Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Easter Toilet Paper Roll Wreath Craft

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Easter Wreath Craft This is a great craft to get everyone involved with. It is a little time consuming but will create a unique and lasting Easter season decoration.

What you need:

Instructions:

  1. First, paint the Pysanky and toilet paper rolls using the acrylic paint. If you do a little planning in advance you can ensure there will be a good mix of colors.
  2. Next, unravel the wire coat hanger and bend it into a circle keeping the ‘hook’ part intact.
  3. Once the toilet paper rolls are dry, pierce each one completely through about one inch from an edge. Using an X-acto Knife for the piercing will ensure the hole will allow the coat hanger to pass but stay tight.
  4. Slide each toilet paper roll onto the wire coat hanger making sure you are alternating colors.
  5. Fasten the wire coat hanger’s loose end to the ‘hook’ part.
  6. Using hot glue, attach the Pysanky over the ends of the toilet paper rolls in following the inside of the circle.
  7. Finally, decorate the hook area the hanger with the ribbon making a bow.

Hang the wreath up and enjoy.

Safety when doing crafts

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Crafting is a dangerous hobby. Depending on what sort of crafting you do you could develop carpal tunnel, strained eyes or even lacerations. To ensure your body continues to function optimally when crafting make sure you stay safe. Neglecting your safety may end up leading to long layoffs from the craft you love to do.

A Magnifier Floor Lamp is an essential tool for any craftsman/craftswoman. Whether you work with tiny beads for jewelry or do intricate sowing these lights keep your eyes from straining to see the work you are doing. We use magnifying lamps in our craft room and while we do not always have them on, when we feel ourselves getting “bug-eyed” or strained simply turning the lamp and using the magnification helps our eyes feel better. These lights come in desktop, desk clamp and floor models depending on the space you have available. We have the floor model as it is easier to move around from one area to another.

Carpal Tunnel is a serious issue for for people that do crafts. If left unchecked it can eventually end your crafting enjoyment. Working with small pieces or doing repetitive tasks can cause inflammation in your tendons which will cause pain. Therapeutic Gloves could offer support and/or make existing pain and cramping less annoying. In addition to offering support some gloves are made to exert pressure around the hand to encourage circulation reducing fatigue and increasing sensation.

Another way to reduce the chance of carpal tunnel is to use tools that are more ergonomically shaped. Tools like Fiskars Softouch Scissors or Fiskars Rotary Cutter offer a larger area to manipulate the tool which in turn reduces the chance that you will be stuck doing a painful repetitive task. If you have that old pair of scissors that you dread using because of the pain, we recommend trying out the Fiskars Softouch Scissors.

One thing to keep in mind is that you are doing these crafts for your enjoyment. Taking time to sit back, stretch and rest periodically will do wonders for your body and your creativity. During your little break be sure to move your head around stretching out your neck muscles. Open and close your hands to work out any cramps and get blood flowing into your fingers. Stand up and go for a walk to stretch your legs. The goal of all of this is to keep you crafting for a very very long time.

Beads and Quilts Jewelry Sale

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

This weekend get 15% OFF all our bead jewelry at Beads and Quilts. We have great prices on bead necklaces, bracelets and earrings. With prom and Spring weddings just around the corner make sure you pick up jewelry that will complete your outfit. All of our items are made from quality semi precious stones and crystals.

Fun Craft - Creating a girl’s purse

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Girls Purse Craft

This purse is fun to make and offers enough room for all the things a little girl could want to carry around. The purse we made uses Dora themed fabric.

Materials:

  • ½ yard of fabric
  • Thread
  • Butterfly Buttons
  • Ruffle (optional)
  • Fusible Fabric

Step 1
Cut 2 pieces ~ 16 inches by 18 inches.
Cut 1 piece ~ 1 ½ inches by 24 inches.
Cut 1 piece ~ 7 inches by 1 inch
Cut fusible fabric 1 inch by 24 inches.

Step 2
Press ¼ inch across top and bottom of large pieces (along 16 inch edges).
With right sides facing together, sew sides of rectangles together (along 18 inch edges). Press seams and turn right side out.

Step 3
Open the two rectangles. Take the bottom edge of the fabric and fold it up inside to meet the top edge of the fabric. Their will now be two rectangles for the front and two for the back adjoined at either side. Sew across the bottom edge of the fabric, joining all rectangles.

Step 4
Press the bottom corners of the purse to form a 90 degree angle with the bottom seam running diagonally into the corner. Measure 1 inch from the corner and sew a straight line perpendicular to the bottom seam. Repeat with second corner. Turn purse right side out.

Step 5
Press ¼ inch along both long sides of the 24 inch long fabric. Iron on fusible fabric. Press ruffle on top of fusible fabric. Sew down both edges of ruffle (1/8 inch from edges).

Step 6
Sew ends of handles to inside ends of the purse lining. Sew along top edge of purse (1/8 inch from top edge).

Step 7
Find the center of the top edge of the purse. Fold one pleat (1 ¼ inch) on each side of the center. Sew pleats along the top edge. Repeat for the other side of the purse.

Step 8
Press 3/8 of an inch along both long edges of 7 inch long fabric. Fold in half (wrong sides facing together). Press and sew along edge (1/8 inch from edge). Fold fabric in half forming a loop and place ¼ inch over the top edge of the purse on top of the pleat. Sew in place.

Step 9
Sew butterfly buttons on top of each pleat near the top edge of the purse. One of the bottoms will be sewn directly over top of the ends of the loop.