Hobby Shop Blog

Africa has always been known as one of the best destinations for wildlife photography, or nature photography in general. All serious professional wildlife photographers have quite a portion of their file filled with photos from Africa. Why is this? It is because Africa presents you with opportunities for wildlife photography like no other place in the world.

Abundant wildlife

Africa’s wildlife is legendary. There are countless beautiful species, each unique. These species can still be seen in vast areas of their natural habitat, all over Africa. In some places, natural migrations that cover thousands of kilometers still take place unhampered by human civilization. You will not find this rich diversity anywhere else in the world.

Some of the species make such a brutal and captivating living, preying off other species that they get admired by every naturalist. Who would not like to see a lion kill? Who does not dream about finding a leopard in a tree, with an impala ram that it has just taken down? And cheetahs stalking gazelle in long grass? Obviously you would like to experience these things, even capture it on film. Unfortunately it can happen only in Africa.

Amazing photography

Good wildlife photography usually involves capturing some action in the golden light of dawn or dusk. As I explained above, if there is someplace to see wildlife in action, it is Africa.

The golden light does not get more golden than in Africa. Believe it or not, but this is due to dust in the air. Most of Africa is dry, and particularly in the dry season it gets very dusty. This causes the sun to be very red as it leaves or approaches the horizon, causing a beautiful golden glow on any subject bathed in sunlight.

In the dry season, the bushveld is also a lot more open (not too dense) and then you can spot your subject easier and compose it with less interference (branches and leaves sticking into your photograph uninvited…)

Other considerations

Africa is very dusty as I said. Now, this can interfere with your photography as your camera’s digital sensor must be spotlessly clean for it not to show dust on the photograph. I would therefore recommend that if you cannot afford to bring different camera bodies for each of your lenses, to either just use a broad zoom lens or only to change lenses when there is no dust around, and to not change lenses often.

Most wildlife photography in Africa happens from inside a vehicle. You can try handholding all shots, but you will delete at least half you photos if this is your approach. Rather try using beanbags or a window bracket for camera support. These will ensure you get that sharp shot.

Conclusion

Africa is an excellent destination for wildlife photography. Why don’t you come and see for yourself. One warning though! If you visit Africa and spend a night or two under African skies, you might just be hooked for life. Even worse, if you get back home and see the award winning photos you have taken, you might just make a permanent move to Africa… Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Shadow embroidery is a technique that creates mysterious shadow effect on the stitched cloth. It is also known as a Whitework technique. Shadow embroidery is done on dress accessories, children’s clothes, lingerie and household linens.

The procedure of making shadow embroidery may sound confusing for the first time, but actually it is extremely easy-to-make. The stitch is worked on sheer, transparent or firmly woven threads. For the ground fabric you may choose whatever you like: viole, batiste, fine linen or muslin, synthetic or sheer silk and so on. Ready made clothes can also be embroidered with the shadow effect stitches. There are few things you have to learn about shadow embroidery. Work double back stitch on the right side of the fabric.

On the reverse side of the cloth will be gradually formed a herringbone stitch. These herringbone stitches make for the shadow effect. Another thing is closeness of the stitches. If the stitches are close to one another, a deeper shadow is produced. If they are not so close together, a lacy effect appears on the right side. Tiny separate stitches follow the lace as an outline. Best for producing shadow effect are silk or cotton yarns. You can also use one ply of embroidery floss, and a number 7 or less crewel needle with a hoop. Colours can be stronger if you add extra plies to the fibers. Here are two examples of using shadow embroidery to create something beautiful.

1) How to embroider a flower using shadow stitches? Stems are made with fine back chain stitches on the right side of the fabric. To create the centre of the flower, around which the petals are, use French knot clusters on the right side. Petals and leaves should have an outline, filled up with shadow stitches. Use green for the colours of stems and leaves. Petals can have any colour. You can add white floss on the white canvas for some details and gain fantastic results. When choosing a design, use transfer patterns or make up something yours. Stitch on the wrong side of sheer material and examine the effects of shadow embroidery on the right side.

