Handicraft findings have always inspired the mind with an artistic bend. Whether it is in the jewellery one wears, or it is in the dresses one dons, a hint of ethnicity envelopes them. And not just the clothes or the jewellery, if you have a flair for hand-crafted objects or tribal things, then even the upholstery or the decorative pieces in your home has a touch of ethnicity. However, handicraft jewellery is more frequently used by many than other objects.
Handicraft findings jewellery or decorative objects are definitely artistic, mostly because of the fact that they are made by people who are closer to nature and made with the things - like beads and shells -- that are found ubiquitously in and around that region. For instance, we find frequent usage of stones, gemstones, precious stones and semi-precious stones in jewellery made by hands. Then there are those hand crafted ones which are prepared using cowry shells and bones.
Hand made jewellery is not confined to only such objects. There is frequent usage of other materials such as wood and brass that make some really admirable trinkets. Varicoloured beads and different kinds of materials are bedded together to make exquisite ornaments. For instance, beads and sea shells, and brass with small wood beads make brilliant combinations for necklaces and ear pieces.
Jewellery in Handicraft findings has a very earthy and tribal appeal. From everyday jewellery to highly fashionable ornaments, there is something for everyone and for all kinds of occasions. Most of the handicraft jewellery is inspired by the tribal and rural elements that have the touch of traditional handmade quality. Such may or may not have some symbolic meaning. Most of the times, they do have some symbolic representation in the materials used to make the ornaments, which again is particular to the group or clan producing these jewellery.
Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the handicraft findings being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shane
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Handicraft Findings for Living
Handicraft findings have found their space in our collection of trinkets since a long time. They are not an essential part of every woman's collection, however those who have a creative bend of mind, always adore them and have given such jewellery a special place in their jewellery boxes and in their life. And not just ornaments, we find handicraft findings claiming a special place even in home decoration as well as other decorations.
They have a special earthy touch and appearance. It is this earthy look that makes them so beautiful and classy. They can make a place look very ethnic when something handicraft is placed or decorated in that place. Similarly, when you wear something hand crafted or made of such material, you gain an ethnic and earthy look instantly. It is like magic - the moment you put on something made up of such objects, it gives a rustic touch which is definitely beautiful.
Usually this type of jewellery are made up of all unconventional things like clay burnt, beads, wood, bamboo, cane, metal, locally found elements, gun metal and shells like cowrie shells etc. These ornaments are made by the local people. Sometimes they make it for a livelihood and sometimes they make it for fun to decorate themselves.
Handicraft findings are great for different purposes - you can wear it as a part of office wear, you can also have fun with them when you go out with friends, and you can also wear them at parties and celebrations. It all depends upon the kind of attire you choose to wear. With office wear, you can wear them as light jewellery for everyday use. They make you look good and at the same time not overdone. You can wear them to make you look easy going and in a happy mood when you go out with friends. And some of the extravagant handicraft findings jewellery are great for parties.
Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the Handicraft findings of jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shane
They have a special earthy touch and appearance. It is this earthy look that makes them so beautiful and classy. They can make a place look very ethnic when something handicraft is placed or decorated in that place. Similarly, when you wear something hand crafted or made of such material, you gain an ethnic and earthy look instantly. It is like magic - the moment you put on something made up of such objects, it gives a rustic touch which is definitely beautiful.
Usually this type of jewellery are made up of all unconventional things like clay burnt, beads, wood, bamboo, cane, metal, locally found elements, gun metal and shells like cowrie shells etc. These ornaments are made by the local people. Sometimes they make it for a livelihood and sometimes they make it for fun to decorate themselves.
Handicraft findings are great for different purposes - you can wear it as a part of office wear, you can also have fun with them when you go out with friends, and you can also wear them at parties and celebrations. It all depends upon the kind of attire you choose to wear. With office wear, you can wear them as light jewellery for everyday use. They make you look good and at the same time not overdone. You can wear them to make you look easy going and in a happy mood when you go out with friends. And some of the extravagant handicraft findings jewellery are great for parties.
Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the Handicraft findings of jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shane
Handicraft Findings of the Past, Enjoy Attention Today
As time progressed, the jewellery industry has witnessed the innovation and usage of different kinds of materials in making fashionable and trendy jewellery from time to time. Such materials have defined trends and times, and sometimes even a whole era has been named after the discovery and frequent usage of any specific metal or element. The usage of different materials in jewellery and accessories, dresses and attires have been proven by the handicraft findings from archaeological surveys and study of history.
Some of the innovations of the past are still enjoying huge popularity in the jewellery industry prevalent around the world. And not just the past, even to this day, there are clans and tribes, like in South Asian countries and in African region, where people are closer to nature. Handicraft findings and small-scale manufacturing point to the fact that people are making, selling, buying and wearing jewellery that fall under handicraft category.
