The Benefits of Crafting

One of the most significant advantages and joys of crafting is the reduction of stress and anxiety. Engaging in a craft activity allows you to focus your mind on creating something, which can help to alleviate feelings of worry and tension.

Furthermore, crafting can also improve your cognitive abilities. Creating something with your hands requires using various parts of the brain, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Engaging in a craft activity regularly can help to keep your mind sharp and improve your overall cognitive function. It may take some trial and error, but I’m confident that you can find a craft that fits your needs whether it is one to showcase your creativity or just to find a relaxing hobby.

Building Connections Through Crafting

From my upbringing in the Appalachian Mountains, I’ve always had an affinity for crafting. It’s something that continues to bring me immense satisfaction. Creating things with your own hands is a truly fulfilling experience that boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment. In addition, another joy of crafting is the social benefits that it offers. It can serve as an excellent bonding activity for families, friends, and children’s friend groups. What could be more rewarding than to gather before the holidays to make homemade crafts or ornaments? Crafting is an excellent way to connect with others and build a sense of community. Whether you join a crafting group or take a class, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and share your passion for creating with others.

Hint: Crafting at the holidays is a family tradition that I wanted to pass on to my children. Have each parent bring a simple snack. You can bring board games, sing carols, or have the kids watch a Christmas movie with popcorn (not for small children as it is a choking hazard) and hot cocoa. It is a great way to make the holiday season magical without expensive gifts.

Frugal but Perfect Gifts and Decor

Another benefit is that it can be a cost-effective approach to gift-giving, and making event decorations for parties, showers, or weddings. Several others and I made the flower arrangements and decorations for our daughter’s wedding. A dear family friend made a personalized quilt for the couple that was used as the backdrop for their wedding cake. Each person involved had different skills, but together we worked to make their day special.

Besides creating decor for an event, crafting can also help you create personalized and affordable decor for your home. I have made paintings, wall hangings, curtains, and flower setter pieces, among other items, for our home. Creating your decor not only gives you the chance to make treasures that suit your unique style, but it also gives you such a sense of accomplishment when they are admired by visitors. For those new to crafting, it can seem like a daunting hobby to take up. However, the rewards of the process can be worth the invested time and effort.

How to Find the Craft for You

Finding the perfect starter craft can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. To begin, I suggest starting with a project that aligns with your interests and passions. Take a look around your home and notice any recurring themes in your decor. Perhaps you have a love for all things vintage or a fascination with nature. Whatever it may be, find a simple project that speaks to your unique style and personality.

Remember, crafting is all about expressing your creativity and individuality. Don’t be afraid to break away from the latest trends and create something truly one-of-a-kind. Incorporate little treasures from nature walks, or sentimental items that hold special meaning to you. The possibilities are endless!

1. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new techniques. Mistakes are part of the learning process!
2. Remember, crafting isn’t just about the result. It’s about the journey and the sense of accomplishment you feel. So, take your time, enjoy the process, and let your creativity shine!
3. Check with your local library to see if they offer craft or painting classes.
4. Painting parties can be a good way to try out painting without investing in supplies.
5. Look for online DIY videos and step-by-step tutorials. Many are free to view, especially those found on YouTube. Other sites, like Craftsy, offer memberships that allow you to view classes and tutorials.
6. Pinterest is another good place to look for inspiration, tutorials, and even craft sites.
7. Blogs can be another resource for craft ideas, patterns, and DIY tutorials.

Finding Craft Supplies

Once you have decided on the craft that you would like to try the next step is to gather needed supplies. Craft and hobby stores will carry the supplies, but not every store will offer the same sort of inventory. A search online should allow you to find the most convenient store to meet your needs. If you are like me, Walmart may be the only store in your area that offers crafting resources. In a case such as mine, shopping online may be your best option. Other options may be looking around thrift shops and yard sales for items you can incorporate into your craft.

The Dollar General Store, and The Dollar Tree both carry some affordable craft supplies. Home centers and indoor flea markets are often the best resources for resourcing wood. Amazon is a resource for a variety of craft supplies and hobbies, and I often use it as a price comparison while I am shopping in person whether it is in a craft shop or at a yard sale, it pays to be informed.

Tips to Remember:

1. Don’t over-buy. For your first crafting venture, stick to basic supplies.
2. Remember that when working with children make sure the craft and supplies that will be used are age-appropriate.
3. I’d suggest that you start with a small project. As you build up skills and confidence, you will be less likely to abandon a larger project.

Ready, Set, Craft

Are you ready to unlock your creativity and experience the joy of crafting? I firmly believe that crafting is a wonderful hobby that can benefit your life in numerous ways. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving cognitive function and building a sense of community, there are countless reasons to start crafting today. With this in mind, why not give it a try and see how it can benefit you?

Links and Resources

I am sharing a few of my favorite instructional sites and craft blogs to help you get started on the crafting journey.

Craftsy offers classes and tutorials for various crafts: https://www.craftsy.com/

Craft Blog: https://www.marthastewart.com/1502461/diy-projects-crafts

Links to Several of My DIY Craft Posts

That You May Enjoy

• Up-cycled paper craft (beginner): Paper Bag Crafts (Angel and Ornaments): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/homemade-appalachain-christmas-crafts/
• Mix Media Crafting (intermediate): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/diy-dryer-vent-hose-pumpkin-crafts/
• Painting (beginner): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/how-to-paint-a-pumpkin-fall-decor/
• Burp Cloth (Beginner/Sewing ): https://beeveecreativecrafts.com/burp-cloth-pattern-for-beginners/

I hope that you will embrace your creative side and discover the joy of crafting. I’d love to hear from you. I’d love to see your creations.

