American Craft

last night i was reading around american craft and was stunned with the incredible stories they’ve added to the site lately. as i’m not as educated in the history of craft as i am design, i’m constantly soaking up the articles from american craft as a way to understand where the craft movement started and where it’s heading now. in addition to a fantastic piece on a recent show at the victoria and albert museum (where the pictures above and below come from), there’s a great story on how risd students (last image below) may be reflecting a new rise of the arts and crafts movement. it’s definitely a must read. click here to check out american craft online.

Crafting Family Games

Are you planning to host or attend a family get-together this year? I'm sure you probably are. It may consist of a dinner and some gift exchanging. That is an ideal way to end the night, sure! What about earlier that day? Ok, Realistically, this may not happen, but wouldn't it be nice to plan a game or something that could involve everyone?, or maybe just the children while the adults look on?

This is not an easy feat nowadays, especially if you have family who would live far away. If you could though, you would more than likely find this is a joyful way to bring the family closer, while making a few good memories at the same time. It could be a board game, maybe a "treasure hunt", it may even be a competition style event. (Carefully planned not to have any losers!)

Whatever the activity, It seems like it would be more sincere if it was created by you, or everyone helping. Using a little imagination can ensure that this is something that belongs to you and your family. No one else can take it from you, so it brings you closer. This is what it should be exactlly. It's doesn't have be so involved that it would sell on the market. No, actually the simpler it is to craft or come up with, the more fun you will have when it's set in to action!

Remember what the season makes you remember about "the old days", and share it with the "new" gathering. There is a country song that says, "Let's make some good old days tonight". That is what I'm writing about, in a nutshell. -Stephanie

Paper Crafting Materials

Seven Must-Have Paper Crafting Materials

You will find with every crafting project you do there are some basic tools and materials that are always present and it varies between the particular crafts you do. Although, in recent months, we have seen a merge in crafting trends, paper crafting enthusiasts are incorporating sewing and quilting techniques into their projects. For instance, paper crafters are incorporating stitching and trimmings into cards. However, for this particular article we are going to go over seven tools that are absolutely necessary to engage in any paper crafting project.

1) Paper - You can combine many different paper types to maximize the benefits of each. A dazzling selection of papers are now available: marbled, sueded, embossed, metallic, textured, and faux finishes, to name just a few. Papers can also be divided into three basic weights. Common lightweight papers include vellum and tissue papers. Medium-weight papers are the most popular and include most scrapbooking paper. These papers are the most suitable as backgrounds for many projects, as well as for folding projects. Heavyweight papers include corrugated cardboard, card stock and some embossed papers. The thickness of these papers makes it difficult to hold a crease, do choose your paper wisely based on the particular project you are doing.

2) Decorative-edged scissors - Decorative scissors never really go out of style and they add a fun sense of creativity to any paper crafting project.

3) Bone folders - Never heard of these? They are used to smooth and flatten a number of paper surfaces, anywhere from creases to recently glued surfaces.

4) Eyelets & Brads - You can use these as simple embellishments; they come in a plethora of amazing colors and shapes. They are great for attaching photographs, decorative papers, eyelet letters or charms to your pages.

5) Paper punches & Die Cut Machines - These are great for crafters looking for a more economical way to get larger cut-out designs; inexpensive too. You can also make smaller die-cut patterns with the range of press and squeeze punches that are available.

6) Sticker Machines - These eliminate the worry about sticky gooey messes and the wait time for the glue to dry. Sticker/animation machines are available in a small, sticker-sized, 1 1/2 inch wide (4cm) format and also available in the large format capable of applying adhesive to 12-inch squares (30.5 cm). I like to use them with die-cut and punch machines to create a creative masterpiece at little cost. I use it to also make patterned paper for my own projects. The possibilities are endless.

7) Adhesives - The increasing popularity of scrapbooking and paper crafting has brought on a greater need for a more extensive line of adhesives. Here is the line-up: Peel & Stick mounting squares; easy no mess solution, Dimensional Mounting Tabs; ads three-dimensional quality to projects. Basic Craft Glue; which is available in liquid and stick forms, is still a great adhesive choice. Just a quick tip when working with basic craft glue; make sure to choose a clear-drying variety, and look for archival safe glues when working with original photos.

These are the basics of what you would need to create fun and imaginative paper craft projects. You don't need much more than this, you will start to see just how much you can do with these seven tools. Enjoy!

The Perfect Craft

Making The Perfect Craft

Making crafts are a wonderful way to spend a day at home. Leisure activities such as ping pong, board games and making crafts are different activities to do in your home. Painting, coloring, writing, making music, and making crafts are all creative activities. The process of making art and the process of making crafts are related but different.

