how to organize a craft room

How to Organize a Craft Room.

A craft room is a place where you want to let your creative energies take over. Organizing your craft room will take some work but the end result is worth the effort. You will want to start by gathering and sorting all of your available craft supplies. Then, find places to store these items where they will be easy to grab and use in the midst of a project. Use organizing as an opportunity to display those items that inspire you as well.

Method 1 Sorting Your Craft Supplies.

1. Gather all of your craft items. Grab a basket and walk throughout your living space grabbing any and all craft supplies and tools. Carry them into your designated craft room and place everything in the middle of the floor. Once you think that you’ve gotten it all, go back through one more time just to be certain. Make sure to open all of your drawers and cabinets, as craft supplies can often ‘hide.’

Likewise, go through your craft room and identify any objects or items that do not belong there and move them out. They may need to go in a ‘staging area’ in another room, so that you can concentrate your energy on your craft area.

2. Sort your supplies out according to item type. Look over your supply pile and begin to build smaller piles based upon different categories of supplies. For example, put all of your wrapping paper together. All fabrics should go together initially. After these first piles are finished, you can go back through them and narrow them even further according to size and color. For example, put all of the red wrapping paper together.

At this point your room may be in controlled chaos, so be careful walking around or you may slip on one of your piles. For that reason, try to keep other people out of the room as well, at least during this stage.

To keep you from feeling overwhelmed, bring an egg timer into the room and set it for 15-minutes. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Then, re-set the timer and start again. This will keep you motivated to work at a steady pace without burning out.

3. Decide what to donate. As you sort, identify items that are worth donating. Perhaps you have multiples of some items or maybe leftover supplies from projects that you’ve completed and moved on from. Make sure that whatever you donate is safe for another user. For example, don’t donate rusty scissors or any cracked glass items.

Various charity organizations, schools, and libraries will gladly accept donations of craft supplies as long as they are in good condition. This is a great opportunity to share your interest in crafting with other people.

Depending on the amount of items that you have, some charities will actually come to your house and pick them up for you. This may be a good opportunity to do organize other areas of your home as well.

4. Create a trash pile and dispose of it. As you sort, identify items that need to be thrown away. This could be items that you no longer find useful, but that aren’t suitable for donation due to condition or quantity. You should also trash any supplies that are no good anymore, such as dried out glue or frayed ribbons. Ask yourself if you’ve used the item in the past year and if you haven’t odds are it needs to be thrown away or donated.

Take the trash out after you’ve finished sorting the main pile. If you wait you are likely to leave it there and it will become an eyesore and will slow your organizing progress.

5. Repeat this process every few weeks. As life goes on, many of your supplies will likely wander out of your craft space once more. To keep your area tidy and useful for you, go through a sorting and cleaning process fairly often, especially after completing a major project.

Also, devote at least ten minutes after you finish working in your craft room for picking up and storing items in their new proper places. Devoting even this small amount of time can make a major difference in the long-term appearance of your craft room.

Method 2 Implementing a Storage System.

1. Store similar items together. You’ll want to keep your supplies together in their sorted piles as you place them in their designated storage spots and containers. Extra-small items will need to be placed in extra-small containers and will probably be grouped together for storage and then usage.

Keep an eye out for items that may appear similar but that have slightly different functions. These situations may require that you divide up your storage system even further. For example, you’ll want to divide your fabric scissors from your paper scissors.

2. Use plastic bins. These are the number one storage option when organizing a craft room. They come in a wide variety of sizes and are easy to stack. They also fit well within a cube shelf. You can see inside the clear bins, making it easy to find an item that you are looking for.

Depending on how you arrange your bins, you will want to purchase ones that open on the top or via a front panel. Look for lids that snap on tightly to avoid spilling your supplies.

Bins are also especially useful when working with messy items such as paints. In addition, they contain fumes from paints as well.

Make sure to purchase extra bins, and to leave space in the ones that you currently use, for new supplies that you may purchase.

