Archive for April, 2009

Which Fly Fishing Rod Should You Buy

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Fly fishing is different from traditional fishing methods in several important ways. These important distinctions serve to make the fly fishing rod the most important piece of fly fishing equipment you buy.

Traditional fishing uses a rod equipped with nearly weightless, transparent, monofilament line to cast a weighted hook into the water. Fly fishing essentially reverses this process by using a weighted, translucent line to cast a nearly weightless hook into the water. The action of the fly fishing rod is essential to being able to cast the fly.

Fly fishing is also different from traditional fishing in that the fly fisher never puts their rod down. Fly fishers cast the entire time they are fishing. This makes the decision of which rod to buy very important. Anglers who are fly fishing will spend the entire fishing day with the rod in their hand making casts.

The method of bringing in a fish is also different when fly fishing. While the fishing reel is very important in traditional fishing it is not nearly so important in fly fishing. Fly fishing uses a technique of stripping line by hand. The fly fishing reel is largely used as a storage compartment for spare line.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Fly Fishing? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

The choice of which fly fishing rod to buy is indeed a very important decision that will impact your enjoyment of the sport a great deal. Nearly all modern fly fishing rods are made from some type of graphite compound. There are a few bamboo rods still made but they are quite expensive compared to a graphite rod. There are many choices of graphite fly fishing rods available though.

Fly fishing rods are categorized by weight (for instance, a 6-weight rod – also written as 6wt). The weight of the fly rod you buy will be determined by where you intend to fish. It is important to use line that matches the weight of the rod when fly fishing. Some rods are designed to be multi-weight rods and may safely be used with several different weights of line.

One general rule when shopping for a fly rod is to purchase the most expensive rod you can afford. This advice is based on the understanding that the rod is the most important piece of fly fishing equipment in your fly fishing outfit. You can always upgrade your reel later if you decide you want a better reel.

It is always a good idea to visit shops that sell fly fishing gear before making a final decision. Even if you plan to purchase your fly fishing rod through a shop on the Internet it will be helpful to actually handle several different rods before making a final decision. Remember too that while fly fishers tend to be an opinionated bunch, fly fishing rods are largely a personal preference. If a rod just does not feel comfortable in your hand it does not matter how many experts recommend that rod. Your choice will also be influenced largely by where you intend to fish. For instance, small mountain streams in New England will require a lighter rod than large rivers in the Rocky Mountains or Utah.

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about Fly Fishing into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about Fly Fishing, and that’s time well spent.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Stained Glass Copper Foil Technique

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Copper foil is a stained glass leading technique that has a more delicate or intricate look to it than the lead came technique. Louis C. Tiffany created the copper foil technique in the early 1900′s. Tiffany didn’t have the adhesive-backed copper foil that we have today. When he built his copper foil stained glass projects, he painstakingly cut the copper strips and applied wax to them to secure it to the stained glass.

Copper foil is often used for decorative glass boxes, stained glass lamps, and other stained glass projects with intricate curves. The copper foil is flexible and when the solder bead is applied correctly, it is strong enough for just about any stained glass project.

Deciding whether to use copper foil or lead came on a project is mostly a personal choice; yet, some areas may have building restrictions or codes that you might want to check. Some people believe that the copper foil method of stained glass construction is not strong enough for large stained glass windows.

There are methods of reinforcing stained glass windows whether they are constructed by the copper foil method or the came method. Rebar is used to reinforce large stained glass windows. There is a copper flat wire called “Strong Line” that is also used as reinforcement by placing it between the pieces of stained glass before soldering.

The copper color of Tiffany’s thin strips of copper for his stained glass window construction would have shown in, for instance, clear glass. Today’s copper foil comes in various backing colors like copper, black, silver and brass. This gives the stained glass artisan choices of backing that will show up less through clear glass; and for instance, if you use silver backing on white stained glass, there will not be a line of shadow on the white stained glass near the solder lines.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Stained Glass. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Also, if you plan to leave the solder lines silver and not use a patina to color the solder, then silver back will look better wherever there is clear glass. The same works for using a copper patina on the lead; you would want copper backed foil on your stained glass. Black-backed foil would look best on that clear glass if you are using black patina.

