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- Metal Tooling Craft
  February 24, 2021Students will express ideas about Mexico using metal tooling techniques and the elements of art and principles of design. By Margaret Morales [Margaret is an Artist/Teacher from McAdory Elementary School in Alabama, who has been teaching art in public schools for 25 years.] WHAT YOU NEED: 36 gauge aluminum-tooling foil (It comes in 12″ X 10′ rolls, which equals 90, 4″ X 4″ pieces.) or use disposable pie pans. Note: This type of foil can be cut on a paper cutter and also a letter cutter!) Tape Wooden clay tools or the ends of wooden paintbrushes 4″ X 4″ Paper for rough draft Pencils Permanent markers Wire Beads A soft, giving work surface (Ex. Several layers of paper or a computer mouse pad)= WHAT YOU DO: Beginning of lesson: Say, “Today we will learn about a Mexican folk art called metal tooling.” Show a sample. Show students some examples of metal tooling if you have any, or look on the Internet: http://www.directfrommexico.com. Have students locate Mexico on a map. Ask them, “What are some types of metal?” Examples would be gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. Ask, “Why are some metals more expensive than others?” Discuss natural resources and why we should recycle because there is a limited supply of it on our planet. Demonstrate in front of small groups how to emboss using the tool on a giving surface. Safety Issue: Caution the students to be careful handling the metal because it is sharp and could cut them. Tape may be placed around the edges to make it safer to handle. Discuss some potential images such as chili peppers, maracas, birds, sunshines, lizards, and sombreros… Give the students a small piece of paper and a pencil to do their rough draft. Some things to remember for success are: The design needs to be bold and simple thinking about the elements of art and principles of design. Trace the foil on your rough draft paper so you can practice on the same size paper. Make sure a stack of paper or a magazine is under your foil when tooling. Either trace the design by putting it on top of the foil or draw it free hand with your wooden tool. Emboss by rubbing larger areas to make it pushed out on the other side. Turn it over and emboss using the other side, also. Color the metal by using permanent markers. Finish by putting these together as a group project with beads and wire. They can also be finished individually as a small wall hanging. MORE INFORMATION: Mexican Folk Art ... Read more...
- DIY wall decor trends 2021
  February 19, 2021People have been decorating walls since ancient times. Previously, rock paintings were used for this, after which amulets and various decorations were hung on the walls. Today, there are several dozen variations of the beautiful wall decoration in a house or apartment. You can either buy decorative elements or make them yourself. To do this, you will need improvised tools or tools and materials that can be found in any needlework store. As a result, you get a design that will make your interior truly unique. Today we will talk about how to decorate the wall in the room with our own hands. Wall decor – where to start? To invent and create a diy wall decor is as simple as possible. There are many techniques, materials and products that can turn a boring and blank wall into a real work of art. This approach to interior decoration has many advantages: You get a unique room design. Even if you repeat the technique seen in the picture, you will add a little personality to the decor. So there are no two identical results. Saving the family budget. Walling can be a very expensive process. However, if you take up the creation of decorative elements, the result will be more budgetary. Flight of fancy. Creativity is a great opportunity to relax a bit and spend time with your family. You can attract loved ones – a joint pastime will give a lot of pleasant emotions. Where to start decorating the walls of the apartment with your own hands? Choose the place on the wall that you want to decorate. Remember that it will become the accent of the room. So in the bedroom it is better to decorate the wall above the bed, and in the living room – above the sofa. Choose a technique and material. Everything will depend on your skills and desire to try something new. If you are afraid to experiment or do not have time for complex work, you can decorate with ready-made objects (which ones – we will tell later). Buy everything you need so that you don’t get distracted by missing parts or tools in the process. Think about how the decor will be fixed to the wall – glue, nails, stationery buttons, screws, etc. What materials are used for wall decor? Today there are many options for decorating a wall. Some of them can be implemented using materials that are sold in any store. Some require more thorough preparation. Most often, as a material for decor are used: Paper DIY paper wall decor includes many different compositions. The basis can be used: old newspapers, the original corrugation made of paper, foil, sheets with the effect of yellowed paper (can be done by dipping a white sheet in tea or coffee). In addition, bright napkins, magazines, postcards are also used today. READ New Apartment Renovation Trends 2021 What can be created with paper? Garland . To create it, you will need threads (fishing line, twine or ordinary thread), pencil, paper, scissors. For fixing, you can use hot glue or a stapler. Just cut out the necessary shapes from paper according to