Unravelings

9 Chain Maille Tool and Supply Tips from a Master --- Jewelry Making Daily

by Tammy Jones

I got some great chain-maille tips watching Scott David Plumlee's Make Chain Maille Jewelry! DVD this weekend, and I had to share. There's so much, I don't want to overload you--so we'll just look at tools and supplies today. Imagine how great the DVD is if I got all of these awesome tips just from the tool intro!?

via jewelrymakingdaily.com

Donate your used items

Computer

Check with your local Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army for its donation guidelines. Also try local schools, after-school programs, and homeless shelters for children. Look for nonprofit organizations that specialize in redistributing technology, such as the National Cristina Foundation (cristina.org), which places refurbished computers in educational and nonprofit organizations for people with special needs, students at risk, and the economically disadvantaged; the Computer Recycling Center and Computers & Education (crc.org), which provides refurbished computers to public schools and community nonprofits; and the World Computer Exchange (worldcomputerexchange.org), which gives donated techno-goods to kids in developing countries.

Large Appliances

Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, and other charities accept small appliances (toasters, mixers) in working condition. Policies on accepting large appliances (washers, dryers) vary by location. Check with your local branches. Inquire with local nonprofits that run group homes about large-appliance donations. The donation site Excess Access (excessaccess.com) makes do-gooding easy. After you pay a $3 to $10 listing fee for all your items―furniture, books, appliances, just about anything―the computers at Excess Access check the wish lists of participating nonprofits and notify the nearby charities of any matches. You then work directly with the charity to make arrangements (all Excess Access nonprofits are responsible for pickups) and the deal is done, complete with documentation so you can claim a tax deduction. 

via www.realsimple.com

Caring for your Dremel

Get the Most out of your Dremel - More DIY How To Projects

What to take to bed

This was sent to me by a friend. It seems like a good idea.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:

It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar rapist won't stick around... After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or avert a crime.

Money and time

Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life and...the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.

---Samuel Johnson

The Savvy Seller has my things I learned the hard way up!

Marlene at The Savvy Seller posted my tips about things I learned the hard way as well as a link to the podcast I did on Wednesday. Find all the good stuff here.

Productivity 501 features my post

One of my favorite blogs, Productivity 501, has featured one of my posts in their "Make Yourself Smarter" post. Here's what I had to say:

I make sure I read every day, and not just blogs, but books, magazines, newsletters and newspapers. I also have the TV on in the background while I work and “watch” TIVOed shows from Discovery, TLC, History Channel, and the like.

I always like to find something that makes me say “I didn’t know that.” There is so much to learn in this world and so little time that I really make a concerted effort to keep learning and growing every day. If you don’t learn something new every day, no matter what it is, you’ll stagnate.

And a comment from the moderator:

Personally, I find it very difficult to watch something while doing something else, but Charlene makes a good point about how much information is available if we just take the time to consume it. I have started trying to move most of my reading offline. While I still take time to read blogs and some items on the web, I found that it was crowding out time that I would normally spend reading books.

My Deco Style Finder Quiz

Want to take a fun quiz (based on pictures) to find out your decorating style? Take the My Deco Style Finder quiz. It only takes a few minutes.

I'm Laid Back Luxury; what style are you?

Names and branding your business

This is from the great web site Life Clever.

Portfolio 101: Just Use Your Own Name, Dammit

I’m seeing a lot of design portfolios with titles like “Beyond Imagination” or “Passions” or “Reflections” or “Curiosity.” With all these vaguely conceptual names, it’s like taking a nauseating stroll through the Macy’s perfume department.

Instead of titling your portfolio like the latest celebrity scent, why not just use your own name? Here’s my rationale: When applying for a job, you want your potential boss to remember one thing—your name. They are hiring you, not “Beyond Imagination” or “Passions” or “Reflections” or “Curiosity.” In short, your name is your brand. Presenting any brand other than your own creates confusion and dilutes your name. So don’t be tempted to overbrand everything.

Keep your portfolio simple, and don’t bury your own beautiful name. Love it. Own it. Flaunt it.

How to say no

Stressed? Too busy? Taken on too many commitments? Here's how to say no, gracefully, so you can lighten your schedule and have more time for you.

• Could you please take me off your list?
• I appreciate your confidence in me but I just can't take on another project.
• I can't right now.
• You caught me at a bad time.
• I can't this year.
• I'd love to, but I don't have the time.
• I don't want to say yes and then let you down.
• I don't feel comfortable saying yes.
• I have other commitments but thanks for asking.