Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Fabric Flower Pattern

Making beautiful fabric flowers is an easy way to make use of fabric scraps, which we all have in our drawers. If you are already into the sewing business or are well-acquainted with arts and crafts projects, coming up with fabulous fabric flower pattern and making the same will be very easy. So, why waste colorful cloth pieces, when you can make easy and pretty fabric flower pins, simple or multicolored flowers out of them.

Easy Fabric Flowers: How to Make

Whether real or artificial, flowers are the prime elements in any decoration theme. Each has its own beauty, usage and advantages. By now, you might have already seen breathtakingly attractive fabric flowers and flower made with paper crafts that resemble the real ones. Flowers designed with any kind of cloth material add richness to our clothing, fabric bags, fabric shoes and accessories. For your information, easy fabric flower pattern is presented below:

Rounded Petal Fabric Flower
For creating a rounded petal fabric flower, you will need fabric of your desired color, scissors, needle, matching thread and matching color button. Cut 6 similar sized square shaped pieces out the fabric. Fold them diagonally to make triangular pieces and iron over them. Now, take a piece and run a loose stitch along the open edges (two shorter sides of the triangle). Draw the thread and gather the fabric, so that it resembles a round flower petal. Attach another piece to the first one and do the same stitching and pulling steps. Repeat the same for the remaining 4 pieces, and join the sixth petal with the first one. Complete your flower by sewing a button in the center.

Single Petaled Fabric Flower
This is the simplest fabric flower pattern that you can try out with hand sewing. All you need are fabric (about 2 12 inch wide and 22 inch long), stitching thread and needle. Using a pinking shear, make scallop pattern in one border of the fabric. The other straight edge will serve as the center of your fabric flower. Make a gathering stitch in this border and pull the thread to make a flower shape. Tie the two ends of the thread, making a tight circle in the middle. Attach a button on the center and your fabric flower is ready. You can add two or more fabric (of same or different color) with decreasing width to make multi-petaled fabric flower.

Cool Ribbon Flower Pin
In order to make ribbon fabric pin, gather the supplies - 2-4 yards wire ribbon (1½ inch wide), felt piece, quilting thread, needle and hair pin. Pull a wire from one border and ruffle the whole length of the ribbon, leaving a short piece at the end. In the same side, begin with folding the ribbon back and front for 5-6 times. Stitch the edge of the folds with the thread to secure them and then, continue wrapping the ribbon in a rounded manner. Make stitches with each round to secure the ribbon and make a peony like flower shape. As you reach the end, fold the rough end inside and stitch neatly. Hide the back side by covering with a circular felt and stitch it to the flower.

So, this was all about how to make fabric flowers. Search through the Internet and you will find a plethora of fabric flowers free patterns. But, the point is whether you can make the fabric flower pattern exactly, as mentioned or not. For a beginner, start with a single petaled flower of a uniform color or fabric. Once you get used to the cutting and stitching tricks, experiment the multilayer flowers, hand sewn with vibrant colored fabric materials of your choice.

Easy Crafts to Sell

If you are creative, have some unique ideas and are good at art and craft activities, there are a lot of ways in which you can utilize these skills to make some fast bucks. So, whether you are a child or a housewife or someone who wants a creative outlet, given below is a list of some easy crafts, which you can make at home and at the same time, sell them to make some good money.

Quick and Easy Crafts to Sell

Artificial Jewelry
If you are looking for some easy crafts to sell online, then you can consider making artificial jewelry from beads and shells. The things that you will need to make this homemade craft to sell are beads and stones of various colors, shape and size, shells, pearls and a string. You can weave these beads in the string to form necklaces and bracelets. In case you want to make and sell ear rings, you will need to buy additional hooks. Jewelry is one of the most sought after items on the Internet and if you can come up with some creative designs, then there's nothing like it!

Greeting Cards
Another of the easy crafts to sell for kids as well as adults is homemade greeting cards, especially if the festival and holiday season is round the corner. You may read more on kids crafts. If you are good at painting, you can make greeting cards by cutting and folding the construction paper to form various shapes for greeting cards such as round, rectangle, heart, etc. and then painting some unique designs on them. You can paint anything right from landscapes, to flowers to cartoons to anything that comes to your imagination. In case, painting is not your forte, you can undertake this paper craft activity by making designs on greeting cards by pasting some flowers, butterflies, hearts cut-outs from different colored papers or by sticking real dried leaves on the card and then decorating it with glitter and painting colors.

Hand Painted T-Shirts
If you are wondering, "how to make easy crafts to sell", then hand painted t-shirts are perhaps the simplest of tasks that you can undertake. You will need lots of plain t-shirts and fabric painting colors to carry on this activity. To make hand painted t-shirts, you have two options, either you can make some arty design or you can write some interesting slogans on it. If you plan on making a design, make sure that you draw it on the t-shirt first with a chalk, so that you have room for making changes. Once you are confident of the design, you can color it with the fabric paints and then leave for drying. You may read further on crafts to make and sell. If you can come up with some unique, funny or hard hitting one liners, you can write these down on the t-shirts as well. Such t-shirts with slogans have great demand among the kids, teens and college crowd.

Photo Frames
One of the easy crafts to sell at craft shows is a hand made photo frame. You can go to a flea market and get hold of some old, discarded photo frames. Take a silken fabric and cover the frame with it. Next, to make this craft for adults, decorate these photo frames by using ribbons, glitter, sequins, beads, etc. to create some interesting designs.

Throws and Pillows
You do not need to know sewing in order to make throws and pillows from flannel so this craft activity can be undertaken by children and adults alike. To make the throws, you will need two rectangular pieces of flannel. The size of the pieces depends upon the size of the throw. Now, taking scissors, at the edges of these rectangular pieces make fringes which are around two to three inches long, with a distance of one inch in between them. Keep both the pieces on top of each other and start making knots with the fringes to join them together. Similarly, make pillows, with the only difference that you will need to place pillow foam between the two flannel pieces, before beginning to tie knots. Such throws and pillows are not only easy to make, they are equally easy to sell too, both online and offline.

These are some ideas on easy crafts to sell. So, what are you waiting for? Gather the things required to make these above mentioned crafts and set out to unleash your creativity and imagination by undertaking these craft activities. All the best!

Easy Craft Ideas

Weekends are when the entire family is together. The mornings are spent in tidying the house, weeding the garden, mowing the lawns and cooking. After the hearty meal, the entire family wants to spend some time together. There are several things that can be done. Families can go for picnics, movies, can rent some movies or they could go out for a swim, a walk, a trek or an outing. But if those families want to sit at home and spend time together, what are the options? Renting a movie or doing some fun activity. What better fun than cutting papers, making funny crafts and sticking glue all over, right? Well, here are some easy craft ideas for the entire family. From toddlers to adults, all can make these simple arts and crafts and have a lovely fun filled afternoon.

Easy Craft Ideas for Kids
There are plenty of ways to keep the kids engaged. Hand them a paper, a pair of scissors and some glue and they are happy and content for several hours. However, this time can be utilized in learning some new things. Kids art is one of the craft ideas to keep these kids engaged. The following list of easy crafts ideas for children, will fulfill both the purposes, the kids will be busy and they will learn something new.

    * Making Greeting Cards
    * Making Face Masks
    * Making Paper Flowers
    * Paper Crafts
    * Making Paper Lamps
    * Origami
    * Making Alphabet Tree
    * Making the Family Tree
    * Making Pen/Pencil Holders

Easy Craft Ideas for Toddlers
Toddlers are a handful. You can keep them busy by helping them making these wonderful crafts. However, always be close to them when they are making these crafts in order to avoid accidents later.

    * Finger Painting
    * Paper Towel Coloring
    * Paper Flowers
    * Paper Birds
    * Greeting Cards

Easy Craft Ideas for Girls
Girls love to make new craft ideas with craft papers. They will cut out different shapes, make something different every time and experiment with different colors and materials. Though baking and cooking are not crafts per say, girls can be involved in these activities and they will help with enthusiasm. Here are some other craft ideas for them to show off their artistic side.

    * Fashion Jewelry
    * Making Bath Salts
    * Fabric Painting
    * Cross Stitch
    * Making Friendship Bands
    * Making Cloth Handbags
    * Making Aprons and Mittens
    * Making Handcrafted Jewelery
    * Decorating Hats, Shoes and Trays
    * Pot Painting
    * Stain Glass Painting
    * Tee Shirt Painting
    * Making Ornaments
    * Candle Making
    * Greeting Cards
    * Making Paper Flowers
    * Making a Doll House
    * Making Lacy Flower Pots
    * Making Wall Hangings

Easy Craft Ideas for Boys
Boys will rarely be enthusiastic about making crafts. Hand them a ball with a bat or a remote controlled car and they can have fun for hours at a stretch. However, there are certain craft ideas that will keep their interest up and keep them occupied for quite some time. They will definitely enjoy making these lovely things.

