Arts and Crafts

Arts And Crafts
Crafts are objects made by hand that either have a functional or decorative purpose and are categorized as visual arts. An individual who creates crafts, or engages in the decorative arts, is referred to as a craftsperson, artisan, designer-craftsperson, fiber artist, blacksmith, glassblower, etc. Depending on the specialization of the craftsperson, an understanding of certain materials, among them clay, fiber, glass, metal, and wood, is necessary. Likewise, a variety of tools and techniques associated with the process must also be among the knowledge base of such artists.

Decorative Arts
Decorative arts is a term that loosely refers to a variety of objects that serve a practical and decorative purpose. Included in this category are furniture, textiles, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, apparel, architectural decor, and folk art. While the decorative arts are often taken up by amateurs, there have been many artists throughout history that have engaged in such activity. Raphael, for example, created tapestry designs, and Pablo Picasso produced paintings on ceramics. Frank Lloyd Wright, a 20th century American architect, produced not only an array of unique buildings, but often furnished them, believing that interior design was an integral part of the overall architectural plan.

Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and crafts also refers to the Arts and Crafts movement, a late 19th century social movement that focused on design reform based on the concept that visual arts are spatial rather than temporal. In the art of painting, space is an illusion, a representation of three dimensions in two. Sculpture, however, can use three dimensions to represent three dimensions, and is best experienced from a moving vantage point. Architecture, also being three-dimensional, defines and orders spaces in order to make them suitable for human activities. Another premise of the movement is that the physical materials used by artists influence the properties and the character of the resulting work. In other words, great art must be in harmony with its medium.

Art Activities, Craft Ideas and Easy Crafts to Make
The topics and articles listed below provide info on different types of art activities, step-by-step instructions on art and craft projects, tips on easy crafts to make, and free craft ideas for kids, for the elderly and everyone in the family. Also included is information on art and craft patterns, art supplies, craft stores, craft supplies online, and how to sell your crafts online.

