Creating clay animals is so much fun and makes a perfect hobby or training exercise for budding artists. You can use clay to make any animal or object you can think of or imagine, but this article focuses on a clay cat.
Steps.
1. Gather clay, tools, and some big black beads. Get the clay colors that speak to you when you envision the cat. Good choices might be brown, black, pink, red, and yellow clay. You will add interest by creating details with tools such as forks, plastic knives, garlic pressers, whatever your imagination brings forward. The varied textures and colors will make your creature eye-catching.
2. Start by rolling out a big piece of brown clay and forming it. This will be the body. Roll the brown clay in a big ball. Then squeeze the top sides a little to create an egg-shaped body.
To add more detail to the belly, flatten a piece of pink clay into an egg shape, a bit smaller than the body. Then stick it on body for the stomach.
3. Roll a ball of brown clay for the head. Use something to keep it in place, such as a toothpick, when you stick it on top of the body.
4. Make cheeks by flattening two small balls. Put them next to each other on the bottom of the head (not all the way at the bottom). Add a very small ball under the cheeks in the middle.
5. Add the nose on top of the cheeks in the middle.
6. Add eyes using the black beads. You don't really need to make a mouth though because the snout forms the mouth.
7. Make small triangular-shaped ears and poke a small hole in them (not all the way through). Put some pink clay inside the holes and stick the ears on top of the head.
8. Drag a toothpick on the sides of the snout to make whiskers. You can also stick in string to make whiskers.
9. Make front legs. Bend a little at the front to make paws. Add claws by pushing a line down on each paw with a toothpick three times. Stick them on the front of the clay cat.
Do the same method with the legs, but stick them in the back.
Add pads on the arms and legs to add more detail, but you don't have to if you don't want to.
10. Add a tail on the back at the bottom.
11. Finished.
Question : I need more information, can someone help me?
Answer : Knows about Knitting Stitches, Crochet, Flower Arranging and Floral Art, and more. There are several types of clay available in craft stores. Sculpy clay needs to be baked to harden. Crayola air-dry clay comes in white that can be painted after shaping and drying. It does come in different colors, but does not come as a small multi-pack of different colors. Read the packaging for tips on how to use the clay.
Question : How do I make a clay mouse?
Answer : Make a ball, then cut it in half and add a tail and ears.
In Portland, you can put a bird on something and just call it art. If nothing has birds on it, you know what you can do? Put birds on things. Spruce it up. Make it pretty.
Steps.
1. Put a bird on a teapot. Draw a bird on a piece of paper. Cut out the little bird carefully. Save that little bird for later, so you can put it on something. The remaining paper, with the outline of a bird, is your stencil. Hold it up to a teapot and paint over it. Carefully peel the stencil away and allow the freshly painted bird to dry.
2. Put a bird on a tote bag. Draw a bird on felt and cut it out. If you are a hipster, cut the bird out of a piece of fabric that would otherwise have been thrown away (check local dumpsters). Attach the bird to a plain tote bag with fabric glue, or sew it. Did you see the bag before? Probably not. Now there's a bird! It's flying. It's free.
3. Put a bird on a card. Take the paper bird that you cut out earlier and glue or tape it to the front of a card. It's so pretty. Fantastic.
4. Put a bird on toast. Before serving toast, leave it in the toaster until it's nice and brown, then scrape away at the edges to leave the shape of a bird.
5. Sew a bird right onto a pillow. Get a thick thread in a color that contrasts the pillow. Draw a the faint outline of a bird with tailor's chalk. Sew along the line until you have a bird. Don't miss a spot.
6. Paint a bird on a bird. You can put a bird on anything, even birds. If you have a bird figure, paint a little bird design on it. Don't blow on things, though. You might get dust in someone's eyes.
Warnings.
If an actual bird enters your home or the building you're in, avoid it at all cost. You don't know where it's been. Hold up any item to defend yourself, or throw it if you must. Get the bird out as soon as possible.
Bird houses can be as plain or as ornate as houses for people, but, as a subject for an art work, they are a lot less intimidating. While we enjoy seeing and thinking about homes for birds, we might live where it is impractical to install an actual bird house. The solution is to paint a picture of bird houses. Because of its simplicity, this project is virtually fail proof, even for a non-artist. So, go ahead, tackle architecture, but begin on a bird's scale.
Steps.
1. Cut a rectangle of 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper and draw a pencil line 2" (5cm) up from the bottom edge to create a base for the houses to stand on. Later, you can paint this to represent a limb of a tree or a platform.
2. Draw a simple house starting with a square 3½ in (10cm) on a side, in pencil to represent the body of the house. To construct a slanted roof, the center point (1¾", 5cm) and draw a line upward a few inches. Close the roof by dropping two lines from the center point to each side of the house.
3. Alternatively, trace a miniature wooden birdhouse purchased from the craft or discount store. Simply place the house on your paper, back down and draw around it in pencil.
4. Repeat drawing houses until you have four in a row. Allow a slight space between them. Arrange them according to your taste, varying sizes and shapes.
5. Add details to each house such as entry holes for the birds, a picket fence, shingles, siding, or anything you wish. Go to the internet to look for ideas.
6. Embellish the houses with vines, flowers, leafs, beds, berries, tree branches, etc. Use the vines as a device to intertwine and connect the houses and it will lead the viewer's eye through the composition.
7. Put a bird or two in the picture. Draw one from your imagination or go online for pictures of birds. Put them standing still or in motion, flying into the picture.
8. Prepare your watercolors by adding water to each pad if you are using pan paints. If you are using tube paints, set up your palette with primary, secondary and neutral colors. Remember to leave the center part of the palette open for mixing colors.
9. Set out brushes, a ½" (1cm) flat for big areas, and some pointed ones in various sizes.
10. Begin painting by pulling a color for the body of the house, diluting it with clear water and making a puddle large enough to cover the area you wish to fill.
Repeat the process with a different color for each house.
Paint the houses, the area beneath the houses, and the sky.
Allow the paper to dry before attempting to paint over it or the colors will run into one another. Use a hairdryer to hasten the process, if desired.
11. When dry, paint the greenery, flowers, birds, sun and any other touches you can think of.
How to Make a Tweeting Bird in a Cage from Plastic Straws.
Tips.Try a technique called negative painting for a white object, such as a picket fence or a daisy. You simply paint around the object, keeping the white paper as your white color. Use a small, pointed brush and dip from the puddle on your palette that is the color the flower or fence is standing against.
Dry the paint before attempting to add a new layer.
If tiny hairs get in the paint from the brush, allow the area to dry and brush the hairs away. If you try to pick them off with your fingers, you will mar your wash and leave finger marks.
How to Make a Tweeting Bird in a Cage from Plastic Straws.
This delightful and very clever straw art depicts a tweeting bird in a cage. You can make it in any color, and if you make it in blue, you could even use it for a Twitter icon!
The tweeting bird and the cage are both made from straws and they make ideal decorative items for cakes, drinks, a flowerpot gift, or as a child's plaything. Get your straws ready, get set, get creative!
Part 1 Making the tweeting bird.
