Craft Tips !!!

[_Nuts_]

Here is a place to add any tips about Crafts etc you wish to share with others !! \:D/

[_Nuts_]

Tape or staple swatches of ribbon or fabric to index cards. This makes it easier to get extra supplies at the craft store.

[_Nuts_]

Cover cardboard rolls in acid free tissue and then wrap your ribbon around them for storage.

[_Nuts_]

Never underestimate the importance of a hot glue gun; it is an invaluable tool for most crafts.

[_Nuts_]

Use plastic drop cloths to cut inexpensive patterns and throw them away if you make a mistake.

[_Nuts_]

Use toothpicks to apply expensive brand name glue. You will never put too much on your project and more will stay in the bottle.

[_Nuts_]

Remember this adage: clean hands, clean project. \:D/

[_Nuts_]

When working with cardboard and glue, lightly wet the underside of the cardboard and it will dry flat.

[_Nuts_]

Use a damp q-tip to pick up small beads. They stick to the q-tip and make loading a needle much easier.

[_Nuts_]

Store delicate die cuts in folded acid free paper with the die cut facing the fold.

[_Nuts_]

Break mirrors, plates, or tiles for projects by sealing them in a heavy-duty zip lock bag and breaking with a hammer.

[_Nuts_]

Use plastic party table covers for messy crafts. They protect better than newspaper and can be used more than once.

[_Nuts_]

Try using tiny rubber bands, such as dental bands, to hold small crafts together. You can substitute the rubber bands for wire

[_Nuts_]

Use tweezers to hold small supplies and reach tight areas when crafting. Tweezers act as an extension of your fingertips.

[_Nuts_]

Prevent paper from ripping when affixing tape by applying the tape to clothing first to reduce its stickiness.

[_Nuts_]

Make small bows by tying the bows first before cutting the ribbon.

[_Nuts_]

Lubricate craft punches before using them by punching wax paper.

[_Nuts_]

Cut Styrofoam® by using a serrated knife well waxed with a candle stub or paraffin.

[_Nuts_]

Clean rubber stamps after each use with a mild soap. Avoid getting any wood parts wet, and dry completely when done. Store with the rubber side down out of direct sunlight

[_Nuts_]

Give a small portion of a craft show sales to your favorite charity or purchase some fun craft supplies for a local school or scout group as it gives you some extra enjoyment from doing crafts.

[_Nuts_]

Don't send non-crafters to the store to get your supplies.

[_Nuts_]

Have fun with crafts and don't be afraid to make mistakes... as the saying goes "" You learn more from your mistakes ""

[aries458]

WOW! I got some great tips from you_nuts_! I can use all of them :D One I use:
If you have business cards or cards for your items or crafts...put them in a covered container with a cotton ball scented with a nice perfume or oil...they will smell good and it will prevent obnoctious odors from adhearing to your cards.

[beautifultemptress]

If you're using laytex moulds which have small areas which the plaster doesn't go into, such as ears etc. Submerge the mould into a bowl of water, shake off the excess and use. You will find that it nearly always fills the gap.

Also when making your own latex moulds for fridge magnets etc, place the original on a piece of chipboard then cover in latex following the instructions. Then before removing the mould from the original, tape a strip of cardboard so that it forms a circle. Now attach it to the chipboard with plastacine. Make sure that the mould is in the middle of the circle. Now pour plaster into the circle of card over the mould. This will then give you a way of supporting the mould. It also means that every single one will be the same shape and size as the mould can not sag or stretch.

Also when placing a magnet into plaster, or a badge back, Get a couple of staples big enough to go over the magnet. Put the staples over the magnet and bend the prongs in slightly, then place in the setting plaster. The staples will stop the magnet from falling out of the plaster.

[glennis77]

You can sharpen punches by punching through ordinary kichen foil.

[glennis77]

A few RUBBER STAMPING tips

When you have a brand new rubber stamp it has a coating over the rubber to keep it clean in the shop. To remove this easily use a strip of sellotape all over the image. You will see the coating on the tape as you pull it off!

[glennis77]

Always put your stamp on an even surface to apply the ink pad. this ensures you get an even coating.

[glennis77]

Put your stamp down rubber side up when inking it.
Always apply the ink pad to the stamp in light taps, you will see where the ink has gone and it won't flood the stamp.
With tiny stamps you will have to apply the stamp to the pad, be light with your taps of the ink pad though and check the coverage after each tap of the pad.

[glennis77]

Always make sure you keep one hand on the stamp at all times, especially with the larger stamps, otherwise the stamp will move and your image will be blurred.
If necessary, stand up to stamp, so your pressure is even.

[glennis77]

Cleaning your stamps:
You can of course use a proper stamp cleaner, but if you don't have one the following may help you.
You can clean your stamps with cold or warm, slightly soapy water and a normal washing up sponge (the yellow ones with the softish green scrubby tops)
Never use hot water it will loosen the glue holding the stamp to the block.
Dry with a cloth, then stand the stamp rubber side down on one of those "super" sponges or cloths, they suck the water from the more intricate patterns really quickly.

[glennis77]

Embossing tips:

Hold the heat gun steady about 2-3" away when embossing and move along the image as it "takes"
If you wave the gun around it has a tendency to take a bit longer and can blow the powder off.

Exceptions to the above!!
If you are embossing on acetate, foil card, or using clear embossing powder, hold the heat gun 5-6" away or it will
a) buckle your acetate - good acetate can be pulled back into shape if you act quickly
b) lift the foil off the card - very difficult to get it to lay back on!
c) blow the clear embossing powder off, the granules are slightly coarser than normal powders

I you don't have a heat gun, you can use the top of a toaster or the back of an iron (no steam though!) if you are careful.

[glennis77]

When you are begining a handy tip is
Stamp or emboss your image onto a seperate piece of card and not directly onto the card you are making. If you go skew-whiff you can cut or tear the design out and mount it onto the card and your work won't be ruined.

If you do go "wrong" don't throw it away, no doubt it can be salvaged and used in a different project!

There are NO mistakes in crafting........just things that have turned out differently to what you expected...... a little like life!

[mfkirke]

What a lot of useful tips! Thanks. I am dazed. I was sure I had something to add but can't think of anything just now.