Crafts-Hobbies

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1
Jul 11

Clay Art Dinnerware is Easy to Make!

Anybody can just walk into the kitchen section of a department store and buy eight-place China settings, but there’s not a whole lot of creative satisfaction in doing that. You can fulfill your artistic yearnings and delight your family and guests by making your own clay art dinnerware yourself. If you don’t already have experience in making ceramics then you might like to try practicing on smaller items in the beginning, then work your way up to a complete service for eight. You can obtain all the supplies you need at your local ceramics craft shop, or order online. You will need clay of your choice, paint and non-toxic, lead-free glazes, paint brushes, a kiln or pottery oven (if you don’t own one you can probably find one locally at a craft school) and molds and shapes.

First choose your medium. There are lots of types of clay available, and your taste will determine whether to choose stoneware, earthenware, or porcelain clays, all of which are fine for making clay art plates. While plates can be hand-thrown on a potters wheel, this requires advanced skill and access to a wheel so for beginners it is easier to roll the clay out with a rolling pin to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then lay a paper pattern over the clay slab and cut it out with a knife. Remember that dinner plates don’t have to be circular. You can make oval, square, or rectangular plates – follow your fancy! You can etch designs in the wet clay with clay crafting tools, or even a toothpick or you can press found objects such as leaves, lace, or doilies into the clay surface to give it an attractive pattern. If you want to give your plates a slight curve (or if you are making bowls), drape molds or slump molds can be used to give your plates identical curvature. After cutting the plates from the slab lay them over the drape mold or inside the slump mold until they are leather-hard then remove them from the mold, smooth the edges with a damp sponge, and allow to dry completely.

There is a wide variety of different non-toxic, lead-free glazes available which will allow your creativity to go wild! Ask your ceramic crafts supplier which glazes are suitable for serving food for the clay you have chosen (since different clays and glazes are fired at different temperatures). Clay art plates made of stoneware clay are heavier and are fired at higher temperatures than fragile and delicate porcelain, which is fired at low temperatures and is more liable to cracking. Usually dinnerware is fired twice -the first time with an underglaze on which designs can be painted with an overglaze. You can make freehand designs which express your individuality or use stencils to make identically designed plates. If you don’t have a kiln of your own, you can probably find one locally through your ceramic crafts supplier. Remember that hand-made ceramic plates should be washed by hand (not in the dishwasher) and dried immediately.

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30
Jun 11

Beginner Quilting Tip – Instruction For Beginners For Quilting

Given a chance anybody and everybody would love the idea of having a nap in a warm quilt so why not try making one yourself. Colors are many and materials are like inviting, and by the time you have made one for yourself you shall be happier in more than one way.

First and foremost, those who are beginners and have little knowledge of the techniques involved it is highly recommend that few basic principles or instructions be taken into account so that the process of making a quilt is an experience worth remembering.

1. MAKE IT SIMPLE:

Simplicity can do wonders with your work. Pick a simple design; take cotton, as fabric, cotton threads and material of primary quilt type would vastly improve the rate at which a beginner could grasp the method of making one.

Starters can choose either a simple block design or a bargello design would be ideal this purpose. A fancy and intricate design such as yoyo quilts is something that you try after gaining acquaintance with quilt making. Start with 3-4-color combination and then color mixture can be infinite.

2. DO PREWASH FABRIC:

Prewashing is like – essential. It just makes sure that you do away with fabrics that can later shrink or fabric color possibly fading off. Prewashing allows you to eliminate fabrics that shrink or fade color on washing.

In that case look for prewashed materials. Another important, you should make sure to let the material be completely dried up and ironed out before you kick start the process of cutting the fabric and giving it shape. Material like linens and cottons should prewashed in particular.

3. THE PATTERN CHOICE:

To get your quilt making process of to a hassle free start use simple patterns coupled with a quilt type that supports your simple idea. Again simplicity will help to complete this process easily, although intricate designs have a more appealing ambiance.

As it stands you shall be better off keeping away from trying to make something and ending up with not finishing it at all, the mantra is keep it simple and let that be beautiful.

4. QUILTING STEPS:

Wanting to start is one thing and knowing how to start is all together different propositions, understanding the steps well is therefore a necessity. There are 4 steps involved in quilting basically – layering, binding, piecing, and quilting.

Did you have an idea that quilts are sewed from the middle to outside? The main step is piecing. This forms the top most layer which is the determining pattern. Various parts of fabrics are first put in place and then carefully stitched cohesively to create a predetermined design.

