| How to Stop a Bunny from Chewing Its Cage Posted: 10 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT Chewing is a completely normal habit for rabbits. Most chew to wear down their teeth or because they're bored. Unfortunately, rabbits can damage their cage or hutch if the chewing gets out of hand. You can take steps to protect the hutch while giving your rabbit appropriate things to chew. If your rabbit is chewing because it wants something to do, spend more time interacting with your rabbit or give it toys that it can safely gnaw. [Edit]Redirecting the Chewing Behavior - Spritz bitter spray on areas of the cage that your rabbit chews. Check your local pet store for anti-chewing sprays that contain bitter ingredients, which your rabbit dislikes. Spray the product where your rabbit usually chews.[1]
- If you don't want to buy a product, put 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water into a spray bottle and spritz it on the cage. This might be a strong enough scent to stop your rabbit.
- The bitter spray will fade after a few days, so spray the cage again if you notice your rabbit starts chewing it again.
- Clap and say, "No!" if you see your rabbit chewing the cage. Startle your rabbit as soon as you notice it begin to chew. Clap your hands and firmly say, "No!" but don't yell. This might temporarily stop your rabbit from chewing, so you can redirect it.[2]
- It's important to be consistent. Do this every time you see your rabbit chewing and redirect the behavior immediately.
- Give your rabbit a chew toy or branch right after you startle it. As soon as your rabbit stops chewing the cage or hutch, offer it something new to chew. If your rabbit doesn't seem interested, get it out of the cage and give it a chance to play with you or run around a little.[3]
- If you can't get your rabbit to stop chewing, try shaking a jar full of coins. The sudden noise might be more effective at getting your rabbit's attention.
- Put up a wire barrier if your rabbit keeps chewing its hutch. If your rabbit continues to chew and you're worried that it's destroying the cage or hutch, install a sturdy wire barrier in front of the area your rabbit always chews. If you don't want to use wire, screw in a piece of untreated wood that's safe for your rabbit to chew.[4]
- You might find that your rabbit eventually grows up of the chewing habit. Until then, just replace the wood once your rabbit has chewed most of it up.
[Edit]Offering Appropriate Items to Chew - Replace fresh hay in the cage at least 2 times a day. Your rabbit needs something nutritious to chew throughout the day. Fill your rabbit's cage with oat hay, timothy hay, or orchard grass hay and swap it out a few times a day so it's fresh.[5]
- Your rabbit's diet should be 60% to 70% hay. It's great for their digestive system and chewing the hay grinds down their teeth.
- Give your rabbit fruit branches or untreated wood to chew. Rabbits love having branches or blocks of wood in their cage for chewing. Use wood that hasn't been sprayed with pesticides and pick branches that have been cut and dried for at least a month since fresh branches can be toxic for rabbits.[6]
- Try apple, willow, aspen, or pine branches and blocks. Your rabbit might prefer chewing one type of tree, so keep offering different branches until you find what your rabbit likes.
- Set out alfalfa cubes or wicker baskets for your rabbit to gnaw on. Your rabbit might like the challenge of chewing up a wicker basket, especially if you fill it with hay. Buy wicker baskets that haven't been sprayed with pesticides. If you'd rather give your rabbit alfalfa cubes, buy them from your local pet supply store.[7]
- Alfalfa cubes are a great choice if you're trying to round out your rabbit's diet with extra fiber, protein, and calcium.
- Some rabbits like to chew on all-cotton towels. This is fine as long as your rabbit isn't eating the towel.
[Edit]Keeping Your Rabbit Entertained - Scatter new toys inside your rabbit's cage. If your rabbit is chewing out of boredom, offer a few new toys. Check your local pet store for toys that your rabbit can chew or make some yourself! Take an empty toilet paper roll and stuff it with hay or veggies before putting it in the cage or hang pinecones from a sisal rope, for instance.[8]
- Swap out the toys once your rabbit starts losing interest in them. It might start chewing its cage again if it gets bored with the same old chew toys.
- Give your rabbit a chance to run around or burrow. Your rabbit might be feeling cooped up, especially if it doesn't have a lot of space in its cage. Set up an enclosed space outside or in your house where it's safe for your rabbit to run and stretch its legs. Your rabbit can explore or dig while it's out of its cage, which can reduce chewing out of boredom.[9]
- Rabbits are the most active around dawn and dusk. These are great times to let your rabbit out of its cage for a run or a chance to play.
- If you don't have a safe space for the rabbit to run, find a large cardboard box and fill it at least half full with hay. Set your rabbit in the box and leave it to burrow.
