Make Window Display Greeting Cards

Make window displays in the front of your greeting cards.

Homemade greeting cards can be as simple or as intricate as you like. The different types of greeting cards available in stores can be created at home as well. For instance, you can create a window display card to show some of the design from the inside of the card on the front of the card before it is opened. Use your creativity to choose a shape for your window and make a one-of-a-kind window display card for a friend or family member.

Instructions

1. Draw a shape onto the front of a piece of pre-folded card stock with a pencil. Draw the shape that you want your window to be. Choose a plain square or a shape that fits the occasion, like a heart for Valentine's Day. Use a ruler to keep your lines straight.

2. Open the card and lay it flat on a cutting board, outside up.

3. Cut along the pencil lines with a craft knife and remove the shape to leave a window. Cut on the outside edge of the pencil lines so that you do not have pencil marks showing when you are finished.

4. Decorate the front and inside of the card with rubber stamps and ink. On the inside of the card, be sure to decorate the area that will show through the window that you cut out.

Make Door Hangers

Door hanger designs.

The most common door hangers are "Do Not Disturb" signs hanging on hotel doorknobs. Door hangers can also be used to welcome people, ask them to keep out or simply add a little sparkle to a door knob. Make door hangers for the bathroom, bedroom, front door or anywhere else there's a knob.

Instructions

1. Set up your shape. Get a piece of paper that is at least 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. Sketch the shape for your door hanger with a pencil. Sketch a hole near the top where you will insert the doorknob. Make sure the hole is at least 1 inch from the top and sides, and large enough to accommodate a doorknob. Cut out the sketch and place it on a doorknob to make sure it hangs properly.

2. Cut your foam. Place your paper outline on top of a piece of fun foam. Use a pen knife to cut along the outside of the shape. Cut the hole where the doorknob will fit. Place your fun foam door hanger on a doorknob to make sure it hangs properly. Make sure the door can open and close and the hole is large enough for the doorknob.

3. Write your text. Decide what you want written on your door hanger, if anything. Options include "Keep Out," "Welcome," "Beware All Ye Who Enter Here," or your name, nickname, fun slogan or anything else you'd like.

4. Choose illustrations. Pick an illustration or two that matches the text. "Keep Out," could be accompanied by a skull and crossbones. "Welcome" works well with a dog wagging his tail.

5. Sketch your design. Trace your door hanger on a piece of paper, including the hole for the door knob. Use a pencil to write out your text and sketch your illustrations. Play with it until you have a layout that works.

6. Translate your design onto the door hanger. Use paint pens to reproduce your design on the door hanger. Glue on any extra adornments, such as beads, glitter, charms, fun foam shapes or whatever else you desire.

Make Oil Drips On Canvas

Oil drip technique is a combination of control and chaos.

The artist Jackson Pollock (1912 -1956) turned the drip-painting technique into a contemporary art form in the early 1950s. Pollock was one of the leading figures in Abstract Expressionism, which was the dominant art form in the post World War II United States. The aesthetics of Abstract Expressionism incorporated a number of elements but one of its essential features was the idea of chance, chaos and anarchy. Surrealism, with its interest in the Freudian unconscious, was a major influence. Jackson Pollock's technique was a combination of finesse and control combined with the element of chance.

Instructions

1. Lay the canvas on the floor. If you are working on a small canvas, lay the canvas on a flat surface such as a table or work desk.

2. Experiment with thinning the paint. Pollock preferred household paints and often worked with enamel paint because the paint's viscosity allowed it to flow smoothly. You can thin enamel and oil paints with mineral spirits, linseed oil and walnut oil.

3. Choose a collection of objects to apply paint. Since the technique involves dripping the paint onto the canvas rather than brushing the paint onto the canvas, a variety of household objects may be used. Pollock used various objects to drip paint on the canvas such as worn out brushes, basting syringes and sticks. Other artists use objects such as wooden spoons and spatulas.

4. Experiment and refine your paint-dripping technique. The distance that the paint travels as it drips onto the canvas affects the outcome of the paint as it hits the canvas. Another technique is to lift the edges of the canvas so that the paint drips run randomly across the canvas.

Make Washable Body Paint

Body paint is used with Halloween costumes.

Body paint is used with theatrical and Halloween costumes. It also makes for a fun time with the kids. Washable body paint is easier to remove than some other types of longer-lasting body paints. Several recipes can be used for a homemade washable body paint, depending on what you have in your pantry and bathroom. Body paint is made using common supplies that can be easily washed off with soap and water.

Instructions

1. Divide 2 cups of baby shampoo into Styrofoam cups. The amount of cups depend on how many colors of body paint you will be making. Pour the powdered tempera paint in small amounts into the shampoo, until the desired colored is achieved.

2. Use 1/2 cup of baby lotion and 1/2 tsp. of clear dish detergent if you do not have any baby shampoo. You can use more lotion and detergent, depending on how much paint you will be making. However, keep the same ratios. For example, if you will be using 1 cup of baby lotion, use 1 tsp. of dish detergent. Pour the powdered tempera paint in small amounts into the baby lotion and dish detergent mixture, until the desired colored is achieved.

3. Grate a few bars of clear or white soap. Divide the grated soap into Styrofoam cups. Add water to form a paste-like consistency. Add 3 or more drops of food coloring into the cups until the desired color is achieved.

4. Mix 1 tsp. of cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. of cold cream and 1/2 tsp. of water together in a Styrofoam cup. Add food coloring until the desired color is achieved. Repeat the mixture for each color you will be making.

5. Mix together 3 tbsp. of cornstarch and 1 tbsp. of flour into a bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup corn syrup gradually. Add water, up to 1/4 cup, until you are satisfied with the texture and consistency. Separate the mixture into Styrofoam cups. Add food coloring until the desired color is achieved.

Make Vinyl Wall Art

If you rent an apartment or live in a dorm, you may be stuck with ugly walls that you aren't allowed to paint. Or perhaps your wall color is fine, but you have little art to hang and a small decorating budget. You can use contact paper to make vinyl wall-art stickers that are both inexpensive and removable. Contact paper will not damage your walls, and you can move them with you to future homes. Colored contact paper is available in large rolls at craft and office-supply stores.

Instructions

1. Lay your stencil on the contact paper and tape in place. You can purchase stencils from craft stores or make your own with cardstock or poster board.

2. Cut around the stencil with your scissors. Cut out any small pieces with a craft or utility knife.

3. Peel the backing from the contact paper. Place it on your wall.

4. Smooth the sticker from the center outward, removing any air bubbles trapped under it.

5. Remove the sticker by gently peeling it off the wall in a single motion.

Make Vinyl Graphics

Vinyl graphics are everywhere. Seen on vehicles, signs, machinery, banners, vending machines and store displays, this relatively new process has dominated an industry once run by painting and screen printing. The vinyl cutter is similar to a modified computer pen plotter, outfitted with a swivel knife rather than a pen. The graphics and lettering are designed on computer, and the cutter cuts through adhesive vinyl. Excess material is removed, leaving behind the lettering or design for application. With a modest investment in supplies and equipment, a little know-how and experience, you can set up a fun and rewarding hobby business.

Instructions

1. Using sign software, design the lettering or graphic. Line-art images may also be scanned, and imported into the software. Sign software converts lettering and graphics into computer language which the vinyl cutter needs to operate.

2. Load the roll or sheet vinyl into the cutter, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Press the "print" or "cut" command on the software screen, and specify the installed cutter. Cutting will take several minutes to an hour, depending on the cutter speed and the complexity of the design.

3. Cut the finished vinyl from the roll with scissors. Lay the vinyl on a flat table, and begin the weeding process. The weeding process involves removing all surrounding vinyl from inside and outside the design. Tweezers help in removing small sections, and to peel up edges of larger sections. The desired result is to have the design remain on the vinyl backing sheet, with all excess material removed.

4. Install premask over the entire weeded design. Premask is a light-tack, translucent masking tape, and is available in many widths. For larger designs, it is easier to use several smaller widths than one large premask. As the premask is applied to the design, burnish with a signmaker's squeegee to promote positive adhesion, and push out large air pockets.

5. Prepare the sign surface by cleaning thoroughly with glass cleaner and paper towels. If installing on a vehicle, use car wash detergent. Measure the area where the design will be located, and make guide marks with a grease pencil (also called a China marker). Position the premasked vinyl graphic over the area, making sure the graphic is square, and all guide marks are visible. Tape the top side of the graphic in place, so that a hinge is formed, and the graphic hangs freely.

