects. Most Chamber of Commerces provide such programs as well as classes where investors learn how to access these funds.
There are lots of great examples of properties with potential. I'd like to share some background about one of my own listings, a motel in Williamsburg that has not been open for three years. The owners do not know when it was built โ€" probably in the 50s or 60s. The motel sits on 2 1/3 acres of land, which is all zoned commercially. The motel is situated right on a main thoroughfare that was once called โ€œThe Golden Mileโ€ of Williamsburg. It's geographic location is near York County a phenomenal leader in economic development. York County is enticing businesses by zoning the northern section of town commercial and it will be the site of the new hospital complex that is currently housed in Williamsburg.
Thinking Outside the Box
An important fact is not widely known about the motel's location, which is key to its investment potential. One mile from the motel property, across from the Williamsburg Pottery, a gated senior community with full amenities (golf courses, recreation center, pool) will break ground in April 2004. The Fortune 500 Company behind the building of this project is set to build 3,000 homes, with an estimated completion date of 2006. Scanning the area, it is obvious there are no European Bakeries, international shops, or stores and eateries which deliver (drug stores, groceries, take out, etc.). A strip mall with leasing options for different businesses, or even an extended stay hotel could be built on this land, and run for a profit. Investors I have shown the property to are wary of the $1,000,000 price tag on the motel. In the coming years this price will seem like a steal for commercial property in the area.
There are many other examples of properties whose potential have not yet been discovered. Remember, once you land that investment property of your dreams, make sure you have a marketing plan, which includes a decent web site, to launch your business. When speculating, trust your creativity and vision, and rely upon the expertise of a REALTOR who knows the area, and shares your vision.
A client's initial line of questioning about an investment property goes something like this: What has the property's revenue been for the past three years? How much money will they make starting out? and, How much will they have to invest in the property in the beginning? These are all valid questions. After asking and answering them, investors might try taking off the blinders and thinking outside of the box.
Our population is growing, and land -- unlike cars, furniture, or other structures -- cannot be remade.
Real estate investors might ask themselves these simple questions:
1. Is there growth in the area where the property is located? Is there anywhere for the growth to go? If so, is it headed towards your property's location?
2. Has the city or county zoned the are for revitilization or economic development? If so, are there any special funds or benefits available?
3. Is the property accessible to public transportation?
4. Are people beginning to look for homes in this area? If so, investors want to be looking far in advance of others to secure the best property deals.
5. Is the property value in the neighborhood in a slump or an upswing? Purchase during a slump for maximum profits.
The truth is, an investor not make a profit from the property for the first two years. Investment property owners should be looking at the long-term, because they may make money over the next 15 years, while others are not.
Check County Records for Property Value
Do your research, or hire a REALTOR who is motivated to do it correctly. Speak to neighbors to understand the benefits of living there. Look at the neighborhood surrounding the area, and try to determine if those homes have increased in value. For a solid indicator, consider county property tax figures. In some areas you will find a slight increase in the tax base of 1-3%. In other areas, like Williamsburg, Virginia, taxes have increased 15-13%. Tax base increases are linked to improved property value.
Are Revitalization Funds Available?
If your investment property venture is a legitimate business, contact the local Chamber of Commerce and county government to see if there are special funds available for revitalization projects. Most Chamber of Commerces provide such programs as well as classes where investors learn how to access these funds.
There are lots of great examples of properties with potential. I'd like to share some background about one of my own listings, a motel in Williamsburg that has not been open for three years. The owners do not know when it was built โ€" probably in the 50s or 60s. The motel sits on 2 1/3 acres of land, which is all zoned commercially. The motel is situated right on a main thoroughfare that was once called โ€œThe Golden Mileโ€ of Williamsburg. It's geographic location is near York County a phenomenal leader in economic development. York County is enticing businesses by zoning the northern section of town commercial and it will be the site of the new hospital complex that is currently housed in Williamsburg.
Thinking Outside the Box
An important fact is not widely known about the motel's location, which is key to its investment potential. One mile from the motel property, across from the Williamsburg Pottery, a gated senior community with full amenities (golf courses, recreation center, pool) will break ground in April 2004. The Fortune 500 Company behind the building of this project is set to build 3,000 homes, with an estimated completion date of 2006. Scanning the area, it is obvious there are no European Bakeries, international shops, or stores and eateries which deliver (drug stores, groceries, take out, etc.). A strip mall with leasing options for different businesses, or even an extended stay hotel could be built on this land, and run for a profit. Investors I have shown the property to are wary of the $1,000,000 price tag on the motel. In the coming years this price will seem like a steal for commercial property in the area.
