Bamboo - More Than Just Poles

by Michael Russell

A brief overview of the many things that can be made of bamboo and it's uses.

You can't even begin to imagine how many uses there are for bamboo and how many things are made from bamboo.

For example. Did you know that some fishing flyrods are made from bamboo?

A gentleman by the name of Ward Dunham makes bamboo pens. He uses these for blackletter and other types of Gothic writing.

Bamboo is also used for making baskets. No, not all baskets are made of straw. Bamboo is quite commonly used in the making of baskets and it is quite strong.

How strong? There is a bridge in Bali that is made from bamboo. Certainly it would have to be strong to support a person or persons walking across.

In Denmark there is a company that makes bicycles out of bamboo.

TUBS Marine in Angeles City builds hybrid steel and bamboo boats and fishing sleds.

It is also possible to build bamboo housing. I don't think anyone would want to be in one of these when a strong wind came around.

Bamboo fibers are also used to strengthen epoxy composites which is commonly used to strengthen concrete. Maybe that's why our roads get potholes so easily.

Habu textiles uses bamboo in the making of yarn. The yarn is made by a process similar to the way rayon is made

A gentleman by the name of Omer Kursat uses bamboo to make what he calls "Artifacts of a One Man Tribe."

A friend of mine who is a musician tells me that certain musical instruments are made of bamboo, most commonly the bamboo flute. It has a very different sound from the traditional metal flute. He describes it as being more airy and lighter sounding.

In Japan many traditional crafts including window blinds are made from bamboo.

There is quite a bit of furniture that is made out of bamboo. Another friend of mine has a bamboo made lawn chair. He tells me that it's quite sturdy. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization has a number of articles on this.

A gentleman by the name of Christoph Tonges has a site that explains some of the bamboo construction techniques needed for making anything out of bamboo. Well, you didn't just think they threw this stuff together did you?

A company in Germany by the name of Bamutec specializes in tools that are specifically developed for bamboo joinery.

I think you pretty much get the idea. Bamboo use is more common than most people realize. Just take a look at the things around you in your every day life. You'll be surprised how much of it is made out of bamboo.

About the Author

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Bamboo

Ideas for Bamboo Crafts.

Metal Candle Holders For The Antique Collector

by Gerald Hopkins

Metal candle holders offer antique collectors and decorators unique pieces of art for the home while being functional as well. Hand crafted metal candle holders are popular among artisan collectors for the varied material they are made of. For decorators, metal candle holders make a perfect tool for decorating any room of the house. Metal candle holders are also great decorations for the holidays to dress up the table or fireplace mantel.

The art of making candle holders started out as a necessity when candles provided the only source of light in homes. These early examples of metal candle holders remain prized possessions for those who collect candle holders and antiques. During the Colonial period metal candle holders were used for lighting the home and for telling time. One story tells of a spiral shaped metal candle holder that was used when a young girl would have her boyfriend visit the family home. The candle holder held a long tapered candle and would be lit when the boy arrived at the house. When the candle burned down to a certain length, the girl's suitor was expected to leave. Old examples of metal candle holders were usually made of forged iron or heavy tin. Many of these collectible pieces still exist today and are relatively inexpensive to collect.

Although metal candle holders were once a necessity, they now serve more as beautiful pieces of art in décor in homes all around the world. Metal candle holders, whether made with a simple tin can or forged iron are also practical because they are much more durable and less prone to breakage. Most wrought iron metal candle holders can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Metal candle handles can also be found adorned with ornate decorations such as beaded chains, crystals and other gems.

Candle holders made out of metal are crafted from a wide variety of metal materials including bronze, iron, brass, sterling silver, aluminum, silver, steel and wrought iron. The sizes of metal candle holders vary as well, according to their intended use. Some candle holders are large and hold many candles that can light up an entire room. Others are smaller types designed to hold one tapered candle. Less popular, but still very desirable among decorators are forged iron candelabras.

Metal candle holders made of iron are very popular as decorative pieces today. These candle holders are often made by hand or are of forged or hammered iron. These handcrafted items offer quality, durability, uniqueness, and value. Artisans who make these metal candle holders out of iron make these pieces one at a time using the centuries old process of heating the metal in fire and hammering it into the desired shape or configuration.

