Persian rugs are something people often talk about but which few people understand the origins and impact of. Here are some interesting facts you may not have known about the world’s most beautiful carpets: Ancient Beginnings In what is now Iran, the art of weaving that would lead to today’s most treasured carpets and rugs began nearly three-thousand years ago. They began as objects of necessity; the nomadic people of this area needed temporary coverings for the ground where they stayed, to protect their feet and make a better, more stable surface for sleeping. These humble beginnings led to a craft that was passed down through generations to become one of the most famous skills in the entire world. Cyrus the Great – conqueror of Babylon – is credited with bringing the beautiful, intricate designs of these carpets to Persia. He was reportedly so taken with the rugs that his burial place is said to be covered in them. That devotion lives on today in the many fans of this style of woven carpet. Bringing Persian Rugs to the Masses So, how did this uniquely eastern art become so popular around the world? During the 19th century, American retailers set up businesses aimed specifically at bringing exotic, beautiful wares like Persian rugs to consumers back in the states – and all over the world. These businessmen prided themselves on sourcing the rugs directly from artisans in the area, something that those who insist on quality and craftsmanship still do to this day! These days, if you want authentic Persian rugs in the Memorial area, you’ll have to shop with a local purveyor of these precious articles. Yes, even today, eastern artisans are creating gorgeous tapestries and carpets that you can bring home to love. It’s like owning a little piece of history to lay beneath your feet! Be the first to...
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Napkins tend to serve a singular purpose in life: to clean up food. There are dozens of applications for paper napkins, but most of them relate to keeping food and its spills under control. Cloth napkins serve as an elegant alternative to paper napkins, but, they do not have to be just napkins. There are plenty of different, fun things to do with cloth napkins, three of which are below. 1. Make origami. Beautiful restaurants usually have a folded napkin as part of the table setting, but there are hundreds of different folding patterns to try with cloth napkins. These patterns range from the simple, everyday folding, to the exquisitely detailed, time-consuming pieces of miniature art. Try your hand at an unusual pattern the next time you host a dinner party or even gather friends for a simple meal. A pretty design will add a twist of elegance to the gathering. And, if a design is too lovely, use it as a decoration. Display it proudly, or unfold it and try again. 2. Create custom party favors. Perhaps you will be hosting a particular birthday party, or planning a wedding. Cloth napkins can be purchased in bulk, and with this piece of fabric as a base, consider custom elements like monogrammed initials, or a pretty design, or a symbol that best represents the gathering. Napkins can easily be made by hand as well, no extensive sewing experience necessary. 3. Quilt Pieces. If you love to sew, consider a cloth napkin as a simple, pre-cut, alternative quilt square. The napkins come in a variety of sizes, and the pretty and unique design options are numerous. You can even order napkins in bulk, and use them as test scraps, or try out a different stitch on them. These are just a few ideas for alternate, and fun uses for cloth napkins. Explore the possibilities of creativity, and find what works for you. Be the first to...
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Baking cakes take skill. If yours keep turning out into a disaster, here are a few tips to help you improve. Invest in tools Skills are important but tools matter as well. If you want to improve your craft, then investing in better quality cake tools is a step in the right direction. With the right tools, achieving successful results should be much easier. Rely on a good recipe Don’t just pick out a recipe online. Compare different recipes. Or get one from a source you trust. That way, you know the recipe has been tried and tested, the BBC Good Food says. Follow the instructions Never try to experiment on your own, unless you already know what you’re doing. If you’ve already mastered the basics, then you can try going off the book. If you’re a beginner, though, taking that step can lead to disastrous results in the kitchen. Know the basics Know as much as you can about the chemical reactions that happen when you bake. A greater understanding of these things will help you become a better and more intuitive baker. Practice a lot Bake every day. Do it over and over until you get it right. Every failure you encounter is an opportunity to learn. That kind of mindset, partnered with the right cake tools, will see your talent and skills growing in no time. Ensure the right temperature Pay attention to the individual temperature of these ingredients when you use them. For instance, some recipes will instruct you to use eggs and butter at room temperature. If you’re going to use butter straight from the fridge, that’s going to mess up the recipe and the results. If you’ve been wondering why your cakes aren’t turning out to be as good as they should, then you may be making this mistake. Be the first to...
