The Artful Crafter

Review of Three Bezels Plus a Bonus

2012-01-31T05:00:00.001-06:00

Do you make beaded jewelry and sometimes search high and low for the perfect bezel for a focal piece? If the shape or size is unusual, you may think the only option is to learn soldering and metalwork techniques. Well, think again.

Cyndi Lavin of Beading Arts just released a new eBook, Three Bezels Plus a Bonus.

In it, Cyndi shows you, step by step, how you can make a beaded bezel that will enhance and frame ANY focal piece. You probably already have everything you need on hand. And the results are stunning!

Cyndi covers the basics from best backing materials; to tips for making the work go smoothly; to the bezel designs themselves.

If you’re new to bead embroidery or want additional choices of materials, she also offers the first chapter of her eBook, Every Bead Has a Story for free. There you’ll find step by step directions for the embroidery stitches used in Three Bezels. What a bargain!

You can see the finished piece which these three bezels went into and the tutorial for assembling Blossoms of the Moonlit Waves at Beading Arts.

Not that you will want to recreate the entire necklace, the point of the eBook is to show you how to make a bezel to showcase ANY focal piece.

Tags: beading book review, review of Three Bezels Plus a Bonus, sewing beads, beaded bezels, bead artist Cyndi Lavin, beading eBook, bead embroidery, bead neck pieces

Can Anyone Make Millefiore beads with Homemade Polymer Clay?

2012-01-30T05:00:00.004-06:00

Hi!!

Please let me know if you know of anyone who can make millefiore beads and canes with homemade clay.

Thanks,
Melisa

Hi Melisa,

I don't want you to think I've forgotten your request. I haven't been able to find any polymer clay crafters who do millefiore canes with homemade clay because they all use store bought clay.

In fact a common reaction has been, "Why would anyone want to do that?!" They don't relate to what it's like living where Sculpey and Fimo aren't readily available and affordable.

I translated this from Fiona Guagliano's Enchanted World. I don't speak Italian but my Spanish is pretty good so I think this is close.

"The cornstarch clay, or cold porcelain (also called Porcelanicrom), unlike the synthetic clays on the market, can be prepared at home using simple materials to find and, once you learn with a little practice in preparing it, allows you to create similar porcelain clay pieces, moisture resistant and almost indestructible (if dropped or thrown from the balcony of the house, I assure you that they will remain intact ...:-).

Once prepared, the mixture is maintained for a long time kept in tightly closed plastic bags, and air hardens, eliminating the hassle of using the oven to cook at home, especially if you want to cook something to eat at the same time.

This clay models more or less like commercial clay, and it’s not necessary to use glue to join pieces, although many books recommend it.

In addition, you can paint it directly mixed with a bit of tempera or acrylic (remember that the color becomes darker as the object hardens), or paint the piece when finished."

I think Fiona would give you the same advice I did in Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads: experiment until you get the consistency you need and then go for it!

Good luck!
Eileen

Tags: homemade polymer clay, DIY polymer clay, clay recipes, clay shrinkage, clay tips, polymer clay tutorials, polymer clay projects, clay craft ideas

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #205

2012-01-29T05:00:00.001-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over a thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.
Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, mixed media, holiday crafts, craft books

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #115

2012-01-28T05:00:00.002-06:00

Art Journaling with A Creative Dream

2012-01-27T05:00:00.003-06:00

I have a love-hate relationship with these journal page backgrounds I painted. I’m following June’s art journal course over at A Creative Dream. These backgrounds were done for lesson #1.

I only like one of my pages; but as June suggested, sometimes you just have to walk away. Maybe when you come back, you’ll find you like a project more. Or what is wrong with it will immediately jump out at you.

Plus I know that we will be layering over these backgrounds – perhaps stamping or collaging, whatever emerges from June’s "beautiful (creative) mind".

With the blue page, I had an image in mind – a seascape. I closely followed June’s directions except I made my paint strokes all horizontal. To create the sea foam in the lower right corner, I stabbed and wiggled a wire brush over the area. I like that effect.

For the other two pages, I was going for bright colors. Can anyone tell me why my colors are so pastel? What kind of paint do I need to buy/use to get brilliant pure hues like June achieves. Mine are garden variety acrylics.

On one of the pages. I tried layering metallic acrylics on top, hoping to brighten things up. Nah. I know the balance is really off in the yellow page and I’ll be covering a lot of that up – if I decide to use the page at all.

"If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate." Thomas Watson, Sr.

Tags: art journal, A Creative Dream course, journal making, visual journal, art inspiration, journal the journey, journaling techniques, art techiques

At Sea with Creativity Conclusion

2012-01-26T05:00:00.004-06:00

[Part 1 of At Sea with Creativity appeared yesterday.]

Project 3: Vintage Elegance Journal Kit

The travel journal turned out to be a MAJOR project for me. It was a skinny perfect bound notebook. I used the kit to design the front and back covers; then began to fill the pages.

I soon realized I would do a makeover of the journal when I got home. I had the skinny book filled with just two days’ memories of our 14-day cruise.

Here it is deconstructed and reconstructed. It is now spiral-bound, has over 70 pages and holds photos, tickets, brochures, menus … all those little things we often throw in a box that ends up in the attic never to be seen again.

I gave the journal to my hubby for Christmas. He loved it.

Project 4: Photo Frame Kit

The final kit was a tropical photo frame. I didn’t stay for the "class" because we had a shore trip that day.

In fact, I just finished the frame yesterday and inserted a photo from the shore trip that very day: one of the beautiful birds of Cartegena.

Aah, the memories … now they're preserved!

Tags: creative kits, paper craft kits, preserving memories, journaling a trip of a lifetime, make a memory box, card making, craft classes at sea, Panama Canal cruise memories

At Sea with Creativity

2012-01-25T05:00:00.005-06:00

Last October, we took the trip of a lifetime: a cruise through the Panama Canal.

I can’t find enough words to describe how amazing it was. So thank goodness I made some crafty mementos to preserve the special moments.

You have to be a crafter yourself to appreciate how delighted I was to learn that our cruise ship offered free craft "classes" with totally self-contained kits to make a wide range of mementoes.

"Classes" is in quotes because there wasn’t a teacher. A member of the entertainment staff would meet the assembled crafters and pass out cool kits by 3 Birds Design.

Then we were on our own. I met crafty people from all around the world and didn’t miss one kit!

Project 1: Tropical Breeze Cardmaking Kit

This kit gave us enough supplies to make two compete cards with lots of bits and pieces to take home and add to our stash.

Project 2: Treasure Box Kit

The treasure box kit was really cool. A flat piece of pre-scored cardboard is folded up into a sturdy box with hidden magnet closure. We decorated our boxes then unfolded them flat again for packing.

When we got home, I found that the adhesives weren’t strong enough. That was an easy fix.

I also needed to print out and add a photo to the cover. Again, there were lots of neat leftovers for future projects.

Come see what else we made in our At Sea with Creativity "Classes" tomorrow.

Tags: creative kits, paper craft kits, preserving memories, journaling a trip of a lifetime, make a memory box, card making, craft classes at sea, Panama Canal cruise memories

Perpetual Reminder Calendar Directions

2012-01-24T05:00:00.005-06:00

[The supplies for this Perpetual Reminder Calendar appeared yesterday.]

Spray the edge of the comal or metal pan the color you desire. No need to paint the portion that will be covered by your calendar. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

Depending on the size and shape of your frame, create a digital perpetual calendar page as shown above:

Create a file 8 1/2 x 11 inches at resolution 300 psi;

Create the size and shape you need to fit your frame;

Layer a background paper and clip it to the shape (my pretty musical themed background paper is from Scrap Girls);

Type in the abbreviated months of the year;

Type the numbers 1 through 31 arranged 7 to a row;

Elsewhere on the page, create the size and shape buttons you need to fit your magnets;

On one magnet shape, type "Month", on another "Today", and on the others type the task name or use a graphic image to remind you of the chore.

Print onto glossy photo paper; let ink dry about a minute. Cut out the shapes.

Take the shapes to a well-ventilated area and spray with clear acrylic to prevent ink bleed.Use a compatible glue like Liquid Fusion to glue the calendar onto the metal frame and the reminder buttons onto the magnets. Let dry

Use a foam brush to spread two coats of decoupage medium onto the magnet buttons and the calendar. Let dry thoroughly before using your handy dandy perpetual reminder calendar.

Tags: craft ideas, make a perpetual calendar, make a magnetized calendar, digital arts and crafts, hybrid digital project, decoupage project, tracking your tasks, organization tool

A Perpetual Reminder Calendar is a Decorative Handy Way to Keep Track of Recurring Tasks

2012-01-23T05:00:00.004-06:00

If you have tasks with firm deadlines that repeat frequently, you may find a perpetual reminder calendar like this very helpful.

It’s a visual and tactile way to keep on schedule. Mine is the first thing I glance at when I sit down at the computer each day. It feels good to move each task button ahead – sort of like checking something off a list.

This type of perpetual calendar will accommodate every month all year every year. However the days of the week are not shown because they would only line up in the usual way when the month starts on a Sunday.

As an example of how to use the calendar, the photo above indicates that the date was November 28.

The Artful Crafter (logo) magnet indicates I had pre-posted my daily blog posts through December 5. Yay!

The little magnet off to side, however, indicates that I had not even completed today's post for the other blog I write. Yikes!

It’s a very clear way to see how I need to prioritize my day.

Supplies:

Flat magnetic plate smaller than 8 1/2 x 11 inches, which can be hung on wall or hook – I used a comal, a flat pan for reheating tortillas which comes with a hanging hook

Gold (or your choice of frame color) spray paint

3 or more small round magnets – one to mark the "Month", one for "Today", and one for each task you want to track

Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or other graphic software to create the perpetual calendar

Digital patterned paper – my design uses a paper from Scrap Girls

1 sheet glossy photo paper

Clear acrylic spray to seal against ink bleed (if you are using an inkjet printer)

Glue which is compatible with paper and metal – like Liquid Fusion

Scissors

Decoupage medium

Foam brush

If you’d like to make a Perpetual Reminder Calendar for yourself, please come back tomorrow for the stepped-out directions.

Tags: craft ideas, make a perpetual calendar, make a magnetized calendar, digital arts and crafts, hybrid digital project, decoupage project, tracking your tasks, organization tool

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #204

2012-01-22T05:00:00.001-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over a thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Saturday Craft Link Swap #114

2012-01-21T05:00:00.003-06:00

Create Free Crochet Patterns Online

2012-01-20T05:00:00.002-06:00

How can I get a copy of the Dallas Cowboy star pattern I saw on your site – the one done on graph paper?

Thank you
Ann

Hi Ann,

I'm attaching the image you saw in Crochet Star: Finding Patterns Online. I created it for display on the web (i.e. at a low resolution) for The Artful Crafter article.

If it’s too pixelated or blurry when you print it out, I'm happy to recreate it for you at a higher resolution. Below are the options available at knitPro.

Just let me know what grid size and stitch size you would like.

Grid size:

o Regular (48w x 64h)
o Big (96w x 120h)
o XL (120w x 160h)

Stitch size:

o Needlepoint, Cross Stitch, Crochet (1:1)
o Knit Portrait (5:7)
o Knit Landscape (7:5)

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: crochet tips, knitting tips, yarn crafts, free crochet patterns, graph a knitting pattern, free knitting patterns, fashion crochet patterns, sports logo crochet

The Global Genes Team is Recruiting Beaders for the New Year!

2012-01-19T05:00:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

My name is Lisa James and I'm a parent advocate and the new Director of the "7k Bracelets of Hope" campaign.

The Global Genes team would like to thank all of you for your generous bracelet donations we've received through this campaign. The families receiving them have felt so much support. Your bracelet designs are not only creative, but inspiring and so heart-felt. This project continues to be a success because of people like you!

Our hope for the new year is to continue to show our support for all those families living with a rare disease. Everyday new families share their inspirational stories of hope with us and sign up to receive a bracelet. With your help we can meet our goal of 7K bracelets for those families with whom we share hope.

Please consider helping us meet this goal by donating another blue jean/denim inspired bracelet, 8" to 9" in diameter. A picture of the bracelet along with your website will be shared on our Facebook page and Twitter account.

Bracelet donations can be sent to Rare Project, 24701 La Plaza – Suite 201, Dana Point, CA 92629.

Thank you so much for your support!

