Crafty Questions & Answers

craft_qs @ 2008-09-20T18:19:00

2008-09-20T22:19:31Z

I'm working with sculpey clay and I wanted to add some glitter to the piece. Can I add it before I bake it or should I wait until I glaze the piece and just mix the glitter into the glaze?

Also, I have some little square mirrors (like the ones that would be on a disco ball). Can those be baked in the sculpey? Or will they shatter/warp/break/etc..?

Thanks!

craft_qs @ 2008-08-24T12:27:00

2008-08-24T16:28:03Z

So, as usual, I'm in a bit of a Christmas mood. I was looking around for Christmas crafts I could do, and I came across this one.

Now I would love to make this but I want it to be permanent, as nobody in my family is going to want to eat stale gumdrops. So does anyone know if there is something I could spray over the whole wreath to keep the gumdrops safe from ants/other critters/heat? I did a google search but I really don't know what to search for lol.

Thanks in advance!

Looking for a crown pendant

2008-08-14T14:49:46Z

I offered to attempt a replica of this designer necklace for a friend, but I am having a lot of trouble finding an appropriate pendant, and could use some help. Silver color is okay because it seems that's my only choice, but I would prefer gold. The most success I've had is with hiphop jewelry sites. Here's what I've found so far:

This one is very close. The shape is perfect, but the crystals are way too big, and it's silver rather than gold

This one has good-sized crystals, but the shape is all wrong. And again, it's silver.

Crystals and shape are still wrong, but it's one of the only affordable gold-colored ones I've found.

Wrong shape again, wrong crystal size.

I've been searching for weeks without luck. Any help or advice is appreciated

...Fishing line?

2008-06-19T18:16:01Z

Here's what I have: A paper moon project. Basically, I've made a giant moon out of foam board and put together a "scene" for it. I even have some friends who are willing to dress up for some photos.

What I need: Something with which to suspend the moon. It has to be at least two feet off the ground so when my, er, "photographees" sit on the chair behind it they can drape their legs over the side - thus creating the appearance of sitting on the moon. I'm going to be setting this up outside with the background nailed to two tree trunks, so whatever is going to be suspending my moon can hook onto a tree branch if necessary.

What I don't want: A way to permanently fixture the moon to something. It's double-sided and needs the flexibility of turning around. (There is a "creepy face" - linked above - and a "nice face" - for the kids.)

What I was thinking: Clear fishing line? I'd tie it around the top curve of the moon and suspend it from a tree branch or something of the sort. I don't know anything about fishing line, though - would it cut right through the foam board?

Any other suggestions?

craft_qs @ 2008-04-06T11:40:00

2008-04-06T18:40:42Z

This is a weird question, but I was hoping someone could help me.

For my biology class, we have to make a structure of an HIV cell. I have no problem with this and can build it just fine. The only problem is that the outside of the cell needs to be made of latex. Would anyone have any ideas of how I can go about doing this? Here is a picture to give you a better idea. The only idea I could think of was to cut-up latex gloves and stick them all over or spray it will latex, but I don't think the professor would be able to see it. Any help is appreciated :)

glue and sealant

2008-02-24T09:47:45Z

So I was just wonder what kind of glue and sealant would work best to put glitter on a hat. Sorry if my question is stupid or anything.
But thanks in advance for any responses :]
I know I posted this yesterday but I just want to make it a little more clear. The hat I'm working with is a 100% acrylic fitted hat like the one below. And I want to put glitter on it, but I don't want all the glitter to come off.

silicone bracelets

2007-12-07T01:19:49Z

Does anyone know how to make those silicone rubber bracelets at home?The livestrong type of bracelets. I want to make some at home and not have to order from other companies to get custom ones.

any help will be appreciated

tote imprint & embroidery assistance

2007-07-24T18:02:42Z

hello, hopefully someone out there can be of some help :)

i purchased a large black canvas tote bag, made of 100% cotton. my plan for this bag is to embroider an image of superman on it for a friend of mine, as a christmas gift i know she'll love! i had originally planned to buy a tan/canvas colored tote bag, but i fell in love with this bag and the only nice color came in was this beautiful, rich black color. i planned to make this a really simply project...print the image out, transfer image to canvas, embroider away! right?

