Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Origami a pair of boots

Perhaps the only video tutorial on how to fold a pair of origami boots, this video offers some tips on folding a fairly high end pair of paper boots. All you need is a single piece of origami paper and a pair of scissors. You may want to use a pen to shape the final product. When you're finished, the origami boots should stand elegantly side by side.

How To: Origami polygons

Watch this simple instructional video and learn how to turn a paper square into several other polygons. These basic origami projects also serve as edifying practice in simple geometry. You can fold an equilateral triangle, a regular hexagon, and a regular octagon from square origami paper.

How To: Origami a rose leaf

Follow the examples shown in this instructional video to learn how to fold an origami rose leaf. The origami rose leaf can decorate a previously completed paper rose, but also deserves some attention of its own. The step by step visuals are helpful on some of the tiny folds required for the origami flower leaf.

How To: Origami a hydrangea for cards and stationery

Watch this instructional video and make an origami hydrangea. It's many tiny pieces can be glued to a flat surface to decorate cards and letters. The video includes verbal instructions in Japanese, although the visual guide is quite clear. You will need a piece of colored origami paper for the flower blossoms and a green piece of origami paper for the folded leaf.

How To: Origami a Milky Way ornament of papercraft

Watch this instructional video to learn how to make an origami paper Milky Way ornament. With one piece of origami paper and a pair of scissors, one can form a beautiful ornament that is sometimes used for Tanabata, the Japanese festival of stars. This and other paper ornaments can be combined to create larger decorative pieces.

How To: Origami a snail spiral of papercraft

With some origami paper, scissors and glue, one can make simple and elegant paper snail spirals. They can be used as decorations for events such Tanabata, the Japanese star festival. This instructional video allows you to make paper spirals that, combined with other origami shapes, can also become larger decorative pieces.

How To: Fold a six pointed star from rectangular paper

This origami tutorial will show you how to fold a six pointed star out of a regular piece of 8 1/2" X 11" paper. There are verbal instructions in Japanese for those who will find it useful, but the step by step visuals are quite clear. To fold an origami six pointed star, one only needs a single piece of rectangular paper and a little patience.

How To: Origami a paper rhombicuboctahedron

Invented by Tom Hull in 2007, here's how to fold a Rhombicuboctahedron, an innovation on the cuboctahedron, out of origami paper. 24 smaller paper units can lock together in a pattern, which if carried through properly, will form a complex geometric shape out of folded paper.

How To: Origami a balloon fish

Take on an unusual challenge and learn to make an origami balloon fish. Follow this clear example to fold some bulging white eyes of a yellow puffer fish. This step by step process will allow you to create charmingly realistic balloon fish out of paper.

How To: Origami a flowery container

Follow this simple yet clear example to make your own origami flower shaped box. The step by step process will allow you to complete some of the more difficult folds that go into creating this tulip shaped container. Unlike other origami containers, this tulip cup is neither boxy nor overly complex.

How To: Origami a Chinese rice dumpling

Review these simple steps to learn how to make an origami rice dumpling. You can use green paper as shown to make it look quite realistic. This simple but clear display of paper folding can teach you how to make seemingly edible objects with origami.

How To: Make a piñata in the shape of a car

Piñatas add great fun to any party. However sometimes it is hard to find the pinata shape you want. This how to video is a demonstration of how to make a car shaped piñata. Watch and learn how easy it is to make a piñata from scratch. Create it in the shape of a car, or get creative and make your own shape.

How To: Mig weld using the push technique

This MIG Welding Video shows the demonstration of a push welding technique that is use when mig welding. When mig welding you can either push or pull the welding torch. The push technique is the most common. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to weld using the push technique.

How To: MIG weld two pieces of sheet metal together

This Mig Welding Video Demo shows how simple and easy it is to use a MIG welding machine. Mig Welding Machines are use throughout the world. They are the suited for many welding applications. This video demonstration demonstrates Mig welding by welding two pieces of sheet metal together. Watch this video welding tutorial and learn how to fuse two pieces of sheet metal together with a Mig welder.

How To: Origami a fun balloon fish

Watch this video origami tutorial and learn how to fold a balloon fish. Start of with a single square of paper and follow along with these step by step directions to end up with a fish balloon. This traditional Japanese art is as fun as it is beautiful.

How To: Use a knit edge foot on a sewing machine

Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to use a knit edge foot on a sewing machine. A knit-edge foot is great for sewing sweater knits and imitation fur. Select an overlock stitch pattern appropriate for the fabric, right the sides together, place under the special knit edge foot and stitch. Use a knit edge foot on a sewing machine.

How To: Use a sew on button foot on a sewing machine

Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to use a sew on button foot on a sewing machine. Mark where the button will be placed. Insert button between the black metal piece and the presser foot. Make sure that the two holes are positioned in the cut-out of the presser foot. Position the fabric and lower the presser foot. Select the button sew-on or zigzag stitch. If using the zigzag stitch, lower the feed dogs. Select the width to match the button holes. Manually turn the handwheel to ma...

How To: Use a circular embroidery guide on a sewing machine

To use a circular embroidery guide on a sewing machine, loosen screw at back of the presser foot ankle just enough to insert a circular embroidery guide from left. The radius of the circle is determined by placement of the guide in the holder. Secure the guide with a screw. Place the stabilizer under fabric. Mark the center point on fabric with marking pen. Align the center of the fabric with the rubber point of the circular embroidery guide. Put a flat tack under the fabric and up through th...

How To: Arc weld

This video welding tutorial shows two arc or stick welding machines and explains how to connect the leads and hook it up ready for welding. Those interested in welding for metalwork will learn the proper machinery and equipment needed for welding and how to use the equipment correctly. Watch this instructional video and start welding.

How To: Strike an arc with a welding electrode

In order to properly strike an arc with a welding electrode, the idea is to make contact between the metal of the arc being welded and the electrode that is doing the welding. While practice is the best way to learn how to weld, some tips can give a solid beginning. Watch this video welding tutorial and learn how to strike an arc with a welding electrode.

How To: Pleat a swag curtain

Swag curtains add great decorative touches to a bear window or room. Watch this sewing how-to video to learn how to pleat your swag curtain so that it hangs on your window beautifully. Once you learn how easy it is to pleat swag curtains you will be creating window treatments for every room in your house.