3. Arrange items by color. Store and display your craft supplies according to the color wheel. This will create a quick way for you to find an item that you need for a particular project. It will also lead to beautiful displays of items within the room itself. For example, if you have a bunch of balls of yarn, sort them according to color (reds next to orange tints, etc.) and place them in a wooden cube bookcase for quick access and visual appeal.

4. Repurpose materials as storage containers. Almost any container that is sturdy with a lid can be reused as storage in your craft room. Try to think creatively and find jars, buckets, etc. that you find visually appealing already. They will be even more attractive when holding your supplies.

Here are a few unique ideas. To house smaller items such as sequins, use little plastic pill storage boxes that you can get at a pharmacy or grocery store. For colored beads, place them in a spice rack by color for ease of access and beauty. Small tins or colored buckets make a great storage option for pens, pencils, and paintbrushes.

For a more industrial look, grab a magnetic knife holder from your kitchen, attach it to the wall of your craft room, and use it to display your sharp cutting devices and scissors. This works best when positioned close to your standing work area.

Look at crafting sites and blogs online or buy inspirational craft books/magazines in order to find additional design ideas that may suit your particular space and taste.

5. Label everything. This is especially important when storing items in plastic bins or opaque containers. As you put away every storage container, make sure that it has a clear and visible label that you can see from the center of your craft room. For example, the bin with tape should say, “Tape-clear.”

You can get as fancy as you’d like with the labels. Some people prefer to use a standard label maker while others print directly from online templates. You can even make your own labels by hand.

6. Install shelving. You want to get the most use out of all surfaces within your room, so don’t ignore the walls. Look around your craft room and consider adding shelves to many of the open spaces on the walls. Think creatively about shelving and use materials such as recycled bookcase shelves or even old metal signs repurposed as shelves.

Method 3 Organizing Your Space for Creative Inspiration.

1. Locate your work table for ease of access. Get a sturdy table that you’d feel comfortable working on and place it in the most convenient space in the room, usually right in the middle. You want to be able to access it from all sides. Consider adding a chair or stool, unless you plan to stand all of the time when crafting.

In addition to your main table, you may want another one placed against the wall that will almost act like a workbench. You can hang items on the wall next to it for quick grabbing access.

2. Keep your favorite supplies close by. The materials that you are using for a current project, or those that you consistently rely upon, should be placed close to your table workspace. For example, if you are a seamstress, do not hide your best pair of cutting shears in a labeled storage bin in the closet.

3. Emphasize the natural light when possible. If you have a choice of room, pick a room with ample light sources. This will help to save you from eye strain as you work on your projects. You can also supplement the light by adding interesting (and bright) lamps. Hanging lamps often work the quite well as they are out of the way.

4. Create an inspiration board. Pin up photos or drawings to a fabric-covered poster board. Or, hang a magnetic board on your wall and attach items to it. Clip or write down quotes that you like and attach them to the board. Let it keep growing until you feel the need to remove some items into storage. This can be a fairly chaotic, but inspirational space, in an another organized room.

To add even more visual appeal, use colorful and creative stick-pins to attach items to the board. You can even go with pieces of patterned tape too.

5. Decorate with beautiful craft items. If you love your yarn, don’t hide it, display it. As you sort out items at the start of this process, look for those supplies that you find particularly visually stunning or exciting. Try to create spaces out in the open to store these items. For example, lengths of ribbon can be stored and displayed by hanging a peg board on the wall.

6. Create more access by manipulating your space. Don’t be afraid to use every inch of your craft room for some storage, display, or work purpose. You can paint inspirational quotes on the ceiling and hang items from it too. You can go vertical up the walls and increase your reach by employing footstools. Typically neglected areas, such as the backs of doors, can be put to good use with hanging storage pouches.

Increase your visibility in closet spaces by removing the doors and replacing them with a rod and curtain. When you first enter your room, sweep aside the curtain and you’ve got instant access and visibility into this space.

Tips.

You might want to do an inventory as you sort and organize, in order to determine what supplies you need to reorder.

Warnings.

