Saving Eyesight With Craft Lights
Saturday, December 20, 2008 by dev
Anyone who is familiar with crafting knows that there is no craft under the sun that doesn't require some level of visual acuity. Sewing, cross stitch, modeling and beading, among many others, all demand that the eyes work overtime if the thing is to be done right. That is where utilizing task-specific craft lights can make all the difference in the quality of one's work.
Why do you need to consider the kind of lighting that you use? It's simple--because the light that we receive (and the lack thereof) can have an astounding impact on our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Working in insufficient light will not only cause headaches and eyestrain, but can even lead to mood disturbances if the body's requirement for sunlight isn't met (and who wants to be moody while doing something that you're supposed to love?). Even so, it's remarkable just how few of us are aware of how much our lighting really matters.
There are a number of features that you should look for in a quality crafting lamp. The first thing that you'll want to look at is the type of bulb. Standard incandescent bulbs really are insufficient for craft purposes, because even though they may be bright enough (after all, they do come in the 150-watt variety!), the light that they produce is imbalanced and washed out. Bright doesn't mean a whole lot if what you're seeing isn't really accurate. Regular fluorescent lights have much the same problem--they use less power, but the colors just aren't quite right.
A third, less well-known choice are Ott lights, which were developed recently to use a low-glare, full-spectrum light that much more closely mimics the effects of sunlight. These sorts of bulbs are a good choice for craft lights because they are low glare, low power (typically 10 to 25-watts), and the colors are much more accurate than with regular light bulbs.
The next step is to find a product that meets the physical needs of the space you are working with.
Do you have a small work space that's packed with furniture? A desk lamp with a small footprint may be the right choice.
Conversely, if surface space is harder to come by, a floor lamp may be what you're looking for. This is an especially nice option for sewing tables that may already have a lot of things on them, or for standing behind a comfy recliner for illuminating embroidery or similar arts.
What if you have neither floor space nor surface space? Installing a swing-arm wall sconce for crafting is an unconventional but appropriate option. Such a light can be turned on and pulled away from the wall when needed for craft time, and are easily tucked away when finished.
Any of the above types of lamps are available in styles suitable to use in the craft room, and all of them are viable options, depending on your individual needs.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/saving-eyesight-with-craft-lights-692138.html
