Crafts and DIY

If you want a bench that is timely, extremely strong, and is built using old time joinery with a traditional looking finish, look no farther!

DIY plans for building a screech owl nesting box. This article includes diagrams, photos and step-by-step instructions for building and hanging a owl house.

Fabric wrapped cord jewelry adds a fun and funky touch to any wardrobe. It's also quick and easy to make with this step by step tutorial, including photos and a video.

Unbiased reviews of metal clay related products including the Ultra-Lite Beehive Kiln and custom name/logo stamps by Metal Clay Artist Magazine's senior editor and technical editor Margaret Schindel.

Make 50+ creative projects using old CDs! Even though you may not listen to the music on them anymore, the CDs can still be used for something practical and beautiful that you will enjoy.

Recycle plastic grocery bags to make useful and interesting crocheted tote bags in varying sizes. Basic step-by-step instructions with photographs are included. Learn how to cut continuous strips of "yarn" from the bags and try this easy crochet pattern. Make something from nothing!

I love all of these clothespin crafts. Many of the ideas will be great fun to do with kids or are projects that the kids can do alone.

Complete directions and free printable templates for making six different Harry Potter silhouette pictures using inexpensive paper materials.

Make fun summer memories this year by trying these beach crafts! They're fun for kids and adults. You can use items such as seashells, sand, driftwood, and rope!

Learn about the tools and supplies needed to fire BRONZclay metal clay successfully and what to look for when deciding which ones to get. Most also are needed to fire other bronze clay formulas.

I was experimenting with bread clay and recycling old magazines when I found this method of making my own beads, which is both really fun and versatile.

A great way to use old newspapers is to craft with them. In this article, you'll find ideas, pictures and links to great tutorials. There are some easy and fun crafts for kids too.

Use these plaster project ideas to make beads, jewelry, handprints, roses, and decorator items.

Try these fun and easy egg carton craft ideas for kids and preschoolers! It's a great way to upcycle an item you can accumulate easily.

Browse these sweet gift ideas you can make for a mom and her baby. If you need to put something together for a baby shower gift or to make a new mom's care package, use this list for inspiration!

Directions and instructions for a kids woodworking project; a toolbox as a gift for Dad

Learn how to make simple, natural, authentic soap at home, using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Soap making does not have to be a costly hobby - in fact, you may find that it's ultimately cheaper than buying soap!

Crafts, for kids and adults, using paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Ideas for wall decor, seasonal and holiday items or adults. Easy and inexpensive projects for kids.

Many great ideas for making crafts using milk jugs. Included are pictures and the site names to the tutorials. Crafts for kids and crafts for every holiday.

Easy craft projects for boy scout camps and for boys to make and sell. Simple, fun and easy crafts that boys will enjoy. Craft projects especially for boys to make.

Learn how to custom paint leather shoes, boots or sandals successfully with acrylic paint and then how to trim and embellish them with rhinestones, faux gems, sequins and other fashion accents

This article is about how to price homemade craft items. It includes the most commonly used formulas for baseline, retail, and wholesale pricing as well as advice on everything from comparing the prices of similar items to the advantages of buying wholesale supplies.

These pretty clay birds are easy to make using clay and some household tools. These birds can be made in any size or color and used to decorate your home, garden, door wreaths, or your Christmas tree!

This Welsh spoon is full of special meaning and is not that difficult to master for new carvers.

Learn about gold and silver metal clay formulas from Art Clay and PMC brands plus Aura 22 and AGS (Accent Gold for Silver and the key characteristics and best uses of each formula from those brands.

These colorful handmade jars make wonderful gifts, party favors, or table decorations for a variety of occasions and events. Easy to make, they are also a great way to repurpose and recycle old jars!

A tutorial on building a charcoal blacksmith forge from an old propane grill. We will make a simple pipe tuyere forge from a discarded grill, a metal fence post, and a few inexpensive materials.

Follow this easy step-by-step tutorial, which includes photos, to make this fun, funky and flirty elastic button bracelet made with repurposed buttons. It only takes a couple of hours, and you probably have most of the supplies on hand.

Thanksgiving turkey crafts for kids, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and adults.

Tips for keeping metal clay moist during work sessions and for shot-term and long-term storage.

Plastic bottle crafts for kids, preschoolers and adults. Craft project ideas using water and liter bottles. How to make crafts using plastic bottles. Recycle ideas for children. Make flowers, jewelry.

Shawl pins are popular and used to hold a shawl in place or decorate a knitted sweater, and you may be surprised at how easy it is to make one out of polymer clay! My easy tutorial will show you how!

Whether you are a lifelong crafter or are just starting out, you should always have these 20 craft supplies/tools on hand.

This step-by-step tutorial with photos and text instructions shows you how to turn a few bills of any dollar denomination into a pretty flower that makes money fun to give as a gift for any occasion.

