| How to Make a Cloud Posted: 14 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT There are so many different crafts, projects, and experiments you can do with clouds! You can try your hand at making a cloud mobile that'll catch the sunlight even on rainy days, sew cloud pillows for cute decorations or gifts, or even do an experiment to learn more about how clouds form by making one yourself in a bottle! [Edit]Crafting a Cloud Mobile - Gather your materials and set up your workstation. You'll need a Styrofoam ball (any size from will work), 3 wooden skewers, 1-2 packages of crystal beads of various colors, beading wire, crimp beads, pillow stuffing, and a hot glue gun.[1]
- You can purchase everything you need at your local craft store.
- Pierce a hole through the ball and thread beading wire through it. Use a skewer to pierce a hole through the center of the Styrofoam ball, remove the skewer, and then thread the wire through the hole. Use at least of wire so that you'll have lots of room to work with when you go to hang the mobile up later. Loop the wire around the ball and make a knot, securing it with a dot of hot glue.[2]
- Try to keep the long length of wire clear from the rest of your crafting supplies so it doesn't get tangled up in anything else.
- Stick 3 skewers through the ball to create a star pattern. Place them perpendicular to the hole you made for the beading wire. Position them so that there are 6 equidistant ends protruding from the ball that are all level with each other.[3]
- These skewers will be used to hang the crystal beads.
- Cut various lengths of beading wire and put a crimp bead on each one. Cut 6 or 7 different strands of beading wire, varying the lengths from to . Place a crimping bead on the end of each one and crimp it into place.[4]
- You can make as many different strands as you like and make them whatever lengths you prefer. The beads you're going to put onto them will resemble raindrops, so varying lengths look more realistic.
- Thread crystal beads and crimping beads onto each wire. On each strand of beading wire, add 3-6 colored crystals, securing a crimping bead in place after each one to separate the crystals from one another and give the appearance of falling raindrops.[5]
- You can use any combination of colors you want for your cloud! Try a range of blues and greens, or you could even go bright with reds and yellows. Part of the fun of making your own craft is getting to use your imagination!
- Tie the strings in knots around the skewers and secure them with glue. Take the top end of each string (the end opposite to that first crimping bead you secured) and tie them in the middle of each skewer. Some skewers may have more than one strand coming off of them, and that is okay! Put a dot of hot glue overtop of each knot to keep them securely in place.[6]
- Position the strings near the center of the skewers rather than at the ends or super close to the styrofoam ball for a more natural look.
- Apply hot glue all over the ball and arrange pillow stuffing on the glue. Start with the bottom of the Styrofoam ball, being cautious to not get the beaded wire caught in the glue or stuffing. Once that side is done, add more hot glue to the top of the ball and continue adding stuffing to it.[7]
- Use pillow stuffing that you can buy at the craft store. You could also use batting or "polyester fill" stuffing.
- Don't push the stuffing down too hard—you want it to be fluffy!
- Add hot glue to the skewers and continue adding stuffing. Carefully squeeze hot glue onto the entire length of the skewers on both sides and continue putting stuffing into place, crafting a full, fluffy cloud. Vary the amount of stuffing you put in different sections to mimic the mounded shape of a typical cloud—you don't want it to just look like a fluffy circle![8]
- You can put more hot glue on the stuffing you already glued into place to layer more stuffing on top.
- Use the wire you put through the middle of the ball to hang your cloud! Hang a hook from the ceiling wherever you would like your mobile to be. Then tie the end of the beading wire around the hook and make a strong knot to keep it in place.[9]
- Try placing your mobile near a window that gets a lot of sunlight so that you can enjoy the light refracting through the crystals!
[Edit]Making a Cloud in a Bottle - Set up your workstation near the kitchen sink. You'll need a clean, clear plastic bottle with its label removed, water, and matches. If you're making clouds with kids, gather several bottles so everyone can do their own experiment.[10]
- If you work near the sink, it's easy to fill your bottle with water, and you also have safe place over which to light your matches.
- Fill a plastic bottle with hot water 3/4 of the way full. If the bottle has a label, make sure to remove it beforehand so you can see what's going on. Use hot water from the tap rather than boiling water (you don't want to burn your hands!).[11]
- You can use any size of bottle, though you'll be able to see the "cloud" better if you use a bigger one. It's also best to use a clear bottle rather than a colored one.
- Put the lid on the bottle and swirl the water around. Secure the lid so that the bottle won't leak, and then shake it a few times so that the water warms up the entire bottle.[12]
- Swirling the water also saturates the air at the top with water molecules.