Metal candle holders can be found all over the world. New pieces are easily located at almost any store that carries decorative items for the home. Both large and small metal candle holders are made in all shapes and sizes. Look for handmade metal candle holders at arts and crafts fairs where artisans sell their unique pieces of art.

About the Author

Ezholders specializes in holders of all types of candle holder resources.

Topic:
Colonial Crafts

Making friends, making crafts: fashion friendships and classroom fun with these interactive craft ideas

Friendship Mice

After sharing Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Eric Carle (HarperCollins, 1976), help children to break the ice with these cute friend-maker critters.

For this project, you'll need felt, wiggle eyes, yarn, pom-poms, pipe-cleaners, scissors, glue, a single hole punch, tagboard, and the mouse Reproducible on page 12. Distribute the mouse pattern, then guide students through these steps:

1. Trace the pattern parts onto tagboard and cut out.

2. Using the tagboard mouse patterns, trace and cut out felt pieces.

3. Glue both halves of the mouse shape together as shown, leaving the curved edge open to create a pocket. Insert a few yam whiskers between the pointed end of the cutouts as you glue.

4. Cut felt ears and glue to each side of the mouse. Add wiggle eyes and a pom-pom nose.

5. Punch a hole in the wide end of the mouse and string the pipe-cleaner tail through.

6. Wrap the loose end of the tail around a special note for your friend-to-be. Then, tuck a treat such as stickers, a small toy, or a sweet snack into the center of the mouse. Invite your friend to read the note and remove the secret surprise hidden inside.

Turtle Tales

Franklin and Moose become fast friends in Franklin's New Friend by Paulette Burgeois (Kids Can Press, 1997). After sharing the story, invite students to make turtle mailboxes for storing friendly classroom notes.

For this project, you'll need Styrofoam bowls, scissors, crayons, glue, and the turtle Reproducible on page 13. Distribute the patterns, then guide students through these steps:

(1) Color and cut out the turtle, then cut slits as shown.

(2) Turn the bowl upside down. Color it to resemble a turtle shell.

(3) Cut out a semi-circle on one edge of the lip of the bowl to create an opening. Glue the bowl to the colored turtle pattern, lining up the opening in the bowl at the head and neck.

(4) Write and illustrate stories about your classmates' acts of friendship. Fold and insert each note into the appropriate classmate's turtle. Your classmates will put stories about your kind acts into your turtle. Hang your turtles on a bulletin board, or keep in place on your desk. Don't forget to share your "turtle tales" with family members!

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

In Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (HarperCollins, 1970), Frog writes a letter to Toad. After sharing the book, have children hand-craft their own stationery and stamps to use for letters to their friends.

For this project, you'll need 9" construction-paper squares; 6" white paper squares; sticky dots; rubber stamps and stickers; 1" squares of adhesive label paper; and markers. Distribute materials, then guide students through these steps:

(1) Write a short letter to a friend on the 6" paper square, sign your name, and decorate however you wish.

(2) Next, fold the corners of the 9" paper square so they meet at the center. Place the letter in the center of the folds as shown. Seal the corners together with the sticky dot and write your initials on the seal.

(3) Stick the 1" adhesive square to the top right corner of the front of the envelope. Draw a postage-stamp design on the square and address the envelope.

--Adapted from an idea by Christy Hale, Palo Alto, California

Recess Crowns

After reading The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill (Scholastic Press, 2002), invite kids to make and wear these regal recess crowns as they enjoy rompity-romping with friends.

For this project, you'll need construction paper, scissors, markers, tagboard, craft items" (such as wiggle eyes, yam, and glitter), glue, and the recess crown Reproducible on page 12. Distribute the pattern for the mini "friend," then guide students through these steps:

1. Trace the pattern onto tagboard and cut it out.

2. Cut the construction paper in half lengthwise. Fold each paper strip in half twice.

3. Place the tagboard friend on each folded paper strip, lining the arms up with the folded edges. Trace and cut out the pattern through all layers, keeping folds intact.

