Arts and Crafts Articles

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Shaun Parker @ Sunday, 17th August 2008 @ 8:46 PM

They say there is a card for every occasion, and those occasions are increasing. Taking a walk into any major card retail shop reveals the magnitude of events to celebrate and goals to mark. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, wedding, sympathy, get well soon and congratulations are the main stay, but these paper tokens are becoming ever more specialized. It can be a hard job to find a card for a friend that just reads happy birthday; it's more likely to read 'happy birthday to my best fr... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Konrad Braun @ Saturday, 16th August 2008 @ 5:13 PM

Boat models can be used for many purposes. As such, some businesses have specialized in the production as well as reparation of boat models such as Raven Arts. There, not only ship models are made but submarines and showcases also. Such business offer to their clients ship models of any size and shape and above all that, they produce any model that you may want as they are quite experienced in that field. Indeed, pleasure crafts, tall ships, tugboats, warships, battleships and clippe... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Friday, 15th August 2008 @ 2:57 AM

Are you someone who is always trying to discover new and creative ideas? Then you should go in for the rag rugs. These rag rugs are beautiful, innovative and made of recycled material. There is no expense involved as you can use all your old throwaway materials. Nowadays the clamoring for preserving the environment has made everyone aware of using environment friendly items. Thus rag rugs are very much in demand as well. What are Rag Rugs? In the 19th century there were some commu... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Thursday, 14th August 2008 @ 12:43 AM

Quilting was a painstaking process where one had to work laboriously for endless days to create one quilt. Now due to time constraints, more and more quilters are turning to the use of technology to ease their task. The quilting machines are a great boon for it saves a lot of time. You cannot deny that handmade quilts are unique but the new age quilting machines can also produce some excellent results. Quilting Machines are Time Savers With limited time in hand most of the traditi... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Matthew Stanton @ Wednesday, 13th August 2008 @ 7:44 PM

Wasting ones resources can end you up in bankruptcy. If it is any indication, even rich business owners always look for ways to save money. So in whatever position you may be at, you know that buying new office furniture can be extremely expensive. That is why more and more people are turning to discount office furniture to cut down expenses while furnishing their offices. In your search for discount office furniture, what you need is an eye for good quality and a real co... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Tuesday, 12th August 2008 @ 5:07 PM

Many people think that if they register for free English learning they won get the same level of education in how to speak, read and write the language as they would if they had to pay tuition for the course. Nothing could be further from the truth because you become part of an extensive network of English language learners from all over the world. The courses are comprehensive offering you everything you need to know about the structures of the English language grammar. There are various levels... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Tuesday, 12th August 2008 @ 5:00 PM

When you first start crocheting the easiest way to have all the different sizes of hooks available is to purchase a kit that contains at least 10 needles of various sizes ranging from small to large. For beginners, crochet hooks are numbered and the lowest numbers are the smallest needles used for crocheting with fine crochet cotton, which is also called thread. The smaller the needle, the smaller the work will be and it is harder to see the stitches. When crocheting with wool, you need to use l... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Tuesday, 12th August 2008 @ 4:52 PM

You only need to know two or three basic stitches in order to complete a project using beginner crochet patterns. In order to do any crocheting, you always start with a chain stitch. First you make a loop around your finger and use the crochet hook to draw the thread or the wool through the loop. When you first start this craft, it is better to use wool and a larger crochet hook because it is easier to see what you are doing. You must always leave a length of the thread or wool and weave it in w... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Tuesday, 12th August 2008 @ 4:52 PM

Whether you are just learning to crochet or you are a veteran, everyone likes to have easy crochet patterns that they can complete very quickly. When a beginner uses an easy pattern and does not have any problems completing a project, this provides incentive to do more and more projects and to graduate to more difficult ones with intricate stitching details. One of the easiest patterns to crochet is that of an afghan made of Granny Squares. There are two basic stitches in this pattern and you ca... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Tuesday, 12th August 2008 @ 4:51 PM

The first thing you learn in crochet for beginners is the right type of hook to use for each project. If you are crocheting a doily for the table, then you will need a really small hook, generally 1.50, so that you have small stitches needed for the fine thread you use. If you want to crochet a blanket or a hat, then you will need to use a larger size hook. The larger sizes are lettered from A to J, with J being the largest. An A hook is good for using with fine wool, such as baby wool, whereas ... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By David Towdon @ Monday, 11th August 2008 @ 7:56 PM

