Are you looking to create an amazing piece of artwork to hang on your wall or gift to a friend? Worried that you don't have enough painting experience to make it happen? No matter what level your artistic skills are at, the acrylic pour technique makes it possible for you to create an amazing painting in a short amount of time, especially if you use complementary colors! But your acrylic pouring journey doesn't stop the minute you finish pouring your paint. If the paint dries too quickly, it can crack. But if it dries too slowly, the paint will be gummy and ruin your design. Whether it's your first time doing acrylic pouring or you're looking for a few tips to...
Did you know that creativity is an important part of our daily lives? Without creative expression, we're more susceptible to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. However, when you're a beginner, it's often difficult to know which supplies are the best for your needs. Colored pencils in particular can be confusing if you don't have a bit of guidance to light the way. What are the real differences between oil-based and wax-based leads? That's why we've put together this comparison sheet to give you an easy way to identify which lead base is the right choice for you. Keep reading to learn more! Layering The way the color layers upon itself is one of the first questions people ask about...
If you didn't know already, adopting a regular art practice comes with a number of unbeatable benefits. Sketching and painting can help improve your mood, decrease tension, boost your cognitive functioning, and more. If you're looking for ways to incorporate an art practice into your regular routine, a good place to start is with a great sketch book. Sketch books are portable and many of them are suitable for a number of mediums ranging from pencil to acrylic paint. Choosing a great sketch book is a subjective experience and many artists find that it takes a trial process to get it just right. That being said, we can help you understand some of the sketch book characteristics worth considering. Read on...
Mica powder is pure magic in powdered form. This natural source of effervescent sparkle shows up everywhere in the art world, from soapmaking to scrapbooking. Every artist is asking about how to use mica powder in their projects! As much fun as it can be to hoard every color and keep it on the shelf, the absolute joy comes from adding a touch of fairy dust to all of your art projects. Digging right in and using a new art supply can be intimidating, especially when it's brand new and perfectly packed into a neat little jar. Mica color powder packs a lot of pigment in a small package, and you don't want to waste it or overdo it. The...
Did you know the global epoxy resin market value is expected to be over 11 billion dollars by the end of 2021? That's an increase of almost 4 billion USD since 2015. This versatile product has been used for years by the airline and construction industry. But people have also discovered the beauty, simplicity, and longevity of epoxy resin art. This craft is easily done in your home or a classroom. Unlike glass, pottery, or plastic art, it doesn't require heat, fire, or heavy machinery to complete it. Do you have a container of epoxy resin laying around awaiting your creativity? Below is a list of 10 ideas to get you started! 1. Decorations The possibilities are endless in the epoxy resin...
Heat Transfer vinyl (HTV) is a hot commodity among crafty folks like us at Hippie Crafter, and its popularity is growing. Likely, you’re reading this blog because you’ve heard how fun it is to work with HTV and are looking for high-quality sheets like our chameleon, holographic, or metallic HTV, or you’re ready to create a fabulous item and need some quick tips. Either way, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive right into the world of working with HTV! #1 Mirror the Image Let’s imagine for a second that you’ve finished putting your final touches on your favorite design. The image looks spectacular and that wording the goes along with the image is just so clever and cute! You’re happy...
Is it time for you to move up from all-purpose paper to watercolor paper? When you decide that you're ready for the real deal, it can be hard to figure out how to get started. How can you make the most of your new watercolor paper? How can you find the right watercolor paper for you? Can you avoid rookie mistakes, or are you fated to make them regardless of what you do? We're here to offer advice. Keep reading to learn all about how to use watercolor paper the right way. Choose the Right Watercolor Paper Did you know that there are multiple types of watercolor paper? While beginners may be used to simple all-purpose art paper, cardstock, or...
Did you know that mica powder is used all over the world? For example, it's used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the United States. And here in America, we find ourselves using it for all sorts of things, from cosmetics to candles. That's because it's used for its shimmering quality to enhance and decorate almost anything. So if you're interested in learning about some different mica powder uses today, keep reading! 1. Candles If you're an avid candle maker and find yourself wanting to add some vibrancy to your work, mica powder for candles might be helpful. Because of course, with all of the scents going into your candle, you'll want the color to complement it. So, continue creating your candles as you...
While the Do It Yourself (DIY) trend has been around for a while now, the desire to create handmade home décor has recently seen a major uptick. Heck, even I think to myself, “I know I can make that!” whenever I see a new item I like. Artists, crafters, and hobbyists and even some of us Hippie Crafter staff are having a blast working with our hands to create fun and exciting items, and macrame art and crocheted items are among the most popular. While you’ve probably heard of crocheting – maybe Aunt Ida crocheted your baby booties when you were an infant – macrame is gaining popularity once again. In fact, macrame is something even newbie crafters...
The global market of epoxy resin hit a total of just below $8 billion in 2015. This total is made up of sales from construction, electronics, and even wind turbines. Yet, the most artistic use of epoxy resin is through using molds to create beautiful products. These molds can come in a plethora of shapes and sizes. The best bit is, no two models will look the same. Using silicone molds for epoxy resin models is not as easy as some people make it look. If you are beginning your resin mold journey, keep reading for some great hints and tips. What Is Epoxy Resin? Epoxy resin is a material that people have begun using in new and exciting ways. They...
