By David Urmann
Paper crafting covers a wide range of fun and easy projects for home and other gift functions. It is a hobby needing a lot of creativity and some skills to incorporate a certain technique.
There are basic tools you might want to procure if you are interested in trying paper crafts. You will often find yourself doing a lot of paper cutting so you might want to get cutting instruments like paper cutters or scissors.
Cutting may scratch or damage tables or other working surfaces. As such, get a self-healing cutting mat and do your cutting jobs here. It has a special scratch-resistant surface.
Ruled metals with straight edges are also basic paper craft tools. It has a dual purpose. First is it gives accurate and precise measurements, usually in centimeters and inches. And second, the edges are used to mark and cut straight lines.
A bone folder or stylus helps make creases deep to avoid residue. Residues can ruin your paper's texture. It can also be used to add paper dimensions.
Pencils are very useful making in temporary markings and notes in guiding your project.
Most often than not, you will find yourself attaching two things together in paper crafting. Thus you need glue sticks, double-sided tapes or any other adhesives appropriate for paper materials. You can also use a glue gun.
A black ink pad may also come in handy in embossing surfaces. Three by four inches larger black dye pads and a black pigmented pad is a good choice.
Rubber stamps are primarily used in rubberstamping projects. But it can also be used in other projects to add designs to your work.
Stamp cleaners have conditioning agents to prevent the rubber stamps from drying. It is best to clean the stamps by removing some of the ink residue to prolong its life. And to complete the kit, get a stamp cleaning pad to clean the detailed areas of a stamp after use.
Lastly, this is paper crafting so one needs a variety of papers to get started. There are many different kinds of papers. It is best to ask from a craft store what is most suited in your project.
One quality paper to start with is the quality archival paper products. It does not fade easily. These products are acid free and will not deteriorate, unlike non-archival papers. You can also try recycled and used papers like old cards, music sheets, as well as calendars, paper napkins and wrapping paper.
Paper crafting relies greatly on your creativity, but you can try mastering basic techniques here to get the ball rolling for you.
Direct-to-Paper or DTP is a gentle stroke technique on applying dye or pigmented ink is used directly to paper from the pad. However, you can use a heat emboss and use a heat set if you will do rubber stamping.
Dry embossing is used to embellish small areas or flaps of envelopes in your project. One can also use plastic stencils for stencil painting. A light box is the easiest way to dry emboss. It will lighten up the paper from below. You can also tape your template to a window to get the desired backlighting. A moist clean cloth over the paper like vellum is used to prevent tearing of brittle paper.
Heat embossing is the quickest way in dressing up paper projects It is a raised paper effect that uses embossing stamps, ink and embossing powder.
Paper piercing is also known as parchment piercing. A perforating tool is used to pierce a paper for a lace effect.
Paper crafts is more popular to kid and ladies, but there are men who also indulge in this hobby. It is interesting how a simple piece of paper can be transformed into an art.
For more information on Craft Ideas and Craft ideas for Mother's day please visit our website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann
Showing posts with label Paper Craft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paper Craft. Show all posts
Go Shopping the Green Way by Making Your Own Grocery Bag
By Otto Kreistler
One of the things that this consumerist society calls for is an item that can store all your needs, buys and purchases when you need to take them home. And the best thing that has been developed thus far to cater to this need would definitely be the grocery bag. But because of environmental concerns, even the grocery bag has been met with much controversy because of the sheer number of it that has to be disposed every year, especially plastic bags.
But should this bother or hamper your shopping experience? Of course not! Because with a little ingenuity you can create your very own homemade grocery bag. Making a grocery bag isn't all that difficult especially if you know what you're doing. And of all kinds of paper bags it is perhaps the paper grocery bag that would be most desirable among all of them.
Not only is it the most environmentally friendly grocery bag of all of them, because of its biodegradability, it is also the most attractive looking grocery bag that can be readily made at home. So if you want a sense of style combined with your eco-warrior stance, then this is definitely the way to go.
All you need to create your very own paper bag would be 2 meters of Kraft paper, a needle and some sturdy thread, and a pair of scissors. You can begin by cutting out a 42 in x 16 in sheet and an 8 x 5 in piece from your paper. After you do this, fold the larger piece to the standard paper bag 8 x 5 x 16 inch dimensions, and connect the edges using your sewing equipment. And taking your smaller piece, attach it to one side of your bag, and voila! You have your paper bag! Feel free to customize and accesorize after this. Be sure to use strong thread however, lest your bag fall apart when carrying a substantial amount.
