Literally... A handmade strawberry trivet

I saw this project and had to do it with my kids at school. These turned out so cute! The starwberry trivets are made out of a simple ceramic tile and acrylic paint . They were so easy to make.




Here's some more craft and gift ideas using ceramic tiles:
Creativity For Kids Ceramic Tile Art


Mosaic Project [VHS]


Mosaic Tile Flower Kit

Is there an easy way to paint a portrait with watercolor?

Is there an easy way to paint a portrait in watercolor? The answer to this is YES! One of my wonderful readers submitted this awesome tutorial. Thanks Kat from Seattle Washington!

Here is a tutorial for painting a watercolor portrait using a stencil. So you think you can't paint... well, think again!

The weather is getting warmer and the thumbs are getting greener. I have already bought some flowers to make hanging baskets and planters. So it's time to start thinking about how we can decorate our gardens and such. Here's a really cute idea that you can even get the kids involved in. Painting animal rock critters is a very cheap and easy activity and gift to make for someone. They are great to use outside in a garden or inside in a planter. Here is a great book I have found with instructions and pictures for painting all sorts of different critters.

Set Your Goals In Pen!

I am sure many of you have heard the saying, "___________ ( Fill in the blank) is set in stone." Many times people find that they hold themselves more accountable when they write their goals down. When you can harness your creative energy and direct it toward solving a problem (how do I doing what I love? Become successful and happy? Be creative and satisfied?) something amazing happens—ideas start flowing out of nowhere. Without a plan creative people tend to get distracted easily." Hey look, something shiny!" As I was saying , begin by coming up with key words that you aspire to and inspire you when it comes to your creativity and what you would like to do and try. Try typing these words into a Google Image Search and see what comes up. You may be lead into directions you never thought you might go. Try new creative gift making ideas and crafts. Share these projects and ideas with others. Who knows what might happen!

If you haven't yet read the book or watched the movie "The Secret" I highly recommend it. Watching this movie has really changed how I think about life and everything in general. Think it, it can happen. Ask for it, you will receive it. It sounds simple and in reality it is. I review this movie often when things aren't going quite the way I planned and my goals aren't being met. Set goals, write them down and make them happen!

Happy goal setting everyone!

How do you find great artists and new craft work?

One of my wonderful readers e mailed me today asking," Brenda, where do you find all the great artists and craft work for the interviews in your newsletters?"

As an art teacher I am always looking for fun projects to do with my students. I go to art fairs, exhibits, do internet research and just plain e mail artists asking "How do you do that?"
Most artists love to share and talk about what they do and how they do it. I have been very fortunate to meet some wonderful people who are very knowledgeable in all different areas of art, from doll making to mosaics. Well done art and craft make cherished gifts.

Thank you to all of those who I have talked to and learned from. To those artists and crafters I haven't met yet, I look forward to it!
For past artist and crafter interviews go to e zine archives.

Looking to try a new art or craft? Remember, everyone was a beginner once. Teaching yourself how to make things isn't hard. I do it all the time. I read books, watch videos and ask questions of people who already do what I want to learn.

How to make Candy Bouquets

Looking for an easy homemade gift good enough to eat? How about making a candy bouquet?

For full instructions go to this candy bouquet tutorial by Clare Rothwell.