6. Roll the graphic upwards, stopping at the masking tape hinge, and spray vinyl application fluid on the sign surface. Slowly remove the backing sheet from the vinyl as you work. The top surface of the vinyl should be stuck to the premask as the backing is removed, with the vinyl's adhesive side exposed. Working top to bottom, slowly roll the vinyl onto the surface, using the signmaker's squeegee to burnish, force out application fluid and remove bubbles. When wet, the fluid acts as an aid to control air bubbles and allow the vinyl to be positioned easily. The application fluid will enhance binding after evaporation. After the vinyl has been applied, carefully remove the premask. Do a final burnishing with the squeegee, remove excess fluid with paper towels, and the vinyl graphic is complete.

Make Book Sculptures

Old books can take on new life as sculpture

The art of making book sculpture involves altering discarded books in a variety of ways to create art. Techniques for book sculpture range from cutting, folding, gluing, fanning and attaching books or parts of books to other materials. Some book sculptures still resemble the original book, perhaps with a design cut through its cover, and others become elaborate dimensional works in which the books are completely transformed. This art form offers an opportunity to develop creative vision into a sculpture, using recycled books to invent new forms.

Instructions

1. Examine examples of book art to get ideas of the types of techniques and finished sculptures available to you. Some book sculptures have folded pages, creating shapes similar to other forms of paper sculpture and resembling simple paper decorations such as children make for holidays. Others turn the book's spine inward and cut the illustrations in the book to give them dimension, and others take the book apart entirely and reassemble it into a new shape.

2. Work with a book or group of books to alter their shapes. Create a fan effect by folding pages toward the spine, for example. Rub each fold with the edge of a ruler to create a sharp fold, if desired.

3. Stand the book upright, with the covers bent backward and the spine facing inward so the folded pages jut out of your book sculpture. Varying the shape and size of the folds changes the shape. For example, fold some pages in half toward the spine and others at an angle.

4. Use scissors or a utility knife to add details to your book sculpture. Cut out the background of an illustration; trace your hand or an object onto a page and cut out the tracing or cut designs into the page edges, such as a snowflake pattern or abstract flames.

Host A Debutante Ball

Traditionally, young ladies are presented at a debutante ball to celebrate their completion of study in philanthropic and community service areas, to celebrate entering adulthood, to be formally presented as eligible for dating, or to celebrate a significant birthday between the ages of 15 and 18. Hosting such an event is quite and honor and there are a few things you should know before sending out the invitations!

Instructions

Early Preparations

1. Choose the month or season for the ball. Most traditional debutante balls are held anywhere from November to January, when eligible bachelors were home visiting family for the holidays! Some cultures hold a debutante ball during the girl's birthday.

2. Plan early for a formal affair complete with music, dinner and dancing. It's similar to hosting a wedding or prom. Determine if the function will be black tie or white tie, and plan early for the location of the event, music provisions, formal dinner catering and decorations.

3. Determine if the debutante would like her party to benefit a favorite charity or otherwise provide philanthropic funds for a particular cause. This should be clearly noted on invitations if the purpose of her ball is to benefit a cause greater than herself.

4. Prepare the guest list with the help of the debutante. It will include her family, an immediate list of girlfriends, then friends and family of her parents and the hostess, if the hostess is not her parents. The list should include eligible bachelors of fine breeding and social status, who are friends of the family, as well as their acquaintances!

5. Choose the location and be sure it can accommodate the guest list. It can be simple and personal at a home, or you can rent a hall or location depending on the guest list, as long as you can accommodate all the elements of a debutante ball: presenting the debutante, providing a formal dinner, music and dancing.

6. Select the type of music that will be played at the party and prepare well in advance. It can be traditional waltz music or chosen from today's recording artists and it can be provided by a live band or DJ. Consult with the debutante on what she prefers based on the style, purpose and potential cultural influences of her debutante ball.

Prepare For The Event

7. Send the invitations at least 8 weeks in advance, then be prepared to answer questions regarding possible gift-giving and other situations for the debutante ball. Many people are unfamiliar with the purpose and reason for a debutante ball and what is expected of them as a guest or an escort.

8. Decorate the home or hall where the ball will be held with flowers. Often, it's customary for the debutante to begin receiving flowers a few days before her ball from friends and family. These should all be displayed throughout the hall or home for a festive, personal touch.

9. Introduce the young lady at the ball. This can be done by establishing a simple receiving line upon entry into the hall or home provided by the hostess. The hostess should stand closest to the entrance to receive the guests first, with the debutante next to her. The host or hostess should introduce the debutante in the receiving line to each guest.

10. Present the debutante to the assembled party just prior to serving dinner. The debutante makes a grand entrance, usually with her father, to curtsy and be escorted to her table. Provide a white runner for her to walk on, whether she descends stairs in the home or makes an entrance into a hall, where she will take her curtsy.

11. Have a formal dinner served, preceded by a prayer or toast to the debutante, with fine dinner music playing softly in the background.

12. Let the music and dancing begin! Remember that the evening is the celebration or rite of passage of a young lady into adulthood. It's a night to celebrate her and provide an evening that honors and embraces who she is. Keep the focus on her as you host the event, and she'll have an evening to remember for the rest of her life.

Make Vector Animation

Flash animations blend frames into each other.

"Vector animation" means that an animation is created using vectors rather than pixels. Vector animation allows a neater and smoother animation because the animation is made using a sequence of images. Macromedia's Flash program has for a long time been the preferred program to use for this sort of animation. Today, you can also use Adobe Illustrator or the free program Vector Giotto.

Instructions

Macromedia Flash

1. Open a new document in the Macromedia Flash program. Click "File," "Import" and select your vector. Click "Open." Click on the "Select" tool and drag the vector to the right side of your drawing board.

2. Click frame "41" on the "Timeline." Go to "Insert," "Timeline" and select "Blank Keyframe." Click "File," "Import" and select your vector. Click "Open." Click on the "Select" tool and drag the vector to the left side of your drawing board.

Right-click on the timeline and select "Create Shape Tween."

3. Click "Control," Test Movie" and select "Test" to watch your animation.

Adobe Illustrator

4. Click "File," "Place" and "OK" to insert four images into a new document. Click the "Select" tool and drag the cursor over the images to select them. Align the images on top of each other. Go to "Window" and click "Align." Click the vertical and horizontal icons (the second and sixth) under "Align Objects."

5. Click on the "Blend" tool. A window will pop up, bringing up the "Blend Options" tool.

Click "Specified Steps" under "Spacing." Write "8" for the value box. Click "OK."

Click "Object," "Blend" and "Make" from the tabs at the top of your drawing frame.

6. Go to "File" then "Export." The "Export" window will pop up. Write the name of your animation and select "Flash" from the drop-down menu under "Format." Click "Export." A "SWF Options" window will pop up. Click on "Basic" on the left side. Make sure under "Export As" it says "AI Layers to SWF Frames."

Click the "Advanced" tab and uncheck "Looping." Click "Animate Blends." Click "In Sequence." Click "OK."

7. Click "Web Preview" to open the animation on your web browser.

Vectorian Giotto

8. Open a new document in the free Vectorian Giotto program by pressing "Ctrl" + "N".

Click "File," "Import" and select your vector. Click "Open." Click on the "Select" tool and drag the vector to the left side of your drawing board.

9. Right-click the number "40" on the Timeline and click "Insert Keyframe."

Right-click on the gray frame and select "Create Motion Tween."

10. Click "File," "Import" and select your vector. Click "Open." Click on the "Select" tool and drag the vector to the right side of your drawing board.

Click on the frame number "1" and press "Enter" to watch animation.

Make Typography Art

Creating fonts for page layout embodies typography art

Typography is an art form that combines elements of design with the arrangement of alphabetical and numerical characters. The purpose of typography is both to engage the reader and create a unified design in the particular space. Certain fonts and sizes work well with some designs but not very well with others, therefore the importance of this art form with projects such as advertisements and websites is tremendous. If you would like to make your own typography art, use examples of the intended style to help you create your own.

Instructions

1. Study the examples of the typography you wish to emulate. While you may creatively make your own font styles and sizes, it's always best to use examples to help guide you through this process.

2. Sketch the letter "A" using a pencil and ruler to help you create straight lines, if necessary. Whether you are creating an upper- or lower-case "A," make sure your letter contains congruent lines and curved lines that make sense. In other words, your fonts need to be legible yet captivating to the readers.

3. Draw the rest of the letters of the alphabet, ensuring that they follow the same style of the first letter you created. If your letter "A" features any distinctive lines such as slants, include these same marks in each of the letters to create proportional fonts.

