• Traditional homes demand metal chandeliers – may be brass, iron or wooden chandeliers - one which is a slight ornamental with five arms.
• For more contemporary looks a crystal chandelier or a glass chandelier will do the magic.
• A candle chandelier is perfect for bringing soft romantic mood in the surroundings.
• The wrought iron chandelier will bring in a rustic-looking atmosphere.
• Antique chandelier suits best the Victorian and traditional types of homes by bringing elegance and sophistication to them.

• Huge and grand chandeliers are good for big halls and rooms but not for smaller sized rooms.
• Always measure the height of the room for which a chandelier is being selected. Allow at least 6 feet 5 inches headroom from the floor.
• For a room smaller than 10' by 10', a chandelier having a diameter of 17" to 20" will be good.
• For a room of about 12' x 12', a chandelier of 26" or 27" will be appropriate.
• For a room of about 14' x 14', get a 24" to 36" chandelier.
• If chandelier is for dining room, the width and length of dining table should also be measured. The chandelier should be about 12 inches shorter than the dining table's width.
• Different dining tables need chandeliers of different sizes. A six person dining table can have a chandelier having width of 1.5 - 2 ft. An eight person dining table can do with 2 - 2.5 ft wide chandelier and the more bigger dining tables, say for 10 to 12 persons, will need a 2.5 - 3.5 ft wide chandelier.
• Remember to hang the chandelier about 30" from the surface of the table to have sufficient light and to avoid bumped heads.

• If you want the chandelier to sufficiently illuminate the surroundings, select the one whose bulbs have a total wattage of 200 watts to 400 watts.
• The functionality of vintage chandeliers can be improved through rewiring by a qualified electrician.
• If planning to install a chandelier in bathroom, think twice. The chandeliers normally don't have waterproof wiring. If then also you want to get one, then go for a chandelier that takes candles instead.
• Loose and hanging wires should always be covered with a narrow sleeve of fabric which should be 3 times longer than the wire so that it may give a gathered look.

• Give incentive to your host friend even before the show- some gift, some percent of total sales, discount coupon- anything that'll motivate the person to invite and make sure the presence of as many prospective buyers as possible.



• Provide the host with invitations having your name and address and also a catalog of the kind of crafts you are going to display. Make the catalog with the help of computer and add pictures for greater effect. For example, if you are a wood sculpture manufacturer, add pictures of some of your fine sculptures with different finishes that you can provide. Also mention the costs. The point is to be very clear about every detail of your crafts.



• There are two ways to present your crafts at such shows. Either make inventory for sale at the show or make some sample items that can be customized according o the buyers' specifications. The best option is to combine the two methods. Samples make it easy for the viewers to visualize their customization requirements.



• Set your crafts before the show so the guests can see them. Give a price and/or order list and a pen to them before your presentation. Add a column for the guest's name, address and phone numbers on the order forms for future needs. Present the items in the order in which they appear on the price list and explain the customization that could be done to them.



• Let the guests discuss before and after the show- its beneficial for your business.



• Ask for some down payment- which can be a percentage or the full price of the item- you'll need it for buying supplies.



• Fix the delivery date and stick to your deadline. If you prefer, you can arrange for a group delivery - say at the host's home. Guests can come and pick up their items at their convenience. The mantra is to be as flexible as you can with the clients.

• Traditional ironwork
• Architectural ironwork
• Iron Sculpture

The most basic equipment required for blacksmithing is the forge. Iron needs extreme heat so that it can be given required shape when it becomes somewhat soft through melting. This heat is given by the forge. There are the traditional coal-fired forge and the modern gas forges. Gas forges can be easily controlled. However, the iron craft lovers like to work with traditional coal forge which needs continuous attention right from the stage when it is first lighted up. The firepot changes the coal into coke, a solid carbon fuel that burns with intense heat giving out little smoke. The temperature of the forge is adjusted by the airflow from bellows or from a hand-cranked or electric blower.
 
The other tools for iron craft includes the anvil and different types of hammers, hardy tools, punches, tongs and fullers. This list is only basic as the comprehensive list includes many other tools. The traditional anvil has a large flat work surface known as the face, a step which is used for certain forming techniques and a horn that is used for rounding the metal for giving circular shapes, like that of horseshoes. There is also a square hardy hole and a round hole. The hardy hole is used for the square shank of a hardy tool used for cutting. The round hole is used for punching, where the hot metal is pierced with a punch. This avoids any type of drilling.


Basic Technique of Iron Craft
The solid iron can be given various creative forms. The forge is used for heating the metal just to the right temperature. The hot metal is then quickly drawn to a sharp point with angled hammer blows on the face of the anvil. Sometimes, the metal is given shape by twisting so as to give decorative forms. The only requirement is that of imagination and the right strike at the right time. Iron craft is not only for making bigger furniture items or for making iron sculpture. With the basic shaping of iron, one can make useful household articles too such as iron drawer pull, curtain hooks and other such iron hardware.