There are many other examples of properties whose potential have not yet been discovered. Remember, once you land that investment property of your dreams, make sure you have a marketing plan, which includes a decent web site, to launch your business. When speculating, trust your creativity and vision, and rely upon the expertise of a REALTOR who knows the area, and shares your vision.
Have You Ever Done It In The Park?
Courage: (definition) The attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult or painful, instead of withdrawing from it.
* It takes courage to start a family, with all the responsibility that goes with it.
* It takes courage to switch jobs.
* It takes courage to build a website and show your work to the world.
* It takes courage to join the military and serve your country.
* It takes courage to move out of town away from your family.
* And, it takes courage to participate in an arts and crafts fair, to show and/or sell your work
having overcome the fear of rejection and failure.
Bare walls and empty spaces: What is one of the first things a person does when moving into a house, an apartment, or an office? Decorating the place is usually at the top of the "to do" list. Showing that special drawing made by a child with crayons; a unique painting on the wall; a beautiful piece of pottery on the bookcase; a wonderful glass piece hanging from the ceiling or a piece of furniture you made yourself. Yes, art and craft pieces are important, and can enrich all of our lives!
I was born and still reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA). The state is blessed with thousands of talented artists and craftsman. As a woodcarver, I participated in over forty arts and crafts shows all over the State, and I have promoted six of my own. During this time, I have seen so many wonderful and talented artists produce sensational pieces in so many different mediums. But, there are so many talented artists who will never get to the point of showing and/or selling their work. Why?
Because they have "stage fright," and fear of going out before the public, and the fear of rejection and/or failure! This is a big problem for some people! This isn't like a salesman selling insurance. These people make their work with their own original ideas, and they use their mind and hands to produce it. If they get rejected by the public or fail, the pain runs deep.
The individual has to find the courage to get out there and show and/or sell his or her work. A suggestion I give people is to do what I did. I took a few of my wood carvings to the flea market and just showed them. (no selling) This way, I tried to get comfortable with large crowds of hundreds or thousands of people, etc. I also got a reaction to my work, which was important to me. I also got to see for myself, which pieces were getting the attention from the public and which pieces were not.
It worked out great for me, and I didn't have the pressure of participating in a large show in a fancy hotel or convention center, etc. As I did this a few times, my confidence level went up and I didn't have as much stage fright as I did before. By the time I was ready to participate in a real arts and crafts show, I was ready...well sort of...
While I was going to the flea market to show my work, I was invited to participate in a show on the plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tourists from all over the world come to Santa Fe each year. I didn't know if I was ready for this or not. I didn't know if I had the courage to do it! For my first show, I wanted to find a little show, behind a church someplace with a few hundred people attending. But no, I had to choose Santa Fe to get started. I must have been crazy!
Just before the deadline to cancel to get my entry fee back, I almost cancelled! I was very nervous and I didn't think I had the courage to do it! But, to make a long story short, somehow I found the courage to participate, and for my first show, I did okay! The first of anything is always the toughest, and I was relieved when the show was over. I then went on to participate in over forty more! So, I can understand why people have the jitters and are nervous about participating in public. I've been there!
Many years ago, I was the founder of the Fiesta of Arts and Crafts (Art in the Park), which was held in Albuquerque, N.M. During the six shows, I had the privilege of meeting some of the most talented artists and craftspeople from all over the state. During one of our shows, there was a woman named Jean, who called me one day, and I'll share a story with which I think is great.
Jean called me just before the deadline to enter the show. We already had over 100 participants and we didn't want many more, so we could keep the show manageable. Jean was nervous about participating, and she told me she had been doing her macrame for several years, and she would give her work away to family and friends. She told me she had never been able to get the courage to participate in a show. As I spoke to her on the phone, she seemed nervous and jittery and I could tell she was having the same problem that many people face...rejection and failure!
I told her that I got my start at the flea market with a lot of people and she told me she had already done that, but she was still not there yet. To take the pressure of selling off of her, I told her she could come into the show and just "show" her work. I tried to encourage her as much as I could, and told her that all of us have had to go through it! We all had to just jump in the pool and get our feet wet, and she was going to have to do it too! Judging from her voice on the telephone, I didn't think she would enter the show.
