Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Do a running stitch

Getting started in the world of sewing & embroidery? The running stitch is the most popular of stitches in which the needle is passed in and out of the fabric. Get started doing the running stitch (sometimes called the straight stitch) with help from this fantastic tutorial presented by Stampin Mama.

How To: Do a chain stitch

Getting started in the world of sewing & embroidery? The chain stitch is a popular stitch in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Get started doing the chain stitch with help from this great tutorial provided by Stampin Mama.

How To: Make a polymer clay lollipop for a doll & dollhouse

Are you a dollhouse junkie? Do you own the house, the clothes, and all the dollhouse accessories? That might be fine, but do you have a doll-sized lollipop? Didn't think so. In this tutorial, learn how to make a miniature sized lollipop out of polymer clay, a perfect size to fit your favorite dolls!

How To: Make a no sew tied fleece blanket

Want to get started in the world of blanket making but don't know how to sew? No sweat. There are ways to get around sewing to make a very cool no-sew fleece blanket through just knots and ties alone. Learn how to create an awesome gift for your loved ones this winter with help from this free tutorial.

How To: Make a brown paper bag book cover

No matter what school you attend, chances are you will be required to cover your textbooks. In this tutorial, you will learn about the ultimate classic bookcover - the paper bag. This video will show you, step by step, how to take an ordinary shopping bag and fold it into a protective jacket for your books.

How To: Make a Christmas greeting card for kids

Take this year's Christmas cards to new heights by making your own unique cards! In this vido, learn how to make a pop out Christmas card with these easy to follow instructions from Leona of Artists Resource. Surprise your Christmas card list with this wonderfully inspired card sure to appease the eye and hearts of the ones you love and hold dear.

How To: Use jump rings

Getting started in the world of DIY jewelry making? This video might just come in handy. From Jewelry Making Fun, a great video on how to use jump rings in your jewelry creations. Learn how to open and close the jump rings, as well as how to connect them to one another to make a simple earring.

How To: Make bridal earrings with Swarovski crystal

Make a beautiful pair of earrings with help from this video from Silver Land Jewelry! Get started using Swarovski crystal in your jewelry makings to add a special and sparkly touch! Add a new pair of earrings to your jewelry collection for only the cost of materials with help from this DIY jewelry making tutorial.

How To: Make simple seashell earrings

Looking for new activities to do with your kids? From Simple Kid's Crafts, a wonderful idea to keep your kid's hands and creative minds occupied this summer! Learn how to make a beautiful and easy-to-make pair of seashell earrings with your children to get them started in the world of crafting and building.

How To: Make beaded loop earrings

Add a new pair of earrings to your jewelry colllection with help from this video. From Turquoise Stringbeads, a great tutorial on how to make a pair of beaded loop earrings. This project is great for a beginner looking to get started in the world of jewelry making.

How To: Make a simple pair of drop earrings

Add a new pair of earrings to your collection, by making them yourself! In this video Stari Girl teaches how to make a pair of simple drop earrings and what supplies you will need. Also learn how to close the headpin on any type of earring finding.

How To: Wire-wrap leather for jewelry

Wrapping leather is the least of your worries when it comes to the meticulous and dexterous art of making jewelry. IIf you have the basic jewelry making skills down, doing this wire-wrap on leather should be a cinch.. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of wire-wrapping leather.

How To: Make an easy earring display

Is your earring collection exploding all over your room? Are you finding one earring under your bed, and the other by your bathroom sink? Get yourself organized with help from a DIY made earring display! To make this organizational tool, you will need:

How To: Do a center-drilled single-end wire-wrap for jewelry

The long name of this technique makes the meticulousness and dexterity skills of making jewelry a must. If you aren't perfect in all your techniques, this might stump you, but practice makes perfect. Wire wrapping a center-drilled, single-end stone takes skill. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of doing a center-drilled single-end wire-wrap.

How To: Form a wire earring hoop for jewelry

There's more than you think to making jewelry. It takes meticulousness and dexterity to be good, but forming an earring hoop makes the whole process seem easy, but don't be fooled. This wire earring hoop is simple, but that's just a little part to jewelry making. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of forming a wired hoop for earrings.

How To: Attach a lobster claw clasp for jewelry

This lobster claw isn't the same one you'd be cracking during dinner. This lobster claw is a clasp for jewelry making. Great for necklaces or bracelets. If you've perfected the meticulous and dexterous art of jewelry making, than this should be simple. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of attaching a lobster claw clasp to your work of art.

How To: Tie a leather knot end for jewelry

One of the hardest parts about jewelry making is the knot-tying. It's an intricate process, much like jewelry making in general, which is meticulous and dexterous. Working with leather is also more difficult because of it's thickness and un-malleable contour. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of tying a knot end with leather.

How To: Attach a clam shell clasp for jewelry

The clam shell is a clasp for homemade jewelry. Putting a clam shell on can be difficult, because jewelry making is meticulous and dexterous, but with a crimper, it should be easy. But a crimper isn't all, a pair of pliers is also needed. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of this clam shell attachment.

How To: Wire-wrap side-drilled stone (double end) for jewelry

Jewelry takes patience to make. It's meticulous. It's dexterous. And there's a lot to know, like all the wire-wraps. This wire-wrap is the side-drilled double end wire-wrap. Though the name is long, it's process is the opposite, once you master it. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of this wire-wrap side-drilled stone (double end) technique.

How To: Make paper roses for cards or scrapbooking

In this arts & crafts tutorial, learn how to make a beautiful rose embellishment out of a piece of 6x6 pattern paper and Glimmer mists to give it a pearlescent sheen. This is a fun technique and great to apply to all your craft projects including cards, scrapbook layouts or home decor projects.

How To: Crimp beads on soft flex wire for jewelry

Throughout the meticulous and dexterous process of jewelry making, when you get to the end of your bracelet or necklace, there's a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. But to seal the deal, you need to crimp. Crimping is a necessary process for the ends of your homemade jewelry. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of this crimping end beads on soft flex.

How To: Thread with soft flex wire for jewelry

Though jewelry making can be meticulous and dependent on dexterity, using the right wire makes the whole process easier and faster. Wire necklaces and bracelets are simple when using the soft flexible wire, or soft flex. This demonstration video will help walk you through the process of this threading with soft flex.

How To: Origami a usable envelope

Bored writing notes in class? With one more sheet of paper you can pass your notes in style with help from this free Origami tutorial. In this video, learn how to make a usable and durable envelope by folding only one sheet of paper.

How To: Fold a ninja star out of paper using origami

Ninja stars are pretty cool. They are easy to throw and make fun toys as well as decorations. In this tutorial, learn how to fold your own star using Japanese origami techniques. This star turns out very polished looking but is actually pretty easy to fold. So, grab some paper, flip on this tutorial and start from the beginning. It may take you a few tries to master, but you will have this fun design down in no time.

How To: Make a paper cup

If you're finding yourself without dishes due to the fact that you're packing or unpacking, getting a quick drink can be a pain. So instead of rummaging through all those boxes try this quick nifty tutorial. This video shows you how to make a paper cup using just a couple sheets of regular paper. It's so easy and efficient you'll be sipping water in no time. Enjoy!