Posts Tagged ‘crafts’

Create Sistine Chapel Ceiling Effects With New Ceiling Mural Stencils

The “5th Wall” element is the long forgotten ceilings of our homes.

Look up to a great decorating surface and incorporate your ceilings in to your decorating scheme to create an elegance you never dreamed of.

With coffered and recessed tray ceilings being offered in more and more newly built homes of today’s markets, the interest in ceiling decorating is booming with home owners now in search of new and interesting ways to dress up these wonderfully architectural areas and create interest and detail on plain ceilings.

Even the most drab room suddenly becomes one of grandeur with a ceiling mural. To have a professional create a ceiling mural for you would cost literally thousands of dollars, but the average home owner can now do it themselves with little expense and absolutely no experience.

Painting the ceiling a different color is one thing and yes, it does add interest, but take it a step further by using stencils to replicate the overhead murals of fine homes and mansions.

New “perspective correct” stencils have hit the market that allow the home owner to create mural elements such as trees, columns, balustrades and even hanging grapes that literally appear to be towering above you.

As easy to use as any other stencil design, these new stencils are fashioned to be used on the ceiling rather than the wall and consist of overlays that create authentic, “hand painted” appearing designs.

Overlays are simply parts of the design cut in to different stencils and very easy to use.

The stencils are numbered as to their order of use. The registration holes (found on all the overlays) of the #1 stencil are traced on to the ceiling or wall in erasable pencil. The first overlay is stenciled then removed. The registration holes of the #2 stencil are lined up with the pencil tracing which aligns the stencil perfectly. It is then stenciled and removed. This procedure is followed with any overlays required to complete the design.

Stencil adhesive sprays are inexpensive at your local craft store and allow the stencil to stick to the ceiling without the use of tape which makes it a breeze to stencil over your head.

I just finished a ceiling mural where I began by marking off a 15×8 foot rectangle in pencil on the ceiling. Of course, you can make yours any size you choose.

I then painted the inside of the rectangle in pale blue to mimic the sky.

I stenciled a ceiling mural balustrade stencil around the inside edges of the rectangle, repeating it partially around each side and opposite corners. I then stenciled a ceiling mural urn stencil on top of the balustrade which made it appear to be literally sitting on the rail cap of the balustrade.

I couldn’t believe how realistic the whole design seemed when I was finished. I will later be stenciling vines coming from the pot and winding down around the single balusters to finish the design.

It is not necessary to completely fill a ceiling with designs to get the effect of a mural. A single simple design such as the balustrade, urn or even a single tree can be repeated in ways that fill the space and create a unique mural.

For instance, use the balustrade to completely surround the ceiling or repeat it only 3-4 times to create a “spot” ceiling mural in one corner of the room.

As with any mural, more elements can be added at any time. Murals are typically an on-going process that is a labor of love done over time.

To find stencils for ceiling murals, simply search “Ceiling Mural Stencil” on any of the search engine for sites that offer these great new designs.

Preserving Quilting As A Family Tradition

My grandmother and mother are both quilters. I love looking at the works of art that each have created over the years. My sister and I decided that we would like to learn how to quilt to keep this tradition alive in the family. Our mother makes very elaborate appliqu

Preserving Quilting As A Family Tradition

My grandmother and brobdingnagian are both quilters. I cherish looking at the works of art that each accept created over the age. My sister and I sure that we would love to memorize how to quilt to accumulate this tradition alive in the family. Our brobdingnagian makes too elaborate appliqu

How To Accomplish Gourd Bird Houses In 9 Accessible Steps

Bird houses can be a abundant action to attract birds to your yard and provided you desire a different accustomed attending, the gourd bird houses may be the action to activity. The aboriginal object that comes into apperception when it comes to creating bird houses is to acquisition the complete gourd. This can surely advice in saving accomplishment and means.

Gourds can be easily begin or grown in the garden. Gourds are distinctly identified by their eye-catching colours and markings. They can much be said to resemble foreigner forms. This happens exceptionally during the unpunctual summer and they can be too entertaining to the eyes.

Gourds will usually be something that accept to be deliberately grown. To abound one, sure steps accept to be taken and general tending must be done. Use fertilizer in the earth where you way to plant the gourd. For a plant grown in the time of the garden, a half dozen seeds should be placed. Then chase properly the instructions in the seed packet. Thereafter, the plant should be regularly watered and the fertilizer reapplied every month. For creating bird houses, a big gourd has to be cultivated. This type usually takes 130 days to mature.

Turning the Gourd into a Bird Home

Once you accept the appropriate gourd at plam, it can be easily crafted to accomplish a acceptable bird home that you can lay in your yard or garden time to attract the birds.

