Make holiday or everyday cookies extra special when cut into shapes. Decorate with royal icing, coloured sugars, and sprinkles. Or, use to cut out shapes from brownies, bar cookies, or sandwiches.Size: 4″Dimensions: 4″L × 1″DMaterials: TinplateCare: Hand wash and dry immediately. Do not soak in water. Not dishwasher safe….
Cupcake lovers will flip over this super-sized cupcake pan from Wilton Dimensions. Designed to create one giant confection with a sculptural top and bottom, the piece turns out a 3D cupcake that measures approximately 7-1/4 by 7-1/2 inches. The concept is simple–bake the top and bottom halves in the same pan, stick them together with icing, and decorate according to the occasion. Ridges around th…
Tech-Craft’s goal is to provide furniture which can simplify and organize the hardware, software and wiring. At the same time, Tech-Craft is striving to build great designs, with great quality, ease of assembly and exceptional follow-up service.PRODUCT FEATURES:Classic wood tone will accentuate most decors;Wood veneer finish;Classic, elegant, functional….
How much are fresh flowers these days? Tough economic times calls for “It’s the thought that counts” type creativity. Our
kit includes one dozen colorful ready-to-cut paper flowers, along with pre-cut wire and a pop-out vase. All you need to do is cut out your flowers of choice, tape wire onto the back for support and shaping, and pop out the vase. Then arrange your bouquet present to the object …
Give your Valentine’s Day cards a touch of sweet, crafty style with this adorable design from Tallu-lah. Simple, stylish and full of classic Valentine’s Day color, this card is sure to charm your friends and loved ones….
Posted in August 23, 2010 ¬ 6:00 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Is there a list of wholesale distributors for materials?
I have just started my business and am having the hardest time finding suppliers. I need materials such as solid wood of any form, sheets of solid wood, unfinished furniture, solid wood craft supplies, anything solid wood unfinished. I also need things like beads, wood beads, glass beads, seed beads, etc. And plain glass blank christmas ornaments. I want to be able to paint, dye, or stain these items. All I seem to find is the finished products. Any help would be great. I have been researching this for two months and have gotten no where! Thanks!
Contact trade associations or to get offers from suppliers and manufacturers of wood, furniture, craft supplies, send an email with your requirement to buy@epog.org
WALNUT HOLLOW-Paulownia Hinged Box. Creating is always fun but sometimes work! Walnut Hollow has taken all the work out of your crafting with these real wood boxed. Features: great for: painting; stamping; staining; wood burning; decoupage; stickers; stencils; fabric; paper and even carving. Made of 100% natural wood with a hinge lid and metal latch; this box measures 2-1/2×7x9-3/4in. Imported…
Paint your own Light House Bird House and be creative. Pick out a special lighthouse you like and paint it . The only thing in this kit is the light house , all other paint supplies are probably in your paint cabinet. The only thing you would need is to decide from your memory or Photo Album what your favorite Light house is and Paint it. The unfinished light house is 4 and 7/8 in diameter and 11″…
The unfinished Bird House Grist Mill or Water Wheel is a wood craft that can be a creative craft for all ages. A person can paint it any color you choose and enjoy your finished product in a special place in your home. The Product is the only thing in the kit. You will have to pick out your special paint from your paint closet and then just use creativity. The Bird House Grist MILL OR Water wheel …
Posted in August 21, 2010 ¬ 6:14 amh.MarioNo Comments »
I need to find some crafting Ideas to make carrying cases out of shoe boxes. it for a kids project?
they are going to hold a “Bowling Pin” and balls. the pins are made out of Creamer Bottles.
I see the issue as how best to hold the shoe boxes together. If it is a one-time use, I would probably go with masking tape on both the inside and outside of the ‘hinges.’ Or, you could use an awl to make holes, and cotton string to join the boxes, threaded through the small holes.
Next, you could paint the outside of the boxes with non-toxic acrylic paints or cover with colored construction paper cutout shapes to cover over the show maker’s logos.
Best of luck with the project.
Foam Flower Crafts for Kids : Making Rose Petals for Kids’ Crafts
Easy Make Bows are for children 5 and older! You will be able to create many different styles with four bows!
The more kits you buy the more different color combinations you can
Create!
Just layer the ribbon onto the magical hair bow maker clip, fold to secure
And that’s how easy it is!
Take them apart and create a new one!
Easy Make Bow kit includes:
52 piece hand shaped ribbon set!
Four magi…
Easy Make Bows are for children 7 and older! Four bows can transform 32 different boutique styles in one kit! The more kits you buy the more different color combinations you can Create! Just layer the ribbon onto the magical hair bow maker clip, fold to secure And thats how easy it is! Take them apart and create a new one! Easy Make Bow kit includes: 52 piece hand shaped ribbon set! Four magical b…
Easy Make Bows are for children 5 and older! One bow can re-create
4 different boutique styles in one kit!
The more kits you buy the more different color combinations you can
Create!
Just layer the ribbon onto the magical hair bow maker clip, fold to secure
And that’s how easy it is!
Take them apart and create a new one!
Easy Make Bow kit includes:
13 piece hand shaped ribbon set!
One magical …
Mothers love gifts involving crafts that they can do with their kids. For Mother’s Day, give Mom this delightful box of cookies shaped like hearts, flowers, and butterflies. It’s an easy craft that doubles as a snack! Just use the included set of 8 amazin…
Discovery Channel Mythbusters: Weird World Of Water. Join Jamie and Adam in their adventure to disprove myths of science. Which myths will you bust? This kit contains fifteen beads, three pieces of balsa wood, 2 soda bottles with caps, clear cylinder, clear straw, clear tube, fin holder, funnel, glitter, nose cone, pipette, red food coloring, stopper assembly, vortex connector, yellow food colorin…
Posted in August 17, 2010 ¬ 10:47 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Kids Crafts Ideas on a Budget
We all love crafts! They are a great way for kids to learn fine motor skills, and express themselves creatively, but being crafty can put a strain on your pocketbook at times. Going to the store to buy supplies for each and every craft project, just isn’t practical. Which is why, it’s important to learn how to come up with kids craft ideas on a budget. Consider using items and supplies that you already have on hand, for fun and simple impromptu projects.
There are so many items that often get overlooked when it comes to crafting. Think back to your own childhood. The days of toilet paper roll projects and egg cartons, should come rolling back. Remember how fun it was to create something beautiful out of something so plain? Help your kids relieve that same joy and pride with these simple tips and craft projects.
Recycle and Re-Use
Teaching your kids about recycling is a really good life lesson, so why not integrate craft time and science by re-using common household items? Paper bags, egg cartons and other goodies get a second life when they are forever treasured in the form of a craft project. Encourage your kids to come up with other household items that can be used for craft projects, you may be surprised at the things that they come up with!
Here are just a few of the materials that you can recycle, discover, or re-use for your own craft projects:
-Egg Cartons
-Grocery Bags (paper or plastic)
-Cardboard inserts from packaging and boxes
-CD’s
-Old denim or fabric swatches
-T-shirts that no longer fit
-Used birthday cards or bags
-Wrapping paper
-Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
-Plastic soda bottles
-Cans (use caution with sharp edges)
-Things found in nature: A rock, leaves, sticks, etc.
Gravel Art
Here is a great little project that uses items that you should have lying around! Enjoy!
Materials Needed:
-Large Cardboard Box
-Small pieces of gravel (You will need quite a bit)
-String or Yarn
-Pencil
-Simple Coloring Book or personal drawing
-White glue in squeeze bottle
-Scissors
-Crayons (optional)
Instructions
1. Wash and rinse the gravel in a kitchen strainer. Spread out on towels to dry.
2. On your cardboard, use the pencil to make an outline of a simple drawing.
3. With the glue, trace over the outline.
4. Press string or yard onto the glue lines, cutting where necessary to form corners and angles.
5. Glue gravel onto the picture filling the spaces. You can use all one color, or use different colors for different areas.
6. If you wish to have a background, use crayons to draw and color one in.
Use Your Imagination
Once you get the hang of coming up with kids craft ideas, you will never go back to the store bought kits. There is so much more creativity and freedom that goes along with recycling and re-using common household items.
About the Author
Sarah Jones loves teaching. When she isn’t homeschooling her own children, she is busy sharing her love of education with others.
Find a wide assortment of Lesson Plans, crafts for kids, and homeschooling tips at her site, http://www.KnowMore.com.
Muslim Kids Crafts: I love Islam pencil holder with recycled materials
Don’t all kids just wanna have fun? Well, give them what they want for goodness sakes. These crazy fun crayons are itching to deliver their fun filled activities and sweet treats to your favorite kid.
Includes:
Crazy Crayons gift box;
Play-Doh;
Cracker Jacks;
Silly String;
Rice Krispy Treats;
Starburst fruit candies;
Twirly Pop sucker;
Granola bars;
Fruit snacks;
Smiley Face squishy stress ball;
…
Don’t all kids just wanna have fun? Well, give them what they want for goodness sakes. These crazy fun crayons are itching to deliver their fun filled activities and sweet treats to your favorite kid.
Crazy Crayons gift box
Play-Doh
Cracker Jacks
Silly String
Rice Krispy Treats
Starburst fruit candies
Twirly Pop sucker
Granola bars
Fruit snacks
Smiley Face squishy stress ball
Glow bright glow in …
Posted in August 4, 2010 ¬ 10:43 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…back to School!
We have all seen the commercial where the parent is prancing around the office supply store gleefully filling the cart with school supplies. What they don’t show you is the panic that sets in when school begins and hoards of paper pile up on the kitchen table like Mount Everest. But fear not, there are some strategies that you can begin to put in place now so that you will actually be able to eat at the kitchen table!
Start with the basics – a place for everything and everything in its place. Create a “drop spot” in your home where your kids (and you) can put their backpacks, keys, coats, shoes and anything else that consistently comes and goes in your home. Hooks are best for backpacks and coats. Baskets or bins are great for hats, gloves, and work papers; and a shoe rack is a must for keeping the shoes in pairs.
A school supply zone is a must. In this area you should put all the necessary school and craft supplies. Clear plastic stackable or drawer bins with labels work great for corralling paper, glue, scissors, note cards, pencils, markers, etc. Best of all, by having all the supplies in one place you will save yourself and your child time and frustration when they sit down to do their homework or project.
Create an “In Box” for incoming paper. Remind everyone in the family that all incoming paper, from school, work or the mailbox, must be placed here so that it can be handled. Then start the habit of emptying the bin every night before bed, taking the necessary action: trash/shed it, file it, delegate it or act upon it. Tossing, shredding and filing are self-explanatory. Delegating indicates that you give it to the person who has to read it, sign it or do something else with it. Acting upon it simply means that you will to do something now with the paper – sign it, pay it, read it or post it.
With younger children (preschool and elementary school), the amount of papers and art work that come from school is tremendous. The basic rule of thumb is: if it needs a signature, sign it immediately and place it back in their backpack or school bag; if it is a notice with an important date, mark it on the family calendar and then either file or toss it; and if it is art work, write the date on the back and display it. A great tip for hanging papers is to tie a piece of string, strung with clothes pins, between to cup hooks that have been screwed into the wall. The clothes pins can be embellished to fit the décor of the room. As new art comes in for display, place the old pieces in a bin.
At the end of every season group the items together and take a picture or two. Have your child stand with the three dimensional projects and the ones you particularly love so you have a photo of them with their masterpieces. Then pick a few choice pieces to keep and toss the rest (when they are not around of course).
For older children, the system is the same except they need to be involved in the decision of what stays and what goes. Scrapbooks, notebooks, storage bins or portable file holders are a great place for middle and high school kids to keep those papers, tests, ribbons, pictures, certificates and concert programs. It is important to label what ever organizing product you choose and be sure to stay within its boundaries For example, if you choose to keep school papers in a notebook, then limit yourself to a 3” binder and when it is full you need to purge before you can add anymore to it.
Create a family calendar that is visible and accessible to everyone. Let each person choose their own color for recording their appointments and activities. This way you can easily see who has to do what and when. And while we are on the subject, make sure that you plan time for being a family. These days everyone is so busy running from one activity to another – soccer, Tae Kwon Do, scouts, etc. – that we forget to make time for our family. Keep in mind, if you are stressed running your kids around from thing to thing, imagine how stressed they feel!