Jewellery that is considered a part of handicraft findings has immense popularity, especially those which belong to cultures and civilisations of the past. There is usage of various kinds of masks as pendants, bones in traditional earrings and rustic lavaliere, cowry shells in all kinds of jewellery and accessories, wood in bracelets and armlets, and many more such material that evoke a crude and folksy appeal. The designs and the material used to make such jewellery are rough to touch and have dull lustre.
There is extensive usage of flora and fauna designs in handicraft findings. Animals like zebra, cheetah, giraffe, tiger, fish, birds etc. have repeatedly been the inspiration in the designs of such ornaments. Designs are carved into wood or other impressionable material to get the desired look. These days, jewellery of handicraft findings is not restricted to materials close to nature. A conglomeration with pearls, beads, gemstones and various metals have helped in the huge development of the handicraft jewellery industry.
Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the handicraft findings being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shane
Some of the innovations of the past are still enjoying huge popularity in the jewellery industry prevalent around the world. And not just the past, even to this day, there are clans and tribes, like in South Asian countries and in African region, where people are closer to nature. Handicraft findings and small-scale manufacturing point to the fact that people are making, selling, buying and wearing jewellery that fall under handicraft category.
Jewellery that is considered a part of handicraft findings has immense popularity, especially those which belong to cultures and civilisations of the past. There is usage of various kinds of masks as pendants, bones in traditional earrings and rustic lavaliere, cowry shells in all kinds of jewellery and accessories, wood in bracelets and armlets, and many more such material that evoke a crude and folksy appeal. The designs and the material used to make such jewellery are rough to touch and have dull lustre.
There is extensive usage of flora and fauna designs in handicraft findings. Animals like zebra, cheetah, giraffe, tiger, fish, birds etc. have repeatedly been the inspiration in the designs of such ornaments. Designs are carved into wood or other impressionable material to get the desired look. These days, jewellery of handicraft findings is not restricted to materials close to nature. A conglomeration with pearls, beads, gemstones and various metals have helped in the huge development of the handicraft jewellery industry.
Paul Shane cherishes a hobby of studying and collecting jewellery, to dig out the making and story behind them, especially the rare or exquisite ones, also the handicraft findings being used for manufacturing the jewellery. He also loves studying consumer behaviour related to jewellery selecting and buying. At present he is associated with a leading group called E-Beads Limited.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shane
Thursday, 23 April 2009
How You Can Make and Use Pressed Flowers!
Pressed flowers are popular still today. I think they can be used quite successfully in a number of ways. Not only flowers, but different types of grasses etc., too. Generally, all kinds of flowers and grasses can be pressed, one way or another.
I would say however, that when you go looking for flowers to press, always choose the best specimens that you can find at the time. It stands to reason that if the flowers are not at their freshest, you are not going to get a very good result after pressing. If the flowers are already knocked about, this process will not revive them.
So, once you have the best of what you were looking for, preferably on a clear day, not a wet one, cut away any thicker parts of your flowers so that it will press flat.
Even as a child I can remember scouring fields in Warwickshire for flowers and taking them home, to press later between the pages of a very thick and old book. In fact, even to this day, I still sometimes come across very old pressed flowers that have kept remarkably well.
This method of pressing must date back hundreds of years. When I cleared out my house I came across a book my mother had pressed when she was a child. The thicker the book you use for this, the better. The very old, thick type, of leather bound family bibles are often used.
In the main I would suggest that you choose books which have absorbent pages. Books with shiny glossy pages are not to be recommended. Whatever you do, make sure that your flowers are clean and it is very important that they are dry, with any surplus bits removed.
Place them carefully in a thick book. You will then need to add weight on top of this. In the past I have used books with heavy full bottles on top, or anything that will press weight on to the book.
Now you need to leave them and forget about them for a while. Probably for around six weeks. This is the original method. Years ago these flowers used to be put into drawing books, named and dated.
Now however, in craft shops, and often gift shops, you can buy flower presses, whereby your flowers are wedged between sheets of paper with a piece of wood either end of this. What actually happens, is that you tighten four screws each end to work the press. You still insert papers in between.
However, pressed flowers can be used for many items, such as paper weights, tags for gifts, bookmarks and candles, just to name several. To make cards though, you would need some paper adhesive, a smallish brush which is soft, tweezers, some pressed flowers and also leaves would be good in this instance and some paper for your card.
Firstly, if you have chosen what you want for your card, just ascertain that your items will fit well into your card. You could apply some lace to your card as a background, or even a piece of different coloured card to your paper, as a base on your folded card.
Then use your tweezers carefully to pick up your flower or leaf, stem etc. and put adhesive on the back and place them carefully into position and press gently down. When you have completed this, it would be a very good idea to put something heavy on top. I use a heavy iron, but thick books will do.