4. Create numbers with similar features to the letters, ensuring that all characters follow the same style guidelines. Include all signature features to establish a sense of consistency in all of your typography creations.

5. Trace all of your own typography letters and numbers with a pen to create a bold look. Move the pen over each of the characters carefully to ensure clean lines and that you do not smear any of the ink. Let the ink dry, then completely erase any remaining pencil marks.

6. Scan each of your letters and numbers into a capable computer program. Crop each character so that you may use each one for a different area of the project. Arrange these letters and numbers throughout your digital page to create the intended layout of your project.

Do A Tree Diagram

Do a Tree Diagram

A tree diagram is a graphic organizer used any time a broader concept or problem needs to be broken down into component parts or solutions. In math, a tree diagram might be useful to determine possible outcomes in a probability scenario. In other areas, a tree diagram is a tool for setting goals or analyzing problems.

Instructions

1. Start with a broad concept, such as a goal. For this example, let's say the goal is to generate more earnings from a small business. Write your goal at the top of your paper.

2. Identify two or three key factors in achieving your goal. For the small business example, two factors in improving earnings might be marketing and content production. List these underneath your goal, and draw lines branching out from the goal to each key factor.

3. List the steps involved in bringing about the key factors. For example, in the marketing factor, you might list print advertising and web advertising. Write these under the relevant factor and draw branching lines.

4. Continue to make lines and narrow down your initial topic. For print advertising, you might choose resources for your marketing such as trade magazines or local newspapers. Keep adding levels to your tree diagram until you have fully exhausted the aspects of the goal or problem you are breaking down.

5. Use the diagram to work toward your goal or solve your problem. Start with the lowest, or narrowest, topics, and work your way back to the main topic. In this case, begin your advertising campaign and work your way back up to generating increased earnings.

Make Traditional Japanese Shinigami Sandals

If you watch the anime cartoon Bleach, you're aware of the unusual footwear worn by the shinigami, or "soul reapers" as translated in the English version. These woven sandals, known as waraji, are traditional Japanese footwear. Imitations are made by cutting patterns out of bamboo mats, but if you're going for authenticity at the next convention, do it the old-school way, as a true shinigami would.

Instructions

1. Pound a nail into each corner of the board, and then two more at the top, between the top corners. They should be slightly closer to each other than to the corner nails. Take a length of rope and place its end at the bottom of the board. Run it up between the first and second nails from the left and wrap it around the top of the three nails to the right. Bring the rope down the right side of the board, around the two bottom nails and back up the left side. Wrap it around the three left nails at the top, and bring that second end of the rope down so it's parallel to the first end. Your board now has rope around the entire perimeter, with two strands up the middle and two loose ends hanging from the bottom.

2. Start a second length of rope by placing a loose end on the board a few inches up from the bottom and between the two middle strands. This stage requires most of your rope, so make sure you're using plenty. Bring the rope down beneath the bottom strand, then left over the loose end on the bottom, and then up and over the bottom strand.

3. Wrap the rope around the bottom strand and across to the right edge. Take the rope outside the right strand and bring it in and under that strand. This begins the weaving process. Go over the first middle strand, under the second and over the left strand. Repeat this process by going back and forth with the same over-under pattern, all the way to the top of the board.

4. Weave, weave and weave some more. Once you near the top, remove the unfinished waraji from the board if you'd like.

5. Finish the sandal's insole by wrapping the rope around the top strand, just as you wrapped it around the bottom at the beginning. String the loose end back through the series of loops you just made and cut if off.

6. Grab a third length of rope to make the straps. Loop it under one of the vertical strands that made the framework, up near the top. Push each end under and out through the outer left and right strands. Then bring them down to the bottom and push them under the bottom strand. Tie one of the loose ends securely at the bottom. Bring the other loose end across to where you just tied the knot. Push the rope under and up through the bottom edge, bringing it up toward the middle of the sandal and then back down through the bottom edge again.

7. Leave the last end loose, as you'll use this for tightening the strap to your foot. Pull on the two loose ends you left at the beginning to tighten everything up. Then cut and tie them off as needed. Remember, the sandal is supposed to look too long for your foot since it comes up the back of your ankle several inches. Since no shinigami goes around with one bare foot, now it's time to make your second waraji.

Make Toilet Paper Animals

There are two things most little kids go crazy for: (1) animals; and (2) arts and crafts. Why not combine both for a project your kids are sure to love? These steps will take you through the process of make a toilet-paper animal. You can use this guide to make just about any type of animal you wish on a roll of toilet paper.

Instructions

1. Take out your paper and pencil and create a plan. Having a plan on paper makes it much easier to assemble your project later. Draw a toilet-paper roll first. Now decide what type of animal you wish to create. Take a look at your everyday household resources and draw on your picture what you think you can use to create the animal of your choice. For this example, you will learn create a toilet-paper dog.

2. Get out your scissors and cut out the big pieces from fabric or felt. For a dog, you'll need to cut out two flappy ears, two round eyes, a little nose and a pink doggie tongue.

3. Glue your big pieces on. You can use a glue stick or a glue gun. Glue guns work best for heavy fabrics. You will also want to use the glue gun if you are using buttons for eyes instead of fabric or felt.

4. Take out some pipe cleaners for the dog's tail and whiskers. If you don't have pipe cleaners, you can use string, yarn or just draw them in with your markers. Now take the pipe cleaners and cut smaller pieces for the whiskers. For the tail, you can bend a pipe cleaner up in the middle or make the tail curly by wrapping it around a pencil and then slowly pulling the pencil out.

5. Use your glue gun to glue the whiskers and tail into place. Regular glue will not work so well on this step.

6. Double-check if there are any other household items you can use to make your dog look better. If you used felt for the eyes, for example, you many want to add a colored bead to the middle to make the dog have an eye color rather than just a black circle.

7. Get out your markers and add finishing touches. You could draw on some front or back paws, for example. If you made a Dalmatian, then you would want to color in some black circles all around the toilet-paper roll. It really is up to you. Be creative.

Download Animation Software

You can download animation software to make your own images and pictures.

Computer animation artists use the power of technology to make elaborate creations. However, even if you are not paid for your computer animation skills, you can still download animation software to make vivid works of art on your laptop or desktop. If you understand download and work with animation software, you can make animations with ease.

Instructions

1. Go to the download page of an animation software provider such as DigiCel Flipbook. This software starts at $78 and runs all the way up to $798, depending on what features you desire. However, if you prefer to use a no-cost software, you can download Anim8or or Pencil.

2. Read the fine print before you download. Look at the terms of service on the download website you select and note the price of the software, length of time you can use the program and the operating systems with which it is compatible. Once you select the animation software you feel works best for you, download and install it to your laptop or desktop computer.

3. Test the software. Go through the various functions of the software and see how you like its features. If the software appears slow or does not work well with your operating system, download and install another program. Experiment with different programs until you find the program that has the features and speed you like the best.

Make A Good Birthday Card

Use your creativity to make a good birthday card.

More often than not, people can make a good birthday card at home with supplies they already have. What makes a birthday card good is more than just the stickers and glitter, it's the personal touch and the time put into making the card. For a good birthday card, don't spend time skimming through cards at the supermarket; tap into your own creativity.

Instructions

1. Choose a photograph or clip art image to paste onto the front of the card. Ideas include one of a birthday cake, a gift, a picture of the honoree or flowers.

2. Choose a sturdy piece of paper, like card stock.

3. Cut the paper so it measures 4.25 by 5.5-inches (or a size you desire).

4. Fold the paper in half; use the back of a butter knife to make the crease look smooth.

5. Cut some shapes from the decorative paper small enough to fit over the front of the card. Shapes could include a rectangle, oval, heart, octagon, diamond, a cupcake silhouette or the silhouette of a birthday candle. This paper will be used as a frame, background or accent for the main photo or image that will later be pasted onto the card.

6. Before pasting, lay out the decorative paper and photo or image onto the card in different arrangements to see which you like best.

7. Paste the decorative paper and photo or image to the card with craft glue.

8. Add accents to the front of the card using decorative stickers and glitter glue to accent the borders or parts of the picture. Allow any glue used to dry.

9. With a pen, add a birthday quote or message on the front of the card if you wish. Write a birthday greeting on the inside of the card. Sign and date the card.

Make The Colors Pop In A Rusty Metal Art Collage

Complementary colors can make colors pop out like the red-orange against a yellow-green.