Thanks for stopping by, visit again soon,

Vikki

The post The Joy of Crafting: A Guide for Beginners appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Be a “People Person”

I love interacting with my customers. From the second they walk into the booth, I want them to feel comfortable and welcome. That means that I give 100% of my attention to the booth and my visitors. This doesn’t mean that I follow them, or try to push them into buying. Instead, I try to make them feel welcome. I do not like feeling pressured when I am the customer, so I extend the same courtesy to my customers. And last but not least, always be honest about your product. It will help you build a client base when people learn that they can trust you.

How to Make Your Booth Approachable

If you don’t like talking to people, then being a vendor in a market or craft show may not be the best outlet for you. I say this because to make sales, you need to make connections. They want to see that you care about the products you are selling. What I mean is that your work will “touch” people, and most often they want to engage with you as the creator. Even if they don’t strike up a conversation, they need to feel important. If you seem cold or disinterested, they will turn around and leave. Your visitors should be welcomed as soon as they enter.

Creating a Craft Workspace on a Budget

If you are thinking of becoming a vendor, you will need both a workspace and space for storage. Recently, a friend of mine was fortunate enough to obtain a “craft cabin” as their workspace. I have always wanted a designated workspace, but unfortunately, it’s not feasible at the moment. However, I have been working to create a workspace in my basement. Until it’s ready, I find myself working at my kitchen table.

So, what’s been holding me back? I’ll be honest: I have way too much stuff! Managing my supply inventory has been a real challenge. My advice to you is to avoid buying more than you need. It’s easy to become obsessed with buying art and craft supplies. In fact, I have enough supplies to open a craft store! To control my spending, I’ve started setting a budget and creating a list of items I’ll need for next year’s inventory. Hopefully, this will prevent me from getting carried away and buying more than I need.

Things to consider before starting to create your inventory for craft shows:

Creating a Welcoming Shopping Experience: Why Organization is Key

Have you ever walked into a store where the merchandise was disorganized, the space was overcrowded, or the prices were not visible? It doesn’t make for a pleasant shopping experience. You might have left without making a purchase. This is probably the most important tip from the “5 things to consider before deciding to sell at craft shows” because an orderly and neat space draws customers in and shows pride in your merchandise. To avoid this, make sure your booth is tidy and well-organized. A cluttered booth space is uninviting to customers.

Additionally, consider how setting up your booth is like moving to a new house. Finding space for everything can be frustrating. Each show presents a new opportunity to create a unique space, but it will also bring new challenges.

Thinking Ahead to Avoid Set-up Day Stress

Here are a couple of printouts for worksheets that I use to prepare for my events. Feel free to download them to use for your personal use only. They may not be sold, or used on another site, without permission.

Know When to Walk Away

No matter how nice try to be, or how good your products are, you will encounter rude customers or other vendors. Being able to remain calm and collected is a must. Conflict is never good for business.

For example, I had a “neighbor” at a show that always wanted to push her items into my space. At first, I tried too not engage at all. But the problem was ongoing. I tactfully tried to explain that my inventory was being damaged because of crowding. She either didn’t understand me or ignored my concerns. At this point instead of trying to address the issue myself, I waited to speak to the show organizer. It avoided conflict and kept me in the good graces of the organizer.

In another instance I had a customer vocalizing loudly just outside my booth that my prices were outrageous. Everything in me wanted to be rude in return, instead, I just smiled and told her that I would love to learn her secrets if she were willing to share. Being nice when someone is rude usually stops their assault. You do not want to make yourself look bad to other customers.

Have a Helper

Canopies are a must for doing outside shows. But I will be honest, they are a pain in the right ear to deal with! I have a dear friend who goes with me to the outdoor show that I attend. It requires a canopy. The canopy requires two people to set it up! So if you are reading this Teresa, thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me!

Setting up and tearing down a booth takes a lot of work. It usually takes me thirty minutes to unload the SUV and to get the inventory inside. Then, it can take anywhere from two to four hours to set the booth up. The more inventory you take requires more display areas. It is exhausting work. Having a helper that you can trust allows you to set up and tear down a booth. It also allows you to take meal and bathroom breaks.

Still Thinking

If you’ve taken the time to consider the five factors that come into play before you decide to become a vendor at craft shows, and you’re still interested in pursuing it, then you may have what it takes to be successful.

Doing Your Research About Both Your Target Show and Customer Base is Highly Recommended

We all make mistakes when we start a new adventure. Mistakes are simply opportunities to improve. Though I am by no means saying that these tips will guarantee success, I hope that sharing the lessons that I have learned makes the road a bit smoother for you. On that note, here are links to other posts that may be helpful.

Related Blog Post: My Hobby is Growing Up: Building a Growth Plan

Are you planning a new adventure? Let me know how it goes. I would love to hear from you. Good luck on your crafting journey.

You all stop back by soon,

Vikki

The post 5 Things to Consider Before Deciding to Sell at Craft Shows appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Mountain folk did not have the luxury of going out and buying new ornaments. Appalachians “up-cycled” almost everything, including “paper pokes” aka paper bags, wild found treasures, and bits of rags.

Today I am going to show you two DIY Appalachian Christmas Paper Bag Crafts: paper bag angels, and paper bag ornaments. The simplicity of these paper ornaments embraces the beauty of most Appalachian Crafts, and I hope that you are inspired to not only try your hand at creating your ornaments but share them with others.

Paper Bag Angels

Tiny paper bag angels adorned many a cabin and coal camp shack wall during the holiday season. You would find them adorned with bits of scrap ribbon and lace. Often they were the work of little hands, and never “store-bought” perfect, they held a beauty that you can’t find in store-bought decorations. As you gather supplies to create your angels, look for items that hold special meaning to you and your family.

There is no pattern for these little beauties, as the skill to make them was passed along from mother to child. Hopefully, you will be able to figure out how to put them together by viewing the series of photos.

