Problem: Article: If you’re in a hurry, a quick tumble on a medium temperature setting is sure to get things loosened up. The ambient heat combined with the repeated impact from the spinning drum mimics the effects of wearing the leather for a long period of time. Make sure you only leave the item in the dryer for 10-15 minutes a time—any longer than that and it may begin to shrink or scorch.  This method is best reserved for newer accessories that don't bend or flow well, as heat can easily rob the remaining moisture from older leather. The leather should be dry or just slightly damp when it goes into the dryer. It’s not recommended that you wash and dry leather the way you would ordinary clothing. For even better results, throw a heavy sneaker or a few tennis balls into the dryer. The added friction will wear in the item more evenly. Stretch out the accessory beneath the windshield of your car to soak up some midday rays, or hang it up in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. They key is not to let it sit for too long. After a while, direct heat can cause leather to fade or dry out. The steam from the shower will also bathe the leather in moisture, making it doubly effective. Blow drying will accomplish the same thing as a hot room or a trip through the dryer, only it also allows you to target the stiffest, tightest areas. Direct the heat over the fold, creases, hems, and anywhere else you’d like a little more give. When the leather is nice and supple, put it on and wear it until it cools down.  Use a low heat only and keep the blow dryer a safe distance from the surface so you don’t run the risk of burning it. Be sure to complete the distressing process with a coat of nourishing leather conditioner.
Summary: Throw the item in the dryer. Leave the item in a warm, humid place. Blast the leather with a hairdryer.

Problem: Article: Make your bottle cap container look more decorative or a fun shape by using clay. Mold the clay to the cap and base in whatever shape you like.  Use colorful modeling clay like Sculpey clay or a similar brand to make your shapes. You can use tools like a plastic knife or toothpick to create designs or texture. Mold your clay around your container so you know it will fit on after baking. Then pop the clay off and bake it according to the instructions for your specific variety of modeling clay.  When the clay is hardened from the oven, let it cool. Then pop it back onto your container. Secure the clay pieces with glue if they don't stay on the container on their own. Glue on colorful paper, beads, glitter, or any other material you like to decorate your repurposed container or bottle cap container. Use Mod Podge or a similar craft material to add shine over your decorations.  You can also use paint or pens to color directly on your container to make it a different color. Try decorating your container with the same color as your lip balm, or an image of the lip balm’s flavor, scent, or other ingredients. Remember at a glance what kind of lip balm is in your container by creating a label for it. Write directly on the container with a pen or marker, or attach a piece of paper with the label.  Try printing out text from the computer for a typed label. Just make sure to measure your container first to create text that is the right size to attach to it. Coat your label with Mod Podge or another shellac to make it shiny and look more seamless on a shiny container.
Summary: Sculpt clay around your bottle cap container. Attach paper and beads. Label your container with the lip balm.

Problem: Article: An icon located on your desktop typically designates this program; if not, you can also locate the program by going to the "Start" menu, selecting "All Programs" and searching for the program. This will prompt a window to open allowing you to browse through the video files you want to compress. This will automatically put the file name of the AVI to be compressed into the "File Name" field in the video file selection window. This will then bring up a window showing the video file's importing progress. Do so by holding down the left mouse button and dragging your cursor over every video file component to highlight it. Do this by continuing to hold down the left mouse button and dragging the highlight components into the "Timeline" section located at the bottom of the Windows Movie Maker screen. This will prompt a "Save Movie Wizard" window to pop up.  Click "Next." Your AVI video file will then compress to a smaller bit size. After video compression, the "Save Movie Wizard" will prompt you to finish the video compression and view your movie. To do so, simply press the "Finish" button.
Summary: Open your Windows Movie Maker program on your PC. Click on the "Import Video" option underneath the "Capture Video" title in the column along the left hand side. Select the AVI video file you want to compress by clicking on the file to highlight it. Click the "Import" button. Select all of the video file components that have just been imported into Windows Movie Maker. Drag the video components into the "Timeline" feature. Select "Save to my computer" located in the column on the left hand side. Type in a file name in designated field in order to differentiate your original AVI video file from the newly compressed video file; then click "Next"  Select the new size you want your AVI video file to compress down to from the video size dropdown menu.

Problem: Article: Place the pieces of fruit, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Set the saucepan on the stove.  A few different fruit options worth considering include: blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, mulberry, cherry, pineapple, apple, and mango. Finely chopped rhubarb stalks are another option. Unless you're using small berries, dice the fruit into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) pieces before adding it to the saucepan. Set the stove to medium heat and gradually bring the contents of the saucepan to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Place the lid on the saucepan and cook the contents for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves and a moderately thick syrup forms. Note that the color of the syrup should be similar to the color of the fruit at this time. The fruit itself should be significantly softened. Pour the contents of the saucepan through a sieve. Collect the syrup and discard the solid chunks of fruit. To squeeze out as much flavor from the fruit as possible, lightly mash it with the back of a fork or mixing spoon before pouring the contents of the saucepan through the sieve. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before using it for an Italian or French soda.  For best results, let the syrup cool at room temperature on your kitchen counter. If you need to speed things up, cool it for 30 to 60 minutes in a refrigerator. Do not add warm syrup to the Italian soda since it will cause the ice to melt too quickly. Store any excess syrup in the refrigerator.
Summary:
Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup. Cool before use.