Miniature Crafts for Odds and Ends
Crafting is, in my opinon, one of those things that can be done using a wide variety of materials and on a variety of different scales. It can be as big as painting a mural, or something much, much smaller, like a brooch made out of some favourite buttons or scraps of yarn felted together to make a toy. That's what Microcrafts: Tiny Treasure to Make and Share, compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and friends is all about – how to recycle your smaller crafting bits and pieces into something special.
The book inclu
des 25 craft projects to make out of many different materials. It shows how to make things like mini boats from nutshells and toothpicks; bottle-cap frames for necklaces; candy
and cupcake charms out of polymer clay for making rings and earrings; and flower pocket pendants from felt scraps. I like the idea of making some mini monster babies out of leftover felt scraps and hiding them around the house to be a surprise for someone.
Each project comes with its own set of colour pictures and templates, as well as clear instructions about how you can make it yourself. I also like the fact that the authors have included ideas from several different sources and that they encourage you to use their book as an inspiration for your own mini-craft designs.
So if you wanted to make something on the small side this summer, what would you make?
Let me know what you think.
17 thoughts on “Miniature Crafts for Odds and Ends”
I would try to make zines when I can. I learned how to make them in a workshop and to be honest, they’re actually fun!
I personally enjoy creating crafts as a leisure activity. I usually prefer using all natural materials for my creations. But if I were to make something this summer, I would go for a sea shell wind chime or maybe rings carved from wood.
This summer I plan to make rings and bracelets. I feel as though these activities would be a great way to spend my summer.
I had a book about ways to transform a t-shirt by using different methods of cutting and sewing and pinning, and at the end (after the sections on creating other styles of shirts, skirts or dresses), it had a chapter dedicated to using your clothing scraps from the previous projects and making smaller things or decorative add-ons. I thought it was really cool to be able to save the cut-up fabric and make a whole new thing out of it.
This book seems to me to be like a whole collection of things going with the same theme as the end of the book I already own, and it’s a really creative and cool idea I think! Great summer activities
I feel like this summer i should get involved in activities such as knitting and embroidery they seem creative and peaceful to me.
Embroidery rocks. Have you seen this? http://www.sublimestitching.com/
This book looks great! One craft that interests me is miniature terrariums in objects such as light bulbs.
This really cool and no i’ve not seen it before. I would like to try some of the patterns that are in this link!
I haven’t read this book…yet although, it seems perfect to guide me as a beginner. Unfortunately when I try being creative, I end up not trying hard enough. I also find myself giving up in the first try! Sometimes, I give up and prefer sticking to academic work rather than crafts. NOT THIS TIME! Today I tried making a simple small decorative bow out of ribbon. At first the folds broke open due to the lack of super glue, instead my hands were stuck glued. The second time my mother helped as we used a you tube video as our guide. We did much better but, I want to make more and improve my skills!
At first, I had no idea what you were talking about but after a little research done… all I can say is INCREDIBLE. I definitely agree with you! It’s amazing how precise and delicate you have to be with your fingers to fit objects through the end of the light bulb! This is just pure amazing.
I also want to get involved with such activities. My mother use to spend all her time doing creative things like this and she had great skills! I’m hoping to inherit some from our genetics!(Jokes)I am hoping to learn embroidery very soon with her.
As well, I am all prepared with my knitting tool, except the fact I don’t know how to start off!
What was the book called? It sure seems interesting! Have you ever tried it yet? If so, was it difficult or fairly easy?
How about earrings and necklaces? I’m pretty sure they are quite similar in the process. Since I am from an Asian/Indian culture ( Bangladesh), I would challenge you to make a simple tikka which is like a earring however you wear it on the head! Here is how it looks:
http://www.bharatmoms.com/blogs/85668/posts/189663-latest-nethi-chutti-collections-for-bridal
If you don’t mind, would you be able to tell me what a zine is?
The name it self sounds wacky and fun!
Generation T: 108 ways to transform a t-shirt
or at least something along those lines. There’s some very easy projects (some don’t even require sewing) and some are more difficult so the books good for many different levels of experience. Each project has a rating out of 5
That sounds awesome! Thanks for the suggestion, I’m going to borrow it as soon as I find it…