Coats Article

5 Ways To Keep Warm In Winter

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:38:50 +0000

5 Ways To Keep Warm In Winter

by: Janice Wee

The movie The Day After Tomorrow. Where everyone was facing an ice age ahead, with temperatures so cold your blood could freeze instantly.

The main characters in the story were hiding in a library. Wise move. You wouldn't run out of things to burn in a library that is full of books. In their effort to stay warm, they kept their fireplace ablaze by burning library books, feeding the fire continually for that much needed warmth.

A homeless guy who had to survive winter in the streets crushed up paper and stuffed his clothes with them for insulation. One of the key ways to stay warm in winter is to insulate your clothing. That way, you keep the warmth in and the cold out. Crushing the paper trapped air. Air is a great insulator of heat. So that made a lot of sense.

Here are 5 tips to help you fight the cold.

#1 Generate heat.

To generate heat, most modern homes have a proper heating system. Just make sure you pay your heating bills. If you can't pay the bills, get your bills paid on your behalf. For example, if you are a U.S. resident, you can get free heating at http://www.cheapestsale.com/free-heating.html

If you use an old fashion log fireplace, stock up on plenty of firewood in case you get snowed in.

#2 Layer your clothing

Wear layers of clothing to keep warm. Start off with a base layer. The thermal underwear which you can find at http://www.buy-underwear.net/thermal-underwear.htm . Ideally, your thermal underwear should fit like second skin. The goal is to keep your body heat in. Pure cotton thermal underwear would probably work if the temperature is above 5 degrees celsius. Colder than that and you need something much warmer. Like merino wool. You'll find warm merino socks and other clothes that contain merino wool at http://www.buyclothing.net/merino-wool.htm . Try a base layer that is suitable for snow sports, like the Duofold Insulayer thermal underwear you'll find at http://www.buy-underwear.net/Duofold-Insulayer.htm which has 2 layers of fabric that trap air between the layers, for added insulation.

On top of the thermal underwear, you might want to wear a wool sweater and thick denim jeans or wool pants. You can find denim jeans at http://www.buy-pants.com/jeans/ . You might want to add on a warm jacket or even a trenchcoat over the sweater. These warm fleece sweatshirts found at http://www.buy-t-shirts.net/sweaters/Comfort-Colors-Men-Sweatshirts.htm feel divine. If you want a good looking wool coat, check out the belted wool coats at http://www.buy-jackets.com/belted-wool-coats.htm . Depending on the severity of cold you might face, you might want to add more layers. Don't forget your gloves , scarve,woolen hat, ear muffs and boots. If it is really very cold, you might even need a ski mask.

#3 Drink warming liquids

Drinking a cup of ginger tea helps you body fight the cold too. Drinking plenty of hot soup at meals warms up the body beautifully.

#4 Bring a warm shawl

Carry along a cashmere throw, or at least a wool wrap with you so you can wrap that around you when you need additional warmth. Here is where you can find cashmere throws and cashmere clothing. http://www.buyclothing.net/cashmere.htm

#5 Keep one another warm

Finally, huddle up close to a loved warm so you can keep each other warm. That's how our ancestors survived the cold winters when they lived in caves. They would huddle close together near the fire to keep warm.

About The Author

Janice Wee

http://www.buy-underwear.net/keep-warm-in-winter.htm is a write up about various thermal underwear. You can find more underwear at http://www.buy-underwear.net/

Comparing Goldendoodles and Labradoodles

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:13:53 +0000

Comparing Goldendoodles and Labradoodles

by: Edie MacKenzie

Goldendoodle and Labradoodle breeder Michael Waggenbach, of Sunshine Acres feels, ?For a therapy dog, the Goldendoodle is the better choice. I?m not sure what it is, but they don?t tend to dust all the tabletops when walking into a hospital or an elderly home, where the Labradoodles? tails are going back forth so fast they dust every thing off.?

During an interview with Indiana Doodle Owners Group founder Beth Line, she said, ?There?s a very distinct difference between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles,? Beth said. ?As an owner and observer of behavioral traits I see a big difference. It takes more to convince the Labradoodles to come into your environment ? into your space. They will evaluate you before they walk into your area. And, they?re very loyal, friendly, all the things Labs are, but they need to be convinced that walking into your space is a good idea. They won?t come right in.?

