Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Attach a jewelry hook

One important part of jewelery making involves properly attaching hooks. This jewelry how-to video demonstrates the proper way to attach a hook, use it for making earing, bracelets or charms. Begin by holding the wire firmly in one hand. Using the chain nose pliers gently twist the ring at the end of the hook until it is open. Then place the completed piece of jewelry and secure it in place.

How To: Connect a toggle clamp

One important part of jewelery making involves completing toggle clamps. This jewelry how-to video demonstrates the proper way to connect a toggle clamp. Begin by holding one piece of the toggle securely in each hand. Push the bar through the circle part of the toggle, this completes the toggle clamp.

How To: Crimp jewelry beads on a wire

One important part of jewelery making involves properly crimping beads. This jewelry how-to video demonstrates the proper way to crimp beads on a wire. With the crimp bead on the wire place the bead in the first notch of the crimping pliers. Gently squeeze the tube until it is flat and secures the wire.

How To: Origami a paper crow

Not sure what to origami today? Watch these two how to videos to learn how to fold a crow out of origami paper. Give Japanese origami folding a try with this how to video tutorial on folding a crow, use black paper if you'd like.

How To: Origami a paper fish

Not sure what to origami today? Watch this how to video to learn how to fold a fish out of origami paper. Give Japanese origami folding a try with this how to video tutorial on folding a garden fish.

How To: Origami a duck

Not sure what to origami today? Watch this how to video to learn how to fold a duck out of origami paper. Give Japanese origami folding a try with this how to video tutorial on folding a garden duck.

How To: Origami a paper fortune teller

Not sure what to origami today? How about something that predicts the future or just about anything else you want? Watch this how to video to learn how to fold a fortune teller out of origami paper. Give Japanese origami folding a try with this how to video tutorial on folding a classic childhood toy, the fortune teller.

How To: Fold a paper boat

Remember making paper boats when you were a kids? If you don't here is a how to video to remind your the step by step process. This how to video tutorial will shows you how easy it is to make a boat out of a piece of paper.

How To: Fold an origami snail

Not sure what to origami today? Watch this how to video to learn how to fold a snail out of origami paper. Give Japanese origami folding a try with this how to video tutorial on folding a garden snail.

How To: Make a felt holiday applique

This video crafting tutorial shows how to sew a seasonal felt application, ideal for Christmas present or to keep for yourself. It just takes felt, cardboard, a pencil, and a pair of scissors. The completed applique can then be added onto clothing and accessories, or converted into an ornament or even a personalized name card.

How To: Fold a paper airplane

This instructional video shows how to make a simple and very effective paper airplane that can stay aloft for about half a minute. It is a simple and elegant design which does a fantastic job of balancing the weight of the craft forward and makes for a highly stable and effective airfoil. It's a great deal of fun to make and almost as much fun to fly. Give it a try! Watch this video origami tutorial and learn how to fold a paper airplane.

How To: Origami a paper envelope

This instructional video gives easy step by step directions for making an origami paper envelope. All you need is a square piece of paper. Watch this video origami tutorial and learn how to fold a paper envelope.

How To: Make a Japanese style stab book

This tutorial shows you how to make a basic Japanese style book. You'll need two different styles of paper, a cutting surface, a ruler, a paper cutter, and a ruler. Watch this video bookbinding tutorial and learn how to make a Japanese stab book.

How To: Make paper from junk mail

Join Emma & Grace as they show you how to recycle old cereal boxes, coffee carriers, artwork and junk mail into beautiful works of art. Watch this instructional video to shred pieces of paper garbage, blend it into a pulp and press your own recycled paper.

How To: Refashion a headband out of a pearl necklace

Sonya Nimri of sonyastyle.com shows you how to take a beaded pearl necklace and refashion it into a cute headband. You will need fishing wire, an elastic cord, ribbon, a pearl necklace, and scissors. Watch this video crafting tutorial and learn how to transform a pearl necklace into a headband.

How To: Publish your own book

Want to see your book in print? Going the route of agents and sending your manuscript off for publication is a long grueling process that may not even pan out. If you're not looking to get famous and you're just looking to get your book in tangible form, take a look at this instructional video and learn how to self publish your own book.

How To: Origami a goldfish to swim in a bowl

This is an instructional video on how to make an origami goldfish. Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding to make any shape imaginable. All you need is a square of paper and a pair of scissors, even if that's considered cheating. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to fold a paper goldfish.

How To: Origami a paper butterfly

This is an instructional video on how to fold an origami Butterfly. Origami is the Japanese traditional art of paper folding to make just about any shape. All you need is a square sheet of paper. Watch this video origami tutorial and learn how to fold a paper butterfly.

How To: Bind a photo album insert

Instead of buying photo albums, make your own to get exactly the size and style you want. Book bindings require a little technique to maintain the right size of the page, without ruining the edge or making something that's going to fall apart. Watch this video book-binding tutorial and learn how to bind a photo album insert.

How To: Make a triangular tri-fold greeting card

Make a triangle tri-fold card, demonstrated in this video using CTMH products. You'll need fancy cardstock and a paper cutter. Follow along with the step by step instructions and adapt them to make a card just the way you want the card to look. Watch this video card-making tutorial and learn how to craft a triangular tri-fold greeting card.

How To: Sew a blindstitch

Make It Mine associate editor Tea Benduhn shows you how to sew up a seam using a blindstitch. This is great for linings, pillows, or any time you don't want the stitch to be visible. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make a blindstitch.

How To: Sew a slip stitch easily

Make It Mine associate editor Tea Benduhn shows you how to hem using a slip stitch. A slip stitch will make a stitch that is not visible on the other side of the fabric. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to do a slip stitch for hemming or any delicate sewing projects.