the template and put them together on a thread. After hang the garland on the wall. Volumetric wall decor . You can create beautiful flowers, butterflies and other compositions from paper. This decor will look original and non-standard. Especially if you make several shapes of different sizes and place them with a collage. Tableware A beautiful set or dishes brought from travel should not gather dust somewhere in cabinets. That is why do-it-yourself wall decor often includes ceramic and glass jewelry. Most often, this technique is used in the kitchen. However, today you can decorate dishes from plates in the living room or hallway . Multi-colored ceramic products create an original composition and perfectly complement the interior in the style of Provence , country. Mirrors They allow you to visually increase the area of the room and even in the darkest spaces add light and a sense of openness. Today, wall mirrors are sold not only in standard forms. You can also find original products or order an individual model in the workshop. You can hang one large mirror, you can – several different mirrors of different shapes and sizes. Round, rectangular, oval, in the form of a drop, heart or asterisk – a beautiful mirror in the frame will be a great addition to the interior. Fabric and Thread In each house you can find several multi-colored threads and various pieces of fabric left over from old clothes, tablecloths, and bedding. The most common techniques for decorating a wall in a room with your own hands are: String art . To create such panels you will need a board that will serve as the basis, a lot of small nails, threads, scissors, a hammer, a pencil. Draw on the base with a pencil. Come up with it yourself or search the Internet. Contour the pattern with nails. Make sure they enter the board at the same depth. Between the nails, wind the threads, creating an original pattern. Macrame . If you like to knit, try decorating the wall with macrame. However, this technique is suitable for those who have never picked up knitting needles. Find a pattern for creating a panel you like, stock up with threads (silk, woolen) and a base, which a branch or stick may well be. Panel made of fabric . You have several pieces of beautiful fabric, you can place them in a frame and hang them on the wall. Use lace, buttons or multi-colored beads for decoration. Paints This is a more complex option, which is suitable for all lovers to experiment with room decor. Ideas for painting walls can be found on the Internet. Think in advance of the style and the pattern or drawing itself. Prepare a stencil so that you can quickly draw a suitable image on it. READ 5 General Interior Decoration Trends For 2021 As a stencil, you can use, for example, adhesive tape. A more professional option is ready-made stencils on self-adhesive paper. Just create the contours of the image and paint. After it dries, remove the adhesive tape or self-adhesive, and apply varnish (glossy or matte). Tip: A simpler way to create art on the wall are special stickers. They come in a variety of sizes and are pretty easy to peck. The main thing is to carefully level the surface and carefully put the sticker on the wall. Photos and paintings When decorating walls with their own hands, beautiful paintings and posters are often used. You can print or draw them yourself, or you can buy ready-made ones at the store. The main thing is to choose the style of posters and paintings based on the design of the room. A special addition to this decoration are beautiful frames. They can be carved, coated with gold or silver paint, with decorative inserts. Decorating a wall with photographs is one of the most common ways of decorating surfaces. This will not only create a unique room design. Photos, preserving the positive moments from the past, will cause a lot of warm and pleasant memories every time you look at them. Designing a wall with photographs can be either with a single photo (large size) or creating a huge collage of several photos. Moreover, it is not necessary to insert photos into frames. You can print them and fasten them on a thread by hanging a garland on the wall. Wall decor options in different rooms In general, we have listed quite universal ways of decorating walls in an apartment. However, there are requirements and recommendations for each individual room. Let’s see what decorative elements can be used for a bedroom, kitchen, living room or nursery. How to decorate the walls in the kitchen? The spacious kitchen is the perfect place for a family dinner. And during cooking we spend a lot of time in this room. Therefore, wall decor is an important aspect of creating the interior of the kitchen . The most universal option is beautiful paintings with landscapes or still lifes (for example, delicious dishes, drinks or fruits). You can also create a beautiful panel yourself using improvised materials (branches, dried flowers and leaves, dried fruits, coffee beans, pasta, cereals). And of course, in the kitchen, wall decoration with various ceramics and other utensils will be most relevant. Trays, plates, mugs – all this will give a warm and cozy atmosphere and enliven the interior of the space. Important! In the process of cooking in the kitchen, the temperature often rises or humidity increases. Therefore, it is important that wall decoration materials withstand such tests. Bedroom Wall Decor Options The bedroom is a unique room where we relax, relax and gain strength for further achievements. It is important to consider that this room