Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with crafts

Sea Monkey alternatives?

pallen123 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:46:24 -0800

Are there any frugal alternatives to Sea Monkeys? I'm running a summer camp for four year olds and we have limited funds. We're looking for fun, interesting live "pet" alternatives to Sea Monkeys -- in order to give our kids a bunch of choices for a "create your own pet environment" project.

We think we can obtain some bulk brine shrimp as a proxy for Sea Monkeys, but I'm wondering if anyone has ideas for other types of tiny critters the kids can adopt -- and we can purchase in bulk relatively inexpensively.

Ants are an option but least desirable since the kids are quite familiar with them already.

Probably not flying insects, like ladybugs, because it doesn't seem like the kids will be able to create "environments" suitable for them.

Also, preferably the less "gross" the better since these are four year olds.

Any interesting or unusual suggestions hivers? No bees too :)

Here's one I made earlier!

Iteki — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:17:06 -0800

Can cardboard absorb cement? If not, other suggestions for a load of toilet-paper-tubes please! Brought up on a diet of MacGyver and Blue Peter, I have somehow managed to amass a large number of the cardboard tubes from inside toilet and kitchen paper rolls. I think I had the idea of making a sort of honeycomb shelf out of them, but I would like to spray or dip them in concrete for aesthetic and stability reasons.

As best I can tell, cardboard is often suggested as a mould for cement, which suggests it doesn't absorb it. How can I go about this?

Other suggestions on what to do with about 200 bogroll inserts gladly accepted, but something that requires loads of them rather than individual ideas (like dog-treat-makers, or potting solutions).

Help me with the logistics of my paper craft.

sarahalisonmiller — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:54:23 -0800

Craft filter: I would like to begin selling a mixed media paper craft (a print embellished with embroidery thread). I'm happy with the crafty part...but now about the logistics: sourcing paper, paper size, ink quality, packaging. Sourcing paper: Where can I find archival quality paper (relatively heavy, but no more than 90 lb) at an affordable price? If I manage to start selling, I won't be able to afford to buy it at the local Michaels.

Paper size: Right now, I am working with my own personal printer. It can handle paper up to 8 1/2 by 10. The actual image I am producing is approx. 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 (but I can alter this slightly without distorting the print). Ideally, the print would not take up the entire area of paper, but would have margins at the 4 sides. If folks who buy my craft might like to frame it, what size paper should I use and with what size margins? Should the margins all be equal?

Ink: My printer is an Epson CX8400. It seems that most people selling prints advertise that they use "archival inks." What does this really mean, is it really important, will my printer take them, and can I buy them at an average office supplies store?

Packaging: I know where to find plastic sleeves and thick envelopes, but is there something else I should know about packaging and shipping?

Whew. That's a lot of questions. Answer as few or many as you're are willing and able.

Craft filter: I'm looking to make an object appear as if it has 1/4" scales (like a lizard) with spray paint and painters tape but I don't know if it'll work. They scales have to be uniform in size and shape.

alrightokay — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:12:39 -0800

Craft filter: I'm looking to make an object appear as if it has 1/4" scales (like a lizard) with spray paint and painters tape but I don't know if it'll work. They scales have to be uniform in size and shape. I'm working on a project to make a rounded object look like it has scales like a lizard or dragon. My idea was to take painters tape and cut out hundreds of little "U"s, cover the object uniformly in the applicable pattern, and then spray paint the whole thing. After the paint dries I would then remove the painters tape "U"s. I believe this would produce the desired look but I have a few problems:

1) Cutting out 100's of "U"s from painters tape would take a long time
2) Consistency would be an issue because one can only be so precise, particularly if each scale is about 1/4" tall and wide.
3) I would like to avoid having custom stickers made up as I want to keep costs low and a deadline is nearing (my fear is this is the only way).

Maybe I'm approaching this task the wrong way. Keep in mind that I want it to look professional - almost as if it were manufactured. I'm willing to take some time with this project but I don't want to waste time if there's a better way to do this. Can the hive mind assist?

