be creative daily!

19/07/2018

How to Make a Portfolio for your Art & Design University Place: Tips From the Tutors

  Got your sights set on a university degree in art or graphic design? First you have to impress the tutors by blowing their socks off with a demonstration of your incredible creative skills at a placement interview. It’s not as scary as it sounds, though, and we’ve got tips on how to make a portfolio from one of the very people you need to impress. Joanne Greenhalgh is a Graphic Design Lecturer (and employability champion) at the University of Salford, and she knows a thing or two about what... Read More

12/07/2018
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Why Should you Book your Kids Parties at Crafty Arts?

Did you know that we host a kids parties at Crafty Arts, we run a series of different creative birthday parties? We can create whatever your child desires from jungles to magical places. We set up the room depending on your chosen theme and the room is yours for two hours. The tutor will be with you for 1.5hrs and then you have half an hour to eat. I generally set up all the rooms as well as host a fair few of the parties but sometimes other tutors come in... Read More

28/06/2018

Customer Review Time: Modelling with the new DAS Smart

We are currently running a promotion where we want you to review the new Das Smart Polymer Clay on our behalf.     DAS is the one number air drying clay brand in the world. With this fact and furthermore their competitive pricing, DAS smart believes that it can hold it’s own amongst the well-known polymer clay brands like FIMO and Sculpey. It is ideal for making murine, creating jewels and small artifacts.   Two Sizes Available The small blocks come in 57g packs and are packed cleverly in an... Read More

21/06/2018
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How to Make Your Own Fairy House using Fimo Polymer Clay

Here I show you step by step instructions on making a fairy house using Fimo that can live outside in your garden. We are running this workshop in the summer so if you would like some guidance then please come and join in or just have a try at home! The truth is it was so simple and could have been even simpler if I didn’t blend all my own colours. This is definitely a lovely afternoon activity and you can easily get the kids involved. This is the absolute... Read More

14/06/2018

Cupcake Day Alzheimer’s awareness: United Against Dementia

Did you know that dementia is the biggest killer in the UK? We are supporting them to help raise awareness. Alzheimer’s Research UK has called for urgent action to be taken following the news reports recently and their aim is to double the dementia research funding over the next five years. This is something we are passionate about at Crafty Arts. On the 14th of June Alzheimer’s Society is raising awareness in the form of Cupcake Day and we want you to help! “Dementia may be the biggest killer in... Read More

08/06/2018
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How To Paint Animals: Painting By Numbers Tips & Tricks

Painting animals is about capturing life. Inquisitive eyes, glossy fur, swishing tails; it can all be captured beautifully in paint if you know how, especially with a little numerical help. If you’re struggling to learn how to paint animals then painting by numbers is the friend you never knew you had, and we’re here to help you get started.Let’s start by first dispelling three common myths about painting by numbers: It’s for kids – Absolutely not. Painting by numbers kits do exist for kids, but there’s a huge range of... Read More

07/06/2018
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The Humble DIY Thank You Card for dad on Father’s Day

Sending or giving a card on Father’s Day will light up their face with a smile. A day to appreciate the main man in your life, your dad, daddy, step dad, uncle, father, pop, pappy, papa, grandad, grandfather. So, this is a thank you to our fathers in whatever form they come in, all wrapped up in a humble thank you card. My Traditions Father’s Day to me gives me flash backs to my childhood. It is me and my siblings making a terrible breakfast of cold burnt toast and... Read More

31/05/2018
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Creative Tutors Wanted at the Creative Hub: Hello, Is it You we’re looking for?

We are currently looking for tutors to help us increase our Crafty Arts family at our Creative Hub. This is a flexible role and will be perfect for someone looking for a part time creative position. Here at Crafty Arts Creative Hub we already run workshops for Adults and children. These include adult arts and craft lessons. Our ever-expanding children’s classes are teaching home education art lessons, after school clubs, craft clubs, parties and workshops. We need you to help run these groups and hopefully add others to it. We... Read More

17/05/2018
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I ordered Letraset ProMarker pens but have been sent Winsor and Newton: What’s The Difference?

What happens when you order one thing, like the Letraset ProMarker pens but you get sent Winsor and Newton ProMarkers instead? Don’t worry, you have been sent the correct pens. Winsor and Newton have bought Letraset, so they are now one and the same. ProMarker pens are now branded with the Winsor and Newton name, but ProMarker’s unparalleled quality, 148 colour-range and colour-coding system will all stay the same. Illustrators, artists, card makers and beginners all love ProMarker for their bend ability. Image Source: Winsor and Newton      ... Read More

10/05/2018

Painting on wood: Primer, Sealer or do I use both?