2) How can you make a small pillow or a cushion using shadow embroidery? To create a pillow you need the following materials: number 7 or finer crewel needle, two 9 inch squares of sheer fabric, plain muslin, embroidery hoop, embroidery floss, dressmaker’s carbon paper or hot iron transfer pencil, one yard ruffled lace, matching thread, and small quantity of polyester fiberfill.

The design you want to embroider has to be transferred on the wrong side of the pillow top with the usage of hot iron transfer pencil. Then it is time to put fabric in the embroidery hoop. If, for example, you want to embroider a flower, follow the Number 1 suggestions, using French knot for the centre and shadow stitching for the petals. Close herringbone stitch is just perfect for making flowers. The ruffled lace should be stitched around the perimeter of pillow top. With a seam you should stitch together pillow top and bottom sides. Make sure you leave one side unseamed for the pillow filler to place inside. Trim the three sides and the corners. The muslin and polyester fiberfill can serve as fillers. Sachets of potpourri can also be put inside before seaming the fourth side of the pillow.

Before trying onto larger areas, practice shadow embroidery on smaller surfaces, such as pockets, belts, hats and so on. Be careful when using the iron for covering up minor creases on collars, belts and other smaller areas. It may ruin the shadow embroidery.

Scrapbook photos are a big part of most journals or memory books. It’s

a given that you’ll need a few snapshots to fill out a page and tell

the story. Yet, it’s also pretty easy to go overboard with your

pictures.

We all have that show box full of old photos, and snapshots. For some

of us it’s lifelong goal to use everyone of them in a scrapbook but

this isn’t always a good idea.

I remember many years ago when I attended a college photography class

the instructor made a point to tell us that not every picture we took

would end up perfect. Most in fact would not be usable at all and only

a few, if we were lucky, were worth keeping. I’ve since learned that

this is true, and it’s always a good idea to crop the chaff from the

wheat.

With this in mind, don’t feel too bad about throwing away some pictures

that you simply know your never going to use. We all have them. If

they’re blurry or out of focus, or simply not a good angle of auntie

Jane, throw them out and you’ll be doing you both a favor.

If they are special in some way you can always store them digitally on

disks or in archive boxes. In this way they won’t get mixed up with

the really good shots that have potential in your pages.

In the old days, I shifted from prints to slides since I knew I would

only get a few good shots (maybe) out of a roll. These days with the

new digital cameras it’s a snap to save or delete what you want, then

download it on a computer and print it out on high quality photo paper

or take it to a developer as a disk. Photo technology is an amazing

thing!

Photo editing also lends a good deal of creativity to your scrapbooks.

Using a tool like Adobe Photoshop or other picture editor, you can take

one might look like a rather basic snapshot and play with the colors

and tones to make a unique picture. I did this with some recent photos

of my two daughters. They were simple posed head shots that we tinted

and created a colorful addition to their memory books.

Also remember that using a degree of spacing actually gives the really

great photos more attention and exposure. Don’t just cram every photo

you have onto a page and fill it up. Mix them up with some simple

embellishments and details. This way you’ll highlight them rather than

diffuse them into a collage.

Try to remember that as important as pictures are to our scrapbooking

efforts, they aren’t everything. In fact, some of the very best pages

we have ever seen had few pictures on them. You can tell a story in

many ways. With words, with images, with accents and with color. Your

photos are just one of many ways to create that perfect page.

The buffalo nickel (also known as the Indian head nickel) was produced from 1913 through 1938 and was designed by James Earle Fraser. It is actually a bison, not a buffalo, on the reverse but more on that later.