    * Making Kaleidoscopes
    * Making Superhero Costumes
    * Making Refrigerator Magnets
    * Making Comic Books
    * Making Wind Chimes
    * Paper Mache Crafts
    * Making Pen Stands
    * Making Photo Ornaments
    * Making a Basketball Hoop Game
    * Making Puppets
    * Making Spaceships
    * Pottery Making
    * Pot Painting
    * Face Painting
    * Easy Woodworking Projects

Easy Craft Ideas for Adults
Now that every kid in the house is busy with something to do, its time for the adults to start a craft activity too. Most of the adults do not agree, but its true that adults enjoy arts and crafts too. There are several crafts for the elderly. Here is a list of arts and crafts for the adults to keep themselves busy with.

    * Knitting
    * Sewing
    * Stain Glass Painting
    * Acrylic Painting
    * Making Birdhouses
    * Oil Painting
    * Paper Mache Crafts
    * Leather Crafts
    * Woodworking Projects
    * Making Garden Ornaments
    * Furniture Making
    * Wood Crafts and Wood Carvings
    * Making Sculptors
    * Handicrafts
    * Sand Art
    * Mural Making
    * Metal Wall Art

There are so many different easy craft ideas for all, right from the toddlers to the elderly. Engage your family in any of the above crafts and have a fun filled day.

Arts and Crafts for Kids

Many people believe that art is a god gift and it cannot be learned. However, the facts are way too different - many people who began learning arts themselves have made quite a big name for themselves in the industry. If you do not look at arts and crafts as a potential career option, you can always try them for some fun and entertainment in your free time. Easy arts and crafts for kids ideas should be introduced to them at a very young age to help them get the maximum benefits of the same. Different forms of arts can be the best hobbies one can pursue throughout his/her life. In the next few paragraphs, we shall discuss the fun arts and crafts for kids.

Interesting Arts and Crafts for Kids

Making a Comic Book
Making a comic book can be one of the easy crafts for kids which they will thoroughly enjoy. For making the comic book, the kids will have to make their own comic characters. For this, the teachers can give some creative suggestions which would be easy for the students to actually implement. Preparing a comic book will require kids to draw pictures, develop a story line for the book, write the dialogues and present the story in an attractive manner. These tasks can be assigned to students considering their abilities for the same. Once the job is over, then one kid can verify whether the comic book has been prepared as per the set guidelines and suggest changes in case of mistakes. This is an art which requires a systematic teamwork and contribution from all the participants.

Preparing Colorful Masks
In school, birthdays are celebrated with full enthusiasm and energy. Often parties which have a specific theme are organized to celebrate the birthdays in a unique way. Wearing attractive masks is a common idea during birthday celebrations. The kids can prepare these masks themselves by using their skills instead of purchasing them ready made from a shop. They can make masks by using materials such as paper, rubber band, crayons, water colors etc. These masks can add to the fun quotient of the kid's birthday party.

Greeting Cards
Making greeting cards is easy and enjoyable and hence they can be the ideal arts and crafts for kids. The greeting cards can be made of quality paper of different colors. Kids can draw some nice pictures on them and then color them attractively using the sketch pens. If you find sketching too difficult you can consider the idea of making use of stencils for the same. The greeting cards can be given to the concerned person by writing some inspirational quotes which are readily available on the Internet. Hand made greeting cards from kids will receive much appreciation from the people around them.

Gift Wrapping
Though selecting a good gift is essential, the way we wrap it and present it also matters a lot. Kids can take up the craft of gift wrapping by wrapping gifts in decorative materials of various colors. They should take the proper measurements to decide how much decorative material is required for the wrapping and then cut it accordingly with the help of scissors. Once the gift has been wrapped, kids can pack it in a box and have a label with a congratulatory message on it.

These were some of the best arts and crafts for kids to perform. Other than these suggestions, you can find many more new kids crafts by referring to craft books written by noted authors or some renowned websites on the Internet. With a hope that you will utilize this information fruitfully, I would like to sign off here! Good luck!!

Crafts for Teenagers

You have a lot of time in hand and wish to do something creative. You wish to save your pocket money and can't spend much but wish to learn a new activity. Your room has turned dull and boring and you want to decorate it your way, at home. You are looking for a fun filled activity to do with your girl friends (and also boast about it later). The one and only answer to all the above statements is arts and crafts! There are simply endless or uncountable creative things you can make with myriad useful or useless; colorful or dull objects in little time and have fun. So what are the best crafts for teenagers? Here are some of the interesting ideas on crafts for teens.

Crafts for Teenagers
Crafts for teens can range from articles made of paper, wood, beads, etc. If you are looking for some simple arts and crafts ideas, you can go through the following articles:

    * Fun Craft for Girls
    * Crafts for Boys
    * Easy Holiday Craft Ideas for Teens
    * Butterfly Arts and Crafts

Simple Crafts for Teenagers to Make at Home
It's a boring day and you wish to busy yourself with some creative activity. Do you know that you can make beautiful articles using the limited resources available at home? Look through the following interesting ideas on fun crafts to do at home:

    * Cheap Easy Crafts
    * Easy Craft Ideas
    * Easy Homemade Crafts
    * Easy to Make Crafts

Fun Crafts for Teenagers
As mentioned above, you need not spend to buy your raw material required for crafts. A thing as trivial and dull as a pine cone can be put into use to make a decorative article. Same is the case with colorful paper, paper napkins, tissue papers, etc. The following are ideas on trash to treasure crafts for teenagers:

    * Paper Folding Crafts
    * Paper Crafts
    * Paper Towel Roll Crafts
    * Plaster of Paris Crafts
    * Tissue Paper Crafts
    * Duct Tape Crafts
    * Paper Mache Crafts
    * Origami

Cool Crafts for Teenagers
Now you are past your basics of making paper and paper mache crafts, then how about making something more interesting like jewelry, candles, decorative articles? Well, they can be made at home and making them can be fun. Try out with these ideas:

    * Making Beaded Earrings
    * How to Make Beaded Jewelry
    * Making Scented Candles
    * Candle Making Ideas
    * How to Embroider by Hand
    * Types of Embroidery Stitches
    * Crochet Patterns for Beginners
    * Paper Bag Scrapbook
    * How to Make a Scrapbook
    * Paper Flower Bouquet
    * Things to Make with Paper
    * Simple Friendship Bracelet Patterns

Crafts For Different Occasions
You are 18 and you have moved out, you wish to decorate your apartment, hostel room for Christmas or Halloween but don't have cash to spare. In that case, with your artistic and creative skills, you can make your own decorations for different occasions. Along with Christmas craft ideas, here are some more ideas on crafts for all occasions:

    * Easy Christmas Craft Ideas
    * Handmade Christmas Crafts
    * Easy Halloween Crafts
    * Halloween Crafts
    * Thanksgiving Crafts Ideas for Kids
    * Holiday Arts and Crafts for Children

Crafts for Teenagers to Sell
Your friends envy the beautiful beaded jewelry that you have made, the scented candles that adorn your room and request you to make some for them too. You oblige and they are impressed. So why not make it a full time holiday business of making money with your art? You can make use of any of the aforementioned ideas or look for more here:

    * Making Crafts to Sell
    * Crafts to Make and Sell
    * Homemade Crafts to Sell
    * Homemade Jewelry Ideas

These were some of the ideas for crafts for teenagers. Remember apart from the fun and enjoyment you have, learning a new art never goes waste; you will always experience the happiness of creating something beautiful, which is simply unexplainable. If you try out these ideas, you'll find out soon enough! Good luck!

Simple Crafts

Creativity is often considered as an inborn talent which some have and some may not. However, there are certain creative activities that can be acquired and mastered. Arts and crafts is one of them! Craft, although not an alien subject, can be defined as practical skill in which creative articles are made for art or trade. So if you are looking for some ideas to make some simple crafts, here are a myriad options for you. Let us take a look at arts and crafts for kids and adults in detail.

Simple Crafts for Toddlers
Child psychologists often suggest parents to introduce toddlers to arts and crafts for overall development and understanding. Arts and crafts for toddlers include using paper to create different articles, coloring, finger painting, etc. Finger painting for toddlers is also a great fun filled activity for toddlers. On the other hand, you can even involve children in making crafts like greeting cards as a part of different activities to make them understand the importance of certain occasions; for e.g. thanksgiving crafts for toddlers. Apart from these, you can look for more ideas on:

    * Crafts for Toddlers
    * Craft Ideas for Toddlers

Simple Crafts for Preschoolers
If you wish to keep preschoolers engaged in some activity, you need to involve them in crafts just like you do with toddlers, it helps in developing the imagination of the kids. Kids will love being involved in an activity which needs practical involvement and love vibrant colors and interesting material used for crafts. Preschool crafts for mother's day, father's day, birthday of a sibling, etc. will also help in developing a sense of belonging in kids. The following are some more ideas for simple crafts for preschoolers:

    * Crafts for Preschoolers
    * Craft Ideas for Preschoolers
    * Preschool Craft Ideas

Simple Crafts for Kids
If you want to keep your kids away from computer games and the television, why not involve them in some artistic activity like crafts? Parents may not be aware but children have a very creative mind and excellent imagination. Crafts is also one of the best ways to keep kids indoors and keep them from getting bored. Kids crafts is a vast sea of creativity as simply an infinite number of articles can be made using all kinds of stuff that you'll find at home. Right from egg carton crafts for kids to tessellations for kids; there are just endless options. Here are some more options or ideas on fun simple crafts for kids to make:

    * Simple Kids Crafts
    * Easy Crafts for Kids
    * Crafts for Kids
    * Crayon Crafts
    * Crafts Easy for Kids
    * Easy Origami for Kids
    * Japanese Crafts for Kids

Craft projects is also one of the important and mandatory activities in school for children. There are several Craft books available in the market than have ideas on simple crafts. If you wish for your child to make one of the best projects in class and earn points, you can help him/her make a project from the following ideas. These are some of the unique and fascinating ideas on craft projects for kids:

    * Craft Projects for Kids
    * Craft Projects for Children
    * Bird Feeder Crafts for Kids
    * Pine Cone Craft for Kids

Simple Crafts for Teens
Making a fancy accessory like a hair band, bracelet, etc., is one of the most common and favored activity for teenage girls to do with friends. You can also decorate a t-shirt and make a pretty top out of it, add fashion to your skirt, etc. after all, remember crafts is all about creativity! If you are looking for some simple arts and crafts ideas, read on through the following articles:

    * Fun Craft for Girls
    * Crafts for Boys
    * Easy Holiday Craft Ideas for Teens
    * Butterfly Arts and Crafts

Simple Crafts for Adults
Now crafts is not just child's play. If you have been pursuing this as a hobby since early times, you will definitely want to continue it now. Secondly, crafts like leather crafts or wood crafts can only be done by adults. On the other hand, how about decorating your own home, your bedroom, your clothes in your style? You can make attractive and creative articles to adorn your home walls, paint and add sequins to your dresses; these are all different forms of crafts. You may not be aware but there are also several craft ideas for adults with disabilities. Take a look at these articles for ideas on simple crafts for adults:

    * Craft Ideas for Adults
    * Crafts for Adults
    * Crafts for the Elderly
    * Thanksgiving Crafts for Adults
    * Wood Craft Ideas
    * Handicrafts

Simple Crafts to Make at Home
There are several reasons why you should go for craft making at home: it is your hobby; you are bored, you wish to gift someone something special but are broke; you wish to give a self made personalized gift; you need to decorate your home, etc. If you wish to show your creativity, here are some ideas on fun crafts to do at home. Take a look.

    * Cheap Easy Crafts
    * Easy Craft Ideas
    * Easy Homemade Crafts
    * Homemade Crafts to Sell
    * Easy to Make Crafts

Trash to Treasure Crafts
Crafts is one such piece of art where trash or useless things can be used as raw material to create something interesting and useful. Don't believe me? Take a look at the different pine cone crafts and you will simply be surprised to know that a useless thing like this can be put to such good use. Here are some more creative ideas on simple crafts that can be used for making trash to treasure crafts:

    * Paper Folding Crafts
    * Paper Crafts
    * Paper Towel Roll Crafts
    * Plaster of Paris Crafts
    * Tissue Paper Crafts
    * Duct Tape Crafts
    * Paper Mache Crafts
    * Origami

Simple Crafts for Different Occasions
Festivals and special occasions are the times in the year where your creativity will be put to good use and also be appreciated a lot. For e.g., if you take a look at Christmas craft ideas, you will know how easy and interesting it is to make and use self made articles to decorate your Christmas tree. You can use the following simple craft ideas to for decorations on different occasions.

    * Easy Christmas Craft Ideas
    * Handmade Christmas Crafts
    * Easy Halloween Crafts
    * Halloween Crafts
    * Thanksgiving Crafts Ideas for Kids
    * Holiday Arts and Crafts for Children

Simple Crafts to Sell
Now that you have made all these decorative pieces of art, why not sell them and earn your own pocket money? Doesn't it sound like a great idea? Once you master the method of making a particular article, you can definitely make it quicker the next time or even make it better using creativity and imagination. So if you have vacations and a lot of time on hand, you can make easy crafts to sell like frames, head bands, etc. Here are some more ideas on simple crafts to make and sell that will be helpful to you.

    * Making Crafts to Sell
    * Crafts to Make and Sell

These were some ideas on simple crafts for toddlers, preschoolers, kids, teens and adults. Once you master the procedure, you will enjoy making different articles. You can even modify designs using your imagination and create your own signature crafts. After all, crafts is all about creativity. Good luck!

Principles of Art

While observing a piece of artwork (e.g. a sculpture or a painting) we analyze its quality in terms of color combination, shape and the visual appeal as a whole. Thus, a good piece of artwork depends on how well it is harmonized within itself as well as with the surroundings. The blend of colors and imagination is vital for making it a masterpiece. The rules and guidelines that are set forth to bring out an impact of the artwork are known as the principles of art. The components of the principles enhance the visual appeal of the image or the design.

Elements and Principles of Art

The elements of art differ from the principles of art. The aspects that are taken into consideration for analyzing the artwork are actually the elements while the concoction of technical aspects illustrates the principles of art. The elements when combined with the principles are used to demonstrate or teach the methodology of the artwork. For example, a the difference between a 3-d and 2-d image is highlighted with colors, shades, orientation and proportion. The color and shade applied are the elements of art while the technical factors like orientation and proportion relate to the principles. The same view holds true for design principles of art. The principles of design include balance, proportion, gradation, repetition, dominance, contrast, harmony and unity. Each of the factors play a unique role to create a perfect and well balanced image. The points will be elaborated in the following segment.

Principles of Art – Examples

Emphasis: The areas highlighted or emphasized in the artwork captures the interest of the viewer at the first glance. Technically it's the aesthetic placement of the elements to bring out perfection.

Harmony: The complications of a painting are reduced by harmonizing all the elements. It's a way to make the image appear more homogeneous by using similar elements throughout.

Movement: Directional movement is responsible for the visual impact of the artwork. Movement depicts actions and the path followed by the eye of the viewer to scrutinize the artwork. It adds vibration and life to the image that is transformed into action.

Unity: The effective use of the principles and the elements bring out the unity as a whole. The feeling of completeness through appropriate use of the elements result in unity of the artwork.

Balance: Balance is maintained in three different ways. A picture can be radial, asymmetrical or symmetrical. In doing so one has to implement his/her technical skills to paint (and understand) the image and create the balance.

Variety: Variety prevails in an artwork when different forms and colors are combined harmoniously. In this case, the elements (contrast, size, brightness, color) of art play a key role to make the gradation uniform.

Proportion: It's the measurement of the quantity of the elements to compose the artwork. The proportions when enlarged depict the importance of a figure. Before beginning with the artwork, one has to understand the laws of proportion.

Contrast: The visual discord created in the composition defines the contrasting features. It presents the difference between the objects by emphasizing the background, shapes and nature of the objects.

Rhythm: The recurrence of uniformity is known as rhythm of the elements. The consistency of elements can be maintained by using the same pattern of color and sketches for the movements (or still) of the objects.

Elements of Art – Examples

Form: This aspect is more applicable for three dimensional objects where height, width and depth of the images are given importance. Sculptures with different shapes like, cubical, sphere, pyramidal etc are the examples of different forms of elements.

Texture: The visual effect created by using variation the pattern of natural surfaces is illustrated by the texture of the painting. It is also brought about by using different types of colors. Technically, it has to be tactile. Get some more info on texture painting technique.

Color: One of the most important element of the artwork is the color. One requires complete knowledge about the color mixing technique that involves, primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Tinting and shading are also included in this point. More on coordinating colors.

Shape: Shapes can be natural (human beings, animals, landscapes, etc), geometric (triangle, square, circle, cubic, etc) and organic (leaf, poodle, fruits, etc). The amount of two dimensional space utilized forms the shape of the object that is further accentuated by the other elements of art.

Line: The span or distance between two objects is connected by a line. In artwork, lines are used as margins, boundaries, borders, stripes or for pointing the right direction. Lines are also drawn to depict movements of objects.

Value: A monochromatic piece of artwork is always emphasized by contrast to expose the clarity of the image. Thus, the value of contrast effects has more weightage. In simple words, it's the intensity of lightness and darkness of the image.

A deep knowledge about the elements and principles of art is essential for an artist. There are a ample books and theories on artwork and design that helps to gather ample information on this subject. The rules and regulation are helpful for attaining perfection, irrespective of the nature of the artwork.

Things to Make and Sell

So you can create beautiful things with your hands. Everyone around you loves them. So why not make some money out of them? The Internet has opened up hundreds of new ways in which you can reach the global audience. It even gives you ideas for things to make and sell for profit. And if you are good at what you do, you are sure to get the appreciation you deserve. Even if you are not much Internet savvy there are other places where you can sell your stuff. Moreover, it is craft that we are talking about, it can learned, so you don't have to be a gifted person for making crafts to sell. Below I have given some great ideas for things to make and sell for money.

Things to Make and Sell From Home

Here are some things to make and sell for money. These ideas have been given to spark your imagination and in the field of arts and crafts the more unique you are the more you will sell. Also, these are simple things that you can make at home with simple material and some skill. So check out the list and choose a craft to make and sell.

