Contemporary lampshade

This is a fabulous lampshade that could be placed in many contemporary places.  CONTEMPORARY LAMPSHADE

First of all it’s simple, colorful and organic.  All of Laura Lights lampshades are made of a Japanese paper called “Kinwashi”  to read more about Laura Lights go to

Laura Lights and read about how these lampshades are made.

Scams || Beware of These Types of Messages

I received today what I thought at first was a legitimate buyer of one of my lampshades.  The first few lines seemed personable asking for information, a little vague, but what I thought was how my product was made and how we would handle shipping.  When the so called buyer replied back for more information here is what I got…

“Okay this is what am going to do in term of payment,i will instruct a cashier’s check or a money order to you and as soon as you get the payment cashed,you will deduct your money and you will handover my balance to my shipping broker at the time of pickup or you will send it to them.I think this payment method is okay by you.so get back to me with your contact information ASAP because i also have some other goods to pickup in the state.Get back to me with your contact info for payment processing”

No this payment method is not okay with me… What do people think they are doing?   I’ve seen messages like this before in Craigslist and Ebay.  This one came to me through my Etsy account email.  So if you see something like this don’t reply with ANY personal, financial information.   They are very deviant and are phishing for information to do something malicious, so don’t respond.  You could also report them to the FBI.  Or for more information on scams go to OnGuard Online

New “Green Jewelry” Recycled papers by Laura Lights

Bangle in colorful orange, red, sienna & turquoise

Bangle and earrings / Southwestern motif

Etsy – Laura Lights

Etsy has become my new home lately with so many fabulous artist.  I had the opportunity to create a “Treasury” of a few of my favorite items.    – Today is the last day you can view it so hurry.   Go to My Etsy  on the right under Links.  When you get to my shop click on the link on front the says Blue, Gold BOLD.

Lights | Illuminating ideas for your home ~

It’s important to remember that there are no hard or definite rules when it comes to selecting your lighting fixtures.  It is perfectly acceptable to mix and match opposing styles to create an interesting, surprising as well as complementary look.

For traditional rooms common materials would be copper, brass, and crystal fixtures.  For complementing a Victorian room use something like bronze, cast iron, stone, rust finishes or painted china.  Re-purposed lighting is now the big “buzz” in fixtures and would work fabulous in an Old-World-style room or even a modern room.   Track and recessed lighting is good for a minimalist look and modern or high-tech look.

And of course, I have to mention my light creations.  Unique and could fit in with modern or Old-World.  I use an imported paper to wrap the lamp frames with, but first I dip the paper in a glue so when they dry the paper forms a tight drum-like substructure.   Next it’s ready for applique design and a finishing coat to complete the process. You can have any motif to fit any style of room, they’ll last for years.  Let me know what you think of these lighting fixtures…                             Laura

Stripes can complement any style "Dinning room pendants" from lauralights.com

Here you can go modern or old world taken from www.johnpomp.com

Repurposed fixtures are the "buzz" from www.conantmetalandlight.com

Tax Credit – ON EFFICIENCY FURNACES

EXPLAINING THE $1,500 TAX CREDIT

AND HOW INSTALLING A 95% EFFICIENCY FURNACE THIS YEAR CAN

EARN YOU TAX SAVINGS

Key concepts/terms

taxable income

tax deduction

income taxes

tax credit

tax bracket

• Taxable income is what creates income taxes.
• A tax deduction is a dollar for dollar reduction of taxable income.
• Taxable income creates income taxes owed according to your tax bracket.
• A tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction of income taxes owed as a result of taxable income.
• A tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction because it reduces the taxes owed on taxable income dollar for dollar.
• The real economic value of the $1,500 energy tax credit depends on the individual’s tax bracket.

Federal Income Tax Brackets For 2010 – Based On Taxable Income—not gross income—Ranges

Tax Rate Married Couples Filing Jointly Most Single Filers 10% Not over $16,750 Not over $8,375 15% $16,750 – $68,000 $8,375 – $34,000 25% $68,000 – $137,300 $34,000 – $82,400 28% $137,300 – $209,250 $82,400 – $171,850 33% $209,250 – $373,650 $171,850 – $373,650 35% Over $373,650 Over $373,650

Examples of calculating the real economic benefit of the credit to a qualified taxpayer.

Assume a home owner is in the 25% tax bracket.  This means that for every taxable dollar of income, the homeowner creates $00.25 of income tax liability.  It is a simple 4:1 ratio.  Therefore, a $1,500 tax credit is the same as if the owner was able to take a one time deduction off of their taxable income of $6,000.  $6,000 x 25% = $1,500 tax savings.  So the tax credit is worth much more than just $1,500.

Another way of looking at it in terms of a tax deduction, putting in a new 95% efficient furnace (for someone in the 25% tax bracket) is the same as the owner being able to “write off” or expense $6,000 off of their taxable income.

The new energy efficient furnace really does not really cost the homeowner in a 25% bracket anything.  The first $6,000 cost of a new 95% furnace is “free” in the sense that the value of the tax credit to someone in the 25% bracket offsets the out of pocket cost (up to $6,000).

IT’S EVEN MORE FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO CUSTOMERS IN LOWER TAX BRACKETS

This economic benefit to a homeowner in a lower tax bracket is even greater.  Assume a homeowner is in the 15% bracket.  This means for every $1 of taxable income $00.15 of tax liability is created.  The net effect of a $1,500 tax credit to someone in the 15% bracket is the same as being able to deduct $10,000 off of their taxable income because to create $1,500 of tax liability, that person has to have $10,000 of taxable income.  The owner can, in essence, pay up to $10,000 for a new furnace and tankless water heater and still break-even.

