Tatting demo

Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings and chains formed from a series of lark's head knots, called double stitches, over a core thread. Gaps can be left between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as decorative effect. Read more at Wikipedia.

This is one of three short videos on how to do tatting stitches.



Be sure to watch the other two videos.

here is a kit which contains a complete step-by-step needle tatting book, three needles size #7 fine, #5-0 and #3-0 and a needle threader. The technique used applies to any tatting system:

Art Glass by Jennifer Batten

This slideshow includes a wide variety of Jennifer Batten's fused glass art. Her work includes jewelry, clocks, wall hangings, table displays and even a commisioned Telecaster pick guard. Check out the whisical 6 time zone beer clocks.



Chainsaw carving - owl sculpture

Andy MacLachlan of Chainsawcraft.com makes a sculpture of an Owl behind his house in Rashfield, by Dunoon, Argyll, Scotland. This film shows how a beautiful, detailed sculpture emerges from a tree that had blown over in the Argyll Forest.



This film and Andy's website were produced by Murdo Ross of DesigningScotland.com

Art activity for preschoolers

First of a series of Preschool Learning Videos from www.preschoollearningonline.com for parents, teachers & caregivers. Presented by a Professional Early Childhood Educator. Your Kids Will Love These!



Guitar making workshop

Today's video is a photo essay by Warren Gash documenting his recent acoustic guitar building experience under the tutelage of Master Luthier Sergei de Jonge.

The musical accompaniment is "Guitarmaker" by Grit Laskin.



Knifemaking Unplugged

This is the trailer to the 2 hour DVD Knifemaking Unplugged.



In this 2 hour DVD you will learn how to make knives with techniques from the days of old in a charcoal burning forge. See why charcoal is the best fuel for bladesmithing. Without the use of expensive machinery and large shop space a handmade knife is forged to finish with only muscle powered tools. Since the most important part of finishing a blade is the heat treatment, it is shown and explained in great detail.

Mixing polymer clay colors

Learn to mix colors and create color scales by watching this video from Maggie Maggio.





Lisa Pavelka is an award-winning polymer clay artist. Her gorgeous work has been featured in books and magazines. She is a popular guest on craft television shows and at crafting retreats.

Polymer Clay Treasures
Lisa demonstrates everything you need to know to create your own polymer clay treasures; from clay basics to complex techniques made easy, even if you’ve never worked with clay before!

Projects
After discussing the basics, Lisa demonstrates just how versatile polymer clay can be with a variety of projects. Clay Basics: Clays, Cutting Tools, Basic & Texturing Tools, Adhesives, Work Surfaces, Pasta Machines, Conditioning, Baking, Sanding & Polishing, Storage, and Clean-Up. Projects: Treasured Tools, Faux Art Glass, Business Card Holder, Dream Purse Pen, Transformed Tins, Hinged Pillow Bead

Interactive Gallery
The gallery is overflowing with more than 65 photographs of sample artwork. When you see something that inspires you jump directly to the technique used to create it.

Gargoyle Guy, Larry lo Presti

Sorry folks, no Sunday interview today, but instead we have a documentary about the papier mache monster creations of Larry lo Presti. Narrated and edited by Baron Dixon.



Balloon sculpture

Two videos for those with kids today. Saturday seems to be turning in to the children's slot here at Craft videos. The first video is a guy making balloon sculpture somewhere in the mountains. It's certainly a nice back drop:



This second video is a promo for an e-book that shows you how to make lots of fun sculptures. Hours of entertainment for the kids.



Raku firing

Watch as the work of sculptor Marika Baumler is fired




"If you are looking for a practical guide that clearly explains the Raku process then this is the book to read. The contents are well organized, cleanly presented, and highly informative. I am so glad that I bought this book!"

Sand art performance

I have a real treat for you today. This video is best described as the making of art as a performance. Kind of like Rolf Harris but in a totally different style and medium. I was transfixed as new images appear with the brush of a hand, a wiggle of the fingers and a sprinkling of sand. The artist is Ilana Yahav who describes herself as a sand animation artist. Ilana draws on sand, using only her fingers in perfect time with the musical accompaniment.

Make a shrimp from a straw

This video is a tutorial on how to make a shrimp from a plastic drinking straw and a pair of scissors.

Card making with LP Creative

Tutorial video from LP Creative demonstrating how to create a 'friends forever' card for someone you care about. Use the same materials and techniques to create your own designs.