To make colors pop in a rusty metal art collage, start by pulling out a color wheel. Complementary colors are colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. The high contrast makes these colors stand out when placed next to each other. Triadic colors are evenly spaced on the color wheel and will make colors pop out when used next to each. Split-complementary color is similar to complementary colors except it uses two colors next to its complement color instead of one.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Clean the rusty metal collage by removing dirt, grime, rust and any moisture. Apply paste filler if there are any dents or areas damaged by the rust.

2. Apply a corrosion resistant to ferrous metals to help prevent further rusting. For nonferrous metals, apply a primer. Let dry.

3. Sand primer lightly and then apply a second coat. Let dry.

Painting

4. Determine paint color combinations that will make the artwork pop, such as a complementary, triadic or split-complementary color scheme.

5. Purchase paint that is suitable for metal such as gloss enamel, synthetic enamel or satin enamel.

6. Mask off areas that are not being painted. Apply first coat of paint. Let dry.

7. Wet-sand with waterproof sand paper and then apply a second coat of paint.

Make A Minimalist Poster

Minimalism is, in a sense, the artistic technique of saying a lot with a little. In minimalism, space and the "undrawn" or "unpainted" weighs heavily. The act of reducing a work of art, such as a poster, to its most essential features can be visually striking -- when done well. If you're designing a poster, you can incorporate minimalist techniques to create a work that is both streamlined and aesthetically pleasing.

Instructions

1. Extract one or two telling symbols, features or images from the overall content, and build the poster around that. In other words, if you're advertising a music festival, you don't have to crowd the poster with images of bands, the venue and instruments. A stripped-down symbol -- such as a lone guitar -- or even a solitary amp, can communicate the same message.

2. Use the technique of portmanteau, the contrast of two simple, stark, juxtaposed objects. Portmanteu is a common motif in minimalism.

3. Limit your use of colors. Choose only a few colors; or even reduce it to primary colors, like red, blue and yellow. The DeStijl minimalists of the early Twentieth Century were known for their reductive application of color.

4. Include text as needed, but don't crowd the poster with excessive text. Say only what needs to be said. You can communicate additional details by leaving a phone number or website -- depending on the nature of the poster.

5. Use close-up imagery. Zooming-in -- either photographically, painting or drawing -- on an object, or part of an object uses the component to say something about the broader whole, without having to explicitly state "the big picture" -- literally, in this case.

Make Color Wheels

Understanding make a color wheel empowers you to create virtually any imaginable color in paint, and it also trains your eye to recognize subtle differences in color tones. It is an exercise that is at once simple in its execution yet complex in its significance. The basic color wheel consists of 12 colors placed on 12 equal sections of a circle.

The relationships between the colors on the wheel make it easy to adjust hues to the desired brightness and dullness or lightness and darkness to achieve exactly the color you are aiming for. Adding small amounts of a color's complement, which is the hue exactly across from it on the wheel, will decrease the intensity of the tone. Any color tone, whether bright or dull, may be tinted by adding white, or shaded by adding black. The possibilities become infinite.

Instructions

1. Draw a circle on your white board at least 6 inches in diameter using the compass. Then, using the same center point for your compass, draw a concentric circle that is 2 inches smaller in diameter. You now have a "wheel" that is 1 inch wide.

2. Divide your wheel into 12 equal sections. The easiest way to do this is to use a protractor to create twelve 30-degree angles from the center point of your circles.

3. Paint the three primary color sections on every fourth section of your wheel, so that they are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. The three primary colors are red, blue and yellow. All of the other nine colors on the color wheel will be mixed from these three colors.

4. Carefully mix the secondary colors and paint them in the center sections between the two primaries they are mixed from. The three secondary colors are green, orange and violet. Each of these is mixed by combining equal parts of two primaries. Red and blue create violet, blue and yellow create green, and yellow and red create orange.

5. Carefully mix and paint the tertiary colors in the remaining wheel sections. The six tertiary colors are blue-green, yellow-green, red-orange, yellow-orange, blue-violet and red-violet. Each of these colors is mixed by combining equal parts of a primary color and a secondary color. These colors are placed on the circle section between the two colors from which they are mixed and complete the color wheel.

6. Label your 12 colors, indicating what type of color each one is below its name. For example: Yellow---primary; Green---secondary; Blue-violet---tertiary. Your color wheel is now complete.

Make Tessellations

Tessellations are identical figures that can fill a flat plane without leaving gaps. Essentially, they are like puzzle pieces, except each piece is identical to every other. They are popular for use in tiling and in the works of famous artists, particularly M.C. Escher. Creating your own tessellations can be a rewarding experience by producing new forms and finding new uses for space.

Instructions

1. Measure and mark out a perfect square from your card stock. Using your pen and ruler, make sure that the square's height and width are the same. Cut out the square.

2. Select one horizontal and one vertical edge. These will be your design edges. The opposite sides will be your application edges.

3. Draw a design on your two design edges with the pen. The goal is to have a shape that can be cut out of the design edge. This design will be your negative space, which is removed but accepting of an identical positive space from another tile. For example, if you cut a triangle from an edge you would have negative space in the shape of a triangle. In later steps, you will be filling this negative space with an identical positive space from the opposite design edge. Therefore, the shape must be continuous, with its beginning and end points both on the design edge. Make sure that your two designs, one on the horizontal and one on the vertical, do not interfere with each other.

4. Cut your design out of the design edge using your utility knife. It is very important that there are no tears, otherwise your tessellations will not fit together properly. Save the cut-out portion in one unblemished piece.

5. Tape the cut out design from each design edge on to the application edge directly across from it. Tape the design flush with the edge. Your application edges should now look like positive images of your design edge's negative space. Your basic tessellation template is complete.

6. Use your tessellation as a template for cutting out additional tessellations. Trace around your template onto card stock, then carefully cut out with the utility knife. The more precise your reproductions, the more effectively your tessellations will fit together.

Make Temporary Tattoo Stencils

Create temporary tattoo stencils with sticker paper.

Temporary tattoos are a great way to "try out" a tattoo. Creating temporary tattoos and tattoo stencils is a fun family activity or something cool to do at a slumber party. Most stores sell temporary tattoos, but are mostly seen in gumball machines. Standard application requires you to place the tattoo face down on your skin and apply a damp cloth to the back until the image is transferred. However, another method is stenciling. Create a stencil with your own design, then trace over it with natural henna or nontoxic face paint.

Instructions

1. Draw a design on the paper side of the sticker paper. Keep in mind that outlines cannot be just a simple line. All outlines must look like a tube.

2. Cut all around the outlines and shapes using a craft knife. For free-floating shapes or designs in the center of the tattoo, cut these out and set them aside. Remember that everything on the stencil that remains solid will not be transferred to the skin.

3. Remove the backing from the bulk stencil of the tattoo and apply it to the area desired on the skin.

4. Take the backing off of the free-floating shapes or design and stick them in the areas where they belong on the tattoo.

5. Paint over the stencil with nontoxic face paint, a tube of henna or a henna brush. Peel the stencil off and let dry.

Hang A Flag

Since June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress passed the Flag Act, the United States of America has been represented by a flag comprised of 13 stripes of alternating colors of red and white with stars set on a field of blue. Treating the flag with proper respect shows honor for the country. Although most people realize there is a particular way of hanging the flag, few people know exactly what the proper protocol is.

Instructions

1. Fly the flag horizontally from a staff. Whether you are flying the flag from a pole in front of a building or from the wall, window sill or balcony of a building, place the union (the field of blue with stars) at the peak of the staff. The only time you would not fly it at the peak is when it is being flown at half-staff during times of national mourning. The flag should first be hoisted to the peak of the staff for a second and then lowered to the half-staff position, which is halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. When lowering a flag that has been flown at half-staff, you first raise it to the peak of the staff and then lower it completely.

2. Hang the flag vertically. If you are hanging it from a rope over a street that runs east to west, then the union should be to the north. If the street runs north and south, the union should be to the east. If you are hanging the flag from a rope that is attached from a house’s window to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, you hoist the flag out with the union first.

3. Display the flag during a procession or parade so that the union is at the peak of the staff and the flag is never lower than your head. If there are other flags in the procession, they should be carried on the flag’s right. This is known as the marching right. If there is a line of flags, the United States flag should be in the center in front of the line of flags. Crepe streamers may only be affixed to the flag staff by order of the President of the United States.

4. Hang the United States flag with other flags--such as state flags--or pennants. If they are on the same staff, the United States flag is placed at the peak. If they are on adjacent staffs, raise the United States flag first, and lower it last. In a grouping of flags, it should be placed at the center and at the highest point.