Supplies:

• 2 lunch-size paper bags
• Ribbons or scraps of lace
• hot glue
• string for hanging
• scissors
• pipe cleaner
• fiberfill

Directions:

Head and Arms

1. Cut one of your bags along one side, and then the other side. Remove the bottom section and discard it. You should have two long rectangles of paper. Lay aside for now.
2. Using your second bag, add a ball of fiberfill to the bottom of the bag. Scrunch the bag beneath the fiberfill. Using a pip cleaner, twist the area closed to create the “neck” of your angel. Do not cut the pipe cleaner, you will use the leftover length will be twisted together to form a hanger.
3. Use one of your two rectangles of paper, and fold it over and over lengthwise.
4. Twist the folded paper to create the “arms” of your angel.
5. Add a bit of ribbon or lace to the ends of the twisted paper. This will create the “cuffs” for the sleeves.
6. Find the center of the twisted paper, and secure it to the center of the angel’s back, just below the pipe cleaner.
7. Pull the two ends of the twisted paper to the front and glue them together to form the hands.

Dress and Halo

1. Starting at the center of the bottom of the dress, glue ribbon to the hem.
2. Take the second triangle of paper and starting at one end, bend it back and forth to form an accordion shape ( like one would do to make a paper fan). You can glue ribbon to the ends if wanted. Pinch the folded shape together in the center letting let create a butterfly-like shape, next glue it to the back of the angel to form wings. In the photos below I used ribbon on the smaller angel to create wings. On the larger one, I used a long thin paper bag, cut it to the desired length, and pinched it together in the middle, and glued it in place. I added lace to the edges to give it a finished look.
3. If needed, shape the head of the angel, gluing it in place as needed. Just take care to not burn yourself with the hot glue.
4. Add a bit of twisted paper, pipe cleaner, or other embellishments to the angel’s head to form a halo.

Paper Bag Ornaments

The folks in the Appaliacn mountains found a use for everything, including paper bags. You would see them used to hold dried fruit and nuts, note paper, toilet paper, quilting patterns, and more.

My favorite use for paper bags was making tiny stuffed ornaments for my Christmas tree. I have several paper bag ornaments that I use on my tree every year. Below are instructions for creating your very own paper bag treasures for your tree.

Supplies:

• paper bags (or brown paper used for wrapping postal packages)
• Acrylic paints
• puff paint ( if desired)
• hot glue
• paint brushes
• fiberfill
• string for hanging ornaments
• patterns to transfer to the bag: Gingerbread Man
• scissors

Directions:

1. Print the pattern
2. Cut out two gingerbread men shapes, or snowman shapes
3. Draw a face, bow, and buttons on one of your shapes
4. Place the other corresponding shapes together, and glue around the edge-leaving a space open at the top to insert the fiberfill stuffing.
5. Slightly stuff the ornament.
6. Glue the opening shut.
7. Paint on the features.
8. Once dry, glue a string to the back as a hanger.

Memories of Christmas Past

Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. The most perfect Christmas seasons that I can recall were spent stringing popcorn, making paper chains, and making homemade ornaments for our tree. Making crafts with my mom and siblings gave the season special magic. Our few gifts were not expensive., but it was such an amazing time of year. This year I encourage you to step back and enjoy the little things in life.

A Peek at My Next Blog Post

My next blog post will be on painting pinecones and using them as decorations around the house. It will include directions for a burlap garland and simple pinecone ornaments.

I had intended to show you the pinecone craft in today’s post. Me being me, I misplaced my pinecones and had to go out and pick up new ones.

Thank You

If you enjoyed this post on DIY Appalachian Christmas Paper Bag Crafts, you may want to check out my other posts for other mountain, holiday-traditions: how to create grapevine wreaths and how to make our Traditional Apple Stack Cakes.

I hope that you embrace the joy of the season by spending time with family or friends crafting and creating fun holiday decorations. This year can be the year that you start a beloved family tradition!

Thank y’all for stopping by. I’d love it if you decided to follow my blog or share it with others.

Wishing you all the joy of an old-fashioned Christmas,

Vikki

The post Homemade Appalachian Christmas Crafts appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Supplies Needed for Your Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumkin Craft

• Item Total
• 3 oval, metal, Dollar Tree trays, $1.25 ea. $3.75
• piece of wood or vine for stem (about 4 to five inches long) free
• Large silk leaves
• dusty pink flowers $1.25 ea. (Used two) $2.50
• small plastic skulls $1.25 $1.25
• hot glue
• E6000 glue
• White (or cream) spray paint $5.00 $5.00
• drop cloth
• ribbon & floral wire for bow (or pre-tied bow) $1.25
• wire, or piece of twine for hanger: I used wired rope from Dollar Tree $1.25
• drill, or nail & hammer to punch holes

Note: I didn’t include the cost of glue, glue gun, hammer, etc.

Step One

Remove stickers and glue from oval metal trays. Decide where your trays will overlap, then cover that area with a thin piece of masking tape. This will prevent spray paint from interfering with the bonding power of the E6000 & hot glue.

Step Two

Lay out your drop cloth. Spray the trays with several light coats of paint, letting the trays dry between coats. After completely dry, flip over and paint the other side of trays.

Step Three

Remove the masking tape. Line up your first two trays. Add E6000, according to package directions, to the middle of one taped area. Add enough hot glue above & below the E6000 to hold the trays as the liquid glue sets. Push the trays together until hot glue is set. After E6000 has set, add the third tray using the same method.

Step 4

Add a thin glaze of bronze-colored paint around the edges of the trays, and in the center of each of the trays. I used hot glue to add the stem to the back of the pumpkin, BUT I ended up moving it to the front (See finished project).