A couple of days later, and to my amazement, her entry form came in the mail and I was glad to see it. She made the decision to jump in this thing! This was a non-juried show, so when Jean arrived the morning of the show, I would see her work for the first time. She did fabulous work, and I knew she would do just fine! Even if she didn't sell anything, that first show is the tough one!
On the morning of the show, there were colorful displays all over the park, and hot-air balloons dotted the sky above, as the International Balloon Fiesta was being held the same week-end. Everything went fine as to the opening of the show, and a couple of hours later, I was attending to business in the park someplace, when I heard someone screaming my name!
"Jerry, Jerry!" A woman was running across the park! It was Jean! She was huffing and puffing as she approached me! "Jerry, Jerry...I did it!" She had something in her hand that she was waving around! "Look, Jerry, look...a check...my FIRST sale!" The check was for fifty dollars, and Jean was going wild! "I did it...I did it, Jerry!" I had to try to settle her down! She was so excited, and I was so happy for her! We were both jumping up and down like a couple of kids playing in the park and giving each other high fives!
I walked her back to her display, and I noticed a couple of tears rolling down her face! "I did it, Jerry" She kept waving that check in the air for all to see! Jean did it, and it looked like she had overcome the fear of rejection and failure, because she was already planning her next show!
So, it doesn't matter your chosen field, it's going to take determination; commitment; discipline; long hours, skill, and what Jean found out after many years of searching...it's going to take courage!
I never like to use the word "failure." I prefer to use the words, "set-back." I think the people who don't try anything are failures! I think if a person who tries, but doesn't make it...it's a set-back for them and nothing more. But, like it or not, all of us are going to have to find the courage to do some of the tough things in our lives!
Email; humordoctor@aol.com
Website; humordoctormd
Over 200 colorful pages; over 500 graphics
humordoctormd.homestead.com
* It takes courage to start a family, with all the responsibility that goes with it.
* It takes courage to switch jobs.
* It takes courage to build a website and show your work to the world.
* It takes courage to join the military and serve your country.
* It takes courage to move out of town away from your family.
* And, it takes courage to participate in an arts and crafts fair, to show and/or sell your work
having overcome the fear of rejection and failure.
Bare walls and empty spaces: What is one of the first things a person does when moving into a house, an apartment, or an office? Decorating the place is usually at the top of the "to do" list. Showing that special drawing made by a child with crayons; a unique painting on the wall; a beautiful piece of pottery on the bookcase; a wonderful glass piece hanging from the ceiling or a piece of furniture you made yourself. Yes, art and craft pieces are important, and can enrich all of our lives!
I was born and still reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA). The state is blessed with thousands of talented artists and craftsman. As a woodcarver, I participated in over forty arts and crafts shows all over the State, and I have promoted six of my own. During this time, I have seen so many wonderful and talented artists produce sensational pieces in so many different mediums. But, there are so many talented artists who will never get to the point of showing and/or selling their work. Why?
Because they have "stage fright," and fear of going out before the public, and the fear of rejection and/or failure! This is a big problem for some people! This isn't like a salesman selling insurance. These people make their work with their own original ideas, and they use their mind and hands to produce it. If they get rejected by the public or fail, the pain runs deep.
The individual has to find the courage to get out there and show and/or sell his or her work. A suggestion I give people is to do what I did. I took a few of my wood carvings to the flea market and just showed them. (no selling) This way, I tried to get comfortable with large crowds of hundreds or thousands of people, etc. I also got a reaction to my work, which was important to me. I also got to see for myself, which pieces were getting the attention from the public and which pieces were not.
It worked out great for me, and I didn't have the pressure of participating in a large show in a fancy hotel or convention center, etc. As I did this a few times, my confidence level went up and I didn't have as much stage fright as I did before. By the time I was ready to participate in a real arts and crafts show, I was ready...well sort of...
While I was going to the flea market to show my work, I was invited to participate in a show on the plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tourists from all over the world come to Santa Fe each year. I didn't know if I was ready for this or not. I didn't know if I had the courage to do it! For my first show, I wanted to find a little show, behind a church someplace with a few hundred people attending. But no, I had to choose Santa Fe to get started. I must have been crazy!
