Thursday, November 18, 2010

Arts and Crafts - A Divine Gift to Humanity



Everything around you are created as art forms. The plants, the soil, the clouds hovering above you in the sky - all resemble art and craft works. Arts and crafts are part and parcel of our own existence.

Any material, waste or otherwise, can be converted into works or art. Wood, wick, cane, leaves, sticks and stones can be converted into artworks if you have an artistic bend of mind. Our forefathers also used these materials in a crude way, but remnants of the artifacts of those periods still enamor most of us. However, we, who lives in this industrialized age, have better choices.

The only pre-requisite for creating arts and crafts is a creative mind. There is no dearth of materials. You should know how to utilize the available things to make artifacts.

Large scale industries manufacturing arts and crafts on a big level have come up. The decorative pieces manufactured by them are comparatively cheaper, but there is a belief that hand crafted items are more valuable and intricate. They even command a huge margin over the prices of machine made articles.

Human beings have developed their own arts and crafts after learning from the Nature. Every man made thing, be it our cloths, our bags, our furnishings, the pieces adorning our houses - all are arts and crafts work. Recently, arts and crafts have become synonymous to stylish living. Most of us love to collect arts and crafts, but many go overboard with their collections, giving their houses the cluttered look of a garage.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gift Sets: Arts and Crafts



Arts and Crafts are means for other people to distress themselves. Most of these crafts require a lot of patience, skill and an eye for art. However there are several crafts that can be learned by just anyone. My mom used to have a friend who's so stressed out with how her son is doing at school that she yaks about him every time they meet.

Then my mom after learning cross-stitching gave the lady gift sets for her to start stitching. That made her busy, but that didn't completely shut her up. The important thing is, she no longer talks about her son that much but rather of things related to her new found craft. Gift sets that didn't even cost that much made a difference. Now, she already has her own small business for cross-stitching. She does framing of finished works.

Card making won't really cost you a thing if you have a keen sense of art, you can find the things around you to recycle. Not only that, it can also be a way for you to unload your stress. Card making is another craft that you could venture in. Not only will it cut boredom, there is also money in this craft. I mean, look at Hallmark? They started small and look at the company now. It's like an enormous empire of card making.

Maybe the next time you give out gift sets, you can get the recipient a card making set. Not only will it enhance the creativity of the person, it might also just give the person a light bulb moment and who knows, he could start earning from it and make his own Hallmark Company. Card making can even be started from indigenous materials. It's just up to the person to patch odds and ends to come up with something beautiful.

Gift sets need not be expensive. It's a challenge also for the giver to get something that would be of liking to the recipient. At the same, he should be smart enough not to overspend. It's striking a balance between quality and the hole in his pocket.

If the gift in mind is in any way related to arts and crafts, just make sure that by the time you purchase the item and have it wrapped you are not that worn out from your gift hunting. Also, consider the fact that when you look at the receipt, it's not you who'll end up stressed out.

www.made-from-india.com is a one-stop online information center on antiques & collectibles, brass ware & brass handicrafts, diaries & calendars, handicrafts, incense & incensory, sculptures & paintings etc.It posses an authentic directory of arts & crafts product catalogue, art & crafts product buyers, & sellers, Indian manufacturers & exporters of beautiful range of gifts & crafts deals in different types of assortments like key chains, handicrafts, crystals, paper crafts etc.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Gift Sets: Arts and Crafts



Arts and Crafts are means for other people to distress themselves. Most of these crafts require a lot of patience, skill and an eye for art. However there are several crafts that can be learned by just anyone. My mom used to have a friend who's so stressed out with how her son is doing at school that she yaks about him every time they meet.

Then my mom after learning cross-stitching gave the lady gift sets for her to start stitching. That made her busy, but that didn't completely shut her up. The important thing is, she no longer talks about her son that much but rather of things related to her new found craft. Gift sets that didn't even cost that much made a difference. Now, she already has her own small business for cross-stitching. She does framing of finished works.

Card making won't really cost you a thing if you have a keen sense of art, you can find the things around you to recycle. Not only that, it can also be a way for you to unload your stress. Card making is another craft that you could venture in. Not only will it cut boredom, there is also money in this craft. I mean, look at Hallmark? They started small and look at the company now. It's like an enormous empire of card making.

Maybe the next time you give out gift sets, you can get the recipient a card making set. Not only will it enhance the creativity of the person, it might also just give the person a light bulb moment and who knows, he could start earning from it and make his own Hallmark Company. Card making can even be started from indigenous materials. It's just up to the person to patch odds and ends to come up with something beautiful.

Gift sets need not be expensive. It's a challenge also for the giver to get something that would be of liking to the recipient. At the same, he should be smart enough not to overspend. It's striking a balance between quality and the hole in his pocket.