For more on The Blacksmith Craft

• The first and foremost enemy of wood is the changes in relative humidity. Try to keep your home's temperature between 70 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Relative humidity should be maintained at 50-55%.
• Use humidifier or de-humidifier as per the surrounding atmosphere to keep the air in the room from becoming too dry or too damp.
• Dust regularly. That's the key to long life of any furniture – hardwood or softwood furniture
• Don't use wet cloths or mops- they stain and damage the wood.
• Use soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner having dust brush attachment. A clean cloth made of soft, lint-free cotton is the best choice. You can also use an old T- shirt, diaper, cheesecloth, dish towel, piece of flannel, or chamois but ensure they don't have any snaps, buttons, zippers or thick seams that may scratch furniture surfaces.
• Use coasters, place mats or other protective items when keeping something on top of wooden furniture.
• Don't keep hot objects directly onto the wooden table or other furniture.
• Solvents such as nail polish remover, alcohol and paint thinner should be kept away from wood furniture as they can harm their finish. Colognes, perfumes and medications, wine, beer and liquor all of them contain alcohol.
• Don't leave plastic objects lying on wooden surfaces as the color from plastic items like tablecloths, wrappers, plastic toys and games can leach into wood over time.
• Protect your wood furniture from too much exposure to sunlight, heat, cold or excessively damp or dry environments. Use curtains on windows to protect furniture from sunlight.

• Rub some drops of boiled linseed oil into the wood. If the oil is absorbed by the wood, the furniture has an oil finish but if it beads up, the wood has a hard finish.
• Rub acetone over an inconspicuous spot of your furniture in a gentle, circular motion. If it has a polyurethane finish, it will shed acetone like water but if it has lacquer then acetone will dissolve in 30 seconds when rubbed. However, varnishes and shellacs will turn it to a sticky, gel-like substance after a couple of minutes.
• Pour a few drops of denatured alcohol on the furniture. Shellac will dissolve quickly while varnish will react slowly.

• Always select the correct cleaner and polish according to the type of your furniture's finish.
• Use polishes specifically manufactured for wooden surfaces.
• Don't mix different types of polishes.
• Don't polish too often. It will lead to a cloudy, filmy build up on the furniture that detracts from the look and feel of wood. Polishing once or twice a year is sufficient to give extra life to your furniture.
• Paste wax provides a thick, hard, lasting finish to hardwood furniture. It also helps in delaying the formation of water rings, providing a little extra time to wipe up the moisture. Liquid wax is similar to paste wax but provides a thinner coating.
• Cleaner and polishes often contain silicone oil that gives shine and a slippery surface but they can interfere with refinishing. They can seep through cracks in the finish into the wood which can ruin the new finish later.
• Follow manufacturers' instructions when using spray or liquid polishes.
• If you have waxed your furniture but know want an oil-based polish or vice-versa, first clean the furniture with mineral spirits or a solvent-based wax remover. Do this at a place with plenty of ventilation which is also away from any heat source or sparks. Test the product at an inconspicuous spot of the furniture. When the piece is clean and dry, wax or polish. If you anyhow mix wax and oil, the finish will turn cloudy. To cure it, wipe the finish off and clean it with mineral spirits or a solvent-based wax remover. Wax or polish when the finish is dry.

Useful Resources

• Wood Furniture Manufacturers
• Wooden Handicrafts B2b Marketplace

• Antler: The solid and usually branched horns of animals belonging to deer family, caribou, moose etc. are carved when dry and are often used for carvings and finishing pieces like tools, tusks etc.


• Ivory: the hard white cream or off white colored dentine, composing the main part of the tusks of the elephant, walrus, etc. are one of the favorite materials for Inuit sculptures.


• Serpentine: The hard stone in different colors ranging from green to brown and black is yet another pet choice.


• Soapstone: A softer stone with a 'soapy' feeling in a variety of colors is also popular for Inuit carving.


• Whale bone: Very old ranging back to hundred years old whale bone is carved only when it is wholly dried.

• Leave your business card at grocery shop counter, table for restaurants you visit for lunch or dinner, in the envelope containing payments of bills and the like. You might get a call or two frequently making inquiry about your products.


• Whether from new or old customers, give immediate response to client inquiries.


• If you are a woman in handicrafts business and your target group is middle to upper income group, join some women's networking group. You'll get an opportunity at every meeting to introduce yourself and your business. You can even give presentation of your craft making process that might generate interest in the group regarding your crafts. The same hold true for men crafters who can join recreational or some other groups and follow the same technique, either formally or informally.

• Take further your networking strategy through online craft artists’ forums and discussion boards. You can follow peers, customers, gallery owners and even your competitors through online social networking.


• Make your own website, either as a virtual brochure for showing off your work or as a retail sales outlet.


• Creating and maintaining own site needs some amount of money. If you don't have so much capital, you have other options too. There are many other auction and sale sites that'll do the work for you. There are sites for selling wholesale crafts as well as for retail selling. Such items as fashion jewelery can be sold through retail sites too.