What is a layer? Well making 3 layers joined together is layering, namely top, the underlining and the batting layer. The whole process of quilting requires the stitching of 3 different layers into one single block/piece.

Different methods of stitching can be applied here. Binding is the final step. By binding we mean giving the concluding touch to the quilt, make a nice border to conceal the ragged fabric edges.

Now that you know the requirements as well as the preliminary procedure to build you lovely own quilt I am sure you would like to buy the material and enjoy the experience.

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30
Jun 11

Accepting Nature When Birding

Flip on a program on the natural world and you would swear that tigers and water buffalo sleep curled up together at nice in peaceful bliss. Unfortunately, the natural world doesn’t really work this way and you need to keep this in mind when birding.

Getting out into the wild is a good move for just about anyone. It can give you a break from the rat race and some fresh air never hurt anyone. All that being said, the natural world is both a beautiful place and a WILD place.

Far too many nature lovers would have you believe that we are destroying the world and should be kinder to animals. Well, they are right for the most part. Still, it is important to grasp that fact that nature isn’t always a nice place. It is a place of predators and prey. It is a place of unfortunate events. This is just the way nature is, so you need to accept it.

When birding, you may see some things that cause you some distress. There are predators in the bird kingdom. The come in the form of bigger and badder bird species higher on the food chain. They also come in the form of predators on the ground that find nests and such. Inevitably, you will see a predator find prey and,…well…do what predators do to prey.

At this point, you may develop a strong urge to take action or it may just upset you to know end. You should try to pull back and realize the natural world is a dog eat dog place. Interfering in a situation is just that…interfering. If it really bothers you, it is probably better to call it a day and walk away then to take action.

I once watched a show on hypos in Africa. A part of the show was devoted to a mother hippo and her babe. Everything was blissful and cute. Then one of the other male hippos became territorial and essentially hunted the baby hippo and killed it. Despite having spent time in the wild, I was furious. I couldn’t sleep I was so angry. In short, it makes me a bit of a hypocrite to write this article, but it also means I know how you feel and that you just have to deal with it.

The natural world is going to exist and things are going to happen whether you are okay with it or not. Try to recognize the amazing circle of life and don’t let it get you down.

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29
Jun 11

French Pottery and Porcelain

As in the other arts, after the introduction of the Renaissance, France imitated Italy in the making of pottery and porcelain, but native talent soon asserted itself and a truly French character became noticeable.

The earliest of the famous French potters was Bernard Palissy (1510-1502), a great designer and painter on glass who first made pottery in imitation of metal work and later originated designs in fantastic and grotesque forms, using reptiles, masks, leaves, (flowers, fossil shells and other rustic forms which were modeled in relief on plates, pitchers and useful articles.

He spent many years of his life in discovering and improving enamel which he considered a satisfactory coating for the rustic pottery which was so remarkably modeled. This pottery is very rare and only found in museums. It is often found to be reminiscent of the design of early wood burning fireplaces.

Italian majolica was first introduced into France about 1692, and reproductions of it were known as French faience. In the city of Nevers the Italian pottery was indifferently copied, and gradually Persian and other Near Eastern influences were seen in the decorative motifs. Another locality of early faience was in the city of Rouen, where manufacturing was started about 1644.

The faience made in this city became more delicate and refined in quality and also in the character of the designs used. Many of the designs for platters were arranged in a graceful radiating pattern of small blue, green or yellow flowers on a cream background. We also find arabesque, Lambrequin, cornucopia and sheath and arrow patterns. Rouen pottery had a great influence in the popularizing of this material for household use.

During the latter part of the 18th century, faience was also made at Mousliers, Marseilles. Sceaux. Strasbourg, and St. Cloud, all of which reflected the decorative designs of the day, particularly in the naturalistic flower patterns rendered in the Louis XVI manner. The supreme effort of the French porcelain makers, however, was centered in the factory of Sevres situated on the outskirts of Paris.

This factory received financial support from the French kings beginning about 1756 under the reign of Louis XV. To thoroughly appreciate Sevres porcelain, we must think for a moment of the glorious days of the court life of France. It was Madame de Pompadour, the favorite of the King, who assisted so much in producing its brilliant results.

It was she also who encouraged the artists and urged the chemists to experiment with various local clays which ultimately led to the discovery of kaolin in Germany, the missing element that was necessary to make true porcelain in Europe. After the discovery of this new material, the secret soon spread over all Europe, and. from this period on, we find that the production of pottery and soft-paste porcelain decreases and the making of true hard porcelain increases, which in turn made porcelain fireplace design ideas more feasible.