Lisa James

Tags: crafting for charity, craft blogs, beading, jewelry crafts, jewelry design, Global Genes Project, 7000 Bracelets of Hope

Pull Chain Makes Ceiling Fan Chains Easy to Reach and Allows You to Add Decorative Beaded Charms

2012-01-18T05:00:00.003-06:00

Please tell me what connects the finished fan pull to the chain. I cannot find the supply that has a round end and the other end wraps over the chain.

Bettye

Hi Bettye,

That's the ball-type crimp bead with bead loop called for in the list of materials.

If you look closely, you can see it in the photo above or in the tutorial for Beaded Ceiling Fan or Light Pull Chain Charms.

In the kit, it's already attached. If you don't have a kit and are working from scratch, follow the very last paragraph of the instructions.

Form a closing loop at the top of the assembled beaded pull ornament. Slide the loop of the ball crimp bead on before closing completely. Put a dab of Goop or other strong household glue inside the ball before crimpimg it over the bottom ball of the fan pull chain.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: ceiling fan pull directions, beaded fan pull, craft ideas, home decor crafts, free pattern

Decoupaged Picture Frame: a Practical Project to Preserve Childhood Memories and Artwork Conclusion

2012-01-17T05:00:00.002-06:00

[Part 1 of Decoupaged Picture Frame: a Practical Project to Preserve Childhood Memories and Artwork appeared yesterday.]

Cold Weather Acrylic Spray Method 1
Lay the copies in cardboard trays like the flat cardboard carriers that soda sometimes comes in (or make your own trays by cutting down tall boxes). You can stack several at a time to take them outside to spray. Spray. Immediately re-stack and carry them back inside. They’ll be dry before you get through the door. Brrr!

Cold Weather Acrylic Spray Method 2
Lay the copies on newspaper (or cardboard trays as above) in front of an open window. Position a fan to blow the vapor out the window. Spray. Turn the fan on; then off. Repeat until all copies are sprayed.

Yes, you can paint the frames with acrylic paint. Just be sure the wood is smooth and clean first. Acrylic paint is compatible with water-based decoupage media like Mod Podge.

Glue the sealed copies in place and smooth out any bubbles. Let dry. New bubbles may appear as the paper dries. If they’re not caused by lumps of glue, they’re caused by uneven drying of the paper and most will resolve on their own.

Apply two or three coats of Mod Podge over the entire frame, allowing each coat to dry to the touch before continuing. I prefer "disposable" foam brushes for decoupage to minimize brush marks. They can be reused many times if you clean them well after each use.

I’m sure the children, as well as their parents, will be delighted with these preserved and practical mementos of childhood.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage problems, decoupage basics, decoupage supplies, decoupage on wood, craft ideas, your craft questions

Decoupaged Picture Frame: a Practical Project to Preserve Childhood Memories and Artwork

2012-01-16T05:00:00.002-06:00

Hello,

Your site is wonderful, but I’m still not sure what to do ...

My son’s second grade class will be decoupaging a wood frame with their artwork. I am going to make copies of the artwork first, then apply the copies to the wood.

So ... can I use an acrylic paint on the wood frame to paint it? Then do I need to seal that paint with an acrylic sealer or what before application of the artwork?

Can I glue down artwork with Mod Podge let it dry, not putting any over the top, and then seal it with, say, Krylon Clear?

My concern is the artwork bleeding. Also, I live in Chicago, it’s very cold. Will I be able to spray the sealer in our cold temperatures outside, bring it in immediately after spraying to dry, and have it still dry smooth?

It’s a lot of questions, but I have these kids' artwork on the line, don’t want any upset parents if I ruin it.

I thank you for any help.
Maryanne

Hi Maryanne,

No worries. You said you will use copies of the artwork. That will keep the originals safe.

If your copies are printed from an inkjet printer, it’s best to pre-seal against ink bleed. Spray the inked side of each copy with clear acrylic like Krylon Crystal Clear.

The spray vapor dissipates very quickly and the acrylic dries within a few minutes.

You could do either of the following ...

Out of space and out of time. Please come back tomorrow for the conclusion of Decoupaged Picture Frame: a Practical Project to Preserve Childhood Memories and Artwork.

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage problems, decoupage basics, decoupage supplies, decoupage on wood, craft ideas, your craft questions

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #203

2012-01-15T05:00:00.002-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over a thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Saturday Craft Link Swap #113

2012-01-14T05:00:00.000-06:00

Need Bar Codes to Sell Your Art?

2012-01-13T05:00:00.002-06:00

You have an article about Bar Codes and SKUs .

I co-own a company named Nationwide Barcode. We are one of the companies who received their prefix(ex) prior to August of 2002.

The difference between us and all of the other companies [mentioned in the article] is that my company owns several dozen barcode prefixes acquired over the years.

My business partner and I were in high tech manufacturing. Because of this, we can afford to be the least expensive barcode reseller in the industry at $8.95 for a single barcode. (Much less for volume.)

My website can be found at NationwideBarcode.com.

Kindest Regards,
Phil

Hi Phil,

Wow, that’s a real bargain! I like what it says on your home page, especially the words I’ve bolded:

"If you are looking to buy a barcode, we are the lowest priced legitimate provider of EAN and UPC barcodes with immediate digital delivery!"

Tags: craft business tips, bar codes for your business, UCC fees, craft for profit, UPCs and bar codes, bargain bar codes, SKUs, bar code math

[Image credit: StockXchng_srbichara]

Create Your Style with Margot Potter and Swarovski

2012-01-12T05:00:00.005-06:00

You all know my friend, Margot Potter, right?

She’s a member of our Artsy Bloggers group each Sunday right here on The Artful Crafter blog - where we know her as Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter.

The Annual Tucson Gem Show is coming up the end of this month. If you’re a jewelry designer, or aspire to be one, you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Here’s Margot to tell you all about the Create Your Style class and competition.

During the 8 hour class, Margot and the Create Your Style team will work closely with students on a design from concept to finished piece. The first prize is now worth 700 dollars!

And there will be fabulous prizes given out during the event; PLUS a TON of sensational swag from a huge list of who's who in the jewelry making segment along with a bevy of Swavorski Elements with which to play. Meals included.

The class is on January 31st from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., leading to a champagne reception and award ceremony at 5:30 to announce the 3 winners.

Follow the link to register and learn more about the Create Your Style Event starting January 31st at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa.

Tags: Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter, jewelry making, making Swarovski jewelry, jewelry design competition, jewelry making techniques, jewelry making tips, Tucson Gem Show 2012, unique jewelry designs

If Not Now, When Will You ...?

2012-01-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

If not now, when:

Will I draw and doodle;

Will I exercise again;

Will I create something with

a. My fabric and paper stash,
b. My collection of wood oddments,

i. Cigar boxes,
ii. Drawer handles,
iii. Jacaranda seed shells,
iv. Cedar balls that have no scent left;

Will I complete the online courses I bought or downloaded free

a. Jessica Sprague,
b. Scrap Girls More Photoshop Secrets Revealed,
c. Interweave Paper Crafts with Alton Delaney;

Will I play with the Easy Cast Epoxy which is so lightly used though it has sat on my craft table for two years?

No pressure here, but … more than half of these things will be done in this New Year – my year to EXPLORE and GIVE.

Do you have an "If Not Now, When" list to share?

Tags: inspiration, word of the year, to-do list, uplevel your life, New Year resolutions, self-improvement, artistic growth

Placing Decals on Round Objects

2012-01-10T05:00:00.002-06:00

I am interested in placing a decal/sticker on a globe like object. How can this be done successfully?

Isaac

=============================================

Hi Isaac,

The most important thing is to choose the best shape and size decal or sticker.

Some of the rub-on stickers designed for scrapbooking and card making work best because they're made of stretchy plastic and give a bit to conform to curved objects.

Choosing Stickers for Round Objects

Here are some Christmas ornaments we decorated with stickers.

Not only are these snowflake stickers by Stampendous made of plastic, they also are so fine and delicate that they conform beautifully to the curves of the ball.

Here is a similar ornament with snowflake stickers by K & Company. Again, you can see how well the stickers conform.

In this snowman sticker example, you can see that the stretchy rub-on stickers conform enough for a spherical shape even when the rub-on is a solid shape, provided that the sticker is not too large for the ball.

You didn’t say what size/shape design you want to put on the round object, but if you can find plastic rub-on stickers that meet your requirements, stickers are best way to go.

Choosing Decals for Round Objects

If you can’t find just the right stickers, decals are another option, but there are plusses and minuses.

The big plus is that you can design and print your own decal using Lazertran Waterslide Decals.

The minus is that the decals do not conform well, so you need to choose shape and size more carefully.

You’ll find a lot of detail on the decal process in Adding Digital Designs to Handmade Christmas Ornaments.

Tags: decals for round shapes , stickers for round shapes, design your own decals, waterslide decals, personalize your art, craft ideas, craft advice

How do you Want to Grow in 2012?

2012-01-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

I used singer/songwriter Christine Kane’s free worksheet Your Word of the Year Discovery Tool to choose a focus word for 2011.

The idea is to choose a single word to direct your life and continue to grow. If I’ve learned anything in 66 years on this planet, it’s that one should never stop learning and growing. I chose the word CALM for 2011.

For this year’s word, I was inspired by some thoughts from mixed media artist Erin Butson. Erin believes that a full life is a journey to discern what gifts we have been entrusted with, how to nurture and develop them, and, ultimately, how to give our gifts away.

I feel so blessed to now be in a position to give my gifts away. When we started The Artful Crafter, it was others who were giving to me: their project ideas; their support and encouragement; their leftover supplies; their cash orders … frequently they insisted on paying cash in advance.

Now, thanks to those wonderful friends, I can afford to give back. Whenever they ask for something crafty, I tell them there’s no charge. It feels so good to be able to do so and I want to extend the giving beyond my friends and church in 2012.

Maybe I’m sort of working backwards through Erin’s progression of artistic growth. I still need to nurture and develop the gifts I discern in me. But I think that won’t end until the day I die.

I’ve chosen two words of focus for this New Year. I will endeavor to EXPLORE and to GIVE in 2012. I know I’m bending the rules a bit by choosing two words, but I really can’t choose one over the other.

Maybe my word for 2013 should be DECIDE ;-)

I’d love to hear what word you select and why.

Tags: inspiration, word of the year, free ebook, uplevel your life, New Year resolutions, self-improvement, artistic growth

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #202

2012-01-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over a thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Saturday Craft Link Swap #112

2012-01-07T05:00:00.002-06:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

Mouse over the thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.
Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, fabric crafts, sewing

Craft Ideas for Elementary Students: Shadow Boxes

2012-01-06T05:00:00.005-06:00

Hi Eileen!

I was really excited to find your site!

I teach Arts and Crafts to 5th graders and was trying to think of different projects that they could do that would interest them and that they could actually use. I really don't like spending time on projects that I know the girls won't use or worse yet just throw away when they get home.

Shadow Boxes were an idea that I had and was looking online for. I found some things but they were for big fancy wooden boxes. Since I am not a crafty person I was wondering if you have done anything with making shadow boxes out of cardboard boxes or something like that ...

Any ideas or suggestions you have I would really appreciate because as I said I am not crafty and am kind of stumped for ideas. Your site looks like it will be a big help!

Thank you so much!
Trina

Hi Trina,

So nice to meet you. Welcome to The Artful Crafter!

You say you teach arts and crafts but are not crafty? Whoa! Don’t underestimate yourself.

I categorize shadow box art as a type of collage because it’s basically an art form using a mélange of elements to tell a story or send a message.

Here’s a basic introductory article which can help you get your head around that idea: The Art of Collage.

The very first shadow box I ever made is pictured above. Unlike the big, fancy, expensive ones you found online, it’s made of inexpensive pine and it’s small (7 x 9 x 3 inches).

Cardboard would not be as sturdy. The flimsiness would actually make the project more difficult, since the divider walls need to be stable.

Why not think about collage plaques like the ones Kay Davies made for the collage article I referred you to? All you need is a square of MDF (medium density fiberboard), paint and each student’s choice of 3D objects to affix to the board.

Cheers,
Eileen

===============================================

Hi Eileen!

Wow! Thanks for the suggestions. You have got ideas rolling through my head :)

Tags: shadow box art, kids+craft+ideas, preserving memories, history of collage, forms of collage

Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads, Conclusion

2012-01-05T05:00:00.003-06:00

[Melisa’s question about Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads appeared yesterday.]

Homemade polymer clays tend to shrink a bit more (by weight) than commercial ones.

