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(04/20/12 4:01am)
We are closing in on yet another ending of a semester, which is both exciting and sad (but if you’ve had anywhere near the semester that I’ve had, you’re more than ready to be lounging near a pool than doing any more school work). In my past three semesters working for State Press Magazine, I think I have covered and written about so many different crafts and so many different types of crafts that it’s hard to even come up with something that is a ‘must craft’ for summer.
(04/17/12 4:01am)
While you’re studying for finals, writing your final papers, and doing all your last-minute projects, make sure your working room of choice is adequately stocked with all your finals materials. This includes pencils, pens, highlighters, your laptop computer, enough snacks and energy drinks to last an entire month, and adequate lighting. Maybe it’s just me, but I tend to work in conditions that are too dark for really intense studying (maybe that’s why I take so many Facebook breaks?) But quite honestly, if you’re looking to make sure you are able to accomplish enough work in your allotted time, you should definitely set up an area (or station yourself in an area) that has good, bright lights.
A way to have fun with this and make a cool, mid-finals craft is to work on paper lamp shades. When I first heard about making lampshades out of paper, it scared me a little bit because I thought that, depending on how long the lamp was on, there may be a fire hazard on your hands. As it turns out, as long as you create your lampshade in a certain way, you should be fine and not have any issues. Also, you need to use a low-watt light bulb, such as an LED, for this particular craft.
This specific tutorial is created by Meg Allan Cole, inspired by the works of artist Tord Boontje. She does a variety of other paper crafts that can be found all over YouTube or on other websites. For this particular craft, you will need multi-colored paper, scissors, glue (honestly, just a strong craft bonding glue stick will work, but whatever you feel comfortable with), a light and a light bulb (remember low watt!) This is one of the types of lampshades that needs a hanging light, so one of those standing lamps with the twistable lamp arms would work, or a light that is hanging from the ceiling is preferable.
Another idea for a lampshade is to take a plain white shade and be crafty with it. Spray it with spray paint, or create an abstract pattern using acrylic paint. You can also use decoupage and make a cool design with it as well.
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments at fbreisbl@asu.edu.
(04/13/12 4:01am)
In case you haven’t heard, there is a new crafty spot in town. Make Meaning is a new creative activity center located in Scottsdale. Started in New York City, Make Meaning opened fairly recently to give crafters a new place to create. The crafty center has a variety of activities that customers can choose from, including cake decorating, ceramics, candles, glass crafts, jewelry, soap and paper crafts.
(04/10/12 4:01am)
Things come in and out of style. Things we have become old things. But what about if our old things became new things? If we try to look at an old object from a new perspective, we may be able to find a new use for it, one that we may not have thought of otherwise. The mind can be pretty creative in that way.
(04/06/12 4:01am)
From the first time I found my grandma’s old Polaroid camera stashed away in the attic, I was in love. Back then, I was young and didn’t really look at using Polaroid cameras as any sort of artistic expression, but over the past few years I have become more and more interested in photography. I have a small collection of cameras including an old film camera, three Polaroid cameras (including one of the new ones), an old Brownie camera and a Nikon. I take artistic pictures in my spare time and even take photos for the ASU women’s lacrosse team. Regardless of whether or not anyone else thinks my photos are good, I have a good time doing it, and all forms of photography are definitely great ways for expression.
(04/03/12 4:01am)
Sadly, spring break has already come and gone. The weather gets warmer everyday and more and more time is spent poolside, as it should be. As we are on the verge of summer, it makes total sense to talk wearable summer crafts.
(03/30/12 4:01am)
I’m a sucker for a good collage. It’s the type of project that is just simple enough since there aren’t many materials, but when done right, can turn out amazing. All you really need to create a good collage are glue, scissors and whatever materials you want to use. Typically, the materials are any sort of paper, including tissue paper, newspaper and pieces of magazines or books. You can also use other items in your collage such as ribbon, metal pieces (bottle caps or coins), or fragments of other items. Personally, I like to stick with paper mediums. Creating a collage just using paper allows the crafter to layer the materials, fit them together like a puzzle, or even decoupage.
(03/27/12 4:01am)
I’m a sucker for recycled crafts. I’m really not sure why, but I think it’s just because I like the idea of taking something old, used or discarded, and using it to create something new and modern. This is exactly the approach the Etsy shop Old Red Barn takes with crafting. Old Red Barn takes items that others may consider to be junk and creates something that the artist considers “whimsical and fun.” I have to agree.
