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Mixed Media Ideas for the Scared and Skeptical

February 2, 2014 by AllFreePaperCrafts Leave a Comment

“Mixed media” is one of the most intimidating phrases in a crafter’s vocabulary, but, on behalf of AllFreePaperCrafts, I’m here to tell you that it shouldn’t be. Mixed media crafts can be super simple, and you’re guaranteed to get some incredible results. Shaking your head already? Stick with me as I bust some common myths about this ultra-cool art form that’s taking the crafting world by storm.

 

Myth 1: There is no such thing as an easy mixed media project.

Mod Podge Photo Transfer Block

Most likely, you have some experience with mixed media already. If, for example, you painted heart on the front of a card and stamped it with a holiday greeting, you’ve done mixed media. Sharpen your skills with easy mixed media project ideas like this Mod Podge Photo Transfer Block.

The finished product may look like it was made by a professional, and that’s part of the beauty of mixed media. Once you master the technique, you’ll be able to crank out photo blocks for every occasion, and I guarantee that this delightful gift will be accepted with a smile.

 

 

Myth 2: Mixed media crafts are too expensive.Tissue Paper Dragonfly

Crafters tend to shy away from mixed media projects because they look as if they cost a fortune to make. Luckily, not every mixed media craft comes with a laundry list of fancy supplies. Some of the tutorials on AllFreePaperCrafts only call for a handful of materials.

Check out this Tissue Paper Dragonfly, a beautiful piece of mixed media art for beginners. You can hang it in your window and enjoy the pretty patterns it makes on sunny days. As its name implies, the main material you need for this project is tissue paper, and you probably have some from Christmas. Layer the paper, decorate it with markers, and you’ve got the makings of a gorgeous pair of dragonfly wings. Best of all, it didn’t cost you a dime!

 

Myth 3: Mixed media projects are too fancy for down-to-earth crafters like us.

Beautiful Mixed Media BookmarksMixed media has a reputation of being a little, well, stuck-up. Shake that stereotype by trying some mixed media projects that are intended for daily use, like these Beautiful Mixed Media Bookmarks. Not only are these DIY paper crafts endlessly useful and totally adorable, they also give you an excuse to play with ribbon, fabric scraps, glitter paint, and more.

With all of these simple, inexpensive mixed media ideas at your disposal, there’s no need to avoid this popular art form any longer.

 

 

Are you ready to give mixed media a try? Which of these projects would you like to make?

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Art Tagged With: Craft Trends, mixed media, mixed media art, Molly Fletcher, Paper Craft, paper craft ideas, tissue paper crafts

CHA 2014 Trends: Flowers, Mixed Media and Paper Quilling

January 21, 2014 by AllFreePaperCrafts 8 Comments

Hey, paper crafters! After a marvelous excursion to the winter 2014 CHA Show, we at AllFreePaperCrafts are back with the latest scoop in beautiful paper crafting. While DIY paper flowers, mixed media crafts, and paper quilling patterns are endlessly popular with the average paper crafter, we have great new snapshots of inspiration for you! Catch the latest trends in flower making, mixed media, and even paper quilling. Get gorgeous with glitter, craft dies and more when you make paper flowers. Go vintage with your fabulous mixed media projects. Go wild—literally!—with your paper quilling. The inspiration might even last you until CHA 2015, when we’ll be back with more trends and more ideas.

DIY Paper Flowers

While paper flowers are always a go-to paper craft embellishment, the abundance of blooms could not have been more prominent during this winter CHA show! Check out these marvelous creations from the design team at Heartfelt Creations. Can you count the number of flowers?

Heartfelt Creations DIY Paper Flowers

Meanwhile, say hello to this gorgeous doily with a floral print. How can you create this beautiful floral design? Using a new die from Prima Marketing Inc!

Prima International Doily Flower Dies

Even these winter cards from Ecstasy Crafts embrace floral elements. Can you say snow flowers?

Ecstasy Crafts Card Display

Mixed Media Art

Prima had an utterly marvelous collection of mixed media products and artwork. Take a look at these new products and the finished creations. The altered bike frame is particularly fabulous, and the floral journal cover adds a touch of steampunk to a dimensional paper project.

Prima Mixed Media Display

These gorgeous frames, also from Prima, caught my eye. Travel papers and embellishments were hot hot HOT at CHA this year! Whether you’re already planning your spring break vacation or you still need to document a fabulous European excursion from the previous summer, these vintage travel themed products were popular across the show.

Prima Mixed Media Frames

This gorgeous pet shop project by Laura Denison was spotted at the Bo Bunny booth. Gorgeous architecture and beautiful handiwork, this would make a great piece of home decor for any pet lover.

Pet Shop Craft at Bobunny

Meanwhile, these products alone from DCWV should inspire any mixed media crafter, adding elements like cork, cardboard and fabric to your newest paper projects:

Mixed Media Materials from DCWV

Paper Quilling Ideas

Speaking of DCWV, these gorgeous displays were spotted outside their booth. Would you have the patience to make this paper quilling display? While many paper crafters find quilling to be a challenging technique, most paper crafters agree that the results are absolutely gorgeous. Many of these flowers were made from just a few basic shapes. Amaze your loved ones when you too create fabulous paper quilling projects.