1. Follow the cutting lines shown on the figure below for this step. Cut a wing-part from the straw. Note that it's divided into two sections by the concertina part of the straw. The wing section is shorter than the backbone.
2. Use the short wing piece for this step.
Cut open the short wing piece as shown.
3. Using your fingers, press out the cut wing piece.
Then, fold the wing piece in half, as shown.
4. Cut out symmetrical wings on both sides of the fold. Make sure to keep the wings connected at the middle.
5. Cut small slits around the bottom edge to make the feathery tips. It is helpful to enlarge this picture to see the extent of the feathering required.
6. Take the other half of the straw. In this part, you will be shaping the tail and the backbone. Refer back to the diagram in step 1 for the correct cutting points.
Press down on the straw on either side of the concertina part of the straw. Don't flatten the concertina part itself, however.
Leaving a little even space on each side of the folded line, start cutting down the backbone piece of the straw following alongside the folded edge, as shown.
Continue cutting this piece until you reach the concertina portion of the straw.
7. Take hold of the remaining uncut portion and cut it in half by cutting down the other folded line. This will divide the remaining piece exactly in half.
As before, continue cutting down the folded line until you reach the concertina part of the straw.
8. Arrange the pieces. The piece that is still folded is the backbone and tail. See the image, the fatter piece is still folded and is the piece that was cut alongside the folded line, not on it.
9. Form the bird's neck. Take the concertina part of the straw and bend it into what looks like a bird's neck shape.
Sideways viewTry to approximate how it appears here.
10. Form the bird's beak. Turn the straw around to the shorter end above the concertina part. Return to the figure set out in step 1 and follow the exact cutting points outlined there.
Pull the cut piece away to reveal the beak shape.
11. Return to the longer side of the straw below the concertina portion. Take each of the wide pieces and bend them, then wrap them around the backbone piece, as shown. You're about to create a knot at this point. Refer back to previous steps to help you keep track of each piece.
12. Ensure that a loophole has been created and hold the two fat pieces between your fingers, just prior to pulling into a knot.
Pull into shape to create a neat and symmetrical knot. Don't make it too tight as you'll need to loosen it shortly for adding the wings.
The two fat pieces (the legs that will slide into the cage piece) should be facing forward when you are finished, in front of the neck and below the beak.
13. Loosen the knot to create a small space. Slide the wings through this space and ensure that they're sitting evenly. Retighten the knot.
14. Finish up by tidying the short tail. Cut off the long piece so that a short tail remains, as shown by the image.
Feather the tail. As with the wings, make small evenly spaced slits to create a feathered tail look. You can stop here if you want just a bird, or you can proceed to making a cage for it as well, as outlined in Part 2.
Part 2 Making the cage.
1. View the figure provided here to help you understand which parts are created to form the cage.
2. Cut the straw. Following the image provided in step 1 of Part 2, cut the straw into eight equal parts, lengthwise. The cuts should only come as far as the valley fold line indicated on the figure.
3. Fold each of the eight parts. Following the figure, you will need to make both mountain and valley folds, as outlined on the figure.
Valley folds: Pull each of the eight pieces out from the straw (toward you if you're rotating the straw) and bend into position. The valley fold extends from the point where you ended cutting the eight pieces.
Mountain folds: Looking at the diagram in Step 1, Part 2, fold each of the eight pieces that have been folded outward up toward you so that stick up like a mountain.
4. Cut off a small portion of the uncut end of the straw. You are going to be using this piece as a ring to thread over the other part of the straw.
The resulting ring seen apart from the rest of the straw.
5. Place the ring at the top of the eight thin mountain pieces. Make sure each piece is included; this may take some steady handwork.
Thread it to about three quarters of the way down the cut straw pieces, as shown here.
6. Create curls. The curls are designed to prevent the ring piece from slipping off the cage when you push it back up toward the top. Take the ends of each cut piece of straw and roll it over firmly to create a curl shape.
Repeat for each piece until all are curled.
7. Push the ring back up toward the top, sitting just under the curled parts of the cage.
Pull out the valley/mountain folds evenly to form the sides of the cage. Adjust until the entire structure sits together properly and looks like a cage.
Part 3 Combining the two pieces.
1. Gently slide your bird made in Part 1 into the cage. The legs should slide straight into the hollow at the base of the cage.
2. Adjust so that the bird appears to be singing from through the bars of the cage. Enjoy your tweeting bird, or if you made it in blue, your "Twitter bird", in its cage!
Tips.
If you'd like to make your bird appear more realistic, stick on some googly eyes with a tiny drop of glue.
Here is how he'll look with eyes.
Things you'll Need.
2 plastic straws of different colours (the straw used in the pictures measured 6mm, 21cm (0.23", 8.2") Bendy straw.
Scissors.
Googly eyes and glue (optional but very effective).
This project is a fun and easy example of plastic straw art. Plastic straw birds are a unique decoration to add to cocktails, cupcakes, or other little delicacies, and are sure to set a lively mood and garner many compliments from your recipients.
Method 1 Normal Straw Method.
1. Cut the straw. Observe that the straw is divided into two sections by the "bendy" part. One section is longer than the other. Cut the longer section halfway between the end and the bend.
2. Cut the short piece open. Cut it lengthwise, keeping your cut as straight as possible. You may want to trace the cut with a marker before cutting.
3. Flatten the piece. Place the cut piece on a folded towel or hard surface, and flatten it with the edge of a spoon.
4. Fold the piece in half, hamburger-style. See the photo for more help.
5. Cut symmetrical wings on both sides of the fold. Make sure they stay connected in the middle.
6. Cut small slits around the edges of the wings to make the feather tips. Set aside the wings for now.
7. Flatten the other parts of the straw. As you did with the other piece, use the edge of a spoon to flatten the rest of the straw, except for the bend.
8. Cut out the tail. Once the straw has been flattened, position your scissors so that they cut through both layers, just slightly inward from one of the edges created by the fold. Cut all the way up to the bend. This will be the "tail" of the bird.
9. Cut the legs. On the portion of the straw you just cut, position your scissors so that they cut exactly along the other fold, stopping at the bend. You should end up with three pieces on this portion of the straw - two thick "legs" and one slim "tail."
10. Bend the legs and tail outward. They should resemble the legs of a tripod.
11. Position the bend in the straw so that it resembles the neck of a bird.
12. Make two cuts just above the bend of the straw, angled toward the center. You should end up with what looks like the bill of a bird.
13. Wrap the legs around the tail. Position the straw so that the tail is on top and pointing back toward you. Grab one of the legs, and fold it under the tail. Then, take the end of that leg and pull it over the tail and through the loop you created. Don't pull it tight just yet, though; repeat the same process with the other leg.
14. Tighten both legs at the same time. Once both of the legs are in position, tighten them slowly and symmetrically so that they make a knot where the tail meets the bend.
15. Make sure the legs point downward. They should be at a 90-degree angle from the tail.
16. Push the tail toward the bend to loosen it a bit, and slip the wings through the opening.
17. Tighten the tail into place again.
18. Make small feather cuts in the tail. Flatten it with the edge of a spoon for better effect.
19. Display the bird on a glass by putting the rim between the two legs.
Method 2 Long Straw Method.