With a little planning and some new habits and routines, this really can be the most wonderful time of the year – for everyone!
About the Author
Kathy Jenkins is a Professional Organizer based in Richmond, Virginia. Through her business, Come To Order, she offers residential professional organizing services tailored to meet the specific needs of her clients, and she also operates a retail site for organizing products, OrganizedAtoZ.com. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), Faithful Organizers, and Women Entrepreneurs of Virginia, and serves as marketing director of NAPO Richmond. You may contact her through her website at www.cometoorderva.com.
Kids practice reading and following directions by making fun and simple seasonal crafts as they build skills in counting, one-to-one correspondence, patterning, directionality, identifying shapes, and more. Twenty reproducible posters with step-by-step rebus directions give kids the support they need to succeed. Also includes templates, teaching tips, extension activities, and literature links….
Bulletin boards are an important part of your classroom environment. They can make a room inviting, provide important information, display student’s work, and reinforce learning. Seasonal Bulletin Boards gives you step-by-step directions, a colored pictur…
Horizontal banners are ideal for decorating your activity room or hallways. Big, colorful 4-foot banners help you celebrate some of your favorite seasons or holidays. 12″W….
This guide helps women do what they want to do in their life and owrk. It offers ideas and skills to take more control of their life and give them the boost in self confidence to start making things happen. This is a workbook packed with ideas, exercises, examples that can be worked through on your own or with two or three others….
Posted in July 22, 2010 ¬ 12:18 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Three Easy Paper Halloween Crafts
Different kinds of paper are probably some of the best materials to use for crafts because of their wide variety of uses and the ease with which they can be handled. Easy paper Halloween crafts might be a good idea for a craft project this October. Here are some of them.
Trick or Treat Bags
One great project for easy paper Halloween crafts are bags that you can give away during trick or treat. The simplest trick or treat bag design would be pasting pumpkin cut outs made from pieces of orange, black and green construction paper. If you want to be more creative with these easy paper Halloween crafts, you can cut out different facial features from construction paper to paste on the bag. You can add special scary features like fangs and horns. Fill the bag with goodies and fold and close the top with some tape. Cut some yarn and glue on the fold for hair.
Witch Masks
Paper plates are one of the most versatile easy paper Halloween crafts. Any Halloween decoration with a circular shape like a wreath or a pumpkin could be made out of paper plates. Aside from decorations, a variety of homemade masks can be made out of them like a witch mask.
In making witches from paper plates, simply paint the back part of your paper plate with light, lime or mint green. Let it dry and carefully cut out eye slots. You can trace the outline of the slots with black ink for effect. For the nose, cut a triangle from a piece of green construction paper and fold the triangle in half. Put some glue on the two long edges of the triangle and attach to the center of the plate just below the eyes. Cut a squiggly mouth from black construction paper and paste below the nose. Cut circles from brown construction paper for moles and warts.
Cut a triangle with curved edges from black construction paper and glue to the top of the plate to make a witch’s hat. Cut a long thin strip of construction paper and paste just below the triangular hat to serve as the hat’s base. Cut holes and insert rubber bands on the opposite sides of the mask. There are no other easy paper Halloween crafts than this.
Ghost Streamer
These easy paper Halloween crafts use additional materials other than paper. Get a circular object such as an old ping pong ball. Cut white crepe paper into long strips with widths that are slightly wider than the circumference of the ball. Stick the ball onto the center of one crepe strip. Put adhesive on the back of the crepe and ball and lay it horizontally on a vertically positioned strip. You should now have a cross of two strips with the ball at the center.
Stick a third strip of crepe to the back of the ball again. Do the same with the other two strips but this time, the crepe should be placed diagonally. Stick a fourth strip going in the opposite direction. Gather the remaining strips and continue sticking horizontally, vertically and diagonally.
Insert your hand under so that you are holding the very base of the pieces of glued crepe. Invert the strips such that the ball becomes completely covered. Gather the strips together and tie at the bottom of the ball. Draw ghostly features on the ball with a marker. Thread a piece of double white yarn on a small square of white cartolina and knot at the bottom. Stick the piece of cartolina on the head of your ghost.
Ever since the death of our dear mother, I have felt a deep interest inyour welfare. And your being left, while young, in a measure dependentupon me, has increased my affection for you. You have now left my roof,to sojourn among strangers. You have little knowledge of the world, andyour religious experience has been short. I trust, therefore, you willcordially receive a few hints from one whose fr…
Many people think that Halloween is a “devil worshiping” holiday celebrated by people who don’t believe in God. The truth is that Halloween had its basic origins in the Catholic Church! Halloween means “All Saints Eve” or “All Hallows Eve”.All Saints Day is a religious holiday observed by the Catholic Church and set aside for worship of all the saints in heaven. They used to consi…
Book for the Kindle: Halloween Crafts Made Easy: Creative Ideas & Techniques to Save Money ********************************************************** We are pleased to offer thousands of books for the Kindle, including thousands o…
Posted in July 20, 2010 ¬ 8:13 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Mothers Day Crafts-Make your Own Mothers Day Gift Container to Store your Gift for Just Peanuts
Transform a metal peanut can in to an attractive Mothers Day gift by simply recycling. Not only will you be giving a new life to what would normally be a “throw – away” can once the peanuts are done, you will also be creating a compact and fun storage gift giving idea for just peanuts.
A peanut can is the perfect size to store small gift items in. What I love about recycling the peanut can is the beauty of what the can looks like once the wrapper is removed. What I am referring to is the shimmering metallic finish on the outside and inside of the can (no need to gift wrap). Secondly it comes with a removable clear plastic lid that will serve another purpose in this project. Supplies you will need:
1 Metal peanut can – For this project I choose a small peanut can
1 Small piece of felt – I choose a pink color
1 Ceramic wine bottle stopper with a cork base – I chose one in sage green and white that has a grape design painted on the top that I purchased at Michael’s craft store for $1.00
1 gift tag – I choose a pink and white pot a dot one to add contrast.
1 package of decorative self adhesive backed rhinestones – I choose sage green.
Adhesive glue stick
Dishwashing soap
Black fine point writing pen
Utility Knife
Craft scissors
Step1 – Remove outside wrapper from peanut can and thoroughly wash the inside of the can using dishwashing soap. Dry can and set aside.
Step 2- Take your plastic lid and set it on top of your felt. Using a writing pen trace around the base of lid creating a circle. Next take your craft scissors and cut out the circle, repeating the step and cut out a second circle, but this time you will also be cutting out a smaller circle by tracing around the bottle stopper. Once the circles are cut out, fold into quarters then cut along the edges to create a scalloped edge which will resemble a flower. An alternative would be to use craft scissors that have a built in scalloped edge.
Step 3 – Take your ceramic wine bottle stopper and position it on to the top middle section of your plastic lid. Next using a pen draw a circle around the cork base. Set bottle stopper aside and using your utility knife carefully cut out the traced circle from your plastic lid. Note: Be sure to cut the circle just a little bit smaller than what you traced. This is so the wine bottle stopper will fit nicely without falling through the lid opening. Next pull cork base through the center opening of the felt circles allowing only the ceramic part of the bottle opener to show by pulling the top felt piece up, creating a flower. You are now ready to attach your lid back on to the metal can.
Step 4 – Apply adhesive glue to the back of one of your cut out felt circles and apply it to the top of the plastic container. Repeat the same step to your second felt circle and apply it to the top of the first piece of felt.
Step 5 – Using your fine point pen, address the gift tag writing the words “Happy Mothers Day”. Next, apply adhesive glue stick to the back of the gift tag and apply to the section of the can where the previous glue was applied to the original paper wrapper. Very important, hold gift tag until adhesive sticks to metal container – approx. 1-2 minutes on each side. If gift tag starts to come off, apply more adhesive and hold firmly in place until gift tag is secure.
Step 6 – Apply decorative adhesive backed rhinestone round the container to add sparkle. Finally remove plastic lid and fill with your favorite gift items. Be sure to check out my upcoming Snowflake Silver Metallic Christmas Peanut Can.
About the Author
Linda Johnson is a degreed and experienced crafter and interior/exterior decorating specialist, with years of experience helping friends, family, and clients solve their decorating and craft needs. Linda and her contributing writers invite you to submit your own great ideas for free, and also find tons more Mothers Day craft ideas and decorating projects like this with photos to try yourself.
How I Fix My Cell Phone Rhinestones & Make A Cell Phone Charm Strap
CREATIVE CRYSTAL-Bejeweler Pro Hot-Fix Crystal Tool is a precision electric rhinestone applicator for hot-fix embellishments. Can be used on fabric paper foam suede wax and wood. Ergonomically shaped comfort grip handle 4.8 watts and 120 volts. Includes tool and eight tips. Color: Pink. Made in China….
Add sparkle to almost anything! GeMagic is the fun new tool that lets you add rhinestones, studs and gemstones wherever you want them. Change clothing, handbags, shoes-even home decor-from dull to dazzling in no time! Gem Magic is the easy-to-use tool that lets you place rhinestones, studs and sparkling gemstones on clothing and accessories. In minutes, Gemagic turns your clothing from boring to s…
Apply hotfix crystal rhinestones instantly to nearly any surface! 1) Use the correct tip for the rhinestone. Allow tool to heat then place the tip over the crystal to pick it up. 2) Wait until the glue begins to melt. Allow it to look shiny – do not allow to bubble. 3) Place tip straight down onto item to be decorated then immediately lift up….
Just peel stick and iron. Made for fabric-use on t-shirts for a bling accent. Rhinestone designs measure approximately 1-1/2-inch by 1-1/2-inch. Complete instructions enclosed. WARNING: Choking hazard-Small parts. Not for children under 3 years….
Item #: FCM17322D. Big Bucket offers hundreds of Creative Hands brand Crazy Creature stickers for hours of creative fun. Just peel and stick, no glue, no mess. These foam stickers can be applied and layered to many surfaces including, foam, paper, mirrors, wood and more. Offers something for every classroom with all the unique themes available. Acid-free. PAT approved. Great for kids 4 and up. Cus…
Big Bucket offers hundreds of Creative Hands brand Crazy Creature stickers for hours of creative fun. Just peel and stick, no glue, no mess. These foam stickers can be applied and layered to many surfaces including, foam, paper, mirrors, wood and more. Offers something for every classroom with all the unique themes available. Acid-free. PAT approved. Great for kids 4 and up….
Item #: FCM1508259. Foam Sheets offer a versatile tool for creating arts and crafts. Cut any shape you need from the 2mm thick sheets or use the entire sheet. Sheets come in assorted primary colors. Customers also search for: Fibre-Craft Materials Corp,Art,Craft Supplies,Supply,Foam Sheets,Foam Sheets, Discount 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ Foam Sheets for Arts & Crafts ,40/Pack Rainbow Assorted, Buy 5 1/2″ x 8…
Item #: FCM10212. Large Foam Letter Sticker Box contains 52 letters in hot pink and 52 letters in royal blue. Great for school projects and arts and craft activities. Just peel backing and stick self-adhesive letters to virtually any surface. Box is made of acetate box. Customers also search for: Fibre-Craft Materials Corp,Drafting Tools,Lettering,Large Foam Letter Sticker ABC, Discount Pink/Blue …
FIBRE CRAFT-Creative Hands smART Foam Alphabet Stickers. These fun foam sticker sets feature hours of fun for the young and old alike! Great for scrapbooking; greeting cards; kids foam crafts and much more. This package contains 400 3/8in Dotty Alphabet Stickers in pink; green; orange and yellow. WARNING: Choking Hazard-small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Imported….
Posted in July 19, 2010 ¬ 10:26 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Case Knives: Hand-crafted All-american Classics
Case knives are well known and regarded as being American classics. This company has been around for a long time, and many people, both young and old, know the quality and craftsmanship that goes into these fine items.
But quality and craftsmanship are not things that come overnight. It has taken the company years of dedicated research and development to master this craft, and that mastery is reflected in each and every item that they produce. It is because of this dedication that Case knives have become world renowned as some of the finest cutlery available.
