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How to Find the Perfect Gift for Craft-Lovers

Sep 102009

Image Courtesy of *PaysImaginaire*

Some people live to create. They love art, crafts and getting creative. Encourage their crafty habits with a great gift that is perfect for the craft-lover in your life.

Craft Magazine

Think about what your craft-lover is in to most. Is it knitting? Get them a subscription to Creative Knitting MagazineÂ (or pick yourÂ favorite issue for approx. $5.) Is it scrap booking that they love? Sign them up for a subscription to Creating Keepsakes MagazineÂ (or pick a single issue). If they like a little bit of everything try Craft Magazine which includes articles on weaving, sewing and even baking.

Organization Supplies

Whether it’s a ribbon organizer or a cute pin cushion, crafters always seem to need help getting their supplies in order. Pick out something that will not only be useful, but will also fit into their crafting space and design style.

Gift Card to a Craft Store

Help the craft-lover in your life feed their need for crafting with a gift card to a craft store. They’ll love getting to pick out new supplies so much they may even make you a little thank you gift.

Craft Classes

Sign them up at a local pottery studio or for a painting class– depending on where their talent lies. Some of the best gifts are experiences rather than things.

Supplies

The thing about being into crafts is that it often requires a lot of materials. And those supplies can get pricey. Pick them up some extra supplies that you know they’ll need.

Craft Book

Give them a source of inspiration with a craft book. There are plenty to choose from but a few to check out are “365 Easy Projects for Every Occasion“, “Super Crafty: Over 75 Amazing How-to Projects!“, or “Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts”

Photo Book Gift Card

Every craft-lover enjoys the finished product. Help them hold on to those milestones even if they sell or give their crafts away. Give them a gift card to create a photo book with a website like Shutterfly.com. That way they can publish their own custom book highlighting their work.

How to Wrap a Gift Without Using Wrapping Paper

Jul 022009

No Wrapping Paper? No Worries! photo courtesy of grabadonut

You’ve got a gift. You’ve got a box. Heck, you even have some tape, but you are fresh out of wrapping paper. Now is the time when your creativity can really be put to the test. Inspired by the “Nice Package” Flickr group, here are several ways to wrap a gift without using an inch of wrapping paper. But it will look so good no one will know the real reason your package turned out so unique.

Use wax paper. Head to your kitchen and grab a couple of sheets of wax paper. Using two layers will help keep the gift’s contents under wrap. Use some pretty ribbon or twine to complete the look.

Print some off the web. There are several cool designers offering printable wrapping paper. Even Martha Stewart has five different styles of wrapping paper designs available for free. Scrapbooks Etc. also offers up a bunch of brightly colored printable wrapping papers. Just download the file, click print and you’re good to go.

Head to your sewing stash and use leftover fabric. A lighter weave will make it easier to wrap. Coordinate the look with some thick ribbon to help hold it all together and a button in the center.

Pull newspaper out of the recycle bin. Give your gift an eco-friendly look by using newspaper or magazines.

Use paper, not plastic. If you’ve got grocery bags or shopping bags stashed in your pantry, creatively cut one up to make some heavy duty and eco-friendly wrapping paper.

Decorate the box. Skip the paper all together and find a way to decorate the box. Use stamps, stickers or your own drawing skills. It’ll be so pretty the recipient will forget about the lack of wrapping paper.

Give the Gift of the Domestic Diva

May 052009

This Mother’s Day, give the gift of the Domestic Diva herself, Martha Stewart.Â If your mother (or anyone else you know) is a fan of Martha Stewart, gift them one of the many products she sells or endorses, and it is sure to be a guaranteed hit.Â Here are a few ideas to help you out:

Magazine Subscription

The best way to give your mother the most up-to-date Martha Stewart crafts and ideas is with her magazine, Martha Stewart Living.Â

It’s an easy way to gift your mother and best of all, the year long subscription is a monthly reminder that you were thoughtful.

Martha Stewart’s Living Magazine costs approx. $28 (12 issues).

Books

ThereÂ is a vast array of books from the domestic diva to choose from.Â Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, gardening, weddings, and even organizing, the choices seem endless.

How to choose?Â Use Amazon’s Martha Stewart Store, to navigate and pick the best book for your mother.Â The fastest way to shop is by listing the bestsellers.

Martha Stewart Flowers

Martha Stewart’s own personal collection of vases, planters, and bowls provided the inspiration for the collection’s quintessential vase forms. Produced in ceramic, metal, and glass, these specially designed vases create lovely floral arrangements.

After the flowers are gone, she’ll have a keepsake vase, and she’ll always be ready when a gift of fresh flowers arrives.

Send flowers designed by Martha Stewart!

Martha Stewart Crafts

Martha Stewart Crafts has all you need for crafting projects.Â Available online or at your local Michael’s, Martha Stewart Crafts has everything you need for scrapbooking, wrapping, and entertainment & holiday crafting needs.Â

Kits are available and make great gifts for the beginning crafter or an excellent Mother’s Day gift.

