How to keep your artwork as fresh as the day it was created

Author: Heather Diodati

Source: articleage.com



Article: " How to keep your artwork as fresh, garages, as the day it was
created " Author: Heather Diodati Contact Author:
info@whimsies-online, garages, .com Word Count: 1730 Words formatted, garages, to 65
characters/line Publishing Guidelines: May be freely published
w/bylines; courtesy copy appreciated Web Address:
http://www.whimsies-online.com

Clueless about how to protect the beautiful acrylic painting you
received, garages, as a birthday gift? Wondering how to mat and frame your
new watercolor? Here's a handy guide on how to care for your
precious artwork, no matter what media it was created in.

. Handling, garages, . Storage, garages, . Transporting . Matting . Framing .
Laminating . Display . Cleaning

Special care, garages, for different types of media

. Acrylics . Oils . Watercolors . Pastels . Charcoal, Pencil,
Colored pencil, Crayon drawings . Ink drawings . Digital art

Handling

Always use great care in handling artwork. Never touch the
surface of the art with your bare fingers as the natural oils,
acids and salts on your skin can transfer to the artwork and
cause permanent damage. If you must touch the art, wear cotton
gloves.

Storage

Artwork not displayed should be stored in a clean, dry,,, garages, garages, dark and
well-ventilated area in moderate temperatures and humidity
levels that do not fluctuate a great deal. Avoid storage in
basements, attics or garages as extreme temperatures and
moisture can damage the artwork.

Store unframed art flat with acid-free paper between each item,
or store individual items in archival-quality envelopes.

Avoid, garages, storing art between cardboard,, garages, as it is highly acidic and
can damage artwork over time.

Store art created with charcoal, pastels, pencil or crayon
between glass to avoid rubbing and damaging the delicate
artwork. Preferably mat the item first with an acid-free mat and
then cover it with glass to protect the artwork from any kind of
contact with its surface.

Never store unframed art in shipping tubes for any length of
time. Remove the art as soon as possible and lay it flat until
you are ready to frame it. If a painting has been stored in a
tube for a long time, consult a professional who will use the
utmost care and expertise in unrolling and relaxing the artwork
to avoid possible cracking and damage.

Never store framed art directly on the floor. Instead, rest the
artwork on blocks or on shelves.

Transporting

Never leave artwork in your car for extended, garages, periods of time.
Carry framed artwork by the sides and avoid resting canvas
against any items that may damage the surface.

Roll prints carefully and insert into heavy duty shipping tubes.
Remove, garages, the artwork and unroll as soon, garages, as possible after
transport to avoid permanent damage.

Matting

Have your artwork matted with an acid-free mat board. Poor
quality mats may damage art over time due to the chemicals in
the board that can transfer to the artwork. The same is true for
backing your art with cardboard which also has chemicals that
may cause discoloration.

Never use rubber cement or white glue to adhere the art to, garages, a
surface as it can cause, garages, damage to your precious artwork.

Framing

Art created with ink, pencil, pastels or charcoal should be
framed under glass. You may use Plexiglas only for pencil or ink
drawings, garages, as any pastel or charcoal artwork may be damaged by the
build-up of electrostatic charge emitted from Plexiglas and
similar plastics, garages, .

Make sure to completely seal the back seams of the frame and
backing with acid-free tape.

To further protect your print from harmful UV rays you can ask
your framer to use glare-free glass with a UV protective coating
to cover the artwork in the frame.

The frame you choose should be slightly larger than your
artwork. Humidity may cause the paper to contract or expand and
the extra space between the frame and artwork will allow for
these changes without damaging the art.

Never frame artwork without also using a mat board between the
art and frame. Wood, garages, may hold humidity, garages, that can transfer to the
artwork. You can use acid-free frame spacing instead of matting,
if you prefer. Ask your art store to see what is available, garages, .

Also, if you have a glass insert to protect the artwork, make
sure you add a mat to prevent the art from, garages, sticking to the glass
over time.

Laminating

Since nearly all laminating materials have UV inhibitors in them
it makes sense to consider this option for protecting your
prints,, garages, photos and digital art as well as other artwork such as
delicate, garages,, garages, pastels and charcoals.

Consult a photo store to ensure that this process, garages, will not
damage the artwork you're thinking of laminating.

Either bring your print or photo to a photo shop to have it
professionally laminated to a base, or, garages, use a laminating machine
if you would rather use a frame.

A laminating machine that uses a heat process will protect the
print more than, garages, a machine using cold lamination, garages, . Be careful of
low-end laminators with fluctuating temperatures that can result
in bubbles between the print and the plastic, incomplete
lamination or variations in thickness of the plastic.

As an added protection, laminating pouches are also available
with UV-resistance to protect against color-fade.

If you use low quality photo,, garages, garages, paper for your digital prints, make
sure to test a sample print in your laminator as smearing of the
photo may result.

Display

Careful planning of where you'll hang your artwork should
lengthen its lifespan considerably.