This method is the same basic steps as the one above, however the images show what the bird would look like with the use of a long straw.
1. Cut the straw. Observe that the straw is divided into two sections by the "bendy" part. One section is longer than the other. Cut the longer section halfway between the end and the bend.
2. Cut the short piece open. Cut it lengthwise, keeping your cut as straight as possible. You may want to trace the cut with a marker before cutting.
3. Flatten the piece. Place the cut piece on a folded towel or hard surface, and flatten it with the edge of a spoon.
4. Fold the piece in half, hamburger-style. See the photo for more help.
5. Cut symmetrical wings on both sides of the fold. Make sure they stay connected in the middle.
6. Cut small slits around the edges of the wings to make the feather tips. Set aside the wings for now.
7. Flatten the other parts of the straw. As you did with the other piece, use the edge of a spoon to flatten the rest of the straw, except for the bend.
8. Cut out the tail. Once the straw has been flattened, position your scissors so that they cut through both layers, just slightly inward from one of the edges created by the fold. Cut all the way up to the bend. This will be the "tail" of the bird.
9. Cut the legs. On the portion of the straw you just cut, position your scissors so that they cut exactly along the other fold, stopping at the bend. You should end up with three pieces on this portion of the straw - two thick "legs" and one slim "tail."
10. Bend the legs and tail outward. They should resemble the legs of a tripod.
11. Position the bend in the straw so that it resembles the neck of a bird.
12. Make two cuts just above the bend of the straw, angled toward the center. You should end up with what looks like the bill of a bird.
13. Wrap the legs around the tail. Position the straw so that the tail is on top and pointing back toward you. Grab one of the legs, and fold it under the tail. Then, take the end of that leg and pull it over the tail and through the loop you created. Don't pull it tight just yet, though; repeat the same process with the other leg.
14. Tighten both legs at the same time. Once both of the legs are in position, tighten them slowly and symmetrically so that they make a knot where the tail meets the bend.
15. Make sure the legs point downward. They should be at a 90-degree angle from the tail.
16. Push the tail toward the bend to loosen it a bit, and slip the wings through the opening.
17. Tighten the tail into place again.
18. Make small feather cuts in the tail. Flatten it with the edge of a spoon for better effect.
19. Display the bird on a glass by putting the rim between the two legs.
Question : I have to make this of 12 inches. How should I do so?
Answerer : the largest diameter straw is the one for frozen ice cream drinks or for bubble tea. Because of their usage, there is a limit to the length and diameter of the straw. Their availability in stores may be seasonal, so the online option may be your only choice. Follow the article instructions to construct the bird.
Tips.
Illustration. Click to enlarge.This is easier than making a straw shrimp. Think of this as being on the "easy" level. When you are ready for something more intermediate, do the straw shrimp.
Try not to cut your fingers.
Wash your hands before starting.
Things You'll Need : 1 plastic flex straw, Pair of scissors, Spoon, Towel.
A bird's nest makes a wonderful mantelpiece decoration, and can make use of almost anything you find along a nature hike, or in your front yard. Wild birds usually prefer to make their own nests, but you can lure many species to your yard by leaving the right materials outside, or building a nesting box.
Method 1 Building a Decorative Nest.
1. Find long, flexible plant stems. These will form the main shape of the nest, and are much easier to work with than hard, short twigs. You can use straw, long grass, vines, willow fronds, bendy reeds, or seagrass found outdoors or at a garden supply store. Raffia is another good option, obtainable from a craft supply store.
If Mexican feather grass grows in your area, grab a clump of it and pull your hand upward to remove a handful of hairy seeds clinging together. Once you have enough seeds, clump them into a ball and make a nest shape by sticking your thumb into it.
2. Bend the stems into a loop. Grab a thick handful of the stems, and bend them into a U shape, adding more stems if necessary to form a full circle. Tie it in place using a piece of string or florist wire. If the plant stems have many little leaves, or if they're wiry and dry, you can even weave them together without using any attachment.
If tying the nest together is too hard, you can clip them temporarily in place while waiting for glue to dry. Don't use glue if you plan to keep the nest outdoors.
If your fresh-cut plants won't stay in position, try hanging up the bundle in a windy area to dry for 24 hours. Some plant stems are easier to bend when fresh, but grasses and straw benefit from drying.
3. Shape the rest of the nest. Grab a second, smaller handful of stems and shape it into a smaller loop. Wedge this inside the larger loop and push it downward to form the base of the loop. Depending on how well the stems fit together and how sturdy you want the nest to be, you may need to use a thread or glue to fasten the two loops together.
4. Decorate with scavenged materials. Real birds sometimes spend days collecting bits and pieces to build a nest. Hopefully you're a little faster, but you can still have fun gathering objects from nature or your craft boxes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you plan to leave the nest outside, only use materials found outdoors, and nothing that could hurt an animal.
Feathers and pieces of eggshell fit the theme. Be aware that collecting most wild feathers is illegal in the United States, but they are mostly harmless from a disease perspective.
Look for twigs, leaves, bark, and moss in interesting shapes and colors.
If the nest is for indoor decoration, you can use bits of string, colored paper shreds, and confetti.
5. Place eggs inside (optional). Finish your art project by placing eggs or fake eggs inside the nest. You can quickly add marbles or colorful pebbles, or hollow out real eggs, decorate them, or even carve them if you have the right tools.
Things You'll Need.
Any long, flexible bundle of stems, grass, or straw, String, florist's wire, or glue (recommended unless stems interweave easily).
Moss, bark, twigs, or other decorative materials, Eggs and egg-blowing materials (optional), Marbles, pebbles, or other "fake eggs" (optional).
Method 2 Attracting Wild Birds to Nearby Nests.
1. Look up the nesting habits of local birds. Find a local wildlife guide at a library or bookstore, or search online for information on local birds. Choose one or more species you want to attract, and look up their nesting habits to discover what shape and style of nest will be most effective.
If you live in North America, NestWatch is an excellent resource for nesting information, and one you can expand with your own data.
2. Leave nesting material in your yard. This is an easy way to attract birds, and might be worth it even if you end up building a full nest as well. If you managed to find specific nesting information, you'll know what materials to leave, but you can't go wrong with a few items from the following list, left in visible locations:
Rigid twigs (for platform nest species) and flexible ones (for cup nest species).
Yard clippings such as dry grass and straw, bits of bark and moss, dead leaves, etc.
Human or animal hair or fur (no longer than 6 inches / 15 centimeters).
Yarn or string.
Mud, spiderwebs, and/or caterpillar cocoons to help birds bind nesting materials together.
Never leave out materials that have come into contact with harsh chemicals, including dye, pesticides, or anti-flea treatments. Dryer lint and clothing rags are not recommended.
3. Provide a variety of plants. If you want to attract birds that make nests in existing holes, leave dead tree stumps and fallen logs in the yard. Living trees and bushes will attract more visible nests from other species, especially if the plants are native to your area. For best results, plant a "staircase" of grass or moss, flowering perennials, shrubs, and trees.