The Martha Stewart Collection

Martha Stewart Ebony Lacquer Table Lamp

The Martha Stewart Collection is a product line of over 2,ooo items available on Amazon or at Macy’s.Â Of the many things Martha Stewart has endorsed, Martha Stewart has personally overviewed this product line and it has been a huge success.Â

The Martha Stewart Collection ranges from kitchen to bed & bath products, all with the simplistic and practical design Martha Stewart has preached and practiced in her TV shows, books, and in her real life.

Interview with Silvia Leite

Nov 222008

Felt Doll (Lilly) on LookMamaMadeIt.Etsy.com

I interviewed Ms. SÃlvia Leite, creator of handmade dolls and miniature play food on LookMamaMadeIt.Etsy.com. I asked her a few questions about her creations and the work she puts into her craft.

What made you start creating children’s toys and accessories?

To tell you the truth, this is something I wanted to do since my early childhood. I simply can’t get tired of small scale objects. I started to make my own toys when I was about my daughter’s age (she is 6). I used to build large mansions with furniture made from cardstock and homemade glue, and to populate them with happy families of paper dolls. I also sewed, knitted and crocheted for my dolls. My deep love for miniatures lead me to unwillingly kill two innocent bonsai trees, and also made me want to become an architect. I gave up this project when I understood that what I really wanted was to build 3D models and maquette- and that is not what architects do.

Latter in life, and even though I was able to follow another dream of mine (taking a degree in Art History), I found myself doing repetitive, administrative work, and forgot all about toys and miniatures. Till the day when my daughter asked me to make her favorite doll a birthday cake!

Then, in the beginning of this year I had a little spare time in my hands (I was in between jobs) and decided to give it a try. I made my first felt cakes, cookies and dolls for my friends’ children, and they were the ones who encouraged me to start selling.

Miniature Birthday Cake on LookMamaMadeIt.Etsy.com

What is your inspiration for your creations?

My daughter was my first client, and the main cause and inspiration for everything I’ve created since her birth. A lot of the toys and accessories I make are also based in memories from my own childhood. Of course, this means I am particularly at ease with girl’s toys! I believe children should play with good quality, beautiful objects. I design my products to be visually appealing, pleasant to the touch, and easy to play with. They must have the right size, feel and weight for children’s hands, and to be stimulating and suggestive enough to encourage pretend play. Finally, everything is carefully and lovingly crafted, and tested in my home lab (my daughter’s playroom)!

What kind of materials do you use for your handmade toys and accessories?

I use mainly felt. Just love this material! I choose a high quality, rich wool blend felt that I can buy in a wide range of lovely colors. I always try to use non-allergenic, all-natural materials, and also use recycled materials when possible.

How long does it typically take to make one of your creations? Small (e.g. a cupcake) and large (e.g. a doll)?

Well, with a 6-year-old child and a full time job I have very little spare time to craft. I mostly craft at night, or on weekends, though I also need to take time for my family. I usually cut several pieces in one crafting session, then sew them all in another session, and then make all finishing in yet another day, so it is hard to answer this question. But if I had to make a doll in a single session I would need
at least 5 hours to finish it whereas one cupcake would take me about 1-2 hours.

Do you take into account customer feedback and suggestions when you start a new creation?

Yes, by all means. Clients can customize almost anything from my shop, and I am always glad to have special orders, because they help my work to evolve. Feedback is very important, since I really want my clients to be satisfied. My toys are conceived to make people happy.

What is next for SÃlvia Leite and her handmade children’s toys and accessories?

I don’t know. Maybe I should, but I am not really making plans. I love to craft, and would love to be able to do this full time, but the right moment hasn’t arrived yet. Anyway, a part of me likes to keep this business in small scale… like my toys. But I always have ideas for new products!

Tell me what you think of SÃlvia Leite’s handmade children’s toy and accessories. Please leave your comments and let me know if you enjoy handmade and handcrafted gifts.

How to Organize Ribbon for Wrapping Gifts

Oct 302008

Unorganized Ribbon. Photo courtesy of africankelli

Ribbon can be a beautiful addition to any package– but it can also make a huge mess. Is your ribbon sitting in a pile of unraveled spools? Keep your beautiful ribbon from becoming a tangled knot with these ideas for organizing your ribbon.

Wire Hanger

Store your ribbon neatly in a closet so you can grab the perfect color and the perfect amount any time you need it. Simply take a wire hanger, and untwist the top using a pair of needle-nose pliars. Thread your spools of ribbon through the wire so that they are resting in a line on the bottom of the hanger. Then, twist the wire back together. Now your ribbon is ready to go!

