Tips to Consider Before Choosing a Professional Candle Designer

If you are looking for a professional candle designer for decorating your house or parties with candles, you will need to look for them either on the Internet or in the local magazines and newspapers. Professional candle making is a small-scale work at home opportunity, so there would be many who are in the business. However, you would need to ask some questions before you decide to go ahead with one of them. Here are the three important questions that you should ask before you choose a candle maker.
Have they worked with the type before?
Whether it is a home decoration or a party decoration, you are bound to have some idea of how the candles are to look and be. Before you decide on a professional candle maker, check out whether they have experience with that kind of candle designing. Most candle designers have experience in party decoration and even unique candle designs, but it is better to check if they have worked in the type of candle designing that you are looking for. If they do not have experience, but seem talented enough to carry out the requirements, you can go ahead and try them.
Are they Well Known?
Just like how you ask someone else what he or she think about a product, you should ask someone his or her experience working with the said professional candle maker. Some professional candle designers are celebrities in their own right, and it is not surprising if they are known in your local area and elsewhere for their candle making talent. The more well-known, the better chances of you getting a good product and service.
You should keep in mind while choosing a professional candle maker these two important aspects.

Exploring Rainey Street: Austin's Newest Entertainment Destination

Within the past two years the historic Rainey Street District, located in the southeast corner of Downtown Austin, has transformed from a quiet street lined with old bungalows to a hip entertainment district buzzing with activity. An alternative to 6th Street bars and restaurants, Rainey Street offers a variety bars with a laid back attitude and just the right amount of Austin "cool."
Popular Rainey Street bars Lustre Pearl, Bar 96, Clive Bar, and Icenhauer's have each been converted from older homes, some dating all the way back to 1907. Each bar has a unique feel and lots of character. Details such as wood flooring, spacious backyard patios, comfy couches and fireplaces will make you feel at home.
This area is also a great place to try great food. El Naranjo, a food trailer located at 85 Rainey Street, serves up traditional Mexican food from the Oaxaca region, including molotes, tacos fritos, empanadas, and mole. Bomb Tacos, whose trailer is located at Lustre Pearl, serves delicious Mexican and American fare from tacos with pineapple salsa to nachos and philly cheesesteaks. Best of all, they deliver right to your table!
If you're looking for an alternative to the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Austin bars and restaurants, check out the Rainey Street district. It is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown landmarks such as the Austin Convention Center, the State Capitol and Lady Bird Lake. If you want to be close to all of this then why not look into the many lofts and homes that are becoming available in downtown Austin daily?

Art Books And Buying Decisions

Do you love Art? So do I! Do you like learning more about what you love, such as on the subject of Art? So do I! Do you like to know what others know and love about what you love, again, such as on the subject of Art? So do I! We're doing great, so far, don't you think? Like, we're pretty much on the same page!
Well, let's carry this another step further and see if it continues! When you consider buying something, anything, be it a product or a service, what are your most important buying criteria that you consider as you make your decision to buy or not to buy?
1) Quality? Consider all of the components that may be involved in the production of any product or service you consider buying. How important is the quality of the materials being used, the manufacturing process being employed, the craftsmanship of the workers involved in the production process? Are they important to you? They are to me, too! I mean, I may not know everything about all of these factors, much less how to evaluate them, but I sure do know that I'd prefer purchasing a quality product or service rather than a piece of junk! Right? Check!
2) Selection? Do you want and need a reasonable selection of products and services to choose between when shopping for something? So do I. I reject the "one size fits all" scenario as well as Henry Ford's famous "you can have any color you want, as long as it's black," principle, much as I respect the many fundamental business principles he innovated. Similarly, I avoid situations in which a veritable avalanche of choices are presented because, more often than not, that simply produces no buying decision at all, perpetuating the fear that any choice made would be a wrong one. Do you agree? Check!
3) Convenience? I'm a proponent of the KISS, or Keep It Simple, Stupid, theory. As it applies to buying something, that means I want finding out what I need and want to know about a product or service, making my decision accordingly, completing the purchase process and receiving delivery of it, well... EASY! How about you, do you prefer convenient... or complex? Convenience, right? Check!
4) Customer Service. It's important to me to know that, whenever I buy something, whatever it is, that whoever I bought it from, be it the producer, a wholesaler, a retailer, a reseller, whoever, that the seller will stand behind the purchase and deliver the service and support appropriate to satisfy both parties in the transaction. Do you feel that way, too? Check!
5) Price? Yes, price is a very important factor, too! But that said, it is essential that we be realistic, not naive, when assessing this factor. The merits or faults of price relevant to the purchase of any given product or service must be judged fairly based on the value received in exchange for it! I don't like being made a fool of, and I especially don't like making a fool of myself, so I try hard not to do it. I'm guessing most readers of this feel likewise. So, let's not ridiculously expect to pay a Chevrolet price for a Cadillac! Right? Check!
So, have you been wondering what the heck the preceding buying lesson has to do with Art Books? Well, the answer is: Everything, or, at least as much as does buying anything!
This article is about art, and my love of it. It is also about my love of learning more about it, and that includes reading about it. And it is about sharing some of my thoughts about buying art books in particular, and anything in general. If the subject of art is an interest for you, also, you may wish to follow the links I've placed in the resource box below and discover more of my musings on the subject of art.

