Craft Tutorials

These fabulous Gift Cans will be a surprise every time. Fill them with peppermints for Christmas, or candy hearts for Valentine’s Day, or maybe jelly beans for Easter.  How about stuffing it with baby booties for a mother-to-be, or barrettes and scrunchies for your little princess?
You can make this great project fit any occasion or personality!

Here’s what you’ll need: 1 can with pop tab lid 1 safety can opener E6000 adhesive circle cutter clear contact paper paper cutter or scissors 1 sheet of decorative paper

Here’s what you do: Open can bottom with safety can opener. Remove contents and clean can well. Cut a piece of the paper to match measurements of your can. Mine was 4″ high and 10″ around. Cut a piece of the contact paper the same height and 1″ longer than the paper. Adhere contact paper to one side of decorative paper. Place paper on can aligning with top edge and secure. Trim any excess protruding over cut end of can.

Now, do the same with the lid. Cut a circle to fit the top of your can, and line one side with the contact paper. Cut a notch in edge just large enough to fit around tab where it connects to the can. I found it difficult to leave excess contact paper and still get it on the can, under the tab, so I glued the circle to the top of the can. Fill the can with whatever you like and glue the bottom back on. Take your time with this, if you work at it, you can get it so that no one can tell it was ever open. Now, just let your spirit move you, embellish however you want. Add stickers, stamps, glitter, ribbon, etc. Your recipient will be in awe of your cleverness!!

Do you love to burn stick incense? Do you hate to clean up the ashy (is that a word?) mess? And, how about those tacky incense holders? Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of them, but it’s not because I think they are the latest in home decor.

Well, here’s the answer, and you can make it yourself! Not just make it, but completely customize it to match your decor, your party occasion, current holiday or your ever changing mood!!!

Creative Origins has posted an exclusive tutorial for their HANGING INCENSE BURNERS made from PVC pipe, that are a great alternative to the mess of traditional ones, and are unique as to their ability to hang up and out of the way. Plus - they are SO easy to use! Just remove the bottom, place your favorite incense stick in the holder and light. Replace the bottom and hang. That’s it!! Fills the whole room with fabulous fragrance.
Look at the different looks you can design. The possibilities are only as limited as your own power of imagination. You can use contact paper, paint (for plastics), and more to decorate your very own burner, and you get to tell everyone you made it yourself.
You have to see this! Or DO you? This incense holder is hanging from the switch of a floor lamp with a black pole. Very nearly unnoticeable. You could make one from the color of any wall, and it would disappear. Or, of course, you could decorate it as loud as you want. And, if all of that isn’t enough for you, they can be used out on your patio or deck with citronella incense sticks for a bug-free environment at your next gathering. So, click on over to Creative Origins for a great tutorial, fully detailed with pictures. And don’t worry, if it all seems a bit overwhelming to you, you can buy yours in the Gift Store.

You will be amazed at your own creativity when you learn to make these beautiful Candle Globes. A totally unique addition to any decor!

Here’s what you need:

• Candle Wax - about 5 lbs. (I actually buy the 3 wick scented candles from Wal-Mart for $6.00, and pull the wicks out and melt down the wax for my globes. I buy white, but you can use any color you like.)
• Melting Pot - double boiler (I use an old crock pot. It works like a dream.)
• Balloon - 7″ party balloon

Here’s what you do:

1. Heat wax in double boiler until completely melted.
   Fill balloon about 2/3 full of water and tie off.
2. Holding balloon by knot, begin dipping balloon in wax. Do not dip above water line in balloon. Let wax cool for a few seconds after each dip.
3. When wax layer on balloon has thickened to approx. 1/4″, set balloon on smooth surface to cool.

4. Support balloon for a moment until solid enough to sit straight on its own. Allow to cool for one hour.

5. When cool, pop the balloon. (Do this over the sink, or you’ll get wet. Remove popped balloon from globe and use a hair dryer to gently smooth top edge. And then… just go crazy with it.

Use your imagination. Here are some suggested embellishments: Use drip candles to make drips down the side of your globe. Use mod podge and tissue paper to give it stained glass look. Use candle paints and stencils to give it designer look. When you’re finished…place a multi-layered square of foil in the bottom and drop in a tea light.

VOILA!

To see these instructions in video form, or to purchase candle globes, visit: CreativeOrigins