Surebonder Ultra Glue Gun

If you are a “crafty” family, then a glue gun is an essential tool to have. Hand held glue guns are not very expensive and can be used for creating lots of fantastic craft projects. Glue guns are great for sticking wood, metal, ceramics, heavy card, paper, plastics and cloth.

There are three different types of Surebonder Ultra Glue Guns available, depending on your needs:

The Ultra Gun, Low Temperature (230°F) for projects that won’t need high gluing temperatures.

Ultra Gun, High Temperature (380°F).

Ultra Gun, Dual Temperature with high and low settings.

Each of the glue guns runs on 60W power and benefits from a glue stand.

Overall, the Surebonder Ultra Glue Guns are good value for money and will certainly help you with your craft activities. A word of caution: glue guns get very hot, so please work carefully to prevent injuries and burns, especially around children.

Teen Craft Leather Tooling

There are many different crafts suitable for kids, but they love making things they can actually use. So working with leather is a good idea so is Macrame Beaded Jewelry.

Teens are a curious lot. They want their independence and yet they’re often afraid to step out on their own. One way to continue connecting with your teen is through a shared craft. One craft teens may enjoy is leather tooling. You may find you enjoy it, too.

Leather tooling is the process of taking pieces of leather and cutting, pressing or burning it to create an image or design which can be added to clothing or other useful items. Think about ornate leather saddles, purses or belts. Those things were created by leather tooling.

It is important to have the correct type of leather when tooling it. It generally should be top-grain, vegetable-tanned and light-colored. Your teen will also need specific tools with which to work.

Those tools include:

• Awl and spare point
• Retractable craft or X-acto knife with spare blades
• Retractable knife with blade which breaks off
• Rotary punch
• Needles
• Bees wax
• Waxed linen thread
• Pliers
• Scissors

There are other tools you can purchase when doing leather tooling, but you may want to wait until you see if your teen wants to continue the craft before spending too much money. Other tools include edge slickers, bevellers, punches, thong cutters, t-square, compass and yardstick.

There is an easy way to determine if the leather you and your teen have accessible to you is suitable for tooling. You can wet a corner and make a couple of lines to see how well the leather reacts and holds the lines. It is also a good idea to put tape on the back of the leather while it is being worked on to avoid stretching it.

Find designs by looking through pattern books or a simple picture possibly taken from a coloring book. An easy design such as a simple flower or leaf will give your teen an opportunity to try different tooling skills. The design will have to be transferred to the leather using tracing or wax paper.

Dampen the leather after the image is transferred. Your teen will then begin creating depressions into the leather. When they are satisfied with their work, they can allow the leather to dry and then paint or dye it to complete it. The result will be a raised surface work of art they can be proud of.

Your teen should be able to find more information about the particular skills needed for leather tooling at a craft store. They will have the tools needed as well as books and other supplies to get your teen started on a new craft they can continue into adulthood. The internet is another source of information for learning leather tooling.

Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe (Spiral-Bound)

The spiral-bound book “Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe” was written by Wendy Mulin who is the owner and founder of Built by Wendy, a NYC-based women’s and men’s clothing label and accessories. She has also written various Sew U instruction books.

In her book Wendy shows the reader how to sew fashionable clothing. The guide includes 3 basic patterns: pants, button down shirt and skirt in the sizes 0 – 12 and XS – L. These three patterns have been taken directly from her studio and can be used in lots of different and exciting ways to create various looks. You will be given easy step-by-step instructions and lots of ideas on how to make your old clothes look ultra-modern and unique.

The book reviews basic sewing skills, and introduces the reader to fabric cutting, more advanced sewing techniques and light pattern making. The author also gives general advice on how to work with a tailor and how to get your fashion ideas across.

If you have your own unique fashion style, and want to create your own personal look, and save money while you’re at it, then this book is for you.

Sewing Machine Fun Book

I can remember as a little girl how much I enjoyed it when my mother taught me to sew. I spent hours behind the machine creating all kinds of items. In the long run, as a teenager, I found joy in making all my own clothes. So, maybe your little girl will also love to learn how to sew.

Teach your children the fun of sewing with the Sewing Machine Fun Book. It was written by Lynda Milligan & Nancy Smith, who own the Great American Quilt Factory. In their book they offer children from the age of 7+ a wonderful introduction to sewing.

There are 13 fun sewing projects contained within the book, with colorful step-by-step instructions. The kids will progressively gain more and more knowledge of sewing as they work their way through the book. Basic sewing machine skills from stitching, pivots, threading the machine, patterns for the different projects and how to take care of your machine as well as safety around the sewing machine will be covered.

Obviously, younger children will need some adult guidance and supervision.

The Sewing Machine Fun Book is a great way to teach children the basics of sewing, a useful skill that will stay with them for a lifetime. All you need is a sewing machine and your children will be on their way to discover how much fun sewing and making things can be. No more boring rainy days!

Another alternative to keep the kids busy, if they like handwork crafts is Kids Knitting Projects, where kids can learn to knit in a fun way. With this Sewing machine Fun Book and Kids Knitting Projects your little one will have hours of creative fun.