Think about design and utility, but also safety. If you will have kids in your craft room, watch how you display sharp tools, etc.

November 25, 2019

how to transforming old books into home decor pieces

How to Transforming Old Books into Home Decor Pieces.

When your favorite book is starting to look a little worn around the edges, or you’re in the mood to give the cover a makeover, try making your own book cover or creating a special cover using craft supplies. Or, if your used book is ready to be donated or replaced, don’t get rid of it just yet. You can easily repurpose old book pages into a beautiful paper wreath to decorate your home or office.

1. Repurpose a book into a picture frame. Cut a square or rectangle from the front cover of your book using a craft knife. Then cut the first few pages of your book into a slightly smaller square or rectangle, to form a mat. Glue the photo to the back of the pages, and the pages to the front cover of your book.

Cut a square or rectangle smaller than your photo. You can always trim it further if it is not big enough for your photo.

2. Create a table runner from loose book pages. Older books with brownish-yellow, aged pages will make a vintage and romantic table runner. Tape two book pages together side by side on the back. Turn them over and use a craft paper punch to create a border. You can use punches to create borders of lace, flowers, or snowflakes.

3. Make a colorful book page garland. Using a circle cutter, circle punch or scissors, cut circles out of your book pages in the size you’d like for your garland. Paint circles with watercolor wash (watercolor paint and water.) When the circles have dried, punch a hole into the center of each and thread the twine through. Tie a few knots at both ends to keep the circles from slipping off.

Gently crumple the paper circles to add texture and dimension to them.

Stick a safety pin through one end of the twine to make threading the circles easier.

Warnings.

Be careful when using the craft knife to cut your book cover.

Do not leave a hot glue gun unattended. Be sure to turn it off and unplug it after use.

Things You’ll Need.

Transforming Old Books into Home Decor Pieces.

old books.

decorative paper punches.

circle cutter.

hole punch.

watercolor paint and paintbrush.

twine.

November 24, 2019

how to decorate plastic containers

How to Decorate Plastic Containers.

From pill boxes to room organizers, plastic containers are an essential part of everyday life. Though they do their job well, these containers are generally designed with simplicity in mind, meaning there’s plenty of room to decorate. Using simple materials like paper, stickers, paint, and ribbon, you can turn any plastic container into something truly fabulous.







Method 1 Covering with Patterns and Colors.



Use patterned cloth to cover the container. Find a cloth pattern that matches your style and cut out enough to cover the container. Use a paintbrush to apply a layer of mod podge to both the back of the cloth and the plastic, then press your cloth into it. As it sets, apply another layer of mod podge over the top and let it dry.

Try to tie the patterned cloth into the room itself, such as using polka-dotted fabric in a room with polka-dotted wallpaper or zebra-striped cloth in a room with black and white furniture.



Use patterned paper to line the container. Patterned paper works great for containers that are translucent. Find a pattern you like and cut out enough to line the plastic. Smooth out the paper and apply a layer of mod podge to both it and the inside of the container. Stick it to the plastic and apply another coat on top, making sure the paper remains smooth.

Try to use colors that match the container’s environment, like bright pastels for a baby room or light, muted colors for a kitchen.



Use paint to add color to your container. Wash your container with dish soap and warm water. When dry, gently sand the surface with 220 to 300-grit sandpaper, then wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Use painter’s tape to cover areas you don’t want to paint, then apply a coat of primer to the container. Once it has dried, you will be able to paint the plastic with spray, acrylic, or enamel paint.

Use stencils to paint or spray specific designs onto your container, such as zig-zags or checkerboards.



Use patterned duct tape as a simple decoration. Duct tape is an incredibly versatile tool, and since it comes in many different colors and patterns, it provides a quick solution for spicing up drab plastic. Find a pattern of duct tape you like and simply press it onto the container. For small and portable containers, a small amount of duct tape will add personality without bulk.







Method 2 Using Creative Labels.



Cut out labels to create a simple organizing system. Sometimes, the best way to decorate a container is to simply label it, especially if you need to use it in a professional environment. Cut a piece of single-colored construction paper into a thin strip, then write a label on it in clear, bold letters. Fix the label to your container using tape or glue.

