This is a tip for all crafters. I find readers are getting confused with the word material! Material is a word for all the stuff you need for your project, like fabric, paper wood, metal, glass, and tin. So when asked where to find cheap material, they mean: fabric, wood, paper, glue, containers, glass, and cans.
This page contains the following solutions.
Even though my site is fairly new, I have been getting letters from crafters looking for advice on how to get started selling their wares. I thought that this letter and my answer would be of interest to anyone beginning a new home business.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for sewing ideas. I need help making purses, pillows, and things for the home. I would also like to make recycled bags for grocery shopping. I am a beginning sewer. I have made rice bags and a few pillows. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Go to www.sewmamasew.com and click on the "blog". They have all kinds oftutorials, patterns, tips, etc. for the beginning seamstress as well as the more experienced sewer.
A good site for beginners is www.about.com. They have many different categories, so just search for sewing, etc. You should be able to find instructions there.
There is a wonderful web site with all kinds of tutorials on www.craftster.com. It's free, or you can pay to join to participate in swaps and stuff.
Try Tipnut.com They have easy-to-do sewing patterns. And they have alot of other good things too.
Take a long look at a shopping bag in the store and you'll figure it out.
You could also check with your local library and see if they offer classes. Our library has quilting classes and other "craft" classes.
Since I tried to sew on my new sewing machine I have had so much trouble with the thread clumping on the bottom of the material that I got discouraged in trying to do this.
I was having the same problem with clumping thread on the bottom of my material as I sewed. It was a new machine. I took it in and paid dearly for servicing. They said they didn't have a problem with it after they serviced it.
I brought it home and it still did. I took it to a different sewing center and the lady told me 90% of these problem. My new machine was doing the same thing - clumping on the back side of the material I was sewing. I have it servms are "a threading problem."
I really doubted her, as I have sewn for a long time, but this was a new machine. I watched her carefully as she demonstrated. I said "I do it right." She told me I wasn't pulling the thread tight enough for it to "click" (before threading the needle.) It has to go into a groove, that you can't see because it is inside the sealed machine head. That is where the tension is applied. Sure enough, I have had no problems since them. She said she sees this all the time. Hope it works for you.
I am new to beading jewelry and would love any tips and advice you guys can give me. I've been looking for a starter kit, a good place to buy beads and some good sites or books for references. Any suggestions?
By Stephanie from NJ
Michael's is a great place to find beads and equipment. Also Fire Mountain gems and Beads will send you a free catalog if you go to their website. I sometimes use beads for scrapbooking.
Fire Mountain Gems is great! I like their site because they have a large variety of things to offer. They also have patterns and project ideas. Another tip would be (if you use Ebay) to search for jewelry lots. I've purchased a few and have gotten some really neat things.
The website for Fire Mountain Gems is www.firemountaingems.com/
You can also find a wealth of information in the library. There you can get valuable information and not spend any money.
Good luck and show us what you make, ok?
I don't do beads but it seems to me that old jewelry from garage sales and thrift stores could be repurposed.
Hi, I just found this web site, and noticed this post is quite old, but hopefully it will get to the right person. I just started beading as well, I watched a ton of Youtube videos to learn the craft. My sister got a beautiful beaded watch (chunky beads) from her Sister in law for Christmas, after examining the watch, I knew I could make them, with a little know how from the experts.
I buy discounted jewelery whenever I see it. I just recently bought a braided bead bracelet from Walmart for $2.00, there is probably $10.00 worth of beads on it. Yes garage sales and second hand stores is another place to find great bargains.
