Squirrel repellents do they really work? How can you stop these sometimes pest from getting into your feeders? Grey squirrels and eastern fox squirrels can keep you busy filling your feeders while your feathered friends are without feed. They can also damage or you may end -up with a total loss.
Despite efforts by home owners and bird-watchers, squirrels usually can gain access to your bird-feeders, even the experts with all their testing on bird-feeders and squirrel repellents have yet to find the “magic bullet” … So how or what can we do about these serenity takers?

The grey squirrel and the eastern fox squirrel can jump 8 feet sideways and 4 feet straight up from the ground, and can leap 15 feet down and hold on to where it land, “most likely your feeders” This some of the things I was told to try and have not tried them all but one is working just fine.

1. Avoid hanging feeders from trees, instead use a large post or pole and a baffle. Go to Lowe’s Home Improvement Center on 70 highway in Garner NC and get a fence post made of white plastic, its squirrel proof.

2. Elevate your feeder at least 5 feet off ground.

3. Hang your feeders by chain from the arm of the post with a baffle over it.

4. If you can’t beat them, feed them! Use food to attract them from feeders, corn, soybeans, nuts, or seeds.

5. Mix Fine Crushed Hot Red Pepper in with your bird feed. No it won’t hurt the birds or the squirrels but they will remember not to go to that feeder again. This works for me and most people.

6. Bulb booster with Bobcat Urine.

7. Hot Pepper Wax.

8. Ropel you can find ropel online from gardening catalog websites.

Buying Birdhouses And Bird-Feeders Things to consider and questions to ask before you purchase a bird-feeder or birdhouse. What is the product made of? Most handcrafted birdhouses and bird-feeders are made from the very best exterior grade woods, like cypress, western red cedar, eastern yellow pine, eastern red cedar, and plywood Baltic-birch or a very good grade from eastern Europe, these are all good for making birdhouses and bird-feeders.
Warning do not buy a birdhouse or bird feeder that’s been constructed with pressure treat lumber!

Ask how it was constructed? what kind of paints? what type of glue was used? a good polyurethane or marine glue is a good choose. Is your birdhouse or feeder guaranteed? There are some companies and crafters that do guarantee their products but as a rule you should not ask for guarantee if the product (birdhouse, feeder) is under $90.00.

For expensive birdhouses and bird-feeders don’t be afraid to ask, they just might include it with your purchase. Also get your guarantee in writing and full detail on how it works.

Ask where to hang it or the best place to put it? When to clean it and how to clean it? What type of food? Loaded with the right info you should be able to beat the squirrels and purchase a great bird-feeder or birdhouse.

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Handcrafted Wooden Birdhouses & Bird Feeders Made In Raleigh NC

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..
Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

(NAPSI)-Often, the lessons we learn the best are those we learn while doing something we love. That’s why getting a child involved in a hobby such as model railroading, radio control planes and cars or model kit building can be the first steps to acquiring the skills necessary to fill the high-paying jobs in tomorrow’s industries.

This is good news, since the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the United States will enjoy a near 14 percent growth rate in jobs in the areas of installing and repairing various kinds of equipment. It’s estimated that 40 percent of this growth will be in auto mechanics and general repair services. The refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating installation industries are expected to grow the fastest.

The downside is there will not be enough people in the U.S. to fill those positions.

You can learn about the world of hobbies and more at www.myhobbyfun.com.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

Promote Your Crafts Here!
And Here Also!

(NAPSI)-All that glitters is golden this holiday season-whether it’s delicate jewelry or sparkling ways to make your home more festive. It can also be a gift that’s easier to make than you might imagine. Jo-Ann Craft and Fabric Stores offer all the basic materials and online instructions for making a variety of one-of-a-kind jewelry gifts.

In just a few hours and with some basic jewelry-making tools, you can make this season’s must-have lustrous pearl bracelet.

Directions:

1. Join 5 pairs of Flower Connectors with 3 silver 5mm round jump rings.

2. Attach a lobster clasp to ending of Flower Connectors with 2 jump rings.

3. To create dangle, slide one 8mm Pearl onto a headpin and form a simple loop. Repeat 9 times.

4. Create dangle by sliding one Pearl Drop on a headpin and form a simple loop. Repeat 9 times.

5. Attach 2 Pearl Drop dangles and two 8mm Pearl dangles to middle connecting jump rings, 2 dangles on each side.

6. Repeat step 5, placing 4 dangles between all Flower Connectors and between last connector and lobster clasp.

Finish this fabulous look with a set of matching earrings. Log on to Joann.com/projects for complete instructions.

