Archive for June, 2009

ABC’s on Your Craft Supplies

Craft Supplies

One of the most important things for any crafter is craft supplies.  Having the right supplies can make or break a project.  Not only that, but finding a good deal on craft supplies can cut your costs, which is important if you’re on a tight budget.

So, how do you know how much of each craft supply you need for a specific project?  How do you find the cheapest supplies possible?  Those are questions you should have in your head, if you want a successful craft business.  So, let’s look at some answers.

First of all, knowing how much of a supply you need can be hard for a beginner.  It really is all trial and error until you get used to doing certain size projects. 

For some types of crafts, making bird houses for example, having too much or not enough of a craft supply is not a problem.  After all, you can always buy more wood and, if you already have too much, you can always make another bird house.

If, on the other hand, you are a knitter, for example, someone might have ordered a sweater in an unusual color.  You don’t want to have a ton of extra yarn in a color you’ll never use again, but you don’t want to run out before the project is done either.

In those situations it is really better to get too much than not enough.  After all, some yarn types and colors can be difficult to find or discontinued on a moments notice.  Almost anything can be found online, for a price, but, if you don’t want to pay high shipping, you should get enough the first time around and locally, if you can.

You can always use the left overs for unique small projects or you can sell your excess yarn at a yard sale or on a website, such as ebay.  You could even give it away to someone else you know who knits.  They might trade you for a color you want.

As far as finding the cheapest craft supplies you can, again, it depends on what you need.  If you need wood, for example, you might try buying in bulk from someplace like Home Depot. 

If your craft materials are small or light, such as beads or yarn, you might be able to get good deals online on websites like ebay.  You may not want to order heavy items online, though, since shipping charges on heavy items can be high.

You can also sometimes get free or cheap craft supplies at yard sales or by joining local or online swapping groups.  Many crafters find themselves with extra items they don’t need.  By trading, you can get good deals and clear out excess materials.

Finding inexpensive craft supplies is important because you can’t give customers a good deal if it costs you too much money to make your items.  So, take full advantage of coupons, trades and buying in bulk.  It can really cut back on your craft supply costs and, in doing so, cut back the costs to your customers and bring them back for more in the future.

One of the most important things for any crafter is craft supplies.  Having the right supplies can make or break a project.  Not only that, but finding a good deal on craft supplies can cut your costs, which is important if you’re on a tight budget.

So, how do you know how much of each craft supply you need for a specific project?  How do you find the cheapest supplies possible?  Those are questions you should have in your head, if you want a successful craft business.  So, let’s look at some answers.

First of all, knowing how much of a supply you need can be hard for a beginner.  It really is all trial and error until you get used to doing certain size projects. 

For some types of crafts, making bird houses for example, having too much or not enough of a craft supply is not a problem.  After all, you can always buy more wood and, if you already have too much, you can always make another bird house.

If, on the other hand, you are a knitter, for example, someone might have ordered a sweater in an unusual color.  You don’t want to have a ton of extra yarn in a color you’ll never use again, but you don’t want to run out before the project is done either.

In those situations it is really better to get too much than not enough.  After all, some yarn types and colors can be difficult to find or discontinued on a moments notice.  Almost anything can be found online, for a price, but, if you don’t want to pay high shipping, you should get enough the first time around and locally, if you can.

You can always use the left overs for unique small projects or you can sell your excess yarn at a yard sale or on a website, such as ebay.  You could even give it away to someone else you know who knits.  They might trade you for a color you want.

As far as finding the cheapest craft supplies you can, again, it depends on what you need.  If you need wood, for example, you might try buying in bulk from someplace like Home Depot. 

If your craft materials are small or light, such as beads or yarn, you might be able to get good deals online on websites like ebay.  You may not want to order heavy items online, though, since shipping charges on heavy items can be high.

You can also sometimes get free or cheap craft supplies at yard sales or by joining local or online swapping groups.  Many crafters find themselves with extra items they don’t need.  By trading, you can get good deals and clear out excess materials.

