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Craft Letters

More Craft Tips and Ideas

I love to receive your letters. It helps me know if I'm going in the right direction and what I've missed or not explained well enough.

Here you will find a sampling of the letters I have received and the answers I have given.

In the answers, you will find a wealth of new craft ideas, tips, methods and advice. I try to give the latest advice, be it on craft related issues or business ones.

I'd love to hear from you. If you have comments, questions, suggestions or just want to say "Hi", click on the "Contact" link on the bottom of the page.

On this page, you will find your questions and answers on craft related issues. Here are my answers to Craft Business Related Questions.

I given each letter a title and put it into a broad category so you can figure out what its about. Click on any one of them to be taken directly to the letter.

If you still can't find what you're looking for, use the search box above or click on the "Contact Us" link

I hope to hear from you soon.

Your Craft Letters Table of Contents

Candles & Candle Holders

Kudzu Candles and Crafts
Uses for Kudzu - The Plant That Ate the South.

Oil Lamp Supplies
The best source of oil lamp supplies on the net.

Tole Painted Candle Holders
Ways to decorate tin can candle holders.

Ceramics

Paulette Gasser
Information on the works of Paulette Gasser, ceramist.

Clay & Glazes

Clay Pendants
How to copy professional made clay pendants.

Clay Wind Chimes
A craft project for seniors.

Does Yeast Harden Clay?
Does yeast do anything to clay?

Flattening Clay Tiles
Tips on how to keep clay tiles flat as they dry.

Non-Toxic Glazes
Safe to use polymer glazes.

Polymer Clay Castle
Using plastic sheeting to create castle walls and floors.

Polymer Clay Cracking
Proper design and curing may prevent cracking in finished pieces.

Polymer Clay Storage
How to store polymer clay.

Pottery Coffee Mug
How to get started making pottery. Also food safe glazes.

Sculpey Safety
Could Liquid Sculpey set a toaster oven on fire?

Victorian Salt Clay
An age old recipe.

Collage

Collage on a Wall
How to place a collage on a wall.

Memory Boxes
Do-it-yourself memory boxes.

Mounting Collage
Methods to sturdily mount a collage.

Copyrights

A Copyright Question
Greeting Card software publishers prohibit the commercial use of their artwork.

Another Copyright Question
More issues with copyright law.

Art Stamp Copyrights
Are art stamps copyrighted?

Avoiding Software Copyright Problems
Avoiding copyright problems when using software problems.

Copyrights on Digital Elements
Commercial use of digital elements of Adobe Photoshop.

Greeting Card Software Copyrights
Using greeting card software to produce commercial products.

Repurposed Art
The legality of using others art work in products you intend to sell.

Craft Apprentice

How Can I Become a Craft Apprentice
Ways to find craft apprenticeships.

Craft Supplies

Red Heart Yarn
How to buy Red Heart yarn mill ends.

Crochet

Crochet for Lefties
Teaching lefties how to crochet.

Decals

Waterslide Decals on Glass and Ceramics
How to home cure decals on glass, ceramics and metal.

Decoupage

Altered Paint Cans
How to make altered paint cans using decoupage techniques.

Attaching Photos to Metal
How to remove photos from their paper backing and attach them to metal.

Decoupage Angled Glass Plates
How to get a perfect fit everytime.

Beginning Decoupage
How to decoupage a desk top.

Best Decoupage Products
Replacements for tried and true Mod Podge.

Bleeding Tissue Decoupage
Creating special effects.

Bubbles in Decoupage Finishes
How to eliminate bubbles when using Mod Podge.

Decoupage a Bookcase
Some tips on how to decoupage a bookcase using kindergartners' artwork.

Decoupage Bubbles
How to get a smooth finish.

Burning Decoupage Candles
Is it safe to burn decoupage candles?

Decoupage on Canvas
Some tips for decoupaging on a canvas backing.

Decoupage Ceramic Tea Kettle
Ways to decorate a ceramic tea kettle, including decoupage.

Decoupage Clay Pots
How to protect decoupage on outdoor clay pots.

Decoupage on China
How to decoupage an old china lamp.

Decoupage Coasters
How to decoupage photos on drink coasters.

Decoupage Condensation
Dealing with condensation between layers of a decoupage project.

Decoupage Comics on Wood
Preventing ink bleed when decoupaging comics.

Decoupage Crackle Finishes
Tips on finishing off a crackle finish project.

Decoupage Defects
Fixing defects in finished decoupage projects.

Decoupage Fabric onto Walls
How to decoupage fabric pieces onto walls.