Copper foil tape is a “dead soft copper” which, when burnished onto the stained glass, sticks closely to the glass. It comes in various widths with popular sizes being: 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 7/32″ 3/8″ and 1/2″. Most copper foil tapes are in 36 yard rolls.

When working with larger stained glass projects, 3-dimensional articles or windows, a wider copper foil like 3/8″ or 1/2″ will be stronger. Thicker stained glass requires a wider tape. When you are doing very intricate or delicate stained glass work, you might prefer to use the narrower 3/16″ copper foil tape.

When you wrap stained glass in copper foil tape, be sure that the edges of the glass are ground and then cleaned very well; otherwise, the foil will not stick to the stained glass. Wrapping the glass edges carefully and being sure equal amounts of foil are folded up onto either side of the stained glass will ensure a smooth, even solder line. Be sure to rub or burnish the foil until it is smooth and secure.

Copper foil for stained glass construction is available through wholesale distributors all over the world. A very popular and reliable copper foil is manufactured by Edco Supply Corporation in Brooklyn, New York. Stained glass retail stores, craft stores, and online stores carry copper foil for stained glass.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Stained Glass. When people start looking for more information about Stained Glass, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Sandblasting Stained Glass

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

When you think about Stained Glass, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Stained Glass are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Stained glass is actually an incorrect name for a type of art encompassing many different ways of decorating glass for windows, mirrors, lamps or other projects. Stained glass may be made from many pieces of colored glass cut into a design and soldered together with lead or copper cames (metal strips), it may be painted, etched, actually stained with various metal oxides or even sandblasted. Sandblasting is a fascinating way to add texture and interest to your stained glass art project. Rather than adding colored, sandblasting gives a unique frosted or abraded look. This can be used as a decorative “frame” for your stained glass project before painting and setting it in the kiln, or you can create the entire design through sandblasting alone.

Sandblasting equipment can be quite expensive, so you will most likely want to borrow or rent the equipment. You may also consider paying a professional to sandblast your prepared design. Be prepared to make several phone calls and be clear about what you would like to have done. You will likely be charged a set fee per square foot of the stained glass project.

There are four basic elements to the sandblasting unit. The sandblasting unit works with an air compressor that acts as the motor of the unit and provides compressed air to the sand mixing unit. This highly pressurized sand is then forced through a soft tube into a sealed compartment where it is forced through a nozzle. You will do the sandblasting through a set of long rubber gloves that extend inside the unit where you can move your stained glass project around and control the nozzle during sandblasting.

If you don’t have accurate details regarding Stained Glass, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don’t let that happen: keep reading.

You will want to create your pattern on a special type of removable backed adhesive paper called “transparent resist”. You may also try regular contact paper, but it is not as sturdy or easy to work with for your stained glass project as the resist. Draw your design on the transparent resist paper with a pencil.

Remember that the cut out portions will be the frosted design on your stained glass project. Be create, experiment with different lines and shapes. When you are satisfied with your design you should tape it to your cutting mat and cut it out carefully using a craft or razor knife. Next, gently remove the paper backing and roll the resist or contact paper unto your piece of glass smoothing it out as you go along. Be careful not to leave any air pockets or lifted edges where sand might get into and foil your design.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions for sandblasting (if you are renting the equipment, otherwise drop it off to the studio and wait for the dramatic results). Carefully peal off the transparent resist and viola, a beautiful piece of stained glass art! You are now ready to use stained glass paint and fire the piece in a kiln if that is what your design calls for; otherwise your stained glass project is ready for framing or hanging.

Stained glass artwork is a satisfying hobby that not only provides hours of enjoyment, but also creates attractive accents for your home, or gifts for family or friends that will bring pleasure for many years to come.

This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Penny stock picks

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Penny stocks- an introduction: If you are well aware about penny stocks and want to invest some money in penny stocks, you will be interested to know how to pick penny stocks. You will find a list of many stocks being traded at the website of pink sheets and will be interested to invest in some of the future Microsoft or Wal-Mart. This may happen only if the investor picks a right penny stock otherwise he or she may lose the amount.