Finding inexpensive craft supplies is important because you can’t give customers a good deal if it costs you too much money to make your items.  So, take full advantage of coupons, trades and buying in bulk.  It can really cut back on your craft supply costs and, in doing so, cut back the costs to your customers and bring them back for more in the future.

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admin on June 27th 2009 in wood craft projects

What is a suitable craft for teenagers to make at a week long summer camp?

I work for a summer camp and am trying to find a craft idea for the teen age group. The camp is a week long and the campers are 12 to15 years old. In the past we have done leather work (we made belts) as well as wood burning. I'm looking for a project that would take a fairly high skill level as so the teens don't get bored. Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Tye-dying is not necessarily a high skill level, but it can be a high creativity level. If they can do more than one project, they can try different techniques and dye combos to change their designs.

Batik is a similar idea with higher skill level. It doesn't need too many supplies – cloth, dye, an iron, wax, and something to heat the wax in. I did it in 8th grade art and we loved it.

If you have money for the loom supplies, weaving belts or weaving with beads could be fun. The looms are pretty small and simple for both.

5 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in wood craft projects

Christmas craft ideas for children?

I’m looking for some good, cheap & easy Christmas craft ideas to do with my 3 1/2 year old.

I was hoping to give something small and personally made to family and friends. I also thought this was a good opportunity to make Christmas fun and entertaining!!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

wreaths !
all you need to do is buy paper plates and cut a hole in the middle to make, then get green tissue paper and scrunche it into a lot of little balls to glue and cover the paper plate with, and then make red tissue paper balls a little bigger for like berries or something, or just be creative and decorate it however you want, maybe add a big red bow to the top of each wreath.
or you could make reindeers out of popsickle sticks and add a pompom for a red rudolph rose..here a pic of wat i mean: http://z.hubpages.com/u/134195_f260.jpg ,, or theres this: http://z.hubpages.com/u/134189_f260.jpg
or make angel ornamnets using a paper plate like this: http://www.highlightskids.com/Express/Crafts/Holidays/images/C1296_paperplateAngel.jpg

all cheap, easy, & cute:)

7 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in children craft ideas

Des anyone have any ideas for arts and crafts projects thatwill satisfy a 6 year old?

i baby sit my little bro and i really need some ideas!!!

I just recently came accross a really cute craft idea…. You use old "cd's", you need some craft glue, material and wiggly eyes!

You cut trianglular fins, and glue them between 2 cd's, (word side in) sticking out from the top & then the bottom, and little piece for the "lips" then you take a little more material and, and you pull it through the holes…

Then you glue on wiggly eyes on both sides and theres a fish!

You can also use yarn and glue it between the cd's at the top, so it can be hung!

3 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in arts and crafts projects

What can I get the kids to do at Arts & Crafts party?

Need inspiration, my 7 yr old is having an arts & craft birthday party and I've thought of making paper plate face masks, but now i'm stumped. What would you suggest doing that would take up 30 mins?. INSTRUCTIONS TOO PLEASE as I need direction! Best answer 10 points!

Oh there is so much you can do!

Finger paints on construction paper

Sidewalk chalk

PAINTING ON CANVAS *my favorite* (can use anything from fingers, brushes, to sponges and leaves, rags or any old cloth, and even food as utensils :p)

Popsicle stick sculptures (while eating popsicles too :p)

Making tie dye t-shirts or other cloth items

Bracelets and necklaces with beads

Sock Puppets

Anything that is really messy will be wonderful, and don't worry about the clean-up! Let them get good and dirty with everything (request that their parents bring a change of clothes that they don't mind getting stuff on). It will help boost their creativity.

For more advance things to do, you could always go with using clay for models and painting. You're definitely on the right track with doing masks, I remember making them when I was a kid. My son is 6 and he loves to finger paint. I have a collection of useless buttons, plastic gems, pins, strings, you can buy a lot of these items from places such as Hobby Lobby or any craft store. Finger painting on canvas and using odd items as accessories with it can be very rewarding to their creativity, and it gives them something to take home and show their family, which is also rewarding in it's own way.

I hope you have a blast and happy birthday to your child.