Decoupage Finishes for Commercial Use
Heavy duty decoupage finishes.

Decoupage on Glass
Creating museum quality plates using decoupage.

Durable Decoupage Finishes
Durable finishes for ceramic cups.

Free Art for Decoupage Projects
Where to find free artwork for decoupage.

Gorillas for Decoupage
Where to find art for your decoupage.

How to Prevent Ink Bleeding In Decoupage Projects
Tips on how to prevent ink bleeding in decoupage projects.

Decoupage Ideas
Where to look for inspiration for decoupage projects.

Decoupage over Oil Stain
Products to use to decoupage over oil stained wood.

Decoupage on MDF
Do you have to seal MDF before applying decoupage?

Decoupage Motorcycles
How to decoupage a motorcycle.

Decoupage an Old Trunk
The proper steps for a good decoupage project.

Decoupage on Old Furniture
Tips on how to prepare old furniture for decoupage.

Decoupage Outdoor Pinic Table
Decoupage to withstand the weather.

Decoupage Pastels
How to prepare pastel drawings for decoupage.

Decoupage Photos
How to add photos to a decoupage project.

Decoupage Photos On Trays
Personalizing trays with decoupage.

Decoupage Picture Frames
Help making decoupage picture frames more durable.

Decoupage Plastic Cups
Are decoupaged plastic cups safe to use?

Decoupage for Profit
Tips on how to create and sell decoupage crafts.

Decoupage Problems
A probable cause of air bubbles in a decoupage project.

Another Decoupage Problem
Tips for dealing with bleeding, air bubbles and lumping in decoupage projects.

Decoupage a Silhouette on Tile
How to choose the right paper to decoupage a silhouette onto tile.

Decoupage Teak Vases
Tips on decoupaging teak vases.

Decoupage Trivets
Decoupage that can stand up to heat.

Decoupage Under Glass
Tips on painting glass before applying decoupage.

Decoupage versus Decals
Pros and cons of each method.

Decoupage Wall Tiles
How to decoupage wall tiles.

Decoupage Wallpaper
Using wallpaper to change a tabletop.

Decoupage a Unique Wedding Memento
How to decoupage a wedding announcement and photo plaque.

Decoupaging Wooden Chairs
How to adhere pictures to your decoupage project.

Logo on Glass
How to protect logos from water and handling.

Peeling Decoupage Finishes
Dealing with peeling and yellowing finishes.

Preventing Decoupage Yellowing
What causes yellowing and how to prevent it.

Texturized Decoupage
What is the method used to add texture to decoupage pieces?

The Rainbow Bridge
A decoupaged tribute to our departed pets.

Vintage Look Decoupage
Dressing up a poster.

Embroidery

Craft Ideas: Embroidery Keepsakes
An embroidery kit that can be dedicated to each child or grandchild.

Plastic Film

Film Fun
Looking for liquid plastic films.

Is Fun Film Still Available in the States?
Has Fun Film been banned?

Glue

Glue - A Sticky Question
What glue to use to adhere metal soda cans to wood for a collage.

Slow Drying Glues
Tips on picking slow drying glues.

Gourds

Birdhouse Gourds
How to prepare birdhouse gourds.

Curing Gourds
The best ways to cure gourds.

Gourd Decorating and Finishing
Ways to prepare a gourd for display.

Glass

How to Drill Glass
Drilling holes in glass is tricky and best left to pros.

Vitreous Glass
The meaning and use of vitreous glass.

Greeting Cards, Printing & Computer Crafts

Changing Graphics Formats
One way to switch to a graphics format unsupported by your program.

Craft Ideas: How to Make an Artist Calendar
How to create a calendar using your personal art.

Clip Art and Royalty Free Images
Artwork for commerical greeting cards.

Create Your Own Decals for Golf Balls & for Craft Projects
Use your computer to print custom decals to add to your craftwork.

Finding and Making Specialized Decals
Finding designs and printing decals for model airplanes.

How to Make a Digital Tag
How to create a three dimensional looking tag for your layouts.

Dye Sublimation Inks
Why dye sublimation inks are so expensive and where you can buy them cheaper, at least for now.

Dye Sublimation Printing for Snow Globes
Ideas on using dye sublimation printing for snow globe interiors.

Using Dye Sublimation for Commercial Clothing Manufacture
How clothing manufacturers can decorate their products using dye sublimation.

French Decals
Where to find French motif decals.

Graphics Formats
Graphics formats for animated greeting cards.

Greeting Cards Design Software
How to get started making your own greeting cards.

