The Handicrafter

Acids are essential for our daily comfort, but when it comes to scrapbooking, there’s really nothing worse.  If you look at old scrapbooks or photo albums that your grandmother or even your mother made, you’ll notice a distinct “aged” look to the photos.  Most of that damage is not caused by time, it’s caused by acids. 

The best place to buy acid-free products is at a scrapbook store or scrapbook supply website, but that doesn’t mean everything you find there is acid free.  You need to learn to read labels.  There are certain label codes that mean a product is safe.  If the packaging is unclear, you can always ask the sales clerk or research the product online. 

If you’re unsure of a the acid level of paper, or just want to double check, you can test products on your own with a Ph pen.  They’re available at your local scrapbook store.  They are also great if you’re using products that aren’t pre-packaged for scrapbooking like greeting cards or wrapping paper.  For just a small investment, you’ll be saving precious memories.   

PH pens have chemicals in them that change color when you expose them to an acid.  Just write on a small piece of the material you want to test.  If it stays the same color, it’s safe.  If the material changes color, don’t use it.   

If papers are too dark to see the color change, just rub the paper onto a white sheet until some of the color comes off.  Then, test the white sheet with your pH pen.  The acid is usually in the ink, not the paper, so this should give you an accurate result. 

Everyone will tell you to use acid free paper, cardstock, and photo albums, but there are other hidden offenders that can do just as much damage to your memories if you don’t buy acid-free products. 

Glue.  Using a pH pen isn’t feasible for products like glue and other adhesives.  You should learn the tell-tale signs that there’s acid present in the product.  The first and easiest is, of course, by reading the package, but that’s not always helpful.  A safe glue should not have a strong distinct smell and should always dry clear. 

Page protectors.  These are another big acid offender.  While it may seem easier to just go buy regular protectors from the store, the very things you use to protect your photos may actually be destroying them.   

Ink.  Whether you’re keeping track of your photos by writing on the back or just journaling and adding details on the pages of your scrapbook, you need to use acid-free ink pens.  Also, remember to read the label on the ink cartridge for your printer(s) if you use your computer to help prepare your pages.

Storage boxes.  Whether you’re using boxes to store pictures that haven’t been used yet, or to store completed books, you should make sure that the boxes are acid free.  Acidic boxes can do just as much damage as putting pictures on acidic paper. 

While it may take a little extra time and money to find and buy acid-free products, the long term results will make it worth the effort.

Die, Die, My Darling - Scarab Scarlet

Nichole Jeske is the owner of Paw and Claw Designs.etsy.com.  Nichole creates a mix of many different types of jewellery from traditional earrings to fun, geeky necklaces for “one-of-a-kind people with one-of-a-kind taste”. Her shop, Paw and Claw Designs, is filled with necklaces made from 20-sided dice, stamped sheet metal earrings, wire and beaded pendants, and earrings.

There is definitely something for everyone can in her shop which has been open on Etsy since October of 2006. Paw and Claw Designs offers free shipping worldwide on all items.

When asked where she gets her inspiration from Nichole said, “I’m most often inspired more by the materials than anything. I’ll see a beautiful die, or notice a random bend in some scrap wire, and just run with it. I’m a bit of a ‘geek’ and I love to incorporate that into my work. Little elements, 20-sided dice, and other obscure pop culture references make me happy. Since making jewellery makes me happy, too, it was only natural to me to mix the two.”

“When you buy something I made, you are essentially buying a part of me. I would never sell something I was not 100% in love with. If I wouldn’t present it as a heartfelt gift to my best friends, you won’t see it in my shop. I pour my heart into every piece, and I think it shows in each and every item.”

Nichole was asked how she makes Twitter work for her and her shop and she replied: “I’m a HUGE fan of TwitterFeed. I have it set up to automatically tweet when I list an item in my Etsy shops, upload a new image to flickr, and post a new blog post on either of my blogs. Basically anything I can RSS gets put onto TwitterFeed. This frees me up to tweet about ME. The ‘promoting’ is automatic.”“On Twitter, everything has ‘been done’. I worry less about getting people to look at my shop and more about making friends.”