The designs and decorations on Sevres porcelains during the reign of Louis XV show the subtle curves that are seen in other contemporary forms of art. Delicate pastoral scenes in pastel shades and chinoiserie designs painted in miniature were framed in the most exquisite background colors of bleu du roi, turquoise, canary yellow, apple green, Rose Pompadour, and a profusion of gold. The Sevres factory is still in operation under French Government control, and is now introducing a great variety of porcelain forms in design and craftsmanship in a modern decorative character.

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28
Jun 11

Antique Singer Sewing Machines – What We Love About Them

Singer Corporation has produced innovative and quality machines for sewing over the years and even though there are a lot of newer models, some people still look for antique Singer Sewing Machines.

Models are generally considered antiques if they are produced before 1900. Machines that were built since that era are deemed vintage and for some reason they are valued by more crafters and quilters than by collectors.

Singer Corporation began manufacturing machines for sewing in 1851 and by 1856 they introduced a model that was so pricey and they had to come up with a payment plan so people can afford it. Over the years, this company has worked on providing quality and yet affordable machines to every household and business alike. The value of antique Singer Sewing Machines today in good condition can be appraised in the thousands of dollars and this is based on rarity instead of working condition. If you have recently bought a vintage machine and you want to verify the date of its manufacture, look for the serial number and call the Singer 1-800 number. These machines can often be found on yard sales, flea markets and estate sales with very low price tags but there are still several models that are highly sought after by collectors.

Antique Singer Sewing Machines have great features like traverse shuttle, eye-pointed straight needle, presser foot, overhanging arm, support table, slot for a roughened feed wheel, gear operation, treadle and lock stitching. The earliest Singer machines were supported on stands and they look considerable different than the newest models. In 1859, the company patented the lock-stitch vibrating shuttles. The cabinet housing for the sewing machines became so popular after 1900.

To receive the highest value possible with antique Singer Sewing Machines, they should be in good condition. By good condition, it doesn’t mean that they have to be in immaculate condition. Working machines are worth to collectors and some are even willing to pay thousands of dollars just to add to their collection.

The name Singer has become one of the most well-known machines for sewing around the globe. It’s the brand I always hear about when I was still a kid. Over the years, Singer has perfected its ways of inventing the first practical sewing machine of all times. Instead of a circular shuttle movement and a horizontally angled needle, the machine used a straight needle that worked vertically making it more convenient and easier for us to get the job done.

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28
Jun 11

The Authenticity of Civil War Reenactments

The authenticity of Civil War reenactments is of extreme importance to many Americans who regard them as an important means, not only of participating in an enjoyable activity, but also of keeping alive the history of the period.

Reenactments are carried out all over the USA by adults and children of all ages, and many, known as 憇titch counters?try to have every aspect as authentic as possible, even down to the number of stitches in the uniforms. In fact it is not restricted to the USA, though most take place in the Southern states for obvious reasons. There are Civil War groups in Canada, and even in the United Kingdom, where several reenactment groups are currently active.

There are different forms of reenactments, ranging from the completely orchestrated or choreographed, to free style battles where tactics are redrawn and the battles re fought, the winners not being known until the battle is over. The most common, however, are those that are true replays of the original battles, with sometimes thousands of participants fighting before spectators.

Authenticity ranges from the fore mentioned stitch counters to free-style dressers who fight in t-shirts and jeans, though most groups frown on this. The uniforms are generally as authentic as possible, and each unit generally has its own style of dress. If you are interested in taking part, you are best to find a unit to join before you think of what particular Civil War uniform to buy. Once you have joined you will be informed what kind of uniform you will require to fit in with the unit. That is much easier than purchasing a uniform than trying to find a unit that wears it!

Some reenactments are weekend affairs, with authentic social events being held the evening before the battles. The food and cooking techniques are also frequently authentic, as are the styles of dancing and dress worn by the men and women prior to kitting up for the battle. The weapons are fashioned in the authentic period design, and the North and South armies usually had their own style of weapons due to the styles of the different armorors used by the different sides.

However, weapons frequently changed hands in battle, and while authentic weapons are available, the guns, swords and sabres tended to be a little mixed by the time peace came. The Confederate weapon manufacturers often copied the designs of the Union army, though designs in Civil,War revolvers and sabres, for example, can still be purchased in the styles traditional for both sides.

