Archive for May 2010

Make Your Own Beads For Jewelry Making

by Lauren Kay
May 31st, 2010

More and more people are designing handcrafted jewelry than ever before. Making your own hand made jewelry is a fun way to relax while still feeling productive knowing that you’re making a beautiful piece of jewelry that can be worn or sold. While many people only make their jewelry using traditional materials you can really make hand made jewelry out of just about any material available and you are only held back by your own imagination. In fact, some of these non-traditional materials can be much cheaper than traditional jewelry supplies, especially if you make your own beads.

Jewely Making Starter Kit

Using your own home made beading supplies can present some interesting challenges, but it can also lead you to design some amazingly unique bead! The first step is often figuring out how you’re going to mount your items on a string or chain and the next challenge is working out how you’re going to make it both beautiful and wearable at the same time! By using unique jewelry materials you’ll be able to create some beautiful affordable beads. Here are some unique things you can make jewelry out of:

Make Beads From Dried Food: Almost everyone has tried to make popcorn strings for a Christmas tree, and the principals behind using beans or seeds at beads in jewelry is not much different. The key is to pick seeds that are durable and dependable. To string seeds you’ll probably have to either use a tension mounting system of some sort or drill a hole through them. Then you will want to protect your seeds with a spray on sealant to make sure they don’t dry out more.

Paper Bead Jewelry: This clever idea dates back from the Victorian times when making beads out of paper was a popular pastime. All you do is cut out strips of paper and roll them around a toothpick. You may want to seal these as well so they don’t fray and get damaged at the first hint of humidity. You can experiment with different types of paper, different colors and even different shaped strips of paper when making your beads.

If you run your own custom jewelry business, then you know how expensive beads can be. Making your own beads is a great way to save money on your costs while still producing amazing jewelry. Since you already know how to make your own bead jewelry then you probably already possess the talent and even the tools to make plenty of cheap beads that can be turned into beautiful jewelry!

There are lots of other ways to save money when you are making handcrafted jewelry. Try to buy your beads online to get discounted beads and beading supplies all the time.

Categories Jewelry Making

Sketch Puzzle for May 30, 2010

by KayCee
May 30th, 2010

Today’s sketch puzzle displays the use of 3 photos, a title, journaling areas, multiple layers, different textures and embelishments. I had a lot of fun creating this sketch for you and hope that you have fun solving the puzzle.

Don’t forget that you can submit your own sketches for us to feature on CCAS at any time by submitting via the Get Featured tab in the main menu bar. Another benefit to submitting your original sketches is that it enters you into our monthly drawing. We can turn your sketch into a puzzle





provided by flash-gear.com


Did you take a moment to check out the 500 Scrapbook Sketches book that CCAS is now offering through the site? If not, I encourage you to do so. I did have a couple people ask me if the book was available in print and not just the download. That is a bit of a trick question. And the answer is both yes and no. You cannot order a printed version but you are more than welcome to download it and print it out yourself. It will make a great addition to your personal scrapbooking library or as a scrapbooking resource.

Speaking of resources, we are adding information for you to our resources area daily. Be sure to visit often so you don’t miss anything. You can click on the link above or simply find the specific resource pages behind the Resource tab in the main menu bar.

Categories Sketches

Beautify Your Bathroom Through A New Hobby For You

by Jen Hopkins
May 30th, 2010

Soap is an important part of our everyday lives as we use it for cleaning almost everything that we have. It is made from two basic ingredients, fatty acids and lye. When these two are combined, they undergo a process called saponification. After this mixture has hardened, the finished product is a soap that can be used for different cleaning purposes.

As you can see, soap making takes a fairly easy process to make. This is why some people take this up as a hobby. You will be able to design soaps similar to what you see in bathrooms of expensive hotels. You will be able to experiment with different shapes, colors and fragrances that you can combine to come up with very nice designs. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on specially made soaps. You can design soaps they way you like it, and combine it with your favorite fragrances and put them on display at your own bathroom.

Soap Making DVD Series

There are two methods in soap making, a hot process and a cold process. The hot process requires heating of the fats before mixing it with lye and water solution. This is then continuously heated for a few hours before it becomes ready to be molded. The cold process is almost the same but heating of the fats is done without. Mixing of the fats and lye solution is immediately done and allowed to cool. Both of the mixtures in these processes can then be poured into molds so fix their shape. Dyes and fragrances can also be added while in this state.

Glycerin soap on the other hand is already a ready-made mixture that will need no mixing of fats and lye. All you will need to do is melt the glycerin soap and these can be poured into molds and mixed with other ingredients to obtain the final product that you desire. This method is better recommended for children as it is a much safer way than having to use lye to saponify your soap.

