Saturday, July 25, 2009

Protector Of The Stone---Granite Stone That Is

Kitchen is one of the places where individuals go to for sustenance. Grab some food then take it somewhere else (most likely into the couch situated in front of the TV.) Putting a touch of class in your space is good investment. A little improvement won’t hurt anyone, just make sure that the project is within your budget. Home improvement need not have to be the full Monty. One can begin in a section of the house, in this case the kitchen. Be it granite tile countertops or marble flooring, installing one of these will increase the traffic in side the kitchen---not only to snatch food from the fridge but to sit and stay, embracing the warmth as exuded by the durable stone.

Before anything else, I have to mention this. Marble as compared to granite is relatively soft. So if you need a kitchen countertop, I suggest you opt for the latter. Also, marble flooring has no place in the kitchen. If a pot or pan falls---your flooring will crack. (Marble really looks good in the bathroom.)

Now, let’s say you already have granite all over your kitchen space from granite kitchen sinks to granite flooring, question is are you correctly cleaning the same? You might end up damaging it instead of keeping it in good condition. Seepage may occur even in granites. Where there’s seepage, discoloration and deterioration starts. Some household cleaners may react with the granite upon contact. Those that contain ammonia will sever the penetrating sealer from the granite tops. Perfumes and toothpastes may also cause damage. Acidic substances like carbonated drinks, lemon/orange juice and vinegar will cause similar effect. When cleaning granite sinks or countertops, use a product with neutral pH. My mom uses a solution of isopropyl alcohol and dishwashing detergent. Remember to look for neutral products. The ratio is two to three drops of dishwashing detergent to ¼ cup of alcohol. Place the solution in a quart sized spray bottle and fill up the container with water. Spray over countertop then wipe using soft cloth. Use a new cloth to dry the same. With these, you’ll only need three ingredients, which can be easily found in a typical residential house. Another solution is to replace the alcohol with flour from the equation. Two tablespoonfuls of detergent, a cup of flour and a little bit of h2o to bring mixture to a think consistency. Mount the mixture on the spot, leave overnight covered with plastic wrap. Gingerly scrape to remove the mass using dull utensils. This mixture is meant for those tough, heavy granite tile countertop stains.

These are alternatives to the commercial products that may cause harm rather than maintenance. But if you’re still geared in using commercial products or stone soaps, read the labels accurately. You want to see neutral all over the product’s packaging.

Stone Love: Discover More About Impressive Art In Stone

Normally when I think of art in stone I immediately envision the magnificent sculpture David. This masterpiece must be familiar to anyone who has some brief knowledge about the history of aesthetics and the piece defines standards for perfection. Now when I think of art in stone, I think of marble and granite in a different way.

Here's the reason why. I recently purchased pulls and knobs online through http://myknobs.com. This site offers a huge catalogue of marble and granite products produced by the Art in Stone Company. This company has been around for over ten years and will remain in profitable business for years to come.

Why am I so convinced of their business survival? For one, the catalogue is large and there is something for nearly every taste or whim. It took me almost no time at all to find the perfect pulls and knobs for my kitchen cabinets. It was great to be able to shop from home and it was even better to be able to look at so many unique and interesting pieces offered by Art in Stone.

The kitchen and bath designs are creative and of the highest quality but guess what, the prices are very reasonable. I like that I had the ability to create my own kitchen design by using their magnificent products. I feel as if Art in Stone captured my personality and infused it into the hardware.

The only difficult part about ordering was finally settling on one among many and making a decision. There were so many options but once I saw my hardware, I knew this was what I was looking for. There was no need for any more browsing or comparison. I could have spent hours looking at all the beautiful designs on the site but that wasn’t necessary once the pulls and knobs I selected for my kitchen came to view.

I was further pleasantly surprised when the hardware was delivered to my door even earlier than expected. Waiting is difficult for me and having the product in hand days before I expected lessened my anticipation. However, I was disappointed to find the wrong knobs in the package. I notified the Art in Stone Company immediately and the knobs I actually chose were sent at once.

The incorrect ones were actually quite lovely as well. I thought of keeping them but the Art in Stone Company arranged for the wrong knobs to be picked up by UPS as the correct ones arrived. This inconsequential error has no considerable effect on my overall satisfactory experience with the Art in Stone Company. I consider it another reason to give the business high marks.

Once I received the appropriate hardware my husband went to work on putting the whole thing together. Now I can’t stop looking at my kitchen and admiring what a big difference a small detail can make in a room. I think I'm going to remake my bathroom soon.

Oakfield Stone: A Distinguished and Durable Stone to Last the Test of Time

Throughout history, many different types of stone have been used when it comes to architectural design. As time progresses, builders, contractors, and homeowners continue their search for products that exhibit not only a high level of durability, but beauty as well. In addition to this, this type of stone has been found to add value to the home that it is used in. Throughout this article, you will be introduced to Oakfield stone and how it can assist you in your home improvement projects. If you are in the market for a stone type that is distinguished and durable, this may be the choice for you!

What Is Oakfield Stone Widely Used For?

There are many different uses for Oakfield stone when it comes to home improvement and home repair products. Listed below are some of the main ways that this type of stone is used to compliment the home:

1. Many individuals use this product in order to create an outer layer for the home. This is used in much the same way that brick is used when it comes to providing siding to the home. This helps define the overall structural architecture of the home.