Oil, acrylic and mixed media paints can all be painted onto wood. But you must make sure you prepare your surface before you begin. Preparation does take a bit of patience but if you don’t prepare the oils and acids of your paint can seep into the wood and destroy it.   Preparing to paint on wood   I started to look into painting on wood because we are running a Pebeo workshop.  This time we are painting/ filling, wooden trays with an oil based paint. The whole tray needs to... Read More

03/05/2018

How to make your own DIY SLIME: The Craze That Keeps on Oozing

Slime is a craze that is clearly not going away, so here are some steps of how to make your own slime. Last year we sold out of PVA glue twice and all because of slime. So we thought we would offer up a simple recipe  of how to make your own slime that doesn’t include borax powders. Borax is hard to buy over here because it can be harmful to your little ones so please don’t use recipes that include borax powders.   Slime   So last year we... Read More

19/04/2018

Enjoying the Spring, the Light and the artist Vincent Van Gogh

Today we going to talk about Spring, the Light and the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Spring is always a long-awaited season. Especially in this country when our dark winters last right up until the summer. We are grateful for every patch of sunlight. Every day it doesn’t rain or isn’t blustery and cold. We look forward to the mornings when we can wake up and spring light pours through our windows. When work finishes and we are greeted by a warm sun in the sky rather than pitch black of night.... Read More

12/04/2018
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4 Easy DIY Garden Party Decorations To Make This Summer

Great garden party decorations have the power to transform your outdoor space into an utterly enchanting party grotto. Once you’ve picked a theme you can adorn every tree, table and fence post with bright, exciting decorations to create a welcoming summer paradise for you and your guests to enjoy. On a bit of a budget? No problem; DIY garden party decorations are the answer you’ve been looking for. Using just a few basic items you can create gorgeous garden adornments in no time. Here’s a few of our favourite DIY... Read More

04/04/2018
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How to make Dual Glitter Carrots for Easter using Fimo polymer clay

Fimo is a great crafting medium especially for creating hanging Easter decorations as it is easy to shape. Cooks and hardens in no time but best of all you can use them time and time again. Difficulty: Easy – Medium just due to how fiddly it can be Time: I made two in 15 minutes FIMO: Orange (Mandarine 42) green (apple 50) Glitter gold (112) String Paperclips Blade or cutting tool A clean surface to work on     Wash your hands and clean the surface you will be working... Read More

29/03/2018

5 Fun Rock Painting Ideas To Brighten Up Your Garden

Craft rocks! And quite literally, in this case. Rock painting is a fun and easy craft to get stuck into now the spring has arrived, and painted rocks are great for brightening up the garden. It’s also one of the most affordable crafts, as all you need is some paint brushes and paints. And the rocks? Well, you can find those anywhere! If that’s not a great excuse for a spring trip to the beach or a walk through the woods then we don’t know what is. Rock Painting: What... Read More

22/03/2018
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Wedding Invites Part 1- Inspiration and How to plan

So currently we are working on our invites, it is all very exciting. Here is a guide of how to plan wedding your invites. It has been so fun designing them but making them that is a different story. My invites are fairly complicated, 3D with assembly parts and bits that go inside. We have an entire year to make them so they can be as flamboyant as we like. They will probably cost us a fortune in time but not so much in materials. This is the beauty of being... Read More

15/03/2018
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How to make your very own Easter Decoration: Bunny Pom Pom Bunting

 A quick and easy Easter decoration made with Bunny  pom pom tails. Here is how you make a DIY Easter Garland. Easter is definitely a time to get the bunting out and what could be cuter then some pom pom bunny garlands to adorn your fireplace or window. As this is going in your home you can choose the colours to reflect your home decor or you can just go crazy with it. I really enjoyed making this, there is something about all these pretty colours and patterns that appeals... Read More

08/03/2018
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A deeper look into Mothering Sunday and What it Means to Me

I feel like there are 3 parts to Mothers Day   The love I have for my mother. The love that I have for my children as a mother. Then the strong women in my life who are like mothers to me. We tend to use the day to celebrate, give thanks to the women in our lives. For all they do and have done for us over the years. The word Mother is a powerful word in every walk of life, there is nothing quite like your mum. I... Read More

06/03/2018
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The Crafty Arts Ultimate ‘How-To’ Easter Crafts Guide

Besides the chocolate, Easter crafts have got to be the absolute best thing about Easter. It’s the perfect opportunity to whip out your craft kits and create the cutest DIY easter decorations, gifts and cards to help you celebrate this special holiday. Here at Crafty Arts we love a good Easter craft session, so we’ve created this bumper how-to guide with some of our absolute favourite Easter craft tutorials. Let’s get started: How to Make An Easter Bunny Wreath   If you want to make something unique this Easter, it... Read More

05/03/2018
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How to create your very own D.I.Y Letter Signage in 4 different ways

How to make your own Letter Sign     Here is a short How to Video   One of the biggest trends on Pinterest and the crafting websites is signs and lettering. Now you can buy these premade at sometimes extortionate rate or can be a bit crafty and thrifty and Do It Yourself. Now all of these are pretty easy and you should be able to make yours in just one sitting. I have a real love for fonts and lettering, especially mine and HTB’s (Husband To Be) initials,... Read More