Category: Arts and Crafts

How to Use Craftsy As a Learning Resource

Craftsy is an online video-based class provider in the crafting niche. It’s a great learning resource! This post will show you how to use Craftsy as a learning resource to help prepare you to be an excellent wife, mother, and homemaker (if that’s not your aim, you may have landed on the wrong blog ~ but go ahead and read the post. It’s adaptable!).
 
 
Hint: No learning budget? No problem. Read the post anyway. It’s for you too!
 
How to Use Craftsy As a Learning Resource
 
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I could earn a commission if you purchase something (or perform some other desired action) after clicking through one of them. This doesn't cost you any more or affect you in any way.
 
First, a little more about Craftsy.
 
Craftsy offers hundreds of online video classes on sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, cake decorating, photography, cooking, baking, drawing, painting, embroidery, jewelry, paper crafting, woodworking, gardening, weaving, spinning, and more.
 
You can build knowledge and skills in homemaking basics with cooking and baking classes, pursue special homemaking interests with topics like sewing, knitting, and gardening, and round out your personal development with topics like drawing and woodworking.
 
Here’s how. 🙂
 

Take Online Video Classes

The obvious. 🙂 Like I said, Craftsy offers HUNDREDS of classes. Some are Craftsy classes, some are third-party classes.
 
You can view all classes here and filter by topic and price range. Prices range from $.9.99 to over $100. Class sales are common so if you simply can’t swallow the price of a class you want to take, be patient and vigilant. It may eventually come around to a price you can handle. 🙂
 
Major categories of interest:
 
When viewing individual class categories, you can also filter by skill level and other factors. Yay!
 
Classes vary but each class page offers a ton of information about the class: what it includes and what to expect (including reviews!). Once you purchase a class, it’s in your “class library” and you can view it at any time.  Some classes are also available as DVDs. Clicking “DVD” under “Format” on the class page will show you more information about the class in DVD format. 
 
Hint: try a free class (more info below) first to make sure your device can handle the class videos.
 

 

Take Free Classes

Yes, free! They’re “mini” classes but do teach and are also a good way to test out the Craftsy system to see if it’s for you.
 
 
Some highlights:

Complete Knife Skills Cooking Class

Sew Ready: Machine Basics Sewing Class

Piece, Patch, Quilt: Basic Quiltmaking Skills Quilting Class

 

Use Craft Patterns

You can use patterns to learn new techniques or to help you with skill-building projects. Some patterns are free!
 
On the All Patterns page you can filter by category, skill level, price, and more.
 
Pattern pages for specific skills offer even more filtering options:
 
Patterns are digital downloads from Craftsy and from other sellers/designers. Pattern pages contain lots of information, including reviews.
 

Use Project Kits

Project Kits can make conquering something new easier. Instead of spending your time and energy on finding all the right materials for your project, you can just jump right in and focus on learning new skills.
 
Here’s the project kits page where you can filter by category (i.e. craft), project type, and price level.
 
You can also shop for kits in individual skill sections, such as sewing, which gives you more filtering options.
 
Hint: There are kits under $10.
 

Use Craft supplies

How do you learn from supplies? Well, mostly you learn from supplies by using them. You learn to crochet by crocheting, you learn to sew by sewing, etc. Any supply source (such as Craftsy) can help you do that! Craftsy‘s supplies include fabric, yarn, sewing tools and notions, and cake decorating supplies.
 
You can also learn a lot about a craft simply by browsing supplies (as well as books, patterns, and classes) and reading their descriptions. It’s a great way to:
 
Figure out if it’s something you want to pursue
Get started by learning about the materials and tools used
Build your knowledge about materials and tools when you can’t afford books or classes
Learn what’s on the market (which is important knowledge in itself) and it’s relative quality and usefulness
 

Read the Blog

Craftsy also has a blog which includes informational posts on all of Craftsy‘s topics (sewing, knitting, gardening, woodworking, etc. ).

 

Get Ideas for Your Next Projects

Craftsy offers lots of ideas, including member’s projects, to inspire you. You can even keep track of ideas you like by adding them to your favorites.
 
You can find “Ideas” under each category’s main page (i.e. Quilting, Sewing, Knitting).
 
 

Download Free  Guides

Free, downloadable, Craftsy exclusive how-to guides. Need I say more?

 
 
 
Have you used Craftsy in any of these ways? What are you going to do next?
 

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Heads Up: Craftsy Class Sale (Ends October 31, 2016)

Every Craftsy class on sale through Monday 10/31, 11:59 PM MT!

Disclosure: This is an affiliate link. That means that I could earn a commission if you purchase this product after clicking through this link. This doesn’t cost you any more or affect you in any way (more disclosure).

 

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Learn Stamping Techniques in Craftsy’s Class: Spectacular Stamping

Are you a paper crafter? Or want to be? Check out this free mini class from Craftsy:

 

FREE mini-class: Advance your paper crafts with innovative stamping techniques! Join Inkadinkado Ambassador Joy Macdonell & go beyond the basics: Learn Stamping Techniques in Craftsy’s Class: Spectacular Stamping.

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I could earn a commission if you purchase something (or perform some other desired action) after clicking through one of them. This doesn't cost you any more or affect you in any way.

 

If You Learn to Knit: Things You Can Knit for Your {Future} Baby

If you learn to knit, here are some of the things you could make for your babies!

 

If You Learn to Knit: Things You Can Knit for Your {Future} Baby

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11 New Craftsy Classes You Might Be Interested In

 

See below (or check out all the latest additions here).

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I could earn a commission if you purchase something (or perform some other desired action) after clicking through one of them. This doesn't cost you any more or affect you in any way.

 

Heads Up: Craftsy class sale ends today! (9/27/15)

‘Love of Learning Sale’ with 550+ online classes for $20 and under! This sale ends 9/27/2015.

 

Social Crocheting

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I could earn a commission if you purchase something (or perform some other desired action) after clicking through one of them. This doesn't cost you any more or affect you in any way.

Ready for a SMALL Knitting Project? (micro post)

How about a bookmark? Here are a few free patterns for knitted bookmarks.

Heads Up: Like Craft Supplies, Giveaways, and a Bit of Mystery?

Craftsy has a back-to-school giveaway going on right now. Enter to win a mystery box of supplies!

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I could earn a commission if you purchase something (or perform some other desired action) after clicking through one of them. This doesn't cost you any more or affect you in any way.

Sampler Your Way: Using Sampler Creation to Acquire and Demonstrate Skills

 

Have you ever wanted to make a sampler?

 

For some reason they excite me. I mean, you have this demonstration of all the needlework stitches you can make all in one place ~ and it’s pretty enough to hang on your wall (I think it somehow satisfies my inner need for abundance, order, and accomplishment all in one package!).

 

This post was originally published in 2014. I’ve updated it and added to it in honor of The Hope Chest’s “relaunch” after a prolonged “illness” and months of “rehab”.

 

Don’t do embroidery? Don’t leave. That’s not what this post is about!

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