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Painting Can Be Fun: Set Up A Home Studio

admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Do you like to paint? Painting can be fun when you a have a home studio to paint in. A home studio can be set up with basic materials to start your art studio. So if you are thinking about setting up a home studio there are some things you will need.

You will need an area with a good work surface. It can be an easel or drafting table, or if you need a bigger space for your canvas, just use the floor. Easels can be purchased from a simple table-top style to a more expensive studio size easel. The easel you choose will depend on what size of canvas and the weight of the canvas.

Besides the easel, you will need storage space for your art supplies, good lighting to see how to paint, good ventilation if you are using oil paints, and running water for cleanup. You will also need somewhere to store all those masterpieces you will be creating. Another basic need will be drop cloths to protect your floors. Once you have all the basics to set up your home studio, you can start to have fun creating all those painted masterpieces to show off.

Learn To Take Beautiful Pictures: Photography 101

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Photographs speak volumes and everyone has pictures displayed in their home. Learning to take beautiful pictures is not difficult and there are many areas to do research and take lessons. Take a course or attend a local college to get hands on experience. No matter what stage you beging learning photography can be fun and exciting for anyone.
Stop by a local park to observe the scenery and the different colors. This will give you inspiration and show how to blend different elements together to create a beautiful photo.Want more? Click here/tag Take pictures when family or friends are in a natural setting such as laughing and playing games. The best photos sometimes take place when it is not planned but as it is happening naturally.
Study how other photographers blend colors, textures and other items to create what they want to say with their photography. The best photos are taken in any setting from inside a studio to outside during various activities like sporting events and even weddings.
Sometimes the best way to learn how to take professional photographs is by having a role model who is willing to take you under their “wing” and have you experience first hand the enjoyment of photography.

Working With Clay: Learn To Create A Masterpiece

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you are into design, love pottery, and want to learn to make some of the best pieces using clay, you will find that there are several instructional guides, courses, and technique methods you can find, both online, and by hiring a teacher, or taking a course. When you are in need of lessons, you can find great teachers which can teach you the elements and components of clay making, and how to get the piece looking the way you want it to, and being able to create the masterpieces you are hoping to make. So, whether it is a hobby, or you are looking to make a career out of this kind of art, you will find that with the right tools, instruction, and design styles, you are going to get a great looking piece that you are trying to create. There are many resources available to artists today, and using all of them is going to ensure that you get the creation you want, and the perfect look you are trying to get in that piece. So, when learning the art of clay, and design, choosing to use the resources will help in your design style and creations.

The Mom and Pop Hobby Shop

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most craft stores are more concerned about bank-card-processing and managing inventory than they are about helping you learn a new skill but if you’re lucky enough to have a mom and pop shop still open in your town you’ve got to take advantage. If you find a great small hobby shop, ask the following questions:
What’s Popular?: Odds are, other enthusiasts have also found the store and go to it for one specific reason. Whether it’s model trains or doll houses, finding out what the store specializes in can break your way into a new hobby.
What Do You Recommend?: If you’ve got some great people on the line, talk to them about their own hobbies. People don’t start hobby shops for the money, they do it because they’re hobbyists themselves so tap into that resource.
Ask for Advice: Tell the person you’re dealing with your strengths and weaknesses – do you hate paint but love mosaic? If they know what you like and dislike they can better point you towards and activity that may be best suited to your needs.

Top Ten Popular Fall Hobby Projects

admin — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In many regions, Autumn brings cooler weather, glorious colors — and a new interest in what’s going on. Try one of these popular Fall hobbies for a new kick to your schedule.

LEAF-PRESSING
Orange, red, gold — why not preserve some of fall’s most beautiful colors for later? Enclosing them in contact paper or a wax coating will help preserve their lovely shading.

CAMPING
The sticky days and bugs of summer are past, and your sleeping bag feels wonderful in the crisp evening air. Tent or trailer camping lets you enjoy fall’s colors without winter’s chilly temps. While you’re at it, gather some wood for…

FIRE-MAKING
Aren’t those branches and extra wood getting in the way? A firepit (portable, or made from a metal ring or concrete blocks) is a relaxing spot for an evening, by yourself or with company. You needed to tidy up the yard, anyways…who brought marshmallows?

WOOD-CARVING
Find a great piece of wood, before you burn all of it; your jackknife will make it even better. (The shavings go into the fire.)

BIRD-WATCHING
The seasonal time-clock is changing, with some birds (like hummingbirds) migrating out, and others (like chickadees) heading into town. A pair of binoculars and a feeding station keep things lively.

