Crafting Secrets

I have tons of mardi gras beads, and love arts and crafts, but can not seem to come up with any ideas of what I can do with them. Has anyone ever come across any websites that might have some ideas…or does anyone out there have any ideas themself?

I saw some mosaics once that were made totally from very bright Mardi Gras beads… they were fabulous! Unfortunately, I can’t find any photos of that woman’s work now, but here are a few other people who do mosaics with Mardi Gras beads:
http://www.emenlevy.com/beadart.htm (click on the images to see better)
http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/002801.html ???

http://www.gilamosaics.com/wst_page5.php?idx=14&file=images/MQ_Pig.jpg&&ID2=5Ph5Vv

And these are some melted beads made into lamp shades, etc.:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_home_accessories/article/0,,HGTV_3255_3280447,00.html

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_beads/article/0,,HGTV_3229_3396557,00.html

Have fun!

Diane B.

I am planning to make a travel scrapbook of my recent tours.But I am not a person of art and craft. I really have no idea of scrapbooking tools. pls give me some idea of the basic things I need to get started. Probably I will not get enough time to carry out the hobby for a long period…I just want to make only this one scrapbook. So I need only basic things…not any expensive material or iteam or books etc to learn the craft.It will be a simple, extremely personal one.So far I have got the idea that I need these things first.1. An acid free scrapbook of 12×12(does this come with same papers or I have to buy tem seperately)
it already contains paper them hoew can I use my own choice of co- ordinating papers for pasting photos and writing the journal
2.Acid free, waterand fade proof archival pen
3. Acid and water free glue
4. paper cutter( a fancy one or a simle cutter will do?)
and obviously photos and IMAGINATION.
Pls guide me what else should I buy at this time

Well, you have a lot of the basics down. You will just need to find papers that match your travel book and embellishments. These you can buy in small quantities just for your particular scrapbook.

In most cases, scrapbooks do come with a white page inside the page protectors, but many change those out and use a cardstock page in various colors/patterns as the background and add pattern paper, photos, and embellishments to that.

Look around at various ideas online and in books, pull layouts that you like from those and copy them. It’ll make completing the scrapbook much easier for you. You can also purchase scrapbook kits that contain cardstock, patterned paper, and embellishments all in one pack that coordinate together, you basically just cut those all apart and put together on pages. I sell a very nice travel kit with all those pieces if you’re interested, just contact me if you’d like more information, I can show you the link in my catalog.

Happy crafting!
CroppinCarmen

I would like to start a hobby where I make nice things but I’m a begginer so what would you suggest other than scrapbooking? I just can’t get into scrapbooking. Also If you can suggest a hobby could you suggest a good website or book to learn how to do it? Thanks So Much.

Beading is a great beginning craft. their are many books on the shelf. its not nearly as expensive either. You can order beads and books from fire mountain and gems.com. Thwy are on awesome source.

I had put newspapers down on my dining room table and was using glue on a craft project- I was so careful not to spill but some of the glue dripped without my knowing and soaked into the newspaper and dried. When I went to pick up the paper it took a chunk about the size of a dime out of the table top! The gouge is down to the bare wood. Is there something I can do to make this less noticeable or do I need to get a professional? We’ve only had this table a short while- it’s such a shame! I feel just sick about it.

find a wood-working store. they have a variety of wood fillers they come in different colors to match the wood.home depot has natural colored wood fillers, but youll still need a wood-working store for stain markers

I am basically looking for cute paper and paste projects that you don’t have to like print out templates and stuff for. Please help me.

Here’s some more sites

http://www.amazingmoms.com

http://www.kidadomain.com/craft

http://wondertime.go.com/create-and-play

http://www.fun-kids-crafts.com

http://www.howtomakestuff.com

Last night, I watched a PBS special about arts and crafts. I was interested because I am usually knee deep in art projects and I dabble in several crafts.

I am curious about the activities you all do. Do any of you make furniture, design jewelry, make doll houses or anything else you would like to tell us about?

My hubby made a beautiful mantle for our fireplace. I make wreaths for all seasons. I love doing this so much that I give some to friends and family. I also make pillow cases and decorative pillows for my home. For my grandchildren I make special pillows and pillow cases just for them. I am making another wreath now for my daughter to put on her bedroom door. Poppy