Handcrafted Jewelry
Jewelry making is one of the best paths that you can opt, if you want to sell your homemade crafts. Under handcrafted jewelry come various types of necklaces like beaded, simple strings, pearls, fancy stones etc. Pendants are also a hit with youngsters and they are constantly looking for some new type of pendant. The material that is required to make this homemade craft to sell, are beads and stones of various colors, shells, pearls and some strings.

Accessories and Clothes
If you have the wit to write some funny, cheesy or plain crazy one liners, you can get them printed on t-shirts, mugs etc and sell them. These t-shirts printed with cool one liners have a great demand amongst kids, teens and collegians. Accessory ideas to make and sell are – purses, handbags, belts, sashes, babushkas, mittens, mufflers, men’s ties, hats, bandannas, men’s and women’s scarves, etc. Just try to make things that aren't available elsewhere. There are websites on which you can design and sell your crafts. We will see more about them in the subsequent paragraphs.

Home Interior Accessories
Crafting artistic interior decorating objects can also be a great source of income. You can make wall hangings, throws, rugs, curtains, pillows, room dividers, upholstery fabric, screens, furniture, window frames, wall hangings, sculpture, furniture, paintings, batiks, carvings, flower arrangements. There are great ways to be creative when it comes to crafts for interior decoration. Just pick up a wooden item and imagine the possibilities that you can come up with to make some great homemade crafts to sell.

Things to Make and Sell at Craft Fairs

For freelance artists and craftsmen, selling their work at fairs gives them an opportunity to make sales and get new customers at a small cost. Although, to present your work at such fairs it should be professional enough for people to buy it. Some ideas for things to make and sell at craft fairs are – bridal wear and accessories, baby blankets, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, stockings, Easter bunnies, heart pillows for Valentine’s day, wreathes etc are pretty easy crafts to sell. These are some of the best craft ideas to sell.

Things to Make and Sell Online

Only a few years ago creating your own products meant a significant investment is on the way. Fortunately, for many types of products, print-on-demand systems have made it possible for anyone to create and sell goods over the Internet with little or no immediate costs. There are many places online, where you can not just sell but also create and design your own products, the way you want. Examples of such websites are cafepress, Zazzle, Spreadshirt, Pikistore, Lulu, CreateSpace, etc. You can even publish your books on some the above sites like Lulu. It is a fair system and even if your business fails you don't have to worry about any kind of wastage or losses. To know about things to make and sell on e-bay read things to sell on e-bay to make money.

Whatever you do, just be artistic and creative. If it's something anyone could create, there's no reason people would bother to buy your work. I hope you found what you were looking for in this article on things to make and sell. Happy earnings!!

Principles of Design

Every design is created keeping in mind certain basic elements and principles of design. These function together to create a unified, unique and comprehensible design. A design may not have a function, but may simply appeal to the senses. Even for such purposes it is essential to use the various principles of design. For instance, graphic art or graphic design is sometimes incomprehensible. Yet it follows the principles of design so that what you would perceive as a 'meaningless splatter of colors and shapes' is still visually appealing. Here, we will discuss these principles of design.

The Universal Principles of Design

A discussion on the principles of design cannot be conducted without understanding the meaning of design composition. When creating a design or a work of art, the composition of various elements of design on the canvas defines the design composition. This composition can be achieved by the use of the following principles of design. While some suggest that there are 7 principles of design, in effect, there are 5 broad principles that encompass all these various principles of art and design.

Balance
Balance in design relates to our physical balance, or what we perceive to be balanced. Balance may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In both cases, it is meant to provide visual stability. In a two-dimensional design, balance can be understood based only on our perception. A symmetrical design will have all elements arranged in a central axis (horizontal or vertical), so as to allow equal space on either side. If we assume this in terms of a design on a sheet, no matter how wide it is, the amount of empty space left around the design should be equal. An asymmetrical design will be an opposite of a symmetrical design, and is therefore a little more complex. Objects in an asymmetrical design will balance each other, and such a design may not necessarily function around a central axis. However, balance is achieved nonetheless, so long as it is composed visually.

The picture above provides an example of asymmetrical balance. The objects are placed below the horizontal central axis, but the other principles of design that have been used harmonize the image.

Scale and Proportion
Scale refers to the size of an object in comparison to other objects in a design. Designs have to be composed to scale, depending on the size of the sheet it is being prepared on. Each object has to be designed to scale, and all objects are to be designed to the same scale. Proportion refers to the size of a part of an object in comparison to the remainder of the object. Proportion has to be understood in terms of scale. For instance, if you are designing a building, the window should be in proportion to the building, based on the chosen scale. In another case, if you are attempting logo design, the size of the logo should be in proportion to the business card it will be printed on, and in proportion to the signage it will be used against.

In the picture above, only one object is used as the element of design. However, these objects are in proportion with the overall picture. Furthermore, all 5 objects, though similar, are to scale.

Repetition and Rhythm
Repetition is used to create patterns within a design, where a particular element of design is repeatedly utilized. This repetition may be clearly visible, or may be underlying and could be noticed after a clear understanding of the image. Repetition is used to create rhythm in a design. Rhythm is used to create order in a design composition. The pattern of rhythm may vary depending on the choice of element used. Both these principles are often described as providing a 'visual beat' to an image. So that these principles do not generate monotony in an image, often different forms of repetition are used to create variety. For instance, the element may be the same, but it may be given a sort of gradation. Or, the elements may be alternately used with other elements. This can be explained in terms of interior designing. In a room, a particular material, say wood, is used to make the design prominent. However, the wood is used in different ways to create unique pieces of furniture. Thus, repetition is broken with the use of variety and rhythm. All these variations bring a design to life instead of leaving it dull and boring.

The picture above gives a perfect example of repetition. One object is continuously repeated. However, so that it does not become monotonous, one of them is green while the rest are blue. This adds variety to the image.

Emphasis
Simply put, emphasis is used to grab the attention of the viewer in a design. An element of design can be emphasized by the use of color, gradation, contrast, texture, shape, or placement in comparison to remainder of the design. Of course, for an element of design to be emphasized, the presence of other elements and principles of design is essential. For instance, while preparing an architectural design of a building, without the presence of trees in the background, a road in front of the building, and perhaps a few human figures, the building design cannot be emphasized. Further, there may be an aspect of the building itself that needs to be emphasized. In short, emphasis is used to create a focal point in design. It is also one of the common principles of design in art.

Emphasis in the picture above is provided by the green object that clearly stands out against the monotonous background and the other objects. Also note that emphasized object creates asymmetrical balance, yet the picture looks unified.

Unity
Any design should elicit harmony and should look unified. The various principles when combined to create a design should work in harmony with each other. A splatter of unrelated objects or images cannot create unity in design. Instead, unity is achieved by the use of all or any of the aforementioned principles of design. One would dispute the use of variety against unity. However, it is important to understand that unity can be achieved even in variety. This is where harmony comes in. For example, when you consider web page design, ultimately a web page has to look composed in terms of its title, content, side bars that provide information and the various ads posted on it. All the various elements of design should combine to create and solidify this principle of design.

Hopefully, you have attained a basic understanding of the various principles of design with the help of the aforementioned examples. These principles are abstract and can be easily introduced in the design process based on your understanding. They inspire creativity and are the foundation on which such famous works of art and design have been created. You too, can utilize them creatively and produce works that are unique and significant.

Cool Things to Make

There are many ways in which one can explore and demonstrate his/her creative skills. Art and craft activities, science projects, making small household items of daily use and making gift articles are some of the different ways to get your creative juices flowing. It is not just kids who enjoy making craft items, even adults enjoy these activities; activities that involve cool things to make. Here are some cool things to make at home.

Cool Fun Things to Make

Decorative items that one makes at home serve as show pieces and few of these can also be used as gift articles. The gifts can be presented on festive occasions like Christmas. The different arts and crafts ideas can be used for making such articles. Halloween crafts should also be of some help for craft work enthusiasts. Christmas is the time when people in cold countries witness snowfall. One can learn how to build a snowman then! Christmas craft ideas galore. This variety of art and craft ideas gives us a wide range of cool, interesting and fun things to make in leisure time.

Fun Things to Make When Bored: Wristbands, rings, anklets, necklaces used for various occasions are a few of the cool things to make. Then there are other decorative articles made out of readily available materials like colored paper, card paper, ribbons, sequins, beads, etc. Jewelry making, for example, with the help of beads and thread, or making a gift basket with small handmade gift articles, or experimenting with different readily available food ingredients to 'invent' recipes are some of the n number of cool things to make when you are bored. And you can always use your precious creations as gifts for your loved ones. On that note, take a look at some interesting ways to make inexpensive gifts at home.

Cool Things to Make Out of Paper
There are literally thousands of crafts that one can make out of paper. That reminds us of paper crafts; paper lanterns, paper mosaic, paper flowers, paper patterns, and yes origami articles! Aren't they some of the cool things to make with paper? Making a gift wrapping paper is another fun thing to make with paper. Other cool things to make out of paper include paper boxes, pen holders, piggy banks, paper bags, bookmarks and even greeting cards and scrapbooks. Find more on this in how to make stuff out of paper.