Of the many models currently available, the pocket models are still some of the most popular and sought after. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has investigated all that this company has to offer. From smaller versions that are very easy to carry and useful for day-to-day activities, to the more high-tech and creative models that are current on the market, all Case knives are made to last. This is accomplished by using some of the very best materials available and by ensuring a level of quality control during the manufacturing process that is second to none.
While there are many other companies that offer their wares for less money, the simple truth is they cannot compare to the high level of quality that Case knives offer. It is for this reason that so many older models produced by this great company are still in use today. It is also for this reason that so many of these items are purchased and given as gifts. This is truly one of those gifts that will last from generation to generation and is very well suited for passing along from parent to child.
In short, this company has earned the right to be called an American classic. This is an honor that they have worked long and hard for, and their constant and reliable stream of top-quality products is proof that they know what they are doing. When it comes to the best in cutlery, this is one of your best options.
If you are looking for a great gift idea, consider purchasing one of these products from any of the brand’s lines. The company has a huge selection of models, and each one is made of high-quality materials to ensure that your choice will last for years and years to come.
A fantastic place to begin your research into the many available models is with Knife & Supply Company LLC at http://www.knifesupplycompany.com. You can quickly and easily view a wide range of products in various price ranges. This particular company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee that makes buying from them safe and enjoyable, and their online catalog is one of the easiest to use and most informative on the Internet. They also offer detailed product descriptions so you can make the best choice possible for your individual needs and desires.
About the Author
http://www.knifesupplycompany.com
is a very small company whose owner has a background in military and law enforcement. For more information on case knives and buck knives please visit our site.
Sunday School Crafts: Shopping for Kids Craft Supplies
Take care of yourself from your head to your toes with this assortment of skin-friendly bath and body products. This ultimate set includes a nail dryer, pedicure slippers, toe separators, two press-on French manicure sets, self-adhesive nail art, nail buffer and file, cotton balls, glitter and six bottles of real nail polish in a rainbow of colors. Store your stuff inside at the bonus spa bag. A g…
CHICAGO METALLIC-Bakeware. This collection of bake ware is made of high quality materials and a non-stick surface that is dishwasher safe. This package contains one 13-3/4×10-5/8in Tea Cake Pan with twenty 1×2in cavities. Imported….
With a little creative magic you can grow your own enchanted fairy world. This garden set includes a flower-shaped gardening dish, enchanted flower house, tiny gemstone treasures, flowers, butterflies, paint with brush along with soil and seeds that grow like magic. Finish off your garden with a friendly fairy, a sparkling garden path and teeny tiny toadstools….
SAKURA PERMAPAQUE OPAQUE PAINT MARKERS – A safe, no mess opaque marker that offers maximum creativity. Permanent, quick dry, acid free and nontoxic. Dual tip: bullet and chisel point. Perfect for use on wood, plastic, glass, film, vellum and more….
Make this the life of your party! Made of soft cardboard and paper, this pinata will split open easily to reveal its treasures inside. Toys and candies not included….
Posted in July 19, 2010 ¬ 3:42 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
The Best Craft Ideas For Kids
Craft making is a great way to spend time with your children or the entire family. It is also a great way to develop your kids’ creativity and interpersonal skills.
Craft making involves several types of work but is fun and enjoyable. Making crafts involve stylish designs. The ideas on what project to do are just endless, and there are also numerous magazines that can help you choose what you like to make. The craft for kids are simpler and normally consist of basic steps only.
Craft projects allow students to unleash their creativity and create something new. It can develop the interpersonal skills and develop motor skills in a child. It is a very effective way to teach children many things in life and this method is commonly adapted in many schools.
Some of the basic crafting projects that children can do in school are a homework bulletin board, buddy pens, school coin keeper and beady buddies. Other suggestions are backpack tags, wizard book box and CD locker magnets. You can also add the weekly reusable calendar, trading card folder and pencil wands.
Preschool craft ideas for kids are a great way to teach kids to develop their skills, identify objects and also use their creativity. It helps kids to unleash their talent in different fields, like drawing, painting, or sketching. It can also be a great and enjoyable learning experience for them. And best of all, they are having fun.
Crafting projects for kids include worksheets, printable crafts and other educational resources suitable for their age. They are very basic activities that give preschoolers an opportunity to learn how to count, read, and identify the colors of the rainbow.
It is a good way to develop motor skills. They learn muscle control so they could handle pencils and crayons. Their hand strokes improve as their grips become steadier and their hand muscles more relaxed. It develops hand and brain coordination.
One popular and effective crafts for preschoolers are dots to dots. It involves tracing one dot to the other with straight and curved lines. This also teaches kids how to count. They should trace the dots according to number to form the right image in the end.
Other simple craft activities would include coloring pictures, tracing dashed lines to form different shapes, folding papers to make paper boats or airplanes, and making soap bubbles.
A good way to celebrate a kid’s birthday is to have a craft session with them. Gather the kids and hand them with a set of materials they would need. Together, they can make birthday paper hats or paper cupcakes. Also, the family of the celebrant may also opt to make birthday invitations instead of buying pre-made invitation cards.
Craft ideas are one of the activities that your kids will enjoy. You should provide the right craft that can caters to your kids’ abilities and interests. Making crafts that are complicated, easy or too simple can discourage your kid or they may even find it a bore.
Listed below are several craft ideas you can make with your children:
Leaf Print
The materials you need are several leaves, a piece of paper and crayons, water color or paint. Place a piece of paper flat on top of a table. Put the leaf under the flat paper. Apply some water color or paint on your leaf and print it on the paper. If you are using crayons, shade the print of the leaf on the paper. The result is a stenciled leaf print on the paper.
Binoculars
Materials for this craft are two cardboard spools of empty tissue rolls, a string or yarn, glue and two paper rolls (approximately 4 to 5 inches). First, glue together the two rolls facing each side. Make a hole on each side of the binoculars and then tie the string or yarn through the holes.
Easy Make Bows are for children 5 and older! You will be able to create many different styles with four bows!
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SEI’s Tumble-Dye is an easy and permanent tie-dye for use on fabrics, ribbon, lace, trims, silks, dried flowers, baskets, wood, paper and more. Tumble-Dye is a pre-mixed tie-dye and eliminates the need of rubber gloves, salts and tubs of hot water. Create your tie-dye design by spraying, dipping, or painting. After the article is completely dry, simply heat set in a dryer for 20 minutes or iron wi…
SEI’s Tumble-Dye is an easy and permanent tie-dye for use on fabrics, ribbon, lace, trims, silks, dried flowers, baskets, wood, paper and more. Tumble-Dye is a pre-mixed tie-dye and eliminates the need of rubber gloves, salts and tubs of hot water. Create your tie-dye design by spraying, dipping, or painting. After the article is completely dry, simply heat set in a dryer for 20 minutes or iron wi…
Imagine creating the perfect cake for someone this is the oh so easy way to decorate a smoothly frosted cake. This is an edible cake art image, easy to use and looks like the colorful design is air brushed onto the cake. This product is used by professional bakers and now you can make professional looking cakes right in your own home.
This edible image fits on any cakes 9 inches or larger, round,…
Posted in July 18, 2010 ¬ 8:36 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
Rational Kitchens
In the ever accepting world of the throwaway society it’s nice to be able to find a manufacturer like Rational Kitchens whose policy is to manufacture a cabinet that will last at least 25 years. I also supply Miele appliances that have the rational of thought. They manufacture appliances to last more than 20 years. They back this up by keeping spare parts for all models of any appliance for 20 years. It is sometimes hard educating the potential customers that visit my kitchen studio, The Kitchen Store, Sheffield, and Yorkshire that my kitchens will last in excess of 20 years. They sometimes have a cynical approach due to the fact that all kitchen shops are claiming the same. it soon becomes apparent when I start to dismantle one of my displays to show the build quality of the cabinets, after all its all about the cabinet, hinges and drawer runners, not the fancy door that any kitchen manufacturer can put on a carcase to make it look a million dollars.
Rational really are the innovators when it comes to new features. They are constantly striving to better the already fantastic storage solution available and making the kitchen more agronomical than before. With new new ideas, comes new technology and Rational Kitchens are always investing in the new ideas and technology. It’s just a shame that after a year all the competitors have copied the new ideas. And once they have been around for a while, each and every manufacturer did in fact do this first.
I have made a web site to showcase just what is on offer from The Kitchen Store and Rational Kitchens. Please have a look and let me know what you think. Rational Kitchens Please visit my website. The new Atmos and Logic Book matched Oak & Walnut kitchens are absolutely beautiful. The grain runs seamlessly throughout the whole kitchen. If you was to have an island, the grain runs right round, it is amazing to see. It is hand crafted and I’m sure the man who makes this model is very very patient indeed.
They have lots of ranges available. The new Tio range has been developed more for the developer, apartment builder. It’s the same quality as the main luxury range; the difference is a cheaper door and not a lot of variations of cabinets available. They do not produce special sizes like they do in the luxury range. In the luxury range we can design to our hearts content. The options are just endless. We have produced some truly beautiful kitchens. Every single one of my customers over the last eight and a half has been over the moon with the kitchen. And more so as time has gone on. They are realising as the years go by that they really made the right choice in choosing Eddie Grant and a Rational Kitchen.
We are now supplying the whole of the UK. We are mostly supplying Sheffield, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire & Yorkshire. We are supplying London, Manchester, Birmingham and all major cities throughout the UK. We are even supplying kitchens to the likes of Doncaster, Rotherham, Chesterfield and many little villages in Derbyshire, such as Castleton, Barlow. If you need any more information please feel free to get in touch through the web site. Kindest regards Eddie Grant
WESTRIM CRAFTS-Convenient resealable package keeps pages clean for later use. 20 sheets (40 pages) with finished edges are buffered acid and lignin free and meets accepted PH standards. Easy loading instructions included. Actual size 11-3/8×12. Protectors are not included. For use in strap hinge albums….
WESTRIM CRAFTS-A 12×12 fabric strap-hinge scrapbook. Expandable includes 11 buffered sheets pages lie flat and refillable. A great way to store your memories….
WESTRIM-Super clear top-loading page protectors over white pages for 10 layouts. Features finished edges on both sides and stainless steel staple hinges. Pages are buffered acid and lignin free cardstock. For use in 12×12 strap hinge albums. Actual size is 11-3/8′x12….
Did someone say cookies? Pink Cookie Icing features a convenient cap, just heat the bottle and squeeze onto cookies or other sweet treats. Icing sets smooth in just 45 minutes. One 10oz bottle covers approximately 12 cookies, 3in each. Certified kosher….
Cake Mate Valentine’S Day Candy Cake Decorations is a product that will make your treats extra special on valentine’s day. It is great for cupcakes, cookies and cakes….
Posted in July 16, 2010 ¬ 1:33 amh.MarioNo Comments »
A Rich Wood Carving Tradition in Oaxaca, Mexico: Spotlight on Jacobo Ángeles
Alvin Starkman M.A., LL.B.
Try searching the Americas to find creators of folk art with more form, symbolism and importance to the development and sustenance of their culture, than those of indigenous ancestry in Oaxaca (wa–HAW–ka), one of the southernmost Mexican states.
Many so-called experts in folk art have mistakenly written that the origins of Oaxaca’s wood carving tradition date back fifty or sixty years, to a small number of carvers residing in one of the central valleys of Oaxaca, a few miles from the state capital of the same name. The error has consistently been equating the recent commercialization of the art-form with its origins, and ignoring its pre-Hispanic roots and subsequent development.
Jacobo Ángeles lives with his wife María and two children in San Martín Tilcajete, one of three main native Zapotec villages, where most residents earn a living from carving and painting colorful figures, often generically referred to as alebrijes. The others are Arrazola and La Unión Tejalapan.