Step by step instructions and photos are provided in this easy tissue paper suncatcher craft tutorial. It's perfect for kids of all ages.

Making beads from roses is a wonderful way to keep special flowers with you forever. It takes some patience, but the results are lovely to wear yourself or give to a friend.

Professional framing can be expensive, especially if you want to frame a piece of art on a stretched canvas. However, you can easily frame an artist canvas yourself using wood lattice and a few tools.

Lavender is a wonder herb with many uses. The essential oil is a popular product used in aromatherapy and the dried lavender flowers are used in craft items and culinary preparations. If you love lavender flavours, check out some of these lavender recipes.

How to adapt Liz Ardlady's famous shampoo bar recipe to make liquid shampoo.

These 50 teacher appreciation gifts are easy to make, creative, inexpensive, and your child's teacher will love them.

Ornament wreaths are popular for the Christmas season, but can be a hassle to make. This tutorial creates a festive wreath that is easy to construct, uses less ornaments, and will shine in your home.

This woven paper craft is a great way to add creativity & personality to your journal or sketchbook. This technique can also be used to beautify and upcycle a diary, scrapbook, or family photo albums.

Feel good about supporting the Earth by re-using glass jars in these fun, simple, and creative ways!

Give mom a handmade gift for Mother's Day or her birthday. Moms always appreciate something that you made yourself!

Step-by-step instructions (with photos) on how to make reusable creepy bloody window decorations with dirt cheap materials you can buy at the grocery store.

This simple bird feeder for holding suet cakes is easy to make. The extended tail prop makes it easy for woodpeckers to balance while feasting on the suet.

A step-by-step guide on how you can make a profit selling your artwork on ebay as a self-representing artist.

DIY plans with photos and step-by-step instructions for building a robin nesting shelf.

Your friends will never guess that this fun and colorful bib necklace is handmade with paper beads, created from recycled mail, maps, and magazines.

DIY Plans with photos and step-by-step instructions for making a bluebird feeder. This feeder lets the bluebirds in, but keeps bigger birds out.

A detailed list of basic, nice-to-have and specialty materials, tools, supplies and equipment for working with metal clay. Learn how to build a metal clay toolkit or see what's missing from your kit.

Learn how to make simple homemade musical instruments such as: drums, flutes, clickers, shakers, sistrum, harmonica, tambourine, ankle bells, cymbals, bongo, guitar, and maracas.

53 easy and useful DIY craft ideas recycling old denim jeans.

40+ coffee filter crafts for kids and adults. Ideas for making: flowers, butterflies, wreaths, roses, snowflakes, Christmas, Halloween, fall. Coffee filter art projects using food coloring, markers

Hot process soap making is one of the ways to make all-natural soap at home. But can you make the soap really, really pretty? What can you add to it to make it more interesting? Here's an account of some of my recent adventures in hot process soap making. You should be able to learn something, too!

Learn the best way to rehydrate / reconstitute partly dry or fully dried metal clay with water to bring it back to a moist, pliable consistency.

Jazz up your sofa and save an old pair of jeans from the landfill by making this adorable denim throw pillow cover. Easy step by step instructions and photos are provided.

Mason, canning, or glass jars... they can all be used to make crafts. Ideas for kids and adults. Recycled and upcycled Christmas crafts, centerpieces, wedding décor, gifts, and more.

Perler beads are a fun an inexpensive way to craft. Using these easy to follow instructions and photos, you'll be able to make 3 different craft projects that are perfect crafts for adults and older children. You'll love making your very own Perler Bead Bowl, Melted Perler Bead Bracelet and Perler Bead Earbud Covers.

Turn a vintage sewing machine stand into an interesting and useful table. I purchased the base for $10 and made the top from pieces of salvaged lumber (free!).

There are so many creative projects that can be made with mason jars. Here are three fun and easy ways to use old jars to make decorations.

Recycled thick Woolen Jumpers are used to create hanging basket liners. Follow these simple steps to create a hanging garden of your own. Fill it with herbs or flowers to create a riot of color.

Make beautiful crafts using seashells and sea glass. You can try these project ideas for kids' activities or adult crafts!

A review by Margaret Schindel of Patrik Kusek's online Craftsy class, "Silver Metal Clay: Adding Stones & Dimension." This class is perfect for beginner to intermediate level silver metal clay users.

Learn how saltwater, crayons, electricity, a hair dryer, and a bit of creativity can be used to etch a candy tin with the step-by-step text instructions and photos in this craft tutorial.

Do you want to try bringing new life to old calendar pages? Find over 30 fun craft ideas below that are great for kids and adults alike. Make bows, stars, gift bags, ornaments, and more!

Easy, fun Easter crafts for all ages.

Creative home or party Valentine decorations, gifts, and crafts for pretty much anyone you know!

An overview of the five forms of commercial metal clay products - lump clay, metal clay powder, slip or paste, syringe, and metal clay paper - and the characteristics and uses of each form.

