be creative daily!

07/12/2018

How to Start Oil Painting with 6 Easy Steps without feeling daunted

When it comes to oil painting many beginners feel overwhelmed before they have even started due to the techniques that you have to use for oil painting. You don’t need to feel this way. You just need to break it down, learn the methods and don’t be over ambitious with your first try. The “Fat over Lean” principle isn’t difficult but it is important. This guide is to give you 6 easy steps when getting started with oil painting. Using these steps will give you an understanding of how to... Read More

06/12/2018
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How to have a Stress Free Christmas

Christmas is a stressful time. It is- as much as it is full of love family and laughter there is a lot of preparation involved. Food alone is crazy! Here are a few tips so you can enjoy a stress free Christmas. Organisation is key as well as a budget. It is all well and good buying presents here and there but rather than going too crazy, write a budget. Kids toys cost a fortune and they get bored of them quickly. I have a few lists  Gifts Events Food, drink... Read More

29/11/2018
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Working with Polymer Clay : Interview with Artist Stacey Halabuda

We recently asked our crafters to review a new polymer clay product so we decided to interview one of the artists. Stacey works with Polymer clay and runs her craft business from home. Her works are truly pieces of heaven. We asked about crafting and working with Polymer clay and running a craft business. Question time How did you get interested in crafts? I always remember being crafty but it really all started with a quilling kit I was bought for my birthday one year. Although I wasn’t particularly good at... Read More

22/11/2018
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Top 10 of 10 Acrylic Sets

Here I share our top 10 of acrylic sets Watercolour may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Technically it can be tricky very tricky and you have to learn a lot before you can create masterpieces unless you like abstract or mixed media. Acrylic, on the other hand, is a wonderful rich medium that you can create a painting and if you make a mistake, let it dry and fix it.  Acrylic is very forgiving when other mediums are not. 1 Liquitex 48 set If you like to have lots of choices then... Read More

16/11/2018
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Top 10 Of 10 Watercolour Recommendations: For Gifts or just for you

If you are stuck looking for art presents or want to add to your art collection here we go through our Top 10 Of 10 in watercolour. All the products you can use together or on there own. Watercolour doesn’t have to be limited to tubes of paint. You have half pans, pencils, pens, inks and blocks.   1. Winsor and Newton 24 Half Pan I love this set so much I have two of them. It has all the colours you need and you can travel with it easily. When... Read More

09/11/2018

How to crochet a Poppy for Remembrance Sunday

This Sunday 11th November is Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Sunday and in this blog I will show you how to crochet a Poppy. This day commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of the First World War and Germany. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The armistice came into effect at the eleventh hour (11am) of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. This was a significant moment both Britain and it’s Allies, to commemorate all soldiers who... Read More

07/11/2018
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Crafty Christmas Window: Paul and his Posca Pens

This year we commissioned Paul a local artist to paint our Crafty Christmas window using is favourite Posca Pens. Paul is a regular customer of ours who is a sign painter and artists. His work is commissioned all over London, Kent Essex, Hertfordshire and further afield. We are more than thrilled with hill work but we thought you would like to see how this gorgeous piece of art came about. I am already sad that it is not a permanent feature and will have to come off before the new year.... Read More

02/11/2018
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A Crafty Christmas: Planning and Decorating, Making

It officially Christmas We are finally in November and shop windows around the country are turning to Christmas. I know it feels that some shops start far too early but can you ever be too prepared? This year at Crafty Arts we are celebrating all things Crafty and wholesome. We are going back to the ideas of a lovely handmade Christmas with homemade crackers, decorations and dare I say gifts? We plan on giving you lots of inspiration this Christmas to get you in the crafting mood. I hope to show... Read More

25/10/2018
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Celebrating International Artists Day

Today is International Artist Day and if you haven’t ever heard of this day you are not alone. If you read on, we will tell you what it is and how you can participate. So what is International Artist Day? International Artist Day was founded by Chris MacClure, a Canadian artist who specializes in ‘Romantic Realism’ over a decade ago. He created this day to bring recognition to the world of art, and to celebrate all the ways that artists bring their own special view to life. International artists day... Read More

22/10/2018
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How to use the Cricut Machine: Setting it up and preparing your first cut

Today, I am going to show you how I got started with my new Cricut machine. Hopefully, I am going to talk you through the set-up and my first cut. The machine comes with a few pieces of card, a pen blade and a green mat. I did have to buy a few extra accessories, to begin with. I bought the Vinyl sampler pack because the colours are great and it’s a cheap way to practice with the vinyl. I bought the basic toolset as this doesn’t come with the... Read More

11/10/2018
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Product Review: How to make your own Bath Bombs

