Amish Quilts - A Dying American Art

Amish quilting is a custom for more than a century here in rural Pennsylvania. Amish ladies develop blankets, frequently in groups named quilting bees. This "bee" gives them the chance to gather in a societal setting in addition to offer a rare opportunity to be innovative and oral in a residential area that frowns on pride and fanciful possessions. As the blankets are an operating formation to be used in the house, the ladies are allowed to generate these amazing art pieces. They boldly test out different shades, superb styles, and a selection of mathematical styles to produce miracles that please the eye and bring joy to people who recognize the difficulty of the construction.

Considering that the Amish quilts do not have energy much of the sewing is performed by hand or using the assistance of a treadle machine. The models of the Amish log cabin quilts are pieced together from pieces of cloth cut into numerous designs then sewn into what'll get to be the top of the Amish quilt designs. When the surface of the cover is complete, the bottom material and batting are added after which Amish applique quilts as well as delicate stitching that type infinite amounts are habits themselves. The cover is subsequently destined at the sides. This technique can take weeks as well as weeks according to exactly how many Amish baby quilts work on the umbrella and how much time is afforded towards the task, depending on the season by which it's being developed. During harvest time, as well as their hectic home times of cooking three big dishes, cleaning, increasing the youngsters, building your family's apparel, these women in many cases are associated with operating along the males to assist in the harvest.

Nowadays, however, I fear this great convention has become gradually a thing of yesteryear. The small handmade Amish quilting I've talked with are becoming more involved with areas of Amish life. In what I view as being a type of women's motion in the community, most are learning the deals formerly merely educated with their young male counterparts. The majority are studying carpentry and aid their families crafting furniture and cabinetry. Some are visible driving crew of draft horses along with their dads inside the grounds. The majority are working in their household stores, preserving textbooks, calling registers, selling items that they have to supply. They don't seem to possess the interest in the "bees" as their mothers and grandmothers did because it seems to be significantly acknowledged which they take a more effective role within the family businesses.

There's also the ever-present "Language" world outside their group that provides constant techniques to the standard Amish life. Recently, the big media within our minor spot of the planet was a Wal-Mart had been built about 10 kilometers from our tiny neighborhood. If the retailer opened, I must state I was saddened, however not surprised to find out in addition to the large parking lot, there is a hitching post. What this design to me was that the retail Earth was sending a unique invitation to these basic folks in the future and let us exchange your century old customs having a $69 mass produced factory bedspread. It's wise for these ladies to just accept this request. They have extended days full of numerous duties and listed here is an opportunity to send less money than they do on fabric and get a finished piece and a lot of time back!

To help my worry relating to this, I recently met an Amish guy in a regional cover sale. We started chatting once we both market Amish quilts for sale. I was astonished to learn he had visited below to Lancaster from Ohio to purchase handmade patchwork quilts. Once I inquired about that, when I realize Ohio has a substantial Amish community, he replied that they are not producing several blankets there and he'd better fortune returning all the way to my neck of the woods to find them!! The length of time might it be until this occurs in my own neighborhood!

Well, that is all on this issue for now. I'll close in expressing that should you, the audience, own an Amish quilt patterns, enjoy it! You have a treasure that'll someday soon turn into a scarce item. If you do not, and you also enjoy art, locate one! Support this talent before it is dropped!

Mighty Mule FM350-SINGLE Gate-Solar Package with Solar Panel Review

The Mighty Mule MM360 is already known as one of the most popular gate openers. This manufacturer has once more managed to launch a high quality product which is very beneficial to the customer’s needs. The package contains the gate opener with the addition of a 10 watt solar panel, at a very affordable price. This Gate – Solar Package saves you around 42% and is made for every single gate use. You are also provided with a 12 month limited warranty.

Mighty Mule FM350-SINGLE Gate-Solar Package with Solar Panel (10 Watt Solar Panel)
What’s in the box?
One opener for a single gate entry transmitter
A/C transformer
Control box
Receiver mounting brackets
Instruction manual video
10 watt solar panel

You may also need: A low voltage wire (RB509) to run the (110volt AC) plug-in transformer to the opener control board. You also need to know that the length depends on the distance between the transformer power supply and the gate opener arm.

Dimensions and features

Product dimensions are 53 x 7 x 20 inches and it weighs 28 pounds. With its AC or solar power it meets the needs of 100% of the user market, and also possesses optimum solar performance with 5/10/20 watt solar panel. Made for gates 550 pounds heavy and 16 feet long. Offers a maximum of 175+ cycles per day with up to 1.500 back-up cycles when the battery is fully charged.