• Upload interesting videos about your work on the sites that support such a concept. A moving image can do what even thousand words can't do. However, videos should generate interest among the viewers.


• Many artists have made their work related blogs- the alternative option for conventional websites and much easier and cheaper to operate. They make regular updates there. However, you need to be patient with blogs as they take relatively longer to give fruitful results. You don't know when something on your blog will interest your readers and make traffic to your website explode.


• Use advertising options on cellphones. There are many sites that have a large base of followers who willingly let them advertise through SMS in exchange of some offers from these websites. Explore such avenues to advertise your work.
  

• Design and sell handicraft for charity auctions or fundraising. Keep yourself a smaller share with lower profitability and give the larger share as charity. Optimum business plus satisfaction, both will be yours.


• Join some institutes like Museum Store Association and get listed on their website as a vendor. This list is often referred to by buyers from museum stores, antiques or collectible stores, zoos, national parks, etc.


• Leave a well made tourist brochure with hotels having large tourist traffic. They are promising buyers of local crafts. However, you might have to give some commission to the hotels.


• Inspire friends and relatives to organize home craft parties at their homes and present your work there. Deliver crafts yourself when orders come in, this helps in making loyal customer base. To thank your friends you might do them favor, either monetary ( if it's acceptable to them) or something like dinner at a good restaurant.

• The size of kitchen, small space is not appropriate for large furniture.
  
• Taste and preference of the home dwellers.
• Functional use of the furniture according to the home requirements.
• Preferred colors and style as per the overall home decor.
• Price of the furniture according to the prescribed budget.

• Always buy quality furniture, with fireproof finishes if possible, as kitchen is the most risk prone area of any home.
• Retro, classic, or contemporary- whatever furniture you prefer, finalize it only if it goes with the theme on which whole of your house is decorated. A retro kitchen will definitely look out of place with the modern home decor.
• Measure your kitchen without fault before investing in any furniture. Shelves, cabinets and working station need to be fixed exactly into place, therefore any discrepancy may cost you a lot.
• If its your own (bought) home, it'll be fine to permanently invest on a fitted kitchen but if it's a rented one and you move a lot then free standing kitchen will be a good option.
• Choose a reliable furniture shop or firm for making the kitchen furniture. Also ensure the after sales services.

• Knowledge is the key to a successful antiques business. Gather knowledge from anywhere you can. Buy a book on business plans, go to libraries, or download sample business plans on the Internet.
• Consider certain basic things such as, start up cash; start up time schedule; type of product you'll be dealing in; analysis of competitors dealing in same products; high end and low end price; availability of the product; a second and third line of products; market analysis; market segmentation; availability of research material; marketing, purchasing, promotion, and selling strategy; selling locations; cost of buying and the cost of selling; break-even analysis; projected profit; and projected cash flow; etc.
• While deciding on the product, keep your start up cash in mind. If it's not a huge amount but only a few thousand dollars then it'll be wise to start a business of buying and selling porcelain, decorated stoneware or stone sculptures, early glassware, country furniture, painted country accessories, or some popular collectibles. The high end items like Period American furniture, signed or decorative art, rare art pottery, designer furniture, American Folk Art etc. need a lot of money to start up with. So, decide carefully.
• Collect first hand knowledge on product availability- attend auctions, shows, go to antiques shops. Keep an account of the number of items found, price, condition, and estimated profit. Enough products must be there in market so that you may replace sold items. Additionally, the average cost of the product should be low enough to allow a profit after all your expenses.
  
• Don't be disheartened if you don't make money on your start up stock- most dealers don't. At least you gain experience and have first hand information about what sells and what not to buy again.
• A professional dealer making a living out of antiques business, requires a cash flow ratio between four and six to one. Simply said, every dollar spent on antiques must return between $4 and $6. Hobbyist dealers, social dealers, and collector dealers can manage with a cash flow ratio of two to one. They can pay more for an item and can sell for lesser profit. You must decide, which type of dealer you are? Consider cash flow ratio in business plans accordingly.
  
• Decide on your buying strategy. From where will you buy- auction, shows, or shops? How many hours each week will you spend buying? How far a location are you willing to go to attend an auction or show? Will you place ads in local papers/ trade papers to buy larger items or collections from other dealers? How much cash will you set aside to buy your start-up stock? Whether your buying budget allows to attend longer events like a three-day auction or large show?
• Decide on your selling strategy. If planning to sell at shows, speak with as many show dealers as possible and get their opinions and recommendations for certain shows. Keep a record of everything that happens at a certain show- weather, time of the show, dress, and manor of those attending the show; show advertising, attendance by time of day, attendance on the second and third day. Generally, dealers come to the show on the first day, collectors and homeowners on second or third day. Follow sales by hour, day, and type of buyer. Differentiate between dealer shows and retail shows and bring merchandise for the type of buyers who normally attend.
• Selling at auction may cost between 5% and 25% of the hammer price. The more you sell at a given auction service, and the higher the selling price of each item, the lower your sales commissions will be. If you sell only a few things at auction, expect to pay a higher commission. Plan accordingly.