Step 5

Drill holes in the top of the pumpkin. Add wired-roped, or preferred hanger). I pushed wired-rope through the front then glued them in place with hot glue on the back.

Step 6

Cut the end off of a rectangle of a floral-foam block (not the soft type that you use with water). I got mine from Dollar Tree. Place hot glue in the center of the foam, and E6000 glue on each side of the hot glue. Press in place until the hot glue is set. Let E6000 glue set for at least 30 minutes before continuing.

When I am creating a floral display, I find my center/focal point (in this case a large flower with a skull in the center). From there, I build outwards towards the outside edge of the floral foam.

Make sure that the floral stems are not protruding from the back of the foam, or you will have trouble gluing the arrangement in place.

When you are gluing the arrangement in place, apply pressure to the center of the floral foam until the hot glue has set.

My Finished Project: Gothic Pumkin Wall Hanger

Of all the wall and door hangers that I have made, this Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumpkin Craft is one of my favorites! It has such a polished, put-together look that it would easily pass for a high-end boutique buy. I kept catching myself singing Sarah’s song from Hocus Pocus the whole time I worked on this project. This project seems to fit her aesthetic, don’t you think?

You could personalize these hangers further with vinyl wordage, house numbers, or a family monogram. Ready to create your amazing Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumkin Craft for Under $20 hanger? Let that creative urge flow…. pumpkins, skulls, and vines, oh my!! I’d love to see your final result. If you’d like to share, drop a comment & photo.

Want more unique projects? Then pop over and check out my other pumpkin projects.

Subscribe to follow, and feel free to share.

Happy Fall Y’all!

Vikki

The post How to Create a Gothic-Romance Pumpkin Craft for Under $20 appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

• dryer vent hose
• wire snips
• utility knife or shop scissors
• floral wire
• E6000 glue (optional)
• hot glue gun & glue
• spray paint
• drop cloth (or box)
• stick, piece of grapevine, or something to use as pumpkin stem
• silk vines, leaves, or florals of choice

Choosing Your Vent Hose

I am going to show you two different DIY dryer hose pumpkin crafts. The style of hose that you use will determine the textures of your pumpkin. A ticker vent hose is likely to have tighter bands (see the photo of the white pumpkin). You can decide which look you prefer.

Cut the Hose

Strech out your vent hose. Use shop scissors, or a utility knife to cut your hose to your preferred length. I cut mine to a length of 24 inches.

Warning: the foil that these vents are made of will cut you. Be very careful.

Two Methods of Turning the Hose

Into a Pumpkin Shape

1.) E6000 glue method: You will wire the back first (the part that will end up being the hole for your stem). You may need to use a large needle to punch a hole to feed the wire through. Once you have at least four areas (placed at even intervals around the vent) of wire pushed through the hose, go back and add the E6000 glue to the cut edge of the hose, twist the wire closed, then move to the next section and repeat until all areas are glued and all four of the wires have been twisted closed. Let the glue dry for at least two hours before painting.

Note: Avoid my mistake. Do not use thick wire to pull the sides of the hose together. I made a mess! The large wire punched huge holes in the hose which I ended up having to patch with heavy-duty aluminum foil. After reading the two methods below, if you decide to use wire, I would suggest that you use floral wire to connect the two sides of the hose.

2.) Hot glue method: Pull the ends of the dryer vent hose together and hot glue the edges. Do a small section at a time. I found that starting at the back worked best. Hold until the glue sets (about 40 seconds) before moving to the next section (I use clothes pins as clamps to assist in this step). I still use floral wire to secure the bond, especially if it is going to be on a porch or sitting in the window in direct sunlight. You may opt to only use hot glue; the choice is totally yours.

Painting Your Pumpkin

Do you want a farmhouse style pumpkin? Or, do you want your pumpkin to look more traditional? Neutral paint colors blend well with farmhouse decor. Orange tones give a more traditional look. I did one of each style so that you can see what they look like side by side.

I used two different brands of spray paint for my pumpkins. The first one that I used was Krylon Color Max in White (for a farmhouse look). The second brand that I used was ColorShot in orange. Choose a color that fits your decor style.

Place a box or drop cloth under your pumpkin before painting. Follow the directions on the label of your paint. Let the paint dry between coats.

Decorate Your Dryer Vent Hose Pumpkin

Find a stick or piece of grapevine to use as a stem. I used a faux vine that I cut into one-foot sections. Use hot glue to secure the stem in the middle of the pumpkin. After the hot glue sets, flip it upside down and add a bit of E6000 to the bottom of the stem.

You are now ready to add florals, faux vines, or silk leaves to your pumpkins.

You Can Do It

Dryer vent pumpkins give you the look of high-end decor that you can take pride in displaying. This trendy decor is perfect for a Fall wedding DIY, a luxury gift for giving, for Halloween and Thanksgiving decor and centerpieces. The total cost of your project will depend on the embellishments that you choose. I know that you can do it. I’d love to know how your pumpkins turned out, and what you did to make them unique.

If you love fall decor as much as I do, then you should check out one of my favorite blogs, Momenvy, and her amazing free Fall printables. You may also like my post from last week on how to paint pumpkins on canvas. Stop back by for updates and new posts. I plan to add more DIY pumpkin crafts over the next month.

Thanks for stopping in and crafting with me, drop in again soon.

Vikki

The post How to Make DIY Dryer-Vent Hose Pumpkin Crafts  appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

• canvas
• acrylic paint in preferred colors
• brushes: small round brush, medium round brush for filling large spaces, liner brush, small shader-brush
• table cover (old newspaper or wax paper will work)
• piece of wood (to elevate the canvas off the paper) or an easel
• paint palette (I up-cycle disposable bowl lids)
• container for water (upcycle a disposable jar or bowl)
• old cloth
• pencil
• carbon paper?
• pumpkin graphic (see my free traceable downloads below)

Things to Consider Before Starting

• Decide on your design.
• You are welcome to download and print my free pumpkin and pumpkin leaf graphics for personal use. The graphic download is designed for an 8 x 10 sized canvas. If you are using a larger canvas, you will need to enlarge the graphic to fit, you can use carbon paper to transfer the design to your canvas.
• Decide on the color scheme that will best fit your exciting home decor. I chose gray, pastel orange, burnt-sienna, forest green, light yellowish-orange, and white as my color palette for this painting.

