Crafts and DIY

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.

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!

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 Thanksgiving arts and craft projects? Try these reaths, garlands, pumpkins, turkeys, pilgrims, scarecrows, and more! Links to tutorials included.

There is a proper way to color your wood burning project without raising the grain of the wood. This article explores the technique more in depth.

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.

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

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

This funky little Christmas tree decoration is made with polymer clay, some sewing pins, and thread. Making this ornament involves some detail work, but it can be completed in a couple of hours and will add a unique decoration to your holiday tree.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Upcycle your oatmeal box by incorporating it into fun craft ideas! They make great craft supplies for kids and teenagers and adults.

This winter, try out these snowman craft ideas that are perfect for kids, preschoolers, and adults. You could even make these DIY projects with the intent to sell them at craft shows. Enjoy!

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.

I've noticed that many different projects can be made with wire hangers. Inexpensive and fun, these hanger crafts are perfect for the classroom!

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.

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

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.

These five artists come from all around the world and create pieces with quite different styles, but they have one thing in common: They're all remarkable, innovative ceramicists.

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.

Looking for a fun and simple homemade craft? Try crafting with salt dough. Here's an easy recipe and fun craft projects to try.

Have you ever thought of metal as your canvas? It's easier to create designs in metal than you think. Acid etching copper and brass yields endless possibilities with impressive results. If you can stamp it, draw it, or write it, you can etch it!

Use this step by step wet felting tutorial to create wet felted beads. Add a cheap recycled charm bracelet to the mix and the result is a gorgeous wet felted necklace or bracelet.

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

Mason, canning, or glass jars... they can all be used to make crafts. With these ideas for kids and adults, you'll learn to make recycled and upcycled Christmas crafts, centerpieces, wedding décor, gifts, and more.

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!

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.

Easy and affordable holiday crafts make a great family project. Create a beautiful wreath that will adorn the special Christmas corner of your home. Here are three simple DIY wreaths that fit the Christmas spirit wonderfully.

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.

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.

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.

Learn how to make a fancy 3D chandelier from a frozen pizza box. Three dimensional chandeliers are a popular choice for party decorations. In fact, we are using several of them for my daughters high school graduation party this year. I have made...

These easy and fun gnome tutorials use styrofoam cones, old socks, circles of burlap, wood scraps, etc. for the gnome bodies, and faux fur, rag mop, yarn, pom poms, etc. for the beards.

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!

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.

Looking for plastic bottle crafts for kids, preschoolers, and adults? Try these craft project ideas using water and liter bottles. As you learn how to make crafts using plastic bottles, you'll be able to make flowers and even jewelry. These are also great recycling ideas for children.

The ability to add a deep, rich patina is an important tool in any metalsmith's arsenal. Discover how with liver of sulfur, an inexpensive and effective way to patina copper and brass.

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

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

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!

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!

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.

Fun, easy Halloween craft ideas. 40+ Halloween craft projects that include: Bats, spiders, ghosts, witches, monsters and mummies. Wreaths, noisemakers, painted plates

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

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.

DIY plans with photos and step-by-step instructions for making a Butterfly House. Our version of the butterfly box is made from pieces of salvaged mahogany.

Make handmade valentines for the kids to exchange at school. Many of these projects feature candy gifts and are easy to whip up for a Valentine's Day party!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Try out these DIY burlap craft ideas! You'll be inspired to make flowers, garlands, wreaths, ornaments, and wall art. Keep these projects in mind for any upcoming holidays, seasons, weddings, or events.

A simple craft that can be made at home. Recycle an old bottle or jar and create an eco-friendly gift or decoration.

These decorative birdhouses are built for the birds! Birdhouses designed with the birds in mind have a higher chance of attracting tenants, and adding a bit of whimsey makes them look good too!

Do you have a sentimental sweater you no longer wear? Maybe it's a gift from Valentines Day, Halloween, Christmas, or any other special occasion. Take it out of storage and make it into a pillow that you can use in the appropriate season.

Looking for wedding and bridal shower craft ideas? These handmade wedding and shower craft projects include decorations, favors, centerpieces, bridal bouquets, veils, headbands, invitations, and place cards.

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

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!

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

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.

Learn how to weave flexible metal clay sheet or paper to make woven metal jewelry. This illustrated step-by-step weaving tutorial demonstrates a simple method with helpful illustrations.

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.

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.

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.

Learn how to create mosaic designs for a table top from ceramic tiles. 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.

This article examines the various patinas and related finishes for steel. These finishes either involve oxidation of the metal or are nonreactive finishes.

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.

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!

As winter approaches, birds seek shelter from the cold. A roosting box provides protection from the harsh winter weather and allows several birds to huddle together to conserve energy by sharing body warmth.

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

Create your own Matryoshka style dolls using polymer clay and a pull tab from your recycling bin! Your decorated dolls can then be used as jewelry charms, brooches, key chains, or cheerful figurines.

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

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.

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

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.

Have fun learning experience while crafting this happy elk. This craft with the letter “E” helps children want to learn the sound the letter makes and what words begin with "E."

Get inspired to make scented sachets for closet, drawers, cars, and shoes! Try out these custom creations to fill homemade sew and no-sew sachet bags.

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

Look through this extensive list of creative owl crafts for kids, teachers, preschoolers, and adults! They can make lovely gifts, home decor, or projects for art class. Enjoy!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

A dozen easy ideas for ornaments kids can make from crafting supplies.

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.

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.

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

Building your own guitar pedal board doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. This simple rack is easy to make, built sturdy to take abuse, and it keeps your stomp boxes organized with the cables tucked neatly underneath. The size can be adjusted to fit your specific needs. And it looks good!

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

Step-by-step instructions on how to make rusting plates, for making rusted papers and fabrics.

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

Project ideas for making Mexican, or Cinco de Mayo crafts. 50+ fiesta craft ideas for kids and for adults.Craft ideas including piñatas, huge flowers, maracas and wreaths, using crepe paper, yarn, cla

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.

Check out these fun-to-make, handmade Christmas gifts, ornaments, and decorations—classroom Christmas art ideas included!