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Crafty Topics
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Nature inspired fine art photographs created with soft, organic textures and layers. Available in many different sizes and printed on a special metallic paper which gives every photograph a unique three-dimensional quality.
http://www.vaeda.etsy.com
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Crafty Tip
Using light creatively is one of the best ways to improve a composition. Constantly change the way you are using light in order to create interesting photographs. Try a different angle and move around the subject until the light hits the subject in the best possible way. Try to challenge yourself with every shoot.
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Internet e-bay store with specializing in cross stitch and needlepoint kits.
http://stores.ebay.com/games2puzzles
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Crafty Tip
When buying cross stitch kits I recommend sticking with the more well known manufacturers like Dimensions as they tend to produce a more top quality product that will last.
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My shop is very new, I sell a range of things because I like to try many different crafts. Its worth a visit and keep checking back because I often have special offers.
http://www.cooplet.etsy.com
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Crafty Tip
If you are decorating a cake, use plain flour instead of icing sugar when you handle the icing, it is much less sticky and just brushes off when you are done.
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We offer some great downloadable stencils designs in categories such as Gardens, Childrens, Oriental, Architectural Details, Frogs, Fairies, Angels, Cherubs, Vintage Travel Labels, Halloween Masks, Christmas, Seashore, Wine & Spirits and Fleur de lis...You don't have to pay shipping and your designs can be adjusted to fit your project size (one size fits all). Also, you will get your stencil emailed to you quickly. You'll find lots of how to info with ideas and tips on using stencils.
http://www.designsfrompenny.com
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Crafty Tip
Remember that a paper stencil can be resized to fit whatever your project size requires. Just take your paper stencil to a copy machine and reduce or expand the size of the copy. For example, let's say your stencil is on an 8-1/2" x 11" (letter size) sheet of paper and the stencil edges are measured at 9" x 6". You want the image to be on the cabinet door of a small armoire and the interior space is 27" x 18". Copy the stencil by increasing the size 200%. Your copy will produce an image that would be 18" x 12" leaving a 4-12" space at the top and the bottom and a 3" space on either side. Pretty close. But be creative and move the stencil around or readjust the copy percentage until the image is eye pleasing.
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Specializing in authentic hand-made African masks.
http://www.africanmaskstore.com
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Crafty Tip
The easiest way for beginners to make masks is out of paper mache. They can be painted with symbolic designs and vivid colors, and oil-based paint is the best medium for use with paper mache masks.
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TheScrabbleGal specializes in teaching how to create unique Scrabble accessories and custom photo jewelry through her line of E-books and step-by-step tutorials.
Editor's Note: The instructions provided in this book are not on using the letters of Scrabble Tiles to make crafts but rather using the tiles as a blank canvas on which to create artwork - very ingenious and it would seem the creative possibilities are limitless.
http://thescrabblegal.etsy.com
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Crafty Tip
Use a cooling rack when sealing and glazing your Scrabble tiles! You'll be able to move the tiles around easily without smudging the edges or getting fingerprints on the surface. And, you won't have to remove globs of glaze if the gloss happens to run over the edge! :)
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Emoluxe is a French online art gallery that offers a selection of contemporary enamel creations. Every enamel creation (enamel paintings, vases and dishes) presented in emoluxe gallery is unique, and has entirely been created by hand. It corresponds to the tradition of enamel's art, which along with porcelain, has insured the worldwide reputation of the city of Limoges for centuries.
http://www.emoluxe.com/index.php?language=en
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Crafty Tip
Enamel is a mixture of silica, potash and soda. By fusing these different components at high temperature and then pulverizing them, one obtains a colourless powder or "flux", which is closer to crystal than to glass.
One colours this powder by adding metallic oxides. The resulting mixture is applied to a metal base, or trivet. Gold, silver, bronze, copper or steel may be used as bases for an enameled piece.
The art of the enameller consists of fixing the powder enamel to its metal base with a series of short firings, at approximately 800°C .
Several techniques are used for the creation of art's objects or jewellery enamel: Painted enamel, Grisaille or Chequering, Champlevé , Cloisonné , Basse-taille and Plique a jour.
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Patterns Patch is a private, members only club for cross-stitch enthusiasts. Currently, there are almost 300 patterns for members (non-members can purchase at low prices), including a few crochet and knitting patterns; almost 200 articles; 18 detailed tutorials; archived XS tips & news from the monthly newsletter; glossary of XS terms; a XS calculator when making your own patterns; chat room, and 2 very active forums — all are searchable. You can even have a photo made into a pattern for free!
http://www.patternspatch.com
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Crafty Tip
Did you know that you can do counted cross stitch on regular fabric? You can put unique designs on clothing or anything else you'd like to stitch on. Use a nifty little product called "Waste Canvas", found at most craft stores. You cut a piece slightly larger than your stitching and baste onto your fabric. Using a normal sewing "sharp" needle, stitch your project - don't pull your stitches real tight. When done, thoroughly wet the waste canvas and stitching. Then, remove the waste canvas with tweezers. Let it dry, and you have a unique item.
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Learn the knotting techniques used in the art of Macrame, including Chinese and Celtic knots. Create a variety of handcrafted items and Micro-Macrame jewelry using the free patterns available on this site. New patterns are added regularly.
http://www.free-macrame-patterns.com
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Crafty Tip
When using leather to make jewelry, you cannot put pins through, or you will damage the material. Use the Cross-Pin technique instead:
Put 2 pins on either side of the strand of leather. Make sure they both lean towards the cord, and they cross.
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YouPunkeroo offers pottery painting and crafts tuition to individuals, groups and families. We also specialise in offering tuition to traditionally hard to reach inner-city groups.
As ceramicists we also offer a range of our own handcrafted designs.
http://www.youpunkeroo.com
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Crafty Tip
When slipcasting plates and bowls, leave them to dry upside down (on the rim) to prevent the cast from warping whilst it drys.
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