Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Young Entrepreneur Creates Online Marketing to send her Troop to Summer Camp.

Contact:
Bryan Freeborn
info@freebornasheville.com
828-251-2176


When Wild Day Freeborn, was asked to create goals to sell her girl scout cookies, she went directly to the source and contacted Top Floor Studios, where her father is CEO, to get online marketing information.

From the marketing information and help she received there, she quickly upgraded her goals from having a friend and herself go to an amusement park, to sending her whole troop to summer camp. To market these goals she created a video and posted it on Youtube and began a complete SEO (Search Engine Marketing) campaign that included syndicated articles on article directories, online magazines and personal blogs. Students at UNCA, also got behind the project and volunteered their marketing help as part of a learning assignment.

Wild Day explained, “Some of the girls in Troop 71 in West Asheville would never get to go to a summer camp in their life, unless I can create a way to make this a reality, and these sales help girls nationwide as well!” This reality means selling enough cookies to generate the “cookie dough” needed to send the troop to camp. The “cookie dough” that is given to the troop from sales, can only be used for Girl Scout events and would take roughly 12,000 boxes to reach her goal.

She is off to a good start, spreading the word and quickly selling 100 boxes online in the first few days. You can help support her efforts to provide financial aid to her troop by going to http://www.topfloorstudio.com/girlscout-cookies.html to see her video report and let her know you are interested in girl scout cookies.

Monday, January 5, 2009

How To Choose Cremation Urns

When a friend or family member passes away, one of the questions that will always arise is how to celebrate their life. The traditional method of a cemetery burial is one way, but an idea that is rapidly gaining popularity for many reasons is cremation. When the decision has been made to go with cremation, one of the important factors to consider is how large an urn to use.

The Measurement for the volume of cremation urns is done in cubic inches, or CI. It is a very simple thing to figure out how many cubic inches will be required for the funeral urn you choose to memorialize and protect that special person.

The common method is to figure the weight of the person to be cremated, and then simply convert that number from pounds into cubic inches. If you measure your weight in metric units, convert the weight from kilograms to pounds first, then from pounds into cubic inches. For example, if the individual you are cremating weighed 160lbs, then your measurement will be 160 cubic inches of space.

This is not a perfect conversion rate, but it serves the purpose for the sake of choosing the right sized funeral urn. The cremated remains of a 200 pound person will actually only create about 180 cubic inches of ashes, not the complete 200. However this conversion is the standard used in order to ensure that you will have plenty of space in the water tight bag that goes inside of whichever decorative cremation urn you choose to preserve the departed person.

After you have figured out the size of the custom burial urn that you need, you will have to think about the kind of urn you are going to use. There are a variety of styles, shapes and colors to choose from, however the material it is constructed from is very important.

If you intend to bury your loved one in the ground after cremation, you will need a sturdy burial urn. Metal cremation urns are generally used for this purpose, since they are strong and durable. A metal cremation urn will ensure that your beloved is protected and that the vessel they are resting in will stay intact for a quite some time. If this is not of concern to you, other materials may be used that biodegrade, and you can allow nature to take its course.

Many people may choose to erect an outdoor memorial with the one of a kind cremation urn as your centerpiece. It is smart to choose a material such as bronze, stainless steel, glass, marble or other long-lasting stone. These will be resistant to the elements and ensure a long lasting memorial. These types of materials can also be very beautiful, and are used for memorials of every type.

Urns made of porcelain, fragile glass, wood, or other delicate materials are best suited for indoor memorials and above ground or covered memorials. Choosing to erect an indoor cremation memorial offers you many more choices of style and materials, as any of the previously mentioned materials are also perfectly appropriate for any indoor shrine. Decorative cremation urns, unique cremation urns and many styles of art urns can serve this purpose very nicely. This allows for a great deal of creativity and versatility in that you may also choose to display the urn of your departed friend or family member with other keepsakes and items to honor the departed.