Consequently larger pieces may develop cracks as they dry. Cracks are easily fixed by filling with thick PVA glue. Jewelry beads and pendants, being small, are perhaps the best use for homemade polymer clay.

I made these Polymer Clay Snow People with homemade polymer clay. The figurine is about 3 X 3 X 2 inches and did require some patching.

Here are a couple of articles to help you out.

Home Cured Modeling Clays
Homemade Polymer Clay Recipe [May] Require Experimentation

Cheers,
Eileen

Hi Eileen,

I thank you so much for your response. I have taken a look at the recipe shared by Eva Stosic and I don’t think I can get all those ingredients, but it seems to be the closest to store bought polymer clay.

My question is, you know all the canes that you can make with store bought polymer clay? Well can you reduce canes and make canes with the home made recipe?

Thanks
Melisa

Hi Melisa,

Did you follow the link on the Cornstarch Clay Recipe Page to view Fiona Guagliano's Cold Porcelain Clay art?

I think seeing her amazing creations answers your question!

You will probably need to experiment with any recipe a bit to get the right consistency for your area (altitude and humidity) - just as you would with any cake recipe.

The clay should be as pliable as possible while not sticking all over your hands and fingers.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: homemade polymer clay, DIY polymer clay, clay recipes, clay shrinkage, clay tips, polymer clay tutorials, polymer clay projects, clay craft ideas

Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads

2012-01-04T05:00:00.003-06:00

Hi!

First, let me tell you that your website is wonderful and you are very helpful to all crafters around the world, mainly those like me that live in areas where elements like polymer clay are not easy to find.

The reason I am contacting you is because I want to ask you if these homemade polymer clays you are sharing with us are good for making jewelry like you would with store bought polymer clay?

I live in Argentina, and I am amazed with all the jewelry making techniques and ideas that are out there to make with polymer clay such as Fimo or Sculpey.

Here they are very expensive and hard to find and I was wondering if the same effect is achieved with these homemade clays.

All tips and honest information is very helpful!

Thanks
Melisa

Hi Melisa,

I understand your predicament completely! I’ve lived in Mexico for several years and some craft products just can’t be found locally; or as you say, if I can find them, they cost much more than they would in the U.S.

I’ve made polymer clay with most of the Clay Recipes on The Artful Crafter. We keep receiving new variations (like the latest one from Eva Stosic) and I can’t try them all – much as I would love to.

Truthfully, the ones I’ve used are not quite as good as the commercial clays you mentioned; but they’re pretty darn good for something you can cook up at home!

Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Beads.

Tags: homemade polymer clay, DIY polymer clay, clay recipes, clay shrinkage, clay tips, polymer clay tutorials, polymer clay projects, clay craft ideas

Teachers Wanted: Seeking Leather Working Teachers

2012-01-03T05:00:00.004-06:00

Do you know anyone who can teach a leather working class to a group of Girl Scouts in Bakersfield, CA? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

You should be able to find someone to teach leather crafts through The Artful Crafter's Local Guides Page.

There are several listings for leather crafters and supplies in Bakersfield. It may take a few phone calls to track down one who is interested in teaching; but at least it's a start.

You're welcome.

Cheers,
Eileen

Tags: craft resources, local guides for crafts, leather working supplies, leather working classes, waterslide decal projects

Where to Get Soap on Chili Nights

2012-01-02T05:00:00.003-06:00

Hi,

This is Ken Weber of "On Chili Nights" (business).

Are you located in Tucson AZ?

If so, can you tell me where we can purchase supplies (coconut and palm oils LOCALLY) for soap making?

I have tried Snowdrift and they neither respond by email or their website. Phone numbers are incorrect or disconnected, and they have no correct contact info I can find.

Any ideas on WHERE to go to get supplies???

Thanks in advance~
Ken

Hi Ken,

No, we're not located anywhere near you. However on The Artful Crafter website, we have a page of Local Guides. There's one for each of the 50 U.S. states where you can find craft supplies, stores and classes in your area.

You might even want to consider listing your business there.

nSphere Inc. signs up:

• Publishers like The Artful Crafter to get the word out to your local market: and
• Advertisers like you to reach your target market.

I think it’s a really neat deal all around.

nSphere gives websites like The Artful Crafter (which are global in nature) a little bit of local flair; and delivers pre-screened local customers for your wares. I say the readers are pre-screened because they’re likely to go looking for local crafts or supplies while reading about crafts which interest them on our site.

Regards,
Eileen

P.S. I determined that you have not been able to contact Snowdrift Farms because they are going out of business after fifteen years. It’s a sad story. Family illness compounded by poor economy. My heart goes out to them.

Tags: Lazertran decals, local guides for crafts, , Lazertran tutorial, waterslide decal projects

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #201

2012-01-01T05:00:00.005-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

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Saturday Craft Link Swap #111

2011-12-31T05:00:00.007-06:00

Here’s an opportunity to do your first good deed for the New Year! Plus it’s in a pretty exciting way.

My friend and fellow artist/crafter, Deb Terry, has submitted a really neat design to UGG boots. If she wins, UGG will produce the boots. Can you imagine how exciting that would be?! Oh, there’s also the $5000 prize.

Go check out Deb’s UGG Boot Design. If you like it as much as I do and have a Facebook and/or Twitter account, vote for Deb.

Votes are not the only determining factor; but they will be considered in UGG’s selection of the winning design.

Crafters are the nicest people. They help each other out whenever they can. I know I can count on you guys ;-)

Now for what some more of my crafty talented friends have been up to ...

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Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, scrapbooking

TripWow Panama Canal Cruise Slideshow

2011-12-30T05:00:00.002-06:00

Wow! If you love to take photos when you travel, have I got just the thing for you: TripWow.

You don’t have to watch the entire 8 1/2 minutes of our boring travel photos (lol) to understand the potential of the TripWow free slideshow application.

NCL Pearl Panama Canal Cruise Oct. 2011 Slideshow. See another United States slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

How easy is it to use? Hey, if non-techie me can do it …

All you do is choose a theme and upload your photos. You also specify the location and can caption any of the photos.

As you can see and hear, the cruise theme I chose provides a map showing our route, as well as music themed to the locale. How cool is that?

You can upload your own tunes if you don’t like the canned ones.

For help correcting and enhancing your photos, see The Artful Crafter three-part series: Photo Correction and Enhancement for Beginners.

Tags: freebies, TripWow slideshow app, Photoshop tips, Photoshop tutorial, free slideshow app, travel photos, photo correction

One Thing Leads to Another, Conclusion

2011-12-29T05:00:00.003-06:00

[Part 1 of One Thing Leads to Another appeared yesterday.]

Next I wrote to Meredith to thank her for taking the time to provide all the information on intaglios.

Meredith replied.

Hi Eileen-

It was my pleasure! I like your site and check in a lot!

I'm an art historian and art restorer and it's great to read about someone who not only appreciates the past through antiques like this, but wants to learn more.

If Maxine has any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Also, if any of the casts are damaged or need any sort of restoration, this is the type of work that I do.

Outside of outright breakage, many times the "repairs" that are needed are because the piece wasn't cast well in the first place, so there are a lot of tiny potholes and surface imperfections that can ruin the overall effect. The good news is that these are all correctable.

I'm also collector, and I would be very interested in either purchasing these or in making copies. I usually pay a fee to the owner for letting me make a reproduction, as well as giving them a full set of copies for their own use. The process does not damage the originals in any way; in fact, many of my clients have inherited family collections like this and are pleased to discover that this method allows everyone to have a full set!

Keep up the good work!

Best,
Meredith Strang
Arts Unlimited
Los Angeles, CA

Then I contacted all the intaglio owners I could who have added to this discussion over the past two years.

So far, one has written back and wants to get in touch with Meredith.

This story may not be over yet!

Tags: intaglios, unfinished resin molds, cameo molds, sell your intaglios, The Artful Crafter – Helping Crafters to Be, intaglio repairs

One Thing Leads to Another

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

It all started with a A Puzzling Cameo Question from Maxine. We didn’t have a clue; and neither did the mold experts we consulted.

The question sat unanswered on The Artful Crafter for two years. Meanwhile, others wrote in saying they had some of these unusual molds as well.

Finally, Meredith noticed our quandary and provided the 411, which we published in this month’s The Artful Crafter Digest.

Then, we got this lovely note from Shaaron. Intaglios seem to be coming out of the woodwork!

Dear Eileen:

Another great newsletter and I agree with Debra [see Crafty Happy Ending article in the aforementioned newsletter]. I too look forward to it each month. I do pray you can keep doing this for us.

Great article about the Intaglios as I have one in a tan color which must be of resin. Even have an original letter when it was sold and to whom. Very interesting stuff.

I do so hope that you can keep your business/site going as I know it brings so much to so many (I am one for sure). Let me know what I can do to help.

Love and best wishes,
Shaaron

But wait! That’s not the end of this story.

Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of One Thing Leads to Another.

Tags: intaglios, unfinished resin molds, cameo molds, sell your intaglios, The Artful Crafter – Helping Crafters to Be, intaglio repairs

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #200

2011-12-27T05:00:00.001-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

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"Saturday" Craft Link Swap #110

2011-12-26T05:00:00.001-06:00

This week's Saturday Craft Link Swap was delayed two days to allow Santa to complete his rounds. I hope he was very good to you ;-)

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Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, scrapbooking

Merry Christmas to All

2011-12-25T05:00:00.005-06:00

For me, Jesus is the reason for the season and Christmas is a day for thanksgiving; even more so than Thanksgiving Day.

The nativity crèche above in the plainest of my three but my favorite.

I bought it for $1.95 at the West Point PX the one year my husband and I were apart for Christmas. He had recently graduated, got his first lieutenant's commission and been sent to Fort Riley, Kansas. To keep my job, I stayed in New Jersey with our infant son.

This crèche is a poignant reminder of how grateful I was to have him back home with us safe and sound – to have our family back together. It’s also a reminder to be grateful that he is still in my life after 44 years.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care last night. Saint Nick came, not with a sack of tangible gifts, but with loads of memories.

Our tree is full of them - the ornaments lovingly made or received from special people in our lives over the years.

Our first Christmas, my husband and I made every ornament ourselves (out of necessity) and hung them on a live tree cut from his best man's lake cottage property.

The needles all fell off within three days. It was sort of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree after that.

Then there are the ornaments my son and I made together: bread dough clay Santa faces, trees, and stars; Styrofoam balls covered with all manner of decorations.

For a while, I collected Hallmark ornaments bought half price in after Christmas sales. I love all their incredible detail: the house with its own Christmas tree inside, the vintage Hallmark store, the baby bird sitting on a cracker with a bite missing ...

Under the tree is my collection of fancy tin cans. They too came from special places or special people.

One from Germany was filled with yummy candy and has a music box built in. It plays Silent Night, or I should say Stille Nacht.

Yes, God has been very good to us.

On that happy note, may I say …

… Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, holiday memories, Christmas decorations, Christmas ornaments, make Christmas meaningful, Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve, La Noche Buena and My Birthday …

2011-12-24T05:00:00.003-06:00

… So I feel more like reflecting than doing something crafty today. I hope you don’t mind.

In Mexico, the common name for the poinsettia plant is noche buena. La Noche Buena is also the term for Christmas Eve. I think that’s just beautiful.

And to have my birthday on such a special day … well, what can I say?

That’s me 66 years ago. I was a 9-pound chubby baby, but then skinny as a rail during the rest of my childhood. Go figure.

I put my mother in the hospital for Christmas Day 1945 and she never let me forget it. It must have been a very happy Christmas despite the inconvenience.

WWII had ended earlier that year. Daddy was home from the service and resuming his law career.

He served in the army as an MP. I’m not sure whether that was because of his law degree or his size. He was 6 foot 1 and hefty, which was pretty big back then.

My hubby’s dad was a chemical engineer, so the army made him a cook. I guess there’s some logic to that.

That happenstance is how we got our hands on the recipe for Admiral Halsey’s pancakes. This treasured recipe is being handed down from generation to generation.

If anyone would like a copy, just drop me a line. I’m happy to share ;-)

Tags: Admiral Halsey's pancakes, Christmas 1945, Christmas memories, Christmas birthday, La Noche Buena, recipe offer

Last Minute Quick Christmas Cookie Gifts

2011-12-23T05:00:00.002-06:00

Down to the wire here! I needed some quick gifts for neighbors and workers.

I only made two types of Christmas cookies this year, so I chose the fanciest ones in my repertoire: spritz in Christmas shapes and different colors; and raspberry thumbprints which are always a big hit.

