FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Ask Maria: Bye-Bye Printed Books, Hello Digital?

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Question:  Just recently, Encyclopedia Britannica announced it will no longer publish books, but go digital. Do you think art and craft books are headed in the same direction?

Answer:  Radio was supposed to die when television was introduced and yet we still have plenty of radio stations broadcasting. Radio adapted, found niches, but like most publishing/broadcasting companies has to struggle to continue to grow and bring in profits. We have seen many crafting magazines disappear off the newsstands over the last few years again; I’d make a bet that advertising revenue just didn’t make the magazines profitable. All that said, I think that those who crave more knowledge about art and craft are very tactile people who probably enjoy holding a book while they read and learn. I think the publishers will be like the radio folks–adapt, find their niches, and continue to publish books. Those who live green, like taking books on the go, and enjoy not having to give up craft supply space will enjoy digitally available titles. My only fear with digital is that those who don’t want to invest (pay for books) will use the digital format to pirate said books.

Check out some digital books on FaveCrafts.com!

Or maybe you’d like a traditional book?

What do you think? Please share your insight and opinions and leave a comment!

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Ask Maria “Protecting Metal for Outside Use”

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Question

I am making a metal spoon wind chime. Should the spoons have a protective coating on them especially here in Florida outside.

Bev in FL via Facebook

With no protection the metal will age which is a lovely look for outside, however if you do not want the spoons to rust then you should use a finish or sealer. The easiest way to do it is to use a spray sealer like Krylon Crystal Coat. Work in a well ventilated area, put down some newspaper or other covering for your work area. Lay down the spoons and spray in several light coats (rather than one thick coat).

When using a spray finish try to avoid spraying on a day with high humidity, which isn’t always easy in Florida! Hold the can at least 6” away from the object you are spraying to get the most even coat. You can always use brush on sealers. Just remember to let the sealing medium dry completely between coats for best results.

Maria Nerius is our Resident Craft Expert here at FaveCrafts.com and she loves to answer your questions, just drop her an e-mail at Maria@FaveCrafts.com or post to her Facebook Wall: Maria Given Nerius.

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Ask Maria “Do you have a favorite glue?”

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Question

What is your favorite glue? And your favorite tool?

Audrey from CT

Two very tough questions for me to answer, Audrey, since I do such a wide variety of crafts I tend to use a few specialty glues. If I could only have one glue in my toolbox it would have to be Aleene’s Tacky Glue. It’s the first craft glue I ever used and it never fails. If you need a thicker glue, just remove the top for a few minutes and the glue gets even tackier. If you need a thinner glue all you have to do it add a few drops of water. I could talk about glue all day long since I do believe you need to use the right glue for specific jobs in crafting such as when working with wood, a wood glue really is the best bond or if working with fabric, it’s best to use a fabric glue for the best results.

As for my favorite tool… I’d have to say sharp scissors since I do so much hand cutting, but I also never craft without a pair of fine tipped tweezers. I need as much help as possible placing items and tweezers are my best friends. I’m a bit of a tool geek, I love tools and tend to collect anything new that comes out. Great questions!  Thanks.

Maria Nerius is the Resident Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com and you can send her questions to answer at: Maria@favecrafts.com.

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Ask Maria “Which Knitting Needle Do I Need?”

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Dear Maria,

There are so many different knitting needles available. What’s the best to buy? I’m just not sure what makes each kind so different and if the material the needles are made out of will make my projects better.

Marilyn R.

Circular knitting needles by Clover

ANSWER

I’m a tool fool! I just love any kind of art or craft tool so I enjoyed getting your question. I have dozens and dozens of different kinds of knitting needles in vases in my guest bedroom bookcase just because I think they are so fun and interesting. But to your question!

Dual tip knitting needles are sold in groups of 4 or 5. These are Clover dual tips.

I don’t think you are really asking about the size of the knitting needles, but size is chosen by your pattern. The larger the needles, the larger and looser your stitches will be. Straight needles (most common) are used for flat pieces while circular needles are used for both flat and circular (socks) pieces. And finally dual tip needles are for seamless knitting.

These straight knitting needles by Clover are made of bamboo.

Knitting needles are made from many materials. Bamboo is very popular and thought to be lighter in weight than Aluminum needles. Some metal needles are very heavy and cold to touch, but preferred by a majority of experienced knitters. Wood needles add some warmth, but can break in smaller sizes as can bamboo. Basically, the choice is a personal one. Try the different kinds of needles and see what works best for you.

To the joy of crafting, Maria, Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com

We hope you enjoy this new regular feature on FaveCraftsBlog.com, Ask Maria. We welcome you to ask our Craft Expert, Maria Nerius any questions you might have about art, crafting, and creativity. Maria has been a craft professional for over 25 years designing, writing, and teaching art and crafting with a hardcore passion for handmade. Just send your questions with the form.

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Ask Maria “What To Do With All Those Bottles!”

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Dear Maria,

Do you have any ideas for those orange Rx bottles? My husband is on many medicines and I hate to throw these bottles away. I use them to save buttons, razor blades, needles etc., but I wonder if you have other ideas. Thanks.

Maria C.

ANSWER

Make sure that the pill bottles are washed thoroughly before reusing. Empty pill bottles are great for holding small items including change, paper clips, tacks, brads, nails, screws, nuts and bolts, fishing supplies, toy doll accessories, beads, glitter, sequins, postage stamps, spices, toothpicks, needles, camping supplies, safety pins, straight pins, and so much more.