Shoe Box

A shoe box is a great way to keep ribbon easily accessible and completely organized. Line your ribbon spools up snugly in the bottom of a shoe box. Make sure they are all facing the same way. Now mark the side of the box with a pen so you know where to make holes for the ribbon to come out. Make one mark for each spool of ribbon. Cut small holes in the places you marked and thread your ribbon through. Put the lid of the box back on and lightly secure with tape or a rubber band. Any time you need ribbon just pull the right amount through the hole.

Storage Box

If you’re looking for a non-DIY way to organize ribbon, pick up a ribbon storage box like this one from Martha Stewart Crafts. It’s $16.99 and will hold several rolls of different sizes. This plastic storage box from CraftMates includes 17 removable dividers and costs $9.99.

Eight Ideas for Handmade Gifts

Sep 252008

photo courtesy of LollyKnit

Sometimes the best (and most affordable) gifts are made by hand. But if your creative juices just aren’t flowing or you need to jump start your inner-craftiness, try checking out some of these eight ideas for DIY gifts.

1. Miniature Books: At LostButtonStudios.com you’ll find step-by-step instructions along with printable templates for making your own miniature books. Use wrapping paper, junk mail or old calendars as the cover. They’re great for keeping little notes or writing down thoughts.

2. Cookie Mix in a Jar: Everyone loves freshly baked cookies, but sometimes by the time the gift arrives, those cookies aren’t so fresh. By making your own mix and packaging it in a cute jar, the receiver can have yummy cookies whenever they want. Check out this recipe from About.com.

3. Creative Coasters: Coasters are a great gift for a wide variety of people. Pick up cork coasters for just a buck or two and use this tutorial from Paper and Stitch to embellish them with your own creative flair.

4. Dog Clothes: If you like to sew, make a gift any pet lover would love: a jacket for Fido! Check out this free pattern from Circle of Crafters.

5. Salt Scrub: Make your own salt scrub by mixing Epsom salts and baby oil until it looks like very wet snow.Â Add aromatherapy oil to make it smell pretty. Package it in a creative way.

6. Storage Crate: Laura Gunn came up with a lovely way to transform ugly plastic crates into cool containers. Print off her instructions, pick up some fabric and get to work.

7. Cookbook: Create, organize, and store your recipes in your very own customizable cookbook with TasteBook. A hardcover, full-color book with tabbed chapters starts at just $19.95. Put in your favorite recipes and pass them on to friends and family.

8. Pin Cushion: This one is easy enough for kids to try. Using scrap fabric, a round container and a few other supplies, easily create a pin cushion and pin storage container that anybody (especially seamstresses) will love.

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Now, let’s talk! Have you tried any of these? Let us know your opinion! Leave a comment!

Beta Fish Plant Craft

Apr 082008

If you are like me, you love to do creative things and give them as gifts. I consider myself artsy and I have made this Beta Plant craft as gifts for many of my friends, who all loved it. It is so simple to do, and inexpensive. The items you are going to need are: 1 beta fish, a clear glass vase, a plastic cup or saucer (can be purchased at most garden stores), small decorative rocks or glass, a plant, beta food (tropical fish food) and 1 gallon of drinking water. The plant you choose can be peace lily, photos, or philodendrons.

Â Â Â Â 1st thing you do is choose a beta fish, I like to pick out the color of fish I want so I can match it with my plants and rocks. Once you get home with all your supplies, you need to clean the vase and rocks in water. You also need to clean the plant and the roots, you can do this with a water hose outside or in the sink once you have knocked off all excess dirt. After this is done, you will most likely have to split the plant into pieces to ensure a proper fit into the vase. So you could make more with the remaining halves of the plant, if you wanted.

Â Â Â Â Now all the cleaning is done, here comes the fun part. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the saucer. You need the hole big enough for the roots to fit through and still allow air into the bottom. Now place the roots through the hole in the saucer and place saucer into the neck of the vase to make sure it fits properly. If needed, for personal preference, you can trim the roots to make them look neater.

Â Â Â Â Carefully, remove the saucer with plant so you can finish up. Add about an inch and a half of rocks or glass to the bottom of the vase. Make sure your water is room temperature and add it to the vase, leave about an inch below the neck of the vase to provide air for the fish. Yes, beta’s are air breathers…imagine, that Thinking .

Â Â Â Â Gently pour the fish into the vase filled with water. I always give him some food now, just to keep him happy and calm from the move. You should only have to feed him once a week. Now, place the saucer with plant back into the neck of the vase. Check to make sure everything looks fine and there is enough room for the beta to swim around with the roots.

Â Â Â Â If you are happy with the way it all looks, add some rocks to the saucer to help keep the saucer and plant in place, and to make it look prettier Batting Eyelashes . Leave room for a small straw to poke through lid, to allow for feeding the beta. Now you are all done. Add ribbons or bows around the neck of the vase and you have your gift!

–image belongs toÂ www.prettypetalsplus.com