Still, they looked pretty puny all by their lonesome. So I thought I’d dress up the plates a little more than usual.

All You Need (besides the cookies) are:

• Rectangular or square plastic or paper plates with a rim
• Red and green permanent markers
• Artificial holly sprigs
• Wire sheers (not your good jewelry making wire cutters)
• Plastic wrap
• Scotch tape
• Festive narrow ribbon

Run the green marker around the plate’s rim. The rim makes a nice clean line so easy, you can multi-task. Here’s me surfing the web while I trace the rims.

Draw green holly leaves in two opposite corners

Write "Merry Christmas" or your choice of phrase(s) with red marker in the two other corners. Add three red berries between each pair of holly leaves

Arrange cookies on plate. Wrap in plastic wrap and secure with tape. Tie up with ribbon and stick a sprig of holly into the bow.

Bon Appetit and Merry Christmas!

Tags: culinary art, Christmas cookies, quick cookie gifts, family favorite cookies, Christmas traditions, holiday baking, food art, holiday recipes

Need Help Finding Holiday Gifts for My Wife Who's New to Crochet, Conclusion

2011-12-22T05:00:00.002-06:00

[John's plea for Gift Ideas for His Wife Who is New to Crochet appeared yesterday.]

Monday I wrote, "For easy one-stop gift shopping, Amazon now has a dedicated section for Arts, Crafts & Sewing.

If you want a subcategory like crochet, just type that into the Crafts search box and the most popular items in that category will show up on top."

If I were just starting to crochet, I would be thrilled to receive any of the following gifts.

1) A set of (basic straight) crochet needles in a case to help keep them organized. Given your wife’s changing eyesight, she’ll prefer fatter needles – any size from F to K or 6 to 10 ½ should do nicely.

Some hooks come with ergonomic grips but you can also buy comfort grips that can be slipped over any hook. These are nice if one has arthritis or wants to crochet for long periods of time. I prefer aluminum needles myself. The yarn glides beautifully on them.

2) A book of patterns, preferably small projects which will teach various stitches and can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

a) I love 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet: A Collection of Beautiful Blooms for Embellishing Garments, Accessories, and More.

b) You specifically mentioned fun gifts. Your wife might get a kick out of Vanna White’s choice of amigurumi patterns found in Easy Crochet Critters. Amigurumi crocheted animals are hugely popular right now.

3) My final suggestion: you know how women love purses and totes? Unless your wife has a nice tote from her cross stitch days, look for an open (at the top) design which makes items easy to find and extract. Pockets, either outside or in, are nice to hold patterns, pattern books, needles and scissors.

If you’re buying more than one item, look for products that are sold directly by Amazon (not a third party vendor). That way, everything will come in one shipment and you only have one vendor to deal with.

Merry Christmas!
Eileen

P.S. Please tell your wife that The Artful Crafter has a section of (free) Basic Crochet Patterns as well.

Tags: crochet needle sizes and specs, how to crochet, yarn craft, amigurumi crochet, yarn totes, crochet gifts, easy crochet patterns

Need Help Finding Holiday Gifts for My Wife Who's New to Crochet

2011-12-21T05:00:00.001-06:00

My wife started crocheting last month - said cross stitch just isn't fun anymore w/ her eyes.

I need some advice/help for some fun Christmas gifts.

I am in the Norwood, MA area thru Wed. and then back home to Nashville.

Tnx
John

Hi John,

How thoughtful of you. I wonder if you read my blog post Monday, Crafters are Easy to Shop For.

Your case is a bit different in that your wife - and you - are starting from scratch as far as crochet goes. So you can’t skulk around her supplies and see what she is running low on. Nor can you get inside her head and find out what crochet items she has been longing for; because there’s not much there yet – regarding crochet that is - lol.

It doesn’t matter where you are – MA or TN – I think your best bet would be to go online.

You could also go into a brick and mortar yarn shop and ask one of the salespeople to help you. The problem with that is they can only sell you what they have in stock.

Monday I wrote, "For easy one-stop gift shopping, Amazon now has a dedicated section for Arts, Crafts & Sewing."

Please come back tomorrow for More Holiday Gift Ideas for Someone New to Crochet.

Tags: crochet needle sizes and specs, how to crochet, yarn craft, amigurumi crochet, yarn totes, crochet gifts, easy crochet patterns

Crafters are Easy to Shop for. Here are More Tips for the Crafters on Your Holiday List.

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

[Part 1, Crafters are Easy to Shop for. Here are Some Tips for the Crafters on Your Holiday List, appeared yesterday.]

Getting Inside a Crafter’s Head

Try to find out what the crafter on your gift list wants or needs most by slipping sly inquiries into conversation. Or ask about what’s new on the market in their craft.

Chances are they’ll launch into a lengthy speech which will surely include some of the items on their wish list.

If you live close enough, you might even take a peek into their craft space yourself to see what items could use some replenishing.

You can also ask another crafter, or do a little research of your own.

Books, Magazines, and More

Even the most creative crafters need a little inspiration now and then. That’s why the gift of a book or magazine will be much appreciated. Since crafting is such a creative pastime, even general publications that address creativity will be of much use to your gift recipient.

Likewise, I’m Sure

Crafters have the unique ability to appreciate the craftsmanship of their peers.

So, if all else fails you can always find a beautiful handmade scarf for your favorite knitter, an intricate carving for your beloved wood carver, or an elegant piece of beaded jewelry, which a beader would admire and enjoy.

Tags: gifts for crafters, crafters' wish list, fun craft gifts, how to shop online, find perfect craft gift, buy handmade, crafters love craft books

Crafters are Easy to Shop for. Here are Some Tips for the Crafters on Your Holiday List.

2011-12-19T05:00:00.006-06:00

Is there a crafter on your gift roster?

People who craft love to receive useful and inspiring gifts. There is no shortage of items that crafters will appreciate.

Whether you opt to contribute to their stock of supplies, add a little more weight to their toolbox, or simply provide them with a meaningful gift for inspiration, crafters will be incredibly grateful to receive a craft-related present.

Materials and Supplies

Crafters are in constant need of new materials. Most people who craft like to keep a healthy inventory of the supplies that they frequently use. Knitters stock up on yarns, scrapbookers stash paper, and beaders acquire tons of beads in every shape and size.

When money’s tight and the supplies are running low, every crafter appreciates a little help in the form of a gift.

Finding items a crafter would love to receive involves nothing more than a quick trip to your own local craft supply store.

For even greater ease, try shopping online. Many online vendors will ship gifts directly to the recipient, gift-wrapped, and with a card.

For easy one-stop gift shopping, Amazon now has a dedicated section for Arts, Crafts & Sewing. If you want a subcategory like crochet, just type that into the Crafts search box and the most popular items in that category will show up on top.

Come back tomorrow for More Tips for the Crafters on Your Holiday List.

Tags: gifts for crafters, crafters' wish list, fun craft gifts, how to shop online, find perfect craft gift, buy handmade, crafters love craft books

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #199

2011-12-18T05:00:00.003-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

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Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, yarn crafts, holiday crafts, craft for profit

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #109

2011-12-17T05:00:00.003-06:00

Directions for a Country Look Angel Holiday Ornament: Conclusion

2011-12-16T05:00:00.005-06:00

[Part 1 of Directions for a Country Look Angel Holiday Ornament appeared yesterday.]

Directions for Head

Form twine into a 1-inch diameter circle for the halo and cut to length. Soak the circular halo in Stiffy and let dry.

Cut enough 4-inch pieces for twine to make the angel’s hair (20 should do). Use matching button thread to tie them together at the center. Put a dab of glue on the thread to hold the twine in a tight bundle. Let dry.

Tie the red ribbon into a bow and wire the jingle bell to the center, leaving two tails for attaching to the body.

Assembly

Use the gold metallic marker to paint the halo.

Fold the bundle of jute twine in half and separate the strands to make straw-like hair. A needle or other pointed object helps to "comb" the hair.

Glue the bangs to the top of the face. Glue the combed hair to the top of the face and arrange it to flow down both sides of the angel’s head. A few dots of glue will help keep the "do" in place.

Draw two eyes with black marker and an angelic little smile with the red marker.

Wire the sleeves onto the top of the body. Glue the wings onto the sleeves. Glue the face in place. Wire the bow onto the angel’s dress and glue the halo in place.

Let the assembly dry. Glue a piece of twine on the back from wing to wing to form a hanger as shown.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, country look ornament, ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Directions for a Country Look Angel Holiday Ornament: Part 1

2011-12-15T05:00:00.005-06:00

Materials
• 2-inch wide open weave natural jute ribbon
• 1 1/2-inch diameter wood disk for face
• Permanent markers in black and red
• Stiffey Fabric Stiffener
• Jute twine for hair, hanger, and halo
• Gold metallic marker for halo
• 5-inches of thin red ribbon
• 3/8-inch jingle bell
• Thin wire
• Button thread to match the jute
• Tacky PVA craft glue

Directions for Body
Cut jute ribbon pieces as follows:

• 6-inch strip for body
• 4 1/2-inch strip for arms
• 2 wing shapes 2 3/4 inches high using the template above
• A 3/4-inch square for the bangs

Shake Stiffy Fabric stiffener well. Use hands to spread it on both sides of the ribbon pieces and work it in until the pieces are saturated.

Smooth and flatten the wings and bangs and let dry.

After about 45 minutes, the other pieces should have tacked up enough to form.

Double the body piece and shape like one half of a bow – a puffy loop gathered at the center (which in this case is the ends since it’s only one half of a bow).

Roll the arms into a cylinder. Optional: flare the outer ends to look like angel sleeves. Run a line of tacky glue along the overlap and press together.

Let pieces dry thoroughly.

Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of our Directions for a Country Look Angel Holiday Ornament.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, country look ornament, ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

How to Make Easy, yet Elegant, Satin-Covered Holiday Ornaments

2011-12-14T05:00:00.001-06:00

Materials

• Satin thread-covered Styrofoam ball
• Small gold tassel
• Gold cord for hanging – about 6 inches
• Short straight pins – 1/2-inch if you can find them
• 1/4-inch wide filigree gold trim
• 2 gold embellishment stickers
• Glue runner or Xyron X adhesive tool
• White craft glue
• Small dish to hold a puddle of glue
• 5mm beads in your choice of color - optional

Instructions

Thread the gold cord through the hanging loop and tie the ends in an overhand knot. A dot of glue will help secure the knot.

Center a gold sticker embellishment on one side of the ball and press into place.

Secure all the tips or edges with small straight pins dipped in glue. For a little extra sparkle, run a bead onto the pin before dipping in glue.

Place a sticker on the other side of the ball in the same manner.

Determine how long to cut the gold trim to form a circular frame for each embellishment sticker. Cut two pieces.

Run the trim through the Xyron X or use a glue runner to apply adhesive to one side. Press a strip of gold trim onto the ball forming the embellishment frame on each side.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, satin ornament, ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Make Your Christmas Tree Sparkle with Sequin Faceted Ornaments

2011-12-13T05:00:00.003-06:00

These faceted ornaments add a lot of bling to a Christmas tree, especially when the tree lights are on to reflect off all the colorful surfaces.

Materials

• Styrofoam "ball" with facets as shown
• Thin aluminum foil
• Piece of cord for hanging – about 6 inches
• Box of short straight pins – 1/2-inch if you can find them
• Sequins in four festive colors, e.g. magenta, cyan blue, silver and gold
• 5mm beads in colors to contrast with the sequins, e.g. green and silver
• White craft glue
• Small container to hold a puddle of glue

Instructions

Wrap the Styrofoam ball in aluminum foil.

Double the piece of cord and tie the ends in an overhand knot. Position the knot in the center of one of the ball’s flat surfaces. Dip a straight pin in glue and stick it through the knot. Press down all the way.

Decide how you want the sequin and bead colors to be organized.

Use a straight pin to pick up a bead, then a sequin. Dip the tip into glue and insert it into the ball. Repeat until the entire ball is covered and all sparkly.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, sequined ornament, ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Make Cute Bread Dough Clay Holly Leaf Ornaments

2011-12-12T05:00:00.003-06:00

Here are more great ornaments to make with the kids. I bet you even have all the materials on hand.

Materials

• Batch of bread dough clay – If you don’t have one of your own, you’ll find My Favorite Bread Dough Clay Recipes here.

