Mortira's Lensography

Every new piece of beadwork has a history, a place of origin, a source of inspiration. Images, objects, colors, nature, music, fashion - all of these things can inspire artists to create. Bead artists have limitless possibilities when it comes to des...

The Beading Calendar is a helpful resource for beaders, jewelry designers, and other artists, where you can find everything you need to know to create beautiful beaded items year-round. In this guide you will find ideas on how to use birthstones, fl...

This bead guide offers information about common bead types and where to find them, bead histories, color selection and more. If you love beadwork, jewels, or anything shiny, start your bead collection journey here. Discover how you, too, can join the...

Beadweaving is an art form that grows in popularity every year. There are dozens of different styles and techniques of beadwork that one can master and apply to fashion, home decor, and more. In this introduction to beading, we will discuss the origi...

If you enjoy creating your own custom holiday decorations, jewelry or accessories, then Christmas Beading is for you. Using beads in a few classic Holiday colors, anyone can create unique and beautiful items that will be the envy of everyone at the...

Peyote stitch, also called gourd stitch, is a classic bead weaving technique used in all kinds of beadwork and crafts. It's origins are Native American, though the basic stitch and variations of it are used all over the world to create everything fro...

The daisy chain stitch is one of the most basic beading techniques available for bead weavers. It is often the first experience crafters have with beading, and is even a common activity for groups like Girl Guides and summer camps. There are many di...

Spiral rope, or spiral rope chain is a popular beading technique that is great for beginners and experts alike. The basic stitch is simple to do, and incredibly easy to adapt, allowing for endless design possiblities. Starting with a basic spiral ro...

Herringbone weave is one of the most popular stitches used in bead weaving. There are many variations and it's great for all types of beads. The easy to follow tutorials below will show you how to create some basic herringbone beadwork. You will also...

Make your own personalized gifts for Easter or Mother's Day! When you need to find a gift for that 'impossible to buy for' someone, a handmade gift basket is a creative and thoughtful way to give. With a few hand-picked items, you can please anyone:...

On this page, you will find some of the most creative costume ideas that you can make from items you already have! If you need a costume at the last minute, look no further for ideas that will make you stand out in a crowd of ghouls! Browse through...

One of the things that kids and adults all look forward to each holiday season are the delicious treats. Chocolates, cakes, pies and pastries are bought and baked, and served on charming trays for all to enjoy. Even if you're short on time, and d...

Having a baby is a full-time learning experience. In this prenatal calendar, you will find some advice on coping with the things that the books don't tell you about. This is a 10 month guide for the mom to be, detailing some of the possible obstacles...

One of the first items new or expecting parents will purchase is the essential, useful and most important accessory: a diaper bag. These handy carry-alls allow parents on the go to bring the nursery, kitchen and changing table with them on outings an...

Nutrition is an important part of life for pregnant and nursing women. Although prenatal vitamins can help make sure that women get their daily vitamins and minerals, a healthy diet is much more effective for keeping moms and babies healthy. Includin...

Reading to children is a wonderful activity and past time that both parents and teachers enjoy. Seeing their rapt, excited faces when there's a mystery to be solved, a surprise twist, or a happy ending is all the reward one needs. Not only are story...

There are so many ways to make a holiday special, from decorations, to treats, to music. One of the most wonderful ways to make a holiday exciting and memorable for children is with a cherished story book. These classics that come out once a year wil...

Everyone loves to receive postcards, and greeting cards for special occasions. They're simple, thoughtful, and beautiful - especially Christmas and holiday cards. They're so memorable and nice, that many people hold on to their greeting cards for yea...

Recycling by definition is the processing of used or waste material so that it can be used again, instead of being wasted.* The word recycling is used more casually to describe the process of keeping things from ending up in the trash. Whether this m...

On March 28th 2009, millions of people around the world turned out the lights for Earth Hour. This awareness movement is intended to get people talking about the importance of reducing human impact on the Earth. Below you will find lists of activiti...

