Creative Craft Project Tips

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Sticky Residue
To remove sticky residue from plastic bottle simply spray with WD-40, let stand a few minutes then wipe with a paper towel. (submitted by Herman Jeroue)

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Brush Restoration
If you've got dried up paint brushes, don't be too quick to throw them away. Soak the bristles in denatured alcohol for 15 to 20 minutes. (Not too long or the glue inside the ferrel will be compromised.) After the soak, wash thoroughly with dish soap and warm water. Repeat if necessary.

Candles
Use a piece of dry spaghetti to light those hard to reach candles or the ones where the wick is so far down.

Candle Wax Removal
To get candle wax out of your candle cups, place in the freezer for a day and it will pop right out.

Craft Item Storage
Use a plastic shoe tree for storing your craft items (scissors, ruler, etc)

Crochet Hook Storage
Store crochet hooks in travel toothbrush holders.

Embossing Powder
When shaking off embossing powder from your card, use a coffee filter to catch the unused powder. Now you can simply return this powder to the original container.

Floral
Make floral pins by straightening paper clips and cutting them in half with wire cutters.

Funnel
Cut the top off a 2 liter soda bottle to use as a funnel.

Glue
To thicken glue, place it in the freezer for half an hour.

Glue All Cap
If you lose the cap to your glue all, plug the hole with a push pin.

Hot Glue
Use a clay pot saucer to cradle the end of your hot glue gun. All the drippings are caught inside the saucer.

Hot Glue Burn Protection
If you put lotion on your hands before you hot glue something, the glue will not stick to your hands, preventing burns.

Hot Glue Mistake
You can correct a mistake that you did with hot glue by placing the object on wax paper and microwaving for 1 minute (remember...no metal in the microwave).

Hot Glue Stick Storaqe
Store your glue sticks in a container with cone incense. When you are hot gluing you get a pleasant scent.

Hot Glue String Removal
To remove glue strings from your hot glue project, simply use an embossing tool to melt them away.

Molds
Use the plastic, shaped packages that toys come in, such as specific tools, animals, etc.

Paint Brush Protection
Protect your paint brush bristles by storing them in small straws.

Paint Brush Storage
Put your paint brushes, bristles up, in Pringles, Oatmeal, or similar cans or containers.

Paint Cup
Take a plastic margarine tub and cut an X in the lid (center) to hold a paint brush. If it tips over accidentally, there is much less water to clean up.

Paint Remover
Alcohol will remove dried paint from most fabrics. Just soak the area, let sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash out. Repeat if necessary. (This works with almost any paint, both acrylic and oil based.)

Paint Palette
Use the throw-away styrofoam trays that meat purchased at grocery stores comes in.

Paint Storage
For a quick lid to keep paint or mixed materials from drying out, try stretching a shower cap over the container.

Pompoms
To tie the pompom together tightly, first wet the string or yarn.

Ribbon Storage
Store your spools of ribbon in baby wipes boxes. Cut slits in the top of the wipes long enough to slip the ribbon thru.

Rubber Stamps
Make your own rubber stamp by cutting craft foam or a thick shoe innersole and then glue it inside a baby food jar lid.

Scissors
Sharpen your scissors with the neck of a glass bottle. Slip one cutting side into the bottle and then open and close the scissors like you're attempting to cut the bottle.

Scissors - Cleaning
If you get some glue (or anything sticky) on your scissors, fingernail polish remover will take care of it.

Soap Scrubber
Cut 5 to 6 inches off the toe end of a nylon stocking and then insert all those sraps of bar soap you've been saving. Tie off the open end with cord or heavy string. Makes a great scrubber.

Stenciling
Makeup sponges are great for stenciling.

Thumbtack Substitute
Instead of plain thumbtacks, decorate your bulletin board with large, fancy buttons. Glue them atop the round part of a thumbtack, allowing the glue to harden completely.

Work Station - Fold-Up
Here's an idea for a "portable" fold-up work station. Mount a piece of plywood to the top of an old ironing board.

Work Surface - Non-Skid
Place a rubber car mat upside down on a table or work bench. The nubs work great for holding almost any item in place.

Yarn Storage
Cut the top off a 2 liter soda bottle and place a skein of yarn into it. Slip the end of the yarn up through the hole in the top you just cut off and then tape the top back in place on the lower portion of the bottle.

X-acto Knife Protection
Cover the blade with a ballpoint pen cap.