Getting Started in Crafts - Crochet

By Anna Pierce

One of the easiest and most rewarding crafts to learn is crocheting. There are many items that can be made by crocheting. Hats, scarves, afghans and many items that can be used around the home. They make wonderful gifts and they can be made quiet economically. The basic items you will need are crochet hook, yarn and a pattern. You can buy the supplies needed very inexpensively.

If you are just starting in crochet, I would try the larger size hook and yarn. This will give you a feel for the craft and help you develop your skill. Also the larger size yarn will hold up better to you undoing your crocheting stitches. If will feel awkward at first, but after a bit it will feel natural to hold the yarn and the hook.

The most common crochet stitches are: chain, single crochet, double crochet. Pick a pattern that uses these stitches if you are just beginning to crochet. Start with a small project such as a hat or scarf. It won't be so overwhelming and you can do them up quick and easy. Practice doing the stitches needed to do your project before you start. When you feel comfortable with the look of the stitches, just undo them and start your project.

Also make sure you try and keep your stitches the same-not to loose or to tight. You do this by keeping the same amount of tension on your yarn If you make them to tight your project will want to curl and to loose it will have to much slack.

After you are comfortable, then you can start doing the smaller size hooks and crochet thread. They make some beautiful and lacy doilies, table runners and bedspreads. Don't get discouraged. It is just like learning any new skill. Practice makes perfect. If you get frustrated, put it down for a day or two and then come back to it.

Enjoy yourself and have fun with your new craft. So, pick your pattern for your experience level and remember just buy what you need for this project. If you find crocheting is more of a chore than enjoyable, then you won't have a lot of money invested. You can then just pay it forward to somebody that might enjoy the craft.

Anna Pierce is a self-employed business woman, who loves crafts of any kind, mainly needle crafts. Craft Patterns Getting Started in Crafts --------------------------------------- For more information and articles on Crafts, see www.myguidetocrafts.com.

Colonial Candle Making - Why You Should Try it in Modern Times

By Brian Marley

Back even before our country was officially established, colonial candle making was necessary due to the fact that there was no electricity yet. Unfortunately, due to the cost of oil, candle making could only be afforded by the wealthiest citizens. Typically, colonial candles were made from animal fat or tallow but beeswax candles were preferred because candles made from animal fat gave off a hideous odor. Eventually, the migration occurred to bayberry shrubs and the people learned they could make decent smelling candles that burned relatively clean. However, one of the downsides of bayberry was that it took many days to extract a pure form of wax as well as the fact that it took almost nine pounds of berries to yield only one pound of wax.

These days, a lot of candle making hobbyists have taken up colonial candle making and are enjoying learning the techniques. The bayberry wax is now readily available from the local craft stores relieving you of having to actually manufacture the wax on your own.

Another big difference between today's candle makers and the candle makers of the colonial times are the sheer number of molds available. Back then there were only basic molds to use, but today there are almost endless molds to use allowing you to make candles of all different shapes and sizes.

Additionally in the colonial era the wicks were made from cotton cut into strands and it was hard to keep them burning. The technique that helped was to make a simple taper candle and introduce the wick to the melted wax again and again until the perfect sized candle was formed.

To the untrained eye, colonial candle making may seem to be very basic but the reality is it does take a lot of skill as well as trial and error in order to perform correctly. The basic technique is to dip a non waxed taper wick into the wax. Make sure that both parts of the wick are coated evenly. Another point to consider is to make sure you don't wait too long between dipping the wick. You don't want the candle to cool completely. Also, keep the wax at the same temperature by stirring it during this step. It's not abnormal to have to melt it again.

It's fun to go back in time and relive the process that our forefathers used to light their homes. Have fun experimenting with this totally unique form of colonial candle making!

Brian Marley THE candle making expert and has been making his own candles for over 25 years. For more great information on Colonial Candle Making AND to receive a FREE mini course on how you too can create your own custom candles both inexpensively and easily. head on over to Brians website at http://candlemakingexpert.com Have fun! ---------------------------------------------------- See more information and articles on Candle Making Crafts at www.myguidetocrafts.com. To purchase Arts and Crafts items, see www.kamsgifts.com.

Arts and Crafts and Memories

By Deborah Joseph

There are many areas of crafting that might interest you I enjoy working on many different crafts, and usually try to do all of them at the same time. My craft room is home to me. I am most comfortable in my craft room surrounded by all the projects I love to do.

Crafting with silk flowers will be satisfying and brings with it a sense of accomplishment. You can purchase a straw wreath or a wreath made from several kinds of wood. While you are at the Craft store pick up your favorite silk flowers in colors that will match the decor of your home. Place the flowers in a sequence pleasing to the eye all around your wreath. I have made various wreaths and hung them in more than one of my rooms using different colors. The more flowers you use the prettier your wreath will be. Using a wreath on your front door will add color to your door and will be pleasing to the eye.Giving any of your wreaths to a friend or loved one as a gift will bring a smile to the one you gave it to and will create happy memories for them and for you.

Finding the one special latch hook kit is a terrific gift for your loved one, for yourself or for a friend. They are easy to do and the end result is pleasing to the eye. I have been working on one of a kitten that I hope to be able to give to her with all the other memories I have placed in her memory box. All six of my grandchildren have a memory box that I have placed different crafts that I have made. Things like small latch hook rugs, embroidered pillow cases and sheets that I made for their cribs and there is an embroidered picture that I made for my oldest granddaughter. These are all crafts with memories of when I made them and the love that went into making each one them.

Children's Crafts

Another area in Children's Crafts. I find there is no greater joy than sitting at the table with my grandchildren on a rainy day making something for their Mommy or for their Nana or for themselves. Usually they want to do a craft for someone whom they love. I always have pictures taped to my walls, to furniture or on my refrigerator. These are all treasured pieces of art. I have plastic pieces on my refrigerator of boats, turtles, ducks, round circles, hearts and squares. These are also treasured of art.

The kids and I have painted clay flower pots, of wood shaped in different sizes, pumpkins treasured rocks. All of these things were carefully painted small hands and smiles and laughter. We have made assortment of banners,signs, and wind chimes, too.

Secrets, Secrets and more Secrets all in a can of Play Doh

Play Doh knows no limits to what it can do or be made into. I have spent hours with Play Doh and my grandchildren. There are an assortment of Play Doh men, little men and just circles all over my refrigerator. I wouldn't dream of throwing anything away.

Enjoy while crafting. That is the key to make memories to last a lifetime.

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For more information and articles on Arts and Crafts, see www.bestguidetocrafts.com.