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design do? How cute could a turtle be? Dressed up? A girl turtle with long eyelashes?Could the turtle be a mug? A remote holder? A trinket box? A clock? A bird feeder? A sculpured wall hanging? A sugar bowl? A pet feeder?

Use the same creative thoughts for just about anything. I mean, could polished stones be set in clear resin to make a spoon rest?Let's say you have absolutely no money to experiment. Can you get your hands on a bag of earthenware clay for about $4? What kind of molding material could you afford? Plaster or liquid latex is about the cheapest. With liquid latex, you could make molds to pour plaster objects.

Or if you can afford more, there are numerous different kinds of rubber you can use to make a mold to pour resins.Did you know that you can add just about anything to resin to either add texture or stretch the costs? Sand,sawdust,powders of all kinds. You could find a way to grind up old plastic coffee containers to mix with resin. Not only would that turn trash into treasure, it would give color to your projects and stretch the resin cost.

Don't be afraid to experiment.I talk about molds because only through molded obects, can you continuously replicate your original design. Let's face it, not everybody can sell that 'one of a kind' for big bucks.

Most of us have to find a way to reproduce as cheaply as possible, while cutting down on labor time. Why not let your designing time, pay you back over and over?Here's an idea? Come up with cute and decorative ways to tell people 'No Smoking'? That's certainly on everybody's minds today. How about something cute that decorates the dining table, that is actually a pill identity system for those with bad eyesight? Divided small trays with identifying design by feel. Differing number of small buttons or identifying shapes? Spark any ideas?

If you can come up with items that help people to be more independent in their own personal lives, you've come up with a huge seller. Help people to help themselves or give to the market, something they can't resist. It's cute, it's useful, it cuts down on costs in some way, it feels good, they want to share it.

How about a unique toilet paper holder for the bathroom? I designed one that can store 4 rolls and uses no center spindle but nobody's making it. If you want the idea just give me a holler by email.Take what's in your head and find a way to push those hot buttons. After all, you're not designing just for a hobby.

Of course, if you are designing just for a hobby, you don't care if anybody else likes it. Just do it.What I'm getting at is that there is more to you than you think. Pick up a bar of soap and a knife and see what you can make of it.

Learn more about this author, Judy Sims.
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