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Red Bluff Daily News Saturday, November 24, 2012 Page 7 MAKE-YOUR-OWN HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Holiday decorating is a big part of the holiday season. Bins are taken out of the attic or garage, and decorations are once again given their opportunity to shine for several weeks before being packed away again. Among the many decorations families use to deck the halls are ornaments that were made by hand. This year creating homemade ornaments can be a crafty project that helps families make new holi- day memories. Christmas tree ornaments come in all shapes and sizes and often tell the stories of holiday tra- ditions. There are several different ways to cre- ate personalized, do-it-yourself ornaments and leave the cheap, easily broken ornaments from the dollar stores behind. Fun photo ornaments showcase how a family has changed and grown over the years. Experiment with different ways to create these ornaments. You can glue a photo to a ceramic ornament and cover it with decoupage glaze to set it permanent- ly. Try purchasing clear, glass ornaments, then remove the top of the ornament, which is usually spring-loaded, before slipping a photo inside and replacing the top. You also can laminate a photo, punch a hole in the top and affix a ribbon. Photo ornaments The popularity of paint-it-yourself pottery has led to an increase in ceramic and crafts shops across the country. During the holiday season such shops offer many holiday items that can be painted. Often the store will then fire the pieces Ceramic ornaments after they are painted so that they are shiny and hardened for dis- play. Those who want to do their painting at home can visit their local craft or hobby shop, where typically there are unfinished ceramic ornaments that can be painted with acrylic paints found right in the next aisle. A finishing coat of clear glaze will help protect the ornaments from year to year. Wood crafts Many of today's craft centers have expanded to include sections devoted to unfinished wood items. Everything from letters to animal cutouts to boxes and rocking horses can be purchased and finished. Turn keepsake boxes into painted and ribbon-adorned gift boxes. Stain a treasure chest that can be used to store reindeer snacks for Santa's crew. Turn small deco- rative pieces into ornaments for the tree. Paint and affix wood initials onto stocking holders to identify to whom each stocking belongs. Crafty individuals also can turn plain wood plaques into signs with clever sayings, such as "Park your sleigh here." Scavenge around the house Young children can use any medium for making ornaments. Garlands made of macaroni or popcorn are traditional. Fabric scraps can be sewn and stuffed with potpourri for homemade scent satchels. Hand-drawn pictures can be made and laminated and hung on the tree. The only obstacle with regard to DIY ornaments is a limited imagination. Homemade items can add whimsy and a personal touch to the holiday season. HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR HOW-TO Craft fairs and flea markets are a staple of the holiday season. Not only are they ideal places to find one-of-a-kind gifts for anyone on your holiday shopping list, but they also are great opportunities for small business owners to broaden their client base while making a relatively small investment. Each year schools, churches, senior clubs, and other orga- nizations open their doors to holiday fairs in an effort to raise money for their respective organizations. In some towns, fairs have expanded into temporary shopping markets where shoppers can go from booth to booth to find the perfect gift. Being a part of one of these events can be as simple as paying the entrance fee and setting up a table. Individuals who have never sold wares at events such as these could find that they do quite well with such a captive audience. You do not have to be a professional sales person or event organizer to get involved. Research opportunities Community resource pages or Web sites are often good sources of information about events the city or town will host. Church bulletins and notices sent home from school may also list such announcements. Make a list of the events that are being held and see where they are located, what the cost is for being a part of the event and how much of a crowd the event figures to draw. These deciding factors will help you to gear your efforts toward the fairs that stand to be the most beneficial to you. It is adviseable to begin your search early so that you will have ample time to prepare for the fair, including conforming to the fair's requirements. Know the rules and regulations Each fair asks different things of its vendors. Some events will have booths or tables provided for you, but many will require you to bring all the essentials and simply allot you a space. Fairs that are held outdoors could necessitate the use of a pop-up tent, particularly if inclement weather is on the horizon. Electricity may be provided with some events, or you may be allowed to bring a generator. The event organizer also may have specific rules about table sizes, configuration, use of tablecloths to hide storage boxes or materials, decorating options and more. Carefully read over the guidelines for the event before you send in your registration fee. This way you know what you're getting involved with and won't risk losing your deposit for can- cellation. Set the scene Although shoppers will be there to select among products, and those products should be able to sell themselves, the atmosphere surrounding your booth should be designed to attract customers. Sometimes a little window dressing makes a person more inclined to make a purchase. Keep this in mind as you design your booth. If you are selling crocheted blankets for babies, set up a rocking chair or bassinet with a doll and display the blanket as it would be used. Those selling body lotions or other toiletries may want to create a spa atmosphere at their boot, complete with some aromatherapy candles and a cushioned seat in which shoppers can sit down and try some free samples. In addition, decorate with a holiday theme that fits the season. Be mindful of budget Your goal is to make money when attending this event. So spend minimally and invest in display items that can be used again or customized for other uses. You do not want to break the bank decorating your booth or table, only to find that your sales are minimal.