February 22nd, 2010
Before chocolate tempering machines were invented, both homemaker and hobbyist alike tempered their chocolates through seeding, tabliering and microwave tempering. This chocolatiers relied heavily on calibrated thermometers and double boilers for an even temper. Manual tempering is an especially complex activity for newbies, and they’ll surely undergo a frustrating trial-and-error phase before perfecting the methods of tempering by hand. Back then, automated tempering was only possible for the big manufacturers of chocolates because they usually worked with several hundreds of pounds of chocolates; additionally, these equipment required large spaces that only a manufacturer can provide.
The chocolate candy making community owes a debt of gratitude to Skip Snyder who invented a smaller tempering machine that is controlled by a microchip and software so that the homemakers and hobbyists can now comfortably temper chocolates in their compact kitchens.
Snyder worked on this technology for several months since he had to work on controlling the temperature factor. Fine quality chocolates contain cocoa butter and this cocoa butter contains fatty acids that could crystallize in six different types. These six types of crystals can dominate the crystallization process at particular temperatures so the technique is to heat, cool and reheat chocolates at correct temperatures to produce only the Type V crystals. This type of crystals is the ones liable for the creaminess, glossiness and clean snap of fine quality chocolates.
Snyder acquired his patent and immediately introduced the Sinsation Chocolate Maker into the market in 1996. Because of its compact size, it was marketed by Chandre LLCSnyder’s businessas an ordinary “kitchen appliance” and its preliminary markets were the homemakers. Chandre focused their advertising efforts in print magazines for chefs and cooks, making their countertop tempering machine obtainable only through mail order.
In 2000, the Sinsation acquired a new name, the “New Sinsation”; soon afterward, it got included in the Revolation line of tempering machines. Chandre’s original investor, Indotronix, kept his share in the new brand owner.
In ChocoVision’s case, marketing was broadened to include and focus on news releases across the Internet, particularly on cooking sites and online newspapers. ChocoVision also actively engaged the different communities discussing candy making, chocolates and baking. They also began sponsoring industry exhibits and competitions on a subsequent improvement of their marketing strategies.
ChocoVision began expanding market reach by opening up not only national but worldwide distribution venues so that the chocolate tempering machine soon appeared in the kitchen tops of hotels, restaurants, cafes and confectionery shops. With its efficiency, precision and dependability, no wonder the chocolate tempering machine has become the new stock in trade of serious and enterprising chocolatiers and enthusiasts.
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December 6th, 2009
Canvas prints have become the latest craze this year, mostly due to the availability of canvas printers, inexpensive canvas and stretcher bars and an ageless need for folk to decorate their living space in an individual way.
Nowadays you can amble into a shop that sells canvas prints with your camera, and a short time later leave the shop in possession of a canvas print of your chosen photo. There’s no end to the possibilities of what you can embellish your living space with : family photos, your own artwork represented as a canvas print, holiday photos, other artist’s works, street scenes, graffiti prints, nature scenes etc. Essentially, you can decide what you want on the canvas itself nowadays, rather than merely be forced to pick from a particular list of prints.
Are people actually doing this themselves now? Not really, in order to create a professional, decent print on your wall. It’s sound advice to seek a professional print shop - they ought to be utilizing the best canvas, robust stretcher bars, should be proficient in clipping and stretching canvas, and be in possession of top-grade printers and software to create the best results. In addition, they have the experience to know how to tweak your photos in order to get the greatest result.
Many canvas print shops sell their canvas service online. Simply type in some keywords into a search engine e.g. canvas art prints and you’ll come across numerous vendors where you can purchase these kinds of canvas prints.
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April 18th, 2008
Welcome back to “Creating Rubber Stamps: Not All Methods Created Equal.” In parts one and two of this three-part series, the advantages and disadvantages of the laser-engraving and photopolymer rubber stamp-making processes were discussed. In this final installment, you will learn how to make custom rubber stamps and art stamps from the comfort of your very own home!
When making stamps at home, a chemical or non-chemical process can be used. Whether chemical or non-chemical, for homemade rubber stamps and art stamps, a flat eraser will become the artist’s palette. To use a non-chemical process, take a pen and outline on the stamp the image to be etched. Using a sharp item, such as a box cutter, steak knife or linoleum cutter, etch away the non-inked eraser so that all that is left is the raised image that the rubber stamp will impress. If you are not confident in your drawing skills, you may want to use a piece of tracing paper and trace the image you would to place on the rubber stamp. Once the image has been traced, flip over the tracing paper and rub the outline onto the stamp. A pin, fork, or other hard surface can also be used to make indentations of the traced surface. This may not give the most precise image; however, it will provide some guidance for artistically-challenged individuals.
If more precise guidance than tracing paper is preferred, a chemical process can also be used. First, a clear black-and-white photocopy of the image will be needed. Wet the image with acetone using a cotton swab or ball, and press the dark side of the image on the eraser. As acetone is highly flammable and may irritate skin, stay in a well-ventilated area and make as little contact with the chemical as possible. Remove the paper from the eraser; the ink will have transferred to the rubber eraser. Using the box or linoleum cutter, carve away the non-inked areas of the eraser; this will create a rubber stamp out of the raised surfaces.
After the rubber stamp has been carved, you may want to mount it on a piece of wood or other hard surface. This will promote the longevity of the stamp and keep it from suffering too much “wear and tear” while stamping. Mounting the eraser will also help the user to stay away from the ink while stamping. Another advantage of using a mounted stamp is the guarantee of a hard surface and quality impression with every imprint.