The paper bag is one of the best friends you can bring along with you in any shopping experience. But sometimes the versatility of a plastic bag is needed. To find out how to make this one, visit: http://howtomakestuff.com/2008/04/01/clothing-and-accessories-26/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Otto_Kreistler
Paper Craft - The Art Of Making Paper For Gifts
By Helen Dickson
We often consider making paper to be a very complicated, skilled process and of course, that can be true. But it's not hard to craft paper yourself at home with very little equipment. The only special item you'll need is a mould. This is a wooden frame with a mesh stretched across it to act as a filter or sieve. It's very simple to make your own mould - just fasten four pieces of wood together in a rectangular shape to make the frame. Use 3/4" x 2" wood (20 x 50 mm) and make the inner dimensions of the frame the size of the paper you want to make. The frame needs to be about 2" (200 mm) in depth. Then cover the frame with tightly stretched mesh - mosquito net or just a piece of net curtain is fine. Make sure it's securely fastened to the edge of the frame. You'll also need a large container to hold water, about the size of a baby bath.
Now you're ready - let's get started! To make the pulp collect together a variety of unwanted paper (this craft is great for recycling). avoid newspaper (not pretty) and glossy magazines (the gloss makes them unsuitable) but you can use tissues, art paper, envelopes, discarded letter paper or copier paper - these are all suitable. Then tear the paper into about 1" (25 mm) square pieces and soak it in water. The soaking time depends on the paper you're using. Tissues will take under an hour, while high quality paper may take up to 3 days. Using hot water will speed up the process.
The next step is to macerate the paper in a blender or food processor. Add a couple of cups of water to each small handful of the paper. (225 ml). You only want to blend until the fibres separate, so be cautious and use short bursts. If you blend for too long your paper will be very smooth and you won't have that rustic, handmade quality which is so attractive. Put the blended pulp into another container. A blenderful will make about 1 letter-sized sheet, so continue until you've blended as much as you think you'll need.
Now comes the even more fun part - making the paper! You can add all sorts of small things to give your paper an individual feel. For a country theme add some tiny feathers or pressed leaves and flowers. For Christmas or a child's party you can add sparkles, or tiny foil shapes. If you'd like to colour the paper, you can use natural dyes like blueberry or beetroot juice, onion skins, turmeric or coffee grounds, or you can purchase commercial dyes from craft stores. Just stir your dye into the pulp, adding a little at a time until you have the colour you want. Remember though, the colour will lighten as the pulp dries.
Stir the pulp well and dip your frame vertically into the far side of your container then, in one smooth movement, tip it towards you so it's lying horizontally beneath the pulp and lift it out, holding it level. Then, quickly, before the water's drained away, give it a little shake to even it out. Don't wait too long before doing this or the paper will become too dry and tear when you shake it. If this happens, just scrape it back into the container and try again.
Leave your frame to drain, then place in a warm place to dry out. This will take anything from 2 - 24 hours. Then peel it from the frame using a palette knife. That's it - you're done! Crafting your own homemade paper is a great family activity - why not get the kids involved too?
Don't forget to wrap up in aprons to keep them clean and dry, do take a look at these great designs for kids.
You can use your paper as a whole sheet, or fold it to make cards and matching envelopes. Crafting home made paper is a wonderful way to recycle - and if you enjoy recycling and vintage products, check out our vintage linen aprons, all made from genuine antique European linen.
Helen Dickson is the owner of DevonBear Designs. She designs and makes a small range of really practical - and pretty - textile items and stationery all inspired by the wonderful coast and countryside of South Devon, England. Helen is a talented watercolour artist and all DevonBear Designs products feature one of her images. Visit her site at http://www.devonbeardesigns.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Dickson
We often consider making paper to be a very complicated, skilled process and of course, that can be true. But it's not hard to craft paper yourself at home with very little equipment. The only special item you'll need is a mould. This is a wooden frame with a mesh stretched across it to act as a filter or sieve. It's very simple to make your own mould - just fasten four pieces of wood together in a rectangular shape to make the frame. Use 3/4" x 2" wood (20 x 50 mm) and make the inner dimensions of the frame the size of the paper you want to make. The frame needs to be about 2" (200 mm) in depth. Then cover the frame with tightly stretched mesh - mosquito net or just a piece of net curtain is fine. Make sure it's securely fastened to the edge of the frame. You'll also need a large container to hold water, about the size of a baby bath.
Now you're ready - let's get started! To make the pulp collect together a variety of unwanted paper (this craft is great for recycling). avoid newspaper (not pretty) and glossy magazines (the gloss makes them unsuitable) but you can use tissues, art paper, envelopes, discarded letter paper or copier paper - these are all suitable. Then tear the paper into about 1" (25 mm) square pieces and soak it in water. The soaking time depends on the paper you're using. Tissues will take under an hour, while high quality paper may take up to 3 days. Using hot water will speed up the process.
