The author, Lissa Rankin, does a wonderful job educating and instruction with this book. There are 16 chapters that cover everything from the supplies you will need to merging encaustic art with other craft technique most of us have heard of such as collage, printmaking, and sculpture. This book will amaze and inspire the beginner and also offers great advice for the experienced artist.

This book is very educational and the photos are amazing. I paged through this book several times just to look at the pictures. It is truly amazing what some people can create. Of course, the author hopes her book will inspire you to try your hand at creating your own works of art.
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(Cover Art Courtesy of Watson-Guptill)

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Encaustic Art Book Review originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 09:00:46.

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Part of the fun of going back to school is shopping for new school supplies. While you can spend a lot of money to buy fancy school supplies, why not create your own? You can easily jazz up notebooks and other books. Start out with a simple paper book cover or a fabric covered notebook. You can also make your own stretchy book cover and a unique notebook cover using an outgrown pair of jeans! You can easily design your own pens and pencils. Make several of these fun pen and pencil projects to fill your back to school pencil case! You can also use many creative techniques and supplies to decorate or make your own backpacks and tote bags. Another great back to school craft to make is a home-made message board. Make one for at home and also make a smaller one to hang up in your locker.

While you are doing back to school crafting, why not make a gift for your teacher? Customized calendars make great gifts for teachers. Print out calendar pages for September through June (or the entire year if you prefer) and personalize them however you like. Check out these free school related beaded safety pin designs! These beaded safety pin patterns can be used to make fun jewelry to give as a gift to a special teacher. Of course, you can also browse through this list of home-made gift ideas to find the perfect gift to craft for your teacher. Once you make your gift, you can also make a home-made card or gift tag; then, you can use these creative gift wrapping ideas for the perfect finishing touch.

Finally, if you want some fun back to school activities that will help jump start your kid's brain after a long and lazy summer, there are several things you can try. For your kids, you can create a fun back to school coloring book. Make a separate coloring book featuring letters of the alphabet and also one featuring numbers to color. If you think your child needs to brush up on their alphabet, check out these alphabet activities. If you want your child to get into reading, consider creating a Story Sack.

So, let's face it... There comes a time every summer when our thoughts must turn to going back to school. Personally, I usually love the excitement and shopping involved with getting ready for school to start; but, whether you love it or not, by using your creativity, you can make going back to school fun!
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- Alphabet Crafts and Activities
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Back To School Activities originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 09:00:33.

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Crafting Through the Alphabet E-Course - Sign up for this great, weekly newsletter and be introduced to wonderful resources to help teach or learn the alphabet.

Creative Recycling E-Course - If you are interested in learning creative ways you can recycle, sign up for this fun and educational weekly newsletter.

31 Days of Halloween Crafts and Activities E-Course - Get new Halloween projects delivered to your email box every day for 31 days!

12 Days of Christmas... Crafts E-Course - Sign up for this special email course and receive a variety of Christmas related craft projects every day for 12 days - everything from advent calendars to Santa Claus crafts.

If you are interested in even more craft related newsletter, check out these offering from other About.com Guides.

Beadwork Newsletter - from Jennifer VanBenschoten Candles & Soap Newsletter - from David Fisher Crochet Newsletter - from David Fisher Cross-Stitch Newsletters - from Connie G. Barwick Drawing / Sketching Newsletter - from Helen South Jewelry Making Newsletters - from Tammy Powley Knitting Newsletter - from Sarah E. White Needlepoint Newsletter - from Cheryl Fall Painting Newsletter - from Marion Boddy-Evans Pottery Newsletter - from Beth Peterson Quilting Newsletters - from Janet Wickell Rubber Stamping Newsletter - from Kate Pullen Scrapbooking Newsletter - from Rebecca Ludens Sewing Newsletters - from Debbie Colgrove Woodworking Newsletter - from Chris Baylor

You are sure to find some creative inspiration when you subscribe to one or more of these!
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Interested in a Free Craft Newsletter or Two? originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 09:00:33.

