Problem: Article: Student violins are usually made from less expensive woods and are manufactured by machines rather than by hand. These are less expensive, typically ranging from $100 to $800 and are perfect for beginners. If you are just starting to take violin lessons, you may not want to invest in an expensive and high quality violin only to discover that this is not the instrument for you. Once you have been playing the violin for a few years and want to improve the overall quality and sound of your instrument, you should upgrade to an intermediate level violin. Some brands will not produce an intermediate level violin, but those that do price them around $1,000. Professional violins are hand-crafted by a master luthier and are made from high quality wood. These instruments can cost thousands of dollars and are ideal for professional musicians or art collectors. Traditional acoustic violins create warm and rounded tones as a result of the natural resonance of the tonewood. These instruments are best suited for classical and folk music. It is possible to attach an amplifier to an acoustic violin. If you only need an amp for some songs, it is best to stick with an acoustic violin. Electric violins have built in pickups that amplify the sound and produce a brighter and more raw sound than the acoustic violin. This is preferred if you are playing rock or jazz music. Consider the type of music you like. If you listen to rock music, you may be more inclined to use an electric instrument that can create a rock sound. If you are just starting out with playing the violin, you may prefer renting prior to making an investment. In many instances, you can actually rent the violin to begin with and then eventually buy the violin. Your rent payments will go towards the purchase price.
Summary: Buy a student violin if you are a beginner. Select an intermediate violin for improved quality. Choose a professional violin if you are an advanced violinist. Buy an acoustic violin to play classical and folk music. Get an electric violin to play rock and jazz music. Inquire about a rent-to-buy program.

Problem: Article: If your city does not offer a public composting service, search for a private composting business in your area. Select a business and a plan that is within your price range, meets your needs, and fits into your schedule. Once you sign-up for the service, the business will typically provide you with a composting bin or bags. Many services will take the full bin and leave you with a sanitized bin. If you do not produce much food waste, find a service that will pick up your compostable materials every two weeks or once a month. If you are interested in using compost in your yard, select a service that provides you with compost for free or at a discounted rate. Instead of paying for a public or private composting service, bring your organic materials to a designated biodegradable waste drop off site. These sites may be operated by the city, private organizations, or nonprofits. Before bringing your materials to one of these locations, make sure all of the items in your compost bin or bags adhere to the site's standards. Find these drop off sites through a quick internet search. Instead of paying for your city's composting service, you may be allowed to bring biodegradable materials to a drop-off site yourself. Giving your biodegradable materials away is an excellent ways to support the farmers and systems that produce food for your community. Contact farmers and community gardens in your area to see if they accept organic donations. This is a great option for business and restaurants looking to cut costs while giving back to the community. Some farmers and gardens may already have drop off boxes for composting donations.
Summary: Subscribing to a private composting service. Bring your compostable materials to a composting collection site. Donate your organic materials to local farmers or community gardens.

Problem: Article: Once you have found a good beginner's pointe class, go to the store and buy your pointe shoes. Talk to a salesperson at the store and ask for assistance. Make sure that your pointe shoes fit your feet snugly. They should make your feet look long and thin. If you have soft arches, make sure that the shoe you get has a soft shank. Some good shoes for people with soft arches are Capezio, Mirella, and Bloch Sonata. If you have strong arches, you should try Grishko and Russian Pointe. Don't buy the shoes online. Pointe shoes are extremely hard to fit, and you should take at least a half hour with the salesperson to find the right fit. Don't try to purchase shoes in a larger size, expecting that you will grow into them. The shoes should fit perfectly and be slightly difficult to put on. Once you have found a good pair of pointe shoes, go and check with your instructor. Do whatever your instructor says. If you need to go get different ones, go get different ones. Your instructor's discretion is the most important information you can get for your safety and comfort. If possible, have your teacher come with you to buy your first pair. Break in the shoes correctly. A good way to break in your pointe shoes is to use your hands and roll through the arch. Try to break them in with your hands first, at home, before you wear them into the studio. Normally your teacher will show you how to sew them, but if he/she does not, then look up videos on YouTube. Note: some brands, such as Gaynor Mindens, do not require breaking in. Do research before attempting any type of method on your shoes. As important as it is to break in the shoes, don't overdo it until you are experienced with pointe shoes. Never break in your shoes sickled or it is just a wasted pair of pointe shoes. Don't use gel pads for beginning with. You need to feel the floor. Instead, use a thin foam, wool, or fabric padding.
Summary: Purchase the correct shoes. Listen to your instructor. Prepare your pointe shoes for dancing.

Problem: Article: Get a wick that already has a metal tab attached to it, and place a glob of hot glue on the bottom of the tab. Quickly press the tab against the bottom of the jar. You can also use a candle votive. It needs to hold about 4 ounces (120 milliliters). If you don't have a hot glue gun, you can use a piece of double-sided tape instead. You can also try to balance the candle wick as best you can. For a fun twist, cut a small, sugar pumpkin in half, and scoop out all of the seeds and pulp. You make need to double the amounts for the wax and spices in order to fill the candle. You can also use pens, markers, chopsticks, or even popsicle sticks. The goal is to keep the wick upright. Put the wax into a glass measuring cup, then set the cup down in a large pot. Fill the pot with water until it is level with the wax; make sure that the water can't get inside the measuring cup. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, and wait for the wax to melt, stirring it occasionally. Use an old measuring cup that you no longer use for cooking. Alternatively, you can melt the wax in the microwave at 1 to 2-minute intervals. Stir the wax between each interval. For a more intense fragrance, add 15 drops of cinnamon essential oil. If you'd like a more complex fragrance, consider adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and teaspoon of ground clove. Use pot holders to handle the measuring cup. It will be very hot. If you notice any air bubbles, use a wooden skewer to wipe the inside walls of the jar. This will send the air bubbles to the top. Be careful not to knock the wick aside. Keep the sticks to either side of it. It may take up to 4 or 5 hours for the candle to completely harden. If you are in a hurry, you can stick it in the fridge to speed the process up. This will not only help your candle last longer, but it will also prevent it from smoking and creating too much black soot. Place the jar on a heat-safe surface, and light the wick. If you made your candle in side of a pumpkin, use it within a few days. Pumpkins do not last forever!
Summary:
Hot glue the wick to the bottom of an empty 4-ounce (120-milliliter) jar. Place two pencils over the mouth of the jar, and balance the wick between them. Melt the wax. Take the measuring cup with the wax out of the water, and stir 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the wax using a wooden skewer. Pour the wax into the candle. Wait for the wax to harden, then remove the sticks holding the wick in place. Trim the wick down to -inch (0.64-centimeter) with a pair of scissors. Use the candle.