3 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in arts and crafts for kids

What are some good items to have handy for arts and craft activitites at home with my 4yr old?

I have been saving card boxes and tubes, also yogurt pots and dry pasta.
I have poster paints, string, shiny sweet wrappers. That's all so far, thanks for your ideas.

Scissors with rounded ends
Glue
paper
Sticky stars and stuff
Paints
Crayons
Pencil sharpener
Paint brushes
Plasticine
Play Doh

10 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in arts and crafts at home

fun arts and crafts ideas for an 8 year old to use while babysitting.?

I am babysitting an 8 year old girl. She really likes arts and crafts, and I am running out of fun ideas that she would like to do. If anyone has a suggestion, it would be helpful. She also likes to bake.

Make clay! Creative Clay!

1 cup of cornstarch
1 cup of baking soda
1-1/4 cups of cold water

Mix ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir, about 5 minutes until
it’s very thick — like mashed potatoes. Cool on a plate until you can work with it with your hands. Roll,
cut, or shape as you wish. Let dry for about 2 days. Paint with acrylics, tempura, watercolors, or
markers.

or make silly glob! its super fun!

Silly Glob!

1/2 cup of Borax
2 quarts + 1-1/2 cups of water
2 cups of white glue
food coloring (Choose ONE color)
Lysol (the Lysol stops spoiling)
plastic bags for storage (Zip Lock is best)

Directions:
1. Mix together 1/2 cup of Borax with 2 quarts of water. Allow the mixture to settle and then use only
the clear liquid. Set aside.
2. Mix 2 cups of white glue (Elmer’s is best) with 1-1/2 cups of water. Add food coloring (just a few
drops) if you would like the GLOB to have color. Add a few drops of Lysol (this prevents spoilage). 3.
Add the clear liquid in #1 with the mixture in #2. Knead the mixture together with your hands into your
SILLY GLOB.
4. Store in plastic bag (zip lock type is best).

3 Comments »

admin on June 30th 2009 in arts and craft ideas

Frugal Thanksgiving Decorating

The holidays always bring to mind family, fun, festive decorations and food. We want our homes to look nice, but we don’t want to spend a small fortune on things we only use once a year. With a little creativity, and bargain shopping, you can have a nice setting for your family celebration.

Fall place mats – An old stand-by; use the leaves from your own yard. Gather some that have a nice shape and color, clean them and press them flat under heavy books. Instead of the waxed paper that we used in grade school, get a roll of clear contact paper. Lay one of your placemats on the paper for a pattern, cutting it out twice as wide, so it can be folded over to

seal in the leaves. Crease the contact paper in the middle, open it, and pull only half the paper backing away, arrange the leaves anyway you like (the kids would love to help). If you want more color, place a piece of construction paper under the leaves. After you have the leaves in place, pull back a little of the paper at a time, smoothing the top piece of contact paper as you go, removing air bubbles and sealing around the leaves. For an extra touch, get some ribbon and glue some around the edges, like a frame.

Wooden decorations – Most craft stores have simple wood cutouts of all sorts of holiday items. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, there are simple paint techniques, using sponges, rubber stamps or stencils, which will produce a nice look with very little work. The store staff can probably even suggest some easy projects. Make it a family project; the

kids will enjoy it as well. You may be surprised at how well they will do.

Dishes – if you don’t care about using the good china, there are always pretty paper plates and napkins that can add a touch of color to the meal. Many of them are fairly sturdy and can hold up to the amounts of food we tend to eat over the holidays. The best part? No dishes to wash, except some utensils and the pots and pans, so you have more time to enjoy relaxing after dinner.

Other decorations – Check your local party supply store, many times there are discount ones around. They may have nice wall decorations you can buy, and they sometimes have things you can rent as well. They may have garlands of fake leaves, or center pieces.

