Hot Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Origami a puffy star with a dollar bill

Money origami (or dollar bill) origami is cheap, fun, simple, and cute. It only takes a dollar bill with some folding paper skills to make some really cool stuff. Spend that spare dollar in your pocket on some good old fashioned creativity -- you will end up with a cool puffy star origami figure.

How To: Create an extreme origami 3D human head sculpture

In this extreme origami video tutorial, brought to you by New Theatron, you'll see how you can create an extreme origami 3D human head sculpture. You'll see exactly how to sculpt an awesome, one-of-a-kind, extreme origami 3-D human or humanoid head for a stop motion, animation film, for art reference, or for just good clean origami sculpting fun.

How To: Make a shopping cart chair with MAKE magazine

Kick back with John Park as he demonstrates how to upcycle a no-longer-usable shopping cart into an easy chair. This Make: magazine-based project offers an introductory look at how to cut, bend, and shape metal using metal cutters, saws, vice grips, and other tools common to home workshops. John also attempts a “deluxe” version of this project that employs motors and switches to transform it into a “go-kart chair.” View the clip to see his mixed results, and download the PDF.

How To: Fold an origami peacock or turkey

This origami video shows how to make a simple peacock with its tail open... but I kinda think it looks like a turkey. I guess that comes from being a VT alum. GO HOKIES! Anyhoo, I thought it might be nice to put these next to place mats for Thanksgiving dinner. So pay attention and learn how to fold this origami turkey.. or peacock.

How To: Origami a Christmas star aka Spiked Dodecahedron (SPD)

The Origami Spiked Pentakis Dodecahedron is an excellent Paper Christmas Decoration Star made out of 15 paper squares. In spite of the large paper size I was defeated by the last module after nearly 2 hours (!) of trying to lock the last unit in place each time another one dislodged. Never mind, it is still a remarkable sound structure once (nearly) completed and you can not see which one is not locked anyway.

How To: Make a 3D origami Christmas star

Almost Christmas... so time to make this 3-D origami Christmas star! If you still can't make the origami Christmas star after watching this video you'd better focus on completing about 1000 cranes first... With origami, practice makes perfect.Merry Christmas to all you origami lovers!

How To: Build a realistic M16A2 paper gun

This thorough tutorial video series demonstrates how to make a beautiful, realistic paper M16A2 gun. This tutorial is broken up into 8 videos, so be sure to click through all of the chapters for the full tutorial. Paper guns are fun to make and can look very realistic (and perform basic operating functions, too!). Learn how to fold the M16A2 gun out of paper with this paper gun tutorial.

How To: Transfer photos onto fabric

In this video you will see how to transfer a photograph onto a piece of flannel fabric. You will have to treat the flannel with Bubble jet Set 2000 to help the photo stay on the fabric longer. Use an inkjet printer to make sure the ink soaks into the fiber. Tape the treated flannel onto the printed picture and run the paper through the printer again. The printer should print directly onto the fabric without trouble!

How To: Knit a 3x3 rib stitch

Watch this two part instructional knitting video to knit a 3x3 rib stitch using an even number of stitches. You will want to cast on your stitches in multiples of six. Simply knit three and purl three to knit the 3x3 rib stitch. The Continental method is used here, meaning the yarn is held with the left hand.

How To: Use a cable key for knitting

Learn how to use the cable key to tighten your Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Knitting Needles. Each needle tip has a hollow base that is grooved to accept the threaded stem of the cable. To insure a secure fit, use a cable key to tighten the knitting needle tip. You can also use the cable key to unscrew your knitting needle when you are ready to start a new knitting project.

How To: Make a Yamaha papercraft motorcycle YZR-M1

Learn how to make your very own Japanese Yamaha paper craft motorcycle YZR-M1! These easy-to-follow instructional paper craft video clips explain everything from basic paper craft techniques and how to make major parts of the realistic paper crafts, right up to the final assembly of your Yamaha motorcycle YZR-M1. These paper craft videos are full of useful tips for efficient construction and superb finish! Watch it, and you'll want to make a realistic paper craft motorcycle yourself!

How To: Weld figurines

Watch this instructional metalsmithing video to weld a set of figurines out of sheet metal, nails, and a coat hanger. Oxy-acetylene welding is the only gas flame type of welding that is hot enough to melt all commercial metals. Use 22 gauge sheet metal to make clean and safe metalwork. Use a plasma cutter to quickly cut out the basic pieces. You can also use a blacksmithing hammer to bend the metal into unique props fpr your metal figurines.

How To: Crochet a galaxy or snowflake stitch

Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet a galaxy stitch. This crochet method creates an intricate snowflake pattern. Use any type of thread and crochet needle to complete this project. This galaxy or snowflake pattern creates a complex crochet weave for warm yet breathable blankets, sweaters and winter caps.

How To: Use Cuttlebug Dies and Embossing Folders with Sizzix

While embossing machines are marketed to be used brand specifically, all those Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders are completely compatible with a Sizzix Big Kick embossing machine. Make the most of your stamping materials without having to purchase to much of everything. Watch this video crafting tutorial and learn how to use Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders to make die cuts with a Sizzix Big Kick.

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: Finish irregular quilt edges

This tutorial demonstrates how to finish your quilt that has irregular edges using a facing instead of binding. Review this quilting instructional video to quilt a complex border finish. The facing method allows you to avoid mitering every corner.

How To: Bind fabric on a quilt

This quilting tutorial demonstrates how to easily join the ends of your quilt binding so that no one can tell the last seam from any other. Review this step by step process to avoid future difficulty when joining binding strips on your quilt. You don't need a ruler and you don't need to do a lot of measuring to try this quilting trick.

How To: Start a crochet blanket

Watch this instructional crochet video to start a crochet blanket. Begin with a loose chain until you've reached the desired length. The process of changing rows is one of the most difficult tasks when starting a crochet blanket. Follow these clear guidelines to avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

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: Sew custom welt cording

Add decorative touches to your home by learning how to sew. This sewing how-to video teaches you how to sew custom welt cord. You can use welt cording to decorate pillows, window treatments, or to decorate a seam. Watch and learn how easy it is to use around your home.

How To: Fold a prize-winning origami SST paper airplane

To make this origami SST paper airplane, begin with a square. The origami SST (supersonic transport) was designed by Dr. James Sakota. The plane was first featured in the 1960's book The Great International Paper Airplane Book, a documentation of the Scientific American first International Paper Airplane Competition. It won first place for origami/nonprofessional. This plane flies excellently in a fast, long distance glide! Learn how to make the origami SST paper airplane by watching this ins...

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: Fold a JKF-117A Nighthawk paper airplane

This video origami tutorial shows how to fold and craft a JKF-117A Nighthawk paper airplane. Never throw a boring paper airplane again. Learn to fold the JKF-117A Nighthawk paper airplane, a look alike of the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth fighter by watching this instructional video.

How To: Origami Manpei Arai's spinning top

This video demonstrates how to fold the origami model "Spinning Top" that Manpei Arai designed. Learn how to use the traditional Japanese art of origami to fold a spinning top. This is a great origami project that's not just fun to make, but fun to use.

How To: Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball

This video crocheting tutorial follows a pattern to make a small ball. It not only illustrates how to follow pattern directions, but it also shows how to use stitch markers, right vs. wrong side, stuffing, and binding off. Learn how to crochet in the Japanese amigurumi style by watching this instructional video. Crochet a Japanese amigurumi ball.