4. Unfold the resulting chain of friends and glue onto a long paper strip. Then use markers and craft items to decorate one friend to represent yourself. Invite your friends to decorate the rest of the friends on the chain.

5. Glue the chains together to create a festive friendship crown. Wear the crown during recess.

--Adapted from an idea by Amy Talbot, Medina Valley Elementary School, Castroville, Texas

Peas in a Pod

Chester and Wilson are like two peas in a pod in Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, 1988). After sharing the book, use this project to help children see how much they may have in common with their classmates!

For this project, you'll need 9" paper plates, scissors, green paint, 1" paper or wood circles, glue, markers, and craft items. Distribute materials, then guide students through these steps:

1. Paint the back of the plate green. Let dry.

2. Fold the plate in half. Cutting through both layers, cut a "pod" from the rim.

3. Glue the pods together along the outside edges and ends, leaving the inside edges open to form a pocket.

4. Use craft items to decorate circles to represent yourself.

During group time, invite students to take turns naming a favorite activity or topic of interest, then have them drop their circles into their pods and the pods of classmates who enjoy the same activity or interest.

Name-Tag Friends

In The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (Knopf, 2001), Unhei's classmates suggest new names before she decides to embrace her own. After sharing the book, let students learn all about one another's unique qualities with these name tags.

For this project, you'll need ID-card sized pieces of tagboard, rubber stamps and stickers, craft materials, and markers. Distribute materials, then guide students through these steps:

1. Write your name on the front of the card.

2. Use stamps, stickers, and craft materials to decorate around your name however you wish.

3. On the back of the card, write down three facts that you think your class might not know about you.

4. Collect the cards into a "name jar," then take turns reading the facts aloud. Can your classmates guess who is who? Later, use the cards for grouping and turns.

Read-Aloud Links

Do You Want to Be My Friend? (Use with Friendship Mice)

Franklin's New Friend (Use with Turtle Tales)

The Recess Queen (Use with Recess Crowns)

The Name Jar (Use with Name-Tag Friends)

Frog and Toad Are Friends (Use with Signed, Sealed, and Delivered)

Chester's Way (Use with Peas in a Pod)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Scholastic, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

For perfect baby shower, try crafts instead of games

NEW YORK -- A baby shower is supposed to be a happy occasion, so why do so many people cringe at the thought of attending one?

Sometimes it's even the mother-to-be who is thinking of an excuse to leave before it starts.
"A shower can be boring," acknowledges entertainment consultant Gia Russo.

To make a baby shower the pleasant experience it should be for everyone involved, it's important to have a plan beyond some snacks and the opening of gifts, Russo says. However, traditional shower activities -- bottle bowling or name games, for example -- shouldn't be on the schedule. They're the things that make people cringe most.

Instead, Russo suggests projects or crafts that become keepsakes for the baby, or spa treatments such as manicures, pedicures or reflexology as activities. Another idea is to ask guests to bring a copy of their favorite children's book as a contribution to the baby's library.
Watching the almost-mom open presents shouldn't be scrapped since giving her supplies and gifts is indeed the purpose of a shower, Russo says.

It's OK if the gift is bulky (maybe a stroller or a Diaper Genie) to send it to the expectant mother's home and simply bring a card to the shower alerting her the gift is on the way, Russo says, but it's not OK to show up empty-handed, even if the guest is superstitious or religious about pre-birth gifts. In that case, the guest should decline the invitation to attend the shower -- and send the gift when she's comfortable with it.

"Gift-giving is such an important part of the shower. Most moms open them at the shower and it might seem strange to not have one," Russo observes.

If the expectant mother thinks it's bad luck to receive gifts before birth, she should forgo the shower and consider a "welcome- the-baby" party when she feels up to it, adds Russo, herself a new mom to a 3-month-old boy.

She had two showers, perfectly acceptable by etiquette rules as long as the same people aren't invited to both. One was intimate for close family members and friends, the other was for business colleagues.

"What was fun about one of my showers was that everyone was asked in their invitation for a (gift) theme. They were 'baby's first' something. First outing at the beach. First plane trip. It was kind of a game because I had to try and figure out the theme," Russo recalls.