If the gift in mind is in any way related to arts and crafts, just make sure that by the time you purchase the item and have it wrapped you are not that worn out from your gift hunting. Also, consider the fact that when you look at the receipt, it's not you who'll end up stressed out.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Baby Shower Crafts - Baby Diaper Ca



Planning a baby shower may include arts and crafts. Today, many people enjoy having a fun time organizing a baby shower with a bit of twist which could also be enjoyed by the guest of honor and her friends. Arts and crafts are great options to make the planning more exciting. There are lots of creative crafty ideas that can strengthen the bond between family and friends. Many women and even men, enjoy spending a quality time with family and friends while making homemade baby shower ideas, such invites, favors, decorations and baby diaper cakes.

Speaking of baby diaper cakes, they doesn't always come edible. Probably the most common and easy baby shower craft is a diaper cake. This can be enjoyed by a group of friends and family members at for the baby shower. Diaper cakes can actually make a great decoration in the party. To make a baby diaper cake, you will need around fifty diapers, ribbons, and cute toys (optional).

When making a baby diaper cake, roll up each diaper and tie in place using a thin ribbon. Choose colored ribbons that are suitable for the baby's gender, like blue or baby blue if it is a boy or palettes of pink if it is a girl. If you opt to go neutral, choose ribbons in soft green or light yellow colors.

To start the base of the cake, use twenty-five diapers and make them stand in a circle. For the second level, you can use fifteen diapers, and then eight for the top level of the cake. To make it easy for you to come up with a layered cake, make each layer separately and once they are all done, tie each of them using a wide strand ribbon. Next, stack the layers of in largest to smallest order. Finally, you insert cute items like teddies, baby bottles, rattles or baby towels in between the diapers to add more cuteness to the entire appeal of the diaper cake. After you followed all the steps, you should have an excellent baby diaper cake for the shower!

When it comes to arts and crafts, there are lots of creative ideas to choose from. For a baby shower, there are other more choices aside from making diaper cakes, like baby bottle sand art, scrap-booking, making handmade centerpieces, baby gift baskets, and handmade jewelry as party favors.

DIY party crafts are not just exciting and enjoyable ideas for a baby shower, they also make a practical option if your budget is a bit limited. Most of them are actually pretty easy to make, it's just a matter of following the steps and instructions on how to. Even newbies may never imagine that they could also come up with a masterpiece that looks like made by a professional.

For more interesting ideas, you can search online which will give you immeasurable options to choose from. There are lots of websites that can give you tips, ideas and instructions on how to make homemade baby shower favors, baby diaper cakes, party centerpieces, baby shower invitations, baby gift baskets and so on.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Arts And Crafts, A Distinct Interior Design For Home Improvement



One of several interior design styles to gain much ground amongst consumers is a distinct style called arts and crafts. Within the home, cabinetry, hardware pieces, counter tops, flooring, wall coverings and even appliances can boast an arts and crafts feel.

These design elements pay homage to the early 1900s when quality craftsmanship overtook the once popular, ornate pieces of furniture that filled the home. Simple, straight lines characterize this style, with rich, dark wood tones and soft painted surfaces dominating its palette.

Arts and crafts cabinetry, also called mission or craftsman cabinetry, is distinguished by several key fundamentals. First of all, many of these door styles will have flat, recessed panels, framed with straight, shaker rails. Mortise and tenon joints will frequently be utilized to construct the solid-wood doors. What will separate these door styles from many of their contemporary counterparts is the dark, rich wood tones that are commonly used. In many arts and crafts kitchens, a deep cherry or alder or lyptus wood will comprise the backdrop of the design while a painted island will represent an old-world furniture pieces at the room's center.

Inset cabinetry has also taken its fair share of arts and crafts kitchen projects. The straight lines that accompany the thin, square rails required for inset construction fit very well within the style.

To compliment the kitchen cabinetry in arts and crafts, designers can add a variety of hardware to complete the look. Hanging latches with square or rectangle back plates are typically used in burnished finishes with heavy etching or distressed surfaces. Most arts and crafts handles and knobs will be square, which gives the design an old-world feel.

As counter top availability continues to grow and grow, trends will continue to dictate which materials and colors will help to round out an arts and crafts kitchen project. Deep, rich granite colors can compliment stained wood tones very well. On a painted kitchen island, using a stained concrete top can also work very well. Although these tops can be accompanied by a hefty price tag, the end product is stunning. Concrete tops are produced from a mold, built around the existing island shape, and poured and set into place. Once the material has dried, it can be stained virtually any color to promote the antique furniture look.

Natural tone paint colors often go very well with these projects. Designers can rely on beige, browns and other pastels that will offset the deeper stained finishes on the cabinetry and flooring. When used properly, these simple suggestions can produce a beautiful, elegant kitchen or bath projects.

www.made-from-india.com is a one-stop online information center on antiques & collectibles, brass ware & brass handicrafts, diaries & calendars, handicrafts, incense & incensory, sculptures & paintings etc. It posses an authentic directory of arts & crafts product catalog, art & crafts product buyers, & sellers, Indian manufacturers & exporters of beautiful range of gifts & crafts deals in different types of assortments like key chains, handicrafts, crystals, paper crafts etc.