Although making a stamp by hand is an attractive option, it requires extensive hand-customization and allows little room for error. If the carver makes a mistake, they must adjust the image for the mistake or, in a worst-case scenario, start completely over. In addition to the extensive time required, there are also costs that must be incurred for each stamp created. For example, to create a 1″ x 1″ wooden-mounted stamp, the costs would be approximately:
$0.75 1″ x 1″ wood block
$0.50 rubber eraser
$6.00 Small utility knife and/or linoleum cutter
$2.00 acetone
$9.25 TOTAL
In comparison, the average cost for a 1″ x 1″ stamp online is $4.00-$6.00. While the carving tools and acetone may last for quite a while, the other costs, lack of precision and hassle-factors may prove incentive enough to purchase stamps from an online or retail store.
Whether you’re laser-engraving, creating photopolymer molds, carving rubber stamps by hand or shopping for rubber stamps online, take the knowledge from this three-part series to make your decision! If you are looking for the precision of laser-engraving, the economy of photopolymer, or the homemade look of erasers, each stamp-making method has something to offer. Remember that, when it comes to art stamp and rubber stamp customization, the possibilities are endless!
Gwendolyn Lee is a statistician and analyst of Internet-related metrics for custom rubber stamps at www.rubberstamps.net. She has researched and implemented business models to maximize profitability, efficiency and advertising tracking.
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April 16th, 2008
I took a course a few years ago on machine quilting. My first quilt was very expensive to do by the time I purchased the material, the batting, and the backing, it ended up costing well over $100.
While I really enjoyed quilting, I thought there must be a less expensive way. Well, I have found ways to make them much cheaper.
My list on less expensive ways to make quilts:
1. I obtain curtain samples that companies are no longer using. I cut them into blocks and they work great! I can usually get the samples for $1.00.
2. Second hand stores often have material that you can buy for less than $2.00. I cut it up into blocks, which gives me a wide assortment of colours and textures to choose from.
3. Old clothes that no longer fit or that are worn in the knees or elbows. Cut out the seams, and cut the material into blocks or strips; it works great!!
4. You can bid on ebay auctions for material that is already cut into blocks. You can get some good buys!
5. For the backing I use fleece throws. You can usually obtain these from Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store for under $10.00. I fit my blocks to cover the fleece throw, and then machine quilt the two together.
So now rather than spending $100. for the materials, I rarely spend over $15.00, and I end up with some beautiful quilts!
Starter Tips for Machine Quilting
- start on a simple pattern, blocks 6 x 6. Do not try and attempt complicated patterns for your first quilts, it will only frustrate you. Start simple, and then let your creativity soar!
- do not go out and buy an expensive machine. We use a very simple, inexpensive machine to quilt with, you really do not need all the fancy gadgets
- when machine quilting, always use 100% cotton thread. Most stores have thread identified as “machine quilting thread”
To quote Dr. Suess,
“Think left and think right and think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
Happy Quilting!
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Stress Relief by a Simple Life where you will find stories, thoughts, poems and inspirational quotes on simplicity, frugal living, free craft projects, stress and more.
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note to publishers - please use the text “Stress Relief by a Simple Life” when linking to http://www.stresslesscountry.com.
Thanks!
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April 7th, 2008
For those of you who don’t have a lot of time to worry about sewing pillows, curtains and other fabric decorations, there are plenty of no sew projects or projects that require minimal sewing. Even for the beginning sewer, the projects just require you to be able to sew in a strait line with no fancy sewing stitches or techniques.
One of the easiest chair covers, pillows and curtain toppers that you can make involves using cloth napkins. You can find cloth napkins in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes. You can use cloth napkins to cover seat cushions or to throw over the top of a curtain rod to make a curtain topper. If you sew two cloth napkins with their right sides together, you can then turn them right sides out and stuff them to make instant pillows. You can often find cloth table clothes that match napkins and you can use them to cover an ottoman or sew two together to make curtains. Using cloth napkins and table clothes that already have finished edges gives them a professional look for just a little bit of money.
If you are going for a more casual curtain look, you can buy sheets for decorating. Whether you choose chambray sheets or white sheets, once they are hanging on the curtain rod nobody will ever know that they are sheets. All you have to do is hem them to the correct length, which can be done by sewing or by using fusible tape and an iron. Depending on the window size, you may have to cut the sheets in half in order to avoid having a bulky fabric look. If you cut them in half you will need to fold in the cut edges to form a smooth edge which can be accomplished by sewing them or using fusible tape. A sheet can also be used to cover an old sofa and will look similar to a shabby chic sofa cover.
If you have left over fabric from any of your projects there are a number of easy projects that you can do to use this fabric and help tie things in your room together. You can cover a lamp shade with fabric by using shades that you can buy at a local craft store that are specially designed for fabric. Thin strips of fabric can be used to tie curtains back. A long piece of fabric or sheet can be used for a table runner.
In addition to these no sew or easy sew decorating projects you can find hundreds of ideas on the internet for other projects. You are only limited by your imagination not by your inability to sew. Making your house into a home by adding personal touches couldn’t be any easier with all these simple project ideas.
I enjoy writing and creating websites. For more of my websites please visit my algabra, medicalcoding, yamahamotorcycles websites.
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