• Rolling pin or clay roller

• Acrylic paints – white, red, and green

• Narrow tip paint brush

• PVA glue or decoupage medium like Mod Podge or Liquitex

• Yarn or cord for hanging

• Scissors

• Holly-shaped cookie cutter; or clay knife (small kitchen knife will do), stylus (ball point pen will do), and template below

Directions

Make a batch of dough. Roll out a piece about 1/8-inch thick a couple of inches larger than the leaf shape. Cut out the leaf with a cookie cutter.

If using the template instead, print the template 4 x 2 ½ inches and cut it out. Lay it atop the rolled out dough. Trace around the edge lightly with the stylus. Remove the template.

Cut along the leaf outline with the clay cutter or knife.

Slice a 2-inch long strip of dough 3/8 inches wide to form the bow. Cut out a 2-inch tall and 3/8-inch wide V shape for the tails of the bow.

Pull away the excess dough from around the strips and leaf.

Invert the V and place it hanging down from the center of the bow strip. Bring the ends of the horizontal strip into the center to form the bow. Press down and smooth.

Roll four berries about 1-inch in diameter to fit the holly leaf and a small ball to place at the center of the bow.

Cut a 6-inch piece of yarn. Grasp the ends together and tie in an overhand knot. Press the knotted end gently onto the top of the holly leaf. Roll a small piece of dough; gently press it over the knot and smooth in place.

Let pieces dry.

Paint the back of the holly leaf green.

Let dry. Turn it over and paint the front green. Paint the berries and bead red. Let dry.

Glue the bow, berries, then bead in place. Paint white dots on the berries as in the photo.

Apply two or three coats of gloss decoupage medium over the front of the ornament, letting it dry in between coats.

Decoupage the back of the holly leaf in the same manner.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, bread dough ornaments, holly leaf ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #198

2011-12-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over an thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Saturday Craft Link Swap #108

2011-12-10T05:00:00.002-06:00

Make These Sweet Bread Dough Candy Cane Ornaments

2011-12-09T05:00:00.004-06:00

These are great ornaments to make with the kids. Children 8 years or older can manage them completely on their own.

I bet you even have all the materials on hand.

Hanging the finished candy canes on the Christmas tree is fun and easy as well, because these ornaments require no special hangers. Just hook each one over a branch, scattering them all around your tree.

With 20-20 hindsight, I wish I had coated mine with gloss decoupage medium. I’ll definitely do that when I take them off the tree!

Materials

• Batch of bread dough clay – If you don’t have one of your own, you’ll find My Favorite Bread Dough Clay Recipes here.

• Acrylic paints – I used white, red, gold (though I will use green instead next time).

• Narrow tip paint brush

• PVA glue or decoupage medium like Mod Podge or Liquitex

• Small non-porous dish (glass, ceramic, plastic, etc.)

• Kitchen twine or any cord of similar thickness

• Scissors

Directions

Make a batch of dough. Break off a piece and roll a snake. Round one end and flatten the other. Curve the rounded end to form a candy cane shape. Let dry.

Repeat until you have all the canes you want or run out of dough – whichever comes first. Lol.

Determine the length of twine you will need to wrap the canes for the traditional spiral stripe. Cut enough pieces (two or three inches longer) for all the canes you made.

Pour a puddle of glue into the dish.

Run a piece of twine through the glue. Wrap it around a cane in spiral fashion as shown. Let dry. Cut off any excess twine. Repeat with the rest of the canes.

Using the twine as a guide makes the painting really easy. Paint a white stripe between two lines of twine.

Notice how that leaves another stripe unpainted. Neat, huh? Repeat with all the canes.

Paint the unpainted stripe red, green or gold … or any color that strikes your fancy.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, bread dough ornaments, candy cane ornament tutorial, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

How to Decoupage on Glass

2011-12-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

Hello Eileen,

I have a glass pickle jar, and I'd like to decorate it. If I want to paint and glue a picture on the center, how should I do it?

Thanks,

Marta

Hi Marta,

Is this the sort of project you have in mind: Decoupage Spice Jars Labels?

I decoupaged labels on a whole set of clear glass spice jars as well as a kitchen canister set. The labels were made from a scan of my kitchen trim tile to tie the décor together.

I didn't paint the jars and I used self-adhesive labels rather than glue the images in place, but otherwise the process would be the same.

Be sure to use paint designed for non-porous surfaces like glass and ceramics. For example, I use Delta PermEnamel air dry paints for such projects.

Cheers,
Eileen

Tags: decoupage on glass, decoupage tips, decoupage ideas, decoupage techniques

Make These Cute Clothespin Christmas Ornaments, Conclusion

2011-12-07T05:00:00.002-06:00

[This Cute Clothespin Christmas Ornament tutorial started yesterday.]

Cut the felt circle from one edge to the center so you can form a cone. Fit the cone hat to the skier’s head. Glue the hat together, cutting off excess felt if needed for a snug fit.

Run the silver thread up through the point of the hat and glue the hat onto the head. Roll a small ball of yarn for the pom-pom and glue in place. Glue yarn around the hat’s brim.

If you want fringe on the skier’s scarf, cut several ½-inch pieces of yarn. One-by-one, double the strips and hand stitch them along the edge of the scarf. Use your fingers to fray the loose ends to make fringe.

Tie the scarf around the skier’s neck and secure with a dot or two of glue.

Use black marker to draw a stripe down the middle of the body for the zipper. Glue the zipper tab cardstock in place. Draw the mouth and eyes. Use the red marker to make the rosy cheeks.

Remove the craft sticks from the water. Dry with a paper towel or hand towel. Gently bend to form the ski tips. A bull nose clip can be used to help bend the wood evenly. Let dry completely.

Cut the skewer a little shorter than the skier’s body (cutting off the blunt end).

Form the pipe cleaner so that one end wraps around the two skis. Dab some glue between the two skis to hold the angle and under the pipe cleaner to hold the skis in place. Let dry.

Fit the skis against the skier’s body and glue the loose end of the pipe cleaner across the skier’s back. Let dry

Form the other arm, wrap and glue it to the ski pole. Cut off any excess.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, wooden clothespin ornaments, clothespin skier ornaments, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Make These Cute Clothespin Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-06T05:00:00.006-06:00

Clothespin ornaments are really fun to make and the kids can help. This skier is my favorite; though I’ve also made Santas, elves, and nutcrackers.

Supplies for Clothespin Skier Ornament

• 1 wood clothespin
• 2 Popsicle or craft sticks
• 1 wood skewer for ski pole
• 1 thumbtack
• 6-inch piece of heavy silver metallic thread
• Coarse nail file or sand paper
• Red acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Black and red fine point markers
• Scraps of green felt - 5 x 1-inch strip for scarf and 1-inch diameter circle for hat
• Thick white yarn for hat brim, pom-pom and fringe on scarf (optional)
• White thread and sewing needle (optional)
• Medium bull nose clip (optional)
• 1 pipe cleaner for arms
• ¼ x ⅛-inch rectangle of white cardstock for zipper tab
• White craft glue

Instructions
File or sand one end of each craft stick to a point. Immerse the sticks in warm water overnight to soften the wood, so you can form the ski tips.

Grasp the ends of silver thread together and tie in an overhand knot. Tack the loop to the head of the clothespin with the knotted end underneath the thumbtack head. Both will be hidden by the hat.

Paint the skier’s body with red paint and let dry.

Come back tomorrow when we’ll finish our Cute Clothespin Christmas Ornament.

Tags: Christmas ornament craft, wooden clothespin ornaments, clothespin skier ornaments, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Eva Stosic’s Home Made Polymer Clay Recipe

2011-12-05T05:00:00.004-06:00

Thanks to Eva Stosic for sharing her polymer clay recipe and photo of her gingerbread-style house with us. I know Eva has put a lot of effort and testing into this clay because we’ve been e-mailing back and forth since April 2010.

She has plans for more elaborate houses with balconies and turrets. I can’t wait to see those!

Eva Stosic’s Home Made Polymer Clay Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 T. water
• 1 t. citric acid (not lemon juice or vinegar)
• 1 cup corn starch
• 1 T. tapioca starch
• 1 T. potato starch
• 1 T. arrowroot flour
• 3 T. rice flour
• 1 T. stearic acid (used in candle making)
• 1 t. glycerin
• 1 T. Vaseline
• 1 cup PVA glue like Elmer’s Glue-All

Directions:

Dissolve the citric acid completely in the water (if you do not it will leave granules and that’s a no-no).

Blend the dry ingredients in a closed container. Then mix with the water/citric acid and next three ingredients to a mushy paste.

Put the mushy paste into a plastic or glass container (not for food). Add the PVA glue and mix until smooth.

Cover loosely and microwave 6 to 10 seconds at a time, mixing in between, until the clay starts to gel. Do not overdo or the clay will over-harden.

When done, cover with plastic wrap and let cool; then knead about 10 minutes.

Double wrap in plastic and store in a tightly fitting container.

Tags: homemade polymer clay, DIY polymer clay, clay recipes, clay shrinkage, clay tips, polymer clay tutorials, polymer clay projects, clay craft ideas

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #197

2011-12-04T05:00:00.005-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over a thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.
Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, Christmas ornaments, yarn crafts, craft tutorials, handmade gifts, holiday crafts, craft giveaway

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #107

2011-12-03T05:00:00.009-06:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

Mouse over the thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, yarn bombing

Decoupage Images and Surfaces: To Seal or Not to Seal

2011-12-02T05:00:00.002-06:00

I was reading your article on How to Decoupage Family Photos onto Wooden Trays and I have two questions.

I made a decoupage on a wooden box and I think I did a mistake. I sanded the box, painted with acrylic paint, applied the picture with Mod Podge and gave about 3 coats of Mod Podge over it.

1. Should I seal both sides of the copy?

2. I did not use an all-purpose sealer on the wood, and every project that I read uses sealer first. So would you please explain that to me?

Thanks!

Marta

Hi Marta,

1. The article you refer to is about using copies of photos rather than the photos themselves. I usually don't seal both sides, but it certainly couldn't hurt, especially if the photocopies are on extra-thin paper.

The other instance where I would seal both sides of decoupage images is if there is ink on the reverse side as well. For example, if you're decoupaging images from magazines or books.

The purpose of pre-sealing decoupage images is to prevent ink bleed. If your ink didn't bleed marring the images, you didn't need to seal first.

Pre-sealing is a good precaution to take if you're not sure about the stability of the inks. For example, the inks used in inkjet printers will run when moistened but the toners used in laser printers will not.

2. This article on Decoupage Methods should help with any questions on prepping surfaces for decoupage.

Normally you should prime wood before painting. A primer seals and protects the wood to provide the smoothest possible finished surface.

How did your project turn out? Are you pleased with it? That's what counts.

You're welcome,
Eileen

============================================

My project turned out fine. But next time, I’ll take the extra precautions just to be sure.

Thank you very much!

Marta

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage problems, decoupage media, decoupage basics, decoupage supplies, decoupage on wood, craft ideas, your craft questions

[Decoupage trays by artist Patty Sucre.]

Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 2

2011-12-01T05:00:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we shared Part 1 of our Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects.

Today we finish up our Annual Christmas Parade of Crafts which started last Friday with Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 2. Enjoy!

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: Christmas ornament crafts, decorating glass ball ornaments, painting glass ball ornaments, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade beaded ornaments, ribbon craft ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 1

2011-11-30T05:00:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we shared some Craft Projects to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays and tomorrow we'll feature Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 2.

Today's feature is Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 1.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: Christmas ornament crafts, decoupaged glass ball ornament, painting glass ball ornaments, handmade Christmas gifts, handmade beaded ornaments, ribbon craft ornaments, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Craft Projects to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

2011-11-29T05:00:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we shared some Craft Projects to Decorate Your Holiday Table and tomorrow we'll feature Christmas Tree Decorating Craft Projects, Part 1.

Today's feature is Craft Projects to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: light bulb ornaments, clay pot place card holder, pop-up place cards, handmade Christmas gifts, wine gift bags, holiday sewing project, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Craft Projects to Decorate Your Holiday Table

2011-11-28T05:00:00.007-06:00

Welcome to The Artful Crafter Annual Christmas Parade of crafts!

This parade will finish up next Thursday. If you're not already a follower, sign up now so as not to miss all the goodies we have in store.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: light bulb ornaments, clay pot place card holder, pop-up place cards, handmade Christmas gifts, wine gift bags, holiday sewing project, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #196

2011-11-27T05:00:00.005-06:00

Here we are again with some choice blog posts from the Artsy Bloggers!

