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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.
Crafty with Leather 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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This simple project is one of a series of crafty projects offered by a local television station. This project uses two fringed placemats to make a cute purse.
Thrifty Tip
Your local dollar store, Dollar General, or other discount store is the best place to find inexpensive placemats for this project.
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This site has tutorials on how to make tubular peyote, spiral rope chain, tubular net, loomwork and Cheyenne/Brick stitch. Each technique is presented in the form of a project how to.
Bead Weaving Tip
When using a beading loom, add 3-4 inches to the length of your warp threads to achieve the desired length for the finished piece.
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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.
Sewing Pattern 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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Fully illustrated instructions for making 2 different placemat purses. The first purse features a fringed placemat and no zippers. The second placemat purse has additional instructions for a zippered inner pocket and a zipper closure. The second placemat purse is lined using a coordinating napkin.
Placemat Purse Making Tip
This works with an unlined placemat or with a lined placemat. The back of the lined placemat shows on the inside of the bag, so it's like a pre-lined purse.
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Beaded animals, Pokemon characters, teddy bears, cartoon characters, assorted critters, stars are just some of the over 200 free beadie patterns on this site. This website is a virtual treasure trove of cute and clever beaded charms.
Beading Tip
When beading with pony beads, use a bit of transparent tape on the ends of your beading cord to keep the cord from fraying and to make a point to insert into the beads.
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Be inspired by the amazing friendship bracelet patterns on this website. Don't miss the Gallery where the site owner shares his own friendship bracelets and those of visitors to his site. Are you a designer of friendship bracelets or would just like to be? Stefan has created a wonderful friendship bracelet pattern generator that will have you creating your own patterns in minutes. There's also an active forum to exchange ideas with other crafters.
Friendship Bracelet Tip
When braiding the ends of your bracelet consider using more than three strands in each braid for a different look.
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A truly talented paper-piece quilt designer shares a bit about her life and the world around her. With her daily activities for inspiration, she creates some of the most charming quilt block designs and best of all provides them as part of her on-going Block a Day series.
Applique Quilting Tip
Use a glue stick to tack down a seam allowance for a curved piece that will be appliqued. Machine stitch just outside of the curve, fold the fabric under at the seam and tack down with the glue to create a nice crisp edge.
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First published in 1989, the Guide to Beadwork was sold through beading stores in the northwest corner of the United States. The author, Greg Vinson still sells printed copies of his book but has made it available online for free. He covers the chevron chain and daisy chains and the flower, twill, gourd, brick and lace stitches. Along with all of the wonderful and well-illustrated instruction on beading, Greg has assembled what must be the largest list of beading stores and suppliers on the web.
Beading Tip
Rather than knot or burn the end of your thread, weave the end through your beaded piece by traveling through the beads and doubling back on the same path. This will provide a bit of give and flexibility to your piece as well as leave no unsightly knots or burned bits.
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Simple and quick stationary organizer made with one placemat. Keep all your writing materials in one convenient place. Great to use when traveling.
Editor's Note: This site has a handful of craft ideas, but the main purpose of the site is to share the history of the Scottish Highlands & Islands, Scottish Borders, Central Scotland and the Scots who lived there. There are several free and complete books on the site and many beautiful pictures of Scotland.
Crafting With Placemats Tip
You can use a ribbon to hold your organizer closed; but if you plan on traveling with your placemat organizer, a bit of velcro will be both flatter and more durable.
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