One of her personal favorites was the beach gift, which included a shovel and other sand toys, a bucket, a passport holder and baby- styled luggage tags. "The baby's actually here with me in New York now and it was great to have those things, which I never would have thought of getting."

Russo, half of the MiGi party-planning team that wrote the book "Baby Showers" (Chronicle) is based in Los Angeles. She was in New York to stage "the ultimate baby shower" for the winner of a babyGap contest.

At the event at the posh Four Seasons hotel in Manhattan, Russo treated guests to an Asian-themed buffet, sleek, sophisticated and mostly brown decor instead of pink and blue streamers, and those aforementioned spa treatments.

The guests also made a scrapbook for the baby using a Polaroid camera and pretty stationery with written explanations on how each guest met the baby's mom.

Baby showers are best held in the early or late afternoon for either lunch or tea, Russo says. Another option is a coed shower in the early evening, which often becomes a cocktail party. "Consider it more of a celebration for the parents-to-be."

Copyright C 2006 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company.
All rights Reserved.

Warning: duck & cover; The craft world is exploding

According to the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) the craft market is worth 29 billion dollars (that's billion with a B!) and 4 million new people discover crafts every year. In other words, crafts are everywhere and people are jumpin' on the wagon. In the past few years, there has been a wonderful explosion of craft-related magazines, books, Web sites and television shows. The more the better, right?

There are roughly 15 craft shows on the air right now, and I'm sure more and more are being developed as I write this. Many of these great shows are on cable stations like HGTV (Home and Garden Television), it's sister station DIY (Do-It-Yourself Network), your local PBS station and even the Style Network. There are two shows that have particularly caught my eye recently--Crafters Coast to Coast and Craft Corner Deathmatch.

Crafters Coast To Coast is a new show on HGTV and, so far, it seems to be a hit with viewers, me included. Crafters Coast To Coast continues the tradition of the beloved Carol Duvall Show, but with a welcome new twist. Where Carol had the artist travel to HGTV's studio in Southern California, Crafter's Coast To Coast brings the television studio to the artist. Why didn't I think of that? Coast's philosophy is to let all of us see "each artisan in their own environment and experience how their personalities, lives and communities influence their work." What a great concept. Crafts and voyeurism--what could be better?

Crafters Coast To Coast brings us serious creating in a lighthearted manner, with a touch of silliness--a lot like the sessions you and I would have with friends. A production crew takes over the artist's studio and spends the day taping a specific project. It takes about six hours of filming to get five minutes of television. They've showcased ceramics., papermaking, beading, purse making, stained glass, card making and felting, just to name a few. Basically, a little something for everyone.

What I find so endearing about the show is that it allows us to see crafters as real people, just like you and me. They have busy lives with lots of responsibilities, and they continue to love what they do. They also fight to keep pet hair out of their work and search for ways to keep the creative juices flowing while raising families and dealing with life. It allows us to see that others feel as adamantly about their art as we do. It validates that creativity is and should be a part of healthy life.

Craft Corner Deathmatch is a new show on the Style Network, and let me just say, it ain't your grandma's sewing circle. The premise of the show is interesting. Two young, hip crafters competing against each other and the clock to create a randomly chosen project with strange and oddly assorted supplies--definitely pushing creativity to the max! The contestants are people I'd like to hang out with, take classes from of even see in the pages of Expression. They are collage artists, mixed-media artists and in general crafty people.

After the project idea is given, the supplies are rolled out on a cart by the stoic, just-put-her-finger-in-a-light-socket assistant (nary a smile mind you) and the contestants rummage through the assortment of materials and then retreat back to their "corners." The crafters are allotted 10 minutes to create something from their chosen materials while host Jason Jones throws twists into the challenges along with added commentary that might be viewed as, well, obnoxious. To break things up a bit, they throw in a taped segment with hints on what else could be done with the theme and supplies available had you more than 10 minutes. The art is finally judged on beauty, creativity, and utility by a panel of three "experts" and the winner of two rounds goes on to face the Craft Lady of Steel. Like the assistant, she's not a smiler either. The two go head-to-head and the winner (usually the aforementioned Craft Lady of Steel) ... well, wins.