Pros
Easy installation (electrician not needed)
Rapid recovery charging system
For all gates types (chain link, tube, ornamental and vinyl)

Cons
Battery for transformer and control box not included
To Sum Up

Mighty Mule FM350 already has an excellent reputation among users, and this 10 watt solar panel upgrade will only increase it even more. Solar power is the future, and Mighty Mule is becoming a part of it.

How promotions can help your business

Whether you are a startup or a business that seeks growth, promotional activities are necessary and vital for getting your brand in front of the public and attracting new customers. Regardless of your company's product or service, your strategy should involve a good mix of online and offline promotions. Some methods are well known, such as the proven and tested print and electronic media ads, but other lesser known methods can be just as effective.

Though your business promotional plans should be based on individual needs and circumstances with regard to time, labor, and costs, you should conduct some research to ensure your option is effective in reaching a wider customer base and can lead to high conversion rates.

Online-based promotions

The Internet has come to define the dynamism in the changing face of promotions and advertising, offering a platform that ensures you get your message across a significantly expanded audience at low cost.

Business website: If you haven't already, set up your business website. You'll need to choose a domain name, register it, and find a hosting company for the site such as Web.com. Invest in designing a functional site filled with useful and interesting information related to your business that has an easy-to-navigate layout. Use your site to promote your business, provide information, and even sell your products.

Be generous to ensure customers check back regularly. Offer freebies such as a free downloadable eBook, samples of your products, and tutorials and how-to information about using your products or services.

Incorporate search engine optimization (SEO), such as the use of search keywords on your site, to ensure your business comes up in organic search results. Submit your site to website directories and share links with other related sites.

Content marketing: This involves sharing valuable information with your readers without requiring them to buy anything. Position yourself as an expert who is genuinely willing to help resolve your customers' problems. You can do this by participating in forums and blogs, either on your site or on other platforms. When you post in forums, mention your URL, link some keywords and phrases to your site, or emblazon the post with details about your business. By contributing original, helpful information, readers will likely go to your business pages for more details.

Email marketing: You can reach a wide group of people through email marketing, as well. Send out a newsletter with useful information, DIY hints, or humorous anecdotes in addition to updates about your business. Include a "call to action" such as "Buy now," "Read more," or "Download now."

To avoid the spam folder, make sure to get recipients' permission before contacting them. Create lists of current and potential customers that you can contact on a regular basis. Companies such as Constant Contact can manage lists and assist with email marketing campaigns.

Timing is key. Your email should not disrupt recipients' lives or affect their sensitivities; for example, marketing emails over the weekend, public holidays, or when there is a disaster in the news are counterproductive.

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising: Start advertising your business online to access more potential customers. PPC allows you to set a price that you are comfortable paying every time someone clicks on your ad. These ad formats are convenient because they allow you to set a daily advertising budget that you can cancel and restart any time. Consider expanding your reach by targeting ads on apps for smartphones and tablets.

Surveys: Conducting short, interesting, and comprehensive surveys allow you to get feedback and insight about your business. Take advantage of free tools like SurveyMonkey; you can link this to your business website or social media accounts. Ask people directly what they want as well as for feedback on products, services, and promotions.

Consider including a short follow-up survey, by phone or email, every time a customer purchases your products. You will gather information that will help you improve your marketing. You also come across as a business that cares what the customer thinks and one that strives to provide the best service and product.

Social media: Social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ can offer your business an effective way to promote products and services in a more relaxed environment. These networks, when used correctly, provide one of the best vehicles for direct marketing. Potential customers see your business as in touch with people on a more personal level, rather than an entity just trying to sell something. This lessens the divide between your company and the buyer, presenting a more appealing image of your business.

Brick-and-mortar store promotions

Although traditional advertising methods still work — think billboards, an ad in the daily paper, or a TV commercial — there are several other subtle and inexpensive ways to promote your business. And they can be just as effective, if not more so.

Consumer referrals: Develop a customer referral incentive program to encourage existing customers to refer new customers to your business. Offer to give them free products, cash rewards, and big discounts to incentivize them. With this promotional strategy, you leverage your customer base as a formidable sales force.

Product giveaways and freebies: This can be helpful, especially if you are introducing new products or services. Product giveaways allow potential customers to sample your goods as a way to promote the brand. This can be an in-store promotion so that the public can be enticed to purchase the items.

You can also give branded promotional gifts. These should be functional items that the consumer can use, such as your business card on a magnet, key chain, or pen. This keeps your business in plain sight, as opposed to business cards that are often relegated to the drawer.

Point-of-sale promotion: As a promotional strategy, point-of-sale and end-cap marketing rely on convenience and impulse. With a point-of-sale strategy, new products or those that you want to sell quickly are placed near the checkout counter, where consumers buy on impulse as they wait to pay for their goods.

