Art Craft Tutorial - Jump-Start Your Crafts Business With an Art and Craft Tutorial

Learning a new skill is never easy, especially when it requires a lot of practice. When you are looking to start a crafts business and need to develop some new areas of expertise, there is nothing more valuable than an art and craft tutorial.

Art training may not seem like a natural "fit" for the online classroom, but the Internet can be one of the best places to get craft guidance. In a classroom setting, an instructor usually shows the class how to do a certain technique a few times, and then moves onto something else. However, when you are learning online, the same art and craft tutorial can be watched again and again. When you really need to master a new skill, this is the type of craft teaching that works best.

Whether you are looking to learn a new method of caning polymer clay, the best techniques for painting a realistic-looking landscape, or the basics of the color wheel, there are craft training videos available for you online. Craft training videos allow for a more comprehensive art and craft tutorial, with close-ups and instructions that are easy to understand. Plus, most of these videos come with PDF instructions for additional craft guidance.

Another way to use an art and craft tutorial is in a teaching situation. If you run a craft teaching business in your home, you know it is often much easier to teach your students a new technique when they can watch a video about it first. This gives you the ability to provide a step-by-step art and craft tutorial before starting a new project. It also shows them what the end result can look like.

No matter how you use them, craft training videos can be an invaluable tool for your crafts business.

About the Author Donna Kate is passionate about art and is the owner of CraftEdu Online Art University. She is the author of 3 books and has multiple shot videos and dvds.

CraftEdu is a truly unique online art and fine craft university, dedicated to nurturing the passions of the creative person within each of us by making the creative world more accessible and convenient than ever before.
View the online curriculum at http://www.craftedu.com
(c) copyright CraftEdu. All rights reserved worldwide.

Leather Crafts Techniques for Hobbyist

Weather you are looking for something to do on your vacant time and at the same time you want to earn a living, or you just want to have a new hobby to invest your spare time, surely doing some leather crafts will provide you fun ways of express your creative self.

Leather is a very versatile material and there are a lot of interesting things that you can create out of leather. Leather crafts ranges from personalized key chains for your special friends to highly sophisticated and stylish leather bags, belts and other accessories. Leather craft books and kits also provide lots of patterns and excellent crafts ideas.

There are several techniques mentioned in leather crafts books that are commonly used. One of this is dyeing; this involves the use of alcohol based dyes, shoe polish can be used as an alternative in dyeing and in preserving leather.

Next technique is painting. In leather painting the paint only remains on the surface unlike in dyeing where in the paint is absorbed by the leather. In this technique acrylic paint is commonly used.

Carving is another technique used by hobbyist and professionals alike that are usually sited in leather craft books. This technique involves metal implements used to compress moistened leather to produce a three dimensional look in a two dimensional surface. In this technique the commonly used tools are swivel knife, pear shader, beveler, seeder, veiner, cam and background tools. Craftsmen also use punch type tools that are struck with wooden, nylon or rawhide mallet.

Next technique is stamping. This technique involves the use of shaped tools or stamps to make an imprint on the leather surface. Usually the imprints on the surface of the leather are created by striking the stamps in water damped leather surface with a mallet. Water makes the surface of the leather softer and able to compress the designs imprinted on it. To make the imprint last longer the leather is treated with oils and fats to make it water proof and avoid the fibers from deforming.

To find more about leather crafts techniques visit my website about leather crafts books by visiting my website at http://www.leathercraftbooks.net or http://www.leathercraftbooks.org.

Online Benefits for Craft Businesses

The internet has an endless number of benefits for craftspeople, not just as a medium for selling the end product but for each step that leads to sales. The fact that you are reading this shows that you already utilise the web for information but perhaps you have not yet considered some of the following points presented.

The ideas provided in this article have come from interviews with craftspeople, conducted for AussieCrafts.com.au, in the interest of sharing information with our peers. When boiled down to its bare essentials this is the true essence of the internet but it sometimes gets lost in all of the advertising and sales. The interviews spawned a host of ways in which the internet assists the crafters, both in their business and creatively, and provided much insight into untangling the web.

