The Magic Bean

Freebie Friday - 20 Craft and DIY Tutorials with an Asian Flair

2013-06-14T07:47:00+01:00

New Here?

Every Friday I share a collection of links to free craft tutorials that I find on the internet, focussing on a different theme every week. If you are looking for something specific, use the Search box on the top left.

For the whole month of June, I'm thinking globally with craft tutorials inspired by all different exotic locales. Last week, I featured African inspired crafts and this week I'm turning to Asia.

1. Kicking off this week's round up is the amazing Asian Ottoman Floor Cushion tutorial on Sew4Home. Click the link to learn how to make this ottoman yourself.

2. Click the link to visit Sew4Home to get a tutorial on how to make this Ruched Asian Meditation Pillow - dont't know about you but I'm feeling calmer already. Ommmmmm...

3. Sew4Home has more Asian goodies with a tutorial on how to make this Boxed Asian Floor Pillow.

4. Bring a touch of the East to your interiors with the Asian inspired wall treatment technique with a how-to on BHG.com.

5. Click the link to visit May Arts to learn how to make this Japanese Carp Kite from Japanese papers and ribbon.

6. Click the link to go to MarthaStewart.com to learn how to make these decorated Japanese soaps.

7. Click the link to visit the Lark Books blog where you'll find a tutorial on how to make this Sonoko Wave necklace designed by Sonoko Nozue as excerpted from her book Japanese Beadwork with Sonoko Nozue

8. Katy from No Big Dill shared a tutorial on how to make a fabric crane which she used to make these cute as a button hair clips. Click the link to visit Katy's blog to see how she did it.

9. Click the link to visit Burda Style to learn how to make this Japanese fabric flower with a full tutorial.

10. Heather Mann from Dollar Store Crafts shared a tutorial on how to make this Japanese pendant from Menko cards.

11. Use Japanese decorative paper and a tutorial from the blog Wild Child to make these great magnets. Click the link to get the knowledge.

12. Washi tape has been a huge trend in crafting lately. The Japanese patterned tape has inspired a lot of free tutorials including this list of 27 washi tape tutorials featured on UCreate.

13. Click this link to get my very own tutorial for making this really simple Kokeshi Panel doll that you can use as a lavender sachet.

14. In fact, if you're a doll lover here is a link to a previous Freebie Friday where I featured nothing but free Japanese doll tutorials, including these fab Japanese paper dolls. So really that's 12 links in one!

15. One doll tutorial not included on this list that shouldn't be missed is this free downloadable paper doll template from Paper Thin Personas called Flirty Eyese and Kimono Sleeves.

16. Mollie Johanson shared a tutorial on how to embroider this cute little Chinese lantern on her blog Wild Olive.

17. On her blog, For the Love of Paper, Kimberly Crawford shared a tutorial on how to make these fun paper fortune cookies. Click the link to check it out.

18. Click the link to visit the blog Paper Thin Personas to get a Chinese New Year free downloadable paper doll.

19. Click this link to visit AllAboutYou.com to learn how to make this embroidered Indian elephant and download the free pattern.

20. Make another project with Indian flare with my own tutorial to make a Night Blooming Jasmine Panel doll.

They always say "Go West" and I say, "Go East"! At least for this week anyway.

Word-full Wednesday - Creative Problem Solving

2013-06-12T08:00:00+01:00

Source: behance.net via Colleen on Pinterest

I have to confess something...I was a reluctant Pinterest user

2013-06-07T17:16:00+01:00

I've got to throw my hands up and say that I was once not a fan of Pinterest. I had a read a lot of posts around the craft world that warned against the hottest new social media site (that's Pinerest, by the way) because using it would mean your photos would get "stolen".

However, I've gone from being a reluctant Pinner (that is someone who uses Pinterest, doncha know) to a Pinterest convert.

Source: fontcrafts.com via Heather on Pinterest

Why the big change?