Working with the gourd is relatively accessible. It is aloof love working with the wood. But, doing so will crave some tasks to be fulfilled. These steps are needed to accomplish a bird home successfully outside of the gourd.

1. Lay ardent aqua with soap in a pail. Amuse the gourds and soak them. When at least 30 minutes accept passed, booty outside the gourd and clean it.

2. Cleaning the gourd will crave the employ of a scrub. Accomplish this until the gourd is entirely clean. Aloof booty into story the opportunity of discolourations in the gourd. This will not usually booty off so accomplish not fret over the stains.

Dry the gourds after cleaning.

3. Take the dried gourds that accept the appropriate length for your bird home. a breadth of 8 to 14 inches will be proper enough.

4. Accomplish certain that the walls of the gourds are properly measured so as to accomplish it most comfortable for the birds. It should be at least quarter of an inch thick so as not to accomplish the bird home also balmy.

5. Abutting fact to assignment on is the gap for the birds to enter. Most of the gourd bird houses are created for martin birds. A gap of two and a half inch are usually sufficient for the martins to enter into.

Drill a gap again at the backside of the cage for the drainage process.

6. Clean outside the insides of the gourd. Scrape outside the seeds inside. You can again pour aqua inside to accomplish certain that the dusts created by drilling are removed.

7. Preserving the gourd is again needed. Buy copper sulphate from hardware shops and chase the directions on how to prepare the compound. Soak the gourd in the preparation for 15 minutes and let it dry.

Accomplish certain your hands are properly protected with gloves in preparing the compound.

8. Colouring the exteriors of the gourd home. Achromatic home colouring is usually used to accomplish the bird home to easily attract the birds. Aloof arrange that no extract holes are left unclogged.

9. Then, accomplish a gap on the top neck of the gourd. This is to accord action for the wire that will be used to hang the bird home.

Life closer to the birds is not a hard assignment. Again, you alone charge the gourd at plam and some handy skills. Make a gourd bird home and the birds will come to you.

How To Make Gourd Bird Houses In 9 Easy Steps

Bird houses can be a great way to attract birds to your yard and if you want a unique natural look, the gourd bird houses may be the way to go. The first thing that comes into mind when it comes to creating bird houses is to find the perfect gourd. This can surely help in saving effort and money.

Gourds can be easily found or grown in the garden. Gourds are distinctly identified by their eye-catching colors and markings. They can even be said to resemble alien forms. This happens especially during the late summer and they can be very entertaining to the eyes.

Gourds will normally be something that have to be intentionally grown. To grow one, certain steps have to be taken and regular tending must be done. Apply fertilizer in the soil where you plan to plant the gourd. For a plant grown in the space of the garden, a half dozen seeds should be placed. Then follow properly the directions in the seed packet. Thereafter, the plant should be regularly watered and the fertilizer reapplied every month. For creating bird houses, a large gourd has to be cultivated. This type normally takes 130 days to mature.

Turning the Gourd into a Bird House

Once you have the right gourd at hand, it can be easily crafted to make a good bird house that you can put in your yard or garden space to attract the birds.

Working with the gourd is relatively easy. It is just like working with the wood. However, doing so will require some tasks to be fulfilled. These steps are necessary to make a bird house successfully out of the gourd.

1. Put hot water with soap in a pail. Get the gourds and soak them. When at least 30 minutes have passed, take out the gourd and clean it.

2. Cleaning the gourd will require the use of a scrub. Do this until the gourd is entirely clean. Just take into account the possibility of discolorations in the gourd. This will not normally take off so do not fret over the stains.

Dry the gourds after cleaning.

3. Select the dried gourds that have the right length for your bird house. a diameter of 8 to 14 inches will be proper enough.

4. Make sure that the walls of the gourds are properly measured so as to make it most comfortable for the birds. It should be at least quarter of an inch thick so as not to make the bird house too warm.

5. Next detail to work on is the hole for the birds to enter. Most of the gourd bird houses are created for martin birds. A hole of two and a half inch are normally sufficient for the martins to enter into.

Drill a hole also at the bottom of the cage for the drainage system.

6. Clean out the insides of the gourd. Scrape out the seeds inside. You can also pour water inside to make sure that the dusts created by drilling are removed.

7. Preserving the gourd is also necessary. Purchase copper sulfate from hardware shops and follow the instructions on how to prepare the mixture. Soak the gourd in the preparation for 15 minutes and let it dry.

Make sure your hands are properly protected with gloves in preparing the mixture.

8. Paint the exteriors of the gourd house. White house paint is normally used to make the bird house to easily attract the birds. Just ensure that no drain holes are left unclogged.