Bejeweled items such as wineglass charms and napkin rings can add some extra sparkle to any home for the holidays-especially when created with beautiful Czech beads.

Directions:

1. Cut 4” of 16-gauge craft wire. Bend the wire into S shape with one ¼” in diameter and the other end 1” in diameter. Close smaller end. Leave the larger end open ½”.

2. Cut 6” of 20-gauge wire. Tightly loop the middle of the wire around the bottom of the small end of the S-shaped wire. Thread each hole of a button through the wires. Twist the wires together twice to secure the button in place.

3. Thread Czech glass e-beads and bright acrylic miracle beads in a varied pattern. Loop the wires back through each other to secure. To finish the ends, cut wire to 1” and create a swirl with pliers. Add pieces of wire, beads and swirls as desired.

For more crafty ideas, visit www.joann.com. The site offers instructions on necklaces, earrings, jeweled picks and many more handmade holiday gifts.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

Wooden handcrafted Bird Houses & Bird Feeders In Raleigh NC

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Wooden Birdhouses and Bird-Feeders from Tools-and-Things
BIRDHOUSES & FEEDERS

All our birdhouses, bird-feeders and butterfly houses come with a 30 days return policy.

We are always adding new products so feel free to check back often. We want to make you a lifetime customer by giving you the best in products and services. We ship most orders 24-48 hrs if in stock items and after customer’s payment has processed.

Do to high gas prices, higher shipping rate and increases in shipping supplies, we try to ship the most economical way. Please call if you need to order or get more information on a product or service:919-324-8905

Please Note: That these handcrafted items are not massed produced they are handmade, one at a time, in our small shop here in Raleigh NC. Our wooden birdhouses and bird feeders are made from the very best woods and plywoods with waterproof glues to stay together in wet and harsh weather. Our metal top bird houses and birdfeeders have extra thick and insulated tops to help from over heating. We only make our blue bird houses in the Fall Season at this time, do to early nesting of bluebirds in North Carolina in Spring.

At peak times (April-July, we may get orders that leave us temporary out of stock or I may have discontinued an item before taking it off our website. In this case call me. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your order to be filled and shipped if the products you order is out-of-stock..Look For Our New Bluebird Design Comming This Fall!

Made of the best imported exterior laminated 9 ply- plywood, laminate ply layer sections are glued with water proof glue and sealed with polyacrylic,then sanded, then repeated three times, then cut to size for our woodcrafts. Our birdhouses and woodcrafts, “after finished” they are made to last for years, all four seasons.

Even as well as we try to make our products, there some preventive maintenance measures you can take, like cleaning, touch-up painting, and sealing. You will get these instruction in your order. Mount these feeders and birdhouses on a 4×4 inch post. Note: This means that you must have post that measures four inches by four inches, not the wooden post that measures three and one half inches by three and one half inches. You can purchase this post at your local Home-center. These products are asked for from all over the USA and Canada. Instock items are shipped as soon as payment has been cleared Buyer must keep in mind that these birdhouses and feeders are not mass-produced and are made one at a time by one craftsman, and if not in-stock please allow 2 to 3 weeks for your order to be shipped. Call 919-324-8905 You can pick-up your order at shop, if you live in the area.
2500 Springhill Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27603

We invite you to shop our online store and our retail business with confidence. We adhere to a strict privacy that means your information will not be shared, sold. or otherwise distributed.

Add your business and website to city5nc.com

NAPSI)-Men and women who do good rarely seek the spotlight. But one wood-finishing company would like to honor them with its 2010 Community Craftsman Awards.

Past winners include groups and individuals who built and donated wooden holiday toys, high-school students who built a new house for a low-income family, and a former homeless man who now mentors at-risk youths at his furniture repair and refinishing business.

Entry is open to anyone who “does good with wood” by engaging in activities that involve wood finishing. Prizes include cash grants of up to $5,000, a supply of Minwax products, and a consultation with DIY expert and author Bruce Johnson.

The submissions deadline is Dec. 31, 2010. Send a summary of the project to Minwax Community Craftsman Award, c/o Brushfire, Inc., 2 Wing Drive, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927. Visit www.minwax.com for more information.