4. Build a nesting box. If there aren't obvious crevices or hollows in your yard, building a nesting box or birdhouse is a simple carpentry project. Make sure the birdhouse is constructed to match the size of the birds you want to attract, or the size of the birds you see flying near your home.
For a higher chance of success, follow birdhouse building instructions specific to common North American species.
Clean out the birdhouse regularly whenever birds are not nesting.
5. Make a bird's nest. Many birds prefer to make their own nest rather than move in to a ready-made one. Lining natural hollows with the nesting materials listed above may give a bird an attractive head start. If you want to make a different type of nest, such as a cup or platform nest, it's best to follow the specific habits of the bird species you want to attract. Each species tends to prefer certain materials.
Placement of the nest is also important. Many bird species hide their nest amidst thick branches, but some prefer more open branches, bushes, or open patches of ground. Look for more information on NestWatch, through online searches, or in a local bird nest identification guide.
Things You'll Need.
Any yard clippings, especially twigs and grasses, String or yarn, Mud, spiderwebs, or caterpillar cocoons.
Human hair or animal fur, Small amount of lumber and nails (to build a nesting box, if hollow logs not available).
Question : Where do you get all the supplies?
Answer : You can find the necessary items on the ground in a park or wooded area, perhaps even your back yard!
Question : How do I make the nest big?
Answer : You can use longer sticks that are pliable enough to bend. Just make sure not to break them.
Question : What if I live in the city?
Answer : If you live in the city and want to attract birds, put up bird feeders. Birds love cracked corn, nyjer seeds, black oil seeds, fruits, and millet. Just make sure to take measures to keep the squirrels out.
Question : Am I allowed to take care of a wild baby bird if its mother is away and it's storming outside?
Answer : No. Leave the baby bird alone. Its mother will come back for it. Wild animals can take care of each other and themselves, they very rarely need our help. The bird will be fine in the storm.
Question : How do I make a bottled nest box?
Answer : Just take a milk bottle (not glass) and make an opening in the body of the box. Then take a rope and make holes at the top and tie the rope to the holes. Make sure you make it tight.
Question : Can I hatch the eggs myself?
Answer : If it is a wild bird egg do not touch it. In the USA it is illegal to take care of wild birds.
Question : Can I look at the eggs when they have been laid?
Answer : You can take a peek, as long as the mother bird is not nearby. Make sure you don't touch the eggs, as you will leave a scent behind that the mother bird can detect.
Question : Are most bird nests made of straw, twigs, and mud?
Answer : Yes, that is what a typical bird nest is made of.
Question : What can I do about wild animals that eat the eggs?
Answer : It depends on the animal. For squirrels, you can't really do anything, but for other birds you can find a better spot to put the nesting box. You shouldn't worry too much, because the mother bird will protect it's young with her life.
Question : Can I make a bird nest from leftover grass from a lawn mower?
Answer : Lawn clippings are probably too short to make a decent nest. Maybe if you collect it and dry it out you can use a few pieces to line the nest.
Tips.
For a quick and easy nest, shred or cut a paper bag into thin strips. Line a bowl with a paper towel, arrange the strips over them, then glue the paper bag strips together and let dry into a nest shape.
It’s fine to take a look at the eggs, but be careful, because smart animals like coyotes can follow you to the nest. If you have no predators in the area, taking a look at the eggs will leave a scent, but birds don’t have a sense of smell.
Warnings.
If a wild bird moves in to your nest, don't disturb it or the surrounding area. Watch the nest from somewhere the bird can't see you, or you may scare the bird away or attract predators to the nest.
A balloon pet can be made in various ways, each making use of the balloon shape and then being decorated as you please. In each case, these little "companions" aren't meant to last long; they're just a fun toy or decoration for a short time.
Method 1 Blown up balloon pets.
1. Make a balloon pet using a blown-up balloon. There are lots of possibilities here, so this section will provide a few suggestions and you can experiment with your own as well.
2. Make a balloon dog. Choose a balloon in the color you'd like the dog to be, such as brown, white, black, grey or any other color.
Blow up the balloon with helium gas. Tie it into a knot, to keep the gas in place.
Draw floppy ear shapes onto two pieces of card. Color in (if needed), then cut these out. Attach using glue to each side of the balloon, at the non-knotted end.
Draw the face directly onto the balloon. Draw a kidney shape facing downward for the snout and draw a circle in the middle for the dog's nose. Draw large eyes above the snout and blacken them in.
Tie a string on the base. The dog balloon can now be played with or used as a party decoration.
3. Make a balloon fish. Choose an orange or yellow balloon for making the fish.
Blow up the balloon. You can use air or helium gas, whichever is easiest. Tie a knot in it, to keep the air in place.
Draw two fin shapes on orange or yellow card. Cut these out. Attach them with glue to the sides of the balloon, with the back of the fins facing toward the knotted end of the balloon.
Cut out a tail fin from the orange or yellow card. Glue over the knotted area of the balloon.
Stick on two large eyes made from card. Or, simply draw these on with markers.
The fish balloon is now ready for play or to be placed out as a decoration for a party.
4. Make a balloon puppy. This is a fun one for the kids to drag around with them, and is easier if you only have air rather than helium for filling the balloons.
Blow up the balloon. Tie a knot in it, to keep the air in place. (Air is best as it allows the balloon puppy to hover around the kid's feet as it is being walked.)
At the knot end of the balloon, create the dog's face. Draw a round nose just above the knot and blacken it in. Draw a smiling mouth (two semi circle arcs either side of the knot). Draw whisker dots above each smile arc (about four is sufficient).
Either attach floppy ears made from card, or draw them on the dog. They look more effective if made from card though.
Cut out a length of string or cord. Tie onto the balloon knot. This becomes the puppy's leash.
Allow the kids to take the balloon puppy for a walk.
Method 2 Water balloon pet.
1. Fill a water balloon with water.
2. Tie off the balloon to keep the water intact.
3. Decorate the balloon.
Draw a face on it. Use markers. If you want to stick on googly eyes, do so.
Stick on hair if wished. You can use strands of yarn stuck on with craft glue. If you would like a bow in the hair, cut one from paper and glue on.
Draw on any clothing or accessory features, if relevant. For example, a tie, or necklace.
4. Finished. The water balloon pet can be played with for a while.
Method 3 Balloon stress relief pet.
1. Make a stress relief pet that will last a little longer than the other projects suggested in this article. This "pet" can be held in the palm of the hands and squeezed to reduce tension and exercise the hand muscles.
2. Choose a balloon color. Any color is fine, these "pets" can be all colors of the rainbow.
3. Stretch the open end of the balloon a bit. Stretch it back and forth to make the opening a little looser. This will help placing the filling inside.
4. Funnel in the filling for the balloon. This can be either sand or play dough, depending on your preference. Kids tend to like the play dough because it can be shaped into all sorts of funny configurations that keep their shape after molding.
5. Knot the balloon. Ensure that the sand or play dough do not come into the neck area of the balloon; if you have overfilled it, remove some of the filling, to allow you to tie a knot in the balloon.