9. Then, make a hole on the top neck of the gourd. This is to give way for the wire that will be used to hang the bird house.

Being closer to the birds is not a difficult task. Again, you only need the gourd at hand and some handy skills. Build a gourd bird house and the birds will come to you.

Tips For A Complete Aftereffect Of Batik Cloth Quilting

Originally from Indonesia, most of the Batik information which is currently available is fabricated in Bali. Batik is preceded by canting, which was in employ by women in Java in Indonesia. It is a anatomy of art which uses dyeing as its model. Manufacture of Batik, though child’s play, can accord too pretty results. Interestingly, this anatomy of art was and even practised by women.

Appropriate copper caps are used to include the cloth with increase on which batik is to be done. This cloth carries too intricate designs. Once covered with increase, this lot of cloth is dipped in dye or sometimes painted, as per architecture requirement. Then it is ensured that the dye has reached where it has to. Then the increase is removed by boiling the cloth distinct times. The outcome is a lot of attractive batik assignment.

You Desire Complete Results &ndash Test Outside These Tips

When you ambition to employ the batik cloth for quilting, always accomplish certain that the cloth is pre-washed. This increases its absorption power and thus captures the dye bigger.

Employ too thin information as the batik cloth. This makes handling easier, too as the designs come outside bigger.

You can amuse stunning results provided you change the batik cloth with other fabrics which has altered colours and textures. This guarantees that the batik cloth will outshine the other fabrics.

When used for quilting, always accumulate the batik cloth on top. Because this type of cloth is not too elastic, provided you employ it out, the overall attending may be slightly awry and the cloth may tear.

Never employ the batik cloth on the side which touches your skin, when using it on a quilt. The batik cloth is not accepted to be mild to the skin. Batik fabrics price the identical as other fabrics and makes accomplished information for quilts. With similar costs, batik cloth can accord your quilts a stunning appearance.

You must buy as abounding colour combinations as you can visualize when using batik cloth for quilts. This is always benign, provided you are in a speed to accomplish the quilt. This cloth now glamorizes your quilt and brightens it up.

Tips For A Perfect Result Of Batik Fabric Quilting

Originally from Indonesia, most of the Batik material which is currently available is made in Bali. Batik is preceded by canting, which was in use by women in Java in Indonesia. It is a form of art which uses dyeing as its base. Making of Batik, though simple, can give very attractive results. Interestingly, this form of art was and still practiced by women.

Special copper caps are used to cover the cloth with wax on which batik is to be done. This cloth carries very intricate designs. Once covered with wax, this piece of cloth is dipped in dye or sometimes painted, as per design requirement. Then it is ensured that the dye has reached where it has to. Then the wax is removed by boiling the cloth several times. The outcome is a piece of gorgeous batik work.

You Want Perfect Results &ndash Check Out These Tips

When you wish to use the batik fabric for quilting, always make sure that the cloth is pre-washed. This increases its absorption capacity and thus captures the dye better.

Use very thin material as the batik fabric. This makes handling easier, as well as the designs come out better.

You can get stunning results if you alternate the batik fabric with other fabrics which has different colors and textures. This guarantees that the batik fabric will outshine the other fabrics.

When used for quilting, always keep the batik fabric on top. Since this type of fabric is not very elastic, if you use it elsewhere, the overall look may be slightly awry and the fabric may tear.

Never use the batik fabric on the side which touches your skin, when using it on a quilt. The batik fabric is not known to be gentle to the skin. Batik fabrics cost the same as other fabrics and makes excellent material for quilts. With comparable costs, batik fabric can give your quilts a stunning appearance.

You must buy as many color combinations as you can visualize when using batik fabric for quilts. This is always beneficial, if you are in a hurry to make the quilt. This fabric instantly glamorizes your quilt and brightens it up.

10 Steps To Marketing Accomplishment For Artists

Are you an artist who seeks added from their art than it aloof life a hobby? Then getting absorption in your assignment for it to make an means is a must. To accomplish this you charge marketing and promotional accomplishment, which will enable you to begin earning a living from your artistic output.

Nowadays we are going to speak approximately 10 ways you can acquisition a marketplace for your assignment and where you can apprentice added approximately what is required of you to be acknowledged.

1.

—–

Before you accomplish any portray at all, afford yourself the age to accomplish your marketplace test. One of the biggest reasons for artists failing in their pursuit to alter to able is a absence of compassionate of what the marketplace wants. Don’t be so aloof as to assume you understand everything and that what you colouring is “right”.

