Thursday 28 May 2009

Sell Annuity Information - The Benefits of Annuity Sales Systems

Submitted By: Jennifer Walter
The definition of an annuity
The annuity represents one sort of contract or even agreement between several parties in which one or more clients receive regular sums of money from the payments that they have made in the past. The annuity can also be regarded as an investment ensuring that persons can receive some form of income for many years to come.
Types of annuity?
The annuity comes in different flavors in that it can be flexible, the premium or single, judging by the deposits made and the number of deposits over the years, by deferred or by immediate payment, judging by the time payment is set to start, by the money that was paid for them and the amount of taxation for that annuity as well as judging by the way the payments are made, whether they will come with interest or whether they will be accounted as being fixed or indexed.
How can you accomplish success through selling annuities?
For one thing, in order to maintain success for long periods of time, you need to obtain correct values in the system and be able to have some degree of success in the past. By creating the value for yourself or making a name in the market, you will be able to attract customers to come to you and thus, you will be able to have customers that you can offer your services to. To do that, you might need some good referrals from people you have worked with in the past as well as advertisements in the media to make yourself known. Moreover, endorsements of this type will ensure that you can be proved to provide good quality services to the customers and that you will be able to build a lasting relationship between yourself and your clients.
How to double check your system of solutions?
Success will be guarantee when you have looked over the following:
-ensuring that you have a constant number of people that are scheduling appointments with you;
-ensuring the customers aren't accompanied by their own financial advisors, because you need people who do not have financial advisors
;seeing the sales flourish after you have put effort to make it work
;seeing that the customers ask for future commitments or come over to ask for more guidance.
Next, the question is how to manage to devise correct systems to work. In this case, you might want to ensure that you will find a good formula so that you can attract prospects that other sellers do not know about and that you cam offer a system that is of good quality.
Another thing to do would be to narrow the area of the prospects you are focusing upon by having them not be accompanied by advisors. Therefore, you will be able to ensure that the clients are there to look after your guidance and that there is nobody around to keep contradicting you. Moreover, it is a good idea to have your attention focused on a certain branch on the market.
Improving your sales through sale pitches might also attract a few more customers to your business and this might convince people to apply for your services.
Do your job well, put effort in it so that the client can see that you are customers oriented and that you are able to carry commitments and deadlines and thus, make proof of your extreme service behavior. The clients might end up coming for more guidance, even after their contract with you has expired.
A few tips to ensure you are building a viable financial system would be to write down the business plans you have in mind. Then, set the goals that you are targeting and let the customer be aware of that. Next, you should start working on attracting more prospects to your business by organizing meetings and appointments with them. Remain cost conscious of the services that you are offering and do no overprice things.
Constructing plans ahead of time might save you some time and you will also be able to make good impression when you will be meeting new customers. Come up with ingenious techniques and ideas that will give your prospects a lot of choices from which to choose. Moreover, you should outsource the marketing options that you have in the case that business is not working for you.
Also, make sure you believe in what you are selling and most importantly, that you believe in yourself.
About Jennifer Walter
Discover how to sell retirement annuities for large single payments as well as learning from the experts on the recommended ways to sell your annuities when you visit http://www.howdoannuitieswork.com, the premier top sell annuity settlement.
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How Do Annuities Work - Rate of Returns and How to Derive Their Meaning

Submitted By: Jennifer Walter

Many people have a lot of trouble making sense of how to calculate the rates that they will receive. The main reason for this is the fact that not everyone can make calculations or can understand what is happening in the market and therefore, they do not know how to do permutations, combination or numerical calculations that are important when you are calculating rates. Therefore, a greater sense of awareness must be built before you understand the mechanics of the market and you should first start with the calculations aspect.
The disinterest here can reach high levels and thus, people might feel trapped if you start imposing on them to do such calculations. Choosing to not make imprudent decisions is a wise thing to do and this will avoid having financial losses. After that, it is also important to keep in mind that you need to do whatever you can to ensure you will not be doing those mistakes again.
Being aware of ways to calculate the returns that you will receive when selling annuities will mean you are on correct way. The lack of being aware of what is happening can lead to dire consequences and thus, you might not be able to make use of the earnings from the annuities. Therefore, it is advisable to be acquainted with the system and when the people can know how to work out facts as well as figures, then they will not so easily fooled by fraud.
The definition of the return rate
The return rate, or the ROR, can also be abbreviated as ROI, coming from return derived from investments. It represents the ratio between the amount of money that you lose or gain and the amount of money that you have initially invested. Otherwise, you can call it just the return. It represents a powerful indicator of how much income or gain you can receive from the annuity investments when you are measuring it as investments. Also, taking into consideration the financial calendar that you receive, you could consider it to be a return rate that is receive each year. The method you would use to calculate is will be described below and you will have to take into consideration the profits or losses from it.
How to calculate return effectively?
For one thing, the rate will be calculated judging by the percentages of the monetary figures. This might or might not indicate whether you have made any profits or losses in what regards first investment. For example, if your profits had amounted to up to one thousand dollars and if you had had fifty dollars interest, then this means the gains you would receive with one hundred dollars would be about twenty dollars in interest. This might appear that the investment that was larger will garner more money than the investment that was smaller.
With further calculations, you will see that the percentage will increase because the ROR will give different results. For instance, the fifty dollars that were gained before represent only five percent of what you have initially invested but with twenty dollars received from an investment of one hundred dollars, you will receive an investment of twenty percent, which is definitely higher. Judging in the long term, the investment that was smaller will yield higher returns because you will receive more money through it than through the investment that was bigger. Therefore, it might be more profitable to deal with small investments at once.
In order to calculate the ROR, you might need an investment to be existent for one year and therefore, you will need to consider the percentage of nvestment and thus, the example that was given earlier in the discussion will prove effective in exemplifying what was meant to be said.
When the investment will be smaller or larger than the one over the year, then you will be able to multiply or perhaps divide the profit that will be returned to the sum that you will receive for a year. Therefore, the rate will be called annualized because.
In the case of returns that last for less than one year, in the case of a rate for one month that is for less than two year percent, you will be able to have the rate multiplied by twelve or twenty four percent. Therefore, provided that the rate will last longer than a year, this means that you will have to divide the earnings in money considering the product that was received from the investment and by considering the time that will be needed for accumulation. This means that the combination will be able to give the rate for returns.
About Jennifer Walter
Learn the basics and the fundamentals of annuity selling as well as what benefit an annuity sale system does you when you visit http://www.howdoannuitieswork.com, for free information on sell annuity settlement and payment information.
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How to Sell My Annuity - Fundamentals of Selling For Annuity

