Archive for the ‘Hobbies’ Category

Information on Art Casting and Types of Art Casting

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
arts and crafts
Kent Kelin asked:


Art casting is one form of excellence, put with diverse craft skills. It should be perfect and graceful at the same time. One should have unique craft skills which can produce a perfect art casting. There are several websites which can provide a person with information on art casting technique, their sculptors and the craft skills which are required to be a sculptor.

The websites that showcases the Art founders combines to provide advanced foundry techniques and similar superb craft skills. One can thus understand the sculptor’s needs and vision after viewing the art form. Previously, such sculptors were used in museums, galleries and exhibitions. Even today, at large the sculptors are used in public places, galleries and such art casting are made out of modern equipments and casting techniques.

Types of art casting: There are many types and kinds of art casting. Wax art casting, sand art casting, lost wax casting and many more. These websites that offer a client the art casting images and its services, offers concept design, Marquette works and enlargement of certain sculptors. The creative department has created new work for their clients and have provided enlargement of the miniature sculptures.

Typically, an assignment would begin with the concept stage and wherein the creative department makes drawings for approval. After this, a Marquette is done and the scaling procedure is done to work up the required size and alignment of the sculpture. Such work undertaken is done under one roof with involvement of clients who accompany in decision making of the design, creating stage and also through out the casting and finishing of the sculpture. These websites provide their clients with full installation service and with delivery of the sculpture to other countries.

Lost Wax process: Most of the art casting of lost wax is processed by use of lost wax ceramic method of casting. This can make it a possibility of reproduction of maximum detail from original concept. Such facilities can make the sculptors to keep the original core in mold and allow the production of the largest wax in the country. A perfect cast is very much demanded by the clients. Smaller works like the abstract works, animal figures and many more are designed on such department. These wax shops are bright with daylight bulb.

Sand casting art form: The art casting shops which focus on making sand sculptures use sand pieces and they make sure that there are deep undercuts on the making process. The team which undertakes the process are experienced and they strive to create some of the magnificent works that ranges from life size horses to full sized boats and such letter signs. A lot of the works with right to sand casting provide great dimensional stability and less reduction of metal.

Strengths of the art casting work shops: One of the key strength of the casting shop is the depth of skill set and experience in the department. The Bronze one’s are collected and finished by master craftsmen. The final touch to the sculpture is of coloring it and patination of the work which is important part of the whole art casting process. These workshops provide lots of patinas and colors which a client may require right from traditional browns and green to blue, white, black and red color.



Sally

Craft Magazines

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
arts and crafts
Diane Palmer asked:


If arts and crafts are your passion, and/or your business, then sometimes you need to get inspired with new ideas.

I don’t mean go to shows and copy something else, but just take a look at what is out there and it will quite often spark an idea.

Go to craft shows out of town, fall fairs, and especially crafts magazines. It can happen to even the most creative person, you just get stuck in a rut of making the same things every year, and you want to freshen everything up, try something new!

If you go to the magazine section of any store, you will literally find a magazine for every possible subject, but in the craft section, there are quite a few, scan through, see what others are making, and what will usually happen, if you are a creative person, something will spark an idea.

It quite often has nothing to do with the project you see, just something about it sparks another idea. You need visual stimulation to get the imagination going, get the creative juices flowing. Since painting and sewing are my passion, I subscribe to craft magazines with these subjects, for ideas, they also introduce me to new products, such as new paints, new fabrics, new paint brushes… things that light that light bulb in your head!.. and ideas just start flowing so fast, you need to write them down!

So, get yourself some craft magazines, subscribe to make life easier and its like Christmas when they come in the mail.. I can’t wait for each new issue, to see what I can come with for this years crafts, and if you are really original and creative, maybe look into putting your creation in the magazine. They are usually looking for fresh ideas, you may make some money that way!

craft magazines



Stacy

How to Make Vintage Crafts Using Vintage Fabrics

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
arts and crafts
Diane Palmer asked:


If you are looking for something different to make, and also want to recycle, then why not try some vintage crafts?… using vintage fabrics

Look at home through that trunk of old clothes, or bedspreads, or even tablecloths, and get that imagination going!