5. Display the flag with another flag against a wall on crossed staffs by placing the United States flag toward the flag’s right (the viewer’s left). Its staff should be placed in front of the other flag’s staff. If you are hanging the flag in a window or along the roof of a porch, people from across the street should see the union in the upper left. On a podium, the flag should be displayed on the audience’s right.

Make A Model Of A Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscopes create a limitless number of temporary works of art.

According to legend, kaleidoscopes were first used in ancient Egypt. However, it is Sir David Brewster who generally receives credit for inventing the kaleidoscope in 1816. Brewster crafted his kaleidoscopes from fine woods and select materials, but you can make them from materials you'd find around the house.

Classroom teachers can incorporate kaleidoscope making into an art, science or an earth science unit. In a science project, they serve as in introduction to optics. In earth science, they demonstrate how some materials can be recycled into works of art rather than end up in a landfill.

Instructions

1. Cut three strips measuring 3 inches by 1 3/8 inches from the CDs with the utility knife. Place them together so that they form a triangular tube with the shiny side facing in. Run strips of masking tape around the edges. Insert the triangular tube into the 3-inch toilet paper roll.

2. Cut the toilet paper roll to a length of 3 inches with your scissors. Put the 1-inch piece to the side.

3. Draw two concentric circles on the poster board with the compass. The outer circle has a diameter of 1 5/8 inches, the inner 1/4 inch. Cut out both circles and fasten this ring to one end of the 3-inch tube with masking tape.

4. Draw two 1 5/8-inch circles on the clear plastic film with the compass. Cut out both circles. Tape one circle to one end of the 1-inch piece of toilet paper roll. Put five to 10 colored beads into the cup you have just created. Tape the other circle to the cup's top.

5. Tape the kaleidoscope's 3-inch section to its 1-inch section so that you have one 4-inch long tube. Cover this tube with your decorative contact paper.

Make Swirly Colored Candles With Crayons

Make colorful candles from bits and pieces of crayons.

If you have bits and pieces of old crayons cluttering up your craft drawer, gather them together and make swirly colored candles. Crayons are made from wax and work well as a coloring agent for homemade candles. Add a few crayons to a wax base to create swirls of color throughout the candle. If you have a large amount of old crayons, melt them all together to create small, colorful candles. Commercial candle molds are available at craft stores, but you can also use milk cartons, coffee cans and silicone cupcake tins to make swirly colored crayon candles.

Instructions

1. Remove the paper lables from five crayons and break them into 1-inch chunks. Place 1 lb. of paraffin wax into the top section of a double boiler.

2. Add water to the bottom section of the double boiler and fit the top section over the bottom section. Melt the paraffin over medium heat. When the water begins to boil, the paraffin should melt within 15 minutes.

3. Add the broken crayons to the melted paraffin. Stir the colored crayons into the hot paraffin gently with a wooden spoon. Swirl the colors around in the paraffin to keep them mostly separate, or join them together to make new colored swirls.

4. Spray the candle mold with a commercial candle release agent. A release agent makes it easier to remove the candle from the mold. Omit this step if you are using a milk carton as a mold. You can cut the milk carton away from the hard candle.

5. Fit the wick into the center of a metal mold. If you are using a milk carton or coffee can as a mold, dip the metal base of a wick into the melted wax. Fit the wick inside the center of the candle mold. Brace the wick upright in the mold between two pencils. You can also tie the wick to one pencil and rest the pencil across the mold.

6. Pour the swirly colored wax into the candle mold. Allow the wax to harden; this could take several hours. Remove the swirly colored candle from the mold.

Make Styrofoam Projects

Stryofoam projects include facades on buildings for the movie industry.

The amount of projects you can create from Styrofoam is only limited by the imagination. Styrofoam, known for its durability and its lightweight, is usable for all types of projects. The ease of carving and gluing Styrofoam pieces allow an artist to put together all kinds of project tasks. The film industry uses Styrofoam in movies and on sets to create props. Examples include fireplaces, fruits in a bowl along and even the facades and columns of buildings. Learning a few basic techniques will help you learn how you can complete complex and doable projects.

Instructions

1. Determine the projects needs and purchase the Styrofoam needed from the local art store for small pieces or order from an online source for larger pieces (See reference 1).

2. Cut the Styrofoam using a Styrofoam cutter, bread knife or an electric knife.

3. Assemble the pieces together and use a hot glue gun to secure. Let dry.

4. Cover the surface with a material such as concrete patch mix. Concrete patch mix will seal the Styrofoam and create texture. Use disposable gloves and apply with a flat surface like a craft stick for small items and a hoe for larger items. Start by applying the mixture around one quarter inch thick and then adjust the amount for different types of thick or thin texture. Let dry.

5. Paint the project using a paintbrush, cloth or sponge.

6. Protect the surface from weather by applying an outdoor sealant or finishers.

Make A Mobile

Make a Mobile

Kinetic art, commonly known as the mobile, can be as simple or complex as you would like to make it. Most of us are aware of mobiles that entertain babies and some of us remember creating solar systems with Styrofoam balls and wire. Today's kinetic art sculptures are far cry from Styrofoam and coat hangers. Know the basics, and you can create a masterpiece uniquely your own. Read on to learn make a mobile.

Instructions

1. Thread a thin wire or fishing line through the center of a wooden dowel.

2. Hang art pieces of equal weight on either side of the dowel, adjusting so that the dowel hangs relatively straight. This creates the basic structure of a mobile.

3. Apply more weight to one side than the other to create a unique design, keeping the dowel straight by adjusting the placement of the two art pieces.

4. Vary the placement of the wire or thread along the length of the dowel to accommodate art pieces of differing weights. Place the wire closer to the end that carries more weight.

5. Build upon this basic kinetic design by adding more dowels and or art pieces as weights until you are satisfied with the final outcome, making a mobile with variable levels and multiple art objects.

6. Decorate your weights and dowels in any manner of your choosing.

Make Stuff With Tissue Paper

Tissue paper comes in a variety of colors and shades

Use tissue paper for more than just gift wrapping--use it for making crafts. It is a safe and easy material for both adults and kids to work and create with. Not only is tissue paper not expensive, it comes in a wide variety of colors. Tissue paper can be found anywhere from art supply stores to gift shops to department stores--and even at drug stores.

Instructions

Instructions on making a flower

1. Pick out the color or colors of tissue paper that you want your flower to be and stack 18 pieces of it neatly on top of each other. Using more than one color is OK, as long as the sheets are arranged in a regular pattern.

2. Using a ruler and a pencil, measure and draw a 6-inch by 8-inch rectangle on the top sheet of the tissue paper. Using a pair of scissors, cut through all of the sheets at one time, being careful to cut on the lines.

3. With the stack of cut sheets together, fold the tissue paper in about 1/2-inch vertical folds as if making a fan, folding back and fourth until the entire width of tissue paper is neatly folded.

4. Take a green or brown pipe cleaner and twist the end of it securely all the way around the center of the folded tissue paper.

5. Cut 1/2-inch strips at the tips of all of the tissue paper at both ends along the fan fold lines, and then fold the tissue paper in half over the pipe cleaner with the long end of the pipe cleaner hanging down.

6. Separate each individual piece of tissue from each other while arranging the "flower petals" in a circular pattern around the center of the twisted pipe cleaner. Use extra caution while separating the tissue paper, being very gentle so as not to rip it. Repeat this step on the other side.

Tissue-Paper Valentines

7. Cut out a heart shape in a piece of pink construction paper.

8. Cut 2-inch square pieces of tissue paper in any color you choose. (Purple looks nice on pink.)

9. Fold each piece of tissue paper from corner to corner, creasing it going both directions.

10. Taking the tissue paper in your fingers, fold the center crease of the tissue paper so it is scrunched up at the tip and stick the tissue paper around the outside of the heart using a drop of glue.

11. Either decorate the middle with a smaller heart shape of glued tissue paper using the same method of folding and gluing the paper, or write a greeting in the middle.

Tissue-Paper Easter-Egg Decorations

12. Cut one sheet of tissue paper into 2-inch square pieces.

13. Apply a small drop of glue on a large plastic Easter egg. Scrunch up and then place a cut piece of tissue paper onto the egg. Hold until it begins to stick. Repeat until you cover the egg with pretty pieces of tissue paper.

14. Allow glue to completely dry before beginning the next step.

15. Cut a different color of tissue paper into 1-inch square pieces.

16. Repeat the process using a different color. Glue each new piece of scrunched-up 1-inch tissue paper on top of the first layer. Cover until you get the effect you desire. Allow to dry completely.

