I have been trying to get up a post about origami boxes for two days but have had a few technical issues with the illustrations. Till then I will try and do a simple craft that won't require a picture.
Here goes.
A spiral bracelet
Materials:
3-5 pieces of embroidery thread or other thick, bright colored string.
Tape
Measure the thread to 3x's the length you want the finished bracelet to be. Be sure to account for the tie.
1.Place all threads together and tie a knot at the very top and another about 2 inches down for the first tie.
2.Tape the strings down, between the knots, to a table.
3.Lay the threads in your palm. Grab the threads and make a thumbs-up sign. The thread should enter in the top of your hand with the loose end hanging down.
4.Choose the first color you want to start with and separate it from the bundle in your hand.
5.Loop it half way around the out side of your thumb and cross it over the bundle to where the thread makes a "4" shape.
6.Take the end of the thread, still around your thumb and loop it under the bundle and up through the triangle of the "4".
7.From there pull your thumb out and pull the thread tight to the knot.
8.Repeat steps 5-7 10 times.
9.Pick the next color and repeat steps 5-8.
10.Remember your bracelet can only be as long as your shortest thread so stop using a color when it gets to the right length.
11.When all your thread is about to the right length tie all the strings together in a single knot at the base of the last color then tie another knot at the very end of the string.
If anyone tries a craft out I would love to post some pictures. Just send them to me.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Bubble Painting
Today I am going to start with a simple project that has amazing results. This is a great activity for kids too!
Materials:
Paper
acrylic paint
dishwashing liquid
straw
Tupperware or bowl you don't mind staining
Mix 2Tbs of paint with 1/2Tbs of dishwashing liquid and a 1/4c. water and stir. You may need to add more paint if it is too faint or more dishwashing liquid if you want more bubbles.
Place the straw into the paint mixture and blow bubbles until they are to the edge of the bowl. Place the piece of paper over the bubbles and hold it there till several of the bubbles pop. Move the paper and continue till you are satisfied. Be sure not to push the paper too far into the bowl. Try other colors of paint and overlap them for a layered look.
This makes the most amazing bubble patterns and the paper can be used for gift wrap, origami, or even as a stand alone painting. I like to trace out the bubbles with a pen to highlight the patterns.
Materials:
Paper
acrylic paint
dishwashing liquid
straw
Tupperware or bowl you don't mind staining
Mix 2Tbs of paint with 1/2Tbs of dishwashing liquid and a 1/4c. water and stir. You may need to add more paint if it is too faint or more dishwashing liquid if you want more bubbles.
Place the straw into the paint mixture and blow bubbles until they are to the edge of the bowl. Place the piece of paper over the bubbles and hold it there till several of the bubbles pop. Move the paper and continue till you are satisfied. Be sure not to push the paper too far into the bowl. Try other colors of paint and overlap them for a layered look.
This makes the most amazing bubble patterns and the paper can be used for gift wrap, origami, or even as a stand alone painting. I like to trace out the bubbles with a pen to highlight the patterns.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Art of Crafts
The Fuller Craft Museum in Massachusetts is a collection of some of the finest crafts from all over. There, photography, sculpture, quilting, jewelry making and much more are displayed with equal consideration. One room may have paintings, and next to it will be hand woven baskets. Each room has pedestals, velvet ropes, directional lighting and plaque cards. It begins to make you wonder what, if any, is the difference between art and craft.
Through out my life I have been taught there is Art and there is Craft. A craft is a item or skill of some functional use. Art is a higher form of expression that exists for the sake of statement or beauty. After years of producing "Art" and "Crafts" I have discovered that these popular definitions are inadequate and misleading. Art can easily have function beyond beauty and statement and a craft can be enjoyed for nothing more than it's aesthetic value.
Any artist can tell you that there is a lot of skill that goes into art. All artist rely on techniques that are refined through experience and learning, this is the literal dictionary definition of a craft. At the same time crafters will strive to make their products beautiful and personal, just like art.
One way to think of the problem with these definitions is to ask, is cross stitching an art or a craft? Most people would automatically say craft. When looking for supplies you can't go to a fine arts store and expect to buy needle and thread. However, it seems to exist for the sole reason of being pretty or making a statement. Cross stitching is only used for decoration and therefore has little in common with the craft distinction. On the other hand there are functional sculptures that make a statement, are beautiful and have at least one purpose beyond that.
The philosopher John Dewy argues that the development of experiences is art, not merely the object created. When viewed in this way art is more about the creative process than the finished product. When you limit your definitions limit your experience. By separating art from craft you lose the ability to appreciate an experience fully.
Through out my life I have been taught there is Art and there is Craft. A craft is a item or skill of some functional use. Art is a higher form of expression that exists for the sake of statement or beauty. After years of producing "Art" and "Crafts" I have discovered that these popular definitions are inadequate and misleading. Art can easily have function beyond beauty and statement and a craft can be enjoyed for nothing more than it's aesthetic value.
Any artist can tell you that there is a lot of skill that goes into art. All artist rely on techniques that are refined through experience and learning, this is the literal dictionary definition of a craft. At the same time crafters will strive to make their products beautiful and personal, just like art.
One way to think of the problem with these definitions is to ask, is cross stitching an art or a craft? Most people would automatically say craft. When looking for supplies you can't go to a fine arts store and expect to buy needle and thread. However, it seems to exist for the sole reason of being pretty or making a statement. Cross stitching is only used for decoration and therefore has little in common with the craft distinction. On the other hand there are functional sculptures that make a statement, are beautiful and have at least one purpose beyond that.
The philosopher John Dewy argues that the development of experiences is art, not merely the object created. When viewed in this way art is more about the creative process than the finished product. When you limit your definitions limit your experience. By separating art from craft you lose the ability to appreciate an experience fully.
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