Submitted By: Jennifer Walter
Provided that you have the following situation, what would you do? Let's say that there was an emergency and you might need to obtain large sums of money. Therefore, in the case of emergencies, you might need to liquidate the annuity plans. Thus, the solution that you will appeal to will be to sell some of the annuities that you have received. In that case, you won't have any choice but to do that.
Selling the plans will ensure that you will be able to make the money until the annuities will make you receive the money that you receive. Therefore, you might want to get away from a certain plan or perhaps you will be patient enough to receive cash, because a large purchase might need to oblige you to change plans. Therefore, you should think before you act and people who are not familiar with the rules will come across problems. Therefore, you should study more about annuities and contracts, especially those based on insurance.
As a consequence, the companies that base their affairs on fraudulence will be able to take advantage of the gullible ones and they will withdraw money from the values that will be formed from the annuities. The companies might manage to pay you less the amount you should receive and by doing so you might end up losing money in order to take the amount and they might take you longer to get you paid and thus, they won't be actually paying you the real amount of money.
Therefore, you should stand on guard against predators and make sure you receive the basic knowledge
against how the companies might get your money and therefore you should be prepared to have certain things in your mind. The things as well as questions should be prepared in advance, which would then elicit right answers when the situation will ask for it.
In the first place, you should make things for the plans you want to have in your possession. The annuities come in different places and in different flavors. These annuity plans can work differently and thus, you might want to benefit from annuities that are fixed or that are variable. The fixed plans will require interest rates in the case of return and the variable plans will need policyholder and thus, you will have the option to be able to invest in bonds as well as in stocks.
The return rates on the variable plans are also depending on how the investments in the market are progressing and on the market status. The annuities can then branch out and form different divisions and might also differ on the type of payment and how the payout will be done and when will it be paid back.
Moreover, the annuity plan also come with sub forms and thus, you can benefit from either immediate annuity or from deferred annuity. The deferred type will make the policyholder have a guarantee the owner's plan will guarantee that he or she will receive money from the annuity. On the other hand, the annuity plans that are immediate can be liquidated over a time and thus, in the short duration, the plan you will be able to have the procurement of plans and thus, you will have one lump in the form of payment.
The optimum point of the plan would be to dispose of the plan that you will have as income in one payout. This manner, you will be able to have the contract repaid its entire value and therefore, bequeath it in order to make the proceeds get back to the beneficiary.
Another point that should be considered is when the sale of annuity plan might prove of being of an advantage to you provided you have emergencies and then you will be able to make use of the advantages required. The consideration would be when the annuities will be fixed or whether the annuities will be variable, otherwise the results of your earnings will be differentiated.
If you have chosen to invest the money in fixed annuities, then you should wait to do that and not wait until the moment you are retiring. In this way, an annuity can exist as being a source of income and then, you will receive the reason in order to have the possibility to invest in money.
The return rate inside the plan can not keep with inflation rates therefore, you might find differences and you might not have the success of being able to receive some form of income. If you benefit from variable annuities, then this means that you will need to consider the time period. This plan is not one of the best options that you could choose because you won't have the guarantee to receive a lot of money. Therefore, planning when the market is high to sell the annuities is one important thing you need to do.
Therefore, it might be important to have the annuity sold earlier and thus, you should plan the selling earlier and thus, the market might be suffering and you might need to have the money available immediately. Therefore, you will not be able to sell anything at market value and you might end up losing money.

About Jennifer Walter
Discover things you need to know about selling annuities as well as guide on comparison of annuity selling for cash when you visit http://www.howdoannuitieswork.com, the free resource portal on sell annuity settlement and payment information.
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Tuesday 26 May 2009

One Day Decorating

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

There are a lot of ways that you can spend a day off. You could go to a movie. You could grab a pedicure with your best friend. Or, you could redecorate a room in your home. While it might seem a tall order to change a room’s décor in just one day, there are small changes you can make that will have a big impact on your room.

Maybe you’re bored with the interior of your home but don’t want to spend too much time redecorating it. Maybe you have an elderly parent that has moved in and you want a room blended around their furnishings, taste and age. Whatever your reason for wanting a change, here are a few ideas that will get you started in just one day.

Paint
You already know how a fresh paint color can dramatically change your room. Consider painting the entire room or just an accent wall. Another way freshen up your space with paint is to give all the moldings and architectural elements a fresh coat of paint or stain.

Rearrange furniture
Simply changing the layout of your existing furniture can make it feel like a whole new room. Move a chair close to a window to make a perfect spot for reading that is flowing with natural light. Change the traffic patterns to help ease the wear on your floor or carpet. Pull pieces from other room to give them – and your room – new life.

Change accessories
Making changes as small as changing throws and accent pillows can make a big difference. Doing so is a quick and inexpensive way to add new and interesting punches of color. Also, change flower arrangements and other accent pieces to help give your room a fresh new look. All of these changes can be made seasonally, or anytime that you just want a quick change.

Add new lighting
Consider adding a ceiling fan, chandelier, recessed lighting or some accent lighting. New lighting features can change the look of a whole room. While changing a fixture is easy, unless you are sure you know what you’re doing, this would be a good time to call in a professional.
While there are many ways you can change a room yourself, there are some times when it’s best to call in a professional. The best example of such a time is when you are attempting to sell your home. Calling in a stager will help you show your home in the most favorable possible light, and that could add thousands of dollars to the sale price of your home.

Not only can professional arranging make use of your existing accent pieces and furniture, it can dramatically transform your rooms in just a few hours. While you may receive suggestions of adding new pieces, in many cases, stagers are able to work with what you already have in your home.

They refresh your space with different arrangements and highlight pieces, which you may have stored in your attic or garage. In this way they can help you achieve a totally new look that is attractive and practical in only a few hours.Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, redecorating a room or two is a great way to spend an afternoon off!

About Jessica Ackerman
Shop today for wall decoration products such as iron wall art, wall décor and much more at Wall Décor and Home Accents.
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Quick Change Décor

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

Some people get bored with their home décor, and feel the need to change it often. Of course, many folks don’t have the time or money to make big changes every time they feel their home needs a little freshening up. But there are fast and easy ways to update your look without having to spend a lot of money.

Paint
Nothing brightens a room like a fresh coat of paint. Experiment with a bold new color. Don’t be afraid to try something different. If you really hate it, you can paint right over it! This quick change will work in any room in the house. Most rooms can easily be painted in less than a day, and your room will look extra fresh and clean.

Pillows
Want a new look for your living room or bedroom? Buy some fabulous new throw pillows! You can add interesting punches of color and beautiful touches of fabric just by tossing some pillows onto the couch or bed. If you think you are tired of your furniture or bedding, adding new throw pillows may change your mind and add some extra mileage to that old sofa.

Candles and Flowers
Adding candles and flowers can brighten up most any room. Even if you already have both, change them often. If you use artificial flowers for you arrangements, it’s easy to become so used to your floral touches that you don’t even notice them anymore. Change your arrangements every month or so to keep the room looking fresh. Candles can also be changed to add a touch of a different color or a wonderful new scent. Hanging candle holders make an interesting and bold choice, and will add a touch of elegance to any wall.

Mirrors and Wall Art
Changing the items you have hanging on your wall is one of the best ways to make your room look brand new. Replace the painting over your fireplace with a mirror or some metal work for an elegant change. Also, consider changing your artwork a few times a year. Perhaps you could choose art with a color palette that will compliment your seasonal decorating. Even if you are on a limited budget, there are specialty stores that sell beautiful prints and paintings at very reasonable prices. Also, visit your local art galleries. While not everything will be within your price range, there are likely to be some pieces that you can afford.

Accessories
Swapping out the items you have on shelves and tables in your rooms is a quick and easy way to help freshen up the look of any room in a matter of minutes. While some people don’t like change, others grow bored with their decorating. This is an economical way to get the most mileage out of your décor.

You don’t need a lot of time to make changes that will brighten up your home. In just one day you can make small changes that will make a big impact.
About Jessica Ackerman

For more information and tips on home decor, visit Wall Décor and Home Accents - also check out their unique selection of wall candle holders , wall decorations.
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Tips For An Inviting Guest Room

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

If you have a guest room in your home, why not make it a place that people will feel welcome and comfortable? There are easy ways to turn your guest room into a space that lets your guests know that you care about them, and that you’re glad they are visiting! Here are some tips to help you create an inviting guest room.

1. Storage
When a guest comes to stay, one thing that can make for an uncomfortable visit is not having any place to store the items they brought with them. In addition to closet space, your guest room should include a dresser that is empty. Even if your guest is only staying a day or two, and needs only one or two drawers, if you have items in some of the drawers in the guest room, he may feel uncomfortable storing his things there. Also, hang some wall shelves, so that guests will have a handy spot to place their keys, wallet, books and other items.

2. Books
Have a large variety of books and magazines available for your guest to enjoy once he has retired to his room. Have wall shelves full of books in several genres as well as a magazine rack with several current issues. This will add to the homey feel of the room, and help your guest relax before going to sleep.

