| How to Use Air Drying Clay Posted: 15 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST Air drying clay is a popular and relatively inexpensive choice for art projects big and small. It can be a great way for a budding artist or craftsperson to practice their skills, and even experienced artists often enjoy the simplicity of air drying clay. Air drying clay can be used for jewelry, ornaments, and different craft projects. Best of all, air drying clay doesn't require an oven or kiln to create a beautiful, unique product. EditChoosing and Buying Your Clay - Determine the type of project you are using air drying clay for. There are different types of air drying clay that are ideally suited for different purposes.[1] You'll need to know what you are using the clay for, in order to determine which type of clay is right for you. These are other questions you should ask yourself:
- How big is my final product going to be?
- How heavy do I want my final product to be?
- How much money can I spend on my clay?
- Do I want my clay to have a heftier, "premium" feel (usually applies to jewelry/trinkets/beads)?
- Choose paper-based air drying clay for larger projects. Usually, larger projects will benefit from paper clay. Since they require a lot of material, you'll save money. The finished project will also be much lighter.
- Paper based clay feels fluffy to work with, but is hard and light when it dries.[2]
- Paper based clay will be fluffy and chunks of it will break off in similar fashion to cotton candy.[3]
- Choose resin-based air drying clay for smaller projects like jewelry. Equally strong, resin based clay (sometimes called porcelain based clay) is much denser, and when it is dried seems much more similar to baked polymer clay. It is also much more expensive and heavier.[4]
- Smaller projects like jewelry or beads benefit from the "premium" feel of resin or porcelain based clay.[5]
- Resin based clay is denser and will pull apart like fudge, caramel, or toffee.[6]
- Buy your clay. After you've determined what type of clay you want to purchase, you'll need to go out and buy it. Be sure that you buy enough for your project, but don't buy too much. Opened clay is hard to store and can easily become hard to work with and useless. [7]. You can purchase your clay locally at a arts and crafts store, or purchase it online.
- If you still aren't sure what type of clay to use, or want advice on your project, some stores have clerks that can answer your questions, and even offer classes.[8]
- Purchasing your clay online will usually give you better prices and options, but you may have to wait several days for it to arrive.
EditShaping Your Clay - Open your clay. Begin working over a smooth, clean, nonporous surface. Open your sealed bag of clay and pinch off the amount of clay that you want to use. If your project is larger and you need several bags of clay, only open one for now.
- You can use a wire or floss to "cut" chunks of clay off of a block. This is useful for accurately measuring how much you are using.
- Knead your clay until it is soft. Kneading and massaging the clay will soften it and make it easier to work with. The warmth of your hands will spread to the clay and make it malleable. Conditioning the clay is essential for proper use. If you planned to work with multiple bags of clay, knead them one at a time.
- If using multiple bags for one piece, knead the clay together after each bag of clay has been warmed and kneaded separately.
- If using paper based clay, you can add a small amount of water to additionally soften the clay. [9]
- Resin based clay can be softened (and colored!) with acrylic paint. [10]
- Shape your clay. Both three dimensional and flat figures are easy to make with air drying clay. Use your hands and tools like knives, spoons, or even spinning wheels to form and shape the clay as you desire.
- Crafting tools (or even dental picks and equipment!) can be very useful for creating more complex projects, as you can be much more exact with them.[11]
- If you are making a larger project that needs to stand up such as a vase, make sure that it has a large, flat base.
- Decorate your clay. You can press beads, yard, or even other pieces of clay into your project. Be sure to be careful, as you'll need to use enough pressure to press your decoration into the clay without changing or squashing your project. [12]
- Store your excess clay. Since clay spoils easily once it has been opened, ideally you'll have used it all. If not, leftover clay can be tightly wrapped in wax paper and stored in a plastic bag. It won't be as simple to work with or as useful afterwards though.[13]
- Tough excess clay can sometimes be saved by (carefully) using a microwave to warm the clay up.
EditDrying Your Clay - Dry your clay. Find a clean, smooth, nonporous surface where your clay can dry for 24 hours. [14] Put your clay down and do not disturb or move the clay while it dries. You'll need to be patient to make sure that you don't ruin your project.
- A cool, dry area (one with low humidity) is best. Mild air circulation is also helpful.
- Thicker projects (over 1cm) may take even longer to dry.[15]Better to be safe than sorry.
- Check if the clay is dry. After 24 hours the clay should definitely be dry to the touch, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is ready. If your clay project is thick you may want to give it some extra time. There are other ways to visually evaluate if your clay is ready as well.
- Resin based clay turns darker and more translucent.[16]
- Paper based clay will stay very opaque.
- Remove the clay from the drying area. Once it is dry, carefully remove the clay from the drying area and take it back to your work area. You may want to lay down some newspapers or an old sheet. Be careful, while the clay will be hard it may be quite brittle. Don't drop it and risk breaking it.