?They?re also strong. They have very strong necks and they?re going to pull more. And their coats are going to be different. I tell the difference between the F1 Labradoodle and Goldendoodle by their coat. It stands to reason a labs coat is short. Add some poodle to it and it?s going to have some length and weight. However, you aren?t going to find a six inch long wavy, curly coat on an F1 Labradoodle because there?s nowhere for that 6-inches to come from genetically. A lab has a short coat and the poodle has curl.

?Labradoodles (F1) are also going to tend to go more terrier like ? wiry. They also tend to be weightier and their body shape will be a little boxier.?

?The Goldendoodle on the other hand, when they reach their adult coats, their hair is going to grow 4 to 6 inches long and has a wavy look or a curl to it because of the poodle. It?s the same formula, more curl equals less shedding and more wave equals higher shedding.?

?Conceptually, Golden Retrievers influence the Goldendoodle causing them to be more zestful. They?ll come into your space immediately. They don?t sit back, they come into it immediately and are happy to visit with you. They are happy, affectionate, and happy to roll on you. They don?t have the delay of making a decision. They make their decision well before they decide to come to you.?

?Goldendoodles are mouthier. Their mouth will be more active when they are puppies and you have to train them not to be mouthy, because they?ll use that mouth on you somewhere! That?s where they get their information. I have trained my Goldendoodles not to put their mouths on people by simply taking one of their other natural tendencies (retrieving) and replacing the mouthing with retrieving a toy. Their natural desire to retrieve keeps their mouths occupied with a toy.?

?So, they are mouthier than the Labradoodle puppy. I referred to the Goldendoodle as a very zestful and happy with life kind of being. The Labradoodle has a sense of loyalty and appreciation, whereas the Goldendoodle has a wonderful, life of the party, personality.?

About The Author

Edie MacKenzie is the author of a comprehensive guide to Labradoodles that covers, Multi-gens, F1?s, choosing a breeder, health considerations, and training and discipline. Discover the principles of raising healthy, happy, and well-tempered Labradoodles even if you've never owned a dog. You can read about The Definitive Guide to Labradoodles at http://www.labradoodle-guide.com.

edie@labradoodle-guide.com

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:08:06 +0000

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

by: Stephanie Bayliss

History

The title of ?King Charles Spaniel? was bestowed upon these dogs during the reign of King Charles II, who adored his spaniels and would not be parted from them. A law that was passed by King Charles II, still stands today that these little dogs can enter any public place, including the houses of parliament!

These little dogs were used to warm the laps of nobility on carriage rides and in cold castles and buildings, so they really are the original ?lap dog?.

Appearance

Cavalier?s are pretty little dogs, with long flowing coats with long flowing feathers on their legs and beautiful long ears (I?d recommend tying the ears back out of the way at dinner time!!)

They have very long, flowing coats and come in a number of colours; Black and Tan, Ruby (Rich red whole colour), Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolour (Black and white evenly spaced with tan markings)

Both dogs and bitches should stand between 30 ? 33cm.

Temperament

These are very happy, friendly dogs; they walk around with their head and tail held high. They are not nervous dogs and will welcome friends and strangers alike.

They like to be close to their people and will take every opportunity to sit on your lap or lie next to you in bed and fall asleep!

They are patient and get along well with children and other dogs and animals; they make wonderful family pets, and also make an excellent companion for the elderly.

Grooming

Cavaliers require a moderate amount of grooming because of their long coats. A quick brush after walkies may be needed, because their flowing coats tend to pick up debris along the way!

Long flowing ears mean that care should be taken at feeding time or they get covered in dinner!

Exercise

Cavaliers certainly enjoy their walks, and require a moderate amount of exercise. They relish the opportunity to get out and meet other people and dogs.

They will trot happily along beside you, head held high, taking in the sights and sounds!

Health Problems

Cavaliers are prone to heart murmurs, although generally lead a healthy, active life with this condition.

They can also suffer from slipping knee joints ( subluxating patellas); the dogs weight should be kept under control to reduce the potential problems caused by this condition. If it does lead to the knee popping out of its joint, surgery will be required.

Cavaliers also have the highest incidence of any breed of Mitral Valve Disease. A defect in the mitral valve (one of the 4 heart valves) causes backflow of blood into the left atrium, or mitral regurgitation. Less commonly, a narrowing of the valve can be identified. Because of the leaky valve, the heart is less efficient at pumping blood to the body.