Birthday Gift Shopping Online

Shopping for a birthday gift online is one way to take the stress off yourself and make getting the perfect gift for a loved one’s special day easy and hassle free. There are plenty of places to go online for finding great gift ideas, but one option is to do a bit of shopping for many people you would normally shop for all at once. This will make shipping costs go down, and will enable you to get birthday gift shopping for perhaps the whole year out of the way in one session. Shopping online for gifts can be enjoyable and fun, and there is no limit to the possibilities when you find a great website for online gift shopping.

For birthday shopping, there are web sites which will offer a variety of items for anyone on your list. Finding such a website which specializes in gift items is a great way to find birthday gifts for multiple people on your list and find it all in one place. Shopping online has never been safer or more reliable, and more and more people are finding this modern convenience to be a way to save a lot of time and plenty of money.

One of the great things about shopping online, is the convenience with which you can ship directly to the recipient of the particular item in question. Shopping online for birthday gifts is the perfect way to take care of anyone on your birthday shopping list that lives afar. Simply arrange for the delivery address to be the recipient of the gift, and it goes directly to their home or office. Gift giving has never been easier or more hassle free.

Furniture can be a great gift for a hard to buy for person on your list, and the great thing about shopping for handcrafted furniture online is that you can have it delivered directly to the home or office of the lucky recipient. Add a traditional or rustic flavor to any room with hand carved furniture. The last missing item in an otherwise well put together room could be the perfect opportunity for a birthday gift. Perhaps a new chair or coffee table to complete a living room, or a hand made table for the office. These are great gift items available online.

Birthday gift ideas such as beautiful and lovely smelling scented candles are an ideal gift for almost anyone on your list. Candles add to the ambience of the season, and bring a warm glow to the feel of any room. Combine some lovely scented candles or other candles with some potpourri, and transform any room or office into a relaxing atmosphere permeated with lovely scents and aromas.

Another great gift item for any household is pottery or dinnerware. Handmade pottery is beautiful and personal, and can really be the perfect gift for anyone on your birthday gift list. If you have a couple to give to, an ideal gift can be a handmade set of ceramic dinnerware. Each time these beautiful, one-of-a-kind items are used, the recipient will think of you and the thoughtful gift you gave them for their special day.

Choosing a reputable business to deal with is crucial, and a lot of people are intimidated by this aspect, but it is easy to figure out who is a reputable online store. Calling the contact number or communicating by email is one way to ensure you are dealing with a professional retailer. Customer service is an important part of online commerce, and you will receive a professional response from a professional business.

Shoes for a Birthday Gift

Buying a birthday gift for a special friend or relative can be difficult sometimes, as it is a challenge to decide what gift to give. If the person’s birthday comes near the holidays, this task is doubly challenging because the person has probably gotten a few things they need and may not be very easy to shop for. One thing you can always buy for people for their birthday is shoes, and shoes make a great gift for anyone.

Everyone wears shoes. Every member of your household, all of your friends and anyone else you may need to shop for all wear shoes, and probably have multiple pairs for different activities and types of dress. Everyone keeps a variety of shoes, and that makes giving shoes for a birthday the perfect gift. Shopping online with a discount online shoe store is the best way to do this, and rewards with saving time and energy as well as money. For any birthday gift, shopping for shoes online is an easy and great way to take care of anyone’s birthday gift.

Many online footwear retailers will be offering specials and various sales, making it an ideal time to buy gifts for a few different people who may have birthdays coming up throughout the year. You may even want to add yourself to that list, as many of the deals may involve purchasing more than one pair of shoes.

One of the great things about buying shoes as gifts is that there are so many types to choose from. Often elderly relatives and friends may have special needs and this makes a pair of the right kind of shoes a perfect item to give them as a birthday gift. Young sons and daughters, or nieces or nephews may be into some type of sports at school, requiring a particular type of athletic footwear to be worn. This makes running shoes, basketball shoes, hiking boots, and other types of specialty footwear ideal as gifts for athletic minded people. Perhaps a friend or family member is involved with some type of trade or job that requires a particular type of footwear to be worn, as a safety measure or for a dress code for a company of some kind. This makes work boots or a particular type of dress shoe an ideal choice for that working person on your birthday gift giving list.