Birdhouses and Bird-Feeders Handcrafted In Raleigh NC

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Father’s Day gift ideas for any dad

(ARA) – Don’t let Father’s Day shopping get you worked up. The dad in your life will be excited about any gift you give him. But to really blow him away, forget flipping through Sunday’s ads, scouring online and spending sleepless nights debating your purchase – here are some great Father’s Day gift ideas that are sure to please.

For the snacking dad
Keeping dad’s stomach happy long before the dinner bell rings has never been easier. Naturally high in protein, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is the perfect way to leave dad feeling satisfied between meals. Whether he’s watching a game, hitting the gym, in the car or anywhere in between, nothing cures snack cravings like a bag of  beef jerky.

Using only the finest cuts of 100 percent meat and seasonings that dads – men, for that matter – can’t seem to get enough of, there are more than 100 great meat snacks to choose from. Here are a few snack favorites that will fill your dad up … not out:
* The Original: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
* The Classic: Jack Link’s Steakhouse Recipe Beef Jerky
* The Spicy: Jack Link’s Flamin’ Buffalo Chicken Nuggets

Jack Link’s is available in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience and drug stores nationwide. With this gift, satisfaction is in the bag. (Suggested retail price: $5.99)

For the dad hooked on angling
Does dad come home with fish stories and a smile on his face? If so, let him enjoy the new Flat Rap lure from Rapala. The Flat Rap is ideal for nearly all styles of fishing. It resembles the tried-and-true Rapala Original Floater, but features flat sides and a scooping triangular lip that generates a hard flashing side-to-side action that fish go crazy over. Put this fishing lure in dad’s tackle box and he’ll be smiling long after Father’s Day. (Suggested retail price $8.99)

For the beer connoisseur
Make your dad the envy of his friends with a beer brewing kit. Easy to set up and loads of fun, a home brewing kit allows your dad to create his own flavor of beer that will be all the rage. Brewing kits are sold with all the components that dad needs to get started. For even more fun, your dad can pair his best homemade brew with his favorite jerky flavor. (Home brewing kits are available online or at a local brewing supplies store.)

For the original chef
What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with a mouthwatering grilled meal outdoors? If the dad in your life considers himself a grill-master, a charcoal or gas grill is the perfect gift. With a new grill, dad can bring the flavor back to the patio by preparing your favorite grillable foods.  (Check your local hardware store or other retail locations.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent

 

(NewsUSA) – Today’s economy has inspired a thrifty, do-it-yourself mentality that resonates with many Americans -; a trend that will no doubt carry into holiday gift-giving.

In 2008, over 42.6 million households created handcrafted gifts, and no wonder — not only can handcrafted gifts recycle materials and save money, they also prove far more memorable than any department store gift card.

“With tightening budgets, more innovative craft supplies and products, and greater inspiration coming from the DIY movement with TV, the Internet, and craft publications, we are experiencing a perfect storm for an incredible handcrafted holiday gift-giving season,” explained Craft & Hobby Association CEO Steve Berger.

According to the CHA Designer Holiday Trend Report, we can expect to see several key trends in 2009′s holiday crafts:

- Give a gift, save the world. Eco-friendly gifts that repurpose or reuse items will prove popular. For example, crafters will transform old sweaters into patchwork blankets, stockings, bags and wreaths, or turn picture frames into ornaments.

- Knit up some nostalgia. Crafters will recreate simpler times with old-fashioned items and toys. The sock monkey, for example, has made a huge come-back with kids and is showing up in both traditional and non-traditional colors.

- Craft with your computer. Using the latest three-dimensional embellishments combined with downloaded images is part of a huge trend in the craft world. Hybrid crafting can be personalized by printing written phrases, names and dates, or decorating digital creations with large, thick and textured embellishments.

- Pick sophisticated colors. Red and green will remain popular this holiday season, but crafters will choose traditional hues like avocado, kelly green and forest green. Deep purple and chocolate will show up often, as will gold and silver, because they create a more expensive look.

- Appreciate a good motif. Popular holiday motifs will likely include happy snowmen, reindeer, vintage Santas, birds, snowflakes, trees and retro animals and teddy bears

With joblessness in the state at a 25-year high and the needy standing in line for aid, some are making direct pleas for help online instead.