You can obtain a matt adhesive for paper, which you could later apply lightly with a brush over your flowers. Note, you will only need a thin layer. Leave it to dry.
If you enjoyed this article then you can find a lot more at the authors website. Anna Meenaghan is an artist that uses a great many subjects to bring her art to life. Ranging from realism all the way to art posters. Why not visit her online, interactive art community?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Meenaghan
I would say however, that when you go looking for flowers to press, always choose the best specimens that you can find at the time. It stands to reason that if the flowers are not at their freshest, you are not going to get a very good result after pressing. If the flowers are already knocked about, this process will not revive them.
So, once you have the best of what you were looking for, preferably on a clear day, not a wet one, cut away any thicker parts of your flowers so that it will press flat.
Even as a child I can remember scouring fields in Warwickshire for flowers and taking them home, to press later between the pages of a very thick and old book. In fact, even to this day, I still sometimes come across very old pressed flowers that have kept remarkably well.
This method of pressing must date back hundreds of years. When I cleared out my house I came across a book my mother had pressed when she was a child. The thicker the book you use for this, the better. The very old, thick type, of leather bound family bibles are often used.
In the main I would suggest that you choose books which have absorbent pages. Books with shiny glossy pages are not to be recommended. Whatever you do, make sure that your flowers are clean and it is very important that they are dry, with any surplus bits removed.
Place them carefully in a thick book. You will then need to add weight on top of this. In the past I have used books with heavy full bottles on top, or anything that will press weight on to the book.
Now you need to leave them and forget about them for a while. Probably for around six weeks. This is the original method. Years ago these flowers used to be put into drawing books, named and dated.
Now however, in craft shops, and often gift shops, you can buy flower presses, whereby your flowers are wedged between sheets of paper with a piece of wood either end of this. What actually happens, is that you tighten four screws each end to work the press. You still insert papers in between.
However, pressed flowers can be used for many items, such as paper weights, tags for gifts, bookmarks and candles, just to name several. To make cards though, you would need some paper adhesive, a smallish brush which is soft, tweezers, some pressed flowers and also leaves would be good in this instance and some paper for your card.
Firstly, if you have chosen what you want for your card, just ascertain that your items will fit well into your card. You could apply some lace to your card as a background, or even a piece of different coloured card to your paper, as a base on your folded card.
Then use your tweezers carefully to pick up your flower or leaf, stem etc. and put adhesive on the back and place them carefully into position and press gently down. When you have completed this, it would be a very good idea to put something heavy on top. I use a heavy iron, but thick books will do.
You can obtain a matt adhesive for paper, which you could later apply lightly with a brush over your flowers. Note, you will only need a thin layer. Leave it to dry.
If you enjoyed this article then you can find a lot more at the authors website. Anna Meenaghan is an artist that uses a great many subjects to bring her art to life. Ranging from realism all the way to art posters. Why not visit her online, interactive art community?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Meenaghan
Home Crafts - Taking Your Favorite Old Record Albums and Showing Them Off
A lot of us still remember the days of playing our favorite vinyl record albums on a turntable, and can recall the anticipation of bringing that album home from the record store to give it a spin and play our radio favorite again and again. Here is a classic way to resurrect one or two of those old record albums and show them off in an artsy way and protect them at the same time.
I was inspired to create this decorating project when I came across an album shaped hanging frame with a glass cover to protect the front of the album jacket. That of course is the part that holds the record itself. The frame was designed to display album covers on a wall as decorative art. Throughout the decades of modern music as we know it, specifically the time period from the psychedelic 60s to the present time, the design and artwork that would go in to an album jacket cover, and the more current CD covers, at times has resulted in phenomenal and historically significant art. So, when I discovered this frame designed to show off some of those more artsy album covers, I was immediately drawn to the idea and started to make a mental list of the old albums I had that might work well displayed on my walls.
Then, like that proverbial light bulb flashing over my head, I had a revolutionary idea that had me jumping through the ceiling with excitement. What if I took an old record album or two, great musically speaking, but lacking in artistic interpretation on the cover, and used that same frame I found to display the vinyl record itself. Of course, you must be asking what is so original about that idea? Well, pull up a chair and I will show you how to make that dark vinyl disc a work of art.
First let us look at the supplies you will need for this attention drawing project:
·Square album frame with glass cover: (12 ¼in. X 12 ¼in.);
·An album, without the jacket cover
·Scrapbooking theme paper, theme wrapping paper, or any artistic paper that projects the message or theme of the album itself.
·Thicker cardboard cut in to the square dimensions of your frame (this should match the shape given above that is intended for an album cover to fit inside)
·Adhesive glue stick or artist spray adhesive
To put this framed art project together, you are simply taking an old record album and showing it off on your wall in the same way that music artists are awarded once their recordings reach a certain level of sales. Whereas their successfully selling record albums are represented in gold or platinum, our framed records will be the actual albums themselves with a decorative theme border surrounding them.