Clean the fabric gently, or have it dry cleaned if you prefer. Take apart the seams of the old clothes and then match the amount of fabric to a pattern you may have for a doll, stuffed animal, pillows or other accessories, your imagination is your limit!. If there is not enough for a project, then match it up with some other contrasting or similar fabrics..

This is a great way to display or show off some of that fabric from old clothes you remember on yourself, or even your grandma!.. If the material is delicate, but you want to still show it off, then make it into doll clothes for a “display doll”.. what a great way to remember old times… Vintage fabrics do not need to be reserved for quilts only! try other ideas!.

If you don’t have a trunk of old clothes or fabrics, then why not check the local antique stores, or at rummage and garage sales. You quite often find things like old chenille bed spreads that are worn in spots, and just end up in a corner somewhere, these make great soft stuffies for that special child, and with the bright colors from the 70‘s they look very cool and retro!

If you sell crafts at craft shows, this is a great way to advertise that you recycle, and there are some great patterned fabrics from years ago, that you just don’t see now. So, don’t let those old clothes disintegrate in some trunk somewhere, if you can’t wear them again, then turn them into something special!

vintage fabrics



Alma

Card Making Crafts

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
arts and crafts
Neil Parnham asked:


Card Making

To become a good card making expert you need to have a creative and patient nature, it is a very precise art to undertake, below please find some tips. http://www.diyconservatories-and-windows.co.uk/

Tips:

• Keep scare cuttings from newspapers, magazines, crap paper etc, these will come in useful when you decide to start making cards, for example, you could get a lot of kitten and animal photos that could be cut out for the use of card making.

• Try to collect cut out punches so that you always have them at hand if you wish to create a certain shape, you can find the best deals on websites online or if you go to card boot sales, there are often craft stores which offer a huge saving on RRP rates.

• Always write down the plan of your card before you make it, this can avoid the mistakes usually made without planning, you are also able to be more creative with your designs and get the items needed to complete it.

• Get specialist plastic bags to place your cards within once drying to ensure that none of the items fall off your card, these can also be helpful if you plan to sell your cards, this will keep them safe and dust free.

• You get items such as flowers quite a lot, these can be useful, dry them out and then you will be able to use them within your card designs and make them look good.

• Get sticky sheets to ensure that you are able to create 3d effects with your images, as well as have the sticky tabs it is best to have something to go around the edges such as glitter to make it look flashier.

• Try to theme your cards if you aren’t planning on selling them, for example one of your relatives or someone in your family may be interested in a certain film, you could print off a picture and then get an embossing kit to make the image more 3d.

• Try to alternate between shapes with cards such as curvy tops to make it more presentable to the public if they are to be sold.

• Birthday Cards – for young people these should be colourful for example orange and pink is a good colour for birthday cards, or for older people light blues and purples are good colours.

• Valentines Cards – Obviously red is a good colour for love, to go with red you could use white or pink, also I find black is a good colour to contrast with the red.

• Christmas Cards – These usually use pastel colours to make it more calming.

http://www.diyconservatories-and-windows.co.uk/



Natalie

Crafting Games

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
arts and crafts
Stephanie Peeden asked:


Are you planning to host or attend a family get-together this year? I’m sure you probably are. It may consist of a dinner and some gift exchanging. That is an ideal way to end the night, sure! What about earlier that day? Ok, Realistically, this may not happen, but wouldn’t it be nice to plan a game or something that could involve everyone?, or maybe just the children while the adults look on?

This is not an easy feat nowadays, especially if you have family who would live far away. If you could though, you would more than likely find this is a joyful way to bring the family closer, while making a few good memories at the same time. It could be a board game, maybe a “treasure hunt”, it may even be a competition style event. (Carefully planned not to have any losers!)

Whatever the activity, It seems like it would be more sincere if it was created by you, or everyone helping. Using a little imagination can ensure that this is something that belongs to you and your family. No one else can take it from you, so it brings you closer. This is what it should be exactlly. It’s doesn’t have be so involved that it would sell on the market. No, actually the simpler it is to craft or come up with, the more fun you will have when it’s set in to action!