About The Author

Stephanie Bayliss has written many articles on dogs which can be found at the Kennel Corner website. (www.kennel-corner.co.uk)

info@kennel-corner.co.uk

Cricket Bat Care And Maintenance Tips

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:42:51 +0000

Cricket Bat Care And Maintenance Tips

by: Ian Canaway

You should oil your new cricket bat using linseed oil before you begin to it knock-in.

Firstly lightly sand the surfaces of the cricket bat with a fine grade of sand paper. Then apply 2-3 light coats of oil to all exposed surfaces of the bat, allowing sufficient time for the bat to dry between coats, usually overnight.

It?s best to avoid oiling your cricket bat if it already has an artificial coating. Also don?t stand the bat in oil as this can cause the bat to soften and be more prone to damage.

Once you have oiled your bat and it has dried out, you can then begin to knock-in your new cricket bat.

After a match always check over your bat for signs of damage, such as cracking or splitting of the wood. You can repair damage by sanding and cleaning the damaged area, then using super glue or cricket bat tape to repair any small surface cracks.

During the off season, avoid storing your new cricket bat in a dry/warm location. Particularly avoid storing your bat in direct sunlight or rooms in your house where there are artificially high temperatures, as this will cause the bat to dry out.

At the end of the season if is often worth applying another light coat of linseed oil and again at the start of the next season. But don?t over oil as you may end up weakening the willow.

If you take good care of your cricket bat it should easily last at least 3-4 seasons. However if you mistreat it and don?t care for it, it will be much more prone to damage. It is normal however to get surface cracks on any cricket bat, even new bats, these are easily repaired with tape or glue and shouldn?t affect the quality of the bat.

But if a major split does occur it?s worth contacting your supplier, as they may send it back to the manufacturer, who will often repair it or send you a new one. However if it is clear the bat has been mistreated, it?s unlikely they will repair or replace it.

About The Author

Ian Canaway

Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html. Or visit our forum at: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/phpBB2/.

ian.canaway@gmail.com

Designing a Fun Family Coat of Arms

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:41:31 +0000

Designing a Fun Family Coat of Arms

by: Chris Simeral

Armorial bearings, or coats of arms, take us back to the glamour of the middle ages. In days of old, knights displayed heraldic devices on their horses' caparisons, their servants' liveries, and on their banners and shields. As war medals are awarded today, so coats' of arms and other heraldic devices could be awarded to knights for their service in battle. But the primary role of coats' of arms was identification in battle ? the bright, vibrant colors and symbols identified the knight to his men, and his flying banner was a rallying point for them.

Heraldry refers to the study of coats of arms, and takes its name from the Heralds, who were the special ambassadors and messengers of feudal times. They were employed by all great lords, and by the king. Because Heralds traveled freely around the country, they were also the armorial officials. They granted armorial bearings. At tournaments, it was the Heralds' job to check that no knight appeared in the tournament lists displaying the heraldic devices of another. In battle, it was the Heralds' job, on both sides, to identify the living and the dead, and to declare the winner.

Many families today seek a connection with their ancestors through their coat of arms. However, obtaining an official right to display a true coat of arms ? i.e. an armorial bearing that was granted to your ancestor ? can be a long and tedious process. And for many people, they may not even have an ancestor who was granted an official coat of arms in the first place.

But that doesn?t mean you can?t have some fun designing your own coat of arms. Of course, it will never be recognized by any government or College of Heralds (the folks charged with keeping track of official armorial bearings), but it can be a fun family project nonetheless.

If you have an artistic bent, design your own coat of arms using art from one of the dozens of heraldic clipart libraries online. To make your fun family coat of arms look authentic, you'll need two basic components: the field, and the charges (also known collectively as ?the shield?)

Over time, the coat of arms has come to simply mean the shield we so often think of when imagining a classic coat of arms. The color that the shield is painted is called "the field.? Any item which was painted onto the field of the shield was called "the charge.? Therefore, if a shield has a lion painted on it, it's said to be "charged with a lion.?

Common charges on shields included animals, mythical beasts, birds, plants, flowers, and inanimate objects. Charge your own coat of arms with any symbol which has meaning for you. The Knebworth House site at http://www.knebworthhouse.com/schools/coatofarms.htm has an excellent brief guide to designing a coat of arms, and even provides an outline of a coat of arms for you to print out.

More Resources for Designing Your Own Fun Coat of Arms

* The Free Heraldry Clipart site: http://www.heraldicclipart.com/catalog/index1.html

* Need complete instructions for designing a ?do it yourself? coat of arms?