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Beach Treasure Wreath
Corncob Printing
Geo Dude or Dudette Craft
Mister Harry Cup Craft
Nature Wreath Craft
Sand Candle Craft
More Nature Crafts
Now, you should have plenty of excuses to craft this week and also plenty of ideas. While you have your craft supplies out, don't forget to make a craft or two using this the current craft challenge item:

Go for a walk, gather together some sticks, and see what you can create using them. Then, share you ideas to get published here.

You can share your simple ideas and tips using the comments feature on this blog post, but to get your project possibly featured in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post, please submit it using this simple form. If you make the project you are submitting, take a picture of it and submit the photo. Some of the submitted ideas will be shared in the next Make-It-Over Monday blog post. Preference will be given to those projects that are submitted with photos. You can look through projects submitted for past challenges if you want some inspiration.

If you have questions or comments about this craft challenge, use the comment feature below. Suggestions regarding this feature? Again, use the comments feature to post your suggestions; and, thanks for playing along. If you want a reminder when Make-It-Over challenges are posted, sign up for the Family Crafts newsletter.
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Make-It-Over Monday originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 09:00:33.

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Plastic Egg ABC and 123 Game - Patty shares directions for creating a fun alphabet and/or counting game using plastic Easter eggs and ping pong balls.

Paper Straw Beaded Necklace - Mary explains how she designed this adorable necklace using drinking straws, paper, and beads.

Simply Spray Neon T-Shirt - Find out how to create this colorful, neon t-shirt design using Simply Spray fabric dye and tie-dye techniques.

Sea Shell Bug Magnet Craft - Use these directions to make magnets that look like butterflies, ladybugs, and other bugs using sea shells.

Pet Fishing Pole Craft - This pet toy is fun for both the pet and the pet owner. Try it with small dogs, cats, birds, and other pets.

Soda Pop Can Baby - Find out how you can easily create a cute baby using an aluminum pop can.

Enjoy, and remember, if you complete any of these crafts, take a few moments to send me a picture and it can be featured here too!

(Photo © 2010 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)

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This Week's Spotlight Crafts (July 17 - 23) originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Saturday, July 24th, 2010 at 12:00:37.

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I have gathered together some quick and easy craft ideas. Most of these crafts can be done in about 10 minutes and take very little preparation. Actually though, I would rather see your ideas for fast and easy craft projects.

What craft and activities do you turn to as an 'instant craft activity' if kids are bored, use as a momentary distraction, or as projects for kids with a short attention span. Share your ideas and read craft ideas shared by others'.

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Your Favorite Fast and Easy Craft Ideas originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 09:55:32.

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I have gathered together home-made gift ideas, and I have broken down these gift ideas into categories. Browse through these great home-made holiday gift ideas and find gifts to make for parents, friends, teachers, kids, crafters, and everyone else. You can even make fun gifts for your favorite pets. Many of the gift ideas can even be modified to suit anyone on your list.

Once you decide what gifts to make, you can also make a home-made card or gift tag; then, you can use these creative gift wrapping ideas for the perfect finishing touch.

I am not sure what it is like in your household, but in my household there seems to be plenty of time to spare at this time of year. Once the new school year start schedules get busy and hurried. If for no other reason, that is the perfect excuse to start making your home-made holiday gifts now. If you start making your holiday gifts now, you just might be done by the time Christmas gets here!
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Get Started on Your Home-Made Holiday Gifts originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 09:00:55.

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Of course, before you press or dry your flowers, you need to pick them. When it comes to picking your flowers, no matter whether you are drying them or pressing them, it is best to pick them on a dry day. Try to do it in the morning, as soon as any dew has dried. You should also try to pick your flowers just before they reach the full bloom stage. Some flowers do open more as they dry.

Once you have all of your flowers gathered, follow my directions for either drying or pressing those flowers. You will be amazed by how easy it is. Once you have your dried or pressed flower use them to make a dried flower sachet, a pressed flower picture, or other crafts made with flowers.

While drying your flowers and pressing your flowers work well to save your flowers, you can save the color of your flowers and even leaves. If you use flower pounding techniques, you can create colorful fabric and even paper using your favorite flowers and then use that fabric or paper to create fun crafts.
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- Flower Crafts
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- Gifts to Make

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How to Press and Dry Your Flowers originally appeared on About.com Family Crafts on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 09:00:00.

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