The plastic can be painted. Just use a paint made for outdoor or plastics. Sand the plastic to give the surface teeth for the paint to adhere. You may need several coats to achieve a smooth surface, then seal with a finishing spray. You can also use pigment and alcohol inks to color the caps. If you don’t want to paint the top of the cap, then use a sticker. You can also make a paper sleeve measuring around the bottle (add 1/4”-1/2” for overlap), then measure the height of the bottle. Cut your paper, wrap around bottle and glue overlap.

The first thing that came to mind when I read your question was a cute gift I got for my neighbors who watched our home and took care of our dogs while we vacationed in the British Virgin Islands. I paid a pretty penny for a metal cup that contained an “Island Survival” kit. It was a small pill bottle containing 2 aspirin, one fish hook, and a match. It was so cute I couldn’t resist buying it. However, I could have made it for pennies!

I used spring themed decorative papers to wrap cleaned pill bottles and put a K&Company flower sticker on top.

You could make all kits of fun kits with your pill bottles. A sewing kit with a little white thread, a sewing needle, a button, and a thimble. A sweet tooth kit with some candies. An on the road emergency kit with some change, a handy wipe, a list of tow trucking companies. Have fun with it. We have holidays coming up! Make a leprechaun kit full of small green items like a four leaf clover, gold coin, and little rainbow. Or get hopping on some Easter basket goodies by using pastel decorative paper sleeves around the pill bottles and fill with jelly beans! Your question inspired me to gather all my empty medicine bottles and make Easter basket goodies (sleeved bottles with flower sticker on top) instead of buying plastic eggs!

To the joy of crafting, Maria, Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com

We welcome you to ask our Craft Expert, Maria Nerius any questions you might have about art, crafting, and creativity. Maria has been a craft professional for over 25 years designing, writing, and teaching art and crafting with a hardcore passion for handmade. Send us your crafting questions.

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Ask Maria “Spring and Summer Color Trends 2010”

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Dear Maria,

What colors will be hot for spring and summer? Our we going to see the same old pastels for spring and bold colors for summer or are we going to see something different?

Michele R

The Color Wheel Company makes handy tools for helping you select colors for any craft project.

ANSWER

The colors you see for spring and summer 2010 depends a little on your region of the world. Every region has its own color sense and spin on the dominating colors for a season. For example, in Florida dark hues will never make it in the Sunshine State for spring or summer. We tend to want cooler, lighter shades because of our climate and lifestyle.

Pantone has selected Turquoise as the Color of the Year for 2010.

The runways are another matter! And the fashion designers are showing Mother Nature with stony minerals, fruity bolds, plus faded, washed out colors of sea greens, juicy oranges, stormy sky blues, and warm neutrals. Turquoise, parrot greens, and salmon pinks are quite hot. It’s like going to a garden party and being served fluffy cupcakes and cherry tarts.

Home décor and lifestyle colors for spring and summer include cobalt blue, tangerine, hot pink, serious purple, splashy blues, English garden greens. Pick a flower, any flower! Home décor stylists and designers are being inspired by roses, daisies, heather, mums, tulips, and begonias. Green and yellow are the blenders. Transparent colors are also very popular as glass is a leading material being used for accent pieces within every room in the house.

To the joy of crafting, Maria, Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com

We hope you enjoy this new regular feature on FaveCraftsBlog.com, Ask Maria. We welcome you to ask our Craft Expert, Maria Nerius any questions you might have about art, crafting, and creativity. Maria has been a craft professional for over 25 years designing, writing, and teaching art and crafting with a hardcore passion for handmade. Send us your craft questions.

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Ask Maria “Building Candlemaking Skills”

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Dear Maria,

Candlemaking is my favorite craft right now. Any tips or advise on how to improve my skills?

Carol C., Campton, NH

Hand dipped tapered candles from dlightsonline.com.

ANSWER

I wish you’d said if you had a specific style of candle you like making. There are so many styles including votives, pillars, container, rolled, tapered, and tealight. Plus there are a variety of waxes used for candles including beeswax, paraffin, soy, and gel.

One of the most important elements of a candle is the wick. You have Zinc cored, flat braid, square braid, waxed, and pre-tabbed. The tab is the metal piece used as an anchor for the wick. A Zinc cored wick can stand up on its own as will the waxed wick, but the braided wicks don’t have any body or weight and will flap down. Wood wicks are also now available for candlemaking.  Pick the right wick for your candle. There are some guidelines on Wikipedia.

The candle to the left might burn better with additional wicks.

The larger in diameter the candle, the more wicks you should consider using to make the candle burn at its best and longest. For example if you have a container or pillar candle that is 10” in diameter, a single wick will end up leaving much unused wax. It’s much better to use more wicks evenly spaced. Always trim the wick of a candle to 1/4” before burning. Excess wick will either mushroom or burn too hot. And speaking of hot, chilling your candles before use will lengthen the burning time of your candle. So keep a few in the refrigerator!

To the joy of crafting,  Maria, Craft Expert at FaveCrafts.com

We hope you enjoy this new regular feature on FaveCraftsBlog.com, Ask Maria. We welcome you to ask our Craft Expert, Maria Nerius any questions you might have about art, crafting, and creativity. Maria has been a craft professional for over 25 years designing, writing, and teaching art and crafting with a hardcore passion for handmade. Send us your craft questions.

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