Mouse over an thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

Saturday Craft Link Swap #106

2011-11-26T05:00:00.004-06:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

Mouse over the thumbnail image to read about the post. Click on the image or caption to go read it.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, craft for profit

[Photo credit: Print Shop Art Gallery]

Holiday Crafting with The Artful Crafter: Kids' and Christmas Card Projects

2011-11-25T05:00:00.006-06:00

Looking for little crafty gifts or something to keep the kids busy on a snow day? The Artful Crafter has just the thing!

We'll have more Holiday Craft Projects next week. Please come back!

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

You'll find many many more Christmas Craft projects in our Holiday Craft Index.

Tags: handmade Christmas cards, holiday Post-It-Note holder, snowman pillow, mini-photo-album Christmas card, holiday place card holder, Christmas kids crafts, Christmas craft ideas, Christmas craft projects

What are YOU Thankful for Today? You're on MY List!

2011-11-24T05:00:00.010-06:00

On this day that we set aside to give thanks for all our blessings, I want to thank all the readers of this blog, as well as visitors to my website, The Artful Crafter

Thank you for coming. Thank you for following. Thank you for your ideas and comments. Thank you for asking for help with your crafting problems. You are the lifeblood of this enterprise and the reason we continue to exist.

I thank God for all the talents He has lent me, for my wonderful supportive husband of forty-four years, for all my family and friends – including you, dear readers.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and many blessings all year round.

Sincerely,
Eileen
The Artful Crafter

Tags: Happy Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving crafts, craft ideas

[Digital Layout Template by Jessica Sprague. If you'd like to give digi-scrapping a try, Jessica is offering a Free Video QuickStart Page Class including all the digi-elements you will need. You can also make your page hybrid. Let Jessica tell you how!]

Adjusting Homemade Clay Recipes for High Altitude and Humidity

2011-11-23T05:00:00.002-06:00

Dear Eileen,

I tried your recipe of Pasta Francesa.

My dough turned out too sticky. Kindly tell me some recipe/tips to make dough less sticky at its minimum.

I really love to work clay with a pasta machine; but every time I put dough in it, everything sticks and nothing turns out.

Kindly help.

Thanks for sharing such valuable stuff at this site ... :)

Regards,
Saima

Hi Saima,

Using a homemade clay dough recipe is just like using any other dough recipe. A lot depends on atmospheric conditions, especially humidity and altitude. When we moved to an area with a high elevation of 5000 feet, I had to adjust all my favorite cake recipes.

I think the advice I gave Brenda about Adjusting the Cold Porcelain Clay Recipe for her area should also help you with the pasta francesa.

• Start with a little less glycerin. Add more as needed.

• Be sure to cook until the dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. You want a nice smooth ball of dough.

• If the mix is too gooey to form a ball, sprinkle in more cornstarch – just a little at a time.

You can’t change the proportions dramatically. That could destroy the dough’s ability to polymerize into a true plastic. Just a little tweaking here and there to adjust for local conditions is the key.

I made the Polymer Clay Snow People above with pasta francesa using vinegar in place of the controversial formaldehyde.

I hope you're using the vinegar version or at least taking proper precautions with the formaldehyde.

Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying The Artful Crafter.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: homemade polymer clay, DIY polymer clay, clay recipes, clay shrinkage, clay tips, polymer clay tutorials, polymer clay projects, clay craft ideas

Crafty Happy Ending for Two Readers and The Artful Crafter

2011-11-22T05:00:00.003-06:00

I would love to have [the Free Popeil Plant Plastic offered by Alice]!! If the offer is still available email me at …

Thank you so much!!

I just want to thank you for all the inspiration I get from the crafts that you put up for all of us.

In my "old age" I find myself alone a lot and I look forward to my Artful Crafter Digest e-mails each month.

I really appreciate all the hard work that you do. Again I say THANK-YOU!!!

I would LOVE to send YOU (Eileen) a gift, a small token of my gratitude for all the squeals and joy you send my way. Please send your address.

I am not a stalker!!! I barely can figure out how to use this darn computer!!!

Debra

Hi Debra,

My heavens, a stalker - that never even occurred to me! What a crazy world we live in, hey?

You unwittingly gave me the best gift you possibly could have by telling me you enjoy and look forward to the monthly newsletter.

My husband (business partner) and I had a looong discussion about dropping the newsletter this past month. We're having to tighten our belts and cut out frills. This weak economy is taking its toll.

You just let me know that the newsletter is not a frill! Thank you!!

I "work" on The Artful Crafter not just for the money, but for the joy it gives me. I feel like I've been well paid this week in:

• Connecting you and Alice so you can have some fun with craft supplies she doesn't want; and
• Your lovely, lovely note.

As for sending a tangible gift, I live in Mexico and have a mail forwarding service which does not accept packages. Any packages larger than a magazine would be gratefully accepted by the mail forwarding staff. lol.

Have a wonderful day. You certainly made mine!

Cheers,
Eileen

Tags: The Artful Crafter Digest, free craft newsletter, free craft supplies, generous reader offer, inventor Ron Popeil, The Salesman of the Century, Popeil Plant Plastic

Copyright Issues for Computer Crafters: Another One You May Not Have Realized

2011-11-21T05:00:00.006-06:00

Thanks a lot for your response to my Print Shop Question! That clarifies things quite a lot. I’m not sure what you mean by "you may not even use clip art or a font you particularly like from an earlier version if it’s not included (i.e. no longer licensed by Print Shop from the designer) in your newer version".

The only version I own and have ever owned is Printshop Deluxe 2.0. I've never even updated it. Do you mean that I cannot sell greeting cards using any of the fonts in the whole program?

If so, can I use fonts from Microsoft Word something similar. Surely some fonts are free to use. Otherwise, how could anyone legally sell greeting cards unless they created their own font somehow?

Thanks again,
Sean

Hi Sean,

I believe you are entitled to use the fonts and clip art in the version of Print Shop which you purchased for personal use and until you upgrade. The clip art obviously is all proprietary and owned by the artists.

With regard to the fonts, the only way I can think to find out which are in the public domain so that you could make cards to sell is to contact the publisher, Broderbund.

Some fonts are proprietary, just like the clip art. My first greeting card program, had a family of fonts I loved and used all the time. It was American Greetings Create-a-Card and the font family was CAC. When they stopped selling the program, I didn't realize that CAC stood for Create-a-Card (duh!) and I continued using the fonts with other programs until I saw an article on this issue. Shhh!

The CAC fonts were only licensed for use within Create-a-Card, so when American Greetings dropped the program, the font designer wasn't getting paid anymore.

It's nearly impossible for consumers to know some of this stuff. It pays to be vigilant.

You're welcome!
Eileen

Tags: original greeting cards, Print Shop for greeting cards, graphic design, create original cards, copyright issues, graphic design software, digital graphics, commercial use license, terms of use

[Lucy Goosey design credit: Create-a-Card Art Gallery]

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #195

2011-11-20T05:00:00.005-06:00

Learn about the thumbnail tool used above.

Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, mixed media, holiday crafts, fall crafts

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #105

2011-11-19T05:00:00.002-06:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Creative Dreamer
The ornaments have started! Come check out number three: June's take on a Sock Monkey.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
It’s that time of year to harvest (or buy) hard shelled gourds for crafting. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Beading Arts
Bead a continuous loop necklace for a unique eyeglass holder.

Picnic Plate Veggie Stand
Cherie makes a veggie stand out of old plates.

Mo(o)re Whimsies
Barbara has a giveaway winner and you won’t believe who it is!

Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, recycled crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, fall crafts

[Photo credit: Print Shop Art Gallery]

You Can Create Any Size Envelope with the Crafter’s Companion Tool, Conclusion

2011-11-18T05:00:00.003-06:00

[This Crafter’s Companion Card Project started Wednesday.]

I chose a coordinating piece of 12-inch square scrapbook paper that had a triangle of pretty scrollwork across one corner.

I love the way it decorates the back flap of the envelope (see the finished project photo in Wednesday’s post) and spills over to the front while leaving plenty of space for addressing and stamping it to mail.

Click on the link for complete illustrated instructions on How to Make Odd Sized Envelopes either with or without the CCU.

Tags: Ultimate Crafters Companion, versatile crafting tool, paper crafting, how-to make unique envelopes, hybrid card tutorial, make your own cards and envelopes, envelope tutorial

You Can Create Any Size Envelope with the Crafter’s Companion Tool, Part 2

2011-11-17T05:00:00.004-06:00

[This Crafter’s Companion Card Project started yesterday.]

Supplies for the Envelope:

• 1 sheet 12 x 12 scrapbook paper cut to 10 ¼ inches in pattern to coordinate with the card
• Coordinating piece of scrap patterned paper for the envelope lining – approximately 5-inches square
• Glue runner
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Double-sided tape – optional
• Crafter’s Companion Ultimate Crafting Tool *

* Directions are also given for scoring without the Crafter’s Companion.

Click on the link for complete illustrated instructions on How to Make Odd Sized Envelopes either with or without the CCU.

Tags: Ultimate Crafters Companion, versatile crafting tool, paper crafting, how-to make unique envelopes, hybrid card tutorial, make your own cards and envelopes, envelope tutorial

You Can Create Any Size Envelope with the Crafter’s Companion Tool

2011-11-16T05:00:00.004-06:00

This is a standard 5 x 7-inch card, but since I wanted to tuck a slightly longer bookmark in with it, I needed to make a non-standard envelope size of 5 ½ (for the extra bulk) x 8 (for the longer width).

Click on the link for complete illustrated instructions on How to Make Odd Sized Envelopes either with or without the CCU.

Tags: Ultimate Crafters Companion, versatile crafting tool, paper crafting, how-to make unique envelopes, hybrid card tutorial, make your own cards and envelopes, envelope tutorial

Copyright Issues for Computer Crafters: Risks to Be Aware Of

2011-11-15T05:00:00.002-06:00

[Sean’s question on Print Shop Copyright Issues appeared yesterday.]

Way toward the bottom, under Conditions of Use is the following paragraph.

"All content contained in the Software, including, but not limited to characters, designs, text, photos, clip art, fonts, graphics, templates, sounds, videos and projects contained in the Software (the ‘Properties’) are either owned by or used under license by HMH Consumer Company and are protected under trademark, copyright, and other applicable laws. Any and all unauthorized use of the Properties is strictly prohibited. You may not sell any Property or any item containing or carrying a copy of any Property."

You may use the clip art, photos, etc. for your personal use. For example "you may use the Properties to create posters, stationery, greeting cards, signs, invitations, calendars, reports, catalogs, brochures and newsletters."

Even then, "Each authorized use of a Property must be accompanied by the following notice: ‘© HMH Consumer Company Limited, and its licensors. All rights reserved.’ "

I’m not a lawyer, but I interpret this to mean I can use Print Shop to make marketing materials for my business as long as I include the HMH copyright notice. This is typically done in small print at the very end of the document or on the back of a card.

I may make gifts and cards for friends, again including the information that I did not create the gallery art work included.

I try to put myself in the artist’s place whenever I’m in doubt. If I drew that very clever or beautiful clip art expecting to be paid when others used it, would it be fair for someone to _________________________ (fill in the blank with what you have in mind)?

Of course, the best way to make sure is to consult a lawyer.

By the way, did you realize that you may not even use clip art or a font you particularly like from an earlier version if it’s not included (i.e. no longer licensed by Print Shop from the designer) in your newer version?

Thank you. I'm glad you found my article useful.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: original greeting cards, Print Shop for greeting cards, graphic design, create original cards, copyright issues, graphic design software, digital graphics, commercial use license, terms of use

[Image credit: Print Shop Art Gallery© 2008 HMH Consumer Company Limited, and its licensors. All rights reserved.]

Copyright Issues for Computer Crafters

2011-11-14T05:00:00.003-06:00

Hi there,

I read your terrific description of How to Make Stationary and Greeting Cards using Print Shop . I also saw a disclaimer about selling your cards:

"One thing I should mention - if you want to sell your cards and stationery, you may not use images from the Print Shop Art Gallery. These are copyrighted to the artists who created them. You can scan in your own art work or download your own photos to the computer and use those. Or you can buy digital art with commercial licenses and search for free artwork which allows commercial use."

Where did you find this? I own Print Shop 2.0 Deluxe and have been trying to determine what I'm allowed to do, but can't find this copyright issue discussed anywhere.

Thanks!!!

Sean

Hi Sean,

I have Print Shop Version 23.1 now, but I think the information has always been in the same place. Open the program. Click on Help, then select Before You Begin.

