Arts & crafts with kids!

There are countless reasons why it is a great idea to do arts and crafts with your kids. For one, working on arts & crafts helps to hone children's creativity. Arts and crafts can also help promote teamwork and sharing, as well as offering the perfect opportunity to bond and find new common interests. Arts and crafts also allow kids to openly express themselves, even at very young ages. Nonetheless, despite all these positives, the best reason for getting your kids involved in arts and crafts is that it is fun! If you are panicking that you will not know how to guide your child through their first craft, there is no need to worry; there are plenty of arts and crafts ideas for all ages from pre-schoolers up through teenage artists.
Best practices for doing arts & crafts with kids
1. Don't ask "What is it?" when you are befuddled as to the identity of your kid's final creation. Just ask your kid to tell you more about their art or craft, and let them explain how they see their creation.
2. There will be a mess. There is nothing you can do about it. As soon as you make that realization, the whole experience will be far more enjoyable. Indeed, sometimes it is even important to make a mess. Take that knowledge to plan ahead. Get a large clear workspace for your kids, and give them the opportunity to be creative without having to worry about getting paint on your new Persian rug
2. Making arts and crafts is supposed to be about using your imagination. For this reason, try not to show your kids a completed craft as an example. Instead, let your kids learn to interpret the instructions as they wish in order to truly be creative. This will also give your kids a good lesson on the best ways to follow and adapt instructions.
4. Making arts and crafts requires a lot of focus. For this reason, it is best to get your kids to calm down a bit before placing them in front of glue and scissors.
Basic supplies for making arts & crafts with kids
Just like your kitchen pantry, a kid's craft drawer should have a few staples. While you may need something more specific for special crafts, for the most part you will be able to get by with the following list: kid-friendly paint, scissors, crayons, etc. It's also a good idea to keep a drawer stocked with construction paper, beads, glitter, paint brushes, glue sticks, and the ever popular "wiggly eyes."
The education benefit of arts & crafts
Arts and crafts can be used to apply hands-on learning to any subject. Using crafts this way helps kids think more in-depth about the subject of their artwork or craft projects. Virtually any subject matter can be taught using arts & crafts with a little creativity. For instance, if you are learning about world geography, you could have the kids make a tissue paper globe.
Learn about holidays, history, and any other topic your kids should study. Even math can be enriched through arts and crafts. Remember that school isn't the only place kids should be learning; your kids will be much more willing and excited to learn if you make learning fun with interactive arts and crafts projects.
Some ideas for kids' arts & crafts
Kids' arts and crafts can be quick and simple to keep the attention of on-the-go toddlers. They can also be sophisticated and complex for older kids who are up to a challenge. To get an idea of the scope of arts and crafts projects out there, take a trip to your local arts and crafts store or teacher's supply shop. These stores will have pre-designed craft kits, including jewelry art, painting kits, and other craft ideas. Each kit will come with instructions and all of the materials you require.
Another good idea, once you have gained some experience, is to walk arts and craft stores to shop for kids' art ideas. Here are some ideas: try straw painting, where kids can create arts and crafts by blowing paint through a straw onto a poster board or construction paper; or let your kids dip marbles in paint and roll them across the painting surface for a messy (but fun!) painting project. If you are looking for something a bit less messy then try pipe cleaner art. This is a great craft because kids of all ages can join in. Young children can use their imaginations to create simple objects out of pipe cleaners. Older kids may enjoy incorporating other supplies such as beads into pipe cleaner art.

Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been creating amazing projects for kids and families for years. See her exciting new ideas at Arts and Crafts with Kids, and be sure to visit Arts and Crafts for more fun projects!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Amos

Non- allergy cat

I am allergic to cats but really adore

cats, particularly the fluffy ones that almost asphyxiate me. So, I solved my dilemma and have this little dude who I call Gallileo, one of the original scientists, hanging out in the lounge room.

Revamping

What woman doesn't love a handbag? Thi

s one had long been my favorite but after a few years of use lacked some pizzazz. I happened to be in my favorite craft shop, hanging about, when I spotted this lace that looked like it belonged on my handbag. A few minutes later and I was a on my way home with a mission in mind. Some craft glue, sizzors, a rainy day. I was in heaven and this is again, my new favorite handbag.