- Play with your rabbit every day. To reduce boredom chewing, play with your rabbit at least a few times a day. Set out stacking cups or blocks for your rabbit to knock over or get down on its level and roll a ball over to it. You could also set out papers or snacks for your rabbit to "steal."[10]
- Some rabbits might be more content to have you cuddle instead of play energetically, especially if the rabbit is older.
- Consider getting another rabbit to provide company. Rabbits love company so if you leave your rabbit alone for most of the day, it might chew on its cage because it's frustrated or lonely. Giving your rabbit a rabbit companion can make it happier so it doesn't feel the need to chew as much.[11]
- If you do get another rabbit, ensure that the cage or hutch is big enough for both animals. The cage should be large enough for both rabbits to stretch out completely. 2 medium-sized rabbits probably need a cage that's at least long.
- If you're concerned that your rabbit isn't healthy and the chewing might be tied to a medical condition, don't hesitate to talk with a vet.
- Young or female rabbits chew more than older or male rabbits, but your rabbit may grow out of its chewing tendencies.[12]
[Edit]References |
| How to Start a Crafts Business Posted: 09 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT A craft business can be a great way to make some extra cash, though it may be a little overwhelming to move from point A to point B in your entrepreneurial goals. Before you can hit the ground running, take a little time to plan ahead and think about the customer base you plan on selling to. With enough preparation, you can put your best foot forward as the owner and manager of a crafts business! [Edit]Picking a Niche for Your Business - Choose a crafting hobby that you'd like to pursue. Think about your own interests and hobbies, like jewelry-making, crocheting, card making, and more. Choose a specific category that you can center your business around. Pick a skill that you have some background in, so you'll have an easier time making products for your store.[1]
- For instance, if you have a lot of expertise with a certain hobby, like welding or woodworking, you may want to center your business around those crafts.
- Try to think outside of the box. There are a lot of different craft sellers out there, and you want to make yourself as unique as possible. For instance, instead of just knitting throw blankets, you can knit blankets that represent different LGBTQ pride flags.
- List potential clientele for your business. Think about specific demographics, like age and economic status. Will your ideal customer have a lot of money to spend on artisan goods, or will they be an individual who's more pressed for cash? This list can give you a basic idea of who you're selling to and how much you'll want to charge in the long run.[2]
- For instance, if you're selling high-quality earrings, you can assume that your customers have a bit of spending money. If you're selling something that's more of a necessity, like handmade furniture, your customers may have different budget needs.
- Visit craft shows to see what goods artisans are selling. Look online to see what craft shows are happening near you. Browse the different stalls and aisles to see what types of products artisans are selling, and what they're selling specifically. Observe how many sellers make crafts in your designated niche—if you have a lot of competition right off the bat, you may want to send your craft business in another direction.[3]
- For instance, if you want to make a custom photo frame business, you won't want to set up shop in an area where there are already 2-3 established framers.
- Craft shows can be a great place to find inspiration for your own displays in the future.
- Check crafting sites to see how much competition is out there. Log onto websites like Handmade at Amazon and Etsy to see the kinds of products that people are selling. Look at how many customers have bought those goods in the past, and if those products seem to be in high demand. This can give you an idea of how popular or unique your business idea is.[4]
- You don't want to start up a business on a website with people who are already well-established in your crafting niche.
- For instance, if you make custom quilts for newborn babies, check Etsy to see how many artisans sell similar goods.
[Edit]Figuring out the Logistics of Your Business - Create a unique brand identity for yourself. Think of a name and unique logo that really capture the essence of what you're trying to sell. Don't reinvent the wheel—instead, focus on a catchy, informative brand name that attracts customers without sounding too cliche or boring. Check that your brand and logo really match the goals of your brand, so your business looks really cohesive and professional.[5]
- For instance, if you sell calligraphy prints, you may name your brand something like "Looped Luxury" or "Inked Dreaming."
- If you make your own baskets, you can name your brand something like "Brittany's Baskets" or "Bushels of Love."
- Register your business with your state or region. Check online to see what your state or region's small business laws are. If you plan on making a decent chunk of income from this business, you'll likely need to register yourself with the government for tax purposes. Check your state or regional website for specific information.[6]
- For instance, if you're registered as a small business in the United States, you get an Employer Identification Number, which you use to pay taxes later on.