In November, I decided to stop resisting the Pinterest tidal wave and just let the pinning wave take me. I started using Pinterest to keep track of tutorials I found on the web that I might use in my weekly round-up of craft tutorials that I scout out for my Freebie Fridays. As Pinterest acts as a kind of digital mood board of images with links to the original sources, it was so much easier to have my finds on the web when I was switching between my laptop and desktop. Plus, when I was looking for great new tutorials, Pinterst's search function help me hunt down the greatest new tutorials out there.

But something I didn't expect happened....

Since I've beginning my blog in 2007 there has been a distinct pattern in my web traffic. From September my web traffic begins to pick up and hits its peak in December. Then the traffic drops down considerably from January through March.

This year that changed. Sure enough, my traffic peaked in December. But in January it didn't come down. And it didn't come down in February. And it didn't come down in March.

And Pinterest is what made the difference.

After Google searches and people coming to my blog directly, Pinterest in the 3rd biggest driver of traffic to my blog. So now I'm a flag-waving, card-carrying Pinterest fan. I've even got the Pinterest t-shirt to prove it.

The thing that I've realised is that when you pin something on Pinterest, it does give a link back to the blog or website where it originated. If you use the Pinterest embed function, it also gives the link with proper credit to both the pinner and the blogger who are responsible for finding or creating that image respectively (see below).

Source: crafterminds.com via Heather on Pinterest

Let's face it, anyone can save an image from your blog or website without your permission and use it on their own website without giving you any credit, but Pinterest gives the correct credit automatically.

However, this only works when people pin from the blog or website where the image/tutorial originated. That means, that to prevent Pinterest-rage you need to follow any links back to their original source and pin the image from there. So if you spot something on one of my Freebie Friday posts that you love, click the link to visit the source blog and pin the photo of the project from there!

Source: crafterminds.com via Heather on Pinterest

However, if you see one of my tutorials, patterns or videos please feel free to pin away! I've got a whole board that is just my own tutorials if you want to see them all in one place.

I'm really excited to be featured by Pinterest as part of their Pin It Forward UK campaign. There are bloggers and pinners of all kinds participating - I've been linked up with UK craft blogger Wendy Massey who blogs at Handmade Harbour. Pay Wendy's blog a visit and see what great blog content you might be missing or visit Wendy's Pinterest boards to see what captures her interest.

If you are not already a Pinterest user, what are you waiting for? Ride the wave is my advice. Join Pinterest by clicking here.

Do you already use Pinterest? Or are you a reluctant Pinterest user? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Freebie Friday - 20 Craft and DIY Tutorials that are Straight Out of Africa

2013-06-07T07:30:00+01:00

New Here?

This month I'm taking you around the world in 80 tutorials. This week I'm starting with 20 tutorials ranging from interiors to fashion with some doll making tutorials thrown in, all inspired by Africa.

1. Click the link to visit LoveMaegan.com to get the tutorial to make this amazing DIY feather wall art piece based on an African Juju Hat.

2. Annie who regularly blogs at Sun and Glory, guest blogged at Poppytalk where she shared this tutorial on how to make an African Mud Cloth/Textile art hanging from a paperbag. Click the link to see how to do it.

3. If you can't make it on an African safari you can always pretend, by making yourself this zebra striped DIY floorcloth with a tutorial from diynet.com. Just to be clear - no zebras were harmed in the making of this floorcloth.

4. Learn how to make African inspired beads using recycled paper with a tutorial from the blog Craft. Click the link to learn how.

5. If you love using seed beads you can use the African Helix Stitch to create some beautiful seed bead effects. Watch this video from Aunties Beads to see how to do it:

6. Raffia is a material that is native to Africa. Although also associated with the South Pacific, it is in Africa that raffia has its roots. Martha Stewart shared a number of raffia inspired projects, including some instructions on how to tart up a curtain using raffia. Click the link to find out how to do it.

7. Martha Stewart shows you how to use a simple stitch to dress up a plain canvas bag and hat using raffia to give it a truly sunny African touch.

8. Even your place settings can have a touch of African inspiration with this simple idea from Martha Stewart - click the link to see how to add stitched raffia details to ready-made placemats.