Although environmental awareness grows stronger everyday, one area that is continually ignored is the impact of precious stones and metals. In particular, the lure of gold slips under the radar of most eco-conscious people. The price of gold has rise...

Humanity has a strange obsession with being scared - a desire to be thrilled, tickled and tantalized by monsters and mysteries. Thanks to television and film, we can enjoy a few shrieks and shivers from the comfort of our own homes. In this series o...

One of the most popular thriller films of all time, A Nightmare on Elm Street is the firstin a saga of cult classics that have been entertaining horror fans for decades. Now a seemingly lost art, the slasher film is a relic of the 1980's, and brought...

One of the most wonderful things about the Christmas season is sharing traditions with friends and family members. Though there are thousands of different ways to make the holidays special, many families always make time for some classic Christmas fi...

For anyone who didn't see Twilight in theatres, here are ten reasons to get up to speed on the latest film craze. Maybe you've been waiting for it to come out on home video. Or perhaps you didn't want to see Twilight in the first place. Either way,...

Entertain your family this summer with some classic board games and tabletop games! If you're planning a party or gathering, or just want to spend some quality time with special people, tabletop games are just the thing. Whether you're entertaining...

There have been hundreds of vampires portrayed in films over the years. So many, in fact, that it warranted a top 70 list of the greatest vampire movies of all time! As a tribute to the fantastic actors who capture creatures of the night, Movie Class...

One of the most wonderful things about the Christmas season is sharing traditions with friends and family members. Though there are thousands of different ways to make the holidays special, many families always make time for some classic Christmas fi...

These great Playstation titles are essential for any serious game collection. From action-adventure to fantasy role-playing, Sony games have something to offer for gamers of all tastes. This list of bestsellers and must-have games includes titles fo...

New lensmasters and seasoned Squids alike will benefit from this detailed list of important HTML, websites and other tidbits that help make lenses great. Many successful lenses use hyperlinks to different areas of Squidoo -and the web - to help read...

In this introduction, I am going to say something moderately intelligent about my topic (squid) so that you will think that this lens is worth reading. Once I've drawn you in, I hope that you will buy some stuff. A squid is a kind of sea creature th...

No matter who you are, or where you live, it's very likely that you've taken at least one survey in your life. There are all kinds of surveys - and they're everywhere - because there's someone out there who wants to know what you think, what you buy,...

This year I'm buying lots and lots of presents for my baby. We're getting a brand new tree and decorations, and I can't wait to see the look on his face when we turn on the lights for the first time. All I really want for Christmas is for him to be h...

Are You Feeling Creative? This group is a showcase of only the most excellent art and craft tutorials. If you're looking for unique gift ideas, interesting home decor items, or one of a kind jewelry projects, you're sure to find something that suits...

Discover the Joy of Beading!   Beads and Jewels is a group for everyone who loves beads, beading and handmade jewelry. You can find everything you need to know about creating jewelry, accessories, decorations - and more - with beads.  You c...

The Green Crusaders are experts in recycling, conservation, reducing pollution and saving the planet from negative human impact. If you're looking for ways to improve your lifestyle with more eco-friendly methods, the Green Crusaders can show yo...

Winter, spring, summer and fall! Every time of year has it's own special appeal. If you're looking for ideas for your next holiday gathering, or just want to learn something new about the month you were born in, Four Seasons is the place!

Movies Reviewed By Movie Lovers The Armchair Critics group is the place to find movie reviews, recommendations and rants. Whether it's good, bad or somewhere in between, the Armchair Critics know their films! We want you to know what to rent, what t...

Help for New Parents This collection of lenses for first time, expecting and brand new parents can help you get through the first five years with some tips from seasoned baby veterans. Our experts have shared their experiences to help new moms and...

Family Time is quality time! If you're looking for great information about spending quality time with kids of all ages, you've come to the right place! Our content aims to help parents and caregivers find wholesome, fun, memorable and educational ac...

Raising a family can be like running a zoo! This group is dedicated to quality information for parents, grandparents, caregivers and other family members. At Family Circus, you can learn about all kinds of issues, products and activities just for fa...