Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Make a beautiful clear crystal resin gem

There are two kinds of people who will find this video tutorial useful: Jewelers/jewelry making aficionados and cosplay fans. That's because this crystal clear, shiny resin gemstone can be used just as equally for a beautiful pendant or a paperweight as it can be for cosplay costume accessories like shoulder pads and helms.

How To: Knit a picot cast on for baby sweaters, blankets and other knitted projects

Master knitter Judy shows you how to knit a picot cast on in this knitting video. If you haven't figured out how to cast on yet, you should probably watch her video on that first. This is a sweet edging for the bottom of a baby sweater or blanket. There are many other instances where you would want to use a picot cast on, as well. Learn it with this up close demonstration by Judy Graham, Knitter to the Stars.

How To: Crochet a basketweave patterned hat

This how-to crochet video offers a simple pattern and instruction for stitching your own cute and easy crocheted hat. Knitted hats don't have to be for winter. While a cozy hat will protect you from the cold, a lighter yarn can add some style in warmer months as well. Check out this video d.i.y. arts and crafts lesson and learn how to crochet your own basketweave patterned hat.

How To: Use the thumb method to cast on in knitting

Cast on? What's that? At first, it might sound like a fishing phrase, but any good crafster would know that casting on is a knitting technique, which can be difficult for new knitters to comprehend. But if you're one of those knitting newbies, don't worry—this video outlines the thumb method for casting on a stitch, and it's easy and gives you a really tight edge on your knitting projects. So, grab your needles and yarn and follow along to become a cast-on pro.

How To: Origami a petunia

Fold a petunia flower, an easy model to fold. Origami! Fun pastime & skilled craft. Watch this origami how to video to learn how to fold the petunia flower. With origami, practice makes perfect. So practice those origami folds and you will have a beautiful flower.

How To: Fold a JKF-18 Hornet jet paper plane

This aircraft origami masterpiece is a JKF-18 Hornet, which is modeled after the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet] supersonic fighter jet used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps, along with the Royal Australian Air Force and Spanish Air Force. It's a fantastic plane—but this origami version of it is better!

How To: Make a double-sided origami shuriken ninja star

Following a kind of silly little skit, this video will teach you how to make a double-sided, origami version of a shuriken throwing star. Shuriken are the throwing star weapons you've seen ninjas use in the movies. If you've already made the single-sided shuriken, this is a good follow-up project. But while they are made of paper they do still have sharp edges, so be very careful about where you throw them.

How To: Make an origami sword

This video shows you how to make an origami sword out of a blank sheet of white paper. Very simply, you can make a folded paper sword in about 2 minutes. This origami technique is good for beginners.

How To: Make a simple paper balloon with origami

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

How To: Fold the JKF-178 jet paper plane

Learn how to fold the JKF-178 Jetplane. Materials required :- An A4 size paper of type 80gsm and a pair fo scissors. Its' another variations of my other paper planes models. Hope that it will be well received. Would appreciate frank comments and fair ratings from all. Enjoy. Thank you.

How To: Create a small origami box

After a quick and easy craft project? Learn to make the most utile of origami sculptures, the paper box. This video tutorial presents a complete, step-by-step overview of how to make a paper box using origami, the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding. For more information, and to get started making your own paper cubes, watch this arts-and-crafts guide.

How To: Make your own scrapbook paper with stamps and paper

Take inspiration for scrapbook paper from anywhere, and don't let scrapbooking be limited by what is and isn't available for sale. In these video scrapbooking tutorials, Debbie Buckland takes designs from her day to day life, a Kleenex tissue box pattern and her daughter's sock, to make paper. Watch these instructional videos and follow along to learn how to make floral and striped scrapbooking paper just using stamps, paper, and markers.

How To: Weave on a cardboard loom

Learn about the basics of weaving with this stop motion weaving tutorial video. Several different weaving and knot techniques are demonstrated, even showing common mistakes in the weaving process. Watch and learn a simple technique for weaving on a cardboard loom.

How To: Crochet a bullion stitch flower

Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a bullion or roll stitch flower. This is a difficult crochet stitch to accomplish. You should master the bullion stitch before beginning to crochet this flower design. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. The bullion or roll stitch creates a complex crochet weave for hyper-designed crochet projects such as this intricate flower.

How To: Fold an origami orchid

Learn how to make an origami "orchid" by slightly altering an origami iris / lily flower. This origami video shows how to make what I call an orchid flower... really it's something I made by mistake when first learning to make an origami lily / iris. You'll need to start from the frog base.

How To: Crochet a basic beret

Oui! Oui! A beret is a great fashion statement. It keeps you warm, plus its stylish with a French flair. This video shows you how to crochet your very own beret and make it as unique as you'd like for those chilly winter evenings! Which color will you choose?

How To: Make a beaded wire ring

Create a simply beautiful beaded wire ring in minutes with this step by step guide. This delicate ring design will look simply lovely with any style of bead. Be creative. Learn how to craft this beaded wire ring by watching this video jewelry-making tutorial. Get beading!

How To: Knit a Ball

Knitted balls can be used for all sorts of projects. The obvious is a Christmas ornament, but knitted balls can also be the basis for knitting toys or snowmen. And of course, they can be used simply as balls which make a lovely gift for a baby. They can be all one color, striped or patterned. To get started, follow the directions below for a one-color knitted ball. You will need to know how to knit on double-pointed needles, so if you need help with that, check out my other article.

How To: Make half and quarter square quilting triangles

This video quilting tutorial shows how to use Thangles quilting paper to make half and quarter square triangles. Fabric triangles are used in a variety of quilting projects, especially in geometric patterns. Learn how to quickly make half and quarter square triangles using Thangles quilting paper by watching this instructional video.

How To: Quilt a 45 degree angle

Watch this short quilting video to cut a 45 degree angle precisely. When sewing quilts with large triangle patterns, cutting your fabrics precisely can be vital to the geometric vitality of your quilt. Follow these instructions to keep your colonial quilt from drifting off center.

How To: Make a variation on an origami box

This instructional origami video demonstrates how to make a variation on an origami box. You will need a small piece of origami paper to fold this origami box. You can decorate your box with store bought cut outs or use recycled scraps of paper and ribbon. This box would be perfect for wrapping a small gift.

How To: Add Color to Your Knitting Projects

Once you have mastered the technique of knitting something in one color, you will want to go to the next step, which is learning how to add color to your knitting. You might want to knit stripes or knit something with two colors. It isn't as difficult as you might think, and once you've done it a few times you will wonder why you never attempted it before.

How To: Make a six-piece 3D spiral star with origami

With this guide, you'll learn how to make a 3D spiral star from six sheets of folded paper using 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 folded-paper spiral stars, watch this free origami lesson.