To make your labels pop, glue them to a slightly larger piece of colored paper before putting them on the container.



Add lettering to create labels and messages. For larger containers, craft lettering may be a good option. If your letters come with adhesive backs, apply them as is. If they don’t, use a small amount of glue to keep them in place. Along with names and standard labels, letters can be used to write:

A motivational message for containers holding school supplies.

A favorite quote or book passage for a media box.

A joke label, like the word ‘Zoo’ for a container filled with stuffed animals.



Print labels from a computer. Creating labels on a computer allows you to add anything from photos and graphics to small and instructional text. Programs like Word and Pages can create simple labels with borders, while more advanced programs like Adobe InDesign may be appropriate for specialized labels. When you have a design made, print it on thick paper, cut it out, and glue or tape it to your container.



Label your container with objects from inside it. If your container will be holding craft items, toys, or other small, non-perishable objects, use them to create a unique label. Instead of writing “LEGOs” on a plastic box, glue a couple bricks to the front. Instead of writing “Office Supplies,” glue a binder clip or marker.









Method 3 Accessorizing.



Add ribbon to your container. Ribbon and similar trims can give your container a more elegant feel. They can be applied using mod podge, hot glue, or tape, and some ribbon can simply be tied around the plastic. Look for ribbon designs that match the contents of the box, such as silver ribbon for keepsakes or colorful ribbon for candy.



Add stickers to your container. Stickers are a great, fast way to cover a plastic container. Simple stickers, like those found in dollar stores and craft books, are perfect and come in a variety of styles. Avoid bubble and 3D stickers if you plan on storing your container in tight spaces.

If your container holds a collection, put down a new sticker every time it grows.



Use hot glue to create glitter designs. When handled right, hot glue can be a fun alternative to traditional paint. Use a small marker to draw a design on your container. With a hot glue gun, carefully trace over it. Before the glue sets, pour glitter over it and let the whole thing dry. Shake off excess glitter and enjoy the shiny, fun design.

This method can also be used to label your container. Simply spell out a word, pour glitter on it, and let it set.



Use ink stamps to press patterns into the plastic. To give your container an old school feel, use ink stamps to create unique patterns and designs. Make sure to press your stamp firmly onto the container, that way the ink sets evenly. Stamps are available at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s, and specialty or custom stamps can be ordered online.

Common stamp designs include hearts, religious symbols, fruits, and simple animals. Try to find one that matches the container’s environment.



Add craft jewels, flowers, and other items. Craft jewels, fake flowers, and other small objects are an easy way to add some fabulous flair to your container. Use hot glue or a bedazzling gun to apply the objects to the plastic. If you don’t have enough to make a uniform pattern, try arranging them in small shapes or designs, such as a heart or smiley face.



Create a collage on the container. If your container will be holding something particularly special, use its surface for a collage. This will make your container beautiful while clearly showing what it contains. Cut out portions of photos, magazines, newspapers, and similar printed materials. Using either hot glue or mod podge, paste individual items to the box, making sure they are flat and smooth. Some potential arrangements include.

Photos of your family or best friends, especially if your container is a keepsake box.

Pictures of book covers, movie posters, or album artwork, especially if your container is a media box.

Pictures of your favorite celebrities and characters.

November 18, 2019

how to making your own book cover

How to Making Your Own Book Cover.

When your favorite book is starting to look a little worn around the edges, or you’re in the mood to give the cover a makeover, try making your own book cover or creating a special cover using craft supplies. Or, if your used book is ready to be donated or replaced, don’t get rid of it just yet. You can easily repurpose old book pages into a beautiful paper wreath to decorate your home or office.

1. Choose a material to use as a book cover. You’ll want enough of this material to cover both the front and back covers of your book, and excess material to make sure the cover stays on when the book is opened or closed. A paper book cover will work best on hardcover books and may slip off of paperback books; if you’re covering a paperback book, reinforce the cover with tape if needed. Paper materials you can use to make your own book cover include:

a brown paper grocery bag that can be decorated.

an old map for history lovers or travelers.

sheet notes for musicians.

magazine pages for fashion and beauty enthusiasts.

construction paper or wrapping paper for crafters.