Wreaths – Making a fall wreath is fairly easy. Get some floral foam from the local craft store (they usually have precut pieces ready to be used for wreaths). Look through their silk flowers and leaves. Gather some in fall colors (quite often you can get a bargain on these, if you shop around a bit). You don’t have to be an expert in floral arranging to get a nice look. Follow a simple pattern, placing the largest flower every so many inches around (depending on the sizes), then move to the next smaller item, once you are down to the “filler” pieces, like leaves or greenery, just fill in the empty places. Put a bow at the bottom, and you’re done.

Adriana Copaceanu
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/frugal-thanksgiving-decorating-74269.html

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admin on June 29th 2009 in wood craft projects

Getting Into The Business Of Image Consulting

You feel like you’re a square peg in a round hole at the office. You see yourself as a fashion icon or someone who knows the latest trends in clothing, make up and accessories and who dresses and acts in like manner. You have used your knowledge to help out your fashion-challenged friends and family members, turning them from dowdy ducks into graceful swans through the right clothes, the correct make-up and a few lessons in proper bearing, walk and projection.

However, you’re working in an office where the majority dress as if they were stuck in the fifties.

You decide it’s time to look for more suitable employment, perhaps in a company where the dress code is much more suited to your style. You can also be more adventurous by eschewing your boring office job for a career in image consulting.

The Up-and-Coming World of Image Consulting

There is a multitude of fashion- and image-challenged people and companies out there. “Power suits” may be in vogue, but most people do not even know what it means. Watching shows like Extreme Makeover, Project Runway or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy does not automatically make one a good dresser.

This is the reason why image consulting is fast becoming a major business in the country today. Image, in today’s visually-conscious environment, is everything. Those who are out of step quickly find themselves left behind and unsure of how to catch up.

At the same time, people (and companies) realize that image isn’t a matter of fashion or physical appearance alone. People form impressions on how someone looks and behaves – vocal communications (how a person speaks, his grammar, vocabulary, diction), non-verbal cues (handshakes, posture, eye contact), and etiquette – from how a person dines to how he handles a cell phone during meetings.

There are a lot of people who need help in crafting an image: women who want a new look, job-seekers who want to create a favorable first impression, corporate executives and their spouses, lawyers and their clients, cancer survivors, singles seeking a partner, and so on.

The field is wide open, and if you have the skills and abilities, you may just be in a position to establish your own image consulting business.

Skills, Abilities and First Steps

If you’re someone with a strong visual sense and excellent communications skills plus a large dose of diplomacy and tact in your genetic make-up, you have the basic tools that you need.

Diplomacy and tact are a definite requirement. Bear in mind that you are only ‘advising’ someone on what to wear, say or do. Most people resist change; you must be able to guide your clients onto the proper path without antagonizing them.

Fashion sense is of course important. You need to be able to advise your clients on what to wear, what not to wear, what make-up and accessories go with what for a wide range of occasions: corporate meetings, casual Fridays, dinner with the boss, conventions and the like.

Start small and gain experience as you go. Offer free makeovers to friends, family members and office mates. Learn how to deal with people and, at the same time, start making contacts – hair stylists, makeup artists, nutritionists and personal trainers, voice coaches and the like. Not only can they advise you on the current trends; you can refer clients to them for things that you are not capable of handling. They can reciprocate the favor by referring people to you.

Bear in mind the need to establish your reputation and abilities. Take ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots of your initial clients (friends, family members, office mates) so you’ll have an image consulting portfolio to show off to prospective clients who may soon become your paying clients.

Most importantly, bear in mind that your first client is yourself. You cannot become a credible image consultant unless you project that image yourself. Start with yourself, gain experience through friends and family, get your name and reputation out there and soon enough, you’ll be run off your feet dealing with paying clients.

Steven French
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/getting-into-the-business-of-image-consulting-119477.html

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admin on June 29th 2009 in crafting guide

Crafting 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

Copywright, October 2006

You can find other great projects by going to Stephanie’s web-site http://stephshomeprojects.com
Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom who experiments with arts and craft projects quite often. She likes to say that “What you can come up with is only limited by your imagination, but sometimes you need a little assistance.” :)

Stephanie Peeden
http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/crafting-games-72384.html

11 Comments »

admin on June 29th 2009 in crafting

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