fun2make

Click on the image below to open free printable instructions (in Adobe Acrobat Reader) on how to make it.

Click on the title link below to open the guide in PDF format. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to see it)

Guide to plastic canvas

On Sunday, we hosted 16 lively 8 year olds for our daughter’s 8th birthday party. It was a real test for us of how well our ideas would withstand the harshest of critics, and whether we would have enogh to keep them amused for 2 hours (including tea time).

All the tables were covered in our plastic tablecloths.

Although thin, these really withstood well the stresses of 2 hours of various crafting activities, and were very easy to roll up and dispose of at the end. The first thing the girls received when they arrived was a pink box, about the same size as a shoe box, but half the height (not stocked currently on fun2make). They each had a little bag given to them full of self adhesive foam glitter hearts, self adhesive jewels, small flowers (not currently stocked) and glue dots. They had a great time doing this and having already completed one ourselves, we showed them what could be done which helped some of them a lot.

We had set up different tables for different craft activities. One group of girls went straight into making a bag charm which we had already presorted into small plastic bags. This comprised 4 different lengths of beading cord tied onto a split ring which was then attached to a lanyard hook. The theme of the party was ‘Hello Kitty’, so we had specially bought some HK beads to mix with our own, so that the bag charms would be really colourful. A little plastic bowl for each child was an essential, as was a pair of plastic safety scissors on the table, to cut off the surplus cord.

Another group of girls concentrated on each decorating a canvas bag with fabric pens. We had already drawn a hello kitty outline on each one, so they could then colour them in, and add to the design. On the table we also put a letter stencil, so that each girl could put her name on the bag if she wanted, plus some of our large foam shapes, which they could use as stencils and then colour in. Each canvas bag had a sheet of A4 paper in it, which stopped the paint going through to the other side, and allowed the girls to write their name on it to easily identify their creations.

We then had tea, which proved very successful, as some of the girls wanted to keep munching their kit kats and birthday cake long past the allotted time!! Then back to the crafting. The first lot of fabric paint had now dried, so the girls could now add to the bags some glitter textile paint, to create an even better effect.

Other girls were colouring in a HK picture we had printed off with a variety of Berol verithik pencils. They could then use a gluestick to stick the completed picture onto their white paper going home bag.

Lastly, some of the girls managed to do all the activities including the last one - making a beaded bracelet (we made up an HK one especially, but the heart ones are equally lovely). Those that didn’t manage to do that activity, got the kit to put in their going home bag (along with the sweets and other things already in there).

Quite a few of the children didn’t want to leave at the end, and the parents who came in couldn’t believe that when they walked in to the hall, all the children were sitting calmly crafting (rather than running around and screaming which is so often the case!). All in all, a really successful day for fun2make, and a wonderful celebration for our daughter.

Normally, fun2make resells on kits that it buys from manufacturers or wholesalers. Occasionally, we tweak them a little where we think the product can be improved, or the instructions made clearer.

This is one of the first product lines that we have put together ourselves, and we’re feeling quite proud of it. It is for older children, teens and adults. It is a little more expensive than our normal beaded kits because it uses the special glass millefiori beads.

The millefiori technique was developed in Murano, Italy. Glass canes are created with an intricate pattern running through the length of the cane. (Like a stick of seaside rock). Small slices of the cane are then cut and formed into beautiful beads, each with a unique design.

After 3 years of thinking about it, we finally put fingers to keyboard and came up with a new logo. It’s simple, clean and just a little reflective. We hope you like it, comments most welcome!

We are updating the whole website too, but finishing that will take a little longer. If there is anything that you would like on the website, either products or functionality, please do let us know.

We test out all of our new kits before we sell them on the fun2make website. The other day I tested the dynamo torch kit. First, let’s get one thing clear - I am useless at DIY, and anything remotely linked to engineering. I am one of the sad people who can’t even wire a plug unless it’s a new one with a cardboard picture on it explaining what to do.

So, it was with a little trepidation that I approached this boxed science kit. OK, so it says 9+, but there are some 9 year olds who are a lot better at this stuff than me (my step-son was, for one). I laid all the pieces out, checked I had everything (I did), and away I went. I think I got one step wrong and had to redo it, but apart from that, the instructions were pretty clear, and I was surprised at how well everything fitted together.

20 minutes after starting, I was cranking the handle, and my LED bulb was emitting a slightly flickering green colour. My daughter (who is nearly eight) thinks it is great and has promptly taken possession of it. I think it’s great too….I might even do some DIY on the weekend!

NB: My suggestion is that children of 9 or 10 should probably be supervised on this activity by an adult. The screws are quite small, and attaching the wires to the motor is a little fiddly, but small fingers will be able to do it if directed properly. It is a great activity for parents to do with their child (or for parents to do alone if no children are available!!)

This year, i decided to make a present for my mother and to really put some time and effort into it. I used a new product we are stocking, a boxed set called ‘create your own plate design‘.

I used a pointillism technique, which took me a good 2 hours to do, but I think the effect is pretty good (for someone who doesn’t consider themselves particularly artistic).

The pens can only be used on this product. We did try them on another ceramic plate, but they just wouldn’t give any depth of colour. If you want to buy your own plates and use porcelain paint pens on them, we would advise using the Marabu porcelain paint pens.

So, if you are running out of things to buy your mum on her special day, why not invest some time and effort in making something that she will cherish.

Last night, on Nigella Express, she made chocolate and pistachio fudge, and put a few chunks into gold star cellophane bags, as presents for friends.

I watched the programme and noticed that the bags she used bore a striking resemblance to the ones we sell here at fun2make.

As soon as the programme finished, the orders started coming in, and they’re still coming in. Luckily, a new load of them had just been delivered to us!

A quick challenge for you all - the first 5 people to send us their chocolate and pistachio fudge in a gold star cellophane bag, will get a free pack of 12 gold star cellophane bags and a mystery gift. Get baking!!!

One of our customers called today and while he was placing an order, told us a great tip to stop the porcelain paint pens becoming clogged up with paint, drying up, and having to be thrown away while they still contain paint.

He told us that after he’s finished using a pen, he rinses the nib off in cold water to get rid of all the surplus paint. Dry off the rest of the pen apart from the nib and replace the cap.

If you have any tips for people using our products, then please let us know by replying to this posting.

We are now stocking a fantastic range of boxed craft kits from Great Gizmos. These include craft kits, science kits, knitting and sewing kits, as well as archaeological and crystal excavation kits. The full range is listed below:

Easy Knit Scarf - Boxed Craft Kit
Easy Knit Bear - Boxed Craft Kit
Woollie Dollies - Boxed Craft Kit
Make Your Own Mini Fairyland Dollies - Boxed Craft Kit
Make A Crystalite Trinket Box
Butterfly Crystalite Suncatcher
Dolphin Crystalite Suncatcher
Sunflower Window Mosaic Kit
Dolphin Window Mosaic Kit
Butterfly Window Mosaic Kit
Create A Night Sky - 4M Science Museum Kit
Glow In The Dark Solar System - 4M Science Museum Kit
Super Magnet - 4M Science Museum Kit
Crystal Mining - 4M Science Museum Kit
Butterfly Sand Art Pictures
Coral Fish Sand Art Pictures
Rainforest Sand Art Pictures
Dolphin Sand Art Pictures

We’ve found that boys especially like the magnet set, and the astronomy kits.

If you’re looking for great birthday presents - you’ve found them!