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If you're sales are plummeting - don't worry. It is that time of year again. Kids are getting out of school, vacations savings are starting.

BUT - this is an excellent opportunity to use up your summer fabric/ribbon/jewelry stash. Make some nice lounge sets and sell them for a song. You will recoup your fabric money and possibly gain some new customers.

Or you can take a break and work on some new skills. Take that photography class and learn how to take great pics. Learn how to make your own lampwork beads or how to knit. Grow your skills and come back a better designer.

Shelly, of HalfPint Creations wrote a fantastic article on fabric painting.

She has been painting for over 17 years and knows her stuff.

"When I began painting on fabric I never thought that after 17 years I would be still be selling it, and actually see painted clothing become such a huge trend. I began my business as do many many other stay at home moms. I was just having fun painting shirts and jeans for my little ones. In 1989 there were only 2 fabric paints available, and no instruction books. So by trial and error learned how to paint on fabric."

To view the article, please login to your account.

Have you ever wondered what makes a great applique? Want to improve your appplique skills? Well do I have an article for you! May I present "Adventures in Applique" written by the very talented Kay of Applikays.

"About twenty years ago, I was shopping at a craft show on vacation and fell in love with some appliqued sweatshirts I saw. They were very expensive, so being an experienced sewer, I studied the appliques and was excited to get home and figure it out."

"I started out with a lavender sweatshirt. I cut hearts out of matching fabrics and pinned them place. Looking back, I can' t believe I thought it looked good and actually wore it! I'd like to share some of what I' ve learned over the years. "

To view the entire article, just login to your account and scroll until you see Articles. It is the first one. Enjoy!