Early in 1911, Treasury Secretary Franklin MacVeagh’s son wrote to him suggesting that there be a new design on the five-cent piece. The son had read the law which stipulated a coin design could not be changed more often than every 25 years. The 25 year “waiting” period for the Liberty nickel has passed back in February of 1908. MacVeagh had assumed office under President William Howard Taft in March 1909, and missed all the excitement when President Theodore Roosevelt managed to get several top artists to redesign the cent and gold coins.

Fraser’s artistic ability earned the undying respect of a dying Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who recommended Fraser to President Theodore Roosevelt to sculpture the official presidential bust. Roosevelt and Fraser quickly became friends. Despite the fact that William Howard Taft was president in 1912, Roosevelt recommended that Fraser be chosen to design the copper-nickel 5-cent coin.

It is interesting to note that the Philadelphia mint was kept in the dark for quite some time during the initial design change discussions. Though not proven, it is widely speculated that this was done because of previous issues with Charles E. Barber over the double eagle design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1908. Barber was still the chief engraver and believed that he should have all authority of engraving and coin design and since he designed the nickel that was still in production, he was probably not in any big hurry to change it.

The obverse design for the Indian Head 5-cent coin, commonly called a “Buffalo nickel,” depicts a large, powerful portrait of an Indian, facing right. The appearance is rough looking, unlike the smooth cheeks and other facial features that typify the many versions of Lady Liberty that have been on U.S Coins. The portrait is believed to be a composite of three Indian chiefs, although the identities of the models have been disputed. A few Native Americans laid claim to be the model for the coin. The artist himself identified two of the models as Chief Iron Tail, a Sioux and Chief Two Moons, a Cheyenne. Unfortunately, Fraser had trouble remembering the names of his models. He had been asked the question so many times, that it was evident he was growing tired of the whole issue rather than set the record straight. In an undated letter to Mint Director George E. Roberts believed to be from 1913, suggests that Fraser considered the Indian design represented a type, rather than a direct portrait. He said he could recall Two Moons and Iron Tail as having served as his inspiration and possibly “one or two others”. In alter years he dropped the number of possible “other” models to one.

The one Indian originally believed to be the third model was Chief Two Guns White Calf, a Blackfoot. His claim lost a great deal of validity when in 1931, Fraser denied having used him as a model. In a letter dated June 10, 1931, from Fraser to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of Interior, and later released to the press on July 12, 1931, Fraser is quoted as saying:

“The Indian head on the Buffalo nickel is not a direct portrait of any particular Indian, but was made from several portrait busts which I did not Indians. As a matter of fact, I used three different Indian heads; I remember two of the men. One was Irontail, the best Indian head I can remember; the other one was Two Moons, and the third I cannot recall. I have never seen Two Guns Whitecalf nor used him in any way, although he has a magnificent head. I can easily understand how he was mistaken in thinking that he posed for me. A great many artists have modeled and drawn him, and it was only natural for him to believe that one of them was the designer of the nickel. I am particularly interested in Indian affairs, having as a boy lived in South Dakota before the Indians were so carefully guarded in their agencies. Later, the Crow Creek agency was formed at Chamberlain, but I always feel that I have seen the Indian in this natural habitat, with the finest costumes being worn. I hope their affairs are progressing favorably.”

Through the years the search for the third model continued although many still believe it was Two Guns. Another Indian, Chief John Big Tree claimed he was the third model. There are many inconsistencies in his story/claim as well. Chief John Big Tree was also an actor. While we may never know for sure the identity of the third person, we do know a little about the model on the reverse The American bison serves as the reverse of the coin. Yes, it is a bison on the nickel, not a buffalo. Technically, buffaloes are found mostly in India and Africa, not in the United States. When the first settlers came to America and happened upon the Bison - they did not know what they were. The only animals they could relate them to were the Asian Water Buffalo. They started calling them buffalo for lack of a correct name, and the name stuck for many, many years. So, the American Buffalo is not a true buffalo. Its closest relative is the European Bison or Wisent and the Canadian Woods Bison, not the buffalo of Asia or Africa, such as the Cape Buffalo or Water Buffalo. Scientifically, the American Buffalo is named Bison and belongs to Bovidae family of mammals, as do domestic cattle. Because our history has so ingrained in us the name “Buffalo”, we still use it, although “Bison” and “Buffalo” are used interchangeably. As just stated, our American Bison and the Water Buffalos are not even related. (There are actually two types of Bison as well. The Plains Bison and the Woods Bison - one being smaller and darker than the other and having populated different regions of the US in the early years) However, since so many people are familiar with their own learned definition of a “buffalo” you’ll find we still sometimes use that term when referring to a bison. As such, the term buffalo will be used when referring to the reverse of the coin. Anyway….