my problem is, how does one transfer an image such as this , as easily as possible, to a black cavas tote? i am trying to avoid making a stencil at all costs...as you can see, its made of several fine lines, and that would defeat the simpleness factor. is there a specific blending pen, or some other method i should know of? any help would be far appreciate! i am looking forward to starting this project and finishing it as soon as possible :)

by the way, as far as coloring...i know white would be brilliant...but also asking for dingyness over time via embroidered image. i was thinking...all one shade of superman red, or superman blue? any other colors?

thanks!

Horn beads

2007-06-28T18:14:31Z

I have some beads made of horn (cow I assume) and they used to look really neat, but they've gotten very dry-looking and dull. I tried to shine them up again by soaking them in tea tree oil, which made them look like new for about five hours, but they're back to the dull look again.

Do any of you know a way to bring back the shine to horn beads? These are some of my favorite beads, only about two years old, and I would hate to throw them out.

Okay...

2006-12-11T17:10:18Z

I've seen lots and lots of things that tell me not to use acrylic on wood, but nothing that says </i>why</i>. I have a set of shelves that I want to paint, and my life would be much easier if I could use my acrylic craft paints to do so. I know I need primer as a base coat, but is there any reason why I can't use my pretty acrylics on top?

Thanx.

craft_qs @ 2006-09-24T11:56:00

2006-09-24T15:58:58Z

Here's the scoop. I affixed an iron-on decal to a hoodie. I no longer want that decal on there. Is there a way to take it off or do I have to buy a new hoodie? Please share your wisdom.

beads, shoes, tutorial help, and alot of newbie questions

2006-09-22T20:57:05Z

Where do most of you guys go to get your beads and crafty supplies? I want to start making diy braclent, necklaces, and etc for sale on my LJ store. But my problem is finding stuff at a really good price. I have generally been shopping at joanne fabrics, and there prices can sometime be a bit outrageous. I want to make a mrginal profit, but I feel if I have to charge $10 for a simplisticly beaded braclent not many will want to buy. =/ Please give me any tips and hints you have.

Also I need some really good diy tutorials for diffrent kinds of necklaces and braclents. I'm especially looking for chain link ones, and just diffrent kinds. Look at the pictures below to see ideas of what I want to try and make. Anyone know of any?

And I got a pair of white platform tennis shoes. I want to paint them a neon pink and green. What should I use? Spray paint, acrylic paint, etc? And should I coat them after painting? And if so with what? Also should I pretreat/wash/etc them before painting?

Ok and lastly, I'm having a hard time locating certain kinds of beads and items. I'm looking for plastic stars, hearts, round multi colored balls, bows. I found some on ebay, but even those are not quite what I want. If anyone can help me, I'd super apprciate it.

Looking for adjustable ring base

2006-06-21T04:01:17Z

something like this

http://www.etsy.com/view_item_sold_anon.php?listing_id=248823&transaction_id=76209

any direction you can provide would be great.

thanks so much!

UPDATE 6/21/06: I found something that will work at the Oriental Trading Company - Item IN-68/45039.

Crafty gals?

2006-05-07T12:49:44Z

I'm looking for thin (1cm) ribbon in many colours with have sayings on them in french or english?
I only need bout 30cm of each...
I picked up some in france saying things like "La vie en rose" (life is pink), "100% pur moi" (100% pure me), "rire- sourire- fou rire" (laugh - smile - giggle". And I'm looking for simular ones...

They must be some more some where..

I'm making a keyring with them and its looking really funky...

Looks like this (but with words not dots)

So any crafty gal know where to find some?

Thankies

P.S. I'm based in England so an online place/ebay seller is best for me

Hey kids!

