In the past 5 years, art and craft supplies have become more and more available in mainstream stores like Wal-mart and Target. This is a reflection of consumer interest and needs. Crafting is more than a hobby, for some people it is a way to spend time with their family, or a means to express one’s values or dreams. Generations past were resourceful in making whatever they could, and often times these hand made pieces were decorated with a personal touch. Today, we renew what our ancestors understood, and that is taking pride in one’s craft. The internet has joined crafters around the world and many crafts have become infused, combining one type of craft with another to create something new and exciting. Whether you are looking for inspiration to create something new, or just want instructions on tried and true classic techniques, these blogs are a starting point to explore the world of crafts online and all its diversity and beauty. As with most blogs, one link leads to another and another and before you know it your mind will be filled with the inspiration and passion these bloggers exhibit. There is something special about each of these craft blogs and you will know it when you enter their world. Have fun and get crafty.
Craftzine Japanese Crafts
From Lip Balm to spiral crochet hats to Japanese fabrics and dolls, this site has numerous step by step craft projects including knitting and stitching techniques, tutorials and numerous links to other craft related websites and kids projects ideas.
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/japanese_crafts/
SuperNaturale
SuperNaturale celebrates ingenuity, and creativity in making things by hand. This explores a wide variety of crafts from rug hooking, stuffed animals, thai silks, felt crafts, crochet, beaded cufflinks, wedding crafts, doll making, do it yourself dog biscuit recipes, and ideas for shopping yard sales and thrift shops for recycling craft projects.
http://www.supernaturale.com/
Martheme’s Fiber Arts Blog
thoughts on knitting, spinning, and life in general.
Martheme has links to free knitting patterns. She is interested in fiber arts and has an extensive list of links to bead suppliers, dye suppliers, needlework links, spinning links, sewing and notions related links, andyarn company links. Additionally, Martheme’s Fiber Arts Blog has a link to the history of fiber arts and links to Fiber Festivals and even more links to Reference Lists and Instruction sites. The site is worth visiting for the wealth of craft links alone.
http://martheme.blogspot.com/
Quilting Arts Blog
This blogger attends craft fairs and festivals and is inspired by rural land. She collects art supplies and transforms fruit into works of art and covers topics from altered books and fabric covered postcards to fabric infusions to puzzle quilts and more. She describes techniques of various projects and also shows her craft room and organizing methods to sort it all.
http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/
aLteRaTIonS
This creative blog site explores the world of altered art, which is the creation of new art and mixed media pieces using found pictures, magazines, objects, etc. Inspiring and visually stimulating.
http://lizsmith.typepad.com/alterations/
Loosetooth Art
This is a fun and quirky arts and craft blog that shows an eclectic mix of projects from start to finish, from The unadulterated Brazilla, a decorated bra made for a charity contest, to felt pennants decorated for a craft fair giveaway to quilted collage projects and two-color serigraphs.
http://www.loosetooth.com/Art/artwork.php3
Craftlog
From fabric baskets to crochet dishcloths to wax experiments and card making and paper crafts, the Craftlog dives head first into dozens of varied crafts. The crafts that flop get shown as well. Christmas ornaments, cat toys, button rings and bead racks lead way to silkscreened t shirts and much much more. Of particular interest is this crafter’s inspiration which she links to.
http://www.craftlog.org/
Craftherapy
This blog contains projects and pictures involving mosaics, brooches, glass beads, glass pendants made from vintage broken dishes, jeweled mailboxes and stuffed cat tree pillows.
http://www.craftherapy.blogspot.com/
Extreme Craft
Extreme Craft is written by a 33 year old male artist who explores the history of crafting and past trends and fads and features his latest fascinations and discoveries in the arts and craft world. There are pictures and commentary on bizarre and intriguing creations from sock monkey dresses to cardboard stormtroopers to pottery, ceramics, and quilts. This blog is about a designer’s eye appreciating the discovery of design.
http://extremecraft.blogspot.com/
Cowboy’s Sweetheart
This blogger documents and shows their mixed media art and craft pieces. Cowboy’s Sweetheart has an extensive list of links and pictures to other funky and contemporary mixed media arts and crafts.
http://cowboyssweetheart.typepad.com/
Ink Artist
This blog site offers an extensive list to stamping and ink techniques, tutorials and supplier web sites. There are numerous craft projects that show step by step instructions along with detailed tips. There are a wealth of fun projects to explore.
http://inkartist.blogspot.com/2006/02/craft-and-hobby-association-news-for.html
One Little Spark
Heather’s Blog
This site beautifully explores creative stamping and digital scrapbooking. Dozens of pictures in online photo albums display Heather’s current cute creations.
http://www.themeesons.com/blog/
Reference:
- Family Circle Crafts www.familycircle.com/fc/crafts/