Limited information for penny stocks: It is really very difficult to find information on penny stocks, as there are reliable sources with us. First of all the information provided by the company may not be the correct one and suppose if the information provided is correct, it may not be relevant.

For penny stocks we are not sure how to find information about the companies offering penny stocks. These companies have to provide a very little information to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and get easily listed at pink sheets. These companies are therefore not regulated by SEC, as is the case with companies listed at NASDAQ or NYSE. Furthermore the history of the companies listed at penny stocks is not available. The companies may be bankrupt or new having no experience of business and thus can be highly risky. A new investor should therefore carry out the research about the companies before putting their hard earned money into the market.

Those of you not familiar with the latest on Penny Stocks now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

The next restriction on penny stocks is the limited liquidity. Sometimes it is difficult to sell the stock, as you may not find the buyer for it. Having very low liquidity, you may have to sell the stock at hefty discount causing you a heavy loss. Sometimes the brokers manipulate the penny stocks in various ways and may cause you sever loss so until and unless you do not understand the basics of stock market avoid investing large amount in penny stocks.

Chances of fraud: As the companies offering penny stocks are not scrutinized or regulated by government agencies or The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), penny stocks are more prone to fraud. Most of the times the companies spread rumors about their financial performance and other related issues and mislead the investors. Many times these companies take the help of media such as newspapers, radio or email and hype about the penny stocks offered by them. You may get several emails (spam) from their agents as well. These companies also pay for some financial consult for recommending their penny stocks to the investors.

Picking the right penny stock: Although the market of penny stock is highly risky, there are good companies also at OTCBB and pink sheets. The actual understanding is needed to identify the good penny stock and a lot of research is needed before putting money in penny stocks.

Summary: Picking of a right penny stock is the key factors for earning and you should ensure yourself that you are picking the right penny stock. Sometimes a little research can help you picking a right penny stock.

There’s a lot to understand about Penny Stocks. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

What are penny stocks?

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Penny Stock: The penny stocks or shares are an investment options for those who have a small amount for investment and are willing to take risk. These stocks are generally available in very small amount and even a small investor can take a risk of investing few cents in these stocks.

Although there is some risk associated with every investment in financial market, penny stocks are good option for investment if you have some disposable amount, as here a small amount will be at risk. Broker or dealers trade these stocks and it is better to understand the financial terms associated with penny stocks. I would like to add that if you are looking some penny stocks for investment, you should learn more about penny stocks and you can find the relevant information about the subject on stock newsletter and message boards.

Stock Trading: Penny stocks are very speculative and have a market capitalization of around 500 million. These stocks are traded over the counter and the trading is governed by the SEC rules and guidelines on penny stocks. U.S Securities and Exchange Commission have laid down some rules for investment and trading in penny stocks and a beginner should keep these rules in mind before buying or trading in penny stocks.

SEC Rules on Penny Stocks: Broker-dealer registration compliance is must before buying or trading any penny stocks. A broker or dealer should get a written request and thereafter should approve the investor.

SEC further rules that a customer desirous to purchase a penny stock should be provided a document mentioning the risk involved in the penny stock. The broker or dealer should also inform the customer the current market rate of the penny stock and the commission that will be charged by the broker.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and Penny Stocks experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Penny Stocks.

The provisions made in the appropriate sections also put a mandatory requirement of providing monthly statement to the investor showing rates of each penny stock held by the investor in his account.

Sometimes the other terms such as small caps and micro cap are also used for these companies and The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has defined penny stock as a low-priced below $ 5.0 speculative securities of very small companies.
Many small companies have low assets and offer the stocks at very low price. These low price stocks known as penny stocks are traded over the counter generally in low volumes.

The Securities and Exchange Commission strictly adheres that penny stock is low priced speculative stock and the term penny stock does not relate on market capitalization or it’s trading at the exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ) or over the counter.