6. Decorate the balloon pet. Draw eyes, a smile, a nose, freckles, etc. It's fun to let the kids do this for themselves, as they can style the face in their own way.
7. Add hair. This step is optional but can make the pet look funnier. Add small spikes of yarn to the knot end of the balloon; glue to attach. Keep these pieces short, so that they stand up.
8. Done. The balloon pet is now ready for play or stress relief.
Method 4 Balloon animal from balloon art.
1. Make a balloon pet using balloon art twisting techniques. There are many different animal shapes that you can make using this technique, allowing you to have a whole menagerie of balloon pets if wished.
Question : Mine is ugly. How do I make it pretty?
Answer : Experimenting with different faces and designs can help you to make this craft your own. If you're not happy with how it looks the first time, try making it again in a different color or with a different face. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Tips.
Dispose of used balloons thoughtfully. They should be encased inside your normal trash, so that animals cannot find the balloon remains and eat them. Balloons inside animals can kill if they get wrapped around internal organs or cause blockages.
Things You'll Need : Balloons, Markers, Decorative elements, Scissors and glue, Card, String or cord, Sand or play dough as filling.
Paper butterflies are not only dainty and chic, they're also fun to make. Try your hand at origami to create one or, if you're more of a crafting beginner, fold a simpler version with pretty pleats. When you're finished, use your butterflies as decor or give them to friends and family as gifts.
Method 1 Folding an Origami Butterfly.
1. Fold the paper in half, then open it and fold it in half the other way. Make sure to crease both of the folds. Line up the edges when you’re folding to ensure the crease is directly in the center.
If your paper is the same color or pattern on both sides, it doesn’t matter which side you start on. However, if one side is white, or the “backside,” begin with that side facing up.
Choosing the Perfect Paper for Your Butterfly
If you're a beginner, choose oversized origami paper. Bigger sheets are easier to work with.
For easy folding, use origami paper, because it is thinner than regular paper.
If you want to add visual interest, opt for textured paper like linen or felt cardstock.
For a dramatic accent, pick foil paper in a shimmery metallic.
2. Fold the paper in half diagonally, open it, and fold on the other diagonal. Bring 2 opposite corners together to create the folds. Press down firmly to create defined creases. Repeat on both diagonals. Open the paper to lie flat after you fold it.
Your 4 folds should intersect in the exact center of the paper.
3. Bring the right and left creases together, creating a triangle. With the paper laying flat in front of you, press the right horizontal crease to the left one. As you do this, the paper should collapse onto itself in a triangle shape along the diagonal creases you made.
Press down on the triangle to crease the paper once it’s collapsed.
If the paper isn’t folding properly, go back over your original creases again. If they aren’t defined enough, the paper will have trouble falling into the shape.
4. Fold the 2 top corners into the center. When you created the triangle shape, it made 2 layers. Grab the corners on the top layer and line up their edges with the crease in the middle of the triangle.
Try to align the corners with the crease perfectly so they aren’t overlapping or so there isn’t a large gap between the edges in the center.
5. Flip the triangle over and fold the bottom up, leaving a small tip showing. You aren’t folding it completely half. Instead you’re folding it about 1/3 up from the base of the triangle. Hold the fold in place gently with your hand.
Don’t crease the fold.
6. Bend the top layer of the tip over the base. There are 2 layers at the tip of the triangle. Peel the top 1 forward, folding it over the wide triangle bottom you’re currently holding in place. The tip will be the head of the butterfly.
Crease the fold that you make with the tip. This will help secure the body of the butterfly in place and prevent it from unraveling.
7. Pull down the pieces from the bottom layer to create the lower wings. With the top layer folded over, bring the bottom layer of the tip in the opposite direction. The points of the 2 triangular pieces should be facing down, away from the folded head.
It may help to hold the folded tip with your thumb while you pull the other pieces down so that the butterfly doesn’t come apart.
Re-crease the folded tip after you arrange the bottom pieces if necessary.
Trim the edges of the wings if you want a smaller butterfly.
Method 2 Making a Pleated Paper Butterfly.
1. Fold the square piece of paper in half, creasing it. Line up the edges of the paper when you fold it to make sure you’re creating a line directly down the middle. Press firmly with your fingernail to form the crease.
Use any type of paper you’d like, whether it’s origami paper, colorful cardstock, or even pretty gift wrap.
The size of your paper doesn’t matter, as long as it’s square. If you have a rectangular piece, simply trim it down so all of the edges are the same length.
2. Unfold the paper and cut along the crease line. Use your scissors to cut the piece of paper in half. The groove of the crease should help guide your scissors in a straight line through the paper.
Make sure your scissors are sharp so they don’t tear or crinkle the paper.
If you have trouble cutting in a line, hold your scissors against a straight edge, like a ruler, while you cut.
3. Make accordion folds with one of the pieces of the paper. Fold a small piece lengthwise, then flip the paper over to fold it back onto itself. Continue flipping the paper from side to side as you fold along the entire length of the paper. Think of this motion as similar to making a pleat or a fan.
You can make the folds as thick or as thin as you'd like.
Keep the folds all the same thickness, no matter what size you choose.
4. Take the other piece of paper you cut and fold it in half lengthwise. Place the 2 longer edges on top of each other. Then create a crease by pressing down along the fold.
Try to make the crease as straight and even as possible so it splits the paper directly in half.
5. Open it up and fold the 4 corners in toward the center crease line. Line up the edges straight along the crease. Your paper will now be in the shape of a hexagon, with 2 pointed ends formed by the folded corners.
Leave the corners folded. If they won’t stay in place, use a piece of double-sided tape or a little bit of glue under the flap.
6. Flip the paper over and make accordion folds on each side of the crease. Fold one half the paper in towards the center. Then repeat on the other side. This will be the top half of the butterfly’s wings.
Make the folds as large or as small as you’d like, depending on the size of your paper.
7. Bend both pieces of pleated paper in half. Press the pleats together and hold the paper between your thumb and forefinger. Carefully fold one end onto the other, creasing it firmly.[14]
The paper won’t stay folded, but that’s okay. You just want to make a crease, so the paper is in a V-shape.
8. Place 1 piece above the other and tie them together at the center. Arrange the 2 pieces so that they form a butterfly shape. Pinch them together while you tie string or cord around both pieces.[15]
To secure the 2 pieces together better, you can add a dab of craft glue or hot glue in the middle.
Having a friend hold the pieces together while you tie the string makes it easier to get a tight knot.
You can also use ribbon or a pipe cleaner instead of string.
9. Pull out the pleats to open up the wings. Scrunched-up folds don’t exactly resemble a beautiful butterfly. Gently pull the pleats apart so that the 2 pieces of paper look like 1 large wing on each side instead of 2 disjointed ones.[16]
Be careful not to rip the paper when you’re arranging the pleats.
Fun Ways to Use Your Butterflies
Hang them on a string or ribbon to drape as a whimsical garland in your room.
Glue the butterflies to a piece of paper or a canvas as 3D art.
Give them as gifts around the holidays.