Cool Things to Make Out of Wood
Just like paper and other items, there are many cool things to make out of wood. They are furniture items, bird boxes, picture frames, pen stands, tool boxes and many such things which can be made out of wood. Do you know how to make wooden bows and arrows? Do you know the simple steps to make a wood lathe. Find out how, as they are some really cool things to make out of wood. The activity of making things out of wood requires more time in comparison to paper craft items. It is important that all the measurements/dimensions are marked correctly when woodworking. Find more of this in wood carvings and crafts.

Things to Make out of Duct Tape
It is a general belief that duct tapes are of no use beyond fixing things. These adhesive tapes can however, be used to make a lot of cool things. Here are some cool things to make out of duct tape. One would be amazed to find about so many uses of duct tapes when one realizes how useful and usable duct tapes are. Right from small articles to belts and wallets to complete dresses, duct tapes can be used to make them all. Here's how to make a duct tape backpack. And here's information on making a duct tape wallet. Now for the surprise, take a look at how to make a duct tape dress. Isn't that cool?

People who want to spend time making various types of artworks should also refer to the following articles. There is a lot of useful information about some really interesting and cool things to make at home, here.

    * Butterfly Art
    * Sculpture Ideas
    * Card Making Ideas
    * Easy to Make Crafts
    * Creative Family Tree Ideas
    * Awesome Tattoo Ideas
    * Cool Tattoo Ideas
    * Gift Basket Making Ideas
    * Easy Gifts to Make
    * How to Make Beaded Lanyards
    * How to Make Spy Gadgets
    * How to Make Headbands
    * How to Make Paper Lanterns
    * How to Make Sock Puppets
    * Cool Origami
    * How to Make an Origami Rose
    * Crafts to Make and Sell
    * How To Make Hand Puppets
    * How to Make a Necklace
    * How to Make String Bracelets
    * How to Make Fabric Flowers
    * How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers
    * How to Make Crystals
    * How to Make Your Own Virtual Pet
    * How to Make Candles at Home
    * How to Make Balloon Hats
    * How to Make Edible Arrangements
    * How to Make a Photo Album
    * How to Make a Bird Feeder

With this we conclude our discussion on the cool things to make out of different materials, almost all of them, easily available. These were just a few names from the list of numerous things to make at home. The cool things to make, discussed above, should be useful for those considering spending spare time in some creative work instead of just whiling it away doing nothing.

Different Forms of Art

How do we define art? Art is a medium through which we express our emotions, intellect and ideas. It is through art that we can communicate to the world our inner feelings and our creativity that only exists within our minds. Art has many forms from visual arts to performing arts. Many great civilizations and cultures are perceived to be great because they were advanced in arts. The strength and culture of an entire nation or civilization rests upon how rich the art of that particular country or civilization is. There are different forms of art like painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, music, dance, theater and films. Here we will discuss the different art forms and how they have evolved through the centuries.

What are the Different Forms of Art

Whatever the form of art that we see, its main characteristic is that it is pleasing to the senses. It expresses the feelings of the artist and it can be interpreted in various ways by different people. Any type of art essentially tells a story and it is a form of communication with another human being that is indirect but deeply profound. Art has a tendency to deeply move our soul and most masterpieces that we see in museums are a silent testimony to that. Although there are different forms of art, they can be divided into two classes: visual art and performing art. Visual art includes paintings, sculpture, literature, calligraphy, photography and architecture. Performing arts are all forms of dance, music, theater and films. Another way that different forms of art are classified as is fine art, commercial art, modern art and applied art. However such classifications are a little confusing since some of these art forms tend to overlap and what might be considered as applied art by one person can be considered as fine art by another.

Visual Arts

Visual art can be defined as a form of art that uses any medium to represent the artist's idea, emotion and imagination. Visual art like paintings, sculptures and architecture have evolved with time and different periods saw the emergence of different art movements. The most famous art movements and styles are Impressionism, cubism, surrealism, expressionism, favism, art noveu, realism and relativism. Visual arts can be further classified as

    * Drawing - Drawing is a representation of any form or object by hand through the medium of pencil, pen, charcoal, etc. Drawings are not necessarily a depiction of what we see around us. A drawing can also be abstract, illustrating certain emotions and ideas that are in the mind of the artist and which are open to interpretation. There are many drawing and sketching techniques and what an artist uses depends upon his skills and preferences.
    * Painting - Paintings are classified according to the style in which they are made as well as the genre and main object of the painting. Still life, landscapes, seascapes, abstract and pop are the different types of painting genres that are popular among artists. Moreover, the kind of medium used for the painting like oil colors, pastels, water colors, charcoal and the surface that it is painted on whether canvas or paper has a bearing on the final outcome of the painting.
    * Sculpture - Sculptures are also among the different forms of art that falls under visual art. Sculptures can be defined as a three dimensional art form that uses materials like clay, stone or wood for its execution. Sculptures are essentially made in two ways. Either they are formed bit by bit into a particular shape and structure as it is in the case of a clay structure or it is chiseled and carved from a block of wood or a piece of stone. There are many clay sculpture ideas that an amateur can take inspiration from while attempting to make a sculpture.
    * Calligraphy - The art of writing letters in a manner that it looks visually appealing is defined as calligraphy. Calligraphy is a form of visual art that has great commercial value and is much sought after. For calligraphy a special calligraphy pen with a flat nib or brushes dipped in paint is often used. There are many calligraphy styles and usually it takes a lot of training and skill to learn these calligraphy alphabets and styles.
    * Photography - Photography is the art of producing an image of an object on a photographic film. The way the image is captured with the use of light differs from photographer to photographer. There are different types of photography, from fashion photography, wild life photography, food photography to wedding photography and more. Also take a look at the various types of photography.

Applied Art

Applied art is a part of visual art and it can be defined as art that has practical application as well as functionality. Let us discuss the different types of applied art.

    * Architecture - Architecture is a form of applied art and Johann Wolfgang Van rightly said that "Architecture is frozen music". Architecture can be classified as commercial or applied art. Designing and building any construction might seem to be a marvel of science, but good architectural design is actually a form of art. An architectural design should not only be functional but also aesthetically pleasing. There are different architectural styles from Colonial, Victorian, French Colonial, Spanish to the modern ones.
    * Fashion Design - Fashion design is the art of designing apparels that are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Fashion design involves working with different types of fabrics and patterns which are then designed into garments. Good design, great fit and impeccable style are the hallmarks of a great fashion design.
    * Jewelry Design - Jewelry design is also a different form of art and it involves the design of intricate pieces of jewelry from metals, wood or plastic. Metals that are primarily used for designing jewelry are gold, silver, platinum, copper, etc. Jewelry design also incorporates precious and semi precious stones for its execution. A good jewelry design should not only have a great design and style but should be wearable too.
    * Wood Crafts - Any object that is made with wood that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well as functional is called as wood crafts. Furniture and decor items are examples of woodworking. Design can be curved on wood or different wood pieces can be joined together in wood craft.
    * Interior Design - The art of planning the design, layout and style of an architectural space, be it home or office is called as interior design. Interior designing includes furnishings, furniture placement, layout of the interiors and many other factors.

Visual art is a highly evolved one and there are many people who are masters in their field. How can anyone not be moved by looking at Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa or the beautiful Water Lilies painting by Claude Monet. Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh, Raphael, Salvador Dali and John Constable are some notable names in the field of paintings and sculpture.

Performing Arts

Of all the different forms of art, performing arts is much appreciated and enjoyed by people - dance, music, opera, films, theater, drama (more on the elements of drama), magic shows and stand up comedies. Artists that perform these arts are known by the type of art that they have perfected. Singers, actors, comics, magicians, dancers and musicians are all people who do these performing arts. Let us discuss the different forms of performing arts one by one.

    * Dance - Moving the body in a particular sequence to music is called as dancing and there are many forms of dance. A particular dance form can be from a particular region or country that has the steps and movement to a particular type of music prevalent there. Dance is a kind of non verbal communication and movement of the body is aesthetically pleasing and harmonious. Both classical as well as modern dance are different forms of performing art. The different dancing styles are:

      Ballet Dancing     Ballroom Dancing
      Salsa Dancing     Tango Dancing
      Line Dancing     Tap Dancing
      Belly Dancing     Latin Dancing
      Flamenco Dancing     Hip Hop Dance

    * Singing - The act of producing sound with the voice in a rhythmic manner so as to be pleasing to the ear is known as singing. Singing is often accompanied by the use of musical instruments. There are different singing styles ranging from operatic, classical, modern, country, pop, etc. There are many famous singers in the world who have incredible talent and voice quality. Learning to sing takes a lot of dedication and effort and only the truly talented can attain great heights of fame.
    * Films and Theater - Another form of performing art is theater and films. Both theater and films use stories that captures the imagination of people. It is also a good form of entertainment. Theater as a form of art has evolved from medieval times to become one of the best mode of entertainment. Theater artists perform in front of an audience and there are various forms of theater that are performed across different regions of the world. In films, a story is revealed that is enacted by actors and has elements of dance and music to give people a complete entertainment package. Opera (more on Italian Opera), carnivals, circus, magic shows and concerts are all also different forms of art that are performing in nature.
    * Music - One of the most difficult art forms to define, music is also one of the most admired art forms. Any harmonious sound either vocal or produced from a musical instrument can be defined as music. But music is so much more than that. Music has the power to change our mood, lift our spirits and emotionally move us. There are different types of music from rock music, country music, jazz and soul. Here's a closer look at the different types of music:

      Blues Music     Classical Music
      Country Music     Gospel Music
      Indie Music     Indie Rock
      Rock Music     Rock and Roll
      Rap Music     Soul Music

This was all about different forms of art. Art is symbolic representation of ideas and thoughts. It has the power to move us. Different forms of art work are an expression of the feelings, imagination and creativity of an individual. Art knows no boundaries and the different art forms are always of help whenever we feel the need to stimulate our senses.