Inspiration

When asked about the sources they use for inspiration most craftspeople have said that the internet is a much used research tool. This is particularly useful with commission pieces, where a client gives a basic idea and there is a need to familiarise yourself with the subject. Browsing websites is also great for when you want to start a new piece but are not quite sure where to begin.

No matter what craft you do if you are stuck for ideas on what to create there are always plenty of places to get some quick inspiration online. The obvious way to get ideas is to search for your craft in the search engines but some other methods are:


Type your craft name into Google image search
Yahoo groups on your craft often have galleries
Online stores that sell your craft
Craft directories
Historical sites related to your craft, most crafts did after all come from very ancient beginnings.
Try searching for crafts that are similar to yours, if you do pottery, for example, search for glasswork. The colours and shapes are likely to spark new ideas.

If it's a more abstract inspiration that you need such as colour or texture then art, photography and nature sites are fantastic sources of ideas. Stock photography sites (such as http://www.dreamstime.com), for example, have thousands of images of almost everything imaginable. Let's say you want to create a bead necklace that reflects the colour and movement of the ocean. If you browse the sea and ocean category of a stock photography site you can jot down ideas based on what you see as you view page after page of photographs that cover every aspect of the ocean.

Education: patterns and tutorials

There are very few crafters who believe they know everything there is about their craft. Who of us do not want to learn something new? The internet is the best source of tips, tricks, patterns and tutorials on every craft imaginable, so much so that many craftspeople no longer purchase books about their craft. Many sites offer this information for free, as a way to attract and keep surfers, much the same way as articles like this are utilised. Others charge a subscription or a cost per tutorial, often downloaded as an e-book or a pdf file. For many crafts there are also online classes or lessons via email, again some are free (and often include advertising) and others are subscription based.

To find these valuable resources consider using some of the following terms alongside your craft name: tutorial, pattern, learn to, ebook, lesson, techniques, instructions or projects. These keywords were tested using Google search and beading, for example 'beading projects', and the results were astonishing. If it a particular technique you are searching for then add that to your search query, for example 'beading peyote technique', where peyote is a type of beading stitch.

Purchasing tools and materials

The internet has brought about a convenient way to buy almost anything, from anywhere in the world, and to craftspeople this has been one the most important benefits of being online. Often there are supplies needed for craftwork that are not available locally and this can be the case no matter where you live. It may be because it is only manufactured in a small area of Europe or that there are few people working in the same craft as you and therefore there is little demand.

Apart from availability issues nothing is better than being able to browse many stores in a short space of time and not only get prices but also see things without having to leave home. Ebay is popular with many craftspeople due to the range of goods and their prices, you can find both new and secondhand tools and materials there. Shopping online means more time for doing what you enjoy or what brings in your income. The world is becoming smaller and shipping costs and delivery times are too.

Often the websites that sell crafts materials also have a range of useful resources such as guides to using their products. They also have convenient contact information, like email, and as they are often craftspeople themselves can give advice on craft specific problems.

Publicity and exhibition requests

Many of the sources that are traditionally used for publicity such as magazines, newspapers and event organizers are now using the internet as a way to find craftspeople. Not only is the internet often a faster way to find what they need but it is also a visual medium. Therefore having a website for your craft business is not just about gaining sales and commissions but it also provides a way for the media and galleries to see your work.

One example of this is an artist interviewed on Aussie Crafts who has in the last few months been contacted by a lifestyle magazine to do an article on her work, as well as another contact to request her involvement in an exhibition. Both of these publicity avenues have stemmed from her website, which contain galleries of her work.

This same artist is also a member of an organisation supporting her medium, which has a website that lists galleries showing members' works at any given time. There are organisations such as this for many crafts, both global and local, that are worth having a membership with.