3. Mirrors
Even if your guest will have his own bathroom during his stay, the guest room should still have at least one mirror. Hang a beautiful decorative mirror and you’ll have style and function. Also, if the room is on the small side, hanging a mirror will help the room feel larger.

4. Cozy Bedding
Nothing will help your guest feel more at home than finding soft, fluffy, cozy bedding when he retires for the night. Choose cotton sheets with a high thread count and plump pillows. Add a luxurious comforter, and your guest may never want to leave!

5. Décor
Some people neglect the task of decorating their guest room. Instead, they simply place a bed and a dresser in the room and consider it complete. But, when your guests come to stay don’t you want them to have a room that is as lovely as the other rooms in your home? The décor should be simple, so that the room can maintain an open feel, but simple can also be beautiful. Paint the walls in soft, neutral tones and hang curtains that can block the light in case your guest needs a nap during the day. Hang wall shelves for storage, mirrors and a clock in case your guest forgot his watch. If there is room, consider adding a television and/or stereo, so that your guest will feel free to watch or listen to what they please during their stay.

If you like to entertain overnight guests, the guest room may be one of the most important rooms in your house. With just a little extra attention, this room can go from “blah” to “wow”!

About Jessica Ackerman
Jessica Ackerman writes articles for Wall Décor and Home Accents, which offer unique wall décor products like wall candle sconces , wall décorations and more.
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Giving Your Home A Cottage Feel

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

Ever wish you could steal away to a country cottage? Why not decorate your home with elements that will remind you of such a getaway? This style has grown in popularity recently, so there is no shortage of ideas out there. Many who love a cottage look add to their décor over a period of years, but you can start your transformation with a little time and imagination.
Begin by browsing through magazines featuring cottage home living. There are several variations on this theme, including beach cottage and shabby chic. Spending time looking at work by professional designers will help guide you as you figure out which type of cottage décor will best suit your taste and your home.

No matter where you live, you can find enjoyment in cottage décor. Many city dwellers find cottage decorating particularly appealing. It means that they can return to their homes after a day at work in the hustle and bustle of the city and find themselves in a different world.
When selecting the paint color for your walls, find your inspiration from cottage life. Consider the colors you would see when spending time at a country cottage: white birch, bluebirds, and wild flowers and take your color palette from there.

Consider whitewashing or distressing some of your furniture. Distressing will give your furniture a weathered look that will lend itself perfectly to cottage décor. If you opt for whitewashing, it will help your room to take on a fresh, airy feel.

To add punches of color throughout the room, purchase or make vibrant throw pillow and curtains. Select items that feature simple embroidery, floral patterns and vibrant colors. These allow you to add your personality to your interior-decorating scheme. There are many places to find bargain prices on items from curtains to towels including flea markets, second hand stores, yard and garage sales.

You may even find that your local college or art festival has some reasonable yet unique materials, which could be perfect for your space. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and end up with a collector’s piece if the artist becomes well known in the future.
Look out for antique needlepoint, lamps and old architectural pieces as these all add appeal. Finishing touches can be added by the growing of herbs in a container on your windowsill.
There are no hard and fast rules about what does and does not go in a room with a cottage theme. Again, there are many variations on this theme and the best way to find the style that best suits you is to browse through photos of what others have done.

In addition to considering the look you want, you should also take into account the feelings you want to evoke with your decorating. Do you want the relaxed feel of being at the beach? Do you want to inspire memories of spending time and your grandmother’s country cottage?
You can create the cottage look that is perfect for you and your home. Take your time, find the perfect pieces and before long you’ll have created your own personal retreat.

About Jessica Ackerman
Shop today for wall decoration products such as metal wall art, wall décor and much more at Wall Décor and Home Accents.
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Monday 25 May 2009

Practical Home Improvement Tips You Would Not Want to Miss

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

You know that your home is already a decent and nice-looking abode. But at the same time, you also know that there is more that you can do with your home to make it more visually interesting and to give a more inviting and relaxing ambiance.

If that is so, then the thing you need to do is what we call home improvement. Lessen the clutter, improve the design, enhance the overall appearance of the house, make it more beautiful than it already is these are the main objectives of a home improvement process.

The good news is that you do not need to break your life's savings just to achieve this. Below are some practical home improvement tips that you would surely be happy to know about.

Get Rid of the Clutter
One thing you would probably notice about your home is that there are just too many things inside it and if you look closely, you will see that you do not even need half of these things. The perfect way to resolve this is to get rid of as much useless and worthless clutter there is. You can either give to charity, and feel contented, happy and generous after, or sell these in a garage sale, which would give you money you can use to improve your home. Either way, the main objective is to get rid of the clutter. For those that you still need but use seldom, store them neatly in a storage room.

Color Styles
Next thing you need to do to improve the overall look and feel of your home is to color the walls. Cream, white, and soft pastel hues such as salmon, ice blue, mint, gentle yellow, and ecru are just some of the most popular shades when it comes to colors that soothe and relax.
Wall art that complement the theme of the room makes walls even more beautiful. Add a modern abstract wall art if your home's style is contemporary or a metal tropical wall art if your theme is a tropical one.

Furniture Rearrangement
After you have gotten rid of the clutter, this will make the rearrangement of the furniture easier and more feasible. What you should aim for is an arrangement that will allow free flow or movement of people around the room, and the impression of a larger space.
If you deem the furniture pieces are already arranged in a perfect way, then there is probably no more need to make an adjustment. Otherwise, grab a paper and a pen and start sketching the possible furniture arrangements you can do to achieve those objectives mentioned above.
It is always smart to consult interior home decorating experts or read interior design magazines to get practical and useful ideas you can use in your home.

Adapt a Theme
Using a theme for your home not only makes it appear new and visually interesting but also makes the makeover easier. One of the most popular contemporary design options today is a tropical interior theme.

This type of theme is great because it combines the modern style of interior decorating with the nature elements of the environment, specifically those found in tropical regions. With this type of theme, you can make use of furniture made of tropical materials such as bamboo and abaca, tropical accessories, and tropical wall arts like metal tropical wall art.
Home is where the heart is. You have probably heard about this adage a thousand times already. But you know that this is true indeed. For this reason, it is very important that you are able to decorate and design your home in such a way that it will become a peaceful and relaxing escape for you and the whole family.

About Jessica Ackerman
Jessica Ackerman is the senior staff writer for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com - a unique wall art store specializing in discount canvas oil paintings and decorative metal wall art
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Transform Your Bedroom Into a Relaxing Tropical Retreat

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman

People love to spend time in their bedrooms, probably because this is the best place to relax, unwind and be yourself. But even if the bedroom is one of the most favorite rooms in the house, people tend to spend more effort and time decorating public rooms such as the living area, the kitchen or the dining room.

This is probably because people often do not feel the need to make a grand design of the bedroom because this is just a place for sleeping and relaxing, and people hardly ever get to see it. But what people forget is that the bedroom is a reflection of a person's character and personality. Because of this, it is only right that we spend just as much time and effort decorating this room.

A good way to decorate your room to make it more inviting, cozy and relaxing without having to spend thousands of dollars is to adapt a tropical theme. There is a wide array of beautiful tropical home decor you can choose from. This kind of theme brings the wonderful tranquil and soothing ambiance of the coastal scene and the liveliness and vivacity of the warm tropical regions right inside your bedroom.

Decorate the Walls
When it comes to colors, you can choose from light blue, beige, tan, coral pink, light yellow and cream. These shades represent the colors of the sky, ocean and the shore so these are great for background colors for the walls and the ceiling. To further enhance the look of the wall, you can either accentuate it by adding tropical wall hangings like framed pressed leaves or a framed photograph of beautiful coastal scenery.
As for accents and highlights, you can add in rich shades of yellows, reds, oranges, whites and greens with floral patterns or animal prints to complete the tropical ambiance of your room. Just be careful not to overdo it because you want your bedroom to be a relaxing retreat and not seem like a cluttered jungle.