Where to find an unfinished wooden tray in Minneapolis/St. Paul?

deinemutti — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:53:00 -0800

Where to find an unfinished wooden tray in Minneapolis/St. Paul? I'm looking for a decent, unfinished wooden tray so I can lay mosaic on the surface and then finish it to match my mother's kitchen. I want a decent sized tray (about 17" x 14" or more)

I already have checked JoAnn's craft section and Michael's (In Apple Valley/Burnsville if that makes a difference), but the ones they had were too small and the wood used was very thin and balsa-like (far too weak to support tiles), and seemed strictly for decorative purposes. Whereas I want one that can actually be USED to carry things.

I plan to check Mosaic on a Stick tomorrow and Clay Squared doesn't seem to sell wooden surfaces, just tiles and whatnot. Are there any stones that I've left unturned locally?

I already found some shops on the internet as a last resort, but I have a thing about touching and holding stuff before buying (personal quality control).

How to engage a bunch of six year olds?

Framer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:12:13 -0800

We're part of a child care co-op arrangement for a month, which means I'll have six 6-year olds to myself for three (non consecutive), six-hour days. I could use some suggestions for creative activities -- running around (we've got lots of outdoor room, wooded and open), arts and crafts, whatever. Ideas that require buying supplies are fine.

sales-ology for artists

diode — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:12:02 -0800

I've been hanging out with my wife and her booth partner at a handmade goods market they sell at each week. It's pretty typical stuff, jewelry, crafts of various kinds. They also go to art festivals on occasion to sell their wares. We've been discussing sales techniques that could help them out. I'm wondering if there is such an animal: sales techniques for the artisan seller? The long explanation is that it seems to me that any sales situation could be improved with some basic sales behaviors.

We're talking about a fairly typical crafts market where people are browsing past rows of booths with hand made items for sale. Maybe 1 in 40 or 50 people will stop and look at the items for sale and that's where the selling needs to begin.

I've talked to them about NLP modeling, and about other sales concepts I know of. I'm not a salesperson, just done some reading about the techniques involved.

They aren't resistant exactly, but they don't want to do anything remotely like high pressure sales. They think that people find what they want and either buy or not regardless of what the seller might say or do outside of being friendly and attentive.

It seems to me that basic sales-o-logy 101 could make a substantial impact on the bottom line. What information might help out, as in techniques, training, URL's and what have you?

Or maybe it is just a situation where the buyer finds what they want and there's no much else to be done to influence the sale. In any event, I'd like to know what the hive-mind comes up with.

Arts and Crafts with a Science Twist?

liesbyomission — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:28:40 -0800

I need help coming up with ideas for ~30 min science-related arts and crafts activities for kids aged 3-17 in a pretty limited environment. I am working at a summer camp for the children of migrant workers, and I was hired to do fun, science-y activities with them. Great! I know lots of science projects that we can do! I've run many, many workshops like that.

Unfortunately, the environment itself is far from ideal, and I have little to work with, making most of what I've done before infeasible. I have limited access to running water (need to fill up a pitcher in the bathroom and bring it outside to the picnic tables where we are). I have an extremely large amount of construction paper and plenty of other typical craft supplies.

So, if any of you have any resources or suggestions for arts and crafts with a science twist, I'd really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks!

How to preserve white rosebuds?

diamondsky — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:56:04 -0800

How do you preserve white rosebuds without having them turn grey? Or, alternately, where can you buy dried rosebuds in white? My mother is adamant that she needs a large supply of small dried white rosebuds for some craft-type things she is making. I've found a lot of suppliers that sell dried rosebuds (boutons) in red, pink and lavender but have been unable to find them in white.

The problem with drying them with air or sand is that they keep coming out greyish. Does anybody know a way around this? She's willing to use some kind of dye or preservative if that will work, as long as it wouldn't just rub off whenever the rosebuds were touched. I haven't been able to find any solutions with google.

Thanks!

How to translate a painting into clothing?

unmake — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:37:22 -0800

How to translate a painting into clothing? I've got some abstract paintings that I think would make smashing halter tops. How would I go about accomplishing this? I'm thinking iron-on transfers are not the way to go - maybe screenprinting?