- Light a match, blow it out, then put it into the bottle. After you light the match, let it burn for 2-3 seconds before you blow it out. Then remove the cap from the plastic bottle and deposit the match head first into it.[13]
- If you're a child, make sure your parent is around during this part!
- Put the lid back on the bottle and squeeze it several times. Be careful to not squeeze the sides of the bottle until after the lid is back in place. Squeeze the bottle 3 to 4 times in a row, waiting 2-3 seconds between each squeeze. You'll see the top of the bottle fill with the cloud![14]
- Adding pressure to the sides of the bottle makes the water particles compress, and then when you let go, the air lowers the temperature because it's expanding. As the air cools, the water particles clump together around the smoke molecules from the match!
[Edit]Sewing a Cloud Pillow - Set up your workstation and gather all of your materials together. To sew a cloud pillow, you will need fabric, a sewing machine, sewing pins, thread, pillow stuffing, a hand sewing needle, scissors, and an iron and ironing board. Make sure you have a large area to work at, like a table or clear counter.[15]
- For the fabric, you'll need anywhere from , depending on how large you want your pillow to be.
- Part of the beauty of making your own pillow is that you can use whatever kind of fabric you like! You could use flannel for a soft, rustic cloud pillow, cotton for a soft-to-the-touch stretchy option, or even fuzzy or textured fabrics.
- Download a pillow pattern online, or make one of your own! Type "cloud pillow pattern" into your search bar to find a free pattern that you can download and use. Or take some time to design one yourself—just make sure to vary the sizes of the cloud's "humps" so that you don't end up with a cloud that looks more like a camel.[16]
- A fun idea is to make a "family" of cloud pillows—make one for each member of your family! For kids, you could make mini-clouds.
- Cut out 2 exact copies of your cloud pattern from your fabric. Take your time and do your best to follow the pattern so that your 2 pieces will be as identical as possible. Use fabric-specific scissors if you can for the best result.[17]
- Get creative with your fabric! You could use white, patterned, or even fluffy, textured fabric to make your clouds!
- Pin the 2 pieces of fabric on top of each other with the inside facing out. Every , place a sewing needle through both pieces of fabric so that they will stay neatly together when you sew them. [18]
- You put the fabric inside out so that when you're done sewing and turn it right side out, the seams will be on the inside of the pillow and won't be visible.
- Sew all the way around the pillow, leaving about open. Choose the basic straight stitch function, and use your sewing machine to sew about from the edge all the way around your pattern. Stop once you are almost back to the beginning, leaving so that you'll have room to add the stuffing to the pillow.[19]
- Clip the curves of the fabric by cutting out triangles from the edges. Remove your fabric from the sewing machine and lay it out flat on your workstation. Use your scissors to cut small triangles out of the fabric on the outside of the seams of the entire cloud. Be careful to not accidentally cut through any of the stitching.[20]
- Clipping the edges makes them smooth once your fabric is turned right side out. If you didn't clip them, the material would appear puckered rather than smooth.
- Turn the fabric inside out so that your stitches are on the inside. Carefully pull the fabric through the opening so that your patterned/textured side is on the outside. You'll be able to see how the seam of the pillow looks smooth and natural, rather than crimped or puckered.[21]
- Be careful when pulling the fabric through the opening and take your time—you don't want to accidentally rip your seams!
- Iron the fabric so that the edges lay flat. Turn on your iron and let it get hot. Then place your fabric on the ironing board and go around the edges with your iron, smoothing down the seams. You can also iron the rest of the fabric if there are any wrinkles.[22]
- Be careful when using your iron! Make sure to set it down on its bottom so it's standing upright and doesn't burn anything.
- Stuff the fabric with your pillow stuffing until it is full and fluffy! Take large handfuls of pillow stuffing and push them through the opening you left. Make sure to get the stuffing into all the crevices of the cloud shape.[23]
- If your pillow is really large, you may need to use a long wooden spoon to push the stuffing into all the corners of the cloud.
- Sew the opening closed by hand. Use your hand-sewing needle and thread. Make a simple straight stitch to match the stitches you created with your sewing machine. Stitch across the opening until you get to the end, then make a knot and end your stitch.[24]
- Use double-strength thread if you can, since the seam is holding in lots of stuffing.