At age 12 Jacobo began learning to carve from his father. Later on he was mentored by village elders. “Over the past few decades our craft has without a doubt changed dramatically,” Jacobo explains, “with the use of more synthetic paints, a tremendous increase in the range of figures being carved, and with domestic and international demand for our carvings growing exponentially and affecting how and what we produce. But remember, my ancestors were carving animals right here in this region before the Spanish arrived in the 1500’s. And we were using only natural paint colors which we derived from fruits and vegetables, plants and tree bark, clay, and even insects. In my family we still use what we find around us to make paint for our figures, and our wood of choice continues to be the branches of the copal tree.”
San Martín Tilcajete is located about a 40 minute drive from the city of Oaxaca, along a highway leading to the state’s Pacific resort towns, including one of the oldest ports, Puerto Escondido. Puerto Escondido was a hub for the export of coffee and other cash crops during colonial times, but is now a popular beach destination for Mexican and international vacationers alike. Many travelers combine their sun and sand vacation with a visit to Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, searching out unique pieces of folk art including dance masks, pottery and clay figures, rugs and tapestries, and antiques from the colonial period forward. And of course there are the pre-Hispanic ruins, galleries, impressive Dominican churches, museums, and renowned Oaxacan cuisine.
“My ancestors used a 20-day calendar,” Jacobo continues, “and each day was represented by a different creature. So every Zapotec person had an animal with whom he had a connection, and each animal had certain characteristics which carried over to the individual. For example, the jaguar represents power and ultimate strength, the frog is characterized by honesty and openness, the coyote watchful observation, the turtle always a troublemaker prone to breaking the rules, the eagle technical and strategic power, and so on. My people used to carve figures of just these 20 animals. They started out as small whittlings for good luck that people would keep in a revered niche in the home, or wear around the neck as amulets. They also carved larger figures for their children to use as toys.”
After much probing, an almost forgotten story emerges of the use of decoys of wood and other materials. Jacobo reveals: “My people used a variety of methods to attract different kinds of game, but for hunting birds of prey, rabbits, and deer, yes they at times used decoys. A painted wooden snake would be placed on the ground in an area where ants had trampled the grasses so the snake decoy would easily be seen by eagles. To hunt rabbit, my ancestors would attach a rabbit tail to one end of a straw hat, and at the other end another tail with a face painted on it. For deer, a crude wooden deer torso with real antlers would be placed in the tall brush. So carving was historically important to our people for not only totemic and related reasons, but it was directly related to our subsistence. All the written records from the period of the conquest, and not just local legend, confirm the importance of woodcarving.”
“But look at what we now carve. While in my family we still use natural paints, and still carve our totems, we’ve transformed a simple yet important and symbolic tradition into something very different. In our villages we now carve many more than those 20 animals because of collector demand. More importantly, we’re able to make our heritage better understood and appreciated by the world. In our own workshop, our painting depicts designs and representations of our culture … friezes from the ancient ruin at Mitla, symbols representing waves, mountains and fertility, the totems, and other metaphors for our culture, past and present.”
Indeed the world has taken notice. Jacobo’s work is prominently displayed in The Smithsonian Institute, Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art, and elsewhere throughout the continent and further abroad, in museums, art colleges and galleries. Jacobo regularly traverses the U.S. promoting Oaxacan folk art and his Zapotec heritage, teaching in a diversity of educational venues ranging from junior schools to university departments of fine art, and as honored speaker at art exhibition openings.
********************
A visit to the Ángeles workshop, accessed by a heavily pot-holed narrow dirt road towards one end of the village, affords an opportunity to learn about this extraordinary skill-set, from Jacobo, Maria — an excellent painter in her own right — and some two dozen other members of their family who produce some of the finest quality carvings found anywhere on the continent.
The men do most of the carving, while women do most of the painting, but the tasks are definitely not exclusively based on gender lines. Carving is done with non – mechanical hand-tools such as machetes, chisels and knives. The only time a more sophisticated tool is used is when a chain saw is employed to cut off a branch and level a base for a proposed figure.
Except when a special order is received, the woodworkers in the family are given artistic license to carve whatever figure they wish. A piece of tree trunk will “speak” to one of these specialists, and be the inspiration for creating a particular animal: the shape, thickness, and bends and twists in the piece come alive. After the bark is removed, a detailed outline is drawn, defining the image with greater clarity and detail. The sculpting in earnest then begins.
“From the female copal tree we are able to make figures out of one piece of wood, often very large and intricate. This wood is soft and easy to work with. The male tree is harder, and branches tend to be smaller and somewhat delicate, so we use it to make animals which we assemble in the process.”
The carving alone takes up to a month, at times longer. The figure is then left to dry for up to 10 months, depending on its overall size and thickness. Because of the properties of copal, and Oaxaca’s semi-tropical climate, the wood is susceptible to termite infestation. Accordingly, during the drying process the piece is soaked in a gasoline / insecticide mixture for several hours. As an added assurance, it’s then placed in an oven, just in case eggs have evaded extermination. “All of our pieces are guaranteed to never have a termite problem,” Jacobo assures.
Since the figures are fashioned while the wood is green and more easily workable, the wood separates while drying. “There are a couple of members of my family whose main job is to fill the cracks before the painting begins.” For this remedial work they use wood shims as well as a sawdust-glue mixture. But even these slivers of wood and the sawdust have been cured. “We’re proud of our work, and never want to have any problems with any of our buyers, whether someone is spending $20 or $2,000.”
In almost all cases in the Ángeles workshop, one person carves and another paints. Once a figure has left the hands of the carver, all proprietary rights are released, and another member of the family is entrusted with the painting. Nephew Magdaleno explains: “Occasionally one of my cousins will come up to me and say ‘what do you think about these colors or this kind of design concept for this coyote,’ and I’ll give my feedback, but it doesn’t happen very often, and I’m invariably pleased with the result. For me it’s the form that’s most important, and for whoever’s painting, it’s the imagery it captures.”
One cannot help but gasp at the sculpting genius which goes into each piece: A starving dog scratching fleas, a bear with its paw in a honey pot, a snake constricting a wincing jaguar, a winged horse on its hinds, a woman with long braided locks and the body of an armadillo, or a deer, life-size by Mexican standards. There’s something particularly arresting about each creation: the ever-so-flowing and realistic movement, a fanciful stance, or a familiar pose striking a chord with our popular characterization. However the painting is anything but familiar. No color goes untested and the intricacy of and variation in design is remarkable.
Theories abound regarding the beginning of the modern-day manifestation of the tradition. Some say that because hallucinogenic mushrooms are native to this part of Mexico, drug induced revelations caused the imaginations of some to wander, ultimately becoming expressed in their carvings. The better explanation is that knowledge of colorful, large, papier maché alebrijes or dragon-like forms which originated in the State of Mexico, eventually filtered down to Oaxaca, and were the inspiration for the fathers of contemporary painted wooden carvings. “You know, it’s not accurate to refer to what we create as alebrijes, because to the older generation of Mexicans, and to true folk art collectors, alebrijes were developed near D.F. (Distrito Federal, or Mexico City, the nation’s capital), and what we do is completely different.”
Jacobo demonstrates how his ancestors created natural paints, historically utilized for dying clothing, painting buildings, and ceremonially as face and body decoration used for rites of passage, fiestas, prayer and other important occasions. Today their primary use, at least in Jacobo’s family, is for painting the carvings. He explains with the assistance of his machete and a tree trunk how he cuts away the reddish inside part of the bark of the male copal, allows it to dry, then toasts and grinds it: “This is a primary base that we use, which allows us to create a range of colors, tones and shades. Just watch.”
Using his hands as palettes, Jacobo begins by placing a small amount of the powdered bark in one hand, squeezes juice from a lime, creating a brown, which he then places on an unpainted wooden owl. “Yes the owl is also one of our sacred creatures, the great healer, quiet and humble.” He reveals: “Now over time, and in the sun, this color will change or fade and be absorbed into the wood. So what our ancestors learned to do was take the dried sap from the copal tree and heat it up with honey. The resulting liquid is then mixed with the paint, changing the color a little; see, it becomes a deep orange … but most importantly it acts as a mordent making the color permanent, and a little shiny.” He adds powdered limestone, and the color changes to black. With the addition of baking soda and more lime juice it becomes a deep yellow, and with more chemical it miraculously becomes magenta. A new base is then started, with crushed pomegranate seeds. Magically the pulverized pink is transformed into green with the addition of limestone powder. Mixed with the magenta, it becomes navy blue. With the addition of zinc it becomes grey, and with more zinc, white. Blue from the añil tree, indigo, is altered with the addition of bicarbonate, zinc, lime juice or the powdered lime mineral. Corn mold,a black gooey culinary delicacy known as huitlacoche, when fermented and then powdered, yields ochre. The red of the dried and then crushed minute insect, the cochineal, which feeds off its host nopal cactus, becomes orange with the addition of the juice of any of a number of acidic fruits.
The demonstration terminates with Jacobo asking, “what´s your favorite animal,” following which he finger paints a rabbit from the rainbow of colors on his palms, as only Alice could have imagined.
******************
With approximately 150 families now producing painted wooden figures in these and a couple of other smaller villages, the questions left unanswered remain: What facilitated and drove more carvers to adopt the papier maché style of using brilliant color combinations, and how can everyone in these villages make a living from this solitary art-form?
As with other crafts in the central valleys of Oaxaca, their production wasn’t always the primary means of sustenance for the populace. Traditionally, handicrafts were a hobby or part-time trade, beginning with very few items being sold to the odd passerby, adventurer or traveler. In the case of rugs from nearby Teotitlán del Valle, there were trade routes that producers followed in order to effect more sales in other regions of the state, and in some cases beyond. But the primary means of family survival was working the land and small-scale ranching. And in the case of the carving villages, there never was a broader market, although in San Martín Tilcajete embroidered shirts, blouses and dresses were an extremely well-received craft throughout the 1960’s and into the 80’s.
Dramatic change in production and marketing of wooden carvings had its genesis in the 1940’s. The pan-American highway cut through the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, reaching Oaxaca, opening up the region to the north, in particular Mexico City and the border states. Until then Oaxaca was relatively isolated notwithstanding a rail connection. By the 1950’s and early 60’s Americans and Canadians were prospering from the post-war boom, credit cards had been mailed to virtually everyone, and word spread of a new kind of vacation, in a third world country, Mexico. Jet air travel facilitated the transformation. The women’s movement meant more two income families, resulting in more disposable income for traveling. Mexicana Airlines and Oaxacan travel agents partnered to begin offering tour packages, which further facilitated tourism to the region.
The hippie movement of the 1960’s and early 70’s brought Oaxaca to the forefront of the alternative lifestyle, with throngs of youth and their pop idols traveling to Huautla de Jiménez, then a tiny Oaxacan village, to eat hallucinogenic mushrooms with the now infamous healer María Sabina. North American youth saw and purchased the first generation of contemporary wood carvings.
By the 1980’s, as a consequence of multiple factors, Oaxacan alebrijes had become well-established as folk art, with the market continuing to grow. The economic implication was that farmers and ranchers were able to spend more time carving and painting, and less time in the countryside and in marketplaces vending their produce and animals. With a new toll-road opening from Mexico City to Oaxaca in 1995, access to the southern state became even quicker and easier, and safe. In good conscience, travel writers were no longer able to warn tourists about driving the switchbacks, back-road banditos, or cars overheating on secondary roads without service stations.
The future market for the artistry? While the odd visitor to a Oaxacan coastal resort such as Puerto Escondido, or the more popular Huatulco, does visit the state capital and the workshops of carvers like Jacobo, most do not. Within the next four years a new highway to the coast will open, cutting road travel time by at least a third. Even more sun worshipers will visit Oaxaca, and marvel at the art of Jacobo and María Ángeles.
Since opening their family workshop in 1996, without a doubt Jacobo and María have singularly raised the quality bar for other villagers who aspire to mirror their success. With Oaxacan wood carvings of superior quality now well established on the world stage, and access no longer an impediment, the challenge for others in San Martín Tilcajete will be to achieve the success of the Ángeles family through production of like quality, until now eluding most.