Hand Drawn Cards
Transferring your drawings onto greeting cards.

Can You Use Photoshop to Create Greeting Cards
Is Photoshop the best greeting card software program?

Help for Greeting Card Novices
Advice for beginning greeting card makers.

Labels for Graphite Fishing Rods
Is there a way to apply labels to graphite rods?

Paper for Hand Embossing Projects
The best papers for hand embossing wedding placecards.

Photo Collage Software
Easy to use Photo Collage 2.06.

Printers for Invitations
Best printers for computer graphics.

Printing High Quality Greeting Cards
How to get the most out of PrintShop.

Printing Tips for Print Shop
Tips for printing greeting cards using Print Shop.

Printing Greeting Cards
More tips on how to get the most out of your greeting card program.

Using Print Shop to Enhance Original Artwork
How to use Print Shop to manipulate your artwork.

Professional Graphics Programs
Graphics programs for professional users.

Wedding Invitations
Composing elegant wedding invitations in MS Word.

Homecoming Mums

Homecoming Mums & Military Ribbons
Patterns for homecoming mums and military ribbons.

Homecoming Mum Dilemma
Making one mum in two schools' colors.

Charms for Homecoming Mums
Where to find charms for homecoming mums online.

Lights for Homecoming Mums
Where to find lights for homecoming mums.

Light Up Your Homecoming Mums!
How to string lights in your mum.

Homecoming Mum Ribbon Weaves
Some tips on weaving homecoming mum ribbons.

Homecoming Mums Supplies
Some places to find homecoming mum supplies.

Homecoming Mum Suppliers
The best sources of homecoming mum supplies.

More Homecoming Mum Ribbon Weaves
Adding more variety to your mum.

More Homecoming Mum Suppliers
More vendors of homecoming mum supplies.

Selling Homecoming Mums in Oregon
Finding supplies without a business ID.

Weaving Homecoming Mum Ribbons
Ways to weave homecoming mum ribbons.

Sadie Hawkins Mums?
Does anyone know about Sadie Hawkins Mums?

Jewelry

Caring for an Antique Ring
Leave the care of an antique ring to professionals.

Do It Yourself Beading Parties
Easy to do parties for children and adults.

Fiber Necklaces and Bracelets
How to finish off these pieces of jewelry.

Hosting a Beading Party
Tips on holding a successful beading party.

Multi-Stand Necklaces
Fastening ends of multi-strand necklaces.

Vintage Pearl Button Charm Bracelet
Using bails to attach pearls to a charm bracelet.

Cameo Jewelry
How to make cameos.

Cameo Molds
A puzzling question about cameos.

Setting Cameos
The best ways of securing cameos to your jewelry settings.

Landscaping

Landscaping Around an Old Safe
Landscaping tips from The Artful Crafter?

Leather

Designing Shoes
How to get a prototype for self-designed shoes made.

Is Cowhide the Only Leather That Can Be Tooled?
Alternatives to cowhide for tooling.

Shoe Design
Submitting shoe designs to manufacturers.

Shoe Making
How to get started shoe making.

Shoe Making Courses
Where to learn the craft of shoe making.

Kids & Teens

Craft Ideas: Kids Crafts and Handprints
Some ideas for children’s keepsake crafts.

Teen Crafts
Craft ideas for teens.

Mason Jar Lamps

Mason Jar Lamps
How to make your own mason jar lamp.

Mason Jar Lampshades
Where to find mason jar lampshades.

Mason Jar Lamps Questions
Answers to some questions about making mason jar lamps.

Wiring Mason Jar Lamps
How to wire mason jar - or any other type - lamp.

Metal Crafts

Metal Crafts
Learn metal craft skills to make custom tin mail boxes.

Misc Craft Questions

3-D Letters
Ways to make your own 3-D letters.

Book Crafts
The right glue to bind the pages of a book together.

Covering Boxes
Finding paper big enough to cover boxes.

Craft Idea Book
Use a craft idea book to organize your craft projects.

Craft Ideas for Miniature Wooden Shutters
Some tips on how to incorporate miniature shutters into craft projects.

Custom Made Rubber Stamps
How to get your own designs on a rubber stamp.

Custom Tile Designs
How to transfer your artwork to tiles.

Decorating an Outdoorsy Room
Ideas for giving a room an outdoors theme.

Decorating with Letters
How to align letters properly when using them for home decorations.

Faux Oil Painting Using Mod Podge
How to achieve a textured look using Mod Podge.

Finishing a Toy Box
Safely painting a child's toy box.