- Use your cloud pillow as an accent in your living room or bedroom. Place them in front of other pillows for a whimsical touch on your bed, or put them on a chair for a fun decoration. You could even give them as gifts![25]
- You could even embroider someone's name onto the cloud if you're giving it as a gift.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Crafting a Cloud Mobile - Styrofoam ball
- Wooden skewers
- Crystal beads of various colors
- Beading wire
- Crimp beads
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Pillow stuffing
[Edit]Making a Cloud in a Bottle - Water
- Plastic bottle
- Matches
[Edit]Sewing a Pillow Cloud - Sewing machine
- Sewing pins
- Fabric
- Thread
- Pillow stuffing
- Hand sewing needle
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Become a TV Presenter Posted: 14 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT A TV presenter can take on many duties, such as hosting a show, reading the news, or narrating documentaries. If you feel confident and comfortable in front of a camera, presenting on TV can be a great career. Though there isn't a "set" path to become a presenter, getting a media-related degree can help you expand your skill set. Once you feel ready, you can start looking for jobs in television and audition for becoming a presenter! [Edit]Developing the Required Skills - Practice your communication skills so you present clearly. Presenting requires you to speak with a clear and consistent tone so other people watching can easily understand you. Practice holding conversations with people without using filler words like "um" or "ah." If there isn't anyone to practice holding conversations with, try reading out loud since you may need to read from a script or prompter when you're an actual presenter.[1]
- Have a genuine interest in people while you're holding a conversation with them. Rather than letting a conversation die, always look for ways to continue talking to have a deeper discussion.
- Practice articulating each word while you're speaking or reading so you're less likely to stumble over your sentences.
- Work on interviewing and listening to other people. Many presenters, like TV hosts or newscasters, need to conduct interviews with people on their show. Practice asking people questions and be genuinely curious about their answer. Don't interrupt them while they're talking since it's disrespectful and unprofessional. Listen to them carefully so you don't get confused or lost during the conversation.[2]
- Ask questions related to the peoples' answers so you can get into deeper conversation.
- While interviewing isn't required from all TV presenters, it's still a good skill to develop since it will make you more versatile and give you more job opportunities.
- Get comfortable in front of a camera. TV presenters don't just interact with the people on set, but they also need to talk directly to the camera to interact with viewers at home. Set up a camera at home and practice talking directly to the lens. Pretend the camera is another person you're talking to and engage with it so you don't come across as boring or uncomfortable.[3]
- Watch other TV presenters to see how they interact with the camera, and then try to copy their style.
- Be willing to improvise if things don't go as planned. Things don't always go according to plan while you're presenting on TV since you may be on a live broadcast or other people could go off-script. If things don't go the way you intended, accept the new outcome and adjust your plan accordingly. That way, you can respond well to situations that you didn't expect and still appear comfortable.[4]
- For example, if you want to try improvising you can ask questions that aren't in a script or you may tell a joke if you made a mistake.
- Look for improv classes in your area and try them out if you can. While improv classes help you become funnier, they can help you feel more comfortable when you're put into new situations.
[Edit]Getting a Degree in Media - Focus on speech and video classes if you're in high school. If you're still in school, pay close attention to classes that require you to do public speaking and being in front of a camera. Work hard in your classes so you can develop knowledge of working with a camera and crew. Study as much as you can for the courses so you can maintain good grades.[5]
- Join your school's AV club if it has one so you can work with cameras and other media devices.
- See if your school has a forensics team where you publicly speak and debate against other students. Forensics can help you become a better presenter and speak more clearly.
- If you're not in school, you can still take online courses to practice public speaking and learning video techniques.
- Try for a journalism or media production degree. Attend a 2- or 4-year college and pick a degree that helps expand your knowledge on production and journalism. Focus on classes like speech, film, interviewing, and researching to become knowledgeable in those areas. Take time to study and finish all your assignments so you can get the best grades you possibly can.[6]
- You don't need a degree to become a TV presenter, but it can help increase your chances of finding a job.
- Try auditioning for any theater productions your university has so you can practice being in front of people.
- Pick a subject you're interested in to specialize in. Many TV presenters are knowledgeable in other subjects to make them more versatile and make them stand out. Pick subjects that you're genuinely interested in and take additional courses so you can learn more about them. Always look for more ways to become an expert in your subject by reading articles or watching videos on your own.[7]
- For example, if you're interested in current events, you may take modern history or global issues courses to learn more. This can help you become a newscaster or present on a history-related show.
- You don't need to take college courses on the subjects if you don't want. Read articles online and stay up to date with the subjects you really enjoy.
[Edit]Finding a Presenting Job - Create a resume to list your work experience and skills. When you make your resume, be sure to include any work history you have related to presenting if you have any. List the skills you developed that help you present, such as communication, improvisation, or on-camera experience. Fit your resume onto 1-2 pages so it isn't too overwhelming for employers to look at.[8]
- Add colors and graphic design to your resume to make it stand out more.