Just before the deadline to cancel to get my entry fee back, I almost cancelled! I was very nervous and I didn't think I had the courage to do it! But, to make a long story short, somehow I found the courage to participate, and for my first show, I did okay! The first of anything is always the toughest, and I was relieved when the show was over. I then went on to participate in over forty more! So, I can understand why people have the jitters and are nervous about participating in public. I've been there!
Many years ago, I was the founder of the Fiesta of Arts and Crafts (Art in the Park), which was held in Albuquerque, N.M. During the six shows, I had the privilege of meeting some of the most talented artists and craftspeople from all over the state. During one of our shows, there was a woman named Jean, who called me one day, and I'll share a story with which I think is great.
Jean called me just before the deadline to enter the show. We already had over 100 participants and we didn't want many more, so we could keep the show manageable. Jean was nervous about participating, and she told me she had been doing her macrame for several years, and she would give her work away to family and friends. She told me she had never been able to get the courage to participate in a show. As I spoke to her on the phone, she seemed nervous and jittery and I could tell she was having the same problem that many people face...rejection and failure!
I told her that I got my start at the flea market with a lot of people and she told me she had already done that, but she was still not there yet. To take the pressure of selling off of her, I told her she could come into the show and just "show" her work. I tried to encourage her as much as I could, and told her that all of us have had to go through it! We all had to just jump in the pool and get our feet wet, and she was going to have to do it too! Judging from her voice on the telephone, I didn't think she would enter the show.
A couple of days later, and to my amazement, her entry form came in the mail and I was glad to see it. She made the decision to jump in this thing! This was a non-juried show, so when Jean arrived the morning of the show, I would see her work for the first time. She did fabulous work, and I knew she would do just fine! Even if she didn't sell anything, that first show is the tough one!
On the morning of the show, there were colorful displays all over the park, and hot-air balloons dotted the sky above, as the International Balloon Fiesta was being held the same week-end. Everything went fine as to the opening of the show, and a couple of hours later, I was attending to business in the park someplace, when I heard someone screaming my name!
"Jerry, Jerry!" A woman was running across the park! It was Jean! She was huffing and puffing as she approached me! "Jerry, Jerry...I did it!" She had something in her hand that she was waving around! "Look, Jerry, look...a check...my FIRST sale!" The check was for fifty dollars, and Jean was going wild! "I did it...I did it, Jerry!" I had to try to settle her down! She was so excited, and I was so happy for her! We were both jumping up and down like a couple of kids playing in the park and giving each other high fives!
I walked her back to her display, and I noticed a couple of tears rolling down her face! "I did it, Jerry" She kept waving that check in the air for all to see! Jean did it, and it looked like she had overcome the fear of rejection and failure, because she was already planning her next show!
So, it doesn't matter your chosen field, it's going to take determination; commitment; discipline; long hours, skill, and what Jean found out after many years of searching...it's going to take courage!
I never like to use the word "failure." I prefer to use the words, "set-back." I think the people who don't try anything are failures! I think if a person who tries, but doesn't make it...it's a set-back for them and nothing more. But, like it or not, all of us are going to have to find the courage to do some of the tough things in our lives!
Email; humordoctor@aol.com
Website; humordoctormd
Over 200 colorful pages; over 500 graphics
humordoctormd.homestead.com
How to Give Your Southwestern Backyard a True Southwestern Flair
Let's face it, the Southwestern Backyard is not the same as any other backyard. Try to plant a nice lawn, and you cultivate an expanse of brown crusty dead stuff. Or you will run up a water bill worthy of an Olympic swimming pool.
So how in the world do you make the most of what the desert offers to you? What can make the Southwestern Backyard special? Let's just give it a shot! Come with me to my backyard, and I'll show you how easy it is to add Southwestern pizzazz to that dry expanse of desert floor.
First, let me give you a list of seven great ideas to help you plan the perfect Southwestern Backyard:
* Desert Plants
* Hardscaping with rocks
* Dry Creek Bed
* Ramada
* Kiva fireplace
* Southwestern d้cor
* House jewelry
Desert Plants - Learn here how Xeriscaping can create beauty with plants needing little water. Such plants not only save water, but provide cover and food for desert wildlife. It's vitally important to provide for the desert wildlife due to the encroachment of humans on their homes.
Hardscaping with Rocks - Rocks are not just rocks! Here we see that rocks can enhance our Southwestern Backyard and create beauty in our harsh environment. Native rocks are always best. Make use of what's readily available and your backyard will look like a part of the land, instead of warring with the surrounding environment.