- Decorate your clay. If desired, you can decorate your project further! Tempera, acrylic, and watercolor paints can be used on dry clay projects.[17] You can also use glue to attach beads, sequins, fabric, and other fun decorations to your clay project.
- Clay will shrink slightly over time, so be careful when creating clay molds.[18]
- Well-kneaded clay is soft and sticky. This is why you want to work on a nonporous surface.
- Mix different colors of clay by kneading them together between your fingers. This works well with lighter colors.[19]
- Lift the clay from your working surface often, otherwise, it could stick.
- Dried clay is hard but brittle and may crack easily.
- Clay is sticky and may adhere to furniture, porous surfaces, clothes, and carpets.
EditThings You'll Need - Air-drying clay
- Beads, paint, markers, etc. (optional)
- Plastic bags
- Refrigerator or freezer
- Microwave
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Increase Your Income Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST Are you looking to maximize every paycheck and squeeze as much as you can out of your income? With a few adjustments to your lifestyle and your finances, you'll be able to increase the amount of money you bring in every month and maintain a healthy income. - Talk to your employer about a raise. One of the most direct ways to increase your income is to talk to your boss about a pay raise. Though it can be a tricky conversation to have, if you feel you are doing a good job at work and have been putting in long hours, it may be time to ask for a pay bump. Consider how valuable your position at the company or business is, your relationship with your boss, and the skill set you provide for the company. If you have been working at the same company for over a year, have been doing a great job, and have received a good score on your performance reviews, you may have a good case for a raise.[1]
- Before you ask for a raise, you should do some research on your company's pay policies and make sure you have enough leverage to justify a raise. You should also make a list of your accomplishments, abilities, and outline your work history. This will give you objective information you can use during your conversation with your boss about a raise.
- Do freelance work or part time work. If your pay check isn't quite cutting it, consider increasing your income by doing freelance work outside of your day job. Take odd jobs for family or friends that will add funds to your bank account. Remember that every penny you earn is one more dollar towards your overall income.[2]
- For example, you may have good driving skills and a clean driving record. You may want to consider taking up a part time driver position to supplement your income, working on weekends to drive new cars to dealerships or the drive clients around through a driver company.[3]
- Start a side business. Think about skills or abilities that you can channel into a viable side business. This could be a gardening or landscaping side business, or a freelance writing business. Try to maximize your skills and turn them into a unique business. Keep in mind running your own business will require a significant time and money investment, in addition to your current job.[4]
- Starting your own business can be stressful and difficult to sustain, so you may want to retain your current job while you get your side business off the ground.
EditInvesting Your Money - Create sources of passive income. Passive sources income are investments that create income with little involvement and time from you. This could be royalties from publishing a book, a song, or a piece of art, profits from a business partnership where you are a silent investor, or income from rental properties.[5]
- Consider investing in a rental property, preferably several multifamily units rather than one single family home. Though a rental property can be a large upfront investment, the potential income generated from this investment could be substantial. Ask a friend or business partner to invest with you in a rental property and create passive income to supplement your existing income.
- Purchase stocks and bonds. A stock represents a stake in a company. When you own a share of a stock, you are a part owner in the company and have a claim on every asset and every penny in the company's earnings.[6] A bond is a financial IOU from a company or the government. Companies and governments issue bonds to fund their day-to-day operations or to finance specific projects.
 - When you buy a bond, you are loaning your money to the issuer, whether it's a company or a government body, for a certain period of time. In return, you get interest on the loan, and you get the entire loan amount paid back either on a specific date (the bond's maturity date) or a future date of the issuer's choice. For example, if a bond is valued at $1,000, and pays 7% a year, it has an interest value of $70.
- You can invest in stocks and bonds by buying them individually or by buying them via a mutual fund. A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, or cash equivalents, or a mix of all three.[7]
- Talk to a financial advisor about the right mix of stocks and bonds for your financial portfolio. When you are young and just starting to invest, you should put money in stocks. The long term potential growth of stocks will outweigh the risks. Over time, as you get older, you should scale back on your investment in stocks. Bonds are less volatile and they are good long term investments. Over time, as you get older, increase your investment in bonds.[8]
- Be wary of investing in hard assets like real estate or gold. These are unstable and unpredictable assets that can be difficult to manage.[9]
- Consider investing in penny stocks. Penny stocks are publicly-traded stocks that have a very low price per share, usually under five dollars and sometimes less than a dollar. They are often issued by small, less established companies and can be purchased very cheaply. However, penny stocks can be risky investments because they are not traded on the major exchanges (NASDAQ or the NYSE) and it may be difficult to trade them once you purchase them.
- Penny stocks are good for short term gains and not as long term investments. Before you invest in a company, you should investigate them online to determine if they are worth the stock purchase. You can then open an account with an online brokerage service and start purchasing and trading penny stock.