Make Stuff With Fiberglass

Fiberglass is used for many things.

Fiberglass is a versatile building supply. Fiberglass mats and resin are combined to make durable, long-lasting products of any size. Unlike other materials, such as metal and wood, fiberglass can mold to different shapes. Fiberglass is used in home projects, marine applications and car audio, body kits and panels. The method used in fiberglass application is not very challenging. However, it does require patience and a lot of practice to make stuff with fiberglass.

Instructions

MDF and Fleece

1. Measure and cut pieces of MDF with a saw, according to the size and shape of the fiberglass project. Assemble the frame with screws and a screwdriver.

2. Drape a lightweight fleece over the top of the frame. Starting in the middle, stretch the fleece and staple in place. Cut away any excess fabric.

3. Place the mold on a drop cloth. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.

4. Follow the package instructions on the resin. Pour the resin into a bucket. Apply a coat of resin over the fleece. Allow the resin to dry.

5. Apply another coat of resin over the first layer. Place the fiberglass mat on the wet resin. Apply a coat of resin over the matting. Repeat the process until the mold is covered with a layer of matting.

6. Allow the resin to dry. Repeat the application process of the matting. Place three to ten layers of matting on the mold, until the desired thickness and strength is achieved.

7. Apply the body filler and allow it to dry. Sand the surface of the fiberglass and apply another layer of body filler. If you are painting the fiberglass project, first apply a coat of primer, then the paint.

Foam

8. Cut the foam with a craft knife to form a mold. Finish rough surfaces and edges with sandpaper.

9. Place the mold on a drop cloth. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.

10. Set the matting on the surface of the foam. Follow the package instructions on the resin. Pour the resin into a bucket. Coat the matting with resin. Allow the resin to dry.

11. Repeat the application process of the matting. Place three to ten layers of matting on the mold, until the desired thickness and strength is achieved.

12. Apply the body filler and allow it to dry. Sand the surface of the fiberglass and apply another layer of body filler. If you are painting the fiberglass project, first apply a coast of primer, then the paint.

Pre-made Mold

13. Coat the pre-made mold in a mold release wax. This allows the fiberglass shell to slip off of the mold when it is finished.

14. Place the mold on a drop cloth. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.

15. Follow the package instructions on the resin. Pour the resin into a bucket. Apply a coat of resin on the mold. Allow the resin to dry.

16. Repeat the application process of the matting. Place three to ten layers of matting on the mold, until the desired thickness and strength is achieved.

17.Apply the body filler and allow it to dry. Sand the surface of the fiberglass and apply another layer of body filler. If you are painting the fiberglass project, first apply a coast of primer, then the paint.

Make String Bracelets

Choose three to eight colors to form the bracelet's stripes.

The string bracelet is fun to make as a gift or as a side project just for yourself. String bracelets can be designed to have stripes of whatever colors you choose. Once you learn the basic steps to create a string bracelet, you can feel free to get creative with your own variations. The possibilities for this craft are bound only by your imagination.

Instructions

1. Cut each color of thread at the desired length. For the typical wrist, this is about 14 to 16 inches.

2. Tie the tops of the strings together in a square knot, leaving at least 2 inches above the knot. This extra thread will tie the bracelet on later.

3. Secure the bracelet with tape or a clipboard above the knot so the top does not move around as you work.

4. Spread the colors out so you can clearly see their order from left to right. The color farthest to the left will make your first stripe of color.

5. Cross the string from the left over the top of the string immediately to the right. Leave a loop of first string to the left of the second string. The effect will look similar to the number "4."

6. Cross the first string behind the crossed strings, and pull it through the center of the "4" from behind, creating a knot at the top of the second string.

7. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 on each of the additional strings (from left to right), making a knot with the first string at the top of each additional string. When you have completed the row, string one should now be on the far right. String two is now the farthest left.

8. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 until the bracelet has reached the desired length.

9. Tie another square knot at the bottom of the bracelet.

10. Secure the ends together on the wrist with a square knot.

Make String Art

String art is a form of applied geometry. Using straight lines only, it is possible to define a curve. This curve, called a parabola, is the set of all points defined when you pass a flat plane surface through a solid cone. The curves can be a circle, ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola. Combining various sizes of curves results in interesting patterns.

Instructions

1. Check the resources at the end of this article for ideas on the string art you want to produce. It is best to start by making simple curves. Once you are able to make these, combine several to make more complicated pieces.

2. First, put nails or tacks along the horizontal and the vertical sides of your board, about a half inch apart.

3. Beginning in the upper left corner, tie thread or string to the first nail, then connect it to the second nail from the bottom left corner, going toward your right. Bring the string back up to the second nail going down the left side, then back to the third nail going to the right along the bottom. Keep going until you have connected each nail in turn to the next one down or over from it. Your string will eventually form a curve called a hyperbola. A hyperbola is a conic section, which is the set of all points made when you pass a flat plane surface through a solid cone.

4. Switch colors and begin at the corner that is diagonal to the first corner, and repeat. If desired, switch colors twice more and do the opposite two corners. If you do all four corners your piece will look like the one pictured above.

5. Experiment with different distances for the nails, different colors, and with smaller curves. Hang you work where others can enjoy it.

Make Street Stencils

Stencils for street spray-paint art are a great way to create complex works of graffiti art with minimal effort and time. Since graffiti art is often a personal artist's expression, it's a good idea for any dedicated graffiti stencil artist to learn to make stencils.

Instructions

1. Design and draw the image you want to use for your stencil. Either draft it directly on paper or print it from a computer. Choose or make an image that can be rendered in a single color and with the fewest number of intricate and fine lines possible. You also may create an image made up of two overlapping layers of one color each and make each layer its own stencil. This is easiest to do using an image editor with a "layers" function, such as Photoshop.

2. Study the image to figure out convert it to a stencil cutout. Look for any sections where a portion of the image is fully encircled by other lines of the image (such as the inside of certain letters, like "o"). Make connecting lines in these sections to keep the enclosed area attached to the rest of the stencil.

3. Cut the image out of paper. Use a cutting board or self-healing mat and use a sharp craft knife for the cleanest lines.

4. Trace the image onto paperboard. Use the paper cutout as a preliminary stencil to trace the shape onto the cardboard. Use a thin-tipped permanent marker for the best balance of precision and clarity.

5. Cut out the image in paperboard just as you did with the paper, using a craft knife. Use short strokes for the most accurate shape.

6. Spray the paperboard with lacquer. Spray one side, let it dry according to the instructions on the lacquer, then spray the reverse side. This will make your stencil more water-resistant and help it last longer.

Make A Mold For Fiberglass

Make a Mold for Fiberglass

Fiberglass, although a fairly toxic substance, is a common choice among professionals, students and hobbyists for creating props and other art projects. In order to form fiberglass into the desired shape, it must be pressed into a mold, or negative impression of a sculpture. The best molds for casting in fiberglass are made from plaster. They are usually made in the two-part style, since fiberglass dries too hard to peel out of an enclosed mold.

Instructions

1. Sculpt your original design or model object from water-based clay. Coat the entire sculpture with a clear sealer, such as Krylon Crystal Clear, and let it dry completely.

2. Visualize dividing the sculpture in half, creating two identical sides. Along this dividing line, build a thin wall of modeling clay that is a few inches tall.

3. Mix together a small batch of plaster. Add gypsum and water to your bucket until you have a soupy texture. Stir the mixture to remove air bubbles.

4. Paint an impression coat on one side of the sculpture, all the way up to the modeling clay. Let the impression coat dry to the touch.

5. Cut your burlap into small strips. Paint another layer of plaster over the impression coat, then press pieces of burlap into the plaster.

6. Paint more plaster over the pieces of burlap, then let this layer of the plaster mold dry to the touch.

7. Add more layers of plaster and burlap until you have the mold thickness you like. Let this half of the mold dry completely.

8. Repeat Steps 4 through 7 on the opposite side of the sculpture. Let the entire mold cure overnight.

9. Peel the halves of the two-part mold apart, and scoop out the clay inside. Clean the mold completely with warm water, leaving no traces of clay behind.

10. Coat the inside of the mold halves with mold release, so that the fiberglass does not stick to the inside. Let the mold release dry before you begin fiberglass casting.

Make Still Life Art Projects

Even someone's laundry is game as a subject for a still life art project.