Best Selling Crafts

One of the best feelings that one can experience, is that feeling when we see something that we have created, being appreciated by the people around us. And it's even better if you get paid for creating something that you love! Yes, I'm talking about arts and crafts! Making crafts to sell is one of the best options for people with a creative streak. And the avenues they can explore are numerous. From simple crafts to make and sell, to some ultra fancy, and decorative homemade crafts to sell, there is so much demand for unique, and excellent quality crafts. And people who are aware of the little nuances of what all goes into making these best selling crafts, appreciate it, and are willing to pay the price that the crafts deserve. Let us now, take a look at some of the best selling crafts for 2010, that are sure to please all the art and craft lovers.

Best Selling Homemade Crafts

In this section, we have a variety of crafts that are excellent choices to make and sell. For easy and better comprehension, we have divided the section into two parts. One for kids crafts that can be made and sold, and the other for crafts made by adults. Read on...

Best Selling Crafts by Kids
It is a common misconception that only expert crafts made by adults can be sold. We beg to differ. Children can be as good as, and sometimes even better than adults at arts and crafts. And even if they lack the professional touch, which can come only with experience, they do put in their best efforts to make their craft a masterpiece. And though their works may not be displayed in fancy art galleries and art exhibitions, easy crafts for kids can be sold for relatively lower prices, on a smaller scale, at art fairs, neighborhood auctions, garage sales, school art festivals etc. Here's a list of some of the best options of crafts that kids can explore to make some money on the side, by using their imagination, and talent.

    * Paper Crafts
    * Paper Mache Crafts
    * Egg Carton Crafts for Kids
    * Bird Feeder Crafts for Kids
    * Crayon Crafts
    * Pine Cone Crafts for Kids
    * Japanese Crafts for Kids
    * Scrapbooking

Best Selling Crafts by Adults
After those ideas on what crafts kids can make and sell, let us now delve into some avenues that adults can explore. As an adult, you obviously have the advantage of age. And with age, comes experience. If you have been an avid craftsman since your childhood days, you have definitely kept a track of the changes that have occurred, in the field of arts and crafts. How the styles and patterns have changed. How even the technique of making an item that has an ancient history, has evolved so much, that something that took days to complete, can now be completed in a matter of hours. And with this change, has come along the age of commercialization of the talents of people. And arts and crafts is a glaring example of this. So let us see a list of some of the best selling crafts for adults that you can make.

    * Handcrafted Jewelry
    * Gardening Accessories
    * Crochet
    * Embroidery
    * Knitting
    * Sewing
    * Quilting
    * Floristry
    * Oil Painting
    * Stained Glass
    * Jewelry Making
    * Handmade Handbags
    * Leather Crafts
    * Wood Carvings and Crafts
    * Handicrafts
    * Pottery

That was an extensive list of the best selling crafts that people are willing to spend money on. Some of these, when made and sold at the right time are some of the best selling Christmas crafts. So, get your creative and commercial juices flowing, and get ready to make some money, by doing something you love!

Crafts for Girls

Long summer holidays, become a tad boring and monotonous for kids after a while. A good way to engage kids is to involve them in the craft projects. Art and crafts are the best way to ward off boredom and there are many crafts for girls and boys. Some of these craft projects do not require any special skills or a lot of expensive materials. Making a craft is the best way for kids to spend their time productively. Crafts for girls include making jewelry from paper and beads, making some homemade stationary and crafts made with fabrics, wood or paper. Here we are going to discuss some fun crafts for girls.

Art and Crafts for Girls

If you are looking for some cool arts and craft ideas for girls, then here is a selection of some simple crafts to get you started.

Mini Decorative Journal
Things Required

    * 6-inch-square spiral notebook
    * ½ inch wide purple ribbon
    * Ruler
    * Scrapbook paper, silver with orange dots
    * Crafts glue
    * ½ inch wide orange satin ribbon
    * Scissors
    * Adhesive-backed felt in light blue and orange
    * Crafts knife
    * Paper daisies

Procedure

Place the 6 inch spiral notebook on the work table and open the first page. Draw a ½ inch square at the two corners of the paper and cut out this squares. This should be done on all the pages of the journal with the help of a ruler and a crafts knife. Now tie the purple ribbon into bows around the cut layers at the two corners of the journal. Cut and glue the silver scrapbook paper so that it fits inside the back cover perfectly. Additionally glue last page of the tied pages into the back cover. Cut orange ribbon in half and glue it to the edge of the journal. With the help of scissors, cut a square of light blue felt and also a smaller square of orange felt and glue it to the front of the journal. Make flowers from circles of blue felt and silver scrapbook paper and glue them with the paper daisies. The mini paper daisy journal is ready and it can be used for writing anything.

Button Jewelry Box
Things Required

    * A wooden jewelry box
    * Wrapping paper in yellow
    * Wrapping paper in silver
    * Strong glue
    * Assortment of colorful buttons
    * A paper punch

Procedure

To make this decorative jewelry box, first wrap the yellow wrapping paper all around the jewelry box and make sure that it is in place by applying glue. Next punch round holes on the silver wrapping paper in a uniform fashion. Wrap this silver wrapping paper around the jewelry box. This will give the jewelry box a yellow polka dotted pattern. Now draw a heart pattern on top of the jewelry box. Apply glue on the underside of the buttons and then stick them to the pattern that you have made. Use different colored and sized buttons for beautiful jewelry boxes.

Glitter Hair Clips
Things Required

    * Old snap back hair clips
    * Glitter nail polish
    * Clear nail polish
    * Glitter powder

Procedure

Paint the snap back hair clips with colored glitter nail polish. Let the nail paint dry in a cool dark place. Do not try to touch them at this point, or you will leave finger prints in them. When the nail polish had dried, paint another coat of glitter nail polish over top. When the polish is still wet you can sprinkle some glitter powder over the clips for some extra bling. Finally paint a coat of clear nail varnish over the clips afterward to seal in the glitter. This is one of the best crafts for girls that they will enjoy making.

This was all about crafts for girls. Encourage them to try out new craft projects. These craft ideas for girls are very easy and simple and they are sure to like them.

Formal Elements of Art

A particular art is designed keeping into account certain visual cues. These visual cues are known as formal elements of art. The same is applied to a good piece of sculpture, photography, painting and designs. The placements of these elements also depend upon the principles of art, meant for creating an impact on the piece of artwork. Right composition of the visual elements is essential for generating a perfect creation. The elements are necessary for defining the characteristics of the artwork.

The 7 Elements of Art

The formal elements of art develop an impression on the viewer's mind. They are essential for analyzing the artwork through the eye of the beholder. These formal elements of art form can be compared to the vocabularies used for producing a good literary work. The 7 elements are line, shape, color, texture, form, value and space. However, application of these features depends on a particular set of rules and principles. The elements will be explained individually in the next segment.

Line
Lines are formed in the imagination of an artist and is not actually depicted prominently in the artwork. They are used for a dramatic appeal of the composition of the image. For examples, rigging on boats. The second example of line is the outline or the border of the image. A line plays an influential role on the gaze of the viewer's eye. Usually curved lines or straight lines are incorporated to create this effect.

Shape
Defining the exact shape of an image is quite difficult. However, geometric shapes like cubes, squares, hexagons, polygons, pentagons, etc. are used in abstractionism. Shapes are obtained with well defined borders in case of 2-d images. Organic shapes are more often embedded in nature paintings. Shapes can be of colloquial or non-rigid in nature. Read more on 5 elements of African art.

Color
Technically color is defined as the visual perceptual property of an image. Colors are derived from the spectrum of light, that appeals to the sense of perception of the viewer. The artist uses the principle of chromatics and coordinating colors to generate a beautiful harmony in his artwork. Generally speaking, well combined colors makes the artistic piece more appealing. However, one has to understand the color wheel and color mixing technique to bring out perfection.

Texture
The quality of the artwork will be judged by the texture used in the art work. The contours of the image could be well visualized by the nature of texture applied. A three dimensional picture is distinguished from a 2 dimensional through the physical and visual properties of the texture. Thus, textures are categorized as visual texture and physical texture. Visual texture is a mere illusion while physical texture refers to the tactile features. Read about texture painting techniques to make your concept clear.