is primarily aimed at relaxation. Here, a calm and peaceful atmosphere should reign, created by pastel colors (beige, milky, peach, blue, pink, mint), as well as white. Wall decor in the bedroom consists mainly of beautiful paintings, posters, frames with photos. All this should add coziness and warm atmosphere. READ New Modern Apartment Interior Design Trends 2021 Patchwork and various collages also look great on the wall. Wall decoration in the living room The living room is the heart of any home. It is here that we meet guests and gather together as a big friendly family for gatherings, board games or watching our favorite movie. Therefore, in this room, decor has an important role. In no case should you leave the walls in the living room completely empty. You can decorate them with any materials and techniques at your discretion. First of all, it is important to build on the style of the interior. For classics, it can be wall moldings, fabric upholstery, mirrors in the frame. For a living room in a modern style, wall decor implies experiments with materials, textures. You can combine several different styles, use combinations and non-standard variations of crafts. Embroidery on the walls is ideal for room decor in Provence style. You can also decorate the living room with beautiful plates brought from travel, wooden or antique items. Wall decor in the nursery In the children’s room as a wall decor, bright and colorful paintings depicting animals will look great. It is important here to build on the interests and hobbies of your child. Pictures with planets will be the best solution for a child who is fond of space. If your child has a favorite cartoon character, you can safely use it for inspiration when decorating a room. True, it should be remembered that the decoration of the walls of the nursery for preschoolers, primary school children and adolescents will differ significantly. The latter tend more towards minimalism and conciseness. Important! All materials for decorating the walls in the children’s room should be as safe as possible and securely attached to the wall. How to choose a method of wall decoration? Of course, when choosing materials for decorating the walls in a room, it is first and foremost important to build on your personal preferences and wishes. But you should also pay attention to: Room style . Each interior design requires careful planning and thought out of decorative elements. So, for example, a flower panel will be completely irrelevant for a high-tech style, and paper garlands will be in a room in a loft style . The best option is graphics. The main thing is to choose a beautiful and suitable pattern. Security . It is especially important that the materials do not harm your health. So, for coloring it is worth taking a water-based paint. Resistance to moisture , high temperatures. This is especially true for wall decoration in the kitchen or in the bathroom. You should choose materials that would not be afraid of contact with moisture. DIY wall decor is a real fantasy flight, which will allow you to get a unique interior that reflects your character and mood. Even from the most simple and improvised materials, you can create real masterpieces. A bit of creativity and time – and your walls will become a bright highlight of the room.... Read more...
- Baby Shark Birthday Party
  February 18, 2021Baby Shark do do do do.. that’s all it takes for the catchy toddler tune to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Sorry, not sorry. We’ve had this song on loop for a while now and when it came time to pick a theme for my daughter’s 3rd birthday she made it very clear that all she wanted was a “Baby Shark Birthday Cake”. Have a Baby Shark fan in your house? Here are a bunch of great party ideas plus a few fun themed gift ideas! Baby Shark Birthday Party Ideas & Gift Guide Have a Birthday Shark on your hands? If you’re throwing a Baby Shark birthday party you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got lots of food, decor, activities and game ideas. If you have a Baby Shark fan in your life and you’re looking to purchase a gift, scroll down for my extensive Baby Shark gift guide! This list includes bedding, books, stuffed animals, toys and more! I’m certain you’ll be able to find the perfect Baby Shark gift. BABY SHARK BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS: FOOD What makes a great party? FOOD! Nothing kicks up a party a few notches more than themed food (especially sweets). Check out these great Baby Shark snack and sweet ideas: Homemade, Gluten Free Goldfish from Strength and Sunshine Shark Fin Cupcakes via The Awesome Muse Shark Cookies, Decorated Oreos from The Inspiration Edit Speaking of cookies, check out these great Ocean Themed Cookies from Imaginative Homeschool; I spy an octopus, dolphin and a sea horse! No party is complete without a cake, I opted to purchase our cake from a local bakery but Lani from Life Anchored shared the most amazing DIY Baby Shark Piñata Cake. It doesn’t matter if you opt to make your own desserts or buy them from a local bakery, you’ll still need a topper! The lovable Shark Family is all decked out for the party on these super cute cake and cupcake toppers! Speaking of cupcakes, nothing is more impressive at a party than a themed cupcake tower – luckily there is a Baby Shark themed one available (of course!) BABY SHARK BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS: DRINKS Who needs a drink do do do do do? I know I do! (do do do). This Bloody Shark Bite Cocktail from