Craft

All about crafts, handmade products and traditional techniques

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  • Creature Design: But why monsters?
    Teacher Craft

    Creature Design: But why monsters?

    What do you think of when you hear the word “monster”? Maybe you picture Dr. Frankenstein’s tragic creature, maybe King Kong or Godzilla. Maybe you think of the natural monsters that roamed this earth, or those that still do; dinosaurs, sharks, Grizzly bears. Or perhaps even human monsters, those that commit atrocities against their own species, the worst of humankind. Well, to me, this is a question I have pondered for almost 50 years. What IS a monster? What makes them frightening, or whimsical, or even funny? How do I create this symbol of all of our fears in a convincing and realistic way? And why is everyone so fascinated with monsters, creatures, aliens, beasts, and boogeymen?

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  • Amigurumi Animals for Beginners: Tips and Tricks to Start Your Crochet Journey
    Teacher Craft

    Amigurumi Animals for Beginners: Tips and Tricks to Start Your Crochet Journey

    If you've always admired these adorable crocheted creatures and wondered how to bring them to life, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, I, your friendly course instructor, will share some valuable tips and tricks to help you embark on your amigurumi crochet journey. So, grab your crochet hooks and let's dive in!

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  • Thinking Outside the Box: Unlocking the Artistic Potential of Cardboard Sculptures
    Teacher Craft

    Thinking Outside the Box: Unlocking the Artistic Potential of Cardboard Sculptures

    Cardboard, often overlooked as mere packaging material, possesses an inherent charm that allows artists to mold it into awe-inspiring sculptures. Its affordability, accessibility, and versatility, cardboard provides the perfect canvas for self-expression and sustainability. With cardboard, you can breathe life into your ideas, forming intricate designs, remarkable structures, and captivating narratives.

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  • TUTORIAL: How to Make a Chisel Rack
    Teacher Craft

    TUTORIAL: How to Make a Chisel Rack

    Taking up a new hobby in woodworking? Learn how to craft a chisel rack to keep your new tools organized with woodworking duo Bibbings and Hensby. Power tools may seem to make things easier, but the world of hand tools can make your work and your artistry truly shine. Hand tools allow you to take your time, get to know the wood as a material and how it interacts with your materials. Both power tools and hand tools have their merits, but using hand tools you can create unique furniture that bears the mark of your actions. Jack Bibbings and Matthew Hensby met during their furniture-making training, and their mutual passion for woodworking developed into a professional partnership and the launch of their London-based workshop. They seek to regenerate traditional woodworking techniques, with sleek contemporary style. Their work is characterized by the hand tools they use, which makes each piece unique. In their Domestika course, Bibbings and Hensby share their wealth of experience to show you how to make your own wooden furniture using hand tools. They guide you through the materials you need, teach you how wood is shaped, and help you build beautiful furniture you can display in your home with pride.

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  • 5 Tutorials to get Crafty this Mother’s Day Weekend
    Teacher Craft

    5 Tutorials to get Crafty this Mother’s Day Weekend

    Get into DYI this Mother’s day to give your gifts a personal, handmade touch. Discover a few simple tricks to create bracelets, bouquets, cakes and more. Handmade gifts always make an occasion extra special. With a few simple tricks and help from expert tutorials, get crafty with your Mother’s day presents and learn new skills as you go. Create a macrame bracelet out of simple rope, design your own hand tied bouquet, make your rag rug flowers, weave your own scented sachet from recycled materials or make your cakes bloom with sugar flowers. They are simple and will fill you with inspiration to get crafty. How to Make a Macrame Bracelet by Beth Pegler In this tutorial Beth Pegler (@beth_pegler) teaches you how to make a macrame bracelet from scratch using rope. Simple in design but bold in color, this could be a perfect gift for mom, with a personal handmade touch.

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  • Preserving the Cultural Legacy of Sashiko: A Journey of Tradition and Creativity
    Teacher Craft

    Preserving the Cultural Legacy of Sashiko: A Journey of Tradition and Creativity

    As an instructor and dedicated practitioner of this incredible Japanese Stitchery, I am thrilled to dive into the world of cultural sustainability in Sashiko with you. In my course, "Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching" on Domestika, we embark on a journey that goes beyond mere stitching. We explore the deep-rooted traditions, stories, and craftsmanship that make Sashiko so special.