There are many ideas and for making crafts for the table, wall, or door, plus lots of different tree ornaments you can do when you think about it. Coming up with Christmas craft project ideas can be difficult, to find ideas look at some craft magazines. There are many ways to come up with craft ideas, try using everyday products around the home or use recycled materials to create your crafts. You will also find lots of ideas for making crafts using household items. There are plenty of summer craft ideas for all ages if you think about it. The internet is a great place to get ideas for cards or scrapbooks. Stamping and needlework are easy to learn and there are many ideas for patterns. When on a budget, add accessories to your crafts or bedazzle them. Kids love Halloween crafts, children always have fun making crafts, especially holiday-themed crafts.

Handmade crafts and scrap booking are very enjoyable and popular pastimes for adults and children. There are loads of scrap booking layout ideas for you to try out. Buying discount scrap booking supplies can save you a lot of money. Scrap booking is an activity which is growing in popularity. Scrap booking, cross stitch, patchwork and needlework kits are easy to find the stores or on the internet.

When making crafts learn to have fun with it. Kids have fun drawing, painting, making crafts. This origami craft is fun to play with and educational at the same time. You can make crafts without creating a huge mess. Include your children when creating crafts you could have a lot of fun making crafts with your kids out of the things you throw away every day. Easter is a fun holiday and the Internet has many fun things for families to make crafts with. Children will have fun making crafts and exploring their creative side. Join the fun of making crafts, reading stories, cooking, gym play, and tumbling during these four-week sessions. Join in with the family and enjoy fun activities such as holiday crafts and games, this is one way of brining the family together. There are so many ideas that we cannot mention all of them but one which is easy to do is to create fun items just to spice up a lonely shelf or tabletop. Find fun activities to do together, such as making crafts, writing a story, or acting out a musical. Crafts can be a fun creative outlet for kids and adults.

Holiday Arts and Craft on a Budget

The best time for arts and craft projects comes at the end of the year. The spirit starts to drill into everyone around Halloween, working steadily through Thanksgiving, and climaxes with Christmas. It's this time that we care more for those heart-felt gifts, since we've been pretty busy to ourselves the rest of the year.

However, you do not need to break the bank for a warm gift to give someone, as many of us already know. There are always things in the realm of "cute" and "darling", that can give a wonderful impression to our family and friends.

Halloween can be an easy time to grab a smile from someone with a "Ghost Pop". All you need is a small lollipop with a wrapper, a sheet of tissue paper, and a small rubberband. (see where this is going? :)

Place the tissue paper over and around the lollipop, wrap the rubberband around the base several times, and then draw your "ghostly" face on the pop with a permanent maker. (Careful though, the marker's ink will spread quickly, just a few dots is usually good enough.) This is an easy, fun, very cheap craft for the holiday, and best of all, the receiver of this gift has a nice snack also!

Thanksgiving is a tough time to give due attention to a nice craft, since Christmas season is starting to wind-up in everyone's mind. Give it a little effort though, and you can have something to decorate your home with for many years to come. I think a good one is to take a small scrap sheet of treated wood, (wood that has been treated to withstand the elements of the outdoors. A piece about 2 to 3 feet is nice), draw a cartoon-like turkey on it, and then cut or have it cut around the border of your turkey. Then, "color" your turkey by painting it. With a small stake nailed to the back of it, you have a wonderful yard decoration for all to see! (Putting the date, and artist's name on the back could make it a nice "heirloom" also, if you use a good piece of wood that will last.)

Christmas is the time when stores are packed with shoppers, Stay at home one day and make a few gifts of your own. You may be surprised at what you can come up with! Take an old seasonal dish towel, the kind that have a decoration for the holiday, and an embroidery hoop. (The hoop can be purchased fairly cheap at places like Wal-mart.) Stretch the towel over the hoop and clamp it. Cut the edge of the towel off, and wa-la!, a thought-ful kitchen decoration for someone! (Actually, it would look nice anywhere in the home or even at work for some people.)

Whatever kind of crafts you find yourself doing this year, make sure you are careful, and have FUN making and sharing your "gifts from the heart". Tis the Season! -Stephanie

Production and Pricing of Craft

Production and Pricing of Craft Show Items

This is where you can really make or break your craft show career. Being able to produce quality crafts as efficiently and affordably as possible is the key to making a tidy profit from craft shows.

