Toaster Tongs-Craft Project for All
By Michele Graham

How many times have you had your toast or waffle stuck in your electric toaster and you, without thinking, started to use a metal knife to dig the toast out of the toaster? Of course, this could be extremely detrimental to your health! Toaster tongs are the perfect answer to this problem.

This is a really inexpensive craft project that you can sell or have groups of children in craft classes make. You can leave plain or decorate with decals or paint or even Sharpies (which are waterproof).

For one toaster tong, you will need the following:
2-Tong depressors (you can purchase at any drug store)
1- 3/4 inch diameter dowel, cut in one inch long piece
Elmer's Glue
2- tiny tack nails 

1. Sand the dowel piece on each side after cutting to make sure it is   smooth.
2. Using the Elmer's Glue, place a drop of glue on one end of the dowel and apply one tong depressor to the glued side.
3. Hold down for a minute and nail the tiny tack nail in while glue is still wet. 4. Repeat with the second dowel on the other side.
5. Let dry about an hour before decorating.

This is a great gift to give to anyone. You can personalize or decorate any way you like with dot flowers or lady bugs or just about any design you can think of. And the recipient of this little gift with thank you for thinking of their safety!

Look for other great craft ideas at http://craftmenagerie.blogspot.com
(c)Michele Graham 2006 All Rights Reserved 


Making Your Own Country Wood Crafts
By Jared Winston

Country wood crafts have found a place in recent years in many homes that have very little otherwise in the way of country decor. Many different types of crafts have shown up in droves, from the simple things such as plaques and wicker baskets, to much more complex carvings and such. There is a beauty to country wood crafts which goes beyond their obvious qualities. Something in the way they are constructed makes a welcome plaque feel truly welcoming, or a handmade carving of a bear more than just shaped wood, but truly as majestic and powerful as the creature it depicts. While it is impossible to truly explain why this is the case, there can be no doubt that it is true. If you want to bring a sense of welcome to your own home, there is nothing that does so quite as well as a welcoming plaque. It can carry nearly any message or image you desire, and is probably the simplest of all country wood crafts. However, despite being so simple, it can have a great deal of impact on your home, particularly if you choose a message that has a special meaning to you and your family.

Like all country wood crafts, the first thing you will need for your project is wood. The wood you use does not really matter all that much, apart from the size of the piece. It can be in any shape you want, although leaving it in the natural shape it is cut in will give your end result a little bit of an extra rustic feel. You can get this kind of wood from many craft supply stores, in a number of different varieties. Or, if you are so inclined, you could simply cut a piece of wood from a tree or a fairly thick branch to use for your project. Be sure the piece you cut is large enough to hold the message you intend to use. Once you have your piece cut out, sand the front surface smooth (this is particularly important, because your painting will look rather odd if the surface is not fairly smooth.) You may choose to remove the ring of bark around the outside of your piece, or leave it in place, whichever seems more appealing to you. Also, be sure the thickness of your piece is uniform, as any slant will cause it to hang poorly when put up on a wall. The last stage of your adventure in country wood crafts is to add your message. For this, you can simply paint on your words, pictures, or whatever else you like by freehand if you are particularly artistically inclined.

If you are not, however, there is no need to fear. Simply type out whatever words you want to use on a computer (an odd tool for country wood crafts, but useful nonetheless,) in a nice font, print it out and use a pencil to cover the back of the paper, and place it on the wood. By tracing around the letters, you will leave a pencil line on the wood below, which you can then fill in with paint.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved. If you are interested in learning more about country home decor then you will definitely want to drop by Rustic Adornments.com, a resource that offers tips and advice pertaining to owning and decorating your very own rustic home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston


Feather Masks
By Peter Emerson

Masks have a long and illustrious history. They were used widely for theatrical and other purposes in Greece and Rome during the sixth century B.C. During the medieval period, in Rome, masks were used to practice hedonism without being identified by one’s neighbors. Even clergymen, during this period, used mask for similar purposes.

The styles and designs of masks might have been changed over the centuries but the purpose remained the same: to either disguise or protect the face. Masks were used on ceremonial occasions or for theatrical purposes. Even today people use masks at extravagant parties, carnivals, Mardi Gras celebrations and the like. These are also used for Halloween, costume balls, holiday celebrations or just for fun. These are also used to enhance art and craft projects, decorations, millinery and jewelry, costume adorning, fashion accessories and more.

Feather masks are not only elegant and trendy, but also cost-effective. They are lightweight and have large eye holes for good vision. For feather masks, feathers of the ostrich, peacock, turkey, goose, rooster, guinea hen, pheasant and duck are used. Feather masks are manufactured in different designs, full-sized, half-masks and eye masks.

The price of feather masks varies from thirty-five dollars to seventy dollars or more, and manufacturers charge up to 20% extra for custom orders. They are also ready to incorporate materials provided by the purchaser, like fabric or beads. An elastic strap is attached to the back of a feather mask so that it can be worn or used as a wall decoration.

Masks provides detailed information on African Masks, Feather Masks, Gorilla Masks, Halloween Masks and more. Masks is affiliated with Yoga Mats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson


Craft Project
By Karen Lavender

The internet is a wonderful resource for finding ideas for craft projects. Whether you're looking for holiday craft projects, kids craft projects or just craft projects that will give you something to do on a rainy day- the internet has ideas to get you started. Craft projects take many shapes and varieties. You can make your own soap, create candles of different shapes, sizes and textures, create your own jewelry, make a quilt or sock puppet, design a memory album or make greeting cards to send to friends and family.

Some craft projects can be completed in a matter of minutes, and are just a fun activity to do with the kids or on your own. Other craft projects can take a day or two, a few weeks- or even longer! It all depends on the amount of work the project requires, whether paint or glue needs to dry in between stages, and how long you're able to work on your craft projects in one sitting.

Quick Craft Projects If you have an hour or so, you can do many different quick craft projects! If crafting gives you a release from the stress of daily life, try to fit in an hour or so a day of crafting. Here are some ideas of craft projects you can do in about an hour: • create a scrapbook page • greeting cards • candles • soap • hair scrunchies • paper dolls & clothing Longer Craft Projects If you like to work on craft projects over a long time period, you would enjoy creating more detailed crafts. When the inspiration strikes you, you can sit down to your craft projects and create- and when it's time to stop, you can just put it away until the next time you can work on it! Here are some ideas of craft projects that you can work on long term: • quilting • crocheting • complete memory albums • wood crafts • jewelry • stenciling • clay objects

Craft projects make wonderful gift items, since they are handmade and come from the heart. People love to receive craft projects as it lets them know you care about them enough to spend time on creating the item for them. You can prepare for the gift giving holidays all year by crafting and saving your craft projects to give away as gifts to family and friends. If you run out of ideas for craft projects to work on, you can look through a magazine or surf the web. There is always something you can craft.

Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity.

Check out their Craft Project blog for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lavender