Dry Creek Bed - Now make use of those rocks in a unique, Southwestern way by creating a Dry Creek Bed. No water needed for this little technique, but it creates the effect of water by insinuating the presence of the magical fluid. Erosion control is the key here because in the few brief moments when water does invade, there is danger of losing precious soil to the deluge.
Ramada - Unique to the Southwest is this rustic type of shelter, in many circumstances created with the castoff branches of Ocotillo or Mesquite. Don't let it fool you, though, cool shade and a comfortable place to sit and relax can be found beneath the lowly Ramada.
Kiva Fireplace - Equally at home inside or outdoors in your backyard, the Kiva Fireplace creates warmth, a cozy place to relax after a hard day, and a great place to roast your chilies. Some call this unique fireplace a beehive fireplace, but all the same it's a unique and memorable addition to your Southwestern Backyard.
Southwestern D้cor - Add a few ristras, a couple examples of Mexican pottery, and a wagon wheel or two and your Southwestern Backyard will announce to your visitors that, yes, they are in the Southwest.
House Jewelry - Now here's something you may not have heard of before. House Jewelry is a term I coined myself to describe the practice of decorating the exterior walls of the home with distinctly Southwestern artwork. Depictions of the Sun, desert wildlife such as lizards and quail, and even the exuberant Kokopelli earn a place of honor on the Southwestern Home's humble adobe walls.
Look around you. Everywhere in the Southwest you find wonderful examples of creativity and unique ideas for the Southwestern Backyard. No longer is it necessary to consign your backyard to being dull and lifeless. Create a little zing! Have some fun, and make your Southwestern Backyard something to talk about.
Find out more about how to bring the Southwest to your backyard, visit http://www.southwestern-dream-home.com/southwestern-backyard.html
The Southwestern United States is a place of fascination and excitement to me. I believe years ago when I left the home of my childhood, I was destined to one day return. Who would have ever though my life would change so much, and the desert would emerge as the place of my dreams?
Now, decades later I'm returning home to Arizona and creating the Southwestern Dream Home. Not only are we, myself and my husband Tom, creating the home of our dreams, but I've created a place for others to go and find resources to help them to create their own dream as well. So visit me at http://www.Southwestern-Dream-Home.com and begin living your dream!
So how in the world do you make the most of what the desert offers to you? What can make the Southwestern Backyard special? Let's just give it a shot! Come with me to my backyard, and I'll show you how easy it is to add Southwestern pizzazz to that dry expanse of desert floor.
First, let me give you a list of seven great ideas to help you plan the perfect Southwestern Backyard:
* Desert Plants
* Hardscaping with rocks
* Dry Creek Bed
* Ramada
* Kiva fireplace
* Southwestern d้cor
* House jewelry
Desert Plants - Learn here how Xeriscaping can create beauty with plants needing little water. Such plants not only save water, but provide cover and food for desert wildlife. It's vitally important to provide for the desert wildlife due to the encroachment of humans on their homes.
Hardscaping with Rocks - Rocks are not just rocks! Here we see that rocks can enhance our Southwestern Backyard and create beauty in our harsh environment. Native rocks are always best. Make use of what's readily available and your backyard will look like a part of the land, instead of warring with the surrounding environment.
Dry Creek Bed - Now make use of those rocks in a unique, Southwestern way by creating a Dry Creek Bed. No water needed for this little technique, but it creates the effect of water by insinuating the presence of the magical fluid. Erosion control is the key here because in the few brief moments when water does invade, there is danger of losing precious soil to the deluge.
Ramada - Unique to the Southwest is this rustic type of shelter, in many circumstances created with the castoff branches of Ocotillo or Mesquite. Don't let it fool you, though, cool shade and a comfortable place to sit and relax can be found beneath the lowly Ramada.
Kiva Fireplace - Equally at home inside or outdoors in your backyard, the Kiva Fireplace creates warmth, a cozy place to relax after a hard day, and a great place to roast your chilies. Some call this unique fireplace a beehive fireplace, but all the same it's a unique and memorable addition to your Southwestern Backyard.
Southwestern D้cor - Add a few ristras, a couple examples of Mexican pottery, and a wagon wheel or two and your Southwestern Backyard will announce to your visitors that, yes, they are in the Southwest.