9. Keep things cool in the hot sun with these raffia pom-pom cocktail sticks - click the link to see how to do it on MarthaStewart.com. Cheers!

10. Click the link to visit Sew4Home to learn how to make this African inspired table mat. Here it is used for Kwanzaa, but I think it would be great at all times of year.

11. If you'd like to add some African inspiration to your wardrobe, try following this DIY video tutorial from Rose Gold who shows you how to customise your shoes with African fabric and Mod Podge:

12. African Export shared a quick video tutorial on how to make African fabric covered earrings:

13. Create a faux African batik effect using glue and the help of this simple tutorial on the blog Well Done.

14. Visit Cheryl's blog Teach Kids Art and get the tutorial to make an African mask using scratch art.

15. Staying on the African masks theme, learn how to decorate a standard mask available from craft suppliers to give them an African theme with this tutorial on Creativity Direct.

16. You can also frame an African styled mask with this tutorial from Creativty Direct.

17. The colour and pattern on these birds really screams "Africa" to me - learn how to make these birds of a different feather with a tutorial from Creativity Direct.

18. Click the link to visit Sewing.org to learn how to make this West African inspired doll.

19. If you love paper dolls, or enjoy making paper dolls into flat textile dolls, then you'll love this free to download "Inspired by Africa" Marisole paper doll that you'll find on the Paper Thin Personas blog.

20. For a different take on an African inspired paper doll, check out this free downloadable African Inspired Elf Paper Doll also found on the blog Paper Thin Personas.

With these tutorials straight out of Africa, I hope you'll be inspired.

Word-full Wednesday - The Pain of Creativity

2013-06-05T07:14:00+01:00

"Artists don't get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working."

- Stephen DeStaebler

View over Trafalgar Square London from the National Gallery

Goodbye London, Hello Canada

2013-06-02T10:34:12+01:00

Generally here on The Magic Bean, I don't talk much about my personal life - I prefer to keep it crafty. However, there have been some big changes in my life that will mean some large and noticeable changes around here.

Some of you have already written to me, noticing some small changes and others have noticed that I've been selling off my original art dolls.

All these changes, small and large, have come about because 6 months ago my husband of 10 years decided to end our marraige. I don't want to go into detail about it, but it was a major shock for me. I've been doing my best to come to terms and make the best decisions for my future. One of those decisions has been to leave my beloved London to be with my family in Canada.

I also went back to working outside of making cloth dolls and teaching crafts which I will continue to need to do in order to keep my financial situation in order. So while I'll be keeping up my blog; teaching classes and creating new patterns may not be possible.

I've held off telling people generally because I find it very difficult. I hope you will forgive me that I won't write about this again or discuss it further via comments.

I'm due to leave London on June 12th. Due to the very little time I have left to get my life in London in order in preparation for my move, I may not even be able to reply to individual e-mails so I hope you will forgive that as well. I know how supportive my blog readers can be and I thank you in advance for all your thoughts and kindness.

The pink version of my Treasures of the Deep doll is one of the dolls for sale at my Etsy shop

One favour I would like to ask, is that I have 3 remaining original art dolls that I must sell before I go and I have just days to sell them. If you know of someone who is a doll collector that you think might like to own one of my original dolls, please could you pass on the link to the original art doll section of my Etsy shop. Update: All the original art dolls that I had to sell before leaving the UK have now sold. I do have a few more that I left behind in Canada and they may be on sale at some point in the future for those people who have written to me to ask.

And of course you can also buy my patterns and PDF tutorials via my Etsy shop which are all available for instant download.

One of the many good things about blogs, is that I won't lose contact with any of the people I've encountered in London or around the world. As I go through this change, I hope that you will come on this journey with me via my blog - wherever in the world we all are.

PS. As a final tip of my hat to London and the UK, I'll be participating in Pin It Forward UK to garner some support and excitement about Pinterest in the UK. I hope you'll be back on June 7th to read more about Pin It Forward UK.

Freebie Friday - Leather Craft and DIY Tutorials

2013-05-31T08:03:00+01:00

New Here?

