Just Blogging

Ron Maier Jr. asked:




Counters are present in almost every type of store. Clothing, sporting goods, jewelry and specialty shops are all in need of displays to use on their counter tops. Counter displays are useful for merchandising your smaller or more expensive products. They are also very useful for selling the last minute items that your customer might not have come in for, but are willing to buy once they’re at the register. There are a multitude of display types to choose from.

When selecting your store displays, keep in mind the type of messages that you are sending to your customers. You can use cardboard easel displays in a convenience store, discount store or a fashion outlet aimed at younger demographics. They can be great in the right setting and are relatively cheap to have your own graphics printed on them. They’re wonderful for short-term promotions and can be saved for repeat sales or seasons. You may consider something a little more elegant or sturdy for high-end stores or to display items that you sell year-round.

Glass display cases are very nice and attractive counter top additions. Displaying jewelry, rare baseball cards, watches or anything that you don’t want easily stolen or touched in a glass display case is a good solution. This type of display case can be purchased with wooden edges, with locks or can be made completely of glass. Acrylic boxes are also nice, durable and sometimes less expensive. You can decide which type of glass display cases you would like to use in your store based on the style you’re projecting and clientele that you’re targeting.

Spinner racks are useful for displaying a lot of similar types of items. They get your customers to be hands-on with the product and have a high sales impact. When they are used on top of the counter, they are eye level with customers coming to the check out. Sunglasses, jewelry and key chains are commonly displayed on these types of racks. Acrylic and metal are the most common types available. They are generally sturdy and can last for many years in your store. Shop for high-quality racks if you want them to last and you want them to spin smoothly. Consider the weight of what you will be displaying to ensure that tip-overs aren’t going to be a problem. Place heavier objects towards the bottom to make your spinner rack sturdier.

If you’re running out of room on your counter top, you can buy pedestal displays and spinner racks that are free standing on the floor to merchandise your counter area. Don’t forget about displaying gift cards by the register if your store offers them. This small step can really increase your sales and help market your store to more customers. Brochures, business cards and promotional flyers should be displayed, not just stacked on the counter creating a cluttered feel. Keep everything nice and neat, well lit, and visible to your customers. There are a lot of last minute sales to be made and you can be sure that your investment in high-quality, high-impact sales materials and counter top displays will pay off.

Ron Maier Jr. asked:




Creating a successful retail, clothing environment is extremely dependant on the display design. A boring store is sure to land flat on its face in today’s exciting clothing world, and a variety of presentations, several fixture types, and multiple levels can make a huge difference. The right design should bombard the customer with several garments at different levels and in different textures but should allow easy traffic flow and not seem too congested. Retailers should not expect the modern customer to spend hours sifting through clothes racks. Instead, through the use of quality store fixtures, a larger number of garments and styles should be presented through multi-level and textured displays.

Clothing displays can be divided into to major categories, those on the floor and those on the walls. The sales floor is utilized for two major things, accommodating customer traffic, and displaying clothes. Through a combination of two arm and four arm racks (which come in slanted or straight forms), round racks, combination racks, and display tables. The standard arm racks are the most common and effective floor fixtures in clothing stores. Though round racks are great for clearance items, arm racks carry a number of garments while showcasing the outermost two or four articles. Instead of the shoulder of the garment being the most visible side, the front of the outermost garments are in full view. A variety of display tables work great for folded clothing. Some people might not understand why some clothes should be folded and others hung, but regardless of clothing care, displaying both will bring more texture to the sales floor. Combination racks are designed for this very reason, having both arm and table display capabilities. These single fixtures give the textured appeal of both folded and hung clothes.

The most optimal space for clothing display in a store is the walls. Keeping the floor as uncluttered as possible will help customers to move about with ease, and by moving a majority of the merchandise to the walls, a large amount of inventory can still be presented without overburdening the floor. Slatwalls and gridwalls are the most popular of wall displays, and they provide excellent and versatile display options. With an enormous variety of accessories like clothing hooks, tables, arm racks, and a many specific designs, slatwalls and gridwalls make presenting any garment or accessory simple. After the walls have been lined with slatwalls or gridwalls, clothing can be displayed in virtually any design format that fits the store best.

As a finishing touch to any clothing store, the addition of mannequins and graphics will enhance any space dramatically. There are countless mannequins in various forms that help the clothing come to life. Customers enjoy seeing how the garments are designed to fit and how different outfits look together. There are full body mannequins, both male and female, as well as mannequin forms that work great for display tables. Large graphics can serve the same purpose depicting actual models wearing the clothes, but they are not limited to this. Pictures on the walls can also provide atmosphere such as outdoor scenes in a store like Eddiebauer or club scenes in a store like Wet Seal. The clothing should set most of the mood, but a little help from mannequins and graphics can go a long way.

