You asked for it; you got it. Once in a while we get suggestions from our readers on how to improve The Artful Crafter. Probably the one we hear the most is “add more graphics”.

Please take a little tour of the site and see what we’ve done. It’s still a work in process, so you can expect more illustrations and photos in the future.

Several visitors have asked if the crafts pictured are available for sale. Some are, while others are just crafty eye candy.

To find out, simply click on the photo. If the item is available, you will be taken directly to the page where you can read about the work and how to acquire it.

In addition to the graphics, we have reorganized the entire site and, hopefully, improved your ability to navigate the site more easily.

We have added links to the top and bottom of each page, in order to help you know where you are and where you might want to go next.

The Artful Crafter is quite big, with close to 500 pages. Take your time to discover all we have added.

We hope you like our new look and feel.

Eileen

Teen Craft Ideas

With summer vacation just around the corner, a lot of teens (or their parents!) are looking for something productive to fill the free time.

An introduction to a new craft can be a great learning experience, bring in extra money and really boost one’s self esteem. People who don’t craft are always impressed that “you did that yourself!”

Click here for some great teen craft ideas.

Photo Correction for Beginners

If you would like to learn how to use photo-manipulation software like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (the scaled-down version), but are put off by the alleged steep learning curve, here’s an article just for you.

Take a digital or scanned photo that you’re not happy with and follow our step-by-step tutorial.

Section 1 of the tutorial addresses bringing out the detail in a too dark photo. With a little imagination, you’ll also figure out how to darken an overexposed photo.

Section 2 shows you how to correct red eye or pet eye, and provides tips on how to avoid these evil-looking eyes in the future.

Section 3 explains some ways to take a photo with great potential and make it something really special.

If you would like more such tutorials, please send your specific request or question by clicking on the "Contact" button on the site.

Make Your Own Wax Potpourri Tarts

Wax potpourri tarts are small disks of low melt point wax which are infused with fragrance.

Drop a couple into a potpourri or tart warming pot. Light the tea candle underneath and enjoy the wonderful scent which is released as the wax tart melts.

When all the scent is used up, simply pour out the wax (which can be reused, by the way) and wipe the pot clean.

Wax “tarts” can be made using mini-tart pans, but also with soap or floating candle molds which allows you to theme them for specific holidays or occasions.

Learn how to make wax potpourri tarts here.

How to Design Two-Sided Graphics Projects of Any Dimension

If you’ve been making greeting and note cards with a greeting card software program but are getting tired of being limited to “cookie cutter” quarter-fold and half-fold cards, this article is for you.

If you would like to make little folded gift tags or product cards for your crafts but don’t know how to design two-sided projects of various dimensions, read on.

We’ve just put up a tutorial on creating two-sided graphics projects. With this basic information, you can expand your product line to include true custom cards, booklets and flyers of any dimension your printer will allow or dress up your other craft products with cute little hang cards that describe the work or provide use and care instructions.

Click here to get started.

About Those Graphics

As I said before some of the crafts depicted in the headers on our renovated pages are for sale.

To find out which ones, click on the picture. If it is for sale, you will be magically taken to the seller's site where you can buy that product and more.

For the use of these pictures I would like to thank:

Novica, which, in association with National Geographic Magazine, is making crafts from around the world available for sale on the internet, helping bring both the artist and the collector together:

Fabric.com for sharing some of Laurel Burch's latest designs: and

Cameo Jewelry for the use of pictures of some of the beautiful, museum quality, antique cameos they have for sale.