Whether you've come across an unfamiliar term, or are just looking to increase your craft vocabulary, this glossary can help. The capacity a material has to take in water or other fluid. Anvil Used in coordination with a hammer, the anvil is a smooth surface on which metal and wire are shaped against. The framework that paper mache is molded on to form the desired shape. Commonly made from cardboard, tin cans, wire or inflated balloons.
Artists linen An un-pressed linen which serves as a background in embroidery and painting.
Can also mount and frame finished projects. Any sculpture or design formed with a variety of materials, sometimes accented by painting, drawing or photography. Backstitch A stitch used in embroidery to secure a line of seed beads to a cloth backing. A simple stitch is used to initially attach between one and three beads, and then the thread is put back through at least one of the beads. The backstitch is completed with another simple stitch.