When asked how Nichole promotes her shop, she pointed to an Etsy forum thread where she outlines her daily, weekly, and monthly promotional plans. If you need some promo ideas, read this thread for some great information.

Paw and Claw Designs’ Special for this week:

Use the coupon code “Twitter” in “Notes to Seller” for an upgrade to free gift wrapping with every order.

Order and shipping deadlines for Valentine’s Day:

Domestic - February 6th;
International - January 31st

 Looking for a craft for a detail oriented child?  Does your child enjoy crafting?  Do they have an ability to focus and enjoy spending their time creating?  Cross stitching may be the perfect hobby. 

Even very young children can learn to cross stitch.  Children as young as seven have the ability to focus, have the eye hand coordination and the skills necessary to create fun and memorable projects.  When just beginning, depending on the age of your child and their skill and patience level, plastic canvas projects may be exactly what they need.  If they’re more advanced then perhaps a basic fabric pattern can be used to start.  Here are some of the basic supplies you’ll need to get started:

If you’re beginning with a plastic canvas:

o 7 or 5 count plastic canvas with fun pattern

o Brightly coloured yarn

o Large needles designed for children and plastic canvas projects

o Scissors

If you’re beginning with a fabric canvas:

o 7 or 11 count Aida cloth (the cloth designed for cross stitch with the little X’s on them.)

o 3″ plastic hoop

o Size 22 tapestry needle is recommended because it has a blunt end.

o Brightly coloured floss

o Easy beginner pattern.  There are a ton of beginner patterns designed specifically for children’s small hands. Bugs, animals, letters, and other large patterns with only two or three colors are a great way to start.

When teaching young children it’s best to begin with a short time limit in mind so that they’re not overwhelmed with the project or become frustrated.  Additionally, a short time limit will help them stay focused. 

Start with a basic lesson on how to hold the fabric, how to position the hoop, and how to thread a needle.  Quite likely that may be enough for a first lesson!  If they’re still interested in continuing, demonstrate the cross stitching process either by stitching a few rows yourself or showing them a completed row.  You may want to have them practice the basic stitch on a blank canvas and let them complete a row or two before they begin on their personal projects.

Teach in a room that is quiet, comfortable and free from distractions.  For many, part of the joy of cross stitching, and many other crafts or arts, is the almost meditative quality of the work.  If you’re teaching cross stitching in the middle of a busy and noisy room, they may miss out on that aspect and they may have difficulty focusing.  Sharing your joy of crafting and cross stitching with your child can be a wonderful way to connect, to spend time together, and to teach your child the joy of creativity.  Cross stitch is an excellent hobby because it enables your child to see the progression of their work and once they’ve completed their project it can be hung on the wall, sewn into a pillow, or displayed in any manner they choose so it can be enjoyed for years to come.

 Once you’ve adopted a beading hobby it’s easy to find yourself up to your eyebrows in earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Your jewellery box is full, all of your friends’ jewellery boxes are full and yet you still want to create beautiful objects with beads.  Not to worry, there are other wonderful items that can be created with beads.

Accessories

Belts, handbags, and hair accessories all just beg for a little embellishment.  Handbags and belts can both be made entirely of beads or you can find a pattern and sew it onto your favourite accessory.  Crystal beads, gems, and metallic beads are excellent choices for an evening bag.  Smaller beads and beads with an ethnic flair work very well for belts.  Hair accessories, headbands, bands, barrettes and the like all can be made entirely of beads using elastic or else hot glued to give a plain band a festive shine.  Accessories are also an excellent place to use those extra beads you have lying around.

Fabric and paper art

Grab a needle and thread, a piece of elegant paper, silk or other fabric to use as a background and go on to create a masterpiece.  Patterns can be found online or else you can create your own pattern or design. 

Home accessories

Vases, candle holders, baskets, cabinet knobs and much more can be adorned with beads.  Grab your hot glue gun, a collection of gems or crystal beads and create unique accessories.  Napkin holders are often decorated with beads or made entirely out of beads.  Picture frames are the perfect foundation for glass beads.  Use this project to create a one of a kind gift for a loved one. 

Holiday decorations 

You can use beads to decorate a holiday tree.  Beads can be used to make snowmen, angels, snowflakes, Santa Claus shapes and many, many others.  Hearts can be created from beads for Valentine’s Day, and four leaf clovers or shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. Any holiday can be a reason to create a beadwork masterpiece.

