Websites We Heart: Craftbits

Free craft project websites appear on the Internet with the frequency of starlets checking into re-hab. But these sites can sometimes be an exercise in frustration. They often require your email address before allowing you pattern access, only contain links to other sites (which only contain links to other sites, which only contain links...etc) or have projects that even kids at summer camp would be embarrassed to make. Finding a site that is well organized, pleasant to look at, easy to navigate and actually contains projects you want to make isn’t always easy.

Craftbits, founded by the Australian mother/daughter team of Rita and Shellie Wilson, is one of the good ones. The site itself is illustrated with cute mod graphics, is easy to navigate and best of all, is updated on a regular basis.

The homepage features the top ten most popular crafts, with various project categories listed on the left. The craft projects do not require registration to access (although registration is required for anyone wanting to post a project or enter contests). Project categories include Bath & Body, Beading, various holidays, Crochet, Knitting, Recycled Crafts, as well as Therapy Crafts and a listing of sites that accept craft for charity. The projects on the site range from trendy (knitted food, juice wrapper coin purse, bath jelly) to whimsical (bra evening bag, crocheted poo, monster puke bubble bath) to classic (sock monkeys, dish scrubbies, dammit dolls).

Each project (as far as I can tell…I don’t have the time to look at the hundreds listed! ;-)) has an accompanying picture of the finished product as well as instructions. They are available in an easy-to-print format by simply clicking on the “print” button in the left-hand corner. While the majority of the instructions are thourough, some of the user-submitted ideas could use more detail.

Besides projects, the site sponsors contests to win various craft-related products, articles that range from interviews with crafters to how to sell your stuff at craft shows and an advice section where site members can submit questions.

A unique feature not found on most craft sites is the Craft Videos section (would that fellow redhead be Aussie Craftbits Founder Shellie?). It only contains a few videos at the moment, but I hope to see this feature expanded in the future.

Rating: 9/10 You’ll lose track of time while visiting!