These fixtures and strategies help clothing stores to hold customer attention and accommodate traffic, but the bottom line is that great clothes sell themselves. It is important to create store displays that features the clothing and keeps customers focused on the clothes. Congestion, clutter, and overstocked shelves and racks are only distractions that keep people from appreciating the merchandise.

Celeste Yates asked:




There are plenty of products that can be bought for storing shoes at home. Companies have come up with some bright ideas ranging from transparent boxes to cloth hanging shelves: each catering for different types of shoes. But shoe stores are still having a difficult time creating a system that is customer and shoe friendly.

There are four ways to display shoes in a store. The first is to have a large basket with all of the different types of shoes thrown into it. This system is the easiest to do, but makes it difficult for the customer and for the shoe. Shoes get damaged, as they are squashed at the bottom. In most cases the baskets are made out of metal mesh, which damages the shoe when it’s pushed against it. Just imagine how you would feel if you were a casual sneaker with 9-inch heels on top of you, hiking boots next to you and you were being pushed against metal that was the equivalent of a chicken fence.

Another problem with putting shoes in a basket is that their partners get lost. Customer will find a left shoe that fits and not a right one. The displays have a low-cost budget look to them. Using large baskets or bins for shoes is the type of thing that factory shops or stores that can’t afford other storage techniques use.

Shelving is a popular storage method that most shoe shops use. However, shop owners are finding that there is a fair amount of maintenance involved with shelving. They need to be wiped down frequently and there is the extra cost of lighting to be considered. With shelves on top of each other, shoes often get lost in the dark. There is also the problem of wasted space in between the shelves. Storeowners have to employ a few assistants to help customers as not all shoes can be on display with the shelving.

One way of optimising the shelving solution is to combine it with boxes. By enlarging the space in between the top and bottom shelf, shop owners can place the differently sized shoes in boxes under the display shoe. This gives an untidy appearance, however, as different shoemakers have different boxes. Customers also have problems if their shoe size is at the bottom of the pile. This type of shoe storage isn’t recommended. Rather keep the boxes at the back of the shop.

As far as shoe displays are concerned, hangers are becoming the most popular method to use. They are more space efficient, as 1 meter of retail wall space can accommodate about 75 pairs of shoes. The space will be able to display 15 different types of shoe designs. This also creates more floor space, which the storeowners can use for extra mirrors and seating. The shoes will be more visually appealing, as they will be displayed from the top of the shoe down. They will also have more light without the shade from an overhanging shelf.

Shoe hanging companies are designing different type of hangers for different types of shoe styles and designs. There provide minimal contact between shoes resulting in less damage. Pairs of shoes will not lose their partners as they hang side by side.

Hanging shoes is proving to be the most efficient way of displaying shoes, regardless of style. It is easier for the shop owners to maintain than other types of shoe storage and damage is kept to a minimum. Shoe hanging companies can work out individual designs and have the ability to create custom hangers for complicated shoe designs. It would seem that using large wire mesh baskets are consigned to the past.

Robert E. Goyette asked:




There are many cases in the craft show business where you are going to have to alter your strategy for selling your crafts. Here are 4 things you can do in order to keep your product selling, even when everyone else seems a little slow:

1.) Combine items – If you have a slower selling item that just isn’t giving you the return you want on your investment, then try pairing it up with a better selling item. This achieves two things: it gets rid of stock that is taking up room and isn’t selling; and second, it provides more value to the customers purchasing the hot selling item. You might even be able to sell the item-in-demand for more money.

2.) Holiday sales – We celebrate so many different holidays, and each one of them means something to somebody. This is a prime opportunity to capitalize on a “George Washington Day” sale, or a “Flag Day” sale, or whatever the holiday is. Of course, the biggest ones will be your Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter (maybe even Mother’s and Father’s Day) sales – but the bottom line is – if you offer people a deal related to a holiday, you might be able to boost your overall craft sales.

3.) Buy one, get one at 50% off – This is a classic sales approach, especially if you want to sell your product for a little more than you normally would. This might be a good way to experiment with the price. Sell one product for $20 and the next one is only $10, but you have easily covered the cost of both AND made a great profit!

4.) Creative sales – Anything from a ‘first-time-buyer’ sale to a sale for seniors might be another great way to generate added sales in your craft show booth. Tailoring sales programs to the crowd that is going to attend the craft show is an ingenious method for boosting sales at a craft show.

