Make Your Own Pressed Flower Jewelry Box

Would you agree that there is something enchanting about pressed flowers? They dazzle the eye with vibrant color and exquisite detail, all the while evoking gentle feelings of nostalgia. Perhaps best of all, pressed flowers cost nothing.

Preserve Your Favorite Spring Flowers by Pressing Them

Do you love flowers? Do you hate to see things go to waste? Are you great at crafting and making things beautiful? If so, our pressed flower jewelry box project is for you. It is the perfect Springtime craft, and also makes a thoughtful gift.

Before you begin making your jewelry box, gather the needed materials:

• Small wooden box
• 2 pieces of white paper
• Acrylic paint (your choice of color)
• Small paintbrush
• Elmer’s glue
• Several blooms of your favorite Spring flower (small blooms work best)
• Krylon anti-UV clear acrylic sealer (comes in a spray can)
• A hardback book

Altogether, these materials should be very inexpensive.

Directions for Making Your Pressed Flower Jewelry Box

Once you have gathered your materials, you are ready to get started making your pressed flower jewelry box. Follow these directions to get a beautiful result:

• Carefully place your live flower blooms onto one piece of white paper; do not let the blooms overlap. Open your hardback book and place the white sheet loaded with blooms into it. Cover the blooms with the other sheet of white paper and close the book firmly. Now comes the hard part: leave the book alone for at least a week; this is how long it takes for the flowers to become thoroughly pressed and dried.

• In the days you are waiting for your flowers to dry, paint your wooden box with the acrylic paint you chose. You may need to apply 2 coats of paint. White is the perfect showcase color for your vibrant pressed flowers. Allow box to dry totally.

• After the week long period, open the hardback book and carefully remove the dried flowers with tweezers. They will be as thin as tissue paper, so be very gentle.

• Using tweezers, arrange the pressed flowers into a design of your choice on top of the box. Be as creative as you desire. Remember, this is your creation!

• After your flowers are arranged atop the box, carefully lift each dried bloom and dot tiny amounts of school glue (use a toothpick to do this) on the backside of the flowers. Then, lay the flowers on the box and gently press down on them. Do this until all your dried flowers are glued in place. Let arrangement dry.

• The last step is to spray your completely dry craft with Krylon clear acrylic sealer. Be sure that the top of your jewelry box is open when you do this; otherwise, the spray will glue the box’s lid shut. You may want to spray another coat of sealer after the first coat is dry. Allow box to dry. Your Springtime pressed flower jewelry box is now finished and ready to be enjoyed!

We would love to see your finished product. Please share a photo of your Springtime craft with us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/segmation).

Is there a specific craft you love to make that uses pressed flowers? Please share with us in the comments section below.

Read more Segmation blog posts about art and color:

Paint by Number – The Original DIY Project

Colorful Flowers to Plant this Spring

Easy Ways to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Be an Artist in 2 minutes with Segmation SegPlay® PC (see more details here)

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What does a Good Art Teacher Look Like?

Some people are gifted with artistic abilities. Others develop them in time. Most diligent students can become creative artists with the help of good art teachers.

Excellent art teachers are memorable additions to the education process. In many cases, art teachers play monumental roles in the lives of students. Therefore, the question stands: What makes a good art teacher? Listed below are three character traits of a good art teacher.

Passion

Passion is contagious. An art teacher fills the classroom with enthusiasm when he or she enjoys work, continues developing art skills, and encourages students. One of the most effective ways to do this involves creating visual aids. Students need these examples and enjoy seeing a teacher display his or her abilities.

Perspective

When art teachers educate students about perspective, it usually involves discussing a work of art from the artist’s point of view. Another definition of perspective ought to be considered though. When reviewing art work, a good teacher keeps an open mind and invites the student to explain his or her masterpiece. This enables students to express themselves and develop creativity.

One of the biggest mistakes an art teacher can make is failing to consider personal perspective in light of how the project is graded. There is always a story behind an art project and many times it is not what others expect.

Balance

As mentioned above, art teachers need to be passionate, fun-loving, and value the efforts of their students. All the while, they must remember the title of teacher; this role requires a person to instruct the classroom and challenge students, even if it means being “tough” at times. These traits are essential to ensuring students better themselves in areas of creativity and art. Great art teachers know how to be fun and constructive all at once.

When describing a good art teacher, many statements come to mind. One being, teachers are “not born but made”. Over time, these individuals become skilled in the art of teaching. Which seems entirely appropriate for a good art teacher.

Read more Segmation blog posts about Art Projects:

Bauhaus Art School

Why Are School Buses Yellow?

Google Art Project Makes Art More Accessible

Be a Artist in 2 minutes with Segmation SegPlay® PC (see more details here)

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Summer Sand Castle Challenge

Are you looking to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer? Do you want to combine fun, physical activity with creative art projects? Have you thought about visiting a beach?

Building sand castles is the epitome of summer fun. If you think sand castles are child’s play, think again. Some adults make the most of this summer hobby by taking time to create sandy sculptures of fine art. With advice from a pro, you too can use sand as an art medium.

This year, challenge yourself to create the biggest and best castle you can. Use this article to help you combine summer fun and creative expression. Let’s first get some advice from a professional sand artist.

Kirk Rademaker – Professional Sand Artist

Kirk Rademaker is a carpenter by trade. He made his living by working with wood but spent his weekends building massive sand sculptures for fun. The longer he worked at his hobby, the more impressive his sculptures became.

These days, Kirk earns his big paychecks by creating one-of-a-kind sand sculptures. He designs unique sculptures for private parties, business events, and birthdays. Some of his unique art has even been used for Hollywood movie premiers and contracted by famous people like Dustin Hoffman.

Tips for Building Your Own Sand Sculptures

You may not be a master like Kirk Rademaker yet, but if you are inspired by his story, and interested in creating unique sand sculptures, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Always use moist sand – sand from the tide line is suggested.
• Create a mound of densely packed wet sand – there is no such thing as too much water.
• Work from top to bottom – it is easier to take sand away then to add it.
• Purchase a sand castle kit – this will include the tools you need to carve fine detail into your sculptures.

If you live near a beach or plan to travel to a tropical climate, try taking on the summer sand castle challenge. Segmation is interested in seeing pictures of your sand castles. Be sure to snap a shot with your phone or camera and share it with us on Facebook.

In the United States there are many official sand castle competitions that take place throughout the year. Attending one of these shows is an excellent way to expose yourself to unique art.

Where have you seen creativity expressed this way? What did you think of artwork made from the medium of sand.

Summer is the season to be outside, active, and creative.  Whatever art projects you take on this season, be sure they are one of a kind.

Read more Segmation blog posts about Creative Summer Activities:

From Sand Castles to Sand Sculptures

Beach Fun

Create Fun, Everyday Art by Tie Dying

Be an Artist in 2 minutes with Segmation SegPlay® PC (see more details here)

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Image made available by  Joe Dsilva on Flickr through Creative Common Licenses.