Create real, usable pieces or art.  Bookmarks can be created with beads.  Lamps can be adorned with or made from crystals that can hang from the ceiling. Vases and candle holders can be created from beads. Wonderful figurine patterns, including ones for some truly magnificent bugs, can be found online. 

Stepping outside of beaded jewellery can take your hobby farther than you could ever imagine.  It’s amazing to watch small glass beads evolve into major works of art.  Grab your favourite beads and start exploring non-jewellery options today.

Here are The Magickal Ewe’s top ten handcrafted items picked for January 23, 2009.  This week’s picks are chosen from shops on Etsy.com,  Artfire.com, and ShopHandmade.com. Please help support these wonderful handicrafters.

I came across this pattern one day several weeks ago when I was reading one of my favourite blog authors - http://yummydown.com/rattitude/. I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this pattern - NEVER!

Etsy :: CraftyHedgehog :: Lab Rat PDF knitting pattern

Recycle, Reuse, Real Cool

Shop Handmade: - Recycled Can Bracelet-Diet Pepsi

I love these.

Finger Puppet~Land of Nob~Kid Tested~Kid Strong - - Art Fire Buy Handmade Sell Handmade Your Handmade Interactive Artisan Marketplace

This is so beautiful!

BLACK FOREST - - Art Fire Buy Handmade Sell Handmade Your Handmade Interactive Artisan Marketplace

This is a very soothing item.

Etsy :: walkinthewoodsllc :: Jasper Spirit Cord

I so adore blue and silver.

Crystal blue stretchy bracelet - - Art Fire Buy Handmade Sell Handmade Your Handmade Interactive Artisan Marketplace

Think of spring - delightfully pink.

Etsy :: tredlightphotographs :: Pink Powderpuff on a stick - A Photograph by TredlightPhotographs - Free Shipping - New concepts in art photography

This item is unique to say the least.

One Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed - Adjustable Ring - - Art Fire Buy Handmade Sell Handmade Your Handmade Interactive Artisan Marketplace

I have a thing for fairies.

Etsy :: DeliciousCrochet :: Little Fairy - Amigurumi Pattern

My mother, daughter and I took doll making classes together. For a while we dreamed of opening up The Doll’s Tea Room, a place to serve up a cuppa rosie and boutique for dolls. Sadly the ‘Queen of Tea Biskets’ is no longer with us but the dream lingers on. Oh how Mom would have loved this charming tea set.  Go look!

Etsy :: DeliciousCrochet :: Tea Set - Amigurumi Pattern

Remember, if you would like your shop to be considered for a future week’s top ten draw simply leave a comment on this post about any one of this week’s top ten.  Do I look at all your shops? You bet I do! I love browsing through handcrafters’ shops so not only do I look at your shop once, I go back and back and back yet again.

Keep on crafting and have a great week! And don’t forget - BUY HANDMADE!!!

The Magickal Ewe is the legal name of Maureen’s handmade company. Visit her shop Impawsible To Resist or The Magickal Ewe or Impawsible to Resist on Shop Handmade.

 Sometimes it’s ideal to set the children down at the table, give them a craft to work on and then step back and enjoy the focused peace and quiet that lasts for about five minutes!  Other times, it’s more fun to have the entire family get involved in a craft project.  It creates a sense of togetherness, shows your children that you enjoy focused time with them, and the results of the project can be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.  Here are a few craft projects to consider doing as a family.

Family Tree Projects: 

Family trees are an excellent way to connect with your heritage and to teach your children about where they come from.  Family tree projects can be created by making a collage from copies of old family photos.  Depending on the age of your children you can also create a mural tracing your ancestry back as far as you can.  Smaller children will enjoy placing names or pictures on cut out green leaves and positioning them on a felt tree or a hand drawn tree.

Garden Crafts:  

Garden craft projects are exceptional because they not only allow your children to create something permanent they teach your children about growing and taking care of the planet.  Projects can be as simple as creating small seedling planters and painting or decorating the containers to creating elaborate yard art. Bird baths, luminaries, stepping stones, and wind chimes are all fun projects for the entire family.