How Production Evolves

How you handle production of your craft show items will evolve over time. Initially you may produce all your craft items alone. This will likely be the most cost effective way to start your craft show creations. As your business grows, you may decide it is best to find employees who can recreate your artistic flair – so you can build more products and increase your overall revenue.

Time and experience will help you streamline your production cycle for maximum efficiency. You'll learn as you go how long it takes to produce your craft show items, how long to allow for drying, setting or baking, what quantity of supplies you need for a certain amount of inventory and how much inventory you'll need for a one-day craft show. Basically, you are going to get better and smarter about how to build your craft show items – so you can maximize the profit!

Always have some form of quality control if you're working alone, such as a friend or family member checking your crafts for sturdiness, appearance, etc. If you make jewelry, have someone else try on a necklace to make sure the clasp works, it doesn't fall apart while putting it on and that you are pleased with the appearance. If you have put a frame around a small painting, ensure the frame’s sturdiness, so your craft customer isn’t disappointed when it falls apart. Think about how you will transport your products during the production process, making them sturdy enough to travel or finding strong packing materials through your suppliers.

Over the years, your products will evolve as you make modifications to existing designs and add new products. With feedback from customers and keeping abreast of current trends, as well as developing new skills and interests, you'll probably add new products and remove slower-moving ones. As soon as you see a steady decline in sales, consider dropping the product—don't get attached, this is business. You can always use slower products as bonuses, gift items or for raffle drawings or donations.

Pricing

The crucial question about pricing is: How do I price my craft show products for the best results—good sales and good profit? Can I have both? You may fear that if your prices are too low, you could incur the wrath of your competitors or make less profit. If your prices are too high, your sales will drop. The right price is one of the most significant factors in contributing to your success or failure—and one of the most difficult factors to decide upon.

There are several schools of thought on how to arrive at the best price for your work. Again, time and experience will be your best guides. It is easy enough to raise or lower your price with each craft show you attend and eventually find the best fit. You may even find yourself changing prices at different craft shows as you learn the shopping patterns of your customers. If someone seems interested then walks away, ask them why they didn't buy and if they say price, ask what they would be willing to pay. If you get the same information repeated several times, it's an indication of what customers are willing to pay—at least at that craft show!

Although you need to test your prices, don't make drastic price adjustments in the same weekend, as customers may complain. Make smaller adjustments in different towns based on craft show results and customer feedback. Sometimes the difference in improving your sales can be as small as $1.00, such as lowering a $12.00 item to $10.99. And sometimes selling fewer items at higher prices can be more profitable in the long run.

Take time to consider your price carefully. Consider cost of supplies and labor, craft show fees, transportation and other expenses involved. The efficiency of your production will also have an impact on how much profit you can make from your craft show items, and ultimately both will determine your success on the craft show circuit!

Most Fun and Frugal Craft

The Most Fun and Frugal Craft--Plastic Canvas Needlepoint

The most fun and frugal craft around is Plastic Canvas Needlepoint. The supplies are very inexpensive and easy to find, plus it's easy to learn for anyone of any age. The charts are easy to read and there's no need to get out the magnifying glass in order to see what you're doing! Even the most inexperienced beginner can turn out a project worthy of admiration.

Plastic Canvas Needlepoint is worked by cutting shaped pieces from sheets of plastic canvas; then working stitches on the canvas. Worsted weight yarn is the most common type of yarn used, but specialty plastic canvas yarn is also available. Details are often worked using regular embroidery stitches and embroidery floss. And plastic canvas is a great way to use up the yarn you have left from other projects.

It's a very rewarding kind of needlework. When you work with plastic canvas, projects are not just flat wall hangings or pillows. Probably the item most people think of when they think of plastic canvas is a tissue box cover, but so much more can be done with plastic canvas, from birdhouses to picture frames to purse accessories to baskets to doorstops. The list just goes on and on!

A handmade gift from the heart is always appreciated. Plastic canvas makes up beautifully into nursery items just perfect for those baby showers. Projects work up quickly and they are very portable. Many stitchers like to keep a totebag just to carry along in order to stitch a little when the opportunity arises.

Make accessories for your own home; any pattern can be customized by changing the colors to match your decor. It is these handmade details that make a house a "Home".

The sheets of plastic canvas are very, very inexpensive. They're readily available at discount and craft stores. Worsted-weight yarn can be purchased at bargain prices, also. Plus, garage sales and yard sales are great places to pick up all kinds and colors of yarn. A little goes a long way in plastic canvas!

So if you're looking for a craft that is fun and affordable, look no further...Plastic Canvas Needlepoint is for you!