Shopping for shoes online from a reputable online discount shoe store is a great way to save time and money, which are both precious and valuable resources. With a friendly return policy and outstanding customer service, the right online shoe store may be just the thing you need to save yourself a lot of hassle and keep you away from the crowded mobs at the mall. Nobody wants to be crawling through traffic, and fighting to find a parking spot in bad weather, so why not let someone else do the driving and have your items delivered right to your door, or the to the door of the recipient of the gift. Always inquire about gift wrapping, because you may be able to have the item shipped pre-wrapped in a beautiful birthday theme. As always check the return and shipping policies for any website you deal with, and always make sure you are dealing with a reputable business.

Online Artist Directories

There are many social networking sites on the internet these days serving a variety of different purposes from dating to networking business ideas to sharing stories and connecting with old friends, but what about a social networking site for artists?

A social networking site for artists offers the opportunity for artists at every level of development and in all phases of their careers a chance to show the world what they are creating and connect with gallery owners, art dealers and other people in the business. An artist directory online is one way to share concepts, techniques and ideas, while connecting with other artists working in similar mediums or complementary mediums. It is also a valuable resource for connecting with potential customers, gallery owners and other resources for showing and selling your artwork. Imagine being able to post an artists statement, a bio of yourself, photos of your artwork, links to your website and other information vital to getting your artwork out to the public, all from the comfort of your own home or office.

The computer and the internet have become incredibly valuable resources and artists from all over the world can now use it to connect with each other and get the word out about their particular projects and artwork. A sculptor working in Britain can now see and connect with a sculptor working in the United States and make arrangements to share a show with him or her. A painter working on the west coast can view the paintings and prints of artists from the east coast and make arrangements to have an opening in a common area, all from the ease and comfort of their computer.

The advent of the social networking site has up until now been mainly a way to stay in touch with people and connect with old friends, but now it is an invaluable tool for networking with other people working in your field. For an artist online, the possibility of getting shows and selling artwork is multiplied tremendously.

Creative arts clubs have existed for a long time, but the advent of the internet and social networking sites has enabled artists to become acquainted with each other and share ideas from any distance. It is truly a miraculous thing to find an artist guide and networking site that is devoted specifically to artists and crafts people. These days with the economy the way it is and people spending less and less money on luxury items, it is crucial that an artist use every option at his or her disposal for the promotion and marketing of their artwork or craft. Painters, sculptors, graphic artists, illustrators and other people working in visual arts mediums will find that a social networking site specifically designed to serve artists is one of the most valuable resources to come along since the advent of the world wide web.

Artist collaboration is facilitated through the creation of an online guide for artists, and a social networking site created to serve the particular needs of artists and other s working in the professional arts field will enable artists who wish to join forces and create multimedia works to connect with each other and bring more and more experimental work into the world, not to mention bringing artists from many backgrounds together for the purpose of learning, growing and bringing new genres into being.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Vacation in Asheville for Artists

Asheville, North Carolina has long been known for its creative and artistic community, but now more than ever this beautiful and welcoming mountain town has become famous as an artistic Mecca of the southeast. From the amazing architecture of the magnificent downtown buildings and the rich artistic history of the world famous Biltmore Estate, to the thriving and newly re-invigorated River Arts District and the up and coming creative community of West Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina is definitely one of the countries new arts and crafts capitals.

From the fine arts and sculpture, to folk arts and crafts, to music and dance, Asheville boasts one of the most eclectic and diverse creative cultures anywhere in the world. Traditional Appalachian folk artists working in mediums such as rustic furniture, hand thrown pottery and quilting coexist perfectly beside newer experimental mediums such as film, photography and sculpture. The music scene has exploded and boasts some of the most talented up and coming artists performing such diverse styles of music. On any given night in this lovely Appalachian mountain town, you can experience a traditional bluegrass jam session, then hear exciting world fusion music and then finish off your evening with experimental electronic or punk rock. Asheville is diverse to say the least, and that is reflected in all the different forms of art happening in this city.