- Choose a competitive price for your products. Visit craft shows and check on craft marketplaces to see what the average price is for the type of craft you're selling. Try to mark your own prices at a similar price so customers don't write your products off as too expensive.[7]
- For instance, if other sellers list their rubber stamps for $15, you may want to undercut their prices slightly by selling your products for $12.
- Always consider the cost of your materials when pricing a product. If you undersell your products, you may end of losing money in the long run.
- Find a reasonable supplier where you can buy supplies in bulk. Check online to see if there are any wholesale stores that sell the supplies you need for your craft. Think about how much you're willing to spend on these—keep in mind that you're trying to make a profit with your business, so your supplies shouldn't cost more than your actual crafts.[8]
- Stores that sell in bulk are a good starting point to work with. Once you make a steady profit, you can purchase supplies from more expensive/luxury brands.
- Make multiple versions of your craft ahead of time so you have stock. Take some time to create a "stock" for your store, so you can accept lots of orders at once. Set your products aside in a safe place so they're ready to mail out once you open your business.[9]
- Sign up with a shipping provider who can mail your goods. Look up different pricing information from different postal or shipping offices in your area. Pick a group that has reasonable rates and won't break the bank when you start making sales.[10]
- Your local post office is a good option, depending on the type of product you're selling.
- Some websites, like Etsy, help you print out a shipping label for your local post office.
[Edit]Photographing Your Products - Set up a nice backdrop so you can take nice product photos. Drape a white sheet over a chair or wall so you have a clean, crisp backdrop to use for your pictures. Choose something light-colored so your product is really clear and distinguishable in a picture.[11]
- If you have a bit of money to spare, buy an official backdrop to use for your product pictures. You can buy these for under $20 online.
- If you have a bit of technology expertise, you can use a green screen as a backdrop instead.
- Arrange extra lighting to boost your picture quality. Place extra lights around your product so the picture can look clear and focused. If you're really committed to a photo studio setup, you can buy lighting from special companies, like SHOTBOX or B&H.[12]
- Take your pictures with a nice camera. Rent or invest in a nice, high-quality camera, or snap pictures with your camera phone. Double-check that the product is centered and well-lit in the photos before you upload them anywhere.[13]
- Ask a professional to take pictures if you don't have a lot of experience.
[Edit]Marketing Your Business - Predict who your ideal customer will be. Pretend that you're shopping from your own craft business, and think about how you'd describe your crafts from a shopper's perspective. Try and form an identity based on this experiment, like where your ideal customer lives, when they're most likely to shop, and why they choose certain products over others.[14]
- For instance, if you make costumes for a living, your ideal customer might be a cosplayer or performer looking for costumes that are higher quality than a standard retailer.
- If you make your own ceramics, your ideal customer may be a middle-aged or older adult looking for art to place in their home.
- Cater your product descriptions to your ideal clientele. Narrow down your ideal customer's reason for shopping, then try to address it in your product's description and website. Think about really specific reasons why the customer might be looking for a certain craft—this can help you narrow down your description.[15]
- For instance, if you make custom lotion, you can write something like: "Our summer soap is made with aloe, which will soothe your skin after a hot day in the sun."
- If you design custom T-shirts, you can say something like: "Our T-shirts are great for a variety of occasions for all ages, whether you're getting ready for a soccer tournament or a family reunion."
- Separate yourself from the competition. Look online to see what other crafters in your field are selling. Give yourself a unique angle that no other crafter has, which will really set you apart from other sellers. Advertise the unique product you offer customers, and explain why it's noteworthy.[16]
- For instance, if you make amigurumi toys, you can use pastel yarn to give your products a unique color scheme.
- If you want to open a woodworking shop, you can use local or recycled wood to make all of your products.
- Draft a personal story that describes your backstory. Write down a few inspirational paragraphs about your origin story as an artisan. Let them know when you started crafting, and if there are any special causes that are near and dear to your heart. Keep your passage concise and to the point, so buyers feel like they can trust you and your products.[17]
- For instance, you can say something like: "I've been sculpting clay since I was 12 years old, and it's turned into a lifelong passion. I love challenging myself and creating unique designs for my customers."
- Let buyers know if your goods support a certain charity.
- Design a website for your business. Build a website that helps give your customers a full scope of what you offer as an artisan. Include an "about" tab, along with a place for people to shop and view your products. Additionally, include a "contact" page that helps potential clientele get in touch with you more easily.[18]
- You can use a free website builder, like Wix or Weebly, but it'll look more professional if you purchase your own domain.
