Surprisingly, we often underestimate our toddler's abilities. Teach your toddlers some fun craft activities and help them carry on the same. You can look for many free and easy Halloween crafts that your little one would love to work on with you. Here are some interesting ideas to try out.

1. Bat with hand prints.

For this you primarily need some paper plates & washable black paint meant especially for craft purposes. Pour some black paint in the paper plate. Tell your child to put his hand in the paint. Make sure that his hand is fully covered. Now add a sheet of paper, press the child’s hand on one side with splayed fingers. Now, turn the paper towards back. Dip your child's hand in the paint again and press his again hand on the paper following the heels of the imprint made before. Stick googly eyes to this bat or paint the eyes using white color. Make a hole at the top. Attach a string through this hole to hang the bat. Make many of these and hang all around the child's room.

2. Halloween Ornaments with Fun Foam

Fun foam is among the essential craft items especially among the kids. This Halloween collect some chunks of fun foam typically in the Halloween shades that are black, orange, green and white. Now, draw some ovals and circles on the fun foam. With safety scissors let your child brush his or her craft & cutting skills. Make them cut out these shapes out of the fun foam. Mean while, you go ahead cutting shapes from the remaining pieces of fun foam. You might opt to work on interesting patterns like witches, scary cats, bats, ghosts, and many more. These shapes can easily be found on the internet. Now stick on these varied shapes on the ovals & circles you ha cut earlier. Finally, punch a hole on the top. Put a string in this hole and hang your child's Halloween ornaments where ever you wish in the house!

While these are just a few ideas, free and easy toddler Halloween crafts are very commonly found on the internet. Now-a-days there are several web sites focusing on these crafts. These are easy and fun activities for kids of all ages. These fun projects are simple and memorable activities to carry on with your toddlers. Try these and gift your child moments for life!

Creating Exciting Halloween Crafts – 2 Simple Ways To Involve Your Toddler is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Keep it mind, however, that child Halloween crafts must be safe and suitable for toddlers to 12-year-old kids. Use non-abrasive/harsh materials. Instead, make sure to use hypoallergenic makeup and glitter specifically made for a child's sensitive skin. Abrasive/harsh materials you should avoid include tin foils, hard plastic from cutout objects (otherwise, you should file the sharp edges), pointed accessories, and twigs with splinters.

Avoid using adult makeup as these are made of stronger makeup components that can easily irritate a child's skin. Practice safe child Halloween crafts preparations and make your own Halloween makeup at home. Homemade Halloween makeup often does not cause allergic reactions because it is just made of cornstarch, corn syrup, food coloring and water. However, you can always do a patch test first.

Consider always the safety of your child when buying materials for child Halloween crafts. When using glitter don't buy the regular ones used for paper. These can be abrasive to both the skin and eyes and therefore can cause inflammation and reddening. Go to a specialty or makeup store instead and look for products that state "body glitter" or "face glitter".

Be careful when choosing household materials for your child Halloween crafts session. For accessories use cardboard instead of tin foil or cutout hard plastic. If your child is going to run around with a tin foil or cutout plastic star on a wand, the pointy edges could accidentally end up in the eye. Use cardboard or Styrofoam instead. You can wrap these in silver kitchen foil or glitter for that brilliant sheen. You can also spray-paint them with silver, gold or other metallic colors.

There are a variety of child-safe costumes sold in specialty shops for use in child Halloween crafts. If you're going to make a costume together with your child, it might be a good idea to put away those needles and use no-sew costumes for your child Halloween crafts idea. If you're going to buy a costume, make sure it is easily detectable from afar (in case your child gets lost), flame-resistant, and can fit well on your child so he/she doesn't trip.

Your child can come dressed as The Sleepwalker, which only requires your child to wear PJ's and set of curlers; you can also think of any character with a cape, such as superman or batman, which only requires you to attach a cape and a mask. You can create masks simply with a paper plate and garters.

Making child Halloween crafts both fun and safe for your kids doesn't have to be a difficult task. First think of safe materials and work around those using your imagination to create distinctive Halloween themes and styles.