Remember what the season makes you remember about “the old days”, and share it with the “new” gathering. There is a country song that says, “Let’s make some good old days tonight”. That is what I’m writing about, in a nutshell. -Stephanie

Copywright, October 2006

You can find other great projects by going to Stephanie’s web-site http://stephshomeprojects.com

Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom who experiments with arts and craft projects quite often. She likes to say that “What you can come up with is only limited by your imagination, but sometimes you need a little assistance.” :)



Ernest

Kid Crafts: Beading for Beginners Part I

Saturday, October 18th, 2008
arts and crafts
Marcel Vigh asked:


Three or four years ago, I was a bead fanatic. I loved beading and I made bead animals all the time. After I had completed more than hundred bead animals and creatures, I gave it up. I got bored with. A few weeks ago, it came to my mind and I decided to start beading again. After I’ve made some animals, I noticed that I still love beading.

It’s just fantastic!

So, let’s get started!

First, you’ll need:



beads

wire (or nylon fishing line)

pattern

By the way, what do you use, wire or nylon fishing line? Formerly, I used fishing line, because I found it easier to use. And it’s easier to use indeed, because its end won’t kink. However, it has no definite shape. The animal won’t stand on its feet. The wired animals will stand. You can bend them as you like. And it’s a great advantage! So, I would suggest the wire, but very thin wire.

Important

if you’re making an animal that has to be round, 3D or plump (like a penguin), always use nylon fishing line, because the wire will be almost completely flat.

I have a good example to prove this:

Once, I decided to make a bead owl, which was rounded on the example picture.

After I finished it (using wire), it looked like a bat and not an owl. It was completely flat.

I was very angry and I scolded the book. Later, I read the text beside the owl which said, that use nylon fishing line.

The next day, I made the owl again, using nylon fishing line. When I finished, it looked like exactly on the picture. It was fully round.

So, use fishing line for rounded and 3D animals.

And what about beads? I’ve been using seed (small) beads for the body of the animals since I started beading. There are also long beads (I don’t know the proper name), use them for wings and sometimes for legs.

Seed Beads:

These are the basic beads that we use for beading. They usually make up the body of an animal. Nowadays, you can buy them in whatever color, size and shape you want. I use quiet small (I don’t know the exact size) and round seed beads.

Bigger Beads:

These are much bigger than the seed beads. I usually use them for the eyes of an animal. However, use them whenever you want to highlight something.

Long Beads:

The size of the long beads is between the seed beads and the ‘bigger beads’. I use them for wings, legs and sometimes for some other parts of the animal’s body.

So, in the next part, I’m going to write about the basic beading techniques.

To learn more about it click here!

For other kid craft ideas visit: Marcel’s Kid Crafts.com



Mildred

Holiday Arts and Craft On a Budget

Thursday, September 25th, 2008
arts and crafts
Stephanie Peeden asked:


The best time for arts and craft projects comes at the end of the year. The spirit starts to drill into everyone around Halloween, working steadily through Thanksgiving, and climaxes with Christmas. It’s this time that we care more for those heart-felt gifts, since we’ve been pretty busy to ourselves the rest of the year.

However, you do not need to break the bank for a warm gift to give someone, as many of us already know. There are always things in the realm of “cute” and “darling”, that can give a wonderful impression to our family and friends.

Halloween can be an easy time to grab a smile from someone with a “Ghost Pop”. All you need is a small lollipop with a wrapper, a sheet of tissue paper, and a small rubberband. (see where this is going? :)

Place the tissue paper over and around the lollipop, wrap the rubberband around the base several times, and then draw your “ghostly” face on the pop with a permanent maker. (Careful though, the marker’s ink will spread quickly, just a few dots is usually good enough.) This is an easy, fun, very cheap craft for the holiday, and best of all, the receiver of this gift has a nice snack also!