Every Friday I hunt down the best free craft tutorials on a different theme and share the links in a weekly round-up. If you want to find something specific, use the search box on the top left.

This week I'm rounding up some tutorials that use leather as the star of the crafty show. I think you'll give these tutorials 5 stars.

Go on over to Chictopia to get the tutorial for how to make this leather lunch bag shared by Sylvia of LipGlossandBlack.

Matt from Wood & Faulk guest blogged over at Design Sponge and shared this very man-friendly leather lunch bag tutorial.

Another perfect gift for guys (or girls) - learn to make your own leather covered journal with this tutorial from the blog Ishi. Click the link to see the how-to.

Refashion an old top with leather lacing using this tutorial from Burda Style.

Click the link to vist the blog EF to see how to repurpose an old leather garment into this fabric lined leather clutch bag.

Learn how to make a leather cuff bracelet out of a repurposed leather belt by clicking the link to see the tutorial Vanessa Christenson, author of Make It Sew Modern shared on her blog V and Co.

Click the link to hop on over to the blog Love Aesthetics where Ivania Carpio shows you how to make this amazing leather all purpose net bag.

Michelle Cangemi shared a clever tutorial on how to make these leather flower rings on the site The Wedding Window.

Jess from the blog Time for Tea shows you how to make this statement leather fringe necklace with her fun tutorial. I don't recommend wearing this one if you want to blend in.

Melissa Esplin also shared a tutorial for a leather statement necklace on her blog, this one with a cool colour block spin.

Art Dolls

If you're an art doll maker there are some fun leather tutorials out there for you to enjoy.

Martha Boers shared a tutorial on the site BJDCollectasy on how to make a doll size leather bag.

Also from Martha Boers, learn how to make a leather lace-up gladiator style boot for a doll with her tutorial on her blog Antique Lilac.

Another leather shoe tutorial from Martha Boers on her blog Antique Lilac, this time a simple Mary Jane styles soft leather shoe.

I think these tutorials really show how versatile leather can be and if you repurpose some old leather, it needn't be expensive.

Once upon a time my dad and I made a clock and now it's on GoodHousekeeping.com

2013-05-30T08:05:51+01:00

My dad and I designed and made this clock (which we Babcocks call the Babclock) and shared the free tutorial with you here on The Magic Bean. GoodHousekeeping.com has decided to feature our easy to make clock as part of their round-up of homemade Father's Day gift ideas.

You can see the feature on GoodHousekeeping.com here.

And get the free tutorial to make this clock yourself here.

PS. Don't forget to check out the other free tutorials that were hand-picked by GoodHousekeeping.com, there are some great craft ideas!

Word-full Wednesday - Life Changes

2013-05-29T08:13:00+01:00

"Some people change jobs, spouses and friends - but never think of changing themselves."

- Paula Giddings

Photograph of sculpture near Tate Modern London

Know anyone with a soft spot for soft dolls?

2013-05-26T15:59:26+01:00

If you do know someone with a soft spot for soft dolls, please pass on the link to my original art dolls category at my Etsy shop. I've put some of favourite dolls up for sale and I want to make sure they go to someone who is going to love them. One of my very favourites, my original Counting Down the Days doll (aka the Mystery Doll) is up for sale. (SORRY, THIS DOLLS IS NOW SOLD)

And the Snowflake Sprite: (SORRY THIS DOLL SOLD WITHIN MINUTES OF THIS BLOG POST)

Plus her spooky sister the Spider Sprite:

The equally dark Fathoms: A Deep Sea Mermaid:

And two more sirens of the sea, two different versions of my T reasures of the Deep doll, one in pink:

And the heavily hand-beaded version in blue: (SORRY THIS DOLL SOLD WITHIN MINUTES OF THIS BLOG POST - GOTTA ACT FAST!)

Plus there are a few more dolls in need of a loving home. Click here to see all the art dolls I have for sale.

I've also got a limited amount of fabric and felt available, along with my regular PDF patterns - all available in my Etsy shop.

Pass on the cloth doll love and adopt a doll in need of a home or pass on the link to someone you think might be the perfect person to share the love.