The best craft show salespeople are constantly eying up ways they can increase the number of products they move through their craft show booth. They come up with a variety of marketing plans (some that work, others that don’t), but each time they try to innovative in their approach.

With some imagination you can come up with a few great display ideas of your own to generate sales in your own booth. Don’t be afraid to try something a little bit different – you have nothing to lose when you are trying to move craft show products!

Richard Blodgett asked:




Decide on which size of flag you will be building a flag display case (fdc) for.
3′x5′, 4′x6′, 5′x9′ (burial)
Measure the folded flag. For this example we will use the 5×9 burial flag.

You will need the bottom (horizontal) measurement,
along with the two diagonal measurements. Also get
the thickness of the folded flag.

* bottom msmt: 24″

* diagonal msmt: 16 3/4 “

* thickness: 2 3/4 “

Decide on the type of wood you will be using, for this example, we will use oak.

A 1×4 piece of oak actually measures 3 1/2 in
width, which is fine. Buy an 8′ length. (for be-
ginners, in case there are mistakes)

Seeing that our flag is triangular in shape, we will
cut the angles on a 45 degree. You can do this with a
circular saw or a chop saw (mitre saw). Chop saws
give a much better cut.

The bottom measurement of our flag is 24″. So our
inside measurement of our 45 degree cuts must be
at least 24″. I recommend cutting the length of board at 24 1/4″
(little play room for glass and flag)

You should have approx. 6′ of board left. As you know,
wood has a grain pattern. These next steps will give your case
a more professional appearance.

Measure off the longest portion of the angled 6′ board
(that’s your long point of that particular angle, the
other is the short point of that particular angle.)

Your angled measurements are 16 3/4″.short point
to short point. However, you will be cutting it 3″
longer than that, (for mistakes). So let’s just cut
our side pieces 20″ long. short to short.

Measure off the 6′ board from long point 20″, using a
speed square or framing square, make a mark and cut
your piece. (set this piece aside)

The longer remaining piece should have a short point.

Your objective now is to turn that piece around 180
degrees, and cut the short point again in order to
make it a long point.

Once you do this, your two 45 degree angles at the top
of the display case will fit and the grain will match.
It will look continuous. (match up all the angled
pieces until you find that grain match)

When you place the bottom piece up to the angled side
pieces to form the triangle you will notice that the
side pieces are too long. Just pencil mark the bottom
where it hangs over the bottom piece. That now is going
to be cut at a 45 degree. Make sure you cut the 45
degree angle the correct way. Your end product should
be a short to short angled piece.

When you are marking the piece to be cut, also mark
the side of the board so you know for sure, which way
the wood should be cut.
Tack the frame together or use a strap to hold it in
position.

Measure the size of glass you will need.
We can measure the glass in two ways:

(1) -The exact size, minus 1/8th inch. (if you are going
to place a wooden corner cover over the glass and
attach it to the frame.) OR

(2) - The glass can be measured 1/4″ larger if it is going to be inserted into the frame.

Buy an 8′ piece of wooden corner board.
(for outside corners of walls) It is 3/4″ long on each
side of the 45 degree angle. Cut this to fit the
outside (facing) of the triangular frame you just made.

You can insert the glass from the back side after the
outside wooden corner’s are nailed on. Then you can cut and place 3
pieces of 1/4 “x 1/4″ molding on the inside to hold
the glass in place.

Inset glass involves using a table saw.

Set your table saw guide to 1/4″ from the inside of the saw blade to the guide itself.
Set the depth of the blade to 1/8th inch.

– If you know at the beginning that you will be insetting the glass, then cut the entire 8′ length of board at one time. It’s very difficult to cut small pieces like this and have it turn out correctly.

– If you have never used a table saw, ask someone with experience to perform this next step.—

Take the piece or pieces and with the table saw in operation, slowly guide the piece along the guide, making sure not too force the cut. Be gentle. It’s wise to use a forked stick to push the wood through the cutting process.
There are jigs that can be purchased for just this job. Call a do-it-yourself place. They can help you
Once you have your cuts made, you are ready to nail it together.

Use small trim nails (1 1/4″) long and nail frame together. With glass inserted into the cut grooves you just made.(Set nails with punch and color putty when done)

This is much easier if you have a brad gun. also place the frame so the glass is face down so it doesn’t break if it falls out during this process.

Take the frame and place it on some 3/16th luon (lew-on or oak paneling)
and trace the outside of your frame. Cut this out for the backing of your display case. (Stain edges with the proper color. For oak, you can use Minwax-Colonial Maple or Early American.)

