Tag Archives: how to
Six Tips to Improve Your Coloring
By Joanna Campbell Slan Although it seems like a fad, coloring was first prescribed by Carl Jung as part of his therapeutic regime for adults. For years now, therapists have suggested using coloring books as a way for adults to self-sooth. One theory is that the smell of the crayons reminds us of happier times and […]
Sweethearts–A Miniature Shop for Lovers
Around Valentine’s Day I felt absolutely compelled to create a miniature shop of all things heart-shaped. But I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Here’s what I wound up with… The shell of the shop was a paper mache “hatbox.” I cut out the front door, covered it in black and white Contact […]
Miniature Basket Tutorial
This is a fun project that keeps another bit of plastic out of the landfill. Here are two finished versions of this project. SUPPLIES: Empty and clean plastic coffee creamer container Quilling strip (or strip of paper cut 3/8 inch wide) Duct tape (optional) Masking tape (cut into half inch pieces) Scissors Punch (optional) Paper […]
How to Create a Literary Vase
A beautiful fall vase! I was in St. Louis last week, visiting the Carondolet Branch Library for their Author Breakfast event. On the tables were lovely vases, created by Sarah Zolezzi. As a gift for us authors, we were allowed to take one home. But I walked off and forgot mine! ARGH! At least I […]
How to Make Paper Beads, Part II
Now that you have a plethora of long, skinny triangles, it’s time to make your beads. For the next step, you’ll need: 1. A lot of wooden toothpicks or skewers. They have to be ROUND, not squarish. These will be used as spindles. You’ll wrap your paper beads around the toothpicks to shape them. 2. A block of […]
How to Create Inchies — and What to Do With Them When You're Done!
In my newest Kiki Lowenstein short story, she runs short of craft supplies and ideas. But Kiki never fails her customers, so she came up with a wonderful “make and take” project–inchies! Inchies are one inch by one inch pieces of original art. Typically they are collage art, but that’s not always the case. What’s so […]
Directions for Making a Shell Mirror
Start with a mirror, of course, but don’t do as I did. I bought a mirror in a frame with a beveled edge. That meant an uneven surface for gluing shells. Buy a flat frame. Glue on the shells. Yes, it’s that easy. Here are a few tips. (Learn from my mistakes!) 1. Sort your […]
No Money, No Time–No Problem! Last Minute Gifts
Here are three thrifty and simple last minute gift ideas. 1. A Holiday Recipe Book— I used a cute holiday card from the $1 section of Michaels for this. I added the words “Recipes for a” to the front of the card. I slipped the card into a one quart sized plastic ziplock bag. I […]
How to Doodle
What is doodling? It’s playing with your pen on paper. You can’t do it wrong. What are the “secrets” of doodling? 1. Pencil-in first