Multicrafting Goes Global: A Craft Industry Analysis

The Craft and Hobby Association in 2011 released results of research into the U.S. Craft and Hobby Industry. You may be surprised to learn that crafter and hobbyists contribution towards this industries net worth is approximately $29 billion, double the $14 billion first reported by Craft Organization Directors Association (CODA) in 2001. A surprising figure to emerge from this research (even to us avid crafters) is that over half of U.S. households acknowledged engaging in a craft activity at least once per year.
When we unpack that $29 billion net worth figure we get a clearer picture of who loves their hobby. Woodworking was the front runner in the top 10 craft sectors by spend coming in at $3.32 billion with 16.8 million individuals engaging in this activity. I myself have some lovely bookends purchased at a local Sunday market that have clearly been lovingly produced by one such woodworker.
These days every industry engages in analytics and who wouldn’t want to have a picture of their client base so savvy marketing campaigns can bring a little more of that dollar value their way. And what an impressive dollar value it is. The artists among us, thought to be 21.1 million households, spent $2.6 billion on our passion. The jewellery making and beading craft accounted for $2.3 billion with 14.7 million people crafting earrings, necklaces, bracelets and broaches. Over eighteen million households engaged in Scrap Booking and other paper crafts spending $3.3 billion preserving family memories and turning photos into family heirlooms. The crocheting hobby injected $1.062 billion into the industry via 17.4 million strong crochet fans. That’s a lot of towels getting topped.

With speculation that the global financial crisis is responsible for providing this boost for the craft industry Hobby Lobby’s Eileen Liffick attributed an increase of people attending craft shops or online craft sites looking for ways to create craft for their families without spending a lot of money to the current economic conditions.
“Not only are people saving money, they’re making it. We have many people selling these items making extra money”.
What was previously a much loved hobby is now a means of saving the family money. “People are looking to create something special, something homemade. They want to help others save money, while making a little extra for themselves”.

Despite the impact of large scale business successful craft businesses are popping up everywhere seeking to share in the crafting industries net worth of $29 million. Crafting is a convenient work from home business and respected cottage industry. Approximately 81.2% of total craft industry operators in Canada are estimated to be businesses without paid-employees (non-employers) in 2011.

Peartree Solutions produced a report on the profile of the Canadian craft industry (2003) highlighting that Canadian craft, recognized internationally for its quality and distinctive character, was at the time considered to be a growing and vibrant collection of individual craft persons, studios, enterprises, media guilds, public and private galleries, retail and wholesale shows, and organizations. The industry in 2001 had generated $727 million in economic activity which including over $100 million in exports.
At the time of this research there were approximately 14,048 craft studios operating in Canada, where 22,597 people were employed. Ten percent of those surveyed had craft revenues in excess of $120,000. The net craft income (or earnings) of full time craft professionals averaged $17,300 in 2001, while the top ten percent earned net income of $49,000 or more.

Southern hemisphere crafters are every bit as enthusiastic about their hobby. Australia has less than one fifth of the population of U.S. however managed to spend an estimated $250 million on art and craft materials in 2009-2010. These figures are not a true representation of the Australian craft industry however as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) define a hobby as an activity that was undertaken only for oneself or for family or friends, that is, the output was not for general consumption. If the item produced was to sell then this would be considered a work involvement and not measured in the hobby category. The ABS survey showed that in 2007 there were 2.1 million people aged 15 years and over in Australia who were involved in Art and craft as a hobby activity only.

Prize money from craft competitions can be quite lucrative for the hobbyist. A winner of an award for embroidery in 2009 beat the pool of 24 finalists from 24 countries selected from 330 applicants, and took home $10 000.

Craft industry statistics clearly show that with over half of U.S. households engaging in a craft activity, many, many people experience that unequal feeling of satisfaction that comes from creating something beautiful. Nothing is as self-soothing as those stolen hours immersed in the craft you adore.