To Be Continued!!!

Have you ever wished you could turn your hobby into a fulltime money making career? If you’re passionate about something, it’s very rewarding when you find a way to get paid for what you love to do.

Hobbies of all kinds are turning ordinary people into profitable business home business owners. You may start out painting, quilting, or stamp collecting for fun, but as you’ll quickly realize, there’s money to be made form hobbies.

How much have you personally spent towards your hobby in the last year? For some people, it’s a huge investment because hobbies provide entertainment and relaxation.

For others, the cost of dabbling in their hobby is quite expensive, so they limit their spending and splurge every now and then. What if you were to learn a way to turn that hobby into a cash cow? It’s not only possible, but millions of men and women around the world are launching full-scale companies based on what they love to do.

You might have a hobby that you enjoy doing as a family, or with your spouse. Wouldn’t it be great to start earning money from home with it and be able to do it fulltime instead of just when you have a little bit of extra time?

There are many ways to profit from your hobbies. Some people are into arts and crafts. They create special, unique items and then sell them on eBay. Others launch their own website that sells items such as scented candles and other self-made products.

You might profit from your hobby by selling services, or promoting your items offline at a trading event. The possibilities are endless. One thing to keep in mind as well is that if you enjoy participating in this hobby, chances are others do, too.

That opens up an entire new avenue for profits because you might enjoy getting into the business of selling the items other people need to enjoy the hobby. For instance, if you love painting, you might love selling paint supplies to the public and being an authority figure they can go to when they have questions about it.

Many people start out seeing a little bit of money trickle in from turning their hobby into a business, but in the end, they realize it’s much more profitable than they had expected, taking in six figures from the very thing that brings them so much joy. Make time to investigate the possibility that your passion can bring you mounds of wealth in addition to a lot of satisfaction.

Knitting a wool blanket is a huge commitment if a person has never knitted anything in their entire life. Knitting is the delicate balance of holding needles and continuously feeding yarn until a pattern emerges. People who knit are skilled at juggling both these tasks and also switching yarn in order to add color to their blankets. If a person has never knitted before, they should start out with something smaller like a hat or a towel. Once a person has mastered the art of knitting, then they should plan on making a wool blanket.

Learning how to knit from another person will make knitting much easier. Learning how to hold the needles is the first step. The second step is adding yarn. A simple stitch is completed by creating a beginner knit block. This will be the foundation for the knit row. People who are new to knitting should practice this move over and over again until they can successfully complete it and are ready for the next type of stitch. There are a few types of stitches that can be used to make dramatic patterns on blankets, but these should only be attempted by those who have learned the basics.

After practicing, one should be able to follow a simple stitching pattern and begin to create a wool blanket. This many take a few weeks depending on how large the blanket is supposed to be. By using simple stitches, a person will be able to create a blanket. While some of the stitches will be clumsy and may unravel, completing a blanket will create a sense of pride. When a person is ready, they will be able to learn more complex stitches.

Knitting a wool blanket will probably take a person many tries, but in the end if they can stick to practicing, they will become a good knitter. Knitting clubs have sprung up in recent years which may be worth investigating if there is no one else who can teach the art of knitting. These clubs usually meet once or twice a month and its members can offer advice and tricks on how to knit. There are many other items that one can knit before they devote their time to knitting a wool blanket. Getting ideas from others is also a good way to improve skill and also learn how to knit other items that will be useful around the house.

