Best DIY and Crafting Apps (Part 1)

 

It seems that there are apps to help us with everything these days, but apps are particularly useful for those who like hands-on hobbies because they’re easy to share ideas, experience, or patterns, and transfer information about projects. The most basic and popular craft-related apps, like Pinterest and Wikihow, belong firmly on every crafter’s phone. There are many helpful DIY and craft apps that offer assistance, tutorials, inspiration, and also a way to keep track of how much thread you have left.

Pinterest (Android, iOS) (Free)

Pinterest is among the best-known mobile craft apps, showing you a bunch of cool stuff that is doable by yourself. There are cooking recipes, decorations, home improvement projects, and arts and crafts ideas for kids. You can easily pin the stuff you like. However, if you haven’t seen the UI beforethe, you will find it a little bit difficult to use this app. Like most social networks, Pinterest is also totally free.

WikiHow (Android, iOS) (Free)

WikiHow provides thousands of how-to guides ranging from quick repairs, tech and life hacks, DIY projects, and even some food recipes. Ever wanted to clean and maintain a rain barrel? Learn how to change your car’s oil? WikiHow has it all with clear illustrations and videos. Users can search categories, select featured articles, and bookmark ones for later offline reading.

SnapGuide (iOS) (Free)

SnapGuide is one of the most visually attractive how-to apps online, offering numerous projects, recipes, repairs, and hacks with detailed instructions and photo guides. Users can check out a variety of topics ranging from arts and crafts, gardening, automotive, as well as popular and recently uploaded guides. Users can like, share, and comment on guides, or even create their own new guides.

Craftsy (iOS) (Free, Class subscriptions)

Craftsy is suitable for those who are looking for a more guided class experience, offering more than 500 online video courses from photography, painting, jewelry, sewing, woodwork, quilting, and more. Craftsy allows you to take your video courses anywhere or sign up for classes through in-app purchases.

How to Find Local Art and Craft Shows To Take Part in

 

Finding local craft shows is an effective way to make a living selling what you make. Regional shows help you save your travel costs and also are a great place for connecting with fellow makers. Selling at local craft shows can be a great way to build a loyal fan base for your products by putting you in front of customers that want to support the makers in your region. However, it is important to choose the right ones because each craft show has its own flavor as well as attracts a different type of buyer. So, you must spend your time learning about all shows in your area to decide to spend your time applying to and hauling your products the right ones.

Here are some ways to find the local art and craft shows that are suitable for you:

Etsy Teams

Many Etsy sellers don’t know that the best way to find local shows is on the site itself. The Teams section of Etsy has groups that are located throughout the U.S. with each team’s own forum being where members interact. Many local teams have an ongoing thread listing upcoming events of interest to crafters, such as SF Etsy. Try to find an active team with such a thread and access to upcoming events in your area.

Event Listing Websites

There are many event listing websites which keep track of craft shows throughout the U.S. You can get basic information on events from them and register for an account when you need to get more details. Here are a few event listing sites:

Community Facebook Pages

Many neighborhoods have their own Facebook pages for local makers to share information. On these pages, you can often find smaller organizations post when they are searching for vendors for upcoming events or you can let the community know that you are looking for art and craft shows and crowdsource a list of leads to check out.

Basic Principles for Organizing an Art and Craft Event (part 2)

 

  1. Create your plan

You should think about the schedule and the deadline when each item on your To-Do-List needs to get completed. Some factors to consider when creating your plan are:

  • Suitable space
  • Parking
  • The number of items
  • Number of artists
  • Event Day and Time (does it conflict with anything else?)
  • Marketing and Promotion
  • Signs and Directions
  • Decoration
  • Responsibilities and point of contact on the event day and crowd management
  1. Marketing and Promotions

This is critical, but a lot of fun. It is clear that the more people know about your event, the more will attend. Firstly, you have to create a flyer with all information about the event. This flyer can be printed, scanned, e-mailed, or posted on a webpage. You must make sure that all your marketing and promotions are consistent. Here are the most effective and maybe the least expensive ways to promote for your event:

  • Word of Mouth: Every communication is an opportunity for you and your staff to talk about your art and craft event as well as ask to pass on that same message.
  • E-Mail: This is the easiest step. Send e-mails to all of your contacts and then ask them to forward the information of your event to everyone they know.
  • Local Organizations: You can connect with local organizations, churches, and clubs, and have them share the event among their communities. Consider the win-win proposal and how they can benefit as well.
  • Social Media: It is simply word of mouth on the internet. For example, if you are using Facebook, you can create an event and invite all your friends to attend. If you are using Twitter, you can connect the event to your tweets.
  • Advertisement: Advertisement is the last option as this is the most expensive. You can print flyers or buy advertising space in magazines, etc.

 

The Most Favorite Artistic Sports

 

According to some websites, people have voted on their most favorite artistic sports. These sports are so well-known around the world that any kind of audience can enjoy them.

  1. Figure Skating

    Figure Skating

Figure skating requires the maximum amount of focus. People who practice it have to spend many long hours on perfecting their art. This sport is the combination of dancing and skating on ice. It has to be nice to look at as well as entertain and amaze the viewers. Moreover, figure skating is pretty dangerous because it carries certain risks. Injuries can occur; therefore, maximum caution is advised. Figure skating also requires stamina. Each skating session can last about up to twenty minutes, so a lot of strength is required. If there are two people practicing the sport on the ice, it becomes more challenging and more beautiful to watch.

  1. Competitive Dance

When competing, dancers are only scored for their art. This art form has been practiced since the beginning of the known history. And it was always joyful to watch and participate in. Nowadays, dancing gave birth to competitive dancing with professional dancers spending years on perfecting their art.

  1. Synchronized Swimming

Synchronized swimming requires great timing and perfect coordination of all swimmers. It also requires a lot of energy to perform. It is so interesting to watch the swimmers doing complicated moves.

  1. Ice Dancing

Ice dancing is 100% viewed as an art form and is also judged that way as well. It is gorgeous to watch ice dancing.

  1. Archery

This art form requires a lot of skill. It has been enjoyed since the early days of humanity. People were competing for the best place as soon as it was discovered. Practicing this sport has had huge value to people who possessed it. Today it is a respected sport as well as an art form.

  1. Skateboarding

Skateboarding is a lot of creativity. This art form is very popular among the younger generations.

Basic Principles for Organizing an Art and Craft Event (part 1)

 

You know that a well-organized art and craft event can leave a long-lasting memory and can even help build lifetime customers for your business.  The local craft fair or Saturday market are great places to showcase your crafting work; however, organizing your own event can provide a unique environment for attendees to connect with your business, resulting in more customers and sales. Although it’s certainly not as easy as opening your front door, if you follow these basic principles, it will not be too difficult but very effective and fulfilling.

  1. Involve your community

Involving the community around can help you reach out to more people than you have ever imagined. Your art and craft event can be just only you or as many of your friends as you like. Remember that the more the merrier and you can provide the attendees with a variety of options by connecting with your local art and craft community.

  1. Find the anchor

Every event should have a well-known artist to pull people in – the anchor artist. If you are not the anchor artist in your community, try to connect with one to participate in your event. This will establish buzz and credibility for your event.

  1. Create a catchy name

The name of your event says it all!  Therefore, you have to create a catchy name for it. It should be intriguing, descriptive meanwhile showing that it is a local community event so people around you can relate. For example, The Fall City Stimulus Art Fair name not only describes the event but also intrigues and invites everyone to come to support their community.

  1. Connect with your local organizations

A great way to spread the word is to connect with your local organizations and invite them to help and collaborate with you. You can connect with your local charities and help to raise donations during your art and craft event. Another great way is to have a local business sponsor your event such as offering coffee and snacks for the attendees.

 

 

 

Fun and Amazing Craft Room Ideas (part 2)

  1. A Lazy Susan craft supplies holder

A Lazy Susan is really helpful when you are looking for something just fun to use. It makes us feel like kids again. You can display a Lazy Susan on your work table and put any smaller craft supplies in it.