Sales and commissions

The most obvious way that craftspeople are using the internet is to sell their products to a wider market than previously possible, what is not so obvious is that there are many ways to do this. One artist interviewed extolled the virtues of the internet as, "It's been huge for us. We sell artwork and DIY kits all over the world and so put virtually all our marketing energy into our website. We get well over five thousand visitors every month at basically no cost and the whole world has become our target market."

Some of the reasons people decided to sell their crafts online include not having to deal with galleries, no commissions to pay, less overheads than a store and the fact that there is more time crafting and less selling.

Apart from setting up an often expensive e-commerce website there are other means to gaining online sales:

A 'brochure' style site, which displays the products you make but does not sell them online. Instead it can be used to promote a market stall, shop front, commission enquiries etc.
Many craftspeople are selling their work in auctions at Ebay; this can be a lucrative option for the right products.
Online craft malls are a way to have an online presence without the hassle and overheads of building an e-commerce site. Search for craft malls in the search engines and you will find such sites as craftmall.com, aokcorral.com and lilysplace.com. These sites generally use Paypal as a payment option to take the headaches out of online payments and are similar to Ebay without being auction based.

Human contact

One of the common problems that people who craft for an income mention is loneliness. Oftentimes they work at home alone and this can be very isolating. The internet can provide avenues to have contact with others who craft. They could be in the same locality as you and allow for face-to-face meeting or they may be on the other side of the world.

There are many group and organisations for most craft genres, such as Yahoo groups or MSN chats. Often if it is a location-based group there are classes and retreats organised for people to come together and learn. These groups can become invaluable for technical advice, feedback and learning but also that human contact that is a necessary part of life.

Client contact

Email is a fantastic way to keep in touch with clients and industry contacts. It is so much cheaper than a phone call (i.e. free) and is much less time consuming. Email provides a simple means to show clients' examples or progress on a work via photograph attachments. It also provides a record of all communication.

Online messaging systems, available for free from MSN and Yahoo, are also useful ways to keep in contact with customers. These can even be used to give online support by providing your identification name on your website. However these systems can become a time waster instead of saver if you are not careful.

Narelle Davison comes from a craft background but changed careers to marketing and web development. She has created the Australian arts and craft site, Aussie Crafts, to provide information and promotion for craftspeople through interviews, articles, forum and directory. The interviews provide great reading to both admirers of each craft and fellow crafters. If you are an Australian craftsperson and would like to be interviewed please visit http://www.aussiecrafts.com.au/interviews.html

This article can be republished if the byline links are kept intact.

Art Vs Crafts - A Debate With a New Twist

Many say that "craft" is a technique, static, possibly a repeated pattern of steps to achieve an outcome. Let's pick apart some examples and see what you think.

A leather worker takes repeated, learned, step to build and complete a saddle. During this process he must apply his craft of leather tooling skills to imprint the saddle. In his mind he's created a design using most likely a predetermined style method for his tooling. Once done, he's completed a saddle which has been "crafted" by hand.

What about the leather tooling separate from the saddle base? It was designed, drawn and implemented by this craftsman using his imagination and acquired skills. Ultimately he has created a piece of "art". Is he a craftsman or an artist? Could he be both?

If some describe crafts as a technique which has been in application for centuries then by all rights the leatherworker should be classified as a craftsman correct? But if "art" is a personal creative expression, what classification do we give his leather tooling? It can't be both could it?

Let's throw in a monkey wrench for fun. Suppose this saddle was the most beautiful, magnificent saddle anyone has seen. It's put into a gallery for sale and purchased by someone knowing nothing about horses, or saddles nor wants to. Assumedly it was purchased as "art" to be displayed amongst his collection. The following week the owner of the saddle invites his friends over for cocktails and show off his new purchase. As friends view the saddle one says "...wow, you really have to appreciate that craft." Another says " Now that's what I call a real piece of art". Yet another says "...what the heck are you going to do with that?"

The ability of repairing jewelry is a craft. If a jeweler starts designing jewelry and applies techniques centuries old to his crafts to achieve an outstanding and notable design or style, is it still a craft or has the jeweler become an artist because the jeweler brought thought, expression and emotion to the piece while creating it?

