All posts in General Information

Making Our Mark on the Craft & Hobby Association Trade Show

by eclectic on January 11, 2011 in Crafts, General Information with 1 Comment

We’re gearing up for our booth at the 2011 Craft & Hobby Association Winter Conference, held in Los Angeles, California on January 29 and 30. What could possibly be more exciting than CHA? A visit from designer extraordinaire, author, and TV host Mark Montano! We’re so excited to have our friend, Mark, stop by the Eclectic Products booth at CHA to meet fellow crafters and friends.

At the conference, Mark will discuss his upcoming book, “Pulp Fiction: Paper-Paper-Paper.” Mark will give away signed copies of his latest book “Big Ass Book of Home Decor” to the first 75 attendees. He’ll also be available for autographs at the Eclectic booth (#1029) from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m both days.

A long-time supporter of Eclectic Products, Mark is a fan of E-6000 and GOOP in all forms. And we’re big fans of Mark, too! We’ve featured several of his projects on the Eclectic blog over the years and we’re looking forward to sharing projects from his new book. Can’t wait that long to try out a Mark Montano project? You can get started on one of these fun projects from our archives today!

If you’re planning to attend CHA, let us know, and don’t forget to stop by Eclectic booth #1029.

Mark Montano Projects:

Eco-Chic Urban Corsage

Domino Lidded Box

Lace Applique Pillow

Mosaic Mirror Table

GLAZE COAT Shines and Protects

by eclectic on November 17, 2010 in General Information with No comments
Barone

FAMOWOOD GLAZE COAT High Gloss Epoxy is a two-part epoxy pour-on coating.  It provides the equivalent protection and shine of 60 coats of varnish with just one application. It’s tough, but designed to be flexible to avoid shattering on impact and creates a beautiful aesthetic for interior finishes.

A new restaurant in Eugene, Ore. recently used GLAZE COAT on tabletops and counters. GLAZE COAT protects these surfaces in the restaurant from scratches and dings, while adding a beautiful shine.

Learn more about GLAZE COAT or to purchase, go here.

Photos courtesy of Mike Dean Photography.

Is Your Home Safe?

by kendrahandke on June 30, 2010 in General Information, Home Improvement with No comments
Photo courtesy of Joe_Andrews(http://www.flickr.com/photos/joe_andrews/)

It’s always good to think about home safety and ways that you can keep those in your home safe and protected.  With just a few simple improvements you can reduce the risk of falls, poison, and fire in your home and ensure it’s safe for babies, toddlers and all ages.

Here are some helpful tips from the Home Safety Council for moving toward a safer home:

Prevent Falls

1. Install grab bars in the tub and shower. Use non-slip mats.

2. Have bright lights over stairs and steps and on landings. Keep stairs clear of clutter.

Prevent Poisonings

3. Keep cleaners, medications and beauty products in a place where children can’t reach them. Use child safety locks.

4. For Poison Help call 1-800-222-1222. Call if you need help or want information about poisons. Call 9-1-1 if someone needs to go to the hospital right away.

Prevent Fires & Burns

5. Have working smoke alarms and hold fire drills. If you build a new home, install fire sprinklers.

6. Stay by the stove when cooking, especially when you are frying food.

7. Keep your hot water at 120˚F degrees to prevent burns. Use back burners and turn pot handles toward the back of your stove. Use a travel mug when you drink something hot.

Prevent Choking & Suffocation

8. Things that can fit through a toilet paper tube can cause a young child to choke. Keep coins, latex balloons and hard round foods, such as peanuts and hard candy where children cannot see or touch them.

9. Place babies to sleep on their backs, alone in their crib. Don’t put pillows, blankets, comforters or toys in cribs. These things can sometimes keep a baby from breathing.

10. When your children are in or near water, watch them very carefully. Stay close enough to reach out and touch them. This includes bathtubs, toilets, pools and spas – even buckets of water.

Home City Council also offers additional resources that will help you stay organized and create a home safety plan that is just for you! Check out the personalized checklist or the how safe if your home quiz.

We have a handful of products that can help keep your house in tip-top-safe shape. Adhesives like EcoGlue Extreme can help make minor repairs around the house and Amazing GOOP Anti-Skid helps prevents slips and falls.

How-To: A Lesson in DIY Comes to the UO

by kendrahandke on June 10, 2010 in DIY, General Information with No comments
Photo by Cherise Kaechele, ckaechel@gmail.com (48)

Despite the pouring rain, students at the University of Oregon got some DIY tips and took home free samples at a Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity in the Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater last month.

The event; co-sponsored by Cafe Zenon, Bi-Mart, and the ReStore; was designed to educate the university community about how to make standard household repairs they might not know how to fix otherwise. This included things like sealing leaky sink faucets, tightening loose door handles, fixing unstable chairs and tables, and other household items that need repair from time to time.

The free event offered give-a-ways including cookies from local bakery Cafe Zenon, small, personal tool kits from Bi-Mart and a selection of our adhesives like FAMOWOOD Wood Filler and Amazing GOOP Household.