Right under Registering the Print Shop there is a link titled License Agreement and Copyright Information — What you'll need to know about using The Print Shop's artwork.

It’s over 2000 words of legalese.

Tomorrow: Some of the Copyright Risks to be Aware Of.

Tags: original greeting cards, Print Shop for greeting cards, graphic design, create original cards, copyright issues, graphic design software, digital graphics, commercial use license, terms of use

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #194

2011-11-13T05:00:00.004-06:00

HOLIDAY CRAFTS

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy shares a hand-made gift idea for pet lovers. It’s a great idea for crafters who don’t have time to make something for everyone on their list.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Need hostess gifts for the upcoming holiday season? Here’s how to make an elegant tubular wine bottle tote from a cardboard mailing tube.

Margot Potter - The Impatient Crafter
Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Returns to The Impatient Crafter Blog! Madge makes a retro inspired upcycled gift box!

CARD MAKING

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi shares a another Humphrey the Elephant 3D card.

FABRIC AND FIBER CRAFTS

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi decides to make a companion piece to the hand painted and stitched silk quilt she just finished. Time to get painting again!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
How to crochet a cute striped Christmas tree skirt

CRAFT INSPIRATION

Craft. You.
An inspiring interview with Crafty Mastermind Mark Montano!

Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, painted silk, holiday crafts, craft inspiration

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #104

2011-11-12T05:00:00.003-06:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Easy Peasy Turkey Cards
Cherie makes some easy as pie cards for Thanksgiving and uses up some stuff from her stash at the same time.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Come see The Artful Crafter’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade of crafts!

Beading Arts
Jewelry designer Tammy Powley shares some of her expertise for creating unique bead-strung jewelry.

Craftside - A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at a Crafty World
This week at Craftside there is:

• A tutorial on how to cut and lay a recycled end grain wood floor;
• A tip on how to cut tissue paper more easily;
• A recipe for vegan white and milk chocolate; and
• Some wild crochet designs.

Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, Thanksgiving crafts, holiday crafts, crochet designs

[Photo credit: Print Shop Art Gallery]

How to Add 3D Embellishments to Make Your Decoupage Art Pop

2011-11-11T05:00:00.004-06:00

How do I affix embellishments like rhinestones or buttons on wood decoupage? After applying the sealer? If I need a glue, what kind? Should I apply sealer over the embellishment?

Marta

Hi Marta,

It depends on what kind of look you want as well as what the embellishments and base are made of.

Choose a type of glue that:

• Is compatible with both the embellishments and the base;
• Is strong enough to hold the items together for the intended use; and
• Dries clear.

If you want to add gloss to the embellishments, add a sealer of your choice – usually the same media you used for the decoupage.

The 3D polymer clay flowers on the Decorated Decoupage Box above were glued on with tacky glue. Then a coat of Mod Podge was painted over everything.

On this Découpage Box with Beach Theme , I wanted the embellishments to retain their natural look, so I did not coat them with Mod Podge.

I would not paint a sealing coat over rhinestones. The rhinestones' original faceted gleam and reflectivity could be muddied.

I usually use tacky glue because it holds immediately and dries clear. For rhinestones, I use Aleene’s Jewel-It or Mighty Gemit. They’re specifically designed to permanently hold small embellishments.

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage techniques, decoupage media, decoupage box project, wood box decoupage, 3D decoupage project, rhinestones on decoupage, mixing decoupage and clay

How to Price your Art or Craftwork to Sell

2011-11-10T05:00:00.003-06:00

Hi Eileen,

My name is Beth and I have been in the process of learning to make and then (eventually) selling my "jar candles".

My question is how do I calculate everything to figure out how much I would charge for them?

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance,
~~Beth~

Hi Beth,

I’ve written quite a bit about pricing your crafts based on my experience selling at:

• Craft fairs of all types, from holiday fairs to fundraisers;
• Galleries; and
• My own little shop, Eileen’s Gifts.

I've never sold physical goods in an online store, but with candles which would be tricky to pack and ship, you may not be interested in that venue.

In a nutshell: you need to do market research.

The For Profit section of this website walks you through the process step-by-step, while Maximizing Your Price addresses the craft pricing problem specifically.

Be sure to take the demo tour of Make Your Price Sell. This program turns craft pricing into a science.

Another great resource on pricing is The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork .

These resources give very specific help.

Beware of people who tell you to use simple rules of thumb like "Keystone Pricing".

In my experience, the most common pricing error crafters make is to undervalue their wares.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: work from home, craft for profit, marketing your craft businesss, craft business tips, craft pricing, how to price your art or craft,

[Photo credit: StockXchng_Morrhigan]

Here Comes the Thanksgiving Day Parade of Crafts!

2011-11-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

The Artful Crafter Thanksgiving Parade of Crafts

There’s something crafty for everyone in our list of fall and Thanksgiving crafts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter … whether you’re eight or 80 … dress up your holiday table, your home or yourself with some of these fun projects.

• Artificial Pumpkin

• Fall Table Runner

• Goofy Turkey Place Card Pattern

• Pumpkin Centerpiece

• Thanksgiving Doily Bowl

• Turkey Napkin Rings

• Turkey Place Card Holder

• Quick and Easy Unisex Knotted Fall Scarf

• Fall Triple Wreath

• Master Carver Personalized Apron

• Autumn Leaves Beaded Napkin Rings

• Autumn Beaded Necklace and Earrings

• Holiday Crafts Index

If you have a special project you’d like to share, leave a comment below or contact me – eileen @ theartfulcrafter.com (leave out the spaces which are there to thwart the spam bots ;-)

Tags: Thanksgiving crafts, Thanksgiving table décor, fall craft projects, holiday craft ideas, table crafts, kids’ Thanksgiving crafts, fall table decor, kids crafts for fall

Tools for Cleaning Out Gourds before Painting or Carving

2011-11-08T05:00:00.002-06:00

Hi, I have painted some really beautiful birdhouse gourds. I asked a friend to cut the hole in them for me, but although I got many seeds out for next year's planting, there is still a lot of material on the inside. Any tips on getting all that stuff out?

Kate

Hi Kate,

After pulling out all the pulp you can by hand, clean the rest with whatever tools seem best suited. If the interior of your crafted gourd will not be seen, you don’t need to be too meticulous.

Common household items such as an old kitchen spoon, grapefruit spoon, ice cream scoop or melon baller (for small gourds or small openings) serve well.

Long narrow jeweler’s files are good for narrow-necked gourds as well as for smoothing rough edges.

Clay scraping tools designed for shaping clay are good for scraping away the pulp. The wire brush attachment for a power drill can be used on thick-skinned gourds.

I’ve written a longer article on the subject of Preparing and Cleaning Gourds which you might find helpful as well.

Regards,
Eileen

Kate kindly shared these photos in return for my help. Aren't they lovely? Crafters are just the nicest people!

Tags: gourd crafts, cleaning gourds, birdhouse gourds, painting gourds, gourd cleaning tools, curing gourds, gourd figurines

Paper Napkins are Ideal for Decoupage Art

2011-11-07T05:00:00.005-06:00

Hi,

I am from Argentina and am looking for buy paper napkins (decoupage).

I want to know prices, minimum quantity, shipping cost, etc.

And if you make napkins with custom designs that I will send to you.

Thanks a lot,
Neri

[Napkin Découpage Christmas Ornaments]
Hi Neri,

The Artful Crafter is an online magazine about crafting. We don't sell any crafts or craft supplies.

I know there are many companies that will put your images on napkins: however I don't know specifically about companies in Argentina or companies that can ship there at a reasonable cost. International shipping is expensive and there may be duties charged.

Type "personalized party napkins" in your computer browser's search box and see what comes up. Your computer knows where you are (scary, isn't it?) and will search to give you the most relevant results. You can even add a city or country name to the search, e.g. "personalized party napkins Buenos Aires"

You're welcome,
Eileen

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage supplies, decoupage media, paper napkin decoupage, craft ideas, your craft questions

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #193

2011-11-06T05:00:00.004-06:00

CHRISTMAS AND VACATION CRAFTS

Aileen's Musings
Aileen made a fun discovery while creating mini star ornaments from some microwave clay.

About Family Crafts
This current craft challenge is all about vacations. Do you have a vacation related craft you can submit?

CRAFT TUTORIALS

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has used some low-tech tools to make some fun printed pieces of silk for a future project.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a recycled zipper ring.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Here’s how to use 3D clay accents to make your decoupage projects pop.

BIG CRAFT GIVEAWAY

Craft Buds
Paper crafters can enter to win an Epic Letterpress Combo Kit ($170 value, through 11/8) and learn how to make a fall wreath using this versatile die cut, embossing and letterpress machine.

CRAFT BOOKS

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy tries her hand at right angle weave and reviews Stitch Workshop: Right-Angle Weave published by Kalmach Books.

Craftside -A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at a Crafty World
This week at Craftside there is: how to identify torch flames from the book, The Glass Artist's Studio Handbook; a tutorial on sunprinting with paint from the book, The Complete Fabric Artist's Workshop; a recipe for vegan white and milk chocolate; and how to design the size and shape of your eyebrows.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy reviews a new book out called Craft Activism and gives you the inside scoop about how you can read the first chapter for free.

Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, mixed media, holiday crafts, fall crafts

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #103

2011-11-05T05:00:00.005-05:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Beading Arts
Cyndi is featuring innovative stringing techniques all month on Beading Arts! Come join in the fun :-)

CreativeDreamer
June's moving into the finishing phases of the art doll tutorial... don't miss out!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
How to make a tubular wine bottle tote from a cardboard mailing tube.

Mixed Media: For Where Your Treasure Is
Cherie makes a small mixed media picture for her cousin.

Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, scrapbooking

[Photo credit: Print Shop Art Gallery]

Are Decoupage Plates Food Safe?

2011-11-04T05:00:00.002-05:00

Can you give info on what material should be used with decoupage dinner glass plates so they can be used to eat off of? So far I don't see anything on that aspect searching the web.

Thanks,
Amalia

Hi Amalia,

Eating off of decoupaged glass plates is not the issue. The decoupage medium would be on the underside and wouldn't come in contact with the food.

The reason decoupage under glass is not typically used for dinnerware, is that the PVA medium softens when wet. It doesn't come to a hard cure.

I would suggest using decoupaged plates only as serving dishes for dry foods like cheese, crackers, or sweets.

Use a PVA medium which is more water resistant like Liquitex Super Heavy gel medium.

Finally, do not immerse the plate in water. Wipe the underside with a damp cloth and use a soapy wet cloth to wash and sanitize the top side.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: decoupage tips, decoupage techniques, decoupage media, decoupage plates, decoupage durability

How to Reach Your Target Market When You Craft For Profit

2011-11-03T05:00:00.002-05:00

I’ve enjoyed viewing your site.

I am interested in placing an ad on The Artful Crafter regarding sewing lessons. I am a Certified Trained Sewing Instructor, and would like to increase my customer base.

I am located in Southern California, and provide private sewing lessons, and classroom sewing lessons. If classroom space is available to accommodate equipment for 4 - 10 students, that would be a plus.

Thank you for your anticipated response.

Barbara

Hi Barbara,

We would be happy to place an ad for you on The Artful Crafter.

However I have a better suggestion. Since your sewing classes are of the brick and mortar type rather than online, I think you would do better with an online publication which targets your geographical area.

I know just the thing. Check out the Local Guides page of The Artful Crafter to get an idea of how this could work for you.

There is a local guide of Craft Stores and Classes for each of the 50 U.S. states.

nSphere Inc. signs up:

• Publishers like The Artful Crafter to get the word out to your local market: and
• Advertisers like you to reach your target market.

I think it’s a really neat deal all around.

nSphere gives websites like The Artful Crafter (which are global in nature) a little bit of local flair; and delivers pre-screened local customers for your services. I say the readers are pre-screened because they’re likely to go looking for a local class while reading about crafts which interest them on our site.

I guess this is my version of Macy’s sending customers to Gimbel’s. Lol.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: reaching your target market, craft for profit, marketing your craft businesss, craft business tips, sewing classes, find craft classes near you

Georgia Yarn Factory Tour

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

I would like to know if there are tours of the factory for tourists. Sometimes I think my daughter keeps you all in business and I was hoping to take her on a vacation and include a tour of your facility. Yes we've entered the contest; yet if we don't win, it would be a joy to tour the facility.

