Active Arts & Crafts Posts
How To: Craft a cute paper gift box for knitted gifts
Choosing the right gift for your friend or girlfriend is obviously the most important part of gifting, but you can make your gift extra special by wrapping it in a lovely package.
How To: Commemorate your family by making a family tree
Whether you're fond of your bazillion nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and siblings or not, a family tree is a nice way to trace your bloodline, past and present, in historical and memorable way.
How To: Make guitar pick earrings out of credit cards
We've all heard of and seen guitar pick earrings. They're really rock'n'roll and show you've got an indie, alternative edge to your style. But sometimes we need to use those guitar picks for, well, guitar picking, so is there any other way to get the same look without sacrificing our guitar picks?
How To: Recycle a plastic bag into a plastic bag bracelet
You don't have to own a Cricut, several volumes of themed scrapbooking paper, pinking shears, and ribbons in each color of the rainbow to call yourself a crafter. More complicated crafts do call for this kind of deep and expensive preparation, but the craft presented in this video practically requires nothing.
How To: Recycle an old flea market jacket into cushion covers
When you move into your first apartment, it's a magical and joyous experience. And then the reality hits that you're broke, have no furniture, and the shower doesn't work. We've all been there, and while we can't aid you with your shower problems, we can help with turning mismatched flea market chairs into a set of more coherent seats.
How To: Make a schoolyard chic scissors holder with kids
With inflation making even simple household wares like cups and pencil holders going for $10 a pop, it's easy to see how attractive making your own home essentials is.
How To: Make a sturdy lunch bag out of a TYVEK FedEx envelope
Okay, so you're probably wondering, first of all, what the heck a TYVEK bag is. Well, dear viewer, TYVEK is a high-density polyethylene blend of fibers that's lightweight and opaque.
How To: Turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase. The materials required for this project are: a pillow, a shirt (that fits over the pillow), pin, needle, thread, decorative trim and a sewing machine. Begin by flipping the shirt inside out and slip in the pillow. Position the pillow to how you want it and pin down along the sides to hold it. Now stitch the shirt together along the pin points. Trim off the extra fabric, leaving a 1/2" at the seam. Fold the bottom a...
How To: Make a book without glue
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a book without glue. First, you will need two thick pieces of cardboard paper, the paper for the book, scissors, duct tape, tape, and a pen. First, punch holes in all the papers and cardboard. Now, assemble the book and tape the duct tape around the holes in the book. Roll the tape around and tie it together, do this to all the holes. Now, place the tape around the edge of the book and tape the edge together like the binding of a normal book. Now, write ...
How To: Make a glowing lightning bug sculpture
In order to make a glowing lightning bug sculpture, you will need the following: an empty pop bottle, a yellow marker, a pipe cleaner, construction paper or card stock, and glue.
How To: Make a Ming clay pendant necklace on a leather cord
Same money at Christmas time by making some of your gifts. This video shows us how to make a pendant necklace.
How To: Make adorable glittered Easter boxes
Easter is one of the best times for crafters to indulge in and even overdo pastel spring hues, vibrant flecks of glitter, and flower decals galore. Which is why this craft, a combination of all of the above, is such a perfect project for celebrating Easter.
How To: Make a mini keepsake box for tiny treasures
We all get them: a friendship bracelet, a sweet little greeting card with warm wishes, or a tiny pendant that means a lot to us but is just too darn small to store anywhere without getting lost.
How To: Make a pretty journal out of watercolor books
Blogs are a great way to both jot down your thoughts and share them with the rest of the world to build a community based on common interests, but we yearn for the days of good old journal writing on real, actual paper.
How To: Sew a blind hem
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to sew a blind hem. Use a blind hem stitch when sewing the bottom hem of your Roman shade. It is very easy to do. For this you will need a sewing machine that has blind hem stitch already programmed in to it and a blind hem foot. Hem your fabric and pin it. Make sure the pointed ends of the pins are pointing outwards. Lay your fabric with the hemmed side facing up and the hemmed side towards the pressure foot. Then flip the hem upside so...