2. Many homeowners elect to frame the windows and doors of the home with this type of stone.

3. Many have created walkways and sidewalks with this type of product.

4. One may choose to create a fence that circles the lawn, a recreational area, an outdoor living area, and even a garden area. This can make a very attractive skirting for any of these areas.

5. Many have used this product on the inner walls of the home in order to create a country or rustic appearance.

6. This stone can also be used on indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

7. This stone makes an excellent surface for areas that surround in-ground pools.

The Benefits

There are many benefits associated with Oakfield stone. First, you can enjoy an assortment of shapes, styles, textures, and colors when you purchase this type of stone. This type of stone is extremely versatile, so it can be used on virtually any and all home improvement projects. This stone is also beneficial in that it is quite easy to handle and install. Many homeowners find that the ease of installation is one of the best features when it comes to Oakfield stone.

Where to Find This Type of Stone

There are many places that specialize in this type of stone, but it is important to be careful when purchasing it. Many companies will sell cheap replica stone that lacks in quality and durability. One of the best places I have discovered when it comes to price, quality, and selection is Halquist Stone. This company works to ensure that they only carry products that have the highest quality. If you are looking for products backed by a guarantee of quality, Halquist Stone is the place to visit. You are sure to enjoy the overall quality and luxury that is experienced with this type of stone.

5 Basic Steps For Massaging Limbs During Basalt Stone Hot Stone Massages

What is the “massage” aspect of “hot stone massages”? The stones themselves are certainly important. Therapists typically use a type called basalt stones, which are volcanic stones that are ideal for conducting massages. While the therapist may use the stone itself as a tool when giving the massage, he or she more often strategically places the stones onto various parts of the patient’s body. Here are some steps for preparing the patient’s limbs for a soothing, relaxing, hot stone massage:

Step 1: Position the stones on the patient’s body

Stone massage kits contain a variety of stones, of differing shapes and sizes. You should place the largest stones on the largest parts of the body, such as the shoulders and hips. Next, place the mid-size stones in places such as on either side of the person’s spinal cord. It is important NOT to place the stones directly on the spinal cord, as this could result in injuring the patient.

Step 2: Apply lotion to a limb

Begin applying lotion to the particular limb that you will be massaging. It is important to warm up the lotion before applying it. This will make the lotion more effective in causing the patient’s muscles to become suppler.

Step 3: Use petrasage to massage the limb

Petrasage is a massaging technique that helps to spread the muscles. You should utilize your fingers and the ends of your thumbs. Place thumbs adjacent to each other, and then gradually move them away from each other. The petrasage massage method is particularly useful when massaging arms and legs, as it is effective for muscles that are above a particular bone.

Step 4: Start using the compression method

Therapists use this massage method on “trigger points” of the body, using fingertips or thumbs. Continue this technique until the patient’s pain in these areas start to decrease. Afterwards, move onto a different section of the arm or leg.

Step 5: Use other massage methods on the limb

Some additional techniques that therapists often use are compression, effleurage, and stretching. It is important that therapists have adequate training before using any type of massage methods. We have already discussed compression. How about the other two techniques?

Effleurage involves the therapist using his or her fingertips, thumbs and palms, to create strokes that slide across the limbs of the patients.

Meanwhile, stretching is a vital aspect of various types of therapy classified as “manual soft-tissue” Stretching can include a variety of methods, including:

• active isolated stretching

• muscle energy technique

• positional release techniques

• post isometric release

When using stretching techniques, prioritizing safety and the patient’s needs are important. This will maximize the improvement of the patient’s range of motion and flexibility.

Drop Shipping Supplier Or Bulk Wholesale Supplier?

If you are looking to expand your drop shipping business or trying to decide what is best for your new home based business then you may want to consider the differences between using a drop shipping supplier versus a bulk wholesale supplier.

Drop shipping suppliers are nice and easy because you do not have to carry any inventory yourself, you don’t have to worry with packing products and shipping them out to your customers, and you can order as few or as many times as you wish. I have always had a few problems with drop shipping services though. Imagine your customer places an order from you off your website or wins an auction of yours. You exchange money and then call your supplier and tell them to send that product to your customer, with rush shipping, and they tell you that they do not have that product in stock. Imagine your customer calls you talking about broken parts, defective electronics, or a box that has been slightly crushed and you call your supplier about it and they tell you that they can only warranty products packed and shipped in bulk. These are only some of the problems I have had with drop shipping suppliers, however, most of the time they can make business a little easier.

A bulk wholesale supplier can really give you an edge, especially on ebay. These suppliers can offer you a lot better prices than anyone else which can make your products have a very competitive price in your market. These products are fully backed with warranties and guarantees, direct from the factory. This is the way to go if you really want your home business to increase in size and sales. It is more work but it is worth it in the long run. One problem many home businesses have is that they do not have enough thousands of dollars to purchase the minimum quantity order for bigger products. Getting a loan to carry against these products can be risky in a lot of ways. I recommend using Worldwide Brands Light Bulk Wholesale Supplier Directory because it is a list of real bulk wholesale suppliers who have already agreed to do business with your small home business and sell bulk products to you with no minimum order. In my experience, buying in bulk is the best route for any home business ready to expand or just starting out.

No matter which you choose to do, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you really want to increase sales and customer service compliance then you need to consider buying in bulk like the rest of the heavy weight sellers and be in competition with them instead of with the millions of the little guys.