Improve the Lighting
One of the best choices for lights that can provide general and ambient lighting for your bedroom is a customized ceiling fan shaped like a palm leaf that has light bulbs. Of course, there are other similar designs that will go well with your tropical bedroom and it is up to you to make a choice.
Have new furniture
Furniture made of bamboo is what you would often find in tropical regions. This is a great choice to complement the design and style of your tropical bedroom. You would also want to consider other tropical materials such as teakwood, rattan and abaca, which are just as beautiful and sturdy as the bamboo.

Accessorize
When it comes to tropical home decor, you have a wide variety of choices, which include tropical wall arts, tropical vases, tropical figurines and so many more. Use these decorative pieces to complete the tropical look of your room.
Turning your home into a tropical retreat with a relaxing and homey ambiance is not difficult to achieve. Once you do, it would feel like going to a tropical vacation each and every time you come home.

About Jessica Ackerman
This article was written by Jessica Ackerman and provided by WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, a site featuring unique hand painted canvas art and home accents
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Tropical Bathroom - Wonderful Decorating Tips

Submitted By: Jessica Ackerman
Even if it is just the smallest room in the house, it is still one of the most important. The bathroom where we spend our time taking a bath, taking nature calls, and grooming ourselves is not something that we should ever take for granted. In fact, it is essential that we are able to decorate and design it in such a way that it will become a relaxing retreat anytime we need it.
One of the best ways to decorate your bathroom is to use a tropical theme for it. With vibrant tropical home decor like a tropical fish wall art or tropical wall hangings, you can instantly turn your old boring bathroom into one that exudes life and zest.
And it does not matter whether you have a big budget or not. Achieving a nice and exquisite tropical bathroom is possible with a dash of creativity, practicality and resourcefulness.
Tip 1: Paint the Walls with a Tropical Color
A major element for a tropical design is the wall paint. To make your bathroom have a tropical feel, you can choose to paint it with earth tones or with shades of pinks, blues or oranges. If you want something neutral, you can also use light brown, sand or sea green colors.
Beautify the wall even further by adding fantastic wall hangings like a tropical fish wall art for instance. You can also hang frames of beautiful coastal scenery photographs that will make you feel like you are at the beach yourself.
Tip 2: Throw in Some Tropical Accessories
After you have painted the wall to give it a tropical finish, add some tropical items such as shower curtain and towels in floral patterns or animal prints. You can also put different colors of seashells in a clear glass bowl or buy soap dishes or toothbrush holders that have tropical designs to spruce up your bathroom even more. Moreover, a healthy green plant can also be a wonderful addition to your tropical bathroom.
Tip 3: Have Warm Tropical Lighting
Achieve the tropical look by having warm lighting on your bathroom. Accent lamps shaped like palm trees are some of the best choices for lights for this room. Remember that the bathroom light should not be too bright. It should just be enough to illuminate the whole space.
Tip 4: Dress your Windows the Tropical Style
To make the bathroom even more visually interesting, dress up the windows by using tropical themed prints on curtains or plain wooden blinds. If you already have a shower curtain that has pattern prints, it is a good idea to go for the plain wooden blinds so as not to overdo it.
Tip 5: Design your Floor
You do not need to install new tiles on the bathroom floor, just adding a bath mat with a tropical design or a bamboo mat is enough to the job.
Once you have achieved transforming your bathroom into a tropical retreat, it will feel like swimming in the sea every time you take a bath.

About Jessica Ackerman
Article by Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents - the place to go for large canvas wall art and decorative wall art
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Monday 18 May 2009

Metal Art Clocks and the Basics of Metal Art Clocks

Submitted By: Ivan Smith

The famous English poet, Andrew Marvell once wrote – “At my back I always hear; Time’s winged chariot hurrying near.” The image is clear – time is movement and motion. Nothing can be truer than the old adage that time does not stand still. And clocks are the representation of time.

Every home and office has clocks in it because of the human urge to know the time. But clocks do not have to be merely functional instruments. They can be works of art, as in the case of metal art clocks. Art clocks have always been around – from the Cuckoo clock to the Grandfather clock to avant garde and art deco designs. But they always looked like clocks with a traditional dial and hands design. Metal art clocks are much more – they are really pieces of kinetic art. They are sculptures that move and have a functional purpose. A metal art clock can be a true work of art.
A basic metal art clock can be a normal clock with an artistic body. It can be as simple as a clock with a wrought iron frame. Or it can be a large piece of intricate metal design with a clock face integrated in it. That has, until recently, been the concept of metal clock art.

Today, sculptors have taken over. Artists are creating clock that are free standing works of art with an incredible array of shapes and designs. These clocks look nothing like the traditional concept of a timepiece. But they do tell time. They challenge you to understand them and be able to read them. As with all art, the aim is not just to create a pleasing shape or image, but to make you think. When to process of telling time becomes more than a mechanical action, ones’ appreciation of time changes.

Just as a three dimensional (3D) clocks adds another dimension to the science of telling time, sculpted metal art clocks add another dimension to its art.
Metal art clocks are available in various designs – wall mounted, free standing sculptures and even outdoor ones for use in a garden. What makes the metal art clock stand out from other types of art clocks in the uniqueness of the designs – you may not know you are looking at a clock until you are told it is one. It may look like no clock you have ever seen and unless there is a “seconds” hand on it, there will be no perceptible movement. But a metal art clock is a time piece and will serve its main function of telling you the time.

Because it is unusual, a metal art clock will always stand out. It can change the tone and character of a room and redefine its focus.
Metal art clocks are available from both large scale manufacturers and from individual artists for whom each clock is a unique work of art. And if you have a concept of your own, it is easy to find a metal artist who will be able to convert the image in your mind into reality.

About Ivan Smith
Go to FistFire to get your free ebook on Metal Art at http://www.fistfire.com. FistFire also has a Metal Art Forum, Metal Art Information, and a Metal Art Blog with daily news on everything Metal Art that can be found at http://www.fistfire.com. Go to http://www.fistfire.com/ to get your free ebook


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Metal Art Chairs and the Basics of Metal Art Chairs

Submitted By: Ivan Smith


What are the two things you spend the maximum time doing at home? In most case it is lying down and sitting and probably more of the later than the former. In other words, chairs are the most important item of furniture in your house. You probably have various types of chairs in your home- sofas in the drawing room, recliners in the lounge, an office chair in the study, casual chairs in the bedroom and of course, the kitchen chairs. These chairs will usually have wooden or metal frames with leather of fabric upholstery. Your two main criteria in buying a chair are comfort and appearance. But what if there is a third dimension you can include? What if a chair can be a work of art? That’s where metal art chairs enter the picture.
A metal art chair is not just a chair made out of metal. The key word in the phrase is “art.” A metal art chair is one that is so designed that it catches the eye. Its form and shape are pleasing to behold and out of the ordinary. And just like any piece of art, it causes you to redefine your way of looking at things – in this case, sitting comfort. And make no mistake about it, a metal art chair, be it simple or embellished, made of any metal, with or without upholstery and cushioning, still fulfils it primary goal, to provide comfortable sitting. If it does not do this, it is a work of metal sculpture, pleasing to behold but of no physical application.
Artists who design metal art chairs are also experts in their field of ergonomics and body structure or else work closely with those who are so that the metal art chairs they design do not sacrifice comfort for art.

A metal art chair adds character to any room and redefines its focus. Just as with any form of art, overdoing it will ruin the effect. But the metal art chair placed in a drawing room full of conventional furniture will be a conversation piece. And, as with any work of art, it will tell those who see it a lot about the owner.