Review Of The Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy

I have spent many happy hours with my kids and my granddaughter playing with Play Doh. They loved kids spending hours and hours kneading and making Play Doh sculptures. Play Doh is the ideal craft for little ones as it is safe and easy as well as cheap!

The Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy is a fantastic piece of equipment. Not only does it come with multiple tools to knead, cut and roll such as cutters and scissors, it also has some fun “girly” jewelry bead molds for making necklaces and bracelets.

Your kids will also love the cake stand and frosting presser for the bakers amongst your children. Or maybe your kids are more interested in “sand art” or “stained glass” activities. There is something for everybody.

This is a great organizer caddy as well. It has designated places to hold the Play-Doh tools so they won’t get lost in the house. It also has spaces for the included eight cans of Play-Doh, which come in different colors. I like that the caddy also comes with a colorful 3x3ft mat to keep all the bits and pieces of Play-Doh on the mat and not spread around your kitchen floor.

In my opinion, this product comes with lots of great features. It keeps your Play-Doh tools and Play-Doh organized and ready to be used the next time around for more hours of fun and enjoyment.

I think this product is well suited for kids from 3 years onwards and you might find yourself kneading, beading and baking with them as well. It would make a great rainy day toy.

After you have used all the Play Doh, and you are looking for more ideas, having a look at Salt Dough Just 3 Ingredients More Than 100 Projects, as it tells you how to make your own Play Doh and it gives you some very good ideas for projects as the kids progresses.

Easy Soap Making For Kids

Little kids do not have to be limited to salt dough crafts. With a little help they can get into the fun of soap making. It is true that making soap with lye is dangerous and not suitable for little kids at all. However, as soap making is fun, there are other safe ways for kids to make soap.

Here's a recipe for glycerin soap that is appropriate for preschoolers and older:

What You Need

• Glycerin soap (either bars or blocks)
• Soap dye
• Soap mold
• Microwave safe container
• Spoon
• Knife

Instructions

1. Cut a bar of glycerin soap into three pieces. If using blocks, cut two or three pre-measured pieces. (Only an adult should do this step.)
2. Place the glycerin soap in the microwave safe container, and microwave for about 20 seconds or according to directions that came with soap blocks. Stir, and continue microwaving 10 seconds at a time until the soap is fully melted.
3. Add soap dye. For pastel colors, use only a few drops. For darker colors, keep adding dye until the desired color is achieved.
4. Pour the soap into the mold and set aside. Allow to harden for an hour.
5. Once soap has hardened and cooled completely, pop it out of the mold. If it is stuck, place it in the freezer for a few minutes and try again.

Tips

• Use caution when removing soap from the microwave, and stir carefully to eliminate air bubbles. Soap that is heated too long or unevenly can erupt out of the container, causing burns.
• If you prefer, you can melt the soap in a double boiler over low to medium heat.
• If you would like a scented soap, you can add a couple of drops of fragrance oil. Just make sure it's safe for use on the skin, and remember that a little bit goes a long way.
• Want a layered bar of soap? Add color to half of the melted soap, pour it into the mold, and let sit for about 5 minutes or until a “skin” forms on top. Then slowly pour the rest of the liquid soap (mixed with another color of soap dye if you like) on top.
• You can make a swirled soap by waiting until you have poured the soap into the mold, adding drops of dye, and swirling with a toothpick.
• To make a simple yet elegant soap on a rope, pour half of the liquid soap into the mold, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and place a strand of beads on top. Then pour the rest of the soap on top of the beads and let cool completely. This makes a wonderful gift!

With Mother's Day coming up, this is an ideal craft to get the kids involved in. Imagine mom's excitement when she receives this Mother's day craft gift on Mother's day. So, get the kids involved in easy soap making for kids.

Camping Craft Ideas for Kids

Most kids find camping a lot of fun, but sometimes they still get bored from time to time. So, these camping crafts will give you, as a parent, some options when that happens. Of course, the same crafts can be used ad home as well. Remember to take lots of photos and then you can use them for scrapbooking. Go to Beginner Scrapbooking Crafts to see about that. This will make it branch out into a whole new life of crafts.

Here are your Camping Crafts Ideas For Kids:

Nature wreath:

If your child is like most, they’ll pick up found treasures while hiking or along the ground near the campsite. Let them keep their treasures; they can create a nature wreath from them. You can plan ahead by bringing a piece of heavy cardboard with you for this craft and cut it in the shape of a wreath.

After your child has found enough pine cones, leaves, rocks or other items to fill their wreath, let them begin gluing the items on the base with thick craft glue. They can place the large items on the wreath first and then put smaller items on. Try to help them fill the empty areas. When the glue has dried completely, they could spray paint it or use a clear paint with glitter.

Film canister first aid kit

It’s a pretty safe bet that while you’re camping someone will get a cut or scrape. This craft will come in handy. Have the supplies ready and your child can make a first aid kit they can carry with them.