Ready, Set, Paint

Step One:

Transfer, or free-hand, your design onto your canvas.

Step Two:

Once your design is laid out on your canvas, using a medium round brush, fill in as much of the background as you can without hitting your pumpkin. Use a liner to finish areas close to your pumpkin. Let your first layer dry for at least an hour, then go over it a second time.

Note: Any details that you have sketched into the background can be easily removed. I originally had wordage on the canvas and decided to paint over it.

Step Three:

Choose the background color for your pumpkin. I used a light flesh-toned color, but you can choose any color your heart desires. For this step, I used a medium round brush.

Notice that as I painted in the background color on the pumpkin, I pulled the brush along in a sweeping curve. This will add dimension to the finished painting.

Step Four:

Start shading in the sections of your pumpkin. I used a small shading brush for this step.

Try not to outline the pumpkin, but instead blend the shade color lightly with my background color. Notice that the first layer of shading is a bit wider, later a second thinner layer will be added in a darker color.

Step Five:

Add highlights to your pumpkin. In order to do this, decide where the light source would be in your painting. If it is from behind, then the shadow at the base of the pumpkin will be in front of it. Notice that for my pumpkin the light source would be from the back. Highlight the top of the pumpkin, along with a bit of the front, and place the shadow to fall directly in front of the pumpkin and a bit to each side.

Adding the Stem & Leaf

I next painted the stem. By painting the stem before adding the leaf, it allows for a more natural-looking placement than if you go back and try to add details to the stem later. I added a small amount of forest green to contour the stem. I layered a lighter color blended from the brunt-sienna and the flesh tone of the pumpkin. Here I used burnt sienna as the background color for the stem. To create the curly-swirls, I used brunt-sienna base, topped with green, and lighter brown high lights.

For the leaf, I free-handed the design onto the pumpkin. Using the same forest green, I outlined the leaf (using a small liner brush).

Note: This photo is of a different painting, but you can see the leaf design being added in the same manner mentioned above.

Next, I filled in the center of the leaf using a small round brush. For this, I used the custom blended color created from mixing the brunt-sienna and the flesh toned paint. I followed this up with details in greens and brunt-sienna.

Tips & Tricks

• Try not to over-blend the colors as you apply them.
• Test your colors on paper before adding them to your canvas.
• Create your pumpkin in layers: background- allow to dry then add a second coat of paint; background of pumpkin- allow to dry, add a second coat of paint; Shading and highlights allow to dry; Stem, allow to dry; leaf, allow to dry.
• Once you become more experienced in layering color, you may be able to skip the layer/dry method, and instead opt for blending and applying color as you work to complete your painting.
• Almost finished! But, before we have you sign your masterpiece, give your amazing art a once over. Are there any messy edges that need to be tidied up, and does the background need to be touched up?

Gallery of Pumpkins and Paintings

I am adding photos of other paintings that I have done so that you can get a feel for what color pallet may work best for your space. Notice that my pumpkins are always different.

When you are painting pumpkins remember that no two pumpkins will have the same color or shape. It is okay if your pumpkins are not perfect, that just makes them as unique as any pumpkin should be! Pixabay offers free and paid graphics for use, the photos below are from their immense graphic library.

I used this photo as a guide when choosing my background color for the body of my pumpkin.

Notice that the coloring varies among the pumpkins.

Happy Pumpkin Spice Season Y’all

I knew that you could do it. I am sure that your painting will be the perfect addition to your decor this season. Now that you know how to paint a pumpkin, you are ready to paint a whole patch.

If you enjoyed this DIY post, please stop by again soon to check out upcoming DIY decor ideas for Fall. I’d love to hear from you, so please drop a comment with any questions.

Happy Painting,

Come back soon,

Vikki

The post How to Paint a Pumpkin appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Sublimation as a creative outlet offers an endless variety of possibilities. It allows the use of treasured childhood art to be made into keepsakes for gift-giving, as well as offering a means to create unique products for sale. Getting started in sublimation can be intimidatingly nerve-wracking. Hopefully, this article will help you feel a bit more confident as you move forward into the creative world of sublimation.

The Science Behind the Art

Before we start talking shop, let’s travel back a bit to science class. Fun right? Sublimation is the process where the transition of a substance goes directly from being in a solid state to a gaseous state. It is the process where your chosen art or wordage is printed upon a paper that has been coated to accommodate the sublimation process. The ink will pass from the paper as a gas, then back again as a solid as it embeds within the sublimated product. This occurs when it is subjected to heat and pressure.

Sublimation works best on materials that have a special polymer coating. Items that you can purchase for sublimation include mugs, aprons, mouse pads, metal tumblers, and coasters. Items that are made for use with sublimation are referred to as sublimation blanks.

If you are planning to create tee shirts, you will need to consider the fabric’s composition. 100% Cotton fabric does not sublimate well. You will need a fabric suited for the sublimation process, in this case, 100% polyester to provide the best results. Fabrics that are a 60/40 or 50/50 poly-blend could also work, but don’t expect the colors to be as vibrant as those you would see if you are pressing on 100% polyester.