Humidity, extreme fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight,
bright light, heating vents and fireplaces can damage your
previous art. Avoid contact with fluorescent lighting, garages, that emits
harmful high-energy rays that can deteriorate the artwork.

Hanging art on exterior, garages, walls may subject the art to temperature
fluctuations and dampness in climates where temperatures vary
greatly with the seasons. Avoid hanging, garages, artwork in kitchens or
bathrooms for this, garages, same reason.

Attach, garages, small cork pieces to the back of the frame to prevent
mold from forming, by allowing air to circulate behind your
framed art.

Never use clip-on lights on frames. The area of artwork exposed
to this 'hot spot' will cause drying and damage, garages, over time.

Canvas stretcher bars may expand and contract with temperature
fluctuations. This may make the canvas sag and/or crack the
paint. A professional can correct this problem and save, garages, the
artwork.

Cleaning

Dust frames regularly and inspect for, garages, signs of mold or insects.
Make sure, garages, that all hangers and items used to secure the frame
are still in good condition.

Never use commercial products to clean your bare artwork. Use a
feather duster, garages, to dislodge dust particles from the surface.
Cloth material may leave lint.

To clean the picture glass that protects your artwork,, garages, never
spray cleaner directly onto the glass. Instead, spray your
cleaning, garages, cloth and then wipe the glass to avoid cleaner from
running, garages, gown and seeping between the glass and frame and
damaging the art. Avoid using a cleaner with ammonia.

Use a cleaner specifically designed for Plexiglas or similar
materials, garages, such as acrylic, or use a soft damp cloth and spot
clean gently to avoid scratching.

A professional may be needed to clean your artwork, garages, if you notice
color changes and dullness from, garages, contact with smoke, whether it
was from cigarettes, heavy use of candles, or if the artwork was
subject to smoke damage from a fire. See your professional if
you notice any signs of, garages, mold or insects.

Special Care for different types of media

Acrylic Paintings

Not to be framed under glass, acrylics are fairly sturdy, garages, and can
survive, garages, in various lighting conditions. Dusting the surface
lightly will prevent any build-up. Be careful when shipping
acrylics, garages, in the winter as extremely cold temperatures may cause
cracking. You'll,, garages, garages, have the same problem when storing your
acrylics in unheated attics, basements or sheds if you live in
areas that experience very cold winters.

Oil Paintings

Also not for framing under glass as these have to 'breath'.
Direct sunlight will fade oils over time. Choose its location
with this in, garages, mind.

Make sure to dust frequently as build up may crack and peel the
paint, garages,, garages,, garages, . Never spray commercial cleaners on your painting. Should
the colors appear dull, garages, after, garages, awhile, you can have your painting
varnished at your art store to renew the colors and protect the
surface from possible cracking.

Transport your painting carefully wrapped in cardboard and
protected with bubble, garages, wrap. Avoid leaving, garages, the artwork too long
in the packaging as moisture may form and damage your painting.

Watercolors

Frame watercolors behind glass. Colors may fade if fragile
watercolors are exposed to strong lighting conditions.

Oil Pastels and Chalk Pastels

Pastels are very delicate and must, garages, be handled with extreme care.
Framing under glass as soon as possible is a necessity to
protect the easily damaged surface. Full sun can fade the colors
but they can survive strong light or indirect sunlight. Never
touch the surface, garages, of the art or place anything on its surface to
avoid smearing.

Charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, crayon drawings

These are just as fragile as pastels; therefore they must be
handled and protected, garages, in the same manner. Do not touch the
delicate surface of these drawings.

Ink Drawings

Also very light sensitive, fades quickly in direct sunlight.
Frame under, garages, UV-protected glass.

Digital Art

Avoid touching the, garages, surface of your digital art. Mount your
artwork behind UV-protected glass to reduce fading. Make sure
that the artwork is dry before doing this. An acid free, garages, mat
inserted between the artwork and frame will prevent the art from
sticking to the glass. Aluminum frames should be considered as
humidity does not affect them and will not transfer to, garages, your
prints. Make sure to keep your digital prints away from
excessive heat for long periods of time, high humidity, direct
sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Taking extra care of your precious artwork today will ensure
many years of enjoyment, garages, later on.

(c)2004 DDesign Reprints of this article are free of charge as
long as you include the author portion of the text

Is Your Hobby Helping Or Hindering Your Family Life?

Author: Sintilia Miecevole

Source: articleage.com



Ask a room full of people, garages, what hobby they have and you will get as many answers as there are people. Others will confess that they donย't have a hobby. They probably do; but just donย't label it, garages, as such. By definition, a hobby is an activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.



Whether, garages, stamp collecting, chat rooms, trains, soft ball, scrapbooking, golf, reading, painting, tap, garages, dancing, yard, garages, work,, garages, crafts,, garages, auto mechanics, music, hunting down garage sales, sewing, fishing, cooking, boating, furniture refinishing, javelin tossing, garages, or a plethora of other activities or interests the key element is balance. You must find balance between your family life and your extracurricular activities.