(03/16/12 4:01am)
I’ve talked about Alisa Burke on many occasions while blogging for Piece of Craft. Just to reiterate, Burke is a freelance artist and crafter. She wrote my favorite crafting book of all time, Canvas Remix, gives classes (including online workshops, check them out!), has had her artwork featured in a variety of galleries, and has an amazing blog that I check multiple times a week. Her work has been the inspiration for a great deal of the crafts I have written about and made myself. Today is no exception.
(03/13/12 4:01am)
It could just be me, but sometimes when I’m working with different materials, I feel very confined to them, like I can’t use any outside tools when obviously there is an endless amount of things to use. For example, if I’m making a necklace and found a cool rock or something I want to use for a pendant, I used to literally have no idea how to create a pendant. Sometimes I would try wrapping it in wire so it would hang from a chain or string, but I’m not skilled enough with wire to make something like that look nice. Instead, I could have used a drill here, which sounds like such an easier solution than what I could find at the time.
(03/09/12 5:01am)
I was stumbling through the abyss that is tumblr the other day and happened to find an awesome tutorial on how to make your own lava lamps. Granted, these lamps don’t exactly light up any room, but they look cool on a table or bookcase nonetheless. On a related note, they’re a great craft to be made outside, and with the weather in Arizona being like it is right now – perfect -- it’s definitely advantageous of everyone to spend as much time as possible outside.
(03/06/12 5:01am)
As most of you know already, I’ve been making random things for a long time. I love crafting so much and I think I’m very lucky to have so many friends that support this by admiring my work, asking me how to make various things, and sending me links and tutorials to things I should make. Honestly, many of my ideas for posts or projects even come from my friends, whether close or simply an acquaintance that finds a great idea that they want me to try. Today’s post is no exception.
(03/02/12 5:01am)
Sometimes instead of painting or drawing something that has quite a high probability of turning out terrible, I think it’d be cool to take a photo and transfer it onto a block of wood or canvas. Fortunately enough, there is a really easy way to do this that is simple and ends up looking really cool. All you need for this project are the materials and the funds for those materials.
(02/28/12 5:01am)
In the past, I have tried to make bracelets out of leather but have not been successful. Why? Probably because I was just winging it and didn’t know much about what I was doing, unlike the tutorial from the blog Delighted Momma that explains how to make leather bracelets in easy steps. Lindsay, the author of the blog, writes about all kinds of various DIY projects, as well as about food, skin care and other things pertaining to her life. Besides the tutorial I am going to talk about in this post, I highly recommend checking out this blog!
(02/24/12 5:59am)
I don’t know how many of you have had burlap in your home or used it in a variety of projects, but I really enjoy it. I think it is a very interesting material to use. It has a rough texture for a fabric, which can make for a really fun effect depending on the craft you are making.
(02/21/12 5:01am)
This week, I’m bringing you a super-easy craft idea that can be used in a variety of situations: yarn wrapping. All you need is your favorite color yarn, some glue, and the object you are planning to wrap and you are ready to go.
(02/17/12 5:01am)
I love to paint, especially with watercolors. Sometimes, though, I feel like I need to find a new technique to freshen up my designs and my technique. Online I’ve found all kinds of textual effects to give your artwork a new appeal. Here are some great ideas:
(02/14/12 5:01am)
Sometimes I wish it were acceptable to carry a book everywhere I go, especially when I’m out at night. But let’s be honest, carrying a book to a bar isn’t exactly considered acceptable behavior. That is, unless your book is also somehow your ridiculously cute clutch purse. After a great DIY tutorial from Runway DIY (originally from Olympia Le-Tan), now you can have the best of both worlds.
(02/10/12 5:44am)
In the past year or so, chalkboard paint has been appearing everywhere. First, it seemed like it only appeared in the home, perhaps painted on a wall to post the daily menu or messages, or on a table for drawings and lists. But more and more often I have been seeing chalkboard paint in a variety of crafts, both home décor-related and non-related. There are some really good ideas I’ve seen, read about, or heard about that I want you to share with you all, so you can release your inner chalkboard artist.
(02/07/12 5:01am)
I have tried for a long time to come up with an awesome way to dye yarn and other fabrics using household items. Of course, you can always use actual dyes, or perhaps tea bags depending on what hue you’re going for, but I wanted to try other things for a truly original-looking fabric. Luckily, Miss Make, along with a few other tutorial sites, gives a lovely tutorial with a completely unique idea: yarn dyed with Kool-Aid!