Smart Idea Search Results

How To: Start Fires in Style with a Glass Matchjar, Plus 9 More Clever Uses for Mason Jars

Mason jars are a DIYer's best friend, nearly on par with duct tape and paper clips. Why? Because you can use mason jars for so many things besides just canning and drinking, and I'm not talking about other obvious uses like basic storage containers or miniature terrariums. I'm talking about MacGyver-style ingenuity. With a little creativity, the uses for those jars are practically endless.

News: Things to Do on WonderHowTo (07/18 - 07/24)

WonderHowTo is a how-to website made up of niche communities called Worlds, with topics ranging from Minecraft to science experiments to Scrabble and everything in-between. Check in every Wednesday evening for a roundup of user-run activities and how-to projects from the communities. But don't wait—start submitting your own projects to the most appropriate World now!

News: Why Help?

When stories are told about people in need, the ones with happy endings include the details of someone that produced an action that caused the people in need to be better off than before. Do we have to wait for the identification of a need? Could we on purpose just plan to present products and services that cause our customers and client to see an improvement in their circumstances just because of the business interchange with an owner manager of purpose? The fair exchange of products or serv...

Rules Thrown Out the Window: Ogilvy & Mather's Scrabble Trickster Video Spot

Despite the controversy over Scrabble Trickster across the word world, Mattel's modern take on the classic crossword board game is out in stores— but not in the United States. It's only available in and around the UK, but you can snag your copy just in time for Christmas from Amazon UK. You can also visit the official Scrabble Trickster website. I imagine this is going to be a hot item in the United Kingdom this holiday season, but as for me— it's the one Scrabble game I refuse to add to my c...

How To: Decorate with flea market finds

In this series of informative videos, you will learn how to find flea market finds to use in home decoration. Flea market events are often crowded with people and crafts, so knowing what to look for is imperative. In the video titled “About Flea Markets,” you will learn more about the general idea and practices included in the flea market experience. Learn how to and whether bartering is appropriate in different flea market situations. Get tips on dealing with vendors and finding the right pr...

How To: Shop at junk and thrift stores

In this series of informative videos, you will learn how to find flea market finds to use in home decoration. Flea market events are often crowded with people and crafts, so knowing what to look for is imperative. In the video titled “About Flea Markets,” you will learn more about the general idea and practices included in the flea market experience. Learn how to and whether bartering is appropriate in different flea market situations. Get tips on dealing with vendors and finding the right pr...

How To: Build a building in Google SketchUp

This video series takes you through every step of building a building in SketchUp and is taken from chapter 4 of "Google SketchUp for Dummies" in case you want to follow along. PART 1 explains how to switch to a 2D view to get you ready to build the floor plan. It's a good idea to have accurate measurements of everything you want to build before starting this project. PART 2 familiarizes you with the tools available in SketchUp to help you create your floorplan. PART 3 shows you how to draw t...

How To: Plan an inexpensive wedding

In this how-to video, you will learn how to plan an inexpensive wedding. First, you should look online, on television, and in books and magazines for great ideas to save money. You can even ask your friends for input on how to plan a wedding on a budget. First, keep a small notebook for writing down ideas. You will also need a priest or other clergymen for the ceremony. Look for churches or restaurants to have your wedding. Do not be afraid to shop around. Figure out how much you can spend an...

How To: Make a Napkin Swan (Or Napkin Peacock)

Need a lavish way to present your napkins at your next big dinner feast? May we suggest napkin swans? Folding a dinner napkin into a beautiful swan (or peacock) can take you just minutes and completes a dinner table. The idea behind the fold is to shape it so that one end looks like the long, languorous tail feathers of a peacock, but it could look like a swan, too.

How To: Build an igloo in Minnesota

This video tests the idea that an igloo, once left to freeze in the extreme cold, will be strong enough to stand on without collapsing. The experiment takes place in Minnesota where the temperature was fifteen degrees below zero at the start. Begin by shoveling snow into a dome-shaped pile. In the video, the dome is approximately six feet across at the base and three-and-a-half to four feet tall. Let the pile freeze for about two hours. The temperature had warmed up to about eleven degrees be...

