Valkyrie Spring 2019- Issue 3

ART FADS
Paint-by-Numbers
50s
Painting by numbers has always been a favorite past
time among all age groups. Whether the picture you
are trying to fill in has lots of details or not, painting by
numbers typically improves people’s precision skills, as you have to be
as accurate as possible to fill in the spaces without coloring outside the
lines. Painting by numbers also offers people the opportunity to make
a beautiful masterpiece even if they are not confident in their artistic
abilities. This artsy fad has not changed much over the years, with
coloring books and other similar crafts still popular among adults.
Tie-Dye
70s This arts and crafts project has been around for
several centuries, dating back even as far as 500 AD.
According to World Shibori Network, it originated in
countries within Africa, Asia, and possibly even in Latin America. Different
methods were used to create more elaborate designs. Today, we
think of tie-dying as simply taking a fabric item, tying rubber bands
or strings around it in either a random or planned design, and applying
dye to the exposed areas of the fabric. Once you let the dye set in,
remove the strings, and wash the material--it will be left with a unique
and vivid design. These were popular in the 60s and 70s among hippie
and psychedelic culture.
THAT
STILL RAD
ARE
Six retro crafts that are still around
Design by Kaitlan Koehler, Arts & Music
Story by Melanie Gonzalez, Asst. Arts & Music Editor
Graphics by Andrea Flores, Graphics Co-Editor
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Shrinky Dinks
80s Shrinky Dinks were invented in the 70s and became more
popular in the 80s. The activity consists of drawing
whatever you like on the thin plastic sheets that can be bought
from most craft stores, cutting them out and then heating them
in the oven. Once they are heated, they become smaller, thicker, and more
solid, so most people make sure to draw large pictures so that the Shrinky
Dinks come out at the right size. They can be used as charms, accessories or
merely stand-alone crafts.
TUBULAR
Perler Beads
Bedazzling
80s
Bedazzling became highly popular in the 80s, with people
adorning everything from their backpacks to their stuffed
animals with rhinestone words and designs. The Bedazzler was a
product introduced in the 70s and was worked much the same as a stapler,
but you don’t necessarily need the bedazzling tool to make your belongings
sparkle. Bedazzling is more popular today when it comes to creative
DIYs, especially with homemade fashion.
90s Most people can remember Perler beads from their elementary
school years, where they could create fun, little projects and watch
the teacher fuse the beads together into one, whole piece with an
iron. Perler beads were invented in the 60s by Swede Gunnar Knutsson, but did
not take off until a few decades later. Perler beads can be more versatile than
people think, with crafters making bowls and 3D models out of them. This fad is
especially fun because it lets you be as creative as you want, and the beads come
in several varieties, like glow-in-the-dark and clear. Today, Perler beads are most
commonly used to make 8-bit art, a digital form of Perler bead art.
Friendship Bracelets 00s
An ageless craft, friendship bracelets symbolize a strong
bond between two friends. Most are made in matching pairs
or customized and exchanged directly. There’s no right way to make a
friendship bracelet but weaved colored strings, and beads in your best
friend’s favorite colors are most popular. Often, friends get together to
make bracelets for each other based on the other’s interests. If a friend
dismisses their friendship bracelet or throws it away, you may want to
reconsider whether they are a true friend.
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