To someone in a 10% tax bracket, the equivalent taxable income reduction is equivalent to being able to deduct $15,000 off of the taxable income ($15,000 taxable income x 10% bracket = $1,500 of taxes owed).

Lower efficiency furnaces that cost less and don’t qualify for the tax credit “cost” more than installing a 95% efficiency furnace.

THERE ARE LIMITATIONS TO THE TAX CREDIT AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR OR VISIT THE IRS’ WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS.

FAQ’s from IRS website www.irs.gov

Energy Incentives for Individuals: Questions and Answers

Q. How has the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements? A. The new law increases the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes.  The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010. A similar credit was available for 2007, but was not available in 2008. Homeowners should be aware that the standards in the new law are higher than the standards for the credit that was available in 2007 for products that qualify as “energy efficient” for purposes of this tax credit. The IRS has issued guidance that will allow manufacturers to certify that their products meet these new standards. See Notice 2009-53. Q. What improvements qualify for the enhanced residential energy property credit for homeowners? A. In 2009 and 2010, an individual may claim a credit for 30 percent of the cost (subject to the overall credit limit of $1,500) for the installation of the following qualifying products: Energy-efficient exterior windows, doors and skylights Energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems Insulation Water heaters (natural gas, propane or oil) Roofs (metal and asphalt) Biomass stoves Q. Who qualifies to claim a residential energy property credit? Are there limitations? A. You may be able to take these credits if you made energy saving improvements to your personal residence. This credit is limited to improvements placed in service during 2009 and 2010 up to a total credit of $1,500 for both tax years combined. The residential energy property credit is non refundable. A nonrefundable tax credit allows taxpayers to lower their tax liability to zero, but not below zero. Q. Are there incentives for making your home energy efficient by installing alternative energy equipment — for example, installing a solar hot water heater? A. Yes, the residential energy efficiency property credit has been enhanced to remove some of the previously imposed maximum amounts and allows for a credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of qualified property. Qualifying property includes solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines, installed in a home.  For more information, see Notice 2009-41, which explains the effects of this change.

To get the IRS form and instructions:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf

Written by Steve Araki, PC

Lighting,,, the basic types

General Lighting Also know as ambient lighting, provides an area with overall illumination.  General lighting radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and walk about safely. It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling mounts wall sconces or track lighting, or even outside the home with lanterns.

Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as reading, sewing, cooking, and homework, basically, bright enough to prevent eyestrain.  It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting, and table or floor lamps and should be free of distracting glare and shadows.

Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of a decorating scheme, it is used to spotlight paintings, up light behind plants, sculptures, or spot light down your prized possessions, or to highlight the texture of a wall, which is sometimes referred to as “Wall Wash”.  Outside the home as well, you can accent pathways, gardens and trees as part of your landscaping.  Accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting around it.

Laura Lights lighting falls in between general and accent, our lampshades are the object of focus, the art in your room.  We want to create drama and visual interest, but without the high intense light as in accent lighting.  www.lauralights.com

Lighting Trends

Today, lighting trends lead consumers to fixtures that are both functional and aesthetically appealing…

Consumers are ready to invest in ambient lighting to achieve a custom mood and effect they want for their living and work spaces.   At Laura Lights every shade is a unique design piece produced by hand, one at a time.  These are not ordinary, mass-produced, soulless products brought in by the container load.  Fine art and function are combined in each and every piece created by Laura Lights.

The shades are made by applying layers of papers soaked in a solution around a frame to create a substructure that is very hard and durable.  Then the design pattern and colors are hand cut and appliquéd with a final sealing coat to protect the design work.  The shades are very distinctive and eye catching.  Once the light source is turned on, the fibers in the paper become visible and add an extra visual dimension of texture and design to the shades.  Raise your lighting to a high art.  Website:  www.lauralights.com

3 large pendants over dinning room table for custom home, Seattle Wash

A Few Quotes I like…

Quotes of wisdom… ” The mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work unless it’s open”  “The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them”      “The best mind-altering drug is truth”.  “I don’t know what the key to success is, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone”.   “Knowledge  talks, wisdom listens”.  Goal quotes…. ” a goal properly set is halfway reached”   “Goals are dreams with deadlines”   “Everyday is a gift, that’s why they call it the present”.  (authors unknown)

And a few “You Can Do It” quotes… “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t… you’re right.” –Henry Ford    “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing” –George Bernard Shaw   “If I had to live my life again, I’d make all the same mistakes, only sooner.”  –Tallulah Bankhead

Press On quote… “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”   — Calvin Coolidge

If you have some funny quotes send them over,

Laura

Networking … now that you have joined an organization or group …

Be ready, most groups will have each member give a 30 second commercial about you and your business.  That’s not a lot of time to convey key points across to your listeners about what you do.

Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

Organized groups usually have a time to meet one-on-one with other members. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you.  These groups are designed to help each other.  Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you??”  and no immediate answer comes to mind.  Ask open-ended questions that begin with who, what, when.  Avoid forming questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.  This will open up discussion, since the point is to give and gain information and show that you are interested in them.

When you get a referral, follow through quickly and efficiently. Generally it’s someone the member knows and or has a business relationship with.  Your actions are a reflection on them and word gets around fast if it’s not good.  So respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

Thanks for reading

Laura