When doing the longer way of soap making, meaning you will go through the hot or cold process, you have to keep in mind that different types of oil will yield the basic properties of soap. Coconut oil is good for making soap that produces a good amount of lather. Vegetable oil makes a softer kind of soap while using olive oil results in a softer and milder soap perfect for sensitive skin.

Using a combination of molds, dyes, fragrances and lotions will help you make different variations of soap. You can even design soap that looks like animals, food or any other thing that you may desire. It takes some practice to come up with nice designs so make sure to allot some time for this hobby and you be making perfectly crafted soaps in no time.

Keep in mind that making soap is a dangerous process due to the lye involved. Be sure to wear protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and face masks to avoid getting injured from the corrosive effects of lye. When children are making soap, be sure that adult supervision is always present.

At first, soap making will be very hard and you might not be able to make the soap that you had in mind. But with a lot of practice, you will be able to get the hang of the different techniques needed in making soap and you can start designing your bathroom similar to seen in expensive hotels.

Jen Hopkins has worked in the skin care industry for years. She maintains websites about how do you make soap, and cold process soap recipes. If you want to contact her, you can use the contact form at one of her sites.

Categories Soap Making

Jig Saw Puzzle Anything!

by KayCee
May 30th, 2010

It took me 3 weeks to find this and be able to offer it through CCAS. Every week as I prepared the Sketch puzzle I would think about how much fun I had making puzzles for my kids when they were younger. Back then they did not have this cool little tool. My puzzles were literally cut out from thin pieces of balsa wood using an actual jig-saw. This was back in the day when “The Lion King” was a new movie release. We used images from a coloring book. I am getting way ahead of myself. I want to save that for one of our tutorials.

Anyway, this little tool is a lot more convenient than having to use a jig-saw. It is safe for kids to use (but still be sure to supervise) as it will create small puzzle pieces that could be a choking hazard. The puzzle pieces are made from thick paper or foam. Personally, I would like the way that foam works the best. The kit comes with 6 pieces of adhesive foam, the puzzle maker and the instructions. It really looks like it would be a lot of fun for little kids – ok, it will be fun for me too! I am thinking this might be a great tool to have at “grammy’s” house when the grandson comes to visit. How cool would that be?

Order Now!

Categories Specials

The Basics Of Embroidery And How It Is Used

by Ashley Marx
May 29th, 2010

Decorating fabric and handcrafting it is the art of embroidery, in the past embroidery was handcrafted using a needle and thread and sometimes yarn. There are many type of materials that can be used in embroidery, beads, pearls to add a little flare many people add metal strips, sequins or quills. Stitch from the top or stitch through the fabric either way it can be done, it all depends on where you want to place the stitch. In many places embroidery is known as short stitches.

When doing embroidery the tiniest stitch is also known as the embroidery stitch. The use of Candle wicking is knots that are looped around to form a figure 8; this figure 8 goes around the needle. There are many different stitches to make embroidery patterns. The stitches used can be different or the same. Some of the known ways to create a pattern is to chart on paper, use a pre-made design done in paint or if daring enough, try to embroider using the freehand technique.

Embroidery has been around for a long, long time. It has been around for hundreds of years. Embroidery basically decorating different type of garments or fabric with all different types of designs, they will be stitched using either thread or yarn. By doing this you will make ornamentation in the fabric with the proper needlework. There are many different ways to embroider, you can either do it by hand which takes a long time to do or use with an embroidery machine which makes the task very simple.

Creating Machine Embroidery

The types of thread used today in embroidery have increased significantly. There is now rayon, cotton, silks, yarns and many other types of material are used today. When first learning most learn what is called the loop stitch, this is when the needle goes up through the fabric then returns by going back down using the same hole.

There are different types of hoops that come with the different models of embroidery machines, these hoops will then be connected to the machine. No need to worry about the fabric moving, the new machines have something called the darning foot, this device does not need to hold the fabric and the fabric does not need to be fed under to hold it. Since technology is increasing everyday the advances in computer technology in embroidery help maintain quality in the finish products plus increases efficiency of manufacturing.

As computer technology keeps advancing the machines are becoming less difficult to work with, the computer and software system allows the person working the machine to control it without any problems. All these machines now come with software that can be manipulated to create designs that have a complex sense about them. The thread that is used with these new high tech systems is continually changing to keep up with the times, the newest type of thread is called metallic thread, some other threads are polyester and rayon and still new threads are being created.

