Craft Site Directory Newsletter: March 2003 / Theme: Crafting with Nature
http://www.CraftSiteDirectory.com
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SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?
SECTION 2):*~*: Introduction to Egg Artistry
article by Diamond Innovations
SECTION 3):*~*: Nature's Touch
article by Easy PaperMaking Online
SECTION 4):*~*: Free 'Crafting with Nature' Projects
Links to free online projects.
SECTION 5):*~*: Newly Added Freebie Sites
Enjoy these new finds!
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SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?
A) New Category Sponsors
B) New Craft Site Listings
C) A Great 'Crafting with Nature' Find
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A) We would like to welcome our new sponsors:
**Essential Wholesale - New 'Bath & Body' Category Sponsor
**KMC Baskets & Folkart - New 'Baskets' Category Sponsor
**Crafters Choice Book Club - New 'Books & Magazines' Category Sponsor
**Poly-Tools, Inc. - New 'Polymer Clay' Category Sponsor
**Cat Spring Candles - New 'Gifts' Category Sponsor
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B) Over 200 new listings have been added to CraftSiteDirectory.com in the past 30 days including Easter project sites. Try a search for 'Easter' at Craft Site Directory.
http://craftsearchengine.com/search/search.pl?Terms=Easter
SECTION 2):*~*: Introduction to Egg Artistry: article by Diamond Innovations
Using natural eggshells to create a collectible work of art.
Recycling is a fascination to many people and when this is combined with items from nature the thrill is even more intense. Take the humble eggshell – most of you will probably think of breakfast or something else good to eat but consider using the discarded shell to create a unique work of art.
Have you ever looked at displays of decorated eggs at craft shows or in magazines and been fascinated with what the artist has achieved? Well, this art form is easier than you think and very easy to get started in. There are many styles of egg decorating ranging from simple painting or dying of the shells to the more intricate works of Faberge style designs, housing a hidden treat inside the shell or designs carved into the shell using high speed electric air drills.
I have been involved in egg artistry since 1991 when I learnt the basics of how to cut, hinge and line a goose egg to create a collectible trinket box. From there my fascination grew and over the years I’ve produced all types of items using any type of eggshell I could get my hands on.
The shells used by artists in this work are infertile eggs gathered mainly from farms or other sources especially for this purpose. If you purchase fresh eggs from a farm or market you will need to blow the contents out of the shell. There are special egg blowers to make this a much easier and more hygienic job than using your mouth, which some of you may have done when you were younger.
For a FREE 5-page download to get you started in this fascinating art, visit my web site at http://www.storesonline.com/site/diamondinnovations. This document includes a list of tools & equipment used – many of the items you will probably already have, the types of eggs used, how to blow an egg, basic marking tips and the types of suitable cutting equipment. Please ensure you use a valid email address to request this information as undeliverable download requests are returned to me.
For an in-depth, step-by-step video cd on how to cut, hinge and line an egg to produce your own heirloom trinket box our video, "Introduction to Egg Artistry", is made for you! The video also includes how to blow an egg if you wish to do your own preparation. Learn in the comfort of your own home. Available on computer cd-rom or VHS video tape, it's like having your own personal tutor there with you.
We also have a range of instructional e-books and video cd-roms to run on your computer. These are aimed mainly at the beginner to get you started but also contain lots of instructions and design information for the more experienced egger as well.
Article By: Maureen Williams of Diamond Innovations.
Previously known as Just Eggs-Ta-See.
Author of:
Bright Ideas & Facets of Egg Artistry
Bright Ideas & Facets of Egg Artistry – Book Two
‘Tis an Egg – Book One
For more information visit our web site to view the full range of instructional products available.
http://www.storesonline.com/site/diamondinnovations
SECTION 3):*~*: Nature's Touch: article by Tacy Oleson
Using pressed flowers and plants with hand-made paper!
Some of the most beautiful additions to craft projects made with hand-made paper come from...you guessed it...Mother Nature. The look and characteristics of both hand-made paper and items found in nature (such as flowers and plants) naturally make the "perfect pair". You may have seen some of these additions in greeting cards, artwork, and even stationary and memoir books.
Here are a few suggestions and ideas on adding your own touch of nature to your works of art:
On Vacation
Want to make a vacation last a lifetime? Take along a plant press and preserve wildflowers from your dream Alaskan retreat or ferns from your trip to the Pacific Northwest . When you get home, include your plants in a journal or make stationary that takes you back to the sites and smells of your vacation every time you write a letter. Instead of buying souvenirs, make your friends and family unique and lovely note cards or small-framed arrangements, with or without family vacation photos.
In The Garden...
