Wednesday, March 28, 2012

How to make a tutu using tulle

Making a tutu using tulle fabric is pretty simple. First task is to measure the waist of your model with elastic. The width of your elastic can range from ¾ inch to 1 inch, depending on who you are making the tutu for. Use 1 inch elastic for older girls and ¾ inch elastic for babies. Once the model has been measured, sew the elastic 2 to 3 inches smaller than what was measured. The next step is to find tulle fabric. Let your model choose the color of the tulle they want for their tutu. In general, 6 inch tulle tends to work the best. If you buy tulle in bolts, you will have to measure and cut the appropriate size for the tutu. Measure the tulle 24 inches in length and cut. Gather the tulle in the middle, wrap it around the elastic and slip a knot. Repeat the process until the elastic is completely covered with tulle and you have a full skirt. If you want to make the tutu fancier, add embellishments like bows, satin, or ribbons to decorate the skirt. This simple tutu can be created for any occasion – birthday parties, Halloween costumes, and Easter egg hunts.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Plastic shopping bags

Almost any store you go to will have plastic shopping bags to take merchandise home. Although plastic shopping bags are not eco-friendly, there is no sign that these packaging supplies will disappear anytime soon. Plastic shopping bags come in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes. Small clothing stores usually have generic t-shirts bags available while stores that carry heavier items like bookstores, use high or low density merchandise bags. Most plastic shopping bags feature a handle that can vary in shape. Die-cut, loop, or patch handle bags are just some examples of the different types.

If you own a retail store, plastic shopping bags are a necessity. When choosing a plastic shopping bag, it’s important to pick one that will not tear easily. The last thing a customer wants is their newly bought merchandise dropped on the ground. The quality of a bag depends on its thickness and whether it is securely sealed. Inspect and learn about the material that is used to make your plastic bag and its thickness before purchasing large quantities. The best thing about plastic shopping bags is that they are relatively cheap and can be reused for other purposes once the customer gets home. It’s a win-win for both the customer and the store owner.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Baskets

Basket weaving is perhaps one of the oldest crafts in human civilization. Baskets can be utilized for a variety of projects including house décor, carrying items, gift giving, and much more. They are composed from all types of material including bamboo, raffia, sea grass, straw, tree bark, and wire. Sales for baskets increase during certain holidays such as Christmas or Easter. This is because baskets are essential for making gift baskets. No matter what the occasion, a thoughtful gift basket is always appreciated.


Pastel colored baskets are popular in spring for decoration and Easter egg hunts. A neat little arts and crafts project is to have your kids decorate their own Easter egg basket. Use paint, foam letters, fabric and other craft materials to make it a one-of-a-kind basket. Another occasion where baskets are immensely popular is a wedding. Every flower girl needs a beautiful basket to carry rose petals in. Nowadays people use baskets for house décor since they provide the luxury of organization and aesthetics all-in-one. Keep all your remote controls in one basket to avoid misplacing them or use baskets to organize your children’s toys. There are numerous possibilities when it comes to house decorating with baskets.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Bubble Mailers - Secure Delivery

Bubble mailers are designed to provide secure delivery of valuable fragile items at low costs. These are commonly seen in businesses settings to ensure safe delivery of important items. Even in cases where it’s not a fragile item, bubble mailers prove to be useful. An online bookstore retailer, for example, may want use padded mailer envelopes to ship books to customers. That added protection can become crucial during the shipping process. Because they are composed from lightweight material, bubble mailers can reduce postage costs significantly.

