gwrrty/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
A couple of years ago during the Los Angeles fall fire season I had to decide which of my belongings to pile in my car when I evacuated. The items I left might be burned to a crisp. The stuff I could take with me was limited and therefore HAD to be my favorites.
One of the things I grabbed was my Klutz book
What are Klutz books? They are THE standard in hands-on learning for everything from crafts to science.
Over 33 years ago, three college buddies stood a sidewalk corner and began selling juggling lessons. This turned into the very successful how-to book “Juggling for the Complete Klutz,” which now comes with instructions and juggling balls. People liked it. I mean, they REALLY liked it. These three guys must be making a fortune.
My first Klutz book was the polymer clay book. I bought it used because I didn’t need the clay that the new version comes with. I needed the instructions. I pulled the book apart, put the individual pages into a ring binder, and used it to teach hundreds of students how to work with oven hardened clay.
Then I discovered that many people sell their Klutz books once they have used up the supplies that come with the book. The supplies are good, but the best part is the instructions. So began my pursuit of used Klutz books.
The books are almost always bound with white wire spiral, which makes it simple to find them at a yard or book sale. I just reach in, grab that binding and if I am lucky, there is a fabulous Klutz book in my hands. Instead of paying $10 to $24, I pay a buck. Yipee skipee! Yard sale score!
I have Klutz books on face painting, costumes, table top football, nail art, trick photography, magic, science, car games and more. My latest Klutz acquisition is the “Klutz Book of Animation”
The next book I really want to get is the Superhero Starter Kit
Related posts:
Free movie tickets for kids and families this summer
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
wendypiersall/Flickr
One of my favorite mottos is: “You can never do too many art projects.” Many times when I tell this to people, their response is “Oh, but art materials are so expensive.” Oh please! Who do you think you are taking to? Would I suggest doing something if there were not loads of free or highly discounted resources? Of course not.
As stated in the my recent article “How to teach arts and crafts for pennies” most of us have a computer, internet access and a colored printer at our disposal. We might not have these things at home, but they are available for free at libraries and many schools. Staples and Office Depot have great printing departments as well.
A great resource for paper-based art projects is printer manufacturers. They WANT you to have things to do with your shiny new color printer, so they make sure there are some really cool free online projects.
- I particularly like the 3D race car project from HP since finding art projects for young boys is always a challenge. The 3D race car is a color printed cut and fold project. An easy craft that looks good. I suggest using slightly heavier paper than your regular photocopy paper.
- Canon has a mini roses paper craft project that will keep even the most detail oriented crafter busy for quite some time. This finished product will look great as a gift box topper or a hat decoration. Truly for more advanced and patient crafters.
- Epson’s art project site includes some timely graduation-themed invitations, thank you cards and money card. These templates are great for personalizing your own invites and cards. Available for Mac and Windows.
Do you have a favorite free online craft project site?