Ways to Make Child Halloween Crafts Safe and Fun is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

1. It isn't all that tough to create your very own wedding veil. For this, you will require a particular length of a bridal illusion that you decide on. Along with this you will require a comb and a headpiece or hat to attach the veil to your hair and hide the comb. You start by sewing large inch long running stitches from one end of the illusion and tightly gather it. Follow by sewing the comb to the veil. Cover the whole with a headpiece or hat. Alternatively you could also use silk flowers, pearls and ribbons to decorate a straw hat that has a wide brim.

2. You can also personally craft the floral arrangements and the bouquet. If you are having a wedding that is simple and outdoor, you can use wild flowers. They have a charm of their own and are free of cost. Arrange the bouquets in large clear vases and tie a bow elegantly around.

3. Another appropriate wedding craft are wedding favors for the invited guests. A well-received and simple favor is a refrigerator magnet. It would be a good idea to make the magnet a picture frame and place in it the couple's picture. For this, you will want to cut out a frame from craft foam in a suitable color and arrange the photo over it, gluing the whole into a cardboard backing. Magnetic self-adhesive tape can be placed on the cardboard's back. Finish by decorating the frame with a foil of heart stickers including the couple's last names on a monogram.

4. Another simple wedding craft are bows that are often placed at the end of rows and pews. For a winder or fall wedding, you can use wide velvet ribbons. If yours is a summer or spring wedding, you might want to go for satin ribbons. You can also loop in some flat lace along with the ribbons. Then attach some pearl sprays and silk flowers to the center of the bow, with the help of some hot glue.

5. You could also try to decorate your own cake. Look for pans and other gadgets of different types in the craft section at your department store, to assist you in creating a cake you will never forget. Don't forget that you need a steady hand for this. Don't start on the real cake unless you have practiced first.

Wedding cakes are an expensive business, but with your wedding crafts, you can save up a lot. Early planning is the best as it takes time to make favors for people and for looking into all the other details that have to be taken care of. Maybe when you create wedding crafts, you might even get rid of some of that nervousness. At any rate, when you make your own wedding crafts, you add a beautiful and personal touch to it without loosing out on too much money.

Make Your Own Wedding Crafts – 5 Great Ways To Cut Wedding Costs is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

If you're the creative type, you may want to try making extra cash in the art and crafts field. This hobby can quickly turn into a very profitable business. With today's technology, you're able to reach a wider audience to sell your arts and crafts. Believe it or not, there are people still out there willing to buy handmade crafty items. You just have to be creative in finding where these people are and placing your craft items in front of them.

So, what crafty item should you make and sell? Well, that depends on your creative passions. The crafting field is vast and there is always something for everyone. Some suggestions are; crocheting, knitting, polymer clay, sewing, handmade toys, handmade home decoration, the list can go on and on. Think about what craft items people might want to buy. How would your craft item benefit the buyer? Can your craft item be of use as decoration? Is it a functional craft item? What purpose does it have for the potential buyer? These are the questions you should ask yourself when coming up with ideas on what craft item you want to make and/or currently making.

Now that you have decided on what craft item you want to make, how do you know if there is a market for it? You don't, unless you do some research. Browse some of the online auction sites that are out there on the web. Type in your craft item into the search field and take note of how many bids are placed or how many items are listed. This is not a sure fire method but will give you a sense of who else is making something similar to your craft item. Another way to find out if there is a market for your craft item is to search for possible stores or internet stores that may be selling what you want to make. Research, research is the key.

You discover there may be a possible market for your craft item. How do you make money? Where do you sell it? This is where you need to get extra creative of getting people to buy your craft item. Research local craft fairs in your area and sign up to the ones that fit in with what you want to sell. There are many online internet sites like Etsy and ArtFire where you can setup an online store to sell your craft item. Just make sure you read all the fine print about listing fees and final sale fees but are a good way to sell online. Make sure you take good pictures of your craft item and remember, the potential buyer can't hold your creation. Describe in detail everything about what you are selling.

