Arts+and+Crafts

#301 How Do You Make a Friendship Bracelet?
 * Friendship bracelets are great reminders of your best friends. Sometimes, friends make and exchange these bracelets, especially when they say goodbye. A form of macrame, friendship bracelets use forward and backward knots to create patterns with embroidery floss. Some of the designs were created by Native Americans. Learn all about this fun and easy form of wearable art. Different patterns and designs use from two to forty strings. Video tutorials will help you learn the knots and patterns.
 * URL: http://wonderopolis.org

America's Quilting History: Facts vs. Myths About America's Quilting Past
 * It is often said that quilting was a popular pass time for woman in colonial America. The fact is that most women could not afford the fabrics that were needed to quilt. History is often full of myths, but this site sets the record straight about quilting. Learn the history of this treasured hobby.
 * URL: http://www.womenfolk.com

Art Tips and Techniques
 * Visit Crayola and learn different techniques for using crayons, markers, colored pencils and paints. Here you will learn how to use these tools to create designs in your drawings using pressure variations, stipling, cross hatching, layering, and more! Each description offers an illustrated picture demonstrating the technique. The web site offers simple step-by-step instructions on creating pictures using these concepts.
 * URL: http://www.crayola.com

Arts and Crafts with Paper
 * Paper University offers both paper craft projects and science activities. Learn how a paper towel absorbs water and how paper is recycled. Then follow the link to Art Class for five craft projects including a stuffed paper bag fish, how to make paper mache, and pulp ornaments made with candy molds. Sponsored by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), Paper University will also teach you how to make paper. Making paper is a messy but fun activity.
 * URL: http://www.tappi.org

Bead Crafts Library
 * Make a beaded keychain, bookmark, pencil topper, or picture frame. Create beaded streamers for your bicycle or beaded hair accessories as gifts. Pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and purses can all be made with beadwork. You can even make your own beads with play dough, wrapping paper, comic strips, rose petals, or sand. Discover how to make a beautiful beaded butterfly, an amazing airplane, or a miniature cheerleader. Design a dream catcher, fashion a friendship bracelet, or weave beads into a hair wrap.
 * URL: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com

Clay Bead Making and Bracelet
 * If you are interested in making polymer clay crafts, here is an excellent web site. You will find complete instructions to transform polymer clay into beautifully handcrafted beads that you can use to make a colorful bracelet. The instructions are complete and easy to follow. The photograph advertises the finished product, and there are links to additional polymer clay projects. Make jewelry that is unique and durable by learning how to work with polymer clay.
 * URL: http://www.diynetwork.com

Drawing Ideas: How to Draw Cartoons
 * With these easy step-by-step directions, you can learn to draw cartoons with no trouble at all. Over twenty pages of cartoons are offered with instructions on how to create anything from airplanes to landscapes. Draw a tropical beach, a desert cactus, a waterfall, or a city scene. Most of the instructions are shown in five steps or less. When you see this site, you are going to want to use it a lot. Be sure to save it for future reference.
 * URL: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com

Learn How to Knit with Free Knitting Videos!
 * Investigate the difference between continental knitting and English knitting. Find out which is easier to learn and which is faster. This informative resource provides description and videos about how to get started knitting, simple projects like a baby bib or poncho, and problem-solving strategies for beginners. Learn about the basic techniques of casting, purling, knitting, binding, increasing, and decreasing. Explore advanced techniques like working with circular needles, creating decorative stitches, knitting with multiple colors, double knitting, and making the heel of a sock.
 * URL: http://www.knittinghelp.com

Learn to Knit and Crochet
 * Study the differences between knitting and crocheting. While knitting and purling is more common for making sweaters, crocheting is more common for afghans and vests. Discover more than a dozen reasons why you should learn to knit or crochet, from stress-relief to making your own gifts for family and friends. Investigate the five types of yarn, the hooks or needles used for crocheting or knitting, and a step-by-step guide to beginning stitches. Check out some quick project ideas.
 * URL: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com

Scrapbook Tips
 * There is a general Lifetips site, and this sub site focuses on scrapbookking. Scroll down the page and read the detailed numbered tips, type in the search widow, or click on one of the many topics at the left side of the page. The topics range from a glossary of scrapbook terms, to scrapbook stickers, to Disney scrapbooking to scrapbook FAQ's. The tips are plentiful. There are no ads included in the midst of any explanatory text. Any of the tips can be check-marked to be selected, categorized, and/or printed.
 * URL: http://scrapbook.lifetips.com

Scrapbooking.com
 * This is a premiere site for all things related to scrapbooking. Check it out! This page is the table of contents for the current issue of the magazine. The page will change with the month. You can read about and access the featured articles for the current issue. Along the left side is a long list of hot links dealing with topics ranging from product demos, to archives, to departments. Very attractive site with good graphics!
 * URL: http://scrapbooking.com

Stitch a Quilt
 * Take a brief look at the craft called quilting. Learn how quilts are made and about the history behind quilting. The amount of work that goes into creating these beautiful pieces is incredible. This site includes links to more information about how quilts are made and the work kids are doing with quilts in schools.
 * URL: http://www.americaslibrary.gov

Tie-dyed T-shirts URL: http://familyfun.go.com
 * Join Dylan and learn how to make tie-dyed t-shirts. This is a fun family craft or party activity. Find out what you need to do this activity and protect your work surface. Step-by-step instructions and a video help you set up the dyeing station. You can dunk the shirt in fabric dye or use a spray bottle or squirt bottle. Leave the dye on the t-shirt overnight before rising and washing it. Wash it by itself and then run the washer with soap to make sure all the dye is out.