Champagne and Coconuts is the perfect way to treat your adult guests while everyone is listening to Baby Shark on loop. BABY SHARK BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS: DECOR, CRAFTS & GAMES I love this Underwater Photo Backdrop created by Life Anchored. Print out some Baby Shark props and you’re good to go! I love to go all out when decorating this Baby Shark Birthday Party Supplies kit has everything you’ll need! Plates, cups, napkins, a table cloth AND a banner! An easy way to fill up a party space is by strategically placing balloons throughout the party room! Party hats are always fun! Head over to Simple Everyday Mom to snag this awesome Shark Headband Template to print and create Shark headbands for all of your guests (or at least all of those under the age of 5). Keeping kids occupied during a party is always a challenge but have no fear, this Feed the Shark Game from Mommy Made That will keep little hands and mind busy for a while. Check out this new twist on a classic party game; Pin the Teeth on the Shark! Instead of sending party guests home with loot bags, why not send them home with a craft that was made at the party? The Inspiration Edit has a fun shark themed craft that would be perfect for a Baby Shark party! Kids can create their own Hammer Head Shark complete with underwater scene. Are you a fan of painted rocks? Why not have party guests paint their own, shark themed rocks? Recreate these Stone-Cold Shark Painted Rocks from Sustain by Craft Habit at your Baby Shark party, even switch out the standard shark grey for yellow, blue, orange, green and pink to more resemble everyone’s new favorite shark family! Looking for a mess-free craft to occupy little party guests? Why not have them color their own Baby Shark coloring page? The markers only color the page, not your couch! Baby Shark Gift Guide Need a gift for the Baby Shark fan in your life? I’ve rounded up some of the best (and I’ll admit, pretty awesome) Baby Shark items; toys, plushes, puppets and even bedding! My little one was lucky enough to be gifted a Baby Shark bedding set from the wonderful people over at Franco Dreams, they offer products in all of your favorite characters; Baby Shark, Trolls, Paw Patrol, Scooby Doo, Frozen, Batman – seriously, so many more. Their products are available at retailers like Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, Target, Macy*s, and Amazon (among others) – you can shop the super fun Baby Shark bedding by clicking the link below. We had so much fun surprising our Birthday Shark with her new bedding, in a covert mission we where able to give her bed a makeover while she was totally unaware! BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: BEDDING BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: BOOKS Books always make a great gift and these books put a new spin on the “do do do” so long “Grandpa Shark do do do do”, make way for “brush your teeth do do do do” and “hold you tight do do do do”. Bedtime for Baby Shark and I Love You, Baby Shark are easy to read, sing-song books that are both fun bedtime reads. BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: STUFFED ANIMALS Little ones can snuggle up with these fun Baby Shark plushes and puppets – so many or may not sing BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: TOYS BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: WHEELS BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: CLOTHES BABY SHARK GIFT GUIDE: FOR MOM & DAD Baby Shark Birthday Party Photo Review Baby Shark Birthday Cake Baby Shark Birthday Secondary “Smash” Cake... Read more...
- $Simple and Engaging Plant the Flowers Spring Math Game for Kids$ Simple and Engaging Plant the Flowers Spring Math Game for Kids
  February 17, 2021Dice games always seem to be a hit with kiddos, no matter their age. Add in some play dough and flowers, and this spring math game for kids is sure to a crowd pleaser. A colorful math game for kids to welcome spring Materials Terra cotta pots Play dough Fake flowers Dice How to Play 1. Give each player a terra cotta pot and some play dough to act as a base for the flowers. 2. Hand out flowers to each player, ensuring that everyone has the same amount. We started with 12 each. 3. Player one rolls his die, then adds the appropriate number of flowers to his flower pot. 4. Player two does the same, rolling her die and adding flowers to her ceramic pot. 5. Play continues until one person has “planted” all of her flowers. 6. Challenge each other to another game, or just have fun creating with the play dough and flowers! Other Ways to Play There are so many ways to change up how this game is set up and played! Here are just a few ideas: Have each player use two dice instead of one. This would allow the kiddos to work on their addition skills. Incorporate a scented oil (lavender or rose) to the play dough for a different sensory experience. Knead seeds into the dough for a different texture. Play with real flowers instead of fake. Create number cards to use instead of dice. This would let the kids work on their numeral recognition and one-to-one correspondence skills in a different way. Learning with a flower math game for kids This is a very simple game, but so much learning can take place with “simple” activities! Here are a few game and math skills touched on: Pattern recognition Counting Turn taking One-to-one correspondence Fine motor skills Sportsmanship Do you have another math game for kids to recommend? Any favorites that you play at home or at school?... Read more...