Piñatas and other holiday crafts: 

Piñatas are a blast to make and even more fun to tear apart.  Family members can join together to create a fun family decoration and party favour for an upcoming celebration or use the piñata as an excuse for a celebration!  Piñatas require a balloon, paper mache tools, paint and candy or party favours inside.  Children can be involved in the entire process while parents oversee it or parents can join in and get arm deep in sticky paper mache - it’s fun!  Of course letting it dry is the difficult part and a piñata usually takes several days to make.  However the end result and the smile on your children’s faces as they dive for the goodies as they tumble out is more than worth it.

Word of warning though, don’t use too much glue or else the piñata will withstand hammering with even the studiest of baseball bats.

Other holiday crafts include Christmas tree decorations, Halloween masks, and Earth Day tye dye t-shirts!

Family crafts are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, a fantastic way to create a holiday tradition and always a superior way to connect as a family and create special memories and love.

 Wise parents and child care givers know the power of a well stocked craft closet.  Rainy days, sick days, and those extra long school breaks can wreak havoc on even the most patient of parents.  A well stocked craft closet can save the sanity of babysitters, grandparents, and parents when these two little words are uttered, “I’m Bored.”  The words are enough to send children and parents alike into tears.  Imagine being able to reach into your magic craft supply box and pull out exactly the right craft supplies to help your children entertain themselves and keep them busy and happy. 

Here are my suggestions for those super handy craft supplies needed to get you through those moments when having an activity is an absolute must!

o Tempera paint

o Glue - clear or white glue is best. 

o Construction paper

o Tape (Lots and lots of tape)

o Crayons

o Markers

o Glitter and or glitter glue.

o Hole punch

o Safe scissors

o Pipe cleaners

o Ruler

o Clay - the kind that doesn’t dry out is ideal.

o Cookie cutters

o Felt or foam sheets and shapes

o Paint brushes

It also helps to keep a folder full of easy to make craft instructions.  That way all you have to do is pull out the craft instructions and supplies and an afternoon will pass quickly by.

Of course, all of those supplies can take up a ton of space.  A plastic organizer, cart with drawers or an organizer designed specifically for crafting are great ways to store supplies without having them take over the home. 

On top of the staple craft supply kit, there are a few items found around the home that you can begin collecting.  It’s a great way to be environmentally conscious and to inspire your child’s imagination. Collect and reuse any of these items:

o Bottle caps

o Buttons

o Cereal boxes

o Straws

o Egg Cartons

o Scraps of fabric

o Old magazines for collages

o Popsicle sticks

o Paper towel and toilet paper rolls

o Wrapping paper

o Bows and yarn

o Tin cans

o Newspaper

o Sponges

Rainy days, cold weather days, sick days and those good old hang around the house days are more fun when children are engaged in creating fabulous works of art.  A well stocked craft supply kit will make it much easier to have those special moments and you’ll never hear those two dreaded words “I’m bored”.

Make sure you have plenty of space to store their artwork and don’t forget to leave room on your refrigerator!

Children are fantastic when it comes to using their imagination.  They’re also pretty great about the three Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Put those two ideas together and your children will have a ton of fun.  Here are some ideas on how to get them started. 

Plastic Pop or Water Bottles: 

Butterflies -  You will need a butterfly stencil approximately four inches square if you are using a large 2 litre bottle or 2 inches square for a standard 780 ml or 1 litre bottle.  Trace the butterfly onto the plastic and cut them out.  Decorate with glitter glue sticks for extra bling. Butterflies can be strung by piercing the center with a needle.  Hang them outside for extra fun.  

Ocean in a Bottle – This project works best with smaller 780 ml or 1 litre bottles.  Fill half the bottle with clear non-toxic oil – like light canola oil.  Fill the remaining half with water.  Add food coloring, glitter, small lightweight plastic items and confetti shaped like your child’s favourite animal or shape. There are many different shape punches available in your local arts and crafts dealership. Recap tightly.  Let your child play with them to their hearts content.   

