Monthly Archives: January 2019

Jan27

RECYCLED CRAFT: Funky Valentines

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RECYCLED CRAFT: Funky Valentines

Funky Recycled Valentines

Materials:

Paper in pink, red, purple, white

Greeting cards or images downloaded from the Internet

Lace Paper doilies

Sequins

Glitter

Pearls

Seeds

Beads

Stickers

Scissors

Glue stick

White glue

Heart-shaped cookie cutters, templates, stencils or the patterns provided below

String or yarn

Markers or colored pencils

  1. Gather greetings cards that you no longer want and cut out shapes that are traditional for a Valentine’s Day theme: flowers, birds, kittens, hearts, puppies, etc. Or download images or clip art from a free program on the Internet.
  2. Using the heart patterns provided or a heart-shaped cookie cutter(s) or template(s) or stencil(s), trace and cut the heart out of colored paper. Use the largest pattern or cookie cutter or stencil for the main part of the valentine. Make more than one valentine and use papers of various colors. Trace and cut hearts of smaller sizes, too.
  3. Glue sequins, images from the greeting cards, small heart-shapes, etc in a pleasing design on the valentine.
  4. Using markers or colored pencils, write a message: “Happy Valentine’s Day!” or any other message suitable for the holiday
  5. Optional: Glue string or yarn on the back of the valentine and hang it up or give it to a friend of your choice.

VARIATION: MAKE A FUNKY RECYCLED VALENTINE POUCH

Create two cards of the same size. Decorate. Glue the two sides but keep the top open. Punch two holes in the center of the heart at the top. Cut a piece of ribbon or string long enough for hanging or carrying. Pass the ribbon or string through the hole and make a knot. Pass the ribbon through the other hole making another knot. You now have a pouch for holding your valentines!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

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Jan20

ANOTHER HEALTHY APPLE SALAD

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ANOTHER HEALTHY APPLE SALAD
@Photograph by Marion Constantinides Oct. 2016

@Photograph by Marion Constantinides Oct. 2016

Another Healthy Apple Salad

 

Ingredients:

2  cups Romaine (or greens of choice)

1 – 2 unpeeled red apples, diced

1/2 cup diced celery

1/4 cup craisins (or raisins)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or slivered almonds)

 

Dressing:

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons pineapple juice

1 Tablespoon sugar

In a large salad bowl, toss lettuce, apples, celery, craisins and walnuts. In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the dressing. (Or use a salad dressing of your choice. I use an Asian-style dressing.)

Pour over the salad and toss.

Take to a picnic or serve with grilled food.

Serve immediately.

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Jan15

VOTIVE CANDLEHOLDER

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VOTIVE CANDLEHOLDER

Beat the winter doldrums with a fun craft project! Use it as a Valentine’s Day decoration, give as a gift

 or use it all-year round! Super easy and cheap to make.

Votive Candleholder

Materials:

Shells in different sizes

Strand of pearls or beads

Large clear vase with a neck (See photo)

Small votive/candle holder (make sure it fits into the opening of the vase)

Small candle or tea light that fits into the votive holder

Optional: Ribbon (the neck of the vase will decide the width and length of the ribbon)

1. Wash and dry the vase and candle holder/votive so that they shine.

2. Let the shape of the vase dictate where the shells, pearls and other objects of  choice will lay inside the vase.

3. Intertwine one strand of beads or pearls. Add some shells. Mix again.

  1. Place the larger shells and pearls or beads next and then intertwine another strand of beads or pearls.
  2. Finally, arrange the medium objects on top. Add the last strand of pearls or beads.  Mix. Make sure there is enough room for the candle holder/votive which should protrude above the neck of the vase just enough so that it is noticeable.
  3. Optional: Tie a bow around the neck of the vase

If the vase is narrow at the bottom, and widens just below the neck, place the small ones on the bottom. Refer to the photo of the finished craft.

Substitutions for the vase:

Potpourri

Small handmade soaps

Beads

Buttons

Heart-shaped paper cutouts

Ribbons

Mix it up!

Substitutions for the votive/candle holder:

Flower bud

Tiny beads

Colored water

Potpourri

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Jan6

HOW TO MAKE MONEY SELLING CRAFTS

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HOW TO MAKE MONEY SELLING CRAFTS

Sell Your Crafts! Turn Your Hobby into Spending Money

If you enjoy creating and you constantly hear people telling you that you should sell your creations, consider voyaging into the world of selling your crafts for money. You should carefully plan out your entrance into the world of selling crafts. There are many websites and venues where you can sell your crafts both online and off.

Online venues are a great way to reach customers all over the world. Popular websites like Etsy, Artfire and eBay are great tools that help to reach your targeted customers. Before making the plunge into selling your crafts, be sure to take the time and do some research beforehand. Keep the following questions in mind as you consider the prospect of selling your creations:

* Do I have a product that people would want to buy? This is the most important question you have to ask yourself. If there is no target market for your products, you will have a hard time selling your creations and not because your items are not nice. Perhaps they are not in demand.

* Who is my potential target market? You need to know who to advertise to and how to successfully draw your target market to your items. For example, it would be a waste of time trying to sell baby clothes to those who do not have children

* What will I charge for my creations? Pricing is an important strategy. All too often, people under charge for their creations because they forget to add in the time and materials that go into a product. Make sure to account for both the cost of the materials as well as the time and effort you put forth to create your goods. Also be sure not to overcharge. You may find that your items do not sell because they are too expensive for the average person to buy,

* Where will I sell my items? Online websites are plentiful when it comes to selling handmade goods. There are websites such as Etsy and Artfire who only allow the sales of handmade goods, along with supplies. EBay is also another popular venue to sell handmade goods. Be aware though, that you will be competing with the other goods that are not handmade and therefore cheaper to buy. A good description of the item and its benefits is always a good idea.

If you choose to sell locally, try finding a store that will sell your items on consignment or sign up to show at a local craft show. Both will be good for exposure. If you choose to go the consignment route, be sure to get all terms in writing. Otherwise you run the risk of having your items kept and not paid for.

It is very possible in today’s day and age to make some spending money selling your crafts. Be sure to do your research and follow through your plan by keeping the above questions in mind. Once you have your plan in mind, go ahead and sell your crafts. But remember, like anything else, you will get in return what you put forth so make it worth your while.

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