- Hanging Flower Heart DIY
  February 12, 2021I have always loved Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s because my middle name is literally Valentine (Yes, Laura Valentine Gummerman. It’s on my driver’s license, I swear!), but I think it’s also because of all the sweets and shades of pink that float around this time of year. I’m a total sucker for it. I’ve had a lot of fun doing decorations for intimate Valentine’s Day dinners in years past, and this year I thought it would be fun to make some hanging decor to hang over our pink breakfast nook table. I love to use the inexpensive faux flowers from dollar stores to make a block of texture, and I thought they would be the perfect choice for a large floating heart above the table. Supplies: -faux flowers (I used about 12 bunches total. Pick the big ones—they’ll fill the heart faster!) -hot glue gun -sheets of styrofoam -serrated bread knife/electric turkey carver/jig saw to cut the styrofoam –cup hooks -clear fishing line -command hooks -balsa wood -glitter paper First you’ll want to trace your heart onto your styrofoam. If you don’t feel confident to do this freehand, you can always sketch it out on a large piece of craft paper first and then trace it onto the styrofoam. You can see that in order to fit the size of heart I wanted, I had to cut off a corner of one piece and glue it onto the bottom to fit the tail of the heart. Use your hot glue gun to attach the pieces of styrofoam together to make one solid shape. Next, use a serrated bread knife, electric turkey carver, or a jig saw to cut out your shape from the styrofoam. If you go the bread knife route, you may want to wait to glue the pieces together until after you cut them since it’s a little rougher on the material. The jig saw cut through the styrofoam like a hot knife through butter, which is another reason I keep telling you guys you should get one!!!! When your heart is cut out, pull or cut your flowers off of the stems and use the hot glue to attach the flowers directly onto the heart. Notice how your faux flower is assembled though—sometimes they will fall apart if you cut them off the stem in the wrong area. Since I got three colors of pink for a gradient effect, I filled the lightest flowers in on the top third first, then filled in the bottom third with the darkest, and then completed the middle section last. You can also cover the sides with flowers if you want to, but you’ll want to buy smaller varieties in the same color so they don’t stick way over the sides and make your shape definition a little mushy. I made an arrow and arrow tail out of balsa wood, and then cut pieces of glitter paper the same size and hot glued them all together. To hang the heart, I glued a cup hook into the top of each of the heart “humps” and stuck 2 command hooks onto the ceiling where I wanted the heart to hang (about the same distance apart that the cup hooks are). Then I tied the heart to the hooks with fishing wire for an “invisible” look. Once the heart was hanging, I stuck each half of the arrow in opposite ends of the heart, and my work was done! I LOVE how this turned out! It’s such a big statement piece, and since they are faux flowers, you can leave it up as long as you like or even save it for next year. This would also be really cute as a photo booth backdrop for a Valentine’s Day party. Hope you find an occasion to make this pretty project! I totally won’t blame you if the 14th comes and goes and you just “forget” to take this one down…... Read more...
- Printable Friendship Bracelet Valentine
  February 8, 2021I know I said that we’d be focusing solely on our Becoming interviews this month but I just can’t let my second favorite holiday go by without any project ideas for you. SO! Our first Valentine’s Day project is up! And it’s very knotty…Ba dum, ching! The older I get, the more I get into projects that require little brain power and friendship bracelets are just that–a perfect TV project, no?! Today we’re providing you with adorable printable Valentine to go with a friendship bracelet (stay tuned for our heart friendship bracelet tutorial!). Our Warhol-inspired cards read “Threaded together” and “You always come in handy, friend”. Because Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers! And stay tuned later today for a big announcement! (hint: love is in the air). Friendship Bracelet Printable DIY Birthday Flag Ribbon Cake Topper Threaded together (white background) You always come in handy, friend (pink background) Notes: The cards are 5×7″. We like to print them on cardstock so they are nice and heavy. If you’d like to find envelopes, you can use size A7 (5 1/4″ x 7 1/4″) Here are some envelope suggestions: Pastel pink envelopes Red envelopes Hot pink envelopes... Read more...
