Global Arts

Need supplies to pursue your artistic hobbies, crafts or business? Check out sites like Freecycle or Share.

These groups can be found at yahoogroups.com with rules and details. Many groups like these want to give stuff away free because the main goal is to not fill up the Earth with junk. It is a good way for you to get rid of your junk and then find your treasures as well.

You can also check out auction or store sites like Ebay.com or Etsy.com. You may find some really good deals and bargains.

So, before you spend hundreds of dollars on supplies, find alternative ways to get supplies. You will be glad you did, and so will your checkbook.

Not sure what to do with all those holiday cards you received from your insurance agent, doctor, or hair stylist? Use them in a craft that you can do with your children.

Make calendars with those holiday cards.

Things you need:

• 12 pieces of construction paper
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• 12 holiday cards of your choice
• Hole puncher
• Yarn or notebook rings

1. You want to draw the squares and apply appropriate numbers to each one, starting with January through December.
2. Then you want to glue one holiday card on one piece of construction paper that goes with each month. Be sure to cut the holiday card and use the picture part only.
3. Hole punch the stack of calendar pages. Be sure to tie with yarn or notebook rings.

These make excellent gifts for family and friends. Not only will your children feel proud once they are finished with the calendars, you have spent some memorable moments with them!

When holidays are approaching, try to work ahead if possible, so that you may keep work to a minimum during the holidays, and use that time to spend with your loved ones instead!

That takes careful planning of course!

A good way to help advertise for your business is to mail out a business card with snail mail that you send out.

Many have inserted a business card with their bill payment. For example, if I have a Bergner's due, then when I send a check in the mail, I will send my business card with.

I know it is cheaper to pay online, but it wouldn't hurt once in a while to go snail mail. After all, it is a chance to advertise your business!

Sometimes, the best ideas come when we are away from our writing tools, such as a laptop or notebook. Many times, you think, "Oh, I will remember these awesome ideas." By the time you get to your laptop or notebook, those ideas may been forgotten or you can't remember exactly what they were.

Tuesday's tip is always carry a small notebook with a pen that can easily fit into a purse, bag, or pocket, unless you don't mind carrying your laptop where ever you go. That way, when an idea comes to mind, you can easily grab the notebook and quickly write it down, then putting it back into your purse, bag or pocket!

Be sure to use your notebook to record not only ideas, but observations as well. The world around you is a writing to be happened.

Be sure to network with other people who have the same interests because you will learn about different techniques and resources that is available out there for you. New ideas may develop as well.

If you don't know where to start, you could do an engine search on your interest. If you would rather do it at local level, look through your telephone book to find an institution, organization or company that relates to your interest.

Sometimes, you many need to start one locally. You will be surprised to see that some will join.

So, go network!