In recent weeks, dozens of people have posted requests for help on the Raleigh edition of Craigslist, the Web site that offers free classified ads. As Christmas approaches, many posts have taken a desperate tone, asking for used children’s clothing, shoes or toys, holiday decorations, even food and rent money.

Thousands of nonprofit agencies across the state are dedicated to easing the suffering of the poor, but Craigslist is a place where people can ask directly for immediate help and connect with sympathetic individuals, not bureaucracies. Especially during the holidays, it’s a high-tech tug on the heartstrings.

“I need some help really badly. My family and I have hit some really hard times and are unable to pay our rent for this month,” read a post Dec. 5 from Zebulon with the subject line, WE NEED A MIRACLE. “The amount is 350.00. I don’t know what we are going to do. We honestly just do not have the money. This is not a scam, I am being as real as I possibly can be. We need help. Can someone help us please!!”

Four days earlier, a woman wrote: “My husband and I are looking for children’s items for a newborn boy and a 7-year-old girl. We are really having a hard time right now, though I know everyone is. …

“We moved to Raleigh and have had a string of bad luck and are trying to put something together for Christmas.”

‘It’s hard to keep up’

Vicki Shearin of Louisburg never thought of asking for help from anybody until this year. Her husband, Ricky, is disabled by end-stage emphysema, and her job as a shift supervisor at a local drug store is barely enough to pay the bills and medical expenses. As he undergoes tests to see if he is a candidate for a lung transplant, she tries to make sure that he’s comfortable and that their three sons still living at home have what they need.

Looking through Craigslist, she sometimes noticed people offering goods for free if someone would pick them up. She went a step further and put up a note in the “for sale” category, under “wanted,” asking if anyone had jeans or shirts in her boys’ sizes he or she couldn’t use anymore.

“I’m not even asking for Christmas help,” Shearin said. “I was just basically trying to find some clothes for the kids. They go from a 10 to a 14 overnight, and it’s hard to keep up.”

Shearin used her home computer. Others post from public computers at libraries or use those of friends.

Craigslist, which is administered by a staff of about 25 people in California, did not respond to requests for interviews about needy persons’ use of the site to solicit help. But other Craigslist users often “flag” them and remove them. Sometimes, the user who objected will add a scolding or cautionary note.

On Dec. 16, one asked why those who need help don’t turn to family instead of strangers. On Dec. 19, another suggested that some of those asking for donations were collecting goods to re-sell later.

On Monday, a user at sale-966789084@craigslist.org wrote: “I recently responded to a post for used FREE tv. The tv we offered was a 20 inch color tv with remote less than 2 yrs old. The POSTER of the add declined the tv saying she did NEED a free tv but wanted it to be 32 inches or larger…. There is a huge difference between NEED and WANT.”

R.J. Moshay, spokesman for Triangle United Way Inc., said he didn’t know people were using Craigslist to appeal for aid.

“I always thought of Craigslist as, ‘I need a roommate, I want a car,’ ” he said

Read More:News & Observer

Simple Ways College Grads Can Give Back to their Alma Maters

(ARA) – A college education does far more than give graduates a competitive edge when entering the working world. For many people, college marked a time when they forged friendships and romances that last a lifetime. Is it any wonder, then, that so many college graduates seek creative ways to nourish their bond with their alma mater years – often decades – after they’ve left the college’s hallowed halls?

From following their college’s sports teams to carrying the same school coffee mug from job to job, many alumni are passionate about their schools. In fact, 57 percent of college graduates say their college years were the best years of their lives, according to the MyExpression(TM) Alumni Survey sponsored by Bank of America. Nearly 50 percent still consider themselves college sports fanatics and 58 percent would like their children to follow in their collegiate footsteps, the survey found.

With prices rising on everything from gas to groceries, it can become challenging for some alumni to make cash donations to their colleges or universities. More than half (55 percent) of survey respondents don’t donate to their alma maters, and just 27 percent donate $100 or more per year. Of those who don’t donate, 38 percent say it’s because they just haven’t gotten around to it, or that it is difficult to juggle donations amid other financial and time obligations.

There are, however, creative ways to support your school without spending a dime. If you still live near your school, you can volunteer with programs and campus events, provide tutoring in your major field or donate your time and professional experience by speaking with current students. If you no longer live close to your alma mater, contact the student services department to find out if there are ways you can participate remotely – whether it’s offering tutoring services online or volunteering a few hours for the school’s student information hotline.