The items they’ll need include:

• Ribbon or yarn
• Empty film canister (one for each child)
• Antiseptic wipe
• Small band-aids
• Safety pin
• Piece of wrapped hard candy
• Change for a phone call
• List of important phone numbers

How to do your crafts:

1. Help your child poke a hole in the lid of the film canister and one in the canister itself. 
2. Run the ribbon through both pieces of the film canister and tie a knot in it. 
3. This will enable your child to wear their first aid kit around their neck for easy reach. 
4. Put the first aid items into the canister. 
5. Your child can paint a red cross on the canister if they like.

If you go camping very often, put together a box with craft supplies that goes with you each time. Keep the box stocked with items you know they’ll use such as paper, scissors, glue, glitter, paints and paint brushes, and yarn or ribbon. Your child may also think of other ideas for craft supplies that you could provide. By keeping these materials readily available they will have them each time you go camping as a family.

Children can be funny sometimes. They can be eager to be outdoors but then complain because they’re bored. Using these camping craft ideas for kids can start your creative juices moving, which may allow you to think up other camping crafts for your children to enjoy the next time you go camping.

So, make sure you are prepared when you next go camping and let the kids have a ball with these camping crafts ideas for kids. It may even give you a few moments of peace!

A Hobby Kit Can Help You To Learn A New Craft

For someone tired of the same old craft, getting a hobby kit may be a good idea. There is a variety of Hobby Kits available, such as the Latch Hook Kits, such as a Huggables 15 Inch Latch Hook Kit-Monkey. You will find that there are many hobbies and crafts that have hobby kits for you to start with.

A hobby kit makes learning a new hobby easy and you do not have to buy all the materials and equipment that are very expensive if you are not going to use them again. So, a kit allows you to try out the craft and see if you like it before you go to the cost of buying all the stuff before you find out if you really enjoy the craft.

So, this is obviously also the cast with Latch Hook Kits, such as the Huggables 15 Inch Latch Hook Kit-Monkey. This kit supplies you with all you need to make the monkey, except for the stuffing that is easy to come by.

Even for kids trying hobby or craft kits is a good idea. Kids do not know what they are going to enjoy doing. With a kit, such as the Alex Toys Super Knot A Quilt kit, you kid can try out various crafts before you have to go to a lot of expense.

So, have a look at hobby kits as an easy way to get to know a craft.

Fun Sixties Tie and Dye T-Shirt Craft For Teens

If you are as old as I am you will remember all the tie and dye of that era. Even though it is true that tie-dye clothing, and other tie-and dye items, made their first appearance in the 1960s, tie and dye is still a popular choice for crafts. Teenagers and younger kids as well as some adults can wear tie-dye clothing and experience the fun of wearing something you made yourself.

Here’s how you can tie and dye your own t-shirt.

Rather than using commercial dyes, you can use simple food colorings which you probably have in your kitchen cabinets. Food coloring won’t give as deep a color as commercial dyes, but it’s safe for everyone to use.

You’ll need the following items to tie and dye your own t-shirt:

• Light-colored t-shirt (wool, silk, and nylon work well; cotton may not work as well for food coloring but does work with clothing dye and soda ash)
• 2 Buckets or bowls of clear water
• Rubber bands of various sizes
• Plastic bags
• 2 or 3 colors of food coloring or clothing dye
• Condiment bottles, one for each color
• Vinegar
• Salt

How to do your tie and dye craft:

1. Begin by soaking the t-shirt in an equal amount of water and white vinegar for about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Take the t-shirt out and wring as much water out as possible so it’s still damp but not dripping.
3. Spread the damp t-shirt out on a table and grab the center.
4. Hold the center and twist the shirt and put rubber bands around the shirt or tie knots in it.
5. This is what gives the shirt its unique look.
6. Mix the food coloring or dye in the bowl with water.
7. You can also place the mixture in the condiment bottles.
8. When using bowls, dip the shirt into the dye; if you’re using the condiment bottles, squirt the mixture onto the shirts.
9. Since you’re using at least two colors, you can dip separate parts of the shirt into the dyes to create color explosions on the fabric.
10. If the two colors overlap they will create new colors.
11. Once the shirt is dyed to your satisfaction, wrap it in a plastic bag and place the bag someplace warm.
12. Leave it there for a minimum of 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
13. However, don’t let it get too hot - depending upon the fabric, it may begin to shrink.
14. After the rest time is over, remove the rubber bands from the shirt or untie it.
15. Fill a bucket or sink with clean cool water and one cup of salt.
16. Stir the water until the salt has dissolved as much as possible.
17. Rinse the t-shirt in this water.
18. This will help set the colors.
19. Keep rinsing until no more color shows in the water.
20. Then wash and dry the t-shirt with other colored clothing.

There is your fun tie-dye-T-Shirt for the summer. Now you know how to tie and dye your own t-shirt you can have the latest fashion item and have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made it yourself. Of course, once your friends see your t-shirt, they may ask you to help them make one, too.

Once you have tasted the experience of working with fabrics such as this tie and dye crafts, you may want to move on to something a little more elaborate. For this silk painting is very good.

With silk painting you can make a beautiful scarf for yourself or a friend. So, do not stop with tie and dye, move on to silk painting. The easiest way to start is to get one of the many silk painting kits that are available and try it out first.

So, enjoy your tie and dye and then look into silk painting