Taking a vacation in Asheville to experience some of the wonderful and eclectic art is something everyone should do at least once. The amazing downtown area is full of boutiques that offer locally handmade arts and crafts, and galleries of every style and taste line the streets and avenues of this diverse and welcoming community. There is good reason why Asheville, North Carolina has long been known for its rich artistic and creative history.

When planning a trip to the beautiful and wonderful city of Asheville, North Carolina, there are many, many options available for where to stay. The traditional route of renting a hotel room is not always the most exciting, and there are better ways to truly experience the culture of WNC and the Appalachian region. One of the best ways to truly get a feel for the southern hospitality on an artistic Asheville holiday is to stay in one of the cities many bed and breakfasts. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway, or doing a longer stay in this lovely and enchanting mountain town, staying in a traditional and rustic bed and breakfast will give you the genuine experience.

If a more private situation is desired, or you are traveling with a larger group of friends of your whole family, perhaps the way to go is a cottage rental. Renting your own private cottage in the beautiful mountains of Appalachia is a great way to get a feel for what it is really like to live in the Asheville area. Be cautious, however, for the longer you stay in this amazing little town, the harder it is to leave, which is why so many people are relocating to Asheville from all over the country and all over the world.

Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most culturally diverse and welcoming places in the world, and taking a vacation in Asheville, North Carolina will allow anyone who is an appreciator of the arts to have a wonderful and exciting adventure in one of the countries most beautiful and wonderful areas.

Treat Yourself to Africa

The next time you are thinking of taking a vacation, consider treating yourself to one of the most exciting and exotic trips imaginable: a trip to beautiful, mysterious and breathtaking Africa. The African continent is one of the most diverse and magnificent places on Earth, and there is no other place in the world to compare with it. Africa offers something for everyone, from luxury metropolitan vacation experiences to the wild and untamed adventure of a genuine African safari. Whether you are planning to adventure by yourself, or you are planning to go with friends or family, an African holiday will be a life-changing and most memorable event.

Vacationing in Africa offers a wide variety of activities for people from every walk of life. Taking a walking safari, whale watching, sea kayaking and other outdoor adventures await you in the beautiful and remote places of the enchanting African continent. Experiencing the magnificent wildlife and tasting, smelling and touching all the exotic local flavors, sights and sounds is nothing short of amazing. Interacting with the local indigenous cultures and experiencing the warm hospitality of the wonderful people who inhabit the African continent will change the way you think of the world. Seeing the exotic wildlife in its native landscape will change the way you interact with the world.

Luxury train travel in Africa, top notch hotels and wonderful restaurants await you in the modern urban centers of Africa, offering a truly cosmopolitan experience. Fine dining, touring vineyards, enjoying nightclubs and cafes are all wonderful options to indulge in when spending time in some of Africa’s welcoming and modern cities. The stereotype of the desolate and uncultivated African landscape is inaccurate, as the conveniences and attractions of the modern world have found a home in Africa alongside the wild and exotic jungles and plains of the African wilderness. In no other place has the ancient heritage of a land so smoothly and seamlessly been juxtaposed with the exciting and enjoyable lifestyle and pace of the modern city and modern urban life.

Where else can you stay at a fine hotel, eat in highly rated restaurants of culinary fame, shop in some of the most upscale stores and enjoy a modern urban vacation experience, and then take a wild adventure in the spirit of the true African safari? Spend a night in a plush hotel room with all the conveniences and luxuries of today’s pleasures, and then go out the next day and see, smell and feel the primal pulse of the African wilderness, complete with native cultures, wild animals and exotic flora and fauna.

There are many resources for helping you to plan such an exotic adventure. Finding someone to help you plan a personalized African vacation that is tailored to your personality and tastes is no longer a problem, as there are wonderful resources with experts on the African continent and culture waiting to assist you. Finding a reliable guide is crucial to making sure you get the most out of your adventure. You want to make sure you get to see all the wonderful things you want to, while having a safe and secure feeling that you are being led by a knowledgeable tour guide. There is nothing in the world to compare with taking a true African adventure, and luxury travel in Africa has never been easier of more enjoyable.