Another easy way to support your alma mater is through affinity banking products. Bank of America offers branded credit cards, check cards and checks that support a variety of alumni organizations, professional organizations and charitable causes through its MyExpression product line. For passionate alumni, every time a new MyExpression alumni checking account is opened and for every subsequent purchase made with a MyExpression check card, a contribution is made to the alumni organization featured on the card. Given that two-thirds of alumni own college-branded gear, and nearly 50 percent proudly don a college-branded sweatshirt, a college-branded check card that gives back may be just the hassle-free combination of pride and passion alums are looking for.

“People are always looking for easy ways to support what’s important to them.  However, prioritizing one’s college or university among so many other responsibilities – financially and otherwise – can be a tall order,” says Stephen Gillin, Affinity Banking executive.  “That’s exactly where the Bank of America MyExpression alumni accounts fit in. Alumni can easily convert their school passion into support for their school, simply by making their everyday purchases with their MyExpression alumni account.”  

Alumni and university fans can learn more about MyExpression Banking products at more than 6,100 Bank of America banking centers, or online at www.bankofamerica.com/myexpression.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

‘Tis the Season for Easy and Affordable Handcrafted Gifts


(ARA) – The holiday season is a memorable time associated with fun, family and lots of presents. As you consider what to give the people on your gift list, why not try something different this year?

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores suggests, “Let’s make Christmas!” Handmade gifts are a trend across the country due to their highly personal nature and the fact that they often cost less than store bought items.

“This holiday, forget about that boring or expensive store-bought present. Handmade gifts are more popular than ever, and for good reason,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “In the current economic climate, people are turning to crafting presents to save money and are discovering that these gifts are so unique that they’re often the gifts that are remembered most.”

Atchison explains that many great gifts can be made for less than $25. She advises aspiring crafters to choose a favorite project and make things in quantities. You’ll save even more money because you buy the supplies and then split the cost. Consider gathering a few friends or family members and creating a gift-making get together! You’ll get crafts done efficiently and spend quality time with the ones you love.

Here are some ideas to inspire you in creating homemade gifts this year:

*An apron is easy to personalize for the baker, chef or grill master.
For the top chef of the family, consider buying a basic apron and decorating it to appeal to their personality. Add that famous family recipe in fabric marker to the front, a clever cooking saying, or even handprints of the grandkids. They are sure to love how unique and useful it is.

* Personalized note cards are fun, festive and useful.
There are always times you need a card to send out to a loved one. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a supply readily at hand? This is a useful gift you can create for anyone from mother to teacher to mail carrier. Buy blank cards and envelopes and decorate with a variety of coordinating papers, ribbons and stamps. You can keep them general or create cards for different occasions such as birthdays and holidays for use throughout the year.

* For the host or hostess who always gives their all.
Traditionally, you might consider sewing a wine bag and bring a bottle of wine to your next holiday gathering. But why not step it up and make a bag for that baguette you’re bringing or a nice container for the appetizer you were assigned for the pot luck?

* Clever pet toys keep furry friends happy.
Creating a gift for the family pet or for your friend who loves animals is the perfect way to show you care. Cat toys can easily be made out of leather and feather pieces. Add a bell and some catnip for some extra pizzazz. Dogs also love homemade toys, just make sure they can stand up to tougher play — rope and thick material work best.

* Deck the halls and deck your friends with stylish clothing and accessories.
Winter-themed clothing is great during the cold months and homemade items are the most cherished. A fleece scarf in a bright color will not only keep the wearer warm, but brighten the wardrobe. Knit hats and mittens are trendy in fashion circles and useful too. Even a hand-sewn fleece poncho can keep your favorite outdoor walker warm during brisk morning jaunts.

* Religious-themed gifts get kids involved.
A homemade gift incorporating the recipient’s religion is something that will definitely stand out. For example, making your own menorah out of fun colored paper and flameless tea lights is an easy and safe gift for a child. When giving, you can explain how the item ties into the time of year and help them to learn about the real reason for the celebration.

* Add a little sparkle to make the season merry and bright.
Nothing brings out the brilliance of the season more than the shimmer of holiday decor.  From shiny, handcrafted ornaments and beaded tabletop trees, to sparkling votive holders or a joyful holiday planter, anyone on your list can celebrate in style with these decorations made just for them.

For more ideas and project instructions for homemade gifts, visit your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent