Problem: Article: Position the tool over the portion of the design you wish to enhance. The tool can be angled vertically or tilted in any direction, based on the effect you’d like to achieve. Gently tap the back of the tool with a mallet to stamp the texture onto the leather.  The camouflage tool, also called a “cams,” produces a distinct texture similar to that of camouflage clothing. Cams are often used along the lines of stems and scrolls within a broader design. In these instances, the tool is generally tilted toward the line. Cams are often used to add texture to flower petals, too. Do not use a metal hammer with the cams tool—or with any of the other stamping tools—or you could end up damaging the stamp. Position the shader over the desired area. As a general rule, you should hold it vertically when shading large areas and tilt the stamp toward its narrower end when shading a tightly enclosed area. Lightly tap on the shader with a mallet to apply the pattern and contour the surface of the leather.  A pear shader is a great tool to use if you’d like to make some areas of your leather design appear darker or more shaded than others. The shader works by flattening areas of leather to make them appear darker and farther away from the viewer. When you need to shade an area that is larger than the face of the shader, move the tool across the surface roughly 1⁄16 in (1.6 mm) after each strike. Continue as needed until the entire area is shaded. Leatherworkers typically use the veiner tool to add intricate patterns to curving leaves, stems, and scrolls. Place the veiner against the leather in the direction you’d like the pattern to face, and give it 1–2 firm taps with a hammer. Then repeat the process by stamping the veiner tool along the rest of the leaf or scroll that you’re embellishing.  Evenly space out the individual veiner stamps so that they curve along the design of the stems or scrolls you’ve carved into the leather. Try spacing separate impressions evenly apart by 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm). Veiners come in a tremendous variety of curvatures, patterns, and shapes. Try out a few and see which you like best before selecting specific veiners to use on your leatherwork. The seeder tool—one of the most popular leather stamps—creates perfectly round dots that look good as the center of flowers or as decorative scroll ends. Hold the seeder vertically and position the tip where you’d like the indented dot to be located. Give the end of the tool 3–4 firm taps with a hammer to make the mark on the leather. When using the seeder to fill in a blank space with circular dots, work around the perimeter of that space first, then gradually fill in the center. As its name suggests, the background stamp flattens out non-carved background areas of the leather design and gives them a finely detailed texture. Place the tool in the background of the design, and strike it lightly 2–3 times with a hammer to imprint the design on the background. Continue hammering the background design across your leather until the entire background has been flattened and textured.  Work around the perimeter of the background first, then gradually walk the tool across the interior of the background, moving 1⁄16 in (1.6 mm) at a time. Rotate the tool as you move it across the background to make the overall texture appear more even. Background areas usually include the gaps around enclosed shapes and designs.
Summary: Apply mottled texture to the carved leather using a camouflage tool. Use a pear shader tool to add dimension and visual texture. Stamp finely detailed veins on the leather with a veiner tool. Indent round dots on the leather with a seeder tool. Flatten and texture background areas with a background tool.

Problem: Article: Carving tools, such as knives, scrapers, and hammers, that are typically used for ceramic sculpting work best to carve concrete.  You can find these tools at most craft or art shops. Freehand or stencil your desired design onto the concrete with a pencil or chalk. This will give you a guide to work off of. Using the directions on the bag of concrete, mix the concrete in a large bucket or wheelbarrow. Most 80 pound (36 kg) bags of concrete require three quarts (2.8 liters) of water. Pour the concrete into the desired concrete mold and allow it to partially dry before beginning the carving.  Pour the concrete in small, workable sections to prevent the concrete from drying before you finish the sculpting. Concrete that is too runny is easier to pour but less durable and more likely to break over time. Add more water to your concrete mixture if the mixture is solid and crumbly.  The amount of time that you need to wait will depend on the thickness of the concrete mold. The concrete is ready to carve when it is still malleable and holds it’s shape. Before the concrete is completely dry, begin to carve out your design using the sculpting tools. Begin at the top of the sculpture and work your way down. You will have to work quickly in order to finish the carving before the concrete dries. Try to finish a section of concrete within one hour of pouring.  Coat your hands in petroleum jelly to prevent the concrete from damaging your skin. Avoid touching the surface of the sculpture until it is completely dry to prevent any smudging. The concrete should be dry within 24 hours but should be left to cure for seven days.
Summary: Locate carving tools. Lay out your design. Mix and pour the concrete. Carve the design.

Problem: Article: There are more than 2 million children being homeschooled in the United States in 2016 and they are from every social, economic, and ethnic background.  Emphasize that there is no single type of homeschooling family. Many people have an idea of what type of family decides to homeschool their children, but this isn't an accurate depiction of who will homeschool their children. Just like there is diversity in the type of homeschoolers, there are very different ways that you can choose to homeschool your child. Every family makes an individual decision about how they want to school their children. There are many different types of homeschool services to choose from, like online programs, college preparation curriculums, and families that homeschool their children in groups. If you have older children, they can be involved in your homeschooling decisions. As kids get older, their views on education and how they want to learn may change. If they no longer want to be homeschooled and can offer viable reasons why this is the case, consider transitioning to public schooling.  Bring your children to the library and have them pick out books that they’re interested in, and involve them in small parts of your curriculum development. . Have your children share what they’re interested in and use that as an opportunity to engage their interests. For example, if your child becomes interested in animals and their health, go to the zoo or have a conversation with a friend who works in the animal care field. Let your child explore their interests, within reason. Families that decide to homeschool their children are able to choose from a variety of homeschooling services and curriculums.  In many school districts, homeschooled children are welcome to join sports team and participate in extracurricular activities at the schools. Homeschooled students are more likely to get into college and to graduate and they test more highly than public school students in standardized exams. Your decision to homeschool your children is your decision, just as it is other parent's decision to enroll their children in a public or private school. Each of your decisions is your own.  Your decision to homeschool your child does not make you superior or a better parent than others who chose not to homeschool their children. Homeschooling is not a feasible option for many people, including those who would otherwise want to homeschool their children. Being cognizant of other's struggles will help you to remain respectful of their decisions. Return respect with respect. When other people respect your decision to homeschool, you should respect their decisions as well.
Summary:
Emphasize the diversity inherent in homeschooling. Involve kids in their learning. Emphasize the opportunities available for homeschoolers. Avoid arrogance.