What is the best art and craft project you have done?

Question

I have a lot of time on my hands this summer, and I would like a new hobby. I want to create something that will last a lifetime and make a great gift. What are some good things to do?

Everybody's suggestions so far are good. I have done lots of sewing, needlepoint, cross-stitch etc. over the years, as well as scrap-booking and making my own greeting cards. The sculpting and large scale art projects for scenery, are a little beyond my present scope. I have done jewelry making in the past. The enameling is something I haven't tried yet. Let's see if anything more exotic comes up, and let the voters decide?

I really like the face mats, too! My Mom and I used to do a similar project but using old Greeting Cards, Christmas Cards, etc. If you get enough for each season, you can then laminate and change them for the seasons.

Answer 1

i really like origami... ive been doing it for 5 years

Answer 2

I love so many different crafty things to do, but my favorite is definitely cross-stitching. There as so many different items you can stitch....the list is endless. Like scrap-booking it is a very nice way to preserve memories too. If you have a new baby coming in the future, you could stitch a birth record or even a baby blanket. You can also use family pictures and recreate them.

I purchased a cross-stitch program and created my own design. I had wanted to try it for a while and finally did. This hobbie is very time consuming; so when I finish something, I am always very excited to hang it up right away or send it to someone else.

If you can count and use a needle, then you can do this. Have great summer!

Answer 3

I like to do what I call face-mats, they make great conversation pieces at the table & they cost 6-9 dollars to make: but are worth every penny!!

Ya might ask how I do this? Well.......:
You get an 11x17 colored paper @ the copy shop as I call it.

Then you apply Photo's edge to edge & you should fit anywhere from 6-8 photo's on each face-mat (place-mat) as I call it.

Once you have the layout you want, then turn the photo's over, so that when you tape the edges & turn it over again: that the photo's are in the same order as you planned.

Then tape the corners to the colored paper & take to the copy shop. Then have them do a color copy of this & then they give you back what you have made & then trim the edges to the color copy while you have them do more.

What I like to do is to make two sided copies color copies, & then have them lamenate the copies. The lamenated copies are your Face-mats!!

If you do a one sided facemat, it costs about 6 dollars. If you do a two sided facemat it costs 9 dollars. And it gives UR company something to talk about before or after dinner. Just tell them to turn it over to see that it has two sides to it & often times they trade the facemats around the table @ appripriate times. Then you do not have to drag out a heavy album each time people come to visit you. I also call the facemat conversation pieces!!

Enjoy!! I did this before I got into Scrapbooking & I still enjoy doing this as well as scrapbooking!!

Answer 4

Well, my model railroad isn't completed yet...

I guess my favorite COMPLETED projects would be:

1) A 1/350 scale model of the USS Mobile Bay (CG-53)... I did a deployment aboard her in 1990-1991, had tons of photos, and spent 5 months putting on the aftermarket etched-brass railings and radar antennea.

2) A full-sized Mantle and Fireplace I build for a friend's Gift & Candy Shop window display... I used 1x2 pine and 1/8th inch plywood to make it LIGHT... and then cardboard and faux-painting (brick, marble, brass) so that from 5 feet away it looks perfectly real. This was a gift to the store owner, and they've used it for the last 5 years.

3) A "Pool-Table" case I made back in 1984 for a production of "The Music Man". Again, cardboard and 1x2 pine kept it light, and serious faux-painting (wood-graining) and careful lettering made it look very realistic.

There are TONS of other stage-props... statues of carved-foam, vases of paper-mache, etc. that are still out there: either still used by community theater-groups or on the shelves of directors, producers, or cast-members.

Good luck with your summer-quest !

Answer 5

I do a little of everything, but I typically like to do crafts that I think up or design myself the best. Most recently the things that I've done that I've enjoyed the most were the ones that I've done for my children to attend the final Harry Potter midnight book selling costume party. I crocheted Gryffindor and Slytherin scarfs from my own patterns, tassels and all. I made golden snitched and wands, complete with golden wire and dangled jewels. I even made a complete 3-headed dog (fluffy) costume.

However, I also really enjoy crafts like counted cross-stitch, macrame, and beading work.

Answer 6

I do counted cross stitching. About 30 years ago, I sent a picture of my 1 year old nephew to a company that converted it into a cross stitch chart. It turned out beautifully. Two years ago, using my own software, I made a chart of his 1 year old son and gave it to him. He has both of the picture hanging in their house. Soon I'll be doing another one for him as he now has a 5 month old. It's so rewarding to see the finished project.

Answer 7

I used to love to make rag dolls and marionettes. I'd make dolls as gifts, and I once helped build a puppet theater.

If there is a play or story you like, why not make up the "cast" as marionettes? You could also do sets and props.

You could make a family of rag dolls with a particular kind of costume, like a medieval court, or from a country you're interested in. That would involve a little of everything - sewing, crochet, making jewelry and accessories for them.

Answer 8

Perhaps this would be a great opportunity to teach yourself to sew! I learned when I was a child (several decades ago) and still love it! I love making stuffed animals out of fake furs. http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r67/jjtanddmc/47b6cc39b3127cce8fb5872439720000001.jpg Also, easy projects are making purses out of old blue jeans! Pillows out of T-Shirts and jeans shorts are cool too!

My sister took her arts and crafts hobby and turned it into a very profitable business: http://www.misscourageous.com/
That should give you some inspiration! Have fun and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Answer 9

I think I might have to go with enamelling. There's nothing quite as amazing as taking powdered glass, laying it out on metal, and firing it into an amazing work of art. Check out Thompson Enamels for supplies (they have the widest range of lead free colors).

Answer 10

My fondess memories of doing best art and craft would be Dip and Drape Dolls. That was fun. I do have other art and crafts that I still do: Beading, crocheting, jewelry, drawing, painting. Click on two links if you are interesting about Dip and Drape Dolls.

Answer 11

Well, it is going to be hard to pick a best art and craft project I have done because i have done so many! But If I had to pick one, it would be sewing stuffed animals. I love to sew in my free time and have many hand-made stuffed animals by my bed. =)