Free Gift Websites
Is it worth it to use free gift websites?

Gemstone Floor
Caring for a gemstone floor.

Applying Kleer Kote
Getting a smooth finish when using Kleer Kote.

Lotion Bar Recipe
Recipe for a rich lotion bar.

Makeit | Bakit
Uses for old Makit and Bakit crystals.

New Life for Old Molds
A Liquid Plastic Product to use with old Popeil and other types of molds.

Oil Paint over Mod Podge Collage
Are oil paint and Mod Podge compatible.

Painted Poster
How to make a poster look like an oil painting.

Popsicle Stick Bridges
How can you reinforce a popsicle stick bridge?

Retiree Crafts
Making crafts that appeal to seniors.

Shape Cutters for Thick Projects
The best option for cutting shapes through multiple layers at once.

Hand Decorated Switch Plates
Some ideas and tips on making hand decorated switch plates.

Uses for Upholstery Samples
Some ways to use old upholstery sample books.

Weatherproof Finishes
Creating a plaque that can withstand the elements.

Craft Ideas for Wood Slats
Uses for left over wood slats.

Working with a Boa
Some ideas for attaching a boa to gloves.

Organize Your Crafts

Craft Room Design
How to put together an great space for crafting.

Paper Crafts

Paper Pricking
Paper pricking tips.

Iris Folding
Where to find patterns.

Party Planning

Bridal Shower Ideas
Tips on how to create a unique bridal shower.

Handmade Glass Wedding Favors
How to decorate your own glass wedding favors.

Quilting

A Quilt Pattern Question
An easy to use software program that helps you recreate classic quilt patterns.

Ribbon Crafts

Bias Tape Weaving
Where to find bias tape projects and patterns.

Ribbon Crafts
Things to make with ribbon.

How to Weave Ribbon Fish
Where to find instructions for weaving ribbon fish.

Scrapbooking

Tips on Starting a Scrapbooking Business
Some ideas on how to turn a scrapbooking hobby into a business.

Senior Crafts

Limited Dexterity Crafts
Age appropiate crafts for seniors.

Sewing

Blind Hemming Silk
Tips to get the best results.

Lace Coaster Stabilizers
Ways to stabilize lace coasters.

Large Tablecloths
Adjusting the length of large tablecloths.

How to Dart a Shirt
Sewing tips.

What Do Needle Gauge Numbers Mean?
Interpreting needle gauge.

No Pattern Sewing
How to sew a pair of pants without a pattern.

Sew Perfect Mitered Strips
How to sew perfect mitered strips.

Sewing Machine Adjustments
How to adjust your sewing machine for optimum results.

Sewing Tips: What to Do with Old Thread
The right thread to buy and how to preserve it.

A Thread Problem
How to use knotted thread or yarn.

Sewing Velvet
How to get a perfect finish when sewing velvet.

Best Prices for Lion Brand Trellis Yarn Online
A comparison of the best online prices for Trellis yarn.

Using for Upholstery Samples
Some ways to reuse upholstery samples.

Wine Bag Assembly
Tips for easily sewing a wine bag.

Stencils

Wedding Stencils
Where to find stencils suitable for handmade wedding invitations.

ShapeBoss Stencils
How to use stencils with Fiskar's ShapeBoss.

Sundials

Adjusting Sundials
How to make your sundial as accurate as possible.

Wall Covering

Custom Butterfly Wallpaper Border
Using decoupage methods to wallpaper a room.

Custom Wallpaper
Tips on how to make custom wallpaper borders.

Hanging Cloth Strips on Walls
Tips on lining up and applying cloth strips as wall decorations.

How to Hang a Blanket
Tips for hanging a blanket on a wall.

Make Your Own Fabric Wallpaper
How to stiffen fabric to use as a wall covering.

Making Wallpaper from Old Books
Recycle damaged books into wallpaper borders.

Patching Holes in Wallpaper
How to reproduce wallpaper to repair a hole.

Selling Custom Wallpaper
Tips on how to make and sell custom wallpapers.

Holiday Crafts

Christmas

Christmas Bookmark Pattern
An easy CreataCard project for a kindergarden class looking to make Christmas gifts for their parents.

Christmas Cotton Angel Instructions
How to make a cotton boll Christmas angel.

Christmas Ornament Recipes
Easy home cured clay recipes to use to make Christmas ornaments.

Non-Traditional Christmas Decorations
Using old radiators as Christmas decorations.

Pinecone Wreaths
Where to find instructions for pinecone wreaths.

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