Making something from nothing

Arts, crafts starts with creativity, ends with new creation

Fabric, ribbon, paint, tissue paper — it’s time to rejuvenate your living space. So bust out your shopping list and start writing — you’re about to get the lowdown on easy craft projects for the home.

The studio art shop on 313 Neff Ave. carries a full line of art supplies, and Michaels also seems like an obvious choice for selecting crafting products. Michaels offers project sheets showing a picture of a project, along with all the materials needed to craft and detailed step-by-step instructions. If you’re ever running low on ideas, Michaels has an entire wall of inspirations.

The Mesmorizing Memo Board

"Visit the Craft House (located on Neff Avenue) and Wal-mart’s craft section to satisfy all of your crafting needs," junior Beth Santo said. Both carry plenty of supplies for creating projects, such as memo boards. A simple yet extremely useful item, a memo board is constructed with a cardboard rectangle. Ask for them at the Wal-mart craft section (they are used to hold the large quantities of fabric and are thrown away after use, which means you can get them for free). Then select a fabric pattern and ribbon. You’ll need one yard of each (if you have extra ribbon, use it to hang the board up) and either brass or white push pins. Fit the fabric around the cardboard and glue in place then criss-cross the ribbon and push the pins in place to hold the ribbon down.

Art is a Blank Canvas

Junior Caitlyn Powitz said canvas is another easy way to decorate a wall without a lot of effort. Canvases come in packs of three for around $3 at either Wal-mart or Michaels. Select one or two paints, matching or contrasting ribbons (one yard for an 8x11 canvas) and go with your creativity. A few suggestions to get you started: Paint canvas with a solid- colored background and add stripes, polka dots, stars or leave as a solid color. Cut ribbon to fit across one of the longer and one of the shorter sides and glue to the canvas. To finalize the board and make it noticeable, use a Sharpie marker and write quotes, inspiring words or song lyrics.

Dressy Dressers

Jazz up a side table or dresser top with glass vases, candle holders and tissue paper. Rip up two or three different colored pieces of tissue paper, preferably in the same color family such as orange, red and yellow. Rub some Mod Podge on the glass and apply to tissue paper right onto it. Dab a bit more Mod Podge over top of the paper to smooth everything out. Add plastic or real flowers and candles for final touches.

"Some of my favorite college memories have been those nights being crafty with my girls," junior Rebecca Taylor said. So take her advice, gather up a group of friends, rent a couple of movies and prepare yourselves for a fun creative craft night.