Chances are that it isn’t, so don’t assume anything. Activity outside there into the Apple and look what’s on action and, added to the mark, what is selling. Galleries are complete of pictures that don’t sell so avoid those. Buzz the proprietor to exhibit you what sells top and why and to whom?

2.

—–

Secondly, bethink that what you are seeing for sale is what was created for at the end season. Most galleries inventory prints now for the mass marketplace so you charge to understand what is future abutting rather than what is on exhibit immediately. Visualize captivating inspiration from a style on affectation alone to give back with a fresh offering to be told that is immediately “old hat”.

3.

—–

You must arrange that you appointment the trade shows to look what the publishers, independents and importers are offering abutting seasons marketplace. Much this will accommodated you a process last as the artists on affectation there are already working on abutting season’s ideas.

But, by captivating guidance from the trade exhibit you can at least sell to the galleries armed with colors and themes in contemporary case. Most importantly, speak to the publishers approximately your assignment and buzz them approximately the action of presenting yourself for care.

4.

—–

Provided you are satisfied to sell your assignment as “original only” you will charge to anatomy relationships with acceptable and reputable galleries. The amount of art is in its insight by the viewer. For archetype, provided you hang your assignment in an exclusive gallery, you will expect to command a even higher value than in your community town, side street, so point aerial and amuse the top wall time you can.

Speak to distinct gallery owners and listen to what they accept to affirm. Most will be above board approximately your assignment and impart you right how possible it is to sell in their establishment. Wall time is admired so they won’t squander it. You will charge a thick skin at times so be prepared for acrid criticism. No affair who you are, some will cherish your assignment while others will abhorrence it.

5.

—–

Altercate a impartial retail value based on a impartial value for you and the gallery. Provided you are cheerful with a value don’t commence flinching when the gallery says they will sell it for possibly over twin your value. They accept to charge levy for a commence, then include all their expenses and indeed acquisition you a buyer before they look any profit for their matter. So, don’t begrudge them their hand.

6.

—–

Wherever your assignment is on exhibit, accomplish an accomplishment to accompany it so you can speak to prospective customers. Art buyers cherish to accommodated the artist in man and you can accomplish yourself a abundant deal of acceptable by putting in an appearance provided alone at weekends. Speak to the Gallery, they are certain to greet such proposals.

7.

—–

Provided you are going to sell your assignment yourself, accomplish employ of every possibility to accretion exposure. An accomplished fresh action of doing this is buttoned up a great fresh website ease called DebutDay.com (.debutday.com).

This point is committed to bringing artists to the care of the Apple by beating the search engine action and parading you in front of everyone searching for what is new on the marketplace. It’s inexpensive and you can ascendancy what you affectation and how you show yourself.

It’s probably the most proactive point to reach in a continued age and will accomplish as even to acquisition you a publishing possibility as it will to sell to the people. Provided you are austere approximately your art, you must accomplish employ of this point.

8.

—–

When you actualize fresh works best shot and adopt a topic for a group. Unmarried pieces accomplish small to advice the buying general anatomy an belief approximately you or your assignment. Some will desire to acquisition an artist to collect, so unless they can look added than one archetype of your assignment they will acquisition this hard to accomplish.

So, don’t put for one portray, point for at least three or four in a locate, it will accomplish even for your credibility and will substantially help your accomplishment.

9.

—–

Whatever you affectation for sale, accomplish certain it is accompanied by a Name and a Written Explanation. The buying general cherish a narrative, it helps them to accept your assignment, accretion added from the imagery and, accept it or not, such background advice will help them with a acceptable subconscious ground for purchasing. Your advice will accomplish them an “informed buyer”. This will in turn acquiesce them to impress their friends when they come to phone.

10.

—–

Finally, in my familiarity the biggest mistakes artists accomplish is to best shot and be something they are not or to best shot and convince the general of such. Portray a woman with an eye on the side of her mind does not accomplish you Picasso so don’t best shot to be. Artists love him are noted as even for their creation of “the style” as they are for any integral artistic adeptness.

The aboriginal law of creativity is to be accurate unto yourself, unsuppressed by the charge to comply to what others expect or may perceive as “art”. Provided you accomplish not acquiesce yourself this appropriate of word you will seldom acquisition alleviation in portray.

However then you must be able to process outside of the “real you” and acquisition a action of harnessing your gift in a commercial action that may accept added chance to help you until such age as your own passions are recognised as desirable enough in their own appropriate to earn you a living.

10 Steps To Marketing Success For Artists

Are you an artist who seeks more from their art than it just being a hobby? Then getting interest in your work for it to produce an income is a must. To do this you need marketing and promotional success, which will enable you to start earning a living from your artistic output.

