How To Create Your Own Fingerprint Jewellery

Not only is there an opportunity for a home based business within fingerprint jewellery, but it is also a handy skill to learn for when your friends and relatives have children. Fingerprint Jewellery is created using a variety of tools, heat, and a child or babies print. They make a perfect present worth cherishing by any parent. So, let's learn how to create them.

First of all, get a flat surface without any kind of texture to it. You could use a piece of paper if you like. Get some specialized metal clay, which will transform into silver once fired. Roll a small piece of the clay out using a plastic rolling pin.

Once your clay is ready, it's time to get the fingerprint from the little one. Make sure they wash and dry their hands first, and ensure you get a perfectly visible fingerprint for which to work with.

Now you will need to use a cutter to cut out the shape for whatever you are making, whether it is a necklace, ring or cufflink. Save the excess clay for something else in the future, and then leave the clay to dry. If you like, you can speed this part up by using a hairdryer, but that's entirely up to you.

If you leave it to dry naturally, leave if for a whole night because if it isn't completely dry, it will crack when fired, which will completely ruin it. When it is dried, use an emery board or nail file to gently smooth around the edges.

Now pop the clay onto a heatproof surface and use a torch to heat it. When it starts glowing at a pink/red color, you need to keep heating it for another couple of minutes before removing the heat. When finished, it won't actually look like silver at this point, so don't worry if it doesn't. Use a pair of tweezers to pick it up and drop it into a cup of water to cool off.

Use a brass brush under water to gently scrub the white layer off the silver. If the silver doesn't appear, you will need to dry it off and heat it again. To finish off, use polishing papers to polish it off.

With time and practice, you will be able to master this somewhat complicated process, and make quality jewellery for yourself. Whether you want to make money from it or just have a new skill, it's a great thing to learn.

Daniel Blinman proudly writes about all things creative. When not creating his own fingerprint jewellery, he is out promoting The Keep Sake Co.

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The Best Ways To Create Great Looking Decals In The Fastest Possible Time

The best way to decorate your models, walls, etc. in your home is to create your own decals. There are many ways with which you can create an exact image of the designs that you want to incorporate in your decals. There are different methods of creating decals and the best one for you depends on the time you can dedicate for this task and the knowledge you have of operating various graphic and photo editing software. The easiest and the most popular way to creating your own decals is by using computers.

Some Of The Things You Will Need

Before you start to make your own decals, you must have a few things like:

Computer.
Photo editing software.
Plain White A4 Size paper.
Scanner.
Laser or Inkjet printer.
Laser and Inkjet waterslide decal papers.
Cold Press Laminator.

Procedure to Follow

Upload Your Image

First you must choose the image that you want to create as a decal. If the image is in print or drawing form, then the only way to access the image is to scan the image into your computer. However, the other way of arranging an attractive image for your decal is through the internet. If you are good at working with image editing software like Photoshop, then you can also draw the image directly in the software that could be later used for creating decals. The options are many and it is up to your talent and time, which one suits you best.

Edit The Image

After uploading the image to your computer the next thing you need to do is open it in a photo editing program. If there are any adjustments that need to be made in the color, shape, etc. then you should do it properly using the software. Usually doing these small cosmetic changes in the appearance of the picture does not need you to have much knowledge of the software. Basic knowledge is enough. You must resize the image so that it fits the size of the surface where you are going to use it.

Print The Decal

First you should print the decal on to plain white paper and verify that you are satisfied with the contrast, color, and brightness of the print-out. Obviously, if you are not satisfied then you should re-edit the image and repeat until you get a satisfying output of your selected image.

Make A Print With Decal Paper

When you are inserting the decal paper into your printer ensure that the paper is loaded in the right manner, so that it prints on the right side. If decal paper is printed on the wrong side, it would spoil the paper completely and it cannot be used in the future. Use good quality paper as it will help you when you make transfers of this decal to objects.

Laminate The Page

This is optional and you do not have to do this. You should use a cold press laminator to laminate the page. For laminating you must follow the instructions of the machine. Lamination would ensure the protection of the design and stop colors from fading.

Conclusion

If you are trying to create decals for commercial purposes then you should know that using licensed images is illegal. The steps given above would help you in making beautiful decals at home.

A lot of people are looking for fun hobbies that add value to their home and making great transfers that can be applied to many things is really fun. You can create your own decals using your computer and printer and you can even use white shrink plastic for really special crafts. The results that you will get from this will be very professional and you will be proud of your new designs. It is not an expensive hobby and the special paper is very easy to buy so there is nothing stopping you from getting creative.

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Does Your Logo Need a Tagline?

There are plenty of taglines (also called straplines or slogans) out there that make a logo something special. From Nike's "Just Do It" to McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It", they say something special about the brand and company behind it. The best taglines make us think, make us smile or offer a clever twist on the brand - that's how they operate. Some taglines are as famous as the logo design, often to the point that the memorable slogan renders the logo unnecessary. This isn't particularly something that can be said of a new business, more of an established identity over many years.

Your strapline can back up the ethos of your logo. It can communicate the benefits of your brand above your competitors.

Tagline Communication: What should it do?

Your tagline is designed to provide further definition of your company's service or product. A rock solid strapline will communicate your brand promise or message. Your tagline needs to be succinct to be successful and needs to linger in the mind of the visitor. It is the mental footprint you want your clients and passers-by to remember.

A tagline can also be a way of furthering the value of your company and provide an additional persuasive push. It can be an integral part of your logo design or a separate element to be used within further branding. A catchy slogan should be descriptive enough to evoke something from your client and should be judged along four main lines:

• Longevity - does it stand the test of time? Some taglines are very much rooted to their decade, The New York Times' for example used "All the News that's fit to Print" throughout the 1980's.
• Portability/Memorability - does it have an impact on our culture, media or language? Is it something we regularly hear round and about?
• Equity - has it become synonymous with the brand or product?
• Originality - has it done something different to stand out from the crowd? Has it broken new ground in the industry?

These four variables are more applicable to larger brands, but there's no reason you shouldn't keep them in mind when brainstorming ideas.

Do you need a Tagline?

Many logos are designed to stand the test of time without the need for any backup, but in some instances a catchy slogan can make all the difference. A tagline can be the differentiator between your brand and the rest of the market. An amazing tagline may be exactly what you need to stay in the mind of a potential client.

Your strapline can be made part of your logo, and at Inkbot Design I'm always willing to work with your ideas to create a logo design that incorporates your tagline and represents your brand. If you have a list of potential taglines, or none at all, I am more than happy to help decide the best approach through a consultation chat.

Developing a Winning Slogan

Most people will choose to employ a professional, but there's no reason you can't develop a fantastic strapline yourself and involve the professionals when it comes to the visual design. Here's a quick and simple way of coming up with your catchy slogan:

1. Think about your message - what do you want to say to your current and potential clients?
2. What value do you bring to your clients?
3. What benefits do you offer above the competitors?
4. How are you different from the others in your field?
Overall, be honest, be original and be succinct (three to six words at the most).

A tagline can be the difference between success and failure but it isn't always necessary. There are many brands that can achieve just as much success with a professional logo design. A slogan may depend on how your business operates and where you want to take it.

If you want to engage Inkbot Design in creating your company logo design, whether it incorporates a tagline or not, simply get in touch.

Inkbot Design is a Freelance Graphic Designer specialising in Logo Design and Brand Identity. Based in Belfast, UK. Be sure to Get in touch! http://inkbotdesign.com/

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