Traditional bubble mailers are made from goldenrod Kraft paper and have a durable, protective bubble lining on the inside. Most are equipped with a self-sealing adhesive strip that allows the envelope to be closed quickly and neatly without the fuss of tape or glue. The secure adhesive strip also lets the recipient know if the packaged has been tampered with. In addition to the traditional golden bubble mailers, many companies also offer metallic bubble mailers. These flashy mirrorized envelopes come in different colors and are perfect for shipping DVDs, CD, or gift giving. Bubble mailers are available in variety of sizes to accommodate both small and large items. Their simple design makes them easy and efficient to work with on a daily basis.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Custom Shopping Bags

Any store owner knows that custom shopping bags are an easy way to advertise the company name and promote the business. Many online companies now allow you to customize shopping bags using a simple online program. Designing a custom shopping bag online can be fun and convenient. You can use the program to insert a business logo, picture, name, or any other information you want printed on the bag.
Custom shopping bags are offered in a variety of style, colors, and sizes. Some business owners may be hesitant to use a designing program but they shouldn’t worry. The program is fairly easy to learn and guides you through the entire process of designing your own shopping bag.

Designing programs vary from company to company but generally this is how it works. First, select the size and color of the custom shopping bag you want. Then choose the type of ink and whether you want both sides of the bag printed or just one side. The design program will then allow you to insert your logo or create your own art to be printed on the shopping bag. Since people carry shopping bags throughout the mall or shopping centers, they are a great way to advertise your company and definitely a worthwhile investment.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Bubble Wrap

Everyone knows that bubble wrap provides hours of stress relieving fun but its main purpose is to serve as a cushioning material for packing and shipping. Bubble wrap is made from pockets of air locked between two layers of polyethylene film. Despite the fact that is extremely lightweight, bubble wrap does a great job of providing protection from shock, vibration and damage. In comparison to tissue cushioning, bubble wrap is far more flexible and resilient. It is also generally thicker than foam.


Bubble wrap is available in sheets, rolls, and is even embedded into envelopes. Anti-static bubble wrap is often used to wrap electronic items which help to protect the items from static buildup and consequently, damage. Most people find bubble wrap to be useful when they are shipping a fragile item or moving belongings to a new home. Using bubble wrap to pack delicate items such as vases, dishes or glassware before placing them in cardboard boxes could save you a lot of trouble if you happen to drop the box accidentally. The same goes for shipping or mailing items as well. Perhaps the best thing about bubble wrap is that it is relatively inexpensive and has countless uses.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Coffee Bags

These days you can find a coffee shop around every street corner but nothing beats the satisfaction of brewing your own. Using fresh ground coffee is the key to making the perfect cup of coffee. This is when empty coffee bags come in handy. Coffee bags, also referred to as tin-tie bags, will preserve the freshness of your ground coffee or whatever contents you put in them. Since they are made from a thick paper material such as Kraft paper, they will hold a good amount of ground coffee without any spillage. To lock in the freshness, coffee bags often include a vapor liner and secure tin tie tops. These special tops make the bags reusable and re-closable which any coffee enthusiast can appreciate. Coffee bags are available in a number of sizes, colors, and styles. The bags often feature windows so that the contents of the bag can be viewed easily. While coffee bags are often used for holding ground coffee, they are also great for gifts, goody bags, party favors and a lot more. Many people choose to store homemade cookies or treats in these bags. Not only do they keep the food fresh, they look great as well.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Gift Basket Supplies

Gift baskets are perfect for holidays, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and even weddings. This is the chance for you to include some thoughtful goodies and gifts for your loved ones, all nicely packaged in a reusable basket. When you give a gift basket to someone, you know it’s a one-of-a-kind present that they will truly appreciate. To make a gift basket, you will first need some basic gift basket supplies like baskets, shrink wrap, fillers, and ribbons.

Since Easter is coming up, why not make an Easter gift basket for a child, friend, or family member? Start by layering the inside of the basket with some shreds. Then fill the basket with Easter goodies like candy, snacks, gift cards or toys. Wrap the basket with some clear cello sheet and tie a bow on the top. There you have it!

It’s incredibly easy to make a gift basket for any occasion. Gift basket supplies can be found at craft stores or online. There are literally hundreds of styles to choose from when it comes to baskets, fillers, and cello sheets. Use colored or patterned baskets to add a little more style, or try out some iridescent cello sheets to kick it up a notch. That’s the great thing about gift baskets – it’s unique to your style and taste!