Supplies That You Will Need

• Heat Press with accessories (for the types of items you intend to create).
• Heat tape for sublimation
• Sublimation paper
• Sublimation ink
• Printer to use solely for sublimation
• Safety gloves: Heat Resistant Oven Gloves
• Access to an art program to create graphics for for creations
• Sublimation blanks

Avoid My Mistake

Last year I bought a heat press second-hand. I had wanted one for a long time, and so when I found one on a Facebook auction site, I bought it. I had never used a heat press and knew very little about them. Admittedly, I paid too much for a used machine, lesson learned. As soon as got my press, I had to replace a part that had been broken. At that point, I had spent nearly as much as I would have on a new heat press. I would advise purchasing from Amazon.com or a trusted online source.

Choosing a Printer

You can use any ink tank printer, but the higher quality of your printer, the higher the quality will be for your sublimated products. Most sites will recommend the Sawgrass printer, which can be a bit pricy. I looked at printers in several different stores, and online shops, before settling on one from Sam’s Club. The one that I purchased is an Epson 3850 Eco Printer. I consider it a “beginner’s printer”, but for now it meets my needs beautifully. Do your research to decide what will best fit your needs and budget.

One source that I found useful in choosing a printer was techopedia‘s article on print quality.

Print quality is mostly measured in DPI, which is quite similar to the definition of pixels in terms of digital images and even screen resolution. DPI is equivalent to the ability of a printer to mimic the number of pixels or the resolution of the source image. If a printer has a lower DPI capability compared to the source image, the printed image becomes a down-scaled version in terms of resolution, although this is usually not an issue for regular printing at smaller “office” size prints but would make a bigger impact on poster printing and larger formats.

techopedia.com

Converting an Ink Tank Printer for Sublimation Use

Simply replace the type of ink that you will use. Do not use the ink that comes with the printer. Donate it to someone that uses an ink tank printer for regular printing. Once a printer has had regular printing ink in the tanks, it can not be used for sublimation without the machine is thoroughly cleaned. Instead, purchase sublimation ink. Set up the printer following the manufactures directions. Fill the ink tanks with sublimation ink when directed.

As mentioned above, you can purchase printers specifically for sublimation, such as Sawgrass. They are a bit more pricey but may be worth considering if you indeed to start your own business. Do your research.

Choose an Art Program

You can use any art program that allows you to upload, edit, and add text. You will use PNG files for printing. Microsoft Word is good for simple designs, but for more complicated work look into a program that allows you to create and edit. You can purchase PNG files online (we will go into that more in the commercial use rights listed below).

Canva has a free program project for beginners and offer upgrades for a fee for advanced artists.

Pixlr offers a basic photo editing program for free.

Pixlr background remover: use the basic program for free. Good for editing, and resizing photos, providing templates for business cards, etc.

Pixlr Photomash Studio : removes and exchanges background

Canva: Logo design program

Inkscape; Art design program

Think About Your Color Pallet as You Create

Most printers hold four colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (C/M/Y/B). Items that are to use printed transfers such as mugs, tee shirts, coasters, mouse pads, etc. look best when they are based in C/M/Y/B. Dark red, blue, and green may prove a bit challenging during sublimation.

Commercial Use License

If you are intending to sell products that you have made using sublimation you should only use graphics that you either create yourself or have purchased a commercial use license for. Otherwise, you may be sued for infringement of copy-written material. Again, this is an area that research will pay off in the long run.

Graphics for commercial use can be found on Etsy.com, as well as on several independent online shops. You are welcome to visit my Pinterest board All Things Sublimation for pins with links to free sublimation graphics, and sites that offer graphic bundles. Check back often for updates as I work to add content weekly.

Resources

None of the websites or suppliers mentioned are affiliates to this site.

Cosmos Ink: I had read rave reviews of this product before purchasing. So far, I am very please with the performance of their inks. I also like that they sell replacement ink tanks and sublimation blanks.

Amazon: Source for ink tank printers, blanks, and supplies

blanks galore: Carries, ink, supplies, and blanks

Jennifer Maker: Offers tutorials on Sublimation and more.

Sublimation for Beginners: Jennifer Maker

Sublimation Designs in Inkscape: Tutorial on how to Create your Own Sublimation Designs in Inkscape {Beginner

Key Takeaways

Items created using sublimation last longer than those created with vinyl. I personally always feel guilty when using vinyl due to all of the waste that occurs after weeding. Since sublimation is more environmental and cost-friendly, I prefer it to vinyl.

Sublimation allows you to create keepsakes from a child’s artwork, family photos, etc. It can also be used on a large variety of products. On the downside, you are limited to using items that are specifically made for sublimation, or specific fabric blends.

If you are thinking of working with sublimation, don’t be intimidated by the process. As with anything, it just takes research, investment, and practice. If I can do this, anyone can.

I hope that this post has helped you on your journey to show your creative talents using sublimation. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to subscribe, share, or pin.

Happy creating & visit again soon,

Vikki

The post Sublimation 101: Getting Started appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Creating and crafting with vinyl gives you a great resource to expand your gift-giving, and home décor options. Taking the plunge into Cricut ownership can be a bit confusing and intimidating. If you are new to using a Cricut or considering purchasing one, I am writing this post just for you. Hopefully, it will guide you along your journey of deciding if crafting with vinyl is right for you. Below is a list of facts and considerations made up of what I wish I had known before buying my Cricut.

Research Your Choices

Cricut has great cutting machines, but they are not the only brand of cutting machine on the market. Consider your options.

Cricut offers several models of cutting machines, and each machine differs in the types of materials that it can cut.

Intimidation can be one of the greatest hurdles for beginners. If you have this fear, you are not alone. The best way to move forward is to just try a simple project. Admittedly, it took me over a year to get the courage up to attempt my first project.

Free video tutorials are available online. Using YouTube and Cricut gives you a chance to see experienced crafters at work and are great learning resources. If I can do this, anyone can. If you mess up, try again. You will get the hang of it.

