INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The electric bunching technique is easy to form but hard to predict. After dyeing the fabric, you should be left with several "shocks" of color dispersed at random through the cloth. You'll want to do so in small, random portions. Use one hand to hold your bunch together so they do not come loose and then draw the entire piece of fabric together into the shape of a ball. Keep as much of the cloth "face," or outer side of the fabric, exposed as possible. With one hand, hold the ball of fabric together. With your free hand, wrap several rubber bands around it to hold it together. You could also use twine or string to fasten your ball together, but in both cases, fasten your ball loosely.  Fastening your ball too tightly can make it difficult for the dye to work its way into the core of the bunched fabric. This can create gaps in your dyed design. Use the minimum number of fasteners secured as loose as possible while still retaining the ball's shape. If you plan on using twine or string, it may be easiest to have a friend help you hold the bunched fabric while you tie, or vice versa. If no friends are available, lay of the string on the surface, set your ball atop the middle of the string while still holding the ball together with one hand, cross the ends of the string at the top of your ball, and use your free hand to tie a simple knot.

SUMMARY: Understand the effect. Bunch up the fabric. Fasten your ball together.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Design some eye-catching flyers for your business and post them up in your area. Distribute these ads in places that your target demographic is likely to visit, like beauty shops, spas and cafés. Make sure you include all the important details in your ads, including the name, address, and phone number of your salon, the types of services you offer, and your hours of operation.  If you’re coming from another salon, you could also ask your former boss to put in a good word for you to help stir up interest while you’re first getting on your feet. When it comes to a business like a salon, the best advertisement is word of mouth—as long as you do great work, your clients will tell their friends and continue to come back again and again. Don’t underestimate the promotional power of social media. Facebook and Instagram make a perfect platform for showing off your work and sharing testimonials from satisfied customers. Each of your accounts should be neatly laid out and simply titled so they'll be easy to find. Don't forget to update them regularly with new content, like info on the services you provide and special introductory deals.  If you've never moderated a business social media account before, follow other popular salons and take note of how they've structured their profiles. Get your followers involved by encourage them to send in photos of their nails after they visit. Generally, it’s better to offer two or three services that you’re exceptionally skilled at than a dozen that are mediocre. That way, your clientele will know exactly what to expect coming in, and you can focus on providing the best service possible. Trying to wear too many hats can cause you to lose your identity—and business in the process.  A salon that advertises nail art, facials, chemical exfoliation, and hot stone massage all under the same roof is enough to make a potential customer's head spin. Limiting the number of services you provide will also keep you and your staff from getting overwhelmed. You can always expand your offerings over time if demand is high enough. Determine how much to charge for the various treatments you’ll be providing. Applying a basic set of acrylic nails, for instance, might cost $25-40 USD, while more involved procedures like a mani/pedi package might run upwards of $100 USD. Break down the price point of each service individually to make sure you’re coming up with a number that’s fair.  If you find yourself stumped about how high you should set your prices, think about the maximum amount you would be willing to pay as a consumer, then compare that figure against your specific operating budget and expenses.  When you’re first starting out, it may be a good idea to keep your prices low in order to be able to compete with the better-known salons in your area. Once you’ve made a reputation for yourself, you can begin raising your prices gradually. No matter how industrious you are, you'll eventually reach a point where you’ll need to have a few extra sets of hands around. In addition to the regular duties of a nail technician, your employees will also be responsible for scheduling appointments, making sales, and cleaning and maintaining the salon.  Interview your applicants one-on-one so that you can get a sense of their personality as well as review their credentials on paper. If you’re operating a simple salon that provides standard services only, pay your staff an hourly rate. For boutiques that also push specialty beauty products, reward them with commission for each sale they make.

SUMMARY: Market your salon to attract business. Create a presence on social media. Specialize in a handful of services. Price your services competitively. Hire a team of qualified technicians.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To protect your plywood sheets from warping, the best way to store them is by laying them flat. Moisture can seep up through the earth, causing your plywood to rot. You can use any size lumber you have, as long as it creates a frame that is big enough to contain the plywood. Space your lumber about 2 feet (0.61 m) apart to ensure it’s supported enough that it doesn’t sag. If you want to keep your plywood laying flat but you don’t have enough room on the floor, you can install a rack on the ceiling of your garage. This will keep the plywood out of your way while still protecting it from warping.  You can purchase a hanging storage storage rack from a hardware store for around $100 USD, or you can design and build a custom rack if you prefer. Most ceiling beams can safely support about 160 pounds (73 kg). This means you can safely store 3 sheets of 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) thick plywood, or 2 sheets if they are 5⁄8 in (1.6 cm) thick.

SUMMARY:
Section off a 4 by 8 ft (1.2 by 2.4 m) section of your garage floor. Use lumber to create a base that will keep the plywood off the ground. Store your plywood overhead if you don’t have the floor space.