Learn how to make eggshells into beautiful candles for Easter. Eggshell votive candles make great gifts or you could use them to decorate your home for Easter.

A step-by-step guide (with pictures) to making a paper crane. This tutorial includes the history of origami and origami cranes!

Learn how to make a beautiful beaded eyeglass leash that also can be worn as a necklace. This jewelry tutorial has detailed step-by-step instructions with close-up photos to ensure successful results.

You'll find over 50 different Lenten Arts and Crafts ideas here, with pictures of the projects and the site names to the tutorials. You'll find this article useful if you teach a Sunday school class.

Necklaces made with many strands of beads may seem complicated, but are quite easy to make! This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to design and create your own beautiful beaded necklace.

Wedding and bridal shower craft ideas. Handmade wedding and shower craft projects to make include decorations, favors, centerpieces, bridal bouquets, veils, headbands, invitations, place cards

Learn how to texture metal clay with carving, tear-away textures, photopolymer plates, household items, leaves, food, purchased and homemade mats, molds and tools in this comprehensive guide.

Learn how to make your own glimmer mists to add shimmer to your craft projects using this easy step by step tutorial.

Watch as the birds build their nest, lay eggs, and raise their babies. Step-by-step instructions make it easy to build a hanging birdhouse with a clear plastic window to see inside the nesting box.

Check out these DIY ideas on how to make pop-up greeting cards for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s, or Father’s Day. This article includes pop-up card ideas, tutorials, and templates.

Recipe for easy-to-make coconut milk soap. This recipe will produce a soothing, healing and moisturising soap ideal for sensitive skins. Can be used to wash hair also. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Make a simple boomerang paper airplane. Flight-test three different designs for boomerang paper planes.

The clock will function properly as long as you install the clock kit directly in the center of whatever shape you choose—oval, maybe? To hang the clock, I ended up just nailing a small nail into our wall and using the top 1×2 piece that connects the slats together to hang it.

Polymer clay is a versatile material that's used for many decorative items ranging from sculptures to jewelry. Let's discuss the basic supplies you'll need to get started!

This tutorial will show you how to use permanent markers and rubbing alcohol to make your own alcohol inks for your scrapbooking and craft projects. I think you will be very happy with the finished product and with the amount of money you can save making your own inks.

Using rolled paper, create colorful quilt blocks that are beautiful to look at but require no sewing! This project is a great way to recycle magazines, catalogs, and gift wrap. Fun for kids, too!

Metal clay must be dry before firing to avoid steam that causes bubbles in the metal. Learn how to dry metal clay using foam, Teflon, a hotplate / cup warmer, dehydrator, hair dryer and other methods.

This cute snowman and Santa figure are fun to make for the holidays. Using recycled salt and pepper shakers for the bodies, their costumes can be created from whatever materials you have on hand.

How do you get fair financial compensation when someone plagiarises or steals your artwork or design? Follow a common process to deal with copyright infringement and take back control.

This sweet charm can be used as a pendant for a necklace or bracelet, or as a keychain. This easy project makes a great gift for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, an anniversary, or for a special friend.

Quick and easy ideas for reusing and repurposing your Christmas decorations around your home all year round. Stop packing away your favorite holiday ornaments and use them everyday!

What can you do with old book pages? Browse these fun project ideas and get inspired to make crafts such as garlands, flowers, trees, and more!

How to make silver, bronze or copper clay oil paste using plant-based essential oil or Sherri Haab Pastemaker and how to use it for strong joins in metal clay. Includes full lavender paste recipe.

Soda, pop, coke or cola cans, they are all aluminum cans that can be used to make crafts. Can art and craft projects for kids and adults. 30+ things to do with aluminum cans: flowers, jewelry, angels

A comprehensive guide on gemstone setting techniques in metal clay before and after firing. Learn which stones are safe to fire in place and how to set them in fresh, dried or fired metal clay.

I review Kawaii Origami by Chrissy Pushkin which I received as a prize for entering a contest held by Two Classy Chics' blog. After trying a few projects, I've decided that I don't have the skills or the materials needed to complete most of the projects in this book.

Information on factors that should be taken into account when designing jewellery for sale or for yourself, friends and family.

Here are some inexpensive ingredients, directions, and tips on how to make hand crafted, vegan homemade soap. With pictures and recipe you can learn to make your own home made soap

Unleash your creativity by creating a funky, fantastical paper mache statue. I'll show you how to gather inspiration, sketch your idea and build an armature that will be the frame for your creation.

How to create a mosaic design from ceramic tiles for a table. How to make a mosaic table top with ceramic tiles for outdoors in your garden. What are the best mosaic techniques for beginners. How do I grout a mosaic? Ceramic Tiles Mosaics make an awesome garden table.

A DIY crafting project for making a toad house from a flower pot, and then adding Wampum to decorate the outside of the toad abode.