Learn more about used embroidery machines. Stop by Ashley’s site where you can find out all about singer embroidery machines and see the home embroidery machines

Categories Embroidery

Increase Your Knitting Pattern Knowledge Online

by Eugene Riggs
May 29th, 2010

Knitting is a tradition that has gone back for some time. When a new baby is born, traditionally new clothes were knitted. This is something that is done even to this very day. Finding patterns to knit for the baby can be one of the most essential aspects of knitting. Yarn or cotton is easily attainable as are the other tools for knitting. In this day and age there is simply no need to pay for baby knitting patterns. There are plenty of sites that offer free baby knitting patterns.

Before the internet and other communications technology made information so easy to exchange, patterns were only available from word of mouth. Usually they were passed down between families from one person to the next. Later, this was done through magazine publications and fabrics stores. Unfortunately, this was only a modest improvement. The patterns offered in fabrics stores were few and far between and offered little in the way of choice and variety. Magazines improved on this moderately, however both magazines and fabrics store options pale in comparison to what the internet is able to provide currently.

Now you have access to such resources as websites that require no subscription or other related fees while simultaneously offering a litany of different patterns. There are baby crochet patterns, garnishing, and even patterns for toys. Best of all, they are free baby crochet patterns, free garnishing, and free toy patterns.

Knitter’s Guide to Success

As time has gone on, the tools for knitting have naturally improved. Now the creative and learning side of knitting also is improving by bringing together a very large base of knowledge via technology. By putting yourself in touch with people the world over that have a similar interest in knitting you immerse yourself in a world of knowledge and will naturally improve your own knowledge base as a result.

Indeed, the only problem that might now exist is the presence of too much information. With the entire civilized world’s knitting enthusiasts able to now communicate with one another, there are certainly more patterns and ideas to knit than ever before. Of course, this is certainly not a bad thing.

With the long history of knitting a wealth of information has developed. Many baby knitting patterns can be shared with enthusiasts across the globe. If you have an interest in knitting and enjoy expanding your knowledge of baby crochet patterns, make sure that you do so with free patterns.

Categories Other Crafts

Woodworking Crafts And Ideas – How To Start A Project

by Ted Mcgrath
May 29th, 2010

It is one thing to have an idea to take on a hobby but it comes down to being a lot more work when one starts to go about it. This is the case for individuals that become interested in wanting to do wood working. It may start with an idea only and no experience or education in this particular field. This means a decision has to be made whether one should take a course in woodworking to further their knowledge.

Finding a training center

Click Image to Get 150 Easy Weekend Projects

There is no shortage of training centers and courses and even self help books available to help one learn this very interesting hobby. In fact it can go up beyond the hobby point to the point of becoming a trade. There is so much to know about working with wood that some type of instruction really is required.

There are so many different learning venues available to the interested party. Every individual learns differently and for example some individuals prefer to see more photos than written material and there again is lots to choose from when one goes in search of a course. The ideal material is when there is a combination of both written and photos.

Different ways to learn

There are many different ways to help you learn about woodworking. For example you could go online and join many of the courses you will find there. Then there is also many do-it-yourself training manuals that you can buy. You will often find that for simple projects that it has its own training section too. This is by way of a step by step process which helps you to learn at the same time.

Another great thing about learning about woodworking is that it helps to give an individual some great ideas on projects when first starting out. Individuals interested in woodworking quite often will reach a blank when they go to start out to make a project not knowing really which is the best to start with.

Things to learn

There are many things that you can learn in a training course. For example you will find that when you get into woodworking that there is not just one type of wood that you would be working with.

Most often when starting into a new hobby it is difficult to know where to begin. This is where a course in working with wood is of benefit once again. It will get your creative juices started by giving you simple projects to start and complete. From there you will soon start to develop your own interest in designing your own projects. To begin with you are better to go with patterns and designs that have been tried and proven.

Starting at the beginning

When it comes to creating the ideas of what to make it is probably best to start out with what you need first and if you are a beginner then you are going to want to pick simple projects such as a book or wine rack for example. Don’t forget that when you get into detailed woodworking that a fair amount of equipment and tools will be required

Also the decision will have to be made as to where you are going to take your training from. There are many excellent online courses and you may also find that your community offers this type of hobby course at the local schools.

Click Image to Get Ted's Woodworking Plans

You can even teach yourself by getting manuals and how-to books from your local supply Center. In any event it is important to at least learn the basics because you will need this for the safety in working with the various tools that are going to be required for your new found hobby.

Get instant access to over 16,000 woodworking plans at TedsWoodworking now. You’ll also receive step-by-step blueprints, videos and schematics for your next woodworking desk designs.

Categories Woodworking
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