In general you should aim for as high a degree of authenticity as you can find, or even afford, and many of the authentic antique artifacts used in actual battle are highly prized by those to whom Civil War reenactments are a way of life. It is often a matter of personal pride, when it comes to gatherings of different units, to be as authentic as possible with as many period possessions as you own on show.

This period of American history is very popular, probably due to the fact that Americans were fighting Americans, and the two styles of uniform were so different and distinctive. There were also a large number of fellow countrymen killed over a short period time, and the number of battles fought provide untold possibilities for reenactment. These are the same reasons for reenactments of the battles of the English Civil war also being popular.

There is more to this acivity than just acting out old battles. The social events are very diverse and popular, and people who take part seem to love dressing up in late 19th century fashions. Participants travel all over the country to take part, and many specialize in specific battles. Others are less fussy, and even join whatever side is the most short of soldiers. One week they might be a Union cavalryman and the next a Confederate foot soldier.

Civil War reenactments are extremely popular, and many regard them as an enjoyable way of keeping the history of the period alive. They not only provide a unique way to teach history, but also a way of life to many Americans seeking a social life with a bit of a difference and a hobby that they can enjoy all year round.

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27
Jun 11

Candle Making Wax – For Making Wax Candles

The growth in popularity that candle making has seen in recent years has had a very favourable flow on effect.?Suppliers have increased and improved their range of tools and materials needed for the hobby and since candle making wax is the main component of making wax candles, it is now better and more accessible and with greater variety than ever before.?/p>

Paraffin Candle Making Wax

This is the type of candle wax used for most candles.?It is refined from petroleum, is inexpensive and readily available.

Vegetable / Plant Based Candle Making Wax

Today we have some very popular plant based candle wax alternatives.?They are refined from plant or vegetable materials like palm, soy, or bayberry.?/p>

Soy based wax is becoming particularly popular.?Soy candle wax is processed from hydrogenated soybeans.?Soy candle wax is an eco-friendly and renewable resource. Most of the soybeans used are grown primarily in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois in the United States.

Palm based candle wax is also a natural and renewable resource, but has an environmental downside to it.?With the growing popularity of palm wax and other palm products, countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have been clearing substantial areas of rainforest for the growth of their palm plantations.?This has a devastating effect on ecosystems and populations of endangered species including the Rhinoceros, Orang-utan and Sumatran tiger.?Fortunately the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has founded the organization RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) to define and develop the best practices for the sustainable cultivation of palm plantations.?So please, when you shop for palm candle wax, try to ensure that it is from an eco-friendly source.

Animal Based Candle Making Wax

Another excellent choice and also growing rapidly in popularity is beeswax.?You have the choice of white or yellow beeswax and although it can be quite expensive, beeswax is well loved for its hardiness, its burning characteristics and it’s very pleasant fragrance.?/p>

Gel Candle Making Wax

Gel candles are a newer type of candles and also very popular.?Gel wax has a clear and rubbery consistency and comes in a choice of 3 densities.?The gel density needed for a candle making project depends on how much fragrance you intend using in the candle.

If you are making gel candles with a 0-3% fragrance load, you should use low density gel wax.?If you are planning a 3-5% fragrance load then use medium density.?And high density gel wax should be used for heavier fragrance loads.

The modern candle maker has many choices of candle making wax available to them.?While some candle makers have a favourite and stick to it, I personally suggest experimenting with all of them.?It may take some time to learn how to work with the different characters and qualities of the various types of candle wax, but once you do you will not only expand爐he range of candles you can create, but also the enjoyment you get in creating them.

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26
Jun 11

Kids Hand Sewing

What can kids sew by hand? Kids can start sewing by hand as early as 5-6. Even preschoolers can sew with a larger blunt needle such as one used for plastic canvas. Lacing cards or holes punched in a piece of heavy paper can also be used for preschool sewing projects.

Once kids get use to sewing with a larger needle you can introduce them to a normal sewing needle. They can practice with simple sewing projects. Sewing buttons is good practice for hand sewing. You don’t necessarily have to sew buttons on clothes. Using a scrap piece of material, practice sewing buttons on one at a time. When done you can cut the buttons off and save for another project.

Cut out a simple stuffed animal project by drawing a pattern on a piece of paper. Lay pattern on top of your material and cut two pieces out. Hand sew two pieces with right sides together. Leave one end open for stuffing. Turn right sides out and stuff. Sew opening closed. Sew on buttons for eyes or other scraps of material or felt to shape noses or mouths. Kids can get very creative when making stuffed animals.