Most people may not realize this, but beading can end up being one of the most expensive hobbies based on the types of material used. For example, a beaded necklace made from real diamonds can cost up to $100,000. Fortunately, you do not have to be rich in order to enjoy this hobby. By learning where and how to buy reasonably priced beading supplies, this hobby can be ideal for people who are on a limited budget.

How do you find the best deals on beading supplies? Do not worry, because it is not as difficult as you may think. Here are a few tips that have proven to work:

A. Beading does not always require costly gems or stones. Anybody can create a necklace from shells or small stones that are usually found on the beach. With a durable thread and needle, anyone can make bracelets, earrings, and necklace without spending a dime.

B. People who are willing to spend the money must learn how to get the greatest deals in the market. When working on limited numbers of design, it is recommended to buy supplies from local craft stores without the usual $10 shipping and handling fee for online transactions.

C. For business owners marketing beadworks that would like to buy large amount of beads and additional supplies, the best place to order is the Internet . Huge mark down are being offered online for beaders who are buying wholesale.

D. For buyers who are on a strict budget, the places to go are flea markets and garage sales. There, you can buy quality beading supplies for very low prices.

After learning how to save money, it is important for beaders to know exactly what they are looking for. Here are some general tips on buying beading supplies:

A. Beads are the most important element in beading. The appearance of the design will largely depend on them. Attentively choosing the color, size, and shape will definitely play a large part in developing quality and attractive beadwork . The most popular ones today are gemstones. These stones are quite costly, so that is why it is recommended that you buy them in authorized and trusted jewelry stores.

B. In selecting wire and threads, it is paramount to consider the beads that will be used. For pearls or other gems, it is recommended to use silk thread. This works best with beads that possess very small holes. On the other hand, when working with glass, use nylon or another durable synthetic threads that can withstand abrasion.

C. It is important for the beader to get a good set of pliers. The set includes needle nose, wire cutter, flat nose, and round nose. They have color-coded handles and they are lightweight, which is perfect for traveling beaders . These sets will usually run between $30-$35.

D. Beaders should also get stack jar containers with lids that are designed to organize the beads and threads according to colors and sizes.

E. A designing board is also one of the basic beading supplies. It is used for laying the beads before stringing them together using thread. This is a great tool to get exact measurements so that it will be easier to determine the center of the beadwork .

For any person that is interested in this hobby, the secret to in producing remarkable and quality beadwork is learning how to properly choose the beading supplies. Of course, if you are on a budget, the key is to creating the beadwork without spending too much money.

Choosing a gift for a loved one is very difficult. You always want to give something they will love and appreciate and something special. The best gift you can give to your near and dear ones, is something made by you, that adds a special touch to the gift, making it exceptional and very personal. One can spend loads of money, to buy a wonderful and expensive gift, but making the gift on your own shows your. It is very difficult to decide what to make.

Making a fruit basket is an excellent option, but most of us do not know how to make a fruit basket. Making a fruit basket isn’t all that difficult to make as we think it is. Once you have decided which fruits you want to decorate the basket with, half your battle is won. Selecting the fruits can be a bit tricky. You should always carefully pick the fruits, according to their shapes, sizes and colours, in order to make your basket look uniform, colourful and stylish. You should choose a very classy yet colourful basket, to make your gift look grand.

You can either get a cane, straw, wooden, glass or a thick well crafted paper basket. A carefully selected basket will bring out the beauty of the gift. You can arrange the fruits neatly in the basket. You can also use the fruits to make a design or a shape inside the basket. You can then decorate the basket with similar coloured ribbons or streamers. Ribbon can be used on the handle of the basket as well, to make it look very stylish.