    * Arts and Crafts for Kids
          o Child Art Activities and Crafts for Kids
                + Easy Craft Ideas for Kids
                      # Easy Craft Ideas for Kids
                      # Easy Arts and Crafts For Kids
                      # More on Easy Craft Ideas and Simple Crafts for Kids
                + Kids Coloring Pages
                      # Fairy Coloring Pages
                      # Fish Coloring Pages
                      # More on Kids Coloring Pages
                + Preschool crafts and art activities for preschoolers
                      # Preschool Activities for Kids
                      # Preschool Craft Ideas
                      # Preschool Themes
                + Balloon Twisting Tips and Tricks
                + Exotic Butterfly Art
                + Face Painting for Kids
                + Fancy Dress Costume Ideas
                + Kids Bedroom Decor Ideas and Kids Furniture
                + Kids Magic Tricks and Spells
                + Kites
                + More on Child Art Activities and Arts and Crafts for Kids
          o Drawing / Sketching
                + Basics of Line Art Drawings
                + Drawing Lessons - Learn How to Draw
                + Flower Drawings: How to Draw Flowers
                + More on Drawing / Sketching
          o Graffiti Art and Writing
                + Graffiti : Styles of Graffiti Writing
                + Graffiti Writing - Learn How to Draw Graffiti
                + The Art of Drawing Graffiti
                + More on Graffiti Art and Writing
          o Painting
                + Acrylic Painting
                + Mural Painting
                + Watercolor Painting
          o See below for more info on kids crafts
    * Craft Books and Paper Crafts
          o Art of Paper Quilling
          o Bookbinding
          o Craft Books
          o Origami
                + Learn Origami
                + Origami Patterns for Kids
                + The Art of Origami
                + More on Easy Origami for Kids
          o Paper Flowers
                + How to Make Paper Flowers
                + Making Paper Flowers
          o Papier Mache
                + How To Make Paper Mache
                + Papier Mache Instructions: Recipe to Make Paper Mache
                + Papier Mache Masks
                + Papier Mache Recipes and Projects
          o Rubber Stamping
          o Scrapbooking
                + How to Make a Photo Album
                + Scrapbooking Ideas
                + Scrapbooking Projects
                + More on Scrapbooking
          o More on Papercraft and Paper Models
    * Fiber Crafts and Needlework
          o Crocheting
                + How To Crochet Flowers
                + Tatting
                + More on Crochet
          o Embroidery
                + Custom and Personalized Embroidery Designs
                + Embroidery Stitching Tips
                + Embroidery Designs of India
                + Embroidery Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips
                + How to Make Ribbon Headbands
                + More on Embroidery
          o Knitting and Sewing
                + Fabrics
                + Felting, Fulling, Boiled Wool
                + Knitting Techniques
                + Knitting Yarns
                + Rug Making
                + More on Knitting and Sewing
          o Quilting
                + Baby Quilts
                + Baby Quilt Patterns
                + How to Make Flannel Quilts
                + More on Quilting
          o T-shirt Art
                + Custom T-shirt Printing
                + T-shirt Transfer - Design Your Own T-shirt
                + More on T-shirt Transfer Printing
    * Flower Crafts
          o Bouquet Making
                + How to Make a Cascading Bouquet
                + How to Make Your Own Bridal Bouquet
                + Unique Bridal Bouquet Designs
          o Flower Arrangements
                + Floristry
                + Silk Flower Arrangements
                + Wedding Floral Arrangements
                + More on Flower Arranging and Floral Arrangements
          o Ikebana
    * Furnishings and Decorative Arts
          o Interior Design and Furnishing
                + Bedroom Designs and Bedroom Decor Ideas
                + Crown Molding
                + Fall Decor Ideas
                + Furniture
                + Home Decor Ideas
                + Home Furnishing
                + How To Paint Furniture
                + Interior Decor Ideas
                + Interior Paint Colors and Interior Painting Ideas
                + Kitchen Decor Ideas
                + Living Room Decor
                + Medieval Home Decor
                + Medieval Tapestry and Art
                + Metal Wall Art
                + Oil Painting
                + Painting Tips and Techniques
                + Wall Decor and Decorative Wall Art
                + Wall Murals for Home Decor
                + Wallpapers
                + Wild Animal Art
                + Window Treatments
                + More: Interior Designing and Interior Design Ideas
          o Faux Painting
                + Do It Yourself Tips for Faux Painting
                + Faux Finish Painting: Learn Faux Finishing Techniques
                + More on Faux Painting / Faux Finishing
          o Framed Art, Photography and Art Photo Frames
                + Framed Art and Photo Framing
                + Fine Art Photography
                + Photo Gifts
                + More on Photography Art