Resin art is gaining popularity and can be used for many crafts. While this is an easy form of art to master, many people are unsure of how they can begin creating resin crafts. Do you want to learn more about deep pour epoxy resin and how you can make epoxy resin crafts? Keep reading this beginner's guide to learn the basics of epoxy resin DIY. Decide What You Want to Make One of the most important things you need to do before you begin epoxy resin crafts is deciding what you want to make. This will influence every other step, including what type of resin you buy, what molds you will need, and more. There are so many crafts...
Have you always wanted to use epoxy resin in your woodworking projects? If you are looking to create a river table design or are just looking to seal your work with a high gloss finish, there is an epoxy resin for you. There are a ton of ways to use epoxy resin for woodwork. However, here are some things you should know before you start. Epoxy Resin Options There are a few options for resin on the market, and you want to make sure you pick one that matches the needs of your project. These are the two most common types you can find. High Viscosity Resin You can use this when coating surfaces, like tables or floors. This type...
You've probably seen mica powder before. It's the effervescent fairy dust of the crafting world, with a natural sparkle that makes your crafts and cosmetics glisten. Once you've seen the attractive look of nature's glitter, you won't want to use anything else! But... what exactly is mica powder? Is this magical material a little too good to be true? If you're looking to incorporate mica powder into art projects or cosmetic products, it's important to know what you're dealing with. After all, isn't mica the name of a rock? (Yes, it is!) Read on to learn the ins and outs of mica powder, and how you can use it in projects involving epoxy resin and more! What Is Mica Powder? Mica is a naturally...
Are you a professional artist looking to dive into a new medium? If you haven’t tried using acrylic paint in your work, you’re missing out. It’s loved by expert artists and beginners alike, and it can help you create your next masterpiece. This article is here to teach you all about acrylic paints and the best ways to use them when you’re creating professional artwork. What is Acrylic Paint? Acrylic paint is accessible and versatile. It’s a water-based paint made of synthetic resins and acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylics can help you create art in any style. They are more affordable than oil paints and don’t require a ton of supplies for an artist to get to work. You can apply acrylic paint to...
When it comes to making art while painting, the first thing usually thought about is trying to avoid painting mistakes with the wrong kind of paint. However, most don't realize that the notion of painting on a canvas is not as simple as buying a premade canvas from the store. Creating a canvas painting project comes with undertaking some methods to protect and prep your canvas. If not, you will easily hinder your project before you have even begun. Ready to start your artistic project off on the right path? Here are some canvas painting mistakes that you should avoid. Choosing the Wrong Types of Canvasses As you may know, the canvas is a piece of fabric placed over a wooden frame that...
Engaging in creative activities has several proven health benefits. Artistic expression improves mental health. It helps some people deal with trauma and build a positive identity. Practicing your creativity also has brain-boosting effects. It improves learning and memorization. However, to do art and nurture your creativity, you need art supplies. Sure, you can make art with a pencil and a piece of paper. To maximize your creativity, you'll want more tools. Don't go buying pencils and paintbrushes yet! Before you go, consider the following when buying art supplies. Read on because here are seven factors to consider: 1. Know What Art You Want to Do Before you buy art supplies, know the type of art you plan to do. It determines the supplies...
Do you have a passion for creating art and crafts? Have you tried working with epoxy resin? It adds a new dimension to your masterpieces. Before you begin, it’s important to learn the proper technique for pouring epoxy resin. One of the biggest challenges involves preventing unwanted bubbles in your project. Keep reading to learn some tips for pouring epoxy resin without bubbles. Artwork With Epoxy Resin Epoxy resins contain more than one three-membered ring in the polymeric material. These epoxides are thermosetting polymers. They have two parts: the resin and the hardener. When the two components mix together a chemical reaction occurs. It changes the liquid resin into hard, solid plastic. While this is often used in industry and on...
Sawdust is good for the soul. Most beginner woodworkers get into it because they recognize the longevity of the artwork. It can be practical and there is even the chance of turning it into a career. But no matter if you’re a master craftsman/craftswoman or a rank amateur, you need the must-have tools for woodworking!
Black canvas can be an intimidating thing to work with for new artists but once you get started on it you'll start believing that the white canvas people are the weird ones. We've gathered some tips and tricks to painting on black canvas that will make your attempts at painting on black canvas a much easier experience.
When it comes to watercolor paper there are hot pressed and cold pressed variants that might seem confusing, but knowing the difference and how to use those differences to your advantage is essential. Paper is one of the most essential mediums for any artist and you'd be shocked at how much an artist can go through!
Canvas painting can feel daunting for newer artists that are used to creating their pieces exclusively on paper, but it really shouldn't be. There are distinct pros and cons of canvas. You'll also want to learn about the different types of canvas and proper preparation. I promise it's a lot more simple than it sounds!
If you're looking to add a splash of color to your crafting projects, there isn't much that will get the job done as quickly and easily as a good mica pigment powder. Maybe you need a bit of inspiration for crafting project ideas which use mica powder, Hippie Crafter is ready to assist with this article!
If you've been lurking certain circles of the internet, you might have noticed that river tables and waterfall tables have taken the woodworking/crafting circles by storm. You might ask: How can I create my own waterfall or river table with epoxy resin? Well, we are here to guide you, step by step, all the way!!