- How to make a Heart Marquee Sign
  February 5, 2021Except for Christmas, I don’t change the house the decor at each holiday. But it’s nice to add a little detail here or there, like a printable or a small item. Looking for more paper crafts ideas? You will find all the tutorials featured in this video on my “Best off” page This year to celebrate Valentine’s day I made a heart marquee sign. As it’s made with paper and cardboard it’s quite simple to realize. For now it stands on the shelve in my office but I think I will move it in the living room so we can all enjoy a pretty heart-shaped lighting! How to make a heart marquee sign Material you will need : white cardboard a thick color paper LED cord-light with 20 lights Scissors cutter Ruler Pencil A glue gun or silicone glue The free template, which you can download HERE You first need to download and print the PDF heart template. It comes in two parts, so cut along the dotted line and glue both sheets of paper together with some tape. Report the heart shape and the small circles on the cardboard. Cut the cardboard, if you wonder, the little circles mark the place of every LED light. So you need to cut them out too. Take a sheet of colored paper and cut two strips of 2 inches width by 18 inches long. I choose a violet shade but feel free to pick the tone you like. You will use the paper strips to make the edges of the marquee sign. Glue the paper on the edge of the cardboard, starting from the heart tip. Apply very little glue at the time to prevent the glue from overflowing. If some area requires more glue you can add an extra dot on the backside. I worked with a glue gun, but silicone glue is also a good option. Once the first strip is glued, continue with the second one. Before gluing you can trace a line lengthwise to mark the strip center, so you just have to apply the glue on the line and you will be sure the strips are glued straight. Once all the edge is covered with the paper, you can trim the extra length if necessary. Cut 2 more strips to cover the inside edge of the heart. You have to do the same to cover the heart center. Take off the little bulbs from the LED lights and push them into the cardboard holes then, from the back of the marquee sign, put back the LED into the bulbs. Light the cord and DONE! Enjoy you lovely Marquee Sign! It’s a nice Valentine’s day detail that you may what to keep around even passed February! The cord-light I used work on battery so I hid the box behind the books…just in case you wonder! ... Read more...
- How To Make a Paper Origami Heart Bouquet
  February 3, 2021Have you ever made a paper origami heart? It is so simple and downright satisfying once you have the technique down. I ended up whipping up 10 of these pretty paper hearts to make a Valentine’s Day bouquet. I love the idea of giving a non-traditional paper flower bouquet as a gift. Supplies for Simple Origami Heart Bouquet Origami paper 20 gauge florist wire Wire cutters Scotch tape Faux greenery Florist foam Vase How to Make Paper Origami Flowers Step 1: Make around 10 paper origami hearts with a variety of pink, purple, and red origami paper. Rather than me showing you the steps over a ton of different photos. It moves you through the heart step-by-step process slowly so you quickly pick up the technique and can easily replicate it to make more flowers. Warning, making these simple hearts can be addicting! Check out how you can even fold a dollar bill into a heart. I especially love that this video was created by a young boy named Evan over 10 years ago, and he is still making origami tutorial videos as an adult on his channel EZOrigami. Talk about passion for your craft. Check it out! Step 2. Each heart will contain a little pocket opening in the back. This is where you will insert the flower stem. Step 3: Cut a piece of florist wire in half with wire cutters. Poke the wire into the backside opening of the heart and through the base of the heart. Secure the top of the stem to the back of the heart with a small piece of tape. Continue making more flowers. You can vary the length of the florist wire to give the flowers different heights in the arrangement if you want. Step 4: Add a piece of florist foam to the base of a vase. If you like this painted mason jar vase, be sure to check out my simple tutorial on how to paint the inside of a vase! Step 5: Fill the vase with the flowers and some faux greenery. You’re done!... Read more...