The next step is to macerate the paper in a blender or food processor. Add a couple of cups of water to each small handful of the paper. (225 ml). You only want to blend until the fibres separate, so be cautious and use short bursts. If you blend for too long your paper will be very smooth and you won't have that rustic, handmade quality which is so attractive. Put the blended pulp into another container. A blenderful will make about 1 letter-sized sheet, so continue until you've blended as much as you think you'll need.
Now comes the even more fun part - making the paper! You can add all sorts of small things to give your paper an individual feel. For a country theme add some tiny feathers or pressed leaves and flowers. For Christmas or a child's party you can add sparkles, or tiny foil shapes. If you'd like to colour the paper, you can use natural dyes like blueberry or beetroot juice, onion skins, turmeric or coffee grounds, or you can purchase commercial dyes from craft stores. Just stir your dye into the pulp, adding a little at a time until you have the colour you want. Remember though, the colour will lighten as the pulp dries.
Stir the pulp well and dip your frame vertically into the far side of your container then, in one smooth movement, tip it towards you so it's lying horizontally beneath the pulp and lift it out, holding it level. Then, quickly, before the water's drained away, give it a little shake to even it out. Don't wait too long before doing this or the paper will become too dry and tear when you shake it. If this happens, just scrape it back into the container and try again.
Leave your frame to drain, then place in a warm place to dry out. This will take anything from 2 - 24 hours. Then peel it from the frame using a palette knife. That's it - you're done! Crafting your own homemade paper is a great family activity - why not get the kids involved too?
Don't forget to wrap up in aprons to keep them clean and dry, do take a look at these great designs for kids.
You can use your paper as a whole sheet, or fold it to make cards and matching envelopes. Crafting home made paper is a wonderful way to recycle - and if you enjoy recycling and vintage products, check out our vintage linen aprons, all made from genuine antique European linen.
Helen Dickson is the owner of DevonBear Designs. She designs and makes a small range of really practical - and pretty - textile items and stationery all inspired by the wonderful coast and countryside of South Devon, England. Helen is a talented watercolour artist and all DevonBear Designs products feature one of her images. Visit her site at http://www.devonbeardesigns.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Dickson
Types of Paper That Can Be Used To Make Flowers
By Sarah H
There are many different types of paper which can be used for making paper flowers. For instance Pith paper which is smooth and white as a bone, it comes from the pith of the Tetrapanax papyriferum plant (Hook). This plant remained a mystery for years until samples of the pith paper were carried back to England to be studied by Botanists among them Sir William J. Hooker, hence the nickname (Hook). In the 1950's a living specimen of this plant was exported to England. It originated in the swampy forest of China and Taiwan where it is referred to as “tung-tsao” which means “hollow-plant”, “toong-tsao” or “bok-shung” and has been used for making artificial flowers and decorations for centuries however, it became popular in the eighteen hundreds as a surface for watercolors paintings.
In order to produce the Pith paper, the boughs have to be boiled and freed from bark and the cut up core of the pith is then rolled on a hard flat surface against a knife, where it is cut into thin sheets of fine ivory-like material. The white sheets are used mainly for watercolor surfaces and the dyed sheets are used solely for the use of creating artificial flowers.
Mulberry is used to make the paper which is commonly mistaken for Rice Paper but is not actually made from Rice at all but from fibers of the bark of the Mulberry Tree. It was called Rice Paper because it was used to make packets for rice. The fiber comes from the bark of the tree and not from the pith or inner wood and the paper is traditionally made solely by hand. This type of paper is also known as (washi, kozo, gampi or mitsumata) depending on which type of Mulberry Tree is used to make it. The branches are harvested in the fall so the fiber is processed and the paper formed during the winter months, because the fiber goes bad in the heat.
Paper flowers can also be made from Tissue Paper, which is the easiest and cheapest paper to work with on these projects. Tissue paper comes in different grades and colors so there is quite a variety to choose from. For example you have tissue paper napkins, toilet tissue paper and paper towels which are also made of a stronger type of tissue and which comes in different patterns and colors making for brighter and more colorful flowers. It is so simple to use that even young children can make paper flowers with them, without much adult supervision.
Another type of paper is Cupcake Wrappers, which is a sort of grease proof paper, which is also easy to manage and suitable for small children. Cupcake Wrappers are usually used to make cupcake flowers and Cupcake Corsages.
For more interesting articles on flowers visit Flowers Online a website offering views, opinions and resources on matters such as finding unique silf flower arrangements, flowers and gifts and you can even discover some of the best online florists.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H
There are many different types of paper which can be used for making paper flowers. For instance Pith paper which is smooth and white as a bone, it comes from the pith of the Tetrapanax papyriferum plant (Hook). This plant remained a mystery for years until samples of the pith paper were carried back to England to be studied by Botanists among them Sir William J. Hooker, hence the nickname (Hook). In the 1950's a living specimen of this plant was exported to England. It originated in the swampy forest of China and Taiwan where it is referred to as “tung-tsao” which means “hollow-plant”, “toong-tsao” or “bok-shung” and has been used for making artificial flowers and decorations for centuries however, it became popular in the eighteen hundreds as a surface for watercolors paintings.