  1. Multipurpose storage pieces

Multipurpose storage pieces help you keep your craft room neat, organized, and stylish. You can put your minimal craft supplies in the open cubbies.

  1. Erasable chalkboard labels 

These labels are cute and useful if you want to change around your organization and drawers sometimes. They are also easy to DIY.

  1. Tension rod wrapping paper holder

Your wrapping process can be easier by using tension rods to secure your rolls, helping you unroll and cut at ease. It is even more efficient if you put your ribbon right under another tension rod.

  1. Chalkboard flower station

A craft space with a chalkboard flower station is exactly focused for the type of people who are always found fixing flowers for their own houses, for hostess gifts, or any other occasion. There is nothing better than fresh flowers in our house.

  1. Glitter drawer organizer

You can try using clear jewelry drawer organizers or silverware organizers to keep glitter or paint in your drawers. It helps you not to end up with one of the scary junk drawers and glitter flying everywhere.

  1. Magnetic wall

We love the idea of a magnetic wall to display our ongoing craft ideas and projects, or any other artwork. It creates a creative and modern feel to our craft room.

  1. Yarn cubbies

Diamond-shaped cubbies can display all of your brightly-hued yarn in a fun way. Just keep them stuffed full for all kind of yarn you want.

  1. Button jars

Make your buttons part of your craft room décor by keeping them color-coded and stored in clear jars. You can also use these jars to store ribbon scraps or other odds and ends.

Fun and Amazing Craft Room Ideas (part 1)

 

Crafting is not only for the little ones. Some take it seriously while the others just like to dabble every now and then. However, there is something that everyone can agree on – a wonderful craft room will not be left unused by us. We all dream of a creative space which is complete with all the supplies we need, displayed in a beautiful and functional way. No matter what your style is, there are some fun and amazing tips and tricks for you to create the perfect craft room.

  1. Colorful pegboard wall

A pegboard is one of the most versatile things you should have in your craft room. You can create your pegboard wall colorful and full of your favorite things. It’s also a great starting point for craft storage.

  1. Colored pencils wall display

Why not display your craft supplies like art? It makes a stunning and beautiful wall statement, therefore, you can keep the rest of the room crisp and simple. Remember to stock up on the colored pencils!

  1. Custom wrapping station

We love a custom station for all of the wrapping supplies we need. Ribbon, wrapping paper, bags, and drawers for tissue paper. It contains all we need in a pretty package!

  1. Refurbished file cabinet

Reuse an old metal file cabinet by painting it with chalkboard spray paint, for example, with white trim, for vintage and fresh feel. Then write the labels and store whatever you want!

  1. Hanging scissors and fabric space

Set up a little charming and bright space to hang scissors and store fabric. If you usually play around with sewing and fabrics, you surely need scissors and plenty of fabric options on hand.

  1. Large sturdy work table

We crafters all love to have a well-organized craft room with a large and rustic work table at the center. It creates a well-defined flow to the craft room and also makes us want to get down to business.

The relationship between sport and art

 

Sport and art seem to be very different disciplines. Is there any connection between them?

When being young, Roald Bradstock had an interest in both sport and art. Later, he became an Olympic javelin thrower, who represented Great Britain in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, and also gained a degree in art. However, he explained that these activities were very different and not very compatible on day two of the Peace and Sports Forum in Monaco. 

This lack of compatibility of these activities caused him some difficulties. He spent years struggling with being both an athlete and an artist – both two disciplines take a lot of time and energy.

However, that has changed now. Nicknamed as “the Olympic Picasso”, Roald Bradstock produces creative colorful representations of equipment and depictions of sporting scenes.

His attitude changed around the year 2000 when he took part in a competition held by the United States Olympic Committee. “Struggle for Perfection”, his painting, was chosen as the winner and then featured in the Olympic Museum in Switzerland.

He did more research and discovered that co-founder of the modern Olympic Games Pierre de Coubertin was an artist. Coubertin himself designed the Olympic rings and also won a poetry competition in 1912.