Place them on a bookshelf or coffee table as decor.
Selecting the proper Christmas cards to send out to friends and family can be a hassle, especially when trying to find unusual greeting cards that no one else will send you. This year, gather the supplies and the family, and enjoy making your own with this wonderful reindeer pop-up card. Each card can be decorated differently, depending on who is creating them. Imagine how happy those who receive this delightful handcrafted card will be when they receive it this Christmas!
Steps.
1. Press along the dotted line on the center of the card with the rounded end of a paper clip (or a ballpoint pen that has run out of ink), using a ruler as a guide.
2. Use the same ruler and pen as in the previous step and press along the dotted lines of all the pop-up pieces.
3. Carefully cut out the card following the solid, black lines.
4. Cut out the reindeer pieces just as carefully, following the solid, black lines. Cut with extra care around the antlers––they're tricky.
5. Fold the antler piece with both sides away from you so the center dotted line comes up towards you. Crease well.
6. Gently take hold of the small right tab at the bottom of the antler piece. Fold it up, creasing well. Release the tab and put it back into its original position.
7. Repeat the previous two steps with the left tab. Set the antlers aside.
8. Place the reindeer's head on a flat surface and take hold of the small tab at the top. Fold it against the reindeer's head, creasing well. Release the tab and put it back into its original position.
9. Fold the right side of the reindeer's head over to the left, creasing it well. Return the right side to its original position.
10. Fold the head down towards the body, creasing well. Return the head to its original position
11. Fold the reindeer's body so that both sides fold away from you and the center dotted line comes up towards you. Crease well.
12. Fold up the small right tab at the bottom of the reindeer's body and crease well. Return the tab to its original position. Fold up the left tab, crease and return to its original position.
13. Apply a small amount of glue to the tab at the top of the reindeer's head.
14. Fold the tab up and over to the back of the reindeer's body and press together until the glue dries.
15. Fold the card in half along the center dotted line, creasing well.
16. Turn the antlers over so no dotted lines are visible. Apply a small amount of glue to each tab at the bottom.
17. Turn the antlers back over so the dotted lines are visible. Using the guides on the card, align the antlers and press down into position allowing the glue to dry completely. The antlers should lay perfectly flat on the card.
18. Turn the reindeer's body over so no dotted lines are visible and apply a small amount of glue to each tab at the bottom.
19. Turn the reindeer's body back over so the dotted lines are visible. Using the guides on the card, align the body and press down into position allowing the glue to dry (be patient).
20. Wait until after the glue has dried, and carefully begin to close the card. If the pieces need a little assistance folding back into the card, use your fingers to help.
21. Your pop-up reindeer is ready to decorate. Choose colors that reflect the season. Done. The card is now ready to send.
Tips
Use trimming scissors to trim rounded areas.
Sprinkle or use glitter paint to make your cards sparkle.
Send this card to friends or use it to decorate your own house. You might also consider making an angel pop up card.
The mouse has long been considered a delightful creature for the purposes of portrayal in art and craft. This walnut mouse is cute, easy-to-make and can be used for school fundraising or art projects.
Steps.
1. Trace the base of the walnut half onto cardboard. Draw around it again to make your template.
2. Place the cardboard template on a scrap of fabric. Trace out the fabric following this template, and allow for an additional 1 centimeter (0.4 in). Cut out the shape.
3. To attach the fabric to the base of the mouse:
Spread glue over the cardboard piece. Stick the piece of fabric to it, keeping the 1 centimeter (0.4 in) edge around it.
Snip around this edge of the fabric at regular intervals, making tiny slits.
Glue all of the slits firmly around the cardboard, to create a neat edge. Leave to dry completely.
4. To attach the fabric/cardboard base to walnut mouse body:
Spread the glue around the bottom edge of the walnut.
Gently match the cardboard side to the glue walnut edges, fabric side facing outward. Glue the fabric cardboard base to the walnut, slit edges facing into the walnut.
As you attach the base, be sure to slip in the tail and sandwich it between the cardboard base and one end of the walnut base.
Allow to dry.
5. Create the mouse face. For the face:
Cut out two small triangles from the felt for ears. Fold each triangle in half and glue at the base. Then glue either side of the walnut where you've decided the head is.
Glue the goggle eyes where the eyes should be (below the ears).
Glue on a nose. Either glue a small bead on the tip or roll up a small ball of cotton thread and glue in place.
6. To finish off, tie a tiny bow on the end of the mouse's tail. If this proves too difficult, make a bow and glue it in place.
7. Allow to dry before placing mouse on display. If you like the look of this mouse, make it a companion or two.
Tips.
This is a great craft fair, fete or gala toy to make for elementary age children.
A magnet can be glued to the back of this for an easy fridge magnet.
Warnings.
Not suitable as a toy for children under three or for pets, owing to small pieces.
Nut toys may not be suitable for those with severe nut allergies.
Things You'll Need.
Walnut shells, halved (one half per mouse), Small scraps of fabric, Small scraps of cardboard.
Fibre fill (or use scraps), Small ribbon, Goggle eyes (self adhering or glue on), Felt scraps.
String or ribbon (for tail), Tiny item for nose, such as bead, rolled up cotton, Glue.
Artificial snow comes in handy for craft projects and when putting on a winter-themed event, such as a school play or the senior prom. Here are several methods for making fake snow that can top off art projects or enhance winter-themed events.
Method 1 Simple Fake Snow.
1. Tear up cotton. Take a cotton ball or cotton swab between your fingers and pull to stretch it out into wispy snow. Lay them out as a field of snow in craft projects, or reshape them into balls to make miniature snowmen.
2. Imitate falling snow with laundry soap flakes or instant potato flakes. Make a video of fluffy, falling snow by pouring this in front of the camera.
This also works as fallen snow. To make it more fancy, combine 4 cups (960mL) flakes, 1⅓ cup (320mL) liquid starch, several drops blue food coloring, and glitter.
3. Punch paper holes. Punch small holes from white paper and use the punched circles as snow. This works best when blown in front of a fan.
4. Add fake snow to snow globes. To refill a snow globe, pour in glycerine and small thermocol balls. You may use glitter or small beads instead of the thermocol.
5. Make a sparkly glaze for small craft projects. Mix ¼ cup (60mL) each of table salt and talcum powder. Spray the surface with spray-on craft glue or dab on white glue where you want the "snow" to stick. Sprinkle the sparkly mixture on the wet glue and allow to dry. Turn the project upside down to remove excess "snow."
6. Mix water with flour or baking soda. Start with white flour or baking soda. Add water one small spoonful at a time, mixing it up with a fork. Once you've formed a paste, cover the ground of a small winter scene. You can shape this into snowy hills and slopes with your hands. Sprinkle more flour over the top once finished.
Method 2 Realistic Fake Snow.
1. Combine sodium polyacrylate with water. Cut open a disposable diaper and remove the white granules; these are made from sodium polyacrylate. You can also buy it in powder or granulated form from the soil treatment section of a garden supply store. Powder makes fluffy "snow," while the granules create slushy "snow." Mix in water little by little until you obtain the desired consistency.