If it's your garden that everyone talks about, a bound reference book is a great way to show off a green thumb. Keep your prized flowers vibrant year round by pressing and adding them to a gardening journal. For the serious gardener, you can catalog your finest blooms with information about seeds, soil, and weather conditions.
Holidays and Special Occasions
Holidays and special occasions offer terrific opportunities to create from- the-heart gifts and ornaments. Bridal showers, weddings, birthdays and Christmas are just a few occasions when these one-of-a-kind gifts leave a lasting impression. Make your own original gift wrapping paper with hand-made paper and glue pressed flowers to the front of the gift instead of a bow.
Children
Pressed plants and flowers are a great addition to any school assignment or project. Not only is collecting plants educational for children, it also helps to instill a love of nature How about a journal made from hand-made paper with pressed flowers on the cover and inside pages? Kids love making these.
Pressing Tips
Pressed plants and flowers are simple to make and give a magical touch to many projects. Pick flowers that are at the height of their beauty for successful pressing. Try working with wildflowers such as Indian paintbrush and Lupines. Daisies, Pansies, and Johnny- Jump-ups turn out fabulous. Since many flowers hold their color beautifully when pressed (yellows especially!), play with color as well as shapes and sizes. Create an arrangement of flowers and leaves together for an artful result. Grasses and even weeds also make interesting additions.
Hand-made Paper Tips
Making hand-made paper is easier and cheaper than most people think and the best part is most of the materials needed to make it are found right in your home!
Save your junk mail, envelopes and grocery bags. These can easily be turned into hundreds of beautiful projects.
Here are some ways to add your little treasures from nature:
* Add to your papermaking vat
* Place them in an arrangement on the wet sheet of paper before pressing.
* Glue on dry paper (project) and spray with acrylic sealer. (This helps to protect
the flowers/plants and helps to keep the colors vibrant).
Pressed flowers/plants take hand-made paper and craft projects to a new level. The possibilities are endless, just use your imagination and you’ll see how easy it is to create your own "perfect pair".
HAVE FUN!
Article By:Tacy Oleson
Author of Papermaking The Easy Way and the new EasyMake Teacher’s Guide to Papermaking. President of EasyMake PaperMaking and the designer of EasyMake’s kits, molds and presses.
Newsletter Sponsor:
Essential Wholesale- over 50 natural source unscented cosmetic bases, private labeling and custom formulating
http://www.essentialwholesale.com
SECTION 4):*~*: Free 'Crafting with Nature' Projects
Links to free online projects.
Gourd Easter Basket Ornament
Visit: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/easterbasket.pdf
*Acrobat Reader Required
Nature Crafts for Kids
Visit: http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/nature.html
Family Nature Crafts and Projects
Visit: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/naturecrafts.html
How to Make a Grapevine Wreath
Visit: http://rubyglen.com/crafts/grapevine.htm
Herbal and Floral Craft Projects
Visit: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/herbsandfloral.html
Easy Dried Apple Crafts
Visit: http://rubyglen.com/articles/craftdriedapple.htm
SECTION 5):*~*: Links to a Few of the Newly Added Freebie Sites at CraftSiteDirectory.com:
Enjoy these new finds!
Mary's Crochet Spot-- Here you'll find free crochet patterns, free crochet lessons, a crochet forum, tips, and more.
Visit: http://www.maryscrochetspot.com
Thriftdeluxe-- Thriftdeluxe is a non-commercial contemporary DIY zine which strives to enthuse and arouse creativity that we believe lies in all of us. We provide step by step instructions to make easy and cheap yet very cool projects.
Visit: http://www.thriftdeluxe.com
Dawn's Cross Stitch-- A collection of free counted cross stitch patterns, many suitable for beginners or children. Mostly cute and colorful designs, blank and white symbol charts and DMC thread keys.
Visit: http://www.dawnsxstitch.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Guide to Beadwork-- Learn beaded jewelry basics with our free online book.
Visit: http://www.guidetobeadwork.com/book/index.html
Yasutomo' Art and Craft Project Page-- Creativity is just a click away with Yasutomo's Art and Craft Project Page! Free projects and ideas featuring origami, paper crafts, wearable art, holiday and gift ideas and projects for kids.
Visit: http://www.yasutomo.com/project
Get Creative Show-- Get Creative Show! is the online craft, sewing, quilting,and needlework resource for creative people. The Conference Center is the place to go for free projects, articles, how-to's and info from your favorite industry experts!
Visit: http://www.getcreativeshow.com
We would like to thank our sponsors! CraftSiteDirectory.com is sponsored in part by:
Gourd Art Today Magazine
http://www.gourdarttoday.com
A Monthly Rubber Stamps Club
http://www.rubberstampsclub.com
The Quilter's Husband
http://www.quiltershusband.com
Happy Crafting from CraftSiteDirectory.com!
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