A monkey splashes various paint colors onto a canvas. The monkey has a great sales person who takes this work to a gallery. It sells for thousands of dollars because it's been presented as "art". Come on, is this considered intent, emotion or expression or is this the greatest sales person you met? Please... don't get me started on the monkey and his possible emotions.

If someone is able to sell what they produce or "crafted" does it make them an artist? Maybe.

The word "art" does hold a bit more credibility than "craft". We've all seen it while attending "craft shows" vs. "art" shows. Seems the "art" shows serve wine and cheese and demand higher end priced items. Craft shows are where granny sells her crocheted toilet paper roll covers, you know the one with the half Barbie doll on top of it? Or, where you see all those wooden country craft signs that say something cute and corny on them. Won't find any of those at a "Art" show.

So where does the word "Artisan" come into this equation? According to the

Merriam Webster dictionary an "Artisan" is defined as:

1: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft: craftsperson

2 : one that produces something (as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods

Ah oh, wine and cheese? Sounds like this belongs in the "art" category.

According to Wikipedia;

An artisan, also called a craftsman, is a skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular craft.

I'm presuming assembly line workers can be called "artisans"? Let's not forget "artisan" bread. Is baking bread a craft or an art? As much as I love it I'd say baking bread is an "art".

Millicentrogers describes an Artisan as; "a person skilled in an art or craft." This one I like, no bias shown here.

What's my objective of this article? It's done with the hopes that people start thinking differently. A craft maybe an expression of art. Being an artist, is a craft. You must have the ability to craft something to be an artist. The old cliché "Art is in the eye of the beholder" stands true. Whether you're into crafting or you're an artist, you are here to communicate your skills and hopefully someone will appreciate your creations.

Julie Teeples is a professional artist and jewelry producer who makes and uses lampwork beads and fused glass in her jewelry designs. To view lampwork beads and additional information about her work please visit http://www.OakCityGallery.com To read more about the author and her work please visit http://www.OakCityGallery.com/aboutus.html

How to Tweak Your Craft Project to Make a Perfect Fit

Craft projects do not always come made-to-measure. Chances are you will have to do some fine tuning to make your chosen project fit. You may be able to find the perfect project where everything is just right, but if that is not the case, a bit of careful tweaking can make it work.

First of all give your project the once over in terms of:

- Craft skills required

- Time

- Tools and materials

- Size

- Pattern

Any one of these may need some attention so go through your project to check where you could alter anything before you start.

It is easy to pass something over in the first instance because you do not like the colour of the finished article. Maybe the writer has made it in a fabric that is not to your taste, or you would just like to make something larger/smaller.

- Do they give recommendations on alternative fabrics or trimmings etc, if you want to make some adjustments?

- Would you like to adapt the size of the project. Something smaller might work perfectly, or perhaps a larger project. Is there a pattern you can adapt, and do you know how to do that?

- Can you make the proposed project from different specialist materials? You may be able to substitute a technique or a tool - because you have something available, or you prefer to work a particular style?

- What is it about the accompanying photograph that prompts you to pass it by? What of the above changes would make it better?

- If you want to make it for someone special, or a particular occasion, what materials, greeting, colour etc could you choose to work it in?

- There may be a number of things that need your tweaking. Check out all the possibilities before you give up on it.

Some minor fiddling could turn it into something to be proud or - and something you would enjoy working. There is no point spending time and effort on something that your heart is not in! So go ahead and do your tweaks and create a craft project to be proud of.

The process of Learning Crafts is an individual as we are. We all have our preferred way to pick up new skills and techniques. The Craft Teacher can have you mastering craft projects fast with a Proven system for mastering any Craft Skill. Our Weekly Step by Step Online Craft Course gives you choices in how and when you learn. We create the steps and you set the pace. Go here for your Craft Projects.