Summary: Penny stock’s definition by the Securities and Exchange commission is strictly on the basis of its value and it does not depend on other parameters such as the companies market capitalization or its listing. Investor should carefully examine all the factors associated with penny stocks before investing in them.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Penny Stocks.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Top 5 Techniques to Protect Yourself From Spam

Friday, April 17th, 2009

It is virtually impossible to avoid having your email address end up on a spammer’s mailing list. You can, however, take steps to minimize the amount of spam that you receive. Here are to top five:

Address Munging

Never, ever post your permanent email address publicly online. Posting it on a website, on USENET, or in a guest book, for example, virtually guarantees that it will end up on a spammer’s emailing list.

If you absolutely have to supply an address, or regularly participate in online forums but do not want further communication, camouflage your address in some way. You can, for example, disguise your address by writing it in such a way that humans can read it, but the spammers automated programs cannot.

Example: instead of JaneDoe@ISP.com, add a blank space before and after the “@” sign, or use characters e.g. JaneDoe at ISP dot com.

This is reffered to as “address munging”. While address munging does not allow for a regular, clickable email link, anyone who really wants to contact you will figure it out the proper address.

If you have a website, provide a feedback form instead of giving your email address.

Sign up for an Alternative Email Addresses

Do not use your primary email address when placing an online order, getting a free download, or want to sign up for a newsletter or free service Get a secondary email address that you can use in these instances. You can open a free email account for this purpose. Email providers such as GMail and yahoo offer this free email service.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Spam Protection, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Reserve this email address specifically for this online activity – do not offer it to people from whom you want to receive email, as this will likely be lost in the deluge of junk mail.

Also, be sure to log into this account on a regular basis to delete the junk mail and avoid having the account closed. If you get over-spammed, just close this account and open a new one.

Choose an email address that cannot be easily guessed at. One method used by spammers to get email address is to generate a list of likely email addresses based on a combination of first names, last names and commonly used words. They may, for example build an emailing list that has variations of an address like JoelDoe1@hotmail.com, JoelDoe2@hotmail.com etc.
You can foil this spammer’s tactic by using a relatively long email address, for example 8 or more characters long. You should also avoid choosing email addresses that include either of your names. Use your initials instead, in combination with numbers, e.g. jtd1509@yahoo.com.

Beware the Phisher Spam

Phishing is a tactic used by spammers to scam you into giving up vital personal and financial information. Its sole purpose is identity theft.

Never divulge any personal or financial information that is requested in an email. Your bank or credit card company would never ask you to confirm or update your personal information via an email or a link in an email. Any such emails should be reported to the bank or credit card company. Never, ever click on any links in this type of spam.

Get a spam filter or spam blocker

Stop the spam dead in its tracks before it ever makes it into your inbox. Well, most of it at least. Though they are not 100% effective, anti-spam software will keep most of it out. Even if you only use the internet a spam filter will help protect you from spam.

Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Spam Protection. When people start looking for more information about Spam Protection, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Penny Stocks: Are Penny Stocks Too Risky?

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

The term ?high-risk investment? sounds scary, doesn’t it? This phrase alone is enough to put many investors off. After all, no one wants to take a risk. The trouble with buying any kind of stock (high-risk of not) is that it’s always a gamble. But how do you decide when a stock is just too high-risk, for you?

There is a lot of information floating around on the Internet about penny stocks. Almost everyone with an e-mail address has gotten spam at some time or another, touting a penny stock as the next great investment. Sadly, much of this information is geared toward scamming you in some form or fashion, and it’s likely that you will lose all of the money that you put into the stocks advertised in this fashion. But that doesn’t mean that all penny stocks are bad deals, that you will lose money every time, or that every single penny stock is a scam. In fact, far from it. Some penny stocks might be very good investments, indeed.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

Penny stocks are affordably priced shares in companies or businesses that are considered ?small,? as opposed to big corporations. There are not many shareholders involved in penny stocks, making them less ?liquid? than many other types of stock. The goal of investing in penny stocks it to part with very little money initially to enjoy a big return later on. Does it work this way? It does, sometimes, just not all the time. For those who know what they’re doing when they’re investing in penny stocks, they can be a great investment tool. Mastering the art of trading in penny stocks can be tricky, however.

