Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are one of the few things that just about anyone can do. Whatever your age, no matter your artistic ability, anyone can participate in some hands on creativity. We've compiled several guides to help you find and execute and perfect project. Feel free to add any tips or tricks of the trade, or create an article of your own!

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Beading & Jewelry Making This is a great project for little girls, as long as they are supervised. Beads  are a choking hazard for infants and toddlers - be sure your child is old enough! This is a very inexpensive project for a child. For an adult, this is a great way to display your unique style and showcase your creativity.	Candle & Soap Making These are ambitious projects. Be sure you know what you're getting into! Candles  and soaps  are comfort items - who better to make them, than yourself? This is a good idea for people with sensitivity to traditional soap and candle ingredients (ie. scents and perfumes).	Ceramics This can be a one time project, a hobby, or a trade/business. Homemade ceramics  make great gifts, decorations, and of course, dishes.  This is a messy project! Be sure to protect your clothing and furniture, and always supervise children!	Clock Making  Clock making is a bit more old-fashioned than most of the crafts listed here, so your finished product will be a great conversation peice. This activity takes patience and dedication. If it isn't done correctly, it won't work. Share with us and write the guide!	Doll Making  Like clock making, doll making is an older art. Finished products are usually more of a collectible  than a toy.  Doll making is good for doll collectors and enthusiasts. Homemade dolls make for very thoughtful (and very loved) gifts. If you know about doll making, write this guide!

Drawing This is a great project for anyone. Kids love drawing and coloring!  It encourages creativity and expression, and it will keep them busy for hours. Artistic adults can find drawing therapeutic or relaxing. Treat yourself to a sketchpad  and quality pencils,  you deserve it!	Florals & Wreaths Making florals  and wreaths  is a great idea for the holidays. Wreaths are inviting and warm during those chilly months! Spring and easter wreaths  make a home look fresh and welcoming. Though floral arrangements  and wreaths may look difficult, this project can be done in an afternoon, without too much stress.	Glass Art Glass art is not for the whimsical. At the very least, you should have printed instructions before you begin. Most people will probably want to take a class before beginning any sort of at-home glass art. This can be a very fulfilling project - especially if you display your work for guests to see!	Kids Crafts Something to keep the kiddies busy. Projects range from easy to hard, short to long, educational to just plain silly. If you have kids (especially if you have more than one), you'll probably want to keep some of these activities handy. You never know when you'll need a moment to yourself, but when you do, crafts will keep the little ones occupied.	Knitting & Crocheting Knitting and crocheting can serve any number of purposes. Whether it's your therapy, your hobby, your signature gift, or your winter wardrobe,  there is a reason it's a popular pasttime. This is not an activity for youngsters - needles  may not be sharp, but in a child's hands they can still be dangerous.

Painting Painting is another activity with a lot of range. Be sure to buy materials appropriate for your level. Beginners should look for watercolors  or acrylic paints.  No need to splurge on expensive or fancy brushes.  Serious painters should consider oil paints  and animal-hair brushes.	Rubber Stamping Rubber stamping: it's not just for kids! This is an easy for a beginner to get into, but is also wonderful for the seasoned enthusiast. Our guide will tell you about various embossing techniques and different effects so you can create greeting cards, gift boxes, candles and more!	Scrapbooking Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve memories and have fun. Try getting your teens into scrapbooking. It encourages expression and creativity, and can help them make sense of the difficult social experiences of teen-hood. Scrapbooking is great for new moms, newly married couples, and rites of passage. It's a great activity for two!	Seasonal & Special Events Holidays and special occasions are both fun and stressful. These activities will help you prepare for the rollercoaster. You can turn all of your anxious or anticipatory energy into creativity. Arts and crafts can help you gear up and get ready for an event or holiday while calming your nerves.

Sewing & Quilting Sewing and quilting are very popular activities for older adults. It can be a hobby or a source of income. This project requires a lot of patience - if you want instant gratification, this isn't for you. This project is also great for preserving memories. Homemade quilts are often customized to represent a person's life, family, dreams, or personal style.	Wood Carving Wood carving is more specialized than most of the projects listed here. You probably want a tutorial and some practice before you start any real project. This is NOT an activity for kids. The tools are too dangerous for children, and unfinished wood can cause splinters and slivers. Do you know something about wood carving? Write the guide!

• Need some help getting started? Check out our Arts and Crafts Resource guide for inspiration and motivation.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Artisanat
DE: Kunst und Handwerk