Problem: Article: When grading a comic book, the first thing you'll see is the cover. Take a close look, ideally with a magnifying glass, and make careful notes of any apparent damage, including: Bends, folds, or dents that warp the shape or surface of the book, but don't affect the color Coackling, a bubbling effect on the cover usually caused by printing defects Creases, more severe folds that remove ink or otherwise create distortions in the coloring Tears Moisture, water damage, or "foxing" (bacterial or fungal growth on the paper) Fading, lack of gloss, or "dust shadow" (partial exposure to dust or air resulting in uneven fading) Fingerprints, especially those which in which skin oils have led to discoloration of the ink Chew (rodent damage) Writing or other soiling of the cover. Look for evidence of tape or glue or other attempts to repair the book. These generally have a negative effect on the value. Note that more sophisticated efforts to restore a comic book, such as color restoration or re-glossing are often undetectable by amateur graders (and sometimes even professionals), but can also have a negative effect on value if noticed by a potential buyer. Such restorations should be noted upfront before attempting to sell a comic book. Less obvious but equally important to the surface of the cover is the spine of the comic book. Inspect it closely, making note of any of the following: Spine stress/bindery tears, small creases, folds, or tears (under 1/4 inch) running perpendicular to the spine Spine roll, a curvature of the left edge of a comic toward the front or back, caused by folding back each page of the comic as it was read Spine break, spine stress that has become a full tear (usually through multiple pages), typically found near the staples Spine split, a clean, even separation at the fold, usually (but not always) right above or below a staple The staples themselves must also be inspected closely. Make sure no staples are missing at that the staples are in good condition. Look for signs of rust on the staples, as well as "popped" staples. A popped staple occurs when one side of a cover has torn right next to the staple, but remains attached by the paper beneath the staple. This condition can easily lead to detached staples.
Summary: Look for cover damage. Make note of attempts to repair the book. Examine the spine. Inspect the staples.

Problem: Article: Before you clean your Keds, you should take out both the laces and any inserts inside of the shoe. The laces can be cleaned in the washing machine, by hand in the sink, or simply replaced. You should set aside the inserts until you are finished cleaning. If they are smelly or dirty, you may want to replace them. Use a toothbrush or scrub brush, and gently work your way around the shoe to remove loose dirt before you begin cleaning. You may also tap together your shoes to help knock off dust. This will make your job easier when cleaning. You will need a cup of water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and two tablespoons of white vinegar. Mix these together in a bowl until they form a paste. Using a toothbrush, apply the paste to the shoes. Scrub thoroughly to dislodge dirt. Work your way around the entire shoe. You can use the paste on both the soles and the canvas. Do not use the toothbrush again after cleaning your Keds with it. Use cold or lukewarm water to rinse the paste off of the shoes. Let them dry for 24 hours. Stuff the insides with newspaper, and set them in a dry area away from direct heat. You can let them dry in the sun if you would like. If your Keds are still dirty, try washing them in the sink them after this step. Stuffing the shoes while they dry allows them to keep their shape.
Summary: Remove laces and inserts. Brush off loose dirt. Make a paste. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse.

Problem: Article: Tell the stylist you're donating/selling your hair and that you want it cut as evenly as possible. Give very specific instructions, and don't let the stylist add layers or texture until after the hair has been cut. Your hair needs to be completely dry, so ask your stylist to make sure it is dry, and possibly use a hair dryer. Make sure, if you use a hair dryer, you keep it on low heat as high heat from hair dryers and heat tools can damage your hair. Don't use products or heat tools on the hair before cutting. Don't use holders with metal or rubber bands because these will break hair strand. Bundle it right at the nape of your neck, where you'll be able to cut your hair as short as you can and still keep it all the same length. The stylist should cut your hair just above the ponytail holder. Use a few ponytail holders to secure the ponytail or braid at a few points down its length, so that it does not come loose. Transfer the hair directly to a strong plastic zipper bag to protect it before sending. Package it in a tightly-sealed container so it doesn't get wet or dirty, and send it off to the buyer. Make sure to send it with a tracking code so that the buyer can follow the package.
Summary: Have your hair professionally cut if possible. Bundle your hair into a tight ponytail. Send the hair according the agreement you made.

Problem: Article: Connect the edge pieces. Look for pieces that might have copyright information that you can put together in a corner of the puzzle. Start filling in the middle after you've assembled the frame. Consult the picture on the box as you work on the puzzle. Study the details on the box to help you make smaller sub-piles from the pieces in the larger piles of colors and like-shaped pieces you've sorted. Look to see where the objects you start putting together belong in the picture. Use your colored piles to complete various chunks of the puzzle. Start with pieces that are large swaths of the puzzle such as a group of blues that represent the sky. Look for pieces that will form easily identifiable objects, like houses or animals. Tabs are the parts that jut out of the pieces, and blanks are their counterpart. Find tabs and blanks that will fit together -- you'll quickly recognize how the pieces match. Check for repeating patterns of how the tabs and blanks are put together in your puzzle. Use these patterns to speed up your assembly. Don't try to make the pieces fit. If they don't go together easily, it's because they do not belong in that position. Put them approximately where they go inside the frame according to the picture on the box. Build on the sections that you've already completed. Fill in the gaps around the different completed sections to finish your puzzle.
Summary:
Construct the frame with the outside pieces. Use the picture on the box to orient yourself. Complete different color groups. Look at the shape of the pieces. Arrange your colored sections.