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Choosing the ideal body jewelry is more than picking a style that you love. There are other considerations that can affect how the jewelry works out for you. Body jewelry comes in many styles and materials, choosing the ideal style from a material that works for you. Tip # 1 Choose the Material Choosing the right material is really the first decision you need to make when it comes to choosing the right jewelry. When you are considering which material will work best for you consider your tolerance to alloys. You have a few options if you react to alloys (like nickel a common allergen): Stainless steel Surgical steel Plastic If you do find that you have a reaction to certain metals, surgical steel or plastic will be a safer option for you. Your jewelry should not make you itch, breakout or cause inflammation. If you have experienced this in the past it can mean that you are hyper sensitive to the alloy used in the jewelry. Going with plastic or surgical steel options will be safer. Tip # 2 Don’t Rush If you are trying to “gauge up” take your time. moving up a gauge size at a time is the wiser choice. Forcing the situation can lead to infections, scarring and backfire on you. Shop for jewelry that will fit now. It is just the smarter, safer way to manage. Tip # 3 Always a Trusted Source It is imperative that you use a trusted source for all your jewelry purchases to ensure that you get the quality that you deserve. Bodyjewelry.com is a highly reliable source that offers a wide selection. Shopping at bodyjewelry.com will give you the options that you want and the peace of mind knowing you are buying safe jewelry. Click here to buy body jewelry online. Be the first to...
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If you’re anything other than a professional baker, you may only think of metal when it comes to baking pans, molds, and accessories. However, industry professionals will tell you that some of the best baking results come from silicone. Here are just a few reasons why bakers have been in love with silicone for as long as it has been available in the kitchen: Flexibility – In Every Sense The flexibility of silicone is just one of its many merits. Not only are they flexible – you can twist your silicone pans nearly in half to release your baked goods without damaging them – but they’re also flexible in their many uses. Silicone is microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe. No matter where you need your silicone baking molds and accessories to go, they are perfectly suited for it! It’s important to note that because silicone is so flexible, your baking mats and molds may require additional support before, during and after baking. Choosing a coordinating pan or rack to accompany your silicone accessories will help make your baking fail-proof. Easy, Breezy Baking Silicone baking molds allow for the easiest release and the least damage of any type of bakeware. This is because of most substances – no matter how sticky – simply won’t adhere to silicone. No oiling or greasing is necessary for an easy release. This makes popping cupcakes, muffins, tarts, and anything else you want to bake out of these molds easy as pie! This ease also makes for simple and quick cleanup. Just little hot water and soap, and your silicone accessories are ready for their next use! Where to Buy When you’re ready to invest in a couple of new silicone baking molds, you need to look no further than your favorite local baking supplier. While big-box stores are still slowly introducing silicone to the mass market, you’ll find anything and everything you need with your professional supplier. Contact your favorite merchant today and see how easy baking in...
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If you’re looking for a multipurpose knife that is designed for user safety and efficiency, than you should really consider a karambit blade today. Being a descendent of blades originally seen in Indonesia during the 11th century, this is a knife that is made for precise cuts and accuracy. Here are a few things to keep in mind with considering karambit blades for your personal usage. Usage A karambit blade was traditionally used throughout history as a utility knife, very much like a modern-day pocket knife. Because of this it is equipped with many safety features to make it easy to use for anyone. While it’s true that this is a quick-at-hand chore knife, it is also considered a deadly weapon in battle. For its small size, it can impart an incredible amount of damage and is unimaginably deadly in close combat situations. It is now considered one of the traditional weapons associated with Southeast Asia and is a great example of how a common tool can be elevated to a deadly weapon in critical times. Safety The Karambit blade is equipped with a safety ring located at the end of the handle where a user may insert a finger before closing their hand around the handle. In modern times, some karambits also have a secondary safety ring on the shaft of the handle just below the actual blade. These rings are used to ensure that the blade doesn’t slide down the user’s palm when working in odd positions. This allows the user multiple positions when working with the blade, making it ideal for many different situations. The karambit blade has been used for centuries in so many different areas. Visit Blade-city now to find the best knife for you today. Be the first to...
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