How To: Fold a great origami water bomb
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to fold an origami water bomb. Users will need a square paper. Begin by folding the paper in half both horizontally and vertically. Then fold the paper diagonally in half both ways. Now fold the edges into the middle to form an isosceles triangle. Then fold the edges to the middle to form a diamond shape. Fold all the tips to the middle and then fold all the corners to the middle. Finish by tucking the triangle edges into the pockets and blow up the p...
How To: Make Elmo and Cookie Monster with Stampin' Up punches
This video will show viewers how to create Elmo and cookie monster using punches made from Stampin' Up stamp punches. In order to make these characters, you will need a blue and an red sculpt circle punch a smaller black circle punch, an orange and 4 white circle punch, and 4 smaller black circle punch. In order to make the cookie monster shape, take the large ruffled circle punch as the head, and cut the black circle in half, placing it on the bottom half of the circle. This will be the mout...
How To: Make a beaded watch band with a non-loop watch face
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a beaded watch band with a non-loop watch face. Begin by cutting 2 pieces of the stringing materials to approximately 10 inches. Then put one end of the string through the hole of the watch face and pull it to about halfway. Now users will have 2 strands to work with. Users may choose to making a double strand watch band by putting beads on both strings, or a single strand watch band by running both strands of string through a single bead. Fin...
How To: Tie a Padlock style decorative Knot
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to tie a Padlock style decorative knot. Padlock knot is a clever way to achieve the look and function of a padlock without having to bother about the key. Take a piece of rope, bend it in the center and make two loops on either side of the rope. Ensure the working end is over the rope in the left side loop and under the rope in the right side loop. Now overlap both the loops so that the left side loop is over the other loop. Now pass the...
How To: Make an origami Shuriken (ninja star)
Secure a square-shaped piece of paper preferably six inches long on both sides. Cut the square paper into two equal halves. Fold one piece longitudinally right at the middle. Open the fold and refold it horizontally, on the shorter side. Refold the longitudinal crease you made earlier. Then, fold both sides diagonally but facing opposite each other.
How To: Install an orb on a Roman shade
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to install the Roman shade orb on Roman shades. Begin by threading the lift cord through the bottom ring of the shade and then slide the end of the cord through the orb. To do so, squeeze the orb to reveal an opening and slide the cord through the hole. The orb allows the user to easily adjust the tension of the Roman shades. Simply slide it back and forth to tighten or loosen. This video will benefit those viewers who have Roman shades, and would lik...
How To: Make your own rub-on transfers for card design
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make their own rub-on. This allows users to transfer any designs onto card stock. Users will need to first print the design onto a sheet of acetate. Simply place the acetate paper over the card stock. Then use any kind of tool and simply rub it over the design on the acetate. The transferred design will be lighter in color than the original. Make sure that you if you want to use letters or numbers, print it backwards. This video will benefit those ...
How To: Fold a hanging origami ornament
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to fold a hanging origami ornament from Ana Maria, an Origami artist. You will need four sheets of rectangular paper of two different colors. Take one sheet and fold it diagonally. Flip the paper over and fold back along the same diagonal again. Now fold both the protruding corners back to match the edge of the paper. Repeat these steps with the other three sheets of paper. Then you got to lock the four folded sheets as shown in the vide...
How To: Fold an origami paper pyramid
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial, Ana Maria, Origami artist, will show you how to fold an origami paper pyramid. For this you will need a square piece of paper; preferably colored. Fold the paper in half, open it up and fold in half in the other direction. Open up and fold all corners to the center point of the paper. Now fold it in half in both directions. Open up the last fold and fold one of the edges inwards. Open up again, unfold the adjacent flap and lock the flap down as shown in t...
How To: Make an egg carton tulip
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to make an egg carton tulip. Cut out two cups from an egg carton. Then cut petals into the cups by cutting out triangular shapes. Make four petals on each cup. Then with a pencil, poke two holes on the bottom of one cup opposite each other in line with the two lowest points of the petals. Do a similar thing on the other cup but, in line with the two highest points of the petals. Then take a pipe cleaner and pass it through one hole of on...
How To: Make gourd candles for fall with Martha Stewart
Don't let ripe orange pumpkins have all the fun this fall season. Ready your dinner table for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just a fun fall get together by drilling a few holes in gourds to make them into candleholders.