Thank you,
Martina

Hi Martina,

You've contacted The Artful Crafter website, an online magazine about all things crafty. We don't sell any products; but our advertisers do. Perhaps you saw a yarn ad from Coats and Clark on The Artful Crafter; or this article I wrote about finding wholesale yarn and mill ends: Red Heart Yarn.

What a fun idea. I hope you're able to arrange a tour with your daughter.

Regards,
Eileen

Tags: Dallas yarn bombing, crochet, yarn craft, yarn graffiti

The History and Logistics of Yarn Bombing

2011-11-01T05:00:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we shared pictures of the recent Yarn Bombing in Dallas for the Opening of the Rock Musical Hair which were sent in by my friend, SAHM and author, Susan Hamm.

I was curious as to how widespread the phenomenon is and where it got started. Susan sent some press clippings as well.

The Lakewood Advocate says yarn bombings are very popular in Europe but may actually have started in Texas. The Pegasus News says the fad originated in Houston in 2005.

Looking a bit further, I found a short article in O Magazine and another in More. Oprah’s staff writer attributed the phenomenon to Austin, TX knitter, Magda Sayeg, and dubbed her The Yarnbomber.

Magda Sayeg is considered to be the mother of yarn bombing.

Magda has:

• Knitted/crocheted a cover for a full size bus in Mexico City;
• Worked on commission for companies such as Absolut Vodka, Madewell, Insight 51, Mini Cooper, and Smart Car;
• Adorned a huge stairwell in Sydney;
• Hung a massive needlepoint banner below Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Bridge; and
• Exhibited in Rome at La Museo des Esposizione, Milan's Triennale Design Museum, Le M.U.R. in Paris, and the National Gallery of Australia, among others.

It all started on a slow day in 2005 at Magda’s quirky clothing boutique, Raye, in Austin. She was merely looking for a way to brighten the view of steel and glass from her store windows.

"Suddenly magic happened", she said. People loved it; though there have been some logistical and permitting hurdles.

Yarn bombing is also known as yarn graffiti and is prohibited in some places.

In planning a yarn bombing, the organizers need to consider all the items which they want to cover and determine whose permission might be needed.

For instance, in the recent Dallas bombing, the organizers needed permission to wrap tree trunks but first had to establish that the yarn "sweaters" would not overheat or smother the trees.

The knitting started in May for the October bombing. Planning the actual nighttime incursion to install the yarn art must have been like planning military maneuvers.

What fascinates me most about yarn bombing is the height and length a craft or art form can be taken to … if one has the imagination to think BIG!

Tags: Dallas yarn bombing, crochet, yarn craft, yarn graffiti

Yarn Bombing in Dallas for Opening of Rock Musical Hair

2011-10-31T05:00:00.004-05:00

When I was talking with Susan Hamm about reviewing her e-book Start Your Own Home-Based Summer Camp, she mentioned that she and her husband were going to a performance of the 60s rock musical Hair which would be accompanied by a yarn bombing.

Have you heard of this phenomenon, also called yarn graffiti, which is sweeping the globe? I hadn’t. What crafty fun; and what a colorful way to bring a little joy and wonder into a (sometimes) pretty bleak world.

The Pegasus News headline read, "Yarn Bombers Hit Winspear Opera House in Dallas in Dead of Night."

Over 70 knitters descended on Sammons Park after nightfall to install more than 100 pieces of yarn art reflecting the 60s hippie era and its call for peace.

Basically anything that didn’t move was encased in psychedelic yarn creations featuring lots of peace signs and flowers.

• Tree trunks and branches
• Railings and park benches
• Traffic barrier posts
• Overhead beams
• Fire hydrants and electrical boxes
• Lamp posts
• You name it

Susan sent us these funky pictures and also talked to the sponsor of the Yarn Bombing (The Shabby Sheep Yarn Boutique and Knitting Workshop). Ronda Van Dyk says that creators of the individual items may take them home after the installation is over or donate them to the Yarn Bombing group for use in a future event.

I was glad to hear that all that hard work would not be left to "whither on the vine", so to speak.

Thanks to author Susan Hamm for the photos. You can visit her at her website Home Summer Camp.com.

Tags: Dallas yarn bombing, crochet, yarn craft, yarn graffiti

Artsy Bloggers Roundup #192

2011-10-30T05:00:00.002-05:00

FALL, HALLOWEEN & THANKSGIVING CRAFTS

Aileen's Musings
Hard to believe but Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Aileen is gearing up by offering you a freebie pumpkin biscotti recipe card and a pumpkin label for you to download and print for your own use.

WINTER & CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi creates one special Christmas card using rubber stamps and paint.

CRAFT BOOKS & PROJECTS FROM THEM

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
See how to make a secret window in a glitter decoupaged book with a Fiskars Everywere Punch.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy and her blue fingers review The Handbook of Metal Clay.

Craftside - A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Our Crafty World
This week at Craftside there are: tutorials on how to needle felt a bat and a pumpkin with a cute mouse; an early recycled sweater Christmas tree designed with the new Sizzix die; a chance to win a copy of How to Draw Steampunk; how to build garden row covers; a reportage video; and a recipe for a fast fruity skillet cake.

FABRIC, YARN & JEWELRY CRAFTS

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi's hand stitched silk top quilt is all finished! Whew!!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Combine some basic crochet skills with soap collecting for this charity donation idea.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Rather than stashing your mom’s jewelry away to tarnish and gather dust, combine some of your favorite pieces into a M.O.M.s (Memories of Mom) necklace.

Tags: art blogs, craft blogs, craft ideas, the crafting life, craft techniques, craft tutorials, mixed media, holiday crafts, fall crafts

[Image Credit: iStock/thumb]

Saturday Craft Link Swap #102

2011-10-29T05:00:00.003-05:00

On Saturdays, a group of my crafting friends gather up our best links to share with each other. The idea is to send our readers to other crafters and artists whose work we admire.

So join in the fun and make the rounds. And if you see something you like, please leave some love (comments) behind.

Grocery Bag Paper Turkey Card
Cherie makes a homemade Thanksgiving card out of an old grocery bag.

Beading Arts
Polymer clay + greeting cards = a fun mixed media necklace!

CreativeDreamer
June's starting a new tutorial. Come join in creating an art doll similar to her "Ode to Kate" doll!

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Here’s how to use 3D clay accents to make your decoupage projects pop.

Mo(o)re Whimsies
Exciting Times and a Great Giveaway!

Tags: craft ideas, craft blogs, craft tutorials, craft inspiration, paper crafts, jewelry crafts, craft giveaways, holiday crafts, scrapbooking

[Photo credit: Print Shop Art Gallery]

Make these Cute "Pick Your Poison" Halloween Treats

2011-10-28T05:00:00.013-05:00

These cute little Halloween treat-filled bottles were made with some small bottles I saved from hotel stays. They resemble apothecary jars - just perfect for Halloween. I’ll only be giving them to friends and children whose families know they can trust me, since the candies are not individually wrapped

The toe tag and tombstone shaped label designs came from Avery.com.

The templates are formatted to be printed onto specific size and shape Avery labels and are editable in Word to put in your own text. Avery has quite a nice selection for Halloween, as well as many other occasions.

Since my bottles are only 3 ½ inches tall, I had to shrink the designs by copying the individual design parts into Photoshop.

Size your labels to suit whatever bottles you have on hand.

Supplies for Each Treat Bottle:

• Apothecary-look plastic bottle about 3 ½ inches tall
• Halloween design templates ... (Read more.)

Tags: Halloween craft, Halloween party favors, fall craft, trick or treat idea, holiday crafts, Halloween pick your poison bottles, Halloween candy idea

Teabag Tile Rosette Card Craft Project Directions: Card #2

2011-10-27T05:00:00.004-05:00

This card takes a little more time than most, but it’s well worth it.

Supplies for the Teabag Tile Rosette Card:

• Pre-made blank card (approximately 4 x 5 ½ inches) and envelope; or make your own

• 8 colorful printed teabag tiles in 2 ¼-inch squares – Coordinated background papers designed for tea bag or iris folding can be found at Scrapbook Scrapbook.

• Printed background to match the tiles

• 8 rhinestones to match or coordinate with your color scheme

• 1 small metal charm or button

• Decorative scissors – optional

• Paper cutter or scissors

• Elmer’s Glue-All

• Glue stick

• Scotch tape

• Color printer

• Printer paper

Instructions for the Teabag Tile Rosette Card:

Select and print out one sheet of teabag tiles paper.

Print the background sheet from the same design to match the tiles.

Follow the Directions for Rosettes to Embellish Paper Crafts to create the rosette for this card. The instructions and illustrations use 1 ½-inch teabag squares for a small rosette. For the larger rosette used on this card, make the teabag squares 2 ¼ inches.

Glue the charm in the center of the rosette.

Cut the background sheet to fit the front of the card. Use the glue stick to adhere to the card. Glue the rosette in the center of the card.

Press a self-adhesive rhinestone at each point of the rosette. Decorate the outside of the envelope using leftover background paper and decorative scissors. Glue in place with a glue stick.

Write or print your message inside the card.

Tags: paper craft how-to, handmade card craft idea, teabag tile rosette project, iris folding how-to, cardmaking projects, origami, paper craft

Directions for Pretty Cards Embellished with Teabag Tile Folded Rosettes: Card #1

2011-10-26T05:00:00.005-05:00

Supplies for the Teabag Tile Note Card:

• Pre-made blank note card (4 ¼ x 5 ½ inches) and envelope; or make your own – my note card is made from a manila folder

• 2 printed teabag tile design sheets – one design for the rosette and the matching mat and one contrasting design for the smaller mat (Coordinated background papers designed for tea bag or iris folding can be found at Scrapbook Scrapbook.)

• 1 floral embellishment for the center of the rosette – I used a cream rose from a Recollections Boutique Fleur pack and inked the edges using canary yellow from the Color Box multi-color pigment ink pad

• Paper cutter or scissors

• Glue runner and/or glue stick

Instructions for the Teabag Tile Note Card:

Follow the Directions for Rosettes to Embellish Paper Crafts to make the rosette.

Cut a rectangle of the design you used for the rosette ½-inch smaller than the note card (3 ¾ x 5 inches). Center it on the front of the note card and glue in place.

Cut a piece of cardstock matching the note card ½-inch smaller again (3 ¼ x 4 ½ inches). Center it on top of the previous paper and glue in place.

Cut a piece of the teabag paper you chose to coordinate and contrast with the rosette ½-inch smaller (2 ¾ x 4 inches). Center it on the previous cardstock and glue in place.

Glue the flower embellishment to the center of the rosette. Glue the rosette to the center of the card.

Tags: paper craft how-to, handmade card craft idea, teabag tile rosette project, iris folding how-to, cardmaking projects, origami, paper craft

Directions for Cute Rosettes to Embellish Paper Crafts Conclusion

2011-10-25T05:00:00.005-05:00

[The Directions for Rosettes to Embellish Paper Crafts started yesterday and you should have completed eight teabag tile folded triangles.]

Pick up one of the 45 degree triangle points. Fold the point up to meet the 90 degree angle.

Flatten and crease. Press this small triangle flat against the large triangle.

Repeat with the other 45 degree point. Notice that you now have a small square shape centered on top of the original triangle.

Repeat with the other seven paper tiles.

The 90 degree angles will form the center of the rosette. Slide tile #1’s square on top of tile #2’s square and tile #1’s triangle on top of tile #2’s triangle so that the 90 degree triangles meet.

Dab a bit of glue on the overlap and press in place. Make sure that you have a snug fit so that the rosette will be nicely rounded with only a tiny hole in the center.

Continue adding the other six folded tiles, working around the centerpoint to form a rosette as shown in the top photo.

Over the next couple of days, we'll give you some ideas for Teabag Tile Note Cards. Please come back.

Tags: paper craft how-to, handmade card craft idea, teabag tile rosette project, iris folding how-to, cardmaking projects, origami, paper craft

Directions for Cute Rosettes to Embellish Paper Crafts

2011-10-24T05:00:00.004-05:00

Make these cute kaleidoscope-style rosettes to embellish scrapbook pages, cards, or gift wraps. Adjust the size to suit your needs.

Supplies for the Teabag Tile Rosette:

• 8 colorful printed teabag paper tiles cut to 1 ½-inch squares – Coordinated background papers designed for tea bag or iris folding can be found at Scrapbook Scrapbook
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Glue runner and/or glue stick
• Color printer
• Printer paper

Instructions for t ... (Read more.)

Tags: paper craft how-to, handmade card craft idea, teabag tile rosette project, iris folding how-to, cardmaking projects, card making, paper craft