Harvey's Helpful Hints
March 2008

PRICING:

This is a very touchy subject, but always be fair to the client AND yourself. Do not charge by the word or letter or line – it is more fair charging by the hour  instead…even setup fee for the first hour is o.k.. Not everyone will agree to this method of pricing, but I have found it to be more fair to both parties.

Looking for a place to store your large pieces of paper? No prob – simply attach them to skirt hangers, but use a piece of cardboard on top of the paper  to protect the paper from the clips. Finally cover them with “dry cleaning” plastic bags and  hang them behind a door or on  a wall hook.

Did you know that Blue-Black Pelikan 4001 ink is legal document ink? Over time it turns black and is permanent, and thin enough to use in a fountain pen (if that is your choice).

When using several colors in an art piece have only one color dominate instead of all colors trying to compete.

Are the slits in your Automatic and Coit pens getting clogged? Try using dental floss between the tines – works like a charm.

NEVER open a tube with your teeth! The pigments may be hazardous, your teeth can break or chip. Use a hand nut cracker  tool and the cap will not crack. Do not use pliers (they will crack the cap).

Use WD-40 on your penstaff  nib insertion area to prevent nibs from jamming.

Try something a bit different for a writing tool – use a clarinet or saxophone reed from a music store. They come in different degrees of hardness (1-1/2 to 5) and can be trimmed with scissors.

When buying a colored pencil be sure that the lead is in the center of the casing. If not the lead will continue to break upon sharpening  using up the pencil needlessly.

Manilla file folders are a good weight to make your embossing stencil templates. Be sure to smooth the edges with an emery board before using.