- Include details about your height, weight, and appearance so employers know what you look like at a glance. That way, they can tell if you're a good fit for presenting specific shows.
- Get headshots taken so employers know what you look like. Hire a photographer to take well-lit, well-framed photos of you to include with your resume. Dress well for the photos as if you were presenting the type of show you want to work on. Look directly at the camera and smile, but try out different angles and expressions to see what works best for your photos.[9]
- Make a showreel to show your on-screen skills. A showreel displays your previous work so producers and employers know what to expect when you're in front of a camera. Pick what type of presenting you want to do and use footage from previous related experience in the reel. If you don't have previous experience, you can film yourself presenting in front of a camera. Keep the reel less than 4 minutes so it isn't too long.[10]
- Don't include everything you've done in your showreel since it can feel overwhelming to employers who watch it. Narrow down the footage to your best work in the area you want to work in.
- Start looking for lower-level media production jobs. It can be difficult becoming a TV presenter right away, so look for jobs related to television production. Look for positions like camera operator, writer, editor, or production assistant so you can work on set and meet other people. This way, you grow familiar with how production works and see how other presenters behave professionally.[11]
- There are many online job boards made specifically for production. Look on sites like Backstage and ProductionHUB for the best chances of getting on set.
- Network with other people in the industry to learn about new opportunities. Talk to people you work with and make meaningful connections with them. Don't ask people right away for a job since it could sound pushy or desperate. Try to be colleagues or friends with them first, and just be yourself. If you leave a memorable impression on someone, they may remember you when they have a presenting opportunity.[12]
- Look for other people that have similar goals as you so you can work together and help one another out.
- Look for open auditions for presenting jobs. Many TV presenters go through an audition process so producers can see them in action. Check online job boards to see if there are any presenter or hosting jobs available. Send copies of your resume, headshot, and showreel to any positions you're interested in to see if you get a callback. Go into the auditions confidently and do what the producers ask you to do.[13]
- Leave your headshot and resume with the people you audition for and thank them for their time so you have better chances at success.
- There are a lot of other people who want to be TV presenters too, so always make sure your resume and showreel are up to date with your current work.
- Maintain any connections you make while you're networking. You never know who may offer you an opportunity in the future.
[Edit]Warnings - TV presenters may have to work long or unusual hours, so make sure you're comfortable working nights, weekends, and possibly holidays.
[Edit]References |
| How to Drink Whey Protein Posted: 14 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT Drinking whey protein is an excellent idea if you want to build muscle, burn fat, or replace a few meals. To drink whey protein properly, you'll need to select a type of whey, weigh your powder correctly, and mix it into a tasty shake or smoothie. Then, time when you drink your shakes or smoothies based on what function you want your whey to perform. Drink it in the morning if you're replacing breakfast or trying to start your day, or drink it after a workout to aid in muscle repair and weight loss. [Edit]Selecting a Whey Powder - Buy a whey concentrate powder if you're just starting out. Whey concentrate is the most common form of whey on the market, and the amount of actual protein in it varies between 25-90%. Most brands of concentrate whey are around 80% protein with fats and minerals rounding out the other 20%. Start with a concentrate powder if you aren't used to working out or drinking whey protein. Look for a concentrate that is at least 80% whey.[1]
- If you've ever eaten a protein bar or baked good, you've probably consumed whey concentrate.
- Get a whey isolate if you're lactose intolerant. Whey isolate comes in powder form and snack bars, and is 90-95% protein. Unlike concentrate powder, the remaining 5-10% has very little fat and lactose in it, usually relying on minerals and moisture instead. Isolate whey protein is much more expensive than concentrate because of its higher purity.[2]
- Get a hydrolyzed whey protein for the purest protein available. Hydrolyzed protein goes through an additional round of processing to remove fats and unwanted minerals from the powder. This usually means that hydrolyzed whey is the purest form of whey on the market. Get a hydrolyzed whey if you want the purest protein available, don't want the added minerals and fats, or have trouble digesting isolate and concentrate.[3]
- Due to the additional processing, hydrolyzed whey tends to be much more expensive than concentrate or isolate whey. The benefits may not be worth it to you.
- Choose a flavor based on your personal preferences. Whey doesn't taste very good on its own, so it comes in a variety of flavors. You can easily find chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry whey, but other flavors exist. Start off by purchasing small amounts of a new flavor, just in case you don't like it.[4]
- Avoid purchasing a sweetened whey protein. Even though it tastes better, it's not a healthy additive if you're trying to lose weight.
- If you want to minimize the taste of whey powder in your smoothies, get a light vanilla flavor. Vanilla notes will be easily overpowered by any fruit that you add to your drink.
