Make: Kit Reviews

Origami kits always intrigue me, but after folding a few animals I wonder what it’s all for. So when I discovered Finger Magic, I thought, origami with a purpose! Not only do the kits teach fresh origami like Small World-style elephants, 3D tulips, and butterflies, but some kits come with greeting cards and envelopes. Just attach […]

Craft: animals, crafts, flowers, origami, paper

I save recipes on cards and always get bits of food or water on them, but laminating them with this hot laminator kit makes wiping them off a breeze. Use it for scrapbooking or for special photos you want to protect, or make your own laminated crafts such as luggage tags, signs, and more. Any crafter […]

Craft: crafts, laminator, scrapbooking

Sashiko embroidery is a Japanese needle-art that can be both meditative and addictive. Colors are worked into the design by making “little stabs” along the printed lines, creating a surprisingly complex final piece. Once complete, the ink washes out, leaving only your perfect sewing. TaDaa provides beautiful thread, sashiko needles, a leather thimble, and a […]

Craft: craft, embroidery, Japanese, Sashiko, sewing

An introduction to sewing with soft circuits, this fantastic kit teaches you how to augment your garments or needlework with LEDs. There’s a free video tutorial as well as step-by-step instructions, and the kit includes everything you need to get started; Jawa doll not included!

Craft: craft, LEDs, sewing, soft circuits

A friend and I tried to build a pottery kick wheel ourselves, but the concrete flywheel we poured cracked immediately, rendering the wheel a bit wobbly. Fortunately I later discovered these two kits, which include everything you need to make a solid kick wheel, including the wheel head, ball bearings, and all the pre-cut wood. And […]

Craft: crafts, pottery

Starting with the basic sock-style, this kit empowers kids to create handsome puppets and teaches different construction methods. With simple instructions, pre-marked patterns, pre-sewn parts to stuff, and packaging that becomes a stage, this kit is only two hours from coming to life. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry, but that’s the […]

Craft: animals, arts, crafts, kids, puppets

Beginners can learn how to weave their own bags, mats, coasters, and more with this portable weaving kit. The plastic mini loom comes with two shuttles, a beater, a weaving needle, five colors of yarn, and project instructions. Perfect for kids!

Craft: arts, crafts, weaving, yarn

Turn your trash into treasure, or in this case, a trash can. Out of the box, this metal basket skeleton won’t hold a lot, but add your own recycled material, and it becomes much more useful. Walls are formed by weaving through the spokes. If you like paper crafts, weave in folded strips of newspaper. […]

Craft: arts, crafts, plastic bags, trash can

MAKE blogger Sean Ragan created this provocative kit enabling you to make a medical replica out of nothing but Lego, with the exception of one slightly modified piece. Build the syringe by following the easy “order-of-operations,” using red for blood, or maybe a blue medicine from the future, or create yourself a sickly yellow-green poison. Complete […]

Craft: arts, crafts, lego

Without ever painting a portrait before in my life, I re-created the likeness of Pee-wee Herman with this PopParty Paint by Number Kit. Choose from the Golden Girls, Pee-wee, or my personal favorite, Lindsay Lohan’s mug shot. Better yet, order a custom kit from your own photo for $125, with up to 16 acrylic paint […]

Craft: art, celebrities, crafts, paint-by-number, Pee-Wee Herman