Paper Quilling at DCWV

Though this large DCWV display wasn’t made with quilling paper, how fun would it be to make a miniature version with standard-width quilling strips? This tiger might even be easier to create because no coils are involved. How about this for a beginner project?

Tiger Display seen at DCWV

If you love some of the paper quilling ideas you’ve just seen, be sure to check out Tina from Quilled Creations as she demos the beehive technique:

 

Paper Quilling: love it or hate it?

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Craft Trends Tagged With: CHA show, Dana Byerwalter, mixed media art, paper flowers, Paper Quilling

5 Unexpected Uses for Glass Beads

August 7, 2013 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by Andre Smith.

Glass beads are so versatile. Not only are there several sizes, shapes, and types of glass beads, but you can use them in a wide variety of craft projects. Most of the time when people think of beads, the first craft that comes to mind is jewelry making, which is a very viable creative outlet for the use of beads. However, knitting, mixed media art, cross stitch, and home decor projects are also great areas in which you can use glass beads. Below are five great craft ideas and how you can incorporate the use of beads into them.

Mixed Media Art

 

Mixed media art has always been around, but lately the framed pictures with all manner of material used to create unique and eye-catching artwork has really expanded and become more a part of the art world. A canvas does not have to be a home simply for paint. Instead, you can use charms, pendants, pipe cleaner, pieces of magazines, scrapbook components, and virtually anything else you can think of to create art that is framed (without glass) and literally pops off the page. Glass beads are a great addition to this type of work, as well. A great example of this kind of craft is a Blank Board Book Flourish Cover, in which you can use a variety of craft materials to create a one-of-a-kind piece,

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is another area of crafting in which glass beads can become very helpful. Use some glass seed beads to add definition or use beads and ribbon to create a page edging or border. You can also take some glass beads and wire and create your own addition to the page, like a wire letter with beading or a wedding bell shape with a few crystal-like glass beads. The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating beads into your scrap-booking projects, and glass is a great option, particularly since glass beads come in so many different shapes so as to accommodate a wide variety of themes.

Knitting and Crochet

 

Knitting and crochet are two yarn crafts that are becoming increasingly popular. Adding a bit of beading to your knitting or crochet project can bring some extra elegance, charm, and class. One crafty example is the Silk Lace Bag. This looks like a simple crochet bag pattern, but the beads give it an unexpected look and texture. The tricky part about using glass beads in knitting and crochet is that you’ll need to know exactly how many beads you need before you start, as you’ll have to string them first. Then, let them rest down by the ball or skein of yarn until you need them, at which point you can just slide them up and use them in your knitting or crochet.

Silk Floral Arrangements

One area of home decor crafting in which you can incorporate glass beads is the creation of silk floral arrangements. You may have seen sand and river rock used in a vase with silk flowers to create an interesting and unique look. However, what you might not know is that you can also use glass beads to create the same effect. Whether you want to use chilli pepper shaped beads with red silk roses to create a kitchen accent or simple round beads mixed in with other mediums, using glass beads in the vase or base of your silk floral projects is a great way to add creativity and personality.


Wreath Making

Wreath Fit For a Goddess Another area of home decor crafting that benefits from the addition of glass beads is wreath making. Floral additions, birds, bird nests, butterflies, and a wide array of other items are available for those who craft wreathes. However, adding glass beads to the mix can add some sparkle and shine to your creation. Try using the wire from a bird or butterfly embellishment to string on some beads in beautiful colors, curling the end of the wire with pliers, then wrapping the beaded wire around some of the wicker or wreath. Instead of having an ugly wire you have to hide somewhere in the back, you now have a beautiful addition to the wreath, and it is less likely to poke or injure people who may arrange various aspects of the wreath, as well.

 

Glass beads provide the crafter with a wide variety of opportunities in nearly every area of crafting. From beaded lampshades to scrapbooks, mixed media art to wreaths, and even jewellery making, there are endless opportunities for you to express your creativity using glass beads.

Some of the information for this article was found on Just Fabulous Glass Beads.

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: beads, Crochet, flowers, Guest Post, how to make a wreath, Knitting, mixed media art, Scrapbooking

Book Review and Giveaway: Altered Surfaces

July 27, 2010 by FaveCrafts 1 Comment

Altered Surfaces by Chris Cozen is a technique driven book, but there are plenty of ideas and projects shown to inspire you to get a little wild, experiment, and create some very unique work. Learn more and enter to win a copy here.

Contest ends August 10, 2010. You can enter once daily, so return often to improve your chances of winning!

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, giveaways, mixed media art

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Full Project Tutorials

Cinema Saturdays: How to Make Peppermint Christmas Soap

A handmade gift is a great option for a friend, neighbor, teacher or family member. If you aren’t interested in creating a gift that screams Christmas, this about incorporating holiday motifs into your projects. One great example of this idea is Peppermint Christmas Soap. This craft looks good enough to eat (unfortunately, the soap is […]

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