In order to produce the Pith paper, the boughs have to be boiled and freed from bark and the cut up core of the pith is then rolled on a hard flat surface against a knife, where it is cut into thin sheets of fine ivory-like material. The white sheets are used mainly for watercolor surfaces and the dyed sheets are used solely for the use of creating artificial flowers.
Mulberry is used to make the paper which is commonly mistaken for Rice Paper but is not actually made from Rice at all but from fibers of the bark of the Mulberry Tree. It was called Rice Paper because it was used to make packets for rice. The fiber comes from the bark of the tree and not from the pith or inner wood and the paper is traditionally made solely by hand. This type of paper is also known as (washi, kozo, gampi or mitsumata) depending on which type of Mulberry Tree is used to make it. The branches are harvested in the fall so the fiber is processed and the paper formed during the winter months, because the fiber goes bad in the heat.
Paper flowers can also be made from Tissue Paper, which is the easiest and cheapest paper to work with on these projects. Tissue paper comes in different grades and colors so there is quite a variety to choose from. For example you have tissue paper napkins, toilet tissue paper and paper towels which are also made of a stronger type of tissue and which comes in different patterns and colors making for brighter and more colorful flowers. It is so simple to use that even young children can make paper flowers with them, without much adult supervision.
Another type of paper is Cupcake Wrappers, which is a sort of grease proof paper, which is also easy to manage and suitable for small children. Cupcake Wrappers are usually used to make cupcake flowers and Cupcake Corsages.
For more interesting articles on flowers visit Flowers Online a website offering views, opinions and resources on matters such as finding unique silf flower arrangements, flowers and gifts and you can even discover some of the best online florists.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H
Your Quick Guide To Learn The Art Of Paper Craft
By Joann Grant
Wise people say, there are two types of toys in the world. The toys that set the child to think and the toys that set the parents to think!
Making a paper toy is just like solving a maths problem. Not a difficult problem, not an easy problem, but mathematics does not condone a mistake. To arrive at the correct final answer, your steps need to be correct. Each and every step! Let's have a quick look at how to solve this question paper and learn to make paper toys articulately.
First things first, a paper toy is a toy that is made after folding the paper. It is all about folding the paper in style indeed! This art is known as Origami. You need to know the basic folds, the folds that give strength to the ultimate toy that you are going to form out of it.
Just study all the details of the toy that you are going to form, if you are making this new design for the first time. Your requirements of raw material is simple: Paper, foil backing, cutting material such as knife, scissors or blades, glues, paints and other craft goods.
Your end product needs to be good, appealing and also the product should last. By using a low quality paper, you might end up in fiasco. You would tear the paper at the most unsuspected moment, when you are about to give finishing touch to the toy. If you use the heavy paper, the folds will be tough, you will not be happy to work with this paper and the toy might end up with the appearance of a heavy-weight boxer.
The papers suggested are colored bond paper or the commercial origami paper. Once given proper shape and color, these nature-friendly toys are easy to carry-- they are lightweight and as for appeal and appearance, they score over with toys of any other genre.
To get more information on craft work, craft ideas and craft business visit http://www.thecraftwork.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joann_Grant
Wise people say, there are two types of toys in the world. The toys that set the child to think and the toys that set the parents to think!
Making a paper toy is just like solving a maths problem. Not a difficult problem, not an easy problem, but mathematics does not condone a mistake. To arrive at the correct final answer, your steps need to be correct. Each and every step! Let's have a quick look at how to solve this question paper and learn to make paper toys articulately.
First things first, a paper toy is a toy that is made after folding the paper. It is all about folding the paper in style indeed! This art is known as Origami. You need to know the basic folds, the folds that give strength to the ultimate toy that you are going to form out of it.
Just study all the details of the toy that you are going to form, if you are making this new design for the first time. Your requirements of raw material is simple: Paper, foil backing, cutting material such as knife, scissors or blades, glues, paints and other craft goods.
Your end product needs to be good, appealing and also the product should last. By using a low quality paper, you might end up in fiasco. You would tear the paper at the most unsuspected moment, when you are about to give finishing touch to the toy. If you use the heavy paper, the folds will be tough, you will not be happy to work with this paper and the toy might end up with the appearance of a heavy-weight boxer.
The papers suggested are colored bond paper or the commercial origami paper. Once given proper shape and color, these nature-friendly toys are easy to carry-- they are lightweight and as for appeal and appearance, they score over with toys of any other genre.
To get more information on craft work, craft ideas and craft business visit http://www.thecraftwork.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joann_Grant
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