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  • Polymer Clay Pattern Compositions: A Beginner's Guide to Unleashing Creativity
    Teacher Craft

    Polymer Clay Pattern Compositions: A Beginner's Guide to Unleashing Creativity

    Explore the world of polymer clay cane pattern compositions with this comprehensive beginner's guide, including tips, techniques, and FAQs to help you create stunning designs. Delve into the fascinating world of polymer clay, learn about the different types, their unique characteristics, and how they can be used to create stunning art and craft projects. Discover this amazing Domestika course: Polymer Clay Cane Pattern Compositions for Beginners Introduction Polymer clay canes are a fantastic way to bring creativity and artistic flair into your life. With an almost infinite number of pattern compositions, you can unleash your imagination and create stunning designs for jewelry, home décor, or simply as a fun hobby. If you're a beginner to the world of polymer clay canes, you're in the right place! In this article, we'll delve into the ins and outs of polymer clay cane pattern compositions, provide tips and tricks to get you started, and answer some frequently asked questions. So, let's jump right in! Discovering the Joy of Polymer Clay Canes Polymer clay canes are a versatile and exciting medium for artists and crafters of all skill levels. From intricate floral patterns to bold geometric designs, the possibilities are virtually endless. So, how do you begin your journey into this colorful world? Types of Polymer Clay There are several types of polymer clay, each with its unique properties, making them suitable for various projects and applications. Some of the most popular types include: 1. Original Sculpey Original Sculpey is an easy-to-work-with polymer clay that's perfect for beginners and children. It's soft and pliable, making it easy to shape and mold. However, Original Sculpey is less durable than other types of polymer clay, making it less suitable for intricate or delicate projects. 2. Sculpey III Sculpey III is a popular choice among artists and crafters due to its vibrant color range and ease of use. It's slightly firmer than Original Sculpey, making it suitable for more detailed work. However, it can be brittle after baking, so it may not be the best option for projects that require a high degree of strength and flexibility. 3. Premo! Sculpey Premo! Sculpey is a high-quality polymer clay designed for professional artists and experienced crafters. It offers a wide range of colors, excellent durability, and a high level of flexibility after baking. Premo! Sculpey is perfect for creating intricate designs, detailed sculptures, and jewelry pieces that require strength and flexibility. 4. Fimo Fimo is a popular European brand of polymer clay that's known for its high-quality finish and extensive color range. Fimo is available in different lines, such as Fimo Soft, Fimo Professional, and Fimo Effect. Each line offers unique characteristics, catering to various skill levels and project requirements. Fimo clay is generally firmer than Sculpey, making it suitable for detailed work and projects that require durability. 5. Kato Polyclay Kato Polyclay is a professional-grade polymer clay that's known for its strength, flexibility, and high-quality finish. It's a firmer clay that's ideal for detailed work, intricate canes, and projects requiring durability and resilience. Kato Polyclay's color range is more limited than other brands, but it's highly pigmented and can be easily mixed to create custom colors. 6. Cernit Cernit is a Belgian brand of polymer clay that offers a smooth and porcelain-like finish. It's available in various lines, such as Cernit Number One, Cernit Doll, and Cernit Opaline, each with unique characteristics and color ranges. Cernit is known for its durability and flexibility, making it a popular choice for jewelry, sculptures, and other projects that require a high level of detail and strength.

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  • What is Amigurumi?
    Teacher Craft

    What is Amigurumi?

    Amigurumi is a Japanese art form that involves crocheting or knitting small, stuffed, yarn creatures or objects. The term "amigurumi" comes from the combination of the Japanese words "ami" (meaning knitted or crocheted) and "nuigurumi" (meaning stuffed doll). Amigurumi creations can range from cute animals and characters to inanimate objects like food or plants. They are typically made with a small crochet hook or knitting needles and use simple stitches to create the desired shapes. These projects are often filled with polyester fiberfill or other stuffing material to give them a soft and plush feel. The art of amigurumi has gained popularity around the world, with a growing community of crafters who create, share, and sell their unique designs. Patterns can be found in books, online, or shared through social media and crafting websites.

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  • Free Download: How to Make Pom-Poms Easily
    Teacher Craft

    Free Download: How to Make Pom-Poms Easily

    Learn to make wool pom-poms step by step with this free PDF from designer Caro Bello who specializes in punch needle embroidery. Wool pom-poms are a popular project for crafters for a number of reasons; they’re easy to make and can be used in multiple ways, from decorating your home to adding a special touch to your accessories. There are many different techniques to make them, all of which are accessible to knitters and creators of any level. They can also be created using affordable materials you probably already have at home. In this free PDF, designer, and connoisseur of the punch needle embroidery technique Caro Bello (@carobello) teaches you how to make wool pom-poms step by step. Her art is the result of experimentation with fabrics, yarns, and multiple different techniques, and pom-poms are a perfect complement to her designs. Already have an idea of how you want to use your pom-poms? Let's get started!