    * Glass Art and Crafts
          o Glass Bead Jewelry
          o Glass: Material from the sands of time
          o Kaleidoscopes
          o Stained Glass Art and Crafts
                + How to Make Stained Glass
                + Stained Glass Artwork
                + Stained Glass Restoration
                + More on Stained Glass
    * Holiday Crafts and Craft Ideas
          o Halloween Art, Decorations and Easy Craft Ideas for Halloween
                + Easy Halloween Crafts
                + Face Painting
                + Halloween Costumes
                + Halloween Crafts for Kids
                + More on Halloween Crafts and Decor
          o Christmas Crafts and Ornaments to Make
                + Christmas Decor
                + Christmas Gifts to Make at Home
                + Easy Christmas Craft Ideas
                + Easy to make Christmas ornaments
                + Glass and Beaded Christmas Ornaments
                + Homemade Christmas Gifts
                + Homemade Christmas Ornaments
                + More on Easy Christmas Crafts to Make
          o Diwali Cards
          o Easy Holiday Craft Ideas for Teens
          o New Year's Eve Decor
          o Quick and Inexpensive Holiday Decor Ideas
          o Summer Crafts and Art Activities for Kids
    * Jewelry Making, Beadwork, Metal Art and Crafts
          o Beadwork and Jewelry Beading
                + Beaded Lanyard Patterns
                + Jewelry Making
                + More on Beadwork and Jewelry Beading
          o Handmade / Handcrafted Jewelry
                + Handcrafted and Beaded Costume Jewelry
                + Handcrafted Designer Jewelry
                + Handcrafted Jewelry Boxes
                + Handmade Beaded Jewelry, Earrings & Necklaces
                + Unique Handmade Jewelry
                + More on Handcrafted / Handmade Jewelry
          o Body Jewelry and Piercing
                + Body Piercing and Non-Piercing Jewelry
                + Ear Gauges - Gauging Your Ear Piercings
                + How to Make Friendship Bracelets
                + Nose Piercings
                + More on Body Piercing
    * Leatherwork and Leather Crafts
          o Handmade Handbags
          o Leather
          o More on Leather Crafts
    * Making Craft Gifts and Gift Wraps
          o Basketry and Gift Basket Making
                + Gift Basket Making Ideas
                + Homemade Gift Basket Ideas
                + How to Make Hanging Flower Baskets
                + Learn to Make Gift Baskets
                + More Gift Basket Ideas
          o Gifts to Make
                + Homemade Anniversary Gift Ideas
                + Homemade Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend
                + Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas
                + Homemade Romantic Gifts for Men
                + More Gift Ideas
    * Pottery, Ceramics and Earthenware
          o Talavera Pottery
          o The Female Potter of Seagrove
          o The Pottery Tradition of Seagrove
          o The Romanian Art of Pottery
    * Stone Crafts, Stone Carving and Mosaic Art
          o Craftsman Style Homes
          o Famous Sculptures
          o Freemasonry
          o Mosaics: Painting with Stone
          o Rock Polishing
          o Sand Art: Sand Sculpting and Sand Crafts
          o Sculpting a Sculpture in Indian Way
    * Wood Crafts, Woodworking and Marquetry
          o Easy and Simple Woodworking Projects for Kids
          o Learn How To Build Custom Furniture
          o Wood Carvings
          o Wood Crafts and Wood Carvings
          o Wood Furniture
    * More on Arts and Crafts
          o Batik Fabric and Designs
          o Candle and Soap Making
                + Decorative Candles: Scented Floating Candles
                + How to Make Candles
                + Soap Making and How to Make Soap
                + More on Candle Making and How to Make Candles
          o Dollhouses and Miniatures
          o Design Your Own Prom Dress
          o Handicrafts
          o Party Decor and Theme Ideas
                + Cake Decor
          o Scale Modeling and Scale Model Making
          o Screen Printing
          o Tattoos / Body Art
                + Body Painting
                + Nail Art
                      # French Nail Art Designs
                      # Homemade Manicure
                      # Nail Art Designs
                + Tribal Art Tattoo Designs
                + More on Tattoo Art / Body Art
          o The Indian Miniature
          o Wedding Crafts and Decorative Art
                + Bridal Shower Decor
                + Design Your Own Wedding Dress
                + Homemade Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
                + Homemade Wedding Invitations
                + More Wedding Decor Ideas
    * Art Supplies, Craft Stores and Craft Supplies Online
          o Art Auctions
          o Gift Shops
          o Hobby Stores / Hobby Shops
          o Leather Goods
          o Party Supplies and Party Supply Stores
          o Scrapbooking Supplies
    * See also
          o Antiques
          o Art
          o Art Collecting and Collectibles
          o Celtic Art and Designs
                + Celtic Knotwork
                + Celtic Symbols
                + More on Celtic Art and Celtic Designs
          o Chinese Art
          o Elements of Art
          o Gothic Artwork
          o Islamic Art
          o Italian Renaissance Art
          o Japanese Art
          o List of Different Types of Hobbies