Would You Like to Be Fourteen Again?

Do you remember the feeling that you were invincible, that no one could cause you any harm?
Do you remember the raging hormones, the passion and the emotional outbursts?
Do you remember your first lipstick, shave, kiss, conquest and the feeling that it couldn't get any better than this?
When was the last time you jumped over a turnstile, made someone smile, or laughed uncontrollably, or tickled someone?
Do you remember when you could eat anything you want and never grow fat?
Do you remember having a secret you couldn't tell your parents about?
Do you remember when your hormones were raging out of control, you couldn't sit still, or concentrate, and you didn't know what was wrong with you, and you didn't know what to do?
Do you remember pimples and hair that wouldn't stay in place, and words coming out of your mouth that you had no intention of saying?
Do you remember listening to rock and roll blasting from boom boxes or jukeboxes? Do you remember your favorite singers and bands?
Do you remember feeling your world was coming to an end because someone you cared about didn't love you back?
Do you remember sneaking smokes or drinking beer in the backyard at a friend's home or in a car?
Life seemed so much simpler and more complicated at the same time when we were young. There was a sense of urgency about everything.
You had to be the best at whatever you did. You had to impress your friends. You had to show everyone that you were superior, but at the same time maintain your status as one of the gang.
There were so many questions and no one to turn to for answers-no one to confide in, no one you could completely trust except for your best friend. And when you broke up or had a fight with your best friend you felt like your world was coming to an end, but by and large these were the best of times-a time of discovery and longing and hope for a bright future.
Do you remember all those wonderful conflicting feeling when you were young?

Please feel free to use this article as long as credit is given to the resource box.

Believe Your Dream

Watching Jasper race across the field toward her, had the effect of making her feel as though she could walk again. Andy knew what the doctors had said, but she also knew her faith, or more accurately, her belief, could accomplish feats that the average person may not even be able to comprehend.
Thinking back over the past year and all that had transpired since her accident, Andy realized life goes on, even when at the time, you want to die and you want to give up all hope! Life goes on!
Sitting in her wheel chair, watching Jasper running like the wind, she knew he was trying to show her, she could run like the wind also. What a magnificent horse he is, she thought, as he slowed to a trot that stopped only as he reached her feet.
"You are so right, Boy, we'll show them, I will run again, we'll show them, won't we boy, we'll show them!"
Tears finding their way down her cheeks, she cuddled in more closely to Jasper's neck, as he lowered his head for her hands.
Jasper was an amazing horse, though most likely not more fantastic than most horses, just more understood and more loved than many. Andy reached her arms as high up around Jasper's neck, as she could reach. Trying to make her legs work by shear will power, no response, as she let herself back down to the chair.
Not permitting herself to be discouraged by the lack of response to her command, Andy simply said, "Not yet, but you will." Turning her attention back to the horse who remained standing at the foot of her chair, as if waiting for her to slip up on his back and squeeze with those legs, the direction he was to carry her, she smiled.
Her secret belief safe with Jasper, she knew she would walk, though she refused to share her belief with anyone else, for fear they might try to dissuade her positive belief.
It was like that sometimes, folks don't want to see us disappointed, so, they think they are doing justice, by doubting our desire, cautioning us from dreaming, when dreaming is really what we are all about. Make a dream, move toward that dream, then watch God bring about the reality of the dream.

