Owing to the indisposition of the author of Craftmodo, we are drafting in another writer.

Our new author, Duncan Cairncross, is well-versed in crafts and is also an artist, book and web designer. We look forward to a change of emphasis and a new voice for Craftmodo.

John Evans
Syntagma Media

If the kids are stuck inside during a summer rainstorm (turn off the computer if it is a thunder and lightning storm, by the way) and are whining about being bored, try this Web site.  Consider it a form of a kid’s craft on the computer.  It is a great way to explore art through the National Gallery of Art and it could be a great way to inspire the kids on with a real paintbrush and paints. 

It’s an easy and fun site to navigate and spend some time on.  Just start clicking!  Then the interactive art can begin and who knows?  You may find yourself at the art store later picking up all kinds of supplies for your future Picasso.

NGA Kids - Adventures in Art

Creativity is the fuel that drives the crafter. It is an expression of ideas that brew about in our heads. Sometimes the creativity well runs dry though, and a little help is necessary. Other times it is fun to see what other people have created and expand our own ideas. “The Creative Life,” is a television show, with a corresponding Web site, that features everything from traditional crafting to the new recycled art so popular today.  

‘The Creative Life’ is your new one-stop show for step-by-step how-to segments and tips and techniques for creating unique items for the home. From decorative painting to building, gardening to cooking, sewing to home decor and everything in between, Cheryl does it all, and takes you on location as she explores every nook and cranny of ‘The Creative Life.’
The Creative Life Web Site

“The Creative Life” presents not only ideas but free patterns on the Web site.  If you have been unaware of this show, you can also find the PBS scheduling so you can watch the production in your local area.  You can also see different clips from the show.  For the crafter, “The Creative Life” is a “creative” approach to crafting that will be become a useful resource.

The Creative Life 

Do you have sore hands from knitting or crocheting?  I sure do.  My hands get so tired and feel so painful from marathon hours of knitting.  Many crafters have this problem.  Some crafting days I feel like my finger joints are on fire and the rest of my hands are just plain worn out. 

There are some things you can do if you have this problem.  As I said, it is a common problem with crafters and also with computer users.  With those of us on the Internet doing knitting blogs - well, we have a double whammy. 

The 5 X 5 X 5 hand workout is something that should help you a great deal.  Exercising your hands in a way to relieve pain and stiffness, will help you avoid repetitive stress injuries. 

On this page, you will also find a product called Handeze Massage Gloves.  This is another thing that will help hand pain during crafting.  They can be ordered online in several places and Berroco has taken any risk of getting the wrong size away.  They have a hand sizer that works right on your monitor. Set your screen resolution to 640 X 480 to have the sizer work accurately.

Hand pain is a difficult problem for crafters and computer users.  We love what we do and even when it hurts, we keep doing it.  There is no point in telling a knitter to stop knitting because of hand problems.  Taking care of your hands and taking some steps to ease problems through prevention can extend the time you can spend on the needles.