Create a DIY advent calendar that’s cheaper than store-bought and way more personal. This guide covers modern vs. traditional designs, clever themes for all ages, budget supplies you already own, and non-candy fillers (plus activity ideas). Learn simple Gel Press monoprinting to craft custom doors, tags, and envelopes, and get safety and cleanup tips for family-friendly crafting. Start a keepsake tradition that builds holiday magic all December long.
Art & Inspiration
Color Theory for Monoprinting: Mix, Match & Print with Confidence
Unlock better prints with practical color theory. This beginner-friendly guide explains the color wheel, hue–saturation–value, and easy harmonies (complementary, analogous, triadic) to plan palettes that pop. See how Gel Press plates make mixing, layering, and testing tints/shades simple, with age-appropriate, non-toxic paint tips, cleanup, and storage. Build confidence choosing colors that set the mood—and create cohesive, high-impact monoprints.
What Is Encaustic Art? History, Materials, Techniques & Safety
Encaustic art blends beeswax, damar resin, and pigments to create luminous, durable paintings fused with heat. This beginner-friendly guide explains the origins (Fayum portraits to Jasper Johns), the essential tools and safe studio setup, how to melt, layer, and fuse wax, and creative mixed-media options like collage and Gel Press monoprints. Learn why artists love the depth, texture, and archival quality of this ancient-yet-modern medium.
How to Make Paper Mache: Easy Paste, Strong Layers, Fun Projects
New to paper mache? This guide walks you through everything: mixing flour-or-glue paste, choosing paper, building over balloons or molds, layering for strength, and drying safely to avoid mold. You’ll learn sanding, sealing, and painting—plus a creative twist using Gel Press monoprints to decorate your final layer. Perfect for masks, bowls, sculptures, and classroom crafts.
Etching for Beginners: Tools, Techniques & Safer Alternatives
New to etching? This beginner-friendly guide explains intaglio basics, how acid “bites” a metal plate, and what sets etching apart from engraving and drypoint. Explore plates, inks, presses, line etching, aquatint, and sugar lift—then see safer, acid-free ways to mimic etched effects with Gel Press plates at home or in the classroom. Includes setup, safety, troubleshooting, and project ideas.
Cadmium Yellow Color Meaning & Uses: A Complete Guide
Cadmium yellow is a cornerstone pigment: brilliantly vibrant, highly opaque, and renowned for its lightfastness. This guide explains its history, what sets it apart, how to choose between light, medium, and deep shades, and smart mixing tips for oils, acrylics, and gouache. You’ll also get safety best practices and classroom-friendly alternatives—plus ways to make this color sing in Gel Press monoprinting.
25+ Fun Art Ideas for All Ages (Kids, Teens & Adults)
Spark creativity with 25+ fun, low-cost art ideas for every age and skill level. From Gel Press monoprinting and watercolor-resist to recycled collages, potato stamps, and collaborative canvases, you’ll find quick wins and deeper projects to grow your skills. Includes group activities, modern DIY wall art, intermediate layering techniques, and non-toxic setup/cleanup tips so you can create safely at home, in classrooms, or workshops.
What Does the Color Blue Symbolize?
The color blue is one of the most loved shades worldwide, symbolizing calm, trust, and stability—but it also carries ties to sadness and depth. From the clear sky to the vast ocean, blue evokes peace and reliability, while in art and culture it takes on spiritual and emotional meaning. Discover what the color blue represents across psychology, history, and creative design.
Hue: Definition, Meaning & Examples (Color Wheel Guide)
Hue is the pure “family name” of a color—red, blue, yellow—before white, black, or gray are added. This guide explains hue vs color, tint, shade, and tone; how hue is measured in HSV/HSL; and how to read hues on the 12-part color wheel. Perfect for artists, makers, and educators, with simple examples and quick exercises to build your color-mixing confidence.
Neurographic Art for Beginners: Techniques and Tips
Discover neurographic art—a simple, mindful drawing method anyone can try. Start with freeform lines, round the intersections, and add color to create calming, organic designs. This beginner-friendly guide covers the origins, step-by-step process, benefits for stress relief, and the basic supplies you need (paper, pen, a few colors). Great for solo practice or classroom workshops.
October Fall Crafts: 12 Easy DIY Ideas for Kids, Adults & Classrooms
Celebrate autumn with 12 easy October crafts the whole family can make. From leaf-printed Gel Press art and pumpkin-stamped totes to spooky lanterns and nature-made cards, these projects are kid-friendly, classroom-ready, and budget-wise. Get step-by-step tips, supply checklists, and cleanup/safety guidance—plus ideas to elevate your fall décor or lesson plans with monoprinting textures and seasonal color palettes.
Beginner Gel Printing Setup: Tips for Your First Print
Key Highlights Gel printing is a simple way to do printmaking. You do not need to have many supplies to start. It is good to get your work surface ready...