Arts & Crafts — How-To Videos, Articles, & Inspiration « Arts & Crafts

Money Origami, Flower Edition: 10 Different Ways to Fold a Dollar Bill into a Blossoming Bloom

The very first banknotes were used by the Chinese in the 7th century, during the Tang Dynasty. Before it was used as an actual currency, paper money was part of a deposit system in which merchants would leave large amounts of coins with a trusted associate and receive a paper receipt for the transaction. The reason was simple — the copper coins used as currency then were heavy.

How To: Fold the Record-Setting Glider-Style Paper Airplane (Guinness World Records)

We've all attempted to fold a paper airplane before, right? One we hoped would sail majestically through the air for a good while but just ended up nose-diving into the grass. Paper planes, an invention likely as old as paper, are models of engineering; and they must account for the same dynamics as real planes, from drag force to stability to weight. So what is the perfect design?

How To: Fold an Origami Rabbit

Origami Rabbit Choose your paper. Recommended Paper

How To: Make an Origami Lily Flower

this tutorial explains how to make a traditional origami lily from one sheet of paper. No cuts, no glue needed. You'll Need

How To: Make a Basketball Hoop Origami-Style

Boring Day in the office, too rainy to play outside? This origami is here to save the day! Make your own basketball hoop from simple printer paper.

How To: Knit a lifted increase

This how to video teaches you the invisible increase method called lifted increases, both left-leaning and right-leaning.

How To: Chainmail a 4 in 1 European pattern

It's as easy as 2,3,4,5,6,7...what happened to step 1? This is Chthonic chainmail at its finest. This instructional metalsmithing video will help you in making your very own chain mail vest using a four in one European chainmail pattern. After going through the basic process of chainmailing a four in one pattern, you can troubleshoot to see how you can improve your metal working process.

How To: Fold an Origami F-18 Fighter Jet Out of a Dollar Bill

Origami is an art form, but origami using dollar bills? It takes this art form to a whole new level! In this three-part video tutorial, learn how to fold an F-18 Hornet fighter jet plane out of a dollar bill, origami-style.

How To: Make a simple origami cube

Make your own paper cubes. With this guide, you'll learn how to make a simple paper cube with origami, the traditional art of Japanese paper folding. For more information, including a step-by-step overview of the folding process, as well as to get started making your own colorful paper cubes from sonobe modules, watch this free origami lesson.

How To: Fold and assemble origami sonobe units

This shows how to fold and assemble Sonobe Units, a very basic modular origami unit.

How To: Make a cube from folded paper with origami

With this guide, you'll learn how to make a simple paper cubes with origami, the traditional art of Japanese paper folding. For more information, including a step-by-step overview of the folding process, as well as to get started making your own colorful paper cubes from sonobe modules, watch this free origami lesson.

How To: Fold a Magic Rose Cube—A Flower in a Box Origami Puzzle

To play off Gertrude Stein's famous quote, a rose is a rose is a magic paper cube. And with this paper folder's guide, you'll learn how to make your very own magic rose cube from paper using the Japanese art of origami. This design by Valerie Vann, and folded by YouTuber German Fernandez, is great for Valentine's Day or any other day where a paper puzzle rose is needed. Just be prepared... it's a not just a puzzle origami rose, it's a puzzle folding it.

How To: Make an Origami Dragon A4 Easy

Learn how to make an easy origami dragon A4 instructions. Design, video tutorial and diagram by Ventsislav Vasilev (Origamite) http://goo.gl/LQAXuD

How To: Make Chain Mail Armor from Start to Finish

This article is a guide for making Chainmail Armor from start (simple wire) to finish (a finished chainmail shirt). We will be using the European 4 in 1 weave, as this is the most common weave. This is the weave that you usually see in movies. There are several sections to this guide: Materials, Making the Rings, Weaving the Rings, and Making the shirt.

How To: Fold a very simple origami cube from a dollar bill

Want to hone your origami folding skills but don't want to go through the monetary trouble of purchasing (sometimes pricey) origami paper? Then worry not; simply watch this easy origami tutorial to learn how to fold a basic cube using a single dollar bill (which we hope you have at least one of).

How To: Sew you own pair of easy, Victorian style bloomers

The perfect undergarment for your Victorian costume re-creation. You don't need any pattern, just take your measurements and get a yard or so of thin, lightweight fabric. Then cut, pin, sew and finish. Your own pair of Victorian inspired bloomer pants!

How To: Tie four basic knots in jewelry design

To tie the overhand knot, make a loop and pass one end of the string through the loop and tighten by pulling both ends. To tie a double overhand knot, make a loop and pass one end of the string through the loop twice before pulling both ends to tighten the knot. To tie a surgeon's knot, take the left string and bring it over and around the right string twice. Then take the right string over and around the left string and pull both ends to tighten, leaving a complete loop of string below the k...

How To: Tie off the end of your crochet project so it does not unravel

You've finished your very first crochet project! Congratulations! But now how do you tie off the yarn in such a way as to keep the whole thing from unraveling? This video demonstrates a simple and easy technique to finish your project and keep it together.

How To: Draft a Basic Pant Pattern

Written Instructions with accompanying video for anyone who wants to make a basic pant exactly to your measurements! Please get your correct measurements before you begin from How to Take Your Measurements.