Mark Spitz, nine-time Olympic swimming champion, one of Bradstock’s idols, was a painter. Muhammed Ali and Pele used to paint, too.

You could find further connections between sport and art if you look at major sporting events. Tickets are sold not only for the sporting events themselves but also for the opening and closing ceremonies. For example, the Super Bowl contains a heavily anticipated half-time show.

Bradstock realized that art is everywhere in sport – logos, mascots, typography, medals, and cups – all have to be designed by someone. These discoveries changed his viewpoint and he started to combine sport and art in his life.

He painted his outfits, javelins and javelin runways. He threw all kinds of objects and broke some records – “some official, some unofficial and some highly questionable”. He became famous for his eccentric outfits that people started to want to know what he would wear, do, and throw next.

Now, he believes that sport and art are perfect partners. They can be a powerful combination to be used in advocacy and development programmes.

“Combining sport and art in a new way is a fantastic tool. They are two universal languages to create platform to unite everyone for peace.”

How to Make Yarn Pom-Poms (part 2)

Wrap the Yarn Until the Ring Is Full

Wrap the cardboard ring with yarn until it is full.

  • If you want to create a round and full pom-pom, you need to wrap the yarn around the ring so that the ring is plump and the center smaller circle is nearly filled in.
  • If you want to create a floppy and loose pom-pom, you can stop wrapping the yarn sooner.

Cut Around the Edge of the Ring

Trim the wrapped yarn, start snipping all the wrapped yarn through along the edge of the ring. Make sure to cut through every strand of yarn. Using pom-pom with a small point helps to do this part easier.

When cutting the yarn, you must be careful in order not to let the cut pieces to come out through the opening or push to one side.

Tie the Cut Yarn Pieces Together

When you have snipped all the edges of the ring, cut a length of yarn to tie around the pom-pom’s middle, close to the cardboard ring. Tie it once then wrap it around the other side and finally tie a double knot.

Pull the yarn as tight as possible without breaking it to secure the pom- pom firmly. Leave the ends of yarn long.

After finishing, remove the cardboard template.

Shape the Pom-Pom

Your pom-pom probably still looks a little odd and misshaped. In order to fix this, trim the yarn until out the shape. It’s like giving the pom-pom a haircut!

Hold the long yarn ties and do this around the pom-pom. Keep turning it when trimming so that it doesn’t end up lopsided.

Fluff the Pom-Pom and Finish Trimming

When the pom-pom looks shaped and fixed, roll it in your hands gently. This can fluff the pom-pom and reveal any areas that need to be trimmed more.

Trim and repeat if needed.

Use the long ties of yarn to attach the pom-pom to your craft project.

Bobby Bowling Paper Craft

With the sports events coming up in the year 2019 and the new favorite sport of my 4 years old boy being bowling, I thought that I would start doing some crafts related to this sport for my beloved kid to enjoy.

The color scheme of Bobby Bowling was made with Great Britain for first, however, it would also work for the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Cuba, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic, the Cook Islands or Vietnam. Remember that you can print the templates in black and white, then color them creatively in whatever way you like!

I realize that bowling isn’t an Olympic sport. But it is a sport that is quite simple and many people, especially kids, love!  In addition, I figured that it’s the sport that many children have done with their family or their friends at birthday parties.

Materials:

  • printer
  • paper
  • a pair of scissors
  • glue
  • something to color with such as markers, pencils, crayons, and paint (for B&W version)

Craft Instructions:

Step 1: Print out the template you choose (if you want to make it less coloring, you can mix and match the color versions and the black and white version).

Step 2: Color the template pieces if you choose to use the black and white version – you can freely use different materials for coloring them to add the creativity or personality to the project (markers, pencils, crayons, and paint are all fun choices).

Step 3: Cut the template pieces out (you should help the younger children with this step).

Step 4: Glue the pieces of the bowling buddy together:

  • Glue his head on his neck (shirt)
  • Glue his face on his bowling head
  • Glue his arms under his shirt sleeves
  • Glue his pants under his shirt
  • Glue his bowling pin into one of his hands
  • Glue his legs under his shorts