2. Cut more than enough paper to cover your book. Lay out more paper than you think you’ll need (similar to wrapping a gift with wrapping paper) before cutting it. Place your open book on top of the paper and measure a rectangular piece of paper larger than the book itself. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 2 inches of excess material all round the edges of your book. Cut the piece of paper you measured out.

3. Fold the top and bottom edges of your paper inward. Center the book on your paper and fold the top edge of the paper inward. Create a crease by folding it against the book’s hardcover edge. Repeat this step with the bottom edge of the paper.

If you are using printed paper like a brown grocery bag or magazine pages, place it printed side up so that any designs you don’t want shown on your cover will be hidden.

4. Finish folding the paper around the book to complete the cover. Close your book and place it slightly right to the center of your paper cover, leaving about 2 inches of excess paper on the right. Fold the left edge of the paper over the book to meet the right edge. Crease the left and right sides of your paper along the book’s edges.

You can adjust your book’s placement to make sure the edges meet evenly. This will create even side flaps for your book cover.

5. Wrap the paper securely around your book. Open your book and slide the front cover into the left flap you just made. Bring the right side of the paper over to cover the book and reinforce the right crease if needed. Then slide the back cover into the right flap. Your new book cover is ready to be shown off or decorated.

Warnings.

Be careful when using the craft knife to cut your book cover.

Do not leave a hot glue gun unattended. Be sure to turn it off and unplug it after use.

Things You’ll Need.

Making Your Own Book Cover.

paper material such as a paper bag.

a book.

scissors or a craft knife.

ruler and pencil.

Scotch tape or double-sided tape.

November 24, 2019

how to decorating your flower pot with decoupage

How to Decorating Your Flower Pot with Decoupage.

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. Decoupage glue sticks best to clean, dry surfaces. Get rid of any dirt or dust with water and soap, then dry your flower pot completely.

Remove any stickers or price tags.



2. Find decoupage material from books, magazines, or newspapers. Carefully cut out pictures of flowers, birds, or whatever fits your aesthetic. Cut out enough to cover the entire pot or cut out one small design for the front. It’s totally up to you how much decoupage you want!

It can be fun to use patterns or colors that contrast with the type of plant you’ll be using in the planter.

Try geometric shapes cut from solid paper for a modern style.

You can also use decorative fabric, paper napkins, or wallpaper.

There are countless options to decorate a flower pot. You could use patterned napkins to decoupage, fabric for a collage, or use oil-based paints. Try using stencils and decorating with flowers. For a terracotta pot, you can do a single, bold stripe of color on the bottom or use a marbling technique.



3. Brush Mod Podge or craft glue onto your pot. You can find glue meant for decoupage at any craft store, and usually it’s pretty cheap. Use a foam brush to saturate the designated area as evenly as possible.

Wear gloves to keep glue off your skin.

A thin layer will do.



4. Apply your decoupage cutout. While the glue is still wet, carefully place the piece of decoupage onto the flower pot. Go slow to make sure the placement is exactly how you want it.

If you make a mistake, you might be able to peel it off and try again, but try to get it right the first time.

Smooth out any bubbles with your hands or a squeegee tool.



5. Add another layer of Mod Podge. Using a foam brush, apply a generous layer over your decoupage piece to keep it in place. This will make sure it’s protected from wetness when you water your plant.

Allow your decoupage to dry completely before touching or moving the flower pot.

Paint it on slowly evenly to minimize brush lines.

Don’t worry, Mod Podge will dry clear.

Mod Podge might have a slightly sticky texture even when dry.



6. Apply a sealer. Just like with paint, you’ll need to protect your decoupage from scratches and weathering. Put at least two coats of clear, water based acrylic varnish over your lovely work.



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.

Decorating Your Flower Pot with Decoupage.