A challenge for all carvers in the region is to ensure a continuous supply of copal to meet demand. A reforestation project spear-headed about 15 years ago by the late master of contemporary Mexican art, Rodolfo Morales, continues through his Foundation. The Ángeles family with friends and other villagers spend the last Sunday of each July, in the midst of the rainy season, planting, a part of their sustainable living effort: ensuring an ongoing supply of raw product, cutting only branches for making figures so that the tree continues to grow, reducing waste by utilizing the slivers and sawdust in repair work and any remaining twigs and branches as firewood for cooking, and using the sap and bark in paint production. “And you know,” Jacobo reminds, “for generations we’ve been using the hardened sap as incense, mainly at religious cememonies. There are even knifemakers down the road in Ocotlán, who engrave their hand-forged blades using a special ink made with the sap. Have you visited the cuchillería of Ángel Aguilar?”
For high end collectors, we can only encourage the success of all efforts aimed at maintaining the growth and development of the Oaxacan woodcarving tradition, since it satisfies and advances our penchant for and obsession with quality hand-fashioned craftsmanship. For the artisans in the region, aside from the obvious economic importance, it’s part of maintaining their Zapotec heritage and illustrating the richness of the culture to the broader world.
The workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles is located at Calle Olvido #9, San Martín Tilcajete, Ocotlán, Oaxaca ( t: 951-524-9047 ; w: http://www.tilcajete.org ; e: angeles@tilcajete.org ).
About the Author
Alvin Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology in 1978. After teaching for a few years he attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, thereafter embarking upon a career as a litigator until 2004. Alvin now resides in Oaxaca, where he writes, leads small group tours to the villages, markets, ruins and other sites, is a consultant to film production companies, and operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. ( http://www.oaxacadream.com ) .
DARICE-Straw hat with 18 Round Crown in Natural. Whether you want to adorn them with ribbons and flowers or feathers and lace these straw hats are available in a variety of graduated sizes offering you a blank canvas….
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Posted in July 12, 2010 ¬ 3:59 amh.MarioNo Comments »
Christmas Crafts-How to Add a Classy and Magical Touch to Christmas Décor With an Old Fashion Christmas Fruit Basket
This craft idea is sure to make a colorful and festive splash to your Christmas home décor, or as the perfect hostess gift. In addition, by using a small strand of clear Christmas lights, it can also make a nice holiday night light in your guest bathroom.
Begin by stuffing your Christmas basket or container with newspaper to a height of three quarters of the way up. Using a hot glue gun, apply hot glue to the bottom of one large pinecone and hold firmly against the newspaper till glue bonds. Repeat the process using one large artificial red apple and one large artificial green apple. Continue the above steps alternating between pinecones and apples until the bottom of the basket is full. Once the glue has dried and items have adhered to the newspaper move on to step 2.
Start a second layer this time using medium and small size pinecones and apples. Hot glue items to your larger size pinecones and apples until glue bonds firmly in place. Note: you will need to check pinecones and apples making sure none are loose before adding lights. Next, wrap and tuck 1 strand of miniature size clear Christmas lights around the pinecones and apples. The eraser end of a pencil works great for tucking the lights in place between the pinecones and apples. Remember to leave about a one foot leader of the light cord hanging at the back of the basket so lights can be easily plunged in to an outlet. Next, using your ribbons listed below (3/4 inch or smaller) tie a bow around the handle on the left side of the basket. To personalize your basket, hot glue a 3-D foam letter sticker around the top of the handle. Cinnamon sticks would also add a nice smell and could easily be hot glued in to place.
Supplies:
Store bought basket or container with a handle.
Large, medium, and small pinecones
Large, medium, and small artificial apples in red and green
½ yard red & white candy stripe or plaid satin ribbon (¾ inch or smaller) Note: for a very large basket, use wider ribbon)
½ yard green satin ribbon (¾ inch or smaller) Note: for a very large basket, use wider ribbon)
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
1 strand of green wired small clear Christmas lights (Single-ended plug)
1 3-D Foam letter sticker used for scrap-booking (Personalize it using any letter, we used the letter “S”)
Newspaper
About the Author
Linda Johnson is a degreed and experienced crafter and interior/exterior decorating specialist, with years of experience helping friends, family, and clients solve their decorating and craft needs. Linda and her contributing writers invite you to submit your own great ideas for free, and also find tons more Christmas craft ideas and decorating projects like this with photos to try yourself.
MUSLIM KIDS CRAFTS: Arabic alphabet activity for small children
Posted in July 11, 2010 ¬ 8:00 amh.MarioNo Comments »
Tips On Becoming A Good Christmas Stocking Stuffer
Way back in 1967, I was officially appointed as the family’s Christmas Stocking Stuffer. Since my dad died, I’ m concerned that Santa would stop visiting my two little brothers.
When my dad passed away, I learned that sorrow can be overcome by doing something secret and exciting for someone else. Whenever, I see the stunned looks on my brothers’ faces, I then concluded that the best job there is, is becoming a Christmas Stocking Stuffer.
Over the years, I have gained a few insights about it and so I am offering little tips and ideas you could use for the job.
1) Finding the Right Stocking: Most families by now have their stockings and you’ll just have to do something with what you got. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out or have the chance to set up a new custom, here are a small number of things remember when you select a stocking for stuffing:
• The Right Size: I have noticed that a medium size stocking that’s 20-24 inches from cuff to toe, is the right size. Bear in mind- you have to fill a stocking and a large one could spoil your Christmas budget.
• The Right Material: It is important to make sure that the stocking is made from the right material and durable. Knit stockings stretch out in both directions. Once again, consider your finances.
• If your family hangs their stockings, make sure the loop is durable enough to hold a large amount of pounds without breaking.
2) Places to shop for items to be stuffed inside the Christmas stocking. Your ultimate goal when shopping for items to be used for the Christmas stocking is to save money, to shop for items on sale, to use store coupons, and to go to thrift stores. Here are a few ideas proven to bring out smiles on a Christmas morning:
• Office Supplies Store: memo pads, pen markers, pencil or ballpen erasers, pencils and ballpens, index cards, paper and binder clips, colored pens, plastic rulers, scrap booking items, crayolas, post-it notes, staplers, pencil sharpeners.
• Drug Store: candies, nuts of all kinds, photo film, disposable camera, inexpensive but nice toys, activity books, a nice scented cologne, a non-greasy lotion, manicure set, liquid bath soap, batteries, costume jewelry, a hypoallergenic cosmetic, hairpins, hair clips, shaving cream, hair brush
• Book Store: inexpensive books, wholesome magazines, bookmarks, book lamps, diaries, coffee mugs, cd case, dvds, small stuffed animals, jigsaw puzzles
• Hardware Store: hammers, a variety of screw drivers, various pliers, spray paint, working gloves, padlocks, key labels, flashlight, construction gadgets, paint brushes, vegetable and flower seeds
• Craft Store: beads of several colors and designs, dental floss, sewing kit, scissors with shapes, watercolor, art papers, ink stamps with nice designs, paper stickers, buttons, decors, charcoal pencils, glitter dusts, how-to kits, golden cross stitch thread, linen cloth.
• Grocery Store: chocolates, fruits of any kind, cooking tools, cookies in boxes or in foil packs, small boxes of cereal, bags of snacks, beer in cans, small bottle of olive oil, vinegars in small bottles, snack cakes in foil packs
• Baking and Cooking Supplies Store: wooden spoons used for baking, oven thermometer, baster, kitchen tongs, strainer, cork openers, spatulas, garlic crusher, vegetable peeler.
3) The Choice whether to Wrap the Gift Items or Not: This is an individual choice. Since I love to wrap up gift items as much as I love being a Christmas stocking stuffer, it’s not a difficult option. Every item becomes a little gift – even if it’s a single piece of candy. Furthermore, unwrapping gifts will slow a child down making the magic of Christmas morning last a bit longer.
6) Qualifications of a Christmas Stocking Stuffer: The traits that Christmas Stocking Stuffer should possess, is someone who is: a fine listener, watchful and considers love is in the details. He or she is well-prepared and creative.
About the Author
Get more of Christmas stocking ideas at merrychristmas24.com
. Learn how to become an ultimate Christmas stocking stuffer by visiting Christmas Decorations
section.
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About the Author
Our story at 104Inc is simple: We like to help others. Imagine a team that consists of family and friends who all have the same passion in life. Imagine a group of individuals who sacrifice so much everyday in-order to attain their goal and one day live their dream. Now, imagine the amount of effort, motivation and discipline it takes for ordinary people like us having a burning desire to accomplish something extraordinary. Here at http://www.104Inc.com, we have the opportunity to do all of that. We have, the aspiration, the zeal and the motivation to help others in areas where they are less fortunate, including our own family and friends.
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Above all I would like to thank the Almighty God for his unreserved gift. Besides, first and foremost, I thank my major advisor Dr. Wagayehu Bekele to whom I am duly bound to express my gratitude. I am also deeply beholden to Wolayta Soddo ATVET College for its provision of the necessary support to the finalization of this study
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Ethiopia with an estimated population of 76.5 million is the third populous country in Africa. More than 85% are rural population and the remaining is urban population (CSA, 2006). Ethiopia is an agrarian economy based country where the agricultural sector plays an important role in the national economy, livelihood and socio-cultural system of the country. The sector supports employment of over 80% of the population, accounts for 45-50% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Berhanu, 2006).
Rural people on their side partake in a number of strategies, including agricultural intensification, and livelihood diversification, which enable them to attain food security goal, however, still unable to escape food insecurity. The rural poor struggle to ensure food security status by participating in diversification activities. However, the contribution to be made by livelihood diversification to rural livelihoods has often been ignored by policy makers who have chosen to focus their activities on agriculture (Carswell, 2000). The problem is worsening, despite massive resources invested each year into humanitarian aid and food security programs (Frankenberger et al., 2007).
Thus, a thorough understanding of alternative livelihood strategies of rural households and communities is indispensable in any attempt to bring improvement. This is important not to commit a limited resource available for rural development based on untested assumption about the rural poor and its livelihood strategies (Tesfaye, 2003).
This study, therefore, attempted to see the determinants of livelihood strategy choice of rural people in their struggle to achieve food security goal.
1.2. Objective of the Study
The general objective of the study was to examine the livelihood strategies pursued by rural households and analyze determinants of choice of livelihood strategies in the context of achieving food security in the study area. The specific objectives of the study are:
1. to assess livelihood strategies pursued by different categories of rural households in the study area,
2. to identify the determinants of rural households` choice of livelihood strategies , and
2. Conceptual Framework for Livelihood Strategy Analysis
The livelihoods framework provides a comprehensive, and complex, approach to understanding how people make a living. It can be used as a loose guide to a range of issues which are important for livelihoods or it can be rigorously investigated in all its aspects (Kanji et al, 2005). Livelihood Approaches (LA) emphasizes understanding of the context within which people live, the assets available for them, livelihood strategies they follow in the face of existing policies and institutions, and livelihood outcomes they intend to achieve (DFID, 2000).
The key question to be addressed in any analysis of livelihood is given a particular context(of policy setting, politics, history, agro ecology and socio-economic conditions), what combination of livelihood resources(different types of ‘capital’) result in the ability to follow what combination of livelihood strategies(agricultural intensification/ extensification, livelihood diversification and migration) with what outcomes? (Scoones, 1998).
Livelihoods
The concept of livelihood is widely used in contemporary writings on poverty and rural development, but its meaning can often appear elusive either due to vagueness or to different definitions being encountered in different sources (Ellis, 2000)
A popular definition is that provided by Chambers & Conway (1992) wherein a livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and social assets) and activities required for a means of living. Briefly, one could describe a livelihood as a combination of the resources used and the activities undertaken in order to live (DFID, 2000).
Vulnerability Context
Vulnerability context refers to seasonality, trends, and shocks that affect people’s livelihoods. The key attribute of these factors is that they are not susceptible to control by local people themselves, at least in the short and medium term (DFID, 2000).