Today we are going to talk about 10 ways you can find a market for your work and where you can learn more about what is required of you to be successful.

1.

—–

Before you do any painting at all, afford yourself the time to do your market research. One of the biggest reasons for artists failing in their pursuit to become professional is a lack of understanding of what the market wants. Don’t be so arrogant as to assume you know everything and that what you paint is “right”.

Chances are that it isn’t, so don’t assume anything. Go out there into the World and see what’s on offer and, more to the point, what is selling. Galleries are full of pictures that don’t sell so ignore those. Ask the proprietor to show you what sells best and why and to whom?

2.

—–

Secondly, remember that what you are seeing for sale is what was created for last season. Most galleries stock prints these days for the mass market so you need to know what is coming next rather than what is on show now. Imagine taking inspiration from a style on display only to return with a new offering to be told that is now “old hat”.

3.

—–

You must ensure that you visit the trade shows to see what the publishers, independents and importers are offering next seasons market. Even this will meet you a step behind as the artists on display there are already working on next season’s ideas.

However, by taking guidance from the trade show you can at least sell to the galleries armed with colours and themes in current context. Most importantly, talk to the publishers about your work and ask them about the process of presenting yourself for consideration.

4.

—–

If you are satisfied to sell your work as “original only” you will need to form relationships with good and reputable galleries. The value of art is in its perception by the viewer. For example, if you hang your work in an exclusive gallery, you will expect to command a much higher price than in your local town, side street, so aim high and get the best wall space you can.

Talk to several gallery owners and listen to what they have to say. Most will be honest about your work and tell you exactly how likely it is to sell in their establishment. Wall space is valuable so they won’t waste it. You will need a thick skin at times so be prepared for harsh criticism. No matter who you are, some will love your work while others will hate it.

5.

—–

Discuss a fair retail price based on a fair price for you and the gallery. If you are happy with a price don’t start flinching when the gallery says they will sell it for maybe over double your price. They have to charge tax for a start, then cover all their expenses and actually find you a buyer before they see any profit for their trouble. So, don’t begrudge them their share.

6.

—–

Wherever your work is on show, make an effort to accompany it so you can talk to prospective customers. Art buyers love to meet the artist in person and you can do yourself a great deal of good by putting in an appearance if only at weekends. Talk to the Gallery, they are sure to welcome such proposals.

7.

—–

If you are going to sell your work yourself, make use of every opportunity to gain exposure. An excellent new way of doing this is through a fantastic new website facility called DebutDay.com (.debutday.com).

This site is dedicated to bringing artists to the attention of the World by beating the search engine process and parading you in front of everyone searching for what is latest on the market. It’s inexpensive and you can control what you display and how you present yourself.

It’s probably the most proactive site to arrive in a long time and will do as much to find you a publishing opportunity as it will to sell to the general public. If you are serious about your art, you must make use of this site.

8.

—–

When you create new works try and adopt a theme for a collection. Single pieces do little to help the buying public form an opinion about you or your work. Some will want to find an artist to collect, so unless they can see more than one example of your work they will find this difficult to do.

So, don’t settle for one painting, aim for at least three or four in a set, it will do much for your credibility and will considerably assist your success.

9.

—–

Whatever you display for sale, make sure it is accompanied by a Title and a Written Explanation. The buying public love a story, it helps them to understand your work, gain more from the imagery and, believe it or not, such background information will assist them with a good subconscious reason for purchasing. Your information will make them an “informed buyer”. This will in turn allow them to impress their friends when they come to call.

10.

—–

Finally, in my experience the biggest mistakes artists make is to try and be something they are not or to try and convince the public of such. Painting a woman with an eye on the side of her head does not make you Picasso so don’t try to be. Artists like him are famous as much for their creation of “the style” as they are for any integral artistic ability.

The first rule of creativity is to be true unto yourself, unsuppressed by the need to conform to what others expect or may perceive as “art”. If you do not allow yourself this right of expression you will rarely find joy in painting.

But then you must be able to step out of the “real you” and find a way of harnessing your talent in a commercial way that may have more chance to support you until such time as your own passions are recognised as desirable enough in their own right to earn you a living.

Loads Of Amusing With Craft Beads

Ah, the joys of craft beads, ample beads and small beads, fabricated of glass, plastic or wood…no affair which, beading is a load of amusing for both children and adults. Beadwork can be child’s play or extravagant, cheap or expensive, depending on what affectionate of supplies you buy and what you’re intending to architecture. No suspect approximately it though, working with beads provides hours of enjoyment.

Most types of beadwork nowadays are incorporated into jewellery designs, such as earrings, bracelets and necklaces, however craft beads are again used in a array of at ease d


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