A book from Dover Publications, ?Design Your Own Coat of Arms: An Introduction to Heraldry? gives you all the information you need.

Other Resources

Don?t feel like making a coat of arms from scratch? These sites offer to put a coat of arms based on your last name on a wide variety of products. (Note to serious genealogy researchers: These sites should be consulted and used for entertainment only. They shouldn?t be deemed to accurately contain a coat of arms to which you may have a legitimate claim.)

* Names.com at http://www.names.com is widely known, and sells all kinds of fun family-name paraphernalia, with coats of arms painted on everything from T-shirts to glassware.

* Armorial Gold Heraldry Art: http://www.heraldryclipart.com

* Coats of Arms: http://www.historicalnames.com

* Coat of Arms store: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/4crests

* House of Names: http://www.houseofnames.com

About The Author

Chris Simeral is the creator of the 7 Day Family Tree Genealogy Research Toolkit. For more information on researching your family?s past, or a free genealogy mini-course, visit http://www.7dayfamilytree.com.

Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:12:22 +0000

Dog Clothes: Essential Fashion Items For Your Dog

by: Olga Sen

A dog is a man?s best friend. Yes! The affable chap is your best companion. If you own a dog, you definitely love to shower him with affection. Anything you do for your dog, even a little attention, brings him happiness. And you love him like a baby. Don?t you?

You probably spend a lot of money on quality dog food, biscuits and vet bills. But does your dog possess a sufficient variety of clothing? Why it roams stark naked at times. It?s time you get some really cool dog clothes for your favorite friend this season. The clothes your dog wears reflect your personal style statement.

Are you aware of the fact that clothing for dogs is readily available in the market? The range varies from dog coats to dog hats, dog formal wear, dog collars and much more.

One of the essential items of dog clothing includes dog coats. Dog coats are used to protect your dog and enhance its living quality. Dog coats provide essential warmth for your dog during cold weather. Dog coats also protect the vital organs of dog such as his heart and lungs from getting affected by the cold weather. Dog coats, besides keeping your dog warm, keep your dog clean and dry. It can even protect your dog from skin disorders and allergies.

Dog coats are available in different designs and styles. They are available as denim coats, hooded coats, rough style coats and in many more patterns.

Dog T-Shirts are meant for well-dressed dogs. When your dog wears a pretty T-shirt he looks special and nice. Dog T-shirts too are essential for your dog A good quality T-shirt can help prevent harmful sunrays affecting your dog. Dog T- shirts also help in keeping your dog warm when it gets cool during at night. T-shirts are available as cotton T-shirts, velour T-shirts and in many more fabrics.

Dogs can develop skin cancer! If your dog is out and about in the sunshine a lot there is the risk of him developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is known to affect a majority of dogs more than any other type of cancer. So it becomes quintessential for you to protect your dog against skin cancer. Provide your dog with a dog sun suit. Dog sun suits are made using UV resistant fabric. This fabric greatly reduces the chance of skin cancer in your dog. Now you can leave your dog in the sunshine or play with him for hours in the sun without the worry.

Pet-jamas and playsuits for your dog are also readily available. These are beneficial if you like to play with your pet inside the house. These pet-jamas and playsuits act as essential and natural dog coats. It even keeps your house furniture and bed clean from unwanted doggy hair.

If it is raining outside, and you want to take your dog along for a walk, what would you do? You have a raincoat for yourself. What would your dog wear? Do not worry at all! A variety of dog raincoats are available. Dog raincoats are especially made from polyester backed vinyl and are available in all sizes. They even have a hole for the lead too. Now you can take your dog out, without getting him wet in the rain, making him the envy of other dogs.

Dog hats are another classy clothing item for your lovely dog. These hats come in various shapes, sizes and fabrics. Dog hats help to shade the eyes of your dear pet. Hats also provide your dog with great sun protection. Slip a hat onto your dog, ensuring it is well protected and looks smart and cool too.

Doing a little shopping for your dog can improve his living style and protect him from many diseases and dangers. Go on, be indulgent and buy something for your four-legged friend today.

About The Author

Olga Sen writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information about Dog Clothes please visit http://www.dog-clothes.org/dogclothes/and for additional Dog Clothes related articles please visit the following article page http://www.dog-clothes.org/dogclothes-articles/.

