Here are six quick tips for finding art supplies at a discount.

Scrapbooking is one of the fastest growing hobbies today. It is a fun activity, allows people to use their creativity in witty and imaginative ways, and allows you to create a beautiful product that will endure for many generations to come.

Learn everything you need to know about knitting. Get started today in this fun, time-honored hobby.

If there's anything that brings out the creative urge in us, it's Christmas. A Christmas card with a photograph of our family is usually the first kind of handmade card we think of, and rightly so; it's intimate and unique. No one else can send it, nor would we send it to anyone except warm friends and relatives.

There are many sculptures which can be made from clay. Here are instructions to make a human figure using coil construction.

Today craft supplies are the heart of any arts and crafts business. Without supplies and good suppliers, your business will be in jeopardy. Search the right supplies at the right price and your business will have a much better chance of grow successfully. Starting and running a craft business can sometimes be as confusing as it is rewarding. Here are 5 things to know before starting your venture into the world of professional crafting. 1. Shop Around Always comparison-shop for supplies. Prices can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Once you find a low-cost supplier, don't stop there! Over time, prices do change. It's a good idea to keep an eye out for another distributor. 2. Buy at Wholesale Cost Many suppliers offer discounts to qualified buyers. Qualifications differ, but usually a Retail Tax ID number will suffice. Call your local courthouse to find out whom to contact to obtain a retail tax permit in your area. (If you are selling crafts, you should already have one.) Once you have your tax identification, ask individual suppliers if they offer wholesale discounts and how to qualify. 3. Buy in Quantity Often, buying supplies in bulk can save money. When comparison-shopping for materials, ask each vendor if quantity discounts apply and if so, what the percentages off will be. 4. Use Recycled Materials Be creative with your raw materials! You may be able to save quite a bit by using recycled wood, textiles, plastic, metal and anything else you may use. Of course all of your supplies cannot be obtained through recycled materials, but you might be surprised at where you can cut costs if you give it some thought. 5. Shop at Discount Stores Many large chains offer comparable prices on certain upon art and craft supplies. If you intend to resell the finished product that you make and have a Tax ID number, you can avoid paying sales tax. Ask the store manager for details on tax exemption status. Marketing is the another key ingredient to any successful business! You must have ways to get the word out about your products. Whether you will be attending craft shows, placing mail order ads, or selling your crafts online. Selling crafts online involves more than simply publishing a Web site. Successful online marketing requires time, dedication and a basic understanding of marketing in general. Your online craft shop is merely an extension of your real-world business and all forms of marketing should compliment each other to work efficiently and effectively. This article is not only intended to give crafts people ideas on how to market an arts and crafts supply wholesaleWeb site, but also to help crafters become aware of the importance of real-world marketing of a cyber-world storefront.

You know that you love scrapbooking as a hobby, but have you ever considered scrapbooking full time, as a business? Statistics show that the most successful businesses are those in which the owner of the company thoroughly loves and enjoys what they do

If you have ever wondered how scrapbooks began you are not alone. Most people are familiar with the photo album and understand that once the camera enabled people to have their own photos, these photos were stored and organized in a sensible manner. However, scrapbooks are a bit more detailed than photo albums.

Birthday cards are a way of telling people that they are fondly remembered during their special day. Many stores are devoted only to birthday cards and people spend hours in the aisles trying to select the perfect birthday card for their friends or relatives.

There are times when you need to say thanks and sometimes it can be frustrating trying to think of the right thank you messages to write in cards.

Hobbies help us keep busy when we have time on our hands. They are something that we like to do and can spend hours pursuing.

Someone recently asked me how to make a shaker card so this article is a step by step guide do doing just that. Shaker cards are great fun and make excellent Christmas or birthday cards for children as well as adults. The novelty factor of being able to fill yours cards with just about anything you like and being able to hear and see the effect is wonderful. Shaker cards can be created to suit whatever scene or effect you like. Fill them with small white beads of polystyrene for great snowy Christmas scenes or small yellow beads to bring a beach card to life. Just follow my simple steps and within no time at all you will have a stunning handmade shaker card. Step 1 - Begin by folding a piece of card onto a hard surface. Here I have used an A4 piece of card and folded it half. Step 2 - Open your card so you are looking at the inside and draw the shape you wish to cut out for the 'shaker' part to be. You can use stencils or draw free hand. Step 3 - Using a craft knife or a shape cutter carefully cut your shape out. Step 4 - Turn your card over and decorate with a ribbon or any embellishment you desire. Step 5 - Once decorated, turn the card back over. Place double sided tape around the cut out shape and affix some acetate to cover the hole. This does not have to be perfect and will not show in the finished card. Step 6 - Once the acetate is in place turn the card back over to the front and place peel offs or ribbon around the cut out shape to make it stand out. At this point you may want to add any extra bits such as ' happy birthday' if you do not feel the card is quite done. Step 7 - Turn the card back over and place 3d foam all around the acetate. Try to place it as close to the edge as possible as this will mean you can use less beads or what ever you are adding as your 'shakers'. Step 8 - Choose a piece of paper that you want to be shown through the window Step 9 - Place double sided tape round the edges of the inside of the card Step 10 - Remove the backing from the double sided tape and 3d foam and carefully pour in your beads. You could also use small confetti, or punched out paper shapes. Step 11 - Carefully place your chosen paper over the top, taking care to press down around the window and the edges of the card. Once secure trim off any bits you do not need around the card.