Livelihood assets
In the livelihoods approach, resources are referred to as ‘assets’ or ‘capitals’ (Ellis and Allison, 2004) and the definition of each is given as:
Livelihood assets: are the resources on which people draw in order to carry out their livelihood strategies (Farrington et al., 2002). The members of a household combine their capabilities, skills and knowledge with the different resources at their disposal to create activities that will enable them to achieve the best possible livelihood for themselves. Everything that goes towards creating that livelihood can be thought of as a livelihood asset (Messer and Townsley, 2003). The major livelihood assets are human capital like age, education, gender, health status, household size, dependency ratio and leadership potential, etc. (Bezemer and Lerman, 2003; Farrington et al., 2002; Kollmair and Gamper, 2002); Physical capital comprises the basic infrastructure and producer goods needed to support livelihoods (DFID, 1999); Social capital which refers to networks and connectedness, Financial capital like savings, credit, and remittances from family members working outside the home (CARE, 2001; Bezemer and Lerman, 2003);and Natural capital whichis the natural resource stock.
Policies and institutions which influence rural household’s access to livelihood assets are also important aspects of livelihood framework (DFID, 2000). Institutions are the social cement which link stakeholders to access to capital of different kinds to the means of exercising power and so define the gateways through which they pass on the route to positive or negative [livelihood] adaptation (Scoones, 1998).
Livelihood strategies
According to DFID (1999) the term livelihood strategies are defined as the range and combination of activities and choices that people make in order to achieve their livelihood goals, including productive activities, investment strategies, reproductive choices, etc. Livelihood strategies are composed of activities that generate the means of household survival and are the planned activities that men and women undertake to build their livelihoods (Ellis, 2000).
Livelihood outcomes
Livelihood outcomes are the achievements of livelihood strategies, such as more income (e.g. cash), increased well-being (e.g. non material goods, like self-esteem, health status, access to services, sense of inclusion), and reduced vulnerability (e.g. better resilience through increase in asset status), improved food security (e.g. increase in financial capital in order to buy food) and a more sustainable use of natural resources (e.g. appropriate property rights) (Scoones, 1998)
3. METHODOLOGY
3.1. Description of the Study Area
Boloso Sore is located at about 420 km south of Addis Ababa in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) in Wolayta Zone, (Figure 2). The total population of Boloso Sore for the year 2007 is 196,614 of which 96,341 are men and 100,273 women, with population density per square Km of 637 (next to Damot Gale district 750); Out of the total population 92 % lives in rural areas (BoFED, 2005; CSA, 2007).
3.2. Sampling distribution
Table 1. Sample size distribution in the sample PAs
PAs
Household size
Sample size (no)
Sample
drawn
Poor (1)
Less poor (2)
Better off (3)
Midland PAs
Yukara
1046
9
8
4
21
Dangara Madalcho
968
2
10
7
19
Achura
1331
9
9
9
27
Highland PA
Afama Mino
2664
32
15
6
53
Total
6009
51
42
27
120
Source: Own survey, 2007
3.3. Method of Data Collection
Primary data on household socio-economic characteristics were collected from sample households using structured interview schedule. For the case of qualitative data in order to capture better the socio-economic context and type of households in the area focus groups discussion (men, women and youth groups), key informant3 interview and wealth ranking exercises at each PA were conducted. Secondary data was gathered from various sources like Boloso Sore bureau of agriculture and rural
3.4. Data analysis techniques
Descriptive analysis
Descriptive statistics data analysis methods used for quantitative data were one way ANOVA, mean, percentage, t-test, chi square test, and diversity indices. The descriptive data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.
Econometric model
To identify the determinants behind rural household decision to engage in various livelihood strategies the assumption is that in a given period at the disposal of its asset endowment, a rational household head choose among the four mutually exclusive livelihood strategy alternatives that offers the maximum utility. Following Greene (2003), suppose for the ith respondent faced with j choices, we specify the utility choice j as:
Uij = Zij ? + ?ij ……………………………… ………………………………. (1)
If the respondent makes choice j in particular, then we assume that Uij is the maximum among the j utilities. So the statistical model is derived by the probability that choice j is made, which is:
Prob (Uij >Uik) for all other K ? j ………………………………………. (2)
Where, Uij is the utility to the ith respondent form livelihood strategy j Uik the utility to the ith respondent from livelihood strategy k
If the household maximizes its utility defined over income realizations, then the household’s choice is simply an optimal allocation of its asset endowment to choose livelihood that maximizes its utility (Brown et al., 2006). Thus, the ith household’s decision can, therefore, be modelled as maximizing the expected utility by choosing the jth livelihood strategy among J discrete livelihood strategies, i.e……………………………………… (3)
In general, for an outcome variable with J categories, let the jth livelihood strategy that the ithhousehold chooses to maximize its utility could take the value 1 if the ith household choose jth livelihood strategy and 0 otherwise. The probability that a household with characteristics x chooses livelihood strategy j, Pij is modelled as:
J=0… 3…………………………………………………… (4)
With the requirement that for any i
Where: Pij = probability representing the ith respondent’s chance of falling into category j
X = Predictors of response probabilities
Covariate effects specific to jth response category with the first category as the reference.
Appropriate normalization that removes an indeterminacy in the model is to assume that (this arise because probabilities sum to 1, so only J parameter vectors are needed to determine the J + 1 probabilities), (Greene, 2003) so that , implying that the generalized equation (4) above is equivalent to
for j = 0, 2…J and…………………………………. (5)
Where: y = A polytomous outcome variable with categories coded from 0… J.
Note: The probability of Pi1 is derived from the constraint that the J probabilities sum to 1. That is, . Similar to binary logit model it implies that we can compute J log-odds ratios which are specified as;………………………………… (6)
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Livelihood Strategies
Livelihood strategies are defined as those activities undertaken by households to provide a means of living. Livelihood Strategies are diverse at every level. As has been reviewed from Brown et al., (2006), several different methods of characterizing household livelihood strategies can be found in the literature. Most commonly, economists group households by shares of income earned in different sectors of the rural economy. Similarly, this study considered income shares of each livelihood activity as a means to conceptualize livelihood strategies. Income portfolio analysis was done (Table 2).
From the income portfolio analysis, if we compare income share by the broad livelihood activities, the share of agriculture accounts for about 64.1%, non farm for 22.8% and off farm accounts for 13.1% in decreasing order. Further observation of the data revealed that, off-farm5 activities (agricultural wage, land rent, and environmental gathering) are survival mechanisms pursued mainly by the poor and less poor groups but not viewed as an opportunity that farmers engage in as a choice. Non farm activities, such as rural craft is also mainly choice of the poor than the counterparts. Thus, off- farming activities seem more of a coping mechanism for the rural population than a way to accumulate wealth and reduce poverty. The poor tend to concentrate on off farm activities with low entry constraints (gathering, such as charcoal making and fire wood collection and wage). This result leads to the understanding of the challenges which prevent the poor and less poor from engaging in livestock production and more remunerative non farm activities (see table 2).
Table 2. Income composition of sample HHs
Cash income
Composition (%)
Wealth categories
Total
Poor
(N= 51)
Less poor
(N=42)
Better off
(N=27)
Livestock
11.7
27.5
42.1
24.3
Crop
36.5
41.7
44.1
39.8
Agriculture sub total
48.2
69.2
86.3
64.1
Petty trade6
17.7
11.9
5.4
12.9
Remittance
0.94
2.3
6.5
2.9
Rural craft7
10.5
6.7
1.1
7.0
Non-farm sub total
29.14
20.9
13
22.8
Gathering
6.7
3.2
0.1
4.2
Wage
15.7
3.7
0.2
7.9
Hire/rent
0.4
2.4
0.2
1.0
Off-farm sub total
22.8
9.3
0.5
13.1
Mean annual income
per AE
313.4
398.4
1122.5
525.2
F
14.604
p-value
0.000***
***, significant at < 1% probability level
Source Own survey, 2007
4.2. Econometric Analysis of Determinants of Livelihood Strategies
Multinomial Logistic Regression Model was used to identify determinants of livelihood strategies. The model was selected based on the justification illustrated earlier. Therefore, in this section, procedures followed to select independent variables (continuous and dummy) and results of logistic regression analysis conducted to identify determinants of livelihood strategy choice by rural households is presented.
Table 3. Definition of model variables
Dependent variable Variables definition and unit of measurement
Livelihood strategies If the choice of the HH lies in
Y=0, AG Agriculture alone
Y=1, AG+OFF Agriculture and off farm combination
Y=2, AG+NF Agriculture and non farm combination
Y=3, AG+OFF+NF Agriculture, off farm and non farm
Independent variables
AGE Age of Household Head in years
SEX Sex of Household Head (1= Female, 0= Male)
EDUCAT Education level of Household Head in years
FAMILY Family Size of the household members in number
AGROECO Ecology of the household (0= midland, 1= high land)
LAND Land size owned by the Household in Hectares
LIVESTOK Livestock hold by the household in tropical livestock unit (TLU)
INPUT Farm input use by the Household (0= No, 1= Yes)
EXTENS Frequency of extension contact a farmer has with extension agent in a year
COOPER Participation of the household in cooperatives (0=No, 1= Yes)
LEADER Leadership participation of the Household Head (0=No, 1=Yes)
CREDIT Credit use by the household (0= No, 1= Yes)
MKTDIS Distance of the nearest market from dwelling in kilometre
REMITA Economic support to the household (0= No, 1= Yes)
DEPRATIO Dependency ratio of the household
Table 2. Multinomial logit regression of AG + OFF livelihood strategy choice
Variables
Coeff.
Std.Err.
t-ratio
P-value
Marginal effects
ONE
SEX
AGE
EDUCAT
FAMILY
AGROECO
LAND
LIVESTOK
INPUT
EXTENS
COOPER
LEADER
CREDIT
MKTDST
REMITA
DEPRATIO
5.409
-1.901
-0.061
-1.002
0.063
-0.489
-4.099
-0.280
1.017
1.553
1.180
0.227
-1.311
-0.018
0.864
0.180
2.318
1.008
0.045
0.384
0.207
1.048
1.853
0.212
1.057
0.912
1.329
1.055
1.139
0.193
1.143
1.606
2.333
-1.884
-1.338
-2.603
0.304
-0.466
-2.212
-1.319
0.962
1.702
0.888
0.215
-1.150
-0.093
0.756
0.112
0.019
0.059*
0.180
0.009***
0.761
0.641
0.026**
0.186
0.335
0.088*
0.374
0.829
0.249
0.925
0.449
0.910
0.551
-0.248
-0.003
-0.079
0.014
-0.073
-0.436
-0.025
0.048
0.171
0.046
0.086
-0.156
-0.013
0.042
-0.089
Table 3. Multinomial logit regression of AG + NF livelihood strategy choice
Variables
Coeff.
Std.Err.
t-ratio
P-value
Marginal effects
ONE
SEX
AGE
EDUCAT
FAMILY
AGROECO
LAND
LIVESTOK
INPUT
EXTENS
COOPER
LEADER
CREDIT
MKTDST
REMITA
DEPRATIO
2.449
-0.016
-0.081
-0.831
-0.158
0.495
-1.511
-0.143
1.107
0.694
1.353
-0.526
-0.108
0.177
0.901
2.151
1.842
0.697
0.038
0.336
0.168
0.911
1.091
0.160
0.905
0.747
0.985
0.896
0.885
0.153
0.905
1.280
1.329
-0.023
-2.137
-2.470
-0.939
0.543
-1.383
-0.897
1.223
0.928
1.373
-0.587
-0.122
1.157
0.995
1.680
0.183
0.981
0.032**
0.013**
0.347
0.586
0.166
0.369
0.221
0.353
0.169
0.556
0.902
0.247
0.319
0.092*
0.121
0.156
-0.014
-0.114
-0.054
0.209
-0.003
-0.005
0.143
0.061
0.171
-0.091
0.106
0.045
0.108
0.550
***, **,* Significant at <1%, 5% and 10% probability level respectively.
Source: own survey, 2007
***, **,* Significant at <1%, 5% and 10% probability level respectively.
Source: own survey, 2007
Interpretation of econometric results
Sex of household head (SEX): Gender affects diversification options, including the choice of income-generating activities (both farm and non-farm) due to culturally defined roles, social mobility limitations and differential ownership of/access to assets (Galab et al, 2002). In the study, as expected sex of household head is found to negatively and significantly (< 0.05) influences diversification into off farm activities by FEHHs. Thus, keeping the influence of other factors constant; the likelihood of FEHHs choice of agriculture and off farm livelihood strategy decreases by 24.8 %. The opposite is true for the male counterparts. This result is in agreement with previous studies conducted by Adugna (2005) and Berhanu (2007).
