Get crafting — Here's a look at what's new in the world of crafts

Recycling and reusing is huge, Drieu says. They might make raincoats from plastic bags, jellyfish from water bottles, tote bags out of old shirts. They are into vintage styles: old lace; old clothes that they make new again; old crafts, such as wet-felting, which they use to make modern styles.

Cuddly and cute is popular, but so is creepy. Nature is a recurring theme: birds, fish, flowers. Technology goes soft with such things as a needlepoint iPod cozy, a knitted cell-phone case, a crocheted lap-top cozy, an Atari video game needlepoint pillow. Duct tape is a medium for everything from wallets to iPod covers.

"They are crafts that make a statement, that often showcase what is going on in the world," Drieu says. "And they are forming huge online crafting communities. Craftster.org, for example, has 125,000 members and some 4,500 new members join each month."

3. Fashion crafting is hot. "In a world of homogenization, consumers are constantly looking for ways to express their individualism and creativity," notes a Craft & Hobby Association publication on the topic. "For years, crafting and fashion have been ways for people to unleash their creativity and express their individual style. Today, we are seeing these two industries blend."

The trend toward creating "wearable art" includes such things as:

• Jewelry making. Popular trends include collage-style jewelry (which fuses traditional jewelry supplies, such as beads, with paper crafting materials, such as paper, retro images and witty sayings; oversize pieces; "dark" pieces in black onyx, smoky quartz and modern dichroic glass; "high-tech" jewelry featuring an eclectic fusion of elements; medallions; and intricate beading.

• Altering or embellishing clothing and accessories. Trends are shifting toward heavier and chunky embellishments. Everything is bigger, bolder, more extreme than in the past. Also popular are fabric painting and decorating, cross-stitch and embroidery.

• Creating one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories. Sewing is attracting younger consumers who want to design their own pieces. Aprons, bags, simple skirts and tops are popular; so are crocheting, knitting and leather crafting.

4. Fusion is everywhere. Everything seems to be crossing lines. Scrapbooking techniques are being used in home decor. Home-decor techniques are being used in fashion. Fashion techniques are being used in scrapbooking.

Beads show up in almost every genre, from jewelry to quilts to scrapbooks. Rubber and acrylic stamps are being used to stencil walls or stamp on fabrics.