Representatives from the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity ReStore were present to instruct and teach students, faculty, staff, and community members about basic procedures to fix broken items in one’s home. Individuals were encouraged to stop by and learn how to become their own personal handyman or handywoman.

Images by Cherise Kaechele.

Looking for New Magazines? Try these Home & DIY Titles

by eclectic on June 8, 2008 in DIY, General Information, Home Improvement, Lawn & Garden with No comments

The variety of home and do-it-yourself magazines available can be a little overwhelming. We scanned the shelves at our local bookstore and make these recommendations if you’re thinking about adding a new magazine to your library.

Backyard Living
Backyard Living Magazine is for hands-on people who love working and relaxing in their “outdoor living rooms.” It features backyard makeovers, easy landscape improvement projects, helpful gardening tips, great grilling recipes, fun entertainment ideas, new backyard product reviews and more, all with wonderful, full-color photos.


Smart Homeowner

Smart HomeOwner Magazine helps homeowners make sense of the choices they have for systems and technology for their homes. This magazine informs owners about new techniques and technologies. Each issue demonstrates simple solutions to problems they thought were unsolvable. Smart HomeOwner inspires homeowners with possibilities for making their homes more comfortable, more economical to live in, and more beautiful.

HOME Magazine

HOME is designed to motivate readers to transform their surroundings by personalizing current trends to create a unique style that reflects their individuality.

Extreme How-To

Extreme How-To provides the latest information on tools, techniques and home-improvement technology for the extreme handyman. From residential and remodeling contractors to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, our readers are serious about tackling a wide range of home-remodeling, landscaping and automotive jobs.

Ready Made

ReadyMade is a bimonthly print magazine for people who like to make stuff, who see the flicker of invention in everyday objects — the perfectly round yolk in the mundane egg.

Family Handyman

Family Handyman Magazine is edited for the homeowner with an active interest in home improvement and remodeling. It covers topics including energy efficiency, garden care, woodworking, home decorating ideas and even auto maintenance. With fool-proof, step-by-step photo instructions, even amateurs can achieve professional results on a wide variety of home projects.

A Sticky Situation: Tips for Success with Adhesives

by eclectic on May 24, 2008 in DIY, General Information with No comments

There are many sophisticated products around to make things and stick them back together when they break, but probably the one product that everyone has is the lowly substance called glue! Knowing what kind of glue works best for your project is the key to success. Here are the basic types and what they can (and can’t) do.

General purpose adhesive
It dries clear with superior strength, but stays flexible with a permanent bond. It is usually water resistant and won’t turn brittle. It can even be painted after drying.
Uses: Join two different materials with different drying times (rubber to metal); repair materials where a flexible bond is necessary like a repair to a showerhead hose leak.
Examples: Perfect for everyday repairs, even sealing sinks and countertops; repairing broken or leaking porcelain; repairing tears in canvas or upholstery,

Epoxies
This two-part adhesive is considered the most durable of all adhesives. It’s best suited when water or gas and oil resistance is required. Some can withstand high temperatures. It is not flexible and requires mixing.
Uses: Good for permanent repairs that don’t require flexibility and for repairs that come into contact with solvents
Examples: Connecting copper to plastic pipes

Rubber cement
This brush-on adhesive is made of white crude rubber. It works best for joining paper, both temporarily and permanently.
Uses: Apply paper liner to a drawer

Wood glue
Wood glue has been created especially for woodworking. It sands cleanly, leaves an invisible glue line and cleans up with water.
Uses: Build and fix wood projects such as cabinet doors in a bathroom or kitchen or furniture repairs

Super glue
This adhesive is useful when an immediate hold is needed. Super glue will provide a fast and dry hold without any flexibility.
Uses: Reattach a broken knob or handle

Mastics
Mastics are pre-mixed adhesives used with wood, tile, Formica and ceramic. It will not stick to metal or concrete and it is not waterproof or flexible.
Uses: Attach tiles to various surfaces.

Thin-set adhesives
This mix-it-yourself mortar-based adhesive is the best choice for concrete, terra cotta and backer boards. It will not stick to non-porous surfaces and it is waterproof and flexible.
Uses: Interior or exterior tiling

Paper glue (white glue)
This works well for simple paper and wood projects. It dries quickly, but isn’t flexible or super strong and it dissolves with exposure to water.
Uses: Paper to paper adhesion and repairs to objects where a lot of stress is not involved; not recommended where water is a factor.

More Tips for Success with Adhesives:

  • Every junk drawer should be equipped with three types of glue to cover a variety of everyday needs: paper glue such as Elmer’s, general purpose glue such as Amazing GOOP and super glue such as Krazy Glue.
  • Use the right glue for the project. Indoor or outdoor project? If the project will be placed outside, the changing temperatures will cause the adhesive to expand and contract.
  • Choose a glue that dries to a rubbery, flexible finish, can handle temperature extremes and has UV resistance if the project is exposed to direct sunlight.
  • Practice on like materials before committing to a cherished keepsake, for example, and just use a little bit at a time then wipe off the excess.
  • Always read the directions to ensure best results.