Age of household head (AGE): As expected, this variable was found significant (p<0.5) to negatively influence farmers decision to diversify to non farm activities, which implies that farmers participate in non-farm activities at a decreasing rate as they age. From Table 40, it can be seen that the likelihood of a HH simultaneous choice of agriculture and non farm activities decreases by 1.4 % with increasing age. The possible reason is that farmers whose age is relatively younger, leaving other factors constant, could be pushed to engage more in non-farm activities than agriculture alone. This is because, younger farm households cannot get enough land to support their livelihood compared to the older farm households. This result is congruent with previous studies by Barrett et al, (2001); Destaw, (2003), Rao et al., (2004); Adugna, (2005); Mulat et al., (2006), Berhanu (2007), and Khan (2007).
Educational level of household head (EDUCAT): Educational attainment proves one of the most important determinants of non farm earnings, especially in more remunerative salaried and skilled employment in rural Africa (Barrett et al, 2001). Education is critical since the better-paid local jobs require formal schooling, usually the completion of secondary school or beyond. Contrary to prior hypothesis, this variable has a negative and significant (p<0.01) and (p<0.05) influence on the decision of the household head participation in off and non farm activities respectively. In other words, participation in off-farm and non-farm activities and low levels of education among sample HH heads were found to be positively associated, suggesting that household heads with more years of education may have realized the low return and decided to work on agriculture. The possible explanation is that the average education achieved (which is below primary level) in by the sample households is not sufficient to be formally employed and educated farmers do not find skill demanding livelihood option in the study area. The result is in line with the findings of Galab et al, (2002), Berhanu (2007) and Khan (2007), but in contradiction with the findings of Barrett et al., (2001); Destaw (2003).
Livestock holding (LIVESTOK): In line with prior expectation, livestock holding in TLU negatively influence household’s choice of AG+OFF+NF livelihood strategy at less than 10% probability level. That means the farmer with lower livestock holding would be obliged to diversify livelihoods into off and non farm in order to meet needs. In the study the likelihood of diversifying livelihoods into off and non farm activities decrease by 1.9 % for households with more livestock number in TLU. The result is in line with the findings of Tesfaye (2003) ,Berhanu (2007) and Khan (2007).
Family size (FAMILY): In line with expectation, family size was found to have positive and significant relation to diversification of livelihood strategies into AG + OFF + NF at < 10% probability level. The positive correlation between family size and diversification might be due to the relation between larger family size and household labour or corresponding higher demand for food in the household which implies that while an additional member to the household increases the odds to participate in agriculture plus off farm plus non- farm activities in order to meet basic needs to the family. This means, one extra person in the household increases the likelihood of diversifying livelihoods by 3.3 %. In other words, additional family member decreases the odds to work only on farming. This finding is similar to that of Bezemer and Lerman, (2003), and Khan (2007).
Agro-ecology (AGROECO): As expected, this variable has a negative and significant (P<0.10) correlation with the likelihood of choosing agriculture and off farm livelihood strategy. This means the tendency that the household diversify livelihoods into agriculture plus off farm plus non farm increases as we go from high lands to midland. Hence, the probability of diversifying into agriculture plus off farm and non farm drops by 15.7 % for highland households. The result is in line with that of Jansen et el., (2004). This might be due to differences in the quality and size of land, the amount and distribution of rainfall and population densities that influence between highlands and midlands. For instance, climatically the later is wormer than the former.
Land size owned (LAND):- As hypothesized, the area of land owned by the household has a significant (P<0.05 and p<0.10) and negative correlation with the likelihood of choosing AG+ OFF and AG+OFF+NF respectively. The results of this study suggest that rural households with more land tend to follow agricultural extensification rather than diversifying from agriculture since they draw incentives of land productivity. This implies the chances of choosing agriculture in the context of having large land size decreases the probability of diversifying to off farm and non farm activities by 43.6 % and 14.0 % respectively. On the other hand the probability of diversifying livelihoods decreases by increasing land size as farmers with more land supposed to stay on farm since land stimulates farming. Increased role of off/non farm activities such as selling labour, part-time wage employment, petty trading, especially for poor and less poor households with less land holding and other necessary resources, signify how households respond to a decreasing ratio of farm size to household. This supports the view that off-farm and on-farm activities compete over the limited household resources. It also implies that those households who expect secured agricultural income stay on farm and lower off-farm intensity. Lanjouw and Lanjouw (1995) also found out that landholdings per capita are negatively correlated with participation in low productivity occupations. This result is in line with that of Berhanu (2007), Mulat et al., (2006) and Khan (2007). The implication is that farmers just switch away from off-farm activities when the farm activity is promising; and hence, this supports the necessity argument as opposed to the choice argument. Farmers consider off-farm activities as a last resort income source if crop production fails.
Frequency of extension contact (EXTENS): This variable has a positive and significant (p<0.10) correlation with the likelihood of choosing agriculture and off farm livelihood strategy instead of sustaining on agriculture alone. Keeping other factors constant; the likelihood of participation in agriculture and off farm, increases by 17.1 % for those who have gained frequent extension contact than the counterparts. The objectives of extension is to change farmers outlook towards their difficulties which assists them adapt better solution to their livelihoods (Samuel, 2001).Thus, the information obtained and the knowledge and skill gained from extension organization may influence farmers’ skill and decision making on seeking diversification. The frequent extension contact received will increase the tendency of household to participate in off farm activities. This may be also explained by the factors that the message/contents that farmer gain from extension agents help them to initiate to use risk aversion strategies that seek diversification of income within and out agriculture.
Credit use (CREDIT): Contrary to expectation,credit use is found to have a significant (p< 0.05) negative impact on the likelihood of choosing diversified livelihood strategy which combines agriculture, off farm and non farm. This implies that, the likelihood of participating in diversified livelihood strategy by the household drops by 9.9 % for a household using credit. This negative impact may be attributed to the fact that credit use allows farmers to follow agricultural intensification by accessing farm inputs which in turn improves productivity. This more implies that the formal and informal credit facilities that avail for rural farmers are a very important asset in rural livelihoods not only to finance agricultural inputs activities, but also to protect loss of crucial livelihood assets such as cattle due to seasonal food shortage, illness or death (Tesfaye, 2003). The result of the study, therefore, strongly suggest that farmers’ access and use of credit would play important role in promoting agricultural development rather than diversification. The result is also in agreement with that of Holden et al., (2004); Brown et al, (2006), Berhanu (2007), and Khan (2007). This implies that the incentive for accessing credit accelerates agricultural production.
Dependency Ratio (DEPRATIO):- As hypothesized, dependency ratio is found to have a significant (P<0.10) positive correlation with choice decision of agriculture and non farm livelihood strategy. This indicates that with increase in dependency ratio the ability to meet subsistence needs declines and the dependency problems make it necessary in the household to diversify their income source (Khan, 2007. Households with higher dependency ratios follow less remunerative non-farm livelihood strategies (Jansen et el., 2004). This means when the dependency ratio increase, the ability of farmers to meet family needs decrease and chance of diversifying livelihood to non farm activities increases. If the dependency ratio increases by one the probability of the household’s falling into agriculture plus non-farm livelihood strategy increases by 55%. The policy implications of this pattern seem clear, a need to address rapid population growth as well as the provision of job opportunities for adult labour. This result is inconsistent with that of Warren (2002); and Rao et al., (2004).
Inputs use (INPUT): Contrary to expectation, use of chemical fertilizer and HYVs was found to be positively and significantly affect the rural households’ decision to choose agriculture plus off farm plus non farm livelihood strategy at <10% level of significance. The probable reason for this is that due to improvement of productivity through farm input use the farmers might go for petty trading and other non farm activities. This suggests that those who are better-off can afford to buy fertilizer/ HYVs and those who are poor may not. As a result, those who use fertilizer /HYVs may produce more per unit area than non-users and can have access to large quantity of food and diversify income sources for accumulation.
Membership to cooperatives (COOPER): This variable as hypothesized was found significant (<0.05) to positively determine choice of livelihood strategy towards agriculture plus off farm plus non farm activities by 13.2 %. That means the household who participate in cooperatives will diversify livelihoods into off and non farm since cooperatives promote access to social capital in which off/ non farm options are gained. Culturally appropriate forms of social capital also appear to have the potential to aid rural income generation and reduce vulnerability to income shocks. As group discussants revealed, cooperation in the form of credit unions, producer organizations, women credit association for milk and better, and churches have positive effects on the income generating capacity of their members and, through production linkages, on the wider local economy in the study area. The result is in line with that of Warren (2002) and Bezemer and Lerman (2002).
Receiving remittance (REMITA): Rremittance refers to money sent from inside and outside the country. As expected, the multinomial logit model identified this variable as it had positive contribution to the diversification of livelihood strategies apart from agriculture to off and non farm at significance of <10 % probability level. This meant that, the likelihood of a household receiving remittance increase choice of diversification into off farm and non farm activities by 8.7 %. The result is in consistent with the findings of Bezemer and Lerman, (2002) and Brown et al, (2006). Although remittances constitute only a small part of total household income on average, they appear important for keeping rural households diversify activities.
5. SUMMARY AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the present study it is possible to conclude that the constraints of the rural households in choosing livelihood strategies that will lead them achieve food security goal should not be put aside since food security problem cannot be overcome by simply concentrating on the farm sector alone; intersectoral issues and farm and non-farm linkages need to be addressed as well. Moreover, the contribution made by non-agricultural sector to rural households is a significant; although for the poor these activities are survival oriented and have little to do with wealth accumulation.
The result of the multinomial logistic regression model revealed that out of 15 variables included in the model, 13 explanatory variables are found to be significant up to less than 10% probability level. Accordingly, sex of household head (<0.05) education level of household head (< 0.01), land size (<0.05) were found to have negative association with agriculture plus off farm livelihood strategy. Where as, extension contact (<0.10) was found to be significant and positively influence households choice of agriculture plus off farm livelihood strategy. Meanwhile, age of household head, education level of household head negatively determine choice of agriculture plus non farm activities at < 0.05 probability level. Dependency ratios, on the other hand, positively affect the same strategy at < 0.10 probability level. In the case of diversified livelihood strategy, i. e. agriculture plus off farm plus non farm, agro-ecology (<0.10), land size (<0.10), livestock holding (<0.10), credit use (<0.10), were found significant and affect choice of this livelihood strategy negatively. Input use (<0.10), cooperatives membership (<0.05), receiving remittance (<0.10), family size (<0.10), were found to affect the choice of similar livelihood strategy positively.
Recommendations
Household livelihoods are highly diverse. Policy-makers need to reflect on the most suitable ways of supporting this diversity. Only with more appropriate policies that recognize the importance of diversity will it be possible for more people to make positive exits from food security risk through diversity. The key finding of the study was that diversification across income sources helps households to combat instability in income and thereby increases the probability of their maintaining livelihood security, specially the poor and the overwhelming experience of diversification is as a coping strategy for the poor.
Any attempt to intervene the community need to target specific groups of societies such as female headed households, wage workers, petty traders, the food insecure, the poor, the midlanders or the highlanders. The intervention strategy should have a needs identification to address both the basic needs as well as the needs that arise from wealth category specific constraints. Mechanisms are needed to ensure that the concerns of the poor are reflected in public policies and required to bring these groups into the very center of policy making processes. The fact that the result of the study ensured more than 74.2% households to be food insecure demand development intervention strategies that enable immediate survival during emergency times as well as to promote disaster recovery and increase shock absorbing capacity of the food insecurity vulnerable households.
Sticking to the findings of this study, the contribution made by income from crop and the value of own consumption was found significant and substantial in achieving food security. This implies that efforts has to be made to improve income from cash crops production (Ginger and coffee) to ensure food security through promotion of input use and marketing facilities.
The poor are not merely producers but also wage labourers and consumers; extension should promote technologies not simply geared to increased production, but which are contextually sensitive to potential tradeoffs between productivity (especially labour productivity), increased employment opportunities and reduced vulnerability, doing so in ways which increase the ‘voice’ of poor people.