Do you have some old socks laying around? Sewing sock puppets is a great kids sewing project. Cut out pieces of felt or material in the shape of eyes, nose, mouth, hair, ears, etc. Hand sew on your sock puppet. Let kids design whatever creatures or animals they can come up with while practicing hand sewing.

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25
Jun 11

How to Make Crepe Paper Flowers For Your Home

Making paper flowers for your home has lots of benefits. You can create your favorite flowers in your favorite colors even if those colored flowers do not exist in nature. Once you learn how to make crepe paper flowers for your home all your guests will envy you.

In this article we will look at how to make crepe paper flowers for your home. We will also look at some fabulous centerpieces you can make any time of the year or for a special occasion.

The most popular flower is the rose. It is a beautiful and delicate flower, each color has a special meaning and decorating your home with roses says you have a big heart, elegance and great taste. Let us learn a little more about the rose.

This flower in nature is readily available in red, pink, white, yellow as well as several hybrid colors. One benefit of making crepe paper roses is that they are missing those picky thorns. Roses are the perfect choice for home decor.

The rose is not the only loved flower. While it certainly holds on tight to its number one position there are a few other beloved flowers as well.

The carnation is another favorite of paper flower makers. Not only because it is quick and easy to make but it has its own meaning. It is also the oldest known flower to date! It is the official flower of Mothers day and has a beautiful meaning – “Flower of the Gods” and “Flower of Love” the carnation much like the rose comes in a variety of colors and the flowers and the different colors mean different things. The red carnation means love and affection. White carnations represent luck and purity. Pink carnations mean gratitude.

Now that you know what the two most popular flowers are you can decide for yourself which type of flowers you want to make for your home. Then decide if you want to make a centerpiece or a strand of flower garland or even place an arrangement in a potted plant holder and place it on your front porch.

An arrangement that I like and enjoy making uses both roses and carnations in a rainbow of colors. Then I simply alternate them in the flowers and colors and cut a few of the stems shorter to give the centerpiece a nice layered look. You can also use an assortment of greenery such as ivy and babies breath to add a touch of nature to the paper flowers. Adding a nice bow or ribbon in a neutral color will help enhance the colors of the flowers in the centerpiece and bring them more to life.

Learning how to make paper flowers for your home is an enjoyable pass time that will allow you to create beautiful floral masterpieces to decorate every room of your home and the outside of it as well if you choose too. There are so many flowers you can make with the help of a good book that you would never have to plant another flower garden again if you choose not too.

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25
Jun 11

An In Depth Analysis Into the Art of Dollhouse Furniture

Outdoor

Displaying a few outdoor furniture pieces makes your house even more appealing. Items such as patio furniture and porch swings distinguish your dollhouse from typical ones, and show the pride in details you take. Also, outdoor items accent the beautiful exterior you worked so hard to create.

Office and Library

A library or office in your house really helps you define the era to which your dollhouse belongs: some furniture items are extremely modern; others really capture a Victorian-era essence. This is also a room in which just a few accessories can go a long way: a sophisticated globe or a few revered books, for example. This room is an easy way to make your dollhouse look a little classier.

Wire

Do you want a design that is very intricate? When traditional materials do not lend themselves to a particular piece of furniture wire is used. In any case, you will see wire designs of furniture that would be very fragile with would perform magnificently with wire. Wire is most commonly found in wicker furniture, furniture accessories, or in outdoor dollhouse furniture.

White

If you are looking for a classical or popular color choice for your miniatures may we recommend going with white. White can be coordinated with any furniture type, room, flooring, or even wallpaper. White is easily maintained, cleaned, and restored.

Modern

There are many types and styles of miniatures and one of the newest designs is modern doll’s furniture. Modern dollhouse furniture is molded after contemporary designs. This style works well with any traditional or modern style dollhouse kit.

Wicker Design

Who would have thought that they actually make furniture with wicker? Traditional wicker furniture is made from vine, bamboo, or other such material. In much of the same way that it is made traditionally, wicker furniture is built with wire or very small wood strips. You will see wicker appear most commonly in the kitchen or outdoor sets.

Great Porcelain Dollhouse Furniture

What is the first thing that you think about when you think of porcelain? China, and that is because it was manufactured first in china around the 600s. It has been the material of choice for plates, potter, dishes, and “china”. Fortunately for the miniature enthusiast it also works extremely well with miniatures. Bathroom sets and miniature accessories are commonly the best place for miniature porcelain sets.

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