- To make a profit with penny stocks, you will need to keep constant tabs on your stocks to make quick trades at the highest price. Be wary of "pump and dump" stocks, which are fraudulent stocks that are pumped up to a high stock price, enticing you to invest, only to take your money and leave you with a stock that has no real value.[10]
EditCutting Down on Expenses - Reduce your rent. If you are renting an affordable apartment or living space, focus on cutting down on other expenses like your internet costs, your cellphone, and your food costs. Reducing your expenses by $10-$20 a month can add up to more funds in your checking account and a higher income.[11]
- Focus on stacking savings on top of one another to add up to a large amount of money saved. This means embracing a frugal lifestyle and not spending money when you do not need to.
- Bike or walk to work, rather than drive. One of the biggest expenses is likely your car. From the car itself to car maintenance and insurance, it can be a big money suck. When possible, bike to work or to run errands rather than pay to fill up your gas tank and using your car.[12]
- Investing in a good bike means a small payment of $500-$1,000 that will provide you with free transportation for a long period of time, possibly for life. That gas money can then go towards increasing your overall income.
- Avoid eating out. On average, most U.S. households spend 12.9% of their income on food a year.[13] Reduce the amount of money you spend on food by cooking your own meals and only eating out once or twice a year. There are several budget friendly food blogs and books with recipes that take a short amount of time and won't break your budget.[14]
- Make grocery shopping part of your weekly routine. Take a list of grocery items to the store to avoid expensive spontaneous purchases or buying unnecessary items.
- Do free leisure activities. Minimize your recreational spending by looking for free activities in your area or city. Go for hikes or walks, attend free street fairs or local events, and take advantage of entertainment that doesn't involve spending money.[15]
- Get into a do-it-yourself lifestyle. Do home repairs yourself, and maintain your car to avoid costly repairs at an auto body shop. Look for how to videos online on bike repair and fix it yourself. Being your own handyman means you will have the skills to complete tasks yourself and avoid paying someone for these services.[16]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Do the Warrior Pose in Yoga Posted: 15 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST Warrior Pose I, or Virabhadrasana I, is a focusing and strengthening pose, meant to build a connection, grounding you with the Earth's energy. - Stand with both feet together near the top of the mat. You want the mat to extend behind you. Your feet should be together, shoulders down, and spine straight. This is also known as Mountain Pose.
- This tutorial is for a warrior pose with your left foot forward. To make it left-footed, simply reverse the "rights" and "lefts."
- Step back with your right foot, angling it to your right. Your right toes will point diagonally and to your right, at a roughly 45-degree angle to your left foot, which stays in place and faces forward. You want to step back enough that your back leg is extended and your front knee is slightly bent. Both feet should be firmly planted on the floor.
- You can angle the back foot further out (closer to 90-degrees) if you are flexible enough. However, it is more important to keep your whole foot planted.
- You can also start with your legs spread wide, so that you face the long side of your mat instead of the front. If you do, rotate your feet into warrior pose (right foot at 45-degrees, left foot facing forward) instead of stepping back.
- Sink your butt so that your front knee is directly over your left foot, bent almost to 90-degrees. Pull your hips slightly towards the floor, bending that front knee. You want the kneecap right over your ankle, keeping your lower leg in a straight line.
- You may want to adjust the placement of your back leg to get comfortable. This back knee should be slightly bent, not fully extended.
- Rotate your upper body so that your hips and shoulders face straight ahead. They should be in line with your front toes and pointing the same direction. Place your hands on your hips to help you rotate and get your torso "square," or facing directly forward.
- Slightly "push" your feet apart from each other on the mat. Your feet need to be firm and powerful on the mat. Think of them as trying to rip the mat in half, with each foot pulling the mat in a different direction. If you can't do this, make your stance a bit less wide so you can get your feet well-planted.
- Slowly raise your hands up over your head. On your next inhale, raise your arms above your head so your palms are facing each other, shoulder-width apart. Gaze straight ahead and focus on the power of the pose.
- Deepen the stretch slightly with each exhalation. As you exhale, relax your body just a bit lower and deeper into the pose. As you drop your tailbone down towards the floor, focus on opening the front of the hips and the pelvic abdomen. Lean your head back and gaze upwards at your fingertips. Stretch upwards through your middle back and arms so that you feel space in your spine, as if stretching it lightly out. Hold this pose for 5-10 breaths.
- Remember that form is far more important than how far you go -- proper form will make your more flexible while still avoiding injury. While doing the pose, remember to focus on:
- Deep, calm breathing
- A straight, solid spine.
- Shoulders back and chest open, allowing easy breathing.
- Keeping your knee over your ankle, not to the sides or out in front.
- Holding your chin up, parallel to the floor.
- Inhale and straighten your legs to ease out of the pose. Contract your muscles while inhaling slowly. Take your time "undoing" the pose bit by bit, moving with slow, methodical motions. Lower your arms and bring your legs together again to return to Mountain Pose. Repeat to the other side.
EditThings You'll Need EditRelated wikiHows
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