You can drill about 8 pilot holes through the 3/16″ luon into the wood frame. (On the Back Side) for screws. Insert your burial flag. Insert your screws.

–That’s a rap folks–your project is done.

***Read everything, before you try anything***

Tools & Supplies

* Tape

* Pencil

* Circular Saw

* Speed Square (or)Framing Square.

* Sand Paper.

* Stain,Putty andPolyurethane

* Chop Saw (Mitre Saw)

* Cut Glass

* 2′ x 2′ piece of Oak or Maple paneling 3/16 or 1/4″ thick.

* Sponge or Brush.

* 3/4″ screws (8-10ea)

* Small box of 1 1/4″ trim nails. Or 1 1/2″.

* 8′- 1×4 board. (For your fdc frame.)

* 8′ Wooden (Outside corner board). 3/4″

* Safety Glasses!

***WARNING***

* The 1st time you
disrespect a Power tool, IT WILL disrespect YOU!

* If you have children
around, during the
building and cutting
process be sure to
UNPLUG POWER to all your tools until you use them again. Then, unplug them
again!

TIPS:

Don’t be in a rush. You can do this.

When ever you take a measurement add 1/16″ to it. (20 1/16″ instead of 20″) That way, you cut ON the line and you will always have the true measurement that you need.

Military Flag Display Cases Flag cases, Shadow Boxes and Frames Articles FAQ Copyright 2007 - Military Flag Display Case - Richard Blodgett - All Rights Reserved Site Design SJ

Robert Schielmann asked:




Do you have a loved one that served in the United States armed forces that has recently passed away? Did your family receive a burial flag from the Department of Veteran Affairs? This beautiful flag honors the memory of the one who has served their country in the armed services.

The burial flag is made from 100% cotton. The burial flag is not intended to be flown because of the stresses of being on the flag pole can and will cause it to tear quite easily. It is better to show case it in a burial flag display case.

There are many places where you can purchase a burial flag display case to store the flag in. There are many different designs. The most common that I have seen is the triangle display case that is the same size as the folded burial flag. If you are handy and enjoy woodworking, consider building your own burial flag display case from these plans.

Have you ever wondered how to fold an American Flag into that nice neat triangle that shows off the blue union so nicely? Here is a step by step instruction on how to fold and American flag. This is easiest with two people.

1) Holding the flag on the narrow side, fold the lower edge of the strips over the union field.

2) The folded edge is again folded over the striped side. After this fold, the union field is visible on both sides of folded flag.

3) Start the triangular fold on the stripped end fold the lower left corner over to the open edge.

4) The outer point is now turned inwards toward the union field. This forms the second triangle.

5) Repeat steps three and four until the entire flag is folded and only the blue union field is visible.

Jeanette Shinn asked:




People tend to relax and talk more around food than just about anything else. That is huge advantage of edible wedding centerpiece displays. With the warm and engaging nature of food it is just natural for people to relax and talk when one of the most basic human needs is provided for abundantly. It is human nature, and a wise bride will look for every advantage to help her plan her big day. She could rely on the wedding dinner to provide the warmth and reassurance of food, but why not take advantage from the moment the guests enter the reception with edible centerpieces?

Who doesn’t relax at the smell of fresh bread? Who can resist the mouth watering allure of a tantalizing treat? By making use of edible centerpiece displays a bride is building her decor on more than just a visual level. By adding taste, smell, and touch she creates an emotionally warm and welcoming effect for each of her guests.

Dig in. There is nothing more inviting than the warmth and comfort of food, which makes edible centerpieces a natural for wedding receptions:

Cookie Bouquets: Many pastry chefs will be delighted to craft large ‘cookies on a stick’ and a skilled craftsman can decorate them in some pretty remarkable ways. Either have them arrange the cookies in bouquets for the reception coordinator to place on your tables or it can easily be done by an enterprising bridal party. This is not the least expensive way to go and it probably will not fit an elegant reception, but it can be a lot of fun, quite tasty, and provide the mothers with small children an easy way to keep their little ones happy.

Chilled Wine: Serving wine? A tasteful wine bucket with a nice bottle of wine can make a centerpiece that is attractive and functional. If the cost of a wine bucket is too steep, someone with a bit of crafty know how could use something along the lines of plastic ice cream buckets wrapped in waterproof decorative gift wrap to create an inexpensive, disposable version. Accent the centerpiece with wine themed wedding favors to further the theme and express love and gratitude at the same time.

