Craft Tips !!!

[_Nuts_]

Don't send non-crafters to the store to get your supplies.

[_Nuts_]

Have fun with crafts and don't be afraid to make mistakes... as the saying goes "" You learn more from your mistakes ""

[aries458]

WOW! I got some great tips from you_nuts_! I can use all of them One I use:
If you have business cards or cards for your items or crafts...put them in a covered container with a cotton ball scented with a nice perfume or oil...they will smell good and it will prevent obnoctious odors from adhearing to your cards.

[beautifultemptress]

If you're using laytex moulds which have small areas which the plaster doesn't go into, such as ears etc. Submerge the mould into a bowl of water, shake off the excess and use. You will find that it nearly always fills the gap.

Also when making your own latex moulds for fridge magnets etc, place the original on a piece of chipboard then cover in latex following the instructions. Then before removing the mould from the original, tape a strip of cardboard so that it forms a circle. Now attach it to the chipboard with plastacine. Make sure that the mould is in the middle of the circle. Now pour plaster into the circle of card over the mould. This will then give you a way of supporting the mould. It also means that every single one will be the same shape and size as the mould can not sag or stretch.

Also when placing a magnet into plaster, or a badge back, Get a couple of staples big enough to go over the magnet. Put the staples over the magnet and bend the prongs in slightly, then place in the setting plaster. The staples will stop the magnet from falling out of the plaster.

[glennis77]

You can sharpen punches by punching through ordinary kichen foil.

[glennis77]

A few RUBBER STAMPING tips

When you have a brand new rubber stamp it has a coating over the rubber to keep it clean in the shop. To remove this easily use a strip of sellotape all over the image. You will see the coating on the tape as you pull it off!

[glennis77]

Always put your stamp on an even surface to apply the ink pad. this ensures you get an even coating.

[glennis77]

Put your stamp down rubber side up when inking it.
Always apply the ink pad to the stamp in light taps, you will see where the ink has gone and it won't flood the stamp.
With tiny stamps you will have to apply the stamp to the pad, be light with your taps of the ink pad though and check the coverage after each tap of the pad.

[glennis77]

Always make sure you keep one hand on the stamp at all times, especially with the larger stamps, otherwise the stamp will move and your image will be blurred.
If necessary, stand up to stamp, so your pressure is even.

[glennis77]

Cleaning your stamps:
You can of course use a proper stamp cleaner, but if you don't have one the following may help you.
You can clean your stamps with cold or warm, slightly soapy water and a normal washing up sponge (the yellow ones with the softish green scrubby tops)
Never use hot water it will loosen the glue holding the stamp to the block.
Dry with a cloth, then stand the stamp rubber side down on one of those "super" sponges or cloths, they suck the water from the more intricate patterns really quickly.