Metal art chairs stand out in any surroundings because of their eyes catching designs and the intricacy of the metal embellishment. You will have seen artistically designed wrought iron garden and patio chairs. But what if you could take the concept further and bring these chairs indoors? A majority of chair designs for different uses are now available in forms that classify them as metal art chairs. Of course, there are some things a metal art chair is not suitable for, like a recliner. Having said that, there’s really not that many applications where replacing an ordinary chair with a metal art chair will not add both beauty and comfort.

Metal art chairs are available off the shelf at both retail outlets and online stores. If you have your own designs, there are hundreds of metal artist who will be glad to fabricate the chair you have conceived.

About Ivan Smith
Go to FistFire to get your free ebook on Metal Art at http://www.fistfire.com. FistFire also has a Metal Art Forum, Metal Art Information, and a Metal Art Blog with daily news on everything Metal Art that can be found at http://www.fistfire.com. Go to http://www.fistfire.com/ to get your free ebook

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Metal Art Coffee Tables and the Basics of Metal Art

Submitted By: Ivan Smith


Coffee tables are the easiest thing to buy. At the same time, they are one of the most difficult item of home furniture to get right. While the coffee table may not he the biggest or most imposing piece of furniture in your drawing room, it is the center of it. A coffee table is what everyone sits around. Although its name seems to define a specific use, a coffee table has one of the most varied range of uses of any item in the house. Besides coffee, if is also used to serve and eat food from. It is a magazine rack and a place to keep decorative items. It can be a work area and occasionally, a place to sit. Keeping all this in mind, a strong metal coffee table seems like a good idea. A metal art coffee table is even better in that it can really add to the appearance of the room.

Before looking at a few basic coffee table designs, let us consider the benefits of a metal art coffee table. Firstly, it is inherently strong. Of course, a lot depends on the design you choose, but it is the sturdiest material you can use. Its ability to carry weight is usually only limited by other materials used in its fabrication – wood, glass or marble tops.
Next is the fact that they will not chip of get scuffed. Remember that the coffee table is placed in a high traffic area and the chances of it getting accidentally kicked are high. That is no problem with a metal art coffee table.
Metal art coffee tables are easy to clean. Again, except for other materials like leather that may be part of the construction, it will not stain and can be just wiped down.
A metal art coffee table is low maintenance. Only if it is painted will it require the rare repainting which is a DIY job.

A metal art coffee table with no fabric or leather components is weather resistant and can be kept used and kept out in the garden, if the need arises.
A metal art coffee table may be used in conjunction with other metal furniture to create a tone to the room. Or it may be used with non metal furniture to create a counter point and an areas of focus.
There are three basic designs that are particularly suited to metal art coffee tables, although two are not originally of metal
• The low height Japanese in what is called the Tribeca style
• The modern coffee table in the “Marcel Breuer” style. Originally of a plain metal design it adapts admirably to metal art work.
• Curvet’s ultra modern and abstract designs that also adapt well to embellishment and can be modified into great metal art coffee tables.
Details of these and other base concepts for metal art coffee tables can be found on the internet.
If you cannot find the metal art coffee table that you want from the almost inexhaustible number in retail shops and on the internet, there are a great deal of metal artists who will be able to either create one to your liking or to fabricate a metal art coffee table to your design.


About Ivan Smith
Go to FistFire to get your free ebook on Metal Art at http://www.fistfire.com. FistFire also has a Metal Art Forum, Metal Art Information, and a Metal Art Blog with daily news on everything Metal Art that can be found at http://www.fistfire.com. Go to http://www.fistfire.com/ to get your free ebook

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Metal Art and Steel Sculpture Overview

Submitted By: Ivan Smith

While marble and bronze have a historically been the preferred medium for sculptors, new techniques in the use and shaping of steel have made it one of the best mediums for the modern sculptor to use. Steel is, it goes without saying, strong. It is also easy to maintain and the gloss of its finish lasts and does not dull with age. It needs little maintenance and is able to capture delicate detailing and nuances. In the delicacy of its use, the sculptor is able to use it as precisely and the painter uses his brush.

Steel sculpture came into being at the hands of artists born at the beginning of the 20th century. These sculptors would adopt and modify European modernism in such a dramatic fashion that they developed a style of their own. These artists approached sculpture from a painte’s point of view rather than a sculptor’s and found meaning and beauty in industrial products and the use creation of geometric designs and abstract shapes. For them, steel was the material of choice. They understood that steel could replace not just the lines and planes of marble, iron and even wood, but give the finished work of art a power and presence no other material could match.
Steel sculpture opened the doors to new concepts. The size of the sculpture was now limited only be the imagination of the sculptor. And since steel was immune to effects of weather, large outdoor sculptures became common. These were not just pieces for private collections and galleries, but were made for public places. Steel sculptures could now be commissioned by municipal authorities for public plazas, parks, airports and buildings. The availability of public finds for commissioning large sculptures gave a huge fillip to the genre of steel sculpting.
Steel sculpting also ceased to be purely the work of the artist, although the artistic values were not lost. An example of this is Picasso’s 1967 creation of a huge head of a woman in steel. This was done in Chicago and the complete piece was fabricated at a steel company that was located near the city by skilled industrial steelworkers who were able to use the company’s equipment to raise, cut, weld, bend and shape enormous pieces of heavy steel together to create the final sculpture using based on the small model the artist had created for them to work with.

Although steel sculpture became popular in the years following World War II, most universities and art school did not have the expertise or equipment to teach steel sculpting. However, by the 1970s, the popularity of the art form had created such a demand that these institutions were able to not just procure the equipment needed to teach this art form but were also were able to bring in teachers with the experience and skill to assist in the birth of a new generation of sculptors who had both an understanding of steel as a material and the skill to create with it.
Today, steel is the preferred material for large outdoor and very often, government commissioned sculptures.


About Ivan Smith
Go to FistFire to get your free ebook on Metal Art at http://www.fistfire.com. FistFire also has a Metal Art Forum, Metal Art Information, and a Metal Art Blog with daily news on everything Metal Art that can be found at http://www.fistfire.com. Go to http://www.fistfire.com/ to get your free ebook

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Metal Art and Coppersmith Metal Art Overview

Submitted By: Ivan Smith

A Coppersmith is an artisan who works with cooper and because of the color of the metal, is also often known as a “redsmith.”
The basic technique of copper sculpting has not changed for hundreds of year. The shaping of the metal is done by hammering it into the desired shape. But copper is a brittle metal and if subjected to hammer force when cold, may easily crack or split. To prevent this from happening the copper is heated in a forge until it becomes malleable. Once it is soft, it can be shaped with no danger of cracking.

The heated metal is placed over specially shaped anvils and hammered into shape. The normal starting point for making small item like jugs and vases is to make a bucket shape and then, by using hammers of different sizes and head shapes, create the final object. Surface polishing is usually done with a smooth faced hammer, although unpolished finishes carrying a rough hammered look are also very popular.
High quality copper metal art is made out of ingots of copper rather than thin sheets of the metal. This is far more difficult but allows for greater variation in the thickness of different facets of the finished pieces - for example a jug would normally have a thicker base that the sides. An easy way of knowing how the metal art was created is to look at the edges of the piece. Thick rounded edges indicate that the art was created from an ingot – items created with sheets of copper will have the thin flat edges of the original sheet metal.

Modern techniques allow copper smith metal art to be created in shapes of almost unlimited size. A modern copper smith may use multiple sheets or/or ingots to creates components of the sculpture which are then welded together using high tech methods like Tig welding.
The coppersmith has the option of giving his art work different types of finish. The natural color of copper, which varies form red to a chocolate brown or a bright finish with dark streaks. The nature of the basic finish is dependant on the forging process and even slight variations in the heat or the composition of the metal means that even two identical pieces heated in the same forge will have variations in their natural finish. Since this may affect the appearance of work created by the welding together of multiple pieces, the coppersmith may buff off the natural patina and create a bright polished effect that will be identical for all the pieces to be assembled.
Copper decorative art work often has brightly color or even semi precious stones embedded in it to enhance its appeal. The coppersmith also has the option of adding silver inlay work to the surfaces by first etching his design onto the surface and then dipping the pieces in an electrically charged vat containing sliver. The electrical charge fuses the silver and copper together. A final polish will remove any excess silver from the surface, leaving it behind only in the etched grooves.