Thanksgiving is a tough time to give due attention to a nice craft, since Christmas season is starting to wind-up in everyone’s mind. Give it a little effort though, and you can have something to decorate your home with for many years to come. I think a good one is to take a small scrap sheet of treated wood, (wood that has been treated to withstand the elements of the outdoors. A piece about 2 to 3 feet is nice), draw a cartoon-like turkey on it, and then cut or have it cut around the border of your turkey. Then, “color” your turkey by painting it. With a small stake nailed to the back of it, you have a wonderful yard decoration for all to see! (Putting the date, and artist’s name on the back could make it a nice “heirloom” also, if you use a good piece of wood that will last.)

Christmas is the time when stores are packed with shoppers, Stay at home one day and make a few gifts of your own. You may be surprised at what you can come up with! Take an old seasonal dish towel, the kind that have a decoration for the holiday, and an embroidery hoop. (The hoop can be purchased fairly cheap at places like Wal-mart.) Stretch the towel over the hoop and clamp it. Cut the edge of the towel off, and wa-la!, a thought-ful kitchen decoration for someone! (Actually, it would look nice anywhere in the home or even at work for some people.)

Whatever kind of crafts you find yourself doing this year, make sure you are careful, and have FUN making and sharing your “gifts from the heart”. Tis the Season! -Stephanie

Copywright, October 2006

You can find other great projects by going to Stephanie’s web-site http://stephshomeprojects.com

Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom who experiments with arts and craft projects quite often. She likes to say that “What you can come up with is only limited by your imagination, but sometimes you need a little assistance.” :)



Lillie

365 Kindergarten Crafts for your Kindergartner

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
arts and crafts
Tonya Taylor asked:


I have 2 children. One is in Kindergarten and the other doesn’t start until Next year. I enjoy spending time with my kids making short easy crafts. As long as it’s messy, they’re going to have fun! It’s always more fun when we can get dad involved! It’s not an easy task finding crafts for a kindergärtner. I’ve searched for Kindergarten crafts many times and I find one or two here and there. Even my children are tired of making the same crafts over and over!

Until recently, I did my search and I found an e-book with 365 Kindergarten Crafts! This e-book has crafts for every occasion! No more wasting my time sifting through websites trying to find crafts to keep my children busy.

The best part of 365 Kindergarten Crafts e-book is that it’s not your usual book with just a list of possible crafts. This children’s e-book includes step-by-step instructions on making the crafts! I was worried at first that I was just going to buy something with a long list of crafts to make, but I was wrong. This e-book is absolutely incredible.

You’ll spark you’re child’s imagination with the wide variety of crafts that are included in this Kindergarten crafts e-book. There’s nothing like the sparkle in your children’s eyes as they finish that little project and show you their completed task! It will bring a smile to your face every time! (Lasting all the way through the clean up process!)

If you’re looking for a way to spend quality time with your kids, I’d encourage you to consider making crafts. It’s the perfect “bonding” time with mom or dad! Especially when it’s a bad weather day and they’re going stir crazy from being indoors all day long. With this craft e-book, you’ll never run out of crafts and with the ideas included within, there’s no boundaries to how many crafts you can make!



Bobby

Keep Crafting Alive

Thursday, August 14th, 2008
arts and crafts
Stephanie Peeden asked:


Isn’t this a wonderful time of year? We are about to enter the “season of craziness”, and by that of course I mean, The stores will soon be decorated with winter wonder-land appearances, and that feeling in your heart gets a little bit warmer. If we can think back to those childhood memories, we can probably start to remember some kind, craft ideas to pass on to the next generations also.

The feeling of “home” is often the way I like to describe it, but it goes beyond that. We should really focus now, on making sure that this does not become a lost art. Commercial use of the season can make you lazy and jaded from “doing things yourself”, or “taking the time to make it from scratch”, but do not let yourself forget the priceless memories that can come attached with taking the rougher road.

What are children or grandchildren going to remember years from now about spending a little time with you around the holiday season? Will it be the “fight for the furry, red doll that you tickle?” (You know the one!), the mad dash around the stores, trying to affordably fit everyone in? In some cases, this is fine. Just make sure that they are not the “only” memories they have!