House Jewelry - Now here's something you may not have heard of before. House Jewelry is a term I coined myself to describe the practice of decorating the exterior walls of the home with distinctly Southwestern artwork. Depictions of the Sun, desert wildlife such as lizards and quail, and even the exuberant Kokopelli earn a place of honor on the Southwestern Home's humble adobe walls.
Look around you. Everywhere in the Southwest you find wonderful examples of creativity and unique ideas for the Southwestern Backyard. No longer is it necessary to consign your backyard to being dull and lifeless. Create a little zing! Have some fun, and make your Southwestern Backyard something to talk about.
Find out more about how to bring the Southwest to your backyard, visit http://www.southwestern-dream-home.com/southwestern-backyard.html
The Southwestern United States is a place of fascination and excitement to me. I believe years ago when I left the home of my childhood, I was destined to one day return. Who would have ever though my life would change so much, and the desert would emerge as the place of my dreams?
Now, decades later I'm returning home to Arizona and creating the Southwestern Dream Home. Not only are we, myself and my husband Tom, creating the home of our dreams, but I've created a place for others to go and find resources to help them to create their own dream as well. So visit me at http://www.Southwestern-Dream-Home.com and begin living your dream!
Mosaic Decor: In With the Old
It is said that history repeats itself--A truism from fashion to auto design. It seems that what was once in vogue will eventually return to popularity. How many times have you heard someone say "Don't throw that out, it will be 'in' again in ten years." Admit it most of you have a few choice items hanging in your closet, with the faint hope that the Dynasty or Miami Vice look will meander its way back into the mainstream.
We see the same trends in commercial and residential architecture and d้cor. Arched facades, tapestries, pillars and columns, are all reminiscent of styles that have repeated themselves from times of antiquity.
So what's next? Perhaps we need look no further for inspiration than, say, the 4th century BC—and the advent of mosaic art. When we hear the word mosaic, many of us think of small square tiles, often used in bathrooms and typically installed in monochromatic sheets. True mosaic art couldn't be more different.
Originally ancient artists formed their mosaics from water-smoothed pebbles, then from non-symmetrical pieces such as broken pottery and other scrap material. The mosaic would be a picture, perhaps a landscape, or mythological event. Churches throughout Europe incorporate intricate mosaics in their ceilings, walls, columns and floors depicting biblical events.
No one can say exactly when or precisely where the art of mosaic was born, but there is evidence of this form regaining popularity throughout the ages by various civilizations. The Greeks developed the first school for mosaic artisans. Originally created to decorate floors, the Romans took the popularity of the art to new heights using mosaics to decorate their walls. Archaeological evidence in Pompeii suggests that even common people would have simple mosaics adorning the walls of their homes. Over the centuries mosaics have experienced renewed popularity time and time again.
Far from little bathroom tiles, today's incarnation of mosaics are the works of art so valued in previous ages. Intricate pictures and designs in motifs from ancient to contemporary genres, the mosaic can make a unique addition to almost any d้cor.
Dean Avey, owner of Artisan Mosaics in Toronto, Canada, points out that mosaic can find their way into almost every room of your home, as floor or wall coverings. His gallery displays a wide variety of mosaics, in various sizes and shapes. "All made meticulously by hand," boasts Avey. Artisan carries a wide range of mosaic sizes that can be used in small applications such as the centrepiece of a kitchen backsplash on up to mammoth mosaic carpets with the look and feel of an Oriental rug. Most of Artisan's mosaics are made from tiny, hand-cut pieces of marble, in a variety of textures. According to Avey, tumbled marble and slate mosaics are currently in vogue, as well as highly polished almost seamless patterns that are reminiscent of Italian wood inlay.
The practicality of ceramic tile, and its ever-increasing array of colour and texture choices, makes it popular with home and business owners. The status of hardwood flooring, for its warmth and richness, is also at a peak. Setting mosaic medallions or 'emblemata' within your tiles or hardwood is certain to set your choice of floor covering apart.
Mosaic carpets offer the rich beauty of a Persian rug in formal areas and foyers, with the practicality of stone for durability and ease of cleaning. The mosaic carpet has the added safety benefit of being set flush with the floor—particularly valuable in high traffic areas, and in spaces where accessibility is important.