- DIY craft trends that will sell well in 2021
  January 18, 2021Trends are more than passing fads. Trend forecasts determine how technological and cultural changes will influence consumers’ purchasing decisions. This article on craft / DIY trends for 2021 is intended to help you make informed choices for your business and improve your product offering. So let’s take a look at the direction our sector is taking and let’s explore the trends that will shape the craft sector in 2021. Colour trends for 2021 The BEHR Color Trends 2021 palette is a colour selection with the colours that will be be everywhere next year. https://www.behr.com/consumer/inspiration/2021-color-trends/ When it comes to predicting colour trends, Pantone is also a popular name. Published for the fashion industry by the Pantone Color Institute, this season’s report presents the top ten most influential colours, as well as the five current classics that fashion designers are expected to feature in their new spring/summer collections. Discover them on the Pantone website. In 2021, make things with your hands In this world of trends, creativity is particularly highlighted. The emphasis here is on making objects with our own hands and working with raw materials such as leather, concrete, plaster and clay. There are interesting techniques for achieving stunning surface effects with irregular, original and imperfect textures. For example, an amalgam of pebbles and scraps can be poured into a mould to create a rough, matte-looking concrete. In addition, delicate natural materials such as algae, willow and rattan will be used extensively in 2021. These materials are braided, knotted or woven and are used as natural home accessories such as seat cushions, table tops and curtains. Transform your old stuff / Upcycling This trend is aimed at the younger generation. The emphasis here is on creativity, and on the personalisation of everyday objects, be it graffiti, knitted or macramé. It is the personal touch that makes backpacks, pencil cases, hooded sweatshirts, laptop cases or even furniture unique pieces. The art of mixing takes on its full meaning here: tools such as markers, brushes, sheet transfers or resin can be used Ecological DIY crafts This is not a trend, but a need; the impact of our actions on the environment is more evident than ever! Are you looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly in when producing your DIY crafts? There are many blogs where we help you to recycle old objects, find alternatives to plastic and recycle everything in the name of nature and craftsmanship! Environmental issues affect the lives of people all over the world. They are problems even for experienced craftsmen. In order to achieve a more sustainable world, it will be extremely important to preserve natural processes and craftsmanship in the future. Traditional crafts are making a come back The hobbies of the past are making a comeback! It’s often said that everything comes back into style, and that certainly rings true for crafting. Trends from the past that we once fondly enjoyed are beginning to be recognised once again as new generations discover them. Hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles, macrame, or candle making have seen a great evolution in terms of popularity. Why not take a journey back in time and revive a craft or hobby you once loved? Digital creations are also gaining in popularity From podcasts to digital cutting, to sharing on social networks, digital in 2020 was ultra prominent, and it will remain so in 2021 Digital craftsmanship involves using your computer or tablet to print or cut out designs. It’s as simple as printing any other document. You can create just about anything you can imagine: scrapbook pages, drawings, interior decoration… Just download free SVG files from many sites that you can use for your creations. .If you like cutting, at the touch of a button, you can cut any shape, no matter complex, in the blink of an eye. Machines are available with different blades to fit almost any material, from paper to wood. For this you can use files of the SVG “Scalable vector graphics” type, i.e. digital images that can be enlarged without losing their definition. Just cut them out with your digital cutting machine – it’s easy. Craftsmanship will have to be profitable in 2021 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, and you will probably need to increase revenue in your handmade craft business. There are a number of quality craft products to be made and sold and you need to find items for which there is demand. If your business’s revenue has dropped and you’re looking for new ways for it to make money, consider making crafts. When making crafts, it is always good to know where you will sell the products. The best places to sell your production online are Facebook groups, Whatsapp groups, and market places like Amazon or Etsy. You can also start your own website where to sell your DIY products, and launch your own blog, and teach people how to make handicrafts or write informative articles about your achievements. Making crafts according to the time of year can also be very profitable. Think of DIY for Halloween, Christmas or Autumn. You can also tailor your designs for children. Here are some ideas for 2021: – – Glitter cups – Decorated wine glasses – Tablecloths – Personalised button badges – Refrigerator magnets – Dispenser for hand washing products – Knitted scarves – Personalised key rings – Necklaces – Personalised hair accessories – Handmade aprons – Motivational quotes – You can also create crafting kits that allow others to make your designs. 2021, one year, four seasons, and many opportunities to make handicrafts! In this article, we tried to look into our crystal ball to find out what approaches you need to take to make 2021 the most creative year of your life, and to reach a wider audience.... Read more...