Step 1: You may have a square piece of the thick cardboard included with your frame. However, if you do not, just cut a square piece of cardboard in the dimensions listed above from an ordinary cardboard box. Test fit the cardboard inside the frame before going any further. Once you have a fit, set your cardboard on a flat surface safe for cutting upon. Now, take your album of choice, and place it exactly in the center. A perfect way to find the true center is to first measure your square and make a pen mark at that point. Then, simply lay the album over the cardboard and line up the hole in the middle of the album with that pen mark. Bet the inventor of the record album never realized the center hole had a dual purpose, did he? Once you have marked your place, take a sharp utility blade and slowly score the cardboard along the circular edge of the album. Once complete, remove the album and cut completely through your scored cardboard to remove the inner circle. You are now ready for the next step.
Step 2: You will now want to take your scrapbooking paper or wrapping paper of choice, and cover your cardboard using an adhesive glue stick. Make sure the paper is flat against the cardboard without any bubbles, and then cut out the center circular portion where the album itself will be inserted. Once the paper is dry, place it inside the album frame, insert your album, and place the protective backing that came with the frame back in place.
That is it! Your artsy framed old record album is ready to be hung on the wall and admired. Have fun with it.
Linda Johnson is a degreed and experienced crafter and interior decorating specialist, with years of experience helping friends, family, and clients solve their decorating and craft needs. Find tons more craft ideas and decorating projects like this with photos, and submit your own great ideas for free by visiting http://www.showcasetoideas.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_M_Johnson
I was inspired to create this decorating project when I came across an album shaped hanging frame with a glass cover to protect the front of the album jacket. That of course is the part that holds the record itself. The frame was designed to display album covers on a wall as decorative art. Throughout the decades of modern music as we know it, specifically the time period from the psychedelic 60s to the present time, the design and artwork that would go in to an album jacket cover, and the more current CD covers, at times has resulted in phenomenal and historically significant art. So, when I discovered this frame designed to show off some of those more artsy album covers, I was immediately drawn to the idea and started to make a mental list of the old albums I had that might work well displayed on my walls.
Then, like that proverbial light bulb flashing over my head, I had a revolutionary idea that had me jumping through the ceiling with excitement. What if I took an old record album or two, great musically speaking, but lacking in artistic interpretation on the cover, and used that same frame I found to display the vinyl record itself. Of course, you must be asking what is so original about that idea? Well, pull up a chair and I will show you how to make that dark vinyl disc a work of art.
First let us look at the supplies you will need for this attention drawing project:
·Square album frame with glass cover: (12 ¼in. X 12 ¼in.);
·An album, without the jacket cover
·Scrapbooking theme paper, theme wrapping paper, or any artistic paper that projects the message or theme of the album itself.
·Thicker cardboard cut in to the square dimensions of your frame (this should match the shape given above that is intended for an album cover to fit inside)
·Adhesive glue stick or artist spray adhesive
To put this framed art project together, you are simply taking an old record album and showing it off on your wall in the same way that music artists are awarded once their recordings reach a certain level of sales. Whereas their successfully selling record albums are represented in gold or platinum, our framed records will be the actual albums themselves with a decorative theme border surrounding them.
Step 1: You may have a square piece of the thick cardboard included with your frame. However, if you do not, just cut a square piece of cardboard in the dimensions listed above from an ordinary cardboard box. Test fit the cardboard inside the frame before going any further. Once you have a fit, set your cardboard on a flat surface safe for cutting upon. Now, take your album of choice, and place it exactly in the center. A perfect way to find the true center is to first measure your square and make a pen mark at that point. Then, simply lay the album over the cardboard and line up the hole in the middle of the album with that pen mark. Bet the inventor of the record album never realized the center hole had a dual purpose, did he? Once you have marked your place, take a sharp utility blade and slowly score the cardboard along the circular edge of the album. Once complete, remove the album and cut completely through your scored cardboard to remove the inner circle. You are now ready for the next step.
Step 2: You will now want to take your scrapbooking paper or wrapping paper of choice, and cover your cardboard using an adhesive glue stick. Make sure the paper is flat against the cardboard without any bubbles, and then cut out the center circular portion where the album itself will be inserted. Once the paper is dry, place it inside the album frame, insert your album, and place the protective backing that came with the frame back in place.
That is it! Your artsy framed old record album is ready to be hung on the wall and admired. Have fun with it.
Linda Johnson is a degreed and experienced crafter and interior decorating specialist, with years of experience helping friends, family, and clients solve their decorating and craft needs. Find tons more craft ideas and decorating projects like this with photos, and submit your own great ideas for free by visiting http://www.showcasetoideas.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_M_Johnson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)