I am sure I can find monsters in my closet, but they don't come pre-mounted.

silkygreenbelly — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:00:53 -0800

Colorado Craft Filter: I am looking to find how to procure another mounted monster head. My sister gave me Silky Greenbelly for Christmas last year. She said she saw it at an Arts and Craft show in Colorado and thought of me. She thinks she remembers that it was a husband/wife; one would create the mounted heads and one would write a brief placard about them. She does not remember where the craft show was (other than colorado) or what it was called or even if the artists are based in Colorado.
I can find no distinguishing artist marks/signature on the placard or the actual monster head.

A good friend of mine saw Silky Greenbelly and thought she was awesome. I am moving away and would like to get her one as a gift before I go. But I have been unsuccessful in my google search efforts (so far all I have dug up is my own twitter account and numerous links on how to mount animal heads). If anyone has information on who the artist is or how to get another mounted head I would be very happy.

(I would rather give her Silky Greenbelly than make my own monster, so please, no suggestions on how to make one myself).

Lady seeks stylish portable sewing box

exceptinsects — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:52:53 -0800

Help me find an excellent sewing box. I'm looking for something portable (bonus points for a handle), fairly large, that doesn't look like it belongs to somebody's grandma (e.g. flowery, cushiony, wicker-y, or with little bears on it).

Modern is preferable to old fashionedy, but either way there should be lots of little drawers and things. Ideally there might be some way of also storing fabric scraps and whatnot.

Something like a tackle box might be okay, but it would be nice if it looked more like something you could have in your living room.

I've tried searching ebay and crafty sites, but keep running into the grandma problem.

I don't want to poison anyone.

thread_makimaki — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:47:40 -0800

I'm thinking about designing and making my own eating utensils, because I am that food obsessed. But I'm unsure of what materials to use. Ideally I'd like to find a durable, food-safe plastic type material that I could model without industrial equipment, but so far I haven't been able to find anything of that nature. Polymer clay isn't food-safe for example I believe. Does such a material exist?

If not plastic, what would be best - wood (what kind?), metal, ceramic, other? I'm willing to take classes and/or invest in some equipment within reason. I'm mostly interested in making very small things like picks and forks, so it would ideally have to be durable but easy to work in detail. I'm also interested in food-safe colors or paints if using something like wood.

What a poser, tiny dancer...

orange swan — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:50:17 -0800

Please help me find a relatively easy, yet not cutesy, ballet-themed cross-stitch kit or pattern. I gave my niece, um “Peaches Swan”, a cross-stitch bookmark kit for her 11th birthday and promised her that if she could finish it within a year I would give her a bigger, more complicated kit for her 12th birthday. Peaches is just about finished the bookmark and so now I need to find her a new kit. I would especially like to find her a ballet-themed one as Peaches is ballet-mad. I’m searching on the net and in craft stores for one but so far the I’ve only found this really elaborate one that would be too overwhelming for her, and others that Peaches will grow to feel are too cutesy and babyish before she even gets them finished. I’d love some help finding a ballet-themed kit (or pattern that I can print off and buy materials for) that is neither too elaborate or too little girl-ish. Thanks!

Where can I find this awesome fabric?

Medieval Maven — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:40:51 -0800

I need to know if there is a particular word for this kind of brocade. I think it's a brocade. Here is a terrible picture from my cellphone of a kimono made out of this fabric. It's blurry I know, but maybe you can get the idea - it's a black background and the pattern is picked out in gold thread. It looks like the pattern is done after how oranges look when they are cut in half, but very stylized.

Does any one know if this is a particular kind of brocade? Where I could find some? I've looked on eBay and I've googled but I think I am missing some sort of key word here - I'm just getting run of the mill brocade, not this awesome stuff. Thanks!