- List your crafts on your website or a third-party marketplace. Make an account on a third-party site, like Etsy or Handmade by Amazon, which will help you sell and ship your products to a variety of locations. These sites usually charge you per listing, and pocket a small portion of your sales.[19] If you want to seek directly from your own website, set up your shop on a platform like Shopify or BigCommerce.[20]
- Create social media profiles for your business. Sign up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and any other network where you think your customers will be active. Upload content on a regular basis so you can stay in touch with your customers while also promoting yourself.[21]
- You can use social media to host fun giveaways for customers, or to show off new merchandise that you're planning to sell.
- Sell your products at craft shows for in-person networking opportunities. Register for craft shows in your area if you'd like to interact with customers personally to get your name out there. Always bring a credit card reader with you to accommodate for all buyers. Keep in mind that many shows require a registration fee to rent a booth, so only sign up for events in your price range.[22]
- You can use craft shows as an opportunity to share your business card, or set up a mailing list.
- Be sure to list any staff members on your website.[23]
- A craft business can be a great side job if you're looking to make extra money.
- It may help to make a unique email domain specifically for your craft business.
[Edit]Warnings - Be prepared for anything when you first start a craft business. There's no guarantee that you'll sell enough to make a living, so you'll want a back-up plan in place.
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Boxes For Chocolates Posted: 09 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Chocolates are a great gift. They're perfect for romantic occasions, holidays, or party bags, and almost everyone enjoys a sweet treat. But part of the experience comes from unwrapping or unboxing a gift to find out what's inside. While there's nothing wrong with using the packaging the chocolates came in, making your own box is a great way to take your gift to the next level. You can either make a box from scratch by printing a template out online, or dress up a preconstructed cardboard box to make a stronger box for your chocolates. [Edit]Folding a DIY Gift Box - Find a printable template online to make things easy. Designing a box from scratch is kind of complicated, but there are hundreds of free templates out there in a variety of unique designs. From regular old boxes to heart-shaped boxes and pillow pouches, there are plenty of templates to choose from. Find a box that looks interesting to you.[1]
- Take the shape of your chocolate into account. If you're gifting longer bars, a rectangular box is ideal. For little chocolate balls or bites, basically any sized box will work, although cubes and pillow boxes look great.
- Print the template out on colorful cardstock or paper. Grab some colorful cardstock. If you have a high-end printer that can print on cardstock, print the template directly on the cardstock. If you don't have a printer that can print on thicker paper, just print out the template on regular paper and glue it on the backside of some nice cardstock.[2]
- You can always pull a template up on your screen and draw it out or trace it on your computer screen if you don't have a printer.
- Cut the solid lines of the template out with a utility knife or scissors. Cut around the external lines that make the shape of the box. Either use scissors and carefully cut around the lines, or put the paper down on a cutting board and use a straight edge and a utility knife to cut each line out perfectly.[3]
- Leave any solid lines inside of the template where they are. These lines are typically reserved for tabs that you fold into other portions of the box and adhere to them with glue.
- If you're making a pillow pouch or heart-shaped box, you probably have a few curved lines to cut out. Trimming these lines with a utility knife is extremely difficult, so you're better off using scissors for these.
- Score the dotted lines with a non-serrated butter knife. To score the dotted lines inside of the template, grab a soft-edged butter knife and a straight edge. Set the paper down on a cutting board and line the edge of the straight edge up with the dotted line. Then, drag the butter knife along the line to put an indentation in the paper. This will make the sections much easier to fold.[4]
- If you don't score the lines, your box will have a kind of puffy shape and may unfold on its own. Scoring these lines improves the shape of the box and reduces the overall tension.
- Fold the box into its general shape by folding along the scored lines. This process looks different for each style of box, so follow the template's instructions on the site you pulled it from. Generally speaking, you fold each solid line inside of your template to make the tabs and gently fold along each scored line to assemble the box inward.[5]
- This process is typically easier for simple boxes and pillow pouches. The heart-shaped boxes and complex shapes can take a few attempts to get right.
- Put glue or double-sided tape on the foldable tabs. Once you have the shape of the box mostly assembled, grab a glue stick or a roll of double-sided tape. Apply a small length of glue or double-sided tape to each tab on the side where it faces another portion of your box.[6]
- You can also use standard single-sided tape to attach the tabs where they lay over another portion of the box. Just keep in mind that these pieces of tape will be visible when someone opens the box.