About Ivan Smith
Go to FistFire to get your free ebook on Metal Art at http://www.fistfire.com. FistFire also has a Metal Art Forum, Metal Art Information, and a Metal Art Blog with daily news on everything Metal Art that can be found at http://www.fistfire.com. Go to http://www.fistfire.com/ to get your free ebook


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Thursday 14 May 2009

Where Should You Place Your Eagle Tattoo?

Submitted By: Derek Cladek
There are plenty of factors that go into getting a tattoo, including where your tattoo belongs on your body. To help you determine where the best spot to sport your newest or first tattoo design, answer the questions below.

1. Do you want your tattoo to be visible?
“Yes” – Then the sky’s the limit for where your tattoo can be. An ankle, neck, wrist, or foot is fair game for your tattoos.
“No” – Consider what you’ll be wearing the majority of the time. A corporate gal? Don’t get a tattoo on your lower leg, as it will be visible while wearing suits.

2. How big of a tattoo do you want?
“Huge!” – If you want a large tattoo, you’ll need to make sure you pick a place on your body that has adequate space, such as your chest or back.
“Medium-sized… but Definitely on the Bigger Size!” – You may want to consider the stomach, buttocks, or upper thighs for tattoo designs of this size.
“Small to Miniscule!” – You can put your tattoo anywhere on your body, right down to your pinkie finger! My friend even has one on his inner finger that is a mustache design.

3. What kind of a tattoo are you planning to get?
“Something Crazy!” – If you have a unique tattoo, that’s wonderful… but only if it won’t interfere with your work life or business expectations. Be selective.
“Something Middle-of-the-Road” – General tattoos can be placed wherever appropriate; just make sure that you have enough room and that the tattoo “fits” with your body part and shape.
“Something Dainty” – Often, women like to place smallish tattoos on feminine parts of their bodies, such as their bosoms, stomachs, or upper buttocks.
The more planning you put into your tattoo, the happier you are likely to be with the results. Spend a little time deciding where you want your tattoo designs to be, and chances are you’ll be showing it off for many decades to come.

About Derek Cladek
Eagle tattoos are important to many people that are patriotic and heart tattoos are popular with those who are in love. Find your special tattoo on our site.
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Pre-tattoo Considerations- Find Your Next Tattoo Design

Submitted By: Derek Cladek

Are you planning on getting a tattoo? Congratulations! Tattoos can be an ideal way to showcase a hobby, show off your love for someone, or just give onlookers a bit of a show! However, you’ll need to make a few pre-tattoo considerations, including:

Where Will Your Tattoo Be?
Make sure you know where you want your tattoo before entering the tattoo parlor. Think it out carefully, as where you place your tattoo can be just as important as what it looks like.

What Kind of Tattoo Will You Choose?
Are you going to walk into the tattoo shop with an image or idea for tattoo designs? Or are you going to leave it up to the tattoo artist to make suggestions? Obviously, it’ll be easier for him or her if you have a thought, but most tattoo professionals will gladly help you decide.

Which Tattoo Artist Will You Use?
If this is your first tattoo or you’re getting a tattoo in a new town, ask for referrals from people! Check out others’ tattoos and find out where they got them done. That way, you can be assured that you’ll be getting a decent tattoo pro and not a fly-by-night tattooist who hasn’t interned properly. Don’t just pick someone out of the Yellow Pages, either. If you can’t get references, walk into many tattoo shops and ask questions. By doing so, you’ll find a tattooist that fits the bill.

Are You Planning on Losing Weight?
Finally, remember that your skin will definitely stretch as you gain and lose weight. So if you’re planning on dropping a significant amount of pounds, you may want to wait to get your tattoo, especially if it will be on skin surrounding fat. Tattoos that droop just don’t look polished and may have to constantly be retouched or removed. So be pragmatic; you can wait a couple more months to have a terrific tattoo to go along with your new body shape!

About Derek Cladek
We have many tattoo designs for you to choose from. A great tattoo for you to check out is the tribal tattoo and the rose tattoo as these are the most popular among others
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The Many Cross Tattoo Designs

Submitted By: Derek Cladek

The cross tattoo has long been associated with religion, mainly the Christian faith. They are a strong religious symbol that also acts as a symbol of faith, hope, and belief. The cross tattoo looks great in both large and small designs. It can also be combined with other tattoos such as the tribal design.
There are different types of cross tattoos; the Celtic cross and the tribal cross. The Celtic cross is one of the most requested today because of its beauty and intricate detail. The Celtic cross design comes from both the Christian religion and Pagan religions. To the Christian religion, the cross symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ. To other Pagan faiths, the cross may symbolize the four elements of the earth. It does not matter the religion as the cross tattoo has been around and used by people of all faiths and backgrounds for hundreds of years. Some people see the cross tattoo as a guide in life while others know its symbol for their faith.
The Tribal cross combines the elements of the cross with the elements of tribal art. This is usually done using bold black lines and designs. You can always tell if a tattoo is a tribal tattoo based on the dark features and boldness of the tattoo. Usually tribal crosses are large, dark and bold, they stick out of the crowd of tattoos.

The Calvary Cross is a cross mounted on three steps that represent the Hill of Calvary. This is usually a design that symbolizes faith, hope, and love.
The Crucifix is the type of cross that shows Jesus on a wooden Cross and symbolizes the Christian faith.
The Crown of thorns is depicted as a cross with a crown of thorns hanging on one side.
The cross of nails uses the image of large nails, the kind that were driven through the hands and feet of Jesus, to make up the cross. Sometimes the Crown of thorns is added to the cross of nails.
The Crusaders Cross is usually a large cross surrounded by smaller crosses. This is thought to symbolize the message of Christ to spread the gospel.
The type of cross that you choose is entirely up to you. This is a great symbol if you want to represent your religion or faith. It is also a popular choice just because people like the appearance.

The cross tattoo is one of the few designs seen as unisex. It deals with the spiritual rather than the physical. Two of the most common placements for cross tattoos are on the arm and back, however they can be placed anywhere on the body. A small cross can be placed on the ankle or wrist. They can also be used as the center piece of an arm or leg sleeve, or can be the center of a large back piece. The placement is entirely up to you, it all depends on how visible you want your statement of faith and religion to be.


About Derek Cladek
The cross tattoo has been around for hundreds of years and used as a symbol of protection. Just like the angel tattoo design was used as a symbol of protection and guidance in life.
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Wednesday 13 May 2009

The Top Five Things New Musicians Struggle With

Submitted By: Francis Beaudry

As people enter the world of music, there are certain things every musician struggles with. Some people are able to overcome these struggles more easily that others, but everyone faces these struggles. Knowing what these struggles are can help you prepare for them and overcome them more easily and quickly. So, what are these struggles?...

1. Not Knowing How To Practice

Practice makes perfect, right? No. Perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice something incorrectly, you learn the incorrect way to do it. When I started playing guitar, I just picked up the guitar and “messed around with it.” Eventually, I got to the point where I could play several songs and felt pretty good about my guitar playing. I continued on for a few years like that and after a while I realized that 1. most of my songs sounded annoyingly similar and 2. I had a lot of trouble with a lot of songs. Then I found out I wasn’t strumming properly. For years I’d been practicing the wrong way and now I had to unlearn years of practice and practice a new way. Not an easy task.

With poor practicing methods, new musicians will often get frustrated at the difficulty of music or the length of time it takes them to learn a song. Using the proper practicing methods, they may find that they learn songs much more quickly and some of the really hard songs, weren’t really so hard…if you knew the right way to play them. So, what are these struggles?...