For one thing, penny stocks don’t trade on the major stock exchanges. Rather, penny stocks are known as ?over the counter? investments, listed on Pink Sheets and the OTCBB. This makes penny stocks rather unique, and somewhat harder to find for many investors. Penny stocks also don’t trade very regularly, so sometimes investors have very little time to act. Because trading does not occur often with penny stocks, there is always the fear of being unable to sell one’s shares of penny stocks and winding up with a bad investment. This is all part of the risk of trading in penny stocks, and many investors think this makes the game all the more challenging. When you invest in penny stocks, you should receive monthly updates that let you know how your stock is doing.

So, are penny stocks too risky? The only person who can decide that is you. Some investors find that penny stocks aren’t too risky, but others do. It’s all a question of how much gambling with your money you want to do, how much you know about penny stocks, and how lucky you feel. If you think investing your money in penny stocks is a good idea, then it probably is. Everyone has a different opinion on penny stocks. Learn more about them, and form your own.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Top 5 Myths About Phishing

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

There are several myths and misconceptions that abound when it comes to Phishing. These are the top 5 most common ones:

Myth #1

Anti-spam software can detect phishing email

While anti-phishing and spam filters can decrease the number of phising emails that get into your inbox, they are not 100% effective. Whenever anti-phishing technology keeps improving, the phishers are always devising ways to get around them. It truly is a cat-and-mouse game.

Secondly, because spam email and phishing email are different (phishing email spoofs a legitimate business), a different set of rules and criteria are required to detect the phisher.

Myth #2

As long as I don’t give my password and user-name, I won’t be Phished

Phishers are getting increasingly sophisticated. They now employ several variations on the original spoofed email that once requested your password and user-name.

They will, for example, instruct you to click on a link so as to update your information at a website. If you do click on the link, malware such as a keylogger or syware wil be downloaded to your computer.
The link may take you to a spoofed website, but it may also link you to the actual website of the legitimate business. Once there, a pop-up or overlay is activated, directing you to log in. You will probably be unaware that your access information has been compromised.

Myth #3

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

Most Phishing attacks originate from outside

With all the time and effort that has been poured into the Nigerian 419 spam scams, it is commonly assumed that phishing originates from emerging countries outside America. However, a study by Symantec shows that the majority of phishing attacks actually originate within the U.S.

Myth #4

Phishing is a problem that we can solve by educating users

This is not true. There are various ways the phisher can camouflage an IP address. In fact, a large proportion of phishing attacks are enabled through common misconfigurations in a web application. Phishers can manipulate internet technology to redirect you from a real and legitimate website, in such a way that although the original web address points to this real web site you are taken to the phisher’s web site.

As the incidents of phishing and identity theft have increased, people have become more aware, and better able to identify phishing emails. The percentage of phishing victims has gone down. However, even though users are getting better educated and informed about phishing, there is always still a chance that someone will mistake a well-crafted phishing email for the real thing.

Myth #5

I will know one when I see one

This is another misconception regarding phishing, and a potentially dangerous one at that, especially in our digital world. With all the time, talent and technology available to them, these cyber crooks have more than ample resources to create and execute increasingly realistic email spam, web site spoofs or other electronic means by which to scam you out of your confidential financial data and wreak havoc on your financial affairs.

Vigilance is, in fact, your number one protection against the phisher’s hook. Underestimating the phishers may cost you.

That’s the latest from the Spam Protection authorities. Once you’re familiar with these ideas, you’ll be ready to move to the next level.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

The Etiquette of Fly Fishing a Stream

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Fly fishing can be enjoyed by everyone. It transcends all the boundaries associated with age, status, or wealth. Stream fly fishing is known as a gentle sport and that should be reflected in our stream manner and etiquette. For the most part, the rules of stream etiquette are nothing more then good old common sense. However, they might entail things that have been forgotten, or that a beginner might not think of while fly fishing.