If you like you can put a small special gift in between the fruit basket, which will be a surprise for your loved one when they find it. You can also put small notes with every fruit or add a special touch to every item in the basket. Make your gift as innovative and unique as possible. Always stick to a colour scheme, which brings out the beauty of the gift. For instance, red ribbons used on red fruit, like apple, plum, cherries, pomegranate and so on, in a stylish cane basket is a fantastic present. Or you could make an assortment of their favourite fruits, which you know they will definitely love.

After having decorated the basket, you have the choice of wrapping your basket or leaving it open. You can use colourful paper to decorate it. Transparent paper, cellophane paper, handmade paper, butter paper, or thin colourful paper can be used to make it look even more stunning. As a final touch, you can put a bow or a paper made flower or a star on top of the fruit basket. A card can also be attached to the basket, which adds a personal touch. Your friend or your family will definitely appreciate the effort you have put in making the gift.

How steady are your hands when taking pictures? Have you had time to focus in on that beautiful sunrise or sunset? Ever consider investing in a tripod?

If there is a piece of equipment in photography that is as versatile and handy as any other, it would be the camera tripod. A tripod is rather inexpensive and can be used in many situations, indoors and out. A tripod will hold your camera steady, and this stability can save your pictures as well as improve your photography skills.

So let’s explore some features to keep in mind when looking for a good tripod. First and foremost, we already mentioned stability, and a tripod should be light enough to carry, however, make sure it is strong enough to support the camera you are using. When shooting those fabulous outdoor photos with a heavier telephoto lens, the forward weight can possibly tip over the tripod. Also, the tripod should be able to remain stable when the camera position is changed from horizontal to vertical.

If you want to quickly attach or remove the camera, look for a tripod with a quick-release mounting platform.

Consider the height of the tripod. You should be able to adjust the height so your viewing is comfortable and you don’t have to bend over. A good tripod has extendable, adjustable legs and many even come with a bubble level installed. This level comes in handy when the tripod is used on uneven terrain. It is an excellent feature when you have to focus in on a sunset, sunrise and landscape.

Remember this tip: Never carry your digital camera when it is attached to a tripod. It is very easy to have it bumped, damaged and more than likely to fall off.

Keep in mind there are also mini tripods on the market as well. These small and lightweight tripods can easily be stored or transported in a camera bag, and some have the heavy-duty features of their larger counterparts.

When taking group photos, or any photo when the photographer needs to be included in the picture, a tripod is the perfect solution to mount the camera and set the timer. Perhaps the photographer wants a self- portrait? Set the timer, set the stage and smile!

Remember, when pictures require a steady hand, a flat surface (such as a table) to

How to add value and Uniqueness to your Scrapbook Pages

It is very easy and affordable to add value and uniqueness to your scrap book pages with loose Gemstones. Gemstones come in so many shapes, sizes and colors, so it is very easy to incorporate them into any theme. I have been using gemstones in my scrapbook pages for quite awhile, and I always recommend them to my friends and family. There are many advantages to using gemstones as well. Gemstones are very easy to apply with glue dots, they will never fade or tarnish and it doesn’t take any special techniques to create a very dramatic page.

What I like best about using Gemstones in my craft projects is how easy they can be added to finished pages as well. If you are like most Scrapbookers you already have expensive 3d stickers in your creations that have plastic stones in the design. All you have to do is carefully take the plastic stones off and replace with Genuine Gemstones. Here are a few ideas of ways I have used Gemstones in my pages:

* Square sapphires for butterfly and bee antenna tips

* Super star page with diamonds in the background

* Polk-a-dots on Easter eggs

* Eyes on the 3d animals

* Ornaments on a Christmas tree

* Birthstone Pages

* And much more.

There are many other crafts you can use Gemstones in as well so the possibilities are endless on what you can create. This Christmas I will be giving away shadow box frames with a Scrapbook page with Gemstones accents. They will be a very special and truly unique gift!

I hope you have enjoyed my article and Happy Scrapbooking!

And remember be Creative Gemstones are only the beginning to using Jewelry in your Scrapbooking!