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Another summer comes to an end in our hemisphere, but with it come lots of beginnings: refreshing autumn weather; the turning of the leaves; a new school year for the kids and grandkids; … and then, one after another, the fall holidays.

Don’t you just love the excitement that beams forth from children when they master or learn something new?

Before you get caught up in the whirl of planning your holiday crafting, why not take a little time for a new beginning for yourself? How long has it been since you tried your hand at a new craft?

There’s nothing quite like achieving something for the first time – that WOW feeling of "I did it. I really did it!"

You may find a new craft love or a way of saving a few dollars by DIY-ing.

I challenge you to pick out just one project from the list below – something you’ve never tried before – and give it a go. I’d love to hear what you chose and how it went. Pictures are welcome too.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and a glorious crafty fall!

Cheers, Eileen

To celebrate The Artful Crafter´s 7th birthday last month, we gave away a copy of Margot Potter’s latest book, New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry.

Winner Gina wrote, "I love making jewelry, but haven’t done any in a while. I've really been wanting to try wire jewelry making for a long time, so this is the perfect opportunity!"

Gina, opportunity knocked and you answered ;-) We’d love to see what you make from the book.

Thanks to all who played along and to Margot Potter who generously donated a copy of her book for this giveaway.

New Articles Plus …

You’ll find tons of other ideas to inspire you in our Craft Ideas Section and in our Holiday Craft Index.

End of Summer and Back-to-School Crafts

• Make Unique Decorative Book Covers – Here are some ideas to help make your kids’ book uniquely theirs, as well as to make them last through the coming school year.

• Clay Pot Garden Bells Kids Craft – These are cute and easy to make. Let the kids decorate the pots and see what they come up with.

Crochet and Knitting

• 100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet: A Collection of Beautiful Blooms for Embellishing Garments, Accessories, and More – Peek into Lesley Stanfield’s book of lovely yarn confections. These small flower projects make great take-along crochet and knitting projects, are a perfect way to use up yarn scraps, and can be used in countless ways.

• Crochet: Carrying on the Family Tradition – Bridget has a very special reason to learn how to crochet.

Jewelry Crafting

• Awesome Mixed Media Earring Organizer – If you love earrings and have trouble finding the pair you want amidst the jumble of your collection, this project is perfect for you!

• New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry Review – Margot Potter’s latest book took me extra-long to read because I couldn’t help but put it down to haul out my jewelry making supplies and try some things as I went along.

Digital and Hybrid Crafts

• How to Use Gel Medium to Transfer Images to Fabric – I learned this new technique while making a card for my hubby’s birthday.

• Free Clip Art to Publicize Neighborhood Fun – Here are my picks of the best sources for free clip art for any occasion.

• Mixed Media Card Making Fun – I used to be a total digi-gal. Now I’m discovering the many ways to add the third dimension and some sparkle to cards. Hybrid cards are also a great way to use odds and ends that otherwise would go in the trash or molder away in your stash.

• How to Make Unique Envelopes: the Hard way and the Easy Way – Can’t find the perfect size or color envelope for your hand made cards? Learn how to make your own.

• Solving Decal Problems in Model Making – Be sure to store your decal paper properly so it’s good to go when you are. Glass Painting

• Transform Plain Glassware into Unique Home Décor – Have you tried painting glass with transparent paints for a stained glass look? I just did and am pleased with my first attempt.

Woodworking

• Do You Have Wood and Tools for Whittling? If Not, Do You Know Where to Find Them? – Ah, the fine art of whittling … it can be done with nothing more than a twig and kitchen paring knife or …

Reader Letter of the Month: When Life Gives you Lemons, Make Jewelry!

Good morning,

My name is Miriam and I am trying to find someone who teaches beginner jewelry making classes, I just got laid off and love huge earrings.

I really want to design huge lightweight very odd wood jewelry for me. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THEM OFF WEBSITES AS IN THE PAST.

When I do learn - should the younger generation want them, I can go forward; but now it is just my desire to learn.

Thank you and be blessed.

--

Hi Miriam,

You really touched my heart with your upbeat note and the signoff, "Thank you and be blessed."

The fact that you can say that right after being laid off is a humbling lesson for those of us who are still employed. I wish you luck in the coming months and hope you will be back on your feet financially very soon.

As for learning to make earrings, local craft stores may have free (or almost free) classes which you can take. If you walk down the jewelry supply aisles, you may find little project tear sheets that are also free and have diagrams to show you some of the basics like opening and closing jump rings.

Earrings are a terrific idea to make some quick cash. They’re much less expensive and easier to make than other types of jewelry.

Type "how to make earring videos" into your web browser’s search box and you will find a wealth of step by step videos and tips for making your own earrings.

Here’s an article about some of my early Easy Earrings and my realization of the profit potential in earrings. While mine were beaded earrings, many of the tools and tips still apply.

Best of luck. I hope to hear from you again.

Wooden Letters
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