Hot Bread: Have a basket of fresh baked bread placed on the table just before the guests enter. Who is not warmed and set at ease by the sight and smell of hot fresh bread?

Cheese Board: Arrange a cheese board with your favorite cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit at the center of each table.

Tower of Truffles: For someone with a loved one who is a wizard in the kitchen this is a natural way to get them involved if you choose not to purchase your truffles from your favorite chocolate manufacturer. Either way, a display of truffles is a delightfully inviting centerpiece for a wedding reception - just do not forget to supply decorative favor packaging (you can easily find packaging to fit nearly any decor) for your guests to take a few home to enjoy afterwards!

There are so many possibilities. Have fun with it. Mix and match. There is no right or wrong when it comes to mouth watering edible centerpiece ideas for your reception tables, only what works within the framework of the theme and fashion you are trying to accomplish for your wedding.

David Hallstrom asked:




No one thinks about the city of Pasadena, California, unless it is Rose Bowl or Rose Parade time, except for Los Angeles County residents and people who hear the song “Little Old Lady From Pasadena”.

When tourists think about visiting California they most often think about going to Disneyland or cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco or beach cities like Long Beach, Monterey, Newport Beach, San Diego, Santa Monica, etc.. Very few of them think about visiting or staying in “small town” Pasadena and that is a big mistake.

No matter what you are looking for in a vacation or what you wish to do you can find it in or near Pasadena. The city itself has over four hundred (400) restaurants that serve amost any type of food that you can imagine, dozens of art galleries and antique shops, fine museums like the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon Museum of Art, hotels of all categories from inexpensive motels to the Ritz Carlton, night clubs and comedy clubs, beautiful homes with magnificent gardens that can be seen while driving through the city, over two hundred (200) churches, shopping galore and much more.

Mountains, ski resorts, beaches and the desert as well as Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, The Aquarium Of The Sea, the Getty Museum, etc. are all within a one half to one hour drive. Visit Hollywood or Beverly Hills. Downtown Los Angeles is only nine freeway miles from downtown Pasadena. Visit the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens or the Los Angeles Zoo. Take in a Dodger, Lakers, Clippers, Kings or Galexy game (all venues are less than fifteen (15) miles from Pasadena). Take in a horse race at Santa Anita, go to one of California’s largest swap meets at the Rose Bowl or just sit in an outdoor restaurant in Pasadena’s famous “Old Town” and people watch.

For more information about the city of Pasadena, California see http://pasadena.usacitydirectories.com a directory of links to city of Pasadena, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, churches, physicians, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go, art galleries, service organizations, auto dealers, nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, antique dealers and more.

Ella S. asked:




One of the things you have to see when you go visit Seattle is Bruce Lee’s grave. A lot of people don’t know that Bruce Lee is buried in a cemetery just outside the city. He’s buried there alongside his son Brandon.

I’ve been to the cemetery a couple of times, and each time I go, there have been people there paying there respects. It is probably the most visited couple of graves there in Seattle.

One interesting thing about the grave site is that the grass around there has to be replaced a few times a year because there is so much foot traffic and people visiting the grave. Last time I visited, there was a family from New Zealand there sitting under a tree right next to the grave.

It can be a little tough to try and find the grave initially, but if you get headed in the right direction, you should be able to find it.

First of all, the cemetery is located at the following address:
Lakeview Cemetery
1554 15th. Ave. E.
Seattle, WA

It’s actually located a couple of miles northeast of downtown Seattle. Once you turn into the cemetery, head up the hill towards the flagpole. The graves are located just northeast of the flagpole. You’ll most likely see another car or people sitting nearby and you can pretty much be sure that Bruce Lee’s grave is right there.

There is a great view from the site and so you’ll want to make sure that you take your camera.

One thing you might want to make a note of while you’re there is that at the edge of the roundabout there by the site is the Arthur Denny family gravesite. Arthur Denny was actually one of the founding fathers of Seattle.

All in all, if you grew up watching Bruce Lee movies like I did, then visiting the gravesite is a nice afternoon activity.

Barbara Tobiasz asked:




Wall mounted curio cabinets can display and show off your valuables, collectibles and treasures. They are a wonderful solution if you do not have a lot of space or if you have a smaller collection not enough to fill a large cabinet. This piece of furniture could be the perfect choice for your needs.

The term curio is used to describe knick knacks and collectibles. A wall mounted curio cabinet provide a way to display our precious keepsakes. Curio cabinets have been around for many years and are themselves collectible as antique furniture pieces.

Curios come in a variety of styles and types so you are certain to find one that compliments the overall design and d