Family size was found to be directly household livelihood diversification. The main case behind is that as family size increase there is no means of accessing more land to cultivation to meet the demand of large family size. With these scenario, having more household size aggravate the problem of meeting food leave alone education, health and other non – food demands of household that will bring future return. Thus, affirmative action based awareness creation on the impacts of population growth at the family and community level should be strongly advocated that lead to reduction in fertility and lengthen birth spacing resulted in smaller household size.
The substantial effect of education on household livelihood strategy choice for each type of livelihood strategies confirms the significant role of the variable in consideration for betterment of living condition. The fact that, the average years of education achieved by sample HH heads is below primary level indicates that it has no more incentives to involve the household head in more remunerative activities since better jobs demand more than this level.
Livestock sub sector plays a great role in the struggle to eliminate poverty. Its contribution to the total income is significant. Hence, necessary effort should be made to improve the production and productivity of the sector. This can be done through the provision of adequate veterinary services, improved water supply points, introduction of timely and effective artificial insemination services to up-grade the already existing breeds, launching sustainable and effective forage development program, provision of training for the livestock holders on how to improve their production and productivity, improving the marketing conditions, etc
The result showed that off farm and non farm incomes make an important contribution to household cash incomes (23%), and that the proportion of cash income from off farm activities is larger for poorer wealth groups. In this regard, interventions that enhance off farm activities in sustainable manner need to be designed. Therefore the rural development strategy should not only emphasis in increasing agricultural production but concomitant attention should be given in promoting such activities in the rural areas.
The agricultural sector of the district is characterized by land scarcity and increasing fragmentation of already very small farms, and shortage of draught animals. To this affect, the farming economy is not viable especially for the poor. This implies that the non-farm sector has to be developed to absorb more of the growing population. Thus, support to diversification away from precarious livelihood strategy (agriculture) towards sustainable alternatives whose returns are not correlated with land – possibly agro-industry help to shift some proportions of farmers from direct reliance on land for their livelihoods and enhancing resilience.
Culturally appropriate forms of social capital (cooperatives) also appear to have the potential to aid rural income generation. Support to local NGOs, credit unions, producer organizations, organizing and wage labourer associations may have positive effects on the income generating capacity of their members and, through production linkages, on the wider local economy.
The policy to promote adoption of credit to stimulate adoption of high yielding varieties and fertilizer use has not been very successful in the study area. Farmers were reporting that they failed to pose the later due to the absence of the former. Thus, enhancing and expanding rural credits to subsistence farmers in the district should be one of the primary areas of intervention and policy options
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Roa, J., Niehof, A., Price, L., and Moerbeek, H., 2004. Food Security through the Livelihoods Lens: an integrative approach (the case of less favoured areas in the Philippines); /http://www:sls wau.nl/mi/response/Rao.pdf./ date accessed, December 2008.
Samuel Gebre-Sellassie, 2003. Summary report on recent economic and agricultural policy. Paper prepared for the Roles of Agriculture International Conference 20-22 October, 2003Rome, Italy.
Scoones, I., 1998. Sustainable livelihoods, a framework for analysis, IDS working paper number 72, Brighton.
Tesfaye Lemma, 2003. Diversity in livelihoods and farmers strategies in Hararghe highlands, Eastern Ethiopia, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Warren, P., 2002. Livelihoods Diversification and Enterprise Development: An Initial Exploration of Concepts and Issues. Rome: FAO.
About the Author
The author holds MSc. degree in rural development from Haramaya University and have been teaching in Arba Minch university, Ethiopia
Posted in June 27, 2010 ¬ 12:18 amh.MarioNo Comments »
Easy Arts and Crafts Ideas
There are many different arts and crafts ideas to select from as your hobby or as a part of your day to day’s activities. There is the embroidery, cross stitch, or needle point that is part of the great craze in the world or arts and crafts. You’ll find everything that you want in making a superbly inspired and incredibly designed needle crafts. You can choose from embroidery to the fun cross stitch in numerous magazines as well as online websites that features embroidery and cross stitch designs.
Another is craft or ornamental painting. Whether you opt to make monogramming purses or just decorating your vacation recipe boxes, you’ll be able to find assortment of best acrylic paints and other painting tools that will offer you surprisingly fabulous results available at your nearest Waterstone’s or online. You may find plenty of design projects and ideas that you’ll surely love.
Next is by trying only a paper and glue. You can make anything out of paper and glue. You can start decorating your chair, mirror, photo frame, music box, etc with just paper and glue. Just let your creativeness flow or simply look for inspirations on magazines and over the web and your done.
you may also do fabric decorating. You can give your wardrobe a little bit of a face lift by employing beads, fabric paint, iron on patches, and the fabric glue. You can make a new and personalized wardrobe by yourself. Rather than purchasing new wardrobe, you can do fabric decorating and change your wardrobe into a beautifully designed one. Such humanities and crafts ideas are wonderful for your home.
Today, you can simply design your glass by employing stained glass patterns and paints. You can change your normal glass into cozy, colorful ones easily. No necessity to cut, grind, or solder. You may apply this to your glass windows and express your character deliberately in your house.
From floors to your home windows, from loos to your youngsters’s rooms, home decorating is another idea for arts and crafts. You can use stencils, gold leafing, sponge painting, wall boarders, and more. You can search for ideas online and apply it in your house.
Then, there is jewelry making. It is one of the hottest trends in arts and crafts today. Ladies like to design their own jewellery or sell their made jewelries to others. This may be a very delightful pastime and a business too. Another most well liked humanities and crafts ideas today is the scrap booking. You can turn your precious memories into beautiful keepsakes. You can make your very own picture book using straightforward tools like stickers, journals, and rubber stamps. This can be passed down to your kids and for their future generations to come.
Last but not the least is stamping and stenciling. You’ll find wall stencils, brass stencils, border stencils, and adhesive stencils online or at your corner store. So whatever project that you want to do, just look for an inspiration and you can make it.
Beautiful and cheap affordable moderndecorative styrofoam 20″x20″ ceiling tiles are easily installed over existing ceiling over sheet rock, glue on wainscoat, and can be glue over secure popcorn surfaces and require little or no maintenance. Easy to keep clean. A great way to easily and affordable redecorate renovate your home! The possibilites are endless with our variety of styles and finishes! …
Faux Decorative Ceiling Tile PVC, easy to cut, glue with LOCTITE “power grab” all – purpose constraction adhesibe over existing ceiling tile, Ul Rated.
Installation to a clean smooth surface with overlapping edges, design is 24″ x 24″ and actual size is 24.25″ x 24.25 ” to accommodate the 1/4 inch overlapping edge. Also available in standard Grid Size, 23.75″ x 23.75″ to allow you to glue to exis…
A perfect sports cake for any GIRLS Soccer event and fundraisers. This set includes 2 Goal Nets, measuring 3 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches tall and 4 girl players, approximately 2 3/4 inches tall. (6 pieces total) (Cake NOT Included)
This is as EASY as it gets… buy a frosted cake or prepare your own… add the plastic cake toppers. The Cake Photo is just an sample way to decorate the cake. Let you…
Posted in June 25, 2010 ¬ 1:48 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
i have a craft question about tri-fold white project board and animals with the kids head showing
ok, my sons first birthday is coming up and i was going to use tri fold poaster board and have a pic of a monkey on one, lion on the outher and so on and have the kids stand behind where i cut a circle where the head on the animal was and then take pics , ok i forgot what thats called so thats my first question and the outher is how do i do this! im not a good drawler but im ok, any ideas or sights i can go to…please help
The main issue for little kids is to make sure the thing doesn’t keep falling over. Stand it up and then attach it to the wall with a string on each side, top and bottom. Have one of the top strings attached with a hook so that you can undo it to let people in. For babies, parents will want to go in and hide behind it while holding them up.
As for drawing, if you’re not confident that you can do it, ask around to all the other parents or older siblings of the kids who are invited. You’ll probably find someone who would enjoy doing it.
Just remember, he’s a baby, he doesn’t even understand what’s happening, so there is no such thing as failure.
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simplekidscrafts.com – How to draw a lamp (drawing basics for small children)
Raggedy Anne and Andy add a touch of charm to any child’s room. These Decorative Wall Stickers from Sandylion are 100% removable and repositionable, and won’t damage surfaces or leave behind a sticky residue. Peel, remove and stick them on your walls according to your personal style. They’re printed on matte vinyl, so they look like they’re painted right on the walls. Includes four different sheet…
Let your child dream of cruising the highway with the Transportation Wall Border from Sandylion. The Sandylion Wall Border is the perfect addition to any themed room. Featuring cars, trucks, school buses, fire trucks and airplanes, the Transportation Wall Border will certainly be a big hit. Sandylion Home Decor Decorative Wall Borders are a flexible alternative to permanent wall borders. They …
Take two of every animal and decorate your child’s room in one of the freshest styles around. The Sandylion Noah’s Ark Wall Border is the perfect addition to any animal themed room. Featuring two lions, turtles, horses, elephants and giraffes, the Noah’s Ark Wall Border will certainly be a big hit. Sandylion Home Decor Decorative Wall Borders are a flexible alternative to permanent wall borders…
Children’s ‘How to make Balloon Animals’ includes instruction book and pump.
Do you want to keep the kids busy at your next indoor or outdoor party? Just bring this set and it will be endless fun. Adults will join the fun too.
An exciting invitation and fun gift idea!…
A real self-sufficient world where ants and tropical plants live in a perfectly balanced environment. You’ll see the ants dig tunnels and the plants grow their roots right in front of your eyes. The transparent gel is their food and water.Discover the fantastic micro-world of ants with Forest Ants, of the Antquarium range, an educational and interactive game to learn how ants build tunnels and the…
Posted in June 24, 2010 ¬ 11:34 pmh.MarioNo Comments »
I need a new craft hobby, any ideas?
I have 4 children and another on the way and I am in desperate need of a new hobby to chill out with. I used to do a lot of sewing but I find that hard to do with children around. Lots of fabric and pins going everywhere doesnt turn out to be stress free. The same goes for jewelery making and lots of beads and I have enjoyed cross stich which worked well with the kids, I just find it a waste of time to spend hours stitching – what to do with the finished product. its not something i particularly want to put on my wall.
Does anypne have any cute or different ideas for something to keep my mind and hands occupied when i get the chance to sit on the sofa and watch the children play?
why not get them to cross stitch and put the finished products into cards for the family and friends. or even make key-rings, there are many cross stitch magazines out there to enable you to get the parts, I used to make coasters and key-rings.
you could also get them interested in paper craft, scrapbook or card making, there are many kits out there you can buy all the items for and all you will need is the adhesive. I recommend QVC have a look around their craft section, I buy alot of my kits from QVC.
Another mega book of great Perler bead ideas featuring more than 400 designs. Easy find categories are organized by theme: example: girls, boys, under the sea, sports, monsters, etc. Pegboard and beads are not included. Softcover: 23 pages. Made in USA….
Another mega book of great Perler bead ideas featuring more than 400 designs. Patterns include great ideas for suncatchers, magnets, ornaments, frames, keychains and even 3-D designs. Pegboard and beads are not included. Softcover: 24 pages. Made in USA….
PERLER-Mega Idea Book. Perler beads are a great way to teach kids about patterns; colors; and counting. This book gives 400 design ideas for use with Perler beads and pegboards (not included). Softcover: 23 pages. Made in USA….
This extremely rare amateur footage of 1941s Mardi Gras shows a very different celebration than that of modern day. The footage includes the Krewe of Nor, a childrens krewe, and the Krewe of Venus, which are parade troupes that no longer exist (though the Krewe of Little Rascals currently performs). The elegantly decorated floats are hand-drawn, and usually have only a few people on board. There i…
PERLER BEADS-Mega Idea Book III. Another mega book of great Perler bead ideas featuring more than 400 designs. Easy find categories are organized by theme: example: girls;, boys; under the sea; sports; monsters; etc. Pegboard and beads are not included. Softcover: 23 pages. Made in USA….
