Did the soap making business I talked about the other day interest you?  If so, your first question might have been, “How do I make soap?” 

Developing your own unique style, scents and shapes will be something that evolves over time, with practice and a little trial and error.  But starting is something you can do right now.  Each time you create a new soap, you will learn something, and if you hope to turn your soap making into a business, this is a great place to start.

Make Modern Soap With Herbs, Beeswax And Vegetable Oils

The Truth About Soap 

Summer has just begun and it is time, actually past time, to turn toward the garden and find the expression of color and joy that flowers and plants bring.  Most of the crafting work here is already done for you because, as they say, “Only God can make a tree.”  But while He made the tree, He wouldn’t mind at all if you did some decorative things around it!  Get your family together and turn a Saturday into a garden crafting day.

There are two crafts that I especially like at the link below.  They are all cute, but two really caught my eye.  One is the Dove Windchimes (that was predictible since I collect windchimes) and the other is the Keepsake Stepping Stone.  I love that all of the instructions are provided and the crafts are inexpensive. And if your children are young, you will be so glad you did these stepping stones.  I wish I had some of my kids from years ago.

Take a look.  There are some cute things that will add some personality to your yard and garden and it will be a wonderful way for your family to spend some great time together. 

Garden Crafts

Free Nature and Gardening Crafts - Those painted pots would be great on a deck!

Usually when we think of crafts, we think of small items.  Things can either be held in our hands, worked on our laps, or at least on the table in front of us.  Think bigger.  A lot bigger.  I had never considered this as a craft before but apparently, it is considered a craft.  Have you ever considered building a log cabin?

I love the idea of a log cabin, not just for a vacation spot, but for a primary home.  Today plans can be acquired that bring log cabins to a whole new level.  There are magazines and books published on a regular basis that come complete with floor plans.  Some of these homes are stunning.

But wouldn’t it be nice to have a little log cabin for your family to vacation in?  Or as an office?  How about for a retreat away from the busyness of society?  It can be done and it isn’t all that hard.  I don’t know that I would take this craft project on by myself, but with someone who could do some of the more complex things such as wiring and plumbing, I can’t think of a good reason why not to do it.

Take a look at this site.  It explains the process and from there you can do more research to build just the cabin that is your “home sweet home.”

Building A Log Cabin

I love the idea of recycling items that would normally go into the trash, or on a good day into a recycler, into crafts.  It is fun, the crafts are funky, and the expense is virtually nil.  This must be the perfect non-fiber craft for me because I drink a lot of diet pop and I have pop cans all over the place!  Yes I do recycle, but I think I could keep a few to make this wonderful dragonfly since I collect dragonflies.  This one would definitely be different than any other I have!

This site is all about recycling pop cans into different works of sculpture.  They even have a Starship Enterprise!  They also have various vehicles (including a green tractor which you know I had to love), trains, aircraft, and a variety of insects.  The patterns are only $14.00 ($8.00 if you download them on the computer) and they include full size templates, step-by-step instructions in a clear plastic cover.  The Web site has a list of the materials you will need; most you will have around the house and the others are inexpensive.  All of the patterns I looked at required eight 12 ounce pop cans - I could have quite a collection of vehicles and insects of Diet Pepsi Vanilla!

Two warnings:

1. Be cautious - when you cut into aluminum you can get a nasty cut.  Wear very heavy gloves and watch the edges of the metal you have cut into. 
2. This may be an addictive craft, so be sure you bookmark them for future visits and more patterns.

Other than that, have fun!  And use your own imagination as you go.  If there is an Enterprise, shouldn’t there be a Klingon ship?

Tesscar Aluminum Crafts - The Dragonfly

Tesscar Aluminum Crafts Web Site - see the Enterprise here!