Form
As a whole, form refers to the configuration, visual appearance and the shape of the objects included in the art and craft. This aspect usually pertains to a three dimensional work, like potteries and sculptures. However, a few critics argue that, form also refers to the shapes of object used in two dimensional artworks. Thus, shape and forms are connected to each other in terms of visual aspect.

Value
Commonly value is also known as tone, used for emphasizing the form. Technically, it is the reflective nature of the artwork, subjective to the perception power of human beings. An artist has to study the nature and properties of light to bring out a particular tone. To understand value in depth, one can study the popular color models like HSL color model and Munsell color model, etc. It's an important aspect of all the visual elements of art.

Space
Space is defined as the distance between two objects or the area occupied by the object. It is actually a 3 dimensional extent that is taken up by the object. It is measured in terms of its relative position with respect to the surroundings. However, physical space can be measured by linear dimensions. As defined by artists, shape is itself an entity having a conceptual framework.

I hope the formal elements of art are now clear to you. Keep these visual elements in your mind for creating a perfect artwork.

Basic Elements of Design

If you had to define art, how would you do it? Since it is a beautiful and creative display of one's emotions or state of mind, art can only have an abstract definition. There are many designs which are like tributaries of this visual display, named art. These designs are the compilations of different shapes, colors and other attractive patterns which prove appealing to the eyes. This is where the basic elements of design come literally into the "picture". Art is displayed through these elements of art and it is because of them, that the various styles and genres of art are appreciated across the world. It is considered as the language of the mind and soul which has a different interpretation from the eyes of each individual. These elements of art are used in interior designing as well as graphic designing, in the contemporary world. Take a look at these wonderful elements from the paragraphs mentioned below.

The Elements Of Design

It is rightly said that "A picture is worth a thousand words", and such is the magic of art. Shapes and colors can explain things that words can't, thus making them a very important part of our lives. Art is required by each one of us in every phase of life, i.e. in our homes and our professions. It makes many complicated discussions very easy to explain and understand. Therefore, designs are used for constructing homes and offices as well as for beautifying them. And all this is done on the basis of the basic elements of design. To give you a clearer idea, take a look at the information on these basic elements of interior design.

Space
The first basic element required in any form of art or to create any design is the space. It is the area which is used for creating the desired design. The space constitutes of three basic dimensions, the length, width and height, where any two of the dimensions are used at one time. As an addition to the space, an "illusion of depth" can be created by using the other basic elements of design.

Color
Colors are an important part in every design, as they give the design its identity. The colors used in art are not limited to the reflection or refraction of light, but are real paint colors and shades used to make the design attractive. There are three types of colors used to make individual parts of the design, or the whole piece of art attractive. These are primary, secondary and tertiary colors which have further variations in them. The combination used is usually contrasting, to make the design appealing. One of the sub elements included in color is the "value", which defines the difference between the lightness and darkness of a shade.

Line
When we start with any design, there is a beginning to it which is known as the point. This point further leads to a line which is described as the path of that point. Lines are referred to the continuous movement of these points giving rise to various shapes created from these lines. Depending on the length, direction and thickness of them, lines are considered as basic elements of graphic design. There are various forms of these lines and they are; horizontal, diagonal,vertical, wavy, parallel, zigzag.

Shape
As mentioned above, every shape that is created in any design has to start from a line. Shapes can also be created by color, value which make a difference in the visual effect of the desired shape. One of the most important principles in this element is that, the shape that you create as your design or image is known as the "positive shape", and the space around this shape is known as the "negative shape". Both these are interdependent and look incomplete without each other.

Texture
Texture is defined as that extra touch given to each design. The literal meaning of texture is the surface quality of any object like rough, smooth, hard, fuzzy, etc. Like real objects, design too have a surface quality which define their nature (extra touch). This texture is used to bring reality to the design and give a certain look to it, with the help of color, value, shapes and space. Therefore, the texture of the design in interior painting is determined when the piece of art is ready.

With these basic elements of design, hope you found out what is art made of. These are called building blocks of design because together they add life to a design and make it beautiful to look at.

Thursday, 14 July 2011

Does Antiperspirant Cause Cancer?

Antiperspirants and deodorants are commonly used grooming products. Deodorants help to mask unpleasant body odors, while antiperspirant help to reduce underarm sweat and thus reduce the possibility of body odor. There are many manufacturers of deodorants and antiperspirants. Most of these antiperspirants tend to have parabens and aluminum as their key ingredients. These ingredients are considered to be the cause of breast cancer. Many studies have been carried out to see if deodorants or antiperspirants cause breast cancer. Let us look at this in detail.

Antiperspirants & Breast Cancer

Plenty of research has been carried out on the use of antiperspirant and deodorants, and their link between breast cancer. Many scientist believe that antiperspirant and deodorants could be a risk factor to breast cancer. Scientists believe that aluminum and parabens contained in deodorants and antiperspirants could cause breast cancer. Aluminum based compounds are an active ingredient in various antiperspirants. What happens is that these aluminum based compounds tend to block the sweat ducts. This results into less sweat and less odor. That is how aluminum based antiperspirants work

Parabens on the other hand are preservatives which are added to some deodorants and antiperspirants. Parabens are of various types and different compounds of parabens are used in these products. Parabens like benzylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, are used in deodorants and antiperspirant. Parabens are linked to breast cancer. This is because when parabens get absorbed by the body they tend to have some weak estrogen like properties. Estrogen taken naturally, or as a part of hormone replacement tends to be a likely cause in the development of breast cancer. Although, parabens tend to be used in many food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics like shampoos and lotions. Hence, it is not clear that parabens from antiperspirants could be a cause of breast cancer.

It was also thought that antiperspirant and deodorants can enter the body from nicks or cuts on the skin and thus harm the body by increasing cancer cells. However, a study was done with hundreds of females, in which the reports weren't clear about the link between antiperspirant and deodorants being a cause of breast cancer. However, the study did show that underarm hygiene habits which started before the age of 16, were diagnosed with breast cancer earlier, than those females who started underarm hygiene after the age of 16.

Some research was also carried out on the co-relation of antiperspirant and breast cancer. However, nothing has become clear yet. However, many doctors and scientists firmly believe that antiperspirants and deodorants are a cause of breast cancer. For people who use antiperspirant and deodorants, try to switch to more safer alternative. One can make natural deodorants or an antiperspirant at home with some basic stuff.

Tea tree oil, can be diluted with water and used on the underarms area to prevent bacteria growth. Also, for fragrance you can add some essential oil to this mix. Orange, lemon, lemongrass, lavender, make great fragrances. However, if this doesn't seem practical then consider buying natural mists and use them as deodorants Make sure you read the label of the product carefully before buying it. See that it doesn't contain any aluminum compounds or paraben compounds.

So, does antiperspirant cause cancer? There isn't enough evidence to support this, however research is still being carried out. In the meantime you can educate yourself more about breast cancer by reading as much as you can about it. Understanding the risks of breast cancer, and preventing them by making lifestyle and diet modifications is advisable. If you want further information on the matter, then consult a cancer specialist.

Soy Protein Isolate and Breast Cancer

The protein separated from soybeans is known as soy protein. Soy protein isolate is obtained after removing most of the carbohydrates and fats from the soy meal. Proteins serve as building blocks for cells. Soybeans, soy flour, soy concentrate (70% soy protein) and soy isolates (90% soy protein) are the main sources of soy protein. Out of these, soy protein isolate is the richest source of protein. Before exploring the relationship between soy protein and breast cancer, let us take a look at the uses and side effects of soy protein isolate.

Health Benefits of Soy Protein Isolate

Soy protein has been used in the food industry for more than 50 years. Soy protein isolate contains 90% or more protein. Proteins are essential for the growth and repair of cells, muscle building, and for proper functioning of bodily systems. Soy protein isolate is added to protein powders which replace milk and dairy products. It is an important ingredient of liquid nutrition meals, infant formula foods, and soy milk. It is used to enrich protein bars, fruit drinks and juices, sauces, salad dressings, soups, breads, breakfast cereals, pet foods, pastas, muscle building foods and dietary supplements. It is mainly present in processed and fortified foods.

Soy protein isolate is a highly refined form of soy protein, and it comes with a neutral flavor. Absence of fats and carbs makes it easy to digest. It does not lead to flatulence or gas. This protein isolate is loaded with all the essential nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, protein, folate, choline, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and iron, which help improve your health. It improves heart health, strengthens the bones, and prevents prostate cancer. It is believed that it helps control problems like mood swings and fluctuating body temperatures in women. It also helps stabilize sugar levels in diabetic postmenopausal women. Several studies have proved that soy protein helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, triglycerides levels, and thus helps reduce the risk of heart diseases.

