Category Archives: Crafts
Be Aware of Poisons in Pottery
Creating pottery is fulfilling, but it can also be dangerous. Many of the materials used to produce those beautiful works of art are, unfortunately, poisonous. They are most dangerous in their raw form, but some can present a hazard even after the pottery is fired.
Some of the most dangerous substances found in pottery include:
* Asbestos – This is a substance that was once commonly found in building materials, but has become tightly regulated in recent years. It can cause lung diseases such as mesothelioma in those who are exposed to it regularly.
What to Consider When Setting Up a Pottery Studio
Some crafts require little or no extra space to participate. Pottery is not one of them. Depending on your technique and your attitude toward pottery, you could need a free corner in your home or an entire separate building. Here are some things to consider before you choose a space for your studio.
* Do you plan to handbuild or throw? The act of handbuilding does not require a great deal of space. Unless you plan to do it frequently, the kitchen table should be sufficient and can be cleaned up easily to be used for other purposes. But if you’re throwing pottery, you’ll need a space that’s large enough to accommodate the type of wheel you plan to use. And since throwing is significantly messier than handbuilding, you’ll probably want a dedicated room or building.
How to Make a Takeaway Beach
A trip to the beach can be the highlight of one’s summer. Children are especially captivated by the sand, water and beautiful scenery. When it’s time to go home, they may not want to leave. And for that matter, you might wish you could stay, too!
Moving to the beach might not be an option. But you can take a little piece of the beach with you when you go home. Collecting seashells, driftwood and other beach findings is a fun way to commemorate your vacation. And when you get home, these items can be used to make your very own beach… inside of a jar. Here’s how to make this simple yet meaningful craft project.
Three Fun and Easy Home-Made Playdough Recipes
I’m sure when we were kids one of our favorite things was playdough. It allows so much imagination and hours of creativity and fun. Playdough is still a favorite artistic medium of kids everywhere. Playdough can be used over and over again if kept in its container, or kids can let their creations dry and keep them.
You can find playdough in almost any store that sells toys. But it’s also very cheap and easy to make. You probably have everything you need to make at least one type of playdough in your kitchen cupboard. Some recipes are even edible. Here are three fun and simple ways to make playdough.
Fingerprint Flower Vase – Mother’s Day Craft
If you know children, you know most love to get their hands messy. They also love to pick wild flowers and weeds to share with those they love. Why not let them to be crafty for Mother’s Day by allowing them to create a fingerprint flower vase to give to Mom or Grandma this year?
Toddlers and young children may see Mom, Dad, or their brothers and sisters enjoying crafts. They may wonder why they don’t get to make something as well. This craft is perfect for little hands and will result with a gift any mom or grandma will love.
Create a Mother’s Day Certificate for Mom This Year
Moms love gifts that come from their children’s hands as well as their hearts. This year your children may want to create a Mother’s Day certificate and poem. It will be something that any mother would cherish, no matter what the age of the children.
If your family is like most, you may have given gifts like flowers, candy, or a nice meal out. Mom isn’t going to complain about any of these gifts, but she may want something that requires a little more thought on your part or the part of the children in her life.
How to Make an Always Treasured Mother’s Day Photo Flower
Most moms love flowers, and all love photos of their families. Why not combine those two ideas to give her flowers that will never die and feature cherished photos of her children? These Mother’s Day photo flowers are sure to make Mom’s big day extra special. Even small children can make them with a little help with the cutting.
Supplies
- Construction paper, colored card stock or patterned scrapbook paper
- Glue or glue stick
- Photos
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Clear tape
- Green chenille stems
Instructions
Have Fun Making a Birthday Pinata
Pi?atas are all the rage at kids’ birthday parties. There’s just something about getting blindfolded, trying to hit a brightly colored object with a stick, and picking up the candy that falls when someone succeeds that young people (and the young at heart) love. Pi?atas have become must-haves for birthday celebrations, but unfortunately they’re not cheap.
But did you know that pi?atas are really easy and fun to make? You can create a colorful pi?ata with just a few supplies, and you can find some of them around the house. Here’s how to make a simple one.
Supplies
- Newspaper