- 11 CREATIVE HOBBIES TO TRY IN 2021
  January 13, 2021Finding new creative hobbies is a great way to give yourself a sense of purpose, and feel more productive. Plus, you never know where your new creative pursuits may lead! START YOUR NEXT CREATIVE ADVENTURE Participating in creative hobbies has so many benefits for your health and well-being, and is a fun way to relax after work or school. Now is the perfect time to take up a new creative hobby. With so many tutorials online, picking up a new skill is easier than ever – all you need is the materials and some inspiration. Here are 11 creative hobbies to try. 1 HAND LETTERING Hand lettering is one of the biggest creative hobbies right now. Hand lettering is the process of creating decorative letters and fonts. One of the most appealing parts of lettering is that there is are near-endless ways to do it. You can use virtually any type of writing or drawing utensil, ranging from pens to markers to brushes and beyond. Hand lettering also allows you to develop your own unique style with just a little bit of practice. In particular, hand lettering can be used to create cards and signs, and it’s a popular technique for creating wedding invitations. Lettering can be intimidating at first, but this guide will help you get started. 2 FLOWER ARRANGING If you like plants, consider taking up flower arranging to express yourself through this unique medium. Many local flower shops offer classes for beginners, and there are many books and websites that offer tutorials. Floristry is something anyone can get into, and you can use the things you make to brighten up your home. You can even wear your floral arrangements by making them into crowns, corsages, and more. Additionally, floral arrangements also make great gifts, particularly if you are on a budget. 3 BULLET JOURNALING Bullet journaling is a technique that you can use to record the events of your day, stay organized, and plan for future goals. All you need to start bullet journaling is a blank notebook and a pen. The principle is simple: rather than buying a pre-bought planner, you create one yourself that only includes the things you need. There are three main things you’ll write down each day – the tasks you need to get done, notes about things you don’t want to forget, and noteworthy events that you want to remember. Bullet journaling is a quick way to express yourself and get your thoughts on paper. Bullet journaling is a fantastic and diverse hobby. You can create your bullet journal to be as simple or as complex as you’d like. If you want to be more even creative with your bullet journaling, you can experiment with using different colors and layouts, or you can keep it simple. This bullet journal guide can help you explore the many different ways you can make a bullet journal your go-to creative hobby in 2021. 4 WRITING You don’t need to be the next J.K Rowling to start writing. It can be as simple as just sitting down and writing in a journal every day, or even just brainstorming a short story you want to write. Maybe you’ve always had a dream of becoming a published author but never knew where to start, well, 2021 is the perfect time to start chasing that dream. Just don’t try jumping into writing a novel right away, take some time to build up, and get in the habit of writing every day. A great place to start is by starting a journal or doing morning pages every day. After you get in the habit, try taking a Skillshare course on how to write a book. 5 CROSS-STITCH Cross stitch has become very popular over the last few years on Pinterest and Instagram, and it’s a very soothing creative hobby that anyone can take up. Cross stitch is done by creating stitches in an X pattern on a grid, which creates very even stitches. In particular, there’s been a trend toward cross stitch designs with sassy sayings and charming nature themes. However, you can use cross stitch to make any design you want. There are thousands of cross stitch patterns online, but once you learn the basic technique, you can experiment with your own unique designs. 6 START A BLOG Starting a blog is one of those hobbies that actually makes it easier to keep doing all of the creative hobbies in your life. Plus, it has the potential to actually make you money and become your job. It did for me. Before starting a blog, I never watercolored or lettered on a daily basis. Now I do pretty much every day. Head here to learn how to start a blog. 7 PHOTOGRAPHY Photography is a great way to get your juices flowing, and no, that doesn’t mean you need to drop a couple thousand dollars on a professional-grade camera. You can even start with just your cell phone. Consistency is key when trying to pick up this creative hobby. I recommend grabbing my 100-day challenge printable from my resource library and trying to take a picture every day for 100 days. 8 WATERCOLORING Watercoloring is probably one of the more intimidating creative hobbies on this list, but trust me, it’s not that hard. Learning to watercolor is a freeing experience because you discover that you can’t fully control the water no matter how hard you try, and you have to let go of control. If you have a hectic life, then this is the perfect hobby for you. You can find the basic supplies you need to start here, and here are a few tips for getting started. 9 ORIGAMI Origami, the classic Japanese art of paper folding, is another hobby that is both creative and relaxing. Making beautiful plants, animals, and other nature-inspired folds is a great way to challenge yourself and is sure to put a smile on your face. There are thousands of different designs to learn, and practicing helps with hand-eye coordination. 10 MEDITATION Give meditation a try this new year, and you’ll be surprised by the benefits. Meditation isn’t what most people think of when they think of creative hobbies, but when you let your mind slow down a bit in this chaotic world, you’d be surprised by the benefits. Try morning meditation for a ton of benefits. 11 BAKING AND CAKE DECORATING Creating delectable treats is a creative hobby that comes with a truly sweet reward at the end. Not only is baking very satisfying, but it will also endear you to your friends and family, who will love your cakes, cookies, and other creations. Cake and cookie decorating can be complex, so it may be helpful to take a class to learn the basics. EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE These are just eleven of the many creative hobbies that have been trending recently. Taking up a creative hobby is the perfect way to kickstart productivity and feel more productive. Creativity will make you happier and is a very effective way to help relieve stress. ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? If you’re looking for inspiration to help you get ready for the new year, you can check out all of my new year bullet journal and productivity content in one convenient place! Alternatively, if you’re looking for a quick way to get ready for the new year, you should check out the Fox Den Resource Library. The library is packed with tons of free printables and lettering worksheets, including a January printable to help you tackle the new year.... Read more...

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