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Crafty Topics
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Easy pencil drawings to copy plus outlines for a simple way to create and design drawings. Be inspired to draw and see how easy it really is.
http://www.allaboutdrawings.com
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Crafty Tip
Make your own greeting cards and show off your new artistic skills by drawing the cover feature.
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Learn how to make your own shoulder bag. Complete and easy to follow instructions should have you creating you own bag within hours. Only basic sewing skills are needed.
http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy
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Crafty Tip
When making projects that require making your own pattern and you don't have large enough paper, use newspaper for the pattern pieces.
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This site shares over 40 free beading patterns. Patterns include plenty of pictures so that even beginning beaders will be able to create their own beaded jewelry. Instructions include bead suggestions and substitution recommendations. Site includes a gallery of beaded jewelry others have created from these patterns. Be sure to check out Ruby's book, "Beading with Ruby ~ A Beginner's guide to creating beautiful beaded jewelry" to find 30 more beading patterns and tips on crafting with beads.
http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/Thumbnails.html
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Crafty Tip
Depending on what beads you've used, you may have to increase or decrease the amount of beads in the last 2 rows, or you may have to increase or decrease the number of rows you use. For instance, Japanese size 11 beads are slightly larger than size 11 Czech beads, or Delicas.
If you don't have any size 15.0 beads, you can use Charlottes, which are size 13, but you may have to adjust the count when you use those too. Since the beading takes so little time, it's easy to tear our a row or two to make adjustments.
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Learn basic and advanced corset making tips from professional seamstresses and tailors. The link directs visitors to information about our community including our list of "Memories"; answers to those often asked questions of new corset makers. Learn where to get corset making supplies, reviews of commercial patterns, lacing, boning and too many more topics to mention here.
http://community.livejournal.com/corsetmakers/profile
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Crafty Tip
Sew your boning channels on the outside. I've laid down on-seam channels that looked lovely on the inside, then flipped the garment over and discovered that my seam had wandered by a quarter inch.
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Lifelike dolls - Unique baby dolls made realistic by Uk based doll artist. Specialising in one of a kind newborn doll making.
http://www.reborn-baby.com
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Crafty Tip
If weighting a doll's body, rather than using sand, a cheap and reliable option is to go down to a metal cleaning blast shop and ask for a sack of glass beads.
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At Bean Bear Creations we specialize in uniquely designed hand painted children's furniture and accent pieces. There's no better way to give your child's room or play area a warm and cozy feel than with a few pieces of furniture designed just for them. You may choose from one of our designs or we can create one together. Swatches or photographs are welcomed in order to match your themes and ideas as closely as possible.
http://www.beanbearcreations.com
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Crafty Tip
When finishing handpainted crafts, use a spray polyurethane instead of a brushed liquid to minimize color bleeding.
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A complete one-stop-shop for all of your bag making needs. We have lovely fabrics, handles, beautiful bag patterns, and loads of hard-to-find metal accessories. We also provide lots of free advice and even a couple of free bag making projects; also, have a look in our Inspiration Gallery for some ideas to get you started. Our prices are hard to beat and our delivery super fast.
http://www.u-handbag.com
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Crafty Tip
When choosing interfacing for your bags choose one that is lighter in weight than you fabric, this way any creases made in the fabric (due to normal wear) will not show.
Bonus Handbag-Making Tips
If you haven't tried using metal accessories before; try them! Most of them require no tools (so they are quick and simple to apply) and they are an instant way to make your bags look really professional.
If your bags have a tendency to sag (when you don't want them to) try sewing polyester boning into the seams of your bags. Polyester boning is used extensively in corset making but it is amazingly handy for bags making! It's easy to sew and cut, and it is very inexpensive too!
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Wildlife & nature art by the Lathams - a family of award winning painters. Miniatures, original art, prints, & licensing of wildlife & nature subjects by wildlife artists Karen, Rebecca, & Bonnie Latham. The family strives to capture the elusive beauty of wildlife in their artwork. They study their subjects extensively & often travel to remote locations for research.
The artists show their artwork internationally at galleries & exhibitions & are members of numerous prestigious societies.
http://www.lathamstudios.com/minatureportfolio.html
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Crafty Tip
For painting miniature paintings, use the best brushes and paints available to you. It will show in the finished painting. Also, be patient and take your time. Getting the hang of a new technique can take a while to get used to.
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We carry a selection of imported & domestic handmade glass beads, dichroic glass beads, lampwork beads and more. Crystal beads by Preciosa and Swarovski. Findings, sterling silver Bling Ring and more. We ship worldwide. Join our monthly Newsletter for bead tips, how-to's and more.
http://www.beadrealm.com
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Crafty Tip
Working with headpins on rings or bracelets with loops:
If you are right handed start adding beads from the back loop and work left to right towards the front. If you are left handed you will want to work right to left. This will keep you from having to work over beads already in place, plus your beads will lie back keeping them out of your way.
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Sells Robison Anton, Aurifil, Conso, Gutermann, Isacord, Mettler, Signature, Sulky, Superior, Tire, Valdani, and YLI thread, and Floriani Embroidery Stabilizer.
http://www.redrockthreads.com
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Crafty Tip
Choosing the correct needle for the fabric and thread type is very important. You should change your needle no less than every 20 hours of actual sewing time. Using a dull needle could cause damage to your hook and/or bobbin assembly as well as cause less than perfect stitches in your work.
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