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Getting Inspiration from Crafting Magazines

Running your Craft Business Comments Off

Jul 242011

Where do you get your inspiration from when creating crafts and enhancing the products you offer consumers? For some, subscribing to craft-related magazines helps to expand their overall knowledge of their field, learn new techniques, become familiar with the latest tools and materials, and of course – get new ideas. If you’re looking for inspiration for your craft business, perhaps the following publications can rejuvenate your creativity.

For Quilters and Knitters

McCall’s Quilting Magazine is committed to teaching you the latest techniques in your craft with detailed instructions that come in six monthly issues. American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine is the brainchild of the publishers from Better Homes & Gardens, which is delivered six times per year. Quilters are treated to an array of patterns, instruction, and sparks of creativity. Previously called Knitting Digest, pick up a Creative Knitting Magazine to browse quick and easy knitting patterns, which come six times per year. If your craft is crocheting, Crochet! Magazine offers six issues per year, where you can create heartfelt gifts for your consumers.

For Multi-Media Artists

If you work with ceramics, glass, metal, fiber art and jewelry, AmericanStyle Magazine provides award-winning content – six times per year. Some of the topics discussed in the publication include sculpting, woodworking, beaded crafts, and helpful resources.

For Card Makers and Paper Crafts

If you’re looking to expand the types of cards you offer, Card Maker Magazine is a decent resource for becoming familiar with the freshest ideas. Expect six issues per year. For the crafter that goes beyond card making and creates a wide range of paper projects, a subscription to Paper Crafts Magazine is suggested, which comes six times per year.

For Scrapbookers

A subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine comes every month, where you’ll be kept abreast on the latest ideas and newest techniques in the scrapbooking world. Providing eight issues per year, Scrapbooks Etc. Magazine offers inspiration and instruction that caters to a variety of skill levels. The magazine is regarded for its photography and step-by-step directions.

Ideas for Making Beaded Home Décor

Craft Projects, Etsy Comments Off

Jun 272011

From dangling earrings to elaborate necklaces, one of the most popular products that beaders produce is jewelry. However, take a look around Etsy and you will find a range of beaded items that could become your next business venture. If you are a crafter that works with beads, you may want to consider creating home décor projects that put your talents to good use.

Below are a few ideas for expanding your small business by making beaded home goods to sell on Etsy, online, and at craft shows:

Beaded Lamp Shades and Curtains

From the fringe of a shade to the lamp pull, beads can be used to decorate lighting sources with the help of crystal beads, color-coordinated pieces, and other decorative bead accents. If you know how to sew curtains and valances, try attaching beads to elevate their appearance. For curtains, beads are a great way to catch the light and create charming room settings.

Beaded Pillows

Do you know how easy it is to turn a basic decorative pillow into an eye-catching must-have? When adding beads to a pillow, you’ll only need a few common sewing items, such as a pair of scissors, needle, thread, straight pins, ruler, and glass beads. Try experimenting with different colors, sizes, and shapes, such as tube, round, square, oval, faceted and smooth beads.

Beaded Napkin Rings

When dressing up the table, beaded napkin rings add just the right amount of color and class to place settings. For this type of beading project, you will use memory wire, which will return to the coiled shape of a beaded napkin ring. To create, all you need is round-nose pliers (to make a loop at one end of the wire to prevent the beads from sliding away), wire cutters, medium-sized beads, and 24-inch length of steel memory wire in 2-inch coils.

Beaded Ceiling Fan Chains

People are constantly looking for ways to enhance the look of their rooms. When it comes to ceiling fans, there isn’t that much leeway for improvement. The color, shape and material are pretty much set in stone unless you purchase a different model. However, you can still take matters into your own hands by transforming the ball-chain fan pull into an eye-catching centerpiece with personality. To make a beaded ceiling fan chain, typical tools and equipment include 20-gauge wire, wire cutters, needle-nose pliers, assorted beads, and a ball-chain connector – found at hardware and jewelry stores.

Other beaded home décor ideas include:

Customized beaded hardware for dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets
Beaded swizzle sticks made with stainless steel wire
Silverware accented with beaded designs
Beaded features on the stems of glassware
Using stainless steel wire and beads for designer bookmarks
Beaded bottle toppers
Wire craft garden decorations

Weekend Craft Project: Souvenir Boxes

Craft Projects Comments Off

Mar 182011

In the quest to preserve memories, a shadow box for souvenirs offers a mix between creating a scrapbook and displaying mementos in a curio cabinet. Over the years, you’ve probably collected seashells, postcards, concert tickets, playbills, and other special trinkets. Many memories are tucked away in drawers, cupboards, and in shoeboxes collecting dust in closets. With a shadow box, you can show off your adventures and experiences in a creative way for all to see.

To make a souvenir box, we will use a shadow box. You can make your own shadow box, but if you don’t have enough time, purchase the box from your local craft store. Some people have also transformed a picture frame or plain cardboard box for the same purpose. Below you will learn how to decorate a shadow box that you have already purchased.