Too much of a good thing turns bad. Everyone should have an outlet and a special interest that they enjoy doing for themselves. Self indulgence,,, garages, garages, to a point, is quite healthy. Escaping from day to day grinds to take some time, garages, to devote to your special hobby or concentration is therapeutic. Youย've all heard, ย"if Mamma ainย't happy, no oneย's happy.ย" It doesnย't matter if your role, garages, is father, mother, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, son, daughter, brother or sister, if youย're just going to work or school and have no real outside activities, youย're probably not always the most friendly person to be around.



Conversely, if you bury yourself and it seems to others that all you care about or all you ever want to do is bang on the drums all day, youย're setting yourself up or prolonging discontent. People deal with depression in many ways. Some sleep all the time. Others want to do nothing, garages, but read, read, read. Still others will spend hours upon hours downstairs building a bigger, faster widget, just to avoid the real cause of their frustrations. Hobbies are supposed to be a healthy outlet, not a catalyst to ignore issues that need addressing.



Likewise, hobbies can get very expensive. Sure snow mobiles, motorcycles, garages, and, garages, ski equipment are obviously expensive, garages, . But sometimes those seemingly low cost, garages, activities can add up. You start out with trying to budget for the monthly, garages, karate lessons. Then you need (or want), garages, the gi, the uniform, garages, . Donย't forget about the protective sparring equipment. Perhaps you think you need to have a heavy bag or some shields to help you practice. Figure on $30-$50 per tournament that you enter. Of course thereย's the uninsured medical and orthodontia costs to be calculated in as well. ย"Letย's see, do we pay the mortgage this month, so get that new helmet that you just have to have?ย"



If your hobby is doing more,, garages, garages, harm than good, if itย's dipping into the family budget and time allocation, more than you can or should be spending, itย's time to reevaluate. If youย're not doing something outside your standard occupation that you enjoy, itย's time to find something, for your and your familyย's sake!

How To Make Money With Garage Sales

Author: Marilyn Pokorney

Source: isnare.com



Drive through, garages, almost any neighborhood in any city or town ona weekend, and you're sure, garages, to see garage sales scatteredthroughout.

These homeowners are spending their weekend time off makingmoney. The average profit is $600 for a one-weekend garagesale.

It's time to get your share of the pie. Organization is thekey.

Step one: Check with the local officials to see what thelocal laws and regulations are on operating garage sales inyour area.

Step two: Spend a few weekends going to garage sales, garages, inyour area. See what is selling, what people are buying, howthe, garages, items are priced, how the sellers advertise. Observehow the sellers display their items. Take notes.

Step three: Clean house and take stock of what you, garages, have andwhat, garages, it's time to get rid of. Be sure to pick out at leastone interesting and unusual item to callattention to your sale; some large ticket item you can setup in front of your home during your sale.

If you find older items such as dishes, a painting, an oldflower urn etc. that you, garages, feel it's time to dispose of haveit appraised. You don't want to sell something for 50 centsonly to find out later it was an antique valued at $500.00.You can be sure there are garage sale shoppers who are onthe lookout for just this kind of treasure.

Step four: Pick a date for your sale, garages, . The best time tohave a garage sale is twice a year in May or September.People will be out shopping for summer items in May andwinter items in September.

Never pick a holiday, garages, weekend such as Mother's Day or LaborDay, garages, . Holiday festivities will get, garages, the attention of mostpeople.

The best days for your garage sale are Thursday, Friday, andSaturday.

Step five: Advertise, advertise and advertise some more.Place ads in the local newspaper, shopper guides, onbulletin boards and even online. Place signs all over theneighborhood with brightly colored letters, attachedballoons, etc.

Step six: Organize your sale. Put price stickers on youritems. Have a wide, garages, variety of clothing and jewelry andarrange them in a rainbow of colors. Make sure jewelry andappliances sparkle! Hang clothing on racks arranged, garages, insizes. Imagine that you are opening a retail store, garages, and copywhat the stores do.

If you have items, garages, that are hard to price and you think theywill, garages, not sell, put them in a penny box. And be sure to markthe, garages, box "Penny Box" or "All items just 1 cent each".

Step seven: Timing. Consider starting, garages, at 7:00 a.m. insteadof 8:00 or 9:00. And close no later than 6:00 p.m. Andpositively NEVER shut down for the noon hour! There arepeople who work on weekends and will stop on their way to orfrom, garages, work and shop during their lunch breaks.

As most customers will have come and gone by 1:00, noon hourbeing the most active, you can start lowering prices after1:00 p, garages, .m. On items you think will not sell, garages,, garages, at all, put themin a box marked "Free".

And lastly, what doesn't sell take to the local Good Will orother organization, garages, of your choice.

More information available athttp://www.apluswriting.net/garage/garage.htm