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig - Use This Tool to Correctly Position Your Stamped Images

A common frustration I hear from rubber stampers at a class is "I messed up - my stamped image is crooked." An easy fix for this problem is to use the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, a tool for stamping an image in the exact position you want.
The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig has 2 pieces - the T-shaped positioning tool and a clear, plastic, square sheet. The T-shaped tool has a non-skid bottom. The vertical line is longer that the horizontal one.
The procedure is straightforward. First you stamp the image on the plastic sheet. Then you place the sheet over your project, say a card or scrapbook page, so that the image is seen where you want the final stamp to be. Then stamp the image on that exact spot. Here are the details.
Place the clear, plastic square on your work surface. Slide over the positioning tool, so that one of the corners made by the T is butted up against one of the top corners of the plastic sheet. I'm right-handed, so I place the tool at the top left corner of the plastic sheet. A left-handed stamper would place it at the top right corner. Ink the stamp and hold it above the sheet, right in the corner of the T. Carefully slide the stamp straight down, and stamp the image on the sheet. It doesn't matter how dark the image is, as long as you can see it.
Lay the plastic sheet on the project you're making. Move it so that the image is exactly over where you want the final position of the stamped image stamped. As before, slide over the positioning tool, so that it is butted up against the corner of the clear sheet. If the sheet moves, then start this step over again. It's important to place the positioning tool, without disturbing the plastic sheet. Now, carefully remove the sheet, without moving the positioning tool. The tool should be over part of the surface to be stamped, holding it in place. Just as you did before on the clear sheet, stamp the image, by sliding the stamp down along the corner of the positioning tool. The result will be the image stamped in the exact position you want!
There are some additional tricks that may help you.
If your stamp is short and wide, as often greetings are, then you may prefer to lay the positioning tool horizontally in a corner of the plastic sheet. This gives more contact between the stamp base - either wood or acrylic - and the positioning tool while you're stamping.
If you're trying to stamp on a very small piece of paper or card stock, you may run into a problem. Once you move the plastic sheet away, the positioning tool may be too far to hold the paper in place. If this happens, then glue the paper to your work surface with a temporary adhesive. Get the T-shaped positioning tool in place, as always. When you removed the plastic sheet, the tool won't be holding down the paper or card stock. However, the temporary adhesive will hold it long enough for you to finish the procedure. Your final stamped image will be perfectly positioned! Just pick it up and glue to your project, as needed.
By the way, the plastic sheet is easily cleaned with running water. Sometimes, dark ink with leave a little color behind. Just use your regular stamp cleaner and the plastic sheet will be as good as new. I've had mine for almost 6 years. It looks the same as it did on the day I bought it - and I use mine several times every week!

Urban Architecture

What is urban architecture you ask? Urban architecture comprises of buildings made for an urban setting. Design considerations for these setting include, the practicalities of life, housing and workplace capacities, the harmony between form and function and energy-efficient design.
Architecture is like any artform in that it sees and follows trends. With changes affecting where and how people work, as well as the world's depleting environment, the demands of tenants and homeowners are changing, and architects must ensure that their designs address those demands. For instance, advances in telecommunications have made it possible for people to live and work in the same place.
As a result, more and more buildings that include shops, restaurants, and services in their foyers are being developed. Similarly, with so much pressure and pollution threatening the well-being of the planet, many companies and individuals have tried to build sustainable features into their properties and make use of renewable energy. This might mean including solar panels on a home, or it might mean building a garden on the roof of an office tower.
An example of new sustainable housing developments, is that being built in Toronto's Regent Park. This 12-storey, 85-unit co-operative seeks to provide an alternative to the majority of condominium towers going up in the city, made mostly of glass. Most units have private terraces, hallways are naturally lit, and the roof is completely covered in grass.
Although we have described some of the most common demands of urban architecture, it can also refer to any kind of innovative design. In Rotterdam for instance a market was built in the shape of a tunnel. Designed by MVRDV and developed by Provast, the development of the market made waves in the city and the world of urban architecture. The halls of the market are covered with LCD screens playing fruit and vegetable images. The arches of the market are ten stories high and comprised of 228 apartments available for rent or purchase.
One of the greatest examples of innovative and environmentally friendly architecture is Mangal City. Mangal City is a series of futuristic skyscrapers built in London. They are inspired by the complex ecosystem created by the mangrove tree. The skyscrapers comprise of modular pod capsules which shift throughout the day to adapt to environmental and contextual conditions.
Architecture is one of the most exciting parts about a city. It's always interesting to visit a new place and see the style of buildings that make it up. Of course, for every urban building that's built there are many shade structures, environmentally friendly canopies, and pow wows that people can easily add on to the outside of their homes, and office towers and schools can put in their courtyards.