Ten Tips to Making Crafts
1. Read the instructions all the way through once or even twice before you start. This will give you a chance to really understand what you’re about to do.
2. Try to imagine yourself going through each step. This is a well-known approach followed by the best chefs, carpenters, basket makers, and other people who make crafts.
3. Even though you want to dive right into a project, collect or buy all the materials you need before you begin. It can be so frustrating to find yourself in the middle of a project only to realize you are missing the one thing you need to finish!
4. For a few projects, you may need tools or hardware that you’ve never used before or with which you may not be familiar. Salespeople who work in stores that sell these things are used to people of all ages asking “what’s this?” or “how do I use that?” So don’t be shy. It really is true that the right tool (or material) for a job can make what seemed impossible pretty easy.
5. If you absolutely can’t find a certain material or tool, try to substitute something that you think will work just as well. Adults can give you some help in this area by suggesting other materials you can use.
6. On the subject of adults: in a few cases we tell you to ask an adult to help you with a step that might be dangerous, such as using a hacksaw. We only mention this when we think it’s important. Please practice good safety skills when making any of the projects.
7. We’ve tried our best to five you clear and detailed instructions. But if there’s a step that doesn’t make sense, try it out with a scrap of material or even with a piece of paper. Often, written instructions come to life when you act them out this way.
8. Don’t let where you live get in your way. Whether you live in the city, country, or suburbs, you can enjoy making the projects listed here on this site.
9. Use this site as a jumping-off point. Make up your own projects. Be in charge of your own exploring. The more things you make with natural materials, the more you’ll find out about the natural world around you.
10. Keep digging! If you get excited about on the topics, look for other information that deal with these same subject.