How To: Craft adorable yarn cards with Martha Stewart
Whoever said that pretty has to be complicated hasn't taken a glimpse at these adorable cards decorated with glued-on yarn motifs. A simple craft for kids and adults, yarn art creates homespun cards that evoke a whimsical, old world charm.
How To: Origami a paper raft with a sail that really floats
In this tutorial, learn how to fold an origami boat that actually floats. This little sailboat looks more like a raft and is made out of nothing but tape and paper. Follow along with this two part clip and fold up a cool new toy to take with you to the beach, the pool or the bathtub!
How To: Create a mechanical dog card with Martha Stewart
Dogs are cute little things, so why not create a dog card for a loved one (or maybe for the big dog of your house, your dad, for this Father's Day)?
How To: Craft an origami collared Father's Day shirt with tie
The best cards are always homemade with a lot of love (the same can't be said for presents; sometimes Dad just needs that power saw). And since Father's Day is coming up quickly, why not make your daddy a card rather than purchase a personality-less mass-produced one?
How To: Fold easy origami ties for Father's Day for beginners
Don't have enough cash to gift your dad a real tie this Father's Day? Then save some money and make your own! While this easy origami tie may not hold up as well as the real one, it's a great prank gift and can be used on top of a package as a nice finishing touch.
How To: Fold an adorable origami Hello Kitty for beginners
For little girls, Hello Kitty is one of the first and most easy to love cartoon characters they encounter, and this is a love affair that continues the rest of their life. With multiple incarnations like the punk Hello Kitty and the summer fun (tanned) Hello Kitty, this is one pussycat that stays current with the times.
How To: Fold a modular, two-sheet, paper shuriken (ninja star)
Everybody knows what a ninja star is, but what about a shuriken? A shuriken is the exact same thing as a ninja star: a weapon in the form of a star with blades or points. It's a missile in martial arts. It's a ninja's best friend. But for some of you, shurikens might be too dangerous, so that's were origami comes in. This video will show you the process of folding modular paper shurikens, and you only need two sheets of paper to do it.
How To: Fold an easy origami paper fish
Sure, there are other origami fish tutorials out there, but they're usually either difficult and long, or short and unsatisfying. Find the perfect medium with this origami video. You just need one sheet of origami paper, like most paper folding projects, and the instructions in this video. Try pausing after each fold to make sure you learn this fish properly.
How To: Fold an origami TIE Fighter from Star Wars
A TIE Fighter might not ever see the light of day outside of the television. Not a real starfighter, anyway. But you can model our very own Star Wars TIE Fighter with some simple paper. It might take a while, but folding this origami Star Wars TIE Fighter will be worth every second. Use the origami diagram, from Star Wars Origami. You can find two different versions there.
How To: Get started sewing with the right sewing tools
It's pretty much common knowledge that a successful sewing kit requires several different sizes of needles as well as differently colored thread. And if you're solely focused on patching up those favorite JBrand jeans of yours or a hole in a T-shirt, then that may be all you need.
How To: Make flowers from tissue paper
This clip offers instructions no how to make tissue paper flowers that are perfect for embellishing gifts. What's more, they're easy to make. So easy, in fact, that this home décor how-to can present a complete overview of how to make them in just over three and a half minutes' time. For more information, and to get started making your own tissue-paper flowers, take a look.
How To: Make decorative paper flowers with kirigami
Looking for your next home décor project? In this clip, Meg of ThreadBanger offers instructions on how to make spring time inspired kirigami flower art. Though the end result appears quite ornate, the process itself is relatively simple. So simple, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete overview of the process in just over three and a half minutes. Take a look.
How To: Organize your beads and wires to eliminate mess
If you're a beading novice, there's one very important thing to know before you venture into the pastime: No matter how many projects you complete, you will always have a lot more beads left over than you know what to do with.
How To: Create an exotic string art pendant for jewelry
In jewelry making, string art is one of those techniques that creates a complicated looking result but is actually very easy to do. Composed of differently hued strings wrapped around a teardrop shaped pendant, string art can be used for various jewelry projects.