Similarly, the end-cap sits at the end of the aisle and typically features products you want to promote or move quickly. This positioning enables easy access for the customer.

Frequency card programs: Adopting frequency cards or loyalty programs builds store traffic and entices holders to visit time and time again. Customers are issued unique cards that keep track of their purchases, which can be redeemed for prizes or discounts once a certain points threshold is attained. Customers are rewarded according to how much they spend on purchases, which can be a viable promotional strategy.

Causes and charity: You can support a charitable cause and give your business some free publicity at the same time. You may sponsor a boys' junior soccer league tournament or support an initiative that helps the disadvantaged in the community. Rather than making money through a hard-sell campaign, you will be promoting your brand and/or business by getting your logo and name in front of the public as a leader who cares about the local community. You will gain a socially conscious image as well as customers.

As with any marketing strategy, people are the stock-in-trade, and you should aim to utilize only those methods that get customers to your door effectively and affordably. Networking is key, and with a little experimentation and time, you are bound to focus on the most productive promotions for your business.

Guest Post: How Commercial Roof Maintenance Can Save You Money in the Long Term

It is unfortunate that a majority of times roofs on commercial buildings are often ignored until there is a large problem, such as a leak, missing shingles, or water clinging to the ceiling of the commercial building. Once a problem gets to be quite large, most businesses are unnerved to find out that it will cost a lot of money to have it repaired. Like with a majority of things, it is always better to catch any problems while they are still small, which is why preventative commercial roof maintenance is always recommended. Having regular commercial roof maintenance is important because New York roofer is not the easiest to get access to for proper evaluation. The longer a business allows a problem with the commercial roof to persist, the more money they are likely to spend fixing it. It is important to keep in mind, for example, the leaks in roofs cause water to get trapped in the ceiling. If not fixed right away, the stagnant water will continue to build, causing the formation of mold. Not only does mold have the possibility of causing harm to the structure of the commercial building, but it can also cause employees to get sick.

Having regular preventative commercial roof maintenance will save money because if there needs to be repairs, they are often minuscule and do not cost a lot. Regular maintenance will also maintain the longevity of the roof - the business will not have to replace the roof as often. Not only that, but businesses will not have to pay compensation to workers who get sick due to the increase of mold in the building.

Commercial businesses should have their roofs inspected by New York roofer company at least two times during the year. One of the scheduled appointments should be conducted after the winter months as heavy snowfalls may cause the structure of the roof to become weak, possibly leading to the collapse of the roof. Also have an inspection done in the fall, before the winter begins. If there are any weak spots, they can be fixed before the snow fall occurs and ensure s the drainage system on the roof is operating at an optimal level.

A good New York roofer inspection will include things such as sealing pipes and vents, covering exposing nails, securing any loose shingles, removing any additional debris, and inspecting and performing minor repairs. All this preventative roof maintenance will ensure the roof lasts longer and costly future repairs are avoided.

When it comes to hiring a company to do preventative New York roofer maintenance once or twice a year, it is important for businesses to locate a good, professional commercial roofing company. A professional commercial roofing company will offer a lot of information during the course of the roof inspection, including photographs of all problem locations along with a detailed description of what they did to fix it, a description of the current roofing system, a list of any recommended replacements or repairs that will make the roof stronger and increase its longevity, and an estimate of the life cycle of the current commercial roofing system. Having regular commercial roof maintenance ensures the roof stays strong and the inside of the building remains dry and safe.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6414275

Small Business Success: Say I Do To Your Small Business

A business is a huge commitment; you may sink your entire financial and emotional well-being into its existence. And just as you wouldn’t rush into a marriage, you shouldn’t rush into being a small business owner. When the right situation comes along, there is something to be said for fighting fear, taking a leap of faith and trusting that the puzzle pieces will fall into place.

That is exactly the leap Josh Opperman took after his fiancé left him with only the ring he gave her as she made a sudden departure. Josh was told by his jeweler he would only be offered around 20% of the ring’s value if he was to sell it.

Instead of fearing it was the wrong time or the wrong business, Josh, along with his sister, turned this negative situation into his current business – I Do Now I Don’t. I Do Now I Don’t is a second hand jewelry marketplace that offers safe transactions, by having each diamond verified by a gemologist before transactions are processed. The eCommerce site exchanges diamonds and other memorabilia for a price closer to fair value than would be offered elsewhere.

