Crafts and DIY

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

Do you have extra buttons around the house that you want to use? Try these fun button project ideas that are perfect for both kids and adults!

Step-by-step instructions for building an interesting birdhouse with three separate condo units. Built for the birds, this design has fledged several families of bluebirds and wrens. A few repurposed and salvaged bits add character and whimsy, transforming a basic birdhouse into folk art.

Learn how to form metal bowls from thin sheet metal using a hammer. I'm sharing two methods to inspire your creative juices.

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.

Build your own Peterson bluebird nest box plans with these step-by-step instructions. Entice more of these beautiful birds to visit with our tips for attracting bluebirds into your garden.

Make maracas, teacups, tea party hats, critters, wreaths, bunnies, chicks, garlands using plastic Easter eggs.

40+ coffee filter crafts for kids and adults, including ideas for making flowers, butterflies, wreaths, roses, and snowflakes, as well as crafts for Christmas, Halloween, and fall. Many of these coffee filter art projects use other inexpensive supplies like food coloring and markers.

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.

An introduction to bronze clay, differences in firing schedules and methods compared to silver metal clay, and an overview of major bronze metal clay brands, formulas and jewelry making techniques.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Have you decided to try making clay jewellery at home but have no idea where to start? Here are some tips and tricks that will help you begin.

Make outdoor Halloween decorations. Best outside Halloween crafts. DIY scary, outdoor decorations for the yard.

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.

A fun craft for kids and adults, these eco-friendly bird feeders are just what your garden needs. Attract birds the earth friendly way by using these easy to follow instructions, including photos.

Create layered journal pages easily with this tutorial. In just a few easy steps, you'll make a mixed media page for your own art journal.

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!

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.

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

The best Halloween arts and crafts for kids, preschoolers, toddlers and adults. Halloween art and craft ideas to make spiders, witches, ghosts and bats. Fun and easy art and craft ideas for Halloween

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.

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.

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.

Sock snowmen are fun and easy to make for Christmas and the winter season. This tutorial includes directions for making three different sock snowmen projects, with their cozy clothes and accessories.

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.

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.

These colorful angels are made from a paper plate and basic art supplies. A fun activity for any age, these crafty angels can decorate a mantle, hang on your Christmas tree or serve as a tree topper!

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

You can enjoy fresh salad greens all summer with a lettuce bench.

Painting your own beads is easy and a great way to design a colorful statement necklace that expresses your own personal style. This tutorial is a fun way to add a new accessory to your wardrobe!

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.

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.

Turning pieces of driftwood into sculpture is fun, challenging, and rewarding. Half the fun is finding driftwood while walking along the Humarock Beach. The other half is fitting the pieces together to create a driftwood whale sculpture.

Learn how to make your first piece of wire jewelry. This ring can be made with copper or silver and can match any outfit. It's easy to do and beautiful in the end.

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

A detailed review of Lisa Barth's deservedly popular book in which she teaches her techniques for designing exquisite fine silver metal clay bezel settings inspired by the gemstones themselves.

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.

65+ unique Easter craft ideas. Here you'll find Easter craft projects for kids and adults to make, including crafts with bunnies, eggs, chicks, and carrots. Learn to make baskets, garlands, wreaths, trees, treat bags, and more.

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.

DIY plans with step-by-step instructions, photos and diagrams for building a Ladybug House. Plus, lady bug facts and tips for attracting lady bugs into the garden.

Native American art and craft ideas for kids and adults. Projects include: headbands, moccasins, masks, drums, dream catchers, medicine bags, and more.

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 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. The best mosaic techniques for beginners. How to grout a mosaic. Ceramic tile mosaics make awesome garden tables.

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.

An explanation of the fuels you can use for your forge, focusing on the pros and cons of, and which is right for you. Charcoal, coal, or propane, plus an often overlooked alternative, induction.

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!

This article is about some of the top resources for purchasing beads online. I provide pros and cons for different sites as well as recommended products to buy in different places.

This clay is made from white bread and white glue, dries rock hard, and can be used for pins, decorations, and jewelry. Perfect for children and adults to play and craft with.

DIY plans and step-by-step instructions for building a homemade deer feeder.

A collection of vintage-inspired jewelry making techniques including collage or assemblage jewelry, working with brass filigree, cagework or tapestry beading, memory wire bracelets, and patina.

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.

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.

Learn how to make a cellini spiral with this tutorial and free pattern for a Mediterranean style cellini beaded bracelet. Cellini spirals are a type of tubular peyote and are easy to do, once learned.

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.

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 you can use readily available craft materials to stain wood with excellent results.

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.

With a few supplies, you can turn an old rubber boot that was headed for the dumpster into a cute and practical flower planter. Add a little whimsy to your garden with this recycled boot flower pot.

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

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.

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

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

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.

See what the buzz is around these bee crafts and decoration ideas! Use materials such as paper, craft sticks, egg cartons, clay pot, pom-poms and more. These DIY projects are great for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and adults.

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

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

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.

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

This article shares DIY bluebird birdhouse plans with step-by-step instructions for building a nest box.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial for making miniature buoys for craft projects and marine models.

Storing beads and jewelry findings is a challenge for everyone who makes beaded jewelry. Here are a variety of recommended bead storage solutions and cases for storing jewelry findings successfully.

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

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.

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.

It's easy to make rubber band bracelets without using a loom! This article shows how to make several different rubber band bracelet designs.

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.

Looking for DIY wood pallet craft project ideas? These craft ideas for repurposing old wood pallets include a wine rack, a coffee table, wall art, a bed, a couch, signs, and more.

Layered necklaces with multiple chains and charms are a popular fashion trend. These necklaces are surprisingly easy to make with the right tools and supplies. Learn how to make your own boho-style necklace with this tutorial!

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!

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.

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

Transform your yard into a creepy Halloween graveyard with fake tombstones and clever epitaphs. Here are ideas for funny R.I.P. names and spooky tombstone sayings, plus easy instructions for making your own tombstones.

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!

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.

If you've decided that you want to make a business out of your beaded jewelry hobby and want to know how much you can get for your work, I can help you!

Bespoke design and build of an adjustable wooden stand for use with wildlife camera mounting arms, for easy and flexible use in the back garden; built from durable scrap wood and designed for potential multi-purposing as a garden table.

Here are a variety of spring craft ideas for kids! I've included a wide variety of spring topics including birds, flowers, insects, vases, wreaths, and more. Welcome spring with a craft project or two!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

Whether you're new to soap making or a seasoned vet, why use artificial ingredients to color your all-natural home made soap? Check out these easy to use natural ingredients that will give your soap the beautiful colors you're looking for!

Make a lovely floral decoration for your home by adding paper leaves and tissue paper blossoms to a natural branch. Easy to adapt for various holidays, this flower project is great for children, too!

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.