INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You'll want to use between 8 and 13 sheets per pompom, depending on how thick the paper is. The thinner the paper, the more sheets you should use. To do so, fold the edge of the paper in about one inch. Then, flip over the entire stack of paper and do the same thing on the other side. Repeat until you have one long strip of paper with accordion folds. Once the paper is folded, trim the edges. For soft, feminine looking pompoms, round the corners. For more dramatic pompoms, cut them to a point. Don't worry if you don't get the cuts as perfect as you'd like. While shaping the edges of the paper will definitely have an effect on the shape of the pompoms, you will not be able to notice small details or mistakes once they have been folded out. Bend it in half. It should be placed as close to the center of the paper as possible. Twist the ends of the wire together to keep it in place. Don't worry about making the wire super tight. In fact, keeping the wire slightly looser will make it easier to fan out the pompom. Then, thread the fishing line through the wire and tie a knot. Be sure that there is plenty of fishing line hanging outyou will use this to hang the pompom later. Slowly lift the top sheet of paper until it is standing straight up. Repeat with the first four layers, then flip the pompom over and repeat. Continue until all the paper is fluffed out. Use gentle, slow movements to do this, or you risk ripping the paper. To push each piece up as far as possible, try running your first and index fingers along the accordion folds from the outside of the pompom to the middle. Enjoy your new decoration!

SUMMARY: Lay your paper out so that all the corners are aligned. Fold your paper like a fan. Cut down the edges. Cut off 9 to 10 inches (22.9 to 25.4cm) of floral wire. Slide the wire onto the paper. Bend the excess wire to make a loop. Fluff out the pompom. Hang the pompom by sticking a tack through the fishing wire.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Although the department store chain is nationwide, the company's headquarters are located in Plano, Texas. You will need to call or email their corporate headquarters to find out who to get in touch with locally (and what number or email you can reach that local contact at) for more information about modeling opportunities. The online website for careers at JCPenney does not have any listings for models, so unfortunately you cannot use their website to get a job this way. Corporate's phone number is (972) 431-1000. Corporate's fax number is (972) 431-1362. Ask them for the number of the local administrative office and the name and title of the person you need to speak with regarding modeling opportunities. Be sure to be polite (say please and thank them for their time). You need to find out whether or not your local JCPenney is looking for new models, and how they go about hiring models. Ask if they cast for the models themselves, if they will only take models that have agents to vouch for them, and whether or not they go through a particular agency in the area. If your JCPenney hires directly, ask for an email or snail mail address that you can send a portfolio to and find out what specific requirements they have for talent submissions. There is a high likelihood that your JCPenney will only take models from approved agencies for both their catalogs and printed ads, so be prepared to ask for the names of the agency or agencies that they have a professional relationship with, as well as their phone numbers and physical addresses. Ask questions to find out the criteria that they are looking for in current models; the look a company is looking for can change over time. If you've been told that your JCPenney only does business with select agencies, you will need to go through one of these organizations in order to work with JCPenney. If you live out in California, there is a list of approved agencies that JCPenney uses online. They include: Elite Management Jet Set Management L.A. Models Nouveau Model & Talent Shamon Freitas Agency Wilhelmina Models, Inc. Everyone else will need to contact the local administrative offices for JCPenney to find out who they work with. You need to find out their specific submission guidelines, what address to send submissions to, and what looks they're looking for. If you've been told you can go directly through JCPenney's offices, submit your portfolio to them. It should showcase several of your best photos. Be sure that you follow whatever instructions you were given for submissions exactly and submit any extra information they may ask for like your age and body measurements. Sometimes announcements for fashion show opportunities at local malls pop up, so you'll want to keep an eye out for these. You can follow JCPenney's Facebook and Twitter accounts to watch for these opportunities, as well as checking websites like Paidmodeling.com and Backstage.com to watch for events. You can also stop by your local JCPenney's to inquire with the staff about a calendar for events like fashion shows and other similar opportunities. Ask a salesperson for an event calendar. If they do not have one or know of one, ask if they can call a supervisor to a register to give you one. JCPenney also occasionally hosts modeling competitions at local and national levels; keep an eye out for these while watching the various online pages, and submit to them whenever you have the opportunity. Even if you are not able to actually model in a show, attending one as a viewer will give you the opportunity to approach either the models or someone hosting the event to inquire for more information and get your face and name out there. Introduce yourself and ask them how models get started with JCPenney and to whom can you submit your modeling portfolio for consideration. Again, remember to be polite.

SUMMARY: Call corporate on the telephone. Call your local administrative office. Contact the agencies JCPenney uses. Submit your portfolio. Watch for opportunities.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: While you're starting out, make your own bags, even if this means you need to learn how to sew. Not only will this save you money, but it'll also help you understand all the ins and outs of the creation process. This knowledge will be crucial as you start to pick manufacturers and sources for your materials. Staying involved in the production process lets you be in control. What better way to make bags the way you want them to be made than to do it yourself? Keep expanding your skill set as you continue designing. If you're designing cloth bags, you may want to learn how to weave. You'll also almost certainly need to know how to sew zippers into your bags. If this is going to be your main money-making job, attend a two- or four-year fashion design program at an accredited school. When you begin pitching your ideas to stores and manufacturers, this could make the difference between a "yes" and a "no" for your designs. These programs will teach you basic design, production, and art techniques. Some schools may also have courses in business and marketing that could be useful for you. While you're in the learning phase, you can also apply for internships with big-name handbag designers or other companies in the fashion industry. A fashion degree doesn't guarantee success, and it's not necessary if it's out of your budget. It's even more important to be passionate about your creative and unique designs! As you set out on your design journey, it's important to know what's out there and what people like. Become an obsessive follower of fashion magazines and shows. Take note of popular colors, shapes, sizes, and styles to think about where your own bags would fit in the handbag world. Ask your friends and family what they look for in a bag. See if they use multiple bags for different occasions. While you should have a good idea of what's already popular, you want your stuff to be surprising. Think about what features you would most want in a handbag, and start from there. You'll be most comfortable designing what makes you happy. Maybe the whole reason you got into handbag design was because you couldn't find the exact bag you wanted. If you're struggling to find that perfect purse, you can bet other people are too.

SUMMARY:
Work on your sewing and leatherworking skills. Get a degree in fashion to make this your career. Research fashion trends for inspiration. Decide what sets your bags apart.