Along with selling your craft items on online stores, you can also turn your knowledge of making your craft item into a tutorial or eBook. The quick and simple way is to create the tutorial in word doc and then convert it to PDF file. List your tutorial on your online store. When people purchase your tutorial, you would email them the PDF of your tutorial. There is also online eBook creating software out there on the web. Do a search on your favorite web browser for; creating eBooks.

These are just a few ideas of how I am trying to survive in today's rough economy as a crafter. Keep your head up and happy crafting.

Creative Ways On How To Sell Your Arts and Crafts is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Are you an experienced craftsperson who is looking to increase your public presence? Consider donating some of your crafts to a local nonprofit agency or local charity. Not only will this allow you to network and make important contacts, you'll also be making a difference where it really counts and strengthening your bonds to the community. Here are five easy ways to get involved:

1. Find a cause you have a passion for. Simply stated, passion cannot be faked. You must choose a nonprofit charity that you really care about, and for which you would be willing to work for with no thought of compensation. Perhaps you've always been touched by hospital-bound children stricken by illness. You happen to specialize in creating charming, old-fashioned rag dolls. Why not donate some of your best work to spread a bit of joy?

In this scenario, you would want to seek out a nonprofit organization or charity that works with young hospital patients. Speak to the outreach director or volunteer coordinator of the agency you're interested in. Tell them the ways you would like to help, and listen to their suggestions. They should be able to tell you about their current situation and needs. Hopefully, there will be a match, and you can begin to work together. Whatever you do, you should always check with the nonprofit agency before you simply start donating your crafts.

2. Offer to spearhead a charity event. If you specialize in kid's craft parties, offer to hold a craft party for a local nonprofit agency. Be aware that this sort of undertaking will demand a lot of your time and energy. You may work with the nonprofit agency to coordinate the event.

Strive to make this collaboration as smooth and pleasant as possible. Remember that the event you organize will be a show of your leadership and organization skills. You'll want to make a good impression as you connect with potential clients, and re-connect with previous customers. Most importantly, remember that the true goal of the event is to make a small difference in the lives of others.

3. Organize a charity crafts fair. Another way increase your public presence by donating your crafts is by organizing a charity craft fair. Consider setting up the crafts fair in conjunction with the nonprofit agency of your choice. Or you can hold the crafts fair on your own, and then donate the proceeds to a local charity.

Start by recruiting other experienced craftspeople for the fair. Advertise the event widely. Consider contacting your local media to raise awareness about the fair. Ask your local newspapers or television station to help advertise the event. The more exposure the crafts fair gets the more proceeds you'll be able to donate. And, your crafts and the work of your fellow craftspeople will gain much deserved exposure.

4. Hold a charity craft auction as part of a larger event. If the idea of organizing an entire crafts fair sounds a bit overwhelming to you, then consider holding a charity craft auction as part of a larger event. Find a group of interested and experienced craftspeople and put together a catalog of sale items, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit agency of your choice. You and your fellow craftspeople should donate some of your best work to ensure a successful auction.

If your crafts sell well at the charity auction, you can expect your reputation as a craftsperson to grow. Selling your work in this type of atmosphere demonstrates that your work has value, and that it can make a difference in the life of someone who needs a change.

5. Donate your crafts for use. If you create crafts that can be put to good use by individuals less fortunate than you, by all means work with the appropriate nonprofit agency to donate your work. For instance, nonprofit groups such as Wrap Them in Love and Knit for Kids provide needy individuals with warm quilts and much-needed sweaters.

If you specialize in such crafts, donating your work is a wonderful way to make a big difference in the life of someone who needs help. You'll gain experience in working with nonprofit agencies, make valuable contacts, gain resume experience, and gain confidence in your work.

Five Easy Ways to Market Your Craft Business Through Donations is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

I have been involved with crafts shows for a long time, and have been on both sides of the table... as a vendor and as a customer.. Here is a list of the top ten "money losing" tricks.:

1) Lay out your crafts on a table without any thought of display, look grumpy, set up your chair behind the table and read a book. Better yet, don't even pay attention to your potential customers.