This may look more realistic if you put it in the freezer.
If it dries out, just add more water. If you want to keep it dry, reduce the amount of water and add salt.
2. Blend crushed ice and white paint. This melts quickly, so it will only work in a cold room. Pour the crushed ice in a big bowl, then stir in white paint. Add water slowly until the snow reaches the desired consistency.
3. Make salt crystals. With a cup of water and a string, you can grow your own salt crystals. The longer you hang the string in the water, the larger the crystals will be. Arrange these to form clumps of sparkly snow.
4. Paint the surface. You can use paint to make a surface look like it's been covered with snow. Dip an old brush into any type of white paint. Keep your thumb on the bristles, facing toward the surface. Rub the bristles gently to spray the paint onto the surface.
Don't use a nice new brush, since rubbing the bristles will damage them.
Tips.
To make a full winter scene, cover the base of a cardboard box with a flour and water "snow." Shape the snow into hills and valleys. Press a small mirror onto one of the valleys to make a pond, covering the edges with snow. Plant several twigs as trees, put the lid back on, and poke a viewing hole through the side of the box.
Continue tearing up cotton balls and gluing them down to make it look like fake snow and add a 3D effect.
Shrinky Dinks are popular arts-and-crafts plastic sheets that people use to create designs. They saw great popularity with children in the 1980s. Shrinky Dinks are still sold by many major retailers and online commerce sites. You can use them to create colorful art or even jewelry. It’s also possible to make homemade versions of the plastic designs.
Part 1 Creating a Design with Shrinky Dinks.
1. Draw, trace or copy an image onto a Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet. Shrinky Dinks are usually sold as 8-inch by 10-inch plastic sheets.
Use colored pencils, markers, and ink on Shrinky Dinks. Use the colored pencil on the rough side of the sheets, and use Sharpie or permanent marker on the smooth side. Some Shrinky Dinks come pre-cut and with designs already outlined on them, and others will just be the plastic sheets.
Don’t use oily or waxy substances like crayons or oil paint on Shrinky Dinks because they will melt in high heat. Some sheets are machine-sanded frosted sheets that usually come in packs of 10. Some Shrinky Dinks come as non-sanded sheets, though; that version requires permanent markers.
Printing from a computer directly onto a sheet is also possible, and works great with photos. Print letters in a mirror image so they can be read from the nicer shiny side once shrunk. Tracing is popular as well.
2. Cut a design or punch holes in the plastic. You may want to add decorative edges to the plastic, cut out your design, or punch holes in it to make it into a necklace or charms for a bracelet.
Use paper punches if you want holes in the plastic. You might want holes if you are making jewelry or just for decoration. Punch any holes before you bake the Shrinky Dinks.
Cut out your design with decorative or regular scissors.
Part 2 Baking the Shrinky Dinks.
1. Line a cookie sheet tray with non-stick aluminum foil or baking paper. You could also create a mock tray by folding aluminum foil.
Place the Shrinky Dink cut-out designs on the tray, rough side up. Leave space between the Shrinky Dink plastic shapes or they might stick together.
Ovens should only be used with adult supervision.
2. Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. You probably only need to pre-heat the oven for 1 to 3 minutes. You can use a toaster oven or a conventional oven.
Once the oven is preheated, put the tray with the Shrinky Dinks into the oven.
You only need to bake them for 1 to 3 minutes. At first the Shrinky Dinks will curl up, but they will flatten back out. Once they flatten back out, bake for 30 more seconds.
3. Remove the tray from oven. Use a potholder so you don’t burn yourself, and be careful.
You could flatten your Shrinky Dinks more by pressing them flat with folded paper. However, this step may not be necessary.
Let the Shrinky Dinks cool for a few minutes before handling them. The finished piece will shrink to 1/3 the original’s size, but it will become 9 times thicker. The artwork will be brighter and bolder, and you can more easily preserve it.
Part 3 Making Homemade Plastic Designs.
1. Obtain a piece of #6 plastic. For example, this is the kind of plastic often used in salad bar containers.
Look for a “6” on the bottom of the plastic. The plastic needs to be relatively thick to work.
Cut away the extra plastic until you are left with a flat square.
2. Draw your design on the plastic, using permanent marker. It’s best with this kind of plastic not to use colored pencils.
Once baked, the image will shrink to about a third of its size and will increase in thickness.
Cut your design out and/or punch holes in it. Round the corners a bit as edges may sharpen upon baking.
3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Put the rack in the lowest oven position. The reason the plastic works for designs is because it’s made out of polystyrene just as Shrinky Dinks are.
Make a tray out of aluminum foil by folding it until it’s thick enough to hold the plastic. Put the plastic designs on the tray.
Bake for about 3.5 minutes. The plastic will curl, and then straighten itself out. Remove, and allow to cool.
Countries across the world craft objects, jewelry, furniture and more based on their own customs, culture and history. If you are interested in buying crafts from a country different from your own, then you have a number of options in your town and across the world. You may also choose to buy crafts from third world countries in order to support fair trade. Buying fair trade crafts helps to prevent low wages and unfair working conditions. There are some guidelines you should follow to ensure you are buying from a country that is benefiting from your purchase. You may need to do a little Internet research to ensure you are buying the crafts you prefer. Read on to find out how to buy crafts from third world countries.
Steps.
1. Research fair trade organizations. There are a number of non-profit companies that choose to keep consumers up to date about fair trade options. These include fairtraderesource.org, chfinternational.org, and fair trade organizations of specific countries, such as fta.org.au.
2. Decide if you want to buy crafts from a specific country. For example, you may admire the bamboo furniture from Malaysia or carvings from Africa. Search for a non-profit organization that tells you where to find shops that sell that country's goods.
For example, there is a Bangladesh cooperative that represents 60,000 artisans.
3. Go to eBay or Overstock. Both of these websites have acquired companies that previously sought to promote fair trade crafts. Ebay acquired World of Good, and you can buy handcrafted gifts from third world countries at worldofgood.ebay.com.
Overstock.com provides a fair trade site, called overstock.com/Worldstock-Fair-Trade. You can find anything from jewelry to furniture and more.
4. Search for local stores that specialize in fair trade crafts. Most mid to large-sized cities have a few fair trade stores. You can often find the stories behind the manufacturers of the crafts.
Ask the store how they acquired the crafts. The best way to tell if you are buying from a certified fair trade, third world craft carrier is to ask how the crafts were acquired.
5. Visit world craft museums, such as The Museum of Craft and Folk Art or the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco. These museums fill their gift shops with crafts that are well-crafted and distinctive. Check the museum websites for crafts that can be bought online.
6. Visit summer markets in your town. People who have emigrated from other countries often stock booths filled with their home country's crafts. Peruvian alpaca crafts are common at summer craft markets.
7. Visit a third world country and buy the crafts straight from the source. While this is the most expensive option, it is the best way to ensure you are buying straight from a craftsman. Research craft workshops where you can visit and buy directly after viewing the creation of the crafts.
For example, in St. Kitts there is a batik factory where the batiks are made and then sold. In Peru, you can visit an alpaca farm where yarn is created, died, woven and sold.
