Erica asks: “Do you have any suggestions for personalizing back-to-school supplies?” Fill these last summer days with activities that will help your back-to-schooler get excited for the first day. You probably already have the supplies needed to make these fun pencils. Get creative and eco-friendly with textbook covers—here we’ve used old roadmaps. Paper grocery bags …

Last week on the Bloggers Night Out, we posted the editors’ NYC passports, stamped with our top NYC destinations. In her comment on the post, Shirley asked: Any way you could share the top NYC craft destinations with us? I wasn’t able to make out all of them from the photo. Thanks! We’d love to, Shirley!  Here …

Sheila asks- “Before I rush out and buy several paper punches, I was wondering if you can use them on fabric or felt?” The answer is YES! you can use craft punches on certain fabrics (though we haven’t had much luck with felt, as it is a bit too thick).  The trick to punching fabric …

Patricia asks: Dear Crafts Department,
Could you give me manufacturers/suppliers of Valentine’s Day confectionery boxes?  Thanks very much! Happy to oblige! Here are few good online sources for heart shaped candy boxes: Box and Wrap has vintage looking red foil boxes, but aslo silver and gold which can be hard to find. SugarCraft has quite a few …

Ed Mitby asks: I recently was in India and purchased several tablecloths and table settings that apparently are made with vegetable dye. Supposedly you are supposed to soak these in salt water before washing to prevent bleeding, but how much salt, what water temperature, and how long? Very good question! I didn’t know the answer …

Geetha Krishnan wants to know our sources for pipe cleaners.  Pipe cleaners, or chenille stems, come in a vast array of size, shape, and color.  They can be found at most craft stores, but we’ve chosen a few sources to exhibit a variety of options.   Create For Less is a great online source for …

Angie asks: I want to make the marbleized paper, but I can’t find alum or methyl cellulose-any suggestions?  Will liquid starch work as well?  We are working our way through the Craft Encyclopedia! Wow, Angie, and you’re already at M for marbleizing!?  Marbleizing is fun and easy, but it really does require the right materials.  …

Nicky Stokes asks: I loved the glitter cards and photo art in the November issue of Martha’s magazine.  I really want to try making a card, but I don’t want to send my friends a mess of glitter for Christmas.  How do I keep the glitter from falling off the card?  Is there a special …