Medieval Clothing

Going medieval on clothing: University students learn how to make Western European attire from 600-1600 C.E. on Saturday at Nolte Center:



Glass bead making with Dawn White

Welcome to the Sunday interview. Today I'm talking with glass bead maker Dawn White of Duda Designs, and later Dawn will present a video showing us how a glass bead is made.

Hello Dawn, tell me a little about your life outside of bead making.

My day job is making beads... Happily enough! Although I do have a couple of wee ones and my DH to look after. I also seem to find time for things like Viva Pinata and this last year I went skydiving! I also keep a blog and I seem a bit obssesed with web design... :)


How long have you been making glass beads, and how did you get started?

I have been making glass beads since, oh 2002 I think... I had VERY small kids when I started so it is a bit fuzzy in my memory.


What attracted you to glass bead making as a form of artistic expression?

Initially I was enchanted with polymer clay. I was inspired by such great artists as Elise Winters or Klew. After making polymer beads for awhile I started to see some of the beautiful glass beads avaialable and I was hooked. Early on I studied with Leah Fairbanks and Deb Crowley. I was simply enchanted with all the different techniques available for making glass beads, there are so many talented artisans these days!


It looks like you need really steady hands, especially when adding the details. What was the hardest skill you had to master?


A steady hand certainly helps, but I think knowing what temperature to have the glass at so that it "cooperates" for whatever you are trying to do it the most important skill. For example when adding stringer you want the bead itself kind of cold so that it doesn't slump while you are adding detail. I also find having asbestos fingers is useful! I get my fingers pretty darn close to the flame!


In the video you show us your stash of jars of coloured glass. I'm guessing that it is powdered glass, but what do you do with it?

Most of that is frit, some of it is powder but most of it is small pieces of glass which is safer to work with than powder. I also work with enamels which is a powder and certainly needs proper respiratory equipment. I have a special mask that I wear when working with enamels, the frit is heavier and so not as dangerous. All of it is used to add color... More color is always better!!


How many beads do you make each year? Where can people buy them?

Oh I make LOTS of beads each year. I get on a roll with a certain style and then just go to town, I really enjoy experimenting with all the possiblities. I work in all types of glass, Satake, Boro, Bullseye, 96COE, and Itallian which is generally 104COE. Keeping it all straight can be a challenge but I love having all the different choices from each type of glass. You can buy my beads at www.dudamart.com


Do you make the same designs time and again, or is each piece unique? Where do you get your inspiration for new designs? Tell me about your creative process.

I only make a set twice if I am asked to remake it and I have enough time. I think that most of my work is unique. If you browse my gallery at gallery.dudaduda.com I think you will find
that my style changes all the time. You never know what I am going to do next! :) Right now I am smitten with button-style flowers. I use frit, I pull latticino (striped cane), or I add other decoration to the flowers and I just get so excited when a set surprises me. I expect it to do one thing and it does something even more interesting! I think that is why I love glass so much, you don't always know what to expect from the kiln when you collect the beads.


Do you also make finished jewelry?

I do make finished jewelry. I think making the jewelry helps with my bead design. I'll make a piece and think, if only the bead were like "this" and off to the torch I go! It is a fun process and I love having the control over my designs, if I want a bracelet to look a certain way I can make the bead myself, very handy!


What motivated you to make this video and do you plan to do any more?
I do plan to make more! It is hard because I need help so I can't just get it done myself. I think making some videos that showed techniques instead of just me at work might be more interesting. :) I made this one just for fun!

Thank you Dawn! You have a video to show us?

I do. Here is a little video showing what I LOVE to do! Of course I show you my shop and, um, my LITTLE stash of glass! Wanna learn more? Watch... I'm working on it!



Make a leprechaun hat for St.Patrick's day

With St.Patrick's day just a few weeks away, Vicki Bodwell shows us how to make a child's leprechaun hat using felt, construction paper and an ice cream container! Start collecting your supplies today.



Industrial blacksmithing, 1904

This video is a blast from the past. It shows a group of industrial blacksmiths forge-weld a large ring for Westinghouse. It may seem a little boring to start with, but it's worth watching to the end to see these guys get a good work out.



The basics of beading

Learn the basics of beading as Karla Schafer, Auntie's Beads designer, demonstrates how to make a bracelet.



Learn the fundamentals of beading and create your own jewelry with this comprehensive DVD. See how basic techniques used in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are created through clear explanations illustrated with numerous close-ups. With examples to guide you and advice along the way, even the most "craft-challenged" person will be beading in no time.