- Press the tabs against the adjacent walls of your box to secure them. Take your first tab and line it up with the wall of the box it attaches to. Gently press the tab against the paper to permanently attach it to your box. Repeat this process for every tab you have until the shape of your box is assembled.[7]
- Add a bow, design, or stickers to customize the box. Once your box is folded, you can add any optional designs. Custom stickers are a great option if you're gifting the chocolates to someone since you can put their name or a cute note on the sticker. Bows, ribbons, string, and fake flowers are also great options.[8]
- You can always leave the box as it is. You don't have to add anything to it if you don't want to.
[Edit]Dressing up a Prefabricated Box - Get a cardboard box big enough to fit your chocolates. A small shoebox is great for a large amount of chocolate, while a large matchbox is great for 2-3 smaller, fancier chocolates. Basically any small cardboard box with a lid will work. If you're assembling a lot of boxes to give chocolates to a bunch of people, pick up some small cardboard boxes from a hobby or big box store.[9]
- Wrap the box in wrapping paper to give it a neat texture or pattern. Pull out a roll of wrapping paper. Set the box down with the opening facing up and cut out a section of the wrapping paper big enough to cover the sides of the box. Put tape or glue on the bottom and sides of the box and fold the paper up to the fit the box. Tuck the corners in and tape them in place, and use scissors to trim off any excess paper.[10]
- Repeat this process with the lid to cover each portion of the box with your paper.
- If you don't like the glossy texture of wrapping paper, buy some butcher paper.
- You can do this by printing out a pattern on printer paper if you have a smaller box.
- You can paint the box if you'd like, but painted cardboard boxes tend to look kind of cheap compared to paper-based options.
- Cut shapes out and tape them to the box if you'd like. To give the box some personality, cut out some hearts, labels, or shapes. Tape or glue them to your box to add some additional design elements. Use cardstock or glossy paper if you want to give the shapes some texture or weight.[11]
- This is a great way to give each box an individual touch if you're giving out a large number of boxes to coworkers, friends, or family.
- Add bows, strings, or ribbons to give the box a personal touch. A bow is a great choice if you're giving a romantic gift or giving the chocolates out as a holiday gift. String or twine is a more modern option and will give your box a more elegant look. Ribbons are a great middle ground if you just want to add some color and style.[12]
- You can wrap a single string or ribbon around the middle of the box, or wrap the box vertically in both directions to give the gift receiver something to open.
[Edit]Packing the Chocolates - Line the inside with tissue or shredded paper to protect the chocolates. To keep the chocolate from getting dinged up inside of the box, stuff the inside with balled up tissue paper. For a trendier look, pick up some shredded paper and line the inside of your box with it. Set your wrapped chocolates on top of the shredded or tissue paper.[13]
- Do not pack unwrapped chocolates on the paper. Your delicious treats will pick up all kind of junk and dust from the paper.
- Cut some small compartments out of cardboard strips for multiple chocolates. Get 2 thin cardboard strips that will fit inside your box. Cut a slit in the middle of each strip. Then, place your first strip in the middle of the box with the slit facing up. Take your second cardboard strip and slide it into the first strip so that the slits fit together. Place your wrapped chocolates in the compartments to separate them.[14]
- You can buy these compartment liners if you prefer. Just make sure the divider will fit inside your box.
- You can also do this with 4 strips for a 3 by 3 grid if you have a bigger box.
- Place a single chocolate inside each box for a simple gift. If you have a bunch of smaller boxes or you're only giving out a little token of gratitude, just put a single chocolate inside each box. This is a great option if the chocolates are really fancy or you have a lot of gifts to give out.[15]
- Use cupcake liners to present a large number of chocolates. If you have a bigger box and you're giving out chocolates for everyone to share, get some mini cupcake liners. These are the small paper wrappers with ridges used for muffins, cupcakes, and peanut butter cups. Place 1 wrapped or unwrapped chocolate in each cupcake liner and arrange the chocolates in rows to share them.
- If you do this, make sure you keep the box upright at all times as you're transporting it. The chocolates will fly all over the place if you don't handle the box with care.
- Store your chocolates in the refrigerator and only put them in the box when you're ready to give the box away. If you just leave the chocolate in your box and it melts at all, you'll need to make a new box.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Folding a DIY Gift Box - Printer
- Printer paper
- Template
- Scissors
- Utility knife
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Bow, twine, stickers (optional)
[Edit]Dressing up a Prefabricated Box - Cardboard box
- Wrapping paper or butcher paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Bow, twine, stickers (optional)
[Edit]Packing the Chocolates - Tissue paper or shredded paper
- Cardboard strips
- Scissors
- Cupcake liners
[Edit]References |
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