Materials and Tools Needed

Memorabilia
Shadow box
Batting and fabric
Fabric glue
Liquid adhesive
Wood blocks or foam
Embellishments

Instructions
1. Before making your shadow box, settle on a specific theme. Not only can you choose mementos associated with a special event in your life (like getting married), but you can also create a box as a gift for a loved one or friend.
2. Shadow boxes come in a variety of sizes. Purchase one that is large enough to hold the souvenirs and memorabilia connected to your theme.
3. Use fabric or decorative paper to cover the back of the shadow box. If you don’t want to use glue on your items, pin items to batting with fabric over it. Batting is found at the fabric store.
4. Situate your memories in the box. To create dimension, use a layering effect by mounting the items on different widths of wood blocks or foam pieces. You can also make shelves for small items by gluing pieces of wood inside of the box.
5. Enhance the box by adding beads, jewelry, charms, lace, fabric, silk flowers, stones, and any other embellishments that stay true to your theme.
6. Before permanently attaching your items onto the back board of the shadow box – carefully arrange your items. Once they are appropriately laid out, attach to the back. Before assembling the frame and glass, make sure everything is in its proper place.

Ideas for Souvenir Shadow Boxes

Looking for ideas to create shadow boxes for family and friends? Consider the following suggestions:

Create a souvenir box for the athletic superstar in your life by using medals, ribbons, certificates, team patches, and sports-related trinkets.
Invitations, favors, dried flowers, and mementos from the honeymoon are perfect for celebrating a wedding.
To commemorate a new baby, you can use ink footprints, pacifier, bib, booties, baby announcements, and pictures.

Image Credit: The Container Store

Weekend Craft Project: Photo Blocks

Craft Projects Comments Off

Feb 182011

If you’re looking for an eye-catching way to display your favorite snapshots, you may enjoy a weekend craft adventure making photo blocks. Perfect for showing off your wedding, honeymoon, vacation, or children’s school photos, it doesn’t take long to create a work of art.

Materials

A trip to the local craft supplies store is in order to complete this project. You will need wood cubes, iron-on transfer paper, scissors, iron, and a computer with printer. While it’s optional, clear varnish will add a nice finishing touch to your blocks. You will also need six digital photos per wooden cube. A nice size for the wooden blocks is 2 x 2, but you can use other sizes if you like.

How to Make Photo Blocks

1. Choose your favorite memories or images for your photo blocks. If you do not have digital prints, use a scanner to transfer other photographs. Adjust the size of the images to fit the wooden cubes.

2. Print out the photos on iron-on transfer paper following the directions on the package. Cut out the images with your scissors.

3. With your iron on the hottest setting (without steam), iron each image to a side of the cube – making sure to use a circular motion.

4. Allow time for the paper to completely cool before peeling off the backing of the transfer paper.

5. A coat of varnish will create photo blocks that last longer and possess an extra shine.

6. Once the varnish has dried, arrange your wooden blocks wherever you like. A few suggestions include on the coffee table for visitors to see, office desk to have your memories at work, and the fireplace mantle.

Other ways to approach this craft project:

Use decorative paper instead of photos
Print out vintage letters to make word blocks
Create theme blocks using magazines, such as travel or gardening
Make photo blocks with holiday themes

How to Host a Craft Party

Running your Craft Business Comments Off

Jan 312011

Let’s say you run a craft business or simply craft for a hobby, and you want to share your creativeness with family and friends. What better way to introduce your love of crafting than to host a craft party? With food, drinks, and tons of imagination, your loved ones and buddies may spark an interest they never knew existed.

1. Gather Craft Ideas

Browse craft books and magazines to get an idea of the type of crafts you’d like to introduce to your guests. Choose crafts that you have made before. Consider the people you’d like to invite and adjust your crafts according to their skill levels. Will children be present at your party? Prepare to set up a table with mini-projects they can complete.

2. Create an Invitation

Once you’ve settled on the crafts for the party, create invitations. Email or mail out your invitations using graphics that correspond with the theme of your party.

3. Make Examples

Before hosting your party, you need to make examples of the crafts beforehand. These will serve as guides for your guests as they follow along with each step.

4. Table and Chairs

A table large enough to accommodate all of your guests will create a warm gathering. Make sure everyone has a comfortable chair to sit in. The surface should be flat and clean.

5. Supplies

When buying supplies for your craft party, purchase enough for each guest along with a few extras. On the day of the party, divide the materials and situate at each seat. Have at least two of any tool that needs to be shared. Print out copies of directions for every guest.

6. Music

Music helps set the mood for a craft party, but make sure that it plays low so that it doesn’t interrupt any conversation or instruction.

7. Food and Snacks

Before kicking off your craft party, it’s suggested to serve a light meal, pass out appetizers and/or put out snacks. If you’re hosting a craft party during the holidays, serve complementary food. Think eggnog and sugar cookies for Christmas. Jellybeans and pastel-colored cupcakes are perfect for Easter time. Other suggestions include flavored coffees, hot cocoa, tea, finger sandwiches, and packaged cookies.

8. Camera

Have a camera on hand to take photos of the crafting process, as well as the finished products. Perhaps the next party could include creating a scrapbook of the event.