Decopatch Techniques And Tips Before Starting Your Project

With Decopatch papers and different Decopatch techniques, even amateur designers can apply their styling skills to objects that they already have in their home. These special papers successfully blend the exquisite fashion panache of French clothing designs to special type of decoupage paper that is more durable and have more exquisite designs.

There are many Decopatch techniques that can help you get started in styling your home. The strength and high quality of these special decoupage papers give you more freedom to do whatever you want in transforming your home into something that suits your taste and style more.

You can also apply the paper in any surface regardless of how even or uneven it is and with what material it is made of.

People who look at finished Decopatch projects often think that the process which transformed a seemingly bland object into a stunning work of beauty is complicated. However, there are many techniques which are geared for newcomers in this craft and are simple and easy and do not require any special skills.

If you can cut and paste, you are able to use Decopatch papers to transform any object in your home. Cutting and pasting is basically the core skills that you need to have in order to apply most of the techniques involved in this hobby. Basically, you cut out patterns and pictures in the paper, glue them on the object and coat the object with special glue or varnishing that is made for Decopatch papers.

The tools that you need in order to jumpstart this hobby are also simple. Little did you know that most, if not all, of these tools are already in your home right now. Decopatch supplies are simple and one of the most important tools that you must have are the special papers and the special glue. You will also need bristle brushes, a glass of water for cleaning the brush and a pair of sharp scissors.

Once you have all these materials, you can now start Decopatching. Start by making sure that the object that you will be styling is clean and perfectly dry. If you are planning to paint your items before applying the special papers, make sure that you give enough time for the paint to dry before starting.

Basically, those are the only techniques that you must remember in starting every Decopatch project. With creativity and the right tools, you can now start Decopatching!

Katia is the author of a 10-page guide, "30 FAQ's about Decopatch". For your complimentary copy, visit http://www.paper2play.com - a website that specializes in provided craft related tips, advices and resources to unlock your creativity with Decoupage!

Blast From the Past: Arts and Crafts, the Artists' Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement is one of the most influential design philosophies in the modern Western world; this distinguished style has yet to fade from public interest more than a century after its' conception. The style, which can be identified by its' simple forms and use of natural material, was developed in the late 19th Century by a handful of artisans who had become disenchanted with the growing mechanization of the furniture industry. What began during the late industrial period of Britain, soon spread to Europe and North America. The growing popularity of the Arts and Crafts Movement mirrored the growing industrialization of the Western world.

William Morris was the leading designer and philosopher behind Arts and Crafts and he in turn was influenced by the writings of John Ruskin, an art critic who espoused the ills of industrialization, especially in regards to art and architecture. Adopting this socialist, anti-industrial approach, Morris developed a style of furniture and architecture that highlighted the use of natural materials using simple forms or patterns derived from nature. This emphasized the technique of the artist, specifically the signature left by human machining. John Ruskins' argument that all art should contain a moral purpose is central to the philosophy of Arts and Crafts and this is signified by its' hand-made look.

Arts and Crafts is a design philosophy that spans trades beyond art and architecture, its' ideas where translatable to every medium and is attributed with inspiring such movements as Art Nouveau, Bauhaus and Modernism. The Arts and Crafts movement is credited with reviving traditional techniques and keeping the knowledge of hand tooling alive in an age that saw industrialization eradicate many classical forms of crafting.

In this modern age of mechanization, there is still a strong desire in the marketplace for such a clean style. Just visit any antique market or auction house to discover how hungry the public is for furniture that was made during a time where craftsmanship and quality meant more than mass production and cost.

As a recent graduate of a woodworking program, I receive many requests to build furniture and I have observed that most people prefer the clean, geometric lines of Arts & Crafts furniture, whether the customer knows the style they are referencing or not. This look translates easily from magazine pages to the home, making it a great design choice.

They say that trends go in and out of fashion in the blink of an eye, but when a style defines what it is to be "classic" it transcends the term "trend" and enters the pantheon of styles that endure.

To check out my work, including a few examples of Arts & Crafts design, go to my blog http://amandagallimore.wordpress.com.