Improve Your Crafting Skills with These Helpful Tips

Forming and perfecting a craft, skill or hobby takes a combination of hard work and helpful advice. Learning a few simple tips and tricks can literally transform a seemingly impossible project on the verge of disaster into an easily accomplished, hassle-free masterpiece.  The following is a list of helpful pointers that can and will help any crafter hone his/her skill and will eliminate that frustrating "correction step" that used be caused by annoying mistakes.

 

• Tape or staple swatches of ribbon or fabric to index cards. This makes it easier to get extra supplies at the craft store.
• Cover cardboard rolls in acid free tissue and then wrap your ribbon around them for storage.
• Never underestimate the importance of a hot glue gun; it is an invaluable tool for all crafts.
• Heat from a blow drier causes strings of hot glue to disintegrate immediately.
• Use plastic drop cloths to cut inexpensive patterns and throw them away if you make a mistake.
• Use toothpicks to apply expensive brand name glue. You will never put too much on your project and more will stay in the bottle.
• Remember this adage: clean hands, clean project.
• When working with cardboard and glue, lightly wet the underside of the cardboard and it will dry flat.
• Use a damp q-tip to pick up small beads. They stick to the q-tip and make loading a needle much easier.
• Store delicate die cuts in folded acid free paper with the die cut facing the fold.
• Break mirrors, plates, or tiles for projects by sealing them in a heavy-duty zip lock bag and breaking with a hammer.
• Use plastic party table covers for messy crafts. They protect better than newspaper and can be used more than once.
• Try using tiny rubber bands, such as dental bands, to hold small crafts together. You can substitute the rubber bands for wire.
• Use tweezers to hold small supplies and reach tight areas when crafting. Tweezers act as an extension of your fingertips.
• Prevent paper from ripping when affixing tape by applying the tape to clothing first to reduce its stickiness.
• When doing decoupage, use rounded lacquered chopsticks to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles after gluing. You can usually find lacquered chopsticks (which are smoother than un-lacquered sticks) in Asian markets or gift shops.
• Make small bows by tying the bows first before cutting the ribbon.
• Lubricate craft punches before using them by punching wax paper.
• Cut Styrofoam by using a serrated knife well waxed with a candle stub or paraffin.
• 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.
• 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.
• Don't send non-crafters to the store to get your supplies. Have fun with crafts and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

 

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