Flowers are colorful and inviting, but sometimes the planters they're in can be a bit drab. If you want to spice up your home or garden, decorate your flower pots with paint, decoupage, or intricate mosaics. A chic planter can totally tie together your decor and show your personality!
1. Clean your flower pot. No matter what material your flower pot is made from, make sure the areas you want to paint are clean. Use soap and water if there is any lingering dirt or dust. A spotless surface will help your painting last.
Remove any stickers or price tags.
If you’re painting a terracotta pot, soak it in water for a few hours first. Scrub the entire thing with a stiff brush to get rid of dust or dirt. Wait 24 hours before painting, as terracotta is porous and will stay wet for a long time.
Allow your flower pot to dry completely before painting.
2. Choose acrylic paints in the colors of your choice. The color possibilities are pretty much endless, but make sure you use acrylic paints. Acrylic dries extremely quickly and is water-resistant when dry. It works on terracotta, clay, plastic, and ceramic.
Use spray paint or liquid paint, as long as it's acrylic. Spray paint is a faster option, but liquid will allow you to use brushes and get a detailed design.
If your planter will be staying outside, you can use an outdoor paint meant for withstanding weather.
3. Plan out your design. Take a look at your pot and decide what look you're going for. If your planter is going to be inside, think about what might look good with the color of your walls or floor. If it's going to be outside, think about what colors might pop in your yard or garden.
Use tape to segment off sections if you only want to paint certain parts.
Add words to label herb plants to offer little motivational phrases.
A pure white flower pot is a sleek, modern option.
Use stencils to creative intricate shapes.
4. Paint the first coat. There are no limits to what you can paint onto your flower pots, so let your creative juices flow! Use a large foam brush to put down a base coat. Choose a single color so you have a simple canvas to decorate further.
Put down newspaper or towels and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
If you want to leave half of your pot unpainted, tape off that section.
5. Let your flower pot dry. A dry base coat will make sure the next application won't smudge or run. Be patient!
If you want a solid, single-color flower pot, it might be done already!
6. Apply a second layer of paint. Use foam brushes of all sizes to complete the look. Reapply the base coat if you want a more vivid color, otherwise go ahead and create your piece of art. Use whatever stencils, brushes, sponges, or freehand techniques you want.
7. Apply a clear sealer once your design is dry. When you’re happy with your new piece of art, it’s time to make sure everything stays in place. To prevent fading or chipping, apply at least two layers of clear, water based acrylic sealer. Get an acrylic sealer from your local craft store.
It may take a few days for the paint to dry if you used several coats of paint.
Using spray sealer is recommended, but you can also get cans of varnish and paint in on. This might leave brushstrokes behind.
Choose a matte or shiny finish depending on what you like.
Once protected, a painted design can last for years!
Tips.
If you’re using a terracotta planter, you may want to coat the inside with a sealer to keep moisture from seeping through and damaging your decorations.
If you don’t like how your paint job turned out, just paint over it!
Make sure everything is dry before you fill your flowerpot with dirt and a plant.
Warnings.
Wear gloves and safety glasses when shattering tiling or glass.
Protect your floor or tabletop from paint and glue with newspapers.
Things You'll Need.
Painting Your Flower Pot.
Clean flower pot.
Acrylic paints of assorted colors, spray or liquid.
As you begin studying art or creating art of your own, you may find it helpful to start with a selection of basic tools and equipment. Your art kit is your own, so take the ones described here as a guide to build upon or modify for your own style.
Method 1. Making an Adult Kit
1. Decide what you will put everything in. Choose something easy to carry around with you, especially if you want to do art on location or you are taking classes. You could use anything from a shoe box to an old briefcase.
Choose an ample container. You are likely to acquire more art supplies as you continue.
Plan to protect the supplies that are sensitive. A hard sided pencil case or simply a tin or shoe box can keep pencils and other delicate items from breaking.
Give some thought to how you will carry paints, brushes, and whatever you will use to clean them, especially if you're painting away from home.
2. Find or buy some basic equipment. Here's a list of what you might need with a rough estimated price. You will not need all of these items; just select what you would like to use and then build up your kit as you go along. You can always add to it later.
Pencil Set.
Pens.
Sketchbook.
Oil Pastels.
Dry Pastels.
Acrylic paint set.
Paint Brushes.
Water Soluble Pencils.
Colouring Pencils.
Glue.
Scalpel.
Metal Ruler.
Pencil sharpener. A small, handheld one will travel well.
Clay.
Method 2. Making a Child's Kit
1. A child's kit is extremely easy to make, since children are naturally creative and they will use just about anything. Here's a child's list to get started.
Colouring Book.
Safety Scissors.
Colouring Pencils.
Pipe cleaners and other items like that.
Non-toxic glue.
Sketchbook.
Play-doh.
Markers.
2. Include a cheap plastic tablecloth or oilcloth in a child's kit and explain to Mom and Dad that it's to go underneath anything messy: paint, clay, glue, etc. Plastic tablecloths easily cover the whole table and they come large enough for several friends or even the whole scout troop to gather around.
3. With this child's kit it's really up to you. Use anything age-appropriate that they can't hurt themselves with.
Tips.
If you want to skip all the hassle of searching through shops you can find lots of different starter kits for children and adults ranging from £5 to £100.
Leave yourself plenty of room to expand. Art supplies have a way of growing.
If your kit is for a child make sure you buy non-toxic products and safety scissors.
Art kits make great gifts. Try to learn a bit about the artist who will receive your kit so that you do inspire and don't duplicate. For gifts, interesting materials (e.g. fabric, paper, wood) might be a good addition, especially if your artist tends toward mixed media or crafts.
Remember that art is more than drawing and painting. If you find yourself drawn toward other activities or media, make the most of it. There's no reason why an extraordinary work of art can't be made of fabric, concrete, plastic, metal, natural materials, found materials, or anything else that will fit the bill. If you're already skilled at welding, sewing, woodworking or the like, you may already have many of the supplies you need.
Did you give an art kit last year? If it was well received, expand on it this year. New materials and supplies can afford an artist the opportunity to expand and can sometimes supply new inspiration.
Colouring is not an especially artistic endeavour. If the child who will receive this art kit happens to enjoy it, go ahead. If not, encourage creativity and innovation by giving a blank sketch book, or look for the "Anti Coloring Book" series.
Start simple, especially if you are making this kit for yourself. If you want to get into drawing, start with just an ordinary pencil and paper, then as you find yourself improving, invest in some color pencils and a sketch book or a simple prepared kit, obtaining supplies as you need them. Remember: gear doesn't make the artist; practice does. This approach will help you to find your artistic style while saving a bit of money and avoiding the clutter of materials you don't use.
Image titled Wild Rose Artists' Supplies and Custom Framing 7478Experiment. If a particular medium, tool, or other item interests you, give it a try. Don't give up on your first attempt, either. Give yourself a chance to get familiar with a new addition before deciding whether to keep at it.
Warnings.
Always supervise young children when they use anything like glue or scissors.