Invest in an external light source that you can use to highlight the cut vinyl for easier weeding. I use a cheap flashlight from the Dollar Tree that stands on its own. I will add here that I have not tried the light box from Cricut.

The smaller you make your font, the harder it will be to weed. The same holds for graphics. Fonts with flourishes and curly tips can be hard to weed without breaking.

Tips About Graphics and Vinyl

• You can use vinyl and tools that do not carry the same brand as your machine. I have found that I prefer buying vinyl online, which allows me to buy at a more affordable cost.
• The quality of vinyl varies by brand. Read reviews from a trusted source to ensure that the product that you are considering weeds easily, and has good adhesion with repeated use.
• HTV comes adhered to a shiny, clear, heat-resistant liner that takes the place of transfer tape. It is necessary to position the material with the shiny side down. Using the mirror reverse feature allows your machine to cut your design and leave the transfer liner intact. The mirror feature keeps your design from appearing backward on your design.
• You can find free graphics online to use with your Cricut cutters. Others offer “bundles” for sale at very reasonable prices. Finding free and low-cost resources is fun, just be careful to make sure the site is trusted in order to avoid computer viruses. If you think that you will be using your Cricut to create items for sale, look for sites that offer SVG for commercial use (One of my favorites is lovesvg.com). Cricut Design Space will give you access to some fonts and graphics free of charge, but you have to subscribe in order to gain unlimited access.

Useful Terms to Know

• Weeding: means removing unneeded vinyl from your project.
• Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): is used to transfer vinyl onto fabric (think of it as an iron-on vinyl).
• Removable Vinyl: is a type of self-adhesive vinyl used for creating commitment-free personalized projects. It allows you to make removable decals, school projects, or for adding wordage to your walls.
• Permanent Vinyl: self-adhesive vinyl used for items that you do not intend to later remove the vinyl from.
• Heat Press: a type of iron used to apply Heat Transfer Vinyl.
• Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG): and is the type of graphic used by the Cricut machines.

Helpful Videos and Recourses for Beginners

Jennifer Maker: Cricut Machine tutorials

Cricut Beginner’s Guide

Cricut Projects & Tips Pinterest Board

143Vinyl: Resource for vinyl and blanks

Cricut Official Site: Offers direct purchase of machines, supplies, accessories, and download of the Cricut Design Space

Are You Ready to Hop into Creating with Cricut?

Buying a Cricut can be a bit of an investment. But, if you create homemade gifts and home décor for friends and family, it may be a good creative outlet for you. Try not to be intimidated by Cricut design space. It can be a bit hard to learn but there are videos on YouTube that can teach you the ropes.

No persons or companies listed are affiliates of this blog.

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to subscribe and share.

Good luck, and happy crafting,

Vikki

The post 16 Tips, Terms, & Considerations I Wish I Had Known Before Buying My Cricut appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Skill Level: Beginner to Skilled

Beginners: choose a simple pattern. Pretty doesn’t equal complicated.

Cost: Under $10 ( it depends on what supplies you have on hand, and the number of paints you choose to use).

I had most of the needed supplies already. You can buy the paint, alcohol, and mug at Wal-Mart. My brushes are from Jerry’s Artarama, but the ones from Walmart will work.

Make a Mug That Will Make Their Mornings

When I worked at a public school every year I got mugs. Most of them said something along the lines of “World’s Greatest Teacher”, or had apples on them. While I loved and appreciated the gesture. I soon had so many mugs that were not really my style that I couldn’t keep them all. I’d use them for a bit, then pass them on.

The mugs that I kept long-term were the ones that showed that the person had put thought into the gift. I love butterflies and honeybees. One year a parent graced me with a beautiful mug with yellow trim around the top that had flowers, bees, and butterflies on it. Her note read, “because you love bees and because you have been so sweet to my child and me”. I loved that mug and used it until the handle broke off of it.

If you possibly can, personalize the mug in a way that will be meaningful to the person you are gifting.

Shopping For Paint

Not All Acrylic Paints are Created Equal. If you look carefully at the labels of acrylic paint you will see that some say “air dry”. They do not have any curing instructions. That type of paint will work well for artwork on canvas or wood, but it will not be durable on glass.

Read the labels carefully before you buy, the label needs to say:

• Non-toxic
• Multi-purpose
• Dish-washer safe
• Curing instructions for oven

Supplies:

• Coffee mug of choice
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Lint-free cloth
• Dish-washer safe Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes of choice
• Liner-style paint brush
• paint palette
• Small container of water (to wash brushes)
• Old newspaper
• Oven

Let’s Get Started

The first thing that you will need to do is to wash your mug and hand dry with a lint-free cloth. Then use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the mug with isopropyl alcohol. Set the mug aside and gather your multi-purpose acrylic paints and other supplies.

Next cover your workspace with the newspaper.

Once your space is ready, add the paint to whatever you decide to use as your palette (I often use old butter bowl lids).

Try to avoid touching the area where you intend to add your artwork. You do not want the oils from your skin contaminating your prepped surface. Then using a liner-brush, draw an outline of your art design. Set aside and allow to dry. Then oven cure as directed. Let cool.

After your outline is cool, start adding in the background, or base, colors. Again you will need to let this layer dry before going back to add details. The paint will come off easily at this point. Work carefully when adding details. Find a spot underneath your mug to add a few test dots. You will use these to check after oven curing to see if the paint has set.

Curing the Mug

Once you have created your masterpiece. Follow the directions listed on your all-purpose paint. Most will say to allow the paint to air-cure for at least an hour before oven curing. Some brands of paint will say that air curing for a longer period of time will be sufficient (without curing in an oven). The paint that I am using says to let the mug air dry for one hour. Then place in the cool oven, and turn the heat setting to 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I do not start my timer until the temperature is at the desired heat.