  I have always wondered how to make your own bath bomb. Using a kit I thought I would show you how successful and easy they are to make. As a mum of two very active boys, I don’t get a lot of time to myself. Having a bath is the only bit of relaxing I can do. Sweet smelling relaxing therapy that I all enjoy at home. Lets face it we all have hectic lives at times. Bath bombs were first brought to my attention around 2 years ago whilst... Read More

04/10/2018

How to Crochet a Granny Square Blanket

Here is a easy crochet pattern to follow to make a Granny square crochet blanket. Autumn is the time of year where I like to dust off my crochet hooks and start to get cosy with the cat. It is also that time again that one of my friends are due to have a little one in January, so dedicated to make an easy design that I know that I will be able to finish with lots of time to spare, as I want to finally crochet myself a cardigan.... Read More

27/09/2018

Wedding Calligraphy: Money in Your Pocket if you Do-It-Yourself

I love calligraphy and I think there is no better place then a wedding to showcase these skills. Wedding calligraphy is continuing to have a resurgence in the wedding world. Yes, you can pay someone to do it for you. Because it so time-consuming and by hand, you will and should pay them a lot. Or you can have the satisfaction and money in your pocket if you do it yourself. I am definitely a DIY Bride. Pinterest is littered with cream thick watercolour card adorned with swirly gold lettering.... Read More

how to decoupage furniture filing cabinet 20/09/2018
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How to Decoupage Furniture: Upcycling the Old Filing Cabinet

Is it about time you had a project? Upcycling opportunities are all around us, and this week we’re looking at how to decoupage furniture. You’ll be amazed at just how quickly and easily you can completely transform even the dullest household objects into works of art. And, to prove our point in the best possible way, we’ve chosen a filing cabinet as our decoupage guinea pig. After all, if you can make a filing cabinet look good, you can make anything look good. Here’s how to decoupage furniture in your... Read More

13/09/2018
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Crafting for Christmas: Getting Organised for Christmas the crafty way

I know,  you may think it is far too soon to think about Christmas crafting. But now is the time that crafters start planning the rest of the year. If you sell your wares then you need to start making now so your stock is ready for end of September. The idea of thick jumpers and hot drinks offers me no comfort during this heatwave. Imagining all the snow and rain paints a big grin on my face. After the terribly long drawn out winter we have had this year, you... Read More

how to read crochet patterns 06/09/2018
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How to Read Crochet Patterns: Step by Step Basics

Ever tried reading crochet patterns? It can feel like trying to read something in a foreign language for any newcomer to the hobby. But don’t let this deter you from pursuing this incredible craft; all you need is a little guidance on how to read crochet patterns and you’ll be completely fluent in all crochet-lingo in no time at all. Here’s a basic guide to the most important things you need to know about reading crochet patterns, starting from the very beginning: Step 1: Choosing the right crochet pattern Most... Read More

30/08/2018
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Getting Organised for Back to School: Bullet Journaling for Parents

We are now in August and it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. I am going to talk about getting organised for back to school, a guide to Bullet journaling for parents. Lots of parents are probably ready for them to start their new term. The little ones probably want it to go on forever. To some of you,  feel like it already has gone on for too long.   Organisation is not just for them but for you too. We know that you are the... Read More

28/08/2018
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Customer Review of the new DAS Smart Polymer Clay

Our reviewer’s were asked to test the DAS Smart polymer clay and see if they were able to succeed in creating as detailed work compared to their current polymer clay choice. As a quick recap or reintroduction to the DAS Smart. DAS Smart comings from the number one air drying clay brand in the world. The blocks comes in two sizes, the small blocks come in 57g packs and the larger block comes in 350g which are packed in 6 pre-cut portions Reviewer: Lilyana   Lilyana created a beautiful selection... Read More

20/08/2018
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5 DIY Back to School Crafts Projects to Try with the Kids

School’s out for summer, hooray! Six weeks of fun, sun and playtime are stretching ahead, and it’s time to start planning what you and the kids are going to fill all these free hours with. And while we know that school will be far from the kids’ minds right now, it couldn’t hurt to make use of all this spare time and get them crafting their very own DIY back to school supplies. Getting the kids to make their own DIY back to school accessories is the perfect way to... Read More

30/07/2018
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How to Cool off from the heat during the Summer with Crafty Arts

Here are some great steps of how to cool off from the heat the summer. We are in a heatwave and we are all dreaming of cooling down. So here at Crafty Arts, we thought we would share with you some ideas on how to cool off this during glorious summer. Let’s just start with the most practical one and that is, drink lots of water and stay hydrated at all times. Fainting is common during a heatwave so the shade is your friend! We should not be going any... Read More