Looking for some eco-friendly pillow-construction suggestions.

actionpact — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:28:54 -0800

I have a yen to make cool throw pillows to eventually sell, but I'm lost when it comes to eco-friendly materials. Help me, Mefites! OK, so how hard could making pillows be, right? I have an idea for making screenprinted pillows using my illustrations and such-- I have the screenprinting plans down pat more or less but when it comes to materials I'm having some troubles.

Specifically, I'd like to veer away from pillow-forms, and I'd like to go eco-friendly if I can without being too cost prohibitive (I've never been the type of person to charge or spend $90 for a pillow, y'know?). I read a little about buckwheat and kapok, which seem kind of expensive and extra flammable... I thought there must be some kind of recycled material used as stuffing/batting, but Google's failing me-- maybe I'm using the wrong terms. So what are my options? I know if I plan to sell them I can't go tear apart old pillows (and actually given what I just read about mites.... ick), but what else could I use that would stuff a pillow comfortably without being superlumpy or heavy? I read some things about clothing scraps, but that seems like it'd be lumpy.

Also, if you were going to buy a pillow like this, what would you want the outside to be made of? I'm thinking a sturdy but soft cotton, or twill or something-- something that can take a little abuse but still feel comfortable, and be a solid color, not patterned. Bonus points if you can refer me to an eco-friendly or recycled fabric source!

I am going to decorate my own dishes, ostensibly

InstantSanitizer — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:56:15 -0800

Ceramics filter: What sort of medium is the gold paint (?) that is used to decorate fine china/ tableware? I am guessing it's some sort of porcelain paint- but of higher quality (contains actual gold?) than the craft paint I might see at the local store. Does anyone know where I can purchase this? And: can I apply it/ bake it on with regular brushes and a conventional oven?

In short: What is it, where can I get it, how do I use it? (and it needs to be food safe)

thanks

Please recommend a wood router for me to purchase.

amtho — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:34:20 -0800

Wood router recommendations sought. I've done a little carpentry, and even made my first mortise and tenon joints a while ago. Now, I really want to make some simple oak (or other hardwood) shelves to hang on the wall, and to put as a small platform on top of an existing wood structure. I want them to have somewhat-interesting edges. I've been thinking about buying a router for years, and now I believe it's finally time.

I don't have a router table, and believe me, I don't have any room for one. This will have to be hand-held, stored on a shelf when not in use. But I'd like to get a router table someday and maybe do some more wood working.

I want something that will let me be precise (more mortise-and-tenon joints are in my future, I think), last a long time, and be comfortable/stable to work with.

I'd be grateful for any serious recommendations of brands/models to seek or avoid.

Also - is using a router going to be really loud?

I live in Chapel Hill, NC, and haven't been too impressed with the guidance available at my local Lowe's/Home Depot.

Thanks.

How do I make professional-looking homemade lip balm labels?

starsnstars — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:39:11 -0800

How do I make semi-professional, waterproof labels for handmade lip balm tubes? I am looking for a way to make labels that will fit on .15oz (4.25g) lip balm tubes. The labels need to be approximately 2 X 2 inches, have permanent adhesive to stay on the plastic well, need to be water resistant so the ink does not rub off, and have the ability to print on an ink jet printer. I have tried Avery 6572 Permanent labels, however the ink smeared and rubbed off the label. I then tried Avery 6578 Durable I.D. labels that are water-resistant, then I realized they were for laser printers only and will not work on my ink jet printer. I am seeking the most effective, best-looking way to create a durable label for the lip balm I make or an attracive, professional way to water proof permanent labels. I appreciate any suggestions.

Recommendations for buying a potter's wheel?

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:09:26 -0800

I would like to buy my girlfriend a potter's wheel for her birthday, but don't really know anything about where to look, what to look for, or the price I can expect to pay. Any suggestions or recommendations? (I'm asking anonymously because my girlfriend sometimes reads AskMe.)

Cursory internet searches have turned up $50 "kids'" models and $1200 professional models - is there anything in between, say for a couple hundred bucks? (ebay and my local craigslists haven't been of much help so far.)

What features in a potter's wheel should I look for? (Horsepower, size, shape, features, etc.) She is an amateur potter, but greatly enthusiastic, and I think she would use it a fair bit.