Traditional still life art usually contained a bowl of fruit. Don’t let that deter you. You can make still life art projects that are much more enticing than seedless grapes, more outrageous than an orange and more captivating than an apple. For still life, all you need are objects that usually don’t move on its own. This can include everything from bones to flower to an overturned trash can spilling out its contents. You can make still life art projects using a variety of medium, as well.

Instructions

1. Think outside the fruit bowl. Pick your subject with a dash of quirkiness, a dose of wit and a dab of originality and you’ll be stunned at what you come up with.

2. Arrange your subject in a fashionable fashion. Unless you have captured a still life moment in its perfection and want to preserve what you’ve found, arrange the subject in an artistic way. This could be as small as propping the garbage can lid a little more to the left of the overflowing debris or as drastic as tuning a book entitled “Set Things Right” upside down.

3. Paint it on canvas. Recreate the still life image with a little paint and a canvas. If your painting is going to take some time, you may want to take a photograph of the image to insure it will not get disturbed.

4. Sculpt a reproduction of it. Grab some clay and recreate the rabbit skeleton you found in the woods. Again, if the sculpting takes some time and you don’t feel like dragging the bones home or sculpting in the woods, you may want to take a photo. If your subject is large, you may also want to sculpt with bigger material, like marble or a slab of wood.

5. Take a photo. The photo itself can serve as a still life project, as long as you capture a breathtaking, poignant, interesting or meaningful scene. Here is where thinking outside the fruit bowl really works, as a simple walk down the street can offer you dozens of still life projects completely captured by one click of your camera. Photos can also be enhanced, re-colored, touched up or blurred using a computer program, further adding to the artistic nature of your project.

6. Use mixed media. Perhaps the still life you found, say, of the overturned garbage can, would be best done justice using mixed media. You can start with the photo and cut pieces of it out to add to the garbage can you’ve painted on canvas then add clay pieces of three-dimensional debris for the final effect.

Make Stencil Art

Make beatiful designs simply with stencils.

Stencil art is a simple and entertaining way to create distinctive and stunning pieces of artwork, even if you don't have much artistic inclination. Get creative and decorate just about any surface you wish: wallpaper, paintings, furniture and clothes, among others. Use different colors of paint to design patterns and layering that will make you look like an art pro. The technique is easy to learn and the supplies are accessible and inexpensive; you could even start your project today.

Instructions

1. Decide on a design. You can make your own stencil from cardboard or plastic sheeting or buy stencils made of Mylar or heavy plastic. You can also trace and cut or buy pre-made sticker stencils that stick on and peel off easily.

2. Practice the design on paper first. Hold or tape the paper to the desired surface to ensure it looks good.

3. Prepare the surface. If you are stenciling on clothes, prewash and iron the fabric. Wipe dust and debris from walls or furniture. If painting on paper or canvas, place the surface horizontally to prevent dripping.

4. Hold the stencil firmly on the desired surface and lightly trace the design with a pencil. Check the alignment and positioning of the design and make the appropriate adjustments. If you are repeating designs on a wall, have a friend help hold the stencil in place or use low-tack adhesive spray to stick the stencil to the wall.

5. If you are using spray paint, shake the can and lightly spray from about 1 foot away. Keep the can moving to avoid thick, drippy paint. If you are using a paintbrush, blot excess paint on a piece of paper or paper towel. The Stencil Ease Instruction Guide recommends using a stencil brush to lightly brush from the outside to the center. You can also blot acrylic or stencil paint on the stencil using a paint roller or sponge.

6. Let the paint dry and apply a light second coat if necessary. Carefully remove the stencil by pulling it horizontally away from the wall. Wait for the paint to dry and apply layers of other colors. Repeat the pattern, if applicable.

Make Stencils Used For Tagging

Public signs are often spray-painted using stencils.

Making a stencil for tagging is useful because you can put most of your work into preparation, thereby minimizing the amount of time it takes to actually execute your tag. Some artists, such as the elusive Banksy, whose work has been seen all over the world, use stencils as their primary medium. Once you have actually created the stencil you will be using, give a lot of thought as to where you will be using it. Stenciling your tag on private or public property without explicit permission is vandalism. You can be arrested and face large fines for tagging illegally.

Instructions

1. Design your image. Your image will consist of a set of bold outlines. Text is fairly simple to design, while photographs and portraits are more difficult. Visualize your design as a two-tone image. If you are working with a photograph, try digitally editing it in Photoshop with the "Threshold" function. This will render it into a more stencil-friendly, black-and-white image. Remember that ultimately your painted image will be formed by the black portions of your stencil and the negative space between those portions. Visualize the white part of your stencil design as the background on which you will be painting the stencil, whether it is concrete, plywood or steel.

2. Draw or print your image on a sheet of regular computer paper. Mount this paper onto the stencil material using strong tape or spray adhesive. You have a few options here. You can use cardboard, foam core, acetate or laminated paper as your stencil material. Cardboard and foam core are more durable, but harder to cut. Acetate and laminated paper are easier to cut, but also flimsier. Place a cutting mat or glass plate under your stencil material.

3. Cut the stencil. This may be the most challenging part of the process. Use a sharp blade like an X-Acto knife for thinner stencil material and a larger blade for thicker material. Start by cutting out the most detailed portions of the stencil first. Remember to only cut out the black portions of the stencil. When you have gotten those out of the way, move on to cutting out the larger portions. Be extremely careful with the blade. Not only do you want to take great care to make the correct cuts, but you also want to avoid cutting yourself. When you are done, carefully remove the drawing from the stencil material.

4. Paint your stencil using spray paint. If you made all your cuts correctly and precisely, your painted image should be an accurate rendering of the original drawing. Depending on the stencil material, and the conditions under which you are painting, you should be able to use it repeatedly in different places.

Make Spiders And Bugs Out Of A Wire And Beads

Use pearly black beads for your beaded spiders.

Make creepy crawler jewelry to add a little bit of creativity to your Halloween decor. You can also use the beaded bugs project as an activity for a group of children or preteens at a Halloween celebration or a birthday party that falls close to the holiday. Use shiny, black beads for realistic looking spiders, or give the bugs some pizzazz with sparkling crystal beads instead. The wire-and-bead bugs can be attached to jewelry and other accessories, such as key chains and backpack zipper pulls.

Instructions

1. Cut a 2-inch long piece of the wire. This is the body of the spider.

2. Use the pliers to make a loop at one end. Slide a large bead onto the wire. The bead should be at least a 1/2-inch in diameter.

3. Cut four more pieces of wire, each about 3 inches long. These are the legs of the spider. Use the pliers to make a loop at each end of every piece of wire.

4. Hold the four pieces of wire together. Find the center of the lengths of wire and use the pliers to wrap the center of the four pieces around the piece of wire with the bead. Wrap the pieces around the body, just above the bead. You now have four pieces of wire protruding on either side of the body. Bend each of these pieces to make curved legs.

5. Slide another bead onto the body wire. This bead should have a diameter of about 3/8-inch for the spider's head. Make a loop from a small section of the wire left protruding above the head, and then twist the remaining wire around the base of the loop. You can now attach the beaded spider to a keychain, necklace or other jewelry with the loop.

Engrave Linoleum

A brayer is used to spread ink on the linoleum engraving for printing.

Linoleum engraving, or block printing, is a longstanding artistic method dating back to the early 1900s. An artist engraves a layer of linoleum mounted on a wooden block using special carving tools. The carved image is then inked and pressed onto paper to create the engraving. All the areas and lines of the linoleum not removed by the artist produce the lines of the resulting image. Artists such as Kandinsky, Matisse and Picasso have used this method in their work.

Instructions

1. Trace an outline of a linoleum block on a sheet of tracing paper. Draw or transfer a design within the boundaries of the outline. Darken the lines of the drawing or design heavily with a soft art pencil.

2. Place the tracing paper face down on the linoleum side of the block and secure it with masking tape. Make sure to line up the outline of the block that you traced in the previous step with the block's edges.

3. Rub the design from the paper onto the linoleum block. Use a coin or back of a spoon and concentrate on rubbing each darkened area of the design. Once you are satisfied the entire design has been transferred to the block, remove the masking tape and tracing paper. If you like you can darken the transferred lines after removing the paper.

4. Hold the linoleum block in one hand or clamp it to a workbench. Use the engraving tools to cut away all the linoleum that does not have pencil markings. Remember that whatever you cut away will be blank on the finished print. Anything that is not cut away will be colored. Use appropriately sized cutting tips from engraving tool set for the size of the area you are cutting.