"Westie" - West Highland White Terrier

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:31:35 +0000

"Westie" - West Highland White Terrier

by: Stephanie Bayliss

History

Originating in Scotland, Westies were bred to hunt foxes, otters and vermin. They share their ancestry with many of the other true Scottish Terriers and became formally recognised as West Highland White Terrier?s in 1904

Appearance

Westie?s are compact, stocky little dogs with shaggy white coats. They have little button noses and small, erect ears.

They look very sweet, but strong and have a happy, proud air when they are trotting around the park!

Temperament

Westies are confident little dogs, totally local to their family but they make good protection dogs as they are extremely alert and brave.

Westies are affectionate dogs but can withstand plenty of rough play, so make good companions and play mates for children.

They can be quite dominant with other dogs so care should be taken with socializing them with others. They will chase cats if not socialized with them at an early age.

Grooming

Westies require a minimal amount of grooming ? perhaps once a week, but will require their coats to be stripped by a professional 2-3 times per year.

Exercise

They require a moderate amount of exercise and will appreciate long, off lead runs, especially chasing a ball around the park! Care should be taken with proper recall training when Westies are young, to ensure that they come back properly when called.

Health Problems

Westies are hardy dogs and are unlikely to suffer from many ailments. Some do suffer from occasional skin problems, and deafness is a possibility.

About The Author

Stephanie Bayliss has written many articles on dogs which can be found at the Kennel Corner website. (www.kennel-corner.co.uk)

info@kennel-corner.co.uk

Artsy Motorcycle Painting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:24:55 +0000

Artsy Motorcycle Painting

by: Maricon Williams

However, it is not always that way. You can manage to paint your bike. In fact, if you are planning to do it in the near future, here are the things that you need to consider. First, the color of the motorcycle ? what color do you want? There is such a wide variety of colors available in the motorcycle society.

Colors can influence the bikes durability. Pearl?s, candy?s and lacquer reds have short life spans. Nevertheless, if you like your bike to be ultra-violet, gasoline and acid rain resistant, you can use paints with modern acrylic urethane content. These coatings are costly but you can rely on their efficiency. The brilliant hue, sparkle and feel of newly painted bike cannot be overemphasized. If you want variations, you can try two-tones and the likes. Just bear in mind that the use right and modern materials pays off.

After choosing the color for your bike, you have the choice whether to dismantle the bike or not. Tearing down for paint is an innate passion of bikers. Most pro painters do not remove the motorcycle parts. However, it is better if you let the experts do ?expert removal? of hard to remove parts. The aim is to get paint around all the edges of the motorcycle parts. Most bike painters have a variety of fixtures to hold parts so they can be easily worked on. In fact, in time these bike painters develop a skill to work on these challenging parts.

As I have said before, you can be your bike?s very own painter. Nonetheless, you can entrust the painting to those who understand how much your bike means to you ? like some expert biker/painter. They exude a certain bond with the bike. Thus, they will not let any biker down. This is because they do not want to feel the same frustration.

It is time to color the bike. But first, remove the uglies ? cracks, dents, flaws and repairs. Painter may not have ample time to look into them so you got to have the initiative. After removing the uglies, clean and dry the entire bike. The temperature must also be kept warm for the primer?s advantage.

The number of coats can be of significance. Three or four coats are sufficient. Just remember the three important things ? clean, dry and more primer!

Invade the motorcyclists? crowd and stun them with your newly painted bike.

About The Author

Maricon Williams

Please visit Motorcycle Parts and Accessories site at http://www.motorcyclepartsbin.com/list/Motorcycle-Parts-Performance|Accessories.html for comments and inquiries regarding this article.

Care And Maintenance Of Cork Flooring

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:39:12 +0000

Care And Maintenance Of Cork Flooring

by: Clinton Maxwell

Many people think of a bulletin board when they think of cork flooring. This is not the case at all. This material is beautiful and available in a wide variety of colors and shades, from very light to dark. There is a cork floor to match any home d?cor. It also comes in a wide variety of textures and patterns, including marble and wood grain patterns that resemble pergo flooring.

Benefits of Cork Flooring

Cork is a great insulating material. It keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The energy efficiency aids in cutting energy bills in the winter. It is much more energy efficient than either Armstrong laminate flooring or discount wood flooring. Cork is also good for sound insulation. It helps cut down noise from another room, or another floor.