Clean flower pot.

Scissors.

Gloves.

Decoupage paper.

Mod Podge or other decoupage glue.

Clear spray acrylic varnish, spray or liquid.

November 22, 2019

how to making a long necked 3d dino

How to Making a Long-Necked 3D Dino.

With the right supplies and a bit of time, you can make your very own paper dinosaur that stands or moves. If you'd like a bigger craft project, you could even attempt a paper mache dinosaur or an origami dinosaur! Depending on the colors that you use, you can make your dinosaur look realistic or cartoonish.

Steps.

1. Fold and cut a plain white paper plate in half with scissors. Fold the plate in half first, then use the crease as a cutting guide. For best results, use the kind that's made from cardstock and has a frilled edge, rather than the kind that's made from thick cardboard with a rim.

Set aside 1 of the paper plate halves; this will make the body.

2. Cut a dino head, tail, and spikes from the other paper plate half. Draw the shapes on the second paper plate half (the other one will be the body), then cut them out. Make sure that the limbs are proportionate to the body. Don't worry about the feet; you will be using toilet paper rolls for that.

Make the spikes about 1 in (2.5 cm) tall and wide.

Make the tail about 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide at the base, and about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the paper plate.

If you don't know how to draw a dinosaur head, tail, or spikes, look at pictures of cartoon dinosaurs online or in coloring books.

Use the brim to make the neck, if desired. Cut it off first so that you get a C-shape, then cut it in half. Use 1 of these halves to make the neck.

3. Glue the cut shapes to the other paper plate half. The straight edge of the plate is the bottom of the dinosaur, while the curved side is the back. Glue the tail to 1 end and the neck and/or head to the other. If you made spikes, glue them down the dinosaur's back.

4. Use scissors to cut an empty toilet paper roll into thirds. Keep 2 of the segments and discard the third. This will give you rings that are a little over 1 in (2.5 cm) tall. If you don't have any empty toilet paper rolls, you can use an empty paper towel roll instead.

If you're using an empty paper towel roll, cut 2 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) segments from it.

5. Cut a set of slits into the top of each toilet paper ring. You will be sliding the dinosaur's body into these slits, so make sure that they are directly across from each other. The easiest way to do this would be to squish the rings in half, then cut a 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) long slit into each one.

6. Slide the dinosaur into the slits. Take the first roll, and turn it so that 1 slit is facing the dinosaur's head and the other is facing its tail. Slide the bottom edge of the dinosaur's body into the slit. Repeat this process for the other leg.

Slide the legs apart until they are on opposite sides of the plate.

7. Paint the dinosaur, then let it dry. Acrylic craft paints will work great for this, but you can also use poster paint too! Use the same colors and patterns for both the front and back. How long it will take for the paint to dry depends on what you are using. Expect to wait about 15 to 20 minutes, however.

You can take the dinosaur's body off of its feet in order to paint it. Do the front first, let it dry, then do the back.

Don't forget to paint the eyes and mouth! Alternatively, you can glue on some googly eyes after the paint has dried.

Tips.

Your dinosaur doesn't have to look realistic at all. You can even make it pink and blue!

Look up pictures of cartoon dinosaurs. They have simpler shapes, which are easier to copy to your paper.

Things You'll Need.

White paper plate, Empty toilet paper roll, Scissors, Green acrylic paint or poster paint, Glue stick or white school glue.

Desember 25, 2019

how to preserve a starfish for a decoration

How to Preserve a Starfish for a Decoration.



Starfish make for great decorations when you bring them home from the beach. To avoid stinking up your centerpiece, though, it helps to learn to preserve them properly, drying them out with alcohol and learning to display them properly. It's easy



Preserving Starfish.



Make sure the starfish you find are dead already. Of the nearly 1500 species of starfish in the world, they all have one thing in common: they're slow. It can be very difficult to tell if a starfish you find is living or dead, but you can look for a few key signs that you'll be paying tribute to the beautiful animal by preserving it, not killing it.