Both shows are interesting in their own right, and merit a checking out. While Crafters Coast To Coast focuses on crafting and creating as a worth-while pursuit. Craft Corner Deathmatch is more for entertainment purposes and humor. I mean, who can really take the host seriously anyway?

COPYRIGHT 2005 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

How To Make A Memorable Scrapbook For Your Child...without Having A Masters Degree In Art!by Jennifer Tarzian

When my son was only a few months old, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a scrapbooking party. I had no idea how much fun putting together a few pictures could be! Immediately, I was hooked. I had been taking pictures constantly since the day my baby was born, and now I finally had something to do with them all!

Even though I take most of my photos with a digital camera, I really enjoy putting the "real" pictures down on paper. It is almost "therapeutic" for me. After a long day, and my son is put to bed, this is my time to devote to his scrapbook - and it is fun.

I'm no master of the creative arts by any means. In fact, my pages are pretty simple. But I have learned a few tips along the way that have made my scrapbooking a success to me.

*Journal - The reason I enjoy putting pictures in scrapbooks is that it allows me to write down what was going on in the picture: where we were, what we were doing, what I was thinking at the time - all the things that I know I won't remember 20 years from now! I try to take notes on journal paper while the images are fresh in my mind. That way, when I'm ready to sit down and create a page, I can add the journal notes. Plus, I want this to be a gift to my son that he can look back on when he's older. The more notes I write in his book for him, the more special it will be.

*Include a range of topics - I try to make pages of neighbors, our home, and friends of the family in order to preserve the memories of people and places that may change over time. I never thought much about doing this until we moved out of town. But now I can put together a page with pictures from the house my son was born in, the neighbors we had when we lived there, and the friends that we visited in that town. Since my son won't remember these things, he will have the stories and pictures to enjoy.

*Add special keepsakes to the book - I've included pages from his favorite books (that he has ripped out!), his hospital bracelet from when he was born, cards he has received for special occasions, even his first knit cap! The great thing about scrapbooking is that it doesn't have to just be pictures! Your local arts and crafts store can offer many options to help you include odd-shaped items or things that are just too precious to put glue on. Items such as plastic sleeves and pocket folders can serve this function and are a great asset to your memory book.

And for those of you who only have a digital camera, or just prefer to do your scrapbooking on your computer, I recommend you read David D. Deprice's article, "Family Album in the Digital Age" at http://www.youngparentsmagazine.com/articles/Family-Album-In-The-Digital-Age.htm for more information on "computerizing" your memory book.

Most importantly, make it fun! If your kids are old enough to help with the project, let them! This is a great activity that kids and parents alike can get enjoyment from. You will be preserving precious memories while giving your children the gift of your time. Best wishes and Happy Scrapbooking!

About the Author

Jennifer Tarzian is proud to be a stay-at-home mom. For all your parenting resources or to sign up for her weekly newsletter, please go to http://www.youngparentsmagazine.com or visit http://creditcards.youngparentsmagazine.com for helpful guides on credit reports, as well as valuable information on choosing the right credit card. Additional resources can be found at http://www.myguidetocrafts.com

Duct Tape is for Girlsby Sally Hanan

My daughter was entering her teen years when she discovered duct tape. Her first wallet was interesting, so we looked around the web for more ideas. Since then we have made ties, purses, rings, belts etc. out of many colors.

When we did a search we found some funny sites that covered household tips, prom clothes and art, but there was nothing out there that was a semi-serious, easy to navigate website for teen girls. We knew we had to do one ourselves.

Our site was easy to put together with 1&1 hosting, and right now we links to crafts, photos, supply stores, tips and books on the subject. The domain name was easy enough to come up with too www.ductapegirls.com Word of mouth gets around fast: we've had 165 visitors since we put it up in the second week of January.

The best thing about this has been having more time with my daughter, working together, coming up with new craft ideas and having a laugh. The second best thing is that now I can have a new duct tape purse whenever I design one.


About the Author
Sally Hanan in Austin's resident Irish writer. She escaped the rain and cold as soon as she could to sunbathe in Texas, write at her leisure, set up her small business www.eagermind.com and have fun on the side with www.ductapegirls.com