Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's own hands and skill.
Some crafts have been practised for centuries, while others are modern inventions.
Many community centres and schools run evening or day classes and workshops offering to teach basic craft skills in a short period of time.
Here are just a few of the crafts that are still popular today and some links for sites where you can get ideas and buy materials so you can have a go yourself!
CARD-MAKING:
Card-Making is the craft of hand making greeting cards. Many people with interests in allied crafts such as scrap-booking and stamping have begun to use their skills to start making handmade cards.
Many others continue to sell their creations at craft fairs, markets and fêtes.
Others use their card-making skills to turn a profit in the wedding planning market making handmade wedding invitations and favors.
SCRAP-BOOKING:
Scrap-booking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of photographs and memorabilia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks.
Historically, Scrap-Booking was a tradition similar to storytelling, but with a visual and tactile focus.
JEWELRY MAKING:
Beads are frequently used in jewelry. These may be made of glass, gemstones, metal, wood, shells, clay and polymer clay. Beaded jewelry commonly encompasses necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts, and rings.
You don't need any experience, metal skills or power tools. All you need will be a lot of enthusiasm and a few basic, inexpensive beading tools and supplies.
FLORAL CRAFT:
Floral Design or floral arts is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls, baskets or other containers, or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, foliage, herbs, ornamental grasses and other botanical materials.
CROSSTITCHING:
Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture.
Cross-stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and can be found all over the world
In the United States, the earliest known cross-stitch sampler is circa 1653.
Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable evenweave fabric.
This form of cross-stitch is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch)
Other stitches are also commonly used in cross-stitch, among them ¼, ½, and ¾ stitches and backstitches.
Cross-stitch was often used together with other stitches.
It is sometimes used in crewel embroidery and often used in needlepoint.
CROCHET:
Crocheting, similar to knitting, consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops.
There exists over 40 types of known crochet techniques in the world.
The earliest written reference to crochet refers to shepherd's knitting from The Memoirs of a Highland Lady by Elizabeth Grant in 1812.
Thought to be a poor substitute for knitting, crocheting is starting to come back into fashion.
Many designs are being seen on the catwalks and on the high streets.
Many designers choosing to use beads and other embellishments to create unique items of clothing and accessories such as hats and scarves that are a must be seen in.
Check out the information page on the above link for tutorials of how to get started yourself.
TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING:
A craft where rugs are made by pulling loops of yarn or fabric through a stiff woven base such as burlap or linen.
The loops are pulled through the backing material by using a crochet-type hook mounted in a handle (usually made of wood).
Latch-hooking differs in it's use of a hinged hook to form a knotted pile from short, pre-cut pieces of yarn.
Originating around about the end of the 18Th-beginning of the 19Th century this craft has been passes down from generation to generation and has increases in popularity recently with many online groups bringing "Sewing Bees" into the 21st century!
SOAP MAKING:
The process of making and selling soap is complex and involves many steps.
These include creating the recipe; measuring and mixing the soap; adding scent and color; creating the shape by molding, cutting and/or trimming; designing and creating packaging.
But there is nothing better then home made soap.
It looks, feels and smells different and is just a hint of luxury.
It also makes a perfect gift, being inexpensive but having that personal touch you can't beat.
CANDLE MAKING:
Before the advent of electricity, candles and oil lamps were used for illumination.
The candle industry was devastated by the distillation of kerosene to fuel lamps, from this point, candles became more of a decorative item.
Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great (c. 849 - 899) used a candle-clock which burned for 4 hours. There were lines around the side to show the passing of each hour.
Later, 24-hour candles were invented based on the same concept
A form of candle-clock was used in coal-mining until the 20th century.
The oldest candle manufacturers still in existence are Rathbornes Candles, founded in Dublin in 1488.
Everyone loves candles, and these simple homemade candles make wonderful gifts for friends and family.
Personalize them by adding favorite scents and colors to match the décor and unique taste of the recipient.
BASKET MAKING:
In modern usage, baskets are chosen chiefly for decorative purposes.
Gift baskets are used to present items such as fruit, wine, and flowers.
Weaving with rattan core (also known as reed) is one of the more popular techniques being practiced because it is easily available.
It is pliable and when woven correctly, it is very sturdy.
Four types of Basketry are:
Coiled ~ grasses and rushes.
Plaiting ~ materials that are wide and ribbon-like, such as palms.
Twining ~ materials from roots and tree bark.
Wicker and Splint ~ reed, cane, willow, oak, and ash.
SEWING:
While sewing is fundamentally used to make clothing and furnishings,
sewing is the foundation for many needle arts and crafts, such as applique, canvas work, and patchwork.
"Plain" sewing is done for functional reasons: making or mending clothing or household linens. "Fancy" sewing is primarily decorative, including techniques such as shirring, smocking, embroidery, or quilting.
Many have chosen to turn their backs on commercial machine made clothes and go back to the art of making their own.
Others having become skilled seamstresses and tailors, then use this ability in their craft work, designing and embellishing their own creations.