If you come across a starfish on the beach, wait to touch it. Look at it closely. Is there any movement? Is there any bubbling from the sand underneath? If so, do it a favor by returning it into the water. Watch closely for several minutes to look for signs of life before picking it up.

If the starfish is brittle and unmoving, it's dead and safe to take home for preservation and decoration.



Clean your starfish. An optional step before preserving the starfish is to take some time to clean it up for display. While not essential, some collectors like to submerge the starfish in slightly soapy water and dry it thoroughly before soaking in alcohol or drying in salt.

If you want to do a pre-soak, dilute a tiny squirt of liquid detergent in several cups of water and soak the starfish to get it clean. Don't scrub or otherwise over-handle the starfish, which is fragile.

Dry the starfish thoroughly in the sun, taking care to weigh down each arm of the starfish. They tend to curl up some as they dry, so it's important to flatten them gently between two plates to maintain a uniform flatness.



Preserve your starfish with alcohol. Generally, most collectors will go straight to the alcohol soak, but do whatever seems appropriate for the specimen you've collected. When you get your starfish home, soak it in enough isopropyl rubbing alcohol to cover the starfish and leave it alone for 30-48 hours.

Alternatively, some choose to soak their starfish in formalin, one part formaldehyde and five parts water. If you do this, be warned that the starfish will maintain a fairly strong chemical odor for a while until it dissipates somewhat. It might not matter if you're going to put it behind glass, but be aware. The process for this method is the same.



Dry the starfish in the sun. Whatever series of steps you do to prepare the starfish and whatever you soak it in, you need to let it dry very thoroughly in the sun before taking it inside. Especially hot sunny days are perfect for drying starfish and ensuring that they'll last.

Weigh them down with plates (you shouldn't need to weight them with books or any extra weight) to ensure that the arms stay flat and even. Check on them regularly to make sure it's drying in the shape you want, if you want it to look a certain way for display purposes.



Try preserving starfish with salt. One easy alternative method of preserving the starfish is to lay it out flat on a plate and cover it with a generous sprinkling of natural sea salt. Top it with a plate to keep the arms straight.

The salt crusting can work to suck any moisture out of the starfish and dry it out, preserving it quite nicely. You might consider doing this outside in the sun to avoid any smell and to dry it out more quickly.



Displaying Starfish.



Keep them dry. Whatever you end up doing with your starfish, displaying prominently or using for a craft project, make sure it stays dry and has time to dry down to a lower level of stinky-ness. There shouldn't be a considerable odor, but it can carry with it the smell of the alcohol for a while after you preserve it. Keep it in a dry place and don't jostle it too much.



Create an ocean-life shadowbox. A common way to display starfish is alongside other shells, urchins, sand dollars and driftwood in a decorative shadowbox. This can be a nice accent to an office, living room, or other space, especially in houses near the beach.



Use it to accent a gift wrapping. Instead of a bow, use a starfish. Gluing a preserved starfish can be a cool way to highlight your gift-wrapping. You could also hang it with ribbon from a gift bag to liven up the package. Pair it with an ocean-themed present for an added touch.



Use it to decorate your dining room table. Creating an ocean-themed centerpiece for your table is a nice way to use your preserved starfish. Placing shells and starfish in a simple and elegant bowl looks nice on your table from Christmas to summer, reminding you of the beach.

Glue starfish to napkin rings for a nice livening up of the place setting.

Ornament wine glass stems with starfish by tying them gently to the glass with ribbon. Make sure you remove them before washing the glasses.



Fill a glass jar. One of the simplest and most elegant ways to display your starfish and other sea preserves is to just fill a glass. It looks nice inside or outside, in formal settings or on end tables. It's an instant reminder of sunny days and waves.



Create a starfish pin. Carry your starfish with you by creating a nice broach or a pin and wearing it prominently. Clip it to your beach bag or your purse, your scarf or your jacket.







Tips.

Use a glass bottle to keep it after the preservation process.



Things You'll Need.

Starfish.

Small box.

1 cup of salt.

Glass container

November 07, 2019