2) Eat a large onion laden cheese burger, that is bigger than you mouth, have it loaded with ketchup and mustard, and let everyone know you are eating it!, then try and explain your crafts while people are backing away from you! (why do they always sell cheese burgers at craft shows???)

3) Dress like you just rolled out of a barn, look crusty, and act as if you would rather be somewhere else... anywhere else. Total lack of interest always attracts customers...NOT!

4) Take absolutely no interest in setup... Take your table and jam it right up to the aisle as close as you can, and then lay all your crafts out in a single file. or better yet, pile them in a pile.. or in bins... ignoring all that free space behind you where you could have spent the money on shelves and displayed your products nicely.

5) Do not smile, at all, look totally peeved that you were dragged out of bed for this weekend, and you and your crafts look like it. Show a total lack of interest when a potential customers stops to look or asks a question, better yet, wander off and chit chat with other vendors.

6) Make sure your crafts are put together literally the night before, and are about to fall apart, and then stick a high price tag on them. After all no one will notice right?

7) Thinking this craft business is a great money maker, and pricing your crafts as if people should bless you for making them.. and then look totally crusty by the end of the day when people are not buying.

Make sure and have NO small change, or bags, that way you won't have to get up and complete the sale.

9) Make crafts that you do not like making, or don't know how to make properly, do not explain them to anyone. Show no passion in your work or display, let everyone know, you are there for the money only.

10) Explain to people that you are on the verge of welfare, and need this money, and produce stick it notes for your business cards..

Don't laugh... everyone of these things has happened at shows I have visited or shows that I have been in. I was actually set up beside someone who told me she hates crafts, but figured it was easy money... guess what?.. Her sales were non-existent.

Smile, show some passion in your work.. be confident in your work, and the best way to do that is to create a craft you are passionate about. Something you would make, even if you were not selling it. Look proud to be there... after all you worked hard all year for this show!

Find out what your passion is, in the craft world, this makes all the difference, and it shows in your work.

Set up a pretend display at home, I know this sounds like a lot of work, but on setup day, there will be panic all around you, and if you pack your things away in some sort of system, you will then unpack them in a calm manner. You can even do a drawing of your setup that you did at home, and follow it. You will be distracted by other vendors, especially those wanderers who spent 5 minutes setting up...so its best if you are practiced.

Find something you like to do, and do it. There are many ebooks on line now, that you can buy today and be learning the craft tonight, these are written by passionate people. Give that a try or take a class... just find something you like and your craft shows will make you some money. try a new craft

Top Ten Ways to not Make Money at Craft Shows is a post from: Watthamai Crafts

Twitter.com
By now you should have heard about Twitter unless you have been living under a rock. Twitter.com is a site that allows people to post what they are up to any time they have inkling. Many handmade artists have started to use Twitter.com as a way for marketing crafts online. Twitter is 100% free, but it does take up a bit of time. You see the key to getting the word out about your craft is to get followers. And even then you have to target the right followers. Many handmade artists find that it takes a considerable amount of time getting enough followers to make a difference in the amount of traffic they get to their online shop. Yet there have been some handmade artists to get over 2,000 plus followers and as a result have seen a rise in the amount of traffic to their sites.

ShopHandmadeOnline.com
ShopHandmadeOnline.com is an online catalog that showcases the crafts of handmade artists.  If you have a few handmade craft items that you would like to bring special attention to then this is a great place to advertise. Handmade artists can easily market their crafts by renting ad boxes. Each ad box displays one craft and it links directly to the online shop of handmade artists. The visitors of ShopHandmadeOnline.com often come in search of quality handmade gifts to give to a special some one.

HandmadeCraftShow.com
HandmadeCraftShow.com is an online virtual craft show that showcases the crafts of handmade artists using virtual craft show booths. Handmade artists are able to display up to 4 pictures of their crafts. Each virtual craft show booth also allows for a shop name, url, description, specialty items, price range, and twitter link. Each booth links directly to the handmade artist online shop. Shoppers love this because it allows them to buy handmade crafts directly from the artists. This allows the handmade artists to keep their prices down and pass the savings on to their buyers.

Marketing Crafts Online 3 Easy Ways is a post from: Watthamai Crafts