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  • Tutorial: How to Make A Rag Rug Flower Bouquet
    Teacher Craft

    Tutorial: How to Make A Rag Rug Flower Bouquet

    Learn how to turn old pieces of fabric into unique home accessories with professional textile artist Elspeth Jackson Rag rugging is a sustainable craft that involves taking scraps of fabric and transforming them into beautiful textile accessories. Originating from Sweden, rag rugs were considered a sign of wealth, usually displayed in grand manor houses as a symbol of affluence. Since then, this art form has developed into an accessible way for creatives of all disciplines to express themselves and prioritize recycling. Elspeth Jackson (@elspethcjackson) is a textile artist and rug maker specializing in the rag rug technique. Through her sustainable craft business, Ragged Life, she teaches creatives how to upcycle their textile waste, and she has published two books on her area of expertise: Rag Rugs, Pillows & More, and Rag Rug Techniques for Beginners. Elspeth also sells rag rugging tools and other materials online, and works with local mills to reuse their offcuts. Her Domestika course takes you step by step through her process for rag rugging, and in this tutorial, she shows you how to apply some of those techniques to craft a bouquet of colorful textile flowers.

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  • Tutorial: Weave a DIY Scented Sachet from Recycled Materials
    Teacher Craft

    Tutorial: Weave a DIY Scented Sachet from Recycled Materials

    Transform recycled fabric into unique fragranced pouches using creative weaving techniques Fragrance has the power to evoke powerful memories and transport us to new places in our minds. When combined with creative crafts like weaving, the results can be even more rewarding—something textile designer and hand weaver Cassandra Sabo knows all too well. She runs her own studio where she shares her love and knowledge of weaving and the broader fiber arts with her community. She also goes step by step through her creative process in her online course on hand weaving. In this free tutorial, Cassandra teaches you how to use recycled materials to weave your own DIY scented sachet. Follow her steps and learn to create sustainable pieces that fill your home with your favorite scent.

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  • Free PDF: Amigurumi Dress Pattern
    Teacher Craft

    Free PDF: Amigurumi Dress Pattern

    Download a free pattern to dress up and give life to your amigurumi characters Do you want to design and knit fun crochet characters? Amigurumi are not ordinary objects. They are emotional pieces modeled by their creators. They come to life as if filled with the feelings of the person who knits them. From the moment amigurumi designer Leire Villar, better known as Ameskeria (@ameskeria), discovered her love for these cute figures, she’s been putting her passion into practice as seen in her two Domestika courses. In this download, Leire shares a pattern and shows you how to create a dress for your amigurumi step by step. Discover how to achieve the necessary volume to build the dress's ruffle and how to add more flounce just by varying the stitch.

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  • Tufting Gun Tutorial: How to Make Colored Letters Step by Step
    Teacher Craft

    Tufting Gun Tutorial: How to Make Colored Letters Step by Step

    Turn your creative ideas into a reality and learn how to craft vibrant and fluffy letters from start to finish Lettering art can come in many forms, textures, and colors, making it a versatile craft that invites play and exploration. This is something that fiber artist Trish Anderson (@trishandersenart) knows well, having experimented with it as part of her creative process. She works full-time making textile artwork such as tapestries, sculptures, or rugs, which she shares with over 100K followers on Instagram. She has also collaborated with brands including Coca-Cola and Google. Trish’s specialty is tufting, an ancestral weaving technique that consists of threading wool through a stretched fabric using a tufting gun. In this tutorial, Trish teaches you the tools and techniques you need to get started. Step by step, you will learn to design letters and tuft them onto a textile frame. Brighten your home with quirky and cozy decorative letters!

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  • Free PDF Crochet Pattern: Create an Amigurumi Doll
    Teacher Craft

    Free PDF Crochet Pattern: Create an Amigurumi Doll

    Download this pattern and bring your own charming character to life alongside a professional designer Amigurumis are crocheted characters full of emotion and personality who have the power to convey the feelings of whoever knits them–that’s what really makes them come alive. This free crochet pattern, made by amigurumi designer Elisa Ems-Domenig (@lulu_loves_the_moon), is designed to help you create a characterful doll of your own. Elisa sells crochet patterns and figures via her brand Lulu loves the moon. Inspired by her home near the Alps, she creates designs with neutral tones from nature and has had her work featured in crochet books and magazines internationally. In this article, Elisa shares a free PDF Crochet Pattern to create an Amigurumi Doll. Learn step by step how to knit these adorable characters with this practical resource.

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