How To: Trim the nails on your dog

In this video, a veterinarian and his assistant show you how to trim a dog's nails safely and quickly. To begin, you need to have a nail clipper, which you can buy at any pet store. Also, it is a good idea to have a product called Quick Stop, which you can use to stop the bleeding if you cut the dog's nails too short. Before you begin, try to have another person hold the dog's head away from you so it can't see what you're doing. Begin clipping the dog's nails just above the pink area, also c...

How To: Hit down on a golf ball

This video shows the viewer how to ‘hit down on a golf swing’. The idea of hitting down on a gold swing is that when you take your club back you do not move backwards. You stay ‘over the ball’ and simply rotate back using your hips. You then rotate forwards with your hips as you hit the ball and extend your arms. The club should connect with the lower half of the ball. This seems counter intuitive but the angle of the club should appear to be ‘down’ on the ball – this is where the term comes ...

How To: Make your own soap like the pioneers

This is a clever video that teaches you how to make a craft that is both fun to make, and also a useful item to have around the house- soap! This is from Living a Simple Life Blog and details how to make soap, just like the pioneers. To do this, you will need some equipment, a scale, scent, colorant, lard, lye, coconut oil, plastic containers to hold ingredients while you weigh them, a stainless steel pot, safety glasses, rubber gloves, a miter box, scraper, curing racks, a funnel and a plast...

How To: Write a cover letter in 30 seconds using a Mac

This video features a very handy technique for writing a cover letter in less than a minute- and all you need is a tool called Text Expander, which can be easily downloaded. The basic idea behind this program is that you can create shortcut keys to text that you commonly use, so you can enter in all of your basic cover letter information very quickly, and only have to customize small sections.

How To: Get more power out of your golf drive

It's time for some golf! What's an 18-year-old know about distance? Justin James can belt it 400 yards and more, and with his power tip, you too can tack on a few extra yards. Well, maybe not 400 yards, but you get the idea. See how to get more power out of your golf drive.

How To: Cook Anxiety Stricken chicken soup

Anxiety is the plague of the net generation. In this cooking how-to video Nadia G. teaches us how to cook a chicken soup that will sooth the soul, the way mom used to make it. Follow along and learn how to make what she calls an Anxiety Stricken chicken soup. If you're looking for new recipes or want to learn how to cook, Bitchin' Kitchin' is the how-to cooking show for you. Nadia G serves up original recipe ideas and big laughs for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Come and get it!

How To: Play "All The Small Things" by Blink 182 on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "All the Small Things" by Blink 182. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of al...

How To: Play "Whats My Age Again?" by Blink 182 on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "What's My Age Again" by Blink 182. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all...

How To: Make a baseball diamond centerpiece for a party

This how-to video shows you how to make an infield base to anchor your baseball centerpiece for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah, theme wedding party, sports theme event, corporate event, etc. Indoor/outdoor grass carpeting covers the infield, baseball bases and baseball (or team color) ribbon add accents. Ideas of what your final centerpiece can look like as well as other enhancements, are also shown. Watch this how-to video to learn how to make your own baseball diamond centerpiece.

How To: Make a light board

Looking for a great idea for a science project? In this video series you'll learn how to build a battery-run light board which can test the electrical conductivity of various objects. You can find these supplies easily at your local hardware store.

How To: Prepare my child for going to the dentist

More than 25 percent of children in the United States have cavities by the time they are 4 years old, sometimes as early as age 2. Regular dental checkups are one way to help your child maintain good oral health. This program offers some ideas on how to prepare your child for that first trip to the dentist and what you and your child should expect. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive a dental exam after their first birthday. However some dentists, including our...

How To: Customize Colors for All the Apps on Your iPhone to Match How You Use Them Most (Or Just for Fun)

There aren't many iPhone apps that let you change their color theme beyond light and dark appearances. They really don't need to either because iOS has a few hidden tricks up its sleeves to help you customize any app's colors either during a specific session or every time you use the app.