News: 50 FREE Papercraft Robot Downloads

One of the greatest things about the internet? Free papercraft downloads. Enjoy Botropolis' collection of 50 fun robots. Just download, print, and assemble. My top ten favorites below. Wall-E. Robocop. Optimus Prime. R2-D2. The Terminator. Poseable Toy Robot. Retro Bot. Godzilla. Poco Bot with 6 rotation points. Robot Owl.

How To: Make an origami flower in a few easy steps

Learn to make an origami flower with just a few easy steps in this video tutorial! 1. Use an 8 inch by 11 inch piece of paper.

How To: Sew quickly by hand without using a sewing machine

Sewing by hand can actually go quite quickly if you don't have access to your sewing machine or if it's broken. Hand sewing can also be useful if you're working with especially delicate fabrics, attaching an applique or making a small repair.

How To: Tie a four strand round braid easily

If you are interested in tying something cool just for fun, check out this next tutorial. In the video, you'll be finding out how to tie a four strand round braid easily. There are many tutorials on how to tie a four strand braid, but they can be very confusing and that's no fun.

How To: Fold a Lifelike Origami Rose for Valentine's Day

What better way to express to your sweetheart what love is all about than by giving her an origami rose? Origami roses, unlike the real flowers, last forever (as long as you don't sit on them accidentally) and look beautiful when attached to stems and turned into a bouquet.

How To: Make a Paper Plane That Flies Far | Super Arrow

Super Arrow - an awesome paper plane that can fly far. GUARANTEED!!! In the video below, see how to make another cool paper plane that can travel FAST and FAR. Just follow the instructions.

How To: Fold a Textured Origami Ball

One of the most popular and basic origami geometric shapes is the "water bomb," which is a simple inflated cube. With a few extra folds and only a minor shift in approach, a more complex geometric shape can be achieved.

Trippy DIY Animations: Use These Printable Templates to Make Your Own Moving Optical Illusions

YouTube illusionist Brusspup has used everything from mirrors to fire to create his optical illusions, but his latest trick is a little more 2D. Using a printer, a transparency sheet and a piece of regular paper, he made several illusions that trick your brain into thinking they're actually animated when the transparency is slid across the paper.

How To: Draft a Basic Bodice Pattern

Unlock the secret to clothing design. If you can draft and sew a basic bodice you can design virtually any kind of t-shirt, blouse or other top! Attach a skirt and you now have a dress! Take your measurements by using the guide in the " How to Take Your Measurements" section and let´s get started! If you would rather just whip up an easier beginners t-shirt go to How to Design a Quick T-Shirt.

How To: 10 Easy, Last-Minute Origami Projects for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a day for love, but it also just happens to be the time when every flower shop in town hikes up their prices. Chocolates are still relatively cheap, but I never understood why you have to give the gift of bigger love handles when something more creative gets the job done at a much cheaper price.

How To: Make a paper football with basic folding technique

If you want to know how to make a paper football easily, you should watch this. Things you'll need: paper, scissors. 1. Fold the paper vertically. 2. Fold little triangles starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. 3. When you get to the top, tuck the extra paper into the little pocket of the triangle 4. Flatten out the football. After following these simple steps, your football is now complete. You can now play paper football with your buddy.

How To: Make a paper shuriken (or ninja star)

In this Weapons video tutorial you are going to learn how to make a paper shuriken (or ninja star). Take a square size paper and cut it into half. Then fold each piece in half lengthwise. Fold one end to make a triangle and fold the other end in the opposite direction to make a triangle. Now fold the ends again to make a bigger triangle. Then each sheet will form a ‘Z’ shape. Now place one sheet on top of the other forming a cross. Then fold in the protruding triangles of one over the other p...

How To: Make an Origami Heart for Valentine's Day

Make a heart for your love for the Valentine's Day! Difficulty: easy. WHAT YOU NEED:

News: Make Abe Lincoln Look Like a B-Boy ($5-Dollar Bill Origami)

Dollar, dollar, dollar, dollar, dollar bill, y'all! If you've got five dollars and spindly appendages with which to fold, then there's nothing standing between you and your very own Cap Lincoln. Just follow the bouncing bill:

How To: Make an origami shirt out of a dollar bill

Is your love of money surpassed only by your love of miniature dress shirts? Boy, are you in luck. This video tutorial presents complete, step-by-step instructions on how to make a shirt from a folded dollar bill. For more information, and to get started making your own money shirts, watch this free arts-and-crafts how-to.

How To: Make Your Own Glass Slipper Out of Tape

This video demonstrates a fun craft activity- shoemaking out of cellophane and tape. Make a mold of any of your shoes that you can decorate however you like. This decorative shoe will be a fun piece of art you can place anywhere in your home or give as a gift.

How To: Make a teapot card using Cricut Everyday Paper Dolls

In this video, Mary shows us how to make a teapot card using Cricut everyday paper dolls. First, print out a sentiment that has to do with teapots and fade the edges of the paper. After this, cut out a teapot and cup from the everyday paper dolls on page 43. Cut the teapot and cut twice, then chop them so you can see the details of them. Place this on a paisley or flower background for the card, along with old buttons on the bottom of the paper. Make the card the size you would like, using yo...

How To: Make a small business card-sized box

Sometimes you find ideas from the most unlikely objects. This video gives proof. Here are easy instructions for making a small box to hold business cards, ATC's (artist trading cards), gift cards, etc. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a small business card-sized box out of an old Orbit gum package.