Find this article at Multicrafting.com”

Arts & crafts for holidays and special occasions

Are you looking for a great way to spend quality time celebrating with family and friends? Then creating arts & crafts for holidays and special occasions may be exactly what you are looking for. When you make arts and crafts with friends and family, you will not just have the beautiful objects to keep with you, but the memories made while creating these arts & crafts. Every year when you pull out these homemade treasures, you'll be reminded of those wonderful memories.
Of course, you are probably concerned that you could not possibly make anything that remotely resembles a treasure! Fortunately, it is not necessary to be an artist or expert in order to make high-quality arts & crafts. The best decorations are often simple crafts that you have only put time and effort into. It is the personal touch and thought that will make these simple crafts so meaningful and loved by the recipients. If you need some help in crafting your creations, there are countless resources available both online and in local craft stores to provide ideas for high-quality arts & crafts for holidays and special occasions.
Making Christmas arts & crafts for kids
More families create handmade treasures together during the Christmas holiday season than any other time of year. Indeed, many families base their holiday traditions on creating homemade ornaments each year. This is great for families with small children; as they grow, they'll be able to look back over the years and see their own growth in their ornaments.
The most popular holiday arts and crafts for children and families to make together at Christmas include cotton ball snowmen, construction paper reindeer antlers, candy cane reindeers, and of course the timeless edible gingerbread house. Another fun idea for children is to make Christmas countdown calendars.
Making Christmas arts & crafts as gifts
The most meaningful gifts you can give are those that are homemade. This can be helpful during the holiday season, when extra cash can be tight and the stores are swarming with shoppers. Also, make some arts & crafts ahead of time and keep them handy in case of unexpected guests. Popular arts & crafts during the Christmas season include photo books & scrapbooks, beaded ornaments, decorated candle jars, brooches & other handmade jewelry.
Arts & crafts for other holidays
While the above discussion has focused on Christmas, the end of December is by no means the only time of the year when people will create special holiday-focused arts & crafts. Other holidays that present excellent opportunities for creativity include Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Independence Day, and St. Patrick's Day. Special occasions that offer excellent opportunities for arts & crafts include birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, and other "milestones." While expensive gifts are often appreciated, it is frequently the handmade crafts that are remembered and cherished long after the special day.
And with each season, the home crafter is presented with a great opportunity to create seasonally-appropriate crafts. To give your crafts a seasonal glow, read the following advice. In the fall, make crafts that emphasize the vibrant orange, reds, and yellows of autumn, or those that feature apples, pumpkins, squash, and other fall fruits. Winter crafts obviously focus on the holiday season and snowfall. Light blues and whites are great craft colors for the winter. When spring finally arrives after a long winter, try using flowers as the focal point of most crafts, and rely on pastels and bright colors. In the summertime, highlight patriotism and the laid-back style of the season. Red, white, and blue will never fail you in this special season.
Where can you find arts and crafts ideas for the holidays?
The best place to get ideas for special occasion and holiday arts & crafts are arts & crafts shows. Arts & crafts shows can be found in cities and towns across America, particularly in the fall and winter. Strolling through these quaint shows can provide plenty of ideas for crafts and art for holidays and special occasions, and if you talk to the artisans themselves, you might pick up some pointers and techniques. In the summer and fall, festivals will still include interesting seasonal crafts, and can provide great ideas for your own creativity.
If you can't make it out to an arts & crafts fair, just retreat to the Internet and browse around the huge collections of holiday arts and craft designs. Or get out of the house and browse your local craft and hobby store. If you are really stuck, even looking at raw materials may trigger craft ideas. If not, these stores usually will carry books and magazines specifically tailored to holiday and special occasions crafts and art. (Most major bookstores will also carry these books).

Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been creating amazing holiday gifts and projects for years. See her exciting new ideas at Holiday Crafts [http://www.holidaycraftsweb.com], and be sure to visit Arts and Crafts for more arts and crafts fun!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Amos

Christmas has more meaning than shopping for material things to impress family and friends. You're not really sure they will even like what you buy and you're spending money for the items when you can't really afford to. Making gifts including Christmas Cards put the joy back into Christmas. It's so much fun putting cutting things out, sticking things on, trying to think of what to write that doesn't sound corney. You're not making your own cards, you're missing out.

Find this project at Multicrafting.com

Finger Bling

Spotted these cute buttons at the craft

shop and wondered if they would make some nice bling if I glued them to a ring base. I had some ring bases at home that would do just nicely. I used a blooming great file I found in the garage to even off the bottom so they would sit nicely on the ring bases and kazam!!! Finger bling.

They were so easy to make I am not even sure they can be called crafting. The yellow sunflower used to be an earring.