Even if it was something as simple as making snow-cream with your parents or grandparents, Can you remember it? It sticks out like a sore thumb, because it’s warm and happy. It makes you feel a little friendlier, and it may remind you of someone very special that you love that’s not with us now. It’s certainly not a tradition that you want to let fall through the cracks of time!

I now challenge you to think of at least the ten most important people in your life, and think of a nice craft (made by you) to give to them this year. It may be a traditional one that you have already planned, Great!, and if it includes the recipient helping to make it, Even Better! Try to start a few new traditions also, so that our future generations will have a little “extra” to remember about us. Let’s keep crafting alive! -Stephanie

Copywright, October 2006

You can find other great projects by going to Stephanie’s web-site http://stephshomeprojects.com

It is very important for “new” parents and grandparents to dig back into those memories, and help keep the spirit alive!



Minnie

Teen Wall Art Decor, Graffiti Canvas Art

Friday, July 25th, 2008
arts and crafts
Madeleine M Langlois asked:


Diy Teens Wall Art Decor Project, decorating projects ideas for teens.

Article by: Madeleine M Langlois

Miy Project: Teen wall art decor “Graffiti Paris Canvas Art”

My teenage son’s graffitilike text on paper and book covers gave me the idea of asking him to make an artwork peice for a decor exhibit I took part in. His contribution was the word Paris in graffitilike text done in pastels on a box-style canvas.

I wanted to share with other teens and mom with teens to encourage their teens in their art form, and that it can be acheive on many other surfaces besides walls.

Hands-on time: An hour or more, depending on detail.

Total time:Plus drying time for varnish.

Skill: this miy teen wall art decor project idea is of easy to moderate skill depending on the details.

Materials & Tools:

•Artist canvas (17.8 x 17.8 centimetres) 3D box-style

•Oil pastels in assorted colours (many brands available, try a few samples)

•Pencil

•Drawing paper and graphite paper

•Graffiti design

•Masking tape

•Permapaque artist markers by Sakura

•Grey and white eraser

•Cloth

•Workable fixative by Krylon

MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT ARTS AND CRAFTS STORES or on line.

MIY INSTRUCTIONS:Art is a great way to interact with teens and encourage self-expression and creativity.

Using a style they’re familiar with is even better. What’s essential with this project is that it is done in the same spirit as graffiti — free-flowing expression captured on canvas.

Art is a great way to interact with teens and encourage self-expression and creativity. Using a style they’re familiar with is even better. What’s essential with this project is that it is done in the same spirit as graffiti –free-flowing expression captured on canvas.

Preprimed canvas is ideal for graffitilike art. On paper, draw or write words (in our case it was the word Paris) to use as a template. With a pencil, draw the text on the canvas or transfer it onto the canvas using graphite paper. Cut out the word from the sheet of paper. Cut a piece of graphite paper in the same size. Put graphite paper under the cutout word and secure with masking tape. Use a pencil or pen to trace the design onto the canvas.

Colour the word or text in three or four colours of pastels, shading in areas around the edges of the letters. Use scrap pieces of paper to practice shading first, if preferred. Glide pastels smoothly onto the canvas and lift the tips as soon as the lines are finished. You can use a cloth or your fingers to blend the colours. Use a wide marker for the outlines. Add a colour border around the letters.

The background is left white. Use the grey part of eraser to remove pencil, graphite lines or pastel smudges.To protect the artwork from dust and smudges, spray on fixative in a side-to-side motion. It fixes the pastels without leaving a glossy finish. Several coats can be applied. Let dry between each coat.

Variations: Use different sizes of canvases to let your teen create his or her mini art gallery. Larger canvases placed side by side have impact. Smaller canvases are perfect for personalized tags. For younger children, create a montage to add colour to a bare wall. Paint several canvases, each in a different solid colour: yellow, blue, green, etc. Then let children doodle on them, using pastels in assorted bright colours. Thick wax crayons or washable markers can also be used. This is a great activity for a birthday party.If your teen wants to do larger frames with spray paints, be sure they work in a well-ventilated area and wear a protective mask. Spray paint fumes are toxic.

Copyright Miy Decorations © 2006

For more Miy decor projects visit www.maddylane-decor.com



Ricardo