I would also love to know about any reputable pottery-supply purveyors.

If all efforts to buy one of these things fail, what would I need to know in order to assemble a potter's wheel myself? I can't imagine they're too mechanically complicated, but, then, my skillz with toolz and electrical devices are not exactly Norm Abrams-caliber. Maybe this is over my head, but if, by chance, there's a make-your-own-potter's-wheel kit, I'd love to know about that, too.

Many thanks!

Soap making 101

MaryDellamorte — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:25:13 -0800

I want to start making soap. But I don't know where to start. I've been trying to search the internet for a good book or a good website, but I'm starting to get overwhelmed. Does anyone have any experience with an insightful book or a helpful website? Or just tips and tricks of the trade? I think I just want to start out with some plain bars and work up to the fancy looking stuff.

Valentine's Gift for Him

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:09:14 -0800

A Valentine's day question - mea culpa! I'd like to go for something handmade and creative for the dude, but I'm afraid school is sucking up my imagination. Ideas? So I realized just today that there were two weeks left till Valentine's day, and I'd like to get a head start on figuring out what to do. I've read through the old Valentine's Day posts on Metafilter - good ideas, but none of them quite as relevant as I need them to be. I'm a girl, he's a guy, we've been together a couple of years, I've been crazy busy for the past month (and will be for the next two weeks), and am on college student budget.

Things I've done in the past for various occasions: Mix CD with custom liner notes, Video game montage set to music, Origami stars, cartoon drawing of us, hand painted mug, mini scrapbook made from scratch (hand bound and everything)

He's pretty ambivalent on flowers - he'd like them 'cause it's me, but not much beyond that. I thought of doing origami flowers, or stealing the wire butterfly idea, or combining them, but there seems to be something missing. He's not a crossword puzzles kind of guy, though I wouldn't mind trying to set up a treasure hunt - but even then I'd still need ideas for how to set it up, as well as the finale. Also, caveat: I have a midterm on the 15th, and I'd only be free after 7 PM.

Other info: We're usually pretty low-key. His vices: video games, hardware, sound systems, 3D modelling, electric guitar/bass, Monty Python, local wildlife (chipmunks, squirrels and birds primarily) and chocolate/candy. He lives in residence. I have access to the local craftstore and lots of origami paper. Dinner and desert will be par for the course, I imagine. We do go out semi regularly (once every month ish). Hope me?

Actually. If anyone can recommend a low-key, not-toooo-sappy love poem intended for a guy that I could calligraph or something, I would love you forever. Something like When You Are Old by Yeats, but less ... feminine.

Anon 'cause I occasionally ask questions for him and he checks my profile.

Arts and Crafts: Map Making

2bucksplus — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:06:54 -0800

I would like to make or buy a detailed map of my neighborhood in Manhattan. I want it to be poster sized and nice enough looking to hang on the wall. I also want to be able to make notes on it, put push pins in it and post it on my wall. Assuming I live here here and would like the map to be highly detailed, how could I make a large scale map of my neighborhood?

I want this above all to be usable, so when I forget where the wine shop I liked was, or where my girlfriend's favorite Mexican place is, I can simply check the map.

Also for area covered I'm thinking (roughly) West Side Highway to 1st Ave, 14th Street to Canal.

Neoprene, not neo anymore

nekton — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:51:07 -0800

What can I do with my old wetsuit? I have an old wetsuit (2mm SeaQuest shortie, essentially this suit) that has had a fantastic run. I've managed to wring 12 years out of it (snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, and just messing around in the ocean) and have sewn and glued it back together at the base of the zipper multiple times. It is in great condition still (some minor aging of the rubber) but the hole is not repairable anymore.

What are some cool things I can do with it? I am pretty crafty, so any suggestiions that involve cutting it apart and making something cool with it are great. I would also be willing to have it recycled for another purpose.

Sewing 101

mistsandrain — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:28:32 -0800

Beginner's sewing: Please guide me to the most simple, step by step instructions on how to sew simple garments from simple patterns with a sewing machine.