HIKING
Summer’s heat has let up, but winter hasn’t gotten a foothold yet. (Well, maybe an icy fingertip or two.) This is perfect weather for hiking and viewing fall colors.

CORN MAZES & PUMPKIN PATCHES
Wandering through a maze of cornstalks on a crisp evening, with geese honking overhead, hones your navigating skills and gives you a new way to experience Fall pleasures. Or pick a pumpkin from a local patch to take home and carve. Kids especially love these activities.

MAKING SOUP
Few things sound tastier than a hot bowl of soup on a chilly day. Veggies are still fresh and readily available, and root crops are in full harvest. Try that new recipe for salmon chowder, or even better, green chile, using Anaheim peppers from the new crop. (If you live in the West, the smell of these roasting is one of the first signs that fall has arrived.)

BAKING BREAD
Doesn’t your soup need a proper accompaniment? Bread or rolls, topped with fresh butter or a slice of cheese, make it a meal, and the heat from the oven is cheering. Try adding cracked wheat or sesame seeds to your dough for extra crunch.

VISIT AN APPLE ORCHARD
Fresh air, falling leaves and the crunchy tang of apple, freshly bitten, give a nice finale to this season. (Kids love it, too, especially if the orchard offers hayrides or petting zoos. Many do.) Take a bushel home; apples keep well on the back porch and in the crisper compartment of your refrigerator. A steaming plate of apple crisp, topped with whipped cream, is a perfect way to end any Fall evening. Enjoy it while you can…because Winter’s coming.

Top Ten Popular Spring Hobby Projects

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

After a long winter, spring is awaited with anticipation. The weather warms up, trees bud, birds come out, people fall in love and everyone wants to go outdoors. Spring is a great time to start a hobby. Hobbies make you more interesting, and can give life more zing. What are the most popular spring projects?

Planting a Garden – Whether you plant a vegetable garden, flower garden or a hydroponics garden, there is nothing like working in dirt and seeing (or eating) the results of your efforts.

Woodworking – How about building a birdhouse, garden bench, or even a trellis?

Fishing – Try deep sea fishing, lake, stream or pond fishing, and don’t forget fly fishing.

Hunting – Be sure to get a permit.

Hiking

Working on a car

Photography – Enjoy nature and take pictures.

Drawing/Painting – Spring offers beautiful landscapes everywhere.

Animals – Baby animals are often born in the spring, is this the time to get one?

Birding – Binoculars and a book is all that is required for this hobby.

Golf – Golf gets you outside and gives you exercise.

After being cooped up all winter, isn’t it time for you to start a hobby today?The information party rocks on: We Are Loving Vegetable Gardening

Top Ten Popular Summer Hobby Projects

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A top ten popular summer hobby project that will help you to fill in those long warm days, maybe at your favorite craft store, hobby center, or right at home. A better way to share a weekend with your son or daughter is to play with a remote plane, boat, or race care you worked on together. Maybe the folk art of tole painting is something you wanted to learn but kept putting off. For this hobby, you can use wooden utensils, coffee or teapots, or furniture.

Summer hobby projects might include taking a class in sewing. Making pillows, aprons, or whimsical pillowcases are fun and useful.Additional information can be found at http://www.amazus.org/2011/07/03/make-your-own-jewelry/. The rage lately has been jewelry making. Indian designs to deco jewelry and fashion jewelry is still a favorite pass time. The art of making jewelry can be a family thing. Kids love to create colorful bracelets and then share them.

A fun hobby for family or friends to do together is scrap booking and making memories pages, photography. or music lessons. Stamp collecting remains a favorite hobby for boys or girls, moms or dads. A hobby in woodworking can produce many fun and useful items. Wooden toys make good gifts to give away at Christmas time or let the grand kids enjoy.

Kids Love Craft Projects: Keep Em Busy For Hours

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When children are at home for the summer its best to keep them occupied with projects that encourage them to use their imagination, natural talents and hands on skills. That’s where craft projects come in handy. It’s hard to find something they can all do together, but anything is possible.

One thing that I have discovered is to have the kids put on a talent show. They all love to sing, dance and act so it’s something they can do together. They like to rummage through their clothes and design unique costumes. They even cut out material and make entirely new garments to find exactly the look they imagined.

Another thing the kids love to do is make books. My 10 year old loves comics and superheroes so he will use any kind of paper to draw pictures, write the story lines and create his own books. My 16 year old loves music so she is learning how to put together a chap book so that her poetry can be turned into songs. Sometimes they let the 4 year old color their pictures.

There is something for everyone to do when the whole family gets involved in summer craft fun.