[Edit]Weighing Your Powder - Consume around 30 grams of protein powder once a day depending on your weight. The amount of protein that you need to consume each day is dependent upon how active you are, how old you are, and whether you are male or female. An inactive adult just starting a new workout program should consume around 0.4 grams of protein per pound of body weight to meet the daily requirement. This means that you should probably consume around 30 grams of protein if you eat 3 meals a day.[5]
- Men should consume a little more protein than women. There are recommendations for ratios printed on each particular whey product.
- Add more whey to your diet if you're trying to build muscle. If you're trying to build muscle while on your workout regiment, you need to consume more protein—between 0.6 and 0.8 grams per pound of body weight. If you're a competitive athlete and are also restricting your daily caloric intake, you may need to move up to 0.9 grams per pound.[6]
- A 180 pound adult on a regular workout routine should consume between 0.5-0.75 grams of protein every day for each pound of body weight.
- Use 10-20 grams per serving if you're dieting to lose weight. A lower dose of whey protein will help supplement muscle growth and development while helping you burn fat. If you're restricting your diet to aid in weight loss, supplement your protein intake by adding some whey. 10-20 grams will help your muscles stay healthy while aiding in the burning of body fat.[7]
[Edit]Making a Protein Shake - Add your protein powder to your blender jar. Whey protein product comes with a scooper that holds a designated amount of powder (usually around 30 grams). If your whey protein doesn't, or if you've lost the scoop, use a tablespoon. 1 tablespoon will be around 8 grams depending on the specific density of your powder. You can also use a kitchen scale to weigh it.[8]
- If you just opened your whey protein and don't see a scoop sitting on top, take a butter knife and dig around the powder. The scoops are often buried underneath.
- Drop some vegetables in if you're making a meal replacement. If you're replacing your meal with a protein shake, add some vegetables to replace the nutrients that you're missing from a standard meal. Celery and lettuce are popular choices, but spinach is a good choice if you aren't fond of vegetable juice since it won't add much flavor. Add 1-2 cups of veggies to your blender jar.[9]
- If your vegetables already fit in your blender jar, you don't need to do anything to them. If they don't, you can snap them in half by hand or cut them once or twice on a cutting board with a chef's knife.
- Add 1-2 handfuls of fresh fruit for a fresher flavor. Add any fruit combination that you think will taste good. Classic combinations like strawberry and blueberry or kiwi and strawberry will always go well together. You can also use a single fruit for a less distinct flavor profile. You can use fresh or frozen fruit. Drop your fruit into the blender jar on top of your powder or veggies.[10]
- Include 2 tablespoons of a healthy fat like peanut butter or flax seed. Drop of your healthy fat into your blender jar. Peanut butter will change the flavor of your shake, while flax seed will be barely noticeable. Other options include pumpkin seeds, cashews, or almonds. Including a healthy fat in your shake will help your digestive system, keep your energy levels up, and actually aid in the fat burning process.[11]
- Top off your shake with your mixer and blend it. The most popular mixing options are water, regular milk, and almond milk. Use water if you're lactose intolerant or want to stay hydrated. Use milk or almond milk if you want a thicker, tastier shake. Fill the remainder of your blending jar with your mixer, leaving at the top so that your blender blades have room to cut the ingredients.[12]
- You can fill your shake with ice before adding your mixer to make a smoothie, or pour it over ice to keep it cold.
[Edit]Timing Your Protein Consumption - Drink a shake after a workout to keep your muscles healthy. Drink your whey protein within 30 minutes of your workout to help your muscles repair. Your body burns through a lot of protein, nutrients, and calories during a workout session, and the protein shake will help replace these nutrients and proteins in a healthy and productive way.[13]
- If you drink your shakes after workouts regularly, you'll begin to notice that you don't get as sore as you used to. This is because whey helps the muscles regenerate after they've been strained.
- Have a shake in the morning to start your day. A protein shake is an excellent replacement for a cup of coffee. The proteins, nutrients, and fats in a whey protein shake will energize and refresh you early on in the day. A protein shake in the morning also helps your muscles relax and get ready for any early morning workouts or running around at work.[14]
- There are coffee-flavored protein powders on the market if you want to replicate that morning cup of coffee!
- Use a shake to replace a meal if you're dieting or running late. If you have to run out the door quickly and are about to miss a meal, you can use a protein shake to replace the nutrients that you're about to miss. You can also use a protein shake as a meal replacement if you're trying to cut down on calories or restricting your diet to lose weight.[15]
- Try to avoid replacing more than 1 meal every day with a protein shake.
[Edit]References |
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