This material is softer on your feet than ceramic tile, bellawood or any other wood or stone flooring material. This is more comfortable in the kitchen, when you may spend a lot of time on your feet. In addition, if you drop a dish, it won?t break as easily as it would on a tile or stone floor. Another benefit, cork is naturally fire retardant.

Cork is also good for the environment. It is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. These trees grow primarily in Spain and Portugal. The trees are not cut down. The bark is stripped away, without killing the tree. It immediately begins to grow back and can be peeled again about every nine years. This flooring does not contribute to deforestation, which is considered a big problem on our planet today.

Installing Cork Flooring

Installation is done by either nailing or gluing down the material. It can be installed over wood or concrete. It?s important to be sure the subfloor is completely dry. Applying a sealer before installing the floor helps prepare the surface and controls moisture. Peel and stick cork tiles are also available for easy installation.

Spread the adhesive on the subfloor with a paint roller. Once the tiles are laid, you will hardly see the seams. A razor knife can be used to cut tiles to fit around corners or angles in the room. Once the tiles are laid, you will need to roll the floor with a 100 pound floor roller. These can be rented from most places where other tools are rented. A clear urethane can be applied over the floor for added protection.

Cork is fairly easy to clean and maintain. Sweep with a broom to remove debris. You can mop the floor with a damp mop as needed. The finish may begin to wear off after several years. Floor sanders can be used to sand the floor lightly. Reapply a coat of urethane after sanding to protect the floor. You can apply several coats, sanding lightly between each coat, for added protection. Several coats of clear urethane will make the floor more water resistant.

About The Author

Clinton Maxwell is author and designer of http://www.inside-woodworking.com a website with resources. The writer is specializing in tips on cork flooring ( http://www.inside-woodworking.com/flooring/cork-flooring.html ) .

Creating Music Boxes, Part V

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:10:23 +0000

Creating Music Boxes, Part V

by: Monique Hawkins

Creating carousel music boxes, ballerina music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and other types of music boxes is a relaxing and creative activity. Here a few general directions for those who are ready to begin or are in the process of creating their own music box.

Antiquing

When antiquing the flat surface of a music box, use an old paintbrush or a clean rag. Brush in the same direction and cover as much of the music box as desired. Make sure the surface thoroughly dries and do not go back over areas one the drying process begins.

If antiquing a textured surface, an old paintbrush works well. Be sure that the antiquing gel covers all the surface and work on small sections at a time; allow to dry.

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing causes a carousel music box, ballerina music box, and other types of music boxes to look as if they have more depth. A stiff, round paintbrush, flat brush, or stenciling brush works well. Leave a little bit of paint on the brush and then lightly brush the music box in the same direction.

With dry brushing, it is essential to make sure there is no water in the brush. If using different colors, wipe the brush on a paper towel and do not wash it.

Painting

When it comes to painting a wooden keepsake box, musical jewelry box, or any music box, sanding, sealing, and making sure the wood is dust and lint free assists in wood preparation.

A flat paintbrush or sponge brush can be used to apply a nice smooth coat of acrylic paint. This should be allowed to dry before a second coat of paint is added. For a very smooth surface, three coats of acrylic paint should be used. Steel wool can also be used to sand between the coats if necessary.

Preparing Music Boxes

Chipboard boxes come in a variety of sizes and shape sand are not expensive. Since they are not sturdy, strengthening is needed. This can be done by placing a bead of hot glue around the inside bottom of the box; make sure the glue hardens.

Next, apply a layer of tacky glue to the insides of the box using a paintbrush. Allow to dry.

Staining

Wood stains come in a wide variety of colors. Always follow the manufacturers directions. Stains, of course, will stain differently. The wood grain will determine how much stain will be absorbed. Leave the stain on for 1-2 minutes and then wipe for light stain or leave on for 5-10 minutes for a dark look.

Creating wooden keepsake boxes, carousel music boxes, ballerina music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and other types of musical boxes is a fun and relaxing hobby. Antiquing, dry brushing, painting, chipboard boxes, and staining are just a few of the many things that can be done to create a music box to last a lifetime.

About The Author

Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d?cor, whimsical carousel music boxes, and musical jewelry boxes. The company provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Owner Monique Hawkins is also the author of the blog "What You Never Knew About Music" http://whatyouneverknewaboutmusic.blogspot.com, and owner of the eBay store "Monique's Music Box" at: http://stores.ebay.com/Moniques-Music-Box Monique can be contacted at (540) 858-2885.