2. Lack of Understanding of Music

What’s a staff? Why is an “F” a lower pitch than a “G” (within the same octave)? Why are there only 8 notes that keep repeating? A lot of people are attracted to music after hearing performances or listening to the radio. Then they start to dabble with music either vocally or with an instrument without any real understanding of what is happening to create the music, how to read music, or what all the instrument parts are and why they are there. That’s fine if you just want to have some fun. I know a lot of people who just mess around with music because they enjoy it, but they have no desire to ever do anything with the music, especially not perform in front of people.
However, if you want to get serious about music, improve your skills, and possibly perform, then understanding music is very important. Without the proper understanding of music you are like a scientist just mixing random chemicals trying to find a great discovery. Sure, every now and then you may get something pretty interesting, but most of the time the mixture will blow up in your face.
Understanding music allows you to understand the relationship of different notes and why some sound good together and others don’t. It allows you to learn other people’s music by reading notation and share your music with others through that same notation. It also allows you advance in your skills with your instrument as you understand why things work they way they do and understand the proper way to play your instrument. With out a good understanding of music, your growth in your musical skill will be slower and limited.

3. Listening to Friends and not Critics

Have you watched American Idol? Even people who don’t like the show have probably seen some of the terrible tryouts that begin each season. Sure, some are just people who want to get on TV, but others are people who truly think they are great singers, but we can all hear that, no, they are terrible, even painful to watch. So, why would someone humiliate themselves on national TV? Why would people who sound so bad, think they are so good? A lot of time it’s because they have only listened to their friends and not any critics.
These days we’re all taught to be nice and uplifting. “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Everyone gets a trophy even if they loose. People, especially family and friends, are too concerned about being nice and not concerned enough about being honest. The truth is that no one ever becomes great without being criticized. I’m not talking about being made fun of, I’m talking about someone giving you an honest assessment of what they hear, telling you the ways that you are messing up or sounding bad. That way you can learn what you are doing wrong and fix it. You discover what areas you need to work on and what you are doing right. Listening to critics is the only way you will grow.

4. Unreal Expectations

Pavarotti, Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Yo-Yo Ma. These people are great musicians, but they didn’t become great musicians over night. They worked for years learning their instrument. They practiced hours a day. They had to start, where every new musician starts with training exercises and simple songs. A lot of new musicians want to be able to play the music that attracted them to music in the first place and can get very frustrated when they can’t play it well or quickly. You can become great, but it is going to take time and practice.

5. Lack of Confidence

I think this is the one struggle that saddens me more than any other. Believe it or not, all the skill and practice in the world are just about useless if you don’t have confidence when you play. Lack of confidence causes poor technique and timid playing, that leads to poor performance. I can’t count the number of musicians I’ve seen who can play a piece perfectly in practice, but when they play in front of others, they crash and burn. I’ve also seen mediocre musicians who perform above their practice skill level because they have confidence when perform. It’s one of the most common struggles for musicians and one of the most crucial to overcome. It’s amazing the effect confidence can have a on a performance
What did you struggle with when you first got into music?

About Francis Beaudary
Francis Beaudry is currently the conductor of two orchestras. He is a writer and arranger and has published musical works for choir and orchestra. In addition he is the president of TheMaxZone.net, an online musical accessories superstore offering instrument accessories, musical accessories, and more.

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More About Self-Portraits and Tips on Painting One

Submitted By: David H. Urmann

A self-portrait is an image of oneself done artistically by hand. There are various mediums used, like painting or pencil sketches.
A self-portrait is mostly a type portrait where the subject is the artist herself or himself. Self-portraits were essentially founded throughout the ancient period of Greek and Egyptian civilization. Today a variety of self-portraits are present.

A self-portrait can vary in manifestation, especially if the artist herself or himself is the subject. Paintings are recognized as popular media of self-portraits. Throughout the period of Renaissance, those categorized as beautiful self-portraits were innovative and bold ones.
There are numerous artists throughout their period that have delved into the skill portrayal for several reasons. Male self-portraits have been much abundant throughout the early period because of the understandable emphasis on the male species. On the other hand, female self-portraits have started to become more popular when female liberalism arose.
Charcoal is one of the earliest used art materials. It is used as a tool for making rough portraits or sketches. There are three forms of it used by several artists. There is a vine charcoal, compressed charcoal and powdered charcoal.
One of the most modern forms of self-portrait is the black and white. The motivation of black and white self-portraits can be traced to artists like Cindy and Bruegel Sherman. Their design was used for various media. Black and white gives a classier and elegant effect in contrast to colored ones.

Self-portraits have been classified into eras. The most current of these are Modern Art Portraits. This portrait was developed with particular consideration to the needs of the generation, together with the basic techniques of painting which followed more through the years.
There are numerous popular art forms that can be considered under these modern art portraits. Several of these are traditional oil portraits, graphic style, graffiti style, Andy Warhol portraits, photo mosaic portrait and silhouette portrait as well as screen-print portrait, airbrush style portrait and simple illustration style.

Graphic styles offer a funky appeal great for persons who love modern interiors. This style is similar to cartoons or animation styles. Screen-print styles are derived from simple colored screen-prints. This style is great for persons who love pop art and the artistic use of this style that does not need a beautiful picture to start with. Simple illustration and styles are great for persons who love that minimalist type of cool.

Here are a few tips on painting a self-portrait. However, bear in mind that painting is a gift. You must first have the raw talent for it even if you can take classes for it also.
Begin with a photograph or a mirror. Set-up the mirror close to the canvas so it can be simply seen and the portrait can be finished with a “back eye glance”. If you are using photograph, place it in viewable places like on the easel on top of the canvas.
Draw lightly on rough sketches of the face on the canvas with a pencil. Once you are done, an under painting can also be implemented. An under painting is the monochromatic background on the painting that can develop the dark and light tones of the painting. Numerous artists or painters use black and white for under paintings. This can be done using a thin layer with much pigment as compared to medium and before continuing to dry the under paintings.
Paint the overlying levels of color on the under painting and create color tones first, adding more information or details later. Thinning paint can pose as the medium for a fewer opaque appeal that can consistently allow the under painting to mix together with the new layer. Keep in mind that you still need to paint the background.
Add the finishing touches using a smaller brush. Details like eyelashes and highlights in the eyes can help make the portrait look complete.

About David H. Urmanm

For more information on Self Portraits in Baroque Period and Self Portraits in Romantic Periodplease visit our website.
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Southeast Asian Martial Arts - Pencak Silat

Submitted By: Troy Macraft


Pencak silat refers to more than 800 individual schools of martial arts across the 13,000 islands of Indonesia. According to legend, they were used to fight against Dutch invaders. Later outlawed by the Dutch, this hybrid system is known as pencak in Java and Bali, and silat in Sumatra. The single term pencak silat was coined after Indonesia was unified, and then accepted in 1973. Some recent silat systems have adopted the Japanese martial art tradition of denoting rank with different-colored belts. The art has become popular around the world and has also developed a sporting tradition with its own world championships.

