Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Make a right angle weave (RAW) tennis bracelet
Learn how to make a right angle weave (aka, "RAW") tennis bracelet in this two-part jewelry making video tutorial. The Right Angle Weave is a versatile stitch, and in this video a variation is taught. Beads used in this tutorial include the Hex Cut Seed Beads and Swarovski Crystal Bicones.
How To: Origami a Tomoko Fuse's Espiral (Spiral)
This video explains how to fold the Spiral by Tomoko Fuse. You need 4 sheets of paper of different colors of any combination of your choice. 2 sheets of 2 colors each would give you a dual colored spiral.
How To: Get started with crochet & understand yarns
Get started crocheting with this informative two-part video hosted by a crochet expert. In this two-part video series, learn about the various yarns used in crochet, how they are packaged, and what types of stitch they are use for.
How To: Filet crochet using a heart graph or chart
Learn how to crochet using a graph or chart in this six part vieo tutorial series. Filet crochet is lacy stitch - an easy technique - that can have beautiful results. Filet crochet patterns are usually made up of open meshes & solid meshes. Get the free simple heart chart used in this video here.
How To: Make sc intarsia using a graph
Learn intarsia knitting using a graph in this five part video tutotial series. When knitting intarsia, blocks of color are worked with separate balls or bobbins of yarn, producing a sweater only one layer thick. Get the free simple heart chart used in these videos, here.
News: Giant Collection of Free Japanese Origami Tutorials
Hundreds upon hundreds of free origami diagrams and animations are available at the Origami Club. I caught Design Sponge's recent post on some late night folding (I like how they spelled out their name), and recalled WonderHowTo's old favorite.
How To: Hem pants so they fit
You will need marking pencils or chalk, scissors, seam ripper, pins and good quality matching thread. Mark desired length on each pant leg. Option 1: Stand on pants and place a pin where fabric hits the floor. Option 2: Fold pants up to desired length & pin. Take pants off; turn the leg inside out. Note original hem size after it is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. Mark pin position/finished length. Rip out original hem stitching using seam ripper or point of scissor. Find right loop to pull & it will ...
How To: Fold an origami paper rose
Fold paper in 1/2. Fold in half again into a square. Fold in half again, & again into a square about 1/16 of original size. Unfold paper. Fold marks divide paper into 16 small squares. Make 2 diagonal folds in each direction to form a big X in paper. Position paper with inside of folds facing you; fold paper in 1/2 again to form a rectangle. Using previous fold lines, fold lower 1/2 of paper in 1/2. This fold covers 1/3 of remaining visible paper. Grasp center where folds meet. Create 4 ridge...
How To: Turn a 5" crochet headband into a beanie hat
This video shows you how to turn a 5" crochet headband into a beanie hat. #1 Gather your supplies-embroidery floss, 5 1/2" crochet headband, needle and scissors.
News: Elegantly Crafted Paper Chandeliers
There's a lot of paper-art, paper-craft, paper-design on the web, but rarely do you see something that truly transcends the material. Stunning paper chandeliers by Dutch artist Paula Arntzen.
How To: Get started scrapbooking
You have many great memories to share. Why not collect them all in one book? Learn the fun and meaningful craft of scrapbooking. In this video how-to, learn how to get started on your scrapbooking adventure.
How To: Select the right album for a scrapbook
Looking to make a special scrapbook? You've got the "scraps"—now you need the book. Before you rush out and buy the first flashy binder that grabs your eye, put a little thought into what you really need.
How To: Iron on patches for torn clothing
Is you favorite pair of jeans suffering from a hole in the knee? No problem. Extend the life of your clothing by using patches to cover worn or torn areas, or to embellish tired items and give them a fresh new look.
How To: Remove a ring that is stuck on your finger
Can't get that ring off your finger for the life of you? Avoid a trip to the hospital by using these tricks to safely dislodge a stuck ring.
4 Years in the Making: Insane Papercraft City
Tokyo art student, Wataru Itou, spent four long years crafting his meticulous paper city, entitled "A Castle On the Ocean". The miniature papercraft city was constructed with "basic knives, scissors, hole punches and modeling glue." The structure has a "spectrum-spanning colored lighting system" and motorized paper trains.
How To: Origami a Japanese cube
Jennifer Fesco teach you how to fold a beautiful Japanese cube from six pieces of paper. The cube can be used as a Christmas ornament or a gift box. You will need 6 pieces of origami paper, a pencil, a ruler, a paper knife, a protective surface to cut on. A glue stick is optional.
How To: Fold and throw the SCS Nakamura Lock paper airplane
Learn to fly... paper airplanes. In this video tutorial, John Collins, The Paper Airplane Guy, shows you how to fold and throw the SCS Nakamura Lock paper airplane.
How To: Make a bow out of used wrapping paper
Don't waste a bunch of money on new wrapping paper and bows. Recycle your old wrapping paper and use it to make decorative bows for your presents following these steps.
How To: Make a Christmas tree pop-up card
Show someone you care about them by spending a little extra time on their Christmas card... and in the process, save some money. In this tutorial, learn how to make a pop-up three-dimensional Christmas card for your loved one.