2005-12-30T17:23:53Z

Forgive me, I've let this community slip.. But I really want to spend time fixing it up, getting it active again. But I need suggestions.. What needs to be done? How can I make this community active again, how can I get people to participate?

Good changes in the works, I promise. :)

antirealitygirl

Artists Trading Cards

2005-12-28T14:57:50Z

I'm looking for people to make and swap artist trading cards with...anyone interested? Or, know of anywhere I can join to make and swap trading cards with like minded people?

craft_qs @ 2005-10-28T22:59:00

2005-10-29T02:59:09Z

Does anyone know of a place that you can like send them a picture and they can blow it up to a big poster? TIA!

Butterfly Project

2005-10-17T17:52:52Z

I'm brand new to the community and I need help with a project that's due for language. I have to make a 2D model of a butterfly that represents the feelings a child in a death camp/in the Holocaust might have. I choose confusion over why things are happening. Does anyone have any ideas for me? I'm kind of stuck right now, but I'd like to get started on it. Thank you so much for any help!

craft_qs @ 2005-10-13T19:34:00

2005-10-13T09:35:40Z

Hey there,

I'm new and I need some help here.... Not sure if it's within the rules or whatever, but can I get Shrinky Dinks in Australia and where at? Specifically, Geelong, Victoria?

I've read that recyclable plastic can be used too, but all I can find is #1 and #5 types of plastic... is this an American thing or what?

Thanks a lot and sorry if I seem really ignorant! =]

Inspiration?

2005-09-29T19:05:31Z

Hey everyone
I've decided to decorate my own Christmas cards this year... well I bought some cheap ones and I've been sticking my own pictures and what have you onto them

Has anyone got any ideas for places to get pictures from, things to stick on them... you know, the usual sort of random open-ended question...

Thanks!

craft_qs @ 2005-09-02T09:20:00

2005-09-02T13:20:41Z

Hey everyone. I'm new here, and I have a question. Halloween is coming up soon, and I'm going to attempt to make my costume for the first time. It'll also be my first big sewing project..so I need some help. I'm going to try to make the dress from the Helena video that the dead girl is wearing. I have a sketch and everything, and I would think it shouldn't be that hard..but then again I've never made a dress so I don't really know how it goes. I have a drawing i came up with for some help:

Any help would be greatly appreciated and I'll love you forever!!

[x-posted]

pillow help?

2005-08-14T03:33:19Z

hey guys... i have a brother getting married in a week & no present, but i found this awesome shirt that he would love that's too small. no problem, i thought, i can turn it into a pillow! except i don't know how. does anybody have any tips/know-how on how to sew pillows? i get the basic gist - buy some kind of stuffing, sew tshirt fabric around it, but i kind of want it to look halfway decent since it is a wedding present... any help is beyond greatly appreciated!!!

(yeah it's crossposted, sorry)

craft_qs @ 2005-08-11T15:21:00

2005-08-11T19:19:24Z

I've been thinking about making a case for my cell phone.
I was wondering if anyone had any patterns or any advice for doing it.
Thanks.

Material?

2005-07-10T08:56:04Z

So this Is it the material that makes it fuzzy or something else. Any thoughts on this kids?

Here's a picture for people who are lazy :D

screen printed mens shirts?

2005-06-06T23:49:20Z

I am looking for somebody or an online store that screenprints mens button-down style dress shirts, not tshirts, with interesting artwork/designs. I've seen high fashion versions (of which i can't seem to find via Google) of various cotton, buttondown, solid color, long sleeve, dress shirts with a design or graphic screen printed on one side of the chest and sometimes overlapping the buttons and pockets and all the seams (oh god, i hope this makes sense). If i new how or had the room to try it myself, i'd just do it myself but sadly, i don't have the room.
My husband likes unusual shirts and has requested some dressier shirts than just tshirts for when we get the rare occasion to go out. I know what i am looking for, i just can't seem to find them anywhere. I know that i have seen quite a few such items on TV but that probably means they were custom or i wouldn't be able to afford them if i were to find them.
Sooo.... here i am, asking all of you. Help? Anybody?