Pencak lineage
Knowledge of the art has been passed orally from teacher to student, so written records are few. Soldiers and warriors are known to have trained in silat forms in the Srivijaya kingdom in Sumatra between the 7th and 14th centuries and in the Majapahit kingdom on Java between the 13th and 16th centuries. Yet archeological evidence suggests silat may have been used as early as the 6th century. Many silat schools trace their lineage to the Buginese warriors, a band of tough mercenaries renowned for their combat skills. When the Dutch occupied the islands between the 17th and 20th centuries, the practice went underground and reemerged only after independence in 1949. Traditional Indonesian dances and rituals are thought to contain aspects of the ancient art.
Styles and weapons
Pencak silat has no standardized techniques, partly due to the fact that differences between schools depend on the environment in which students train. So, for example, the footwork techniques of urban styles differ from those of jungle variants. The Javanese people tend to use the art as a self-defense form. Even so, training regimes all include instruction in empty-hand techniques followed by weapons training.
Weapons include some common Indonesian fighting tools, such as sticks, staves, and rods made of bamboo, steel, or wood. The "cabang" is an unusual, three-pronged knife thought to derive from the trident. The "kerambit" is a small, curved blade that women often conceal in their hair. The "sabit" is a sickle used as a blocking, striking, and slashing weapon. The "keris" is a curving blade that is washed in acid. The "tedang" is a common sword with either a single-or double-sided blade.
Master and student
The large number of distinct pencak silat schools in Indonesia are the result of extremely localized styles that have arisen when a master in a village teaches his own method. This teaching may include aspects of shamanism, animism, healing, and other spiritual practices. Most silat players train in spiritual awareness methods, learning to harness what they believe are supernatural powers.
In general, would-be students offer gifts in order to be accepted by a traditional master. These may include a knife, which symbolizes sharpness of attitude and spirit, and a roll of white cloth, which the master keeps in a sacred place and uses to wrap the corpse of the student should he be killed.
The blood of a ritually slaughtered chicken may be spread on the ground where the student expects to train—this signifies the blood the student would shed in fighting had he decided not to study the art. So, the relationship of master and student becomes akin to a blood relationship, such as that between father and son.
Diverse influences
The hand and foot strikes, locking techniques, and throws suggest the art has had Indian and Chinese influence. The throws—typically launched from a very low stance or a deep crouch—are often thought of as the silat signature move. Between the 7th and 12th centuries, Indonesia was influenced by Mahayana Buddhism and this, together with the arts, weapons, and philosophies that Indians and Chinese introduced, helped to shape the art. Experts believe that Hindu culture and its grappling techniques influenced silat groundwork and, with the later arrival of Islam, came the distinct "jambia"—the short, curved Arab dagger that probably inspired the pencak silat keris blade.

About Troy Macraft
troy macraft The MMA Zone - Your Taekwondo Uniforms Supplier. site: www.themmazone.net phone: 1-866=447-9221 email:corporate@themmazone.net

Other topics : Interests, Business, Finance, Self Employed

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Buying French Property

Submitted By: Oliver Phillips
If you're looking for that special property in France, here are 8 quick tips that might help you on your way.
1. Get Photos & Information before you view the property. You can cut down on wasted trips and expense this way.
2. Consider looking for property in areas that you haven't previously visited and are not familiar with. Certain areas command premiums only because they are widely known.
3. Consider your purchase thoroughly. As with any purhcase, buying without proper thought can result in unexpected costs.
4. Get to know the area before you buy. Talk to people who have already purchased their home, holiday in the area, or even rent for a period.
5. Meet the neighbours before you finalise your decision. Get to know them. As with any property purchase, your neighbours will be a part of your life once you've moved in to your new property.
6. Negotiate. Contact a local valuer to get an impartial opinion.
7. Consider taking independent legal advice, through another notary or another specialist. The vendor instucts the notary who acts in the sale of the property. They are acting in the conveyance of the property, but not for either side.
8. Just as in the UK get the property inspected by a qualified buildings surveyor.
Copyright 2005 Oliver Phillips. May be freely reproduced "as-is" for private and commercial use.
About Oliver Philips

Oliver Phillips works for PFS France (http://www.propertyforsalefrance.co.uk/) a business that helps French property owners advertise and sell, and potential buyers find, some of the finest and best cared for traditional French properties available.


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Your Dream Home In France - Moving Money To France

Submitted By: Oliver Phillips
If you already live in France, or intend to finance your property purchase from equity in your UK home, chances are you'll want to move some money abroad.
Transfering money from the UK to France requires someone to handle the transfer on your behalf and usually your bank will be happy to assist you but beware, though convenient and familiar, your transfer might cost you more than it needs to.
Instead you may be better contacting a currency house, a company which exists specifically for the purpose of moving money; both large single amounts for your property purchase, and lower regular amounts such as a monthly pension.
Transferring money via a currency house is often cheaper than using your bank for two reasons; firstly their charges may be lower than your banks, but more importantly the exchange rate you receive is likely to be more attactive than the rate offered by your bank which is typically a tourist exchange rate and signifcantly lower than the rate you see published in the financial press.
Better yet, both spot and forward methods are available. The former converts your money at the prevailing exchange rate when the money transfer is made and is the method most of us use unknowingly, whereas the forward method allows you to fix the exchange rate up to 24 months is advance of the transfer, useful if you believe the exchange rate will fall by the time you actually make your transfer.
This article only provides a general appreciation of the topic and it is not advice. Guidance should be sought from a specialist who is qualified to advise in your specific circumstances.
Copyright 2005 Oliver Phillips. May be freely reproduced "as-is" for private and commercial use.
About Oliver Philips
Oliver Phillips works for PFS France (http://www.propertyforsalefrance.co.uk/) a business that helps French property owners advertise and sell, and potential buyers find, some of the finest and best cared for traditional French properties available.

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Monday 11 May 2009

Travel To Germany

Submitted By: Puripong Koomsin
Germany continues to gain popularity worldwide as a tourist destination for vacationers around the world. Germany’s unique culture, friendly people, and distinctive destinations are just a few of the distinctions that have made this beautiful country one of the hottest tourist vacation spots since 2000. Each year, the number of overnight visitors grows. In fact, Germany attracted over 2.2 million visitors from the United States alone within the first six months of 2006!
Travel to and from Germany with ease and in style can be a relaxing and pleasant experience in and of itself. Depending on where the visitor is coming from, Germany can be reached by boat, airline, automobile, or train. With all of these options available, there is a safe, convenient, and affordable option accessible for travel to Germany for every one!
Air Travel to Germany
Air travel affords the world traveler speed and convenience. Germany can be reached as an air destination from major airlines located across the globe. The most accessible German cities by air include Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Germany’s own airline Lufthansa accesses over 75 countries, reaching more than 175 cities. No matter what continent the German tourist is located on, there is a flight headed to Germany nearby.
For the budget-minded traveler, there are a variety of no-frills air fare packages available. Some of the airlines to consider when flying affordably are Air Berlin, Ryanair, Germanwings, and Easyjet. For the most recent and up-to-date deals on airfare to Germany near you, contact your local favorite airline.
Travel to Germany on an Ocean Liner
For the traveler that isn’t in as much of hurry, or wants to combine their German vacation with another unique and memorable experience, visiting Germany by way of a cruise can be the perfect choice for relaxation and fun. The benefits of a cruise to Germany include avoiding the hustle and bustle that can be associated with flying and another option to reaching Germany from an overseas destination than via a plane.
Rates vary substantially with packages, but cruise lines typically offer great deals on packages and for the traveler that is available on a flexible schedule. In fact, some cruise lines can offer rates that come out to be pennies on the dollar when compared to premium air line rates!
Popular cruise lines that port in Germany are Norwegian Cruise Lines and Sea Cloud cruises.
Visit Germany by Train
European transportation is world famous for its efficiency, speed, and affordability. So for the budget-minded traveler, catching a train to Germany is an option that the traveler can’t afford not to look into!
But don’t discount the amenities available aboard trains! Packages offered by German rail travel can vary from the no-frills to the extravagant. There is truly something available for everyone.
Trains allow tourists visiting Germany to relax and enjoy the countryside without the added stress that can come with airline travel. Meeting new people and sharing the experience is a traditional aspect of vacationing in Europe and traveling by train affords the vacationer a unique opportunity to have the option of mingling with their fellow passengers if they want or to ride in privacy if they wish – something no long flights in a plane can present.
About Puripong Koomsin
Puripong Koomsin is the owner of Travel Europe Guide - Europepathway.comTravel to Germany is one of many useful articles from Europepathway.com
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