One of the most important things to remember is not to crowd another fisherman. Sometimes the temptation is very strong to fish the same water where someone is catching a lot of fish, but that is as rude and inconsiderate as someone cutting into a serving line at a restaurant buffet. If you come upon a spot where someone is fly fishing and having a good catch, the proper thing to do is stop far back from the edge so the fish don’t stop eating. You may watch for awhile, both because fly fishing is a beautiful sport to watch and perhaps you will learn something. If the person that was fishing moves further along the stream, it is acceptable to slowly and quietly enter the water where he had been fishing. Otherwise, move well beyond the fisherman to another point of the stream

Fly fishing casts a common bond amongst all people that love and appreciate the sport. It is important to be friendly to other fishermen that you may come across. If you meet another fly fisherman who is outside the stream, take a moment to be friendly. Sometimes a little chat will give you insight as to what patterns are working best that day, or you could give some tip that will help him to have a better day. If you come upon a fly fisherman that is in the stream a friendly nod or wave is sufficient. Be friendly to all fishermen not just those fly fishing. You never know, sometimes a few minutes spent talking with a non-fly fisherman, could result in his wanted to give the sport a try.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Fly Fishing? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

Taking care of the environment is essential in stream etiquette. Stream fly fishing is done in some of the most beautiful areas of the country. It is essential that we do everything we can to keep it that way. No one should ever litter. The environment should look exactly like it did when you have finished fishing for the day as it did when you started. It is not uncommon to see someone who is fly fishing picking up any litter that they come across on the stream banks, or in the water, and carrying it out with them. It only takes a moment to clean up after yourself and that will keep the area beautiful.

While fly fishing a stream, always remember to respect the trout. Trout have been blessed with the natural instinct and temperament to make them a real challenge to a fly fisherman. Only keep what you intend to eat, release any others.

The basics of stream etiquette for fly fishing are very simple. By following them you will ensure that you are doing your best for the environment and you will always be a welcome stream companion.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)

Turn Your Stained Glass Hobby into a Fun Job

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

You have honed your stained glass construction skills and have given all your friends and family stained glass gifts for every occasion. Why not earn back some of your expenses and more? You can and you can have fun doing it.

Most stained glass hobbyists find that they have several beautiful stained glass suncatchers, candle votives and other small projects on hand. They often test the waters by beginning with booths at craft fairs and other similar events. Most small booths at craft fairs are reasonably priced. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for an elaborate setup.

If your booth is indoors, a few bright lights shining on your stained glass items will enhance their beauty and attract attention. It is best if you can hang the suncatchers, so you could build a portable frame topped with lattice work and hang them with plastic fishing line. Be sure to weight the frame down if you are outdoors. One gust of wind can destroy all of your work.

Make sure you have good strong boxes and plenty of packing material to transport your stained glass projects to and from your craft shows. If you pack carefully you will prevent accidents and broken stained glass items. If your vehicle isn’t large enough to haul everything, you might consider borrowing or renting a small trailer; but it is best to keep your expenses as low as possible. The idea is to make a profit.

Some stained glass crafters build projects all winter then travel to craft shows all spring, summer and fall. They find that they do well in sales and enjoy meeting people and traveling. They may include shows during the Christmas shopping season because stained glass articles make excellent gifts and stocking stuffers and sell well as last minute gift items.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

Selling stained glass items on eBay and on-line websites can be done year around and from home. This way the stained glass crafter can sell on speculation or by special order. The advantage to selling on speculation is that you can choose the project you want to do and not worry about deadlines or meeting anyone’s specifications. You can work at home in your own personal workshop and then list the items online when you have completed them. Be sure to include a photo with your listing to optimize your chances of selling.

Pack the sold stained glass items carefully for safe shipping and require insurance so that if an item is broken in shipping, the customer will be happy to come back to you and you will be paid for repair or replacement of the broken stained glass project.

Repair and reconstruction of stained glass is a more specialized area of stained glass work that customers look for but have a hard time finding artisans willing to do that kind of work. You can create a special niche for income if you become expert at stained glass repair and construction.

Opening a stained glass retail store is an expensive venture. If you can purchase one that is going out of business, it might be more within your budget and you would be inheriting an existing customer base.

Teaching stained glass classes in your home studio or even as non-credit classes at your local university is good income and lots of fun. You can even have students learn as they help you work on a large stained glass project. You get paid by the student and paid for the stained glass project and be paid for having fun!

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Stained Glass. Share your new understanding about Stained Glass with others. They’ll thank you for it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson (Click on the link to learn more about me)


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