We’ve all felt those feelings of insecurity and uncertainty, but Josh turned those feelings into a prosperous business earning him recognition as the 2014 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award from Entrepreneur Magazine. He provides some tips below:

Start small: At first, I Do Now I Don’t only had 100 rings on the site; now, 7 years later, there are thousands. The site has also expanded to all types of jewelry. The business grew incredibly fast, and had to quickly adjust to increasingly high volumes of merchandise. Starting small gave Josh and his sister time to learn best practices and troubleshoot.

Be flexible: Josh always wanted to own his own business and be an entrepreneur. Even as a child, he would brainstorm different ideas and businesses. He never dreamed of being in the jewelry industry, nor did he know anything about the jewelry business. However his flexibility and openness resulted in a great company he is proud of and passionate about.

Be trustworthy: The biggest challenge for Josh and his sister was trust – when buying and selling very expensive items, a trust factor is imperative. Customers needed to be comfortable sending in high-value items. They established credibility by hiring a gemologist and taking advantage of multiple media opportunities in the early stages of the business.

Convenience can make a difference: When Josh worked from home, there was a The UPS Store on the same block that he frequented to get supplies and ship packages. Keeping day to day tasks as easy as possible gave him time to focus on the main priorities of the business.

Be a problem solver: Josh believes the best ideas in life come from problems you are trying to solve. If you identify a need, and find a solution, you may be well on your way to owning your own business.

9 Things You Can Do Today to Save Time

There are countless distractions and habits that waste your time in the course of a day's work. Here are 9 simple things you can do today to save time for better productivity and more free time after work.

1. Crank up Internet speeds

It may feel as if you're saving money every month on "value" Internet services or 3G mobile plans, but in reality you're wasting a lot of time waiting for pages to load and files to open. Upgrading may not cost you anything if you switch providers and take advantage of new-customer offers. But let your mobile carrier or Internet service provider know before you go through the hassle of switching. Chances are they will upgrade you at a great price rather than lose a customer.

2. Filter your email inbox

Small business owners in any industry have reasons to subscribe to email lists and useful trade publications. However, there is a limit to what you can digest while staying productive. Take a few minutes and narrow your list of daily emails to one trade pub and one general news or sports email. Otherwise, assign them junk mail status. You'll find your mornings becoming more productive immediately.

3. Set multiple deadlines per day

Simply by vowing to set multiple goals for the day, you'll learn to stop making excuses and analyze why the job did not get done on time. It requires changing your mindset in order to be more productive, but the beautiful part is that it can be done with a simple resolution. Have several deadlines in place for each part of your work day. If you take the time to plot out your week, you will save hours on end. Start today.

4. Use small business apps

Small business apps for your smartphone, tablet, and desktop computer can solve such time-consuming problems as overseas communication, finding a contact's business card, and more. In fact, there are six essential apps you can download instantly to avoid wasting time completing everyday tasks of this kind. Most of them are free in basic versions.

5. Plan outdoor excursions during off hours

Commuting is typically worst at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., while the lunch hour that is most hectic is 1 p.m. As an entrepreneur, there is no reason to play by these rules. Schedule a late lunch with clients so you know service will be efficient and late-morning or afternoon meetings to avoid rush-hour traffic. These time-saving strategies can be implemented immediately and help you reduce your stress level, too.

6. Put office collaboration tools to work for you

Once you gather a few employees on your team and start communicating online, you'll need organizational tools that can make the process smoother. A perfect example is Trello, the collaboration tool that helps you manage projects without calling team members to ask for a status update. It is in front of you, in real time, with automatic updates. This free service and many other communication tools are instant time-savers.

7. Restrict time on social media

As with email inboxes, there are countless updates, messages, photos, and random posts that can attract your attention throughout the day. Unless you are managing the social media channels for your business , it is unlikely that you are profiting from the constant connection to Facebook and Twitter. Take a few minutes during lunch to check in if you must, but vow to avoid social media throughout the day and you'll find plenty of extra time.

8. Do away with the tedious work

You probably never expected to handle payroll and accounting when you started your business. Chances are that should still be your policy after you have learned the basics. No matter how much you believe you are saving by handling these tasks yourself, you are better off devoting your valuable time to efforts that bring in new clients for your business. Take a quick survey of how outsourcing to a company like AccountingDepartment.com delivers an affordable alternative.

9. Combine desk work with exercise

No matter how busy you get, it is never a good idea to give up time for exercise. The invention of a treadmill desk allows you to combine the necessary tedium of working at a desk with the invigorating activity of walking. When you need an extra boost of energy but have no time for a jog in the woods, these desks offer a major multitasking tool. Shop for one when you have finished work for the day. If a treadmill desk is not in the budget, take a 30-minute walk at lunch. Your physical and mental state will be better off for it.

No matter what resolutions you make to save time, it takes a prolonged commitment to see the effects. However, you can start now and implement any of these nine ideas today.