5. Brush away all the cut particles as you work. When you are finished, rinse the block under water to remove all tiny pieces of cut linoleum and pencil markings and pat dry. Make absolutely sure you are finished engraving before washing away the pencil marks.

6. Squeeze a small amount of block printing ink onto a paper plate and roll a brayer in it to coat. Roll the brayer onto the dry linoleum in a thin, even coat. Place a sheet of art paper on a flat surface and press the inked linoleum block onto it with firm, even pressure.

7. Remove the linoleum block from the paper and inspect the image. If there are areas of ink that you do not want in the final image, remove those areas from the linoleum with the engraving tools. Test print the block again and remove any more unwanted inked areas until you are satisfied with your design.

Make Sound Activated Leds

Sound activated LEDs can be adjusted so they only respond to loud noises.

Making your own sound activated light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be almost as fun as actually using them. Sound activated LEDs have many uses, from creating your own clap on, clap off light source to a light that comes on when someone knocks on your door. Most sound activated switches will have a method for adjusting the sensitivity to noise so you can have your LED light up at a quiet whisper or a loud yell.

Instructions

1. Tape one end of a piece of wire to the positive terminal of your 9-volt battery.

2. Solder the other end of that wire to the anode (longer wire) of your LED.

3. Solder a second piece of wire to the cathode (shorter wire) of your LED.

4. Solder the other end of that wire to a terminal on your sound activated switch.

5. Solder a third piece of wire to the other terminal on your sound activated switch.

6. Tape the other end of your third piece of wire to the negative terminal on your 9-volt battery.

Make Snowflake Ornaments

Snowflake

Snowflakes are awesome ornaments for the holiday season, and they are so easy to make that you may end up with a whole house full of them. Because of their unique design, and the unique way you can make them, each one will have a special shape and style. Those who want to get extra crafty can even experiment with cutting letters, animal shapes and other fun stuff into the snowflake. From your holiday tree to your window pane, snowflake ornaments can add a sparkle to everything they adorn.

Instructions

1. Cut 2 squares of the same size, one from the paper and the other from a piece of medium-weight cardboard.

2. Fold the paper square in half diagonally, then in half diagonally again, and once again until you end up with a triangular shape.

3. Snip small sections out of the paper to create the designs on the snowflake. Unfold the paper to check your progress and keep snipping until you have created a design that you like.

4. Lay the unfolded paper on the cardboard and trace the openings you have created by snipping. Use a pen knife to cut out those designs in the cardboard.

5. Decorate the cardboard. Lightly spray paint both sides of the cardboard, using white, gold or silver paint or a combination of anything that catches your eye. While the paint is still damp, sprinkle glitter on the cardboard for a sparkly snowflake.

6. Tie a small piece of thread or red ribbon around the top of the snowflake in a loop so it can be hung from the tree or in another area.

Make Sneakers

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2008/04/puma-madison-evo-sneaker.jpg

Sneakers have emerged as one of the most popular types of footwear in the last century. Originally, they were exclusively popular with athletes, but as the years have wore on, sneakers have become a noted fashion staple among people from all walks of life. All types of people from different economic backgrounds and various ages wear sneakers on a daily basis, in addition to wearing them while doing such physical activities as walking, jogging, and playing tennis.

Instructions

1. Acquire the necessary fabric or leather and rubber soles from a textile factory, and shoelaces from a regular shoe store. Fabric glue, a sneaker pattern, needle and thread can be found at any local arts and crafts store. A wooden shoe form is optional, but helpful in maintaining the proper shape of the sneaker.

2. Use the sneaker pattern to help you cut the fabric or leather into the appropriate pieces so that they can be sewn together. There will be about three pieces of fabric or leather that will make up the final sneaker - the left and right sides and the inner "tongue." Leave about a half-inch flap of fabric loose in order to sew the completed upper portion to the rubber sole.

3. Sew the three different pieces of each pair together one by one. Begin by sewing the left and right side at the back and front. Then turn this sewed portion inside out and sew the tongue-like flap onto it about an inch from the bottom. If you are using leather for your sneaker, use a sewing machine to guarantee the best results. Punch out holes in the fabric that comprises the front of the sneaker and loop the store-bought shoelaces through them. If you have a wooden shoe form, place the pieces of fabric onto the form in order to help you sew the pieces together correctly.

4. Use a powerful sewing machine or strong fabric glue to fasten the upper fabric portion to the rubber sole. If you are using fabric glue, let it set for about 24 hours in order for it to secure properly.

5. Decorate the finished sneakers with rhinestones, beads, iron-on decals, or personal drawings.

Make Silver Jewelry At Home

Sterling silver can be melted and poured at home to create stunning jewelry.

Silver jewelry is elegant and versatile, accenting any outfit you could possibly wear, from casual to formal. Making your own silver jewelry at home allows you to create one-of-a-kind pieces that suit your own personal fashion needs. From decorative rings to elegant silver beaded earrings, bracelets and necklaces, making silver jewelry provides you with a creative hobby that results in wearable works of precious metal art.

Instructions

Silver Dangle Earrings

1. Snip two lengths of jewelry wire measuring 4 inches each from the roll.

2. Tie one end of each length to the looped base of each earring hook.

3. Slide a single sterling-silver charm bead down the length of each wire.

4. Add a single colored-glass bead of choice to the wire directly beneath the silver charms. Knot the wires directly beneath each bead. Secure the knot with a tiny dot of hot glue. You can add more beads, but make sure you leave enough free wire for a dangling effect. Snip the excess wire from the earrings and you're ready to adorn your ears with your handiwork.

Cast Silver Ring

5. Select a ring mold in the design of your choice in a size that fits the intended finger. Place a small cast-iron skillet on the stove and set it to medium heat. Wait about five minutes for the stove to heat fully.

6. Break or snip a 4-inch length of silver wire from the roll. Silver wire can be obtained from any craft or hobby supply shop.

7. Drop the wire into the pan. Within seconds the silver wire will turn into a molten liquid.

8. Pour the molten silver into your ring mold. Wait about two minutes.

9. Drop the ring mold containing the hot metal into a bowl of ice water. Make sure to drop it carefully so as not to spill the silver. Let the mold sit in the ice water for about five minutes before retrieving it. The ring should pop out of the mold with ease.

Make An Animal Cell Diagram

Animal cells consist of an outer cell membrane filled with cytoplasm and microscopic organelles.

Cells are the building blocks of life, and students often are asked to create cell diagrams. Animal cells consist of an outer cell membrane filled with cytoplasm and microscopic organelles. Each organelle has a different purpose inside the cell. Your diagram should show all the parts of the animal cell and be color-coded and accurately labeled.

Instructions

1. Study the cross-section of an animal cell (see Resources).

2. Draw the cell on a sheet of paper.

3. Label each organelle on the diagram and draw each using a different color.

4. Draw the cell membrane, which will be the outline of the cell.

5. Draw the cytoskeleton. This includes the filaments and microtubules.

6. Make the oval-shaped nucleus with the nucleolus in its center. Inside the nucleus include some drawings of chromatin. The nucleus should be the largest item inside the cell.

7. Draw the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus.

8. Draw several bean-shaped mitochondria inside the cell, as well as vacuoles and vesicles. The vacuoles and vesicles should be smaller than the mitochondria.

9. Draw lysosomes, ribosomes, peroxisomes and a centrosome.

10. Draw the golgi body inside the cell.

11. Color the remaining space in the cell, which is called cytosol or cytoplasm, a liquid in which the organelles live.

Make Silicone Rubber Sculptures

A soft, friendlier version of a sculpture can be made with silicone

Some of the most famous modern sculptures have been made out of silicone that is cast from molds. Artists such as Ron Mueck have spent a lifetime experimenting with the medium to create hyper-realistic creations that shock and amaze. But silicone rubber has many other advantages to sculptors beyond its ability to fool the eye. Often silicone is used for sculptures when the use of stone or metal is not considered safe. Silicone sculptures are softer and lighter than those made of other materials.

Instructions

1. Brush or spray a generous amount of mold release into the mold, choosing the proper mold release for the materials you are using.

2. Bolt or strap the mold together, if it is a multiple piece mold.

3. Mix a small amount of tint into the silicone, if color is desired. Mix the silicone rubber components together in a bucket according to the directions.

4. Place the mold on the floor. Pour the silicone slowly into the mold, holding the mixing bucket as high as you can. This will cause any small bubbles to break as the silicone dribbles into the mold. Fill the mold to the top.

5. Remove the silicone from the mold once it has cured. Different silicones have different cure times, but you will know it is ready if it is not sticky to the touch.