Abstract: Guitar pick stickers for adhering to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks may be held to a guitar are disclosed. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick. Each sticker has an adhering layer for adhesive attachment to the guitar pick and a highly-plasticized formulation of material (such as polyvinyl chloride, or static cling vinyl) for adhering the guitar pick to a glossy surface of a guitar without adhesive. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried.

Abstract: In one illustrative example disclosed, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, flat, and visually-appealing flexible synthetic layer of material which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. The flexible synthetic layer of material is sufficiently plasticized such that its front outer surface provides a clinging hold to guitar picks made of, for example, celluloid or nylon. The guitar pick is held against the front surface of the flexible synthetic layer of material and is thereby carried with the guitar, even when it is subject to relatively strong forces of accelerative motion (i.e. when the guitar is physically handled or shaken).

Abstract: A decorative light strand has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to several holidays for year-round use. The light strand has a plurality of lights including at least one commonly-controlled set of color-controllable multi-color LEDs; a decorating selector comprising a switch which provides a plurality of user-selectable settings; and logic coupled to the switch and the plurality of lights to provide different holiday color schemes in response to the user-selectable settings. Preferably, a plurality of commonly-controlled sets of color-controllable multi-color LEDs exist along the strand, where LEDs of each set are interleaved with LEDs of other sets along the light strand. Advantageously, this light strand may be hung permanently and utilized year-round for major holidays and other suitable occasions.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, flat, and visually appealing flexible magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a synthetic material but also includes a magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron) formed on or within the synthetic material. The guitar pick is magnetically held against a front magnetic surface of the flexible magnet and is thereby carried with the guitar, even when it is subject to relatively strong forces of accelerative motion (i.e. when the guitar is physically handled or shaken).

Abstract: Guitar pick stickers for adhering to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks may be held to a guitar are disclosed. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick. Each sticker has an adhering layer for adhesive attachment to the guitar pick and a highly-plasticized formulation of material (such as polyvinyl chloride, or static cling vinyl) for adhering the guitar pick to a glossy surface of a guitar without adhesive. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried.

Abstract: Magnetically receptive guitar pick stickers are disclosed. These stickers can be adhered to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks can be magnetically held against an object, such as a thin magnet. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick and is relatively thin so as to be mostly unnoticeable when the guitar pick is gripped. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried. Each sticker has a magnetically receptive layer (such as metal) and an adhering layer formed between the magnetically receptive layer and the adhesive backing sheet. Advantageously, a guitar player's preferred guitar picks may be magnetically carried by the thin magnet which is attached to a guitar or a guitar case.

Abstract: Methods of making guitar pick holders from flexible magnetic materials are described. In one illustrative example, a magnetic side of a flexible magnetic sheet is laminated with a vinyl sheet which provides a coloring and/or design. The side opposite this magnetic side is laminated with a static cling vinyl sheet, after text is reverse-printed on its non-static cling side. Coloring, design, and/or text may also be printed on the vinyl sheet. The laminated flexible magnetic sheet is then die cut to simultaneously form a plurality of guitar pick holders of a predetermined shape. Other methods are described, including methods of individually making custom guitar pick holders.

Abstract: Magnetically receptive guitar pick stickers are disclosed. These stickers can be adhered to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks can be magnetically held against an object, such as a thin magnet. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick and is relatively thin so as to be mostly unnoticeable when the guitar pick is gripped. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried. Each sticker has a magnetically receptive layer (such as metal) and an adhering layer formed between the magnetically receptive layer and the adhesive backing sheet. Advantageously, a guitar player's preferred guitar picks may be magnetically carried by the thin magnet which is attached to a guitar or a guitar case.

Abstract: Methods of making guitar pick holders from flexible magnetic materials are described. In one illustrative example, a magnetic side of a flexible magnetic sheet is laminated with a vinyl sheet which provides a coloring and/or design. The side opposite this magnetic side is laminated with a static cling vinyl sheet, after text is reverse-printed on its non-static cling side. Coloring, design, and/or text may also be printed on the vinyl sheet. The laminated flexible magnetic sheet is then die cut to simultaneously form a plurality of guitar pick holders of a predetermined shape. Other methods are described, including methods of individually making custom guitar pick holders.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, flat, and visually appealing flexible magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a synthetic material but also includes a magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron) formed on or within the synthetic material. The guitar pick is magnetically held against a front magnetic surface of the flexible magnet and is thereby carried with the guitar, even when it is subject to relatively strong forces of accelerative motion (i.e. when the guitar is physically handled or shaken).

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, planar, and visually appealing magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a combined blend of plastic and magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron). The blend of materials provides the guitar pick with a sufficient magnetic attraction so that it can be magnetically held against the magnet, while simultaneously providing a flexibility, durability, and “look and feel” of a conventional synthetic pick. The guitar pick may be magnetized as well. A vinyl or polyester material may be provided over at least a portion of the surface of the guitar pick to provide for coloring or decoration, as such guitar picks are placed “on display” for the guitar.

Abstract: A decorative light strand has user-selectable color schemes corresponding to several holidays for year-round use. The light strand has a plurality of lights including at least one commonly-controlled set of color-controllable multi-color LEDs; a decorating selector comprising a switch which provides a plurality of user-selectable settings; and logic coupled to the switch and the plurality of lights to provide different holiday color schemes in response to the user-selectable settings. Preferably, a plurality of commonly-controlled sets of color-controllable multi-color LEDs exist along the strand, where LEDs of each set are interleaved with LEDs of other sets along the light strand. Advantageously, this light strand may be hung permanently and utilized year-round for major holidays and other suitable occasions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for melting snow and/or ice on a vehicle, such as an automobile, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a snow sensor mounted on the outside of the vehicle and a controller positioned underneath the vehicle's hood. When snowfall is detected, the controller causes an engine of the vehicle to be started one or more times along with its heater and defroster. The heat from the engine and the inside of the vehicle are transferred to the vehicle's body and windows to melt the snow/ice over the vehicle. Advantageously, snow melting is performed automatically and requires no effort or involvement from the driver of the vehicle. Preferably, the engine is started a number of times for brief time periods to keep fuel consumption low.