Go File >New

When the New Dialogue Box appears:

1. Set the Preset Size to custom

2. Set the size to approx 200 by 200

2. Set the Mode to RGB

3. Set the Contents to White
Find Custom Shape tool from shape drop down menu!
Go to the Custom shape tool bar

Choose a Shape
Create a new Layer

Locate the Layers Palette

(Go to Window>Layers)

Click the small arrow in the upper right hand corner, Choose New Layer.
With the New Layer Selected use the Custom shape tool to draw an object

Go to the Add Layer Style Button

 When the Menu appears, experiment with the various styles to add special effects to your object.

The Drop Shadow is very popular with type styles on a light background

The  Outer Glow  works well with Similar color backgrounds and font color to separate them.

Bevel and Emboss  works well with buttons to give a 3 D effect!

 
Use  File>Save As  to save your Photoshop file (for editing)

Use Save for the Web to create a GIF