Craft Making JSS2 Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA) Lesson Note

CRAFT MAKING

Subject: Creative Arts (Cultural and Creative Arts)

Class: JSS2

Duration: 40 minutes

Craft is the art of making useful or beautiful things with your hands. When you create something by hand using simple materials, you are making a craft. Craft items can be decorations for your home, gifts for friends and family, or useful objects that you can use every day.

Craft is different from fine art like painting or sculpture because craft items are usually meant to be used, not just looked at. However, many craft items are also very beautiful and decorative.

People have been making crafts for thousands of years. Long before there were factories and machines, people made everything they needed by hand. Today, we still enjoy making crafts because it is fun, creative, and relaxing. When you make something with your own hands, you feel proud of what you have created.

Examples of Crafts:

• Making a paper basket to hold pencils
• Creating greeting cards for birthdays
• Weaving a small mat from palm fronds
• Moulding animals from clay
• Sewing a small bag from fabric
• Making decorations for festivals
• Creating jewelry from beads

Why Do We Make Crafts?

There are many good reasons to learn craft making:

1. Crafts are useful – You can make things you need instead of buying them. This saves money.
2. Crafts make good gifts – A handmade gift shows that you care because you spent time making it yourself.
3. Crafts help us be creative – When you make crafts, you use your imagination and express your own ideas.
4. Crafts teach important skills – You learn to work carefully with your hands, follow instructions, and solve problems.
5. Crafts are fun – Making things with your hands is enjoyable and helps you relax.
6. Crafts can earn money – Some people sell their crafts and make a living from their craft skills.

Materials Needed for Craft Making

To make crafts, you need materials. Different crafts require different materials. Let us learn about the common materials used in craft making.

1. PAPER

Paper is one of the most common and easiest materials to use for crafts. It is cheap, easy to find, and you can do many things with it.

Types of Paper for Crafts:

• Newspaper (for papier-mâché and wrapping)
• Coloured paper (for cards and decorations)
• Cardboard (for strong boxes and structures)
• Tissue paper (for soft decorations)
• Old magazines (for collages)
• Brown paper bags (for masks and puppets)
• Plain white paper (for drawing and folding)

What You Can Make with Paper:

• Greeting cards for birthdays and holidays
• Paper flowers and decorations
• Origami animals and shapes
• Paper chains for parties
• Masks for drama
• Paper boxes and baskets
• Collage pictures
• Paper fans

How to Work with Paper:

• Cut paper with scissors carefully
• Fold paper along straight lines using a ruler
• Roll paper to make tubes
• Tear paper for special effects
• Layer different colours together

2. PAPER GUM AND OTHER ADHESIVES

Adhesives are substances that make things stick together. You need adhesives to join pieces of material when making crafts.

Types of Adhesives:

Paper Gum (Paste):

This is a white liquid that dries clear. It works well for paper and light cardboard. You can spread it with a brush or your finger.

Starch Paste:

You can make this at home by mixing flour or starch with water. It is good for papier-mâché and sticking paper. It is safe and cheap.

Glue Stick:

This is solid glue in a tube. You rub it on paper and it sticks. It is clean and easy to use.

White Glue:

This is stronger than paper gum. It works for paper, fabric, and some other materials. It dries clear.

Tape:

Sticky tape is good for quick projects. You can use clear tape, masking tape, or coloured tape.

How to Use Adhesives Properly:

• Use just enough – too much makes things messy
• Spread glue evenly with a brush or stick
• Press pieces together firmly and hold for a few seconds
• Let glue dry completely before moving your craft
• Keep glue away from your clothes
• Close glue containers tightly so they do not dry out.