Good old glue is the DIYer’s best friend. Knowing which kind to use for your project and how to use it properly will ensure a successful result.

Why Good Shoes Matter

by eclectic on May 12, 2008 in General Information, Sports with No comments

Wall of Sports Shoes If you’re active in a sport like tennis, basketball, running or skateboarding, you know that your shoes can take a beating.

In fact, A 150-pound person walking just one mile exerts a force of 63.5 tons on a single foot, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Selecting the right shoe is paramount, especially in preventing foot-related injuries.

Each sport will have specific shoe features that are important, but there are also a few general rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing shoes.

We all have different types of feet, but there are two ways to consider foot type. One is your “strike,” or how your foot hits the ground and the other is arch.

Strike is generally categorized in three basic types: supinated, pronated and ideal. To figure out which one you are, you can look at the wear of your current shoe.

SUPINATED – if your shoes wear is on the outside of the shoe first. The heel will be worn, but so will the shoe outside edge or little toe area.

PRONATED – with a pronated foot, the wear is on the inside heel and around the ball of the foot.

IDEAL or NEUTRAL – this foot will show little wear in any particular place.

You can also do the “wet foot” test gauge your arch.

Based on the pictures, decide which type is similar to your foot. Shoe manufacturers have taken foot types into account and created three functional categories for walking and running shoes:

Motion Control
Design: A straight shape shoe that is the most rigid and resistant to twisting and bending of all three styles
Best Fit: Individuals with a low arch, flat and generally straight feet

Stability
Design: A shoe with a slight curve to the shape
Best Fit: Individuals with medium-arched feet, typically deemed “normal”

Neutral
Design: A curved shoe that is the least rigid and resistant to twisting and bending of all three shoe categories
Best Fit: Individuals with high-arched feet
Knowing your foot type will help you choose the right shoe, but again, a few basics apply for all feet when choosing a shoe.

  • A removable insole: allows you to replace it with your own if necessary.
  • A snug heel: better for control of the back of the foot. Women purchasing men’s shoes should be aware of this.
  • A roomy toe box: you should be able to wiggle your toes comfortably and wide is better. Your toes should not touch the front of the shoe.
  • Try shoes on late in the day when you feet have expanded. You should be able to fit a finger between your heel and the back of the shoe when sitting.
  • To maintain your shoes, try Eclectic Products Shoe GOO.

For more tips visit our sources for this blog post:

Repair, Don't Replace: Tips for Saving Money

by eclectic on April 5, 2008 in DIY, General Information, Home Improvement with 2 Comments

Having the right DIY tools around the house can help you save money. Before you buy something, take a look around. Do you have something you can repair? or modify to suit new purposes? Ingenuity is frugality at its best.

Do a 30-minute walk through your home and check for things that you can repair easily and save money in the long run. Some ideas;

  1. Walls & Ceilings: Check for loose molding and cracks.
  2. Floors: Look for wear and tear, like linoleum lifting at the seams or edges or cracked or loose stone or ceramic tiles.
  3. Hardware: Inspect for loose towel racks, door knobs and pulls, hooks and other objects attached to the walls.
  4. Countertops: Check for cracked or loose ceramic tiles or lifting laminate.
  5. Window & Door Frames: Look for openings and leaks in the seal, which could reduce the efficiency of any heating/cooling system and cause water damage.
  6. Household Objects: Check for broken toys, game gear and decorative or damaged household pieces like rubber coated dish racks or plastic pot handles.

You want a strong one-part adhesive that works on a variety of surfaces and dries to a rubbery, flexible, water-resistant finish. Our Amazing GOOP has all these characteristics (of course!). It’s one of the strongest one-part adhesives available.

Regardless of which product you use, follow these tips for best results:

  • The surface should be clean and dry. You can even roughen the surface a little (with mild sandpaper) to ensure maximum GOOP grip.
  • Hold the GOOP under warm water for easier flow. (It’s a good idea to store the GOOP in the house so it stays relatively warm).
  • Apply a thin coat of GOOP. Allow it to partially cure (dry) for 2 – 10 minutes before you bring the two surfaces together. This seems counter-intuitive, but we’ll trust the chemists on this one.
  • Carefully bring the two surfaces together. The bond is strong, so be careful about placement.
  • Allow the repair to dry for 24 hours, more or less depending on room temperature. Warmer rooms will cause the GOOP to dry faster and cooler rooms, slower.

For more on frugal living, check out Zen Habits. And remember, it costs nothing to be nice.

You can find Amazing GOOP at most home-improvement and hardware stores. Visit our Web site for more info.

It's an Eclectic World

by eclectic on March 17, 2008 in General Information with 1 Comment

We’re thrilled to join the blogosphere with our very own Eclectic Products blog.

Here’s what we have in mind:

  • Product tips, tricks and information
  • Projects and how-tos
  • Videos
  • Customer stories
  • Behind the scenes

If you use an Eclectic product and would like to submit a project, you can visit our testimonials page (click on submit your story) or email info@eclecticproducts.com.