After the timer goes off, turn off the oven and allow it to cool before removing it. Let cool completely for 24 hours. Then, do a scratch test on one of your test dots to see if the paint has cured. If not, repeat the heating process.

I prefer the the type that cures under heat, but I still leave them to air cure for at least 14 days before washing or using.

Even though most paint will say dishwasher safe, I recommend hand washing without soaking any handprinted items.

Paint Pens and Issues, Oh My!

I had purchased paint pens that said that they were dishwasher safe after curing. I used them as directed. Sadly, the areas painted with the paint pens did not adhere to the glass. I had to remove it and repaint the wings on the bee and wording with FolkArt multi-surface paint. If anyone has found a brand of paint pen that works on glass please let me know.

Make sure to inspect your work carefully for mistakes before curing! Once the paint has set, it becomes permanent. I accidentally got a dot of paint on the handle before the first round of oven-curing. I had to get creative and add yellow polka-dots along the handle to cover my blooper.

Jazz It Up

If you want to create a personalized mug for a end of year gift for a teacher, or for Father’s day, you can make it extra special by making the mug into a miniature gift basket.

Line the mug with a small plastic party favor bag. Add a gift card, pens, candy, fishing lure, or whatever tiny items will work with your theme. Tie closed with a ribbon and add a card. You are all set.

My Finished Mug

Branch Out to Add Pieces

Using multi-surface paint on other glass items: If using plates and glass cutting boards, use a type of paint that will air-cure and become dishwasher safe. FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint is one that I use for those items. Do not place items made of thin glass in the oven as they may burst.

Use clear glass plates and cutting boards, and add the design to the underside of these items. If you are painting the underside of a plate or cutting board you add your layers in reverse order. This takes a bit more skill and planning. With practice, the results can be stunning.

Resources:

No businesses, or brands, mentioned in this post are affiliates.

Jerry’s Artarama is my go-to online store for brushes. You can’t beat their brushes or their sales!

Happy Painting

Have fun painting your mugs. I would love to see your finished projects. If you have tips that you would like to share, let us know.

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and share.

Stop back by any time,

Vikki Bee

The post Easy and Affordable Hand-painted Mugs for Gift Giving appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Recently I started sewing baby burp cloths to add to my booth for the fall festival. As I worked, I started to think about the best way to display the burp cloths. I have baskets here at home, but they all have high sides. I needed something that would allow customers to view the cloths easily without having to dig through them.

One of my favorite places to shop locally is at the Hospice Thrift Store. I have found furniture, clothing, and other items there that I have upcycled into something else. This time, I was on the hunt for a basket that was the size and shape that I needed for my display. After a couple of times stopping by the shop, I found what I was looking for. The basket that I chose was a brown wicker basket. All that it needed was paint and a liner and it would be display ready.

Supplies Needed

• scissors
• material
• basket
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• spray paint
• twine
• cardboard box
• gloves (optional)
• wood glue (optional)

Preparing the Basket for Its Makeover.

Remove any dust from your basket.

Secure any loose pieces with wood glue or hot glue, and let the glue dry completely before painting. If using hot glue make sure it is not on the surface that is to be painted as the paint will not stick to it.

Ready to Paint

1. Gather Supplies: basket, gloves, white spray paint, and a box
2. Use a box to keep grass and other small items from blowing into your paint. It will also keep your lawn from having paint marks.
3. Shake spray paint well. Keep the can at the distance recommended on the can for painting. Paint the bottom of basket. Use several light coats of paint, this will prevent the paint from running. Let the basket dry between coats, turning as needed to cover all areas. When the bottom area is dry, turn over and use light coats to paint the top. Paint the handle, then the under side of the handle. Let dry.

Cut Your Material

When deciding how big to cut your material, measure across the basket from the rim to the bottom, then back up to the rim at the other side. Add four inches to this measure. This is the size you will need to cut the diameter of the material (for a circular basket).

My basket is a bit of an oval shape, I measured as I would for a circular one, only I measured from the longer length.

Find the center of your material and place a pin to mark it. Line that up with the center of your basket, remove the pin and use a bit of hot glue to hold it in place. Start carefully folding the edges of the material under to where the material will fit just to the top of the rim of the basket. Once you get the material in the shape you need it, place a very small dot of hot glue in four different places around the inside rim of the basket.

You may need to may darts (tucks) in the material to fit it snuggly to the rim. Glue in place, moving from the center of the basket to the next glue dot. Go to the other side of the basket and repeat. Do this until all four of the sections have been glued in place.

Add Twine to the Basket Handle

Cut pieces of twine that are about 12 feet in length. Use a small piece of cardboard to wrap the twine around to use as a spool. Decide how much of your handle you want to cover in twine, making sure it is centered on both sides. Mark beginning and endpoints with a small pencil mark. Place a small dot of hot glue on your pencil marks.

Start wrapping the twine around the handle. Occasionally use a dot of hot glue to secure as you work. Continue wrapping until your chosen area is covered. Don’t sweat it if you cut your twine too short, just cut more and again spool it around your cardboard. Place a small dot of glue to secure the new length of twine and resume work. Finish your twine with another dot of hot glue.

What it Cost For the Basket

I got the basket for $1.00.

I already had spray paint here, if you go to buy the paint it will cost about $6.00 for a quality can of paint (you should be able to paint four medium sized baskets with one can of paint).

The material was from Joann’s Fabric. I buy material when I find it on sale. This material would cost about $7 a yard at regular price. I used about 1/4 yard of fabric, but the amount you need will depend on the size of your basket.

The twine came from Dollar Tree at $1.25.

For me, the overall cost of the basket was about $4.50 (I still have paint, material, and twine for other projects so I estimated the cost for only what was used for this project).

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