Cardboard Tubes: 

Rain sticks are a fantastic and fun way to spend rainy afternoons indoors.  Not that you’d want to conjure up more rain!  Supplies include: 

o Masking tape

o Paper towel tubes

o Tempera paint

o Elmer’s glue or other white craft glue

o Rice, lentils, or small beans 

Paint the tubes first and allow to dry.  Poke several very small holes, toothpick sized, into the tube.  Cover one end of the tube with tape and place a small handful of rice or beans into the tube. Cover the other end of the tube with tape and let them at it.   

Different materials, rice, beans, or lentils make different sounds.  Encourage your children to make several and experiment with sounds. 

There are a huge number of items around the house, items that normally end up in the garbage or the recycle bin that can be used to create an artistic masterpiece and hours of fun.  Old egg cartons can be used to make tulips or bells.  Tin foil can be washed and used to make picture frames or small sculptures.  Old newspaper makes great paper mache, baby food jars are excellent containers for luminaries and snow globes.  Tin cans make great planters for starting seeds just be sure to remove any sharp edges with a file.   

Give your children the challenge to come up with ideas of their own. A paper grocery bag could become a suit of armour, a plastic bottle can become a wind sock or a piggy bank.  They have amazing imaginations, creative thinking skills, and they’re truly the experts at recycling and reusing materials around them. 

As a member of the Etsy Twitter Team it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the very first “Shop of the Week”. Each week a different Etsy Twitter Team member will be featured.

 The very first Shop of the Week is Flying Zoo Toys. With everything from flying ladybugs to flying fish, this shop is filled with handcrafted fun! Each of the flying wood mobile toys has wings that flap when set into motion via a tug on a string. 

The artist, Monika Mrozkova, originally from Czech Republic, has been making these wooden mobiles for more than 15 years. She is a full time artist whose work can be seen in galleries across the USA. She has been selling on Etsy since April 2008.  Currently, she only ships to the US and Canada.

To receive your purchases for Valentine’s Day, order by February 6th. 

Everything in Flying Zoo Toys is 15% off for this week. A refund will be issued through PayPal after completion of your purchase. Take advantage of this offer – you won’t be let down by the magic of these toys. 

(Photographs © Flying Zoo Toys/Monika Mrozkova) 

Looking for a craft to teach your children?  A craft which will result in quality, usable products?  A craft which will teach them to focus, to set goals  and give them a sense of  accomplishment  and pride as well as to teach them design planning and follow through?  Sounds like a tall order, right?  Nope, the answer is as simple as teaching them to crochet or knit.   

Crocheting 

Crocheting is a great place to start, particularly for younger children, because it uses a single blunt needle called a hook. Children as young as four can be taught to crochet. Required supplies include: 

o Size J hook

o Favourite color worsted weight yarn

 o Beginner pattern   

Hooks come in a variety of materials from metal to plastic.  Lighter weight hooks are often easier for small hands to use effectively.  It’s easier to teach a child to crochet if you’re sitting side by side so a couch is ideal, just make sure the television is off or they won’t be paying attention.  It is important to note whether your child is left handed or right handed as the pattern directions will vary.    

Beginner patterns are usually scarves, blankets or placemats.  Remember to start small, be prepared for frustration in the beginning and set a mental time limit or create a goal – for example, let’s start with a 4X4 square so they feel like they’ve accomplished something when they finish. 

Before beginning any project it’s important to master a few knots, practice them, and make your yarn skein into a yarn ball.   

Knitting

Like crochet, knitting is a great way to teach children focus, give them a sense of accomplishment, and is a great way for children to keep busy as an alternative to a television, computer or video game.   

Knitting supplies:

o Size ten knitting needles

o Yarn, preferably wool

o A knitting pattern or project 

Easy knitting patterns include a scarf, a potholder, or a hat.  Begin with your child sitting next to you somewhere comfortable.  Sometimes it helps to have your child sitting in your lap so they can emulate your hand motions.   

Like crochet needles it helps small hands if the needles are larger and if they are lightweight.  Additionally, choose needles which have rounded tips rather than sharp pointed ones.   

Patience is required when teaching knitting or crocheting.  Knots can be difficult for small hands to master.  If you become frustrated they will too.  Knitting and crocheting are a fantastic way to bond with your child and to teach them the joy of crafting, the joy of creating something with their own two hands that will last a whole life long.