How To: Make a bow out of ribbon
The days of asking mom to wrap your presents are over! In this tutorial, learn how to tie a perfect bow for your present out of ribbon.
How To: Make a glittery dragonfly out of Fantasy Film
Ever hear of fantasy film? No, not the weird fantasy movies, but the decorative colored paper. It's great for making any arts and crafts project. In this video, see how to make a glittery dragonfly out of Fantasy Film and opals. Barbara Trombley shows you how to make this simple project in minutes. You will be amazed when you see the film change colors right before your eyes. This dragonfly is perfect for any card or hat or lapel.
How To: Make a glittering butterfly
Butterflies are beautiful, even when they aren't real, but merely decorative. In this video, learn how to rainbow glitter a butterfly with Barbara Trombley from Art Glitter. This is a fantastic craft project developed by Barbara. They're simple to make and you only need a few craftsy materials, like opals and card stock.
How To: Make Opals and Fantasy Film glass paper for a gourd
Make a cool drinking or water container, or simply a great decorative gourd ornament. But before you can decorate the gourd, you need to make the decorations. Learn how to make Opals and Fantasy Film glass paper for a gourd.
How To: Make switch plate covers with Fantasy Film
Are your electrical switch covers in your home just too boring for you? Tired of all those receptacle covers just being plain, old beige or white? Then a little arts and crafts project and some fantasy film might be your answer.
How To: Create a sparkling butterfly with Fantasy Film
This is a great tutorial on making wonderful little artsy butterflies with your own two hands! They're sparkling butterflies, which you make with fantasy film, a butterly image, permanent ink that dries on non-porous surfaces, craft iron, acrylic stamps, and a non-stick craft mat.
How To: Make dichroic glass pendants with Fantasy Film & opals
Learn how to make homemade pendants! It's quite the process, involving a piece of glass (frosted glass with bevel edges is best), Fantasy Film, opals for embossing enamels, and a pool of hot glue. If you want to learn how to make dichroic carnival glass pendants with Fantasy Film and colored opals, then just check out this video tutorial.
How To: Use puff foam for embroidery projects
Puff foam adds an outstanding element to your embroidery design, and help you 'stand out' in the crowd. Great for embroidering tote bags, sweatshirts, baby bibs, and much more. This embroidery instructional video will take you through all the necessary steps. Start embroidering!
How To: Make 3-D felt flowers
While we have nothing against real flowers, we do find it depressing how after a week or two they begin wilting and looking like death itself. So keep your flowers fresh and everlasting by making faux ones!
How To: Make paper from recycled paper
Put a use to all that scrap paper lying around. Learn how to make your own paper out of paper you'd like to recycle with the steps outlined below. Perfect for a stationary project or decorative invitation!
How To: Clean gold jewelry
Looking to polish up some old jewelry? Your skin, soap, and even the air can dull your gold jewelry. Bring the luster back with a few household items and these five steps.
How To: Make a paper CD case or paper DVD case
Did you loose a CD jewel case somewhere in life? Do you have enormous amounts of data cds lying around and have no place to put them? You can make a CD or DVD case out of a simple piece of paper in a few easy steps.
How To: Knit a scarf for yourself this winter
Stay warm this winter with your own "MIY" (make it yourself) scarf! Learn to knit a scarf for a relaxing pastime and to engage in a constructive and creative activity.
How To: Crochet baby bell hats
Make your baby the cutest baby in town during the wintertime with some homemade crocheted hats. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet baby bell hats. This crochet hat pattern was designed by Mikeyssmail. Follow the video for a step-by-step demonstration from start to finish on constructing a baby bell hat for a newborn baby. It's like a pixie hat, but cuter.
How To: Stencil on fabric
Make It Mine editor Linda Augsburg shows you how to stencil on fabric.
Fold-It-Yourself: Paper Space Scale Models
Papercraft website, AXM Paper Space Scale Models, offers a whole library of incredibly detailed, realistic space shuttle paper models. Some free, some pay. Perfect weekend activity for the outer space lovin' geek.
How To: Make a 3D origami Christmas star
Almost Christmas... so time to make this 3-D origami Christmas star! If you still can't make the origami Christmas star after watching this video you'd better focus on completing about 1000 cranes first... With origami, practice makes perfect.Merry Christmas to all you origami lovers!
How To: Crochet a flower
Are you interested in doing a crochet project? Watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet a flower. You will need some yarn, a crochet needle and a pair of scissors.
How To: Make a paper origami gift box
A gift is doubly special when the box it arrives in is also a gift. In this video, we'll see how to transform a single sheet of paper into an elegant gift box. This project isn't ideal for beginners, but if you have a little origami experience this shouldn't be too challenging.
How To: Sew piping
Making and sewing piping can be an easy and fun sewing project. Get tips from our expert on fabric piping in this free sewing video series.
How To: Crochet a blanket with the wavy shell stitch
Lets create a blanket from scratch using only the wavy shell stitch. This crochet how-to video is an example of how to crochet a blanket out of the wavy shell stitch only using three colors. Go as large as you need to and as big as you want with the crocheted blanket. The colors and size is up to you so get creative and start crocheting.