Soy Protein Isolate Side Effects

The topic concerning soy protein isolate dangers is one of fierce debate. Although soy protein isolate provides complete proteins, excessive consumption of soy protein can affect your health seriously. It has been found that soy protein isolate contains certain harmful substances like MSG (monosodium glutamate); although it is not mentioned on the labels. MSG consumption can lead to rapid heart rate, headache, chest pain, and numbness or tingling sensation in extremities. Studies have shown that phytoestrogens from soy protein may lead to hormonal imbalance. Excessive consumption of soy protein may affect libido and sperm count, and it can even cause erectile dysfunction. Some people may suffer from indigestion, allergy, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. But you need not worry about these side effects, as very few people experience them.

Soy Protein Isolate and Breast Cancer

Soy protein isolate contains certain types of enzymes which can affect your health. Depending upon the extrusion process, it may contain high levels of genistein, daidzein and other soy isoflavones. Studies show that soy isoflavones do not lower the symptoms like 'hot flashes' in postmenopausal women. They do not help prevent breast cancer or cancers of the uterus and prostate.

Low rates of breast cancer in Asian women were attributed to high consumption of soy through the diet. But it was noticed that various cultural factors also determine breast cancer rates. In fact, no epidemiological evidence was found which could prove the belief that consumption of soy lowers the risk of breast cancer. Experimental studies regarding the effect of soy protein isolate on breast cancer risk have not helped the scientists draw any conclusion. The results produced were very confusing and conflicting. Some studies showed that soy protein isolate containing isoflavones was not as efficient as soy protein concentrate lacking isoflavones; in preventing the progression of cancerous breast tumors. Certain rat studies showed that rats who were fed soy protein isolate showed low chances of developing breast cancer, but those who developed breast cancer had highly invasive tumors. Results of another study which involved mice whose ovaries were removed, state that soy protein isolate caused development of breast tumor (estrogen positive), and it also led to increased uterine weight.

Some researchers have found out that soy protein consumption can prevent breast cancer while some have stated that it can lead to increased risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women. Studies have shown that if soy is consumed early in life, especially in early adolescence, then it protects the girl from breast cancer, later in life. Small doses of the soy isoflavone 'genistein' can lead to abnormal growth of cells, while large doses can inhibit such cell growth. Some scientists have showed that genistein helps prevent abnormal growth of the blood vessels that support tumor growth, and it also helps prevent production of some enzymes that promote abnormal cell growth.

Thus, it has not been scientifically proven that consumption of soy protein isolate can lead to the development of breast cancer. Whether women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should consume soy protein isolate is a controversial topic. It is true that Asian women are at less risk for breast cancer than Western women; but Asian women, especially Chinese and Japanese women, consume soy mostly in the fermented form. Consumption of soybeans in the form of fermented soy products, tofu, soy butter, and soy nuts, is considered as a better way of consuming soy protein.

The above information shows that more studies are required to be carried out to prove the usefulness of soy protein isolate in preventing breast cancer. The above discussion also shows that it is difficult to draw any conclusion about the relationship of soy protein isolate and breast cancer, at this stage. If you are thinking of taking soy protein supplements, then you should consult your physician first.

Birth Control Pills and Breast Cancer

The possibility of putting birth control pills and breast cancer together can spark a healthy debate between health professionals. There are various studies in the world which claim that birth pills can be one of the causes of breast cancer in women, but these claims are rejected openly by some medical journals which claim that there is no link between the usage of birth control pills and breast cancer. So which claim is right? Do birth control pills really cause breast cancer or it's just a healthy contraceptive. Before coming to the main issue, let's first find out what are birth control pills and what is breast cancer?

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills or contraceptives also known as 'The Pill' is a pill that is used by women to prevent unplanned pregnancy. We all know that hormones control the daily functions of the body and the two chief ingredients of birth control pills are hormones known as estrogen and progestin. The hormones in the pill do the work of controlling the function of the ovaries and uterus. They prevent ovulation (release of the egg) during the normal monthly cycle. If the egg is not fertilized then there's no chance that a woman can get pregnant. This pill also makes sure that the male semen cannot enter the female's uterus by thickening the mucus around the cervix.

Breast Cancer

Today, breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the world affecting millions of women all around the world. Breast cancer occurs when tissues of the breast undergo some genetic change which cause them to multiply rapidly and form tumors. While the exact cause of breast cancer is still unknown, a number of genetic and lifestyle factors are rumored to contribute to breast cancer. Women are 1000 times more prone to breast cancer than men. This is because of female sex hormones like progesterone and estrogen which provide a green signal for breast cancer tumors.

Is There Any Link Between Birth Control Pills and Breast Cancer

Since their debut in the medicinal market in 1960s, birth control pills have become the IN thing. They are still one of the most popular and effective form of birth control in the US and around the world. However, the recent debate of breast cancer being a side effect of birth control pills has really scared many women and many want to know if it's true.

Can birth control pills cause breast cancer? Yes and No. Studies performed have tried to examine the use of oral contraceptives causing breast cancer and have come up with some contradictory results. Some doctors think that the hormones used to make pills earlier are very different from the hormones that are used to make pills now. Some Scandinavian researchers claim that women taking these pills have a higher chance of getting breast cancer. They also noted that once they stopped taking birth control pills the chance of getting breast cancer came to a minimum.

One more interesting fact about breast cancer is that women who are born in families with breast cancer survivors are more likely to suffer from breast cancer. According to a medical report published by the American Medical Association, women with a strong family history of breast cancer are 11 times more prone to the disease if they consume birth control pills. However, many health experts say that this risk was only higher till 1975 because at those times pills contained high levels of estrogen and progestin. A recent study suggests that women who are above 35 years have a higher risk of suffering from breast cancer if they take the pill. Sure, the pill protects the woman from any unwanted pregnancies but it does come with its share of side effects and many women who consume the pill know it.

So is there any relation between birth control pills and breast cancer? It's hard to tell because no doctor in the world has a definite answer. Some of them say it causes breast cancer and some say it doesn't. Medicines are complicated and they show different reactions in different bodies, maybe the birth control pill would be good for some women and bad for some. In the end it's probably the woman who has to make this choice and it's advised that they probably seek medical advice from their doctor before taking birth control pills.

Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survival Rate

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death in women due to cancer. Advanced technology, new researches, helpful diagnostic tests like the 'mammography' have helped improve the stage 4 breast cancer survival rate significantly, over last few decades. Although breast cancer is more common in women, it can also affect men. To understand the stage IV of breast cancer, here is an overview of breast cancer staging.

Breast Cancer Staging

Stage 0: Cancer detected in this stage is referred to as 'carcinoma in situ (CIS)' and 'non-invasive cancer'. Cancer detected at this stage is 100% curable.

Stage I: Cancer in this stage is referred to as invasive cancer, as it invades the adjacent normal tissues. The size of the tumor detected is about 2 centimeters and the cancer is confined to the original site.

Stage II: This stage is subdivided into stage II A and B, depending upon the size of the tumor, number of tumors and spread of the tumor. The size and number of tumors grows and the tumor invades the lymph nodes under the arm.

Stage III: This stage is further subdivided into stage III A, B and C, depending upon the size of the tumor, number of lymph nodes invaded, and spread of cancer to the chest wall, or the skin of the breast, or near the neck.

Stage IV: Metastasis of cancer into other distant organs indicates stage 4 breast cancer. During this stage, the cancer spreads into lungs, liver, bones, brain, etc.

Breast Cancer Survival Rate: Stage 0 to Stage 4

    * Survival rate for stage 0 breast cancer : 100%
    * Survival rate for stage I breast cancer : 100%
    * Survival rate for stage II A breast cancer : 92%
    * Survival rate for stage II B breast cancer : 81%
    * Survival rate for stage III A breast cancer : 67%
    * Survival rate for stage III B breast cancer : 54%
    * Survival rate for stage III C breast cancer : 58% (stage III B has worse survival rate than stage III C)
    * Survival rate for stage IV breast cancer : 16-20%

The survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer can be still lower if the cancer is detected in later stages. It also depends on the physical and mental health of an individual, and treatment opted for. Breast cancer treatment includes removal of breast lump, or complete removal of the breast, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy. Stage 4 breast cancer cannot be cured.

Out of total breast cancer cases, only 1% cases are of male breast cancer. But the shocking fact is that the incidences of male breast cancers are increasing. Breast cancer survival rates for men are considerably low. Late detection of the disease, mainly due to a lack of awareness, lowers the survival rate. Browse through another article 'stage 4 cancer survival rate' for more information.

Staging of cancer helps understand the prognosis of the patient's condition. Breast cancer is supposed to be the 'best cancer', as it can be detected in early stages. It can be removed completely and the patient can lead a normal life when the cancer is detected in early stages. So, breast cancer survival rate for earlier stages is quite higher than that for the later stages. Staging helps determine the proper treatment. Family history, stressful lifestyle increases the risk of breast cancer. Other factors like the age of the patient, overall health, the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed, tumor makers such as estrogen or HER2, availability of advanced treatment, and the patient's response to the treatment, determine the prognosis.

This was an overview of stage 4 breast cancer survival rate. Women should follow the method of 'self testing' which helps detect the cancer in early stage. Undergoing physical examination and an annual mammography test is essential after the age 40. With proper care, precautions and treatment, breast cancer can be cured, if detected at an early stage.