Cars are a great way to practice your drawing skills and fine tune your style. There are many instructional videos available from the likes of Scott Robertson who can provide you with some really useful information and design ideas. The first step for any budding artist wishing to design the ultimate cool car is to practice your drawing skills. Cars are comprised of a series of lines, curves and ellipses and for the most part you should learn to draw all these free hand especially the curves whi... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Warren Wong @ Monday, 11th August 2008 @ 2:21 PM

Crocheting is a craft that involves making lacy patterns from thread or wool. The needles that you use in the projects are called crochet hooks because they have a hook at the tip of the needle that enables you to catch the yarn to pull it through the loops you make. You only work with one loop at a time. Even though you see intricate patterns in doilies, scarves and hats that are made by crocheting, you can make many of these projects quite easily with only a few basic stitches once you learn h... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By Chris Jensen @ Sunday, 10th August 2008 @ 10:48 AM

Below are 12 tips which give you information that can set your work in motion, buying tips and short user description. These things are easily available at the shops. 1. Cutter Oil filled cutter. You should be careful to buy the one with a reservoir of oil because it automatically lubricates the tugsten carbide wheel when you make your scoreline. This helps you avoid dipping it in oil everytime. The pen shaped cutter may pose problems for you so get the pistolgrip cutter because in this y... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Sunday, 10th August 2008 @ 8:57 AM

Quilting was practiced in ancient Egyptian times and evidences have been found in the tombs of the Pharaohs. Quilting was a form of sewing various pieces of fabric to make a single item of clothing which later became objects of decoration. Sewing blocks of fabrics together to make quilts also called patchwork quilting developed later and became dominant during the middle of the 19th century. Quilting consisted of stitching of three layers of fabrics - the top of the quilt, the padding in the mid... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Sunday, 10th August 2008 @ 8:48 AM

Are you planning to present a cross stitched item made by you as a gift for your friend's birthday or as a Christmas present for your grandmother? It is an excellent and very innovative idea and you will be thanked for giving them such unique gifts. Cross stitch is very easy and if you are a beginner then also it is hassle free. You can start with simple designs and migrate to complicated ones once you are accustomed with the process. There are some important necessities like the cross stit... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Sunday, 10th August 2008 @ 8:42 AM

Keen cross stitchers will really want to place their works of art into a frame so that it can be displayed to its full potential. To ensure an appealing look after the completion of your cross stitch work here are some useful tips for cross stitch framing. Choosing a Frame Most of the people like to take their work along to find a suitable frame. You can choose the best size and appropriate style for your work. The frame should be one that complements your work and not overpower i... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By April Kerr @ Sunday, 10th August 2008 @ 8:37 AM

Paper crafts is one of the most engaging tasks that can give you a thrill and it can be simple as well as complicated. The idea of paper crafts germinates at a very tender age when children get hooked on to it because of the variety. This art has an endless spectrum and with imagination you will marvel at the various creations. Indulging in paper crafts is a form of treasure hunting, for you have simple ones like rubber stamping and scrapbooking to more diverse and complicated forms like ... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By David Towdon @ Saturday, 9th August 2008 @ 12:23 AM

Learning how to draw cars isn't as difficult as you think it is. In fact, it's not difficult at all. All you need is a little practice, and a few pointers to get you going. With practice and the right guidelines anyone can master drawing cool cars. And as you're reading this article, I'm betting you want to learn how to draw cool cars. Obviously, the first thing you need is a piece of paper. Next thing you need is a good pencil. Now it's important to know one thin... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By David Towdon @ Friday, 8th August 2008 @ 11:57 PM

There may be many reasons why you would like to learn how to draw cars. For example, you want to give your car loving uncle an extraordinary birthday present by giving him a self-made car drawing, or you have to learn how to draw cars for your studies or work. Anyhow, you'll learn a few important steps in this article. There are many varieties of cars you can draw. Learning how to draw cars can be fun and challenging for every level of artist. You start with a few basic shapes and co... more...

Hobbies » Arts and Crafts | By JT Miller @ Thursday, 7th August 2008 @ 11:16 AM

You've all heard that certain types of crystal objects and beads are made of lead crystal, but have you ever stopped to think about whether or not the lead in those crystal beads are harmful? The lead used in the making of lead crystal is indeed the same lead you read about poisoning children. Swarovski crystal beads contain about 32% lead or lead oxide which is used to maximize the way the light refracts through the crystal and gives them an almost diamond-like quality! This isn&... more...