Beautiful and practical, the mosaic is ideal for walls in kitchens and baths. No need for rooms that require frequent clean-ups to look clinical or utilitarian. Mosaics will add warmth and charm to these spaces where typically little art is found. Outdoors mosaics can be used in swimming pools and fountains, or as the centrepiece of a porch or patio.
Commercial applications are limitless. Restaurants and hotels, business foyers, and elegant restrooms; all will welcome the air of distinction mosaic art can bring to their d้cor. "Custom insignias will be popular with businesses, clubs and institutions," says Avey, whose company will custom order a mosaic of your crest, coat of arms, or business logo.
The revival of mosaics means authentic art will find its way into less conventional spaces, like floors and patios, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as in commercial applications; a welcome opportunity for professional decorators, home and business owners. So once again, it is in with the old, the really, really old…
V.M. Disimino is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. Visit our website at www.artisanmosaics.ca
We see the same trends in commercial and residential architecture and d้cor. Arched facades, tapestries, pillars and columns, are all reminiscent of styles that have repeated themselves from times of antiquity.
So what's next? Perhaps we need look no further for inspiration than, say, the 4th century BC—and the advent of mosaic art. When we hear the word mosaic, many of us think of small square tiles, often used in bathrooms and typically installed in monochromatic sheets. True mosaic art couldn't be more different.
Originally ancient artists formed their mosaics from water-smoothed pebbles, then from non-symmetrical pieces such as broken pottery and other scrap material. The mosaic would be a picture, perhaps a landscape, or mythological event. Churches throughout Europe incorporate intricate mosaics in their ceilings, walls, columns and floors depicting biblical events.
No one can say exactly when or precisely where the art of mosaic was born, but there is evidence of this form regaining popularity throughout the ages by various civilizations. The Greeks developed the first school for mosaic artisans. Originally created to decorate floors, the Romans took the popularity of the art to new heights using mosaics to decorate their walls. Archaeological evidence in Pompeii suggests that even common people would have simple mosaics adorning the walls of their homes. Over the centuries mosaics have experienced renewed popularity time and time again.
Far from little bathroom tiles, today's incarnation of mosaics are the works of art so valued in previous ages. Intricate pictures and designs in motifs from ancient to contemporary genres, the mosaic can make a unique addition to almost any d้cor.
Dean Avey, owner of Artisan Mosaics in Toronto, Canada, points out that mosaic can find their way into almost every room of your home, as floor or wall coverings. His gallery displays a wide variety of mosaics, in various sizes and shapes. "All made meticulously by hand," boasts Avey. Artisan carries a wide range of mosaic sizes that can be used in small applications such as the centrepiece of a kitchen backsplash on up to mammoth mosaic carpets with the look and feel of an Oriental rug. Most of Artisan's mosaics are made from tiny, hand-cut pieces of marble, in a variety of textures. According to Avey, tumbled marble and slate mosaics are currently in vogue, as well as highly polished almost seamless patterns that are reminiscent of Italian wood inlay.
The practicality of ceramic tile, and its ever-increasing array of colour and texture choices, makes it popular with home and business owners. The status of hardwood flooring, for its warmth and richness, is also at a peak. Setting mosaic medallions or 'emblemata' within your tiles or hardwood is certain to set your choice of floor covering apart.
Mosaic carpets offer the rich beauty of a Persian rug in formal areas and foyers, with the practicality of stone for durability and ease of cleaning. The mosaic carpet has the added safety benefit of being set flush with the floor—particularly valuable in high traffic areas, and in spaces where accessibility is important.
Beautiful and practical, the mosaic is ideal for walls in kitchens and baths. No need for rooms that require frequent clean-ups to look clinical or utilitarian. Mosaics will add warmth and charm to these spaces where typically little art is found. Outdoors mosaics can be used in swimming pools and fountains, or as the centrepiece of a porch or patio.
Commercial applications are limitless. Restaurants and hotels, business foyers, and elegant restrooms; all will welcome the air of distinction mosaic art can bring to their d้cor. "Custom insignias will be popular with businesses, clubs and institutions," says Avey, whose company will custom order a mosaic of your crest, coat of arms, or business logo.
The revival of mosaics means authentic art will find its way into less conventional spaces, like floors and patios, bathrooms and kitchens, as well as in commercial applications; a welcome opportunity for professional decorators, home and business owners. So once again, it is in with the old, the really, really old…
V.M. Disimino is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. Visit our website at www.artisanmosaics.ca
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